Smile, or Else...

... you're on camera!

I remember reading the huge packet of information, prior to race day. One of the bulleted race rules - marked in BOLD letters - stated, "Smile during the entire race!" I remember laughing at how absurd that would look: smiling like a fool while your body feels like it's breaking in two.

But, as I pushed my way up a hill on the bike course, I heard someone yell, "Smile!" and like Pavlov's dog (as well as not wanting to have a heinous picture), I flashed my pearly whites for the giant zoom-lensed race paparazzi. At that point, I was dead tired from a killer swim and my legs weren't doing what I was asking of them. But, my body wasn't breaking in two, so I hoped the smile wouldn't look too artificial.

Instead of t-shirts, we were given the choice of one complimentary race picture from the wide array of images taken over the course of the event. I think that I had 5 to choose from: 2 from the post-swim (egads, no!), one from the biking, and 2 at the finish line (where I did look like my body was breaking in two). I opted for the one on the bike where I put on my best face.

I don't think it turned out too badly; in fact, I actually kind of like it now!

Ready or Not, I Tri-ed!

Lake Stevens Triathlon - September 10, 2011

After 6 weeks of fairly intensive training and two weeks off to nurse inflamed knee joints, I found myself facing one of the greatest challenges of my life. While this triathlon was only a sprint, I still felt quite trepidatious to take it on.

Suzanne, my tri buddy, & I arrived at 6:30am to pick up our bibs and get our things set up in the transition area. I had a dinner party the night previous (I know, major poor planning on my part); combined with the late night getting into bed, my nerves made for a fitful night of sleep. So, as I was prepping that morning, the fatigue was a fairly big obstacle. Still, I was registered and knew I had to do it.

Suzanne & I at the transition area

Pre-race pics with Suzanne and some other participants who also happen to attend our ward

Dragging myself out of the water and doing my 1st transition (took way too long!)

Another post swim shot (I was exhausted) and crossing the Finish Line

Suzanne & I (me w/ a mouth full of food); Julie (her husband also competed and is another participant from our ward)

My awesome support team - tired troopers that cheered me on through all legs of the race

The swim was absolutely my most challenging and terrifying part; swimming 1/4 mile with a large pack of people was not something I was prepared for and I panicked mid-swim. Thankfully, I had a strong back stroke which got me through the rest of that leg. Unfortunately, it wiped me out so I took nearly 4 minutes in the first transition; I fought weak, shaky legs as I dried off, and strapped into my bike shoes and jersey.

As I began the 9.8-mile bike portion, my strongest event, I was feeling lethargic and slow; my rubbery legs just didn't want to do anything else and we had a few big hills to climb. I downed some energy gel which I hoped would perk me up, but although it was a pleasant-sounding berry flavor, it was not tasty and made me gag a bit. However, I did get my second wind halfway through and was able to make up some good time.

The second transition was much better; I believe it was nearly a sub-2 before I started out on the 5k. My legs were definitely tired and my pace was much slower than anytime during my training. With a forecast in the mid/upper 90s, I was kind of worried about heat exhaustion, so I just took a "slow and steady wins the race" mentality. Well, I wasn't focused on winning so much as just crossing the finish line. I caught up with Suzanne and we ran a very slow pace together for a bit, but then I pulled ahead because I caught another "second wind".

Crossing the line with the last bits of energy I had, I was happy to see that I came in with a time of 1:34. Unfortunately, I thought I would take much longer so while Dave and most of the folks from our ward cheered me on at the finish, my parents showed up minutes after I finished.

Yesterday, I looked up the race results. I registered for the Athena category, which is for any female participants over 150 lbs (the secret's out!). Surprisingly, I finished 3rd in that category; if I'd been in my age category, I would have been 13th. So, all in all, I was happy with the performance, especially since I had the knee issue and couldn't train much those last two weeks.

I am so happy it's over and proud of myself for training and finishing a multi-sport race. Absolutely the biggest challenge was the swim, but I'm hoping to take some lessons or get some pointers from my swim coach friend. It's best that I get ready because Suzanne has already said we're signing up for two triathlons next year!

sidelined.

again.

Last year, it was a pulled illiopsoas muscle (my left hip flexor).

A summer filled with physical therapy and constantly fixing my poor posture/ergonomics at work, followed by the acquisition of corrective running shoes and corrective inserts helped alleviate the problem.

But the triathlon? A dream deferred.

This year, let me introduce you to my latest triathlon-goal killer: chondrocalcinosis.

Not a new issue for me, but one that I had not waged battle with since the turn of the century. Darn calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals; you do heinous things to my much-needed joints. With the event only 11 days away, the prospects are not looking great. But, I'm trying to be optimistic. With excessive swelling in my knee from this arthritic-type condition, it's nearly impossible to run, swim or bike... let alone, walk. I have to contort myself in funny ways to go up stairs, get in the car, sit on the ground, get up from the ground. I am trying to be optimistic, but I am feeling discouraged that I can't do much of anything right now.

Below are some post-doctor's visit pics. Unfortunately, my PCP is on vacation, so I saw the clinic's ARNP. Super nice lady, but she is not certified to give me a cortisone injection and no one else wanted to touch me because they did not have any 1-on-1 time with me. More frustration. But I put on a good face as the x-ray tech worked her magic and the phlebotomist painfully prodded my vein. I may get to go back to get poked with the gigantor needle if a heavy-duty anti-inflammatory doesn't whip these crystal buggers into shape.

