I had decided to not have the kids at this race for several reasons. First, they would have to be up early and then spend the whole day waiting for me to finish. Second, I wanted a good night’s sleep without the kids keeping me awake or waking me in the middle of the night. Third, I was ready for some time to myself to get focused on the race. All that being said, my friend Cathy decided she was going to come with me so that I wouldn’t be alone and so that I would have some support for the race. Now, as far as friends go, it doesn’t get that much better or so I thought!!!!

Race weekend comes around and by this point, my friend Cathy is considering signing up for the race. We did a lot of training together. No doubt, if I could do this race, so could she. Friday night, we drive up to Syracuse and find ourselves chatting like two teenage girls excited for a weekend trip!! We decide we are hungry and stop about an hour outside of Syracuse at a local pizza joint and enjoy dinner! The waitress commented on how happy we looked to have some girl time. When we told her what we were doing on Sunday and that we were excited about it, she looked at us like we were nuts! We headed on to Syracuse to find that the Genesee Grande was a beautiful hotel just a few blocks away from the University. We loved the hotel!!
On Saturday, we awoke to a hot and humid day. We headed to the Jamesville Reservoir for athlete check-in and decided we would drive the bike course and get in a swim. After checking in and getting Cathy registered, it started to feel real!  We walked around to the different vendors, I couldn’t resist purchasing the T-shirt that had all of the competitors names on the back in a big M-dot, a coffee mug for both Cathy and myself and some little souvenirs for the hubby and kids. We drove the beautiful bike course with lots of dairy farms and country scenery and just as we suspected, uphill for the first 11 miles and one hill after that is nicknamed “the wall”. We knew we could handle it. Just past the halfway point, we come upon a dead groundhog in the road holding a beer can. We were laughing so hard, we had to stop and take a picture… When asked if we did it, we said, no, if we had done it, that groundhog would be holding a Guinness! We got back to the reservoir and found out we were too late to swim. A little bummed we didn’t let it bother us. We headed back to the hotel and decided to eat dinner at a small sandwich shop near the University. We got to bed early feeling a little nervous and a little excited!

Race day!!
We got up early and after loading everything in the car, headed to the local Dunkin Donuts that we had scoped out the day before. Got to the race and got everything set up. Now, the one tiny thing that I have to complain about is that you weren’t allowed to leave your bike pump in transition. So after getting everything settled and tires pumped on both of our bikes, we did a little jog back to the car to take the pump back and it was a nice little warm-up.
THE SWIM
Headed over to the lake and the race start, we did end up getting a warm-up swim which made us both feel more comfortable at the start. Cathy’s wave was right after the pros and I was a few waves behind her. Our start was 15 min. apart. The water was nice. A little mil-foil at the shore but once you got past that, it was fine. The hardest part was every 5 minutes a new wave was starting and you had to prepare yourself for the faster swimmers coming alongside you and some bumping and rough water to breathe. Overall, typical race, nothing unusual and my swim was good with 49 minutes… I was hoping for closer to 45 but then again, this is my first half and I was just racing to finish and not put a time goal for this one. This was also the first race that had wetsuit strippers!!! I just walked up to one of them and with the arms already out, sat down and she ripped my wetsuit right off and handed it to me. Wish all of my races had that, not only does it save time but it’s fun!!! I took my time in transition, hydrating and eating some shot bloks before heading out on the bike.

THE BIKE
The bike felt good, I knew where the hills were and feel like I gauged how much energy for each hill just right. A beautiful course and again, since I wasn’t finishing for time, I stopped once to refill my water bottles, go to the bathroom and have a banana. I think this all helped me because I never felt like I was losing energy on the bike. I was really having fun!! I had several guys pass me and tell me “Nice shoes”! I have these neon pink bike shoes that stand out and I guess are hard to miss if you are coming up behind me! The last couple of miles, the bike-in shares the road with the run. It is now approaching the hottest point of the day and while on the bike it wasn’t so bad, you can see the fatigue in most of the runners faces. Some jogging and a lot walking. I realize then that the run is going to be brutal!

