Liberty Tri Race Report

Date: Saturday, June 10, 2006
Location: Maple Plain, MN
Race: Olympic (Swim 1500m, Bike 40k, Run 10k)
Age Group: Female 30-35
Time: 2:38:02
Overall Place - women: 5 / 50
Age Group Place: 1 / 12
Results



Geoff and I arrived early, so we chatted with friends before the race. It was great to be back in Minnesota and see so many familiar faces. I really miss that. The morning air was brisk with a bite in it that continually remined me I was definitely not in warm Virginia. By the start of the announcements I finally decided to get into my wetsuit. I was smart this race - I used lots of body glide. Ready to go, and not nervous at all. I didn't do any race specific training, so my goal was to come here and have fun.

SWIM
The water was actually warmer then the air. Time to get in and stay in! As I stood waiting for my wave to leave, dreading the idea of getting out of the water and onto the bike all wet, I heard my name being called. I turned around and my parents snapped this picture. They made it to watch! Then before I knew it I was off. It turned out to be an easy swim. I wasn't sure how it would go as I haven't swam much lately. But I had no trouble getting into a rythem. I actually worked on drafting during the race since there was only one girl in front of me in my wave (thanks Maaike!) and I didn't have trouble keeping up. After a few bumps passing other swimmers I excited feeling great.

T1
In transaction I notice only one girl, but I didn't believe I could be second out of the water. I'm normally mid to last to get on my bike. I really not that good of a swim I thought. It was still cold out, so I decided to put on a long sleeve running shirt. (The only warm thing I brought from Virginia). What a nightmare, to put on a shirt when soaking wet. Finally I was ready and off to chase.

BIKE
Quickly I passed the first girl from my wave. This was a total new experience. I'm use to chasing, not being chased. I felt good on the bike. A bit tight. Fairly soon two girls came by me, but I didn't think anything of it, just stayed my same pace. (Next time: realize your in first and attempt to go with them!) The course was good until the last 6 miles when you had a direct headwind on rolling hills. Wow, I felt slow. By the end of the bike I had a third women pass me. Again all I checked was that she wasn't in my age group, that's it.

T2
Into T2 I heard my name being shouted. It was Susan who came to watch Geoff and I. Thanks Susan for coming out!! Transition was fairly fast, no problems besides the fact I had normal shoe laces and had to attempt tying them with cold hands. A bit slow.

RUN
As I ran out of transition I saw, could it be, my Sister! What a wonderful treat. It's the first time she's been able to come out and watch me race. Once seeing her, I got excited and picked up the pace. I put in a few good miles, and just tried to keep a decent pace although it was fairly hilly. Before I knew it I saw Geoff on his way back, then hit the turn around and headed back. Finish line in site, I sprinted it in and was meet by my great cheering crew.

All and all it was a great race. And Geoff did a wonderful job too. You can check him out at the results link.

Minnesota Time

I'm back in Minnesota! I flew in on Thursday and will be here for 2 1/2 weeks. At the airport we had so much luggage my parents brought two cars. Talk about having to bring some of everything - all 3 sports, bikes, work clothes, play clothes and dress clothes.

Doggie Trio

There are now three high energy dogs running around the house. They were all nice enough to sit for this picture because they knew if they behaved they got to go outside. In the pic left to right: Austin, Gabo, Genni. Gabo's an adorable german short haired pointer.

On Monday Elizabeth and her dog Gabo came to stay with us for a few weeks. She's finishing up her school year as a teacher here in Virginia before she joins her husband up in Philly at their new place. We're sad to see you guys go. :( I was going to say I didn't have a picture of Liz but I've got a wedding one last summer. Elizabeth has been nice enough to cook Geoff and I dinner each night. We are getting really spoiled.



Only other new thing is I had my first Conversations Partner get together. I started working with a program called Conversation Partners that pairs up volunteers with International students to help them work on their english conversation skills. Today was my first meeting with a wonderful lady from Japan. She's moved here to D.C a year ago and trying to work on her english skills. We plan to meet around 6 times over the summer and converse.

Exercise
Tuesday 6/06/06
30min swim, brick bike 1 1/2 hr speed work, 20min run
Monday 6/05/06
60min run hard
Sunday 6/04/06
hip injured so 2+ hr walk (planned on 10 mile run but skipped)
Saturday 6/03/06
off

Ramblings

I am felling tired. Too much exercise I think. I felt sooo sluggish on my run. Although the fact it was hot and humidity, and I felt dehydrated and hungry didn't help. Still time to take tomorrow off. We officially signed up for Liberty Tri in Minnesota for next weekend! The bike box arrived next week and the official packing starts.

