10 posts tagged “triathlon”

[That's what the voice in my head said at least once today.]

So, I did the Belterra Sprint Triathlon this morning. It was hella hard, to borrow a midwesterner's phrase. And I was extremly disappointed with both my swim and my bike--the bike was especially difficult as the hills were more than I've experienced thus far. I rocked the run though (considering how the bike worked me over, I think "rock" is an accurate depiction), thankfully, so I finished with a slightly cheerier disposition than I'd had post-swim and post-bike.

I studied the swim and bike times that the organizers posted, and what had felt like hours was less than that, but still, I wasn't pleased with my times. So I grumpily drank water and gatorade and ate part of a banana. Eventually I chilled out a bit and chatted with the 2 other tri-club members who participated today. At least I know what I need to do more than anything else to improve my performance: run and bike hills to increase my lung capacity in the water and my strength on the bike. Sigh. Still...I just wanted to do better, you know? It sucks to see your name at the bottom of the lists for 2 events.

Ha.

So I'm standing and chatting and rubbing the excess, dried up sunscreen off my face (thank goodness for SPF 70--applied liberally multiple times, I STILL got darker) and generally looking like a goober, I'm sure, when they call my name...for second place in my age group (25-29). Qua? Moi? I had to wonder, did everybody suck? Apparently not, but my run just made up for a lot of the time I lost on the bike, and tada(!) I got a cheesy medal and was made to feel like a five year old for being so churlish, and for being so hard on myself (in a non-constructive way.) They made a little bit of a big deal about me being a first timer too.

I was wearing a sheepish grin from that point until I left.

Still somewhat unconvinced, I double checked the times for the other age groups and it turns out that I would have still received 2nd place for two of the three other groups: 20-24 and 35-39. Unfortunately, I would have earned only 4th place in the 30-34 year old age group. (It's a phenomenom of triathletes that they tend to continue to improve their time as they get older. The 30-34 range is the most competitive next to the 20-24 year olds.) I am determined to whoop ass when I join their ranks soon.

Lessons learned:

(1) Don't be so damn hard on myself. (Rinse, Repeat.)

(2) Go with my gut when I think something's wrong with my bike. That brake issue I've been troubleshooting for weeks bit me in the butt again today. I handled it, but it is definitely bad news--turns out the damn thing was rubbing on the actual rubber of the front tire from time to time. Took it all the way to Pedal Power in San Marcos (I'll never go back to the other unnamed place again!) right after the race so they could replace the brakes and install an aero-bar--that's what those triangular or oval shaped handles in the middle of the handlebars, jutting out over the front tire, are called.

(3) Address the "I'm too antsy to sleep the night before my triathlon" issue. I was super tired today because I could NOT get to sleep last night...I did today's tri on less than 2 hours of shut-eye. Stupid, I know, but it couldn't be helped--I was all wound up. Just imagine how much better I could have done if I had been rested? (Dummy girl!)

My times were:

300 M Swim--9:30:4 (Grrrrr.)

9 Mile Bike (includes transition time)--46:46:4 (Damn those hills. I probably could have walked faster.)

3 Mile Run--26:30:2 (Eh, not bad, considering.)

And now it's time for a shower, food, and a nap. In that order.

Jeezus. That's a terrible pun.

Anyway, the tri starts at 8:30 a.m.--which is a late start for this time of year, but they're doing a kids' tri first. The transition area opens at 6:00 a.m. though, and I'm debating whether to head out that early and set up my bike and gear, and then catch a couple of hours sleep in the car.

I'm going to do some yoga tonight to try to loosen up and stretch out, and just keep sucking down as much water as possible. I also have to pack my bike into the car along with my other stuff and I have some work to do too. Must get to sleep early tonight. For once.

Came home tonight to find another baby bird on the welcome mat. It was definitely a different bird--more feathers. So I scooted it onto another paint chip card and then tipped it into the nest I made last night. I grabbed a stepstool to see if the other one was still in there, and sure enough, bird #2 had immediately gone over to cozy up with its sibling who, thank goodness, was still very much alive. Mama and daddy bird must have seen it and fed it today (it can't last a day without food at this point) so I feel good about the other one's chances too. And now #1 isn't alone. Just hope they'll hurry up and learn to fly. It's stressing me out having to remember to tiptoe in and out of the front door.

