Parris Island A Year Later and little on the WHY's.

What a difference a year makes. Happy Season Opener!!

I am such a bad blogger. I started this post over a month ago. Our local Tri group Chucktown Triathletes is asking my husband and I to blog our Tri journey's so guess I better get this habit going.

Well, here goes….

Parris Island 2013 I started the race very nervous, very excited, and very quiet. This year not quite as nervous because I knew I was going to slay this race. I was very excited because this was my husbands first tri. Still quiet because that is my nature. 

We woke up early and refreshed and we met our friend Hank Hanna (www.thebusinessoflosingweight.com) and drove down. Good conversations on the way…one question that came up was "Why am I doing this??". I found it was hard to 'work out'. I could not find a reason to continue with any ritualistic plan. I would start a DVD set and quit or start going to the gym and quit. 

I am happy with me…until I look in the mirror. 

Then it hit me.

I needed a reason. So I stopped 'working out' and started TRAINING. I started with the running bit with Couch 2 5k and worked myself up to a 5K August of 2012. Then started training for a half marathon the following January 2013. 

I still skip days because I am lazy but I found I could TRAIN for something. Once I found Triathlons I was in love. I decided on Triathlons because I looked back into what I loved about activity. 

Way back when…1995ish…I met my husband and we would love to watch the ECO Challenges and planned on doing one someday. We were in the Army and both loved challenge and activity. Enter kids, discharge, life and the activity went out the window.

Over the years we lost sight of our dream and put on the pounds. The summer of 2012 we went on a little hike and kayaking trip with our Boy Scout Troop. That spring I realized, hey I need to get into some type of shape, so I started Couch 2 5K. 

Needless to say the 25 mile hike on the AT and 25 mile kayak down the French Broad River had me disgusted with myself. I needed something more. So when we returned from that trip I had a little talk with myself (yes the crazies do talk back). I remembered what my original goal was and did an internet search. 

ECO Challenges don't happen as often (and aren't big television events anymore) so I searched for the next best thing…IRONMAN. Sure, Why Not. So I set a goal. 

I WANT TO DO A FULL IRONMAN BY THE TIME I AM 40. 

Sure, Why Not. Now the plan. 

Now I can't wait until I am 40 and jump into this so I worked backwards and started out with this...

August 2012 First 5K

January 2013 First Half Marathon.

February 2013 Got a Tri Coach (www.swimbikemom.com)

March 2013 First Sprint Triathlon

September 2013 First Half Ironman

My current goal is to do my first full Ironman in 2015, the year before I turn 40. Hopefully Florida (it's flat there right??). I had planned on 2 Half's this year but Try Charleston intimidated me as a half (my finish time for Augusta was almost an hour and a half after the slowest finisher from Try Charleston 2013)…so maybe Beach to Battleship??

Anyways, back to the other story so this post isn't too long.

Parris Island 2013 vs. 2014.

2013 is copied from my race report to my coach.
The Swim 
2013: Watching the fast people zoom across the lanes, noticed a lot of people changed strokes about half way through. Had to pee. Didn’t have to pee when the race started but I didn’t get into the water for an hour due to my seeded spot.

Swim was good for first two laps but then felt like I couldn’t catch my breath. It’s all good and well when practicing by myself in the nice calm water but choppy water is a whole ‘nother thing. Ended up passing two or three people and only a few passed me. Did a lot of back stroke. At the very end a young fit guy passed me on the very last lap, him backstroke and I decided to do front stroke and I passed him getting out of the water, little victory.

2014: All last season I struggled with keeping my face in the water during a race. I could swim for hours during practice but for the life of me couldn't maintain a front stroke during a race. I NAILED IT this year. THE ENTIRE WAY. This swim was worth the whole race. I didn't care how the rest of the race ended because I accomplished that. I was passed, I passed people, but I didn't care because my face was in the water. 

500m swim 
2013: 15:56
2014: 14:14

2013 Swim Exit

2014 Swim Exit

I have to say the swim exit at this race SUCKS!!! The gravel in transition SUCKS!!! My bike was farther away then last year is all I can say but T1 times sucked both years. 

