Summer Recap

My summer looked like this:
Monday - Friday
Wake up Monday, head to the airport way too early, land in some foreign country, pray customs would let me through with my kashi/luna/power bars, sit in meetings from 8-7 with a late dinner (hoping for a pre midnight finish so I could wake up and train), get on a plane Friday, and head to the house.

Saturday/Sunday
Fit in a week's worth of training in two days in the HORRIBLE Texas heat while trying to fit in my domestic and wifely duties for a husband who sees me 48 hours a week.  Pack and make sure my passport has pages left in it, and do it all over again.  I think I had 2 weeks between Memorial day and Labor day when I was in Houston. One was 4th of July week and the other was some random week in August.  I am hoping that I will be able to stay in town the full month of September so I can get some training in and see my husband who I know has it way harder than I do when I am out of town.  Soon this will change, but that is for another blog post.  Oh and the kicker?  We moved and instead of renting a new place we decided to buy.  Literally within 3 days we went from looking at rental houses to putting an offer on a house, while I was in some place other than the US.  My poor mom made it her full time job to get all of the paper work in order, and this was a lot for two people who have not lived in the US for 3 years and one of them is a Canadian.  Thankfully she was on summer break. This means we are in Houston for the foreseeable future.  It was really because of a culmination of events including Chris landing a sweet job he really likes, both of us realizing a mortgage is cheaper than our rent was and the interest rates being so low.  Plus we love Houston.  Aside from Austin or Hawaii there is no place we would rather be.

Needless to say I avoided any big races, which meant I couldn't do Calgary 70.3 like I was hoping.  It also meant that this was the longest block between races I will ever have and it allowed me to really focus on my running and nutrition.  Good thing, because when I am on the road, the only constant is a treadmill.   I also took up yoga (or my form of yoga - really just doing downward dog 2 times a week) to help me get some of that flexibility back that I lost somewhere in the last 5 years.   Also, that is another thing I could do in a hotel room.  The next race on the schedule is Kerville half, then back to back races for Austin 70.3 and Oilman.  Oilman is on our anniversary - lucky Chris.  I may let him stay in the hotel and watch football instead of watch me out on the course.

Here are just a couple of photos from the summer in no particular order.

Nola in her happy place.  It isn't Hawaii, but it is sand and an ocean.

My adorable niece and mom.  Chris and I are scared to have kids because we don't think they will be nearly this cute.  Seriously.

At my grandmother's 90th birthday.  She is the youngest 90 year old I know.  She was up dancing with everyone until way into the night at our wedding.

IMTX RR

I know this is a report from a race 2 months ago, but it was written right after the race, I just have not been able to (or have been too lazy) to post it. I have another race Sunday, so at least I am getting this up before that race. Get some coffee - it is a long one. Or else skip this post and wait for the next one (tomorrow when I am back on US soil they will be posted, I promise) that has the photos from the race. I felt much more confident going into the race this year. For one, I had done this race before, so that brought a level of confidence in itself of knowing what somewhat what to expect on this crazy day. The other is that I had moved back to Houston last summer, so instead of spending my long rides in an apartment in Mexico City, I was actually riding and running along the course. Last year I got in 1 100 miler, this year I got in about 6, so the biking was definitely not what I was worried about. It was the run. OR more accurately the nutrition so that I could run. I had seen a nutritionist per coach's suggestion, and thought I had a plan that would work, so I was hoping to have a good day. We set the goals at 1:15 swim, 6:15 bike, and 4:30 run, and not to spend so much time in T2 like I did last year. Who needs 20 minutes in there? This girl! I was getting cold towels and massages and never wanted to leave.

Leading up to the race, I stayed at the host hotel with a few of my training partners and we got a swim in on the course, and some light riding and running. I wasnt getting the race day nerves that I had last year, which was a good thing, since I was actually able to eat. The hubby/sherpa/photog even commented that I seemed much more relaxed. The day before the race I was able to stay in the room all day watching tv and resting. I missed Chrissie Wellington's book signing and talk because it was outside in 90 degree heat, and was bummed about that, but I would get my chance to meet her later.

