It's almost time....

I just looked at the ticker on my blog, "3 days, 17 minutes" until the Lake Stevens Ironman.  I didn't imagine how I would feel when I saw such a small number on the countdown ticker. Surprisingly, I have been sleeping well the past few night and I feel great.  In fact I have been sleeping better than ever.  Maybe it's the week of summer rain that has decided to show up.  

I can't wait to get out on the course and see what it's like to complete a half-ironman.  I have in my mind two goals; finish and have a great time.  I'm confident both of those will happen. I'm looking forward to seeing my good friends out on the course.  You know your friends are great when they tell you they are getting cardboard to make signs for you.  I've found out some of my police friends are going to be out there as well.  I'm most excited to see Eric, Payton, Marley, Mom and John.  I'm sure Marley will be driving everyone crazy as she already says, "go biker" every time she sees a cyclist.  Will she do this 1500 times on Sunday...oh, I hope!

It's been a great journey training for this event.  I have some amazing training  days and some really tough training days.  I have taken a lot of time from my family.  My hope is this time away is an example to my kids of how important it is to stay healthy.  My husband's support is unwavering.  He's endured many of my early mornings to which I find breakfast ready for me when I return.  I am also very appreciative of my mom, sis-in-law Karie and friends; Darlene, Andrea and Tracy who have encouraged me along the way.  Thanks ladies!!!

I know Sunday is going to be a great day.  I'm determined to enjoy the whole process, coming away with experience I can pass along to other future triathletes.

Fear

I just spent the past week in Eniat and Winthrop with my wonderful little family. We first visited our friends, the Gibsons at their property. They generously shared their holiday with us, which included a 4th of July parade, swimming, bouncy house, water slide, picnic and fireworks. The kids had a great time with Bri (their new nanny). I'm all about having my kids look up to a superstar runner and most importantly a great person. After filling our bellies with ice cream, doughnuts, and slushies for two days, we traveled with Winthrop. We camped at Pearrygin Lake which is now my favorite place to camp. The campground was right on the lake and included a boat launch and swimming area. Views of the outlying hills were perfect and we had a family of deer which we visited every day. The girls became expert "deer-spotters". They pretty much blew our ear drums with each sighting.

I was also happy to get in some training time while camping. It helped that our new puppy was up at 6am each day, ready to greet the world. I swam with Bri at the pool in Sun Cove. I forgot how much fun it is to swim in the sun in an outdoor pool. Bri did great and taught me a new stroke which is going to take me some time to master.

In Winthrop, I found some wonderful training grounds. Although beautiful, these grounds taught me a lot about conquering fear. I used to take off into the woods and run by myself. One day, while running at Snoqualmie pass, I felt the hairs on my neck standing up. I was sure someone or something was watching or following me. I did an immediate 180 and returned to my car. I don't think I have run on trails alone since that day. I was pretty excited to see the roads in Winthrop looked great for biking and the swim area was long enough to get in some good open water swim training.

My problems began when I set out to run the first morning. As I ascended the hill out of the park fear crept into my brain. I started to worry about predatory animals just waiting for a nice "jogger snack". So, I gave in and returned to the park and completed my run in the relative safety of the park. I really had to laugh at myself later in the morning as we set out for town in our truck. There on the road were runners and cyclists. None appeared to have bite marks!

We ventured down to the swimming area later in the day. Eric swam for a few minutes and then I got in. The water was comfortable and clean. As soon as I began my crawl stroke, those fears and worries about swimming in open water began to creep into my mind. Did they have to make so many Jaws movies??? Now, I know Jaws doesn't exist in Pearrygin lake but the fact that I couldn't see too far in front of my face was unsettling. I got out after a few laps and told myself I would return each day of our trip until I conquered this fear.

The second day, I went for an afternoon bike ride. I now felt ready for these unknown roads. I had an amazing ride through the Winthrop valley toward Twisp. There are tons of little horse farms, any of which I could have immediately moved into. Later that day, I swam again and made it farther in the green waters.

On our third day, I made the waters of Pearrygin lake my friend. After reading about how much energy stress takes from our bodies, I decided I was going to calm down and get to swimming. As I began to swim, I could feel my fears begin to set in. With each breath, I pushed them out and felt my shoulders and back relax. My body straightened out and I began to swim the stroke I comfortably swim at the pool. I actually started to enjoy the waters, even the green murkiness I was swimming through!

Finally, on our last morning (my 35th birthday), I went out for a run, as I love to do on my birthday. I ran from the west park through a trail to the east park. The morning was crisp, skies were blue and the scenery was amazing. I ventured out to the road and worked my way towards Winthrop. I passed a couple out for a walk and noted they did not have any animal bite marks! I then turned around and completed the hill back into our campground. I had to laugh at myself when something in the grass next to the road moved. I jumped and so did that deer!!! I finished my run and was greeted by my girls. We shared some giant cinnamon rolls. I celebrated a perfect way to spend my birthday!