THE RUN
I take my time in transition but this time, I think, it’s because I was dreading 13.1 miles in 90 degrees and high humidity. The picture from the run-out says it all… The photographer actually got a frown on my face. It is by far, the funniest triathlon picture of me yet! I head out and immediately I am looking for a water station. There is one station, as you wind thru’ the park and right before heading out onto the hot pavement of the road. I douse my head and throw ice down my tri suit. I get out on the road and manage to jog up the first incline and down the other side into the shade but once I hit the open sky again, I had to walk. I hit the next water station at about the 3ish mile mark and again, douse my head, drink water and dump ice down my suit. I manage a slow jog until i see the steep hill in front of me and decide I’m going to have to walk it this first time around (the course is 2 loops, out and back). I am glad I did. I get to what I think is the top and the road makes a 90 degree turn to the right and continues to go up! This was also the first of many locals who had their garden hoses out and were spraying down any competitor that wanted to run under the water. A lot of us did just that! the road levels off a little for a jog and I saw Cathy for the first time! She was just about 15 minutes in front of me! It was sooo motivating to see her and be able to give a quick hug before moving on. I hit one more aid station right before the turn around. This time I took orange slices in addition to my usual dump of water over my head, ice and drinking water. Back out to transition, I managed probably half run and half walk. As I started the second loop, I made friends with Bob. I think that was unique to this race because so many people were run/walking, we all began to make friends. Bob is former Air Force and one tough dude. We began joking around and pushing each other to run a little more each time we ran. I am so glad I had a little help!! Thank you Bob!! By the time we got to the turn around, it dawned on me that I should try some potato chips for the salt. I had never had to replenish salt in a race before. What a huge difference this made for me. Almost immediately, I felt more energy as I ate the chips. As we hit the next aid station coming back out of our second loop, we hear the first rumble of thunder and can see the dark clouds in the distance. Then the rain comes. We are about 2 miles from the finish. Yes, 2 miles shy of completing 70.3 miles and the heavens open up! Cloud to ground lightning, pouring rain now pounding us and wind pushing us backwards. I had to take my sunglasses off because I couldn’t see with the pounding rain. It was just put your head down and run. Now we finally got rid of the heat but my shoes felt like bricks. We got a decent pace going and the storm was so fast moving that by the time we got off the road and start winding to the finish, the storm was gone and it was just a light rain… Bob and I kick it in for the last section and both cross the finish line at the same time!!! There was Cathy waiting for me in the rain! she had finished 13 minutes before me in the thick of the storm and then waited for me out in the rain!! You can’t ask for a better friend!!!!!

Knowing that if it hadn’t been hot, I would’ve had a better time, is irrelevant. I had an awesome experience that I wouldn’t change for the world!!!!

After the race, we get our stuff and end up hanging out in the car waiting for the thousands of people to leave. Instead of getting into the traffic, we spent the time chatting with our families and letting them know that not only were we alright that we had an experience that we will never forget!!

Back to the hotel, we had originally planned to find a nice restaurant in the city but decided that we were happy to go to the hotel restaurant since we only had to walk downstairs. After a nice dinner, we got decaf coffee and headed up to the room to chat until we crashed. Yes, I paid to stay Sunday night instead of having to drive home after a long race and it was the best treat ever! We both got a good nights sleep and took our time checking out. Before heading home, we found a great diner (recommended by the hotel) called “Stellas”. It was the best!! The decor was all Betty Boop!! We drove home and after dropping off Cathy, I felt so let down. I couldn’t wait to see my kids but after such an awesome weekend and finishing what I set out to accomplish I couldn’t help but feel the let down that is often felt after a race.

The recovery in the weeks to follow was not what I had expected. In fact, my body never felt sore. But I felt so tired in the following weeks that I found myself wanting naps mid-day.

