Clermont Draft Legal Challenge

I raced my "season opener" on saturday in Clermont, FL. Overall, it was a fun trip! I got to meet a couple ironman professional triathletes that stopped by the house I was staying at down there (the lady I stayed with is TYR rep so she talks with a lot of pros). It is so normal to be a professional down there...crazy! Anyway, about the race...First, the race was delayed so instead of already starting crazy late in the afternoon (3:30) we started about 4:00. It was just a busy day full of races so things were a little delayed. That was quite different to have such a big race so late in the day. It was hard to sit around and have the race on my mind for so long. I really prefer to get up and get 'er done! But I managed to entertain myself.
The swim was in Lake Louisa, which was very shallow for a couple hundred meters out from the shore...this made for A LOT of dolphin diving and running in knee deep water (a little challenging for me as I am kinda short!). So the swim was pretty challenging in this way for me. I saw several people pass me as we neared the shore and started to run out of the water. I just had to stay in control and do my best to run fast to catch a bike group! Well, I came out with several girls, but it quickly got divided up into 3 solid packs of riders. I couldn't quite catch the group up the road so I actually ended up riding the race by myself with one other girl who stayed quite close to me the entire time. I was just stuck in a position where I couldn't time trial my way up to the next pack by myself as there were strong bikers in the pack. I managed to stay ahead of the group behind me until the very last stretch coming home. So, it was definately a challenging spot to be in especially since I am not as strong on the run. I also receieved my first penatly ever! Ugh, I made a rookie mistake by mounting before the mount line...I thought I crossed it, but it was a chalk line about 10 feet out of transition. Oops...I know to DOUBLE check that out for the next race...never assume you know where those lines are! So I had to stop for 15" in the run. I tried to use it to my advantage and tell myself I was more fresh for having to stop. :) I actually only got passed by one person so I guess you can say I held my spot, but it made it difficult to run others down of course. So, this race was a pretty big learning experience with the different kind of swim tactics that were needed, my silly bike mistake, and just learning how to manage a draft legal bike with out having the draft!! haha, it was fun though. I also got to attend a clinic with my coach, Barb, so that was great to be down there and see her and learn more about my technique! I know I will be even more ready for my next race...the Nautica South Beach Tri (Miami)-part of the Lifetime Fitness Series. I am excited to do my first olympic non-draft race for the season!

Let the racing begin!

I am getting pumped for my "season opener" next weekend in Clermont, FL. The race is called the Clermont Draft Legal Challege. This is a sprint distance, so it should be short and sweet! I will get to see coach Barb down there and attend her clinics, which is awesome! I always learn a ton from her. Last year I did this same race and had a great time, but unfortunatly I had my injury going into the race (not realizing it)and this was the only race I could do until July last year...boo. I am feeling healthly this time around and look forward to hammering! I get to stay with my best friend, Kattie, while down there so that is another bonus. I'll add a race update soon!

My "Rocky moment"

Ross and I have been going downtown Grand Rapids to use parking ramps to do some greuling stair workouts. What a date huh? Meeting up at the parking ramp to do stairs...so romantic! Anyway, my coach has me doing stairs about once a week to help build strength and power in the off season for running. Double stairs helps with my hip stability too. I have actually enjoyed the intensity stair workouts can offer. Not only does it spike the heart rate, but my legs get pretty shaky by the end! It's been fun and a mental break to mix in different types of workouts instead of straight running all the time. My picture below shows my "Rocky moment" as I ran to the top of the ramp in between stair repeats...gotta have a little fun out there!


Stretching and running

TRX, my new strength tool!

I have been incorporating TRX into my daily strength work for about a month now. TRX is a suspension training tool that uses bodyweight to help build lean muscle. It helps increase stability too because you have balance while doing many of the exercises. Increasing stability in small muscles in the hips is a huge help for me with my running form. Through my recent injury, I learned I was pretty weak through my stabilizer mucles in the hips, which can end up being a big deal for effecient running form and being injury free! So far the TRX has been fun and challenging! I really like doing one leg squats with the TRX (really helps with stabilizing through the hips) and doing plank/core work. Boy, it sure can hurt! Here are a couple of pictures as I was trying out some exercises I learned. I plan to keep learning more from the website and from my physical therapist to be sure I am hitting all areas to become stronger. I will post more about what I learn on how the TRX can help with overall strength! I have to be a student for a little while. :)

Cyclocross!

Kattie and I



I had the opportunity to compete in a couple local cyclocross races in November located in Grand Rapids and in Holland. What fun! I love the laid back atmosphere, fun crowd, and of course the biking through grass, sand, and MUD. These 2 races were full of mud...I have never been so dirty before! Neither has my bike! Anyway, I had a couple falls (gentle though) during the last race at the Hope College stadium. Out of fun, I get pretty competitive at these races. I love racing with a big smile and just trying to fly through the different obstacles!
Here's a couple photos!

Galveston, TX

I recently traveled to Galveston to participate in the 5150 triathlon series. This was my final race for the season. I didn't orginially plan on this being my final race, but the 5150 race in Clearwater, FL to be held in November, was unfortuntaely cancelled. So I took the bull by the horns and decided to make this race a great one! I first have to mention that Galveston was a neat island. It had a tourist type feel...it is always fun for me to see houses on stilts along the shore. It's not everyday that I get to be around this type of scenery!

Anyway, the race course venue was nice and was also fun for me. The run was quite interesting with a lot of turn arounds. It was a 2 lap course, which allowed Ross to see me many times...yay for his cheering!

