Wandering Dawn

A California girl exploring the world

Triathlon

Ironman Training Over the Holidays Part 2

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My second week of Christmas vacation was more productive!

Boston

Merry Christmas!!
Day 20 – Sunday 12/25 CHRISTMAS! rest (intentional)

Day 21 – Monday 12/26: 10 miles on the treadmill (8:41-8:45 min/mile pace at 1% incline)
Nutrition: 1 GU at 40 minutes. 1 Gatorade recovery drink immediately post workout.
Running 10 miles on the treadmill sucks!!  It definitely requires mental toughness.  I was bored after mile 4 and had to keep playing mind games to get myself to go another mile, and then another mile, and then another, until I reached 10.  I told myself it was good practice for the Ironman!  Running outdoors with a running buddy is 100x more fun than running alone on the treadmill, but sometimes you just have to do whatever it takes to get that workout in.  My full marathon is only 1 month away!

Day 22 – Tuesday 12/27: rest (vacation mode)
Most of our family left Boston by Tuesday morning, so Jeremy and I decided to take the train to downtown Boston for the day.   We had some great food!!  We walked a lot, but there wasn’t any working out.

Cheese, please! The Original Regina's Pizza in Boston's North End

Day 23 – (flew home) Wednesday 12/28: rest (unintentional)
After a week of sleeping in and eating way too much, Jeremy and I still managed to fall asleep the second we got home at 4pm. No idea why we were so tired! Does flying take it out of you?

Back Home in San Diego

Day 24 – Thursday 12/29: SWIM (50 laps @ 25 yards for 35 mins) and BIKE on indoor trainer (small chain ring 45 minutes)
First day back in the saddle, and it felt great!  I was a little apprehensive to do anything on the bike the day before a really long run, so I focused on an easy spin and keeping my cadence above 90.  I still need to buy a wireless computer for my bike. Any recommendations?  Counting my pedal strokes can only get me so far.

Day 25 – Friday 12/30: 20.6 mile run
*First day using new Timex watch!!*
Nutrition: Pre – 2 waffles + peanut butter & agave nectar. During – 4 GU. After – Recovery drink and veggie burger w/ fries
I felt pretty good on this run.  It definitely got really tough around mile 18, but Jeremy surprised us and ran us in starting around mile 19.  Anything to break up the routine was definitely welcomed at that point!  After the run, I was beat.  We went to the mall after lunch, and I quickly lost all of my shopping spirit and sat in the men’s shoe department at Nordstrom while Jeremy shopped.

Post 20.6 mile run. Too tired to move.

Day 26 – Saturday 12/31: 28 mile bike ride up the coast
Nutrition: Pre – 2 waffles + peanut butter & agave nectar . During – 140 calorie drink mix (1 scoop CarboPro + 1 scoop Vitalite). I was starving by the time I got home.  Nicole wasn’t, however, and she didn’t eat anything on the ride.  I think it had to do with my dinner the night before. After a week of heavy Italian food, I was craving a salad, so I had that with some bread.  I guess my days of salad-only dinners are over. Sad.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! 

Day 27 – Sunday 1/1/12 – Rest day/Recovery
My quads were still very sore, so Jeremy and I spent the day watching Mad Men and cleaning our place.

Day 28 – Monday 1/2 X2 Core from P90X2
Jeremy and I tried the new X2 Core workout from P90X2.  It was really fun to change it up with a new DVD!  We were glad to focus on strength too.  (Learn more about P90X2 here.) Today my quads are STILL sore from my 21 mile run and 28 mile bike days, so we decided to do a different kind of workout to let them recovery more.  Should I have swam too?  Yes. There can never be too much swimming!  I wish I had made time for it.

Today is my last day of holiday vacation. So sad!  Back to reality tomorrow.  The good thing about getting back to work is that it will help me with my workout schedule.  I didn’t do as much as I wanted to over vacation, and I attribute that to having too much free time!  I need more structure.  Get up at 5am. Workout. Go to work. Workout. Make dinner. Fall asleep in my bowl of pasta. That sounds like Ironman training to me!

