Well, that is a BORING title, isn’t it!  It is now mid-July and I am about 1 month post Eagleman 70.3 and have been lucky enough to race 2x since Eagleman.  I wanted to do some fun, local races before I started to do the build for Hawaii.  One of the best things about short course training is you get to race all the time.  With the Ironman, I actually have to train A LOT….umph.

The weekend after Eagleman was a local sprint that is one of my favs.  I am good friends with the RD and it is in my back yard and in the lake where co-run the open water swim events every week.  I was not all that excited about racing a Sprint 6 days post Eagleman — and on ice cream, hamburgers and fries all week — but, it turned out OK.

I raced Elite (I love it when local races have a separate wave, just so much safer!) and was the first person (male or female) out of the water – that was fun.  I just worked so hard on not letting any guy pass me, that lasted…oh, not even 1 mile!  But, I felt like ass on the bike.  And, this course is out and back so I got to look at my competition as I turned around.  Not always the most exciting thing to do when you are flat flat flat, but I was able to rally and get into T2 in the lead.  Ironically, my average watts were lower at the Sprint than they were at my 1/2 IM.  Got onto the run and felt good, but did the STUPIDEST thing ever.  I took a wrong turn and ended up running over 90″ longer.  All of a sudden the ring road I was on re-joined the main race and there were the girls coming – SHIT!   I really did not want to have to dig deep, but I had to dig to put a gap on them again. (My instructions were:  “do the least amount of work you have to to win.”)  Silly me.  I can do this course in my sleep…!!  Anyway, I managed to keep my lead and win overall and with a faster time than last year even with my detour!

After my local sprint, I just put in some time training.  It was time to start to pick things up a notch and get reunited with some longer riding – nothing too long now – but some quality and heat.  Jerome and I even made a trip on the 4th of July morning to ride the IM Wisconsin course.  No matter how many times I ride that course (and it is A LOT), it kicks my ass every time.

This past weekend was one of those insane weekends with kid’s activities.  I was watching my niece Friday /sleepover and then camp pick up Saturday, One Direction concert with Morgan on Saturday (thanks to my sister who helped me out a TON – best.sister.ever)…I so badly wanted to race this past weekend.  I had 2 options with Evergreen Lake 2 hours away on Saturday and a local race 20 minutes away on Sunday.  Neither was perfect….and I was not going to race.  But, I just could NOT get it out of my mind….and my gut was telling me to race before I really get too deep in my Hawaii training.  So, I decided to just “wing it” on Sunday.  I would not get too much sleep the night before and I would jump into the local OLY race.  I also wanted to race because I had a large group of friends and athletes racing and it was a great time to be with everyone socially.

I got home from the 1Direction concert after 12am and was up by 4:30am, so it stung bad…but you know what?  Except for a higher HR I could feel – even in the swim – I was OK.  I was not sharp, but I was OK.  The water was hotter than a$$ at definitely over 78F degrees, but *of course* the RD said it was 78F and let athletes wear wetsuits.  UGH…..so I melted in my wetsuit and had to manage not over-heating AND not losing sight of Mary Bradbury who is a great swimmer.  I knew if I could keep that gap under 90″ I would be in a good position.  It is fun to actually have someone in front of me in the swim – I am always used to being chased.  SO fun for me to chase on Sunday.  I ended up catching Mary around mile 8-9 on the bike and then just held there and ate, drank and then passed Mary.  We came into T2 together and then I took some extra time in T2 because it was HOT and I needed to get my HR down a bit….so I did that and then passed Mary and ran steady to win the race overall.

FUN times!  I love racing locally & never take for granted a win.  I was coming down the finishing chute and said, “enjoy…enjoy this…”  I take nothing for granted anymore.

Here is a picture that Scott (Mary’s husband) took of me racing.  Look at those blue skies (another thing I do not take for granted living here!):

And, now I am done racing for a bit.  I am doing Pigman 1/2 IM in the middle of Iowa in mid-August…I was trying to find a local race that is as much like Kona as possible.  Pigman is notoriously hot, windy and similar to Kona.  It is actually where I did my 1st Half Ironman back in the day.  I am looking forward to racing Pigman again – hope it is not wetsuit legal and as hot as a$$.

With that being said, I decided NOT to race USAT SC Nationals.  I really wanted to and really REALLY like that OLY distance (and it is in Milwaukee – a great course for me), but I just cannot do it all.  Well.  So, I will focus on long course (dumba$$) and do Pigman and then Kona.

I am heading off to Tucson on Sunday.  The twins are at their annual Summer Camp get away with their cousins and since I can work anywhere – I am going to head to more heat and some quiet time down in Tucson for next week.  Looking forward to some major heat, hills and a break in my daily routine here at home!

Sorry, in advance, this is so long!

I was so excited to race.  The family and I headed out to Eagleman 70.3 to race, for what would be my 8th time.  We drove 12 hours to Philly to visit with Jerome’s parents and then after a couple of days visiting with them, Jerome and I drove to Cambridge, Maryland to race.

I did not race Eagleman last year.  I decided I needed to step away from the race after I had a complete and utter meltdown on that course in 2011.  Sometimes we all just need to know when to walk away and re-group.  I did that and was determined to come back in 2013 ready to mix it up again.

I have had a great block of training leading into EM.  I was rested (which is critical) and I was strong – fit and ready.  I was mentally on my game.  Two weeks ago I did a hard & long indoor bike in oppressive heat (at my doing) in my basement and then turned around and ran a course PR at a local 10 miler this next morning….with my last mile being sub 6:30.  I knew I was ready.  It was my race to win or lose.

I went to Eagleman with one goal — To be in the TOP 3 in my AG and Masters.  I had NO idea who was going.  I never once looked at the Start list or anything from previous years.  It just doesn’t matter.  I cannot control any of that.  All I could control was getting myself ready and mentally up for racing.  AND especially if it was going to be hot.  EM is always hot and windy and just HARD.

Race day it was beautiful.  I little humid, yes, but temps did not get over 80F.  It was perfect and the wind was minimal – a RARE nice day in Cambridge.  I knew it was going to be a fast, head to head race day.  Me pre-race in my thoughts…

My race plan that I put together for EM was pretty simple.   I have been SO HOT at the swim at Eagleman that I am overly hot and my HR too high to start the bike – so my goal this year was to have a pedestrian swim.  Really.  I started out in the front of the AG and with only one gal (Jen S-M!) in front me, I put my swim on auto-pilot and just went easier.  I had to make sure I did not ruin my race in the swim.  I knew I could do this because I knew where I was in the swim and knew strategically I had to just relax.  I was freaking out a little bit because I felt like I was swimming at IM effort, but I kept telling myself, “patience grasshopper.”  (really?)  I usually like to race this distance MUCH faster than I did but in the end, this was the right decision.  Came out of the water 2nd with 3rd, 4th and 5th all right there.  And, hot in the water for sure, but no overheating that has plagued me before.

