Training with homies is so much easier/better > training by yourself. Why? Well first, you will actually do it. There are some days when I can just think of 8758947 excuses to NOT do my workout, but if I have a workout planned with someone, I won't bail unless I'm REALLY sick. It's no secret that I like to repeat things in my head while training, (hello, who counts to 10 a whole half marathon and is totally kosher with that?) Somehow the song, "Rollin' with my Homies" got stuck in my head and whenever I do any sort of training with others, I end up repeating ---ing with my homies ....... the entire time. (Beth, what is telling about me that I do that?!)
I started off cove-ing with my homies two weeks ago. It was only my second open water swim of the season, but it was lots of fun to swim with Marison, Hannah, Tanya, and Sal. The water was like a pool it was so calm, which helps me not hyperventilate and flip a bitch in the water. I've continued to cove with the homes this week with Fwed and trying to catch some of the draft of Charles and Taylor. Well, and Boc Choy, but he was waiting in the car. Going to the cove with other people is something that MUST happen or else I will not swim. There are too many monsters and sharks in that water for me to swim by myself!
I've been digging with my homies aka doing big gear work. Trina and Schlocks let me play catch up with them the whole time (except I never caught up) out doing GWL and Honey Springs repeats. Trina was nice enough to help me with Hi-Maintanene when he was literally falling apart.. I tried building my bike back after St. Croix and that really didn't go so well! Thank god for Paul at Hi-Tech for helping me.
Unfortuanately I had to settle with waving to my homies on my Sunday long runs because no one wanted to do a 2.5 hour run with me with Torrey Pines repeats built in. Luckily I saw enough people out on the PCH so I was able to wave and cheer a little bit.
My favorite homie workout this week was yesterday's "dying with the homies." Michele, Fwed, Honisch, Shane and I took off for a 100 mile ride. I think Michele and I were the only ones who actually had 100 miles on their schedules because when we got back to Honisch's house at 90 miles, we opted to keep going. Obviously at this point we didn't WANT to keep going, so those last 10 miles weren't cute. We stopped by Bergs house (he wasn't home, but we did get to see Kristen!), we stopped at Lululemon to see my lulu homies, and we stopped.....at Burger Lounge. After a cheeseburger, fries, and a chocolate milkshake, we were ready to finish up those last miles and get ready for the T run. We decided to run trail because that just seems to make the time go by faster. I ran the first 30 minutes with Michele, but then she turned around because she has the Encinitas Sprint Triathlon today, and didn't need to do a 2 hour T run. It was perfect because the first 30 minutes are usually death for me, but running with Michele made time fly by and before I knew it, it was time to turn around. I felt great the first 90 minutes of the run, and almost at exactly 90 minutes, my milkshake was NOT bringing all the boys to the yard. My stomach hurt, my right quad was cramping (this one cramped during St. Croix, too -- wtf!?) and I was not a happy camper. I trotter back to my car, but still had extra time to run. I ended up doing 12.5 miles which I am pretty happy about.
This weekend I got a facebook chain message from Marison and she was telling Trina and I that she had to share her training schedule with us for next week otherwise she'd start crying. Well when I saw her schedule I think I started crying because I know my shit will be really similar to hers! But just the fact that we are all in this crazy training together makes everything so much more fun and actually doable. If I had to do a 100 mile ride and 12.5 trail run by myself, I'd tell Lesley to fudge off! Thank god for all the homies!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
"THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT"
I went to St. Croix with different types of goals for my race. Instead of my goal JUST being to qualify for Kona, Lesley and I sat down and figured that I need to achieve certain things before expecting to qualify. The main one being nutrition. Sometimes I simply forget to do things. After a Dave Matthews concert one year, I realized that I honestly forgot to listen to the songs except for like 3. When there is a lot going on around me, I get a little frazzled! So the main goal for St. Croix was to concentrate on nutrition. My other goal was to hold back on the bike a bit so I could have a solid run. In previous races, I just swam and biked as hard as I could and would trot my way to the finish line. Well, I'm sick of trotting and I want to post the run splits that I do during training. Kona was fo shizzle a goal, but I wasn't going to have it be my end all, be all. In fact, the two girls in my AG that beat me bitch slapped me with their times, but I couldn't be more satisfied with this race. This is the first time that I felt I truly pushed it the whole time and never let up. I earned my third place slot ... I didn't just happen to win like last year. After some reflecting from this race, I have decided that I never was EXTREMELY satisfied about qualifying for Worlds because, in a way, it came too easily. I qualified at St. George after walking a good 6-8 miles and I qualified at Boise after "running" a 2:08. Don't get me wrong, I know that I earned those slots and put forth the hard work, but I worked SO freakin' hard at St. Croix and was no where near a slot. I have also never worked so hard during training, so having a solid race really put a smile on my face.
My mom and dad always say that I look so miserable while I'm racing and that I'm never smiling, usually because I'm bonking like a biotch on the run! This race I made another personal goal to HAVE FUN. I got a text from Tanya the day before the race and she said, "No neg self talk this weekend!! F*ck that - all good talk. You ARE strong - period. Don't worry or concern ourself w/ what other people think!!" That text made me be like, "oh! duh! I do this for fun, but I haven't had fun in a race for a long ass time." I was so caught up with these two girls in my AG who are from West point and go 4:4x in the half Ironman distance. I spent sleepless nights wondering if they were going to show up, if they train hills, if they would take the Kona slot, etc, etc. After reading T's text, I realized like who gives a fudge if they do or don't - there is NOTHING I can change now.
On to zee race:
SWIM -
Holy guacamole!! This shit was tough! It was extremely choppy going out, and the riptide/current (umm I don't know the difference!) coming back was hell! Coming back, it felt like when you are trying to swim out of the water and the waves keep pulling you back. It was such a weird feeling of trying so hard and literally not going anywhere. After swimming like an asshole-io at Oceanside, I'm really happy that I swam strong the whole time. My time was 32:xx which normally would blow for me, but I had the 3rd fastest female amateur split and the 1st was only ~40 seconds faster. That shows how hard this swim was!
BIKE -
I said damn! If people thought St. George was too hard, then I would NOT recommend this course!! I was really surprised by this course. Everyone blabs about "The Beast" and how it's so hard, blah blah blah. Yes, it wasn't cute climbing a hill that has some 21% pitches, but The Beast honestly wasn't the bad part about this course. I was so mentally prepared for this hill, so when I got to it, I just went to an easy gear and spun to the top. Well, I tried to spin as much as possible .. it wasn't easy with the steepness! What really sucked about this course was having to climb Beast #2...3,4,5,6,7,8.....745892!!! At least during St. George we climbed a hill, but then we got recovery on a downhill section or flat. The downhills were extremely technical with lots of tight turns. We would go downhill, make a 120 degree turn, losing all momentum, and then have to climb again. Not to mention the freaking humidity was draining like whoa. And the headwind. And crosswind. And downpour rain. I think I might have taken it TOO easy on the bike, but oh well. Lesley and I agreed that I'd average 230watts for the first half of the ride and between 240 and 250 for the second half. Well my powermeter refused to turn on, so I had to go off of feel. I think I was just really "feeling" a cruisey ride!
