Monday, July 31, 2006

It's H-O-T hot outside, folks!!

So as I've mentioned before, my running has to increase due to marathon training right around the corner. Though I'm still keeping up my tri activities, I am making room for longer runs. For instance, I am still doing bricks until the season is over, but I'm just adding more miles onto the run part. So that's that.

Yesterday I went out for a 6 miler; but without really thinking, I managed to schedule my run at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. And here in Texas guys, it gets really hot. It was around a hundred degrees I'm guessing and I was feeling every drop of sun. My 6 miler ended up being a 4 miler with a nice stop at the dam at the half way point. So note to self: Don't schedule your run in the middle of the day when it's scheduled to be a really HOT day. Aside from the heat, it was a beautiful day. The sun was out, the birds were chirping, and there were fishermen all along the river (some were in the river). I think tonight I'll make my way to the trail...but it will be when the sun goes down.

Happy trails!

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Self Supported Triathlon

Okay, well here's the thing: Cara and I just finished a tri last weekend and we're ready for another. BUT, and that's a big "but", we want to go somewhere for our next one. Since we've spent so much money on our recent vacations, we're hesitant to spent up to a hundred dollars on our next race. Sooooo, we're thinking about doing a self supported race in a cool location. I think it would be really cool to go to Colorado and do a race and maybe call it "In Transit Triathlon". What do you think?? I'm loving it. That way we get travel and triathlon but on our own schedule. Unfortunately there are no races in the Colorado area when we were available to do one. We're thinking about August...who's going with us??!!??!!??!!

I've got the bug, the tri bug that is. I'm gettin' it pretty bad too. I feel like I should get another tri under my belt pretty soon. I'm feeling the tri fever all around me. People like Powerful Peggy and Triboomer are keeping me motivated so much that I feel like I should be in the water, on my bike, or on the pavement all of the time. But not in a bad way, I'm totally pumped! September is just around the corner and I know that marathon training is coming up soon so I'd like to get more tri training in before the season starts. Gosh, life is good. I just love this sport. And I might not be the best but I love it.

I'm planning on doing a 15K pretty soon but it's the same day as a bike rally so I'm kind of torn. Awwww...who cares...it's great to be alive!!!

Monday, July 24, 2006

Grand Canyon Trip

The Colorado River


This is one our campsites on the trip. It was breathtaking honestly.


One of the gorgeous overlooks on our hike down the Canyon!


And this was a cool day...


Once dinosaurs roamed this land; now only teeny tiny ones do. Cara took this pic while we were walking through the Petrified Forest. Our little desert friend. =)


Sunday, July 23, 2006

Rrrrrace Report!!!

Well folks, I did it!!! I'm alive and well and back in the great state of Texas. I'll cut to the chase and let you know how my race went. Here are my results and thoughts.

Overall Age Group: 12 out of 14
Thoughts: I didn't want to be last and I wasn't. Phew!!

Swim: 28:11
Thoughts: Yea!!! I beat my swim goal by several minutes. I still have much more improvement to conquer but I'm slowly getting there! I don't feel as discouraged anymore but I know I have much more room for improving my swim technique. Don't get me started, I could go on and on about this topic as you know.

T1: 1:59
Thoughts: Geeeez!! This is such a major improvement from my last tri. I didn't talk and I got down to business. I felt really off balance after the swim so I was suprised to see my time was under two minutes. I was also suprised to see several people walking through their transitions.

Bike: 44:48
Thoughts: I knew during my bike that I was going really slow. I was having an extremely hard time breathing. I truly felt as though I was breathing through a straw. My goal for this part of the race was between 30 and 45 minutes but I really thought I would have finished long before I did. I was a little disappointed on this time but that's okay, training will continue.

T2: 1:46
Thoughts: Hello!! Once again, major improvement from last tri.

Run: 37:19
Thoughts: Whoa. During the swim and run I knew I was having a hard time with the altitude but running is my thing and I felt really relaxed and really good. So seeing this time for a 5K was extremely disappointing to me. I walked for about 15 seconds when I got a drink of water but the rest of the time I ran. My breathing felt under control finally but I guess my body was moving slower than I realized. My final thoughts on this is that I felt good about it during the race and that's all that matters. Sure it's a little disappointing but once again, training will continue.

Overall: 1:54:01
Thoughts: My overall time was of course longer than I was expecting. I don't know if I was psyching myself out about the altitude or if it really was playing a factor in my performance. The race was really flat and it was BY FAR the most relaxed event that I've ever attended, as far as the rules and such. Transition was first come, first served, and it never closed before the race. We were free to go in and out as we wished, which kind of bothered me but it was also kind of nice. Everyone there was really nice and I met some super nice people. I have a feeling that if this race was done at a lower altitude that I would have had shorter times. Isn't it funny how we train so hard to finish the race as fast as we can? You'd think that we'd want to make it last as long as possible considering how much work we've put into it. It's just funny to think about.

Anyway, overall the race was so much fun. The full race report will be on the next In Transit show. It should be out soon! If you listen to the show and want to leave a voice mail about whatever you want, feel free to call our In Transit phone line and leave up to a two minute long message. 920.482.4822. We'd love to hear from you!