Went to my swim clinic tonight and did well--coach put me in the middle of the pack, so that's better than I would have been last month. Did fairly well--a little out of breath in places...I'm still trying to figure out this exercise-induced asthma BS. At first I was excited that a puffer would help me, but now I'm like, so, I have to take this before every cardio heavy activity? Really? I'm not terribly comfortable with it and part of me is hoping that I'm just going to find that one day I don't need it anymore. Who knows? Maybe it'll happen. Anyway, I swam way more tonight than I will have to on Saturday morning, so I feel very good about the event and am confident I won't finish last. Bike and run are definitely my stronger events so I'll be pushing myself hard on those. I just need to do a lot of stretching between now and then. My shoulders and triceps are super tight from lifting.

On another, more somber note, today is the one year anniversary of my Grampa's death. Back in El Paso, my Gramma-gramma had a mass said for him, and my folks and sister went with her. I talked to her tonight and was pleasantly surprised at how well she sounded. I think she has come a long way...spiritually and emotionally...she has gained a lot of wisdom from the introspection in this period too, and seems more interested in the world now. It's as if my Grampa's passing has forced her to reconnect and 'catch-up' with the world. She asks me questions about politics and computers and things she's read in the paper. And she talks about life and death and love much more, in much more philosophical terms now. It's been wonderful getting to know her as an adult, and I feel very lucky to have been able to share the last year with her.

And that's all for today. I'm going to finish my book tonight if it kills me, but in order to do that I have to start reading before I'm five minutes from sleep coma. So goodnight all.

Never got the chance to update after signing off midstream last week. Spent the weekend in El Paso, mostly hanging out with my immediate family and not trying to spread myself thin by seeing all the people I wanted to see--Jackie, Vivi, Tita, Pam, Don--which would have caused much stress. Nope, instead I woke up early, worked out, ate like a champ, played with the awesomeness that is Max the poodle (look for pics later) and slept well. Oh, and I acquired much fodder for writing, which is a good thing too because I'm supposed to be presenting an original piece to my writing group tomorrow. So far it's just notes, but I may try to work it into a draft online tonight. We shall see.

Anyhow, I've much catching-up to do in the neighborhood--both real and vox-ual--and I've a million other things to do, but here's a quick list of things (in no particular order) I'm excited about for the future or pleased that I've accomplished. I just feel like getting them down into black and white to reflect upon later.

1. Belterra Super Sprint Tri on June 21
2. The Olympic length Austin Triathlon in September
3. Going to see George Michael in July in Dallas [Oh GEORGE!]
4. Going to see my best girl Arghavan in St. Louis at the end of this month
5. Discovering that I am enjoying cycling very much
6. Painting parts of my house--or not, I can't decide!
7. Coming off a medication I've been on for just over a year--boo to pills (except vitamins and allergy meds, and anti-inflamatories during a certain very short time of the month)
8. Writing seriously again -- and turning my attention to an idea for a collection I've been mulling over for months
9. Attending my first ACL fest in September--the lineup caught my eye this year AND I was able to snag a discounted ticket through my place o' business
10. A little less jiggle in the junk in the trunk--I just noticed it the other day. Don't get me wrong, it's still nice but just, ah, firmer?
11. The gun show...my arms are starting to cut in places they never have before, not even during basketball off season in high school
12. Shooting hoops right outside my office building where they've just finished the new courts. (Even brought my ball today.)
13. Possibly, hopefully, keep your fingers crossed and your novenas on schedule...going to Hawaii with my family in July. This can only happen, however, if my 6 month review--which is about a month late--goes well. I'll find out soon.

Lucky #13 is the big one I'm hoping for, so please send your good juju my way. Oh, and don't forget that this Friday is (DUN DUN DUN) Friday the 13th!

Last, something fun a coworker just pointed me to...oh those internet savvy Weezer folks.

I've been catching up on the neighborhood tonight and I see that I'm not the only one who's been up to my knees in it. In a mostly good way.

