Week of 8/19-8/25 Workouts!

8/19/07: Ironbabe Sprint Tri!

(Please read about it in seperate entry below!)

8/21/07: 6 Mile SMART workout #2-Kenyan Relays!!

22:22 wu,
400m Repeats:
1:57, 1:55, 2:01, 1:47. 1:58. 1:53
16:22 cd
Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: nice
Notes: This was the first speed workout that I have done...since last fall I think? But it was a great workout and I pushed myself throughout! Special thanks to Strider Barry for being my awesome workout partner!

8/22/07: 30 Minute AM Pool Swim!
Heartrate: n/a
Weather: warm
Notes: There was nothing memorable about this swim other then I got out and did it!

8/24/07: 30 Minute AM Pool Swim!
Heartrate: n/a
Weather: warm
Notes: I am starting to push myself to swim longer distances in the pool now. I think that my technique is still suffering but I am doing okay with my limited resources (read-no swim coach).

8/24/07: PM Bike and Run Brick Workout!
Total running: Don't know, but about 3 miles..
Total cycling: Don't know, but about 10 miles..
Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: humid!
Notes: I decided to not wear my watch today for the entire workout and it was quite enjoyable. All that matters is that I got out here and did it, no matter how fast or slow!

8/25/07: 8.5 Mile Long Run with the Striders!
Total Running: about 8.5 miles
Ave running: 9:28/mile
Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: humid! hot! pretty bad...
Notes: This was my first Marathon long run with the Striders. I found a nice group of gals to run with and we averaged a pretty good pace, and only stopping for water a few times. Overall, I really enjoyed this run and the reward afterwards was the HARRA Party in the Park, complete with ice cold beer and plenty of food. Good times for all, and I helped collect some of the awards that the Striders won as a club this past spring! Go Striders:)

8/19/07: Ironbabe Sprint Tri Race Report!

Quick details:

Wow, another tri...my second of this season. I have to admit, although not having my best swim ever, I didn't give up and I went on to have a decent bike and an awesome run (sub 9:00). I feel like I am finally figuring this tri thing out...30th out of 50 in the 25-29 ain't too shabby...

Things I have learned that I need to make note of for next time:
*Warm-up swim before the actual race
*Wear a tri-suit (already ordered one...will have it this week)
*Take out all jewelry...during racing AND training

Oh and another side-note, I am officially signed up for Cinco Ranch Tri next month and I am also (finally) an official member of Houston Racing Club:) WOOHOO! :)

--

So despite the fact that this race was LITERALLY out in the middle of nowhere (a good one hour drive from where I live in Houston), I was JAZZED beyond belief to finally get to do my first all-women's tri! I got plenty of sleep, hydration, and felt ready to kick some butt...

After stressing over where I was going, I finally got there and checked out the lake...beautiful! I was actually in the first wave which meant that the water wasn't going to be too crazy-murky by the time I got in it. I made sure and lined up in the back of my wave though...but I still felt a little pacnicked when I got in the water. Was it the color of the water (a neon greenish color?) or the fact I didn't get to warm-up in the water first?! Or maybe a little of both...anyhow, I was one of the last out of wave to finish. And I did get passed by several stronger swimmers in the next wave...ughh.

On to the bike...I finally put aerobars on my bike and was able to shave ONE mile-per-hour on my overall bike time. The bike course itself was beautiful and quiet. Only a few turns and it was a double loop course, which meant I felt confident enough on the second loop to pick up the pace alittle. I didn't pass many people here other then the few that were on mountain and hybrid bikes. Overall, I felt okay on the bike, but I'm still not use to the aerobars so I was uncomfortable most of the ride in the saddle. I need to probably readjust them a little...

Going into T2 I dropped my bike (again) in a similar manner to how I did at Jeff and Bredes, read about it here if you want: http://houstonrunner.blogspot.com/2007_07_01_archive.html. Urhh...that slowed down my T2 time a little. But the run is where I knew I would shine. I ate a GU, drank some water, and shook my legs out on the first mile. About half of the run was actually on trails and that felt great on my legs. At the half way point, I began to throwdown the hammer and pick people off to pass. Since I never pass people on the swim or bike, I was really excited to gain momentum on all those that passed me earlier.

I probably got too excited and about a quarter of a mile to go, I was fading quick. Plus, we were running into the sun and the heat was killing me. I had even walked through the two water stops (I NEVER WALK) so I knew I was beat and almost done. As I approached the 'mat' I passed a girl in my age group and slowed down, assuming the race was done!!! I heard myself say outloud "I just want to be done!" and felt tears in my eyes. I felt so bad. BUT I DIDN'T CROSS THE FINISH YET! That was just the announcement mat, lol. I surged ahead after realizing my stupid mistake and sprinted to the finish.

Immediately after I finish, I collapsed. It was really scary because when I fell I thought I was going to pass out or black out. A volunteer helped me to the ground and got me a cold towel. That final kick to the finish wore me out in a way I don't think I have ever felt at the end of a race before. Luckily, after catching my breath again, I was fine. It was a bad moment or two though...

