wow, haven't posted anything in months! maybe because i finally got busy and stopped thinking about myself so much.
things they are a changing ...or better, already changed. after what seemed like an endless roller coaster ride of emotion ... i finally was able to step off!
life is good today. oh yes, there is stress, but i seem to be able to handle it. definitely feeling back to my old self.
only a few weeks into 2009 and looking forward to a new year.
quick run down of my ambitions this year:
* sub 3.25 at Boston
* sub 5.25 at RI 70.3
* run all the NE Grand Prix races and get an "iron runner" jacket
* put a major focus on my swimming
* finish 3 MBA courses
* complete 2 CIC courses
* exceed my new sales goal at work
* be happy!
Here's hoping for a much better year!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Kennebunk Race Report
Kennebunk Sprint Tri was on Sunday. Coming off a week of having an ear infection and on meds and almost no training. I was actually excited to race but a little worried given the sickness and not sure how my body would react.
The swim went well. I actually enjoyed the ocean swim and the waves and felt pretty good. Quick transition at T1 and out on the bike. The course was relatively flat and felt pretty good during most of the bike. My left elbow rest came loose again. I had fixed it Sat night but obviously not good enough. It didn't really effect me, just slightly annoying. Another quick transition at T2 and out on the run. The first mile was a little tough. That is to be expected as I haven't done many brick workouts this year. Started to settle in after that and finished strong.
The story on this race though was my perspective. I had a great day. I love the race atmosphere, enjoyed seeing all my tri friends, and had a great time racing. BUT, all that went out the window as soon as the results were posted. When I saw how slow I was and finished way out of any awards, my heart just sank. Now, I have no reason to feel this way. I have not trained up to standard this year at all. In fact, almost quit racing this year altogether. My drive home was rough. I actually cried, which for me is out of character. I'm the "no emotion" queen ya know.
I now have realized -(well I think I already knew)- that I am not the kind of person that can do anything half way. I either need to be a competitive triathlete and train like one or quit. One or the other, no in between. I don't know if this is what I needed to figure that out but looking back I am glad this happened. I have learned a lot about myself this season. Hope I can take this forward into next season and be ready to totally get it on ...
The swim went well. I actually enjoyed the ocean swim and the waves and felt pretty good. Quick transition at T1 and out on the bike. The course was relatively flat and felt pretty good during most of the bike. My left elbow rest came loose again. I had fixed it Sat night but obviously not good enough. It didn't really effect me, just slightly annoying. Another quick transition at T2 and out on the run. The first mile was a little tough. That is to be expected as I haven't done many brick workouts this year. Started to settle in after that and finished strong.
The story on this race though was my perspective. I had a great day. I love the race atmosphere, enjoyed seeing all my tri friends, and had a great time racing. BUT, all that went out the window as soon as the results were posted. When I saw how slow I was and finished way out of any awards, my heart just sank. Now, I have no reason to feel this way. I have not trained up to standard this year at all. In fact, almost quit racing this year altogether. My drive home was rough. I actually cried, which for me is out of character. I'm the "no emotion" queen ya know.
I now have realized -(well I think I already knew)- that I am not the kind of person that can do anything half way. I either need to be a competitive triathlete and train like one or quit. One or the other, no in between. I don't know if this is what I needed to figure that out but looking back I am glad this happened. I have learned a lot about myself this season. Hope I can take this forward into next season and be ready to totally get it on ...
Monday, August 11, 2008
Wildman race report
I was nervous for this race, not sure why. I get nervous sometimes for big races but this wasn't one of those. Anyway, watching the rain all week got me wondering if was going to have to race in bad conditions. At the last minute, I took a friend up on his offer to crash in North Conway the night before. So, packed up on Friday night I headed to NH. Arrived at about 7:45 and then stopped in at Moat Mountain for one beer and a little extra food. A quick chat with Bill and then off to bed. Watched the opening games of the Olympics for awhile then tried to sleep. Didn't sleep well at all, then up at 5.
We dropped my truck off at the base of Wildcat Mtn and headed to Shelburne. Registration and set-up was a breeze. Warm-up went well. First leg - 10K run. Tried to run steady but conservative, clocked at 45 and change and was in 2nd place. Second leg - 22.3 mile bike. The first 7 mile loop was rolling but not too bad. Up Route 2 then onto Rte 16. The last 7 miles was a very long gradual climb up to the base of Wildcat. My legs started to really feel it the last 4 miles and was ready to get off my bike. I slowed and was passed by 6 females leaving me in 8th place. (Note to self - need to work on my hill climbing on the bike.) Third leg - 3 mile run up Wildcat Mtn. Transition didn't feel too bad until we started to hit some of those grades that were 20%+. Steep enough at points that at fast hike/walk is all you could do. So, walk-run all the way up, passing 2 females on the way. Crossed the line in 2:59 and in 6th place. Good effort!
