Long Ride and Long Run--What Better Way to Spend the Weekend?

I wasn't going to ride on Saturday. I was battling a nasty cold. My fever was gone but it had left me with a nasty cough and muscle weakness in my legs. My lungs ached when I breathed hard. Not a good sign. My friends advised me not to ride.

But it was my ride. I had planned and designed it specifically so that I would be excited about the route (http://sdbikeroutes.blogspot.com/2008/06/60-mile-del-dioselfin-forest-ride.html). I've been organizing the Saturday rides for 10 months now, and I've never flaked on a ride. I probably spend about 4 hours a week planning the ride--studying maps, planning and memorizing the ride, making the route slip, sending e-mails, recruiting new riders, and fielding questions...and I absolutely love every minute of it. Friday evening finds me polishing my bike, preparing my bottles, and laying out my cycling outfit for Saturday's date. Although I'm not a morning person, Saturday's are the easiest day of the week to get up early. I love meeting new people that come out, socializing with old friends that show-up, taking in the sights, and getting in a good workout. It's the highlight of my week.

This Saturday, was no different. Only, I had planned on not riding. The plan was to ride down the hill, hand out the route slips, get everyone off and riding, and roll back up the hill and back to bed. Maybe, if I feel good, I can start and turn-around early...this was already becoming a dangerous mental conversation.

I roll down the hill and 20 people are waiting. Everyone's there early...there's lots of new people I have never seen before. There are also a lot of friends who showed up that have never come on my Saturday ride before. I was touched. Plus, I needed a "redemption" ride after having Bluebell stolen. For some weird reason, doing the ride was symbolic--I wasn't going to let my stolen bike or cold keep me down! That was it...I was up and fighting.

We started off, and I rode at a conservative pace, hacking up phlegm as I rode, which generated many nervous glances from my fellow riders (we are, afterall, type A triathletes who border on OCD and live in constant fear of getting sick). Since there was no way I was going to ride fast that day, I decided to play "Ride Mama" and hang out in back, making sure no one broke down or got lost.

I chatted with a friend as we rolled down the 56 bike path, through Fairbanks Ranch and Rancho Santa Fe, and up Del Dios Hwy. It was a long climb but I was hanging in there, relying on my base to get me to the top. I felt fine. I barely noticed that I had long ago passed my turn-back early point and was now past the point of no return. The first regroup in Escondido had sort of disintegrated but I had the group in my sights as I wound my way through Elfin Forest. I marveled at how green everything still was; the creek was even still running because of some recent freak rain San Diego has received.

Towards the end of Elfin Forest, before the regroup at the coffee shop off San Elijo Rd, I started getting cranky. Ah, the first sign that something's amiss. I was alone, which wasn't a big deal. I had lost my route slip, which has never happened, but also not a big deal; I knew where I was; afterall, I had designed the route. But I was sick, and this mattered. My morale started to plummet. By the time I reached the coffee shop, I was in bad shape. My group was waiting patiently, and I did my best to hide my grouchiness. I scarfed down a blueberry muffin and iced mocha and felt instantly better. Hmmm. A sign? Obviously not enough calories. (Ever since IMAZ, I haven't been able to get down the sports drinks or gels, no matter how hard I try. It just gives me gut rot. I end up giving up and finishing the ride deep in the hole--dehydrated and nearing the bonk zone.)

The rest of the ride was a struggle. My cold was making it loud and clear to me that I had pushed too far. I couldn't wait to reach the coast and have an easy, flat 15 back to the start. We reached the coast and began riding south towards home. I was hit in the face with a strong headwind, eerily reminiscent of IMAZ. Only much colder. And I was oddly hot. Dripping sweat. Oh, yeah, that's right. I'm sick! I cursed and slowed down and was plagued by stomach cramps from a Cliff Block that was being rejected. And I was thirsty because I had only brought InfinIT and no water, and my stomach was rejecting the sports drink too. I was hating life. I was done.

Luckily, a splinter group from one of the SDBC's (http://www.sdbc.org/core/) regular weekend rides was heading my way. They picked me up and pulled me the final 8 miles to my final turn for home. This is not the first time they have come by and saved my sorry ass. Yea to roadies!!! You guys ROCK! Thanks for the lift!

Overall, the ride was awesome. It was a great group and beautiful views. I just pushed too hard in my weakened condition. I spent the rest of the day resting and recovering.

Sunday's Run--I Can't Be Stopped!

Sunday I slept in and missed my morning run with my regular group. By the afternoon, I was itching to run. I guess I never learn. I went for a 10 mile run on the coast with another running group. I felt fantastic. I held back the first 8 miles. Then, I couldn't take it anymore. I took off. And it felt wonderful. In my mind, I kept repeating, "I feel good! I feel good!" Over and over. Faster and faster. And then I would run faster and faster. I felt so strong at the finish. I wish it had been longer. Runs like these are always a pleasant surprise. Oh, yeah. I LOVE running. Funny, how I forget just how much until I have an awesome run. I'm always the happiest after a good run.

My cough is subsiding. My energy is returning. My cold is finally melting away. This week is a recovery week. My goal is to find some structure and routine that I can take comfort in. I'm going up to NorCal this weekend for my little sister's college graduation. Next week, the bike commuting experiment will resume.

Bike Theft Rampant at UCSD (Campus Police Look Other Way)

Why is this tolerated? I have been actively posting my stolen bike on message boards only to discover a rash of other victims of bike theft. How many bikes have to be stolen for the police to care? Students are advised to ride a crap bike when they go to college because it WILL get stolen. WTF? Why is that okay?

When I reported my bike as stolen to the police they acted like it was my fault. Sorry, Officer. I shouldn't have dressed Bluebell up in such a sexy outfit. I guess she was asking for it. I guess I should let it go. But I'm having a hard time. That bike meant a lot to me. I feel like someone kidnapped one of my pets. We've been through so much together. I am disgusted that she is probably sitting in a pawn shop somewhere.

I called the local bike shops. I've looked on EBay and Craigs List. I posted my bike on Craigs List. I even have the freakin' serial number! Doesn't that count for something? I've stated calling the pawn shops. But there are SO many! What pisses me off is that if 1 person took half-a-day, they could probably track down a dozen stolen bikes. But nobody cares. The nonchalant attitude of the campus police is totally unacceptable.

We should start a group: the Bike Thief Vigilantes. We could set-up a sting--put a really nice bike with a cable lock up at UCSD and hide out in the bushes. When the thieves come, we'd yell: "Swarm! Swarm!" and take them out our way....I think the thieves would prefer to be taken in by the police.

I guess I have to let it go. I'm still in the ANGER phase. I've been reluctanly looking on Craig's List for used road bikes for sale. I'm looking at 2 this weekend. But I don't want another road bike. I just want Bluebell back.

Bike Experiment Suspended...For Now

I really wanted to ride today. Especially after Bluebell got stolen. It takes more than that to keep me down. I can't believe my bike got stolen. I could have so easily accepted a ride from my prof. But I was trying to make a statement. Now, more than ever, I want to commute, if only to show the f*&$ing thieves they haven't won.

