Bitter or Better

March 4-10

Swim: some

Bike: a bit

Run: yep

Total: too lazy to actually go back and look

It was a normal week…until Wednesday. On Wednesday, Dad and I took off down the road for Florida.  I was just in Daytona Beach in December, and I was not looking forward to the same ride—I knew it was a few hours longer than I wanted to be in a vehicle. Long story short, we stopped in Nashville on the way down so I could try one of the Fat Mo’s burgers…it was great. Anyway, we made it most of the way on Wednesday.

After a short drive on Thursday, we finally made it to Clermont. I went to the National Training Center to do a workout on the track, and dad was busy making friends with the coaches of the local 5k training group. After my run, I ended up talking to them for a little bit too, and found out one of them would be working the transition area on Saturday. (more on that later)

 Looks like a nice place to relax!

Friday is where things go interesting. We went to the course in the afternoon to check things out—apparently everybody else had the same idea. I was quickly regretting not bringing a wetsuit. The water was a lovely 62 degrees at 1 in the afternoon, and I knew it was not going to be getting any warmer. Wonderful. I got in the water and do some swimming, and the water really didn’t feel that cold, and I felt like I had a decent feel for the water. Going into the race I wasn’t worried about the swim, and that just confirmed that I would be fine. After the swim, I went out for a couple loops on the bike course, just to make sure everything was working…it was! I was ready to go.

 It didn't seem so cold on Friday...

Friday night we had packet pick up, and a pre race meeting. I don’t think I was even slightly nervous for the race until they started discussing being lapped out. Going into the race I knew there was a chance that I could be lapped out, but I was confident enough in my swim ability that it wouldn’t happen. I know that I am not the strongest swimmer, but I had spent the last 4 months working on it, and I had seen big improvements in the pool. After the meeting was over, dad and I went for a quick dinner, then back to the hotel to relax.

Okay, race morning…it was cold in Florida! I think it was mid 40s when we got to the park around 6:15am. The first few minutes were spent parking, and unloading the truck. Then I did my 2 mile warm up jog just to get the legs moving. After that I spent about 20 minutes on the trainer at a pretty easy pace with a few pickups in there just to get the legs moving. After the ride, I got in line to get my chip. Everything was feeling good, and the check in process was simple. I set up transition, and had a few minutes to get down to the lake. I did a 10 minute swim warm up before they called us back to the beach to get our starting position. The 5-10 minutes we were standing out of the water seemed like 5 hours (remember I did not have a wetsuit on, and it was probably 48 degrees). We walked out into the calf deep water to take out starting position, and shortly late the gun went off.

This is the good part. Okay, so maybe it isn’t the good part. Water temp was 58-62 degrees depending on who you ask, but all I know is I was cold! I felt like I was swimming well, but apparently I was not. I exited the water in 15:13…I know I can swim better than that. But it is what it is. When I saw 15:00 on the clock I knew my day was done—I needed to be sub 13:30 to even have a chance at finishing…which I thought was a realistic goal going into the race. Oh well, I continued the run up to T1 and got on my bike.

 All by myself :(

At this point I knew there were a few guys maybe 25 seconds up, and a couple behind me. If I had any chance of surviving the bike I needed to catch that pack, but I knew it would not be easy. I could see that I only had maybe a minute on the lead pack when I was ½ way through my first lap…not good!  I was gaining on the pack ahead of me, but the lead pack was gaining on us! At the turnaround for lap 2 I could see that I had maybe 15 seconds on the lead group. Could I hold off the lead pack for another 2 laps? Most likely not. But I sure as hell was going to try. I ended up making a decent dent into the gap of the pack ahead of me, but got lapped out at lap 2. Was I upset? No. I was more embarrassed than anything, because I know I can do better! I just really shot myself in the foot with an awful swim—always bring the wetsuit! But the good news is my new friend, Jeremy from the NTC, was at the Transition area! So, at least I had somebody to talk to! Dad was busy volunteering out on the course!

For the next few hours I sat with Jeremy, and watched the pro races from the transition area. I got to pick the brain of somebody that works at the NTC. I got to soak up some good information. I got to see all the action up close. Draft legal racing really is pretty awesome to watch! It was pretty dang awesome to see all of the ITU pros flying by! After the race I even got to take a picture with Richard Murray!

So…Here are a few things I have come up with since race day.

1.  ALWAYS bring the wetsuit!

2.  Bitter or Better (I actually was wearing that shirt for a while after the race!)

            *It is not the end of the world.

