First triathlon in the books!

I did it.  It wasn't pretty, especially the start, but now I can call myself a triathlete!

First I want to thank everyone for their support on this.  Denise has been a hero in taking take of the kids while I've spent a lot of time training.  Then my teammate during the event--Victoria Ramirez.  Tim Pollard for originating the idea, and although he didn't race, for at least going on a ride of the course with me.  Laurie Matheson for showing her support during the race.  And Lauri Kopra for helping me with my swim. 

Then of course, this was all for CJ and her family.  So thank you to Roger and Rachel and the rest of the Foundation for supporting me during this.  I'm proud to say I raised over $1500 for CJSTUF!


Here are the times for the race.

Swim: 00:08:17.5
T1: 00:01:41.1
Bike: 00:35:53.7
T2: 00:00:56.2
Run: 00:24.30.9
Total: 1:11:19.4

A full recap and breakdown to follow.

Final prep

I had my last open water practice yesterday.  It went well.  I did try just jumping straight in and swimming, and while I was sort of able to, the cold water shock is big and I had to take a breather almost immediately.  As much as it doesn't sound fun, I think I will plan on doing a little pre-race swim just to get over the cold.  Then I get to hang around damp until the race start.

I don't have any big serious work-outs this week, it's mostly about tapering and not getting rusty.  I have been suspicious about my left knee (that I notice mostly when I'm riding), so will stay away from big gears and long rides.  I think that is what did it, I jumped in too long too soon on the bike.  Going from basically 0 to 30 miles was too much.  Anyway, I'm not greatly concerned...just a little.

Which really just leaves transitions and logistics.  I practiced the former in the garage this afternoon.  Can I tell you how silly I felt donning all my race gear and taking it on and off in the garage.  Fortunately none of my neighbors witnessed it.  As far as logistics, being a one-car family has proven a downside.  I need to get there hours before the family would like to, so I'm having to arrange alternate transport.  I may have to rent a car; I'm actually hoping to try out Zipcar, but my account hasn't been approved yet (not sure what the hold up is, it's a corporate account so it may very well be my own company.)  I'm hoping it's not that my drivers license expires in 10 days--but that's a different story.  So is the cop story, but that's also for another time ;)

And how could I forget, yet another teammate has dropped out.  Tim is giving his old man knee as the excuse for leaving me high and dry.  But at least I have confirmed my friend Victoria is still in it, and our friend Laurie will be there in support.  Can you believe at one point I had almost 10 people that were going to race?  I guess that doesn't say much about my race leader skills.

Now, just to not let my nerves get the best of me.

1k

I broke the $1000 mark!  I never had an official goal, just to raise as much money as possible...but secretly I really want to raise at least a thousand dollars.  And just before the one week to go mark I hit that.  I am so thankful to everyone who helped and contributed. This really means a lot to me, and it will go a long way to help CJSTUF.  So thank you!

I'm stoked!

Second time in Aquatic Park this morning.  Again thanks to Lauri for taking me out.  I did MUCH better this time.  Really not much nervousness at all.  Still bitterly freezing cold, but I was able to actually concentrate on my stoke most of the time and my breathing, instead of just being panicked about the whole thing.  Turns out I don't need a special cold water swim cap (maybe for a long swim)--the regular caps does just fine.  Also thought I might need some better/bigger goggles (Aqua Sphere), but my regular swim goggles also were fine this time--the defogger made a big difference.  I also tried ear plugs this time--which aren't necessary in the pool, but I feel like it helped with no cold water going in my ears. 

Anyway, all around a much more positive experience.  And since that was really my last hurdle to get over...I'm totally stoke and ready for the race!  I still need to practice transitions, and figure out race logistics, but otherwise am ready to go.

I also had a really good brick workout this week.  Did a spin class with one of my race buddies Victoria, then immediately went out and ran 4 miles at an 8 minute mile pace--which is fast for me.  So that's all coming together too.  Next week is my last hard week, then a week of taper.

On the fund raising effort, I sent an email out to the parents of Lila's and Cora's school.  Thanks to the Director of Hills Plaza Marin Day Schools for allowing me to do that.  So between that and the work email last week I've had some more donations coming in.  I'm almost at 4 digits, so I'm really thrilled with that.  Again thanks to the parents and the Schwabbies for their contributions.

into the...

COOOOOOOOOOOLD!!!

I did one of my last new things today.  I practiced the open water swim for he first time.  With much thanks to my friend Lauri--who is a pro at the open water--she was able to calm me down get me through it.  Really--this is the only part of the race that is still intimidating.