The first girl in my AG passed me at mile 15..like I wasn't even moving. The next girl passed me at mile 25, but I was able to catch back up to her and tell her where the other girl was located and how far ahead she was. The rest of the ride I was holding on for dear life trying not to get blown over. I also had a Wu Tang Clan song stuck in my head for about 40 miles. The goes, "Wu Tang Clan ain't nothing to f*ck with" so I just opted out a few words to make it, "St. Croix hills ain't nothing to f*ck with" ... on repeat. What did make me laugh, besides creating songs in my head, was this one man while I was climbing The Beast. The Beast is only 7/10 of mile, but it a full of sharp turns, so if you turn at a weird angle, you are screwed. The one turn that lead to a 21% grade a whole bunch of men were forced to get off their bikes and walk up that section. I was chugging along and this one guy saw me - the only person on their bike .. AND a female - and he starts screaming, "THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!" I tried to laugh, but I was out of oxygen. Anyways, his little line kept me going the rest of the race.
RUN -
This run was the bomb. We ran out of town, through hills, to the grounds of The Buccaneer which was a resort. We then ran through the resort which had steep ass hills and was also mostly trail. We then made our way back through the hills to transition area and did it all over again. Before I left, I was talking to Simon, Lesley's husband, and explaining that I always feel like I am being hunted on the run. Usually, when I am not racing against superstars like the West point girls, I don't get caught until the run. When I am hunted down. (cough, Oceanside, cough). Simon helped give me some techniques to stay within my own race and to not worry about anything else that I cannot ch age during the race. The technique that helped the best with me was counting to 10. So that's what I did - the whole time, was count to 10. It helped maintain my cadence and my breathing patterns. A couple of times I ended up counting to 20, but you get the point. As I was making my way back to the finish line, I see Lesley on her bike riding back to her homestay. I couldn't really breathe at that point, so I just threw my cup of water at her hoping she'd recognize that it was me. It was so awesome and inspiring when she turned around and started riding along next to me for a bit cheering me on and encouraging me. She told me I only had 2.5 miles left and normally I'd be like, "aw, shit!" but it seemed like nothing. With a mile left to go, I was able to increase my speed and drop a couple of people who I'd been running with. I crossed the finish with a smile on my face knowing that I competed well throughout the entire race. Even with cramps in my right quad, I kept on going and I really didn't think that I was going to give up during any point in that run. That sure was a first! Some guy after the race told me he kept trying to catch me during the run, but couldn't I almost shit my pants because usually people pass me like a rocket on the run!!
I came in 3rd for my AG, way far behind 1st and 2nd, but it was really fun watching them race. The second place girl came back from a not so great swim and was only 2 minutes behind the winner. I had fun cheering them on throughout the race and letting them know where the other one was. As for my time, well I never though I would be over the 6 hour mark for a half Ironman, but you really just can't judge the time for this race. The course was that brutal that times are totally thrown out the window. Everyone that I talked to said their time was 40 minutes slower than what it usually is at a half. To give you an idea, the girl who won our AG last year went 5:36 -- but went low 10 at Kona. This course was crazy, but I can't wait to do it again.
My mama and dada really made the trip worth it. They are the perfect race sherpas (besides Elaine!) and they made this week so easy for me. Having people there when you're not racing with anyone else makes such a huge impact. I saw my mom during the swim and I waved to her, oops I guess I wasn't focusing! And Ma and Da were right there during the bike and during the run. The days leading up to the race they just let me be - I like to be a hermit and be secluded, but they were always around when I needed them. So, thank you Mama Bird and Doo, I appreciate you guys so much!!! They also got to meet Lesley which was really cool and they love her. Les took us to the awards ceremony so it was a lot of fun for all of us to hang out. It was SO amazing to watch Lesley race after not being able to run for 3 month prior to the event and she freaking killed it. 4th overall on a ass kicking course. Simply amazing!
~~ and before I forget, I got so many compliments on my kit (SOAS Racing) Everything from the color to the fit. Check out soasracing.com or you can check out Nytro or Running Skirts! Serious comfort right there! My calves were cramp free in my 2xu calf guards - holla! I had such sore calves after Oceanside where I forgot my 2xu, it was amazing what a difference they made in my performance AND recovery. ~~
NEXT UP, Ironman CdA !!!!!!
OH! Big old fat congrats to everyone who did Wildflower and Spring Sprint! Trina killed in, 3rd AG, 5th amateur female, fastest AG bike split. Bolly and Sonny TSU on their respective courses, and everyone who finished did a great job.
GOOD LUCK to Donald MacDonald, Debbie, and Cristy at Ironman St. George!! Can you believe Cristy is racing SG one week after St. Croix?1 Certified badass!!!!!!
Monday, April 25, 2011
Zoom Zoom
Everything has been in full speed since Cal Half. I can't believe that in just two days, I will be traveling to St. Croix to race in another half Ironman. It is ALSO crazy that Ironman Couer d'Alene is in 75 days! I just finalized registration on the 70.3 World Championships in Las Vegas today. These past couple of weeks have gone by so fast, and I have been a blogging loser. I seriously get disappointed when I check in on blogs and they haven't been updated.. Beth, Tawnee, and Yasi .. I'm talking to YOU!! But I have not been updating myself! This post might be another long-y, but I will try to make it interesting so I don't lose my lone followers..aka my mom and dad ;)
1. I heard back about my appeal at Oceanside and it is a no-go. Unfortunately, it was just a shitty situation, but there is nothing that can be done. I talked to the Ironman head referee (after I stopped crying like a sausage) and he is an awesome guy. I totally understand where he is coming from, technically according to USAT rules, he can't overturn the appeal based on a "judgement call." Basically, it is my word against the ref that gave me the call. I understand and even though it still royally pisses me off that at a race as prestigious as Oceanside a ref was out there who was minimally trained and wasn't looking at the big picture of where I was "drafting," I'm over it. Nothing can be done, so it's time to move on. I don't hate the lady that gave me the card, I don't have any regrets about Oceanside, I just hope that the next time she is a ref she is CONFIDENT in issuing cards. OK - that's done with. I talked with Julie Dunkle, who is an athlete that I admire, and she was blunt and straight to the point. She told me that no one thinks I'm a cheater because I got the card, she said that we've all been there and there's nothing we can do about it. Well, HOLLA. She's right and it's time for me to focus on upcoming races.