Did you follow your workout plan over the holidays?

Ironman Training Over the Holidays Part 1

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Running by day.  Partying by night.

The last week of Ironman training was sporadic and inconsistent.  Training over the holidays is HARD.  Looking back at my past week of training is a little frightening.  It definitely does not resemble what one week of Ironman training should look like, and after the holidays, there will be no more excuses to have a light training week!

Day 11  – Friday 12/16: Rest (intentional)

Day 12 – Saturday 12/17 8:30am: 18.5 mile run
Nutrition: Pre Run – 2 waffles + peanut butter & agave syrup. During Run – 4 GUs.  Post Run – Chocolate Muscle Milk Light and pretzels (immediately), then leftover tofu fried rice (1 hour later).  I didn’t eat enough post run which left me feeling very lethargic.

I woke up feeling nauseous and “off”.  I had to fight with my waffles to finish 90% of them.  Needless to say, I was nervous for this run.  Nicole and I felt that the first half of the run was harder than last week’s, but surprisingly, the last half was more effortless than last week’s so it was a flop of our 16.5 mile run.  I had intended to try out salt tablets on this run but completely forgot them, and again I finished with a salty face.  The marathon is 6 weeks away, and I still need to perfect my sodium intake.  When I trained for my first marathon earlier this year, I never practiced with salt, but then on race day I had 1 packet at the starting line and 1 packet around mile 16.  Overall, I felt great, so I was very lucky that something I never practiced with didn’t have an adverse effect on me. 

Day 13 – Sunday 12/18 9am: 27 mile coastal bike + 3 mile run
Nutrition: Pre Ride – Evol breakfast burrito. During Ride – 1 waffle and 1 water bottle with 1 scoop CarboPRO + 1 scoop vitalite. Post Ride – 1 scoop P90X Recovery Formula (immediately), then veggie burger and split pea soup (1 hour later)

I felt strong on the bike and was pleasantly surprised at how good I felt the day after a really long run.  I had some major issues trying to eat and drink while riding, though, so I definitely need more practice!  It was chilly, so I had full fingered gloves on which made it nearly impossible to open my Honey Stinger Waffle.  I got it open at a stop light, and it flew out of the package onto the ground!  Nicole picked it up, blew on it, and said “10 second rule!  You don’t want to let that nutrition go to waste.” What a good training buddy!  I had a backup GU but decided to eat the tainted one anyway.  Builds character.   Next ride I’m going to try eating my food prepared out of a ziploc baggie in my bento box to see if that makes eating on the bike any easier.

Day 14 – Monday 12/19 5:45am: 45 minutes bike trainer
Nutrition: During ride – 1 banana and 1 scoop P90X Recovery formula

Normally I rest my legs in the morning and only go for a swim at night, but I knew this week would be crazy so I jumped on the bike at 5:45am.  My legs definitely felt heavy, so I focused on keeping my cadence up in the small chain ring.  Monday night my family and I did our early Christmas at my parents house and opened presents!!  Some of my triathlon gift highlights were a Timex GPS watch and a cycling jacket!

My new training watch!

Day 15 – Tuesday 12/20 5:30am: 8 mile run
Nutrition: Pre-Run – 1 banana. Post-Ride – 2 waffles + peanut butter

I bundled up and ran to Nicole’s house in the darkness.  The early morning run felt good, and I like starting my workday with an outdoors workout. It wakes me up and gives me energy!

Day 16 – Wednesday 12/21: Rest (unintentional/Jeremy’s Bday!)
Our neighbors were SO noisy, so I had a terrible night’s sleep and decided to sleep in.  Wednesday night we celebrated Jeremy’s birthday!!  Happy 32nd birthday, baby!

Jeremy's Surprise Birthday Celebration at Encinitas Ale House

Day 17 (NYC) – Thursday 12/22: Rest (unintentional)
Slept in and rushed to pack up for our trip to NYC.  Went out in Rockefeller Center just in time to catch the magic!

