Time Trial that went BAD!!!!!

Time Trial race report or not.....I showed up at the time trial tonight and got checked in, looked at the course map and then went out for a short spin on my bike getting in 3.25 miles.

Then as I waited for directions to what I needed to do......I waited and waited and listened to others around as they asked questions-commonly getting the response as "I don't know." Someone from a far yelled that the start was down a little ways, so I rode down there. They had already started the riders and I missed my start. I kept asking the workers if I could go and they kept saying the famous words "I don't know." Finally the other riders were asking what number I was and they told me to go. I thought it was clear sailing until the finish........NOT!

My ride started well, I was doing a good clip as looked down at my Garmin to read my distance, I realized that I was approaching 14 miles (the race was only 13 miles long). I missed a turn and ended up in Marine St. Croix. I turned around and started my way back to the beginning as I didn't have any idea of where I was to go. As I rode back I came upon a rider wearing a jersey and I yelled out "Are you part of the TT"? He responded yes....I told him that I was lost and didn't know where to turn, so he rode with me back to the start.

What an experience! Needless to say my TT finish time was very slow (my time trial ended up 27 miles)! As Corrine would say-I am an athlete:)

It was a nice day off from work-much welcomed. The last couple of weeks have been extremely busy and stressful at work resulting in much overtime (12 hours last week alone). There should be a short break in the craziness next week with the holiday coming up-I can't believe that its going to be July!

Monday, I got in a did 1000 yards in the pool to make up for the missed swim workout from Sunday. The pool was busy and I had to wait for a lane to open up for quite a while not allowing me to get the full workout in. Following my swim I did a short easy 3 mile run with Jerel and Sarah. Although it was short and at an easy pace my legs were tired and heavy.

Tuesday, My workouts consisted of a swim and ride. I rode a route in Scandia to get in some hill training-man there were a ton of hills and steep too! The route was beautiful as I rode through the countryside and William O'Brien State Park. The ride started in the quaint little town of Scandia.

Following the ride, I did my swim workout totalling 2300 yards. Again the pool was busy with over half pool reserved to water aerobics. Much of the workout was like swimming in a hot lake. After the water aerobics class got over, then open started-AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH! I was thoroughly annoyed by the kids hanging on the lane lines in my lane and the kids stealing my swimming equipment!!!!!!

Wednesday's workout consisted of a 5.5 mile run at the Dam. Although, the weather was heating up, it felt good to be out running. The majority of my miles were ran with Erica while we scooped back to get Corrine and Cheryl. My legs were a little tight at the beginning of the run, however they loosened up early during the run.

Tonight, my workout consists of a time trial (biking). This should be interesting! I haven't competed in a time trial before and after looking at the times from the last time trial-I'm pretty sure I will come in last place! I will keep you posted!

The last week had been hard! Hard to get back into the groove of training after the 1/2 ironman. It was a really busy week at work, making it hard to take a break or recover from the race.

On Wednesday the 18th, I had the goal to swim 2400 yards and I only got in 600:(

Thursday, I biked 19.5 miles-It was hard to get going and get a good workout in due to the amount of road construction/road closures. I biked up in the Coon Rapids area. Then I followed up my workouts that day with a 4.3 mile run with Run club. Work had asked me to come in that day-although I thought about it, I declined!

Friday, I had a great swim! I did 2400 yards-with a straight mile swim and it was fabulous! I ended up going into work early that day.

Saturday, after putting in 14 hours at work, I got in a 8 mile run. This run was very difficult as I was exhausted.

Sunday, My goal was to ride 2 hours and then swim 2300 yards. I ended up getting in a 22.3 mile bike-taking me a little under a hour and thirty minutes cutting my workout shortdue to extremely windy conditions and it starting to rain. I didn't get my swim workout done.

Overall, I didn't have a great week of workout which makes me nervous as I get closer to race day-only 10 weeks to go. I have tonight off from work and will be heading to run club to get in my workout and hopefully my missed swim workout from yesterday.

Photos from 1/2 Ironman

I had a nice rest day on Sunday and I actually used it as a rest day!!!!

Today, I rode a total of 40 miles (20 miles into work and 20 miles home). I had to go in for a inservice this morning. The ride was difficutl both ways- a lot of traffic on the way into work. There was a strong head wind on the ride home. I had to carry a backpack with a change of clothes that made my back pretty sore on the ride home.

Ijust returned home from having a massage. The massage lady ran out of time because there were so many places that needed focus. Although, parts of the massage was painful from the tight muscles-I feel 100% looser.

Thanks Jen and her parents for the great photos!

I'm almost an Ironman!

Thursday was suppose to be a rest day for me-I couldn't do it! I ended up doing an easy run at the Coon Rapids Dam. Total run was 5.1 miles.

Friday, I finally got to try my new wheels out! I just took my bike out for a very short 3.5 mile ride. It was extremely windy, which in a way was a nice way to quickly get used to how the bike is going to feel in the wind. I spend the rest of the day trying to get everything ready for the big race on Saturday.