However, I woke up with a fever. The cold has moved to my chest. I called in sick and slept in bed all day. So, because of my nasty cold, I have decided to postpone the bike experiment to a later date...when I'm healthy. Sigh. It's been a tough week. Maybe it's a sign. Why do I have to be sick on top of all of this? It makes me angry. Livid. I feel like I've been kicked while I'm down one too many times. And now I'm pissed. I'm back on my feet and ready to fight again.

I've been checking Craig's List and E Bay in a desperate attempt to find Bluebell. I've been reluctantly looking at used road bikes. I need to replace her. But in the end, the search saddens me more because I realize I just want Bluebell back. Nothing can replace her. Unfortunately, my renter's insurance isn't going to cover it since I was robbed less than a month ago. They threatened to drop me. So the replacement bike will be out-of-pocket. Such is life.

I posted the stolen bike on Craig's List in hopes that someone may find it.
Here's the ad:

Stolen Road Bike

Reply to: sale-708715162@craigslist.org
Date: 2008-06-05, 10:17
AM PDT

My bike was stolen from UCSD between 12 and 1 pm on Wednesday, June 4th. If you have any information, please contact me.

Description: blue aluminum road bike with carbon fork
Model & Make: Felt F70
Size 52 cm
Tires are 700s; front is black and back is blue; brand is Vittoria Diamente Kevlar
Shimano 105 components
27-rear cassette with compact cranks
Look Keo sprint clipless pedals
Black BG women's geometry seat w/cut-out
Mounted w/front and rear lights
Also equipped with bike computer (Cateye double wireless rear-mount)
Serial Number: A308590681

I bought her in 2004 but have kept her in excellent condition. She was my first road bike. Her name is Bluebell. I miss her very much.

Bike Experiment Day 3

Bluebell gets stolen.

This does not bode well. Need I say more?

5:15 am
The alarm blares for UCSD masters. I switch it off. I slept like crap because of my cold, and I opt for to swap the workout for more sleep.
10:15 am
Feeling a bit better, I roll out the door on Bluebell. Now that I've skipped masters swim, my backpack only weighs 7.5 lbs. I also readjusted my backpack so it sits lower on my back. It's waaay more comfortable. I may have hit upon something here.
10:25 am
I curse and hate life again as I toil up Torrey Pines hill. Sweat drips down my face. I realize I actually am battling a low-grade fever along with my cold. The sky is gray and thick with clouds and the air is damp.
10:45 am
I reach my final destination at lab. I start to feel a bit better. My sinuses feel more clear, and I have a bit more energy.
11:40 am
I turn down a ride from my professor to a seminar at UCSD, hop on Bluebell and roll towards campus.
11:55 am
I arrive at the same time as she does, feeling quite proud of myself. I lock her to the bike rack with my cable lock...afterall, I'll only be gone an hour. Little do I know, it's the last time I'll ever see her again.
1:05 pm
I walk out to the bike rack and can't find Bluebell. I look around, confused. Slowly, reality sinks in. I hit the big blue button on the Emergency call box and report Bluebell as stolen to the police. It has now started to rain.
1:30 pm
The police arrive, and I give them a full description. My collegue from lab comes to pick me up. I reluctantly accept a ride back to lab in his vehicle....

Miles Biked:
7.5
(total this week: 46)
Gas $ Saved (gas is $4.45 today!):
$1.78
(total this week: $10.13)
Total Calories Burned:
250
(total this week: 1750)


The rest of the day, it rains steadily, almost unheard of this time of year in San Diego. My cold is coming on really strong now--I can hardly breathe and my fever is building steam. Plus, I have a 6:30 pm appointment. It's as if God is telling me not to bike today. Between the weather, the oncoming darkness, my stolen bike, and my cold, I get a ride home from Brent and drive to my 6:30 appointment. I feel defeated. I know the battle has been lost but the war is not over yet.



Me on Bluebell at the Devil Dog Duathlon in 2006. She was my first road bike. I did my first triathlon on her in St. Louis in June 2004. I did my first half-Ironman on her. She will be deeply missed.

Bike Experiment Day 2

My Irrational Exuberance from Day 1 has now mellowed to Rational Acceptance. Bike commuting with a fresh cold is definitely not easy. However, I'm still having a lot of fun. I've also noticed the bike commuting thing is becoming a sort of religion. Friends ask if I want a ride or want to go out to lunch. I have been turning down rides since making forward progress in a motor vehicle is currently forbidden. This has evoked several strange looks. I have, however, met friends for lunch or breakfast by bike. Often, they are surprised by how quickly I get there. Driving is not always faster than biking!

6:00 am
Woke up and realized I now have a full-blown cold. Popped some Sudafed (the real stuff--the kind the meth cooks use, not the crappy fake Sudafed) and Ibuprofen, ate some oatmeal, OJ and tea, fed the bunnies and went back to bed.
9:30 am
Woke up for the 2nd time. With the meds and extra sleep, I felt better. Decided to try and make my way into lab.
10:00 am
Silently curse at myself for not getting my bike bags ready the day before. I forgive myself a little--I felt like crap last night. Pump up Strider's tires and put some lube on his chain. Attach the panniers and am off. Finally.
10:15 am
Head down the street. Make a mental note that I could have saved myself 15 minutes by packing bags night before. I'm wearing my running clothes in case I want to run later (less stuff to pack). Interestingly, I get fewer waves and nods from fellow cyclists on Strider in street clothes than I did on Bluebell (road bike) in full-on bike clothes. Hmmm. I smell an interesting cycling social psychology experiment.
10:20 am
Hop off to adjust panniers. My back is thanking me but I hate how the bags bounce around. I also hate how heavy the bike has become and how difficult it is to maneuver. Panniers are great for flat rides or short distances but maybe not so great for 7 miles of hills. At least Strider is more comfortable. However, Bluebell is faster.
10:25 am
Realize that there is road construction on Torrey Pines Road, the very steep 1 mile climb, which is the only obstacle separating me from work. The entire right-hand shoulder and lane is closed, making biking up that damn hill entirely unsafe. Not an option. I veer right into the park to take the inside road, which is MUCH steeper. I convince myself that it will be okay since it's shorter and more scenic.
10:30 am
I am cursing at this point, sweat is dripping down my face, and all-in-all hating life. It's hard for me to appreciate the gorgeous ocean views as I pedal at an agonizingly slow cadence to haul the HEAVY commuter bike and bags up the steep grade. Plus, did I mention I'm sick? Oh, did I mention my ankles are swollen and sore from climbing out of the saddle on Saturday? I resort to a seated climb the whole way to give my ankles a break and my cardio system, which isn't happy with the cold plus the hard effort.....not that I'm complaining.
10:45 am
Cruise into the back rack and lock Strider up. Change in the bathroom. Smile. That wasn't so bad now, was it? Funny how quickly we forget pain and torture. Plus, my cold actually feels more mild now. Maybe it's the drugs. But maybe, just maybe, it's the light exercise?
5:00 pm
Despite my cold, I was able to get some work done, thanks to cold meds. I head over to the UCSD track on foot for a low intensity 4 mile run. Since the cold is all in my head, I'm hoping the little exercise will help clear my sinuses.
6:00 pm
Feeling much better, I load up Strider and prepare for the commute home. Struggle with the panniers. I miss just throwing on the backpack and riding off. Something to think about. Originally, I was sort of lagging and dreading the ride home, especially with the cold. As I zip through rush hour traffic, I begin feeling pretty good. I zoom down Torrey Pines hill. Victory! Especially after the brutal am climb. It's a sweet reward. I would much rather go uphill in the am and downhill in the pm. I breathe deeply as I pedal by the coast at Torrey Pines State Beach, the smell of salt thick in the thick, ocean air.
6:30 pm
I arrive home, re-energized. Instead of feeling worn-out the ride home has revitalized me. I immediately pack my bags for the next day and get Bluebell ready. This is beginning to get easier. I'm actually looking forward to my ride tomorrow.