2. BarlowLiz has vacated San Diego!! What a straight bummer. We lived next door to each other freshman year at USD and have been roommates for the past four years. While I am clearly sad about losing a best friend, I am also sad that I won't have a race partner anymore! Liz and I blindly signed up for Ironman St. George together last year not really understanding what the hell we got into. After that, she flew to Boise to watch me race and give me a bitch slappin' when I was pissed about my performance and she knocked me into reality that I still had qualified for Clearwater so I should just can it. I watched her race in her homestate, Colorado when she did the Boulder 70.3 and then she even flew out to Kona to support me in Hawaii. The night before Oceanside, I was re-reading old cards and letters of support and encouragement that friends have given me before races. One that Liz wrote to me struck a cord. She wrote, "NEVER let anyone put limitations on you and DON'T accept the people who do - you're better and stronger than that." That right there shows what a supportive friend she is. She got 3rd at IMSG and 4th at Oceanside but you would never know it because she is always too busy cheering on and applauding others. Oh jesus, now I am going to start crying - so I will leave it at that and I will see YOOOOU, BARLOW IN JUNE.
3. I honestly have no idea why I'm numbering these thoughts, but just go with it..
3 Again. Training has kicked up a notch and I am tackling the shit out of my run. Last week I had 7 hours of running which was A LOT for me. The funny thing is that it WAS a lot, but it didn't kill me and I actually did pretty well. I had an awesome day of 2xGWL with Trina. There might of been some bonking and tears, but it is workouts like those that not only bring us closer as friends, but stronger as athletes. There is a picture on facebook where I look ready to murder someone - this was a little over halfway into our ride, it was hot, we were out of water (or the water was too warm), and no one was stopping to see if we were ok. What gives, freaks!? We somehow made it back to the card and finished the day we a strong 30 minute run. The next day I just about died doing a 2.5 hour run with Erin, I made her pull me for 2 hours before I called it quits. My body was NOT having it and rather than chugging along for the junk mileage, I stopped and went home to sleep :). On Saturday I had an awesome day of SBR with Tanya. She is a self proclaimed Amazon woman, because she is like 5'11 and she is a freaking beast! We had different swim workouts, but she is a fish in the water and crazy strong on the bike. The run is both of our weakness, but we both nailed our tempo intervals and ended with smiles on our faces. I was cracking up when we got back to our cars and we saw that Tanya had left her cycling shoes out for anyone to grab. I really started snorting laughing when I was to the side of her truck and saw her front wheel was there, too! It is crazy that no one took anything during the 45 minutes we were gone!! You got lucky, girl!
4. Last year, on the recommendation from my chiropractor who I just love, Katrina Stopper (actionsportschiropractic.com) I went and saw Dr. Kim Kelly, who is a naturopathic doctor. At first, I was a little weary because I wasn't sure what a naturo-something doctor was, and didn't want to waste time and money. I went to him because I really wanted to ensure that IMSG wouldn't be a disaster because of the nagging injury in my hip. Two months before SG, I could barely run 30 minutes without pain. Katrina helped me get back to running, and I was able to do so with minimal pain. Since the race was so soon, we weren't sure how the hip would hold up doing an Ironman. I went to Dr. Kelly and he gave me biopuncture in the areas that hurt around the hip. This is what biopuncture is, based off of Dr. Kelly's website (naturedockelly.com):
"Biopuncture is a technique that combines neural therapy+, trigger point therapy, prolotherapy and homotoxicology. It stimulates the body's own healing mechanisms thus speeding up the process of injury recovery, natural rejuvenation/repair and also lowers pain and inflammation."
I also got a Myers Cocktail IV Push, which is a mixture of vitamins and things (I can't remember!) that are so easily depleted when training as hard and often as us weirdo triathletes do. It gave me an extra energy boost and I felt so healthy before the race. Both of these treatments are 100% natural and made a HUGE difference in my performance. I felt amazing during IMSG. I had no hip pain whatsoever. I don't know what I was thinking not doing to see Dr. Kelly before Kona, but I just went today to get the Myers Cocktail IV Push and biopuncture in my back. I have analyzed all of my races and I truly believe that I felt so great during St. George because of Dr. Kelly. He is so kind and has YOUR best interest in mind. I left a voicemail on Saturday hoping for an appointment on Monday and he got back to me the very next day (even though his office was closed) and was so flexible with me schedule. If you have been sick a lot this winter, have a lack of energy, or have an injury, GO SEE DR. KELLY. Seriously awesome.
So now I leave for St. Croix in two days and am SO excited because my ma and da will be there. Just like BarlowLiz, they are the best supporters and I can't wait to see those big galootis! They will get to meet Lesley, who is also racing, which will definitely be fun. Speaking of Lesley, I met with her today to go over some race strategy. We have decided that this race the goal is not going to be winning my AG or qualifying for Kona (well, that is one goal, but not my MAIN goal). The goal is to nail my nutrition and to hold back a little on the bike so I kick ass on the run. Lesley always has to remind me that a perfect race isn't just going to fall in your lap because you've done the training for it. I have to be patient and execute it well. Fingers crossed for race day magic!! ;)
GOOD LUCK to everyone racing Wildflower (TSU Trina & Bolly!!) and Spring Sprint (say AMF to the people you pass, Sonny!!!)
One last thing, I saw this on my friend Chuck's facebook. It's a picture of him hammering away on Palomar Mountain. The quote under the picture says, "it's just one mountain. If you keep climbing, eventually you're going to run out of mountain." : ) Total motivation for St. Croix - the Beast is just ONE big ass mountain, but it will be over eventually!! Same thing I will think when I get negative thoughts during the run.. yes, it is going to suck, but it will be over soon!! THANKS FOR THE INSPIRATION, CHUCKIFER!!
1. I heard back about my appeal at Oceanside and it is a no-go. Unfortunately, it was just a shitty situation, but there is nothing that can be done. I talked to the Ironman head referee (after I stopped crying like a sausage) and he is an awesome guy. I totally understand where he is coming from, technically according to USAT rules, he can't overturn the appeal based on a "judgement call." Basically, it is my word against the ref that gave me the call. I understand and even though it still royally pisses me off that at a race as prestigious as Oceanside a ref was out there who was minimally trained and wasn't looking at the big picture of where I was "drafting," I'm over it. Nothing can be done, so it's time to move on. I don't hate the lady that gave me the card, I don't have any regrets about Oceanside, I just hope that the next time she is a ref she is CONFIDENT in issuing cards. OK - that's done with. I talked with Julie Dunkle, who is an athlete that I admire, and she was blunt and straight to the point. She told me that no one thinks I'm a cheater because I got the card, she said that we've all been there and there's nothing we can do about it. Well, HOLLA. She's right and it's time for me to focus on upcoming races.
