State of the State.

Hello my fine friends!

Once again I went a little MIA on everyone, eh? Yeah time flies when you are living on airplanes and the bike. :)

I completed my 3rd triathlon this past Sunday. And it rocked! Clark Lake is the best triathlon that I have ever witnessed or participated in. Holy cow!


Pre Race
I drove out to Ann Arbor and hung with Lana the night before hand. Clark Lake is a haul from my place, and Lana is right on the way so she was kind enough to let me crash!

We woke up at 5AM and drove to the race site. It was the BEST trip out ever. Rocking out to Jock Jams sorta rules.

ARE YOU READY TO RUMBLE??????

Dude. Just sayin!

Got my number, bib, and shirt. Assembled my bike - seat and wheel - and considered asking Tom Demerly of Bikesport Michigan fame for a job since I feel so comfy around my bike now. Lana brought me back to reality - fixing a dropped chain and assembling a seat post does not qualify one to be a bike mech. Got it.

After staging my transition area, we headed down to the lake so I could attempt my first ever open water swim without a wetsuit. Oh yeah - suprise! It had been so hot recently that the water temp was 78*. This smarty had not bothered practicing swimming in her tri clothes without a wetsuit... oh... like... ever.... so I was left with doing a quick 50m swim the morning of the race to see how things would pan out.

Hmmm, can you say pail? Because my top made a much better bucket than a drag-free piece of apparel. Lesson learned! I just prayed that I would not flash people upon my exit.


Swimming with the fishies

After our wave started off pretty late, I made my way quickly to the first turn bouy. I was doing great and nearly past the second turn bouy before the lead 40+ male swimmer passed me. It was on the return that I had issues. I could sight no problem... but I started to sight to a boat instead of the shore. Oooopsy! My 1/2 mile swimm ended up bien gcloser to 900M by the end of the day.

But here is the kicker. Major drag on the clothes, plus swimming an additional 150m or so - and I still chopped 3 minutes off of my Ann Arbor swim, which was the same distance!

Score.

I even ran all the way into transition.

T1

T1 flew by! Aside from the typical LONG run up to transition, I was able to put on my bike shoes and gear very quickly. I have this DOWN!

I even ran my bike to the mount line. *giggles*


Rollin' Rolllin' Rollin'

Can you say gently rolling "hills" a little wind and a killer chick on a bike? I averaged over 18mph on the bike! The course was actually 13.4 miles long, according to both my computer and the race director, however the results show 13 miles. Oh well. Either way - I felt really good on the bike.

I was reserved though. I did not go all out because this was the first course that I did not at least drive the day before hand. I had no idea what was comming and thoughts of Ann Arbor flashed into my head with every little upswing. Do I go balls to the wall? I would ask myself No... you don't know what is coming. I would answer.

I know that I could have really pushed and got upwards of high 19's, but I was estatic with my performance. My goal was 16.5mph. I kicked that to the curb!

There was a guy that passed me about 6.5 miles into the ride. He yelled that he had been chasing me the entire time... and now it was my time to catch his booty.

OK buddy it is on - welcome to this round of PACE BOOTY! I held his 9 for a while before I found the right spot to take off. And I passed him like he was standing still. Unfortunately for me - about 3 miles later he would return the favor. Well played my friend, well played!

I got to the dismount line, hopped off and ran all the way to my rack.

T2

I ran into pace booty again in transition and racked my bike, threw on my shoes, and headed out to the run faster than he could even manage to rack his bike. Sweet!


Running from the law

1/4 mile into the run PB passed me again. I told him that I was waiting for him. I am afterall a slower runner than these people. The swim and bike are my equalizers... the run. Well I am just slow by their standards. But I am fine with that for now.

I ran my first mile in 11:43. I was taking it easy and getting back my running legs. I wanted to catch up to Lana because I knew she was out there somewhere and couldn't be that far ahead of me. I saw her right after mile 1, and I set my goal on catching up with her to run the rest of the way with her.

This run was 4 miles long and I knew that I could average 11 minute miles, but I figured that running with Lana whom I have been training with for MONTHS was more important. I cought her and we ran together the rest of the way. Mile 2 was 11:08, Mile 3 and 4 were mis marked so my splits are bonkers.

