Well, about a week and a half ago I completed the Quad City Triathlon. I think it went really well. I know how I want to improve next time, and I was able to beat my goals. I had a pretty awful T1 time, almost 5 mins! I was a little flustered and I have some ideas on how to cut that down. Someday, four or five years from now, I'd like to get a tri suit, I think that would help a bit. I do want to get a belt before my triathlon in Chicago. That is a really inexpensive thing I'm willing to spend some money on.
Jason drove out there with me early Saturday morning to West Lake. He helped me get set up as much as he could and then Mom, Dad, Katie and the kids + Isaac came down to cheer me on at different locations along the race. It was so great to have them there. I lined up at the back of the pack on the beach. I really wasn't trying to "race" anyone, just the one person in front of me whoever that was. (A trick I learned from a running friend on my RRR team.) We had timing chips on our ankles too, so what order you entered the water didn't matter. I like that at this triathlon they had you enter the water 2 by 2 every three seconds. There wasn't a big pack of people mauling each other in the water right away. I was a little freaked out about losing my way and need to practice spotting more in my swimming so I did the breast stroke a lot at the beginning. I saw a few people swimming perpendicular to the course and didn't want to end up like them. I got more and more confident the farther I got on the swim and started doing freestyle more towards the end. The biking portion went really well. It was a lot of fun. The running however.... phew! That was the worst time I've had on a 5K in a really long time, 31:34! It's no wonder though, I was exhausted by the time it rolled around. Overall, it was a great experience and I can't wait to do my next one. I just wish there weren't entry fees! :( and I wish there were more that weren't on Sundays.
I'm excited to continue to train and participate as much as I can in triathlons. Next thing on my mind right now though is the Bix. Gotta get going for that!
Showing posts with label triathlon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label triathlon. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Lucky Duck!
I got an email a few hours ago from the Race Director at the Quad City Triathlon and he is looking for people on the waitlist to fill open spots! So I'm in! I completed my registration so it's official. I'm pretty nervous, I think that mostly comes from the fact that it will be my first. I thought that I would make it, I was trying to be optimistic I guess so when I signed up for the Chicago Fleet Feet Sprint I put in that it would be my second triathlon thinking I would make it into the Quad City Triathlon.
I'm really excited. The idea of an open water swim makes me nervous so it will be cool to do that in West Lake, where I grew up swimming! It's been pretty hard to get a good work out in the past week because of traveling. We've run and biked. The run was extremely hot, we'll try to do it a lot earlier tomorrow. The bike ride wasn't too bad at all. It was short, only about 3 miles, we were very short on time. The breeze from riding fast helped keep us cool. I also left Isaac's trailer snapped down in the back to add some extra drag since there weren't any hills.
Tomorrow, goal is to do a 13 mile bike ride. I'll do it with the parachute trailer for at least the first 6 miles, hopefully more, but depends on how things go.
I'm really excited. The idea of an open water swim makes me nervous so it will be cool to do that in West Lake, where I grew up swimming! It's been pretty hard to get a good work out in the past week because of traveling. We've run and biked. The run was extremely hot, we'll try to do it a lot earlier tomorrow. The bike ride wasn't too bad at all. It was short, only about 3 miles, we were very short on time. The breeze from riding fast helped keep us cool. I also left Isaac's trailer snapped down in the back to add some extra drag since there weren't any hills.
Tomorrow, goal is to do a 13 mile bike ride. I'll do it with the parachute trailer for at least the first 6 miles, hopefully more, but depends on how things go.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Wait list
I went to sign up for the Quad City Triathlon and it was FULL! Arg! What was I thinking? I don't know why I put if off so long, okay I do... these races aren't free! So I went ahead and signed up for the Fleet Feet Chicago Triathlon. It's a two day event and the super short and kids triathlons are on Saturday and they cost a LOT less, so even though I wanted to sign up for the Sprint Triathlon, it's Sunday and costs a WHOLE lot more. So I figure, I'll do this one for now, potentially my first triathlon. Although I did get on the wait list for the Quad City Triathlon so now I'm just hoping that I make it!!! I would much rather do my first open water swim in West Lake. I grew up there, and it's not as cold or choppy as Lake Michigan.
Yesterday at Masters Class we had to share three lanes between the whole class, there were three people in my lane. We just did 5 second increments to give each other a chance to get out there. It was good though I think to also feel some drag from the people right next to me and in front of me. I'm spoiled having my own lane usually. I know that it will be totally different come race day.
