Continuing on my “FUN” train, I raced a local sprint Triathlon this weekend:  Twin Lakes Triathlon.  I have done this race 3 years in a row, but it has been around for 20 years, so yes, I did it back in the mid-90s as well when I was racing as:  Jennifer Parker.  I just saw those results this past weekend and that was fun.  Ironically, my swim has not changed much in 15+ years – go figure.  🙂

The race had 500 athletes and they sent off the fastest (per swim time) in the first wave of 62 athletes.  The water was HOT but it is only a 1/2 mile and if the wetsuits are legal – wear them.  I think Ben and Patrick could hear me gasp when they said they left their wetsuits at home.  People….wetsuits are ALWAYS faster…and they require a ton less energy – if wetsuits are legal, wear them.  ALWAYS.  Anyway, there was a little trash talk before the race, but I don’t mess around with the boys — I mean, THEY should beat me…and I want them too, so I was only trash talking the swim (I am smart).

Anyway, I was first out of the swim wave at 9:42 for the 1/2 mile and screamed at Patrick who was right behind me: “I told you to wear that wetsuit!”  AND I beat him out of T1, so I was first on the bike – but that lasted all of 15″ as he went by me and went on to average 26 mph for 14 miles versus my 23 mph!  Yep (see, that is why I keep my mouth shut).

I had a great ride and came into T2 without ever seeing any females.  I got off the bike with a pack of about 5 guys..so I was running in about 9th or 10th overall and my goal was to be top 10 (with the men) so I was working hard to stay with them and trying to keep Ben in my sights.

I was running well.  We GOT super lucky and the weather was perfect.  I mean 70F degrees, so I better be able to run well!  IT was so fun…I was running hard and FINALLY running well – I was clicking off 6:45s and finally below that 7 min mark that has taken me awhile to get back after my injury.

I crossed the finish line as 1st Female and gave it all I had. I could barely stand up  when I was finished.  I knew that the next woman was no where to be seen, but that didn’t matter to me.  I wanted to run 6:xx for this run and I did and if I just “eased up” because I was winning that doesn’t get me anywhere….so, I pushed MAX effort from start to finish.   I ended up winning by 6+ minutes (and a course PR for me), which is lovely, but…

The night before the race the kids asked to come and watch!  The twins have seen Jerome and I race a lot, so I do not always bring them. PLUS this race started at 6:30am and I was done by 7:45 or so….so a rough, early start for kids.  BUT, Jerome (trooper!) brought them and while I never KNEW that they were there – they were!  I am so focused in the race,  I would not notice if the President of the USA was there…but I saw them afterwards and Graham asked why I did not win.   I said, “I did win.”  No, mom, those boys beat you.  HA…yes they did Graham….and you know what?  That is OK. 🙂  I love it that Graham sees no gender in sports (YET).

I rushed home so Jerome could go for a ride and I went out to breakfast with the kids.  I could not eat anything – ever since it has been hot here in Chicago, I have NO appetite – nothing interests me – no wonder my Hawaii friends are all 95 lbs!  How can you eat when it is always SO hot?

But, one thing that I know is I am SO fired up and excited to race and train.  AND that is always a boat that I want to be on. I feel GREAT!  And, I realized I am fit and need to get out and race some larger races, so with that promise and talking to my little inner circle (Dave my forever mentor, Jerome and Elizabeth – thanks guys) I decided to put my name on the wait list for Short Course Nationals and see if I can get in.  Then, I signed up for Long Course Nationals (1/2 IM) in Oklahoma…and I am doing a competitive 1/2 IM  next month in Wisconsin.  Time to get on the party train now versus the “all fun” train!

I am excited to step up the bigger races and get out in the mix more!

SO many friends and athletes that raced Twin Lakes – Congrats to everyone out there and thanks to everyone for cheering for me!  I “kind of” heard you all. 🙂  (I did see you Laura Wheatley – thanks for the pictures!).

Here is a picture of Patrick and I – overall winners – I had the pleasure of coaching Patrick for a few years – he is getting ready for IMKY.

This past weekend, we had a great family fun weekend.  It was one of those weekend where you sit down on Sunday night and wish you had another day (well, that is every weekend, but…)…

Since 2004 this weekend has been our annual trek to the East coast to visit Jerome’s parents and race Eagleman 70.3.  This year we decided to take a break from that trip (race really) and stay home.  And, we surely made the best of that decision.