Onto the bike –>  I let everything calm down but I could not believe how GOOD I felt.  I was light, pedaling easy and my watts were way high.  I started to drink and drink and drink.  I had my salt mixed into my bottles and I was determined (again) to NOT over heat on this course.  In 45 minutes I had gone through one entire bottle and a gel – perfect and my salt.  Just like in training.  I was like a robot out there.  Never did think, just did.  My plan was simple.  I knew what watts to hold and I just put my head down and did the work.  Ironically, my HIM watts seemed like a breeze out there and too low, but I was going 22+ mph.  Hmmm…But I had passed the 1st place gal and was in 1st at this point and then I said…just settle down grasshopper and let this race unfold a little bit.  So, I kept my bike easy….NO need to over-ride the front end of this course.  EM doesn’t get hard until 1:45 or so into the bike (head wind usually at this point)…So, I stayed under control, RPE was light and HR was low.  I thought to myself, “this is going too good OR this will end very very badly.”   AND in about 2 minutes a 40-44 girl went by me.  OK, now it is time to race.

I had to make the decision – DO I go with her or let her go.  She was riding way to fast for me to go with her (Kristin who ended up winning the AG biked a 2:21! = good call Jen), but then another 2 girls came by and I was like, “Oh no….”  I made a strategic decision to go.  I was still going under control but now I had to race this sucker if I wanted to be in the mix.  AND that was the game day decision, I went for it.  I rode and finished up the bike within fighting distance of top 5 in the AG.  I think I came off the bike in 5th, but 3-5th were all right together.  I ended up biking a 2:32 (and nearly at my OLY watts), which is a great time for me on this course and considering I was taking it easy through 1 hour, pretty solid time.  My nutrition was spot on, salt was perfect, gels…I felt GREAT and kept thinking to myself, “GO with it, Jen!”

I had to pee in transition, so one of the girls (maybe 2?) got away from me, but I HAD TO PEE badly and I cannot run if I do not pee.  So, off I went.  First mile in 6:55.  OK…..again, “patience Jenny”…you will not run 6:55s for this full 1/2, so bring it down a notch…and I tried, but I felt SO good.  I took my salt, drank and had a gel.  Setting myself up for the calm before the storm (last 10k).  I was running under control and running 6:55-7:10s.  I was like, “ok, enjoy this Jen….races like this are RARE (feeling SO GOOD).”  I was actually having fun.  I did not want the bike to end.  I was  having fun on the run.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I was laser focused.

I was so focused actually that I was carrying my salt tabs in a container and apparently I did not close it and they all fell out, so when I went to get my salt at mile 5-6 they were GONE.  SHIT!  THAT is how focused I was I did not realize they were dropping out all over the place?  REALLY?

So, here is when the fun starts AND this is when the shit got real.  I get to mile 4 and feel amazing.  2nd place is up ahead as is 1st.  (I cannot see them yet).  I think 3rd is up ahead or I had just passed her (can’t recall) and I am running in 3rd BUT 4th place is coming up on me.  She comes up on me and I slow down on purpose to try to listen to her breathing.  I shifted all my thoughts to her breathing pattern.  I had to understand IF she was already working too hard OR she was going “easy” and had more gears.  So, I listened.  AND in my opinion, at mile 4, she was already working at her max effort for that point in the race.  Her breathing was labored already.  THE LAST THING I wanted to do was run shoulder to shoulder for NINE more miles and suffer with someone who I am trying to beat.

So, I did what any other person would do:  I surged and made my move.  I put enough space on her that I could get back to running my race and not worry about her – but she stayed close to me THE ENTIRE race (I am sure, hoping I would crack).

At EM it is a very hard run course.  I realize it is flat, but it is hot, windy and NO shade and roads that go on forever and you cannot see the turn around.  My absolute favorite (that is what I train on here!).  So, at mile 6 – I am almost to the turn around and I see Kristin (AG winner) and she has a huge cushion on me…and she looks like she is running my pace (and she was).  So, I am like, “SHIT.”  So, I still cannot find 2nd place girl.  But, soon I see her and she does not look good – has a hitch to her gait and fatigue in her eyes.  OFF I GO.

Now, let it be clear, I am not “just jogging” here.  I am working and turning myself inside out. AND the thing that messed me up was I dropped my salt and I was only at mile 6 and I wanted SALT BADLY – but had NONE.  So, I had to really prepare myself to suffer and get ready for this shit to get ugly…b/c I could already feel my quads barking back at me.  I have never cramped in a race before, but without salt I start to fade terribly and “bonk”.

I see 2nd place about 1/4 mile up and I start to go.  I pass her WITH a huge surge = just in case.  I say:  “nice race” and go by.  She doesn’t even look at me.  THEN there I was…I was at mile 7 in 2nd place.  I see Jerome and Spencer Smith in the crowd and Jerome yells, “you are in 3rd!”  I put up 2 fingers and put my head back down to grind out the last 5 miles.

I am throwing ice down my pants and jog bra — taking in the fluids (3 cups per aide station) and keep on taking my GU Roctanes.  I did look back a few times to make sure, as I felt myself slowing down a wee bit that 3rd place was not too close to me.

Then, I NEVER once thought about anything like, “I am in 2nd, here it is!” or anything silly like that.  This is a long race…and at that turnaround you come back towards ALL THE RUNNERS and you see all your competition and it is like a death moment.  EVERYONE has fire in their eyes – they are hammering and you are the one being chased.  IF that doesn’t keep the shit real, nothing does.  It is like I can feel them breathing on my back.

It was mind over matter.  I have learned by doing all these races and coaching that EVERYONE at the top levels are physically prepared…but not everyone is mentally prepared for that battle on race day.  AND this is always something I capitalize on.  ANYTHING can happen.  Anything.  No one is unbeatable.  No one.  AND this, this is why I race.  I train for these moments, when it is so raw and the competition and pain is so palatable.

I get to mile 12 (OH THANK god!) and I look around and do not really see anyone that close, but you just never know.  So, while I was suffering (and looking on the ground for ANY salt tabs) I just closed my eyes and put my head down and ran.  I can do anything for 1 mile.  I was breathing like I was on the track running 400s, but in theory, I was.  Then, I made the magical turn to the finishing chute at Eagleman.  Many special memories here for me and today was no different.  BUT I had to finish first and finish hard.  Here is me doing what we always say DO NOT DO – but at a race like this – where I ran from 5th place into 2nd place and for Kona slots – YOU need to know  (I turned around looking for anyone):

AND, this is what mile 13 looks like at the finish of the 70.3.  I am almost done, TOTALLY spent and I look awful….but this is me SO close to the finish and after laying it out there:

AND there it was!  I FINISHED.  I collapsed at the finish into the volunteers.  I did not want to run another step.  But, I felt good and as soon as I was able to sit down, I was OK.  I did it!  My overall time was 4:46:01.  (my course PR here is 4:41 at age 33….so 9 years later only 5 minutes slower?  I will take that as a WIN).

3rd and 4th place finished within 25 seconds and 1 minute from me.  IF I would have mentally cracked out there, I would have gone from 2nd place to 5th or 6th in a SNAP.  THAT is how close it was.