Our financial class is done. We really liked one of they guys so we are going to meet with him and look at using him to help us plan for our future.

I got new pajamas for summer yesterday, but I forgot to get a bridal shower gift for tomorrow.



Exercise
Friday 6/02/06
30 min recover swim, 40 min run
Thursday 6/01/06
3 hr bike ride
Wednesday 5/31/06
brick - 1.2hr bike, 10min run
Tuesday 5/30/06
40 min swim
Monday 5/29/06
2 mile run, 3 hr bike

Memorial Weekend Madness

So isn't Memorial Day weekend suppose to be nice and relaxing. You even have a extra day to sit around in the sun? This weekend turned out to be a busy. So lots to write since I haven't posted lately.

Geoff and I headed up to Baltimore, MD for the Kelly Cup Bike Jam 2006 on Saturday. Our friend Chuck from Mpls was going to be there and had gotten us passes to the VIP tent to watch the pro's. I had the option to race as am amateur with the women cat 3 and 4, but opted for a mornig 5 mile run instead. I know it would have been great speed training, but the whole women's bike scene of strategy and opting for positioning with Cat 3's isn't my thing. At least that was my excuse driving up there. (The real reason was fear of getting dropped) When we got there Geoff ran off to get registered for his race and I watched the race I could have been in. It looking like fun! I was beginning to wish I had signed up. I wouldn't have bene dropped, well at least not right away. I'll have to put it on next year's list. Geoff raced well (pic of the start of his race), then we stood hung around getting lots of sun, burgers and bike race watching in. By the evening we were exhausted and ready to head home, as we had another full day tomorrow.

Sunday was the morning of the 2 mile Jim McDonnell Lake Swim in Lake Audubon see in the pic. Luckily we didn't have to be there until 8:30 am. Wow, tons of swimmers and triathletes swarming the place. After registering we wandered over to the CAT'S (That's our new triathlon club!! CATS= Capital Area Triathlon Club) tent, chatted some to the few people we knew, and started the time consuming event of putting on a wetsuit. Once squeezed into the tight, warm black rubber thing, it was time to go. Here we come lake, ready or not. The swim wasn't much shorter then the Ironman swim distance of 2.4 miles. So I took the first lap easy as planned, then having plenty of energy left I picked it up. By the last fourth I thought to myself, I don't have to bike or run after this so what am I saving my legs for? Time to kick it into gear! Finished in 59 min & 51 seconds. Just under an hour! Pace of 1:41 min/yrds. Fourth in my age group. Actually only 1 & 1/2 minutes off of first in my age group! Way better then I expected. Could that be, I haven't swam but four times this year? :)

Ah but we aren't done with Sunday yet. Right after the swim we rushed home and got ready to go the the Reston Bible Church picnic. We had decided to volunteer at the event which turned out to be a great way to meet people. Lots of food, fun, music and fellowship. By the time we got home at 7 pm we were exhausted and ready for air conditioning.

Monday morning was time for the Memorial Day Madness run with the Reston Runners. What a crazy group of people! Here's some of us getting ready for the team event. We had a great time. Lots of running around and water balloons. If the run wasn't enough exercise in the morning, Geoff wanted to head out for a bike ride, at my pace. So 1 pm at Monday we headed out into the 90 degree and very H O T day for a 3 hour ride. I'd call this the biggest training weekend I've had in a while and I was happy to be heading back to work on Tuesday.

Exercise

Sunday 5/28/06
2 mile lake swim
Saturday 5/27/06
5 mile run
Friday 5/26/06
? can't remember ?
Thursday 5/25/06
3500m swim practice, 30 min walk
Wednesday 5/24/06
75 min run
Tuesday 5/23/06
30 mile bike - sprints
Monday 5/22/06
off
Sunday 5/21/06
1 mile lake swim

New Books

I've got four new books last week:

• Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt & Stephen J. Dubnner
• Hope Again by Charles R. Swindoll
• The Four Seasons of Marraige by Gary Chapman
• Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan

It's time to read... Where's the rain when you need it?

Low Key Thursday

It's been a low key week and day. This mornings excitment included riding my old high school bike around town determining the best way to run to the dog park and track. Here's the best route. I notice the more I look, the more I find new sidewalks. They are in unusual places that suprise me. See the main roads don't always have sidewalks, but the neighborhoods do, tucked back between houses. Only 2 miles and the running track is 2 1/2!

Here is a picture of me and Geoff on the MS ride at about mile 80. Geoff suprised me and grabbed my hand. Thus the reason for the look on my face.