A BIG thank you to Bill for being my tri-sherpa ... from making my coffee at 5 am, shuffling my stuff from T1 to T2, for taking what seemed to be 100 photos during the race, and for being at the top with warm clothes! You're amazing!
Another race in the books and feels REALLY good to be back at it ...
We dropped my truck off at the base of Wildcat Mtn and headed to Shelburne. Registration and set-up was a breeze. Warm-up went well. First leg - 10K run. Tried to run steady but conservative, clocked at 45 and change and was in 2nd place. Second leg - 22.3 mile bike. The first 7 mile loop was rolling but not too bad. Up Route 2 then onto Rte 16. The last 7 miles was a very long gradual climb up to the base of Wildcat. My legs started to really feel it the last 4 miles and was ready to get off my bike. I slowed and was passed by 6 females leaving me in 8th place. (Note to self - need to work on my hill climbing on the bike.) Third leg - 3 mile run up Wildcat Mtn. Transition didn't feel too bad until we started to hit some of those grades that were 20%+. Steep enough at points that at fast hike/walk is all you could do. So, walk-run all the way up, passing 2 females on the way. Crossed the line in 2:59 and in 6th place. Good effort!
A BIG thank you to Bill for being my tri-sherpa ... from making my coffee at 5 am, shuffling my stuff from T1 to T2, for taking what seemed to be 100 photos during the race, and for being at the top with warm clothes! You're amazing!
Another race in the books and feels REALLY good to be back at it ...
Monday, August 4, 2008
there are two people in this world ...
yes, those who are positive and those who are negative. those who make things happen and those who just sit back and watch life go by.
a couple of recent events have really brought this to my attention lately. a good friend of mine recently complimented me by saying how much he admired me for what i had accomplished in my life through hard work. then, i had a conversation with another friend of mine who is really down and very negative. it was hard to take because she is scared of failure which is inhibiting her from stepping out of the dark cloud she is under to find something better. although i try to be very supportive, i realize that she has to possess that "something" inside her that allows her to make the conscious decision to step up and face the challenges.
i am so grateful that my parents raised me constantly telling me to be positive. to know that i could do anything i wanted if i worked hard and was motivated. they instilled a "can do" attitude that has helped me through many hard times. yes, i get scared sometimes but for some reason i always know that i will be okay. the outcome may not always be my choice, but if you don't take a chance you will never get anywhere. i've had many highs and lows through my life but always step up to the challenge. when life is hard you just work harder. as they say, you have to try and if you fail, just pick yourself up and try again. never give up.
thanks mom and dad ...
a couple of recent events have really brought this to my attention lately. a good friend of mine recently complimented me by saying how much he admired me for what i had accomplished in my life through hard work. then, i had a conversation with another friend of mine who is really down and very negative. it was hard to take because she is scared of failure which is inhibiting her from stepping out of the dark cloud she is under to find something better. although i try to be very supportive, i realize that she has to possess that "something" inside her that allows her to make the conscious decision to step up and face the challenges.
i am so grateful that my parents raised me constantly telling me to be positive. to know that i could do anything i wanted if i worked hard and was motivated. they instilled a "can do" attitude that has helped me through many hard times. yes, i get scared sometimes but for some reason i always know that i will be okay. the outcome may not always be my choice, but if you don't take a chance you will never get anywhere. i've had many highs and lows through my life but always step up to the challenge. when life is hard you just work harder. as they say, you have to try and if you fail, just pick yourself up and try again. never give up.
thanks mom and dad ...
Monday, July 21, 2008
monday again ...
beginning of a new week. feeling good all around. am tired and a bit sore from a weekend of racing and training, but it's a good feeling.
spent a good part of the weekend to myself and did quite a bit of thinking. feeling on track with my training and that is really good. really good for my mental state! finished up my race schedule for the rest of the season and looking forward to it.
did some more thinking about my new position at work and am excited to get started. there's a little bit of work to do to get everything in place but ready to hit the ground running.
also did some thinking about the issue i had with a relationship lately. being so ungrounded about the situation caused me to act in a way that is totally out of character for me. it has been a little tough because i know i ruined a really good thing but luckily this man is very gracious and our friendship is still in tact. i still look back and wonder what the hell i was thinking. anyway, i don't like to get caught up in the little stuff and feel that i have put it all in perspective and have let it go. what's done is done and time to move on. feeling very grounded now about it all, which is a good feeling. funny how much perspective you can gain once you actually remove yourself from the situation. too bad i couldn't have seen that while i was in it. still have a slight feeling of regret, but know that it will pass. i spent way too much energy on the situation anyway and it's time for that energy to be focused elsewhere.