I was so happy! I kept looking for Jerome and Elizabeth!  I found Jerome and just jumped into his arms.  Having him there to Sherpa for me and cheer of me (he did not race this year) was a TREAT for me and I loved it.  He was great!  Such comfort for me in a time of stress.

I immediately went up to Kristin (1st place) and Congratulated her.  She raced Professionally but is racing Amateur this year and wanted to go to Kona.  So, even though she beat me solid on Sunday, I feel good since she has raced PRO all these years and this is her first year back as an Amateur (that is what happens in the 40-44 AG!).  She had a great race!

Here is the 40-44 AG podium TOP 4:

The Awards Ceremony and Kona slot allocation TOOK FOREVER.  We did not leave until 6:30pm!  IT was insane and I was not showered.  UGH!  BUT, of course, it was all worth it.  The biggest AG was my AG and we got 2 slots for Kona as did W35-39, so that meant Kristin and I both got the Kona slots.  All the other AG had ONE slot for Kona.

AND I did not know I would take the Kona slot until about 1 hour before the awards.  I did not bring $, no checkbook and even after Elizabeth texting me on Saturday to see if I brought a check, I was like, “NO WAY!”  See, I do not race for Hawaii.  I know that is what so many athletes want and so set up their seasons to do that…but that does not motivate me.  I do not say, “I want to q-fy for Kona”  because, frankly, KONA is a monster and I don’t usually take my slots.

What motivates me is head to head racing and being my best, executing my race plan and being in the mix to WIN.  That is what makes me happy and gets me out of bed in the morning and makes me say NO to the late night social commitments.  Kona is just the icing on the cake when it happens.  And, it is nice to be in a position to have that option (and I am FULLY aware of that).  I never take anything for granted at 42 years old. NOT ONE THING.

So, I thought long and hard about Hawaii.  Talked to Elizabeth, talked to Jerome.  See, I am signed up for IM AZ this year and *if* I were to q-fy at IMAZ this year I do NOT want to do another IM in 2014.  I do not like to race them back to back years.  Last time I took the Kona slot was 2006!!!  But, I am fit, healthy and feeling good this year — so I decided to do it all this year – so next year NO IM!   So, yes, I took the slot.

This is Kristin and I getting the 1st and 2nd OA Masters awards and the KONA slots.

I have been SO excited since Sunday. I can’t sleep, I can’t focus on anything – so I know I made the right decision.  THE MAIN reason I did not want to do Kona only had to do with my kids….that is a biggie for me – I do NOT want to be riding their summers away while I try to work full time AND be mom….and train at that level….but this year they are 11 1/2, they are at camps, they are older and have a ton of friends and commitments…it is just a little easier now at 11 than when they were 2, 4 ,5 6 years old, etc. (in a different way).

I have not felt this good in years at a 1/2 IM.  I was on fire at Eagleman and just felt confident, I did a TON of specificity training, so my body “knew” what to do at this distance.  I knew what watts, RPE, paces I could handle at this distance and I had enough confidence in my nutrition and training plan that ALL I HAD TO DO was execute my plan.  All the hard work was done well before the race.  The race was “easy” compared to my prep for this race.  AND that is how it should be.  Robotic.

Thanks to my in laws who had a great time with the kids while we were in Cambridge.  My kids LOVE this trip.  Thanks to Jerome for EVERYTHING.  He is a rock for me and I was so relaxed with him helping me all weekend.  He was so unselfish (going to bed at a silly early hour, eating pasta, doing my bike). 🙂  AND, thanks to Elizabeth and Dave W.  Both of these people are not only dear friends of mine but also have helped me with all the details to get ready to race my best.  I think Elizabeth said it best in an email to me late last night:

I’ve know you a long time – seen many “shades” of Jennifer along the way.  Younger, aggressive, very fit/fast Jennifer is not much different than “over 40” Jennifer (see, I did NOT say older) – other than she’s SMARTER and has realized (or maybe accepted) that now you can stay nearly as fast by working smarter vs harder – stay in the game longer by doing that, stay healthier and race/train more consistently.  Less ups and downs, more even keel.

Yep.  Being 40-44 is not too bad, eh?  🙂  Now, let’s get on with this KONA thing!!!!!

This past week was INSANE.  It was the last week of school for my kids and their last year in Elementary School.  This meant year-end parties, cook outs (in 40F degree temps), parties, Award ceremonies, you name it, we were there.  My feet hurt so bad on Friday that I was shaking my head at how I was going to get my workout done appropriately.

I have been feeling REALLY good.  Apart from my allergies (that are kicking my ASS), I feel really good.  And, it is a good feeling to have going into one of my “A” races of the season.  I am racing Eagleman 70.3 in less than 2 weeks.

Friday was insane.  I did a early AM swim, then got the kids ready for school, did some work, Jerome and I went to the kid’s Year-End awards ceremony and got home at 10:30am.  I had to be back at the school at 2:30 sharp for the “Bell ringing” that concludes the last day of school for the year.  I did not want to miss any of it.  But, I also had a 3 hour ride to do.  Temps were cool at 60F, but it was lovely outside.  However, I can ride and kick butt at 60F, so I decided to do my 3 hours on my Computrainer and suffer.  NO TV, NO FAN, sweating and working hard on my salt and nutrition for Eagleman.  I have done this race 1000 times and ONLY 1x has it been below 90F degrees.  In 3 hours, I went through over 5 bottles of fluids.  I needed to train in that heat to prep appropriately.  Specificity.

Here I am with SOME SUN above me and heat (ha):

I got off my bike with 20 minutes to eat, shower, put make up on and get to the school and then off to Dairy Queen with all the kids for the last day of school tradition.

I laid in bed on Friday night and my legs ached.  I almost had to take NASIDs because they were so, so painful.   Instead, I foam rolled, used the STICK and tried hard to get them rested before I was going to “participate” in the Fox Trot 10 miler this next morning.  And, I ate A TON of Carbs.

Woke up on Saturday AM and despite really (REALLY) wanting heat and things to get hot here in Chicago (to no avail), I was secretly SO happy because it was 46F degrees outside and overcast.  BAM!  PERFECT running temperatures.  I have never done this race in nice weather, so this would be a treat.  AND, frankly, I have never done this race on absolutely trashed legs.

I have always wanted to have the balls to race tired.  It is just not something I like to do.  I think there is a time and a place for racing in a training program.  But, we decided I would do the 10 miler but warm up for 3 miles, steady for 4 miles and then race the last 3 miles.  And, I can follow directions well.  So, first 3 miles I went out and was keeping it under control at my target pace of 7:10-5.  But, I also needed to warm up better coming off the training and trashed legs.  But, to my surprise, those miles felt good.  I was chomping at the bit.  There were a ton of girls ahead of me and I thought….GRRRRRRRR, I do NOT like to “participate.”  Patience, Jenny.  My goal was to not leave Eagleman on the Fox Trot 10 mile course.

After I get past mile 3 and still in some hills, I decide to get down to what I think is comfortably hard – but not out of control.  I drop down to 6:50s and feel that that is comfortable without shredding myself.  I start to pick off the girls ahead of me and now I am having some fun.  I head out on this out and back part of the course that is flat (near my house too!) and I see Stacie,  Heidi, Scott, Rich, Jen….seeing everyone and actually LOOKING at them and waving at them was the NEW JENNY participating not racing.  I was trying!