Miles Biked:
13
(total this week: 38.6)
Gas $ Saved:
$2.82 (about 1 grande latte from Starbucks--not that I'm a caffeine fiend or anything! Gas is now $4.34/gallon!)
(total this week: $8.35)
Calories Burned:
~500
(total this week: 1500)
Guilt from eating an extra chocolate-chip cookie?
None!

Advantages of Strider (commuter bike) over Bluebell (road bike):
1. more comfortable (especially with panniers on bike)
2. less chance of flat
3. can ride in street clothes
4. easier to hop on and off (street shoes)
Disadvantages:
1. SLOWER (need I say more--I have a need for speed; places to go and places to be!)
2. panniers are a pain to get on and off; also can sometimes become dislodged and need to be re-adjusted mid-ride (ugh)
Solution?
I'm riding Bluebell tomorrow with a lighter backpack (down to from 13.4 to 9.8 lbs!). I've begun leaving things at work, including a fresh pair of jeans and shoes. However, I miss some of my beauty products that I apply after a swim workout and before work. With the extra weight, these have become a luxury, and I have been going make-up-less and without my favorite hair-care products (I know--more of a gal problem than guy problem here). I think in the future, I will truck in a stash of all the supplies I need and keep them at work. I will also keep a week (or half a week's) worth of fresh clothes at work. Then I can bike on Bluebell bag-free! Whoo-hoo!

Bike Experiment Day 1

I have undertaken Day 1 with Full Exuberance. I doubt I'll be able to maintain this energy for all 7 days but at least I'm off to a good start. I'm certainly learning a lot.


Night Before:
Packed my backpack (as lightly as possible) with my swim stuff, work clothes, and work gear. Cleaned off Bluebell, gave her some lube, pumped her tires and made sure my bike bag was packed with an up-to-date flat kit. Also checked the batteries on the lights in case I have to ride home after dark.
5:00 am
Alarm goes off. I hit snooze.
5:15 am
I finally roll out of bed. My bike clothes are laid out, making the activation energy for getting ready to roll out the door really low. I quickly feed the bunnies, eat breakfast, and hop on Bluebell.
5:50 am
After making several adjustments to the bike seat (I had recently put a new one on her), I'm off and rolling. On the downside, masters technically starts at 6 but the official workout starts at 6:20, which in my mind, gives me 30 minutes to get there. On the upside, it's light out and I don't have to worry about riding in the dark. There is no traffic.
6:20 am
I arrive at UCSD and lock Bluebell with my cable lock. Not ideal but will do the trick for my swim and is somewhat of a deterrent. Plus, it's waay lighter than a U-lock. The 7-mile ride is pleasant and uneventful, albeit a bit harried. I forgot how hard it is to ride with a 20 lb (okay, 13.2--I weighed it later) backpack. At least I can descend like a demon!
6:30 am
I hop into the pool, halfway through the warm-up. Not too bad, not bad at all. The swim felt invigorating and restorative after my crazy-ass weekend (62-mile ride and 19-mile run). Felt way better than I should after swimming 2800 yards. Also felt ridiculously ravenous.
Here's the workout:
http://swimtri.blogspot.com/2008/06/fun-workout.html
8:00 am
Pedal over to Einsteins and gobbled down a bagel omelet, OJ, and coffee. Still hungry so grabbed another bagel with lox and cream cheese.
9:00 am
Arrive at lab and changed into my work clothes...still clean after my post-swim shower.
12:00 pm
Walked to a nearby eatery for lunch. It's so nice to be outdoors moving around, especially on a beautiful, sunny day like today. I admired the hummingbirds buzzing around. Only thing is--why am I eating so much? Food has become my new gasoline. At least it's better for the environment!
4:45 pm
Change back into my bike clothes and pedal 7 miles along the coast to my massage in Solana Beach. Has my backpack gotten heavier? I make it there in 30 minutes--exactly. Just in time. Along the way, a roadie passes me and asks me if I want a pull. I hate that! I shake my head no, and point to my backpack--my weak excuse. He asks me if I bike a lot. My reply: "A little."
6:30 pm
I slowly pedal home. I have gotten slower and slower as the day has progressed. I am tired, and I swear my backpack has gotten heavier. My calves are a little crampy, and my lower back is sore. I make a mental note to use Strider Tuesday since he's set up for panniers. Plus, my throat is getting sore. I think my weekend's wild escapades are catching up to me. And a cold. Apparently, I'm not super-human.
7:15 pm
I arrive home to discover a delicious dinner ready and waiting for me. Brent has cooked dinner while I got my massage. Now that makes a gal feel special! I ravenously gulp it down. Exhausted and now fighting a building cold, I fall into bed at 9:30 pm. Hopefully, some much needed rest will do the trick.

Total Miles Biked:
25.6
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1953970
Total Gas Saved:
$5.53 (enough for 2 grande lattes at Starbucks)
(in my Nissan Frontier ~20 mpg; gas is currently $4.25/gallon)
Total Calories Burned:
~1,000 cals!
No wonder I'm hungry!


Bring on Day 2!

Tips for Bike Commuting:

1. Plan ahead.
When using your car, consolidate and cluster errands to be more efficient and traverse as few miles as possible. Get everything done at once. Then, have the rest of the day to take a nap or go for a run! Also, on "car days", you can bring a change of clothes to work so they don't get wrinkled in your bag (this also significantly lightens the load on your back).
2. Pack the night before.
This saves oodles of time in the morning. Pack lightly too. You have to carry it!
3. Carry a repair kit, id, cell phone, and lights for riding at night.
4. Plan your route carefully.
The best route may not be the quickest one. Think about traffic volume, bike lanes, safety.
5. Make sure your commuter bike is in good repair.
6. Lock your bike when you arrive at your destination.
A cable lock works for short trips. For long trips, use a more secure lock, like a sturdy, U-lock. Because it's very heavy, I leave my U-lock at work so I don't have to schlep it back and forth.

Weekend Excursions

...Bike experiment is ongoing. Stay tuned for the results....
Day 1 is in progress. I will post data from Day 1 tonight!

