St Paddy's Day Tri: Not A Rookie Anymore

Last March I became a triathlete when I finished the St Paddy's Day Triathlon.  I am not sure that I ever had that much fun on a race course and I was officially hooked on triathlons. I had some great success in my "rookie" year with two podium finishes and completing my first half iron distance tri.  I grew so much in my half iron training and I worked hard to keep that base in the offseason.  I couldn't wait to tri again and I was super fired up to kickoff the season at this year's St Paddy's Day Tri.  My expectations for myself had changed quite a bit in a year.  Last year, I was most concerned about finishing and having a good time.  Mission Accomplished.  However, I also noticed that I finished seventh in my age group last year and I made it a goal to improve upon that this year.  I wasn't sure if I could make the podium, but I sure wanted to give it my best.

Race peeps: Marci, Fred, me, Mr K, Keith, Nikki (Pic: Mary)

Last year, I was lucky to have Mr K there to cheer me on.  This year, he raced with me and he was cool enough to let me borrow his tri bike (trusty Blue) so we could have one last race together.  We would have many friends racing alongside us that day too: Keith, Nikki, Marci, and Fred - to name a few.  While I didn't have quite the entourage that I had last year, we still had a good group of friends there to cheer us on.  Hard to ask for a better day!

It is always a good day when Byron shows up!

Swim 300m
I never know how to seed myself in a pool swim.  Seed myself too high and I worry that I'll be "that girl" who is slowing everyone down because she clearly seeded herself too high.  But on the other hand, seed myself too low and then not feel the "urgency" to push from those around me. I think that I did okay this time because I ended up starting after Keith and Erik and in front of Fred and Marci.  I I certainly felt more comfortable knowing all of the swimmers around me.  It took forever before it was our turn, but we had fun talking and cutting up poolside.  My goal for the swim was to get through it smoothly and without any drama (see Redman 70.3).  Fred and I went back and forth for a while - he would catch me, I would get away from him, he would catch me, etc. I got out of the pool in 7:27 - smoothly and without drama.  Of course, looking back on it now I think that I could have pushed a little bit more, but I will chalk it up as experience.

Made it out of the pool (Pic: Mary)

Bike 13.5 miles
It is always a little disorienting coming out of the water and I was a bit surprised to hear people I know yelling my name as I ran into T1.  How fun is that though?  Gives me a burst of energy!  I got in and out of T1 in 1:26, which I feel pretty good about.  I am always trying to make my transition times better as I know that races are won and lost here.  I was happy to be on the bike as I feel it is an area in which I have made huge progress in over the last year.  Last year the bike course was 2 loops of a big square-ish area with the back "leg" of the square being hilly.  This year, it was 3 loops of one leg of the square - you guessed it - the hilly leg.  It was challenging, but repeating it that many times allowed me to become super familiar with the proper gearing.  Blue and I had a blast and I was grateful for Mr K for allowing us to have one final swan song together before I returned it to him permanently.  I love tucking down in aero and going fast!  Mary was the ultimate photographer/cheerleader for all of us and it was great to see her face on one of the loops. I rode the course in 45:14 (18 mph according to my watch).  I felt very pleased with my ride - faster than last year on a tougher course.

Blue and Me in our swan song (Pic: Mary)

Run 5K 
I rolled my bike into T2 and searched for my spot.  The transition area always looks so different with all of the bikes and people gone.  I spotted a bag that looked just like mine and I ran towards it...only to discover that it wasn't my bag.  This is not a common bag either, in fact, I have never seen another one like it!  I was thrown for a loop and stood still and frantically searched for my bag.  Of course, my eyes kept falling on the wrong bag.  It felt like I was standing there forever! I finally located it and tried to hurry to make up for lost time.  I got out of T2 in 2:15.  I have to work on that one next time, haha.  Running is my favorite and it was time to tango!  My buddy, Stude (The Encourager - remember him?) had "warned" me that he would be waiting for me on the run so I expected to see him.  What I didn't expect to see was Stude dressed in his infamous gorilla outfit.  I might have laughed a little longer if I didn't feel so out of breath from running hard.  The run course is an out and back and it was pretty hilarious to see the expressions on the other runners' faces as they ran towards us and spotted a gorilla running.  Eventually told me to keep on running hard and he peeled off to go and harass support other runners.  I spotted Mary, who had a bird's eye view, up on a bridge.  She told me that Erik was not too far ahead of me - I tried like heck, but I never did catch him.  I was so thankful to see the turn around and I was ready to head on back to the finish line.  I had one more encounter with my gorilla friend before the final push to the finish.  Last one, fast one is always my goal, and I pulled it off as my last mile was my fastest.  I finished the run in 24:09.  According to my watch, the run course was 3 miles even (instead of 3.1) so my run pace is not quite as impressive as it looks when calculated as 3.1 miles, but I'll take an 8:06 average pace any day!

