Why The Boyfriend is the BEST!

Because when we were going grocery shopping, he saw roses on sale and bought me these!
Exactly what I needed to gear me up for another crazy week. I'm insanely lucky, really.

Yesterday was another new weight set and a lot of campus to campus biking. It was also class, making study guides, meeting with teachers and directors, and or course, being a nanny to what turned into two very hyper cranky kids. So when I got home, I looked pretty beat:

But still dragged my butt out of bed at 6 this morning to the pool for swim class! It's weird doing real drills and intervals... Lots of fingertip dragging, 5 x 300's with the coach swimming one of them with me to speed me up (it was FAST). And a few 100's practicing going out super fast.

Ready to go start the day, still in a great mood thanks to my lovely flowers and great workout!

I'm in the paper!

From the Hunterdon County Democrat...
It's probably hard to read but they mention me as the first local female finisher. Yay!

Long Week, Done.

70.3 is coming up next week. In one week, to be exact. I think I'm ready for it... I think.

I know for a fact that I am ready for a taper week though. It's been a pretty brutal week, half because I was working like crazy and starting a new job in addition to putting in extra hours at the other one and getting new projects at the other one (3 jobs, 40+ hours a week and extra work at home, at least 10 hours worth). But the other half was trying to start my new swim class, run a 15 mile run in the middle of a hectic day, do my first ever cyclocross ride, and start a new weight routine. Plus all the normal training stuff. Oh, and riding the Belly of the Beast course today and following it with a run.

So... I've learned a lot about what I'm made of this week, because I handled it and handled it without complaining TOO much.

I think my favorite part- and most indicative of my mental state- was on Wednesday at Cross Practice with the team. Blake- the one who got me into this stuff- was there and seeing him was great, but when I saw the guys riding the course FAST and clearly in no mood to be teaching me the very basics, I got a bit nervous. I decided then and there that I was just going to watch and get the feel for it.

I watched for four laps, and they stopped to take a break. Blake rolled over to me and asked what the hell I was doing. I said sitting out because I didn't want to get hurt and had to work in an hour. He looked at me, and said:

"So what was it exactly written on your suit last weekend? Was it 'I'm going to sit this out.'?"

"No."

"What was it?"

I sort of muttered and sputtered, "killer."

So, the next lap, I went. Far behind the guys, but I went and fumbled through a lap on my own. Then another, and another.

Was I great at it? No. Was I better than I expected? Heck yeah. And I felt good about it. I'm actually pretty stoked about the season now, honestly.


As far as the rest of the week goes:
1. Started swim class, and though I missed Thursday's session (needed to fit in my 15 miler that morning instead), I'm feeling really excited about it. Bummed that Keith won't work on my stroke until after I race, since he doesn't want to throw me off.

2. Ran 15 miles, very comfortably. This was in part due to listening to Greg Rucka on audiobook- awesome action/adventure and something to keep my mid totally off running.

3. A new weight set- an actual plan this time instead of the haphazard way I've been doing weights lately. This one is a routine I figured out from reading a million different articles and figuring out what weight stuff would tackle all various parts of my body. And man, does it hurt!

4. Today, I rode the BOB course again, all HILLY 56 miles of it followed by a 30 minute run with my new fuel belt. It was a great ride, down from 3:30 last time to 3:11 easily, so I'm feeling good about that. Even better, my legs were moving great even at the end of the run, feeling completely comfortable. It was a beautiful day, and the only qualm I had about it was that my diaphragm didn't want to work during the run so I was half-hiccuping and trying to take deep breaths and failing. So that part sucked. I blame drinking Mountain Dew right before the ride...

After the ride as I was transitioning to the run, a really nice guy pulled in and started getting his Cervelo together and we chatted about the course, which he was heading out to ride. It was just nice to talk to someone about the course and feel helpful, telling him to watch out for Lilac, which has the WORST potholes known to man... And we all know how I feel about potholes.

So that's the week in review. God willing, this week will go smoother and be a bit more relaxed. It should be, now that work(s) is(are) figured out and it's a taper week anyway.

Now, off to grocery shop after eating my body weight in Boca burgers, salads and cookies at a family birthday party. Which reminds me, Happy Birthday Dad!!

Skylands Race Report (No, Really!)

Just to prove I really mean it, here's the proof of my picture from US Candids:
(Easily my most attractive finisher picture to date.)

Anyway... race report, right. It's been a crazy week, but more on that in another post that will quickly follow this one. I'm having "study hall" tonight to catch up. And I promise I'll be better about posting now!

OK, seriously, race report.