Last week I reported that I'd received a negative, albeit informal, performance review from some members of my team. They went so far as to contact my immediate supervisor with their concerns. I was disappointed, but also motivated to improve where I could and to incorporate a more comprehensive CYA routine than I'd previously followed. Thankfully, my supervisor forwarded me later feedback from the same team members who said they felt I'd greatly improved and very quickly too, and were impressed with my 'turnaround'. I'm being more vocal and more aggressive, frankly, in meetings and that seems to be helping to make my presence and contributions felt. More on this surprisingly positive experience another time. 

On the tri-athletic front, I'm pleased to say that my first bike clinic on Monday evening went spectacularly well. It was the exact same ride as the one that was so torturous last Wednesday and then again on Saturday. While I'd like to say I made some miraculous turnaround and became a superwoman, in fact I owe my performance to a properly working bike. Here's how it went down.

I cleaned out the garage on Sunday afternoon/evening--putting some items out on the curb with a 'free' sign that were picked up not 20 minutes later(!)--and organized everything up and off the floor so that I could then scrub it down with soap and water and a big sweeper broom. (The garage is now one of my favorite rooms in the house and I've been puttering around in there a little each evening. But I digress...) As I was prepping to put up an old bike rack for my new bike, I explained to my sis' boyfriend just how hard the rides had been and how I was really having a hard time 'getting used to' riding the new bike. Well, he picked it up to move it out of the way a few minutes later and immediately said, "Hey, your wheels aren't spinning..."

Turns out that the guys at the bike shop--either through their own installation or simply by overlooking the problem during the tune-up--had left the brakes at an angle so that they were riding along the tires even when the brakes weren't engaged. I was basically riding with the brakes on for a total 20 miles over 3 days. I hadn't even thought to inspect the bike beyond the new chain, new tires, new grips that they installed. Dumb. So we fixed the brakes, with me adjusting the springs again before my awesome ride on Monday night, and I am a happy camper. I have also learned some great lessons on bike maintenance and am now pretty comfortable messing around with my equipment. The Monday night ride was challenging, but manageable--enjoyable even--and I was able to hold my own.

Onto the swim...my last one-on-one session, for now, was yesterday. Other than my SPF 45 sunscreen still not being enough to keep me from tanning, it was a fun, productive, and rewarding session. I've got freestyle and breaststroke down, and I'm working on backstroke, so it's time to join the swim clinic with other levels of differing swim skills. The first session is tomorrow night, but I'm going to have to miss because I will be winging my way home to the great EP!

I really have more to say about that, but I'm too tired to keep my eyes open right now so I'll have to pick up where I've left off later. 'Night.

I should be more tired than I am, and likely I am actually exhausted, but the endorphins and adrenaline are keeping the pain at bay. I did a mini-tri with the Hill Country Tri Group tonight. My first attempt at all three activities in succession: 300 meter swim, 10 mile bike, 2 mile run.

Things started off chaotically as I made it home from work with only 10 minutes to spare before the start time, and not only did I have to change, but I also had to swap the dogs out (backyard to garage, indoor to backyard, and back again), feed the cats, load my bike and be off. In my rush I forgot my swim cap, cell phone, and water. An auspicious start...

Lucky for me the folks were waiting and had just finished a little intro on transitioning (swim to bike, bike to run) and set up your transition area (where your bike and all your stuff is waiting for you) efficiently. When I arrived my fellow participants gave me a recap of what they had just heard while I set up my transition area and then we were off.

But before I move on, I have to say that it was a little intimidating to be hearing about bike shoes and "clipping in" and transitioning barefoot so that you can run faster than in your 'bike shoes'. Admittedly, I'm a beginner. I don't have 'bike shoes', I have a pair of lighter, less supportive shoes I wear for bike riding, but they're just my old runners. It was just a bit much for me I guess--I mean, this a journey of personal growth and I've already put more money into this pursuit than I had intended, but I really want to do it for me...I'm just not looking to win any trophies, you know? I suppose I could, but one thing at a time, like say for instance, not panicking in the water?

I am happy to say that my swim went very, very well--much better than expected. I didn't set any records, and my stroke was messy at times, but I came in ahead of 2 other women and that was just fine by me. I probably could have done better if I could have just caught my breath. More on that later.

