Twinsburg Duathlon 2014

I can't say enough about the races or the race director of Northcoast Multisports, but I love his events and always make the effort to participate and volunteer as much as possible for their events.  My family even gets a little endurance bug and will jump in a race or two with me.  This year would be no different.  My little brother (who has never ridden a road bike in his life) was going to "Man Up" and do the du!! 

I had done this race one time solo a few years back in nursing school and 2 years ago as a relay with my mom.  This year I would be going solo again with my only excuse for being slow that I'm old (haha).  I had put the Joker (Quintana Roo CD0.1) back together after using parts for EPIC bike ride from Pittsburgh to Washington D.C. the weekend before.  I also changed out the pedals on Flo' Rida (LiteSpeed C1) for my brother to ride.  I would have rather ridden my road bike, but no way I was going to put my brother on that homicidal tri bike of mine.

I was so stoked to see my brother race.  He tried to act calm cool and collected but I could tell he was nervous.  I helped him get set-up in transition and walked him in and out of the entrance/exit and showed him the mount/dismount line.  All the little helpful details I gave him and his reply "You f^ck%ng triathletes are crazy!"  I had to laugh.  I was hanging on to my multisport background by a hair.  I was pretty much just a roadie now (and yep, I had to agree triathletes were crazy). 

Team Bicycle Hub was in full effect this weekend with some of us racing Mohican yesterday and some of us  (E-speed, DM and me) doing the Du today.  We snapped a few pics before the race.  I tried to talk my brother into a warm-up "jog."  He adamantly refused asking me to explain the route for the run and bike.  I foolishly agreed and bypassed my warm-up.

We lined up in the middle of the field and I tried to coax my brother closer to the front.  He said "no, but you can go."  The competitor in me knew I should get up closer to the front, but I love my brother like no other and he won.  I started back with him. 

The horn sounded and we took off balls out!!  I was sucking wind after 1/4 mile.  Ugghh, old age, no warm-up, this was gonna hurt the whole way....here we go.  I saw a lot more women than I would have liked (maybe 10 or so) up in front of me.  I knew my run was weak only averaging 5 miles per week, but even on tired legs I was gonna try and rip the bike. 

About 3/4 of a mile into the run people started coming back to me.  I started to settle in and make my way to mile 1 -- 6:52.  Oh boy, no wonder I felt bad.  I hadn't see the south side of 7 minutes for a few years.  I made my way up the hill and into T1.  The run is a tad over 2 miles apparently.  Time 14:54 (7:06/mile)

Transition is easy in a du, no fighting with the wetsuit, just grab and go.  I was in and out in less than :45 seconds.

I always coming screaming out of T1 on the bike and this was no different.  I started passing people one after another.  I knew I had taken off fast because no one was moving even remotely as fast as me.  Not having any water or gels I focused on trying to settle myself down on the bike and ride this like a time trial.  I stayed on my aero bars unless I was making a turn.  A few times I caught myself not pedaling through the corners and backing off on my pedal stroke like I do when crit racing or pace lining.  I had to remind myself this was steady state and to keep up the intensity.  My legs were tight.  They would not loosen up.  There was a tiny headwind going south and I felt like I was going 14 mph at some points.  I started thinking about why I do this to myself.  I love riding.  I don't even follow any training plans anymore.  I just ride and have fun.  This was not fun, this was hurting, and then my Garmin beeped for the first 5 miles -- 14:21.  Damn, I thought this is why I do this to put it down and see what I am made of.  I knew my second run was going to be rough no matter what time I put up for the bike, so right then and there I made the decision to at least try and put up the fastest female bike split on the date.  I could see more people up ahead and I reeled them in one at a time.  The only mistake I made was not passing a friend sooner on Glenwood, up the hill.  I didn't draft but I let him pace me up for a minute or so, matching his pedal stroke before telling myself to stop being a sissy and get up the climb.  I went around him finally and yelled at him to pick it up.  I could see one more person in the distance and I was set on trying to get them before T2.  The course was all downhill from that point and I just kept pushing.  I closed on the cyclist before T2 and lo' and behold it was my teammate, e-speed.  I yelled some words of encouragement at her and pulled my feet out of my shoes, before successfully completing a flying dismount.  Time 28:48 (avg. 20.8mph). 

Ran into T2, dropped my stuff and out I went in :40 seconds.  As I passed transition on the run I saw my parents cheering and yelling.  I threw up my fist and yelled "I ripped that sh%t!!!"  I could tell my parents were excited.  My dad ALWAYS teases me about how slow I am, but I know he's super pumped and proud of me.  My mom was smiling and cheering, she's watched me race so many times, if I didn't do this she'd be worried, haha. 