This race was amazing for two major reasons:
1. 9 AM start time
2. 5 minute drive from home

So I rolled out of bed at 6:30, ate half a bagel, and got ready to race. We got to Spruce Run around 7:15 with tons of time to set up in transition. There were only 4 stalls in the bathroom, so as usual, I was in line for most of the time.

I got to warm up for a minute on the bike, and got to see my favorite local blogger/fellow racer, Maija, who was doing the relay event. Awesome.

The race was running behind schedule and the buoys for the swim were a little out of whack, but the weather was incredible. Nice, warm but not hot, sunny, and even though the water was chilly, with a wetsuit it felt great. So wetsuit on and splashing around.

Then mom and Colleen showed up wearing shirts that they made to match my suit- grim reaper and KILLA down the side.

When the race started, they didn't waste any time and before I knew it, I was heading to the water. I'm not usually great at swim starts, especially when they involve running into the water, but I decided that the name of the game for this race was "the best pace is a suicide pace and today looks like a good day to die."

So I shouldered my way to the far right, in direct line with the buoy and prayed that I could get out fast enough to veer left and avoid it. We started and I had quite possibly the best swim start I've ever had, pounded into the water and got way out in front. Managed to stay with one girl through the whole swim, and I knew I was doing pretty well. When we made it out of the water after passing a bunch of men, Dad yelled that I was the fifth woman out of the water.

Now, onto the long run to the bike. Didn't seem so bad this year compared to last year. Got up and onto the bike with minimal difficulty. The bike went smoothly- not as fast as I would have preferred, but overall it went pretty well and I managed to hold my position. The hill was ripping people apart, but I've practiced it so it was no big deal. Plus, the woman who was there last year was at her driveway again, boom box in hand, playing Eye of the Tiger right at the steepest part. Just what we all needed for that extra boost! I wish I had gone out a bit harder, I think I had it in me, but it is what it is. I think it went well, and I was the first female off the bike without a tri bike. Guys were so nice to me on the course- I was wearing the suit with "Killa" on the butt, so as I passed, so many people yelled "go get 'em killer!" and would tell me how many women in front of me.

Lastly, heading back into transition for the run... I went to rack my bike and Maija was in the same row as me, waiting for her cyclist to get back so she could run. The guy next to me had racked his bike in my spot (jerk!) and Maija was trying to shift it for me, but I got frustrated and just dumped mine on the rack right on his stuff. Hmph. Then, pulled on shoes and headed out, trying to tell myself to stay strong. I knew there was a woman with a minute or two on me and I wanted to catch her.

First mile, felt great. Hit the turnaround strong, hadn't been passed by anyone and was making some serious progress and saw the woman in my sights. Then, we finally hit the home stretch- it goes up a parking lot (a long one) then back down to the finish. I knew it was now or never, so I passed her and as I did, she smiled and told me to Go Hard. I love it!

Dad saw me and her behind me and yelled to watch my back, so that pushed me to sprint it all the way in for a great finish.

Alas, no vomiting- which means I clearly didn't go hard enough. But bonus: no real cramping!

Conclusion: Best race to date, and next year, numbers one through three better watch out, I'm going to give them a run for their money (not much of one, as I'll be recovering from Ironman. But you get the point.)

I have to give a huge shoutout to the North Hunterdon Rotary Club- they let me race for half cost, and that allowed me to add another race to my season. So I really appreciate it. When I told them I could promise that if I raced, as a local girl, I would be at least first in my age group, and I was glad I could deliver. So thank you so much for the great opportunity!

And of course, thanks to my Dad, once again. He deserved my trophy more than me, and the first thing I did was give him my trophy when I got it. And Mom and Colleen are the best for making the sweet shirts and watching and cheering!

Happiness, Attempted. (No, Really.)

I swear, a race report is in the works, but this has been an insane week lately, so this is just a regular boring old post...

So I was reading Marit's awesome blog post about staying happy, and I have to say, it's a subject near and dear to my heart lately. When I'm feeling overwhelmed and busy and just totally drained, I've been really focusing inward ot find as much inner happiness and energy that I can muster. It's tough, but thankfully, Robbie is super supportive (and being great about doling out backrubs and keeping the house clean) and I got a Bluetooth for my phone so I can talk to mom and dad while I drive home from babysitting at night. The calmer and happier I can stay, the better life will be, being upset and frustrated and self-pitying won't make me feel better at all- it'll just keep me feeling miserable. "Stay posi" is the plan for the semester.

I've really been trying to stay super positive despite a super hectic schedule. When things get tough, I just keep thinking about this line from a Mountain Goats song: "I am gonna make it through this year, even if it kills me."