Our weekend started off with a dance recital for Morgan and her friends.  They were in HIP HOP, which at 10 years old is still cute.  They were in SKIN TIGHT silver pants, fake eyelashes and full make-up.  Gosh…anyway, here is Morgan and her friend Della post show.  Excuse the eyes, this was taken on my IPhone.

And, then there were 2 soccer games…where Graham won both!  (which is not always the case this season).  Here he is after one game at the “Graham”  Coffee House.

Then, on Saturday night, it was Jerome’s turn in the fun weekend.  For those of you who do not know Jerome, he LOVES a few key things in life:  Coffee, Bikes and Beer….and he is always researching and trying to find the best beers all over the world.  So, on Saturday night after the recital, he opened up this and started to decide which one to have.  And, yes, this is in our basement (not how NEAT this is!).

And, then on Sunday morning we had 2 events…Graham ran a 5k with Jerome and ended up winning the AG.  Now, the reason this is so key is that the AG is 14 & under.  So, basically every year Graham does this 5k (hometown) race, someone beats him because FRESHMAN in high school are 14 years old.  I have complained (!) to the RD, but to no avail.  So, this year when Graham did the 5k and won his AG he said it was the “BEST DAY OF HIS LIFE!”  🙂

And, then there was a fun Triathlon for me!  Lake in the Hills triathlon is local, fun and I just had the best time EVER.  I woke up on Sunday morning and literally jumped out of bed – so excited I was racing locally with all my friends and triathletes that have been around these parts forever!  And, this year, Trudy the RD added an Elite wave, so it was trash talking all morning and all day.  I was fortunate to win the race (and set a course PR and I felt awesome!) and have Marie Carberry there from the Village taking some fun pictures of me racing!  Thanks Marie!

After the 5k, Triathlon – we headed to another soccer game for Graham and then to a Pool Party for the Masters team I swim on – by the time the weekend was over – we all needed another day!  We would not have it any other way – HAPPY SUMMER!

Last update I was talking about how “relaxed” I was this year and how I was going to just lay low.

That lasted one race.

After my sprint triathlon last month, I was not happy.  I had a great time at the race and won the AG, but it was not a race I was proud of – I did not race super well.  I thought I would just go with the flow – OR worse yet, that I could just race on my experience and guts.  Well, friends, that doesn’t work anymore.  Triathlon is a whole different ball game now – and there is always someone faster and stronger and well, everything, than you and I.  I had 2 choices:  either stick with my initial plan of “fun” or scrap it and get to work.  Truth be told, I had done all the work, I was fit and in shape…but, mentally I was giving myself an “out.”  WHICH is OK if you can handle the consequences of that; I could not.

So, I went back to the drawing board, told the team of people I keep close to me that I was changing directions and going to RACE and GAME is on.  And you know what that means?  I had to go from mindless training to MINDFUL training.

One of the things that athletes – especially new athletes – tend to make the biggest mistakes on is just going with the flow.  Following a group plan or following a group activity without any specifications to their individual needs.  These athletes just train to the point of just being obsessive about the sport – NOT what is the right workout to do in order to meet their goals.  I was doing what I wanted each day.  Sure, there was track and hard workouts – but if I did not want to push on the bike, I did not.  And that is not mindful training.  That is “working out”.  There is a huge difference.  I wanted to ride with my friends who had different agendas than I did and it just allowed me to socialize and talk too much.  That is not specific training, that is “working out” …AND when the goals and outcomes of races make me upset or disappointed, then it is time to re-assess.

It was my turn to either change my training OR change my attitude on my race results.  And, my attitude was not budging.

I changed my training.  I got a little more specific.  And, I started to rest and get rid of the junk in the plan.   AND I TAPERED for this race.  Yep, no excuses.

Fast forward to this weekend when I went to Hammond, Indiana (no need to go there, fyi), to race an Olympic Distance race: Leon’s.  There is a ton of history with this race.  In fact, I did one of the original races in the mid-90s.  Then, the race went away and now, thankfully, it is back.  And, this year held a super, super competitive field.  And, an AG Elite wave.  And, since I am not racing Eagleman next weekend (boo sniff) this was a great year for me to race.

There is a TON of media with this event.  Comcast covers the entire event and interviews all the past champions and some of the new competitors.  It is awesome!  One of the athletes I work with, Chris Wickard is the 2x Champion there, so not only was she interviewed, but I was too.  And, as a coach and competitor, that was awesome.