I waited to watch a couple of friends finish and then ate at the post-party celebration. There was plenty of yummy food and drinks. I don't even think they ever ran out, which is what always happens for the later finishers (me included!) I even got a nice massage from the nice folks at Koala! Overall, a great race, although I did learn some more important tips on how to TRI better. And yes, I will be 'tri-ing' again in another month. I couldn't resist:)

One more note: Major kudos to the staff at Ironbabe sports for a greatly-ran (and pun intended too!) triathlon! These ladies (and gentlemen) ran this event so well that you would have never known that this was their first year doing it! Yes, it was a little expensive, and yes, it was far away, but they did everything right. I love my t-shirt and backpack and I will make good use of them to support future Ironbabe events!

Congrats to all the Ironbabes today!!! :)

THE STATS:
30th out of 50 women, in 20 to 29 age group
300y swim: 11:46
T1-2:1811m
bike: 40:27 (ave 16.3/mph)
T2-1:37
3m run-26:49 (ave 8:56/mile)

TOTAL DAMAGE-1:22:58 total

Week of 8/12-8/18 Workouts!

8/14/07: 17miles (or so) bike at the Park!
Total Cycling: 1 hour
Ave cycling: 17.3 mph
Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: humid
Notes: This was a nice fast bike and a good workout to kickstart the week. getting excited about my Tri on Sunday. I have quite a few workouts to pack into this week to get myself ready.

8/15/07: AM 35 Minute Swim!
Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: nice
Notes: I really enjoyed my swim this morning. I felt a little 'rusty' not getting in any good quality swims last week, but this workout made up for it.

8/15/07: PM 6 Mile Run by Myself!
Total running: 58:53
Ave. Running: 9:48/Mile
Weather: warm!
Notes: Tonight I got in 6 miles in the neighborhood. It was pretty warm. I walked. A lot. But I guess I can't expect myself to bust out 8:00/mile after not running for almost a week!

8/16/07: First SMART workout...6 Miles to the Rose Garden!
Total running: 58 something
Ave. Running: 9:40something/mile
Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: overcast/rainy looking
Notes: Due to mostly incliment-LOOKING weather and a soggy ground, we past up the normal SMART workout at the Park and ran 6 miles to the Rose Garden instead. It was a beautiful and safe run. Not a lot of traffic and I certainly plan to incorporate this route into my normal 'get outta the park' routine.

8/18/07: 10 Hot Miles at the Park on the Bike!
Total Cycling: 36:18
Ave cycling: 16.3 mph
Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: humid! hot! pretty bad...
Notes: Since I waited until 10am to bike, it was pretty warm. I was only able to do 10 miles and then call it quits. Overall, I was happy I could cycle even 10 miles, but I have to keep in mind that tomorrow I will cycling almost this "early" also...

8/18/07: 30 Minute Swim (in the Pool)
Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: thunderous and stormy.
Not the best weather to be in the pool in...
Notes: My last swim before the tri. I had every intention to go to the lake, but due to stormy weather, I just swam in the damn pool at the complex. Better then nothing. The tri is tomorrow...I can't wait!!!

Week of 8/5-8/11 Workouts!

8/7/07: 6 Mile Run in Los Angeles!
Total Running: 58:35
Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: 70 degrees. low humidity!
Notes: This was my only run this week. But, being on assignment for work means traveling and little free time to relax and workout. However, I must confess that this was probably the single-best run I have ever had on in my life. I don't know how to really explain it...other then you had to be there! :) All I can say is all the elements of a great run were there: strange surroundings, cool and comfortable weather, and legs that didn't want to stop running. Maybe one day I will put into words the feelings I had on this particular early morning run. But all I have to say now is that I hope it doesn't take me another trip out to LA to experience Runner's High like this!

8/8/07: 30 Minutes in the Hotel Pool!
Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: cool pool...it wasn't heated well!
Notes: This was my only other workout this week, in a small hotel pool that was supposedly heated. Well, it wasn't! I did get in a nice 30 minute workout where I worked on my technique a little (in particular-making sure I cup my hands-pull through the water and lift from the elbow. I think I am getting it...I need more guidance though to make sure I am doing the right thing...I may get a swim coach in the future if I can afford one.

Week of 7/29-8/4 Workouts!

7/30/07: 6 Mile Run by the house!
Total Running: 56:24
Ave Running: 9:24/Mile
Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: humid
Notes: This was my only run this week. Kind of a bummer...but it was a good run.

7/31/07: 20 Mile Bike at the Park!
Total cycling: about an hour
Ave cycling: about 17.5
Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: HUMID!
Notes: Finally got on the bike! It felt great and I surely cycled well too. Just need to do it more...

8/1/07: 30 Min Pool Swim at the Pool!
Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: nice
Notes: A good swim today...still not fast though. I sure am impatient, lol...

8/3/07: 2 Hour Lake Swim with Houston Racing!
Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: warm.
Notes: Although I have psuedo-successfully completed a lake swim in a tri before, I still lack all the confidence in the world to do it again. This organized lake swim was the best thing I could have done for myself. Although I felt really nervous at first, the wonderful members of Houston Racing that showed up made me feel completely at ease. I ended up swimming 3 seperate 300m swims by myself and it felt great. I am not swimming 100% yet in the lake, but at least I know I can do it.