And after my first tutoring session tonight, I think I'm going to need it. Suffice to say: this is going to be a huge challenge. I think I can handle it though. Like I said, I'm trying to stay super positive about it. Ditto on babysitting. And all the new projects I just got handed to me at CWA. Et cetera.


On the MAJOR upside, tonight I started CYCLOCROSS practice! I did about half of what the guys were doing, in terms of laps, and didn't take them super fast at all. I started out super conservatively because I had a)never used SPD pedals, b)never raced cross or mountain and c)had just gotten on the bike for the first time to ride to practice. So it was slow. But by the third lap (~6 min per lap for most racers) I was speeding up and taking the crazy hills pretty quick. I need to tighten the pedals though- yeah, I could get out of them easily, but whenever I was pulling to get up a hill, they clipped off! Dammit! Plus, super huge bonus, I got to see Blake, my favorite triathlete/cyclist on the planet. In all, I'm definitely getting excited about the season, though I think I need to do more solo practice- in all my spare time!

Plus, afterwards I got to enjoy my tofu and mozzarella sandwich on wheat bread made with my crazy cool sandwhich maker- it heats and closes the edges together so it's basically a hot pocket. Fantastic and perfect to eat on the go. For cryin' out loud, I never get to eat at home anymore.

It was pretty great, but I can't believe how chilly it's getting out! I hope it doesn't cool off more- it's hard to imagine racing a half Ironman at the end of the month. It's sort of weird, I'm already starting to feel like it's the Fall, but my race season hasn't stopped.

Off to make some lesson plans, pretending to be a REAL teacher. I'm basically tutoring/teaching 25 kids, which should look pretty sweet on a resume.

Sigh. And working on a research project on green technology.

It never ends.

But still, being happy no matter what.

Making Improvements

I just heard those words I needed/wanted to hear: "we have a lot we can work on."

Normally, I'm not one for taking criticism. But in this case, I'm stoked. Why? Today was the first day of my Master Swim/Class. We did a 1000 yard time trial so the coach could get an idea of where we were. I took it pretty easy, not killing myself, and finished in 16:20. But then, he and I started talking about how my stroke can be seriously improved and how it'll really improve my swim time. Stuff like body rotation, smooth kicking, and keeping my elbows higher. This is awesome, because I know I was at the limit of what improvements I could make in the pool flying solo. Now, I know there's stuff I can learn and work on and get better at with this help. And that feels awesome! It's a good feeling when I realize that I have tons that I can improve on still.

Of course, I'll never be making the progress that I saw in the past year, but there's obviously room for improvement, not to mention room to get better at endurance stuff.

So yeah. This class is going to be perfect for me, especially right now- with tri season ending I have plenty of time to work on changing my stroke without screwing my swim up. I wasn't sure I would be good at taking criticism, but I think I've finally matured enough to know when I need the help. Besides, anything to improve my racing!



Skylands Race Report Coming Soon!!

Skylands Tri and Why It Made My Life Better.

Dad and I right after I crossed the finish.


Honestly, I had half a post done about how bummed I was feeling, how exhausted, how overworked, how crazy busy and jam-packed and un-fun my life was. Then, it got deleted. Now, I'm feeling pretty glad that my whining didn't make it into yet another of my posts.

Instead, I feel re-energized and ready to take on the week, even if the week is even crazier than the ones preceding it. I start tutoring football players in their Labor Studies class- 8 hours a week plus making syllabi, et cetera, but for $1800 for a semester, I'll deal. That means I'll be able to get a tri bike! Yes!!! Plus, my sister and I have a sweet shopping trip (clothes and tri stuff) planned for NYC next weekend. Double Yes!!!

But the reason I'm in a much better mood is due to today's race, the Skylands Sprint Tri.

I should be annoyed for one major reason, but I'm not. I placed 4th female overall, 1st in my age group. In addition, I was 44th overall, and 5th female out of the water. So I'm pretty stoked. I missed third by only a couple minutes, but I did move up a place in the last tenth of a mile, putting down a really awesome hard and fast sprint. So feeling pretty great.

But above and beyond that, it was a FUN race. I had an amazing swim, a super fun bike, and a run that for once had no stomach or leg "issues." Plus, the weather turned out perfect- in the seventies, with COLD water but wetsuits, so I was in seventh heaven.

Me after getting my trophy and the first CASH that I've ever won!

I'll get the actual race report done in the next day once my splits are posted online, but for now, suffice to say that I am feeling much better about life in general and about triathlon in specific. I'd been low on motivation lately and this was the boost that I needed.