Perhaps this person is not meant to be transformed into a triathlete.

Time will tell.

In the Training Trenches

What I've been up to lately... or why my blog posts have been few & far between.

This image basically sums it up:

My life has been spent doing "Swim*Bike*Run*Repeat" for the last month or so. I'm currently 3/4 of the way through my 8 week training program. For those playing at home, that means I'm on Week 6, Day 3 - 15 minutes of swimming and 40 minutes of running. Who would have ever thought I would be running - for 40 minutes straight? Not me, that's who!

Week	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
1	Strength	Run 30 min	Bike 45 Strength	Swim 20 Run 25	Rest	Run 30 min	Swim 30 Run 30
2	Strength	Bike 30 Run 15	Swim 15 Run 30	Run 30 Strength	Rest	Run 35 min	Swim 30 Bike 30
3	Strength	Run 35 min	Bike 50 Strength	Swim 30 Run 20	Rest	Run 40 min	Swim 30 Run 45
4	Strength	Bike 40 Run 10	Swim 30 Run 15	Run 30 Strength	Rest	Run 45 min	All 3 90 min
5	Strength	Run 40 min	Bike 30 Strength	Swim 30 Run 25	Rest	Run 50 min	Swim 30 Run 45
6	Strength	Bike 40 Run 15	Swim 15 Run 40	Run 40 Strength	Rest	Run 55 min	Swim 30 Bike 60
7	Strength	Run 45 min	Bike 40 Strength	Swim 30 Run 30	Rest	Run 60 min	Swim 30 Run 60
8	Strength	Bike 30 Run 30	Swim 30 Run 30	Run 30	Rest	Rest	Triathlon

Many folks have been asking how it's going. That's a tough question.

Training has pushed me harder than I have ever pushed myself before, despite the fact that is only a sprint tri. It's been good. It's been absolutely awful. Some days I revel in the mini goals I've achieved. Some days I curse my body for being so weak and lethargic. I strive for it but haven't always been perfect, both in terms of training regime and nutrition. While doing the 30th lunge in strength class, my muscles are so fatigued that they shake violently. But then, at times, I just feel strong. It's so strange to get to know this new body of mine. I marvel in the things this amazing body can actually do; things I never thought possible. So, you know, that discovery is very cool.

I just hope I'm ready - and pray that I don't die - come Race Day.

Sidelined

"Pain is temporary.. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever." ~Lance Armstrong

During a great run on Monday afternoon, sporting my new Nike capri running pants and an energized outlook on training, I think I overdid it. Tuesday morning, I awoke to some pain in my left hip. I happened to have a doctor appointment that morning and mentioned it to my PCP at the end of my appt. She did a quick check and said that it could be a number of things.

Number of Things:

• Muscle sprain
• Hip bursitis
• Hip tendonitis
• Contusion
• Stress fracture
• Hip labral tear
• Osteitis pubis
• Sport hernia
• Snapping hip syndrome
• Traumatic hip subluxation & dislocation
• Hip arthritis
• Low back strain

I'm starting to realize I have access to way too much medical information, and just enough knowledge of it to attempt a self-diagnosis of any number of catastrophic injuries/maladies.

Needless to say, I'm sidelined until the pain subsides. Slapping myself on the wrist for 1) not stretching well before the workout, 2) pushing myself hard during workouts, and 3) not stretching well after the workout. Hopefully, I can log some pool time so that this doesn't completely ruin my training schedule!

Back in the Saddle

Saturday brought a break from the rain and delivered one of the most beautiful, sunny spring days that Western Washington has seen all season.

So, after dropping Benjamin off at the grandparent's house, I headed to the Burke-Gilman trail to take my bike on its maiden voyage. Dave met me there (he rode from our house), and as a last-minute turn of luck, Michelle called, so she met up there too.

Wow, what a gorgeous day! And the bike felt like a dream; it was fast, smooth and a great ride. The only down-side: the trail was super packed due to the sudden emergence of summer-y weather, so it made certain portions of the trail a bit of a challenge.

All in all, we did 20 miles that day. Considering that the sprint triathlon is only 9.8, we did pretty well and can work on improving speed and other skills, rather than worrying about distance issues. And although I experienced the typical saddle soreness from being on a new bike, it was so wonderful to sail through the wind and take in all that Vitamin D.

And with the sun and warmer temps coming back today, it's time to hop back on the trail. Maybe I'll see you out there too!

Ready, Set, Triathlon!

As promised, I am about to share the details from my picture hint... namely, the reason for purchasing my gleaming GARY FISHER ARC SUPER road bike.

So, you're reading it here first, folks: I am totally jumping into the deep end of the pool on this one, but here goes nothing. Michelle A. & I are signing up to do a sprint triathlon in September! I know I must be crazy, but exercising with a purpose seemed like a much better idea than just exercising for the sake of it.

For those not in "the know", a sprint triathlon is not a triathlon that you do super fast, but rather a shorter version of the Olympic (read: intense and turbo long) version. The Lake Stevens Sprint Triathlon consists of a .25 mile swim, 9.8 mile bike ride, and a 3.1 mile run. That doesn't sound too bad, right?

So, if you're not busy on September 11th and are in the greater Seattle area, feel free to stop by Lake Stevens and cheer us on to victory. Actually, the other Michelle may place, as she is a tri-veteran. I don't have any grand illusions that I'll place and I may even finish last (hopefully not), but I think it will be an awesome experience nonetheless!

Wish us luck - and maybe say a quick prayer that I will regain my sanity!!!