Chasing rain and slaying dragons!

As I rode towards the rain I was pumped so full of adrenaline that I didn't care that the winds were picking up and it might rain on me.  I was so happy that I had just slain a much feared "dragon"!  This battle had been in the making for months! Hold on a minute let me back up.  Because this story had a very different beginning to it.  It was one full of self doubt, fear and timidness.

I woke up that morning knowing that my training buddy was out of town and I had gotten so use to training with her that I didn't have room for fear or other doubts.  We would pick a time and I would show up and do what we had agreed to.  But this morning I had unsuccessfully tried to recruit another training buddy for the day.  Some were doing a different ride and were way too fast for me others said they weren't up for the mileage I wanted.  So I got ready and went through the motions and started driving my car towards my starting point.  As I got closer to the mountains the winds were stronger and the clouds were darker.  In a panic I called my dad.  Because apparently I forgot how to make decisions on my own.  I said I still have my race wheels on and that wind is going to throw me around like a rag doll.  And it looks like it might rain.  And I don't even think I can do heart break hill, it's been years and my training isn't up to par and my dizzy spells are still coming.  What would you do?  He said I would still try it.  So I did.  I parked, got my gear on, and took off ever so timidly and very doubtful of my abilities.

A few miles in, out of no where some hot dude (with an accent, not that that matters but just thought it would help set the mood) in a bike jersey and JEAN shorts came up and started asking me questions about if I new what the forecast was for the day.  Palm to forehead!!  I had just blown some pretty impressive snot rockets!!!!!!!  But a quick check and I didn't notice any evidence that I had hit him.  Come on give me some warning!  So I thought what else can I do but laugh at myself.  I said there's supposed to be 20% chance of rain but no more snot rockets.  He either didn't understand or decided to spare me the embarrassment.  He said he was supposed to ride up to the crest but it looked too foggy.  So as I convinced him the slight chance of rain shouldn't affect us and even if it did rain it's NM and it would be over as soon as it started and the winds didn't feel as bad as they should because it was forecasted as 20-30 mph wind gusts, so we should be fine, I realized I would be fine!  Then I proceeded to tell him my whole course I was going to do.  Then as he wished us luck and went on ahead I thought you're an idiot what if he's a serial killer and ends up waiting somewhere along my route and I didn't even bring my pepper spray!  Yes, these are things that sometimes go through my mind on rides.  :-) 

Anyway as I approached the looming heart break hill my self doubt got worse and worse.  I was already telling myself it's ok if you have to walk it up, people have to do that all the time.  But then I thought no it's not an option.  Just don't look up keep pedaling!  So that's what I did.  As my heart screamed at me to stop and my legs turned to noodles, I kept my head tucked under and my eyes on the road directly in front of me.  I eventually made it to the top!  I had just slain my dragon.  Both figuratively and literally.  I had avoided this hill all season because I thought I'm just not strong enough this season!  I have been having training issues all season and I just wasn't strong enough!  Well guess what I was strong enough.  Sure I may be doing it slower than normal and my run the next day was very sluggish because of this ride.  But I am strong enough!  I can weather the storm!  So you know how some people cry tears of joy.  Well on the way back down that slain dragon hill I was cursing cuss words of joy.  I was so happy and felt so empowered that I just let out all these pent up feelings of anger/fear/doubt/weakness.  So for the personal things going on in my life I will not back down I will fight for what I believe is right.  I am still strong it just may take me a little longer to get there.  But don't underestimate the power of the mind!  So as I went towards the rain I wasn't fearful of being pelted I was hopeful and knew what comes my way I can handle. 

That being said I will not be competing in the triathlon I had planned coming up this weekend.  But I am at peace with that decision because it didn't come from a place of fear it came from a place of logic and thoughtfulness.  I will enter some sprints instead of trying to do Olympic and longer.  But this is only temporary.  I am still a triathlete and warrior just in a different capacity.  So until my wounds have time to heal I will take care of myself and my family and keep pushing forward.  That hill will no longer haunt my dreams.

Happy Training!

Deuces Wild Olympic Triathlon

Let me start with the good.  I was happy to be there.  It was a nice weekend and nice weather.  The race was put on by TriSports which happens to be one of TeamLC's sponsors so it was nice getting to thank a sponsor in person.  It was very well organized and scenic and supported.  It was a small race I believe the Oly had 93 OA.  My parents last minute decided they'd go with me and then continue on their trip from there.  This also meant I didn't camp alone because of course they insisted I stay in their room with them.  It was nice having company and my personal cheer squad.  I was a little nervous going into it, you'd think after over 25 years of this I wouldn't get nervous anymore.