Overall, this was one of the best experiences in my triathlon races to date and it keeps me motivated to continue.

Find Your Passion!!!
Teresa

During the past year and a half, I’ve spent a lot of time re-arranging my life. I am now a Spinning instructor with my own class once a week. In addition, I’m also teaching “Indorow”. This is a rowing machine that uses paddles in a water tank for resistance. In addition, my next, job related, goal is to attain my small group fitness certification. Overall, I really enjoy teaching these classes and helping others attain their fitness goals.

As far as my workouts, there really is never enough time in the day. I continue to try to run twice a week in addition to the 3 classes that I currently teach at the gym. I hope to start swimming laps again but schedule conflicts have keep me from getting there.

This leads me to my family. My husband has begun playing soccer competitively. My kids are finding their favorite activities to keep them busy. It feels like I am on a high speed train that never stops some days. Ironically, the long runs give me my chance to jump off the family train track and allow time for me to think, reflect and meditate. My workouts continue to help me have more patience and clarity as an at-home-mom.

Stay tuned for more race reviews. Since my last blog, I’ve completed the NYC Triathlon (July 2012), participated in the inaugural Monroe YMCA Triathlon (August 2012) as part of the Golds Gym Triathlon Team and today, I completed my second half-marathon in the Catskill Mountains.

As Always, I encourage everyone to “Find Your Passion”!!!!

Since my last post, I WON a lottery spot in the NYC Triathlon, started spinning once a week and have taken a Les Mills Bodypump class.  All of this comes with my new job at Gold’s Gym which I am really enjoying.

Getting the e-mail from the Nautica NYC Triathlon organization with the subject line: You are competing in the NYC Triathlon, sent my heart RACING!  Only 3000 are chosen for this Olympic distance race.  You can check out the details at http://www.nyctri.com/.  I will be swimming in the Hudson River, Biking on the West Side Highway and running in Central Park.  This race happens to be the day before my 36th birthday and I am excited to treat myself to such an exciting race for my birthday!

With the excitement of this race, I have already registered for the sprint distance race that I do almost every year in Harriman State Park in June and have begun to train with some of the classes offered at my new gym.

I have been consistently going to spinning classes when my kids are in school.  This is an hour long high intensity class that includes increasing resistance and simulating climbing hills to speed work and sometimes standing up on the bike and various positions from standing straight up over your seat to down low in an aerobar position over the handlebars.  The different cycling exercises are set to music which helps you to focus on the faster pace or the harder climbs.

second class that I have had the opportunity to take is the Les Mills Body Pump class.  This is a high intensity weight lifting class set to music.  By the end of the hour, my arms were jelly.  I can’t wait to take this class again.  Weight training is what I have neglected the most in my training regimen since beginning the triathlon lifestyle 3 years ago.

I hope to get back to running regularly very soon (like tomorrow) and swimming will begin again in January, taking the semester off from swimming has really given me a chance to realize how much I really do enjoy just getting in the pool and swimming a mile, even when i’m tired at 9 o’clock at night.  Can’t wait to hit the pool next month.

Very excited with the recent changes of my new job, new classes and the chance to compete in the NYC Triathlon next summer!

Find your passion!!

On a side note, I entered the lottery for the NYC Triathlon which happens to be the day before my birthday next summer.  It’s a long shot, but a triathlete girl can dream.

I plan on setting up my winter work-out schedule soon.  I hope to set up a balance of strength, stretching, endurance and hopefully swimming in the high school pool to keep my swimming up over the winter.

Find your Passion!

I picked this race for several reasons.  It was the start of my second season and I wanted to fit in as many races as possible and this was an early race in May.  Second, it was in Hopkinton, MA at a reservoir where I first learned to kayak with a very dear friend, Stephanie, who lived nearby.  Finally, it was mother’s day.  I thought it would be wonderful to do something I love doing for mother’s day.