ready to tackle another week ...
spent a good part of the weekend to myself and did quite a bit of thinking. feeling on track with my training and that is really good. really good for my mental state! finished up my race schedule for the rest of the season and looking forward to it.
did some more thinking about my new position at work and am excited to get started. there's a little bit of work to do to get everything in place but ready to hit the ground running.
also did some thinking about the issue i had with a relationship lately. being so ungrounded about the situation caused me to act in a way that is totally out of character for me. it has been a little tough because i know i ruined a really good thing but luckily this man is very gracious and our friendship is still in tact. i still look back and wonder what the hell i was thinking. anyway, i don't like to get caught up in the little stuff and feel that i have put it all in perspective and have let it go. what's done is done and time to move on. feeling very grounded now about it all, which is a good feeling. funny how much perspective you can gain once you actually remove yourself from the situation. too bad i couldn't have seen that while i was in it. still have a slight feeling of regret, but know that it will pass. i spent way too much energy on the situation anyway and it's time for that energy to be focused elsewhere.
ready to tackle another week ...
Saturday, July 19, 2008
tri race report
my day started a little after 5 am and went through the typical pre-race routine ... shower, coffee, packing, etc. my friend picked me up at 6am and we were off. arrived on time, picked up my bib, and set up my transition spot. shortly after found that wetsuits would not be allowed. this really didn't bother me too much as i don't mind swimming without one.
wasn't too nervous today, which was good. did a quick run warm-up, listened to the pre-race meeting, then headed to the lake for a swim warm-up. water was nice!!!! soon the race was off. right off the bat i took a few steps, dolphined, and hit a rock right on the left hip bone! duh! swim felt good. long run back to the transition. switched up and off on my bike. bike had several challenging hills, but also some nice downhills were i hit over 40 mph. nice rest before heading into T2. switched up again and then almost ran the wrong way out of the zone. not sure how i did that, blond moment i guess. felt good on the run, but think i could have pushed it more. finished 5th female and 1st in my age group. not bad for not being in peak racing shape and my first tri of the season. i'll take it.
thoughts ... still have some work to do but am really ready to do it. racing was fun!!!! that is a good feeling, one that i wasn't sure i'd have again ...
wasn't too nervous today, which was good. did a quick run warm-up, listened to the pre-race meeting, then headed to the lake for a swim warm-up. water was nice!!!! soon the race was off. right off the bat i took a few steps, dolphined, and hit a rock right on the left hip bone! duh! swim felt good. long run back to the transition. switched up and off on my bike. bike had several challenging hills, but also some nice downhills were i hit over 40 mph. nice rest before heading into T2. switched up again and then almost ran the wrong way out of the zone. not sure how i did that, blond moment i guess. felt good on the run, but think i could have pushed it more. finished 5th female and 1st in my age group. not bad for not being in peak racing shape and my first tri of the season. i'll take it.
thoughts ... still have some work to do but am really ready to do it. racing was fun!!!! that is a good feeling, one that i wasn't sure i'd have again ...
Thursday, July 17, 2008
perspective
well, things are going along status quo. work is good and training is good. more excited about racing than i have been in months. lost a few pounds too.
quick race run down ... the 5k last weekend went okay. result was what i would expect given my current training. i now have a benchmark of where i'm out and know what i need to do. ended up taking 4th place and it was tough. i tried not to be disappointed in my time, but it's hard to take running 21's when i ended the season running 19's. but again, a reflection of my training.
first tri of the season is sat. again keeping perspective on my where my training is and trying not to put too much pressure on myself. but at the same time trying keep that mental edge so i don't give up.
i've been pretty grounded lately on most aspects of my life except one. a little rocky on the "man" front. funny, cause i've always been grounded when it comes to men but lately have let myself get a little carried away over one. really need to put that in check to keep the drama out of my life. have no need for it or time for it. just not sure quite how to do that yet. or maybe i do and am just not doing it ...
here's to perspective ...
quick race run down ... the 5k last weekend went okay. result was what i would expect given my current training. i now have a benchmark of where i'm out and know what i need to do. ended up taking 4th place and it was tough. i tried not to be disappointed in my time, but it's hard to take running 21's when i ended the season running 19's. but again, a reflection of my training.
first tri of the season is sat. again keeping perspective on my where my training is and trying not to put too much pressure on myself. but at the same time trying keep that mental edge so i don't give up.
i've been pretty grounded lately on most aspects of my life except one. a little rocky on the "man" front. funny, cause i've always been grounded when it comes to men but lately have let myself get a little carried away over one. really need to put that in check to keep the drama out of my life. have no need for it or time for it. just not sure quite how to do that yet. or maybe i do and am just not doing it ...
here's to perspective ...
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