It probably wasn't such a good idea to hit it as hard as I did this weekend but at least I had fun. To clue you in on how my legs are feeling, I have to divulge a little of my crazy weekend.

Saturday, I went for a beautiful, scenic, yet hilly Tour of San Diego 62-mile ride with a group of about 15. It was a wonderful ride--gorgeous views, perfect weather, and great company. We hit Torrey Pines, Mission Bay, Point Loma, Sunset Cliffs, Mt. Soledad, and La Jolla Shores. Afterwards, we dined at Soupplantation before my 2-hour nap. I slept like a baby Sat night!
http://sdbikeroutes.blogspot.com/2008/05/58-mile-mission-bay-ride.html

Sunday, I woke up early for my long run in Penasquitos Canyon with my great running group of gals. The weather was nice and cool, and I loved the extra work required mentally to carefully traverse the rocks, sand, and hills. Trail running is the best!

At mile 8, we encountered a thick-bodied, 4-foot rattlesnake, coiled and ready to strike on the side of the trail. Luckily, a group running the other way had warned us so we were ready. Actually, he was very pretty. I stopped to watch him as he slithered off. I think he was more scared of us than we were of him.

After our tough 9-mile run, we had a big breakfast. I forced myself to do my errands and chores before settling down for my early afternoon nap. Brent called me that afternoon and invited me on his long run with his running group. I have never, in my life, woken up from my Sunday nap after my long run and thought to myself, Hmm. My long run wasn't long enough. I want to run more! But this Sunday was different. Run again? I think I will! Great idea! I put on my running shoes, visor, sunglasses, and strapped on my Fuelbelt, and off I went. I ran another 10 miles. And felt awesome. I can't believe I ran 19 miles Sunday for no good reason! Just to see if I could. And it felt great.

Afterwards, while the other runners soaked their legs in the ocean, I threw on my wetsuit, cap and goggles and headed out past the breakers for a swim while everyone shook their heads in disbelief. It was very soothing to go for a relaxing swim after my long run.

I'm definitely sore today but I don't feel like I ran 19 yesterday! We'll see what tomorrow brings.

The 7-Day Bike Experiment

Gas prices are now over $4/gallon in San Diego. Plus, I totally missed Bike Commute Week http://www.californiabikecommute.com/ 2 weeks ago. Therefore, I decided to embark on a new journey, an experiment, if you will. Afterall, I am a scientist.

Beginning Monday, June 2nd, I will bike instead of drive, everywhere I need to go. For the next 7 days, I will not be allowed to make any forward progress in a motor vehicle. I will have to rely on my bikes or my own 2 feet. Strider and Bluebell (my commuter bike and old road bike) will be put to the test for most of this work. The experiment will last through Sunday, June 8th. I will blog about it each day. I hope you follow along and maybe are even inspired to participate!

Pedal on...

In the Midst of Giants

Last night, I squeezed in a quick 4-mile run after work before rushing up to the Paloma Theatre in Encinitas for the first public viewing of Ultramarathon Man, a documentary of Dean Karnazes by JB Benna (coming soon to a theater near you). If I haven't said it before, I'll say it again--I am SO lucky to live in San Diego!

The documentary focused on Dean Karnazes recent accomplishment of completing 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days. It also highlighted his efforts to motivate and inspire average, everday sedentary folk to get off the couch and get active. He spends a lot of time speaking and running with children at schools to illustrate the importance of a healthy, active lifestyle. Because my career focuses on cardiovascular research, this struck a chord with me. Obesity is a serious problem in our country.

http://www.ultramarathonman.com/flash/

The best part was that Dean (and his producer JB) were actually there, eager to answer questions! He had a light and energy about him that was infectious. He clearly loves running and sharing his passion with others. He was very inspiring. I understand now why he was voted as one of the nation's most influential people (Time).

David Goggins (another world-famous ultra-marathoner; Badwater, anyone?) also made a guest appearance. He was amongst us mere mortals, watching the documentary.

David Goggins

Living in San Diego affords me the most incredible opportunities. I walk amongst giants, and they all inspire me. The seed has now been planted in my brain. Like a stubborn weed, it grows, and I can't seem to eliminate it from existence. I want to do an ultra.....

Less Is More--Part Deux

After my massage last night, I had an hour left of sunset. Perfect for a quick out-and-back coastal bike ride. I popped Torch out of the truck, hopped on and was off. My computer wasn't working. At first, this infuriated me. A few minutes later, I was relieved. I was free of worrying about my pace. All I had to think about was making it back to the truck before it got dark. I settled into a relaxed pace and began to enjoy myself. I turned around in Carlsbad and headed south as the sun began to sink into the horizon. Now, I was racing the sunset--my favorite. The ocean was a deep turquoise, flecked with gold as the fading sunlight scattered across the water. I slowed down to watch the last remnant of the sun dip into the ocean. Then, I pedaled the last few miles back to the truck.

I slept like a baby for 9 hours last night. Woke up this morning, and went on another short ride before work. My new philosophy is to do my workouts for health and mental sanity. I will keep the same frequency as before (so I can sleep at night) but drastically reduce the volume. Intensity will be based on how I'm feeling. I'm not currently in "training." I'm just having fun.

Less is More

I've been in a rut. I'm in training, and I don't really know why. It's been hard after IMAZ to get excited for a race season full of sprints and Olympics. So I decided to work on speed, fully forgetting that just because speed workouts are shorter, they require more recovery. I've been hard on myself, killing myself in every workout, and beating myself up because I'm "slow".

I've been skipping morning workouts. However, I feel guilty the rest of the day about it. Today, after missing yet another morning masters swim class, I decided to bite the bullet and squeeze in a noon masters session. It was very disruptive to leave work, drive to UCSD, park, change, warm up, and start the workout. (After, I had to shower and grab something to eat, then drive back--major time suck). However, once I started swimming, I didn't want to get out.

I purposely swam in the slow lane. I have been pushing myself so hard and getting my ass kicked in faster lanes, and I wanted to take it a bit easier. It felt nice to lead. I swam at a comfortable pace.

The workout was crazy hard (http://swimtri.blogspot.com/2008/05/400-100-200-time-trial.html). I decided I didn't want to swim 3200 meters. First, I had to get back to work. Second, I didn't want to kill myself. I swam slowly but comfortably. After 2100 meters, I hopped out, totally proud of myself. I had squeezed in a swim workout, hadn't beat myself up, and felt mentally better afterwards. Totally (almost) guilt-free.

Guess I learned something today. Sometimes, less is actually more!

1st Tri Club Aquathlon of 2008

Thursday evening, I headed to La Jolla Shores for the first TCSD aquathlon of 2008. It was cold, rainy and stormy, absolutely unheard of in these parts at this time of the year. I almost bagged it but decided to at least drive down and check it out. Upon arrival, I was impressed by the large crowd of people amassing by the lifeguard tower. Like a sheep being led to slaughter, I was hooked.