I got to mile 7 FINALLY and said, OK now I can go.  Mile 8 has a big hill, but otherwise, I ran the last 3 miles sub 6:30 and, for once, I was not trying to hammer to hold pace or not get slower.  What a concept!  It is so hard to negative split a hilly run race.  It requires such discipline.  But, the reward is massive.  I finished the 10 mile race in 3rd OA (caught everyone but 2 gals) and my last mile was 6:28 — and I felt good.  In fact, so good, I could have kept running at that effort/pace for the 1/2 Marathon.  Just exactly what I needed before Eagleman.   And, a course PR for me.

I just could not believe how good I felt at the race after destroying myself the day before?!!!  Shows that when you are in good shape, things are just well, easier.

And, the MIND will always win.  I willed myself to run that well on trashed legs.  (I paid for this Friday/Saturday combo on Sunday!).

It also made me think about something I have been chewing on all weekend –>  One thing that is so hard for me to teach athletes is that BRIDGE from training to racing and HOW to race versus train.  Many athletes nail training workout after training workout.  But, then on race day things do not work.  They don’t race up to their potential.  They do not go any faster than they do in training.  They just can’t bridge that GAP.  It is almost like the blog I wrote earlier this year about the “SWITCH” —>  Same thing…they just cannot switch from training to racing.  It is something, as a Coach, I work tirelessly on with athletes.  Some really can do this and do it flawlessly; others cannot grasp it.

But, this Fox Trot 10 miler was my training.  It was my chance to be mentally tough.  To practice SOLO (I ran solo) without music, without groups, without “winning” in my basement by myself…or obsessing about my paces.  I was practicing how it feels to race, grab fluids while running fast, taking in gels when going hard and how to be strategic out there, just like I will have to be at the 1/2 Ironman coming up.  The reason I can race on tired legs is because my body is used to it — and now I was training my HEAD.  The head is always way more stubborn than the body.  Doing it in training makes it “easier” to do on Race Day.

A successful weekend for sure!  Hope everyone had a great Memorial Day weekend!

This weekend I headed over to Galena, IL (on the border of Iowa) to race the Galena Triathlon for the …I am trying to recall…I don’t know, 10th time?  I love this race.  We jokingly call it the Chicago World Championships because the competition is actually pretty deep and everyone is chomping at the bit to get racing after our long and arduous winter.

I felt relaxed, fit and ready to race.  I am in a good place right now with my fitness because I am healthy, happy and doing Eagleman in less than 3 weeks, so this was a tune up and I was anxious to see how my fitness was coming along.  As I prep for my 1/2 IM, there are always some key workouts that I can do or “feelings” that I have in my workouts when things are on target.

Galena is hilly.  Not only hilly, but for us flatlanders, massively  hilly.  It is short with a 800meter swim, 17.7 mile bike and 4.5 mile run.  Historically, I have complained (and not quietly) about the wave starts – there is NO Elite wave here and last year I was in the last wave.  THIS year, I won the jackpot and was in the 2nd to last wave in the combined 35-44 year olds.   Honestly, I was so happy to hear this.  I had the opportunity to race head to head with Jenny Garrison and Elizabeth – THANK goodness.  I had athletes to chase and I was very happy about that.

Elizabeth was talking smack all week.  Typical Elizabeth style.  I knew she was going to figure out a way to draft off me that ENTIRE swim, that witch.  AND, let it be noted, she did a helluva job accomplishing that task!  (smart girl).

Stacie, Karen, Elizabeth and I headed to Galena on Friday afternoon and stayed at my sorority sister’s house we always stay at.  We love it – it is near the race finish and in the middle of nowhere quiet!  Our trip was uneventful – which is the way we like it.

I changed up my race warm up for this race.  I wanted to experiment with warm ups and decided to swim the swim course nice and easy for my warm up.  The water was AWESOME. 65F degrees.  I like really COLD water, so this was not that bad at all, but perfect to race in.

My wave was at 9:36am.  We lined up and I grabbed Elizabeth and told her to get up front and start right next to me –>  I knew she was going to draft off me, and that is OK but she is a good starter in OW, so I was trying to pull these girls into the start corral with me.

Gun went off and I got a great start.  In fact, almost a false start, but after all my swim meets, I am used to going to so hard, so I did just that and I soon found myself leading the AG.  THE WHOLE time I am thinking, “Where is Jenny G that slacker!”  I could feel finger tips once in awhile and I knew Elizabeth was on my heels.  I was actually just cruising along – after swimming the 1650 at State and Nationals, this felt like a breeze!  I was working but totally solid and just felt amazing – fast, long and smooth – just what we want!  (The swim warm up was perfect).  I exited the water 1st and then little Elizabeth next to me — I said, “Nice swim!” and she just grunted at me.  (She is crabby, eh?).

Out of T 1 is Jenny, Elizabeth and then me.  The hill out of T1 is aggressive and then the climbs start.  I have ONE job this entire ride.   Do not lose sight of Elizabeth.  She stood, I stood.  She hammered, I hammered.  I was about 15-20″ behind her the entire ride.  She pulled a little ahead of me on the last 1 -2 mile climb and she was leaving her bike as I rolled into T2.

I worked so hard on my bike.  AND this year the course was a little more open to descend safer -THANK goodness.  I just worked on the left side of the road and just put my head down and suffered.  I was on top of the pedals and was just feeling AWESOME again.  I felt so good.  AND I was having fun!  I did not want the bike to end…because the run is way harder than the bike.

My transitions sucked, but they were still in the top 2-4 overall in the race (women), but I need to do some more work on them!  I was out of T2 and onto the run.  The first 1 1/2 miles were just up up up.  I mean, grit your teeth and run hills.  It was hot (80s) and I was so glad I had my little hand held drink thing…I needed the electrolytes!  I could see Elizabeth putting room on me and I was just working and working and working – we all were!

Up and down and up and down.  I felt really good though.  I felt hot but otherwise, really good.  I finished the race and ended up 1st AG by 9 minutes – I never saw anyone from my AG or Masters out there, so I was again so thankful I was in the 35-44 AG to keep me honest!

I just had so much fun!  It was great to see all my friends and athletes there.  I know many had a tough race with the hills and heat/humidity, but now everything else will feel easy this season.   Everyone did so great and I was just loving racing my friends and some of the younger girls that keep things honest and fresh.

The race day would not be complete without a stop at Dairy Queen for a HUGE blizzard —>  Chocolate ice cream, peanut butter, chocolate covered pretzels + PB cups.  Elizabeth, Stacie, Karen and I were in HEAVEN.

Next up:  Eagleman 70.3, my all time favorite race.  Excited!

One of my big goals for 2013 was to race and compete at USMS Nationals in the 1650 in Indianapolis.  I was excited Nationals was in the Midwest and within driving distance.

It was refreshing to compete in a National event that was not Triathlon.  Traveling with a backpack and goggles?  Count me in!