Here are some pictures from the day before and race day! Enjoy!!

Pre-race hydration. Very important!



The world's longest transition area (and this is only part of it).


I had to conquer Lake Mary...and I did!!!


This is me zooming by on my 'cycle! Great feeling!


This picture is the last few steps of my race! And yes, I did beat that guy!


Me and Cara right after the race. Relaxation time!

I'll post more pictures and thoughts about our trip to the Grand Canyon very soon! I'm off...

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

T minus 4 days and counting

Well, this is the week before my next triathlon. I'm doing the Mountain Man sprint in Flagstaff, AZ. I was feeling pretty good about the race until yesterday. Cara, Triboomer, and I went for a short open water swim (600 meters) and a very short sub mile run. The swim wasn't too, too bad but on the run I felt out of energy and had to walk some of the distance. I have no idea what could have caused this but I was freaking out afterwards. I felt like a wimp, not a triathlete about to embark on a race. But on my way home, I realized that I was already wearing my running gear, I had my MP3 player with me (loaded full of stellar tunes), and my running trail was before I hit my exit to go to my house. Last minute, I decided to hit the running trail and go for a run. SUCCESS!! For some reason, my energy was up, my legs weren't tired, and my tunes were blaring. I ran about 2.5 miles and I felt good...really good!

Let me get this straight. Running is by far my best sport of the three so when I couldn't run a mile yesterday I was trippin'. So after my recovery run, my confidence is back. Now all I have to do is survive the swim which I think is completely possible. It might not be pretty but by golly, I'm gonna do it!!

Here's some pre-race information:
Swim: 700 meters
Bike: 18 K
Run: 5 K

My thoughts are:
1) I can do this. I've done much more difficult races than this one. Go, go, go!
2) Decrease my transition times by not talking and unstrapping my shoes prior to dismount.
3) I'm a little concerned with the altitude difference. It's roughly a 6,500 foot difference.
4) I'm also a little nervous about camping out the night before. Are we crazy??
5) It's been a while since I've been in the water with a hundred other people elbowing, punching, and kicking me. Since this is my weakest sport, those factors DO play a role in my anxiety.
6) I'm really excited to see Arizona!
7) The race course looks pretty flat for the most part, with the exception of the uphill swim. =)
8) I can do this, I've done this, I can do it again...but better! Go, go, go!!! Don't freak out!!!

I know there are several other races happening this Sunday. So for those of you picking up race packets, GOOD LUCK!!! Swim, Bike, Run your heart out! Okay, I'm off...

Saturday, July 08, 2006

Show 7

It's up and ready for your listening pleasure! This show covers Cara's Velodrome experience, our interview with fellow triathlete and cancer survivor Tyler, and much, much more!! You can also find our show at our website www.intransitduo.com and also through Itunes. Enjoy!!!

Click here to listen to Show 7

Friday, July 07, 2006

Toss your bike in the lake, fish need bikes too!

I finally decided to fill out some information on the profile section of my blog. If you haven't done it, at the end of the form that you fill out they ask you a randomly strange question to which you are asked to respond.

My random question happened to be this one:
"Well, maybe they don't need them, but don't you think that some fish might like a bicycle?"

My response was this:
"For sure! I bike when I'm tired of swimming. Go Triathletes!!!"

Appropriate, huh?!?! Anyway, after work I'm doing a long run in the hot Texas sun on a beautiful day! Be looking for show 7 to come out very, very soon. I'm off...

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

Long Weekends Call for Long Workouts

Well, it's true. Long weekends should call for long workouts; however, it never seems to work out that way. I have been working out but I definitely planned on working out more or at least longer. It has been so bloody hot here in Arkansas. Yeah, it's not as hot as Texas, but the humidity here is MURDER!! I still got out there and did it but WOW do I sweat. I have managed to get the workouts in but getting away from home always screws up my workout schedule. The great thing is that I get to run or ride in new spots so the adventure is always nice. And Arkansas certainly is beautiful.

Yesterday was Independence Day so I stayed busy traveling and hanging out with family. It was really great. Everything went well until I decided to eat a piece of cake. I have an allergy to nuts and nine times out of ten there are nuts or nut oils in any kind of dessert. I ALWAYS, ALWAYS ask, or read the box if I'm able to, or just avoid the food all together. However, yesterday, for some strange reason I failed to take the proper care that I usually do. Naturally, the cake that was used contained modified foods that were produced in nut factories. Geeeez!!! Anyway, I ended up laying on my nieces bed just a few moments after my epinephrine shot. I actually felt better a few minutes later, I just HATE having the after-shot shakes and headache. But as the day continued and the rain subsided, the 4th ended up being great! Great food, great people, great fireworks! I just love the feeling of Independence Day! What a great feeling to be an American! So here's a shout out to all those who serve in the United States military and Reserve forces both active and retired. Thank you for all you do and for all you have done for our country!! Happy 4th of July everyone! Now get on your bike and ride!!!!!! I'm off...