Well, this race couldn't have gone better. I was very calm leading up to the race, I knew I did all I could to prepare and the rest was in God's hands so all I had to do was stick to my own race targets and execute my plan through what I could control. The swim was great. It was in the Gulf so this was actually my first salt water swim for a triathlon. I kinda liked it-a little extra buoyancy can never hurt. :) I felt strong and calm in the swim and used opportunities to surge to test if I could hold a little faster pace. I came out of the water exactly with 2 other girls so we were 3rd, 4th, and 5th exiting. I had a quick transition and came out of T1 in 3rd. I ended up 4th off the bike, but got caught quickly again in T2. On the start of the run, I was able to keep the girl ahead of me in sight and didn't let her gain ground. I stuck to my race plan and didn't begin surging aggressively in the first run, but I saw I was slowly gaining on the girl right in front of me as well as another up ahead! I think I was in the zone because I continued to keep steady and not make a move too soon-it was like my body just knew what to do. As soon as I rounded the 2nd lap, I began a little build. I wasn't sure how much I would have left, but I took a risk and surged ever so slightly. I continued to gain on the girls in front of me and passed 2 of them! I was really excited. There was the 2nd place girl still a little ahead of me and I wasn't sure if I could catch her. I continued to try slight surges to test what I could do. I ended up passing the 2nd place girl and eventually ran my way into 2nd place. I was just thrilled as this was my first podium finisih as a pro! I had a big smile on my face and felt I raced a smart race. It was such a gift to have ended on such a high note after having a challenging race season having to drop out of races due to my injury and cut back on the run training. Reflecting back on the race, I will definitly take the strategies I used in this race to next season! I later found out that I ran my fastest 10K by over a minute. Wow! How fun!! Ross and I had a great time together and I have to thank him for all his help with such a quick trip down to TX and back. Couldn't have done it without his support. As my season comes to and end, I want to be sure and thank Barb, Shoreline Sport and Spine Phsycial Therapy, Train out Pain Chiropractic, and my sponsors for all their support in helping me have a great season despite its many challenges. And of course the Lord for making this all possible.

Buffalo, NY- Elite Nationals

Ross and I headed to Buffalo last weekend for Elite Nationals ITU race. We had fun driving through Canada and stopping at Niagara Falls for a quick visit. Ross and I did a homestay and were welcomed by a couple who owns Bert's Bike Shop-there are a few stores located throughout Buffalo. Bert's Bikes was a sponsor for the race. Anyway, homestays can be fun as it is always great meeting new people! Everyone around the area seemed very friendly and welcoming. It was also fun to see my coach, Barb, at the race, as well as other athletes I have met at previous races.

Well, three days before the race I ended up with a painful sore throat that prevented me from sleeping well the nights leading up to the race. I had never had a cold come on so close to an important race before so it was quite the challenge to ignore it and to keep on training in preparation for the big day. This took some mental toughness to not let it get in the way of my confidence for the race. I managed my symptoms as best as I could and showed up race morning ready to go! I had my coffee flavored Athlete's Honeymilk (a new addition to my prerace routine) and I knew my body would know what to do despite feeling a little under the weather. This course had 2 swim loops, 8 bike laps, and 4 run laps. Since the race was draft-legal, I knew I needed to be ready to hammer it in the swim and in the bike to get into a good bike pack.

I had a solid swim and ended up about 10th out of the water. I actually had a pretty bad transition as my bike almost fell over, which threw off my timing. Eventhough, I did get in a group with 2 other girls who were right behind me in the swim. We worked our way up and caught a couple other girls to add to our pack. We were just on our way to go and catch the 2nd pack up the road (they were a little down from the 2 leaders) when I all of a sudden hit a big pothole. Oh it was rough! It came up so fast and I was switching in the group, which made me miss seeing it. Right after I hit the pothole, I all of a sudden realized I could not push the same gear I was in and began loosing ground on the group! I just hammered to stay, but there was nothing I could do. I immediately fell back and just lost so much time. I was shocked, confused, and unsure what just happened...why couldn't I hang on all of a sudden? After a couple slow and rather painful laps (painful on the legs), I had to pull off the course. I was so sad...good thing Ross and my coach were there so I could shed a few tears! My coach looked over my bike real quick and realized that my back wheel wasn't spinning hardley at all...the break was rubbing against it! Oh man, that was actually a relief because I thought something was physically wrong with me. I must have had enough of a jolt when I hit the pot hole that it made my break lever move and get pushed to one side of the wheel...talk about tough resistance! I really can't believe I didn't crack my wheels with how hard I hit that big pothole...this is definately a testament about how strong my Rolf Prima TDF-58 wheels are. They have seriously been great wheels for about 2 seasons now. About a lap after I stopped, there was a crash within the group that I was merging with. About 6 people went down...there was a lot of road rash and my one friend was more seriously hurt (compression fracture in her back). I feel as if God spared me from this crash. He also allowed me some more rest on my injured hip that has continued to be a challenge for me yet this season. While this experience was sad and frustrating since I had to stop during the race, I also feel it was a good learning experience. Now I know to be a bit more aware of what could be wrong with my bike during a race-if something strange like this happens again, I will know to check my brakes! I have another chance to try out my skills at a draft-legal race next weekend in Myrtle Beach! I have had a chance to think about some drafting skills that I needed to freshen up on...so I look forward to racing again soon.