I checked my watch.  I was ahead of my projected time.  I was at 45 minutes out.  I knew I couldn't break an hour, but definitely the 1:05 I had put in.  My body was pooped and running was so foreign now.  Two miles might as well be a marathon!  I did my best to run and hold my form. I knew if it got bad or I had any pain, I would have to walk per physical therapy recommendations.  My foot has been so much better, but it's still not completely healed.  My teammate passed me back in less than a 1/4 of a mile from T2 and would go on to crush me on the run.  I thought about my little brother and hoped he was having a good race and I pushed a little harder.  I wanted to finish and go back for him.  A few guys passed me on the 2nd run, but there wasn't a female in sight.  I was shocked.  I knew I was sitting in the top 10, maybe even top 5.  I rounded the corner and saw the finish line about 200 meters up.  "Less than 1 minute, if you move your ass" I told myself.  I picked it up and finished in 1:01:28.  Second run 16:20 (7:47/mile).  And you know what -- I pulled off the fastest female bike split on the day, just like I swore I would!!  Whoooo Hooooo!!!!

I took a minute to congratulate my teammate on being 2nd Female Overall (Way to Go E-speed, her ubby, DM pulled off a 4th in an insanely fast AG!!), made sure I wasn't going to vomit, grabbed my water bottle and headed back out to look for my brother.  I found him with less than a mile to go.  I ran along side him encouraging him and cheering for him.  I think I annoyed him more than helped him --haha. 

My sister-in-law, niece and nephew had also made it out and when he picked it up to finish they were all cheering for him with my parents.  I couldn't have been prouder.  He completed his first Du!! 

My family congratulated us and I could tell everyone was so proud of my brother, even my niece agreed "daddy is fast."  I was amped and excited, our makeshift family morning had gone so well.  I proceeded to torture my 4 year old niece post race by tickling and shaking her to which we both were laughing hyserically.  I love it when she sees me for the first time.  She always gets this huge grin and yells "Aunt Beth!!!"  like she just knows there is going to be some ridiculousness and lots of laughing to come.  LOVE.THAT.LITTLE.GIRL. 

My nephew he smiles at me when he sees me, but as always he is looking for food and trying to get into trouble, haha (of course, he is only 2). 

We rounded out the morning by hitting up Bob Evans and taking some selfies.

I'm so lucky to have the family I have and some days like these it all comes together perfectly and I thank God this is my life, even when it hurts a little, haha. 

Race At The Lake 1 (RATL - 1)

Well, I finally did it.  I (wo)-manned up and got in my first and certainly not last crit race!  And it was glorious....for 10 laps.

I had plenty of experience riding in groups and understood it was not about who was the fastest, but who was the smartest.  I felt confident in my bike handling skills and knew even after riding for 18 days straight for #30DaysOfBiking, I could hold my own.  Plus I wanted to see what Flo Rida' could do, so off to RATL hosted by the Summit FreeWheelers it would be.  They would run all the CAT women together (1,2,3 and the 4s).  Since, I am a rookie I start at 4 (not that I have any urge to CAT up, EVER, but eventually I will have to).  Of course, this is what when I watched my first crit race...

Needless to say RK is back up and racing stronger than ever!

I had plenty of rest and headed down about 8am.  My race was to go off at 10:15am, so I had lots of time so even stopped to make a deposit at the ATM.  I was less than 5 miles away from the race site when I realized I didn't have enough cash to register.  A 10 minute detour back to an ATM (that wasn't my bank) and about $6 in fees later I rolled into the park.  I got my gear all ready and watched the men's CAT 5 race and cheered for (2) of my teammates.  The field was huge, 55 guys!!  They only raced 8 miles, but the pace was brutal and they hammered over 24 mph average.  DaisyDuc's hubby is a monster on the bike and came away with 4th for Team Bicycle Hub! 

Daisy and I rolled out for a warm-up.  My legs felt heavy and stiff riding over some small rollers.  I checked my heart rate and it said 169bpm.  Ooohhhh, this was going to be ugly.  I was bummed I would probably get dropped and not be able to hang with the field very long.  We rolled back into the parking lot and too my surprise my mom was there!  I gave her a hug and chatted with her before deciding to pin my # on.

I soft pedaled back to my car and grabbed it out of my car.  I then locked the door and yep, you guessed it I realized my motherF-ing keys were inside.  I was so annoyed with myself at this point.  Maybe it was fatigue or nerves, but there they sat on my gym bag on my passengers seat.  I debated riding home and back (about 60 miles round trip) or getting a ride with my mom immediately to go get them and just skip the race, but my mom said that was dumb and she would just go get them and bring them back for me.  I felt horrible, but then Daisy, my knight in green argyle spandex swooped in and offered to call AAA.  I was so grateful and relieved my mom wouldn't have to go back to my house and I didn't have to ride there either.  I was still annoyed but needed to get my head together.  I road a few more easy laps around the parking lot as the CAT 4 men finished before taking off my warm-ups and staging.

