Girl's Training

Our girls are in full-force training for their own tri. Abby (age 14) writes everything on her calendar. Emma (age 8) needs a calendar and asks what we could do today. 

Abby had a very interesting ride... quite the experience yesterday and one that I've never quite heard before. I've seen deer, snakes, pee'd in the woods or laughing too hard on the bike, crying on the bike, etc. All sorts of crazy stuff... but hers tops the cake. 

She was doing hill repeats on a trail she and I have traveled many times. It's a sidewalk trail and safe for kids her age. On her last hill repeat she spotted 2 horses having a very very good time. A mom can't be 2 places at once. I had to take Emma somewhere. Out of breath, Abby called me as soon as she got home, "MOM! I SAW THE GROSSEST THING EVER ON MY RIDE!!" I was laughing so hard and thinking, better them than catching Jim and me.

We are honest with our kids. And they call it like they see it. They actually do talk to us and we laugh a lot in the house.

Emma was standing next to me asking, "What? What? What?" I had to explain to her what happened within her knowledge bank. 

Allergy Note: For those of you who have nut allergies, gluten or whey allergies this is for you. One of our kids has a nut allergy and is lactose intolerant. We have discovered a food brand named "Enjoy Life"... provides great alternatives for training energy. "Stretch Island Fruit Co" does too. 

Happy Racing,

Christy

"Swing, Batter Batter..."

This past weekend was the 2nd big real race of my life. And it was awesome. During the race I was highly focused on technique, time, transition, nutrition, etc. ME! At the start, I saw my family and yelled, "I love you, family." If you don't focus on yourself during a distance race, bad things can happen. Bad things can happen even when you focus on yourself. It's the nature of racing. But, you always focus on the positive! 

After the race, things have stuck in my mind like a photo. I remember Emma at home meeting me in the driveway w/ the bike race number at 3:50 a.m. I road with a friend and I didn't want the race number coming off my bike in the wind. Emma wanted to be there as early as possible and put herself in charge of family patrol... getting everyone up and at 'em before the race. So, I let her wear the race t-shirt and named her, "Director." She wore it with such pride. 

I have a vivid picture of my entire family (Jim, Abby and Emma) before the race all standing there before I entered the water. I even had time to hug them. Emma saying, "See, Mom, I did it." The over-sized t-shirt looked beautiful on her. I remember being in the water before my wave started and Abby screaming at me saying, "Mom, I love you. Good luck!" from the beach. I remember her face. She wanted me to see her there. I screamed back when they told us to go, "Family, I love you." Then I dove in and swam away. Jim, he's always by my side. Somehow he does his best to find me at every transition... I hear him or see him. He is my biggest fan and greatest supporter. I love him with my whole heart. He had to work during the race yet still brought the kids and still found me. 

There are volunteers who come and work really hard. There are people who know the questions and answer them. There are people who don't care if they ever get on stage or receive recognition. 

And then there are the people who don't require a tent, tree, or chair. They have to provide their own nutrition during the ENTIRE race. They stand on the sidelines and yell for you. I hear them. They, too, know the transitions. They've done the race in the past and they know. They don't care if they can do it faster than you; they are still right there on the sidelines yelling, "Go!" They know what's important. They could be people you know from the past who still cheer because they've been there-done that. I had no idea that one of them had seen me during the race. She bumped into my husband and daughter and told them how I was doing. 

There are people who play music at the top of a hill screaming, "Go". There could be a girl the same age as your daughter screaming her head off at the very end... all I had in me was the energy to do the peace sign sideways at her just b/c I heard her. I had to focus on pulling myself in. It's a weird peace sign but something that my daughter does. Peace to you! 

This is my first racing season ever. I've been in the stands yelling, "Swing, batter batter." when my brothers pitched. Yelling, "Run" when they were going for home. Screaming for them as they were playing basketball or football or when my sisters played volleyball and basketball. This was the first time I felt what it was like to have extra energy during a real competitive race. It's not something you can depend on but, it was something I was grateful for. They are pictures I have in my mind. 

