Summer ....

I can't believe summer is almost gone. This was a summer of firsts. It was the first time my kids were out of school all summer long. We spent many days at the pool and doing fun stuff. I tried to sneak in a few training sessions when they were otherwise occupied but it was tough! I did my first duathalon this summer. Not that I would quickly sign up for another one but it was "fun"! I also after 13 years of racing did my first Olympic distance triathlon. That's right, I have done 14 Ironman's but only one Olympic. And I placed 2nd in my age group. I was very mellow and even had a beer and pizza the night before, and I had loads of fun! This might be something I should try before an Ironman? Hmmm..

Just recently I raced the Boulder 70.3, formerly known as 5430 long course, and once again I was unable to race to my potential. Last year before this race I broke my nose. This year it is a bad Achilles. I have been unable to run for many weeks. I am 13 weeks from Ironman Arizona and thinking I will suffer greatly on the run if I don't get this Achilles issue resolved. I am hoping to swim and bike my buns off and to run in the pool until it heals.

Now that the kids are back in school, well one is home sick today, I have my training partner back! It has been a lonely summer training solo and I am so happy to have Kathleen to pull me around! She joined me yesterday for some intervals on the bike. One more week and she will be killing it! Look out Redman Triathlon!! I'm off to take one sick little boy to the Dr. He actually saved me from myself as I would have tried to run today I'm sure!

Cheers to great training partners!!

Galveston 70.3

Galveston is turning out to be one of my favorite races. It is a good early test of where I am and a mellow way to get back into triathlon. In years past we have had great cool weather with little wind. This year was pay-back time! It was HOT and super windy. And I really did have fun.

The swim was looking bad as we were the second to last wave to go off. One hour and 15 min after the pros had started the race. But as the wind picked up so did my confidence. I have done some pretty choppy swims and I am very comfortable in the water, so bring on the swells!

On to the bike, following coaches orders ( an accomplishment in and of itself) I took it easy the first half of the bike, too easy! By the time I hit 50 miles I felt like I wanted to ride another 50 miles. Oh no, what did I do. Well I was trying to set myself up for a good run so this is good to have fresh legs off the bike.

On to the run, I felt amazing. My legs wanted to go and felt great at about a 7:50 pace. However, at mile 6 my stomach had a different idea. I had to be in the porta-john every 2 miles or so until the finish! This has never happened and I hkope it does not happen again!

All in all it was a great day! I finished 8th in my age group and I am ready to start training for the next race! Bring on the tri season!!

Banner days and blue sky!

The sky was so blue yesterday! It was a perfect Colorado day, one of those days you just want to play outside all day long! I took pictures with my phone but having trouble uploading them! I had so much to do yesterday but did find the time to sneak in a mountain bike ride. The warm sun and bright blue sky just made my whole day seem that much better. It was a nice easy ride and I held back when I saw the opportunity to put the hurt to the guy in the baggy sweatshirt and cut off jeans. It is only January and I wanted to ride today so I held back. But now here I sit with a sick little one on the couch, should have made it hurt yesterday! Lesson learned.

Speaking of hurt, last weekend I got to hurt in a whole new way. In the pool. I competed in my first Masters swim meet!! It was one of the toughest things I have ever done. But this year is about new challenges and getting out of my comfort zone. I did the 500 free, 50 free, 100 free and 200 free. No sense in shelling out $25 just to swim the 500, so I did all the free events. I think I would do better in the 1650 or hey how about a new event, 2.4 miles? I will definitely do another one, it was sooo much fun! Now I am off to set up the trainer on the back porch, at least it is warm and I can work on my Hawaii tan! Hope the neighbors don't mind the bikini top! Cheers!

Looking ahead - 2010!!