I debating whether I should join a gym. I miss taking yoga classes and doing weights. Tonights my second time at Masters Swim practice here. I need to get in the pool at again for that two mile swim I signed up to do on Sunday. Don't ask me why I didn't pick the 1 mile. Yikes. And I know one more swim practice, 3 days out won't make any different. It will just make my arms tired. :)

MS Bike Tour

On Saturday I did the Washington D.C. MS Bike Tour. Thanks Alex, Susan, Doug, Joe, and Dan for helping me raise money for the cause. My WWVC team included (left to right) Dominic, Chris, me and Geoff. We were quite the diversified team. :) The picture if after we completed the 100 mile trek.

Highlights

• All the aid stations- one every 12 miles. Wow, you can eat a ton on a 100 mile ride.
• Beautiful countryside. Picture biking on rolling hills, alongside vineyards and equastrian farms with the back drop of mountains.
• Completing my first century of the year and for a great cause too.
• Having good nutrition during the ride, so I was able to ride the whole 100 miles strong.
• Dropping the guys on the hills. The term 'guys' of course does not include Geoff. He could drop me in a second.

Lowlights

• All the aid stations. There was an excuse to stop every 12 miles. Luckily everyone on the team was up for only hitting every other station for a quick break.
• Not getting our team picture taken at the start.
• There were sooo many hills, big hills. I think we almost made it to the Apphalachian trail. The D.C. MS century might be harder then the Horrible Hilly 100 in Wisconsin??

Exercise
Saturday 5/20/06
100 miles
Friday 5/19/06
22 miles bike, 30 min walk
Thursday 5/18/06
75 min run, 25 mile bike, 3 mile hike
Wednesday 5/17/06
rest
Tuesday 5/16/06
30 mile bike - sprints
Monday 5/15/06
rest, 30 min walk
Sunday 5/14/06
45 min run
Saturday 5/13/06
30 mile bike - prep hill work for MS 100

Laura

Jen Visits - Twice

What a fun surprise I got last week (or was it already two weeks ago?). Jen called me and said she was coming to D.C. for work! The evening my parents left for Minnesota, Jen arrived. She wasn't able to stay long the next morning so we stayed up late and had some good conversation.

Then to my surprise three days later Jen's flight got cancelled when she was heading back home. So Geoff and I picked her up and she stayed here again. It was another night getting caught up on all that had happened. And lots had happened! Good luck with all your decisions Jen, let me know what you decide. :)


It's was a bad exercise week. I have no idea why.

Exercise
Friday 5/12/06
Run
Thursday 5/11/06
Umm.. Climbed the stairs? Chatted w/Jen?
Wednesday 5/10/06
30min hike, 20 min run
Tuesday 5/9/06
Swim 3500m - 1 1/2 hrs
Monday 5/8/06
Nada.

Masters Swim Time Again

I finally got to my first masters practice out here in Virginia. I know, it took me 2 months to get there but hey I've had lots of visitors. Geoff wasn't up for swimming, so I took the three mile drive over to the pool on my own for the 8pm start. As I walked into the women's locker room, the women getting ready turned, sized me up, then ignored me. So I quickly changed and headed out to the pool thinking, not exactly the friendliest bunch of people but maybe others will be more friendly.

Once in the pool area, I was waiting for practice to start. Person after person were coming into the pool area. I'd say there was at least 50 people there to swim. Tons of buff women (they looked serious) and older men (they didn't look nearly as serious). I though could this be? 50 people-one pool. Is there a second pool hidden somewhere? Where were all the triathletes I'm use to? But I stuck with it and searched out the coach to get a lay of the pool. He was very helpful and pointed me to a lane to join.

The swim wasn't too eventful so I won't go into much detail except I only had a small idea what was going on. I knew it was IM night so that was good. But each coach seems to have their own cryptic abbreviations that I didn't understand. So I just swam along some where in the middle of the line of NINE people. Yep, that's right. NINE people in one lane! It actually worked out much better then I expected it too. As long as you got behind someone faster then you (or lead), then you still have a challenge. By then end, 3500 meters later my arms were putty and I was feeling great.

Wedding Bells

We have officially decided on a date and location for our wedding! Our wedding date is next spring.

May 5th, 2007


The wedding is going to be at the Briar Patch B&B located in Middleburg, Virginia about 20 miles away from where we currently live. We decided on the Briar Patch because we loved the idea of something small, intimate, outside, and where family and friends could stay the weekend and enjoy each others company.

http://www.briarpatchbandb.com/BriarPatchBrochure.pdf

Both Parents Visiting

Both my parents are now visiting. :) My Dad came into town Thursday to hang out before they headed back to the Twin Cities on Monday. Today we headed to the Air and Space Museum. The museum was very well done and I'd suggest it to anyone. We saw the Enterprise Space Shuttle (test model) and hundreds of planes. Here's few pictures from different activites over the last week:

Mom, Dad, Geoff & I in front the the SR-71 Blackbird.