I only wore my kit with arm warmers.  Kevlar and JE had warned me that after 2 laps I'd be plenty warm.  We rolled around 1/2 the course to the start. I was pretty cold when we got to the start.  It was a great start spot, right on a hill.  It would be 12 laps, about 15 miles, lap 4 was our preme lap (dont' quote me on that).  I lined up in the middle with SG.  EP and Daisy took the inside left, front. 

Cycling is a gentleman's sport, so you don't brake check your opponents or try to run them into potholes and barricades, however small tricks and tactics that do not involve endangering other rider's safety is common.  I was on red alert and although the course is 2 lanes and closed off to cars as soon as the bell went off the experienced CAT's jumped...and so did I.  This was not a no-drop group ride.  The main field hammered a little up the hill at the start and immediately dropped a few who had not clipped in quick enough and stayed on a wheel.  I got low and settled myself in about 5-6 riders back.  I wanted to stay near the front, in case of any breaks.  I figured there would be 1 or 2 on the preme laps and the last 2-3, but it was the start of the season and I was betting everyone would air on the side of caution and feel out the field. 

RATL 1 courtesy of WAS Labs Cycling

The course dropped down and wound around some corners and through the parking lot where we had staged and most of the other people were.  It was a rush railing left and right, my heart was beating at what I guessed was 150-165 and coming back down (I was already recovering from the start), and I knew I could ride at that rate all day.  We came around and back up the hill.  My legs felt heavy on the climb and I could feel my heart rate go up. I hung onto the wheel in front of me and let the girl pull me up to the start/finish.  Whooo hoooo!!!! 1  down 11 to go.

Each lap, I invested my time trying to stay toward the front, tucking into the pack and conserving as much energy as possible.  I was starting to fatigue from all the days of riding and thought, maybe I can't hold onto this.  I checked the lap counter as we came around -- 8 to go!!!  Oh man, I was hoping, I had already done 8!

I checked around, we had started with 16 and were down to 10.  I knew (3) of the riders were at least Cat 3s, and I was still there with them.  My teammate and beast on the bicycle, DaisyDuc was also still in the main field.  She looked like she was soft pedaling on the outside at times, fresh as a you guessed it, Daisy!  I on the other hand, was wheel sucking like it was my job.  She broke from the field on our preme lap.  I immediately sat up and reminded myself  "do not chase your teammate."  I started yelling in my head "Go Daisy!! Go!!"  The field picked up the pace a little but she took it uncontested.  I'm betting had she just kept pushing and going she could have gotten away and stayed away from the main field.  The girl can push some watts!!!

Daisy grabbing her preme - photo courtesy of WAS Labs Cycling

Lap after lap just kept going by and there I was still in it. There was only one breakaway attempt before the hill in the middle of the race that failed.  My legs weren't ready to give up.  Every lap I came around I felt better and better. 

The only mishap was a girl on my right was forcing me off my line left.  Daisy was on my left and we rubbed shoulders and handlebars a little bit.  I yelled "My bad!!" and we kept riding.  No one was moving us out of the race.

Oh and the other mishap,  I don't know what I was thinking but I thought we were on lap 11 and I wanted to be at the front coming off the climb, so I powered up to the front and pushed on the hill a little.  My legs were heavy but I knew I could suffer for 3 minutes.  I rolled up to the top and heard the official yell "Two laps to go!!!"  Wait what?!?!?!  What?!?! Say again?!?!  I couldn't ride like that for 2 more laps.  Immediately, defeated and sucking air the main field went around me.  I was caught up in my lap mistake for too long that when I decided I would still try to hang on, it was too late they were gone.  I should have just said "F$*K!!" and jumped right back on, but it was like a slap to the face.  It had shocked me and I had spent a lot of gas. 

What I thought was lap 11, photo courtesy of Joey & Janet Edwards

I rode my last 2 laps of shame alone, waving and smiling to my teammates yelling "I can't count!!"  I even lapped 2 girls right before the finish and encouraged them to get on my wheel, but they had one more to go and they waved me on. 

I finished 9th overall, 5th in the CAT 4s.  I was super annoyed with myself and all the absent minded mistakes I had made that morning (it continued on into the afternoon too, post-RATL). 

Daisy took 2nd in the CAT 4s.  I am guessing our average speed was 18-20 mph -- completely doable.  Overall, I thought I did a great job, suffering on and off, staying with the main field and paying attention, at least until the end of lap 10. 

TBH representing at RATL photo courtesy of The Bicycle Hub

The race was well run, the course was fun, and the weather was perfect.  It was very beginner friendly and I can not encourage enough women to give it a try if they ever were interested in crit racing.  Summit Freewheelers did a wonderful job hosting.