Finally a picture where I look like I'm running! (Pic: Mary)

Total time 1:20:33
My total race time nearly three minutes faster than last year - my 2016 PR steak lives on!  Even better than that, it was good enough to earn me 2nd place in my age group and a coveted spot on the podium.  Man, I love it when that happens!  And just like that, I am a rookie no more.  I learned so much during my first season of triathlon and this race gave me some good ideas of what to focus on in the coming season.  I love that there are always new challenges to be found and new goals to be set.

(Pic: Mary)

The best part of racing is being able hang out with my buddies before and after the race.  It seems like everyone comes out to cheer for St Paddy's Tri as it is the unofficial kick-off of the racing season.  I got such a boost of energy from seeing everyone, I am so glad that I decided to give tri a try last year. I can't wait to see what my second season holds!

Hottest Half: Who Keeps Signing Me Up For Summer Races??

I have become an increasingly tardy blogger these days. Perhaps the hot weather that has zapped my will to run has even zapped my will to write about running. Also, this race--the Hottest Half--was timed beautifully with the beginning of the school year. This is a hectic time where I have to make the shift from 10 hour work weeks and afternoon naps to full time work and all that comes with it. My mind gets overwhelmed with all of the back to school details and by the end of the day it has just turned into mush. So enough of the excuses and on with the blog!!

I try to take a different approach to summer races and summer running in general. I run slower in the summer, it is just a fact. This used to freak me out and send me into a tizzy (I'm getting slower! Oh my gosh, I am getting weaker!! Ahh!), but every fall the temperatures drop and my pace picks up and I am a happy runner once again. Last year I started the Hottest Half with good intentions, but soon found myself defeated by the heat and turned the race into my own social run complete with pictures and visits with friends along the way. I decided that it might be a good day to go for a PW (personal worst).

I was happy to take a similar approach to this year's edition of the Hottest Half as well. I was excited about the race because I knew that so many of my running friends (frunners) would be there and that we would have a great time hanging out before the race and that there would be food and more fun after the race.

We arrived early, took our place in the potty line, and quickly found friends to talk and visit with. Frunners EW and Corina are quick with the camera and a flurry of pre-race photos were taken. A sense of dread took over as we lined up at the start, thinking of the many miles that lay before us and realizing that I was sweating before I even ran a step. I knew that I would not be setting any personal records (PRs) and felt content to take a slightly easier pace than I normally would.


Pre Race with Friends

About a mile into the race we crossed the dreaded Mockingbird Bridge...the "mocking" part is so true because the bridge bounces up and down and mocks every step. It will jump up to meet your feet on one step--surprising you as you are not expecting the ground to be so close and then dropping really low the next step--leaving you wondering if your foot would find the ground. The whole time I am thinking that my stomach was not so happy with me and I was thinking that a restroom stop might be in order. I was thinking that I would spend less energy just stopping early rather than worrying about it for a few more miles. So at 1.75 miles I get in the potty line...and I wait...and I wait...even thought I was not racing, it was disheartening to watch so many runners go by and I felt any progress that I had made slipping away. I finally got moving again, 5 minutes later, and felt driven to make up some of the time that I lost. Erik was super fabulous and waited for me during this extended pit stop.


5 minute restroom stop

There really isn't much to say about the race itself....it was hot and we ran. Erik and I made sure to get good drinks at water stations and we also took salt tablets along the way to make up for all that we were losing with sweat. We made up lots of time and began to catch up with some of our friends that had passed while I was delayed. We passed Mary and Debra who were out at the lake for training with Team Tri-Now. Poor Mary caught me off guard with a high five and nearly got punched in the nose! I was carrying a water bottle in my right hand and didn't know how to handle the bottle and a surprise high five. Sorry Mary!!

This is an out and back course and the leaders were starting to pass us now on their way back to the start. I always marvel at their speed and the ease in their running style, I wonder what it feel like to run so fast. The best thing about an out and back is seeing lots of friends along the way and this was the case here too. I was also happy because I knew that the race was more than half way finished at this point.


Heading Back

My next focus point was making it to the North Texas Runners cheering station at mile 11. I knew that Libby and the gang would be there with ice, gummy bears, and friendly faces. I slowed down for a bit, ate a couple of gummies, crunched some ice and talked with Greg and Libby. This was a real pick me up and I knew that the journey was almost complete. Libby tells the story from her side in her blog...check it out!


Give me gummy bears!!

The last two miles were crazy hard as I tried to maintain an even pace and finish with a little bit of grace. The heat was intense and I just focused on putting one foot in front of the other. It was during this stretch that I had a great talk with myself--reminding myself that this was likely the hardest race of the year and that I do this race to prove to myself that I can be tough when necessary. I started running because I wanted to do something hard and this was as hard as it gets. The finish line was in sight soon enough and I ran it in as fast as I could.

