First, I want to start with awesome quote I came across the other day:

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

~ Steve Jobs, Apple

And, here is 10 RANDOM things about ME:

1) I’m the youngest of four kids and the only girl.  I wasn’t planned.  My mom went in to have her tubes tied and found out she was pregnant with me.  I was born on APRIL FOOLs DAY.  My brothers love calling me “fool baby”

2) My Dad is my hero

3) I’m never late.  In fact, I’m always 10 minutes early

4) I played a soccer game in Soldier Field.  It was my first year playing with a semi-pro soccer team from Colorado.  It was pretty awesome (even though the stadium was empty)!

5) My favorite place on earth is Grey Eagle, Minnesota

6) My favorite movie: Goonies

7) I don’t like to cry

8 Kids are awesome.  I love kids.

9) I’ve been to Dubai

10) I love to RUN!  (duh)

Have a super Monday.  THanks for visiting.

Someone already asked if I’ll do another.  Right now, I say NO and my legs agree!  Ask me again in two weeks tho

The RESULTS:

Swim (1.2miles): 35:11

Bike (56 miles): 3:18:07

Run (13.1): 1:42:59

Total Race Time: 5:40:34 (the longest I have ever raced)!

I hate to admit this, but I actually kind of enjoyed the race.  Or, maybe I’m just saying that now that I’m home, showered, and relaxing with some good food and beverage.

It definitely was a challenge, especially because of the heat and the rolling hills course.  The other awesome part was all the pro and incredible triathletes racing this race.  This race is a qualifier for other tri races, so it was cool to see the fast and furious out there on the course.

Here is the breakdown of the race:

The Swim: It never fails for me to get so ANXIOUS for the swim. I was in wave #7 so it was a lot of time standing around, but before I knew it my turn was up.  This swim start was new to me.  We started at the end of a dock in deep water.  In fact, my entire wave had to be in the water for 3 minutes before the start.  I suppose treading water this long is a good warm-up.

The swim was exactly what I expected.  Lots of swimmers all gathered in the same area and all trying to swim the same line.  I did my thing and started on the outside so i could avoid all the mess.  And, i did.  I do have one funny story though.  After I hit the turn around and swam for what I thought was a long time and figured I must be close to the water exit I noticed how shallow the water was.  So, I thought “yay” I’m close to the finish.  I looked up to spot the water exit and there I was so off course I was by the shoreline and a good 30 yards from the buoy line.  Whoops!

Good swim overall.  I was happy to be out of the water and ready to ride.

The Bike Biking is not my strongest leg of the triathlon and I know that, so I don’t have high expectations for myself on the bike leg.  I did not do a training ride on this course, so I didn’t know what to expect, although I was forewarned this course was hilly.

I did the best I could and tried hard not to worry about being passed by many people.  I knew I could get some of them on the run   Some of the hills were so steep and long that I stood up on my bike (never done that in any race ever).

On the flip side, the downhills were just as steep and bikes were flying.  I was going so fast I actually got nervous.  But, it was awesome because I went fast enough to coast up the next smaller hill without any pedaling on my part.  That was awesome.

the bike was two loops.  It was nice to know what to expect on the second loop.  I was doing ok and feeling like I was working hard, but I was getting really ticked at ALL the people passing me.  I do not have a tri bike, in fact not even a great road bike, so I kinda have an excuse.  Anyhow, I had to tell myself to quit worrying about it and focus on ME (I’m too competitive, so even though I say that, its hard for me to do)

I enjoyed the bike, but it does take a long time to ride 56 miles.  I was so ready to be off the bike by mile 40.  As we got closer to the finish I could feel myself picking up the pace.  I passed mile 51, shifted gears and my damn chain fell off!  Not a big deal.  I fixed it in a quick minute.  But it was annoying and nerve-racking.

thank goodness I had no tire blow!  I rode in the last 3 miles with all my effort.  I was sooooo looking forward to the run as that is my strongest.

The Run I was so happy to finally be running.  As soon as I got out of the transition area to begin my run I said to myself “It’s GO TIME” As i said, running is my strongest and this is not the case for many triathletes (at least in my experience). I was so looking forward to hitting the pavement.  Besides, I had some bikers to catch.

I hit the pavement and started running and actually felt good. It took until mile 3 until my legs felt normal from the bike to run transition.  The run was hot, hot, hot!!!!  Thank goodness for the volunteers and kids who sprayed us with water.

I was passing others and feeling strong.   The run course was fairly flat until mile 4. BAM!  Here’s a nice hill.  ughh, it was awful and especially at this point in the race.  Most were walking it.  Oh, and double bonus is we get to do it twice as the run course is two loops.  I put my head down and ran up that sucker as best I could.

