Gulf Coast 70.3 or 69.1: Sub 5 of Bust

As I checked out the Panama City beach Friday afternoon after my pre-race workouts, I wasn't too optimistic about the swim happening. I visit Panama City frequently. Minus a hurricane that I experienced from evacuating New Orleans, the waves were a little bigger than the usual calm, blue-green gulf that I'm used to. I opted to skip my pre-race swim.

Like I predicted, late the next day we all later learned the swim was cancelled. This being a smaller race and not a qualifier my only really big goal for the year was to break 5 hours in the 70.3 distance. With the cancelled swim and 20mph+ gusts, today was not going to be the day.

I tried to re-focus and just go out there with a positive attitude and enjoy the day. I went out hard on the bike averaging 24-26mph and knowing that I would be fighting a beast coming back. With being the 2nd wave to start, it was nice just having ladies to pass. At the start, I was picking off girls left and right. It was also very easy to see where I stood in my AG. The first half of the course was a breeze mostly because of the killer tail wind. The other half let's just say was demoralizing. After being passed by another Jax girl, I figured I was 2nd in my AG.  There were a few other ladies that I went back and forth with from other age groups and towards the end a few guys who passed me. Nutrition was my usual 3 gels, 3 bottle Perform, and 1 bottle water. The last half of the course going back down 79 and then back along the beach along the huge hotels was just plain brutal.

I went onto the run thinking I was top 2-3 peeps. Unlike Haines City, the I cranked out the first few miles in 7:30's with ease. I did pass one girl in my age group. Despite early success, the battle with the wind set in my legs and my pace slowed dramatically.  I continued to slow more and more and more. The last mile yet another girl came along that I passed earlier.  I had no fight mentally or physically left in me.

In the end, I was 2nd AG after one girl placed OA and the other landed some pretty heavy drafting penalties. Going into the race less than a month after Haines City was probably not the smartest thing either more mentally than physically.

Although no WC slot for me and no sub-5, I know that I'm not in the right place mentally to continue to push through with the long stuff. After Haines City, I came to the realization that I CAN qualify for Worlds. I am finally performing at THAT level. I know I can. I seriously tossed around the idea of giving it one more shot to make it to Canada. In the end, I'm listening to my heart and mind and giving myself a break from the longer stuff for now.

There will be a time to go to Worlds and crush 5 hours. The time is not now. But now more than ever, I believe in myself and know that I am closer than I ever have been before. As for now, bring on some short stuff, CrossFit, and bring back life into living!

BFAS Race Report

Usually the normal recovery for me for a 70.3 is 1-2 weeks. After the swim was cancelled last weekend at Gulf Coast, I felt shorted! I checked the weather forecast, made sure my recovery was going well, and decided last minute to sign up for the 1st of 3 for the BFAS sprint series in Mayport, Florida. What's a sprint triathlon compared to the normal weekend hours logged for a 70.3? Walk in the park right? Racing 1 week post 70.3 was not the smartest idea I've ever had but in the end things worked out quite alright! With my long season coming to a close, what did I have to lose?

Without going into too many boring race report details, I went out hard and went to have fun! The day started with one of prettiest sunrises I've seen in awhile:

Despite the swim being washing machine-esque with chop/difficult sighting and some intense winds on the bike, the race was perfect! I exited the water with one pink cap or other woman in front of me who I later passed in T1. After that I was passing the boys! I wasn't sure how the legs would respond but there was definitely some gas left in the tank after 6 months of heavy 70.3 training. I felt some residual fatigue toward the end of the whopping 16 miles but otherwise was good to go. Going onto the run, I caught a glimpse of my friend Betsy who I figured was about a minute behind.

Just drop a quick 5k and you are done I told myself! Again-- I wasn't sure how the legs would respond. With logging lots of high mileage-slower stuff, I had no idea if the fast gear would work. Thankfully the legs responded nicely with 6:45s-7s. I caught of a glimpse of Betsy and another girl near the turn around who looked really strong. With less than a mile to go, I prayed I could hold on. Thankfully I did with a minute to spare.

Wattie Ink (Drew) and Betty Designs brought home the "W" and looks like Jacksonville Orthopedic Institute PTs representing!

Sigh.... Oh does it feel good to be back to the short stuff :)

2014 Plan

Ragnar Ultra Relay Miami-Key West

Wildman Triathlon-March 15th

Florida 70.3-April 13th 

Gulf Coast Tri 70.3-May 10th 

Tri Jax Series 

Siesta Beach Triathlon-June 29th

Destin Tri 

Rev3FL 


Will I see you at any of these races? 
As for sponsors, I unfortunately won't be rocking the Rev3. Although I have thoroughly enjoyed representing what I believe is the best race series out there, I wanted to give the torch to somebody new. With my new job, my husbands deployments, and physically being far away from most of the races, I didn't want to commit to something that I can't deliver 110%. Talk about a tough team to leave :( The rev3 peeps will still always be near and dear to my heart. 

In other news, I will be representing a new brand that I've been a fan of for years....

Betty Designs!!!!
So excited to be part of such a bad a$$ group of girls who are both stylist and fast! 

And as for coaching, I am stoked to back with one of my high school friends and now pro triathlete-Chad Holderbaum. 


I am getting excited for next year, how about you? 

Final Countdown

My longest week of NOLA 70.3 training is done! You know what that means? It's taper time my friends!

(View my my ride last week)

Although I'm not a huge fan of the taper, the much needed extra time will be devoted to my final thesis/research project for physical therapy school. I think I'd rather be training.

In between training, scrambling to finish my 50 plus page paper, studying for my boards, job searching, and oh yes my full time clinical I've managed to squeeze in one of these:

A nap with the best napping buddy ever....

And have rewarded myself with some sick new gear.... I think Chloe got me hooked.

Regardless I'm on the final stretch. I will be back soon my friends! The countdown begins:

5 weeks until I finish my Doctorate of Physical Therapy!

3 weeks until the New Orleans 70.3

2 weeks left of my year long clinical affiliation

1 week until my thesis is due

Maybe I should stop procrastinating :) Have a great week everyone.