And then the bike. My transition went poorly, owing mostly I'm afraid to my attempt at politeness. One of the women in the group was insisting that everyone try this electrolyte goo called, appropriately, Gu. She was rather insistent, and very quick about it, and had the thing over my head before I knew it, and damn it she's one of the organizers of the group, so...I opened my mouth. Big mistake. That SHIT WAS NASTY! You see, I'm a texture girl--as important to food as the taste and smell of things are, to me texture is just as important. This stuff was like the worst, thickest nastiest moccos (phlegm) that try to choke you in your sleep when you're battling a winter cold and cough. Oh, and then she dripped it onto my chin! (She didn't mean to, but dammit...) So I wiped the stuff on the back of my shirt, put the shirt on and then spent the next couple minutes half-heartedly putting my shoes, shorts, helmet, and gloves on while gagging on this stuff still coating my throat. I was a bit distracted.

So I was the last one on my bike, but--nice folks that they are and this being a non-competitive tri for us first-timers--everyone waited for me. See a trend here? Sadly, the bike didn't go very well for me at all--to my surprise. I felt I was at least as strong on it as on my feet, but I was off from the beginning. I couldn't find a gear that felt right, my seat was too low and I had to adjust it midway to a still unsatisfactory height, and I was dead, dead last in the pack. Heck, I wasn't even part of the pack. It was just me and the Gu lady who could have left me in the dust--and I told her to go on ahead--but she insisted on staying back with me. At that point it became a mental game for me. She was very nice and gave me a lot of great advice, helping me to play with the gears, etc., but I really hated being last, I hated not being able to push myself harder, and I hated (in a purely juvenile and assanine fashion) how nice and helpful she was being. I wanted her to ditch me so I could finish the ride by my own sorry self.

At one point on the ride back from our turnaround point, she went on ahead and another very experienced tri-er (who is also my swim trainer) hung back with me. I was embarrassed and I kept trying to push myself, but eventually I was riding slower than I could have jumped off and run, even at that very low and tired moment, and still I couldn't catch my breath! And then it got worse, my breathing that is, and I realized I was about to either hyperventilate or have my first asthma attack. It felt like when I had bronchitis...and, interestingly, it feels like that a lot lately. I had to slow down even more and just tried to relax and focus on my breathing, on calming my inhallations and exhalations and really absorbing each breath. It took a while before I felt better, but I couldn't pick up any speed after that. Still embarrased, but glad not to be turning blue in the face, I kept on going and enjoyed the rest of the ride. I was last and was not going to change that without a miracle. Acceptance, in some cases anyway, is bliss.

My swim trainer turned riding partner really did a great job of getting my mind off the ride and helping me to relax. She just started chatting...pointing out the view, the land, talking about different stuff...just distracting me from the voices in my head--no, not real voices, I'm not batty yet. I mean my own worst enemy--me. The me with the little voice that says "Don't be such a loser. Suck it up. You should be ashamed." I mean, where on earth did I pick up that little devil on my shoulder? Glad to find it could still be silenced if I put my mind to it.

At last the pinche ride was over and I got off that damn bike with the too low seat. The run was brief, and other than a couple of rests for badly knotting calves, I got through that well. And then it was over. Ta da. The group, um, regrouped and talked briefly about upcoming events, including the bike clinic that I plan on joining since I suck at riding as well as swimming (there's that voice again) and then we all took off.

I'm sitting here, still in my tri clothes, soaked through with sweat, sucking down my second G2--a sign that I'm very thirsty because these things taste like cough syrup--and finishing off some leftovers. I'm going to shower, play some Guitar Hero, watch Frasier ("these are a few of my favorite things...") and then sleep. Thank goodness I work from home tomorrow! I know this is a rather rambling and disjointed post, but I wanted to get my impressions about the night down before the sleep and dehydration make them fuzzy.

Overall I'd say it was a very positive experience--especially the bike ride. It was the most challenging shove inside my own head that I've had for a long while. I did alright if I do say so myself. Peace!

Ok, not really. But we went back to Peter Pan Miniature Golf tonight--my sister, her boyfriend, and moi. We went last year just before my birthday near the end of July. Tonight was way, way hotter. Gross hot. So hot at 10 o'clock that we took rain checks for our second game and settled for finishing just the first course.

Still, it's a nifty place - a "dive" of a miniature golf outfit. Read the article linked above for background, but basically it's an Austin original that still has giant figures sculpted out of cement and rebar guarding each hole. (And the cashier has an old school snow cone machine too. The snow cones are a buck a piece.) So if you like mini golf, or golf, or enjoy nostalgic trips down memory lane, perhaps taking your children with you, then Peter Pan is a great place for you.

