Memphis in May 5150 Triathlon

 The Memphis in May Sprint triathlon was my first triathlon of the 2012 season and in the 30-34 Age group (even though I don't turn 30 til the end of the year).  I made the 400 mile drive to Memphis the day before the race, missing out on IronGirl Atlanta this year, to seek out a more competitive field.  The race was held at Harrah's Casino - Tunica, and promised a flat and fast bike and run.

Swim - This was my first time doing a time trial start, where you line up by number and start an athlete every three seconds. I was the last one in my AG to start (of course they did it alphabetically).  Despite being nearly pulled under water by and older man I was passing, and the muddiest swim I've experienced, I came out of the water in 9:28 for what my watch said was 0.43 miles, 8th in my AG. 

my tri top after the race, turned brown on the inside from the muddy water swim

T1 - 44 seconds (second fastest) 

Bike- I went on to make quite a few rookie mistakes getting out on the bike course.  Despite plenty of practice getting into and out of my shoes while they are already clipped on the bike, I first, couldn't get my right foot in my shoe (see pic) and then,  the rubber band holding my left shoe up-right didn't break.  I had to reach down and break it and of course get snapped.  Fantastic.  Next, I forgot to check that my helmet was adjusted to go onto my head and it was too tight (see the crooked helmet above) so had to adjust my helmet while riding too.  Not off to the best start, but once I got going I was able to hold a steady 20mph for the 13 mile ride.  My time of 38:22 was the 5th fastest in my AG.

my bike split - small elevation change and fairly consistent speed around 20mph

T2 - 0:46,  fastest T2 in my field

Run - Since the race didn't start until 8am, we were all feeling the heat by the time we got the run.  It was about 90 degrees.   After being injured and not racing in so long, only one or two bike-run bricks, I didn't know what to expect.  I ran a 20:40 (6:55/mile).  Far from my best, but just enough to move up in the field as others were hurting in the heat just as much, or maybe more, than I was.  Two of the overall women were in the 30-34 AG which moved me up to 2nd place from 4th, and a top 10 finish overall in 9th.

Women 30-34,   3rd, 2nd, 1st.

With Endurance Concepts, Cadence Bikes and Multisports teammate, Thomas P. (1st M20-24)

Really, I had a great time out there.  It's nice to get out there and remember what all the training is for, and have it come together, even if it wasn't perfect.  It was a decent race, and a lot of fun.  I made the right choice to skip IronGirl this year as the winning time in my AG was 1:45.  My 1:33 last year would have put me more than 10 minutes ahead of the next competitor.  Also, it helped that my Mother was there to cheer me on, as well as my Cousin Laura and their friend Tammi who drove up from Louisiana to watch the race and cheer us on.  Best of all, this was the third race I got to do with Charles.  

Charles broken ankle

About 5 weeks ago Charles was on a trail run when he mis-stepped and refractured an avulsion fracture in his left ankle from last season.  But nothing like a broken ankle will stop Charles, he had already signed up to do the race with me in Memphis and was determined to do it.  He'll never admit to this - but I think his unusually high tolerance for pain is a big part of what makes him such a great triathlete.  

He competed not only in the sprint race on Saturday, but came back to do the Olympic distance race on Sunday (part of the amateur challenge).  Charles combined times from both days placed him as one of the top 15 amateur athletes in the field, winning him a cash prize!  Congrats Charles!   Charles went on to take 1st place M30-34 in the Pelican Fest Triathlon in Colorado the next weekend.  

We are hoping to raise some money for our trip to the World Championships this fall in Auckland New Zealand.  I will be competing in the Aquathlon, and Charles will be competing in the Aquathlon and Olympic Distance Triathlon for Team USA.  The combined cost for our plane tickets there is a staggering $3200.  Charles is currently ranked #1 in the USA in Aquathlon AG M30-34!! See his pic in the ranking issue of USATriathlon Magazine.  

I'm so excited for another chance at international level competition!

A look at what travelling for races is like.  GEAR EVERYWHERE!

Quick Rachel update:  She just won a gym membership for 2 years from a raffle, awesome!!  She's keeping up the walking and moving towards the 5k goal!  Go Rachel!

Meet my friend, Rachel

I've been friends with Rachel since 6th or 7th grade.  She's not training to go to the World Championships.  She's not even training to go to the National Championships.  Nope, nothing like that.  Rachel, is going to walk a 5k.