That morning, I woke up after not sleeping much.  As was the case for all of my triathlons up to that point.  The temperature, I believe, was around 45 and it was windy.  My friend, Stephanie, got up early to drive me to the race.  As she was helping me to take my stuff to transition, we walked past the reservoir only to see white caps on the water because the wind was gusting across the water.  Still feeling undeterred, I gave Stephanie a hug and off I went to prep for the race.

I put on my wetsuit early because it was so cold.  We walked over to the start area and the wind was blowing the buoys around so much that they had to shorten the swim and remove one of the buoys.  I was in the second or third wave, I can’t remember.  What I do remember was getting in the water and feeling it take my breath away.  I remember feeling so frustrated because I swam all winter in the high school pool just so that I would become more comfortable in the swim portion of the race.  It felt like it took forever, the waves were splashing in my face and I felt like I was swallowing more water than I was breathing air.  Cold and frustrated, I finally made it out and being one of the last ones in my wave out of the water was quite a defeating feeling.  I get in transition and feeling very cold, a wetsuit that was already hard to get off (I no longer use this wetsuit), became a nightmare to peel off.  It seemed like it was taking forever.  At the same time, the rest of the racers came running into transition.  I didn’t know it at the time but due to the conditions, the rest of the swim waves were cancelled and it became a bike/run race for them.  I finally get out of my wetsuit and feeling cold, decided, I just needed to get moving on my bike to get warm.  One HUGE mistake I made was not layering more clothes on for the bike ride.  I just wasn’t experienced enough to realize that I needed layers even though the sun was shining.  I also didn’t realize just how cold I had gotten from the swim.

I exit transition and get on my road bike.  It took a while to clip in as the start was uphill, but I finally clip in and start pedaling.  It feels like I am in slow motion and then I realize I really am going slow as everyone starts passing me.  I manage to get out of the park and onto the road but it’s in the woods, the sun is not shining on me and wearing just a tri suit, I am feeling cold.  I get to a small incline that I would normally pop up over and found myself really struggling.  I actually stop halfway up and get off the bike a second.  I think, maybe I just need a minute for my body to adjust.  I take a drink of water and some shot bloks.  One of the race officials stops on a golf cart to make sure I’m ok.  I assure them, I just need a minute and that I am fine.  I get back on my bike and make it up over the hill.  However, next, I’m flying down a long hill in the shade of the woods.  If you’ve ever gone biking on the road, you know how that wind hits you.

Already cold from the swim, not wearing the proper clothing and now in the shaded woods, I am shivering.  This was the first time I really started to think I wasn’t going to finish.  I continued on but when I got to the bottom of the hill, I had to make a right turn onto the main road.  I squeezed the brakes but took the turn a lot wider and a lot faster than I had anticipated.  At this point, it dawned on me that my muscles were not reacting to my brain’s commands.  I could keep going but I started to think about how dangerous it was riding my bike on the road when my muscles weren’t reacting as they should.  My next thought was where should I stop?  I knew another entrance to the park was nearby so I decided I would ride to that entrance and go back to the transition area.

When I found the park entrance, I stopped and got off my bike and just sat.  A rider not far behind me stopped to make sure I was ok.  I told him I was having a hard time getting warm.  He took off his jacket and put it around me.  As luck would have it, an ambulance scheduled to be around for the race was just coming around the corner.  They stopped to check on me and the racer who stopped was able to continue on with the race.  I wish I would’ve gotten his name or his race bib so that I could thank him.  I am sorry I never got to thank him for stopping.

I told the medics that I was just a little cold and they thought I should just get in the ambulance for a bit to warm up.  I was in the ambulance for a little while before I actually started to shiver.  They were putting blankets and heating pads on me and I don’t know how long it was before I started to shiver but I know we were talking and chatting for a little while before that uncontrollable shivering started.  Wow, that was when I realized I made the right decision by stopping.  I was a lot colder than I realized.

After that, I warmed back up and had to do the shameful task of going into transition to get my stuff and turning in my timing chip as an unfinished racer.