Looking back at 2009, it was a great year. Another successful triathlon season, no injuries and some big accomplishments. The kids are happy and healthy and doing well. Life is good. This year we raced four half Ironmans starting with Galveston in April and ending with Harvest Moon in September. Then it was on to the Great Floridian Ironman Distance race the end of October. Needless to say it was a long season and I was glad to be done! But there is always that part of me who wants more, to do more, see more, challenge myself more. It has taken me a long time to be satisfied with my race in Florida and except the outcome. With the new year on the horizon I have been looking ahead instead of behind. Thinking of what will be than of what could have been. I am excited for the new challenges I will embrace and the adventures I will have with my husband and kids! See ya in 2010! Cheers!!

MY INSPIRATION.....

I am loving this new bike! If it is at all possible, every time I ride I fall more in love with it! It fits perfectly and responds so well. Training has been going almost to good to be true. I am giddy with excitement and can't wait to race. I have 3 weeks and 2days. It is almost taper time and my body is ready for that. Last Saturday I rode 100 miles and then Tuesday Kathleen and I headed out east and rode a fast 92 miles. I have my last long run on Friday, going for 20miles and then it is taper time. Thankfully I am putting in the miles because it is that time of year again when the house is full of CAKE and birthday treats galore! My baby girl turned 9 and my hubby turned, well another year older..HEHEHE!
My days off have been filled with recovery hikes and good friends and good food. I am truly blessed to be living this life. I came across a quote that has really hit home lately, it says " A goal without a plan is just a wish." I have a goal and I have followed my plan to the best of my ability and now I just have to reach that little bit higher and make it happen. Cheers!!!

Almost an Ironman and Chick Fillet..

The weeks are just flying by, I have only 6 weeks till Great Floridian Iron distance triathlon. I feel great with my training and have turned in some monster miles. The biggest weeks I have ever had. In three days I practically did an Ironman. My long ride on Friday was almost 100miles and then my long run Saturday was 16 miles (but it took forever cuz it was super hilly), and then a 2 mile open water swim on Sunday. It was a fundraiser for the two triathletes hit a few weeks ago, and I saw so many people I knew and have not seen in a long time! So all in all a great end to a super hard week. Now all I want to do is chill, but there is more work to be done.

Today Kathleen and I headed out on a nice easy 50+ mile ride that turned into a nice ride with some snap in the middle. So we are enjoying our ride and about 15miles from home we come to a major crossing and spy this dude all decked out and hanging onto the cement barrier waiting for the traffic to let him by. We all get going at the same time and cross the road safely. Coming up is a big steep hill and this dude comes blazing by sucking wind like he is racing for his life. Kathleen decides to play a little and "jump on his wheel". I was laughing cuz there was not going to be a problem in passing him, so we took it easy and went by fairly quickly. I mean this guy looked like he was going backwards. Of course we continued to push the pace just to put the dressing on the chick sandwich we just served up! Too much fun! We took our usual route home and all be darned the guy took the short cut and wanted more. So he pulls out in front of us as we are stopped at a light and we have to pass him again! Kathleen says, So that is a chick fillet! He was done, and pretty bummed as we passed him for the second time in less than 8 miles. I think he stopped at Lamar's or Long John Silver's! Anyway that was our fun for the day. It always feels good to pass the guys who think they are the $h!t!

I have a race coming up this Saturday and I am not looking forward to it. I think now I should not have signed up for it this close to an Ironman. I have never raced on legs as fatigued as mine are right now. It should be interesting. The new bike is still in transit, it is a point of frustration for me. Off for a recovery sandwich and a hot shower! Cheers!!

Week 2...

This is week two of my build to Ironman. I have been getting in some tough training and feeling pretty good. The nose and toe have healed up quite nicely. My nose still hurts when I swim and I battle headaches often but each day is getting better! Last week was something like this...swim, bike, run, eat, sleep, repeat. This week has been pretty much the same. Monday was a great day with half-mile repeats in the am, which I managed to descend, and a great swim workout in the afternoon with long 500m sets at a fast pace and descending by 100's. Yesterday was a nice short bike ride and today was a long run. Training has left me pretty tired and sore but I am happy about how things are progressing. I have some other exciting news, I got a new bike. Pictures will be posted once it arrives and details will follow. But for now I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas morning! I'm so excited!!! Happy training!