Rockefeller Center

Day 18 – (NYC) Friday 12/23: 6×800 Yassos (7:41 min/mile 800m, 9:31 mph 400m recoveries, 5 miles total)
Nutrition: 1/2 Luna bar before, and 1/2 Luna bar after
Set my alarm and forced myself out of bed at 8:30am EST to do some speed work on the treadmill while I had easy access to the gym in my cousin’s building.  Yassos were not easy today probably because I was out late in NYC and somewhat jetlagged.  I was just happy to finish!  We spent the rest of the morning at the 911 Memorial Site which is really coming along nicely, and then hopped on a train to Boston.

Day 19 – (Boston) Saturday 12/24 Christmas Eve: Rest (unintentional)
First full day in Boston in a household of 2o.  Speaking of 20, it was 20 degrees outside when I woke up, so the So Cal girl in me justified skipping the 10 mile long run outside.  What if I got frostbite?

My adorable niece, Kiva!

I’m in Boston 4 more days and get home Wednesday afternoon.  The plan is to train every day when I get back because I don’t have to go back to work until Tuesday 1/3!  (OK, maybe I’ll cut myself a break on New Year’s Day.) Stay tuned for Ironman Training Over the Holidays Part 2 when I conclude my crazy holiday training schedule, put it behind me, and get ready for a new year full of IRONMAN TRAINING!

Big poker winner! Merry Christmas to me!

Ironman Training Day 10

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Jeremy and me after our first Sprint Triathlon (Solana Beach) July 2011

Thursday 12/15/11

Woo hoo! Day 10!!  Today I stayed indoors which is quite rare for my training.

Morning: 5:45am – 40 minute spin on my bike trainer
Nutrition: 1/2 banana pre-workout*, 1 scoop recovery powder (110 calories) during workout, 1 scoop after workout
*Jeremy came up to me when I was a few minutes into the bike and asked me what I ate before my workout. Such a good workout buddy looking out for me!  He gave me 1/2 a banana so I had some fuel to start.

I finally got on my bike this week!  Jeremy and I still only own 1 DVD (the one that came with our trainer), so I did that workout for a second time, but I had to cut it 20 mins short so I wouldn’t be late for my work meeting.  It was still really tough!   That workout makes me SWEAT.  Our Ironman training buddies own multiple Sufferfest DVDs and they use them a lot, so maybe that’s something we will also invest in.  The motto of those workouts are “I will beat my ass today to kick yours tomorrow.” Sounds intense! And awesome.

Evening: 5:45pm – 20 min swim, gym strength
Nutrition: Handful of trail mix on my ride to the gym. Another handful while I was out shopping for dinner post-workout.

This was my second time using my new gym membership.  It still feels weird working out in a gym.  I’m used to the great outdoors and working out alone or with 1-3 other people…Not in a room full of sweaty strangers!  Nevertheless, I drove my butt straight to the gym after my work meeting, changed into my swimsuit, and jumped into the lap pool.  It wasn’t crowded and I had an entire lane to myself…for about 20 minutes.  Then I was kicked out for a water aerobics class.  Next time I should check the schedule first!  I still got a good swim in, but I wasn’t able to leave the gym quite yet, so I changed into gym clothes and played around a little bit.

I wanted to see if I could still do any pull-ups.  I was able to do 7 at my peak just after P90X!  I walked around aimlessly looking for a pull-up bar, and two nice boys showed me a few options.  Haha.  I took my pick and jumped up, hanging there for a few seconds, and then doing 2 1/2 pull-ups.  Not bad.  I jumped down and back up again and did 1 1/2 chin-ups.  I still have some of that strength, but I lost quite a bit, so I want to incorporate some strength exercises during my Ironman training whenever possible.  After my mini pull-up session, I did two sets of 10 push-ups – standard and wide.  Then I did a mini Ab Ripper X series.  To finish, I did 4 sets of 10lb dumbbell bicep curls (standard and cross body).  I’m still not used to working out in the gym again, but I’m proud of myself for not running straight to the treadmill when my swim was cut short.  I ran the past 2 days in a row, so it was time to change it up!  What are your favorite training exercises to do specifically when you’re at the gym?