Swim was supposedly 61 degrees but it felt warmer than that to me, maybe it's because it was my first time swimming with a full sleeve wet suit.  But I had no complaints about the water temp.  I did unfortunately order a wet suit that was a little too small for me, it took two people to get me into it.  Which meant it felt a little tight in the chest. I'm looking into getting the next size up.  It's an awesome wet suit.  I panicked a little bit at first with the higher altitude and tight wet suit I started to hyperventilate a little at the beginning of the swim so I took the time to do some breast stroke and calm my breathing.  Thankfully I snapped out of it and continued on the swim.  When I got out I felt like I had done horribly and I was already dizzy.  But turns out I did it in 36 min. which actually isn't too bad for me, I've done it in 28 before so this tells me I was out of shape!

Bike start I felt a little shaky but I ate a mini cliff bar and that seemed to help a little bit.  I had hydrated so well the week before and the night before and race morning and brought salt tablet for one water bottle and Accelerade for the other and I drank most of the Accelerade while on the bike.  So hydration could not have been a culprit.  I thought the dizziness was starting to subside but about half way through it was coming back.  So I rode looking up most of the ride which let me tell you really puts a kink in your neck and messes with you mentally because you think the hills are never ending!  It did seem to help to keep the dizziness down though.  The hills got the best of me and some slight winds so I was beat by the end of the bike finishing it in 1:39 avg. 15.1 mph  Again I guess I'm more out of shape than I realized.  The course had a lot of rolling hills and two slightly long hills towards the end.  It was a tough course but nothing I shouldn't have been able to handle.

The run as usual is where I really fell apart.  It was HOT out.  Pretty course around the lake with mostly flat except for 2 hills.  They thankfully had Ice at each aid station and lots of aid stations so it helped to pour ice down my tank at each one.  At this point I drank just water at each station.  But between the heat and dizziness I could feel myself fading fast.  I had to walk the two uphills and I felt the vomit come up in my throat 3 times.  This run took forever and took it completely out of me!!!  Again I guess I'm just that out of shape and I have never handled any little bit of heat very well.

So overall finished in 3:41 which is the longest it has taken me to do an Oly.  But I made some friends along the way.  I cheered people on and I finished with someone who was suffering from back spasms that day.  So we all have our own battles but we lived to see another day and hopefully another race.  This race scared me and I'm not going to lie I really was thinking of not doing my next olympic.  I mean I felt sick for 2 days and counting.  The drive home I was a motion-sick mess.  But today I sucked it up and just decided I'd have to train harder.  So today I did my run at lunch to start getting use to the heat.  I texted my riding buddy and she helped me come up with a plan for our ride this weekend, which involves hills until we see our breakfast, see my friends care. :-)  I will figure out how to get back to enjoying the longer distances again along with the dizzy spells.  Until then maybe I'll just have to enjoy the sprint tris.  But for now I have to train for my next race that I crazily signed up for before realizing what this season was going to bring me.  I'm being challenged by my body but I will not give up or give in!

Happy Training!!

Santa Fe Half Century

What a weekend!  Had so much fun and was so happy I had a friend to share in the moment with me, even with bad jokes and all! :-)  I packed my stuff the night before to be ready to be picked up in the morning and kept feeling like I was forgetting something but that could just be because I'm use to having to pack for 3 sports not just 1.  This was going to be my first bike only event (not including the fun ride I did with my son last Halloween).  I was a little bit nervous and not even sure why I wasn't even entered in the timed one (they don't allow aero bars on the timed events and after the very involved bike fit I had I wasn't about to mess with those).  I had been having some dizzy spells on previous rides so maybe that's why I was nervous but I knew this ride would be well supported if anything happened and I had a ride home so no worries there.  Morning of I was desperate to get my usual "buenos dias" call in to my son and for him to wish me well.  I finally got a hold of him as I was standing in the port a potty line just minutes before the start.  He was more excited to hear about me having to chase Lexi, our dog, down the middle of the street that morning than he was about the fact that mom was doing race :-)  But for some reason out of all the things I do or have done cycling feels like one of the more dangerous things I do only because of potential run ins with cars.  Ever since I had my son I am usually chanting to myself as I ride, please don't hit me, please don't hit me.  And after coming across a bike/car accident one day I went straight to get a will and all that done for my son.  So for some reason I just always want to tell him I love him before every ride or race.

photo bombed!