T1
2013: 2:19
2014: 2:17

The Bike
2013:

Very cold because of the windy day. Thank goodness I brought a light jacket, think the extra time in T1 was from the gravelly road we had to jog across and wiping down my arms to put on the jacket. Not too disoriented. I (blush) had not practiced transitions except in my mind.

Bike bad. Couldn’t catch my breath. Bad head wind in the beginning. Feet went numb quickly. Outside edges of queen area hurt, maybe instead of plain bike shorts under tri suit wear my extra padded cycling shorts? (Gotta wear something under the suit because I didn't know it was see through when I bought it). Or build up that area and remember to put on aquaphor. Need to learn to use gears better. Need to get cycling shoes and pedals. Still have to pee. Thought about it a few times about going in the seat like Chrissie but couldn’t bring myself to it. 

2014:
New Bike. Tri Bike. I love my Baby Blue/Jillian. The Dark blue was the Blue Devil and now my husbands bike. It was too big for me. I decided to wear socks because it was a bit chilly and my toes will turn white if I am cold. I purposefully did not wear aquaphor this year because, after all, it was ONLY 10 miles. No real excitement or ephiphanies on the ride except I ROCKED IT!!

10 miles
2013: 52:15
2014: 41:57

2013 Bike

2014 Bike

T2
2013: 1:11
2014: 1:26

The Run
2013: Run. Balls of feet and toes still numb from the bike. Ran two poles walked one. Ran one walked two. At the end of run some people were getting into their car cheering me on (because I was the only one running for like miles) and a girl said oh, swim bike mom, cool (visor). They called someone else's  name as I crossed the finish line (boo hoo). I said that’s not me and they shrugged shoulders (I felt so insignificant…ya I was almost last but I deserve a name calling too). I made sure my race number was visible. I should have made a bigger deal but then this guy was reaching down taking off my timing chip and I was like woah! Okay, move on. All I wanted was something to drink and I couldn’t find it and got caught in the food gaggle and the people wouldn’t let me out. So I told them ‘just let me out’, the parting of the waves, I was kind of disoriented. And then….Ahhhh, found some lemonade. Found a porta potty. All in all I survived.

2014: Still did some run/walking but not as much. I could have done better. I wasn't hurting, no blisters, lungs felt fine, no pukey feeling. Regret not pushing myself more on the run this year. 

5K
2013: 38:34
2014: 36:14

2013 Run

2014 Run

Overall

2013: 1:50:13
2014: 1:36:06

Yes, I rocked 2014 by shaving almost 16 minutes off my time. Newbie vs. 2nd season. It can only get better. 

Oh, and I beat my husband by 2 minutes…I shouldn't gloat as this was his first and he did awesome but I am competitive and all.

New Years Dinner

Bacon Wrapped Almond stuffed Dates...a little bite of heaven....
Kahlua Slow Cooker Pork from Nom Nom Paleo
Greens in the pot
Broke down and had some black eyed peas (everyone needs pennies!).

Back to the grind

Ok, ok. 2 months of almost nothing and I am ready to fall in love again (as my coach so recently reminded me with her post).

Triathlon is hard and I got discouraged because I have lost absolutely no weight while training...none...have been the same weight for the past year.

Until I stopped training and gained 8 pounds. That may have been the T-Giving holiday but I don't think so.

Giving up probably did it. Giving up on myself.

Enter my coach's post on falling in love again with triathlon.

She equated it with marriage and having a baby.

And it is.

And it sucks.

And I realized I am not putting in my fair share to make this marriage work.

And I am so glad I realized it.

I also joined my coaches Whole30 group which started the beginning of the month. I am on day 29ish now. Not too shabby. I have been eating this way 80/20 but kicking the stevia and dairy has been hard. And some form of sugar is added to wayyyy too much stuff.

Augusta 70.3 One Month Later

A race review one month later (+2 days)

Ironman 70.3 Augusta September 29th, 2013

The drive was pretty, only 2.45 hours...family in tow is another thing but with the age of electronics the times of 'Mom are we there yet' are virtually over. Wow. This is really happening...surreal.

Baby Blue/Jillian on the road again.

Once we arrived the first action was to check in...kids thought this was fun. Very well organized. 

