Friday Night Swim Race Race Report

Long overdue indeed.

I love this race.  Lots of TNM participants, low-key, very well organized (Thank you Raise the Bar), and my favorite sport, really can't ask for much more.

We left super-early to beat traffic to Kent on a Friday night.

Which gave me plenty of time to “think” about the race,  I’ll admit, B and C races I don’t put too much thought into, just go in and give it all I got…or something of that sort.  But there is something about the smaller races that also make me more nervous than the bigger ones. So in “thinking” out loud to Mark  I had a lot to go over:



Positive thinking:

Hawaii swimming days!

*I had put in a ton of swimming in Hawaii (Linsey you rock)and beyond and was feeling strong in the water.

*I love swimming.

*Great practice race.

*I love racing!

Race Strategy:

*Start out conservative

*Pace myself with the group/people I am comfortable swimming with.

*Build and then “hang on”

*"If it is super close, you sprint to the finish" (that was Mark’s advice!).

I lined up for the start with the New TYR Freak of Nature. So comfy! I was alongside my husband and 3 other soon to be TNM Ironman CDA finishers.  I knew there was a strong field in the group. Mike who attends the swim classes I teach at Seattle Athletic Club downtown and my friend/teammate Linsey who is one tough cookie.  When the going gets tough this girl can dig deep like no one I have ever seen.  She just happened to swim 3 (yes 3!) open water swim miles that morning in prep for her upcoming 11 mile swim race.

Mike and Linsey post-race

I am never one to start out sprinting, make me incredibly nauseous, so I put up with people yanking at my feet while they sprint the first 100 or 200 or whatever yards.  About mid-way through the first straight-a-way through a two loop course the petting of my feet stopped and I could see someone  ahead, whom had picked a totally different route of swimming the course.  I stayed directly in line with the buoys.  I figured at this point that swimmers would be on my feet and I kept it conservative trying to stay in my comfortable place so I could use my matchsticks for later.   Rounding the first turn buoy I did a quick check and could see some swimmers behind, but none right on my feet. Phew…this helped settle me a bit so I could swim at my own pace without the pressure of others. I kept my sights on the one swimmer ahead.  I knew the stroke but I swore it was Linsey.  1^st loop I checked my watch around 26’. Never super accurate as I always start my watch early to be ready for the gun to go off AND I can’t do math and race at the same time. But this is where I had “estimated” I would be so knew I was swimming solid. Loop two I started making ground on the swimmer ahead and had small vision of possibly winning. After the final turn buoy I really gave it what all I had left and could feel my face burning hot and my fingertips going tingly numb.



Laura and I.

I popped out of the water as second swimmer, and found the first swimmer was Mike the whole time.  I had won overall women afterall.  I know if Miss Linsey were not swimming over 16 miles that week that this would have been a much closer race and I am excited to see her flourish in just a few short weeks at her big event!



I was lucky to meet Laura who is a fabulously strong swimmer and triathlete, but it was her kindness and sweet smile that stuck me the most.  She had an awesome swim winning herself a cinnamon roll that looks to-die for!

Thanks to RTB for the fabulous fun event and the super yummy 40 pound pie!  With Mark a few weeks away from CDA it didn’t disappear within 2 days like last year!

Hawaii 70.3 Race Report and Rainbows

"The way I see it, if you want to see the rainbow, sometimes you gotta put up with the rain." -Dolly Parton

I have pondered this race report for days now. Mixed emotions on all accounts but trying to use logic over feelings to decipher where I am, where I am going, and how far I have come.

I am still searching, reaching and striving for "that moment". That moment that comes around only a few times in a lifetime where you know you have put your heart and soul and every inch of your mind and body into something and have finally arrived to that "dream" moment. In no way did I expect Hawaii 70.3 to be that day. In fact, it showed me just how much further I have to go, scary and exciting all at the same time.

My body has shown improvements in all three disciples, in fact I raced to my absolute fitness potential on that day in terms of numbers (watts/HR/pace).  I really couldn't have asked for a better day. This excites me. Although, when reaching for the stars I actually wanted to touch the moon.

S/B/R report:

The swim started off brutal for me. The first 10 seconds landed me kicked in the eye, swinging arms in the face, the timing chip unhooked, my cap moved from its "comfortable position", and my watch being unhooked.  Yep, turned over on my back twice to fix the goggles and some other small items.  Pack be gone...I didn't care.  By the first buoy I was caught up and swimming with friends in a somewhat "easy" effort, I didn't want to make any pass here because the water was ferocious and knew I would just be working 10 times harder to swim the same pace.  After the final turn (not sure where a yellow buoy showed up, they were all red at the start) I picked it up on the final stretch.