St. Malachi 2 Miler

Just when my running had progressed to almost an hour of intervals on the treadmill, it was side lined by my nose surgery on February 5th.  Fast forward to March 3rd and my plastic surgeon says "You can start running again."  Elated I left the office and immediately ran 2 miles that day and signed up for the St. Malachi 2 miler on March 15th.  I had no running fitness, but it was a team race and my physical therapist and ortho doc has said I could give it a go. 

I arrived almost an hour before the start and it was pretty dead and then I remembered the 5 mile (which was the big draw) started 45 minutes after my race.  I scored a parking spot right by the start and headed over to get my packet.

The local running company that puts on this race had been where I first started dabbling in road racing years ago, but as of late they were not gaining many points with me, seeming to be more about entertainment and the experience than the actual race part.  Their courses had become notorious for being short, seemed to keep downtown Cleveland (and Marginal Road) at it's epicenter and become a little disorganized (last time I had run a race I had not had an official time and had to email the RD).  I walked up to the pre-registration table to get my packet and they couldn't find my bib.  I was sent to the timing table where I explained the problem and pulled up my confirmation email.  They gave me a new bib and a large shirt.  I told them I was a small and they said they had me marked down for a large.  I informed them I would never order a large.  They then said if I wanted a small I had to head upstairs for assistance.  As I headed upstairs, I debated saying to hell with it -- did I really need another shirt?  Needless to say I got the shirt after a few minutes of trying to clarify the issue and was back at my car.

I realized our team picture was at 9:10, but my race was at 9:00 and there was just no way I would make it.  Bummed I would miss the pic, I texted DaisyDuc the bad news before heading out for a 15 minute warm-up.

I was there in TBH spirit! Photo credit: https://twitter.com/ESpeed77

It was windy and felt about mid to high 30s.  I opted for shorts, my TBH tank and arm warmers.  I was getting cold and tight hopping around at the start line trying to stay loose waiting for the eternal 7 minutes to start to hurry up and pass.  We started right on Detroit this year so you immediately run up and over the bridge. 

I started only a few rows back from the front and still had to go around walkers and slower runners.  I focused on trying to hold back and push my hips forward, while trying to keep my core tight.  I was working from the start and when we turned off the bridge to run down W. 3rd my legs felt heavy.  I was probably only a 1/2 mile in and getting tired, by 3/4 mile I could feel I was starting to blow-up.  My goal was to run with good form (If it went bad I would make myself walk.  I was not going to undo all the work I had done to fix my foot) and hopefully break 8:00/miles.  As we approached the first mile marker I heard 7 minutes!!!  Holy hell, no wonder I felt so bad.  I wasn't ready for that pace.  I had only seen that pace for 3 minutes at a time in January on the treadmill with recovery breaks in between.  My saving grace thought "well at least you don't feel this bad running 8:00/mile."

In a brief moment of weakness while I was tired, but still maintaining proper form I debated doing my old turtle shuffling to recover, just for a short bit.  The voice of pride in my head quickly lost to the voice of reason "what are you an idiot? do you want to hurt your foot some more?"  My mind made up I began suffering back up and over the bridge.  The race was half over and it was literally all downhill after I crested this last incline.  I was suffering, but passing people as I pushed up the bridge.  Although, the bridge was slowing me down, I forced myself to slow down more.  I was tired, my form was about to drop.  This race was not worth me getting hurt.  My lungs were burning and so was my nose (Since my surgery, if I run hard my nose will start burning and then throbbing like someone hit me in the tip of it.  It usually subsides after about 5 minutes of walking around.  I think it's all the blood flowing and putting pressure on those tender areas that aren't quite healed yet) I tried to open up my legs on the down hill, but they were like lead.  This is so fun right?  As I neared the church, lots of people were cheering and when I rounded the corner I saw all my teammates screaming and cheering just for me.  I smiled and let my legs carry me down the hills to the finish.  I couldn't get into another gear and with about a quarter mile to go I decided to hold pace and stop fighting, just to take it all in and enjoy running pain free again. 

Probably couldn't have taken a worse running pic, if I tried :) Photo credit: hermescleveland

I made the final turn and instinctively started trying to push when I saw I could run under 14:30.  I figured I had 5 seconds on the clock from the chip timed start.  I hustled in at 14:30 on the dot.  My Garmin had 14:25.  Yikes, almost :20 seconds slower for the second mile and my Garmin had beeped almost a 100 meters after the first mile marker.  Total distance 1.96 miles.  I am pretty conscientious about running the tangents, so if I had to guess the course was probably a hair short (I guess we each have to decided for ourselves how important that is when racing). 