Race morning - I slept through the night, which was a first, got up and ate (another first), and headed down with some friends to the T1 to add nutrition to the bikes. We then made the 1 mile trek to the water for the start. The wishes for a day like last year were not to happen. Last year we had record cool weather and cloud coverage. This year the clouds stayed away and it was a typical Texas summer day.

The swim - 1:12 The water wasnt wetsuit legal, but you could wear one if you wanted. I opted out (along with about 2000 others), because I was very worried about overheating. And let's face it, I have a built in wetsuit, so no need for more! Last year I made the mistake of getting in the middle of the pack, but this year, I went for it and lined up in the front row. It caused a lot of struggle at the beginning, but well worth it. After the crazy start things start to clear out a bit. The course is an out and back and then a turn into a very narrow canal where it can get crowded with rough waters. Once we hit the turn buoy, I went way to the outside knowing that it would help me save time to turn into the canal, and also let me stay away from the crowds of swimmers. I exited the swim excited about the time and feeling good.

The Bike - 6:15 My real goal on this course was 6 hours. I knew I had it in me if I didnt start to feel sick. Coach suggested I put the 10 mile splits for 6 and 6:15 on my bike so I would know what pace I was on with little effort to the brain. I hit the half way point exactly on track at 3 hours. The back half of this race is HOT and into a head wind. I heard people describe mile 60-90 as the worst part of any race they have ever done. Somewhere after the special needs I started to get behind on my nutrition and water in take. I still dont know what happened, but it was a stupid mistake that I know not to make. Maybe it was seeing all the people on the side of the road puking that made me feel nauseous and not want to drink, or maybe it was the heat, or I just flat out forgot to take in nutrition. At the aid stations I would grab water, pour some on me and then drink, but then I would forget about it until the next aid station where I would try to chug it down, with no luck, before grabbing another one. I saw more people out there passed out, sick, resting, and two getting carted off in ambulances, so I am very lucky I wasnt one of them. It easily could have been me with the way I was handling the day.

The Run....was longer than the bike.  I still wasnt aware of the lack of nutrition I took in, so thought I was still going to be able to make the time goal. I started out the first mile slowly jogging but then mile 2 I had a GI emergency. Thankfully there was a nice indoor bathroom along the course that I knew about from training and hit it up. I felt better after that and was able to "run" the remaining miles on that loop. Loop number two is where it fell apart and got a little scary for me. I was taking in water, ice, and coke and the aid stations, but in the heat it was clearly not enough. Side note - I did a sweat test a few weeks before and found out in the heat on the run I sweat 3 lbs an hour (I have no idea where it goes because I am never dripping with sweat or even that wet). I knew there was no way I could take in that much fluid, so I was just going to try and take in what I could. The second loop I had to start walking. I started to see black spots and didnt want to pass out. This is where it gets a little fuzzy. I dont remember anything but bits and pieces until the finish shoot. I remember seeing people talk to me, but not understanding what they were saying (sort of like Charlie Brown), and asking one guy that I was walking with if I was making sense when I was talking, and one girl who gave me gummy bears. I knew then if I was going to finish, I had to walk the rest of the way. I saw photos that Chris took on the course of me talking to my friends and family, but sadly I dont remember seeing them out there.
My time goals were shot because of a stupid mistake that I knew better than to make. And this time I wasnt celebrating just finishing. I know that finishing is always a question in races like this when so many things can go wrong, but when it was a mistake that was within my control, and I just failed at it, it pisses me off. The one thing I do remember is the finish shoot. Last year I missed it because I was trying to break 14 hours. This year I savored it. Hi five-ing everyone, cheering people on, etc. It was amazing. And when I crossed the finish line my catcher took me to get my medal and when I realized who put it on me (Chrissie Wellington), I turned to her and said "It really is you!" and gave her a big hug. Im sure she appreciated that one.
It wasnt until the following day when I realized the extent of what had happened. I was getting my bike ready to take home and was taking the bottles off of it. They were all completely full. No bueno. I also realized I hadnt peed since before the start of the race, and I had had about 5 liters of fluids the night before. I realized then what a stupid error I had made out on the course the day before. I talked to my coach and after a little lecture of you know way better than that! we decided 1) to change my nutrition from gatorade/carbopro/saltstick mix to infinit, and see how that goes and 2)That I will be doing half IMs until I can make sure I have the nutrition part down until I try another IM.