The bike was challenging for me.  This is where I need to make some huge improvements (that will help with the run too). I was slow to get on my bike and rode solo for a very, very, very long time.  Seeing the other pro girls up ahead.  Climbing to Hawi I am not sure I really paid attention to what I was doing but was more concerned on how the heck I was going to get back down with the wind and the rain (ie:slippery roads).  Yep, I was scared out of my mind.  Hence spending very little time in aero and much more time sitting up, talking and singing to myself out loud ("The Voice" should be calling for audition requests soon soon). I have never wanted to run so bad in my life!

The run actually surprised me.  No, not my time, but the fact that I felt strong throughout, my heart rate was in its perfect spot and I never let up the entire run. Even when the winds had me feeling like I was watching "The Bachelorette" on the treadmill I was still able to find some humor and enjoy the moment.  Seeing the man who sees me struggle, flourish, and dream-big waiting for me at the other end of the finish line made the race that much more worthwhile.

I was happy to finish knowing I put out a strong effort, knowing I raced to my current capabilities. 

What I need the most work on is my mental state. The nerves,the pressure, the uneasiness I feel before, during and after a race are much different.  Things that used to come "easy" are much more of a challenge.  I need practice racing, and getting outside of my mental comfort zone. Therefore I have lots of races ahead.  I will conquer this!

I question-how much longer to be back where I was, to surpass where I was, how much harder do I need to work, I am reminded of having to be patient, I self-doubt, I question my abilities, and then wake up the next day with the fire in my belly, knowing what I am capable of, what I can achieve, and where I am striving to be. 

Thank you to all those that continue to help me, guide me, and support me!  TYR, Gerk's Cycles, TN Multisports, Powerbar, Rudy Project, Cyclops, Lululemon, Seattle Athletic Club, 110%, Recovery Boots, Curt, Dr Perry, Justin, Mom and Mark!  Because of you, dreams will come true!

"The soul would have not rainbow, had the eyes no tears" -John V. Cheyney

Hawaiian Days

We have arrived, our third year at Hawaii 70.3.

Been looking forward to this start line for two years now, being this was the last “real” race I was able to do. As with most case scenarios, things have not gone down without a hitch since returning to full-time training. It has been a slow process and been bogged down with the flu was not what I had in mind.  However, by mid-week last week I was coming around. And I can never pass up the opportunity to do what I love.  So as Hawaii 70.3 approaches I am anxious and nervous at the same time to be at the start line once again.

The big talk of the town (besides Lance) is the wind, the heat, the wind and the heat. The uncontrollable. So each day we embrace what the Hawaiian gods grant us and “go with it”.

Day 1: A ride out to Hawi. Felt great, heart rate was 10 beats higher but this is normal upon arriving in hotter climates. Wind? No wind…..until I flipped around to head back to Mauna Lani.  The person singing out loud and screaming mantras at herself while walking her bike three times may or may not have been me.  Yikes!

Day 2: Perfect riding weather!!!! Until milepost 16.  Then it was side rain with low visibility. But it made for the most gorgeous rainbow.

Day 3: Somehow convinced my supportive mother to ride alongside me (just to feel like lance) while I ran. This kept the motivation factor up, as the run out was a little disturbing with the ferocious headwind.  But running 3’ per mile faster on the way home made up for it!

Day 4: Ride out was windy, but nothing like day 1.  Although my first interval came to a halt mid-way due to the dreaded flat tire.  Carry on, carry on!

Although sometimes frightened by the conditions here, arriving to the race early to train and get used to the weather tends to help me each year.  Also finding the moments that make me smile the most ease some of the anxiousness of race.  Swimming everyday (and with fab swim buddies!) creates calmness to my never-stop-thinking-mind. And finding heaven under the ocean has already made this trip a gazillion times over worthwhile.

UC and Triathlon

A few requests is all I need to put some UC (ulcerative colitis) information out there for those of you googling "UC and triathlon" over and over! I've been there trying to decide if I could or could not race and in search of people I could relate too.I am covering several topics briefly to outline what I have found works for me, in hopes that readers can find some hope in understanding that they are not alone. I am happy to answer any questions via my personal email listed at end of post.  Never hesitate to reach out!