Photo Credit: Cleveland Triathlon Club

I stopped at the food table to say "hi" and thank all the Cleveland Triathlon Club volunteers for coming out before hustling back up the hill to my car before I froze my ass off.  I ran into some of my friends at the top and managed a picture before I started to shiver. 

Photo credit: https://twitter.com/ESpeed77

 

Warm and cow-belled up, I cheered for my teammates as they came by in the 5 miler.  Team Bicycle Hub didn't do too bad overall.  We had 2 age group wins and I just missed 3rd in my age group by a "smidgen" as my teammate reported on our team page.  


It was a good day to be in green and running pain free.  I am so thankful for the amazing doctors at CCF who got me up and running after all this time.  That said, I.AM.SO.STOKED to race for The Bicycle Hub's team again this year. 

Total time was 14:21, which is a PR (as I have only run one other 2 mile race). 

Welcome to the 2014 season!!!!

Pump and Jump

I have found a new hobby to supplement my road riding (because swimming and running weren't enough already).  It's dangerous, scary and at times painful.  Ray's Indoor Mountain Bike Park has become my new haunt. 

I had been wanting to try it for nearly a year, but since I had not particularly cared for mountain biking at Royalview in the fall, I had been told I probably wouldn't like Ray's.  I have never been one to make a judgment without at least trying something two times (except running 100 miles), so I resolved to one day hit Ray's and try mountain biking at least one more time before throwing in the towel.

About one month ago my sponsors, The Bicycle Hub and some friends were going to Ray's.  I knew they loved down hilling and were probably amazing, but they offered to give me some pointers and I agreed.  I brought my own helmet and gloves and bought the 1st timer deal (admission, bike rental and pads for $28ish).  I asked for a jump bike per my friends recommendation and began to adjust the seat like I would for a road bike.  The guys behind the counter came over and explained that a jump bike wasn't normally set to one's seat height.  It stayed flush with the down tube so it was out of the way when "jumping."  The guy recommended I start with a XC bike if I wanted more comfort and to have the seat a little higher, so I immediately switched. 

I had to laugh at the name of this Gary Fisher

All padded up, I went over to the yellow novice section.

Note the "yellow novice section" I refer to is green on this map

I had a BMX as a kid (until I was 12), and I now ride a crotch rocket, so I was hoping some bike handling skills would be similar.  I practiced pumping over the whoop-de-doos and cornering on the berms.  I also worked on the table top jumps and riding the tracks.  It felt really tight and awkward -- this should have been so easy, but it wasn't.  The adult in me constantly thought of all the "what could go wrongs" with each task instead of the Cru Jones (from the movien "Rad") attitude I had as a kid that "I can't do that with my bike."  I quickly learned I would only be sitting when I would be going from room to room, controlling the bike standing up was way easier.  It wasn't long before I caught on and we moved from the novice area to the beginner section where everything was the same just bigger, longer and steeper. 

Here is where I took my first of 2 spills that night, both were off the tracks.  I started to get bold and on one loop took a path back that I hadn't planned on and had to ride over a track about 2-3 feet off the ground that included a log as part of the bridge.  My back tire slipped off and down I went.  My left hip stung like a mother, but I was okay.  My pride was more damaged, I think.  I jumped right back up and told the guys I was okay, but from that point on I was a little hesitant for the night and thought "maybe this isn't for me." 

It's still sensitive over 1 month later in that spot

We went to the rhythm room next (It's really called transferland, but if you ever see or ride the room, you would understand our alias).  This is my favorite room.  The guys can pretty much "fly" in here.  I was in awe, wishing I could drop in and try, but I was terrified, so I just watched.  Re-inspired to not give up and channel my inner BMX Bandit, we left and went into the pump track, sport /beginner section.  I was still hesitant, there was a steep drop-in on the pump track and that went into a steep berm, but I was determined.  I failed to take the berm the first 2 times not trusting the bike to hold on the wall as I went around.  Both times I jumped off the bike and dropped it.  The guys asked if I was okay and kept telling me I could do it and to "stop being such a pussy!" (I love the guys for never going easy on me and always pushing me).  On the third try, I told myself, "Stop being a pansy, you know the bike will hold the corner.  Either do it or quit, but stop being a pansy."  I dropped-in determined to come through the berm on the bike or my face.  I flew (for me) over the pump track and ripped through the berm!  I had done it.

My confidence had been restored.  I rode around the rest of the night in that section, working on my skills and trying to get faster.  I was definitely coming back. 

All smiles, after a successful first time at Ray's MTB

Fast forward over a month later and one nose surgery.  I had just received clearance to run and swim on a Monday and thought that must mean I can hit up Ray's too.  It was the "unofficial women's Monday night ride" so me and a few of my girlfriends hit up the park (a few of the guys I knew came too, which was great because they gave us some free and sound instruction).  RP, the owner of The Bicycle Hub couldn't come, so when I told him I was definitely getting a jump bike this time (they are lighter and more nimble - sketchier handling, but way more fun) he offered up his super awesome Deity!  I was so excited. 

