BFAST #1 and #2 Combo RR

Yes...still slacking on the blog thing. Consequently, I have 2 race reports to write. On May 18th I did my first Tri of the year: the BFAST sprint in Mayport. Not being in the best of shape, expectations were set low. Either way I was happy to be out there at the beach AND racing. Who wouldn't be happy to race in this paradise?

 

Race #1: Minus a 30 minute late start, the race overall went pretty well. I went out hard knowing that red-lining would be key to being successful. The swim was uneventful and a little chilly. After exiting the water, I learned I was in 4th place OA. I picked off a girl and transition and was off on the bike. The bike was a 2 loop course around the Mayport Naval Base with lots of tight turns. I picked off another girl on the bike and quickly moved into 2nd. My heart rate was a little higher than I would have wanted but they call it a sprint for a reason! Towards the end of the bike another girl flew passed me. I wasn't about to even try to hang given my current state or lack of bike fitness.

 As I entered transition, I could see the 2 girls in front of me starting the run. I went out hard but not hard enough to catch them. I ended up 3rd overall which later turned into 2nd after some penalties were added. Still 3rd to me.... Despite my lack of confidence, I was happy with a 3rd OA finish to start 2013 tri racing:)

  

Race #2: (this past weekend) This race was the same exact course as race #1 and part dos of the series. 2nd Round I told myself I'm in much better shape than round 1! Although I'm usually super excited to race, I found myself in a huge mental funk the night before and just feeling very "over" doing this race.  Very strange for me.... To make matters worse, I was having technical difficulties fixing a rear flat tire. With a combination of starting-a-new job stress and inability to fix my tire, I started to convince myself that I wasn't going to go. I think part of it was not having my husband here to help me with my technical difficulties... Hello damsel in distress.

I woke up the next day, put my girl pants on, and showed up to race. Round 2 went very similar to round 1 with the same 2 other girls. This time we duked it out and all finished within a minute of each other. Minus the swim which was double the distance advertised, I dropped over 3 minutes from Round 1. Now if I could just drop my transition times, I might have a chance to make up that minute.... Either way it was fun hanging out with and meeting these fast ladies :)

And ultimately, I'm happy I snapped out of my mental funk. That was a first for me. Has this happened to you before? Did you still race?

Florida Race Report

I was pretty ambitious heading into IMFL with a goal time of breaking that 11 hr barrier. With my current training and new coach, I thought it was realistic and achievable. Although I didn't reach my goal, I did shave off a solid half hr from my previous IM PR.

The race went something like this...

I spent pre-race finally meeting up with my teammate Kristin. I did the usual bag drop off, porta-potty lines, and kissed my loved ones good bye.

Swim

Goal time: 1:00-1:05

The waves were definitely a little kicked up on race day. I went out hard per coaches orders. The first loop was the usual brawl. With the chop and battle with the other swimmers,  I chilled out on the second loop and coasted in. Knowing how long of a day it would be, I felt like a was red-lining a little early.

First loop:31:27

Second loop:35:15

Actual: 1:06:42 (The chilling "out" clearly reflected in my second loop. *oops way slow)

T1-5:04

With a history of having excessive transition times in 140.6 distance races, I made a solid effort to keep T- times to a minimum. Anybody who has done this race before knows how crazy long T1 is from the run from the beach to the bags and then back into the hotel. 

Bike

Goal: 5:40 

Esperanza excited for her debut 140.6!

I went out onto the bike with the goal of nailing my nutrition plan and keeping my HR where I needed it to be. With my wheel switch out, I would be power-tap-less. Despite my efforts to go out easy, my HR was off the charts from the start. This trend continued until the first hr. After that I settled in and stuck to my plan. It was very disheartening to see peleton after peleton pass me. I knew Chloe would hopefully catch some of them red-handed :) Other than the excessive drafting, the bike was pretty uneventful.