Today Jason had an interview on Oak Park (which went VERY well!!!) so he needed the car and I biked to work. I was a little nervous because I wasn't sure what the sidewalk situation was going to be like. I didn't want to ride on the road toeing Isaac behind me in our trailer on 55 mph roads. I'd rather stay on sidewalks. It turned out really well, there was only one small part and the speed limit is 45 mph there where there weren't any sidewalks. One piece of sidewalk was all gravel too, looks like they are putting it in, or so I hope they'll pave it eventually. I was able to cross the Kish River on a small bike trail part and make it very safely there. Well, not totally safely, I need to get a helmet! (and sunglasses to keep the bugs out of my eyes.) I'm looking forward to biking to work more often, it was nice. Isaac said "wee!" a couple of times to I know he liked it too.
Yesterday at Masters Class we had to share three lanes between the whole class, there were three people in my lane. We just did 5 second increments to give each other a chance to get out there. It was good though I think to also feel some drag from the people right next to me and in front of me. I'm spoiled having my own lane usually. I know that it will be totally different come race day.
Today Jason had an interview on Oak Park (which went VERY well!!!) so he needed the car and I biked to work. I was a little nervous because I wasn't sure what the sidewalk situation was going to be like. I didn't want to ride on the road toeing Isaac behind me in our trailer on 55 mph roads. I'd rather stay on sidewalks. It turned out really well, there was only one small part and the speed limit is 45 mph there where there weren't any sidewalks. One piece of sidewalk was all gravel too, looks like they are putting it in, or so I hope they'll pave it eventually. I was able to cross the Kish River on a small bike trail part and make it very safely there. Well, not totally safely, I need to get a helmet! (and sunglasses to keep the bugs out of my eyes.) I'm looking forward to biking to work more often, it was nice. Isaac said "wee!" a couple of times to I know he liked it too.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks...
I went to my first swimming lesson today... ay caray. That was interesting. Well, the best way to describe it is humbling. I consider myself an athlete. I excel at a lot of different sports. I picked up cycling and racquetball recently pretty easily and love them both immensely. (I had a dream last night that I was going to be a new cycling instructor at the Y.)I have never had a swimming lesson in my life. I know how to not drown and I could pass a test to swim in the deep end when I was a kid. In fact, and I don't admit this to very many people, but I can't even open my eyes under water. I couldn't even stick my face in the water without plugging my nose or wearing snorkeling goggles until I was about 14 or 15 maybe.
So that brings me to last night. Our YMCA has a Master's Swim Team/Class. I will be going every Tuesday and Thursday night. Last night was my first night and it was a doosy. I actually did pretty well I think considering I've learned everything I know from YouTube! The coach said my arms look great, unfortunately that was all he had to say :) Because I think so much about my arms and breathing... or gasping, whatever you want to call it. I sometimes forget to kick... minor detail. As a result my form get's pretty messed up by the end. I'm excited for next Tuesday, we don't have mutual so I'll be able to go for the entire lesson (usually I can just go the whole hour on Thursday and half an hour on Tuesday). He said that he will teach me how to flip turn to do laps.
I wanted to do a triathlon last year. I checked out a million books from the library last spring. Triathlete's Training Bible, Triathlons for Dummies... literally probably five or six books. Obviously I didn't do it though. I feel like swimming was holding me back. I am determined to learn how to swim properly and do my triathlon this summer!!! I'm excited, but it sure makes me feel like and old dog.
As for my running. I'm very excited to report that I ran a 5K TWICE last week in under 30 minutes!!! Woo hoo! I am going to keep working on my pace. I've just been running 5Ks but haven't tried out some of the workouts I found yet. My best time in 30 minutes right now is 3.29 miles. Trust me, that is great for me. I'm a sprinter, not a long distance girl. Now I just need to find some new running tunes, my list is starting to get repetative.
So that brings me to last night. Our YMCA has a Master's Swim Team/Class. I will be going every Tuesday and Thursday night. Last night was my first night and it was a doosy. I actually did pretty well I think considering I've learned everything I know from YouTube! The coach said my arms look great, unfortunately that was all he had to say :) Because I think so much about my arms and breathing... or gasping, whatever you want to call it. I sometimes forget to kick... minor detail. As a result my form get's pretty messed up by the end. I'm excited for next Tuesday, we don't have mutual so I'll be able to go for the entire lesson (usually I can just go the whole hour on Thursday and half an hour on Tuesday). He said that he will teach me how to flip turn to do laps.