I picked up everything really quick this time and when we went in the rhythm room, where I (wo)manned up and made one run.  I almost peed my pants and when I dropped in the speed picked up so fast when I pulled up to hit the first table top I manual-ed across it (unknowingly until SD asked me if it felt weird the first jump and when I said yes, he proceeded to fill me in), I made it out to the half way point, stopped and then dropped back in for the return trip.  E-speed video taped it and it looks really slow, but nevertheless -- I did it!!

After that, I worked on jumping the table tops a lot more, trying to get my back wheel off the ground.  Time flew by and before I knew, it was 10pm and closing time.  I put the bike away and returned my pads, already excited for next Monday. 

Here I sit now 2 days later and muscles I didn't even know I had ache from all the great fun of Ray's, but sore muscles never stopped me before and they sure wont now. 

2013 Year in Review

 

Well, it's time to wrap up another year of multisport and gimping.  I am impatiently hoping 2014 takes a positive turn with regards to my foot and running.  That said here's my 2013 wrap up:

 

3/03 - Youngstown 1/2 Marathon - 1:58:21

3/06 - St. Malachi 5 Miler - 38:394/27 - Pineline Marathon - 3:58:31, 2nd Female Overall

7/20 - Shot in the Dark (2 Person Relay): Team Spin Hub - Total time: 29:05, My time: 15:04,  9th Co-ed team Overall

6/14 - I took Janet Edwards QOM on the BP to Hunan section of Strava (she took it back on 7/02 )

7/21 - Huntington Sprint Tri - 1:12:47, 1st in Age Group

8/18 - Machine Head Sprint Tri - 1:27:39, 3rd Female Overall

9/08 - Rev3 Half Tri - 5:34:58 3rd in Age Group, 24th Female Overall (although only my 2nd half, still counts as a PR!)

 

With my foot still bothering me after 3 years, running was difficult and I spent a very large amount of time on the bike.  I completed the Sunday in June 100K, The Bicycle Hub Hungarian 100K, Women's only Rapha 100K, and the Sweet Corn Challenge (104 miles). 

 

Fun Facts for the Summer

 

I also had never ridden over 200 miles in a 7 day period until the week of 8/11-8/17, but I managed the full 100 mile Emerald Necklace on Sunday 8/11 (solo), 21.4 miles rode to volunteer at the Dark Horse 5K run, then rode the Rev3 Preview Day with a friend in 5:06:xx (fastest century ever for me) on the following Saturday on 8/17 .

I have only averaged over 20 mph in sprints on the bike, but managed 20.4 mph on an insanely windy Rev3 half course

I only swam and ran a handful of times over the summer but I broke over 2,000 miles cycling (which is a lot for me).  This was easily the best cycling shape I have ever been in.

Only got 4 flats over the summer, broke 1 crank arm and pedal, ripped off 1 derailleur hanger, broke a spoke and snapped a chain.  No crashes.

 

Representing the Bicycle Hub was a lot of fun.  I was able to meet new people and ride with old friends.  And I got to wear a cool kit -- Argyle definitely makes you faster on the bike.

 

All in all it was THE BEST summer of riding ever for me (at least so far, wait until next year). 

Rev 3 Half Race Report

It was my turn at the front.  I stood on the ramp until one volunteer said "Go!" and the other said "wait a second."  Tara and I were confused as to what to do and we both simultaneously chose to head into the water.

The water felt nice and cool as it encircled me.  I pulled my face out of the water and luckily my goggles held without any leakage.  I went to work.  I kept pulling right and having to over correct.  I felt weak in the water as I saw pink cap upon pink cap passing me the first 1/4 mile or so.  It is stupid I swam only a few times all summer, and yet I STILL expect myself to swim better than ever.  The swim was counterclockwise and our first turn took us through a narrow marina.  I could see all the pretty boats on my right with every breathe and took note of the rock wall to my left.  I tried to site off the boats, but the water through the marina was so narrow I found myself enough to the right my hand brushed the rocks below me a few times.   Drat!!  I had to overcorrect a few times and luckily did not cut myself on any of the rocks as some did.  I started coming up on schools of pink caps around this point and even some other colored caps from the waves ahead of me.  I fought my way through packs on and off, corrected my frequent off course swimming and finally after 42:04 I was out of the bay.  It was a lack luster swim for sure, but I only had two goals for this race --- Beat Roark on the bike and PR.

I ran up the ramp to the wetsuit strippers and they were awesome.  They yelled at me to "lay down" and ripped off my suit and yanked me back up to my feet before I knew it.  "HELL YEAH" for those wetsuit strippers.  I pulled on my shoes and started my run to T1.  My foot was already aching and I trotted along for the 0.3ish mile run or so.  7:11 later I was out and on the Joker.... Showtime!!!