Even writing this today, I am still pissed at my stupidity that day, but I have started to get excited about fixing the problems. My swim and my bike are improving from my hard work. My run and nutrition arent where I want them to be. So I will be working on those for the foreseeable future to see if I can put together a long distance race with all 4. Thanks to all of my training partners who pushed me through those long ass rides on the course, to my coach who pushes me every day, to my friends and family who were out there cheering me on in person or in spirit, and most importantly to this guy. My stud hubby (those are his favorite shawn white sunny-gs he wont take off). Without him cooking my meals, putting in extra effort taking care of the dogs, keeping me sane, and loving and supporting me every day, my crazy hobby would not be possible.

That was a while ago

I just realized how long it has been since I blogged! I figured it was about 2 months, but I was way off. I have had a race report written for IMTX since a couple days after it happened, but every time I try and log on, I am blocked from posting anything. And now that I can post, I dont have the draft with me. So tomorrow (or next month) I will post it. Short version - My swim was right on target with 1:12 (last year was 1:18 and people said the course this year was a bit longer, but who knows). I swam in the non wetsuit swim and finished 3rd, but overall AG finished 12 after you counted in the wetsuit swimmers. The water was not wetsuit legal, but was in that grey area where you could wear one if you wanted. The bike was also better in time, but I felt much sicker (more sick?) this year. Time was 6:15 vs 6:33 last year. And the run was a whole other story. I was out there longer than I biked (I think it was 6:23 but Im too lazy to look it up). I was hoping to run a 4:30 or 5 at the slowest. I made a mistake on the bike that I know better than to make. Total time was 30 seconds slower this year than last. The day was much harder. Last year was record cool temps (in the high 80s/low 90s and overcast) and this year was your normal Houston hot humid summer and I saw more pukers and people sleeping/passed out/resting out on the course than ever before in any race. I heard 12.5% didnt finish, 400 went to medical sometime during or after the race, and 23 went to the hospital. Im pretty pissed about my race, but glad I wasnt part of one of those statistics. Long version coming soon - i promise. With more pictures. Below is one from the "run" which was really a walk. I dont remember this part. Or seeing my friends on the course at all, but apparently I stopped and chatted.

New Years Resolutions

Blogging twice in one week! I know, crazy, but that is what a taper will do. I figure I should go ahead and put up my resolutions because pretty soon I am going to have to start thinking about what I will do for Lent, and I can only do one set of resolutions at a time. So here goes:
1) Suck it up through the hard workouts. I am a big wimp when it comes to pain, so 2012 I plan to be better at that and actually make my body work harder. This includes waking up when the alarm goes off and not hitting snooze through a morning workout.
2) Do my PT/strength exercises at least 3x a week
3) Do more group rides. I am a slow biker and don't feel comfortable riding with people a lot because I feel I hold them back. This year I plan on stepping out of my comfort zone because I know it will only make me faster
4) Take a honeymoon - we haven't had one yet so the goal is to have one in 2012. This is actually a resolution I think I will keep!
5) Eat healthier - I eat pretty healthy now and we Chris cooks a healthy meal almost every night, but there is always room for improvement, especially when I live in the land of TexMex.
6) And finally, be thankful every day for what I have starting with my health and my family's health. Over the holidays three pretty scary accidents/illnesses happened to friends and I want to be sure I remember how lucky I am to be able to do what I do every day.