I was okay with my time given the five minute restroom break and the intense heat. (Chip Time: 2:18:29 31st of 102 in my age group). This is about 20 minutes slower than my average half marathon pace but speed wasn't the goal today. This race is not and never will be about speed, speed is best saved for a crisp race on a November morning. The Hottest Half is about showing myself that I am tough enough to handle a challenging circumstance. Mission accomplished.

Erik and I cheered some more friends across the finish line and enjoyed a cold beer in the beer garden before packing up and heading to breakfast with our group of frunners. This was the best part of the morning and certainly the number one benefit of running. I have met some amazing people over the last couple of years and it is an honor to call them frunners...and friends.

(Special thanks to Corina, EW, and Libby for the great pictures)

Grasslands Trail Half Marathon....How did I miss those cows??

Please excuse my tardiness with this blog...there was no easing back into life after spring break! I have thought about writing it everyday, but either didn't have the time or the energy to get it done. I am happy to be sitting here now, ready to get it done.

Many of you know that I had a terrible experience with this race last year. It was my first experience with trail running and I just didn't have a good time. Those were probably the 13 hardest miles I have ever run--even walking was a challenge at times because the mud was so thick. It was so cold too, I thought that I might have had frostbite when it was all said and done. So many runners that I know love trail running, but I just wasn't sold on it after that experience. I was hesitant to sign up this year and it took some talking from Erik and some of my running friends. I am glad that I did though because the experience this year could not have been more different than last year. The weather, quite possibly, was the most noticeable--it was already in the 60s by race time and would just get warmer. And, incidentally, this is the driest March ever for the Dallas area.

Another difference was that through Daily Mile and Twitter I already knew a handful of friends who would be running. Greg, Corina, and Michelle were running the marathon and Libby and Stacy were running the half marathon. Erik and I laughed about how different our mindset was as we drove out the the LBJ Grasslands in Decatur. Upon arrival we immediately saw Libby and Stacy (whom I met in person for the 1st time). There wasn't much time to get our packets and gather our gear before it was time to meet up at the start line.

I made Erik promise not to leave me and I promised him that I would not be a big baby like last year. He made the perfect pacer for me as he stayed just ahead of me the whole time and I just tried my best to keep up. He was kind enough to loop back at times and to wait for me at the aide stations. The mud from last year was gone...however...it was replaced by sand. Don't get me wrong, the sand was better than the mud--but it sure made running difficult at times. I felt as if the energy was being sucked out of my legs and drained into the heavy sand. Fortunately the entire course wasn't sandy, it came and went for stretches at a time.


At the start line with Libby

We both really enjoyed the race, having conversations with people along the way and enjoying some pretty scenery. I appreciate the trail running scene as it is much more laid back than road racing--the whole attitude is much more chill. There were only 2 aide stations on the half marathon course, but wow--it was like a buffet at each one. We are talking oranges, fig newtons, candy, chocolate, fruit, and hydration.

I found the run to be quite challenging and felt just plain TIRED at times. There is alot more climbing on the trails than on the road and I could really feel that in my legs. Sometimes I felt as if I could fly and sometimes I felt as if my energy was zapped (perhaps that was the sand). I had to slow and catch my breath after some of the climbing sections, but I worked hard to keep Erik in my sights and not slow him down.

I was surprised at how much of the course I remembered from last year. I thought that I had blocked it all from my memory after all of the troubles it had caused me. I am also surprised at how fast the miles click by when running on the trails--it is impossible to focus on the distance when you are scanning the terrain for your next step. Erik found a burst of speed in the last mile and crossed the line about a minute ahead of me. I am happy to say that we got 13.47 miles done in 2:27--a full hour and eight minutes faster than last year. That time also fell within what I had been told--to add about 20-30 minutes to your typical road race times.


We made it!

Even though the race was done, the fun was just beginning. Erik and I gathered up our chairs and a cooler and waited for our friends to finish their races. We had a great time cheering for Libby, Stacy, and Michelle (Greg came in just after we finished so we missed him) and especially Corina. This was a very special race for Corina because it was her 3rd marathon in 90 days and it would qualify her for Marathon Maniacs status. Congrats Corina!! We also enjoyed watching the 50 milers pass by us on their course....50 miles?? Who does THAT?!


The Grasslands Gang

It feels so good to have the trail running monkey off of my back. I understand what everyone has been talking about and why trail running is so cool. I am so glad that I gave Grasslands and trail running a second chance because I think that the trails will fill a void in some of my current training. I just know that the terrain and the little dips and climbs will make me stronger. Not to mention all of the new friends I am making--I even went out to run some more trails last weekend--stay tuned for the story of the newly formed Beer and Bagels Trail Series. We had our first run on Sunday and have one in the books for April.