2. BarlowLiz has vacated San Diego!! What a straight bummer. We lived next door to each other freshman year at USD and have been roommates for the past four years. While I am clearly sad about losing a best friend, I am also sad that I won't have a race partner anymore! Liz and I blindly signed up for Ironman St. George together last year not really understanding what the hell we got into. After that, she flew to Boise to watch me race and give me a bitch slappin' when I was pissed about my performance and she knocked me into reality that I still had qualified for Clearwater so I should just can it. I watched her race in her homestate, Colorado when she did the Boulder 70.3 and then she even flew out to Kona to support me in Hawaii. The night before Oceanside, I was re-reading old cards and letters of support and encouragement that friends have given me before races. One that Liz wrote to me struck a cord. She wrote, "NEVER let anyone put limitations on you and DON'T accept the people who do - you're better and stronger than that." That right there shows what a supportive friend she is. She got 3rd at IMSG and 4th at Oceanside but you would never know it because she is always too busy cheering on and applauding others. Oh jesus, now I am going to start crying - so I will leave it at that and I will see YOOOOU, BARLOW IN JUNE.
3. I honestly have no idea why I'm numbering these thoughts, but just go with it..
3 Again. Training has kicked up a notch and I am tackling the shit out of my run. Last week I had 7 hours of running which was A LOT for me. The funny thing is that it WAS a lot, but it didn't kill me and I actually did pretty well. I had an awesome day of 2xGWL with Trina. There might of been some bonking and tears, but it is workouts like those that not only bring us closer as friends, but stronger as athletes. There is a picture on facebook where I look ready to murder someone - this was a little over halfway into our ride, it was hot, we were out of water (or the water was too warm), and no one was stopping to see if we were ok. What gives, freaks!? We somehow made it back to the card and finished the day we a strong 30 minute run. The next day I just about died doing a 2.5 hour run with Erin, I made her pull me for 2 hours before I called it quits. My body was NOT having it and rather than chugging along for the junk mileage, I stopped and went home to sleep :). On Saturday I had an awesome day of SBR with Tanya. She is a self proclaimed Amazon woman, because she is like 5'11 and she is a freaking beast! We had different swim workouts, but she is a fish in the water and crazy strong on the bike. The run is both of our weakness, but we both nailed our tempo intervals and ended with smiles on our faces. I was cracking up when we got back to our cars and we saw that Tanya had left her cycling shoes out for anyone to grab. I really started snorting laughing when I was to the side of her truck and saw her front wheel was there, too! It is crazy that no one took anything during the 45 minutes we were gone!! You got lucky, girl!
4. Last year, on the recommendation from my chiropractor who I just love, Katrina Stopper (actionsportschiropractic.com) I went and saw Dr. Kim Kelly, who is a naturopathic doctor. At first, I was a little weary because I wasn't sure what a naturo-something doctor was, and didn't want to waste time and money. I went to him because I really wanted to ensure that IMSG wouldn't be a disaster because of the nagging injury in my hip. Two months before SG, I could barely run 30 minutes without pain. Katrina helped me get back to running, and I was able to do so with minimal pain. Since the race was so soon, we weren't sure how the hip would hold up doing an Ironman. I went to Dr. Kelly and he gave me biopuncture in the areas that hurt around the hip. This is what biopuncture is, based off of Dr. Kelly's website (naturedockelly.com):
"Biopuncture is a technique that combines neural therapy+, trigger point therapy, prolotherapy and homotoxicology. It stimulates the body's own healing mechanisms thus speeding up the process of injury recovery, natural rejuvenation/repair and also lowers pain and inflammation."
I also got a Myers Cocktail IV Push, which is a mixture of vitamins and things (I can't remember!) that are so easily depleted when training as hard and often as us weirdo triathletes do. It gave me an extra energy boost and I felt so healthy before the race. Both of these treatments are 100% natural and made a HUGE difference in my performance. I felt amazing during IMSG. I had no hip pain whatsoever. I don't know what I was thinking not doing to see Dr. Kelly before Kona, but I just went today to get the Myers Cocktail IV Push and biopuncture in my back. I have analyzed all of my races and I truly believe that I felt so great during St. George because of Dr. Kelly. He is so kind and has YOUR best interest in mind. I left a voicemail on Saturday hoping for an appointment on Monday and he got back to me the very next day (even though his office was closed) and was so flexible with me schedule. If you have been sick a lot this winter, have a lack of energy, or have an injury, GO SEE DR. KELLY. Seriously awesome.
So now I leave for St. Croix in two days and am SO excited because my ma and da will be there. Just like BarlowLiz, they are the best supporters and I can't wait to see those big galootis! They will get to meet Lesley, who is also racing, which will definitely be fun. Speaking of Lesley, I met with her today to go over some race strategy. We have decided that this race the goal is not going to be winning my AG or qualifying for Kona (well, that is one goal, but not my MAIN goal). The goal is to nail my nutrition and to hold back a little on the bike so I kick ass on the run. Lesley always has to remind me that a perfect race isn't just going to fall in your lap because you've done the training for it. I have to be patient and execute it well. Fingers crossed for race day magic!! ;)
GOOD LUCK to everyone racing Wildflower (TSU Trina & Bolly!!) and Spring Sprint (say AMF to the people you pass, Sonny!!!)
One last thing, I saw this on my friend Chuck's facebook. It's a picture of him hammering away on Palomar Mountain. The quote under the picture says, "it's just one mountain. If you keep climbing, eventually you're going to run out of mountain." : ) Total motivation for St. Croix - the Beast is just ONE big ass mountain, but it will be over eventually!! Same thing I will think when I get negative thoughts during the run.. yes, it is going to suck, but it will be over soon!! THANKS FOR THE INSPIRATION, CHUCKIFER!!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Cry Bebe
Well, I'm not able to sugar coat my thoughts on this race, so I have to say it sucked. The spectators, volunteers, weather, etc, etc, was perfect, but I just could not execute anything I knew I was capable of. I take my races very seriously and am not afraid to vocalize if I am unhappy with my performance...I'm not begging for compliments or sympathy, I am j ust writing about how I feel. One word comes to mind with this race: disappointment. I trained SO freaking hard for this race and it just didn't come together. I know that I am stronger and faster, it just blows that it did not show. Hence, the title of this blog, "Cry Bebe" because I cried like a sausage multiple times on Saturday.