Tomorrow is Friday, and you know what that means. REST DAY!  I’ll be back Saturday for an 18 mile run.

Ironman Training Days 7-9

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Monday 12/12/11
Morning 6:30am: Ab Ripper X
The original plan was to stretch out and do my P90X Yoga DVD, but I didn’t wake up early enough for that, so I did a quick 15 minute abdominal workout instead.  I should probably do this 1-2x/wk.  I feel like I’ve lost so much strength in my core!  Granted this is a 349 rep DVD, so I probably shouldn’t be too upset that I was short a few reps this morning.  Still, it put me in my place.

Evening 7:30pm: 1 hour technique swim class
This was my third swim class within one week, and I already find myself improving. Up until last week, I hadn’t swam since my last triathlon on 9/11, so I had no idea how bad I’d be.  Fortunately, my technique is coming back quickly.  I still need to be watched and reminded of ways I can improve, and that is why I like going to these technique classes.  My favorite swim coach, Trevor, is typically there on Monday nights, so I try to make going that night a priority.  Eventually I will incorporate Masters swim classes into my weekly swim workouts so I can build up my endurance which will be critical for the 2.4 mile swim.  Both classes run at the same times and are coached, but you rarely take rests or get feedback in the Masters classes.

Tuesday 12/13/11
Morning: Rest (was supposed to spin on my bike)
We woke up to no power! Can I use this as an excuse? 

Evening 7:15pm: 6 x 800 Yassos on the treadmill
I got a gym membership 1 1/2 weeks ago specifically for triathlon training in the winter.  No, San Diego doesn’t have harsh climates like other parts of the U.S. (sorry Boston) but it does have the same amount of limited daylight.  I particularly need the gym for my mid-week runs which are getting more intense as I get closer to my marathon.  My first trip to the gym was to do Yassos, or speed work, on the treadmill.  It was quite an experience.  I had forgotten how much of a meat market the gym is.  I tried to ignore this, or at least be entertained by it, as I did my speed work.  I did my Yassos at 7.7mph on the treadmill (7:47min/mile pace) at a 1% inclince six times.  Not bad for just starting out.  The goal of the Yassos drill is to build up to 10 intervals to get to your goal marathon pace.  Here’s an overview pulled from my friend Nicole’s blog on how Yasso 800s works.

What are Yasso 800s?
Bart Yasso, a manager at Runner’s World, invented this speed workout nearly a decade ago. According to an article on Runner’s World, since then literally thousands of runners have claimed that the program has worked for them. Here it is:
* Run 800 meters (that’s half a mile or two laps around a track) repeats in the same minutes/seconds as your hours/miles goal time for a marathon (ie if you are shooting for a 3 hour, 30 minute marathon, run each 800 in 3 minutes and 30 seconds).
* Between sets, jog or walk for the same amount of time as your 800 meter run (3:30 in this case)
* Do this work out once a week, starting with 4-5 and building up to 10.
* If you can consistently finish all 10 800s at your desired pace, you should be able to run the marathon at this pace

Wednesday 12/14/11
Morning: Rest (was supposed to spin on my bike) – I definitely need to get used to my bike trainer.  I’ve only been on it once, and it was a good experience.  I just haven’t made it a habit yet.  I do need to put in much more time on the bike very soon!
Evening 6:00pm: 8 mile run (outdoors) 9:30 min/mile pace
I felt really good during my mid-week long run with Nicole tonight.  I love how effortless running is becoming! 
Nutrition: Luna bar 1 hour before the run. Nothing  during the run. 1 scoop of recovery drink after the run. Then veggie burger for dinner!