The Masters team that I swim with had nearly 15 athletes competing this year and it was fun to be in Indy with a group of dedicated and passionate swimmers!

The girls in my Lane at Masters are super.  We refer to ourselves as LANE 8 is GREAT (hey, whatever works).  These girls can SWIM and I am along for the ride.   They make the 7:30-9;00 PM workouts that much easier for me (I am a passionate 6am swimmer)!

The 1650 at the infamous IUPUI pool in Indianapolis was on Thursday – MID DAY!  So, Krista and I drove down together on Wednesday night so we could check in and warm up properly on Thursday morning.  It was nice to travel with Krista.  She is my age and has 3 little girls.  And, I think I met someone that talks MORE than me?  IMPOSSIBLE I thought.  I was wrong!

Krista and I (thankfully) were in the same heat of the 1650.  Seeded by time and mixed genders.  Except the 400 IM and 1000 Free, every other event at Nationals is HEAD to head age group racing – AWESOME really.

I was nervous for the 1650. Like, REALLY nervous.  I knew I had just swam an “OK” time for myself at the State Championships 2 weeks ago.  But, because of the swim taper, some workouts and ANOTHER swim rest cycle, I felt flat.  I knew I could swim about the same time I did at State (20:3x).  But, I really REALLY wanted to faster.  (I mean, of course, right?).  Krista and I were ranked 1-2 for Nationals and it was our race to lose.  I knew my work was cut out for me with Krista.  Frankly, she is faster than me now…and beat me at State as well.  But, anything can happen, right?

Finally our 1650 was up on the blocks…I was so nervous my back start leg was shaking.  Once I dove in – I felt pretty good.  Went out in 6:04 for the 500 Free and just felt strong but not like I was swimming downhill.  Damn!  The water felt a little thick to me (just an expression meaning, I felt slow!).  I was working way harder than I should have been for the pace I was going.  AND every card (in the 1650 we have counters b/c it is 65 laps!!!) I was like, “that is it!”  HA HA.  I did not feel good.  DAMN DAMN.  So, at that point I just had to gut it out.  Head down, rip my lats apart, pull hard, kick and turn well.  I could see Krista really pull ahead of me and I was trying so hard, but I was maxed out.  That was all I had.

I touched the wall and looked up at the board.  Fearful that my time was going to REALLY SUCK.   And, it was slower than I wanted and far off my PR (20 seconds) but it was only a few seconds off my State time and for feeling so awful, I will take it.  After everyone was done swimming (ALL DAY) the final results had Krista 1st and me 2nd!   I was so happy for Krista because she has improved a TON in the last couple of years and she has worked so hard.  And for teammates to go 1-2 was a special treat for sure.

I was not disappointed at all.  I did my best.  I got 2nd at Nationals and Krista is just faster.  Plain and simple really.  Here we are with our medals:

After the 1650 we were a mess.  Tired, hungry and Krista saw Miss Daisy coming out fast and hard.  I pulled through after we ate something green and rested for the next day’s events.

The next day I swam the 400 IM and 200 Free and then headed back home.  I could not stay and swim all the events I wanted to because I wanted to get home on Friday night because of the kid’s soccer games, my Mom’s Birthday and Mother’s Day Brunch with my mom.  I just needed to be home.  AND I had big workouts to do this weekend.  In fact, I got home on Friday night from Indy and turned around and was on my bike by 6am Saturday morning for a 70 mile ride + 4 mile T run…

My 400 IM and 200 Free went fine.  I PRd both of them, which made me happy.  The heats of the 200 Free were the 40-44 AG together and it was fast.  The gal that won went 1:56!  AND swimming head to head with these girls kept things super honest!  I was working so hard in that 200 Free to minimize that gap, I was tasting blood.

I left Indy completely exhausted and never wanting to see the pool again!  It was a great experience to witness some AMAZING swimming.  One guy went 22 seconds in the 50 back.  I mean, just crazy fast swimmers.  It was awesome.

A few years ago I could not really string together a proper fly or breaststroke to compete.  I could always swim Free and did meets but ONLY Free.  I got over myself a few years ago and needed a new challenge.  I was bored in the pool.  So, I said I would do the 400 IM in a meet…I worked really hard at it.  My lanemates helped me a ton (REAL IMers) and there I was competing at the Nationals at the 400 IM (I got 11th at Nationals).  I GOT over my fear and did it.  And, that in itself, is a huge accomplishment.

AND then, next year, I promised I would do the 100 fly and 200 Fly…and I will.

Thanks to Cheryl Stine for coming up from Bloomington to count the 1650 for me.  Cheryl is a phenomenal swimmer and I was certain she would be freaked out at my swimming (turns, walls, etc)  but she was a good sport and a GOOD counter, so thank you, Cheryl!  Good to see you!

And, that ends the Masters season for me.  Now onto Open water and Triathlon season – FINALLY!

I feel like a Mack Truck hit me this morning.  GOOD thing, because that means I swam my hardest this weekend.  I look forward to this weekend all year.  For some reason, I always want to play in the individual sports while being a Triathlete.  I do bike TTs & races, do running races and swim meets.  It is a little aggressive that I want to be a single sport athlete, but I surely try hard!

The ILMSA Swim Meet is awesome.  Our team works really, really hard all year to peak and race well here.  It consists of the 1650 over two days and then the rest of the events all day and into 7pm at night both Saturday & Sunday.  Over 1700 athletes compete.  By the time I got home last night – after 7:30pm, I was a MESS.  And, eating for an event like this is interesting too.  By Sunday night I just wanted ANYTHING green.

In addition, I have become very good friends with my lane mates and we just have SO much fun.  We swim in Lane 8…and all of us are girls, except Chris.  This year, we “let” Chris swim with us & we enjoyed having him around.  All of these girls swam in college except me (and Gina, I believe) – so it is a bit humbling, but I try to be a “real” swimmer when I show up!

On the docket for me this meet was:

1650 Thursday night

Weekend:  50 F, 100 F, 200 F, 500 F,  50 Fly, 100 IM, 200 IM, 400 IM & 4 relays (all 50 Free).

Phew.  That is A LOT of warming up, cooling down, in and out of the pool and absolutely max efforts.  I have worked this year very hard at my starts.  When I was a kid, we learned to start with 2 feet on the edge of the blocks….well, that is REALLY old school & I just never really changed.  But, I knew – I had to.  So, with the help of my lane mates, I went to the track start – WAY faster and that helped me a ton in the shorter events, where starts and turns really make the race.

The meet started with my 1650 and this is my FAVORITE event.  I rested hard for it and did not want ONE excuse not to perform my best.  No point for me to go to the State Swim meet – especially since I have not been beaten at this event – TIRED.  So, I was ready to go.

Ironically, my biggest competition in the 1650 is my lane mate, Krista.  Krista is exactly my age and oh, so nice.  I wish she was not nice, it would make things easier! LOL — Anyway, she just started with our team 3 years ago and has gradually gotten stronger (after not swimming since college!)….she has been slowly inching closer and closer to me and last year actually beat me last year in the 1000 F and 500 F (by 1 second) and I out-touched her in the 200F…so it is a healthy and fun competition.  And, honestly, it makes me a better swimmer.  Anyway, she was on fire at this meet & beat me in the 1650 by 20″ or so — and there was NOTHING I could do – I gave it my all.   I swam 5 seconds faster than I did 2 years ago (last time they had the 1650 at State), so, overall, it was all good.