I signed up and got a temporary chip. Timing mats and everything. These things are so official! I heard the water was 69--also unheard of for this time of year. I tested it with my toe; the rumor was true. No wetsuit for me! Yippee! I hate my wetsuit--swimming without one is so freeing; plus it makes for a wicked fast transition.

I went in for a warm-up to test the water. The waves were 6-feet tall--ridiculous for the Shores! It was kind of unnerving--these massive walls of water roaring towards me. I took a deep breath, and dove underneath, only to emerge to find another huge dome of water cresting over me. I took a deep breath, and dove underneath, popped up on the other side, then repeated. By the time I got out past the breakers, I was huffing and puffing. That was a workout in itself! I quickly body-surfed back in and lined up for the start.

Unfortunately, one disadvantage to not wearing a wetsuit is freezing your ass off when you get out of the water. I did the whole body shiver, teeth chattering, goosebumps, everything--for several minutes until the whistle blew. We were off! Albeit, a little conservatively because of the giant waves. I took my time and hung out in the back, giving myself plenty of room to pick my way through the swells.

--a perfect storm--negotiating the waves

Once out past the breakers, the water was very choppy but swimming without a wetsuit set me a little deeper in the water, allowing myself to get better leverage. I felt very comfortable and only swallowed a little water. I got jostled, kicked and elbowed a ton! Remembering my swim tactics from IMAZ, I jostled, kicked and elbowed right back. Only to be met with more violent jostles, kicks and elbows. Guess we're upping the ante! Hey, don't I know you? Don't pretend you don't know me! I know where you live! Guess we San Diegans like it rough and tough in the open water, no matter who you are. That swim had more full-body contact than my Ironman swim!

Swimming with the current, I negotiated the 1000 meters with ease. Soon I had hit the 3rd buoy and was headed towards shore. I swam wide strokes, exaggerating the roll on my breathing side to look over my shoulder. I didn't want a sneak attack from a nasty wave from behind. I was very conservative, having wiped out pretty badly on the boogie board last Sunday and even ducked under a wave once or twice. Up on shore, my watch read 17:25--way fast for a "conservative" 1000 with lots of waves. Must have been a wicked strong current.

Transition was great. I took 2 seconds to throw my googles and cap on my towel and was off for a barefoot beach run on the packed sand where the water meets the turf--my favorite. Also my first of the season. The shod athletes, poor souls, were condemned to run the upper part of the beach, a narrow strip of deep sand, where an occassional wave drenched them anyway. Their futile attempts to keep their sucks dry were dashed by several rogue waves roaring up to the wall at high tide.

I skitted over the sand and flew down the beach, making up for last time. After the first mile, I settled into a nice rhythm. It always takes me a mile to warm up. My feet floated over the surface, barely touching the sand. On my second lap, I could feel blisters forming on my big toes, my ankles felt week and wobbly and my calves started aching. I convinced myself I was not running on glass--this was barefoot beach running. I have to get my body used to it again. It's wonderful to do short stints of barefoot running on soft surfaces once in awhile to toughen up your feet and ligaments. It also feels wonderful; very freeing.

I passed another couple of guys towards the end. Volunteers cheered our names. I heard footsteps quickening behind me, honing in for the final chase. I had been running pretty much all out for the last 3 miles. Did I have a kick left in me? I didn't think I did. But at the sound of those footsteps, somewhere from deep inside, I pulled it out. My steps quickenend and all of a sudden, I was sprinting. All out. And it felt so good. I bounded over the finish line with a big smile on my face (~23 minute 5K). I was ready to chat with old friends, meet new ones, and enjoy the huge spread of food laid out on picnic tables, before the tide came and washed it away.

--the final kick

Trail Run Supersedes Track Workout

I had every intention of doing the Tri Club (http://www.triclubsandiego.org/) track workout. But I've been feeling stressed out and worn-down. Don't know why. Guess work, an Ironman, divorce, and robbery can do that to you. By 5 pm, I had absolutely no desire to run circles until I puked. Even more, I had no desire to be around other people. I don't really like people, in general. People say mean things. People do mean things. People exhaust me. I just wanted to be alone.



However, I still wanted to run. Torrey Pines State Park is about a mile north of where I work. Rated as a "Rave Run" in Runner's World, I feel quite spoiled. Any time I want, I can run out the door and experience spectacular views of the ocean. It seemed stupid not to. Addicted to music, I was a bit hesitant since the robbers stole my iShuffle. But the Torrey Pines trails called me.



I pulled on my running shoes and headed down the street at an easy pace. It was such a relief to slowly warm up and not worry about my speed, not feel ashamed at how slow I am, not worry about how I measure up to everyone else. No competition. To just be. I was in total control. If I wanted to run slowly, I could. If I wanted to run fast, that was okay too.



About a mile down the road, I headed down the South Broken Hill Trail. It wound around and around and down and down towards the beach below. The path was narrow and thickly lined with shrubs and bushes. Yellow and purple wispy flowers lined the path. Cottontail rabbits darted out of my way. Little birds zipped through the air in front of me from bush to bush. The trail turned so sharply this way and that, I couldn't see where it was going to take me next. Tree roots and rocks perilously jutted out of the ground. The trail descended steeply and was periodically lined with series of stairs that had to be bounded down.



I probably should have slowed down. Afterall, I could barely see where the path was leading to next, much less what was threatening to reach up out of the dirt and trip me. But I was running downhill. Steeply. And I love downhill. I decided to run faster. My feet floated, barely touching the ground. My brain was firing rapidly as I concentrated on my footwork, dancing in zig zags to find the best spot for each footstep to land. Certain portions of the trail were thick with deep sand. I bounded onto the banks of the trail, searching for the hard-packed terrain.



I reached the bottom of the trail and slowed to a walk, captivated by the spectacular view of the brilliant turquoise surf, breaking in a gentle frothy foam over hidden rocks. I breathed deeply, inhaling the thick, wet salty air. Feeling my heart rate plummet, I began jogging again.

The trail wound up steeply, snaking towards the top of the cliffs. I bounded up stairs, urging each foot higher to ensure that it would clear the step. My face was red and hot, and I gasped for breath sharply. I was redlining. All I could think about was running. Just keep running. No matter how steep. And air. I wanted air. More oxygen please. My thoughts were so totally consumed by the physical exertion of climbing the cliffs...nothing else mattered. Such total blissful suffering.

When I reached the car, I felt completely purged. At ease and at peace. I slept well last night. Until my alarm went off. Time to get up for masters swimming. Bring on the suffering.

Sometimes It's Okay to DNS

DNS--Did Not Start

I was supposed to do Encinitas Sprint Triathlon this weekend. I was excited. I had never done this one before, and it's a secret goal of mine to do every local triathlon in the area at some point in my life. Living in San Diego, this goal becomes more ambitious with each passing year (too many races--I know, I know; such problems I have).

I registered on Saturday and previewed the transition area, the swim, the bike, the run. I pumped up the race wheels on Torch, pinned my bib number onto my race belt, and laid out my race clothes. I was ready.

