2010 Tri Thread

[hoosmi]

Great races, El&A's mom and bekkiz! Nice times! And Carrie, I read your report with great interest- you were fabulous, and Scott's sacrifices made me cringe. What a guy!

Race Report: Super Kidz Tri!!!

Harry did his first tri this weekend at the ripe age of 4. I was worried about everything- he'd think people were laughing at him, he'd freak out in the pool since he'd only had 2 weeks of lessons, he had a new bike, etc.

Race morning: Got the baby to the sitter and packed up Harry and all of his stuff. He got to use all my tri gear (fancy water bottle, goggles, helmet, etc). We made it to the Y and set up his transition area. We picked up his swag bag and he got body marked. Oddly, he was mostly interested in the ruler in the bag...

We went to the pool early just so he could check it out again. When anyone asked if he was ready, he said "oh, I'm ready!" He put on his required swim vest. We waited in the bleachers for Ted and Emma to show up. (And when they did, I laughed at the look of panic on Ted's face when he suddenly thought he'd forgotten to bring the baby.)

Harry lined up. They had all the 4 year olds go out together after explaining that this race was about completion and that they should take their time and be safe and have fun. Harry's lane was by the wall. The race starts. The boy sprints down the handicapped ramp in the water and does a giant leap. He comes up sputtering, but starts swimming. We're following along the side of the pool as everyone is cheering. The kids are all pretty close. Turns out Harry is better in the water than his mother. He makes it to the end with no problems. Ted hauls him out, and we're off to transition.

We throw on a shirt and shoes and head down the stairs to the track. (They call it a track, but it's really just a vaguely oval shaped asphalt path). I put on Harry's helmet and helped him on his bike. He hasn't done much riding since it seems to rain every afternoon, but he gets it moving. The four year olds are required to have training wheels. I keep my hand on his back and we go around the first lap. And then, as everyone from my track club is cheering at the end of the first lap, we have our first mishap. I don't understand how it could happen with training wheels, but Harry goes down hard sideways and drags the bike with him. I tossed him off the bike, picked it up, put him on, and we took off again. I would have been freaked out by such a truly spectacular fall, but all he said was "you know, that kind of hurt..."

So for the second lap, I ran holding Harry's handlebars. Ted ran over to record him, and Harry just yelled "meet me at the finish line, Dad!" Emma was cheering, which we could just hear over all the commotion. And we are back in transition- yes, off the bike and I can stand upright!

Helmet off, and we're running. It's one lap around for the run. Harry goes out at a good clip, but not a sprint. He's able to maintain his speed all the way around and doesn't walk. The last few yards Emma joins us. I let her run him in.

And now Harry has his medal (which he put with my medals- how cute is that?) He's got big plans for future races. There's a 1 mile fun run this Saturday that he really wants to do.

The thing I liked best about Harry's race was that even though he wasn't the fastest, he was just thrilled the whole time. And I learned something about my racing- worried about people laughing at him? worried about the swim and the new bike? Those fears didn't apply to Harry at all- they're my usual race day fears that I was putting on to his race... weird, huh?

So, this weekend I have the following races lined up:
1) Saturday: Duathlon- 2 mile run, 14? mile bike, 2 mile run. I haven't been on my bike in forever but I wanted to do this race to encourage local events... it's going to hurt!
2) Saturday: 1 mile fun run with Harry and maybe Emma;
3) Saturday: 5k with a friend who tends to back out- if she really goes, I'll run it with her.

Crazy.

Jen in GA

 

[El&Asmom]

Way to go coach Harry! How fun is that.
My dd who is 7 wants to do a tri next year. I need to find one for her in our area. What a great event.

 

[mgsmom]

What fun reads!!!

EI&Asmom - Sounds like a GREAT race! I'm totally impressed with your times!

Jen - tell Harry we are all so proud of him! What a fun experience - and great lesson to remind us all that we should just focus on having FUN!

 

[monsterkitty]

I would have been freaked out by such a truly spectacular fall, but all he said was "you know, that kind of hurt..."


Jen in GA

Now how cute is that? I had a few other choice words when I broke my foot in the tri. I'll have to remember Harry's words if I do that again.

Congrats to Harry! Also congrats to mom and dad for letting Harry do the tri!

 

[Duanerice]

That is so cool Jen. What fun that must be to watch!

Duane

 

[hoosmi]

Hey kids-

Thanks for your kind comments on Harry's race. I like to tell my husband that many of Harry's personality traits (determination, endless energy, crazy confidence) will be a lot easier to deal with when he gets older and stops driving me crazy on a daily basis!

Duathlon this weekend-

Am I right in thinking if I wear the same shoes, racebelt and sunglasses, I only need my helmet/hat and an extra water bottle in transition? That feels horribly under-packed.