Besides the 1650, I actually PRd (adult PRs) in all my events.  I even dropped 2 seconds off my 100 IM time.  For anyone who has never done a Masters Meet – 2 seconds in a 100 is MASSIVE, so I was happy with that!  To keep getting better & faster – with something I work so hard at and LOVE (and being 42) — is a very good thing!

I am not one to post times — but sometimes I will:  I will say my 1650 time was 20:34 (1:14 pace), my 100 Free was 1:02, my 500 Free was (6:01, 1:12 pace- this is my nemesis, I want to break 6 SO bad), 400 IM was 5:52…..my 50 Free time is slow at 29.1…200 Free was 2:15…..etc…I placed in the Top 3 in all of my events except (let’s be honest here, I suck at the 50s) the 50 Free and 50 Fly.  I was 5th in the 50 Free.

The hardest event of the weekend?  200 Free, by far.  We all agree it is the hardest because it is an all out sprint and that is a long time to be maxed out in the pool.  By the time I was on the 125 of that 200, I was in full blown lactate and was closing my eyes and gritting my teeth to survive.

The excitement of the weekend made me want to quit Triathlon and work on my swimming.  My breaststroke is HORRIFIC….my fly is getting way better but Andrea Block (state record holder in the fly) pulled me aside after my 400 IM and helped with some pointers on my fly….so, I am constantly learning & I love that.  I am already excited for next year’s State meet- it is a lot of hard work and long hours in that pool, but THIS is what it is all about – being passionate about something so much and seeing your hard work prevail.

Next up for me is a big week of Triathlon training.  In fact, I have to run long later today and that could be ugly!   THEN, I am doing the 1650 at Nationals next Thursday night.  I am so excited about it. Cheryl Stine from Indy is going to count for me and I am traveling with my lane mate, Krista to IUPUI.  We are ranked #1-#2 in the Nation for this event (hey, you have to be in it to win it…*my quote of the weekend*) and I am fired up to swim it again with her.  I am also swimming the 400 IM and 200 Free.  Wish I could stay and swim the 500 Free, but it is on Mother’s Day and (it is my mom’s birthday too) – so I need to be home.

And, thanks to my friends:  Stacie, Mia, Karen, Jaynie & Emily who I traveled with all weekend – up before 5am on Sunday, home late AND they even had to deal with me who drank coffee before Sunday’s 400 IM.  (first time all year)…AND Jen Harrison caffeinated is not always a good thing.  So, thanks girls…we had fun (and great swimming!!).

Someone asked me if I am tired of swimming  yet?  My answer?  Never!

Today is the first day since Camp that I feel like myself!  JHC Camp went great this year.  Almost, dare I say, one of the best?  We had 16 campers this year and put them all up in condos around our place and I really LIKED it.  I was able to rotate between all the condos to socialize, talk and catch up with each camper.  That was always harder with everyone in a large house.

The weather was AWESOME.  The athletes were GREAT.  Really, besides a few minor issues with people’s DI2 shifting (no fun), everyone was safe and worked really hard.  I was grateful to Jen Lynn & Diane who organized and helped me with SAG support at Gates Pass & Mt. Lemmon!  What a nice treat in the middle of the desert for sure.

Even Jimmy Riccetello joined us on our climb up Lemmon.  Nice to have Jimmy around in Tucson when we are down there – Thanks Jimmy!

Our days were spent training — bike rides every day, swimming at U of A (hotties), running trails and even very technical ones at Sabino and of course, good food (DQ…..uh oh) & good company.  We all got the work done and left thoroughly exhausted.  Perfect!

Here is the group at the Welcome Dinner the first night – The Calm Before the Storm:

Here is a picture of me coaching on deck  — Ah!!!

And,  I LOVE this picture.  This is Michaela via Hong Kong via New York to Camp.  She is holding a Salsa container that had her daily coffee in it!

And, our last night’s dinner wrap up:

The best thing about Camp is seeing everyone work so hard.  Seeing them push their own personal limits and really dig deep and find out what they are truly made of!  I love that part of a big camp block.

I know there were some tears.  I know there were some swear words, but I think they were few and far between versus the joy, challenges and finding out how tough you really are.  I think Mia gave me the finger and told me to “f*ck off” at least 12 times a day and even her TP updates were the same.

I had one camper at Camp ask me if I ever cry.  She said, “Do you EVER cry Jen?”

I said NO.  Of course that is a lie.  (I just do not cry at camp in front of athletes).

BUT, I have my moments…

In fact, I got home from Camp last Tuesday and on Wednesday USMS listed their Seed placings for Masters Nationals and I just thought I’d pop onto their site and see what I was seeded at.  Basically, they list the swimmers in each event and each age group fastest to slowest.  It is like a ranking system.

I was hoping to be ranked in the TOP 10 in my AG in the 1650. That would be awesome.  My goal at Nationals was to JUST place in the TOP 10.

I open up the website and there it is:  1st in my AG in the 1650.

I was sick to my stomach.  I was shaking.  In fact, I handled the whole thing horribly & like a baby.  I could not focus the rest of the day.  Went to Masters that night and everyone was talking about the seed placements and I felt sick.  Then, we had to do a timed 1650.   The combination of pure exhaustion from camp and travel AND then the anxiety from the ranking/seeding…I was crying in my goggles during the 1650.

In fact, I swam so poorly, I had to SIT out a 50 and re-group.  I never do that.  Ever.  Then, I could not breathe.  The air was too thick, the water too hot…I was having a mini anxiety attack and it was over NOTHING!

So, yes, of course I cry.  I just do it in private behind my goggles when no one can see me. 🙂

And, of course, I got over myself and the 1650 the next day…but damn if that was not a true meltdown.

I think everyone has returned to feeling normal this week post Camp and Jerome and I have already been planning next year’s Camp (s)!  It is a great way to kick off Triathlon season, especially when the weather has been downright awful in the Midwest this spring.  I was begging to go back to Tucson today!

Hello from Paradise (note the sarcasm)!

So many random things going on around here, I thought it best to bullet point life:

*  About 4 weeks ago I did an indoor bike Time trail race.  I suffered.  A lot.  And, I got up the next morning to go for an easy run (it was 15F degrees out) and my hip /glute/psoas were PISSED.  Slowly started to seize up.  I stopped running, came home and stretched/rolled…but the acute stress was done.  My hip was pissed!  From there I went to no real running that week to massages with Nathalie to becoming a PROFESSIONAL stretcher.  Hip did not feel good that week.  The extreme bike TT on an indoor bike (my bike though) put it over the edge and I was paying for it.