Ironman Training Day 6

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Day 6 – Sunday 12/11/11

Morning
11:o0am – 28-30 mile bike ride up the 101 (mostly flat).  I felt good on the bike today which surprised me since I ran 16.5 miles yesterday.  I actually wasn’t even that sore when I woke up.  Success!  I still foam-rolled my quads and calves before getting on the bike, and Nicole and I took it pretty easy, cruising up and down the 101.  I even got to sleep in today because Nicole had a prior engagement, so that probably aided in my recovery.
Nutrition: Poor! I had my 2 egg + avocado wrap before my ride, but then didn’t take in nearly enough calories on the bike. I guess I figured since it was a flat and easy ride, I didn’t need as many.  I made myself a water bottle with 140 calories (1 scoop CarboPro and 1 scoop Vitalite), but I only made my way through half of it because I didn’t drink fast enough. (I also had to pee and was too lazy to stop and get off the bike!) I didn’t take my GU either, which would have been another 100 calories.  By the time I got home and off the bike, I felt a little light-headed and hungry, so I finished the rest of my drink and immediately had a bowl of cereal.  I still don’t know exactly how many calories per hour I’m supposed to take in while on the bike.  One of my training books says it’s about 120-500/hour depending on your size.  Since I’m a 108lb female, I figure I should take 120/hour, and that’s what I typically strive for on the bike.  (Failed today.) 

Afternoon
2:00pm – 1 hour TCSD swim class at Boys and Girls Club Solana Beach (combo of technique & masters)
Nutrition: 1/2 Honey Stinger Waffle (80 calories) 15 minutes before the swim
This was a new (free) swim class put on by the Tri Club of San Diego (TCSD).  I was excited to try it since it’s close to my house and in the afternoon so it’s much less cold outside compare to the 7:30pm weekday swims.  I worked with a new swim coach today and she had us spend most of our time perfecting our stroke.   I picked up some new drills today that should help me become a better swimmer.  The swim is my key limiter in triathlons, so I need to focus on it as much as possible.

After I rushed from bike to swim, I then dashed to a TCSD Christmas Caroling event!  A group of 25-30 of us sang Christmas songs at 4 assisted living homes around north county.  I loved seeing the joy we brought to so many of the elderly living in these homes. Such a fun and active triathlon inspired Sunday!

Ironman Training Day 5

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Day 5 – Saturday 12/10/11

Morning
8:30am – 16.5 mile run around Mission and Pacific Beach. (My old stomping ground!)
Nutrition:
Breakfast: 2 waffles w/ peanut butter & agave nectar = 400 calories(?)
During Run: 2 vanilla Gus, 1 shot block serving, and 1 scoop Vitalite mixed with water = 340 calories
Post Run: Big brunch! Scrambled eggs w/ spinach, mushrooms, and cheese, potatoes, onion bagel, fruit, coffee

Feeling hungry after my long run!

Ok – So this run wasn’t exactly for Ironman training.  It’s for my marathon in Feb.  We’re really starting to get up there in miles!  Many triathlon experts will warn you not to do a marathon before or during Ironman training because there is a high risk of injury and a long recovery time after runs lasting over 2 hours.  I definitely understand that, but I hope to stay strong and healthy during my marathon training. I want to do another marathon to break the 4 hour mark. (I hit 4:01:59 on my first one in June 2011.)  It’s a great challenge, and I felt so incredible crossing the finish line.  I LOVE running.  It’s my favorite part of the triathlon.

I felt strong on the run today.  This was definitely my best long run by far.  My average pace for 16.5 miles was 9:15min/mile which is getting close to my marathon goal time.  My hip didn’t bother me today which was HUGE because it hurt a lot during my recovery run last week.  I am trying to pay extra attention to my hip (or IT band?) because it has been bothering me for a while.  Today, however, the “pain” was pretty standard after the 1/2 marathon mark – sore knees, ankles, hip flexors.  Nothing limiting.  I did finish with salt all over my face…My face was pretty white, so I need to take in more sodium on my next run.  Nicole and I had a lot to talk about and were both feeling like we had a good long run day.  Now I’m feeling very optimistic about the marathon which is only 8 weeks away!  There’s still a few spots available for the Surf City Marathon if you’re interested!