We donned our wetsuits and started into Aquatic Park.  (My daughters were quite fascinated the the wetsuit and kept coming over to pet me in it.)  I knew it was going to be cold... and it was (about 50 degrees).  There is nothing pleasant about that.  And while the wetsuit did it's job, it doesn't cover feet, ankles, hands or your face.  The ankles was really the worse bit--they hurt, REALLY hurt because of the cold.  I think the only thing that made me get over that was getting my face wet--because that literally is just so shocking it takes your breath away.

Honestly, things went pretty well.  But definitely a few lessons learned.  For instance, there are no breaks--no place to touch down and take a breather.  When you're tired, treading water or a back float are your only options--and it's just not the same as standing up on the bottom of the pool.  And more than anything else, I was exhausted from that.

Not being able to see due to murky water was different too--but that didn't really bother me.  Speaking of not being able to see--I did use defogger, but it didn't work.  I don't know if it's because the water was just so cold, but really I couldn't see at all where I was going even when I looked up.  My best option there was just trying to stay with Lauri, because then I knew I was pretty much going the right direction.  And that was something else--with the tides it's much harder to go straight than you think.  (I did once mistake a buoy for her :)

Anyway, despite that bit of panic at the beginning it was a very positive experience.  And Lauri can take most of the credit there.  I can't say I'm a convert and that open water is my new thing, but I am--or will be-- comfortable enough with it to get through it and on to the bike.  Then the fun can begin.

Also, I finally sent the pledge email to my work colleagues.  I suppose I am most nervous about that email than others.  We get so many similar emails at work for other fundraisers, hopefully they won't mind--but I still don't like bothering my colleagues.  Sorry, and thanks in advance!

It's getting closer, less than a month

I rented my wet suit today.  I'll get to use it this Saturday at Aquatic Park.  My friend Lauri is going to show me the ropes of open water swimming.  Pretty excited--a little nervous.

Also today, I effectively did the tri...indoors.  I went to the gym and did all three sports in succession for either the distance (swimming and running) or time (spinning) I expect to do.  I did the swim a little faster than planned (but still slow), and the run a bit slower than I wanted. Again because of being indoors, it was hard to say how my biking compared.  Transitions weren't realistic at because the gym is layed out for a triathlon and I had to deal with a locker, etc.  Nonetheless, did the whole thing in 1:20.54 which is just off the mark of what I hope to actually do.  And I was not super-pushing it, so I have more to give come race time.  (Assuming I don't choke like my last race and let my nerves and heart rate get the best of me.)  I was pretty pleased with this effort, especially for the first time of doing all three.

One lesson learned, might need to invest in better tri-shorts.

Then the other other sports news, is I got my bike back form the shop today.  New shifters, chain, cables, handlebar tape and brake pads.  Plus a tune-up.  Wasn't too happy about the bill, or the fact they lost the parts for a while.  But I am stoked to try it out--hopefully Thursday.  Last Thursday I got a 22 mile ride in on the mountain bike.  So I'm hoping for about 30 this time on the roadie.

Still Training

Wow has it really been a month since my last post?

Well, even though my blogging has been lagging, my training has not.  While I still have not been good about sticking to my actual plan, I am basically getting in 2 swims, 2 runs and 2 rides in each week.  In fact, last week I had a 2 hour run--which means I haven't really lost much from my Half Marathon training.  And his past weekend I got an 18 mile ride--on my mountain bike no less--which is my longest ride in a very long time.

The side story there is that my road bike needs some work.  While on a different ride, the shifters basically went out--leaving me with a 1 speed while going up hill.  I was going to get a tune up anyway, but now I have to replace the shifters as well.  For now, I'm on the knobby tires--road bike is due back next week.  Oh yeah--spinning is about as boring as it gets--WAY more boring that running on a treadmill.  Now that the weather has finally dried up, and daylight savings is here--I should be able to get outside more for both.

I'm also almost within one month of the race, which means I need to rent my wet suit and start getting in the cold cold water.  Another side story here--it turns out being in the water lot, causes dry skin.  At first I had no idea what it was, then I thought it was the chlorine, but no--it really is just the time in water.  So I've had to buy some fancy soaps and lotions to counteract the water.

The most exiting development--is that the jerseys came in.  They look awesome!  A little on the small size though.  I'll just have to drop a few more pounds.

Time to get back on the fund-raising bandwagon again.