I am not a medical professional on this topic. And I am only speak from my experience and how I have dealt and felt since the age of 24. Here are some blunt facts on my life.

On Flare-Ups:

*I have had 3 flare ups.  Each one gets worse and worse and worse. 

*Remissions tend to last 2-ish years.

*Stress is what ultimately will send me in a downward spiral to a flare.

*Daily there are minor issues but these can be dealt with, it is the flares that are beyond life changing.

On Food:

*The nutrition books are guidelines, but I have had no success with them.

*My findings are that during a flare vegetables, dairy, and fruit are the worst things I can give my body. 

*Chicken broth and jello are my foods of choice during a flare.

*Sometimes all my body needs is a big hamburger or a giant cookie and I feel much better (yep, against all nutrition books). My thoughts on this is that I haven't "eaten" for days and it does not make my gut worse at all, in fact, I feel better.

*Food does not cause a flare, no evidence, but when sick some foods can make it worse.  I find each flare up responds to different foods and studies find that this is the case with many. Ie: Oatmeal may effect you now, but not when in remission or during another flare

On Medicines:

*First flare up- Prednisone, Asacol, Canasa (hair loss, no weight gain)

*Second flare up- Prednisone, asacol and some liquid suppository, imuran (sorry, it grosses me out too!), anti-nausea medicine (hair loss, nausea, puffy face)

*Third flare up-Remicade (6 months), Humira (following Remicade), imuran, prednisone, anti-nausea medicine, vicodine, maxalt (vomiting, nausea, puffy face, hair loss, fatigue, headaches)

*Currently- Humira every 2 weeks, 200 mg imuran, maxalt as needed

*Even when feeling great you must take your medicines. I struggle with this because I do feel side effects of them. BUT, I am not sure I can handle a flare up worse than the previous one.

On training:

*Training is a huge stressor.

*I have to do as much as I can to limit it as a stressor by keeping a balance between sleep, work, and training.

*I sleep a min of 9 hours a night and typically take 1-2 hour naps three or more times a week.

*I train 12-16 hours a week now (far less than before)

*Hydration is a key component in my gut letting me train.  Make sure you are ALWAYS drinking. I get hydration IV's from my doc to help with this

*A missed workout is a missed workout...no makeups...your body is telling you something.

*Running....oh the anxiety!!!  I've found I can only do intervals and even tempo runs (z2+) no more than 1x/week.  I COULD do more but I spend more time looking for restrooms than I do actually running.

Tips:

*You are the biggest advocate of your body.

*Find a coach that will listen to you and work "with" you.  If you know your body can not handle "x" then let them know.
*Never expect anyone to understand what you are truly dealing with.  Trust that you do know what is best for your body and listen to yourself. Being type-A I often find myslef thinking I am being lazy, or "talking" myself down from hard training. This is NOT the case.  Trust in YOU!

*The people that matter are the ones that you can talk with and who will not judge you or make you feel "less" because of your disease. Those are the people that matter....keep them close by!

Teresa@tnmultisports.com

Flu-itis

I know the rule "If you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all".  But I also have goals.  And gosh, I will post 5 times this month! And I don't have much "nice" to report this week.

I am Cranky-crankerson with the flu.  Sitting on the couch for a week now, was not what was in my plan leading up to *gulp* less than 4 weeks to Honu 70.3. 

Looking at the positives:
* I had some super GREAT training weeks/weekends leading up to my puke-fest.
*My cats and I are spending real quality time together
*I am rested.
*The less training the more I geek-out on training data. Just try to stump me on athletes' TrainingPeaks files and WKO+ numbers.
*Two of my most favorite races (ST Croix and Wildflower) took place last weekend so I was fully entertained for a few hours tracking all you speedy athletes! Congrats! Not to mention all you bad-arses that did St George....WOWZA!

As an athlete it can be such a challenge to take time off, especially in the middle of the season. But reminding ourselves that fitness is not gained, nor lost overnight. Fitness comes from consistent, days, years and  a lifetime of hard work. There are no short-cuts to regain any lost time in fitness either. Trust me this past year has been my most-challenging athletic year to-date. Any athlete taking 1, 2 or even more weeks off, it is key to take your time building back up in order to ensure you can be consistent leading into more important races. For me it has been  the little steps, the little peeks of minor fitness gains over and over that I am looking back on to keep my head on straight right now. Being an athlete is so much more than just showing up to races and being faster than the previous race. The more challenging component is how you deal with the curve balls and how you build yourself back up along the journey.