Later that evening, I realized I had a pounding headache, felt exhausted, and was kind of naseous. I popped a Tigan for my tummy and went to bed at 9:30, setting 2 alarms for 4:25 and 4:30 am. Maybe it was the 4,800 feet of climbing in the 40 miles I had ridden that morning in East County in 90-degree heat (pretty smart, huh?). Maybe it was being robbed earlier in the week. Maybe it was being uprooted and living somewhere other than home for the past 5 days since I didn't feel safe in my own bed. Regardless, I was wiped.

I woke at 4:25 am. Laid in bed for 5 minutes, weighing the pros and cons. Debating. Justifying. Deliberating. When the second alarm went off at 4:30 am, the jury was in. I was out. I simply did not have it in me that morning to race. I felt sick and exhausted. I was not excited to race that morning. So I bailed.

I am not a pro. Triathlon-ing is my passion, my hobby, and I plan on keeping it as such. If I force myself to race "C" races on under-the-weather days, I will not last long in this demanding sport. It took a great amount of effort not to chastise myself yesterday for bowing out. But I know I did the right thing.

Right now, I'm happy to be back in my own bed. The bunnies are happy to be home. I'm still wrapping up loose ends from the robbery. Probably will be for a little while yet. However, I get to resume some semblance of a routine, and I look forward to this structure. I can't wait for my workouts the rest of this week!

Amateur Tri Girl Gets Robbed

I returned home from track practice Tuesday night and knew instantly something was amiss. All the drawers and cabinets on the hutch were ajar. The wooden box that contains the silver my grandma gave me was sitting on the floor. Babs and Taz ran up, begging for dinner. At least they were still okay. Pandora and Torch (and Slider, Bluebell, and Rocky) were still happily resting in their stalls. I proceeded through the apartment. All the drawers and doors to my closets, cabinets, and furniture were ajar, and all the lights were on. All the contents inside had been rifled through. The screens to the office window had been removed and put inside my closet. The front door was unlocked. I started leafing through my items, quickly realizing there were many things missing--jewelry, a camera, stereo, electronics, credit cards....that's when it dawned on me that I had been robbed.

Shaking, I called the police. They asked if the intruder was still in the apartment. I shuddered. I hadn't even thought of that. Luckily, they had probably left a long time ago. Another woman in the complex knocked on the door an hour later, clearly distraught. She had been robbed too. Apparently, it had occurred that afternoon. The police came and very thoroughly went through the "crime scene" and dusted for fingerprints. That stuff makes a mess! He got several off the screens and windows. The robbers had climbed in through the window (even though I live on the 2nd floor) and left through the front door. By the time the officer was through, it was almost 1 am. I was exhausted. He had commented that I seemed very composed. I'm tired and want to go to bed, officer! I thought. Unfortunately, I'm still exhausted because apparently, burglary is not good for one's REM sleep cycles. But I'm okay. And in the big scheme of things, this is just a small bump in the road. However it has taught me some valuable steps we can all take to protect ourselves.

How to Protect Yourself from Robbery:
1. Have renter's or home-owners insurance.
It's cheap and will save your ass. Do it. It's a no brainer.
2. Document and photograph everything you own.
Know serial numbers, model numbers, and values. Keep all receipts.
3. Keep very valuable documents in a safe deposit box at the bank.
I had a fire-proof safe in the closet. Not good enough. If I had my stuff in a safe deposit box, I would still have my social security card.
4. Scope out your apartment or home.
Look for easy access points--roof overhangs, openings onto the roof, weak locks, etc.
5. Check your locks.
Make sure the front doors all lock with a deadbolt. Consider a 2nd lock. Keep track of all your keys (including spares--the robbers got my spares).
6. Close up and lock everything when you leave.
This includes windows, folks. Set your alarm, if you have one. Leave blinds closed and lights on.
7. Have an escape route.
In the unfortunate situation that you are home when a thief enters, plan out what you will do. Always keep your cell phone with you. Consider locking your bedroom door at night. If you are on the 2nd floor, know where the fire escape is located.

What to do in the event of a robbery:
1. As soon as you realize you've been robbed, leave the premises. Do not enter until you are certain the intruder(s) has left.
2. Call the police immediately.
3. Change your locks, even if you aren't sure they have your keys.
Better to be safe than sorry.
4. Report all your accounts, credit cards, and bank cards as stolen.
Put a 90-day fraud alert out on your accounts using TransUnion, Equifax, or Experian to protect yourself from identity theft. Also, order a monthly credit report to keep track of any unauthorized loans or accounts opened in your name. Assume they have all this information and will use it.
5. File a claim with your insurance company.
You will need to make an itemized list of everything stolen.
6. Check with your neighbors.
Report the incident to your office, if you rent. Check with all your neighbors to see if they saw anything suspicious. Also, this will alert them for future incidents.

My Grrrrr Face!

Laying down the hammer on Torch during Spring Sprint last weekend.

Ironman Training Guidelines

Life is moving waaay too quickly, and I have LOTS to talk about (not me; I never have anything to say) but before I move too far forward, I want to post a little bit about training for an Ironman....not that you asked....and I'm far from the expert on the matter but here's my 2 cents anyway:

These are the guidelines I used in training for Ironman Arizona:

Overview:
1. Set goal(s).
I had 2--my A goal (to finish and have a good experience) and a B goal if conditions were favorable (to finish in 14 hours). Conditions were not favorable but having 2 goals made it more likely that I would achieve at least one of them.
2. Design your plan (or use a coach; I prefer to make my own).
I read several training plans before concocting my own. I used Joe Friel's Triathlete's Training Bible and Going Long, Paul Huddle and Roch Frey's 24 Weeks to an Ironman, and TCSD's Ironman Coach, Craig Zelent's Ironman Arizona Training Plan (www.triclubsandiego.org) (simple, easy to follow, invaluable). I also used my previous training plans from my 2 Half-Ironmans as a template. I then worked backwards from the race-date to include:
a) 3-week taper
b) 3-week final build
c) 4 week-structured base periods with the 4th week a recovery week at 50% volume reduction
d) 4-week "Prep" period to introduce my body to regular training and to prepare for Ironman training
This leaves you with a minimum of 12 weeks. Since I was a newbie to the Ironman distance, I had extra time so I could include:
a) an extra "Ironman Prep" period between Prep and Base phases. This just gave my body a little extra time to adjust to the increase in volume. I've heard overtraining is really a result of being undertrained when starting your training plan. I cannot agree more. This extra "Prep" period made it less likely for my body to become overtrained with the unfathomable amount of training I faced.
b) an extra "Base" period. Again, since I was a newbie to the long distances, extra base is ALWAYS good. Also, since it's at a lower intensity, I felt it was relatively safe.
c) having extra time allowed me to alternate my run-heavy and my bike-heavy weeks so I avoided doing the dreaded "death" weekends (100 mile bike Saturday, 20 mile run Sunday--recipe for disaster--of course, I didn't follow my guidelines and did this one weekend anyway for kicks. I paid for it later the following week.).
3. 3 bikes, 3 runs, 3 swims per week (plus 2 weights).
My bikes and runs consisted of 2 shorter rides/runs mid-week (speed, hills, and/or tempo) and a long ride Saturday and long run Sunday. (Again, I alternated between run-focused and bike-focused weeks so when riding 100 miles on Saturday, I would only run 12 on Sunday; when running 20 on Sunday, I only rode 50 on Saturday).
My swims were mostly masters (swimming in the ocean in the winter sucks). I tried to do either a time-trial swim in the ocean or pool every other week but once a month was sufficient as well. Masters swimming was amazing in helping me prepare.
Bricks:
I find I don't really need them. They end up wearing me down too much, and I can't recover in time for my next work-out. However, I'm kind of a freak in that I run really well off the bike.
For those of you that crave bricks, I find it helpful to run for a short period of time after the long bike on bike-heavy weekends (make sure you don't have a 20 mile run planned on Sunday). Start with 10 minutes and work up to no more than 40 minutes. This brick run mostly tests that your pacing, nutrition, and hydration are dialed in on the bike.
Once a month, or every 6 weeks, I swap a mid-week bike and ride for an "Olympic brick". I combine a 20-30 mile time-trial tempo ride with a 4-6 mile brick run at Olympic distance race pace. It's a kick-ass workout that knocks out both a bike and run for the week in a clean swoop. Make sure your next day is an easy one; this one kicks my ass and requires recovery time.
Weights:
There is a ton of dispute on whether or not to do weights when training for an Ironman. If you are a woman or older athlete, I highly recommend 2 sessions a week 20-40 minutes long. It highly increased my strength and endurance and also went great lengths to help prevent injury. That said, these workouts are the toughest to fit in, and as my training volume increased, these were the first to go, especially in the late phase of the base and build periods. When I was feeling especially tired, I chose to skip weights in favor of Yoga, stretching, or sleep and found this to be more beneficial. Also, reduce weights during the taper and do not lift weights the final 2 weeks before race day.
4. Key Workouts:
Long bike, long run, long swim.
Enough said. All the other workouts are like homework to prepare you for your long workouts. Slowly build each one every week so that you can ride 100 miles and run 20 miles (first-timers). You should be able to swim the entire 4000 meters and hop out of the water feeling fresh.
5. Recovery
I cannot say enough about recovery. I trained really hard, and I recovered hard. I think this is what saved me.
Always take 1 day off per week. Every 4th (3rd if you're feeling really ragged) week should be a recovery week at 50% reduced volume. I took 2 days off (Mon and Fri) during recovery weeks. Also, alternate easy days and hard days to allow ample recovery between workouts.
Plan extra time. You will need more sleep and you will need more food. A ton of both. It will freak you out. Just do it. Do not question the IronBeast that is awakened within. I consumed 3000-4000 cals a day (5'8", 130 lb female) and slept 10 at night and often needed another 90 minute nap as well. It was crazy. I also got a deep tissue massage 1x/week, and it totally saved me. This helped me recover very quickly after my tough weekends. I also stretched almost daily and did Yoga about 1x/week--also very helpful. Icing the lower legs after long runs and compression tights is also useful.

I found these guidelines really worked for me. Below is a spreadsheet of the specific guidelines I used to structure my key workouts in my 22-week IMAZ training plan (click on the image to enlarge it). Hope this helps. Please let me know if you have questions. Good luck to all training for your Ironman! I will be cheering everyone on at Ironman Arizona in November.

And The Winner Is....

Thanks to everyone who played "Guess the Temperature"
on race day in Tempe.
The official high reported on Weather.com for Sunday, April 13th in Tempe, Arizona was 94 degrees Farenheit. My total time was 14:40:47. Here were your answers:

1. Cvsurf guessed 96 degrees with a time of 13:42.
2. Sara guessed 93 degrees and 13:54.
3. Shawn guessed 100.3 degrees. Thankfully, it wasn't that hot!
4. Chad in the Arizona Desert guessed 97.
5. Wes guessed 94 degrees and 13:31.
6. Azra from the homeland (Tempe) guessed 95.
7. Jay guessed 96 degrees.
8. JeffM guessed 98 degrees.

And the lucky winner is.....(drumrull please).....
Wes from Woostock, Georgia! He will receive a brand-new Tri Club San Diego visor autographed by muah! What a lucky fellow!

Thank you all for playing! Stay tuned for more games and prizes to come!

Life Goes On...

I'm finishing up week 4 of my "unstructured" training period, recommended for recovery following an Ironman. The post-Ironman blues phase has faded into more of a stone-washed denim. I feel well-rested, fully recovered and am mapping out my training plan for the summer. I feel energetic, healthy, and rarin' to go. Honestly, I can't wait.

I can't wait for my summer races. Can't wait to work on speed. Long, at last, I finally get to work on speed. After months and months of base training, I get to go fast. Oh, boy! I'm chomping at the bit. In addition, I get to settle back into the comfort of a routine training plan. Since summer is around the corner, I also get to look forward to long days at the beach, playing in the surf and boogie-boarding. Finally, I can't wait to keep all you guys up-to-date with more race reports and training rides, which will continue to breathe life into this entity of a blog. Sometimes I wonder if I don't train/race to blog!

5/4/08 Spring Sprint
5/18/08 Encinitas Sprint
6/29/08 San Diego International
7/19/08 Camp Pendleton International
8/9/08 Camp Pendleton Sprint
8/24/08 Santa Barbara Tri (Long Course)
9/7/08 Gatorman (3 mi ocean swim)
10/19/08 San Fran Nike Women's Marathon

Yup! It's a full season!

This Sunday, I kicked off the '08 season with the Spring Sprint Tri . Always a favorite. Even though IMAZ was technically my first triathlon of '08, I felt like it ended a season. Closed a chapter in my life. Hence some depression that follows the ending of anything. With Spring Sprint, I opened a new door, started a new beginning and felt nothing but a wash of excitement as I crossed the finish line. With a full season ahead, I have A TON of things to look foward to. Let the games begin!

Don't worry. The saga of my so-called tri-life will continue....