Also, after the race, I learned that the wind was so bad and so many swimmers were looking to grab onto a boat, the fire dept.’s rescue boat flipped over in the water.  The story made the local 5 o’clock news.

What I’ve learned from this race has been so valuable.  I am better prepared now for different weather conditions during a race.  I also understand how easily hypothermia can start.   It is all a part of learning how far my body can go, when it’s about pushing your limits and when it’s about knowing the risks are too great.

Find your passion!!!!!

It can only mean one thing.  The end of the triathlon season.

After my last race, I have taken a few weeks off from training.  A chance to step back and get a fresh perspective on what I’m doing.  It is an exciting time with my kids starting school, riding the bus for the first time, a first loose tooth and a lot of those milestones that make you stop and think about how fast the time is going now with the family growing. After 3 weeks of school, we are finally settling into our new school year schedule.

I have also had more time to devote to some computer work.  A web design completed and helping some friends with wireless routers and flyers.  I am also tossing around the idea of teaching computer classes.

However, even without a race on the horizon, my brain is still pondering what to do next.  What goal do I set next and how to go about reaching it?  Do I settle into a season of sprint and olympic distance triathlons next year? I use the word settle here rather lightly, it will take discipline and work to maintain that level of fitness.  I find myself following the pro athletes as they prepare for Kona next month.  The level of play that a full ironman requires is both daunting and intriguing.  I was happy with just getting back out there and running 3 miles this morning.

The bottom line is that I have to figure out the best way to balance my family, my work and my passion for triathlon.  Missing a soccer game for a 4 hour bike ride is just not in the cards for me right now.  Right now, I’m planning my winter exercise schedule and eyeing the Jersey Shore Half-Marathon in the spring.  I’m planning on running, strength and cardio training.  I won’t be doing swimming during the fall semester but hope to sign up for the spring semester at the local high school.  I think I need that diversity in my exercise routine to keep things interesting.

Have you found your passion?

First, my friend, Shelby, who originally convinced me I could do this.  We go on bike rides together, swim together when we can and the occasional glass of wine .  Then there’s Dory, who got up at 5am in the morning to meet me to swim at the local high school pool.  She also bike rides with me when we can coordinate.  Sure, I went by myself sometimes, but I would not have gone swimming as consistently if I wasn’t meeting such a good friend.  Of course, Michelle, Personal Trainer, cross-fit coach and also a great friend, made sure I was strength training and pushing myself in ways I hadn’t thought about.  Last but certainly not least, would be my very dear friend and exceptional runner, Gretchen.  We consistently run together, bike together, go to yoga together, have coffee together and well, we may be seen drinking wine together on occasion too.

Can’t imagine that I would be in the shape I am in, have accomplished the goals I have accomplished or be as happy as I am right now if it wasn’t for these really great athletic girlfriends of mine!  Thank you all soooo much for your time, patience, effort and overall friendship!  I couldn’t have done it without you!

This race was part of a triathlon festival weekend in beautiful Lake George, New York.  I spent the week prior camping with my family and doing some light training.  With the bike trail right next to the campground, the lake less than 2 miles down the trail, swimming, biking and running are easily accessible.  Not to mention, the whole area is just beautiful if you love the outdoors.  As a mom, this is a win-win to be able to combine a family trip with a triathlon.  The festival included the Olympic distance tri on Saturday morning followed by a kids splash and dash then concluded Sunday with the first Half Ironman race this year.  It was the 6th year for the Olympic distance.