Next, rack the bike! Guess who I met in the flesh?? My coach, the infamous Meredith Atwood of Swim Bike Mom!! Like two peas in a pod...

And then on to the hotel where the kids and hubby made race signs...

There was also an "Embrace the Suck" and "Steaks are Waiting" signs...they adorn our workout room walls now.

And onto a early long day in Augusta...

Yes, I stole this pic from my coach, hers was way better.

Start at 8:36 am...almost missed my wave because I thought "1924" meant the 19th wave...nope, wave 17.

Stay to the outside...3rd from the end. 

Swim 36:27, 1:53/100m 

Not a glorious pic but proves I made it out before those guys behind me...oh wait, they weren't part of my wave...

What the heck. I got maybe 50 meters in and had to flip over onto my back. Hyperventilating...again. Got my breathing under control and then tried front stroke again, no luck. At least I passed people on back stroke. Happy with my time. Was shooting for 30-45. 

T1 07:05

Skipped the wetsuit strippers...nothing new on race day and they eeby-jeeby'd me for some reason (who doesn't pee in their wetsuit? I would hate that job). I had brought socks but did not wear them for bike. I usually don't. 

Bike 4:17:34, 13.05mph 

Felt good the whole time. Love that I pass people going downhill. Hate that they pass me on the way back up hill. Hated hearing 'on your left' all day long. Nothing bad to say about the bike though. Queen was good which I was worried about because I had been using super padded bike shorts. Usually the balls of my feet go numb and my bike fit guy has been trying to work on that with me. I think it's because I push too much and don't pull enough in my stroke. But my feet were fine to run on because I made the effort to wiggle my toes every so often. I don't like being so slow on the bike. Was shooting for 4hr-4.5hr or 15mph so happy with that time too but could have been better. 

Did not do the nutrition I had planned for or the electrolyte replacement. Had trouble getting my drink tube to work the first few miles. 

T2 07:38 

Was worried about falling on the dismount but unclipped early and braked easily. Did fine. Almost forgot to take off bike jersey. Took a potty break. Happy with T2 time. 

Run 3:43:18, 17.02/mile 

Did great for the first mile to mile and a half ran/walked keeping hr low. Then the blisters started. Balls of feet. After doing a lot more research my stride is too long for my form and the friction is messing my feet up. This isn't the first time I have had blisters in the same exact spot. Going to try the Pose form of running and see if that helps. Lost a couple of toenails. around mile 11.5 I felt the one on my right foot peel back (stop gagging). I debated on taking shoe/sock off and doing something about it because every step it was catching on my sock and digging in. But I knew if I took my shoe off I would never get it back on and it was only a mile and a half left.  This was the only time during the race where I actually asked myself if I should quit. Heck NO!

Family met up with me for last half mile which helped. I dumped my water belt with them (oops, did that just fall there conveniently, my bad). Some lady from the TriAugusta tent ran the last strip with me up until the shute. Pretty cool. I was aiming for 3-3.5hrs or 15min/mile. Happy with my time here too considering I walked almost all of it. 

Maegan's hand...

Overall I am happy with my results. Not sure how to fix the swim thing and wondering if I should just stick with backstroke in practice?? I'm not scared of the water, not seeing didn't freak me out, I've swam in my wetsuit during practice so what gives?? Maybe it is just the combo of the wetsuit and dark water and racing? I want to get faster! 

So from going to nothing to my first half in 9 months I am pretty pleased with myself.

Hello....? Hellllloooooo.....???? Is anybody home?

So I have kinda fallen off the face of the earth. I guess you could say I am not a good blogger. Bad Bree!

Things have been super busy. I am training for my first Half-Ironman and still working 3 days a week. Needless to say training sometimes happens, sometimes doesn't. I try not to beat myself up too bad but life happens. Kids are all back in school now so hopefully I can get my schedule back to normal.

Tried working out after work again...not happening. Working in a busy ER I give way more than 100% and I just don't have anything left. My full off days have become my hours upon hours of exercise. I try and squeeze my weeks worth into 4 and a half days...wait...that doesn't sound so bad when I write it like that. 4 and a half days a week of exercise is actually pretty good, unless you are training for a HIM ;o(

It's OK.... and Atlanta Iron Girl Update

It's Ok to miss a workout. That's what I keep telling myself, so why do I beat myself up about it? I've got 3 busy kids, a full time job, and a scout troop to run and can't fit it in all the time and something has got to give. So my swim was dropped yesterday.