Jen in GA

 

[wtpclc]

Hey all! not trying to be absent, but whenver I get a chance to post, I hit reply and get timed out.

E&Asmom & bekkiz- Huge congrats! That's awesome!

Jen- Awesome for Harry! He has that true racing spirit! You know, if I had done tri's when I was younger, I wouldn't have spent 4 years doubting that I could do it. So fun!

DB - Great concept. Not sure if the Mickey ears would fly with a printer. As for logos, DIS is good but note sure why DU or GKtW. Also, the biggest reason I love my curretn WISH shirts are teh DLF>DNF>>DNS and explanation on back. Would love to see that. I hope you don't think I'm ignoring you on shirt issues, I have had a hard time psoting and I think I have severe shirt burnout. Let me know cost on being one of the 10 to experiment with. I'll try to swing it if I can.

Duane - So, you figured out there's more to this story?

An now, the rest of the story....

OK, so we do 1 swim, 1 bike adn 1 run since our half IM adn figure no problem doing an almost Oly (Swim is 500 m short). h and we did core twice adn I did yoga 3 times. I think Richard was right that it was teh ultimate taper.

So, I look around at the swim adn there are just over 30 women doing the long course. I had already told dh the day before that there were so few woment that I would be "laster than last." So be it. Been there before. Still ahte that all volunteers have to wait until I'm done adn even the sprinters won't get awards until I'm done.

Get in the water and think I shoudl fly. felt great in my last swim. COuld not get it together. My chest just kept squeezing out the air. I gasped every time I took a breath. tried ot calm myself down several times adn just couldn't. Didn't help that at the turnaround, teh kayaker followed me in, as there were no more long course swimmers. Was a beautiful swim course, though.

I got half way and looked at my watch and saw that I was doing really well, though. Seems once again I was in a fast swim crowd adn was just pushing too hard. Still woudl have bene nice if my lungs ever loosened up.

Off to the bike. Knew there's be osme rough road and hills. Just kept saying it;s only 24.8 miles. (Compared to a half IM...) Again, beautiful course. ABout 15 miles I could either see Lake MI or a small inland lake. Now, they stressed knowing the course, so I printed the maopa nd we drove it. the aroows on teh road didn't line up, though. Back at registration there was a different map. Ugh. Still, looked like it was just as we drove it.

So, I do ok up the first hills. Pretty good starting mile for me, especially uphill. Actually pass someone in my race, woo hoo!!!! Check a couple times to see where she was. Get to teh 10 K mark adn was thining perhaps I'd take my chomps, being it was half way. Now, my tri math is bad but Sunday it was awful. When my head turned it into a 12.4 mile race I''ll never know. Soemhow, though something didn't feel right adn I just taken a go less than 30 min ago. Finally, I figured out it was a 24.8 mile race. Get to a big turn adn see these arrows that make it look like I shoudl eb coming off a side street. Keep peddlanig. What else can I do. Look back and don't see thhe girl I passed any more. Not good.

get to teh 20K paint and my mileage is on. Doub;e-check several times as my tri math was already awful. Don't know what htey were thinking with teh arrows, but it was ok.

Get off rough roads onto smooth, but it's uphill adn into the wind for about 6 miles. Beautiful view fo Lake MI, though. Opps, another turn not on the map. Uphill on really rough roads. Out and back. After a bit, people coming out start telling me how far 'til the turnaround. Very nice! I head back adn see the girl I passed and tell her how far 'til the turn and cheer her on and she does the same. then, I get back to the main road. guy in front of my turns rgiht. now, the sprinters weren't supposed to be on that road and the long course was supposed to go right. Not good. Guessing it's a spdrinter who cut because he just added extra. Worst maps I've ever seen. COurse was maked very well at that point, though adn that sprinter should nto have been there.

So, I head out along the lake again. Uphil, into the wind. Dh passes going back. Tells me that turn-around is at (18 or 19) and a half. Good, as this was not on the maop and we could nto find it on our drive. Now, ,widh I had heard him right. oh well, assume it's at 19.5 adn be happily surprised if not. iw as happily surprised. Woo hoo! Downhill! WInd at my back. I was flying!!!!! I had passed several on the uphill adn was pretty proud. never knew what race they were in, though. thought 1 was in mine.

The way back was awesome. i was back on getting my PR time of 161 mpm. More hills than I wanted, but stayed on track.

Headed into transition adn was happy. Knew I was 2nd or 3rd from last, but not a surprise. Was hoping i had put on enough distance to keep from being last.

Ther was a sprinter finished and cheering about 0.5 miles in. She asked if I was doing Oly adn I said yes. She was telling me of her goal to do it next year. very cool.