New Year, New Blog Image

Chris was sick of looking at my blog with no header image, so he took it upon himself to make one for me again. I think he is still making some tweaks, but at least I got something up there now. Next weekend in Houston is the Marathon Olympic Trials that run right by our house, so we are going to get up early and watch some really fast runners run by three different times to get me motivated for the Houston Marathon the next day. The marathon is going to be a training run for me to prepare for IMTX. I haven't had the time to ramp up enough to go after a PR, but I did get in a few long runs and hope that I can finish without an embarrassing time. I love the course and will know lots of people along the way, but I still secretly wish that I were going to be running the half instead of the full. I PRed a half about two weeks ago and think I have a faster time in me, but I am going to put on my big girl pants and run/shuffle the whole thing. At least I will get to wear a cute outfit so the peeps can pick me out of the crowd. I did have a minor setback this past week that may cause some problems for the run, but I hope I caught it in time. I tried to copy my brother and go vegetarian right after Thanksgiving. For no other reason except that if he can do it, so can I. Well apparently I can't. After about 3 weeks my recovery time tripled, my times were sucking and I felt like crap all day every day. I had tried this before and had the same problems, but apparently I thought doing it again would be different. Isn't that the definition of insanity? I talked to my coach and doc and they both told me to immediately go eat burgers for three days in a row. My iron levels dropped, and I guess that isn't good. They also both said not to try something that drastic until after IM. I don't want to try it again. All I could think about was how much I wanted whatever meat Chris was eating, and I will just let the vegetarian habits stay with my little bro.
Here are the pups earlier after one of my long runs. They don't run long runs with me, but they both have the recovery side down and take naps with me.


And here is a photo of my niece just because she is cuter than any other photo I have. She just turned 6 months.

Off Season

I have been full on off season mode for the past few weeks and now things are just starting to pick up again. The time off was great. The biggest thing that happened was Chris and my wedding in Sayulita Mexico. It was a totally low key affair with close friends and family. The days were filled with surfing, stand up paddling, beach volleyball, margaritas, beer and fish tacos. I didnt even think about putting on my running shoes or cap/goggles for the entire 10 days we were there. Everything was perfect - thanks in large part to my mom! We got a lot of great pictures, some of which I have below. The best ones I have to post later. Like Chris and me surfing in our lucha libre masks.




The railing behind us had no fence and nothing underneath. Except 175 feet below there was ocean and rocks. This kind of building would not have passed codes in the US.

Cutting the cake - again, the work of my mom who found a baker who could make a dia de los muertos themed cake.

Our gift to the guests - a very fun fireworks show.

And the late night parties begin. I am not happy to be carried by a bunch of sweaty dudes. I now know how Chris feels when I try and hug him after triathlons.


Then came my favorite holiday. This was before the turkey trot. Chris woke up sick, but I told him to suck it up because it was his hangover. He promised he was sick. Then 5 hours later I realized he really was sick and caught the stomach bug just in time for Thanksgiving dinner. I still tried to eat as much as I normally do, but that wasnt the smartest thing.

Now it is time to get back into shape and start training for IMTX! Off season officially over.