            *Swim still needs A LOT of work—we’ll get there.

            *Just motivation to keep working on the weakness.

3. Draft legal racing is a new challenge. All racing is a challenge, but this really excites me.

            *I think it could be fun if I get that swim time down.

4. Clermont was still a good experience.

            *Let me know that my swim is still weaker than I though.

            *Good advice/tips talking with Jeremy.

            *Up close experience watching from transition area. 

            *Call me crazy, but I actually want to go back 

 (Top 3 Men) 

Now it is time to get ready for the track season! What is your next race?

Feb 25-March 3rd, and a Thank You or Two...

Swim: 12,620, 4 swims

Bike: 2:35, 2 rides

Run: 37.5 miles, 5 runs.

Total: 10:53

Well, this was quite the interesting week. My swims were feeling great, my runs felt easy, and biking felt okay—then I fell on my cool down on Thursday. There was probably only one patch of ice on the ground in this town, and I happened to find it on Thursday evening. I was about a quarter mile from home, and oops… I found the ice patch. I put my hand out to stop it, but I ended up falling on my hand and landing on my ribs. It wouldn’t have been that bad, except I hadn’t done my swim workout yet. L Unfortunately I had to skip my Thursday swim workout, and I hate skipping workouts. To make things worse, this all happened less than 24 hours before leaving for Stevens Point! Luckily by Friday evening this were feeling okay.

 (I may hate skipping workouts...but...the pool was a little freaky on Sunday.)

On Satuurday, I ran the 5k at UW Stevens Point, and ended up setting a 16 second PR—15:34. I raced smart, and things worked out. I stated the season with a track PR of 16:01, and got it down to 15:50 at the first meet. Then 15:34 at Stevens Point. I am happy with my time, although I was hoping I could run sub 15:30 indoor this year. I definitely think this indoor season has been a great stepping stone leading to outdoor track. What does outdoor hold for me? I am not sure yet. I now have to make the choice of focusing on the longer stuff (5k/10k) or dropping back down to the 400m/800m/1500m. I know the 4x800m will be one of our main focuses this outdoor season—we want that record! I am also thinking I would like to take a crack at getting back onto out 4x400m relay! With that said, I think it would be awesome to go sub 15:00 in a 5k, and we have a perfect line up of meets that could make that possible. Who knows, maybe I will go sub 15, while gaining back my spot on the 4x400m, and being part of the 4x800m record setting team?

I would just like to take the time to say thank you to my teammates at Greenville. I know I only get to practice with y’all a few days a week, but this has been one of my favorite seasons yet! With the way my swim/bike/run schedule is set up, and a Monday evening class, it makes it hard to be there all the time. I am just lucky to have the supportive teammates that I do! I honestly enjoy spending as much time with y’all ask I can. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of y’all, while pursuing another dream of mine.

Also, thank you to coach Steve! I am excited for Clermont Draft Legal on March 9. I have enjoyed the last 4 months or so of training--it has been challenging, but very satisfying. I have learned many things, and I have pushed myself beyond what I would have if I were making my own plans.  I have no doubt that I am ready to race, and I am looking forward to the new experience! 

Song of the Week

Have a great week!  What are your goals for this spring?!

Update Feb 11-24, and a fun video!

Feb 11-17

Swim: 16,760yds, 5 swims

Bike: 2:53, 2 rides

Run:  37 miles, 4 runs

            It is amazing the difference a week can make. I had almost identical weeks scheduled on paper, but quite different experiences. The week of the 11-17 felt like one giant physical and mental test, and I felt like I was always behind the eight ball. The week started off strong, but the farther into the week I got, the worse I felt I was doing on workouts. As a runner, I sometimes freak out if I don’t hit my paces…Thursday was a good example of that. Nothing was really “off” but it wasn’t right. It actually made me rather angry when I was struggling to hit pace on tempo day. You can ask any of my teammates from the past 5 years, and they will tell you I can have some pretty “off” days, but I will always be solid on tempo day. Along with the running, I was struggling on in the water a little bit. I do not consider myself to be a good swimmer, but I was swimming times that I should not be. I would fall apart during certain workouts and just hate life for the rest of it. On Sunday I had a big swim/bike workout, and I just completely fell apart. I ended up quitting the workout early—I hate to do that!! I could not hold power on the bike and I could not hit my swim times. I was three weeks out from Clermont, and I began to wonder if I was ready. School wasn’t even that difficult—the workouts were causing me more stress than school was.