Of course, if you'd rather not hang with the family bunch, the kiddies usually clear out by evening...when Peter Pan allows B.Y.O.B. Santi bought a 12 pack of Tecate (puro El Paso!) for us to lug around. I didn't drink any, but I think he and Bri shared 3 or 4 of them. With the rest we made friends with the folks playing ahead of us. (The couple playing behind us who, as Santi remarked, looked like they could have used a drink declined our offer.)

So, aaaanyway...I should hit the shower because I am a stinko and Bri and Santi are on their way over to watch the Indiana Jones trilogy, which they are first renting/purchasing at the store. How lame is it, and how old am I, that neither one of them have seen all three? I think the only one they've seen is The Last Crusade--which is certainly great, but you can't miss out the others. That's like seeing Return of the Jedi without seeing A New Hope or Empire...ok, not quite at the same level, but you get the point.

And one last bit of fun -- I bought new running shoes today! Before I met the kids at Peter Pan I went to the new Hill Country Running Company on Lamar between Barton Springs and Riverside in South Austin. It's a local shop owned and staffed by local professional athletes. James was very patient with me, even staying 20 minutes after the store closed without rushing me, as he recommended shoe after shoe and had me try them out on the treadmill. I ended up with a pair of New Balance 1223s that I feel really confident about -- it sure helps to be able to run in shoes before you buy them. The customer service, though, by far made the real difference in my shopping experience. So if you need shoes, give Hill Country Running a try.

New shoes, new-to-me bike, and improving swim skills...I think maybe the Danskin is in reach. And in September, the Austin Triathlon...perhaps even the Olympic distance. That's right, I said it.

Decided not to call in extra yard help yet. I've changed out my air filters and am trying the local honey thing again, religiously this time, in the hope of taming my allergies. My doc actually filled a prescription for singulair for me--saying it was that or a cortizone shot--but when I brought it home and read the warnings and side effects, I decided I'd rather give the natural path one more try. That stuff--the singulair--seems a hell of a lot like poison. I'm not interested in putting that in my body right now, thank you very much.

So I shall motor on as best as possible. The last couple of days have been tolerable, so I'm crossing my fingers that the worst is behind me.

I've another swim session tonight. I hit the pool on Sunday and practiced everything so I feel like I'm poised for some real progress tonight. I might have to do the whole thing on my back and with breaststroke, but I think I'm going to register for the Danksin triathlon after all. (It's in 19 days. And no, it's not an Olympic tri, just a mini.) We shall see...

I've been a little out of it the last couple of days...even last night as I was posting...I think I may have had a bit of a reaction to the tetanus shot. I've been really tired and a bit feverish--just a slight fever--but I don't feel bad otherwise. I decided not to run tonight to rest up and I am truly going to bed early as soon as I'm done with this little note.

I do need to get some miles in this week though. I haven't run since Saturday. Maybe I'll run after swimming tomorrow.I feel really good in the water now and I'm looking forward to it. I do wish the water at this pool were warmer though. Oh, and I'm really excited because I get to pick up my bike from the shop tomorrow, which means I'll finally be able to join the Saturday morning bike ride.

In other mundane news, I have misplaced/lost my Debit card. I looked for it for a good hour today, and I looked everywhere I could think of and even went through the outside trash can, but it didn't turn up. I should just mark it lost, but I know that the second I do and request a new card, I'll find the old one. It is the way of things.

Now that the financial dust is settling, it is time to look for a random job just lucrative enough to cover those student loans that I am finally going to begin making full payments on in June. I'm even considering looking for a retail position--I've never worked retail, or waitressed either, and while I hear they're shitty jobs at times, part of me wants to have those experiences under my belt, if for no other reason than for my filling out my writer's toolbox.

That's all the rambling I have in me today. Goodnight.

Seems a long time since I've posted. Forgive me, neighbors, and please come back! I've been busy with graduations and travelling and pets with pet issues and, oh yeah, work! Swamped, I tell you, just swamped.

But I'm glad to be home and even though I'm still super busy and have lots to do even as we speak, I decided I needed to stop and update before I accidentally find myself completely out of the habit. So forgive the quality if it's lacking--I'm just going to spit it all out.