I was excited and I didn't think I went out too hard on the bike, but as I flew down the first stretch I was  flying by people.  No one was even close to my speed.  I wore my regular helmet, removed my aero drink system and took only 2 bottles.  Today, I was kinda fighting the system, although I was on a tri bike with 60s (but all that came on the bike - no special upgrades for today).  Roark was on his fancy tri  bike, aero helmet in place, and 10.5 years of youth up ahead of me somewhere.  I had my work cut out for me.  I had ridden a lot with groups this summer and the aero position had become a little foreign to me but I forced myself to drop down.

The wind was insane.  It felt like it was every way I turned.  I could only tell it was worse from the north and the east because it would be a little less worse when I turned south or west.  I had never raced in conditions like this and the crosswinds made holding my front wheel straight a bit challenging.  It had crossed my mind Roark was running a disc on the back and I prayed he would be safe in this wind.  We hit the first town and a busy intersection that had 2 police officers signaling and directing traffic.  I approached with another girl thinking they would stop the traffic turning left in front of us, but nope.  One of the officers put up his hand and signaled for us to stop.  I yelled "Seriously, you're stopping us?"  The cop yelled back "Yes!"  I was pissed to say the least.  We stopped as instructed.  I couldn't believe it.  It was only a few seconds before we got going again and I pedaled hard trying to make up for lost time.

I continued to pass people left and left.  No one was going as fast as me so I didn't need to worry about drafting of blocking penalties.  I saw a few packs riding together most looked unintentional but a few were definitely on purpose.  I watched one guy sitting about 1 bike length off another guy passing when he passed and pulling right back into the draft on the lead guy.   A little irritate, I thought about telling the guy he was giving the guy behind him a free ride, but I thought "you know what if that guy needs to draft to go that fast and beat me, well then he's already lost."  I didn't care.  I already knew I was better on the bike than that wheel sucker.  I hit the one steep little hill called "the teddy bear" on the course and hit it just right so I only had to work hard at the top for a few seconds (too boot I got the QOM on Strava too -- holla'!!)

The course loops back on itself and heads out on 113, which is my least favorite road.  The wind was all in my face and too add insult to injury it started raining.  My left hip flexor was cramping and sending a radiating pain around to my back and I resolved to just take it easy and ride through it until I could turn off this Godforsaken road.  I snuck a peak at my Garmin one time and saw 14.x mph at one time and boy was that a bad idea.  Disgusted, I just kept pedaling, trying to be patient and get through this segment.  My only comfort -- I was STILL passing people and significantly faster.

I turned off the dreadful 113 and started to make my way back to Cedar Point.  My left hip was still cramping on and off but it didn't matter I was pushing 20+ mph practically spinning (boy had the 2 weeks of easy cycling leading up to the race helped).  I told myself repeatedly, "Ride like DaisyDuc."

The wind was even worse on the way back and I fought to stay on my aero bars.  The worst being the Cedar Point Road on the way back.  The wind was blowing the water from the Lake so hard I could feel the spray as I rode.  All my attention was focused on avoiding pot holes and keeping the front wheel straight.  I passed a guy that  yelled "You're slaying it girl!!"  I was pumped I knew barring any mechanicals I was going to break 20 mph even in this mini-tornado.

I made it to the park and soft pedaled ripping my feet out of my shoes.  I jumped off my bike and ran for T2.  My race was over.  I had biked a 2:43:12 and averaged 20.6 mph, but would it be enough to hold Roark off?

T2 - 1:36 (debating dropping out vs. hobbling though 13.1 miles.

I changed my shoes, grabbed my flask and visor and headed out for my 2 hour trot.  Memories of the year before hit me as I ran down the causeway.  I was moving about a minute a mile faster this year though and I would only have to do 1 loop (thank God).  I hit the first aid station and yep, you guessed it I asked for ... Coke.

My foot held for about 5-6 miles before it really started aching.  I never saw Roark on the course, which made me think he was having a pretty good race and had put quite a jump on me out of the water.  I would later learn it was about 11 minutes (I suck).  I saw SG and throughout the remainder of the miles.  We would exchange shouts of encouragement whenever we saw each other.   I was slowly closing the the gap until about mile 9 when I started cramping in my left leg.  My hamstring and calf had checked out.  I couldn't close the gap.  I always dread this part of the race where it hurts so bad and your done, but the race isn't over yet.  It f*cking hurts.