Feb 18-24

Swim: 17,460yds, 5 swims

Bike: 4:03, 3 rides

Run: 36 miles, 5 runs

            Now, the week of the 18-24 was much different. I had solid runs all week, biking was good, and I had many solid improvements in the pool. On Saturday I had my first bike/run “brick” since 70.3 Branson, and it was very encouraging. I’m glad my legs remembered how to run quick off the bike. Sunday I had the same swim/bike workout as I did last week, and I even set 2 PRs in the pool during the workout! It really is crazy how 7 days can make all the difference.

Don't I look wonderful getting ready to flip turn?

            So, what do the next two weeks look like? Well, I am racing a 5k at UW-Stevens Point on March 2, and I am hoping to go sub 15:30. All of my workouts have been telling me I can run sub 15:30, so now I am going to go out and do it. I am running unattached, but I still need to mentally invest in the race and be ready to suffer. After racing multiple 70.3 races, I should be used to hurting. The hurt in the run of a 70.3 and the hurt that sets in 3k into the 5k are just different. I had a good talk with Josh Thebeau about this--he basically told me to suck it up and do it. He was a super fast high school runner, and always a good person to go to for running advice. After Stevens Point, I have the Clermont Draft Legal Challenge on March 9. I can’t wait. I am pretty excited since I have been training with this race in mind for a while now…and it is in Florida. Who doesn’t love a trip to Florida?

            Over the past 2 weeks, I have asked myself many times if I actually love training and racing, and if I am actually made to do this. I definitely love training, or I wouldn’t get my butt out of bed every morning to do it. Sometimes the workout are just plain hard, and I they take me beyond my happy place and into a dark place that I don’t enjoy going. I guess if I go there enough it will become my happy place?

            Lastly, dad did his first 12 mile run last week! Funny story—he text’s me on a Wednesday to tell me he just ran 12.4 miles and bonked at mile 9. I was confused, because I didn’t even have him down to run on Wednesday, and his run was supposed to be 10 on Sunday. Although I am glad that he knows he can run 12 miles, with his half marathon 6 weeks away, I think it threw a little wrench in the training plan. I am excited to see how his half marathon goes, and I am pretty sure he will end up running a marathon before I do. He asked me when I will run one, but I have no desire to go long! Every once in a while I toss around the idea of 26.2 or 140.6 but that thought always quickly leaves my head.

Songs of the Week!

And

 This is a much watch! ^

Have a great week! Good luck to everyone racing last chance meets this weekend!

Week of Feb 4-10

Swim: 15,360yds, 5 swims

Bike: 2:51, 2 rides

Run: 41 miles, 5 runs

Total: 11:36

After setting a PR in the 5k last week I decided to run the 3k this week. My 3k PR was 9:04 from 2011, and I figured I should be able to take it out—after all, I did come through the 3k of my 5k in 9:04 (and then faded hardcore). Also, my friend Jake was in the 3k, and it’s always nice to beat him, so I decided to give it a shot. I let him know a few days before the race that I was just going to sit on him until the last 200m, and then out kick him—oh the perks of being a mid-distance runner trying to move up. Well…that only works if you can stick with him for 2800m. On Saturday there was a pack of 3 that quickly separated from the rest of the field.  We came through 800m in 2:20. Around1200m into the race we were down to a pack of two—Jake and me. We came through the mile in 4:42, and Jake started to pull away. By 2k in, Jake was running away with the race, and I just let him go. I knew I just had to hold it together for 1000m and I would run myself to a new PR. I ended up closing in :33.1 for the last 200m to run 8:52—good for a 12 second PR. Can’t complain about that! 11 second 5k PR last weekend, and now a 12 second 3k PR! Jake ran a studly 8:46 for a PR also—it was a good day for both of us.

5k at Illinois College--look at that wonderful face.

 In other new, I finished East of Eden by John Steinbeck, and I absolutely love that book. It may have taken me 5 months to finish—but it finished! It wasn’t my first time reading it, I just wanted to read it again. I really just don’t ever sit down to read books, unless it’s some type of Biology books or something like that. Apparently it’s good for people to read…who knew? Anyway, if you haven’t read it, you should!

Lastly, I would just like to say that I love my teammates at Greenville--especially the 800m crew. This year we decided we are going to have breakfast club once a week, and it is a blast. Although I would like to sleep in on Tues or Thurs morning, this group of crazy guys is awesome enough to get me to drive to campus early for breakfast, before I go sit in a 90 minute class of multicultural children’s literature. Although we are usually all still half asleep at the start of breakfast, it is always a fun time. And, you MUST be an 800m runner to get breakfast—that may be the only reason I still train with the 800m runners. Also, if you are reading this, Josh…We. Need. Bacon.