Loop #2.  Still going strong but definitely feeling the effects of dehydration.  I decided for this loop I would stop and walk through all the water stations, and I did.  Lots of water and gatorade.  I even had some cola and that tasted great!

I was in the last two miles and the finish area could be seen.  I just kept looking in that direction and telling myself you only have to get there!  Plus, I could hear the announcer’s voice get louder and louder so I knew I was getting closer. As soon as the finish line was visible, I hit all gears and took it home.

Thank Goodness this is OVER!  I’m happy I did this race and it definitely was a challenge.  But, what I love about doing this type of stuff is how much I grow from it.  Every race I learn new lessons and I learn more about myself.  Guess this is why I do it!

Great course that started at the Tacoma airport.  For those of you familiar with this area…the race course went like this: Tacoma Narrows Airport – Narrows Bridge – Cheney Stadium – Downtown Tacoma …and finish!

Decent course and relatively flat.   Hill at mile 3 and again around mile 10-ish.  From mile 11 on…..it’s all downhill!  That was a nice way to coast to the finish.  Overall, a well organized race and likable course (I’d do it again).

ChelanMan Multisport Weekend: Lake Chelan Washington!

The weekend and my Olypmic Triathlon Race was awesome!  I highly recommend this race to everyone.  The ChelanMan is a weekend full of races, so there are many options of races: half-ironman, half marathon, 10k, Olympic Triathlon, Sprint triathlon.  It was so cool to have all these events taking place all weekend.

I love being in this kind of environment.  Over 1,000 people competing and participating in events that do a body good!  Love it.

Plus, I finally got to met Clint Janson (my facebook friend and blog follower who I finally got to meet in person).

**be sure to read this blog post to the very end as I have a question for you**

I have to say I was nervous going into my race.  Actually, I get nervous before every race.  I was glad to have my two friends with me, Julie and Sydnie.  We all were nervous but excited as we knew we were ready to attack this race.

I’ll break down each race discipline and give a brief description of the course and my experience.

The morning and weather was spectacular.  Beautiful blue skies and SUN!  This was helpful as it made for a more inviting entry into the water for the swim. However, the water was a  bit choppy because of the wind.

ONE MILE SWIM:

For the first time ever, I did not have to experience swimming in COLD water.  What a difference and a huge benefit.  Being able to jump in the lake to begin the swim without the cold water rush and anxiety that it usually causes me was a nice and welcomed suprise. Furthermore, the water is clear so I  could actually see what was around me and see other swimmers.

The water was choppy and the first 800yds was swimming against the current.  Every time I came up for breath I got a nice mouthful of lake water (good way to stay hydrated, i guess).  It was a bit of a challenge, but I new as soon as I hit the turnaround I would have the current and waves with me.

Over the years of triathlon racing, I’ve learned to move myself towards the outside so I can avoid the mayhem that usually happens in the swim. I’ve had my share of kicks in the head, face, stomach, etc…  Therfore, I’ve made the decision I don’t care if I have to swim farther, I”m moving to the outside.  IT works for me.

So, I”m swimming and feeling strong.  I hit the turnaround buoy and get pumped about cruisin back with the help of the current.  I turn and quickly pick my head up to spot the buoy line that leads back to the shore.  Whoa….what the heck!  We are now swimming in a direct line with the SUN!  Oh, thats hard on the eyes and makes for difficulty spotting.  Plus, I don’t swim in a straight line so I really do a lot of spotting.  That was kinda freaking me out until I put my head back in the water and noticed a line of rope.  Hmmm.. wonder why that is there.  I pick my head up out of the water again and notice the rope falls in line with the buoys.  In fact, the buoys are held together underwater by this line.  How cool. All I have to do is follow the line of rope.  Love it!

So, I follow the line all the way back in and finish the swim fairly well.  Time: 29:33

26 Mile BIKE:

Now off on the bike.  I get on turn the corner and its a bit windy so I”m not looking forward to that.  I start cranking my legs hard when POOF!! and off goes my bike number that was attached to my center bar.  Crap.  I stop, clip out, and run back for my number.  I didn’t want to just leave it as the race officials are very serious about numbers showing on the bikes so I didn’t want to risk getting kicked out of the race.  I pick up my number and jump back on the bike……gosh, i felt like an idiot!!!!  I start riding with the number in my hand and one zip tye.  I ride and at the same time manage to use the one zip tye to get the number attached back onto the bike.  Not how I visualized the start of my bike leg, but you just gotta be prepared for anything.  Plus, I’ve learned why I saw so many bikes with their numbers taped on with duct tape.  Next time I’ll be sure to do that.