The transition area was in the battlefield right across from the lake.  It was a beautiful morning and the air was, I believe in the 60s.  The water temp was around 71 degrees so there was no question, I was wearing the wetsuit!  The 1.5K swim (9/10ths of a mile) was an out and back swim.  I know now, my achilles heel for the swim, is staying calm at the start.  If I don’t stay calm, if the water hits my face and takes my breath away, I have a hard time getting into a rhythm.  The swim started waist deep because Hurricane Irene washed away so much of the beach.  The sun just started to pop up over the mountains as my wave got in the water.  I took this as a nice omen.  I got in the water, prepared for how it felt because i was swimming in it the day before.  Still feeling calm, I splashed water in my face and waited for the start.  The horn went off and I dove right in.  Once everyone in the wave stopped swimming over each other and bumping around, I got into a rhythm quicker than I thought.  Breathing every 3 strokes, I could see swimmers on both sides of me so I felt like I didn’t need to sight the buoys for a little while.  Every time I took a breath on the right, I could see the sun coming up over the mountain.  I actually grinned when i realized that I was calm, in a good pace and swimming during an absolutely beautiful time of day with the sun coming up.  The rest of the swim was pretty uneventful.  Once I was almost out to the furthest buoy, I did smell gas from the motor boats but other than that, the lake was quite clear.  On the return portion of the swim, the waves actually got choppy and kept me on my toes breathing air and not waves.  Exiting the swim, I felt great!  Lots of supporters up early supporting their friends and family and cheering everyone on.  I had just finished part 1!

Out of transition and a short ride along beach rd., the 24.8 mile bike ride goes uphill for the first 3 miles and is a good indication of how the entire bike course will be.  This course is downright hilly.  I can honestly say, it didn’t phase me too much.  None of the hills were more than I could handle or a surprise.  It’s just, well, there’s A LOT of ‘em. But, if you really enjoy biking, you’ll enjoy this course.  A beautiful ride with a portion on the bike trail and back roads.  The last half of the bike is along route 9L that takes you along a portion of the lake and back around to beach rd. to transition.

Back to transition and I’m feeling good that I completed the bike.  I was starting to feel a little cramped but nothing that bothered me too much at this point.  There was only a 10K between me and the finish line.  The 6.2 mile run is a 2 loop course.  Again, it also starts out uphill.  I was feeling pretty confident by now because if there’s one discipline that I did the most to train, it’s running.  My cramping go a little worse after the first mile.  Sorry for the guys who don’t want to hear this, but it’s not running cramps that I had.  I kept going, knowing my body runs 6 miles any day of the week.  I kept telling myself to stop whining about the pain and just let my legs do what they know how to do.  I finish the first loop to see my husband and kids cheering me on.  Wow, what a rush!  Got more energy seeing them and knowing I was only 3 miles to the finish.  Up and around the second lap, I go.  The cramping got considerably worse but I kept going.  Mile 4 came and I kept telling myself 2 more miles.  But the pain in my legs and abdomen got worse.  After the mile 4 water station, I had to walk up the next hill.  Still in pain, I was trying to figure out what to do.  I decided to try and run again when I stopped climbing.  I did and I made it to mile marker 5.  One mile left and my body is screaming to stop, drop to the ground and curl up in a ball.  Then the other part of my brain says, you’ve been waiting for months to cross this finish line, NO WAY!  I had to walk some more.  Then, I saw the policemen directing traffic for the last road crossing and I knew I was close.  I started to run again (well, probably jog) and just pushed through the pain knowing I was going to be done very soon.  I crossed that finish line with my husband video taping and even managed a little leap across.  I did it!!!!   Although, I did not hang out.  I got some advil and curled up on the ground for a little while in the med tent.  Once the adrenaline wore off, I really felt some pain.  Once the pain started to subside, I was able to get my stuff out of transition and we all headed back to the campground.  Wish I could’ve stayed to enjoy the atmosphere, the kids splash and dash but I needed to rest.  I think I need to go back next year

Overall, a great race!  So grateful for all of the volunteers, police and medical and everyone who took part.  If you are considering this race, it is a great first Olympic distance.  You just need to be able to handle some hill work on the bike.  I met, as always, a few other women who were just inspiring to talk to and get to meet.  Just another aspect of the racing atmosphere that makes it fulfilling and fun!

Find your passion!!!!