Last weekend was my sis' boyfriend's grad. I also consider him a friend of my own now. In addition, he's been a great help and definitely part of my support system over the last year; he's been a go-to petsitter and occasional help with larger than one person jobs around the house. So I was very glad to be included in the weekend festivities--and I took on the unofficial role of photographer, taking tons of pics of the sis, the boyfriend, and my sis' best friend from home who was also graduating. We went to my favorite local haunt, Trattoria Lisina at the Mandola Winery in Driftwood, for a late lunch with family and friends, and had a great time eating, drinking, and taking lots of photos.

Throughout all this was pet insanity--Frankie Fat Butt now has Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disorder and he needed a stay at the vet, followed by more meds, and then boarding when I went to Nashville for my sis' graduation. The vet costs killed my ability to rationalize buying a new bike, so I thought hopes for tri-training were lost. As luck and fate would have it my neighbors had an old bike still in decent condition that just needed new tires, tubes, and grips, and a tune-up. So, practically free, I will soon have a bike that's at least good enough to use for training.

I also had my first adult swim start lesson with the tri group's trainer. I can't remember if I've already talked about this...last month I showed up to the pool for the first day of a swim clinic expecting to be able to jump right in and get working on my technique. Instead I had a totally bizarre panic reaction and could not force myself to get in the water. So after talking with the trainer, and several other folks, I learned that (a) the freeze-up reaction is rather common and can happen anywhere to even the most experience swimmers and (b) the trainer could give me a 4 session swim-start to help get comfortable in the water again. I had a great, but difficult, first session. She concentrated on just helping me figure out what was going on--ultimately, concentrating on my breathing helped tremendously since the panic reaction was making me hold my breath indefinitely. [Over the weekend at the hotel in Nashville I hit the pool again and had a great experience! I feel I'm well on my way to being a strong swimmer again and am really look forward to my next session tomorrow.]

I flew to Nashville for my sis' grad from Vanderbilt and met up with the family for four long days of fun, laughter, shopping, and eating. And yes, they were long days. Three days would probably have been best, still we had a good time and I only occasionally thought about my husband...dammit, ex-husband...who was with us when my brother graduated from the same school two years ago. It was a great weekend...but that last thought did leave me a bit out of sorts at times. I think I weathered it pretty well though, and I'm not sure anyone noticed...I was a little crankier than I have been lately.

The graduation was on Friday and despite a cloudy start it turned out to be a beautiful day. I took more great photos and even made it into a few this time. On Saturday we went to the Vandy baseball game courtesy of one of Bri's friends who plays on the team. (Unfortunately, they lost.) And Sunday, we had Mother's Day lunch at J. Alexander's--a niceish chain--after checking out of the hotel and rushing around a bit so that my grandma could get to mass.

My folks and grandmother then left for the airport and my sis, her boyfriend, and I all went to the Frist to see the Monet to Dail exhibit and the exhibit on Tiffany lamps. Both were beautiful and the Frist is a very nice venue, though the gallery size is smaller than I expected it to be. Walking around, it was wonderful to be suddenly struck with a lightning bolt of recognition and the strangest bittersweet sense of familiarity when I saw certain paintings. I recognized many artists by style, and their works took me back to the long day we spent wandering the Peggy Guggenheim in Venice last year. [I love that I can say that now...I'm not name dropping, exactly, it's just that the experience was so much more special than I had imagined it. If you've read my old posts, you know how special the whole trip was to me, and why...]

Ultimately, I was glad to have been gone--glad that I left the house to the elements and the care of the pets to others, that I didn't quite obsess about their well-being and didn't panic on the plane when turbulence hit, that I was mostly able to brush off the occasional cruel words of family members who don't mean to be cruel, and that I made it through what was, in retrospect, a very lonely weekend surrounded by people. So strange, so strange...

Oh, and I almost forgot. For an extra dash of adventure, my sister's roommate's family's dog bit me when we went back to their apartment after the graduation. It was not a bad bite--it's totally tiny--and was more surprising than anything else, but I did have to get a tetanus shot today since it's been more than 10 years since my last.

And that's my update. Here are pics from the second grad just to balance out those from the first...only bigger, 'cause it was my sister after all.