I love you, family. 

Happy Racing and Peace to You,

Christy

A Day of Firsts

Today was my first olympic triathlon. Today was my first time to swim a 1.5 K in open water in the Boulder Rez. It was wild out there. The sun was in our faces. We'd look at each other and say, "Can you see the buoy?" I changed my breathing side this week after I read the swim directions on the course map. The list goes on and on. My olympic distance was 1.5 K on the swim, 42 K on the bike, and 10 K on the run. Fun, Fun... I'll do it again!!! 

On the bike it was a blast. I think I smiled the whole way. (Oh, my transitions suck! I don't mind telling you.) The bike was a blast. We had a climb in there, about a 5 mile climb. After it was over, I was expecting more. I kept thinking of Elephant Rock, my first century on the bike. There were some steep successive climbs in that one. So, this one didn't feel so bad. But, in Elephant Rock... we got to ROCK!!!! I mean FLY in that one!!! We had to obey the speed limit today and be very careful not to draft. In every tri you cannot go within 3 bike lengths of the person in front of you. In passing, do it 1n 12 or 15 seconds. I've heard both so, I always push fast passing just to be safe. 

The run was killer for me and I think it was the slowest I have ever run in my entire life. I am not kidding you. I guess I am getting re-acquainted with altitude after 2 weeks of travel or something. I have several ideas. And I am excited to work out the kinks. 

I am a racer at heart. Oh yes I am! This race can turn out some slow times and it did for me... 3 hr and 31 min. Ick! Decent on the bike. SLOW in water and run. SLOW on transitions. But, I had a blast and can't wait to get better. 

The really good thing is that my kids and husband were there. Our 8 yr old found out how she can do open water triathlons and even attend a camp. She cannot WAIT! She practiced swimming straight in open water while I was doing laps in the Boulder Rez on the expo day. They were so proud of me. It was the first time my kids saw me do a tri. I've never seen them so proud of ole mom! 

In signing Emma up for her tri, Abby read about the swim for her age-group. Abby is a great swimmer and the distance is something she can already easily accomplish as well as the bike and run. She decided to do it too. Her distances will be a bit longer for her age-group. Both girls are looking forward to it and designing their training program. 

Happy Racing,

Christy

New Family Member

We promised the kids a new family member after our trip. NOT a dog, cat... nothing with 4 legs or 2. We've had a home prepared for a solid month for a beta fish. Today was THE day. 

After swimming with the Emma, I had to ride a little on my bike. I've been traveling a bit and my saddle and me needed time before the race this weekend. I hit the Rez for a mild ride and re-acquaintance after a visit with the bike guy. The bike and me... like old friends. (Running was the name of the game last week due to travel.)

The girls were ready to go after the ride. They picked out a blue fish with a beautiful tail. Having 2 girls, one of whom is 14... Hip Hop music is often what I endure in the car. 

"Mom, change it to 107.1... oh now, 107.5." Sometimes I can't take it and turn it off. But, the fish definitely got acquainted. 

Our 8 yr old said to my 14 yr old, "He can't handle the 's' word or the 'd' word."... hip hop music has lots of words. My parents would be appalled. As long as my kids don't say the words and it's not violent we let them listen to hip hop music. 

We stayed out of the naming altogether. Of course the twilight guy's name came up but our 8 yr old vetoed that saying it would get old. 

So, the fish's name is Mr. Fluffington Whiskers, the 4th. Go figure. 

Happy Racing,

Christy

Smiles

Another race coming up this weekend. 

What a whirlwind of a month. Busy, busy, busy. Life, travel, and my first race. I am always reading something... little-a-this, little-a-that. The new TRI book I am reading is by Brad Kearns. The title is "Breakthrough Triathlon Training." I bought it b/c of a forward in it by Lance Armstrong and I liked a little of what I read. Balance! Triathletes and balance don't always get along. But, what I read came in handy today. 