Mom & I biking on the George Washington Trail on Tuesday.

Hiking in Fredrick, MD with Geoff, Mom & the pups last Sunday.

Yesterday Geoff and I headed out for a long bike ride with some of his cycling buddies. I've scaled back my exercise routine since my Mom's been here, so it was nice to get out. We were out for 3 1/2 hours, at a nice pace, with some good hills to get the heart rate jumping. I'm going to try and start documenting my exercise. So I'm making up for the last week.

Exercise
Sunday 5/7/06
Nothing
Saturday 5/6/06
56 Mile bike ride - 3 1/2 hrs
Friday 5/5/06
18 holes of golf - 4 hrs walking
Thursday 5/5/06
Rollerblading w/dogs - 30 mins
Wednesday 5/4/06
Walk - 40 mins
Tuesday 5/4/06
Bike ride - 2 hrs
Monday 5/3/06
off
Sunday 5/2/06
Hiking in Fredrick, Md - 2 hrs
Saturday 5/1/06
90 min run

Camping Whim

Last Thursday my mom and I decided to go camping down in southern Virginia in the George Washington National Forest. About three hours south of D.C. We were heading that way anyways to visit a friend. So why not throw in the camping gear and make a night of it too?

We got up at 6am Thursday morning, packed the car and took off for Lynchberg, VA. After much driving and a sore neck, we arrived, chatted for some time (5 hours!) then off to the Sherando Lake park. It was a great time. Well except for the guy that drove by twice, slowly, late at night and scared us enough to jump ship and move our campsite in the dark (we forgot a flashlight) next to the host campsite. Once we moved and got help from another campsite we relaxed and curled up in our sleeping bags and laughed about it. Doesn't exactly make you want to camp huh? No really, it was fun!

Since we stayed overnight we were able to hike that evening the next morning for four hours in the moutains. Fabulous view and perfect weather. It was great mother-daughter time! Here's a pic of my mom with the moutains in the background.

Laura

My Mom

My mom flew in on Monday to stay and visit for two weeks!! Yipee!

Yesterday we set out on our bikes towards Home Depot to get a shovel. Four hours, three stops later we had a shovel, saw some sights, and made it back home. We are sunburn, but happy as ever and ready to plant the Hosta's my mom brought from MN. It was a picture perfect day outside and today is suppose to be the same.

Today's agenda - long run this morning, then BBQ with Geoff's family in the evening.

Triathlon Whim

Kinetic Quarter Triathlon
Swim - 1/6 of a mile, Bike - 30 miles, Run - 6.5 miles
http://www.set-upinc.com/rp5/KineticQuarter/kinquarter.shtml

Just as the 1/2 marathon whim started, so did the triathlon whim. I haven't done any serious training since my Ironman days due to my IT band injury. But the idea of racing this weekend sounded appealing. I was excited about seeing where I was without much training.. I knew my swimming would be really bad as I've swam only once this year (that was on Wednesday). My biking was doing good, and my running way behind.

Before I knew it, the plan was for Kelly (Wozzy from Triathlete.com site) to fly in on Friday and the three of us (Geoff, Kelly & I) to head down and register for the Kinetic Half Triathlon, the day before the race. Kelly was suppose to do the collegiate nationals tri in Reno, but knew the swim was going to be cancelled so opted to fly out and race with us. Good decision Kelly! Here we are sitting on the couch.

Things I learned at the race:

• There's a reason for training.
• I angle left when swimming, which is definitely away from the buoys.
• If you struggle to take off your wetsuit in the water, volunteers will help you out whether you want it or not.
• Spending the extra time to put on a long sleeve jersey can be difficult in the pouring rain but was a life saver on the bike.
• Thirty miles feels really long when biking hard, in the the rain, without enough training.
• Never try a flying dismount in the rain on a down hill. It could hurt. Hope your bruises and shoulder are feeling better Kelly.
• Staying within myself seemed like a great idea during the race as I was there for fun, but sucks after when you missed getting an award by one.

Well I did it! Here we are after the race. I completed my first triathlon in over 2 1/2 years. Can you believe it's been that long since the start of my IT band injury. Last two years I did a few relays and races (knowing I would drop out), but never finished all three events. I'll get the results tomorrow, but I thinkI finished 4th in my age group. Kelly took 2nd overall for women and Geoff 25th. They did awsome! As for me, this was my first time racing and not getting a award but who cares. I'm excited to be back and running full steam again and ready to train. Thanks for getting me out there and excited about training again!

Geoff's race report:
http://www.triathlete.com/msg.php?id=28736

Laura