SWIM - 30:xx
Ummmmmm... 30?! First of all, that isn't cute.. second of all, I haven't been getting my ass handed to me in Masters for nothing. It's frustrating because I have done so much work on my swim and am swimming faster, but this was my slowest HIM swim time. Just the weekend before, Lesley and I were swimming together and even though she tried to kill me with the set, I was able to keep up (except for the 100s of fly) and even give her a run for her money with the sprints. On Saturday, I don't know what the hell I was thinking, but I wasn't trying too hard and I wasn't sighting. I was blindly following another purple cap and for some reason I thought that was kosher. Note to self: swim in open water before race!
BIKE - 2:53 without penalty, 2:57 with penalty.
Cry #1 of day -
I almost flipped a shit when I heard, "1598, red card." I literally looked at my arm to see if they were really talking to me. My first thought was, "what, bitch!?" but I tried (keyword: tried) to keep my cool and just accept that I couldn't argue with the officials. What kills me is that this happened within the first 7 miles of the race, where we were on a narrow bike path. It was obviously congested because I was passing many of the waves that started before me. I would pass someone, go over to the right, feather my brakes because someone else was in front of me, and repeat. I couldn't make a one-time pass because there were SO many people. This penalty really pisses me off because I am an honest racer. Not to be obnoxious, but why the hell would I want to draft off some old twerp who was going 14mph? Seriously.
Even without the penalty, my bike time still would have sucked and was not what I was looking for. Yes, it was windy and the hills sucked, but I did St. George and I'm used to that. Plus Lesley finds ways to torture us much worse than that course so I was prepared. I did the computrainer at Aire in a time of 2:47 and you can usually ride faster than your computrainer time on race day. After talking with Lesley for a bit, I realized my nutrition was.....horrible. I had 2 GU Roctanes (love em!) and half a bottle of concentrated Infinit. That equals what? Like 300-400 calories? WHOOPS.
Even though I was pissed on the bike, I was still excited to see so many friends killing it out there. Erin Hunter passed me right before the no pass zone, so I was able to chit chat with her a little. I was seriously in shock that she was doing so well, not because I didn't think she was capable, but because she was slammed by a car in a race last year. The people around me probably thought I was a freak because I kept on being like, "WOW!!!" but she crushed the course and am super excited that she'll be in Vegas in September!! I also saw Tawnee out on the course who looked incredibly strong after being injured for the majority of last season. I was giggling to myself as she passed because I saw her cheering out on the run course in Kona and she was like, "keep it up!!" and I replied something like, "you too, you got it!" you know.. just wanted to encourage her awesome spectating skillz! (ok, maybe it was funnier in my mind at the time, but she looked awesome and I'm excited to see her crush IM Canada!)
RUN- 2:06
This is where I'm really pissed in my race, but there is totally a glimmer of hope because I was able to average ~8:45 for the first 6.5 miles. The second loop I just died (nutrition, maybe?) I gave up mentally because I knew that I was in first at that point, but I saw second place moving like a freaking mountain goat and quickly closing the gap. Giving up is definitely my weakest part of racing and something that I will have to work on. I know that I am capable of running so much faster, and am so happy that Les and I are going to sit down and work this shit out. For now, I have to be careful for what I wish for because my training plan is totally focused on the run now. GREAT!!
TOTAL: 5:40:xx
Congratulations, Whitters, that was my second slowest half IM!
Even though this race was ass for me, I am so appreciative of the support that surrounds me. Tanya (GOTRIbal founder) rode up to Oceanside to cheer, and she totally saw that I was hurting. In her cycling shoes, she clopped and ran next me cheering and encouraging me the whole way. Brit, Stephanie's (co-founder of SOAS)husband, kept me updated as to what place I'm in and cheered when I thought I was going to die, GOTRIbal ladies: Leony, Gina, and Janet were so sweet after the race and didn't judge me when I cried talking about the penalty (Cry #2). Kebby & Steph are freaking amazing out on the course and are always so supportive.. I am so honored to rock the SOAS kit and be apart of something so amazing. Whenever I passed a girl in the kit, there was always a "GO GIRL" cheer or wave - truly amazing. Since I was wearing a different kit, a lot of my old teammates didn't recognize me and I was left looking like a dweeb waving and cheering for them OR the trifling, good for nothing type of brother(s)/(sisters) on the sidelines looked at me like what is this fool doing waving to us and then they realized that it was moi! (the trifling, etc is part of a Destiny's Child song, just felt like singing)
Ok so the kicker as to why I am SO PISSED at this race is that 1st place girl beat me by less than 4 minutes and I had a 4 minute penalty. I don't like the "if..." game, but seriously, if I didn't have to penalty WHICH I DID NOT DESERVE, I would have been swinging my hips to a hula dance and on my way to Hawaii (Cry #3). You bet your bottom dollar I am appealing the hell out of this penalty because I. don't. draft. Like, check my Clearwater splits, mama over here does not draft!!!!!!!!
Wow, this blog is a long-y.
Cry #4 was when I talked with Felipe and Michelle. It was just nice seeing them, because they truly have been a huge part of my life the past 2.5 years. I definitely made Felipe uncomfortable by crying, but I am just a water works over here!! Even though I know I made the right decision by switching to Lesley, I still respect Lipe as an amazing coach and am forever grateful to where he has gotten me. Most of all, I miss seeing everyone almost daily, so yes, I cried like a freak.
Oceanside was a 70.3 first for many of my friends - Marison, Erin, Fred, Michelle, CONGRATS - you did it!! I know there will be more to come for all of you ;)
For now, I have to wait on the appeal and be content with the Vegas Half Ironman World Championships. Obviously I'm not content, but I'm getting my ass to Kona one way or another.
SWIM - 30:xx
Ummmmmm... 30?! First of all, that isn't cute.. second of all, I haven't been getting my ass handed to me in Masters for nothing. It's frustrating because I have done so much work on my swim and am swimming faster, but this was my slowest HIM swim time. Just the weekend before, Lesley and I were swimming together and even though she tried to kill me with the set, I was able to keep up (except for the 100s of fly) and even give her a run for her money with the sprints. On Saturday, I don't know what the hell I was thinking, but I wasn't trying too hard and I wasn't sighting. I was blindly following another purple cap and for some reason I thought that was kosher. Note to self: swim in open water before race!
BIKE - 2:53 without penalty, 2:57 with penalty.