Nope, one passed me at about a mile. Told me we'd play hopscotch, but I was going as fast as I ever do these days, only goeoing to sklow from here.

Second one passed me before 1.5. Oh well. both were very kind and encouraging adn I was doing decent for me.

I coudl not believe how many of teh sprinters wer walkign dodwnhill. Very odd. Came up to a group of about 8 walking towards teh finish. They were awesome and screamed and cheered fro me.

Got just before I turned of the road and a big guy was comming back. He said something nice and went to high 5 me. Usually, I live for thsi stuff. OMG, he just about ripped my elbow out of joint and my shoulder. There was just no give in this man. It hurt!!!!!!!

Got into the park, just beyond the split ofr teh sprint adn saw dh. he was doing well. I prayed that he didn't want ot high 5 me, but of course he would. Ow.

Then, it was into the wood, mostly solo. Saw teh girls in fornt of me and the first one I passed on teh bike was just awsome telling me about the course. Again, teh map di dnot do it justice at all. (They were on their way back from aloop) Somewhere in here, I lost a mile or gained it in my head. it really stunk twhen teh next ile said 3 and I thought it would be 4. (Only time I wish I had a Garmin with multisport)

So, now I'm wandering by myself int the woods trying not to have a pity party. garmin says 14:30s. has to be lost. Nope, it was dead on for the next mile. I felt like I was really doing much better but time said otherwise. Still, need to keep going.

Almost ot the park entrance and a ~7YO boy asks "Are you the last race?" Yeah, I think so. Tryign not to let it get me down.

Finally out of the park when the biker looking for last places checks in with me again. now, I knew who he was, but huge kudos fro him having the tact to bnever ask if I was last or radio back in earshot of me. DH said they announced when I left the park, so he did. Great job in discretion, though. He tells me it's all downhill once I get to teh top. (Yeah, the top of a half mike hill) SO, that means a mile downhill. By now, other finishers are cheering forme as they bike home. Still, nice. I'm acutally flyign down the hill. That was cool. Dh and cowbell run with me a bit. He sotps adn there are these people on the last turn before teh finish. About 6 of them. Cheering forever. Just couldn't helo but smile. they were awesome.

Rounded the corner adn teh announcer gave my number adn said to cheer me in. AAgain, grat tact. no reference to last. He did sya to cheer hard, because I'd been out there workign ofor over 3.5 hours. Cool.

Hated finishing and having 90% of transistion down, but my goal was 3:45. I had 3:31:16. Awesome for me. Made my swim goal with a MUCH faster past than Chicago, although it was much shorter. Still, I was very pleased. Made my bike goal. Only thing I was bummed about was my run. 14:30s in the middle? Uhh. however, when I got the results. iI was faster than my Chicago pace lasst year.

So, minutes after I finished when they anounced that I had won the Athena division, yes, I giggled a bit. And, so did some others. However, last year I placed second in Athena and it was a race that I had given up on like no other and I was embarrassed to get it.

This time, I signed up Athena, which is never easy. I worked hard. I met my goals. I had the courage to start another race where I knew I'd be last. Truely, I earned it.

(Of course, they're mailing me a medal because they ran out, but who needs that when I have this)

 

[El&Asmom]

Awesome job Carrie! You should be proud. I'm trying to muster up the courage to do a oly next summer. How did you like this one as compared to the Chicago? Swimming in Lake MI scares the crap out of me, but it would be cool to do.
Way to go on improving on your times and finishing.

 

[mgsmom]

What an amazing report! I'm so glad you beat your other time! It's hard being last (trust me, I know), and you did it with a lot of spirit! Good for you!
I don't know if I could ever do an Oly. A sprint kills me every time...

 

[wtpclc]

mgsmom - I spent 4 years saying I could never do a tri, any tri. You can do an oly!

EI&Asmom - 2 totally different races. For a first oly, I would do Chicago. The crowd is amazing. The excitement is great. The bike and run are along the lakeshore. The swim is in a protected harbor, so no big waves but can be very choppy. Also, there's a bit of diesel flavor to the water once you're near the end. Yuck. the best thing about doing such a big one for your first is that you will not be last. The other big downer is the $$$of teh race and hotels and parking. Also, even with late checkout from teh race hotel, we needed at least 2 more hours. 1 they gave us at the desk adn one the kind maid gave us by not turnign us in. (although it looks like you may be close enough not ot have to do a hotel) Also, it was like 3 hours fom having to leave transition to swim start. they did have a swim check, though. I'm glad that's where i did my first, but I'm not a city girl, so I tend to like the little races. As for teh Lake MI swim in Ludignton, it was the closeest you could get to a pool swim. Being inside the 2 breakwalls really made it pretty easy as far as waves and it was a windy day. Grand Haven has a tri too, but the water is rougher adn about 30% of the time it seems like the swim gets canceled and it's a du instead. The timing never works fro us to do it. Bear Lake is a nice race too. it has an oly. No Lake MI swim, just an inland lake. Let em know if you end up racing in MI!