On an ending note....I met my mom for a swim this morning at the local pool. As I started in the water, I was struck by the taste and smell of chlorine! I would have been great to be back in the lake again.

Rock N Roll Seattle

Yesterday, I began the Seattle Rock N Roll half marathon with over thirty thousand other people. It was an entertaining two hours of people watching, filled with memorable moments. They began with the two ladies waiting in line for the porta potties, wearing shorts, t-shirts and plastic garbage bags over the top.  It was a bright sunny day and I'm still hoping they took those off before they started running.  Next came my favorite person.  The Police Officer at mile one who said, "You guys are doing great...the finish line is just around the corner."  The true to form cynicism of a Police Officer!  This kept me laughing for the next mile! There were great costumes too.  I just keep wondering how comfortable they can be about an hour into the race. Especially the sequins, lays and wigs!!  Mostly this race was filled with great enthusiasm and I always love seeing so many people in one place doing something healthy.  I'm hoping everyone is feeling good today.

For myself...it was a fun race.  I'm a bit of a loaner when it comes to racing.  I know tons of my friends were out there running but I didn't manage to see anyone.  Fortunately there was an enormous amount of traffic, so I didn't make it to the start on time.  I started with the thirteenth wave, rather than the third wave.  This probably came as an advantage, slowing me down and helping me stick to my target pace.  It took awhile to weave though the crowd and I finally found my stride.  I was completely happy I signed up for the half marathon at mile eleven, when I was ready to be DONE!  I rounded the corner to the finish and heard Eric and Karie yelling at me.  Yeah, they found me!  I crossed the finish in 1:53:25.  Not too bad for a season of triathlon training, not really paying attention to my running pace.  I finished just in time to see the male winner of the MARATHON!  Amazing!

I'm usually not to worried about what I wear, or even if it matches.  Last weekend, I went with Darlene to see some clothes by Oiselle.  Darlene has told me how amazing these running clothes are, so I finally decided to give them a try.  Oiselle's clothes are designed for women runners.... and they are COMFORTABLE.  I tried a pair of orange (of course) shorts and actually ran in one of their cotton t-shirts.  I'm now sold on Oiselle's clothes.  I recommend them to all women runners.  They are completely comfortable and light.  I even was great on a warm day in a cotton tee.  (Thanks Darlene!)  http://www.oisellerunning.com

The best part of the race came at the end (of course) when I met up with my cheering squad; Eric, Payton, Marley, Payton and Bella.  Payton tackled me on the ground!  A greeting like this, makes Rock N Roll Seattle my best marathon race!  Next report.....Lake Stevens Half TRIATHLON!!!

Moses Lake 09

After a night of zero sleep, I wasn't feeling too ready for this race.  I finally had to admit to myself, I was scared to swim a mile in open water.  But I signed up, so I was getting in.  When I saw my Mom, just before the start, I almost started crying!  Fortunately I met an amazing woman while warming up.  We had some good laughs which helped to ease the nerves.  This is one of my reasons for loving triathlons.  There is always some hilarious person at the start to help ease the nerves and remind me...this is fun!!!!

When the race started, I began my usual stroke and found myself...out of air!!  I had a fleeting thought of just bagging the whole thing and then I remembered how stubborn I am and that I had no plans of quitting.  So I decided to revert to plan B and change strokes until I could calm down and catch my air.  After the first quarter mile, I was able to get into a rhythm and started the crawl again.  Before I knew it, the swim was over and I was in the transition area.  I remember Eric saying, "can't you smile".  I though, oh you just wait honey!  

I was off on my bike.  I knew Papa G clicked of photo of me with a mouthful of food in my mouth.  I later learned he thought this was quite funny.  I actually love this part about cycling, how easy it is to eat and ride!!!  The bike went really well.  I enjoying the fact that I did lots simulated hill training this winter and loved the giant hill even more on the way down.  I was going faster than I planned and didn't push it too much, ending up completing my bike portion in about 1:15.

I began my run, feeling pretty good.  I actually thought I was running faster than I was, kind of like the way kids think they are jumping high in the air, only getting about 1/4" off the ground.  I ended up averaging about a ten minute mile but was happy to feel strong the whole time and pass a few people in the process.  I ended up across the finish line in 2:44:19, 8th in my age group (out of 11).  

The best part of my day came next when Eric and my Mom finished their races.  This was Eric's first triathlon and I was hoping he was out enjoying his experience.  Since his race started a couple hours after mine, I was able to see his final transition and finish.  I was delighted to see how strong he looked, coming in off his bike.  He set off on his run and returned in about 30 minutes.  This was fabulous as he recently worked up to running three consecutive miles in the past few weeks.  It was adorable to see him cross the finish line with Payton who I'm sure thought she just finished a race herself!!  Eric's goal was to finish the race in under two hours.  His official time was 1:28:18.  Very well done!!  My mom had a great race too.  She improved her transitions and finished a half hour faster than last years race.  Way to go mom!  You continually amaze me.  Her finish photo made it to the front of the photo display.  It's pretty darn cute when you are accompanied across the finish by two four-year olds and a two-year old.