Cry #1 of day -
I almost flipped a shit when I heard, "1598, red card." I literally looked at my arm to see if they were really talking to me. My first thought was, "what, bitch!?" but I tried (keyword: tried) to keep my cool and just accept that I couldn't argue with the officials. What kills me is that this happened within the first 7 miles of the race, where we were on a narrow bike path. It was obviously congested because I was passing many of the waves that started before me. I would pass someone, go over to the right, feather my brakes because someone else was in front of me, and repeat. I couldn't make a one-time pass because there were SO many people. This penalty really pisses me off because I am an honest racer. Not to be obnoxious, but why the hell would I want to draft off some old twerp who was going 14mph? Seriously.
Even without the penalty, my bike time still would have sucked and was not what I was looking for. Yes, it was windy and the hills sucked, but I did St. George and I'm used to that. Plus Lesley finds ways to torture us much worse than that course so I was prepared. I did the computrainer at Aire in a time of 2:47 and you can usually ride faster than your computrainer time on race day. After talking with Lesley for a bit, I realized my nutrition was.....horrible. I had 2 GU Roctanes (love em!) and half a bottle of concentrated Infinit. That equals what? Like 300-400 calories? WHOOPS.
Even though I was pissed on the bike, I was still excited to see so many friends killing it out there. Erin Hunter passed me right before the no pass zone, so I was able to chit chat with her a little. I was seriously in shock that she was doing so well, not because I didn't think she was capable, but because she was slammed by a car in a race last year. The people around me probably thought I was a freak because I kept on being like, "WOW!!!" but she crushed the course and am super excited that she'll be in Vegas in September!! I also saw Tawnee out on the course who looked incredibly strong after being injured for the majority of last season. I was giggling to myself as she passed because I saw her cheering out on the run course in Kona and she was like, "keep it up!!" and I replied something like, "you too, you got it!" you know.. just wanted to encourage her awesome spectating skillz! (ok, maybe it was funnier in my mind at the time, but she looked awesome and I'm excited to see her crush IM Canada!)
RUN- 2:06
This is where I'm really pissed in my race, but there is totally a glimmer of hope because I was able to average ~8:45 for the first 6.5 miles. The second loop I just died (nutrition, maybe?) I gave up mentally because I knew that I was in first at that point, but I saw second place moving like a freaking mountain goat and quickly closing the gap. Giving up is definitely my weakest part of racing and something that I will have to work on. I know that I am capable of running so much faster, and am so happy that Les and I are going to sit down and work this shit out. For now, I have to be careful for what I wish for because my training plan is totally focused on the run now. GREAT!!
TOTAL: 5:40:xx
Congratulations, Whitters, that was my second slowest half IM!
Even though this race was ass for me, I am so appreciative of the support that surrounds me. Tanya (GOTRIbal founder) rode up to Oceanside to cheer, and she totally saw that I was hurting. In her cycling shoes, she clopped and ran next me cheering and encouraging me the whole way. Brit, Stephanie's (co-founder of SOAS)husband, kept me updated as to what place I'm in and cheered when I thought I was going to die, GOTRIbal ladies: Leony, Gina, and Janet were so sweet after the race and didn't judge me when I cried talking about the penalty (Cry #2). Kebby & Steph are freaking amazing out on the course and are always so supportive.. I am so honored to rock the SOAS kit and be apart of something so amazing. Whenever I passed a girl in the kit, there was always a "GO GIRL" cheer or wave - truly amazing. Since I was wearing a different kit, a lot of my old teammates didn't recognize me and I was left looking like a dweeb waving and cheering for them OR the trifling, good for nothing type of brother(s)/(sisters) on the sidelines looked at me like what is this fool doing waving to us and then they realized that it was moi! (the trifling, etc is part of a Destiny's Child song, just felt like singing)
Ok so the kicker as to why I am SO PISSED at this race is that 1st place girl beat me by less than 4 minutes and I had a 4 minute penalty. I don't like the "if..." game, but seriously, if I didn't have to penalty WHICH I DID NOT DESERVE, I would have been swinging my hips to a hula dance and on my way to Hawaii (Cry #3). You bet your bottom dollar I am appealing the hell out of this penalty because I. don't. draft. Like, check my Clearwater splits, mama over here does not draft!!!!!!!!
Wow, this blog is a long-y.
Cry #4 was when I talked with Felipe and Michelle. It was just nice seeing them, because they truly have been a huge part of my life the past 2.5 years. I definitely made Felipe uncomfortable by crying, but I am just a water works over here!! Even though I know I made the right decision by switching to Lesley, I still respect Lipe as an amazing coach and am forever grateful to where he has gotten me. Most of all, I miss seeing everyone almost daily, so yes, I cried like a freak.
Oceanside was a 70.3 first for many of my friends - Marison, Erin, Fred, Michelle, CONGRATS - you did it!! I know there will be more to come for all of you ;)
For now, I have to wait on the appeal and be content with the Vegas Half Ironman World Championships. Obviously I'm not content, but I'm getting my ass to Kona one way or another.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
GOTRIbal + Other Adventures
I have always had a core group of girl friends, (my Peas in a Pod - what whaaat) but while training, I tend to train with the guys. There's really no reason why, that's just the way it went. Things are changing now, and I am definitely getting in on the Girl POwer bandwagon. Trina, Bolly, and Sonny (all nicknames, obviously) are some tough ladies that I love to train with.
.... I know there was a point to why I was writing that.. but I tried typing this bad boy with Pandora on, and I really can not think and listening to music at the same time.
.... Anyways, the point that I so flawlessly am trying to get across is that I'm really enjoying new training partners, and new opportunities to train with other female endurance athletes. Tanya, this bitchin' triathlete, and founder of GOTRIbal approached me last year and asked if I wanted to host a meet up for her and other GOTRIbal athletes. I was like, sure?! I really did not know much about GOTRIbal, but Tanya has this amazing attitude about endurance sports and empowering women, so I agreed to it. It turned out to be fun.... but also really uncomfortable. I was supposed to sit and talk to other triathletes...about me! It became evident that "awkward" is my middle name, but somehow I left the meeting with some cool new friends. Some girls were doing their first sprint triathlon, some were moms who wanted to train when they had the time, everyone had their unique story. What was just SO freakin' weird to me was that they WANTED to hear my story, and they were inspired by me!
Tanya and Marison (aka Sonny) gave me another opportunity to reach out to GOTRIbal athletes by allowing me to be on their athletes panel during their annual conference. To be honest, I was never really into female only teams, I thought it was kind of weird and fu fu-ish. Once you meet Tanya, you will know that this is the least fu-fu community, ever. It isn't a "girls just want to have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!! oxoxoxoxoxxox peace, love, flower, ponies," team - it is legit endurance athletes. Chrissie Wellington is the chief ambassador and we all know she is a BAMF!!!!