Less than 4 weeks to Honu. Which was my final big race before the Ulcerative Colitis took over a chunk of my time two years ago. I want to race there more than anything. Everything happens for a reason and the body can heal in amazing ways.....so hurry it up flu!!!

April finalized!

I only had to post one more time in April, a total of two times to hit my resolution and I did not quite succeed.  Planning on making up for it this month with 2 additional pots.  Pressure is on now! I am a great procrastinator and a great excuse maker.  Really? I think everyone I know has a birthday in April, which means fun all day, everday, non stop plans.  I love it! 

To finish off April here are the highlights:

* I feel like I have climbed mountains....over and over again...

* My birthday!  Tiffany's box and a Disc wheel.  I think my husband knows me VERY well!

* Opening Day at Safeco Field with Mom and Chris and Webb. Along with pre-game mingle with Rebecca at Pink Door.

* Wenatchee training weekend.  Epic riding, epic climbing, epic FUN with great friends! And bread pudding to top it all off.

* Webb's birthday: Costa Rica monkey coffee mugs were in order, another 7 hour training day, and FOOD!

* Joined a new club: The leave your car running all day club.  2012 4-runner for anyone wanting it with a tank of gas, assuming you take a hold of it within the first 2 hours of it running in parking garage located one block north of the Pike Place Market. It turned off somewhere within the 8 hours I was at work. Not such a good-not-so-blonde moment....oops!

* Quarq.  It was reading me some really high numbers, good thing I have trained with HR so long.  Finally got the thing working again, but really it took a lot of time. Thanks to John for helping me out.

*Power training seminar with Joe Friel!  Loved it!

*Nails with Elizabeth continue to be a monthly ritual.

*House refinanced.

*Pinterest officially owns me.  Baked more in a month than total times in the 5 years Mark and I have been together. Considerngi this a "good" time-sucker. From cookies, to donut-muffins, easter bark and bars, to mexican lasagna, I am discovering how to utilize some cookware I didn't even know I owned!

*Next up. Duathlon this weekend, CDA training camp, Honu 70.3, Luna Chix Run Clinic, and our 2-year anniversary, and one of my best buds is pregnant. 
*Life is good!

Lifelong Friend.

We all have one right? Or am I just lucky?

I hope that's not the case because its extra special to me and everyone in life deserves one.

It's not just a friend, not just a best friend, it is SO much more.

It's that one person.

A person whom no matter where life takes you, no matter how long you go without talking, no matter what to ever-infinity. The two of you are meant to be together. (Yes, your husband/partner takes on this role, but that's not what I am talking about).

It's that lifelong friend.

Mine is one who, before either of our existence, each of our fathers were best friends.

Her parents introduced my parents. 

First day of school 1982.

We were both born 6 days apart.

We played, laughed, and have pictures of us both whining in the crib together.

In honesty we haven't been the best-buddy-call-each-other-daily, or yearly, or even each decade type of friends. We have a greater understanding of one another.

We have a strong bond that is unbreakable. We both are there for each other for anything.  It's just an unspoken understanding that is impossible to put into words. 

Maybe we are saving it for when we are old, okay, OLDER.

On my wedding day she was the first "guest" to see me in my gown. 

In a restroom stall , door open,crouched over the toilet, with two bridesmaids holding my dress.  And guess who walks in: Rebecca and her mom!

What brings her up today? Today I received the most precious gift I have received since my bridal shower when my Aunt Cheryl gave me my dad's birth bracelet. A very small bracelet made of beads with the letters of his name engraved on the beads. More than the bracelet it was a reminder to me that he has not been forgotten.

For Rebecca's 35th birthday on April 7th. She and her children decided to do 35 random acts of kindness.  I was lucky enough to be one of the recipients. Whoop!

Along with the sweetest note I received lots of photos that her mother had kept through the years.  Not just any photos but "real-precious-eye-watering-heart-melting-so-happy-to-have-Rebecca-in-my-life-photos".



My mom, at 21.  Dare I say how similar we look!



The remaining were of my parents wedding.  Married in the courthouse and pics of their afternoon with cake and gifts.  Photos I had never seen, nor even knew they existed.  And having lost my father, it meant even more to me to see him during these happy times.



To the Aquinos, my parents, and Rebecca.  My life is more complete, special and savored each day knowing that you are ALWAYS there. Not sure how I got to be so incredibly lucky, but I am not going to question it. 

Love you more and more each day!