Leon’s is fast and flat:  Perfect for me.  Nothing suits me better – well except rain and hail and 100 mph winds, but that is not necessarily safe.  The Elite women went off with the Elite men and that always worries me, so I focused on staying outside of the mayhem and swam to the LEFT of the pack.  I got clean water immediately and grabbed some feet and sailed in.  I FELT awesome.  I do love my TYR Hurricane and the water was 66F degrees, so nice and cold!  Came out of the water in 20:34 and was 3^rd or 4^th out of the water….

As a side note…I knew how competitive this race was going to be. Not only with Chris and all the past athletes but some young fresh faces – like Jenn Howland who is the AG National champion of some young age..she is 17.  By the way, she beat me out of the water by 2 minutes!!!  DAMN!!!  I knew this was her first Olympic and if I was going to stay upfront, I would have to out bike her.

Chris was off on the bike and I knew Jenn H was up in the lead – I could see the TV cameras.  And, a new fresh face, Darcy was out there too, I finally realized once I passed her.  Anyway, we rode and rode hard and we were moving.  I finally had Jenn H in sight and passed her and said to her, “DO NOT give up …keep a short leash on us during this ride – because you can out –run all of us!”  And, that is the truth.  I have known  Jenn for a very long time – since she was probably about 12…and I knew she was not used to getting passed by her young competitors.  And, I knew that mentally us passing her would freak her out, so I didn’t want her to give up.  MANY give up when they are passed…why? IT IS A LONG race…anything can happen.

Anyway, I hammered on the bike and Robbie Ventura was on the course and Chris rode in 1^st and I rode in 2^nd for the 2^nd half of the bike and he kept screaming, “It is Harrison Harrison” because Chris had on the JHC shorts.  FUN!

I was NOT gaining on Chris at all.  We came into T 2 and she had a minute on me.  That is A LOT of time to make up on a 10k.  I had the camera on me still and ran for 3 miles with them attached at my hip.  It is an odd feeling.  I felt good and was running sub 7 pretty easily, but I was working. I KNEW what was coming behind me.

Side note:  Work with me on this one, girls….so the camera is on me for the first 3 miles of the run AND I was working and it did not bother me, but darn if they show my ASS running that whole time on TV when this race airs — I will be eating lettuce for the rest of my life.

But, I will confess I was SO HAPPY.  Do you ever start a triathlon and during the race think, “WHAT AM I DOING?”  I used to think that in the water….NOT this year or even today.  I was like, “I am in 2^nd at mile 3 of this thing!”  My goal was TOP 10 Elite!  YIPPEEEEE!  (where is the nearest Dairy Queen? – kidding, I was Not thinking about this as I was racing!)

Anyway, I could hear the girls and we had a turn around and everyone seemed to be hauling ass.  And, I felt like I was just holding it together.

And, then along came Adrienne, who ended up winning Overall..she was running so fast, there was NO way I could go…she ended up running a 37:00 for the 10k and then another gal went by and she ended up running a 37:12 or something..so at least I was in good company.  I was still in the 6:45 range give or take AND getting passed hard.

But, I was not slowing that much and just kept the course…Amanda and I came down the chute together and after going back and forth all day together in parts, it was a great way to end the race – for her and I.  She is getting faster and faster every race!!

So, for the Elites, I came in 5^th.  I was super happy.  A few of the AG women were up in that time mix too and I really wish they would have raced Elite, because it is a different game up front solo…but they did not.

And, afterwards it was a huge social party.  Talking to everyone…seeing old, familiar faces….great to see Lindsay Zucco, who we have raced together since the beginning of time – she raced Elite too and had a great race as well….and that young Jenn Howland?  She finished right behind me with a 39:xx minute 10k.  So, she’s going to be tough to beat once she gets some muscle on her (cycling strength).  I was just happy to be in the game, happy to be feeling good and just – well, we had a great time!

I have to tell you who the real trooper of the weekend was:  MIA…a friend and athlete from here who went with me to Leon’s.  I was NOT nervous about this race, but I was a little crazed about the hotel room and HAMMOND…see, you can still smoke in Indiana in public..and the hotel, restaurant and everything smelled like a big gross ash tray.  I was stressed that the hotel was having a wedding..and that I would not sleep.  Mia was so nice and so accommodating…really, a trooper.  I did sleep 8 hours that night and everything turned out super.  Thanks Mia!

