Race

So, the race did not go amazingly. When I was flying there I didn't feel great on the plane and I just assumed it was motion sickness. After I got there when I was riding with Kory I told him his driving was making me sick...I probably should have caught on at this point. We went to my hotel and it was a nice hotel. It was located right on the Oceanside Pier. My room had a nice bed and a very nice bathroom which consisted of a stand alone shower and a jacuzzi tub.

On Friday my head hurt so bad I took my meds for headaches and it didn't work. I went to bed really early, which is what I usually do, but this time because I felt so bad. I woke up with a headache and a queasy stomach. Then I had to ride my bike a mile to the race start, while Kory walked the mile.

Onto the swim. The water was cold but my wetsuit worked very well. People were jealous that I had the booties, because everyone thought they were banned...but I was the smart one that actually emailed USAT. The hat thing worked awesome too. I have been practicing "sighting" the buoys while swimming and so I didn't swim off track that much. This time I was swimming with other people in my group, unlike last time most had left me. I was passed by some guys that were swimming really fast. When I got out I thought I had swam a lot faster but it was only about 2 minutes faster than my last one (which wasn't in an ocean). Then I had a long long run to where my bike setup was.
When I got to my bike I tried to get on my arm sleeves but when you are wet that is impossible. So, then I gave up took off the one I got on and decided to just wear my jacket and capri running pants.

Now out on the bike...the first 20 miles I was flying along. Then came the "MONSTER" I guess it is what they call this gigantic first hill. It was huge, people looked like ants from a distance because it was so long and so steep. I felt like I was riding vail pass. Then there were 4 more hills that were not as long but just as steep. It was quite difficult, considering I have never ridden a hill that steep and 5 of them on top of it. There was also a headwind, not like the 30mph colorado headwinds, but a decent one. My headache continued and I couldn't eat much on the bike (suppose to have 500 calories an hour). After the huge hill my bike decided it wasn't happy and wouldn't let me shift to my big ring so on the flats I couldn't go as fast.

Then to the run. I changed out of those clothes into lighter clothes because it was pretty hot. My leg was fine until I had to run on dirt or turn corners. Then pain would shoot down my leg and I would walk for a second than start jogging again. Here my heart rate was still ridiculously high and no matter what it wouldn't go down. It was a two loop run, mainly on cement along the beach. Pretty run...as far as runs go. It was kind of defeating when you are on your first lap and you see signs of what mile you would be on if it was your second lap (so I was on mile 2 but second lap would be mile 8 or something). I must have been limping some because my opposite bad leg quad was nearly ready to cramp. I thought about eating a banana but my stomach wouldn't have been happy. I finished the run mainly because I wanted my race t-shirt and you had to finish to get the shirt..lol

Lessons learned here would be that if you haven't run outside at all in 6 weeks and then run a race of 13 miles, don't expect the run to be great..and expect to have some sore leg muscles like I still have (2 days later). Practice biking on hills and when you read that there is a hill that climbs 800 feet or so, just because it is at sea level doesn't make it any easier :)

2 days...

After further thought, two days is a bit deceiving. It is really 3 days to race day. The race is Saturday and today is Weds. Today I got up and it was only about 45 degrees but no wind. Today was suppose to be hot (and was about 70) but windy. So, I decided to get in my bike workout before the wind picked up. I rode for about 75 minutes. While out riding I noticed that my stupid bike computer still was not getting the correct speed even though yesterday I got new batteries for it, thinking it was that. So, after I got home I had some good eggs and rice then headed out to the bike store..again. This time I went back to where I got the bike and told them it wasn't working. They called the company that made it and they had said to change the sensor...this time the whole thing didn't work at all. Long story short they gave me a whole new system for free...since it was still under warranty. It hadn't worked for awhile..even before it fell off my bike (which I didn't mention). Then I went to runners roost and I had struck a deal to borrow a wetsuit for just $15 for the whole week. This one fits a little better in the legs, but it is still going to be interesting to swim with in the ocean.
After all of this I went to the gym did 30 min of elliptical and a 1500 yd swim. Now I have lessons and then a massage..then I have to pack since I leave tomorrow.
Wish me luck :)

3 days....

Today I had lessons and practice but no workouts. I have one more day of workouts and then off to Cali. I tried on the full wetsuit...it seems tight on my legs, not sure how much better a bigger one would fit so I guess I will go with it...?

That's it for today!

4 days....

Today I had lessons early in the day. Then I decided to take spin class for my bike workout. After spinning I went and had a yummy pomegrante paradise smoothie from Jamba. Then went and swam at another gym for 2000 yds. Nothing else really exciting going on for the day. I'm trying to figure out hotel stuff for CA since Kory wants me to stay in San Diego because it is closer on Thurs and then Saturday. Staying in Oceanside on Friday night. But it appears the hotel is really expensive Thurs night and cheap on Saturday night so it's not looking good for that. Also, trying to figure out practice for the week since the schools are closed up here and so we don't have a gym.

5 days....

Easter Sunday began early with me setting my alarm for pm and not am. I was lucky to wake myself right before we had to leave for church. We went to church then ate pancakes, eggs, a muffin and fruit...then went to brunch. At brunch they had breakfast and lunch. I like the omlete man and he wasn't there so, it was not as exciting as I hoped, but good none the less. Then I came home and slept for two hours after we showed Kory how to take and put together my bike, since he will be the one who has to do this in CA. When I woke up it was nice out so I sat outside while Pedro washed both cars and his motorcycle. Then we ate dinner, nothing exciting my usual boca burger was good.
That's about it...two more days of workouts to go (1 run, 2 bikes and 2 swims).

6 Days...

Today I had to do 60 min of elliptical. However, I got to the gym late and so I only had time for 40 minutes before my lesson. I did the 40 minutes, finished my lesson and headed up to the Pecks house to meet the new members of their family...baby chicks. No, they didn't buy chicks because it was Easter. They are going to have about 30 chickens or so for their eggs...and possibly other farm animals. I have never seen a chick but I was told I had to get up there this weekend because they were growing so fast. They were definitely cute, black and redish colored. They also gave me my belated bday present of a pair of Nike ID shoes. They are very nice shoes. Then I drove back down and went back to the gym for the final 20 minutes of cardio (though it doesn't work the same as doing all 60 minutes at one time) and a 3000 yd swim. I also tried out my new goggles today and I liked them a lot. They seemed to have left less of an imprint on my face. By the time I got done swimming I was starving, since I usually eat about 4 times before 600 and I had only eaten yogurt with granola, coffee, pomegrante juice, a protein odwalla smoothie, and another pomegrante limeaid. Needless to say I needed food. So, we had Chipotle for dinner...it was sooo good :)
Now I need to figure out what I can wear for church and brunch tomorrow, since it will be cold it does limit the choices some.

7 days and counting...

One week to race day. A little nervous since I haven't run in nearly 6 weeks really and I have only biked outside about 10 times (maybe?)...On top of that the cold water should be a lot of fun. I now have a neoprene swim cap for the swim to keep my head warm and booties to keep my feet warm. Then I bought smoke goggles today for the swim in case it is sunny (though it might be foggy). I can use the goggles again when I start swimming outside so that was fine.
Today for workouts I did short elliptical and then a short swim. Nothing too exciting. I have a total of three more workouts before my race.