These past 2 weeks have been some of the most hectic and stressful weeks I can recall.
On top of the usual training and work, Chad and I moved into our new house last weekend. All last week, I have been trying to unpack. I swear that I've made progress but there's still a sea of boxes wherever I turn. But my office is unpacked, and is doubling as a trainer room. And we no longer live in an apartment. Needless to say, I'm happy. :-)
Then came the injury.
The evening of July 17th, I re-injured my peroneus longs during track as a result of wearing high heels a few weeks prior. I ended up being benched from running for almost 2 weeks. That meant lots of swimming and lots of cycling. But Dr. Chase at The Athlete Stop got me back up and running just in time to race this past weekend.
I had a bike fit with Tad Hughes on July 23rd. Going in, I was having some problems with my feet. I felt like I was cycling on the outside edges of my feet. I would often have tingling and numbness in them while riding. Tad's approach was very holistic. He looked at the fit as making my bike fit to me, rather then simply applying a formula to my bike and forcing my body into a 'textbook' position. He even drew cross hairs on my knees and brought out a laser level to ensure that my knees were tracking properly.
Since the fit, I have been able to comfortably stay in aero position for much longer than ever before. And this weekend my feet were pain free during the bike and I was able to get off the bike and transition easily to the run.
Bridgeland Triathlon
Swim 550m
Bike 13 miles
Run 3 miles
This past weekend was the Bridgeland Triathlon, produced by OnUrMark events. This is the premiere sprint triathlon event in the area. Not only is it produced by one of the best production companies around but it is also the one of the largest sprints in Texas with over 1,600 competitors.
Last year was a hot race. I remember talking a short walk break during the run and missing the podium by 12 seconds. 12 seconds that I spent walking complaining to myself about how hot it was.
This year, I had a score to settle.
Being in the 20-24 age group with hot pick swim caps meant that my swim wave was dead last. The elite wave started at 6:45am and most of them had finished the race by the time my wave started at 8:05am.
My swim was a bit slower than I would have liked it to be. I saw about 5 pink caps in front of me as I made my approach to shore. I took my time running through transition, being sure to dodge the fire ant pile next to my bike that I had so gracefully stepped in earlier that morning.
Once on the bike, I went to work. Highly focused, I realized as my watched chimed 10 miles that I had forgotten to drink! I slurped down half a bottle of Ironman perform and burped my way into transition. Averaging just over 21 miles per hour, I was passed about 3 times.
The hardest part of triathlon is not necessarily any one discipline but rather the transition from one to the next. The disorientation as you come out of the swim is enough to make you fall over. But the real show stopper can come as you transition from bike to run. Here, even the most experienced athletes feel their legs turn to lead as they struggle to begin the run.
As I made my way through transition and out on to the run course, I went through a sort of "systems check." My injured leg was giving me zero complaints and my breathing seemed to be cooperating with me so I fell into a comfortably aggressive pace. During the run, I never looked at my watch to see how my pace was. I was out for a nice hot run.
As I finished, I coulnd't have been more pleased with my performance. I threw down my best race performance to date. Regardless of the rest of the field, I knew I had the best race I could have possibly had.
Swim- 9:00
Bike- 37:05 (20.7mph)
Run- 24:46 (7:59/mile)
Finish - 1:14:58
But of course I was curious. The race coordinators were only posting overall results. An obvious ploy to get us to stay through awards.
When calling awards, they read the times first, then the person's name.
So when they called out 3rd place with 1:17:05, I knew I was on the podium.
Then Second place with 1:16:41. OH My GOD!
FIRST PLACE!!
On top of the usual training and work, Chad and I moved into our new house last weekend. All last week, I have been trying to unpack. I swear that I've made progress but there's still a sea of boxes wherever I turn. But my office is unpacked, and is doubling as a trainer room. And we no longer live in an apartment. Needless to say, I'm happy. :-)
Then came the injury.
The evening of July 17th, I re-injured my peroneus longs during track as a result of wearing high heels a few weeks prior. I ended up being benched from running for almost 2 weeks. That meant lots of swimming and lots of cycling. But Dr. Chase at The Athlete Stop got me back up and running just in time to race this past weekend.
I had a bike fit with Tad Hughes on July 23rd. Going in, I was having some problems with my feet. I felt like I was cycling on the outside edges of my feet. I would often have tingling and numbness in them while riding. Tad's approach was very holistic. He looked at the fit as making my bike fit to me, rather then simply applying a formula to my bike and forcing my body into a 'textbook' position. He even drew cross hairs on my knees and brought out a laser level to ensure that my knees were tracking properly.
 |
| Bike Fit Before & After |
Bridgeland Triathlon
Swim 550m
Bike 13 miles
Run 3 miles
This past weekend was the Bridgeland Triathlon, produced by OnUrMark events. This is the premiere sprint triathlon event in the area. Not only is it produced by one of the best production companies around but it is also the one of the largest sprints in Texas with over 1,600 competitors.
Last year was a hot race. I remember talking a short walk break during the run and missing the podium by 12 seconds. 12 seconds that I spent walking complaining to myself about how hot it was.
This year, I had a score to settle.
Being in the 20-24 age group with hot pick swim caps meant that my swim wave was dead last. The elite wave started at 6:45am and most of them had finished the race by the time my wave started at 8:05am.
My swim was a bit slower than I would have liked it to be. I saw about 5 pink caps in front of me as I made my approach to shore. I took my time running through transition, being sure to dodge the fire ant pile next to my bike that I had so gracefully stepped in earlier that morning.
Once on the bike, I went to work. Highly focused, I realized as my watched chimed 10 miles that I had forgotten to drink! I slurped down half a bottle of Ironman perform and burped my way into transition. Averaging just over 21 miles per hour, I was passed about 3 times.
 |
| Do work! Photo: Bill Baumeyer |
As I made my way through transition and out on to the run course, I went through a sort of "systems check." My injured leg was giving me zero complaints and my breathing seemed to be cooperating with me so I fell into a comfortably aggressive pace. During the run, I never looked at my watch to see how my pace was. I was out for a nice hot run.
 |
| Run happy Photo: Bill Baumeyer |
Swim- 9:00
Bike- 37:05 (20.7mph)
Run- 24:46 (7:59/mile)
Finish - 1:14:58
But of course I was curious. The race coordinators were only posting overall results. An obvious ploy to get us to stay through awards.
When calling awards, they read the times first, then the person's name.
So when they called out 3rd place with 1:17:05, I knew I was on the podium.
Then Second place with 1:16:41. OH My GOD!
FIRST PLACE!!
 |
| 1st Place Female 20-24 |
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