We ran to the last portion of the race, Trixie was waiting for us and ran with us for a bit - Lana took off like a bat outta hell, and we finished within seconds of each other.

It was hot. Humid. And fun! people were cheering from their homes, kids where watering us down with hoses... the cumminity really gets behind this race and it shows.

I felt like a rock star out there. I loved this race.


So here are the numbers:
SWIM -
Time 22m 50s
Dist. 880.00 yards
Pace 02m 35s /100 yards

T1 - 2:44

BIKE -
Time 43m 38s
Dist. 13.4 miles
Pace 18.43 Mi/hr

T2 - 1:41

RUN -
Time 48m 50s
Dist. 4.00 miles
Pace 12m 13s/Mi

TOTAL 1:59:42. My goal was to finish in under 2 hours!



So far I am very comfortable with the sprint distance. Not that I am good or anything, but I can comfortably perform at this distance with no real training. I say this because my base endurance level is perfect for this distance which is awesome because I am still seeing improvements with no additional training!

I am going to finish up this season with sprints - I have another 4 tris and 1 duathlon scheduled, in addition to my 2 Half Marathons in October. After Detroit wraps up I am turning my focus to building a better endurance base... we are talking movin gup to the medium and long courses in 2009.

I am going to start off next season with an opening triathlon, more than likely Ann Arbor again, then focus on Olys in the start, and my goal race will be my very first HIM.

I am going to do either Timberland in New Hampshire, Steelhead in Michigan, or Muskoka in Canada. I am letting my tri club decide, but so far it looks like we are New Hampshire bound!

So April 1, 2009 starts my 20 week HIM training plan.

I am nervous but feel that this is definitely within my reach! With the amazing support system that I have in my life, and the great training plan that I have, the only thing that can stop me from achieving this is myself. I can run the half marathon, I can swim the 1.2 miles, I can bike the 56. I have plenty of time to put it all together.

Onward and upward my friends!

Big Fish Triathlon Race Report...

... is up here: http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=120268

Wee!

I got 4th in Athena, even though 3D's timing was way off and had me first. Crazy people, I did not finish in 1:24! I finished in about 1:41 according to my polar watch. No results posted as of yet (mine were WAY wrong, so I need the official posted online tonight). I will have to update my RR once they are posted.

So with this, I came to the realization that I need to be a bit more realistic in my aspirations for the end of this season. I am still new to tri's and have a ways to go to improve. I want to do my best in each race, and right now I am still growing and learning. With that I have decided two things:

1 - Sprints only this year.

I nixed the idea of completing an Oly for my 30th b-day. I need to improve my sprints before I even think of moving on up right now. Mentally for sure. Physically I can do it and am almost there - but mentally... wow. I saw what I did today (I rocked it!) but seeing what the Oly triathletes were doing... I am just not mentally there this year. 2009 will be the year I step up my game after a long winter of base building to the extended endurance level. 2008 sprints, 2009 sprints and oly's. I am completely cool with this. Today solidified that I am capable of achieving what I put my mind to, I just have to be realistic in how much time I can dedicate to training right now.

I am in love with the sprint distance for now- and see that I can do really well if I put a little more effort and focus in my training. Heck - only 8 months ago I hopped into the pool for the first time. Now I am swimming biking and running in triathlons!

2 - No marathon for me this year!

Mentally I am training alone for this. I have never trained for a marathon solo - I always have trained with TNT or Jer. OK - for alittle while with TNT then the rest with Jer. Since I run with neither of them anymore and no one else is up to the marathon challenge this year, I decided that I am happy with trying to improve my half marathon time. Also, I have not had the best string of half marathons lately, my best being back in 2004... that was 4 years ago!

Until I am confident in my half marathon, I am not going to attempt the mental feat of the marathon. I am lacking the consisntency I need for the 26.2, and honestly - I want my next 26.2 to be freaking fun! I woul dlike to travel for my next 26.2, and Detroit, while I love the half, may not provide the atmosphere I need for the mental hurdle of MARATHON.