Spring Sprint Mini-Race Report:
I had a fantastic race. With absolutely no expectations, I arrived calm and relaxed. Met up with a ton of friends. I warmed up by running an easy mile. Stretched. Got into the water early and swam back-and-forth. Avoided the jellyfish floating menacingly about. Peed in my wetsuit. Realized I had gotten in too early because I was freezing if I tried to get out.
Swim:
I saw my wave lining up and joined them, seeding myself towards the back as I normally do. The horn blew and we were off...
I quickly realized I should have seeded myself up front. When swimming only 1/4 of a mile, cutting in and out of slower swimmers makes a difference on your time. The pack split into 2 groups, and I was caught amongst the slower swimmers. I squeezed my way to the front of the slower group and missed the draft for the faster group. Oops.
However, my sighting was spot on. First buoy--dead smack in the middle. Turn left, 2nd buoy. This was great! I had forgotten how quickly a 450 meter swim goes by. I felt strangely sentient for the swim-part of a triathlon; none of the disoriented fog I normally experience. 3rd buoy--Wham! 4th buoy--Boo-ya! Then turn left again. The 5th and last buoy was to the right. I noticed most of my wave swam waaay over towards the last buoy before cutting left again and swimming again. I decided to use my skills from geometry class and swim the straight line between 2 points (the shortest distance...ahem...you get the point). I abandoned the pack and cut left to swim straight in.
T1:
Out of the water, out of my wetsuit and into T1. Swim time: 9:30 minutes. Surprisingly slow. Oh, well. Not a big deal. Time to work on sprint sets in masters swimming! Yipee! T1 was pretty fast. I noticed many bikes were still on the rack. Since when did I get so competitive? Anyway, I didn't even dry my feet. Into my shoes, helmet on, and I'm gone. I definitely need to learn how to clip into my shoes on my bike. That's the next goal. Anyway, T1 took ~1:00. I think I could go faster if I practiced--my goal is to get it down to :30.
Bike:
The bike was sweeeet. Fiesta Island is normally windy but in the early morning fog, the winds were strangely absent. Conditions were cool and calm. Purrrfect. A nice change of pace after IMAZ. One girl on a pink Guru took off in front of me, right out of T1. I kept her in my sights. Since running is my strength, I just try to keep my competition in view on the bike, and go in for the kill on the run. Pink Guru girl faded at mile 4.5 of the 9 mile bike. My speed didn't change the entire time. With my Zipps (Speed Weaponry!), I was able to maintain a consistent 20 mph pace. I blew by her, entirely expecting her to chase me down. It never happened. Only 2 guys in the wave behind me passed me on the bike the entire time. This was my race. First time in my history of racing. I was having a great day. Screamed into T2 for a bike split of ~28 minutes. Whoo-hoo!
T2:
I definitely need to work on transitions! I'm still using shoelaces! Talk about old-school. My hands were shaking from pushing it on the bike. I need Yankz! 4 girls beat me out of transition. All-in-all T2 took me about 1:30. I can get this down to :20 if I unclip on the bike and get Yankz. Simple.
Run:
Keeping the girls who got out on the run first in my sights, I began the hunt. I was gasping for breath but decided to hammer. Afterall, it's a 5K. Worst-case scenario, I can slow down. All of a sudden, the course took me through deep sand. WTF? It's an obstacle course. I began leaping and bounding through the ice plants for better traction. I could feel my heart-rate soar but was passing people left and right so I didn't care. I passed all speedy T2 girls in the first 1/2 mile. Whoo-hoo! This was fun! For some reason, I felt super-competitive. I would find a poor victim with the age 30-34 on her calf and chase her down. Then, I immediately looked for my next prey. I was ravenous! I caught Michelle at mile 1.5, a good friend of mine who is super fast and has beat me on every previous race . We chatted for a bit (actually, I let her do the talking while I slowed up to recover--sorry Michelle!) before I pressed on. Girls and guys race so differently! Guys usually talk smack while girls pretend to be syrupy sweet. On the inside, we're thinking, Kill, kill, kill!
"Look at you, Miss Speedy," said Michelle.
"Well, you're really fast too. Good job!" I replied.
"You're doing great."
"You too."
"Don't let me hold you back."
"Oh, no. I'm sure you'll catch me in a minute," as I run on ahead. In my head, I'm thinking, I'm going to beat Michelle! Yessssss! (Again, sorry, Michelle! I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would be able to catch you because you are SO fast and strong!)
I ran on ahead and began my 2nd lap. I couldn't find anyone else with the 30-34 numbers on their calf. Strange. The finishing chute came out of nowhere, and I mustered up the last bit of reserve to sprint down to the line. I didn't have much left for sprinting. Good. I normally leave too much in the tank anyway. Crossed the finish and actually recovered almost immediately--none of that pukey feeling I normally get from going hard.
Run: 22:30
Hmmm. Faster than my PR at the Carlsbad 5000 with the deep sand. I'm thinking that course must have been short b/c that time just seems impossible.
Total time: 1:03
A new PR for me by 4 minutes!!! Whoo-hoo! This is the year of PRs. Plus, I placed 6th in my AG, which has never happened before. I'm pretty happy. I wasn't trying to PR, which, of course, is when it always happens. I think I can break an hour next year!!!
I guess the moral of the story is: to go faster in a race, do an Ironman 3 weeks before.

All-in-all, I had a fantastic time, got in a great workout, and was able to reacquaint with several good friends. A good time was had by all.

Laying down the hammer at Spring Sprint

Post Ironman Blues--they're real

There's no such thing. How ridiculous! Sad because the Ironman and Ironman training is over? Sad because I have time to rest, relax, and enjoy life a little? Sad because I'm not chronically overtrained and exhausted? Not me. Impossible.

Turns out, the whole post-Ironman blues thing? It's real. Apparently, I, Iron Girl, was incorrect in thinking I was superhuman, immortal, invincible, indestructible, with special powers. Apparently, I'm not immune to the post-partum Ironman depression.

I was fine the first 2 weeks. The first week, I was in Atlanta for a conference and was too exhausted from the race and stressed out about my talk to feel anything. I was still in crisis mode. 2nd week, I was so relieved to finally be home that I enjoyed mellow club workouts. And then, during the 3rd week, it hit me. Hard.

I feel rested. Healthy. Strong. My body is energized. My mental focus and faculties have been miraculously restored. I didn't even realize they were missing but all of a sudden, my productivity at work has sky-rocketed. I don't need 9 hours of sleep and mid-afternoon naps all the time. My appetite is under control; I don't feel like I have a tapeworm. I've been eagerly looking forward to my once-a-day workouts. I've been swimming-biking-and running fairly well. I should be so happy.

Then why do I have all this angst? I miss being so exhausted that I didn't have any left-over energy to deal with Life. Oh, right. That. Things were so much simpler when I all worried about was training, eating, and sleeping. I miss that. Now, I have to deal with my Problems. Damn. Guess it was bound to happen sooner or later.

Meanwhile, I get frustrated and try to exhaust myself...go out for a hard, fast, hilly evening ride. Ride until my lungs are going to burst and my quads are screaming. I finish as the sun sets, somewhat relieved. Maybe I will be exhausted enough to sleep tonight. But when night falls, and bedtime passes, I find myself tossing and turning, hour after hour, yet again.

This too, as most things in life, will come to pass. I just have to give it time. Patience is something I've never been very good at. Meanwhile, I'm designing my summer training plan. I have a full season ahead of sprint and olympic tris that should be lots of fun. I have a fall marathon that I'm really excited about.

But when I do manage to fall asleep, I dream about two things, and only two things. First, I dream I'm still out there running on the Ironman Arizona course, after the sun has set, the second half of the marathon. I wake up and feel great sadness that I'm not still out there running. I guess a part of me is still in Tempe, still running. And the second thing? I'm flying up to Penticton, Canada to secure my Ironman Ca spot for 2009.

Links to Post Ironman Blues Articles:
http://www.tri-ecoach.com/art17.htm
http://triathletediva.com/?p=104
http://img1.tapuz.co.il/forums/35730075.pdf
http://www.d3multisport.com/articles/fact_fiction.htm