*  I went to Pilates twice since then and I have to say I really liked it.  I was hesitant for many reasons.  One, I just prefer to hammer things ….and Pilates is well, nice.  But, I think I need a little bit more of that.  We have a Pilates studio within walking distance from my house, so I went.  I left Pilates Mat feeling 100% better and basically we just stretched the entire time.  I loved going because all the women there are way different than Triathletes and they were completely freaked out by what I did, so that was refreshing! I plan on keeping Pilates in my weekly schedule.

*  Spring Break for the kids start on Monday and goes thru April 1st.  I am excited to head to Tucson on Friday with my sister and her daughter and Morgan!  We are going to have a nice time – frankly, we just want the sunshine and heat.  And, I get to ride my bike outside!  Besides Tucson, this has not happened in almost 5 -6 months (Can you imagine warm weather friends?).  Jerome is off to China for business and Graham is going to Mammoth Cave National Park with my parents and the boy cousins.  It will be a fun Spring Break!

*  JHC Camp starts on April 4th and I am VERY excited.  We have a great, big group going this year.  Thanks to Jen Lynn, down in Tucson, with helping me with some of the details that are so hard to do from afar.  It will be a great time in Tucson climbing our bikes for 5 days!  I hope everyone is excited!

*  I raced a 1/2 Marathon yesterday!  I was so excited but worried to race.  When I hurt my hip, I went into private FREAK OUT mode because this is the NEW JEN post 40.  I have realized VERY quickly that the post 40 year old Jen is way different than the pre-40 Jen.  I really had a hard time adjusting to the new life as a Master athlete, but it is my new reality.  THE PARTY IS OVER as a few have told me…they are right.  I now have to stretch in the morning, PRE workout, POST workout and before bed at night.  I was stretching so much last week, I was stretching at Graham’s soccer games, basketball games, you name it, I was stretching.  But, news flash –>  It worked.  I went from walking with pain to PAIN FREE and racing a 1/2 yesterday.  In just over 3 weeks.  I was super smart and with some smart feedback from my smart friends, I turned it around.  Yippee!  But, I really need to stick with this regime.  And, the extreme cold makes things tighter/worse, so I am hoping with warmer weather things will stay looser too.

*  It was a busy race weekend and many of us raced our local 1/2 Marathon yesterday.  Every year I torture myself and do this super hilly (for this area) race.  I do really like it.  I have done this race with temps all over the place:  30s, snow, ice, wind, 80s (last year)! , but this year took the cake.  I was SO cold.  It was 21F at race start and super cloudy and just blah.  It was a FIRST FOR ME.  I wore tights.  I have NEVER ever worn tights in a race.  I almost hated to do it, but I was so cold.  I even WORE my down jacket – FULL LENGTH for the entire 30 min warm up – strides and only took it off 5 min before the start and threw it in my car.  IT was THAT COLD.  It never warmed up.

*  I felt amazing during the 1/2 Marathon – dare I say it was easy (despite the cold).  The first 7 miles of the race are flat with a few rollers most of my miles were easily sub 7 at this point…after mile 8 the race gets really tough…like baby step hills…and I was fine going up, but felt my legs seize up on the downhills.  It is a horrible feeling, really.  It was not nutrition.  My legs could not contract and respond to the pounding of the hills in the cold. It was a combo of the extreme downhills & then it being cold – my legs were NOT happy.  I even had to stop once and stretch and rub my legs out b/c I thought I may not be able to take another step!  OUCH!  HA….but, I pulled through.  I had a few rough spots, but pulled my sh*t together and ran well all things considering.  I ended up 3rd in my AG and with a respectable time, so all was good.  I  went back to cheer on everyone and I could not stand outside for a minute longer.  I was so cold I was nauseous.  I had to walk (I could not run) to my car and get my down jacket again.  I sat down and was a mess.  I couldn’t walk.  Couldn’t feel my legs or hands.  I was SO pissed for a short period of time thinking WHY WHY WHY do we do this to ourselves??? (in this cold)…but then I remembered it is MY choice and then got over it.  AND I was just happy to be racing, frankly – despite the tough conditions.

*  Today I can hardly walk.  I got up at 5am (really?) and went to the pool.  Nothing is better than swimming post race, so that helped me with being able to walk today.  Ironically, I started a Boy’s Running Club at the kid’s school today.  I had 26 boys there from the ages of 8-11.  I was pretty nervous for this…b/c it was windy, cold, snowing, ice all over the ground and not even 30F degrees.  AND I had 26 boys to run…OUTSIDE (we have no indoor space).  BUT, the boys were rock stars, we played TAG, did run drills, did relays…laps around the school.  We had a great time!  I am so grateful I get to do this and spend this quality time with Graham and the boys.  It really is a wonderful age.

* Lastly, Elizabeth and I did a PODCAST on “All Things Swimming” – It was a fun one!  Here it is:
http://traffic.libsyn.com/jenandliztalktriathlon/Swimming_Podcast.mp

Looking forward to some sun in Tucson.  I don’t think my poor sister knows what she is getting herself into.  I do not think she realizes how much I work…I will try to behave in Tucson and try to take some time for R&R  AND SUNSHINE!

By the end of February, I am DYING for some sun and warmth.  I swear it is like we are in the Twilight Zone here in the midwest.  One more day in dark, snowy and 20F degrees (if that!)  Thank goodness (I say in jest), that we have INDOOR Bike Time Trials to occupy ourselves with in the winter out here. I know, when you can’t ride your bikes outside — might as well race them inside…

We have swim meets, indoor triathlons and bike TTs all winter.  It has been at least 10 years since I have done an indoor Triathlon – I am done with those…for lots of reasons, so the next best opportunity to suffer is on a computrainer with hundreds of your closest and sweaty friends — In a elementary school gym while Elvis and polka music blares over the loud speaker.

Last month I did this TT and it was a 10k flat course.  I worked my a$$ off and while I did not feel great, I had a fine TT.  Top 3 OA get $$…so a little extra cash is always nice.   This past weekend was a rolling 10k TT course…and lip smacking, sh*t talking little Elizabeth.  We could not race next to each other because she registered much later than I did, but truth be told, she was afraid of me.  (Oh, cripe, I am only kidding!).

No matter how many workouts I win by myself in my basement, nothing hurts more than an indoor TT of 6.2 miles.  I mean, I am riding my bike for this distance AND not running it?  WHAT?  Anyway, I had a long warm up and listened to Elizabeth talk MORE sh*t because she was DONE.  I literally walked in to the school and had a text “where are you?”  Clearly she was ON FIRE and caffeinated.

No matter how much I like Elizabeth, we are both there to win.  To show these CAT 1/2 Pro Girls that we CAN TT with them.  Never mind we are all running off these TT races – minor detail.  Elizabeth affirmed her great race and blurted out her time.  NICE!   It is 13″ faster than I went last year when I was 2nd OA.  I thought, “damn that is fast for a little person.”   See, indoor TTs – take away the heat and real hills and weight does HELP.  I have 20 lbs on her AND 5 years…..I think the handicap was even.

Anyway, Elizabeth graciously left – after setting the bar – and I went to race.  The race has 12 computrainer banks rolling every 30 minutes from 8am until past 2pm.  Busy busy day!  Todd, one of my athletes, who is also the race announcer texted me that morning and said he had the flu and was out for the day.  Too bad because he is the best cheerleader and LOUD & trash talks the ENTIRE time you are racing.