AND Congrats to all the athletes out there…I will forget many, but the athletes that I coach that were there and ALL had PRs or great races – CONGRATS:  Mia, Chris, Alison, Brad, Cristie, Dave B, Mark Evenson – Congrats!!!

This year the Galena Triathlon was another race I wanted to my race calendar.  It is just 2 hours from my house and one of my sorority sisters has a cute and quaint home there.  I have done Galena 7-8x and while it is super hilly and hard; I love it.  Many local athletes and friends of mine are out there – it is a the official Kick-Off to the triathlon season.

I drove out with Karen and Elizabeth.  I had invited Elizabeth later once I realized she was, in fact, going to race.  Poor Karen…she is used to me, but add in Elizabeth and we talk non stop about a TON of random things back and forth.  And, we bitch and moan about not being at race weight and then eat a LARGE Blizzard after the race and figure out why we “only” won on AG at this race.  I am sure Karen was DONE with us when we got home.

Galena has 2 different transitions, so we are all bused to the start of the race early in the AM.  Honestly, the bus ride was the best time ever.  Elizabeth, Jenny Garrison (who had just given birth 10 weeks ago and won her AG too – amazing) laughing like school girls on the bumpy and erratic drive to the lake!

I will say that I had fun.  It is like a mini- Chicago National Championships. Many are there fast and fit and ready to win.  I like the competitiveness of this race.  The only thing I do not like is that there is NO Elite wave.  There really should be – just purely from a safety standpoint.  And, of course, my wave is last because it always is.  So, not only did I go last but had to ride the course (which was open to traffic coming the OTHER WAY!!) with everyone riding 4-5 abreast on the road.  Made for a dangerous race!   But, that is racing and I just did my best not crash or plow into anyone.

I was first out of the water and first out of T2…I had not seen anyone in my AG all day.  And, that is the hard part…you “THINK” you are going hard and working because you are passing hundreds of people and are leading the AG, but it really is never fast enough in that kind of mix of waves!

Anyway, it was 90F and humid and I LOVE that weather but it went from 50F to 90F in typical format – 1 day – so that hurt badly.  I led out of T2 and heard footsteps…and thought, “WHO is that?”  Then, I see this gal as we are crawling up the first big hill and she passes me.  HOLY hell.  Well, isn’t that a kick in the ass?  I could not respond.  I was already maxed out and knew it was going to be a long run in that heat.  She put 20 meters on me right away.

I could see her and I did NOT let her go.  I carried a small flask of my EFS because this course only has 1-2 water stations (this is the first year it has ever been hot there) with just water.  In these temperatures, I needed more.  The run was 4.3 miles of rolling and hilly terrain.

Then, I saw her mistake.  She probably thought there were more aide stations – but I knew and warned everyone there was 1 for sure and maybe 2.  She blew thru it…and if she did take something she did not drink anything (poured it over her head)….I took and poured over my head and drank!  Well, around mile 2 I was gaining on her.  And, by mile 2.5 I was on her shoulder and had my legs back and was now running much stronger than she was.  She was melting in that heat!!

Then, came a place in the race where we go down into this little valley and out.  There was water at the top of this in and out.  She was dying for water and then I made the strategic decision to blow thru that water station and drink from my flask.  At this point, it was mile 3 + and I only had just over 1.5 miles left and fluid to drink.  I surged hard and knew that if I did not do it then, I would never catch her because after this aide station the race is downhill.  She did not respond!  I was so happy because not only did I win the AG, but I never gave up.  It is SO easy in races that are that hot and hilly (when we are not used to that terrain) to feel sorry for yourself and not really suffer….but I would have none of that.  While I want to have fun – I want to win just as bad.

And, nothing beats a head to head sufferfest while racing!  It is my favorite!

Yesterday I really had to do some soul searching.  I realize this may sound so lame to a lot of you who read this blog..but for some of you who really know me and know the dynamics of a race like this will understand where I am coming from.  I had told myself I wanted to have “FUN” this year…and I am!  But, what does that really mean?  I think I thought if I trained hard and did the work then I would show up and always be in the mix of things…and for the most part, that is true.  But, after the overall finish on Saturday I realized I cannot have it all.  

