The swim and bike portion of the race

The Swim

First, let me say before I competed in my first triathlon, I thought that I was a good swimmer. I swam in high school and competed in a couple of races at my local pool. I didn't realize how different it would be in the lake (where you can't see in front of you) as opposed to the pool.

Back to the race report

I really try to focus on the end of the swim. I have a hard time controlling my breath because I get so nervous at the start and then my heart rate goes too high and I am unproductive. This has happened the past two swims that I have had including IronGirl. After getting out of the water we had to run almost straight up a hill. I was completely out of breath. I started listening to the announcer talk about a competitor in the race and how her sister had breast cancer. He spoke about the money that she raised to help with the research, I was touched and thought about my sister losing her life to cancer and how that I needed to keep going. I refocused and grabbed my bike. Standing right outside T1 as I came out were my 7 year old and my husband. Loved seeing their smiling faces.

Since this is really my first season competing I am learning through trial, error and other bloggers the ins and outs of triathlon. It was very hard for me to train outside for the bike and run portion because of my work schedule, so I spent a lot of mornings in the gym doing Bricks, long bikes and long runs. Having said that, I didn't spent a whole lot of time on my road bike outside (this changed the minute I got home from the race).

The Bike

Well, you know what happened? I spent the first 7 miles in the same gear, because I thought I had broken the shifter-- OPERATOR ERROR!!!! I forgot how to shift. With those hills it was brutal. I even stopped a few times to see if my chain was broken, no it was the fact that I wasn't shifting. Finally at mile 14 I figured it out and laughed at myself.

I am not a great writer...

so when I sit down to write I know what I want to say I just don't know how to say it. It has taken me almost 2 weeks to complete a race report. Next time I am going to just post pictures.

The Iron Girl race report a day (or five days late) and a few pictures short...

Sorry that it has taken me so long to post about last weeks race. So much to do, so little time.
I have been working full-time this summer and I am not used to it. I know that women do it all the time and I salute you. Wow, it is hard-okay enough of the whining.

Race Report

I don't know about you, but I always get so nervous getting ready for a race.

IronGirl was no different

Saturday (before the race) my son, Trevor and I went to Lake Lanier to put my bike in transition and pick up the race packet. It was about an 1 1/2 to Lake Lanier so we made an afternoon out of it. I was so happy that we were able to put our bikes to rest the day before. No having to worry about setting it up the morning off.
I picked up my packet, along with the wonderful card from Aflac and a visor from Team Courage. All part of the awesome package that Aflac paid for.
Then it was off to the expo, Trevor and I sampled some products, talked to ladies and gents, signed up for chances to win prizes and stayed for the clinic at 3:00. After the clinic we headed to the van to put a bike computer on Sally (Trevor named my bike). Why I thought that it would be a good idea to mount a bike computer on my bike the day before the race is beyond me. Trevor was a good sport and sat in the back of the van with the hatch for an hour while I tried to get the stupid #$%&* bike computer to work. I gave up trying and we walked Sally to the bike transition.

As we were going into transition a very fit lady by the name of Amy caught my eye. She was wearing an Ironman visor. I immediately started asking her questions, picking her brain about what it took to complete an Ironman. She answered my questions so graciously and she also told me that she is a swim coach in Kennesaw. Jackpot! I asked her if I could call her for some coaching and she gave me her number. Look forward to see what happens with that. We then headed to a nearby pizza place to carb up.
I had a very restful evening with the family. My husband and I had established that we would ride together to the race on Sunday.

I don't like to ride with my family to a race, I like for them to meet me at the race.
For all kinds of reasons I won't go into I like to prepare for the race on the way to the race-Does that make sense? Well, the whole way there they got on my last nerves. They were not ready to go when I needed to go and I arrived at 6:40 am. My wave was starting at 7:00 am. Agghhhh!!!!
Needless to say I was able to get transition set up and make a beeline for the water. A little frustrated I got into the water to warm up. Within what seemed like seconds they call my age group together for the start.


More to come....

I am an Iron Girl...

I just wanted to let you know that I survived and what an awesome day it was.

IronGirl Race report and pics coming soon

What a treat-- I was able to meet 3 favorites of mine from blog land-- Wes, Dee Dee and Sarah. Wow! I have been reading Sarah's blog for a year and through her site found Wes a little over six months ago. I try to read daily for inspiration and information.

This week...

I started doing something a little bit different. During the summer I work full-time (summer day camp) and I haven't had a lot of success trying to balance family time and work-outs after I get off work. So, I decided to get up early and go to the gym to train.

Can I tell you that I LOVE it !?!

Well, 5:00 am does come early, but I am able to complete 1 to 1 1/2 hours of training.

Monday- Brick Bike 45 min. Run 30 min.
Tuesday- Elliptical 30 min. Run 30 min Swim with camp 2 hours

Wednesday- Run 45 min.
Thursday-Bike 1 hour Swim 2 with camp 2 hours

Friday- off
Saturday- Brick 1 hour bike 30 min Run

This time in the morning works so well for me.
I am down 4 lbs. this week.

I will not be competing in the Calloway Triathlon this weekend, my dad is sick and I really need to go and see him.

Good Luck to Wes and all of the other racers out there.

Burning Rubber...

man, I love my new bike. Ever since the Lake Murray Triathlon last month I have been pushing myself to go faster on my bike. For the last two weeks I have been riding longer and harder.
Yesterday, I rode 18 miles in under 47 min. a big accomplishment for me seeing that in the triathlon I rode 16 miles in 1 hour 1 min. (although my chain came off 2xs)

Nutrition, Nutrition, Nutrition-- this is something that I have been working on for years.
I have been reading Rachel's
blog for some tips on nutrition. I have a real sensitive stomach so her words through trial and error have been very helpful.

I moved a friend from Oklahoma to Tennessee this past weekend, so training schedule is

Monday-Rest
Tuesday-1 hour bike & 40 min run
Wednesday-Swim 1 hour
Thursday-Swim 1 hour & 40 min run
Friday-Brick 1hour bike & 30 min run
Saturday-Swim
Sunday- Long Bike (Father's Day I hope I can sneak away for a while)

Iron Girl

A great big thank you to Dee Dee- Wes's wife. She let me know about the Iron Girl and I am signed up. Aflac is fitting the bill (thank you so much).
On the website Aflac asked for cancer stories from the lives of the women here in Georgia. I submitted my story and they paid for my entry. How awesome is that!?

Email from Aflac

Hello Christian it would be our honor to extend you an entry to the Aflac
Iron Girl Atlanta event. You are truly a guiding light in your family that
has suffered so greatly with cancer. I have attached a letter to take you
through the registration process online to enter the race.

You are an inspiration!


Dream Big Always,
Judy

I am so grateful for this opportunity.

Thanks Aflac, IronGirl and Dee Dee.