We started about 15 minutes after the rest of the group but there were other stragglers too.  After making it through town I was much more relaxed.  I'm not use to riding in groups of people so once I got on the open road I felt much better!  Then my chain fell off which is frustrating because that seems to happen on my bike a lot more than it should.  It's really the only complaint I have about my pretty bike but it's a big one.  After that there were no hitches.  There were nice rolling hills for most of it.  We stopped at one food stop where I had a PB&J which is the only fuel I had on the ride and I had drank a full bottle of Accelerade and about half of a bottle of water and felt pretty good.  There was a Popsicle stop that provided my already loopy riding partner with some pretty cheesy jokes that I got to hear over and over, but hey if it made people laugh as we passed by and gave them a little boost who am I to complain!! :-)  Thankfully only dizzy spells I had were about the last 5 miles of the ride and it passed quickly soon after I was done with the ride.  Stayed after to eat some lunch and chat it up with fellow riders.  The last 15 miles of the ride had some pretty decent climbing but my legs felt surprisingly fresh after I was done.  Total ride time was about 3:19 but that doesn't include our time for stopping for food and mechanical issues.  Lots of friendly riders and the wind was not bad.  I could feel it at the end as we got closer to noon but nothing that I couldn't handle.

Lastly as we were loading up our car these two women rode up to a nearby car and were congratulating each other and so happy with each other that they had just completed their first 50 mile ride.  They said whatever you do don't stop moving, keep going!! They told us they were 65 and 68 and were so happy to have done that ride.  They said eat healthy, exercise and stay happy!  They had so much energy, gratitude and camaraderie that it was contagious and made us smile!  Keep it up!  You inspire me to keep going!

Fun day to end the weekend.  Then I went with my son to go get him a real bike so he wouldn't have to get frustrated with spinning out on his old plastic trike.  He was very happy riding around the neighborhood and my guess is the training wheels won't be on there for too long!  I'm going to need to focus on the good and I'm happy I have training to keep me positive and up beat and in great shape to keep up with my son.  This morning I received an email with some heartbreaking news of a small personal battle I'm going to have to deal with in the upcoming months.  All I hope for is the best outcome possible no matter what it may be.  I hope my son comes out the winner and most of all that he will always know his mom loves him more than anything in the world!  I hope to have plenty of bike rides with him to come!  He's already revving to go for the bike ride I promised him this afternoon after school/work.  To new and old training buddies!

Happy Training! 

Rio Grande Retro Tri Race Report

Ok so this one is a hard one to write and I'm still not sure how I feel about it all.  I know I will walk away with lessons learned but right now it still stings! 

First the days leading up to it with winter storm warnings and temps in the low to mid 30s I spent most of my time convincing myself and my friends that we could do it!  It was just a sprint and if they didn't cancel the race and it was safe enough to race we could all endure the poor weather conditions together.  I packed an extra plastic bag to keep as much as I could dry in transition.  This was a reverse tri which meant the swim was in the pool and last.  I didn't however realize it was an outdoor pool until I showed up to the race which gave some of my friends quite the laugh.  :-)

Morning of in my head it actually felt warmer than I had anticipated.  The one good thing about the fact that I always build things up in my head to be WAY worse than they really are is that when I show up for something no matter how bad it is I am usually pleasantly surprised because I had prepared myself for way worse. 

Run went well I was cheering everyone on that I could and finally could feel my hands and feet around 1.5 miles.  I had one girl running right behind me pacing herself with me and it turns out it was her first triathlon which was exciting to cheer her on.  I passed one of my friends who yelled keep it up Natasha you have like 5 women ahead of you.  I said yeah and one on my butt! :-)  I was joking of course with her and she said she wanted to stay next to me because I was such a good cheerleader and it kept her going.  That made me so happy to hear!  I also didn't mind because once I warmed up a little I may have slowed down if I didn't know she was right behind me.

It was so exciting to see so many of my friends out there and all with their own stories, like first race post baby, racing even though afraid they might drown, another raced her heart out and placed over all F for her first time, other people having overcome things such as heart disease to still be out there, one making her comeback after a major foot surgery and racing as a team with a super supportive hubby.  I could keep going and going!  You are all my heroes and keep me inspired!  How couldn't I spend the whole race cheering and high fiving??!!  The bike was slick with the wet roads so the first loop was kind of slow for me but the second loop I had a talk with myself and was like you already know what to expect and you didn't fall so go for it!