 

[El&Asmom]

Carrie, thanks so much for the race info. I would love to do the Chicago, just to say I did it once. The Lake MI swim and the size of the race kinda intimidate me though. I'll see how training goes, and decide next spring. Maybe I'll check out the MI races too. Plus there are a few in WI that are easy to get to. So many races, so little time.

An exciting thing about my race last week was that dh got really involved and started thinking about next summer. He was an athlete in HS, but has never enjoyed working out. He got on the treadmill last night for the first time since we bought it 3 years ago and is looking into duathlons that we can do together! I never imagined in a million years that he would be interested in doing a race with me. It would be great to have as an activity we can train for together.

Off to the Y to take a dip.

 

[Duanerice]

Wow Carrie - what an inspiration report! You are amazing.

Thanks for sharing.
Duane

 

[wtpclc]

EI&Asmom - The number of people made it great. Waves were only about 30 people adn I was able ot stay outside on teh swim adn not get beaten at all. That is very unuaual for me. Cool about dh!!!!!

Duane - Thanks. Always an adventure fro me but I think about the WISH motto and it helps. Helps to know how many are routing for me and know that it's not just about winning. Doing tri's gave me huge respect for the back of the packers in road races. I respected them before, but until you've been there, it's not the same.

 

[DiRTyBuNNy]

DB - Great concept. Not sure if the Mickey ears would fly with a printer. As for logos, DIS is good but note sure why DU or GKtW. Also, the biggest reason I love my curretn WISH shirts are teh DLF>DNF>>DNS and explanation on back. Would love to see that. I hope you don't think I'm ignoring you on shirt issues, I have had a hard time psoting and I think I have severe shirt burnout. Let me know cost on being one of the 10 to experiment with. I'll try to swing it if I can.

Thanks. It's still a work in progress and input is always welcome. I'm not a graphic designer so it's all just shooting from the hip. In the initial drawing I had the "DLF>DNF>>DNS" up the sides of the jersey and it can always be put back there. As for the mickey ears down at the bottom (if that's what you meant)..yeah..I totally get that and it was just left there in place of something better. For the three sports "mickey ears" i was actually going for a look like the olympic rings and I subconciously drew mickey ears and left it that way. The sponsor logos was just some pie in the sky thinking regarding sponsorships (yes..I said the "s" word) just to see how I would do it on the jersey.

and now the big thing I'm sure some of you all have been wondering about..so..here we go...

PRICING!

$42 per tri top plus paypal and shipping with a minimum of 10 in the first order.

The awesome thing is once we do an order of 10 and get the design set we can then order singles if need be later on so we're not tied to doing orders in multiples of 10 anymore (plus the possibility of running singlets, full tri suits, and I'll see if we can even swing a cycling jersey for you too, Duane)

--DB

btw, the manufacturer I'm looking at is Champion Systems (champ-sys.com) if you want to check them out.



--DB

 

[wtpclc]

DB - That's a really great price!

OK, I finally got the time to do my 70.3 race report. It's a bit lengthy, but it does have pictures.

http://picasaweb.google.com/115030646235402926465/20100731_Steelhead?feat=directlink

 

[Duanerice]

Carrie - great report. Tough day huh? But you finished as did Scott.

Way to go.
Duane

 

[wtpclc]

Carrie - great report. Tough day huh? But you finished as did Scott.

Way to go.
Duane

Thanks! yeah, tough. Why teh heack are we considering a full???? It's a sickness I tell you.

 

[tiberius]

mgsmom - You can do an oly!

I definitely agree! Maybe you won't be fast, but as long as you want to do it, you'll be able to do it.

I've been out of circualtion in this thread for a bit. I guess because I've been down with a knee and shoulder injury. The knee injury is just about better, although it won't get a full test until next Monday -- at my next tri -- but I do think it will be ready. If I have to, I'll walk part (or even all) of the run so I can finish. The shoulder injury was more perplexing as it only hurt when I swam. After 7 - 10 days of that I saw a doctor and was diagnosed with a pulled/minor torn muscle that stabilizes the shoulder. However, with a little TLC I was able to do a short (easy 800 yard) swim yesterday. Tomorrow I'll try to put a little more effort into the swim and see what happens, but I am very hopeful. Assuming no other problems, I'll be going off with my wave at 7:40 Monday morning.

 

[wtpclc]

Richard -So sorry about the setbacks! I do hope you are 100% Monday! What distance is this?

 

[Duanerice]

Yea Richard, what race are you running?
Duane