I wanted to do a triathlon last year. I checked out a million books from the library last spring. Triathlete's Training Bible, Triathlons for Dummies... literally probably five or six books. Obviously I didn't do it though. I feel like swimming was holding me back. I am determined to learn how to swim properly and do my triathlon this summer!!! I'm excited, but it sure makes me feel like and old dog.
As for my running. I'm very excited to report that I ran a 5K TWICE last week in under 30 minutes!!! Woo hoo! I am going to keep working on my pace. I've just been running 5Ks but haven't tried out some of the workouts I found yet. My best time in 30 minutes right now is 3.29 miles. Trust me, that is great for me. I'm a sprinter, not a long distance girl. Now I just need to find some new running tunes, my list is starting to get repetative.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Yeeeeah!
Okay, so I did run yesterday, after swim lessons. I was a bit tired, but I did it anyway... Those aren't always my best workouts. I only ran about... shoot, I don't know, but not my usual and it was more dificult than usual. The good news is. I ran again today and did sooooo much better. I only did about a 2 and a quarter mile run before I had to run to the Kids Zone to get Isaac before they closed. It felt great though. I didn't feel the discomfort I felt yesterday so that's encouraging. So now I'm sitting here sipping my gatorade and eating my Cliff Builder's bar (one of my fav protein bars) and planning for next week. I need to get back to the bike and pool and I need to hit the pool hard. I'm thinking about this week doing it on my own and then when we get back from Spring break I'm going to sign up for the Master's Class. Don't worry! You don't have to be a master swimmer to be in the class. They like people like me.
I also thought it'd be good for me to chart out my goal events... and figure out a way to come up with the money to do them!!! Yikes!
Saturday April 09 there is an indoor triathlon in Romeoville at Lifetime Fitness.. The key word is indoor. I think people who are swimmers have a huge advantage in triathlons because that is the most difficult part to learn I think. I can breath whenever I want running and biking, but swimming... that's tricky for me. Starting with a triathlon indoors sounds soooo much less intimidating than swimming in open water. I mean, what if the Lockness monster... or a big ol catfish or something get me... creepy. Yeah, so I want to start with an indoor one for sure first. I'm pretty much a pro on the spin bike (okay slight exaggeration), I'm a little obsessed with spinning though, I think it is so fun. I've even made myself some workout playlists with songs in order with sprints, climbing, endurance, jumps etc.
Okay on with it!
Saturday April 16 I'm running in the River to River Relay with 7 other women from the YMCA here. Don't you just love the YMCA? I do! I've been able to do some networking and met some pretty cool people through my volunteering there. Well, the River to River is an 80 mile course between two major rivers... Missouri and Ohio? in southern Illinois. I'll be running 3 3.something legs. Pretty exciting and challenging. I'm much more of a sprinter, that was always how I conditioned as an athlete back in the day, so I'm excited for this long-distance challenge.
Saturday May 21 there is a Triathlon/Duathlon in Galena, Il. I've never been there, heard it's pretty. I'm not sure if I'm going to do the Duathlon or Triathlon. It is in a lake... Lockness.. catfish... we'll see.
Saturday June 18 is the 12 Annual Quad Cities Triathlon. This is the one I'm more excited for because I will have done hopefully two already, or at least one indoor and one duathlon and hopefully I'll feel more comfortable and my dad will even let me borrow his old road bike... That would make things easier too. I've been to West Lake many a times and feel very comfortable there so that's another bonus. Plus we can sleep at my parents house and not get up so crazy early or have to get a hotel to do it! :) And maybe Katie's kids could hold up some signs for me or something to give me an extra push...
Saturday August 27 there is a Chicago Triathlon Sprint course. The bigger coarse is on Sunday and it's pretty expensive and sells out by April! So that's a lot of factors that are making me lean towards the sprint course even though it's not as much of a challenge. I think I'll try the sprint and then if I like it then I'll do the full coarse next year. I imagine it's pretty crazy and crowded and I'd like to be more of a Triathlon veteran before I do the big dance.
Ready. Set. Go!