The bike was a beautiful ride. It followed the road that runs along the lake so the view was absolutely incredible.  Plus, lots of trees so some good shade as it was getting very HOT outside.  I was doing my best to keep a consistent, fast pace (well, fast for me)  I’m not an experienced biker and feel somewhat uncomfortable riding so I do the best I can given what I know.  I received some great advice from a fellow blogger, Kristine Mondello-Concepcion at http://my140point6milejourney.blogspot.com

The bike is an out-and-back ride, so I hit the turn around and told myself go hard all the way back.  In my mind I was going hard, but i did notice I was being passed by quite a few riders and I was not passing anyone.  Something you need to understand about me is I”M SUPER COMPETITIVE.  I’m sure it has something to do with having 3 older brothers and always trying to keep up with them.  I was getting so frustrated that so many riders were passing me.  I kinda settled down when I realized most of them were men and they have an unfair advantage I can’t do anything about: testosterone!  Still, I had some ladies pass me to.  4 to be exact!  But, because I know I’m a strong runner I was thinking I could catch some of them in the run.

I put my head down and literally rode my A** off all the way back (still getting passed, btw).  I was so happy to get back to the transition and get started on my strongest leg: the run

Bike Time: 1:16 (19.5mph)

RUN 6.2 miles

It was very HOT by now.  The run was also an out and back on the hot paved road.  Also, the 1/2 marathon had started and those runners were also on the road.  And, no shade.  HOt, HOT, Hot!  Thank you to all the residents who were in their driveways with hoses and spraying down any of us who requested it.  That was refreshing.

I began the run trying to run as fast as my deadlocked legs could go.  Such a strange feeling going from the bike to run.  However, in my previous triathlon race experiences, I knew after about 1-mile my legs would loosen up and I would get in stride.

So, i went out hard and quickly spotted a few of those bikers who passed me that I now wanted to pass back.  He, he…this was going to be fun   I was feeling good and noticed others were not looking s o hot.. aghh sweet revenge.  I tried to maintain a steady pace for the first half of the run.  I don’t wear a watch when I race.  I just go by how my body feels and I was feeling like I was running a strong, steady pace probably somewhere around 7:20 min/mile or so.

I get to the turnaround and am so happy only 3 more miles to go.  It was really, really hot by now.  I felt like my body could go a little faster but I also knew 3 miles was still a ways to go.  I played a little game with myself where I ran 30 strides hard (counting in my head), followed by 10 slow strides.  I did this for 2 miles and then did my best to finish the last mile as best I could.  I spotted the finish line about a 1/2 mile ahead.  This was all the motivation I needed to crank it up and finish.  I was happy that my body was still able to push a little more.  Yes, I was tired but I could still push my body and that was a great feeling.  The run was a success and I caught 3 of the ladies who passed me on the bike

Run Time: 45:42 (7:22 pace)

Final Stats

Finishing time: 2:34:06,   5th female overall, 3rd place age group

Me, Julie, & Sydnie

My reward for 3rd place age group

Ok, Julie and Sydnie are doing the Lake Stevens half ironman in August and really want me to do it.  I’m thinking of every excuse not to.  Why? I”m not sure but if I get enough people telling me to do it or calling me a wuss for not doing it, then I probably will.

Do you think I should sign-up for the 1/2 ironman that is only one month away?  Leave your comment below.

thanks

In 2007, he hired me to help him reach his fitness and weight goals. He was honest about his lack of passion for fitness and told me he really didn’t enjoy working out and only wanted to commit two days per week to exercise. My experience with clients who lack motivation is that they are not going to enjoy a workout or exercising if they are not doing something they actually enjoy.

We started working out and included a variety of exercises such as running, swimming, stair running, and weight training. Ozo discovered he liked to run and swim.
I wanted to discover what Ozo did enjoy doing for exercise so I began by started trying a variety of activity to find out what exercise he will enjoy. He brought me a list of his fitness goals: lose weight, eat better, get stronger, workout more. At that time he was not active and did not workout. So, we started weight training twice per week.

I didn’t feel like he was enjoying the workouts and wasn’t getting much out of it. I agree, if you are not having fun its hard to show up with a good attitude and a hard work ethic.

Then, one day my client mentioned how he used to swim and how much he really enjoyed it. So, the next workout we went to the pool. It wasn’t easy, but we did a swim workout and he worked really hard.We started swimming once per week as part of the fitness program.A few weeks later I mentioned that we should go outside and run. He agreed.

Soon, we were swimming and running two and three workouts each week. Before long, he ran his first 5k which then led to his first triathlon. Today he has run over four triathlon races and recently completed his first 10k.