Song of the Week!

If you have any specific questions you want me to answer, just let me know. I can always use ideas to write about. Have a GREAT week! Good luck to the GC Panthers at NCCAA’s this weekend!

Week of Jan 28 - Feb 3

Swim: 12,720yds, 4 swims

Bike: 1:45, 2 rides

Run: 37.01 miles, 5 runs

Total Time: 9:49

Another interesting week—I had to go home for jury duty,  so it was another week of traveling. Overall, it was still an okay week. We cut back to four days a week of swimming this week, and I am beginning to think I am a 5 day/week swimmer. I didn’t feel as comfortable in the water this week—it was fun though. Biking was…blah. For one reason or another, the workouts just seemed hard to fit in this week. Running was solid, as always—I can think I am having a “completely horrible week of running” and in reality it is just fine. Really don’t have much to say about training this week though. I did it. Survived. Didn’t have any TT or training breakthroughs this week, but I (mostly) got it done.

This week I got to race on the track for the first time since May! I was so excited. I told coach I wanted to run the 5k at Illinois College. I had never run an indoor 5k before, but I figured there’s no better time than now! On Friday night I was so excited, it felt like Christmas Eve. I am not sure if I was excited for the race, or nervous, but I couldn’t wait. Race morning came along and I was ready to go. Basically, to make a long story short…I ran 15:50 to PR (not bad for an “800m runner”).  My splits were...well, if it was a 3k race I would have been set! LOL. I was 4:49/9:42/15:13/15:50. I just got a little too aggressive early in the race--but hey, I've never been one to play it safe! I look forward to the next 5k I get to run on the track, whenever that may be!

My track PR was 16:01 from 2010. My road PR was 15:52 from 2009 (I'm pretty sure it was a short course though). I am happy to have run a PR! Think of it this way, the last time I ran a 5k PR I was running 70-80 miles a week in the middle of the summer, training for cross country. I was happy to PR off ~40 mpw of running (although I am swimming and biking now). And, even though I ran 15:50, I know I did not race to my ability, and I am looking forward to my next shot at a 5k! My track coach will tell you that I am still a middle distance runner (400/800/1500) but I think it is time to make the jump to “long distance.” To him, the 5k/10k is long distance—to me, the 5k is what I run in a sprint tri and the 10k is what I run in the Olympic distance tri. With the 70.3 being my favorite distance to race, the 5k/10k is “middle distance” to me. I guess it all just depends on how you look at it.

My 5k PR got me thinking about other PRs I have set in the last 365 days. So I decided to lay it out.

Running:

     400m (indoor), 800m (indoor), mile (indoor), 3k (indoor), 3 mile (road), 5k (indoor), 10k (road)

Swimming:

     100yd, 200yd, 400yd, 500yd

Triathlon:

     Sprint and Olympic

I think there are many things that have gone into this string of PRs but I am very happy with it. There is no secret to it, just a lot of hard work and sacrifices. I have had a pretty good last 365 days, and I can only hope that the streak will continue for the next year.

Dad’s half marathon training is coming along! He did his 8 mile long run (he made sure to tell me it was 8.4miles, not just 8) this week, and he is up to around 24 mpw. Now, some may say that an 8 mile long run is too much for low mileage, but I disagree. I’ve always been taught that the long run shouldn’t be more than 20-25% of your weekly mileage. But, if you only have 3 or 4 days a week (sometimes 5) to run, and you still want to get the mileage in, sometimes you break the rule. We have come up with a plan to get him to race day in shape and ready to go—and he will be ready!

The Clermont Draft Legal start list came out this week. It was kind of like an “is this real?” moment when I saw my name on the list with “U25 Elite Development” next to it. Everybody had told me I need to try my chances with draft-legal, so here’s my chance. I have total confidence that Coach Steve will get me to the start line of Clermont ready to go. It is a little intimidating to be entered into a race with 74 other studs, with a lot of them aiming to get their pro/elite card. But hey, what have I got to lose?  I am looking forward to the experience on March 9. Maybe this will give me a better idea if I like draft-legal, short course or long course racing—although I highly doubt I will decide draft-legal is “my race” and I did already say that I love the 70.3!

Song of the week!