Ironman Training Days 3 & 4

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Day 3 – Thursday 12/8/11

Morning
5:45am – 6 mile run
Nutrition: Nothing before or during my run. I made myself a breakfast wrap for breakfast afterwards.

I bundled up as much as possible and ran to meet Nicole & Mike for a 6 mile run in the dark and cold. I like to think this makes us hardcore! (If you live on the East Coast, please don’t comment!)  I need to leave for work by 7:30am at the latest, so I appreciate my training buddies getting up extra early to accommodate my schedule.  The run felt really good. I think I’m finally getting to a place in my marathon training (which overlaps my Ironman training) when my 5-6 mile runs feel pretty comfortable and effortless. Yay!

Evening
Rest.  Went to a couple’s house for dinner before they have their baby in January.

Day 4 – Friday 12/9/11

Rest day!  The first half of our training plan typically has Friday rest days, and then rest days will fall on Mondays. I debated adding in a swim, but I decided to take advantage of sleeping in while I still can.  After work today, Jeremy and I are attending the Ironman World Championship pre-screening (Kona) with Tri Club of San Diego (TCSD)!  Dinner, Ironman, and professional triathletes.  Sounds like a perfect Friday night to me!

Tomorrow will be challenging – 16 mile run with Nicole!

June 2011 - With Team WODS and friends before our 1st marathon: San Diego Rock 'n' Roll!

 
Don’t forget to check out the start of my Ironman training here!   Happy Friday!

Ironman Training Day 2

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To see the beginning of my Ironman Journey, be sure to checkout my first post of this series: Ironman Training Starts TODAY!

Day 2 of training included:

Morning
5:30am: 1 hour on bike trainer. “Spinervals 27.0 – Threshold Test & Suffer Fest” DVD. This was my first time on the trainer, and it made me sweat. A lot. I learned that my normal cadence is pretty slow, so using the trainer will definitely help me get more power on the bike!

Nutrition:
– Pre-workout: Nothing
– During workout: 1 scoop Carbo-Pro (100 calories) mixed with 1 scoop Vitalite (40 calories)
– Post workout: 2/3 cup cereal with soy milk and ~1 TBSP flaxseeds

Evening
7:30pm: 1 hour of TCSD technique swim class at JCC with Jeremy. This was my first time back at swim in nearly 3 months! It was hard getting into the pool since it was about 48 degrees outside, but I felt pretty warm once I started swimming.  My only issue was occasional calf cramping. I struggled with this before and need to figure out how to combat these cramps!

Nutrition:
– Pre-workout: PB&J sandwich and apple
– During workout: Nothing
– After workout: Pasta with vegetarian sausage and marinara sauce

Now it’s time for bed…definitely too late since my next workout (a 6 mile run) begins at 5:45am tomorrow. Good night!  Please let me know if you have any tips on how to prevent cramping while swimming!

Jeremy and I show off our wetsuits

Before my First Sprint Triathlon - June 2011

Ironman Training Starts TODAY!

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Today is Tuesday, December 6, 2011, and today is the day my Ironman training officially begins!  Over the next 7 months, I’m going to record my journey right here.  My goal is to be able to track my progress and understand what works and what doesn’t work for me so I can become the best triathlete possible.  How far can I push myself?  How much sleep do I need?  How many calories should I eat?  How will I become an Ironman?

I am really excited and nervous for the next 7 months!  My life is definitely going to change in a big way.  I’m so lucky that my boyfriend and two great friends will be going through this with me.   We’ve affectionately named ourselves Team WODS!