We had an amazing weekend in Moses Lake.  Even though our spare caught on fire on the truck on the way over and the awning to the trailer broke!  Budu racing put on another fabulous event.  We met some new friends who we hope to see at future races and had a great weekend of health!  

And don't worry, I already have another race picked out for Eric.  I mean, Eric is excited to enter another race!!

Race eve!

My kids are crazy tonight.  We just watched Marley mush her first smore into her mouth.  It's really one of my favorite firsts.  I took a thousand photos.  I have the same photos of Payton.  Gooey marshmallows everywhere.  Chocolate and graham cracker massaged around her mouth.  She is probably stuck to her pillow as she now sleeps.   Precise Payton  has the eating of a smore down to a science and pretty much can eat the whole thing without making a mess.  This is my perfect way to spend an evening.  And perfect way to relax the night before my first race in a couple of years.  I still don't know why I didn't race last season.  I guess I just wasn't in the mood.  So to make up for it, I'm starting off this season with my first Olympic distance race.  It didn't seem to daunting until I finally realized, today I think, that I am going to swim a mile, A MILE, tomorrow morning.  Thank goodness I bought that wetsuit so I can be slightly buoyant!  

Jokes aside, this is going to be a fun day.  There is a lot of family here, spending time together.  Today, we took the kids to the pool for a few hours.  Payton is getting better at trusting the water.  Marley is hanging on to her floaty and jumping off the steps.  She really wants nothing to do with us holding her.  Payton so badly wanted to go down the "kids" water slide and is close to finding her courage to do so!  Maybe tomorrow Payte!  She did sit in the slide for just a moment today, which was a big deal.  

I'm really excited for my husband, Eric to experience his first sprint triathlon tomorrow.  It's interesting trying to manage how we will juggle the kids and the two of us in the race.  Thanks Aunties, Uncles, Grandmas and Papas!  I'm really proud of Eric for all of his hard work.  It's a lot for one person to train in a family.  It's been even more work finding the extra time for both of us to train.  We do our best to keep the workout time away from the kids time, which means lots of training when we should be sleeping.  Sometimes, I think it good for the kids to see us training too, it's a great example of goal achievement and fitness.  I'd rather them see us working out then loafin' in front of the TV.

I'm excited for a great day tomorrow in Moses Lake.  I love you Eric...enjoy the swim, ride and run!!!

Mom

I have the most supportive mom in the world!!!  That is how all kids should feel and it is how I truly feel.  This comes in every aspect of my life, and has always been there.  Yes, even in those wonderful years when I'm quite sure she wanted to strangle me.  I specifically recall struggling though an eating disorder.  Other people in my life wanted to take "action" from the "professionals".  My mom told me she had complete confidence in me, she knew I would be ok and she supported me.  Now, I know had I not improved from there, she would have taken drastic measures.  She isn't stupid.  But she knew and said exactly what I needed to hear.  Those words helped me to have the courage within myself to turn the corner.  

Part of turning the corner included finding some healthy ways to view myself and live my life.   This included my continued love of running which eventually turned into triathlon training. During my marathon training, Mom and John where my support team.  The spent endless Saturday mornings driving around Lake Sammamish, giving me water and gu.  I'm sure mom was making sure I didn't get run over or abducted as well.  I specifically remember a race mom came to down in Olympia.  She took her entire day to truck me down to Myllersylvinia State park and wait for me to complete my thirteen mile run.  I can imagine watching marathon running has got to be the most boring thing in the world.  You wait and wait and wait for them to return.  At least in triathlons you get to watch people transition.  I won that race, the only win I've ever had.  I remember winning, because it felt great.  Most importantly, I remember her being there.

I called my mom on Friday and asked if I could come to her house on Saturday morning, drop of the girls and go for a long run.  Of course I could!  They were going to work on their yard so the kids to help.  Well, I don't think they got much of their yard worked on!  But the girls had a great time.  Mom accompanied us to the Mountlake Terrace pool where we took the girls swimming.  I love that she comes to the pool with us and I love watching her swim with her granddaughters.  It is truly a thing of beauty.  I am so grateful that she works so hard to keep herself healthy so I can watch these moments.

Mom, you are the best.  You are the mom I hope to be for Payton and Marley!

Signed Up

I'm officially signed up for the Ironman 70.3.  It's probably best that I signed up yesterday while still on a high from my long workout than today.  Because today I am TIRED!!!  I might have missed signing up if Karie hadn't let me know there were only 45 slots left.  Thanks Karie :)

I'm excited and really nervous.  Can I get myself ready in time?  Can I finish?  As long as I have fun trying, and don't drive my husband crazy, I should be good!  My bike is in the shop, I'm making my new training plan and ready to go!!!