If I want to train and have fun then I MUST attach the end result to that attitude. You can’t have it all.

Gone are the days where I can piss around and show up and expect to win anything.  GONE GONE GONE!

So, while I worked through my thoughts yesterday and poor Elizabeth and Jerome had to listen to my ramblings (thank you!) I realized that I need to pull my head out of my A$$ and get after it.  So, I changed my mind.  I was taking the year “low key” because the house is on the market and I was FRIED last year after training and racing IM AZ on my injury…..BUT the house is not selling and my Achilles is GOOD…so what the HECK AM I DOING?

I want to race and do well.  I am in good shape, just need some fine tuning and a kick in the butt on some structure.  So, here I go.  Funny how you think you want one thing…but clearly, you want another.  The good news is that we are allowed to change our minds!  And, we are allowed to take risks and as long as our expectations and END results are in line with our training and commitment then it all works out nicely.

I thought I could just “have fun”….but I realize I do not roll that way. At all.

In keeping with my theme this year: “FUN”….I am having a great time..but I am finding myself wanting to go longer and do more.  I think part of the problem is that we are having the BEST weather ever.  You know, 60s and 70s and dry (unheard of here)…and sunny!  It just makes you want to train and not work.

I was out on my bike today and my ride was super short..and I thought, “that is all!”  I am so used to training for the Ironman that anything under 3 hours seems silly.  Of course now I am doing harder intervals and harder overall rides, but I am having fun on the bike…and that was the first thing I wanted to throw away after IM.

AND, the open water is basically open now.  Another sign summer is here.  I am dying to get into the water – I wanted to go last week but I could not get any takers (boo)!  And, I will not swim OW solo…you know, the water monsters will get me.

Now it is May 15th and I am starting to race a lot.  I am so happy to race all short stuff…I am racing Galena this weekend…one of my all time favorite races:  hilly and competitive!  I have done it like 7-8x but it is still one of my favs.  Then, I am doing a 10 mile run race over the Holiday weekend…then I am racing Leon’s…which is a VERY competitive OLY race in Indiana…I actually did the original ones (before Leon stopped doing the race – and re-started it) in the mid 90s.

Then, I am racing a little local Sprint the weekend of June 10th.  I usually race Eagleman 70.3 that weekend.  And, for those who have known me, know it is my all time favorite race.  But, we cannot go this year.  In my theme of “low key” it was not making the cut…and the final straw was it is Morgan’s dance recital that weekend.  So, no EM for me (sniff boo)….

Then, the last weekend in June I am doing another local sprint.  I am NOT sure who I think I am doing these Sprints.  Gasp….And, then a 1/2 Ironman in July up in Wisconsin.

Then, I am at a loss.  See, my fitness is actually very good for May because I am coming off the massive training I did last year and then I rested and now feel GREAT.  So, strike when the iron is hot is my motto!  And, as long as I have the desire to race, I gotta go with it.

The last race I have planned is my 1/2 Ironman in July…22nd weekend.  Well, that leaves August and the fall to do some more things.  My favorite distance is the 1/2 IM, so that is what I am thinking I should do…I do not want to do run races (not like a marathon or anything).  I have thrown around the idea of SC Nats or LC Nationals, but that takes away my “FUN” theme….and while I am fit enough to race there, not sure I want to…travel.

So, that is what is running through my mind these weeks.  I am training like I am doing Nationals….I am training like I normally do.  In fact, I was on the track yesterday and FINALLY after 6 weeks of speed work I am seeing some times that I should be doing on the track.  BEST workout ever.  HONEST and hard. Most athletes run too easy and too much on the track.  Get on the roads for that stuff.  The track is for hard running and pace work.  Every time I go to the track, I am nauseous with fear and anticipation.  And, I know what I can do on the track pretty clearly.  And, yesterday was a great breakthrough for me coming off this damn achilles injury from last fall.

Anyway, now I am rambling…but all I have to figure out is what I should do after July 22nd.  And, NO IM please…remember, I said NO already to Hawaii…and I don’t regret that decision at all.

Oh and irony of this?  We took an easy year b/c we put our house up on the market and wanted to start to build our new house?  WELL our house is not going anywhere…we have had NO bites in 10 weeks.  It is a horribly tough market out there …and while I knew it would be TOUGH, I had no idea this rough….so there is NO building anything until this house sells.

I am open to your racing thoughts – throw them out!!