Race Schedule
February 5, 2012: Surf City Full Marathon – 26.2 miles (Huntington Beach, CA)
March 31, 2012: Half Ironman – 70.3 miles (Oceanside, CA)
June 24, 2012: IRONMAN – 140.6 miles (Coeur d’Alene, ID)

Day 1
5:30am: Rest. I woke up with the intention of a 6 mile run but my hip and back were still feeling sore and tight from my long run on Sunday so I decided to rest and see how the day played out.  (I’m already actively training for my full marathon on 2/5/12.)

6:15pm: Met up with my training buddy Nicole for an easy 6 mile run outdoors.  I felt great and had no hip or back pain during the run, but my knees were a little sore.

Below is a picture of the early Team WODS in June 2011: Jeremy, Asia, Nicole, and Mike (taking the picture). Three of us are raising our hands here to admit that it was our first triathlon ever!  One year from that date, we will all call ourselves Ironman.
 

Team WODS beginnings. Nervous first timers. June 2011.

 

My First Sprint Triathlon

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Feeling the pre-race anxiety!

On July 24, 2011, I woke up before the crack of down to race my first sprint triathlon – Solana Beach! My goals going into the race were simple:

1. Don’t drown during the 400m ocean swim.
2. Don’t fall off the bike during the 9 mile ride.
3. Run as fast as I can during the 5k.

I’m happy to report that I accomplished all those goals!!  I didn’t spend too much time training for my first sprint – approx 5 weeks – but it went really well.  Below is a little bit about each leg along with my split times.

Leg 1: 400m Ocean Swim in Fletcher’s Cove (14:27)

I’ve never been a swimmer.  Before I started triathlon training, I rarely even went into the ocean past waist deep.  Just ask my friends that went to Rio with me earlier this year.  Even in the scorching heat, I was a sand girl all the way.  Waves and current were simply not for me!  Part of the commitment I had to make with my triathlon training, however, was getting over my fear of open water swimming.  I literally dove right in and did my first two races in open water (bay and ocean) with very little training.  Needless to say I am much less afraid of open water swimming, and neither experience was traumatic. I love swimming in a wetsuit. I feel like it keeps me safe and warm!  (It essentially acts as a floatation device making it easier to swim.) I felt good getting out of the water knowing I had conquered my fear.  I finished the swim portion of the triathlon behind all my friends, but I was happy I wasn’t the last one out of the water (and that I didn’t drown).

Exiting the water during Solana Beach

Leg 2: 9 mile bike ride on the 101 (36:23)

I entered the transition area to change from swim to bike and felt a little light-headed when taking off my wetsuit. I think my body was still getting used to all the swimming, so hopefully the swim dizziness will subside the more I train.  I successfully got on my bike and clipped in without falling (success!) and was on my way for the 2 loop course.  I worked on pedaling as fast as I could and not getting passed. I’ve been getting more and more comfortable on the bike over time, and the best thing is that there is a lot of room for improvement. It’s important that I get my speed up before my Ironman. The faster I go, the less hours that my booty will be on the bike! During Solana Beach, I started gaining ground and passed several girls in my age group that were out of the water before me. My legs were pretty strong after marathon training and P90X.

Finishing the bike ride with a smile

Leg 3: 5k Run (23:41)

I was very excited for the final part of the triathlon because it’s my strongest area of the triathlon.   I just completed a full marathon 6 weeks earlier, so I wasn’t worried about a 3.1 mile run.  It was definitely a weird feeling running immediately after riding a bike, but that didn’t stop me from finishing strong and passing more girls in my age group! I finished with a time of 1:14:31 and placed 34th in my age group.

Happy Triathletes

Solana Beach sprint triathlon is a very good race for beginners looking for a little extra challenge with the ocean entry swim.  I had so much fun the entire time I raced and was fortunate enough to have my family there cheering me every step of the way. I’m so happy they support my crazy fitness endeavours, and I bet they can’t wait to join me in Coeur d’Alene for my full Ironman next year!  Until then, I will be ramping up my training and rewarding myself with a cerveza or cupcake every now and then.

Celebrating a successful race