As for Atlanta Iron Girl... Mother Nature Cancelled!! Drove 5.5 hours to Atlanta which was ok. Picked up my packet and goodie bag, walked around the expo, bought a bumper sticker. Dropped my bike off in transition and walked the transition area. Another hill from swim to Transition area. What is up with that?? And all pavement. Gonna be ouchy.

Drove the course. Another hilly course... Ready this time though. Psyched.

Checked into a very nice hotel. Ate a nice dinner. Watched a few movies. Tried to sleep. Could not sleep. No reason, just my crazy flipping schedule.

Storm started at 230am and I was still wide awake. Alarm set for 5am. Finally able to shut my eyes for 30 minutes at 330. By 4am the storm was not being nice. Bad lightening, flash floods. At 430am race was cancelled. Darn. Finally able to sleep for more than an hour at 6am. Got to get this sleep thing figured out. On the road back home at 1030am. At least they gave us the medal.

Maybe next year Iron Girl Atlanta...

Celmson 5/11/2013 Race Re-Cap

Let's start with Thursday...
Got home 8am and went to sleep, up by 2pm. Felt great. Went to bed at 1030pm and woke up wide awake at 1am. Grrrr. I am usually a great sleeper, I love to sleep. Flipping schedules strikes! Was able to take a nap from 1030-1230. Left for Clemson (4 hour drive) just after 1pm. Ate dinner with a couple of cool Chucktown Triathletes and went to sleep around 1030. And....woke up at 2am!! Ugh. Alarm was set for 530. Read for a couple of hours and fell back to sleep for an hour more sleep. Now on to the race....

Arrived around 645am and set up my transition area. Pretty cool. They set us up with name tags alphabetically so there were super fit people on either side of me with their cool tri bikes. Scoped out the competition, there were only 9 of us Athena's there.

Started the swim in the 4th wave. Started out pretty good frontstroke. Lasted only about 150-200m before I had to switch to my backstroke. Still having trouble getting a handle on the hyperventilation thing. While I was in the water waiting for my wave to start another lady started talking about how she has the same problem. Good to know I am not the only one. The 5th wave started 4 minutes after us and those of us at the back of the 'purple' pack were quickly overrun. Every once in a while I would turn over and try the frontstroke but no luck.  The last 100m I dug in and tried doing frontstroke and ended up going sideways. Whatever. I anticipated swimming 750m in 22 minutes and did it in 23:31, so happy with the swim.
On the way out of the swim we had to run up this hill (here I am at the top looking down)...

Here is me at the end of the swim...so flattering...yes I am walking because I am still hyperventilating:

Probably a 400m run from edge of lake to transition. And on to the bike...
From the website: The bike is a one loop 11 mile course in quiet rural roads. There is one short but steep grade at mile 2 1/2. From there the course rolls until a long downhill at mile 9.
Uh NOOOOOOO....Drove the course beforehand using this map:

These were HARD hills. The first hill I did 4mph...I quickly learned how to use my gears (finally). In the lowcountry we don't really have hills so I have raced in one gear. I had anticipated 40 minutes for the bike at 16.5mph. Ended up averaging 11 or so mph and finishing in 59:44. By far the worse bike ever. Gave up early in the beginning of achieving a PR and just wanted to finish. Needless to say more hill training is in my future so I am not surprised by this type of course again.

As I was dismounting I though I had unclipped all the way but my left clip caught and I had my first tri fall, scraped up my elbow and both calves pretty good.

Running, oh running. Nice rolling hills. Not too bad. Still trying to recover from the bike. At the half way point I kept counting how many people were behind me...9. Yay, I wasn't last. Had hoped to run a 38 minute 5K but ended up 46:21. Not too shabby. Total overall time of 2:12:18.

And with all of that whining and grumbling I ended up moving up in the overall SCTS ranks to 2nd...WHAT!!! OMG!!! My coach says I need to focus on my A race but it's hard not to want to get add more SCTS races...pretty good for only my 3rd tri ever.