I have some amazing pictures from the end of the race, so here are a few:
Front view:
Mom and Colleen made excellent tshirts that matched my Splish suit- they had the grim reaper and next to it, it said "Killa."

Also, the back:
Excellent.

Child Psych Coming in Handy

I am WIPED OUT. Maybe it was the long run Saturday or the legit ride and run on Sunday. Or maybe it was the 8 hour day of babysitting some VERY rowdy kids. Either way, I'm beat and the week has just begun.

On the bright side, I have found my Education Psychology class to be very helpful. Sure, it's obvious information about teaching that's basically common sense in big words, but this one section caught my eye:

Self efficacy is a person's belief that he or she can accomplish a task. "The stronger the perceived self efficacy, the higher the goal challenges set for themselves and the firmer their commitment to it." (Bandura)

I think that all of us triathletes can relate to this, whether we are going for a PR on a sprint or doing a first race, or training for our first (or tenth) Ironman! Either way, we are goal oriented people, arguably full of self efficacy. I think it's a pretty cool concept and I read about it just when I was starting to feel a little burned out. It's helped me really refocus.

Of course, this bulletin board I was looking at while I was reading the text might have helped a bit:


Also, meet the newest member of my family:
My borrowed cyclocross bike... I just ordered the new off road shoes so as soon as I get them, it's time to start learning how to kick ass on the cross field.

And onto the training updates:

This cartoon cracked me up, especially after my "wilderness day" on Sunday. While Saturday was a 16 mile hill ride, on Sunday I ended up getting hit in the face by cicadas and then literally RAN over a snake. I was midstride, realized I was on top of a big black snake slithering along. I've never had a faster sprint work out, and I've never hit a higher soprano note. Yeah, I'm a big baby. Whatever.

Anyway, Saturday's 16 mile run took about 2:10 and felt awesome. TONS of hills and a great time, especially with Dad meeting me along the way with my water bottles so I didn't have to carry them with me. Thank God. I was super psyched given that my 14 mile FLAT run was over 2:10 last time because of stomach problems. This was the longest run I did since the marathon and it was amazingly easy. I felt like I could have kept going and going!

Today was pretty laid back- got up and did an in house weight set because the gyms were all closed for Labor Day, then rode the trainer for an hour when I got home from babysitting. Of course, babysitting is practically entirely cardio, yeesh...



And last but not least, I give you a major highlight of last week. That's right, it's "Fat Weasel Ale" and a bikini body beer opener. Fantastic.

The Biggest Shoutout Ever

While I was on my 16 mile hill run today, it occurred to me- as it frequently does- that I wouldn't be the person or the athlete I am today without my Dad.

And this occurred to me because, in the course of 16 miles, he served as my 4 water stops: he couldn't ride with me because he was too tired, so instead, he drove to strategic points along my course with Gu2O and cold water for me. He also had my outdoor ice bath already filled when I got home.

He has:
1. never missed a single race, getting up at 3 am in order to drive
2. volunteered at races so I could race since I registered late
3. spent thousands of dollars on gear (including "his bike" that I race with), and gas and lodging for all of the far away races
4. spent countless hours on the phone with me discussing training plans
5. encouraged me to take longer getting my Master's so I could race as much as possible
6. urged me to sign up for IM KY even though he'll be driving me there and back
7. is already making Kona plans for next year
8. reads up on everything triathlon and bike related so he can offer advice
9. serves as a bike mechanic and helper and team dad for the entire Rutgers team
10. coaches and helps me train in every way possible, whether it's biking with me, meeting me with water, biking while I run so I have a moving water station, sneaking into the reservoir after hours to swim with me, or paddling on a surfboard while I swim.
11. is my coach, my mentor, my inspiration, and my best friend

So, to say thank you to him, I bring you my Dad and I over the years in picture form:
This is my dad, circa 1987, participating in the Milford Biathlon. I was just recently born, and this was one of his last races.

Here I am, on Uncle Steve's back, watching the action and loving it!
Then here I am, the same year, heading out on my first ride! How awesome do I look? Apparently, it was one of the easiest ways to put me to sleep.

As anyone can see, I was clearly a total Daddy's Girl: I'm wearing his hunting gear and waiting to be old enough to go to West Va for "huntin' camp" in November. That's right, this vegetarian hunted until she was 15!

My second birthday and what do I get? A cycling outfit, complete with bike shorts and jersey with yellow stripes. I sorta wish I still had it...

I had training wheels for all of two minutes before I demanded they were taken off! This is me when I'm 5 showing my sister how to ride a bike (before her training wheels went on and stayed on for 3 years!)