We calibrated my CT and we started the race.  I told myself “do NOT blow up too soon…”  I tend to go out super fast – in everything I do – so I was trying to behave just for a few seconds.  THEN, I turned up my music so loud I could not hear ONE thing.  In fact, I closed my eyes and only opened them a few times.  I could not even hear myself think.  I just worked my tail off.  I over-rode the downhills, smashed the uphills and stood for the last .4 miles in my biggest combination 52×12..I was giving it my all.  I had no idea if I would beat the standing time, but I knew it would be close.

I was just hoping I would not pee myself.

In fact, at that time, the top 3 females on the day were .6 tenths of a second apart.  YES that close.  That is ridiculous and rare.

I could not have gone any harder.  I was completely done.  I finally opened up my eyes and saw the same time and could not figure out the tenths because I was so trashed.  I was breathing like I was in labor and if I was not mounted into a computrainer, I would have fallen off my bike.  It took me over 1 hour to feel normal again and get my face color back to pasty white.

I loved it.  It is so hard.  SO painful…and something we almost cannot do outside – even when I race TT outside because we have to focus also on being safe.  And, while I can really work by myself in the basement, I just cannot work this hard.  Having that little carrot out there is really motivating and mixes up the winter monotony.

Regardless of the tenths that I did not end up on top, I won.  I set a new power PR number at the age of 42.  Every year I say, “I am just trying to manage the slowing down, ” and honestly, that is the truth…I swear!  But, when I have days like this, I am happy and grateful.  And, excited.

God I love Swim Meets.

I really do.  This past weekend was one of our larger Illinois Swim meets on Superbowl Sunday.  This is my 5th year I have done it and I still really look forward to it every year.   It is always cold and the windows are frozen to the outside and everyone is buzzing around talking football & swimming soaking wet in huge swim parkas.  Outside temps are usually between 10-20F degrees.  What else is there to do?

The Superbowl meet fell at the end of my bigger week and I was tired.  Plus, with the combination of Graham breaking his wrist & other life things, I was a little cooked on Friday.  So, I threw out my run and swam only a short set on Saturday so I would have some SNAP for Sunday.  Snap being the important word here.

The meet is all day:  Arrive at 7am and leave around 2 or 2:30pm.  In and out of the pool 100x.  Of course I was there by 7am sharp and chatting and warming up.  I decided to do a few things differently.  One, I took a shower before the meet before I left home.  It was SO cold (below 10F that AM when I left) and the competition pool is always FREEZING (which is good to race in) but it leaves me chilled all day.  And, I do NOT like to be cold….so I took a hot shower and that helped a ton.  I also warmed up a TON….more than normal.  I just figured it would be good for me and I do better (ahem) now with a longer warm up.  I probably did over 1500 yards+ of mixed 50s and stroke work and free/starts.

As soon as I got into the warm up and took 2 strokes, I knew it was going to be a good day.  I can tell if I have a feeling for the water very quickly.  I was excited to race!

I was swimming the max # of events, which is 5 events.  Longest distance on the day was the 500 Free.  And, because the meet is so big, they do not run the 1000 or 1650 (bummer).  Anyway, I swam the 500 Free, 100 Free, 200 Free, 200 IM, 100 IM.

The 500 Free is personal to me because I have a goal for that race EVERY YEAR.   And, I laugh at myself because every year, I swim within 5 seconds of the same time EVERY YEAR.  Yawn.  My adult 500 Free time rarely changes.  I was talking to the Masters Coach and she is like, “Jenny…at this point, unless you swim more (!) that 500 time is not going to budge dramatically unless we re-work your starts & turns.”  OK….now, I do not have good turns at all..compared to the uber-swimmers I swim with, but they are not that bad…but every second counts.  If I was a “pure” swimmer, I would fix all of this up and spend hours in the pool to make that happen.  And, maybe after Arizona this year, I will spend more time making my turns faster and better, but for now, it is all good.

Last year at State, I went 6:02.  This past weekend I went 6:07.  Crack me up.  I did not really even consider myself in good swim shape yet….so, I swam well because I was rested and fired up.  I swear, if I break 6:00 at State this year (April) or Nationals (May), I will be done with that damn 500.  I have broken 6 in the 500 but not as an adult.

Oh, and my friend and lanemate, Krista beat me by 1 second in the 500.  We are so funny, we swim exactly the same time for EVERYTHING.  She out-touched me in the 500 and I out-touched her in the 200.  I love the healthy competition and we make one another better swimmers, that is for sure.  She is a great backstroker and I do not even touch that stroke.

Then, I swam the 100 Free, 100IM, 200 Free and won those events.  But, let me back up and say I was disqualified (are you reading Cheryl Stine??) in the 100 IM.  STUPID me….I can’t believe I did what I did.  Back in the day, when I learned how to swim in oh 1970s and 1980s we were able to do a flip turn from backstroke to breaststroke in the IM.  NOW (effective 8 years ago!) we have to do an open turn from back to breaststroke.  I turn my brain off when I swim and especially for the 100 IM, so I just went on auto-pilot and acted like I was 10.  Oops.  My fault and my mistake.  So, while I did win, I was DQd.  Lovely. 🙂

Oh, and I did pee myself, I think.  The 200 Free is the HARDEST event on the docket.  I would rather swim 4 x 400 IM than 1 x 200 Free.  It is a hard, hard event.   It is an all out sprint but not really.  It is like the 800 on the track.  A true test of speed, grit and anything else you can muster.  I wanted to break my State time of 2:14, but I knew that would probably be a crap shoot (last event of the day)….but I was swimming next to Krista and we were so neck and neck it was killing me.  Anyway, she had about 1/2 second on me on the last 25 and I just put my head down, did not breathe (which I really have a hard time with), gritted my teeth, closed my eyes and went as hard as I could into the wall.  I swear I peed myself, thank goodness I was in the pool where no one can tell.  GASP.  I barely out-touched her and barely kept my breakfast down.   See, good times in the pool, eh?

Our team did well and everyone swam well & we won the meet.  We had 57 swimmers there and it was a fun way to spend a Sunday!

And, since I have been on this swim HIGH….I signed up for USMS Nationals in May!  I have never been (usually in Triathlon season and far away) and since it is in the Midwest, I decided to go.  The meet runs from Thursday-Sunday and initially I wanted to do the entire meet since the 1650 is on Thursday & the 500 Free is on Sunday.  But, it is too long to be gone (4+ days) just swimming and with Mother’s Day & my Mom’s birthday, I need to be home on the weekend.  So, I am just swimming the 1650 Free, 200 Free and 400 IM and relays.  I do not want to do any pure stroke events…and I can not compete in the 50 Free (goodness)…so I just miss the 100 Free and 500 Free and 200 IM, which is OK.  My main goal is the 1650.  I cannot wait!

I am a huge fan of swim meets – for swimmers of ALL ages & abilities!  If you have never done one, challenge yourself, it is really a fun way to spend a few hours.