RACE DAY! Saturday, I conquered my first 1/2 ironman! Not ever completing an open water swim of 1.2 miles, I wasn't sure on what to expect. The water was pretty calm for most of the swim, however very cold! I wore my wetsuit for the third time ever, which helped with the warmth issue-my feet were frozen! Shortly during the swim I had passed most of everyone in my heat (you can tell by cap color) and met up with the men. On the way back during the swim it was really hard to sight as the bouys blended into the water and were not very big-that made it hard to keep a consistent stroke. When I finished my swim, I got stuck in my wetsuit and a volunteer had to undo my zipper. My total swim time was 35:58-making me the 3rd female.

Then onto the bike. I actually was looking forward to the bike portion because I had practiced the route often prior to racing. Shortly, into the first loop, I could hear rubbing-I had to get off my bike twice and I couldn't figure it out. Finally, I realized that it was my shoe rubbing the bike-not a big deal and an easy fix! I took the first loop on the slower side-I was having trouble finding a comfortable cadence. I probably need to do more swim to bike bricks to better figure this out. I finally got into my groove about half way through the first loop. The bike course is pretty senic and hilly! When we got to the second loop of the course the wind had picked up tremedously! The second loop was really hard with all the wind! There was a straight head wind for the last 4 miles back. Although with the wind, I finish the bike portion pretty close to my goal time of 3 hours-finish time was 3 hours and 7 minutes.

Last, the run portion. I didn't know how I would feel doing a 13.1 mile run following all the other stuff. I felt my run went well. The course was really hilly and of course windy in parts. The sun had come out heating things up quite a bit. I actually felt really good on the run. My legs didn't feel beaten up or crampy from the bike portion like they have in past triathlons. I carried a pace of just over 9 minute miles finishing the half marathon portion in 2 hours and 5 minutes.

My finish time was five hours 53 minutes-I had surpast my goal of finishing between 6 and 6:30. I was really happy with my time blisters and all! Most importantly we were all still smiling at the end!

Only 11 weeks left!!!!

Saturday's workout consisted of a 2050 yard swim. A good quick swim!

Sunday, I rode the second loop of the Liberty 1/2 ironman course and then finishing up with a short run. I ended up riding a total of 32.2 miles with an average of a little over 17 mph and running 1.7 miles easy. I felt great!!!!! This was one of my most favorite workouts this training. I did this workout with Jen and Cindy.

Monday, I did a 3 mile run with Shadow and then finished with a 1100 yard swim. I felt crappy in the water:(

Tuesday, Easy run with run club-total of 3 miles and a bike ride totalling 15.1 miles.

Today's workout consisted of a 2150 yard swim. I felt great! I then headed to Mankato for class and just returned now. The traffic was HORRIBLE!!!!! We left at 3:30 pm and I got home at 7:00 pm.

Another week closer! I can't believe that their are only 12 weeks until the Ironman!

Over the week I was dodging rain everyday and next week doesn't look much better:(

Monday, I did a 2200 yard swim. I felt great in the water! My stroke was super smooth! I had changed up the workout a bit-doing a straight 1000 yard swim and then following with a 500 yard swim.

Tuesday, I did an easy run 4.43 mile run at a 9:30 pace. The rain had stopped long enough to finish our run.

Wednesday, I did a 21.5 mile ride on tired legs! I rode the Turtleman route-It was nice to ride such a flat route! Again, the forecast stated rain was coming in the afternoon hours, so I came home from work and slept for an hour before I started my ride. The ride went pretty well except my back wheel started to rub on my bike frame-causing me to stop and readjust a few times. Following my ride, I brought my bike into Penn to get an adjustment done. Guess what-the rain never came!

Thursday, my workout consisted of a 2600 yard swim. My swim went well focusing on maintaining good form throughout the workout.

Today-Crappy weather!!!!! I intended on getting in a morning brick. I packed up my bike and headed out to do the Liberty 1/2 bike course again. I got out to Baker park and it started to pour, so I had to turn around and go home. I then headed down to Grand Performance to purchase my new wheels, hoping that when I returned the rain would be done. I then headed to the dam to ride and on the way I got a call from work to come in to pick up my tuition check-I had to turn around put away my bike for the second time. Finally, I got out for a 12 mile ride at the Dam. It was extremely windy!!!! The wind gusts were so strong making it hard to stay upright on the bike. I didn't get my brick in today. I plan to do the brick on Sunday-I just hope the weather cooperates.

What a great weekend!

Thursday, I did a 5 mile run in the rain at the Coon Rapids Dam. We ran the dirt trails which is a good change on the legs. It was a good run.

Friday, I did a short bike ride through Blaine and Coon Rapids. It wasn't a great workout but I got a few miles in.

Saturday, I did a morning swim of 1900 yards. Short and Sweet.

Sunday, This was a great test for my upcoming races. I ended up biking two loops of the the Liberty 1/2 Ironman route equalling 48 miles and then finishing up with a 3.3 mile run. Except for the bath that I took in my electrolytes the brick went well. I have a lot more confidence for my 1/2 ironman coming up in a couple of weeks.