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!