Some days you get the wind knocked out of your sails. For about 45 minutes today my wind was gone mentally. Then I remembered a lot of things that I've been reading. Fun! Have fun! Yeah, that's right! Have a good time. Listen to my body and it's need for rest post-travel. My schedule is cramped this week. So, rest when I can. One of my coaches said to cut my training in half. That is actually what my body wants anyway. So, that's what I will be doing.

Mentally, I remembered something very important. Learning what I've learned thus far in life has taken much strength, wisdom and courage. I took some deep breaths after a tiresome afternoon, I was okay. 

I am very excited about my race this weekend. It's an olympic race. I will be thinking about my friends who will be training back in the south for their very first tri! 

Happy Racing! 

Christy

p.s. Check out Ben Stiller warming-up on Lance's TT bike. 

Tuff as NAILS down here!

Hot as hell, humid, hot, sticky, heavy, oppressive, soul crushing. And I am still laughing. I have to remind you, there is no ocean nearby, no wind off any waters for reprieve. I have 1/2 a mind not to even use spell check. My fingers are too tired.

But, I am doing it. I start off running in the heat. It honestly feels like an elephant sitting on your chest for the for first 30 minutes. Then you sorta get into it. Your brain cuts off and your body just goes. The danger of it has always been the same for me in this heat, the brain really can cut off and the body really will keep on going. That has been my experience in the past with this heat. I look down at my arms and realize there is no more sweat on them. Ooops, too late!

Nationals are nearby in a couple of months. Please train in heat. Please train without wind to properly prepare yourself and stay safe.

Part of me loves extremes. And I remember the days of training regularly down here. It's slowly coming back to me.

The greatest thing is happening in this area. Running and Tri-training is catching on! I am so happy for people around. They are getting fit and I love it. They are building trails and using them at all times of the day. My friend joined a group along with about 200 other people... all learning how to run a 1/2 marathon. They had a raffle and the car dealership GAVE away a car to the winner of the raffle not the 1/2 Mary! What a great idea!!!! My friend completed her first 1/2 Mary. Her husband will be doing his first tri along with his sister this July... mind you, the heat and humidity will be crazy insane. I call them- EXTREME athletes. They are in my age group.

They have bike shops down here, groups are supportive with little money nor room for snobbery. Instead they are supporting the sport thru giving away cars! I love it. They just get out there and go for it. Granted they have lakes and boats, easy access for swimming. But, you try coming from 80 degree weather 50 percent humidity to 105 degree heat and 90 humidity and training everyday.

I say... they are doing a mighty fine job. I wish them the best and will definitely keep up with their progress. I tell you what, my speed has slowed immensely since I've been down here. I am sure it will only improve my training.

Happy Racing,
Christy

Training On Hot Ground

The day after my first tri we had a trip planned. I am now training in hot and humid conditions. There are NO nice winds off of any beachy waters here. The heat and humidity sits on lungs like a heavy weight. As soon as you pour water on your head, neck, and wrists which are covered in sweat, the heat steals it away. If you think I am kidding, come on down, give a try/tri for yourself. I'm swimming in one of the pools here... even the indoor pools are hot. The heat conditions were 105 the first day I trained which was a running day.

In all actually, it may sound as if this is a complaint. No way! I have an olympic TRI comming up. What better way to prep than some good ole "hanging in there" and nutrition education. I am learning from the best... those who train in the extreme. (2-a-days just like me but crazy hot still humidity.)

I am grateful for the bike lanes I have everywhere I go back home. I am grateful for laws that protect us bikers in Denver. I am grateful for the 65 degree open water back home in Denver. And I am grateful for this heat that is teaching me some hydration lessons down here, OUCH! I wish I could find a place for my training food, though.

I have the greatest respect for these athletes and their courtesy, especially the "Roadies" who are grateful for every spin class they get and the very few times the get to gather for a group ride. I wish them safe travels on 2 wheels. They have to squeeze in their pool swims for odd times. I wish them the best. They have a great attitude.

Happy Training,
Christy