Then came the swim.  This is where it gets ugly for me.  I jumped in and my legs were on fire and stinging so bad.  I guess I hadn't worn enough layers on the bike and I didn't have enough circulation going to my legs as it hurt and they were red and swollen when I got out.  It was down and back in each lane then under.  Which I thought I did!!!  I heard my friends cheering for me but somehow I supposedly didn't hear an official trying to tell me I had skipped a whole lane??!?!!!!  That's what they are claiming led to my disqualification!  So while this makes me so sad because I swear I thought I did the whole course and there were so many people in the pool I was following and so many people cheering that would have told me if I had skipped and my times make sense with everyone around me, I'll just have to live with my first DQ EVER!  My first D of any sort EVER!  Until this race I had never had a DQ, DNF, DNS none of the Ds I tell you!  I may not be the fastest but a quitter or a cheater I am not.  So I will learn to live with this result and I will now be so super cautious on the course moving forward.  They actually gave finisher's medals for this one even though it was just a sprint, I think that's weird but ok, but now I have to throw this one away.  The trick is how the heck do I tell my son that I need it back!  He thinks all my medals are his because I told him I earn them for him.  I might have to let him keep it but I really don't want that reminder around the house.  :-)

In the end I was proud of myself and everyone else for getting out there and toughing it out and I still had a lot of fun with all my friends.  I am so lucky to be a part of this sport and we Tri for those who can't and I will keep at it!

Happy Training!

Snot Rocket Queen

People sometimes like to focus on the negative aspects of getting older but one of my favorite aspects of getting older is you just stop giving a you know what about what other people think.  I already grew up pretty immune to being embarrassed because my mom always valued being yourself no matter how unique that was and lived by this therefore always marching to the beat of her own drum.  I learned pretty quickly that I better stop caring too or I was going to have a very tumultuous life! :-)

Finally after being sick for a few days I started to feel better on Sunday.  I decided to take advantage and go out for a ride!  However, this meant I was SNOTTY but I just didn't care.  Sure it was gross for me and perhaps anyone who might have unsuspectingly ridden up behind me but who cares I was free and out enjoying a glorious spring day!  I was so proud of myself for what I thought was a perfect snot rocket because I didn't feel any blowback and it didn't land anywhere on my handlebars until I opened my hand and ewwww it was all in between my fingers, but hey that's what jerseys are for right wiping!?!  The other fun part of being sick at the same time your son is sick is that you don't get to care about what is happening to you, you just pull up your britches and you take care of your sick child.  Which meant instead of getting rest I was taking him to the Dr. and working from home to make up lost hours.  This also meant that once I got him to bed I was going straight to bed too instead of you know doing stuff like taking care of my personal hygiene.  It was too warm to get away with leggings so I went in bike shorts and showed off my wonderful hairy legs!  Again don't care! ;-)  For half a second I thought they'll just think I'm a guy, oh but wait, in this sport guys shave their legs too.  I'll just have to ride so fast that my legs will be a blur and no one will notice!  Go!  Ok then there was the fact that I couldn't remember the last time I had washed my hair!  I thought to myself well that's an easy one you'll have a helmet on to cover that up!  There's nothing stopping me from this ride!  Note to self: just don't take your helmet off at any point in the ride and try to whip it around a la sexy librarian or it will just stick to one side of your face.  Easy enough.  So I was fully enjoying this ride. 

Then about mile 10 just as I was about to hit the super fun downhill I noticed I could feel the road a lot more than I normally can.  I stopped and sure enough I had a flat rear tire!  New fancy bike I realized I hadn't changed a flat on this one yet!!  I tried to remove the wheel and felt like the brakes were stopping me.  The brakes on this one don't have a quick release and are in a different spot.  So I assumed I needed an allen wrench to release them which I didn't have.  Sadly I called my dad to pick me up all the while I could hear my son in the background yelling "where are you mom?"  Turns out he got the wheel off no problem I was just too scared to hurt my fancy new bike. Ahhh!!  Well it turns out I wouldn't have been able to remove the extension on the bike valve without pliers so I didn't feel so bad and add to the list of things I now need to carry.  Also turns out there was something wrong with the tire and/or tube.  Because it kept bulging out about to pinch the tube.  So long story short I didn't get to finish my ride which is ok since I was still recovering.  But one thing I do care about is not knowing how to fix my own bike!  I will make sure I can handle this on my own next time. 

But now I also am a little closer to my decision of if I "need" a road bike in addition to my tri bike.  Because some days you just need to ride on something you aren't afraid to beat up!  And one can never have enough bikes right?!?!!!   Who's with me?

Happy Training!