Houdini has struck again! LMAO - Thank you Che! ;)


So Detroit will be the half - and Lansing will be a sprint.

HOWEVER - there is this one crazy thing I am doing for my 30th b-day.

Drumroll please......


The TRIfecta for 30!

Lansing Legislator Sprint - 8/10
T-Rex Tri - 8/13
Island Lake of Novi Sprint - 8/17

:) Yes. That is 3 triathlons the week of my b-day.


This year is going to rock in a big way! Coming to grips with the reality of the time that I have vs time needed to train for these events... I am absolutely happy with my decision.

KEEP ON RUNNING!
})i({ The happiest RunnerGirl ever!

I am a triathlete forged in blood and dirt.

I am back from Wisconsin - FINALLY - and can make a better post of the triathlon.

My official race report for the Ann Arbor Tri is HERE.

And here are some pictures from the race for your entertainment enjoyment.


Jennifer, Kimm, and Jaclyn pre-race.


Exiting the water... wetsuits are not flattering. At. All.


Heading in to T1


Mounting the bike - ummm... bikes are not flattering either. :)



Heading out for the run... no socks = no fun and it shows on my face not more than 500 feet into the run!


Running it in to the finish... I am HAPPY!


Almost done! (My girl Trixie is the girl in the white tank in the back ground)


Hellloooo triathlete!




I made it. I left Ann Arbor stronger than I had arrived. I am a triathlete forged in blood and dirt.


Next up is Big Fish Sprint, June 22nd. This upcoming week is bike run swim and do it all over again! One thing that I learned at AA is that I needed to struggle in order to get better. I needed to break myself down physically and emotionally in order to rebuild. And with the big one done - I am doing just that.

Keep on running!

})i({ RunnerGirl

I won 3rd in Athena group!

I guess that I should have stayed for the awards... I won 3rd in my group today!

My finisher's shirt

The official finish time at the Willow Duathlon was 1:53:44:

• Run 1 (5K) - 33:36 (10:49 average pace)
• Transition 1 (run to bike) - 1:35
• Bike (20K) - 43:16 (16.7 miles per hour average)
• Tranistion 2 (bike to run) - 1:10
• Run 2 (5K/3.1 miles) - 34:13 (11:01 average pace)

Total time: 1:53:44

Sweet T on the rack

Athena 3rd place - and if I raced age group, I would have been 3rd in the 30-34 age group as well!

Pretty cool! I am really happy that I did this. I know that I could have gone harder on the bike, but had no idea what that would have done to my run. My goal for the next month is to hammer on the bike and try some speed work on my running. Swimming will just have to be the slow sport!

The cool thing is - I found out that I don't suck on the bike. In fact it was a lot of fun! I made up a lot of time on the cycle leg, and completed it in under 45 minutes which was my goal.

The funny thing is that I had been focusing on 33/45/35 all week long - my goal times for each leg. I actually met them and came in faster on the bike. For a first multisport event this was a great experience. I finished strong and happy and feel so much less worry about my tri in June.

My age group - 30-34 YO's. I raced Athena instead

After the race I went to Lana's house in AA and got ready to head out to the grand opening of the new REI in AA. I got a $30 gift card and since I am a co-op member I got 20% off any full priced item of my choice. Guess what I got?

Sweet T is now officially ready for some serious riding!

Sweet T with her fancy new Aerobars and Aerodrink system

I love it! I also got a new tri top (tank style, not jersey style) which will rock under my wetsuit. I am measuring myself this weekend and will order it Monday. I hope to get it before May 30th, because I have my first open water swim that weekend and want to try it out.

I feel like I ran a half marathon in tiredness, but not soreness. I love cycling for that exact reason! Tomorrow I will go out for a recovery ride - 20 miles or so at a slow pace. I decided against driving all the way back down to Willow for the Metrogrand 20/40/60 mile tour due to gas prices etc., so I nice loca recovery will be perfect.

Well I wanted to thank all of you that have cheered me on during the past few months of training. :) Thank you!

Keep running,

})i({Runnergirl Jenn AKA Duathlete Jenn.