Oh, and the cows....as we were talking after the race the marathoners mentioned the cows that they saw. I thought that the cows must have only been on the marathon course, because I sure didn't see any. Erik was quick to inform me that we passed several big cows very near the trail. How the heck did I miss those....

Too Cold To Hold 15K: So Close....Yet So Far

Another weekend, another race! I love this time of the year, the weather is usually great for running and my schedule is filled with races. The Too Cold To Hold 15K was on Sunday at White Rock Lake and it marked my 3rd race in the 4 weekends of 2011. The 2010 edition of the Too Cold is one of my favorite races of all time--too bad I wasn't blogging this time last year to tell the full story. It was one of those races where Erik took off at the start and I steadily labored along. I began to see Erik in front of me and was so close at the halfway turn around that he didn't even see me. He finally caught sight of me around mile 6 and I eventually caught him...likely around mile 7. We dueled it out at the very end...and he beat me by 2 seconds. He certainly was surprised (and proud) to see that I got that close to him and we both set new 15K PRs in the process. I was hoping that 2011 would be a rematch of that great race, and it almost was....except that Erik did a 6 hour arm workout at the gym on Saturday and hardly slept a wink on Saturday night....not exactly the best conditions for a race.

I am certain that Sunday was some of the best weather for running, at least in my book. We were very lucky to get a great parking spot at the race and were able to wear our warm clothes until close to time for the start. We saw many friends before the race, including several of Erik's co-workers who were attempting their first 5K (the race offered the choice of 5K or 15K). I have been enjoying the technology offered to me by my new Garmin running watch and focused on pacing during the early parts of the race. It is easy to get swept up in the excitement at the start line and go out too fast. I had to slow myself down a few times in the hopes that it would pay off later in the race. I knew that in order to PR I would need to average just under an 8:30 pace per mile.


From the race website, can you find me?

White Rock Lake was especially pretty this morning and I was enjoying the journey. Some races are grueling and I feel every step and some are more like magic and the miles pass quickly. I would say that this race was more like the latter, it was just an enjoyable morning. I could see Erik just ahead of me at the halfway turn around and I wondered if we would have a rematch of that famous race. Around mile 5 I saw friends Lesley and EW coming from the other direction. I waved and then I heard them cheer me on...EW saying "Go get him!! Go! Go!". It certainly brought a smile to my face and I began to focus on catching up with Erik. I was more than halfway finished at this time and knew that it was the perfect place to allow my pace to get a little faster.

I stayed just behind Erik for a while, trying to use a little bit of strategy and save some energy in case we had a duel at the end. Eventually I caught up to him and saw that he just was not himself. This was confirmed as I passed him....dang, I really wanted to pass him on a good day....it just isn't as much fun when he is down. I ran on with an ear behind me, you just can't count Erik out--he is a strong runner with an even stronger mind. I began to feel pretty tired by mile 8 and was really looking forward to the finish. I tried to finish strong and a glance at my watch told me that I would be really close to that PR. I saw the finish line, took one final look at my watch, and gave it all that I had....and finished 11 seconds short of my PR...dang!! I knew going in that this would be a tough PR to top and today showed me just how hard. I can't help but to wonder how it would have played out if Erik and I did get a chance to duel it out at the end like last year. We have always pushed and pulled each other and I think that would be the case again this time.

Here are my mile splits according to Garmin:
8:31, 8:27, 8:32, 8:43, 8:29, 8:23, 8:27, 8:43, 8:36 and 7:19 for the last .38 mile
For a total of 1:19:41 and an average pace of 8:29/mile.
Interesting note, I raced this exact course in July and my time was about 7 minutes slower....think that the heat has no effect on my pace? Think again!


Post race with EW, Elaine, and Lesley

Races are a great place to see friends and meet new people and this race was no exception. We had a great time talking to friends, sharing running stories, taking pictures, and laughing. I love the community that running fosters and this held true again today. The cool thing is that running blogs, Facebook, and Daily Mile have connected us even more and I see lots of "familiar" faces at these events even if I don't know them in person yet. This is great for a person like me who tends to be shy and is not one to approach a person that I do not know.

Next up the Houston Half Marathon and I am so excited to go and check out another city's marathon scene. We are lucky to have White Rock here in our backyard and Cowtown just a city away. Last year we experienced Austin's (hilly) scene, saw the beauty of Tyler, and now we venture to Houston. This one will be great because I went to college at Sam Houston State University and have so many friends in the Houston area...some of them are even running the race too, in fact, we are staying with my college roommate and her husband is running the half marathon. I would LOVE to PR this race too, but I know that my half marathon PR will be a tough one to top. Maybe Houston will hold some of that magic for me? Stay tuned!