I also thought it'd be good for me to chart out my goal events... and figure out a way to come up with the money to do them!!! Yikes!
Saturday April 09 there is an indoor triathlon in Romeoville at Lifetime Fitness.. The key word is indoor. I think people who are swimmers have a huge advantage in triathlons because that is the most difficult part to learn I think. I can breath whenever I want running and biking, but swimming... that's tricky for me. Starting with a triathlon indoors sounds soooo much less intimidating than swimming in open water. I mean, what if the Lockness monster... or a big ol catfish or something get me... creepy. Yeah, so I want to start with an indoor one for sure first. I'm pretty much a pro on the spin bike (okay slight exaggeration), I'm a little obsessed with spinning though, I think it is so fun. I've even made myself some workout playlists with songs in order with sprints, climbing, endurance, jumps etc.
Okay on with it!
Saturday April 16 I'm running in the River to River Relay with 7 other women from the YMCA here. Don't you just love the YMCA? I do! I've been able to do some networking and met some pretty cool people through my volunteering there. Well, the River to River is an 80 mile course between two major rivers... Missouri and Ohio? in southern Illinois. I'll be running 3 3.something legs. Pretty exciting and challenging. I'm much more of a sprinter, that was always how I conditioned as an athlete back in the day, so I'm excited for this long-distance challenge.
Saturday May 21 there is a Triathlon/Duathlon in Galena, Il. I've never been there, heard it's pretty. I'm not sure if I'm going to do the Duathlon or Triathlon. It is in a lake... Lockness.. catfish... we'll see.
Saturday June 18 is the 12 Annual Quad Cities Triathlon. This is the one I'm more excited for because I will have done hopefully two already, or at least one indoor and one duathlon and hopefully I'll feel more comfortable and my dad will even let me borrow his old road bike... That would make things easier too. I've been to West Lake many a times and feel very comfortable there so that's another bonus. Plus we can sleep at my parents house and not get up so crazy early or have to get a hotel to do it! :) And maybe Katie's kids could hold up some signs for me or something to give me an extra push...
Saturday August 27 there is a Chicago Triathlon Sprint course. The bigger coarse is on Sunday and it's pretty expensive and sells out by April! So that's a lot of factors that are making me lean towards the sprint course even though it's not as much of a challenge. I think I'll try the sprint and then if I like it then I'll do the full coarse next year. I imagine it's pretty crazy and crowded and I'd like to be more of a Triathlon veteran before I do the big dance.
Ready. Set. Go!
Friday, March 4, 2011
What the heck
okay, so I know we haven't written in this blog in forever, but I have to tell someone (other than Jason and my mom). I'm competitive, I like sports, I like a challenge. I want to do a Triathlon! I want to do multiple triathlons this year. I'm hoping to do an indoor one in the spring, a dualathlon in late spring and a Triathlon June 18th I think it is. Sometimes I feel like I need motivation, but with a serious lack of funds that can be difficult (I'm motivated by new running shoes, sports bras, workout clothes, nice socks, etc.) but for the most part I'm doing well. I trained for three weeks straight before I got a little sick this week. So I've got to get back to it! Starting today right?! Don't people always say, starting tomorrow? I have a lot of reasons for wanting to do this, but the three I listed above - competition, sports (something athletic), and challenging pretty much sum it up. I like the way I feel after I work out hard. I need to push myself, this can do it.
My biggest weakness is swimming. I have always been slightly afraid I think, of the water. I never learned to swim properly and I always used goggles that covered my eyes and nose when I was a kid. I have no intention of learning to open my eyes under water now, that's what goggles are for, but I do want to be stronger in the water. Heck, I'll be swimming when I'm 80 or pregnant, not running 10Ks right?
So here I go. I'll let you (whoever that is)know how this is going as often as I can. My first goal for today, go running before Isaac's swim lessons today at the Y, around 4pm.
My biggest weakness is swimming. I have always been slightly afraid I think, of the water. I never learned to swim properly and I always used goggles that covered my eyes and nose when I was a kid. I have no intention of learning to open my eyes under water now, that's what goggles are for, but I do want to be stronger in the water. Heck, I'll be swimming when I'm 80 or pregnant, not running 10Ks right?
So here I go. I'll let you (whoever that is)know how this is going as often as I can. My first goal for today, go running before Isaac's swim lessons today at the Y, around 4pm.
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