OK, so we didn't exactly go out for a century ride or anything, but how cute is this?

And now...

Last year at a 5k- my second race ever, and the first time in my life I had ever gotten a trophy. I was so pysched! Dad raced it too, and while he was pissed at his time, we were all proud of him!

And this is last year at the race I'm doing again next weekend... the race that started it all. Skylands Triathlon was the race that Dad did back in his day, so me and that course have a lot of history. This year, I have every intention of bringing home a trophy for him. Dad has given up a lot for me and really been the driving force behind my crazy desire to be a triathlete.

So yeah. Thanks Dad!


(And for all you moms out there, don't worry, a post about how much my mom rules is forthcoming. Without her support, I'd be totally screwed!)

It's Only Wednesday? Seriously?

Maybe it's the fact that instead of working for the union on Friday, I switched to Wednesday because of my class schedule. Maybe it's because it's the first week of school. Maybe it's because of the Lightning Bolt show on Monday, or driving to Bridgewater after babysitting last night to get my new cross bike. Maybe it's the wacky cooler weather all of a sudden. Maybe it's impending nerves about racing in the next 4 weeks or next 52 weeks. Whatever the reason, I am already feeling like I've been going nonstop for days now.

And you know what? It doesn't feel too bad.

I've been on the go to such an extent that I- for the first time in my life- have been drinking smoothies for dinner because I have no time to stop to eat. I actually went out a couple weeks ago and bought a single serving blender, and it is my new best friend. Low fat yogurt, a tiny banana, protein powder, skim milk and blackberry pulp (only $1.99 for a frozen bag of it at the Farmer's Market in New Brunswick) and I've got a meal! I'm still adjusting to the texture, but when you babysit two rambunctious munchkins for hours and finally leave after 8, you're hungry enough to eat dirt!

Seriously, these kids are nuts- I actually ended up going to Philly Monday night sporting a mohawk because El wouldn't dunk her head in the bath unless I did first and made my hair into funny shapes. Oi.

Nonetheless, at least it's giving me a good amount of cardio and weight training- I dare you to do a plank for a minute with 2 small children on your back! I really like the kids, and I love Stephanie, so really, it's ideal- especially since I'm still doing reserach for her anyway, so we can talk about it once the kids are asleep.

Training is starting to come together as I push to get back to routine. Rutgers will now have something early Tuesday and Thursday that resembles a Master Swim, so I'm stoked about that. Finally, people to swim with! This week is sort of hectic though, since Colleen wants to hang out, we had a show to go to, practices haven't started yet so my schedule is more open ended, and I need to do all those first week things like printing stuff and getting books and figuring out health insurance. I'm also supposed to be potentially starting to tutor student athletes and I'm waiting on details of that. Once I know what the deal is with it, I may quit the computer lab job that I have and just do that. I have plans to infiltrate the Hale Center where I'd be tutoring, since it's home to all of the perks student athletes recieve- sports med guys, nutritionist, masseuses, and TONS of recovery stuff for water running, etc. Not to mention some top notch weight stuff. Tutoring session in the sauna please?

Training-wise, luckily the weather has been cooperative, so I've been able to take super fun runs out and about. Yesterday I got to do a pretty legit 45 minute swim with a lot of sprints thrown in, then mooched breakfast off of Colleen and her never-ending meal plan before biking back home for a run.

It's sort of weird trying to fit training in and suddenly going from seeing Robbie for hours every day to saying goodbye in the morning and not seeing him until 9 or 10 at night. Bummer! And while I love his brother, the whole "never seeing Robbie" thing is sort of harder because when I do see him, Ad is always around. Hopefully he makes friends soon and stays out later. I've voiced my concerns to Robbie, but since it's his brother, I don't think he really gets it. He agrees that Ad will find more friends sometime soon, and even if he doesn't, I have a few tricks up my sleeve for getting Robbie's attention as to why we need more alone time! (Insert evil laugh here.)

I keep reading everyone IMKY race reports and I really must have Ironman Fever BAD because I cannot wait for this year to be over with! (Everyone has been saying it'll go by fast, but can I just get on with it?)

On the schedule for tonight: hour on the trainer, hour of trekking to Colleen's dorm, home, then back again to take her home at night. And Iron Yoga if I have time. Tomorrow and Friday I have shifts at the computer lab, and I'm just not sure how to go about quitting... I'm going to do the shifts that I signed up for, at least, but it's going to be awkward, quitting so soon after being trained. But then again, for minimum wage, can they really blame me?