With 2 miles to go I caught SG and encouraged her to keep pushing.  She leap frogged ahead and I was jealous of her energy and strength as I was on E.  I reeled her back in though with a little less than a mile to go.  She seemed ready to be done at this point to, but we were not giving up.  We fought the last headwind of the day together, pushing each other to the finish.  We looped through the finishing shoot and each made silly poses (SG jumped and I did some silly pose with my nieces signature deuces).  I managed a 2:00:56 for the half.

Total time was 5:34:58 (12+ minute PR)

I even managed 3rd in my AG as 1st was actually 2nd female overall.

And who won the bike you ask..........

Well, he did by 4 FREAKIN' seconds.  It was a hard pill to swallow, but next time the Maillot Jaune is mine!!!!!

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Pre- Race for Rev 3 Half

So the summer has been all about the bike (contrary to what Lance's title book says -- hehe).  I had finally broken the 200 mile mark in a week of riding and had been pretty religious about getting out 3 or more times a week to ride.  I was also addicted to "Strava" and beating Roark on as many segments as possible.  That said when I was offered a FREE entry to the Rev 3 half I couldn't turn it down.

Not living near a lake and absolutely detesting running, due to the same old foot saga I had more than enough excuses to capitalize on the bike, except for the fact that I broke the joker on August 21st, just 2 days before my crash a year ago (it's pretty obvious I should not ride the joker this week in the future).

 Luckily, Roark would not allow me to go into withdrawals and had me on a road bike for the 2 weeks leading up to the race.

On Saturday morning, the day before the race, the joker was fixed.  It was better than ever and I longingly took it out for an albeit short 15 mile test ride in the morning before heading to Cedar Point.  Sitting on the joker felt like home and my legs felt great.  It took all I had not to "rip it" that morning and open 'er up.

We hit the expo first, so we could make the earlier mandatory athlete meeting.  There was lots of nervous energy and excitement in anticipation for tomorrow's race.  Rev had a green screen set-up this year for the athletes to have a little pre-race fun and we couldn't resist.  Tomorrow we would swim, bike run, but today we would bumper cars!!  We couldn't pass up the chance to do the "deuces" sign for my niece, G.

We then racked our bikes in transition for the evening.  I covered the seat and handlebars just in case as there was a chance of rain.  I also hoped treating the joker well the night before would assuage him to treat me well tomorrow (after barely 1 year I have been through more with that rotten S.O.B. than most people go through in a lifetime on a bicycle, including crashes, flats, broken parts, etc...).  We had suffered through a lot together and tomorrow I knew would be a sufferfest but hopefully not in vain.

We checked into the "spooktacular" hotel and took some silly photos before dinner.

Then we headed to Sortino's to meet Cash.  He was doing the full distance again.  There was a moment of sadness as I thought of DaisyDuc and how the 3 amigos had not been whole all summer (due to me, not racing) and the laughs of last year I had experienced with them.  She would not make it for my race tomorrow, but she would be there in time to drink beer and celebrate as we cheered Cash on through the miles of the marathon.

We jokingly, struck a pose similar to the year before and got SG to sub for Daisy.

2012 3 Amigos Whole & Full :)

There was a moment of confusion due to the photobomber (pay him no attention), but it all worked out in the end.

Sunday morning came all too fast for me as I slept like crap (maybe 3 hrs).  I took a hot shower in hopes of waking my butt up for the race, had some crappy coffee and (2) instant oatmeals before cracking my ankle on the end of the bed (then I was awake -- son of a b^tch did that hurt!!)

The humidity was high, but the wind was in full effect at 6:00am when we left the hotel.  It was way warmer than last year at this time of the morning.  We got to the race and started setting up our gear.  Roark was definitely more excited and nervous than me.  I knew my race would start with the bike and end with the bike the rest was just stuff I had to do in between like going to the bathroom, ultimately you want to pee, but before you do you have to find a toilet and sit down and then when you're done it's still not over because you have to wipe and wash your hands, but honestly all you really cared about was peeing!!  You get the drift.  There is always a moment of ten on racing morning when I think of pulling out of the race and DNSing.  I couldn't come up with any legit reason, so I left my bike racked until it was too late and they closed transition.

The swim got moved to the bay so I decided to drop shoes at the swim exit as the run would be 3-4 minutes being as it was somewhere around 0.3 miles to transition.  We were going to have to swim through the marina of boats on the right with rocks on our left and then beyond that the break wall would be a crap shoot if we would have calm waters.  I was also unfortunately, in the last wave and was going to have to fight my way through not only the water, rocks and boats, but also the slower swimmers.  The only good thing was it was a time trial swim start, 2 at a time every 3 seconds.  I lined up for the swim start with a girl named "Tara" who was nice enough to zip me up.  As we moved closer and closer to the front I thought "I hope these goggles don't leak, since we have no warm-up" and "just step out of line and DNS because this is gonna hurt a lot."  I got closer and closer to the water and held my ground until....