I accidentally forgot to pick up my Powerbar energy chews at the bike special needs but made up for the calories on the course. Total nutrition was 7 salt tabs, 8.5 bottles (2.5 water, 6 infinite), 5 hr energy, and 6 gels (powerbar chocolate, cafe latte, and kona punch). Despite sticking to my nutrition plan to the T, I was a little worried as I didn't have to pee on the bike. The temperatures were definitely rising and I just shrugged it off.

Real Time: 5:44:11 I will take it!

T2: 2:55
Big improvment!

Run: 
Goal 4:00 

I headed out on the marathon feeling pretty good. I went out around 8:30 pace keeping my HR only 5 beats over what it was on the bike. My HR was cooperating and I just went with it. The first few miles flew by but as we approached St. Andrews Park the sun started beating down. After a few times of burping up/slightly vomiting my previous gels I knew it was coke time. As we exited the park and hit the next aid station, I began the coke-water routine. I felt better immediately. As we returned to the finish for loop one of 2 I caught glimpse of Chloe, Scott, and my mom. I was instantly energized. Scott told me that I was outpacing the next few girls in my AG and I had to keep it under 9s if I wanted to pass them and have a chance at the podium. Despite my best efforts and although I was passing people left and right, my pace was fading. I tried my best to pick it up after mile 20. There was nothing left until I hit mile 24. Those last 2 miles on the IMFL course woke me up and brought me home quickly. The end time was still far from pretty but close to a 20 minute improvement from IMTX.

Actual Time: 4:17:54

Total: 11:17:54

I gave it all I could. No -11 hour breaking today but still a pretty large 30 minute PR....

After getting cleaned up, we went back to the finish line to cheer in the final racers. We turned the finish line into a bud-a-rita dance party with Chloe. (In my opinion-the best part of the race)

We spent the final morning enjoying one last beach day and saying our farewells. Until next year.... (as a draft marshall lol)

Esperanza's First AG Win

Esperanza, my new QR recently earned me an AG win in Sandestin Fl. With absolutely no taper and training through this one, I had no idea what would happen. Either way it went something like this: (abbreviated version because I'm late)

Swim(1/2mile)-We were the first heat and my coach said go out HARD (like your hardest 100 interval hard). It felt weird but I said ok! And it SOOO worked as I was the 2nd lady out of the water and 3rd out of my heat of 30-34 somethins. Felt crazy beating all of the boys! Definitely -literally swimming in uncharted territory. Final time 14:44 (almost 2 min improvement from last year)

Bike (20 miles)-Minus some Garmin mount problems where I sacrificed time over losing my Garmin Edge 500, Esperanza's first ride was like a dream on the smooth Florida roads. Time 52:51 (20 sec faster than last year and 22.7 mph ave)

Run (4miles)-This was so-so. I averaged around 7s and thought I could have gone a little harder.  Training fatigue definitely set in. With my current training volume, it was over before I knew it.Time 28:15. (2 min faster than last year and 7:03 pace). 

Immediately post race, I changed my shorts and threw on some socks. My training day was not over! Post race I went out and did another 5 miles in the heat. First time I have ever had to do train literally straight through a race. Definitely not the most fun thing but you gotta do whatcha gotta do. And obviously my improvements from last year are already showing me that my hard work is paying off (and my coach rocks!)

After my sluggish 5 miler, I cleaned up and hit up the beach Rev3 shimmer style.  Chloe and I scored some well deserved frosty beverages. I was definitely done after one margarita.

The next day I was supposed to do another 4-5 hr ride. With a 140.6 on the horizon, I thought it would be smart to hit up the IMFL course with Chloe. Despite looming rain and t-storms we tried to make it happen. About 90 min in the ride with torrential downpours we called it. Way too dangerous to be riding during this stuff.... Sorry Coach.

Another fun weekend with one of my bestie triathletes and of course a great way to celebrate my 7th anniversary! (Thank you Scott for allowing me to celebrate my wedding anniversary triathlon style)!