Austin 70.3 Race Report

Before I get into the nitty gritty of the race report, I have to say that this was by far the most challenging event I have ever done, both mentally and physically. I wasn’t under any delusions of grandeur of coming out on the other side with a PR because, let´s face it, I wasn’t as prepared as I should have been. With 5 of the past 8 weeks on the road, that really left only 2 weeks for heavier training and 1 taper week. I also didn’t have my head in the game as much as I normally do because the season was officially over at the end of this race, I am getting married in a week, I have a big week this week with work, and life sort of piled up. However, I could never have planned for what I experienced. This course humbled me in so many ways. Most of the mental issues were so minor that they normally wouldn’t have gotten to me, but after the day I was having every little thing was piling up. And that whole saying that you need to expect 5 things to go wrong in an ironman and check them off 1 by 1? I think in the future I will expect 10 things to go wrong for the half ironman distance. Luckily I wasn’t the only one who really suffered out there. I saw more pukers, walkers and people who were “quitting” triathlons for good out there than ever before.
For those (crazy) people who are thinking about this race in the future:
The good – great organization, great volunteers – they were dressed up on a lot of the aid stations, a great course to spectate (3 loop running course), the aid stations – I had aid station parties starting at mile 1 and they were great buffets at every stop; and a great city to visit.
The bad – I will caveat this with the fact that I am from Houston, so overpasses on the freeway are big mountains to me, but this was the hilliest course I have ever been on. I waited all day for a flat, and I don’t think I ever got one except for about 100 yards on the run. The wind sucked. I felt like I was riding in Kona and never had a tailwind. The heat – it was 115 the week before, so we got “lucky” with 90 (in October. Really?). The bike course was not sectioned off for a lot of the race, and was pretty dangerous. There were about 20 miles where you were so close to cars that passing was dangerous. The hills. I’m putting that twice, because they sucked that bad.
Pre – Race – we drove to Austin on Saturday morning early and as soon as I got in the car, I realized that I had forgotten my bike. I should have known then that it wasn’t going to be a good race. We got to Austin fairly quickly, found the expo, checked in and then I went back to the car to pack my transition bags. I got on my bike to do a quick check up and noticed some brake issues. So this meant an hour wait in line for mechanics. A first for me, so I wasn’t too bummed about it, but again, sign #2 that I should have packed it in and gone home. Next time I am following my gut. The rest of the day was spent at Whole Paycheck and shopping for Chris’s wedding present.
Race Day – No problem here. We were running a little bit late, and had to catch the shuttle, but I had about 15 minutes to get my bottles filled in T1, which was plenty of time. Then it was a waiting game for all of the other waves to start before us. 1:35 to be exact.
The swim –We had the biggest wave with 205 people, and it was a washing machine. I did manage to get a good line and follow about 6 other girls out in front. They went on ahead at the turnaround and I flew solo on the way back and came out in 8th. This was the best part of the day.
Sausage time


Getting into the water finally.

I think I am the one with really bad form.

The bike – This is where things got bad. A week ago someone told me not to fall because I didn’t want road rash to get puss and blood all over my wedding dress, and I think this went through my mind the entire time adding to my very fun day. I knew it would be rough when the first mile out of the transition had a huge climb. The first 10 miles I had two problems. The first one was going up a hill and my foot came off the pedal. I almost crashed and then realized that my clip was actually falling off my shoe. So I fixed it and started to walk my bike up the hill. As I was cursing myself for not finishing the season with the sprint the weekend before, I saw a dude haul by me and fly out of his pedal too. So we walked together and agreed that if the support vehicle came by we would drop out of the race together. No such luck. The second time I dropped my chain (apparently my bike is ready for an off season as well). Going uphill. I had to walk it up again and guess what – no sag wagon. I then decided that since I wouldn’t have to swim, bike or run for 2.5 weeks, I should just make this a really good last workout. I came into T2 with a PW bike at 3:33. I wasn’t the last one in even though it felt like I was.

Gotta love those tan lines


God bless the volunteers. Especially the ones who put on sunscreen. But as you might guess I have some nice hand prints all over my back now.


The Run – the best part of the run was watching a guy puke on a sign that said puke and rally. And he did just that. After I left T2 I realized my hair was flying in my face. I had started the race with two rubber bands and now had none. Good thing my visor was able to hold up my hair for the most part. Then I realized I forgot my nutrition. Which normally wouldn’t matter, but today it was enough to make me cry. The run was a fun game of trying to get from one aid station to the next. When I was running, I was running between 9 and 9:15, but then I would stop and chat at the aid stations knowing that when I left I would have to run again. At 1 point I started getting some bad IT pain so I started to shove ice down my shorts. Then the ice would move around and I looked like I had crapped my pants. There were lots of fun people to talk to on the course, which sort of made the last miles fly by. And then the end came and I couldn’t even muster enough strength to pick up the pace at the finish line.

I dont remember this. All I remember is that Chris had a nice huge bag of food waiting for me when I got in the car.


Although I will never do this race again, I am glad I did it because it probably will come in handy when I am doing IMTX. It was good training for what to do when you feel like ass and want to pull out of a race, but you cant because the only way back is to finish the race.
Now it is the off season. There will be another post about what I plan to do during this time. It will include a whole lot of eating, drinking and sleeping. Oh, and getting married!