The group was described to me as a place for women, serious about endurance sports. Not everyone has to be an elite athlete, but they have to be dedicated. Marison, who works with Tanya, is the absolute perfect example of that. Marison works her little booty off, and is not intimidated by who she is training with, or what type of workout she is facing. She just gets shit done! Trina and I are always like, damn! When training with her, because she doesn't complain, either! ( I may or may not be a huge baby and complain ... a lot ;) ). Well, Tanya and Marison have given me another opportunity to hang with the GOTRIbal chicas by making me an ambassador!! Check out the website (gotribalnow.com) and see what all of the hooplah is about! I'm honored to be an ambassador among so many other talented athletes...many who are named Kelly! haha.. but hopefully we can all meet and race in NZ...2013?!
~~~
In other news, completely nonrelated, Oceanside is in ~1 week. I've been in bed sick for the past week, great!! After many frantic, tearful phone calls to Lesley, I think I should be fine for the race.. but it was such a bummer to miss all of this training. I am going bonkers now because I feel better, but have been ordered to NOT workout. Hopefully tomorrow I will feel fine after a light spin and can be back at it on Saturday.
That's all for now - I'm off to go watch the last bit of the torture session aka Les' brick workout and then grab a bday din with some of the crew!
I think I am the only 23 year old in the world who was dreading their birthday...mainly because next March 23rd I will be 24.. and that means aging up!!!!!!!!!!! (in IM years!)
.... I know there was a point to why I was writing that.. but I tried typing this bad boy with Pandora on, and I really can not think and listening to music at the same time.
.... Anyways, the point that I so flawlessly am trying to get across is that I'm really enjoying new training partners, and new opportunities to train with other female endurance athletes. Tanya, this bitchin' triathlete, and founder of GOTRIbal approached me last year and asked if I wanted to host a meet up for her and other GOTRIbal athletes. I was like, sure?! I really did not know much about GOTRIbal, but Tanya has this amazing attitude about endurance sports and empowering women, so I agreed to it. It turned out to be fun.... but also really uncomfortable. I was supposed to sit and talk to other triathletes...about me! It became evident that "awkward" is my middle name, but somehow I left the meeting with some cool new friends. Some girls were doing their first sprint triathlon, some were moms who wanted to train when they had the time, everyone had their unique story. What was just SO freakin' weird to me was that they WANTED to hear my story, and they were inspired by me!
Tanya and Marison (aka Sonny) gave me another opportunity to reach out to GOTRIbal athletes by allowing me to be on their athletes panel during their annual conference. To be honest, I was never really into female only teams, I thought it was kind of weird and fu fu-ish. Once you meet Tanya, you will know that this is the least fu-fu community, ever. It isn't a "girls just want to have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!! oxoxoxoxoxxox peace, love, flower, ponies," team - it is legit endurance athletes. Chrissie Wellington is the chief ambassador and we all know she is a BAMF!!!!
The group was described to me as a place for women, serious about endurance sports. Not everyone has to be an elite athlete, but they have to be dedicated. Marison, who works with Tanya, is the absolute perfect example of that. Marison works her little booty off, and is not intimidated by who she is training with, or what type of workout she is facing. She just gets shit done! Trina and I are always like, damn! When training with her, because she doesn't complain, either! ( I may or may not be a huge baby and complain ... a lot ;) ). Well, Tanya and Marison have given me another opportunity to hang with the GOTRIbal chicas by making me an ambassador!! Check out the website (gotribalnow.com) and see what all of the hooplah is about! I'm honored to be an ambassador among so many other talented athletes...many who are named Kelly! haha.. but hopefully we can all meet and race in NZ...2013?!
~~~
In other news, completely nonrelated, Oceanside is in ~1 week. I've been in bed sick for the past week, great!! After many frantic, tearful phone calls to Lesley, I think I should be fine for the race.. but it was such a bummer to miss all of this training. I am going bonkers now because I feel better, but have been ordered to NOT workout. Hopefully tomorrow I will feel fine after a light spin and can be back at it on Saturday.
That's all for now - I'm off to go watch the last bit of the torture session aka Les' brick workout and then grab a bday din with some of the crew!
I think I am the only 23 year old in the world who was dreading their birthday...mainly because next March 23rd I will be 24.. and that means aging up!!!!!!!!!!! (in IM years!)
Monday, February 21, 2011
Oh yeah, oh yeah, I'm going to the Islands. Coincidentally, after Pistol Pete, aka Daddy was badgering me about get a job (hell- o o o, I am student teaching AND working at lululemon!!) I decided to ask if I could sign up for St. Croix 70.3. I like to see just how far I can push his buttons. Our conversation went something like this:
Pistol Pete: How's student teaching?
Whitters: I love it, except all the kids got me sick.
PP: Are they paying you yet?
W: No, can you send me some money?
PP: Yeah... right! Here's your mother.
W: Wait, I have April off for Spring Break. Can I sign up for St Croix Half Ironman?
PP: Yeah, when you get a job.
W: I have a job.
PP: So when you can pay for it, you sign up.
W: Let me try mama.
_____
W: Want to go to St. Croix to see me race?
Mamabird: Ugh, ye-yuh! When is it?
W: May.
a little while later...
MB: So, since we're going to St. Croix, does this mean we can skip Idaho?
St. Croix.... Idaho... St. Croix.... Idaho....
Us New Jersey folk clearly know where to vacation!!
If you couldn't guess from the conversations above, I signed up for St. Croix 70.3. SUPER excited. I haven't talked to Lesley yet about how I'm going to race it with Oceanside only 4weeks before, but all I know is that I am SUPER excited about going. Not only that, I have my parental units going who are the best supporters out there. Signing up for this race has definitely given me an extra "oomph" in my training. This week started out shitty having caught the flu that everyone seems to be getting. Things started getting better and Thursday was awesome with a tempo run where I managed 7:30-7:40 pace for each 10 minute interval. Sunday was an awesome run through Mission Trails with Trina, Andrea, and Moira. Moira is the teacher whose class I do my student teaching in. She is an ultramarathoner and just a crazy talented athlete. She lead us throgh the trails while Trina, Andrea, and I just hung on.
My last update is that I somehow managed to pop a rib out of place! I'm going to my amazing chiropractor, Katrina Stopper, today to get this bad boy popped back in. If you ever need any injury healed quickly - Katrina is your girl! The pain was horrible on Thursday/Friday and bearable on Saturday. I almost didn't even feel it on Sunday during the run (well, first 80 minutes of it), but I'm going today to make sure everything is in its right spot! Other than that, I'm in my routine of training, student teaching, training. I feel like Yasi who wakes up at odd hours, is in constant thought of when/where workouts will be done.. but somehow, they are always done! Ok.. maybe I've skipped a swim and gym workout.. but I'm only human ... and I hate the gym!