Analise, Rachel, Laura, Jess, in 2006

Currently my dear friend tips the scales around 400lbs.  Having struggled with weight her entire life, at least since I've known her, changing to a healthy life style will no doubt be very difficult.  But that's why she is such an inspiration to me.   Rachel has made the commitment to walk everyday.  In the next few weeks she's going to work her way up to 3.1 miles and complete a 5k, with the number and everything!

Step 1 for Rachel, and for anyone who is going to start walking/jogging is getting the right pair of shoes.  She went to Fleet Feet in Buffalo where they guided her to Brooks Adrenaline shoes.   Before getting into the right pair shoes, Rachel was in pain after walking for only short distances.  Having the right shoes will be life changing for Rachel.

Brooks Adrenaline shoes, size 9, width 4E,
an important tool for Rachel's health and weight-loss goals! 

She's already worked her way up to over 2 miles and has that 5k in sight.    She's made changes like walking to and from meetings with friends, and replacing burgers with salads.   So, let's all watch Rachel as shes strides towards her new healthy lifestyle.  One step at a time, one day at a time.  You can do it Rach!
 

Rachel, making her move in her new shoes!

So, what's your excuse, get out and get active.  So stay tuned to the blog for updates on Rachel's progress over the next weeks and months to come.  

Analise, Rachel, Laura at Festival International de Louisiane, April, 2012

Later this week I'll be posting about my recent race, the Memphis in May Sprint Triathlon.

May Update

First of all, I apologize for not writing in so long, and I thank all of you who have asked me to start writing again.  And it's about time!  My season begins next week with the Memphis in May Sprint Triathlon.  I'm very excited for this race as I have made a lot of changes since last year.

First of all, I joined the Endurance Concepts Racing team and have been working with a new coach since October, Head Coach, Dan Arnett.  This season I will also be representing one of our partners, Cadence Bikes and Multisport.   So, for my training, Coach Dan works hard to make sure that training for triathlons fits into your schedule if you work a lot.  I have been working on my dissertation and sometimes finding the time and energy for training can be difficult.  But to counter that, I do almost all of my training first thing in the morning, then am done for the day to work, tutor, etc.

My typical training week:

Monday - 6am, Masters swim class at Dynamo Masters, Triathletes, and  Fitness Swimming (recovery day)
Tuesday - 6am, Spinsanity, a group cycling class based on power and cadence training with the coach and other team members
Wednesday -6am, Masters Swim Class, followed by a Run, usually a shorter distance (4-6 miles)  lactate stacker workout.
Thursday - 6am, Spinsanity  (sometimes make this a brick = bike+run)
Friday - 6am, Masters Swim, followed by 'short' run with speed work.
Saturday - 730am, 2+ hour group ride.
Sunday - Long run, base building and endurance, typically 8+ miles.

One of the places I expect to see big changes this season is my swim.  I have been going to Masters swimming now 3 times a week since October and been lucky enough to have a great swim coach, Maria T., tear apart my terrible swimming form.  Though I don't expect to be drastically faster in the swim, I am much more efficient (with lots more work and improvement to do!).  I didn't realize how much energy I was wasting in the swim with such improper form.  Other benefits I get from masters swimming is circle swimming with a group.  When you are leading a line of swimmers, or desperately trying to stay on the feet of the person swimming ahead of you, you will push yourself harder than when you go at it alone.  I know my friends Katie and Rob's feet too well!!  but I do miss swimming with Karen C, my training partner from last season (love you girl!)    

The bike is still my weakness.  One change I've made here is working with my cadence.  When I first attached a cadence meter to my bike I realized that my cadence was pretty low.  To be able to get off the bike and run, your cycling cadence and running cadence should be nearly the same.  Now I strive to keep my cycling cadence around 90rpm, like my running 90 strides per minute which makes my body more prepared to make the transition from one sport to the next.

Riding in Boulder, Co

My run.  Still my favorite of the three.  I've had a slight set back with an injury that prevented me from running for nearly 6 weeks.  My ankle starting bothering me in January, for no specific reason that I can recall. I continued to run on it for a while until knee and hip pain followed.  I finally had to stop running and get treatment.  I've been working with Dr. Josh Glass at Georgia Sports Chiropractic.  He specializes with runners and works with the US Olympic track team, so I am in good hands.    I'm back to running for up to an hour now and expect it come back quickly.

Here's to a great season ahead!!    With this years grand finale held in Auckland, New Zealand.  I can only imagine it will be much easier to get around there than China, since they speak English!  But I am excited to continue my trek around the globe, and go to the Southern Hemisphere for the first time.