Oh, and Pistol Pete/Mama Bird didn't just say OKAY! and pay my way for this race. I am dangerously close to red lining after paying my portion. Just kidding on the red line. Kind of.....
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Still Dre
I thought of what I should title this blog post during a run, and at the time, it was genius. I now have no recollection of why I would ever title it, "Still Dre" other than the fact that I am currently McLovin' Dr. Dre all over again. It could be the fact that I ate shit and when I fell, I knocked all sense out of my head. Definitely a possibility. Anyways, this clearly is the first post in a long time. I'm not going to pretend that I have a life and am too busy to blog, well...because.. anyone who is blogging clearly has time to and may - or may not - have a life. Ok, fine.. maybe it is just me without the life. Moving on.. after Clearwater I was in a bit of a rut and not digging the training or anything triathlon related at all. Felipe thankfully gave me two weeks COMPLETELY off.. and that was amazing. Having that time off made me feel human again, and it was enough time to recharge my batteries. Even though I try to be, I am not an Energizer Bunny who can keep going..and going..and going. Basically, I was burnt out. That burnt out feeling is long gone now and I can happily say that I am enjoying training again.
After my weeks off, I had a couple of solid training weeks back with Breakaway. I especially felt great on the track with Emily and Jenny who are running superstars. The track sessions usually consisted of me yelling at them to slow down and that we were above z3, but thankfully they never listened to me. About a month ago I made the extremely difficult decision to begin training with Lesley Patterson. My friend Katie captured what most people were probably thinking, "what?! you practically bleed orange!" What she said was totally true, which is why the decision was so hard. There are really no juicy details that I can give you as to why I made this decision except that I decided that it would be the best decision for me to make as an athlete. That's it! I have nothing but respect and appreciation for Felipe and without him I would have never gotten to Kona or Clearwater, hell, I'd still be renting a mountain bike the day before Mission Bay and racing in homemade cotton tye dye shirts. Felipe is an amazing coach and probably the most generous one that you will meet. Not only is Felipe amazing, but the whole team is great, too. I could go on and on, but I think through my previous posts it is obvious how much love I have for it. Plus,I'm starting to tear up and it's just weird (I honestly am becoming more and more like my mom.. she cries at Folger commercials, and great.. I do too now).
While I pride myself on giving great nicknames to people, Lesley hasn't quite gotten a good one yet. Les is too common, so the most appropriate one for now is "Scottish Devil." Another friend calls her something like "Corrupt Tinkerbell" or something like that. Think that's funny? Just wait until you have a 90 pound, 5 foot demon kicking YOUR ass, and you won't think it's so funny anymore! Seriously, it is just bizarre that someone that tiny can produce such strength. The best part of Devil Woman is not her intensity, it is that she is so funny. After a hellacious swim set at UCSD, she turns and looks at me, completely serious and goes, "Ah f***, I think I've just shit myself!" Her word choice, or maybe just her appreciation for the "F" word cracks me up..until it is directed at me! Most importantly, I'm really happy training with her and I am seeing improvements in my run and bike. As I've said many times before, I am a masher on the bike, and on the run, my cadence is like 2. Wait, let me rephrase that.. I WAS!!! I've been doing lots of spinning/high cadence on the bike and lots of exercises/drill to improve cadence on the run. During my 5 miles time trial today, I was freaking Tony the Tiger feeling great. I was told to maintain a certain heartrate, and the 5 miles actually felt easy. The kicker is that it was at a 7:35.80 pace (I couldn't say 7:36 pace.. because that just wouldn't be kosher). My motivation may have come from Lesley riding next to me reminding me of proper form, but I am happy!!!!
So, those are the latest updates from me. This Friday, my friend Jess is taking me mountain biking, and I will see if any XTERRA races are in my future. First, I will have to make it out alive... wish me luck!
Love,
Whitters, Baca, and Goofy
After my weeks off, I had a couple of solid training weeks back with Breakaway. I especially felt great on the track with Emily and Jenny who are running superstars. The track sessions usually consisted of me yelling at them to slow down and that we were above z3, but thankfully they never listened to me. About a month ago I made the extremely difficult decision to begin training with Lesley Patterson. My friend Katie captured what most people were probably thinking, "what?! you practically bleed orange!" What she said was totally true, which is why the decision was so hard. There are really no juicy details that I can give you as to why I made this decision except that I decided that it would be the best decision for me to make as an athlete. That's it! I have nothing but respect and appreciation for Felipe and without him I would have never gotten to Kona or Clearwater, hell, I'd still be renting a mountain bike the day before Mission Bay and racing in homemade cotton tye dye shirts. Felipe is an amazing coach and probably the most generous one that you will meet. Not only is Felipe amazing, but the whole team is great, too. I could go on and on, but I think through my previous posts it is obvious how much love I have for it. Plus,I'm starting to tear up and it's just weird (I honestly am becoming more and more like my mom.. she cries at Folger commercials, and great.. I do too now).
While I pride myself on giving great nicknames to people, Lesley hasn't quite gotten a good one yet. Les is too common, so the most appropriate one for now is "Scottish Devil." Another friend calls her something like "Corrupt Tinkerbell" or something like that. Think that's funny? Just wait until you have a 90 pound, 5 foot demon kicking YOUR ass, and you won't think it's so funny anymore! Seriously, it is just bizarre that someone that tiny can produce such strength. The best part of Devil Woman is not her intensity, it is that she is so funny. After a hellacious swim set at UCSD, she turns and looks at me, completely serious and goes, "Ah f***, I think I've just shit myself!" Her word choice, or maybe just her appreciation for the "F" word cracks me up..until it is directed at me! Most importantly, I'm really happy training with her and I am seeing improvements in my run and bike. As I've said many times before, I am a masher on the bike, and on the run, my cadence is like 2. Wait, let me rephrase that.. I WAS!!! I've been doing lots of spinning/high cadence on the bike and lots of exercises/drill to improve cadence on the run. During my 5 miles time trial today, I was freaking Tony the Tiger feeling great. I was told to maintain a certain heartrate, and the 5 miles actually felt easy. The kicker is that it was at a 7:35.80 pace (I couldn't say 7:36 pace.. because that just wouldn't be kosher). My motivation may have come from Lesley riding next to me reminding me of proper form, but I am happy!!!!
So, those are the latest updates from me. This Friday, my friend Jess is taking me mountain biking, and I will see if any XTERRA races are in my future. First, I will have to make it out alive... wish me luck!
Love,
Whitters, Baca, and Goofy
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