What a Weekend

Another Olympic Distance race under my belt. How was it? Well, I had a ton of fun, there were some ups and downs, I did not reach my goal of sub 3 hours but I'm okay with that and I survived all of the crazy crap that came with our adventurous weekend. I'll try to keep this short because there is a lot to tell.

Friday afternoon we were ready to roll out to our destination. Only problem was the road to our destination was closed due to an accident. So we took our time getting ready and left 2 hours later. Ces't La Vie!

Got our parking lot.. I mean camp spot all set up.

Task 1 for the weekend is done! Decided to go to bed a little early to catch up on some much needed sleep for my race on Sunday. Only problem...

someone forgot the pillows. UGH!!!!!! I was not happy even though the blame doesn't go 100% onto hubby because I know I'm equally responsible for that one.

Next day woke up super cranky thanks to no pillow. Had to run a few errands (including shopping for pillows that stay in the trailer). Then headed over to the race site for package pickup and bike drop. The Subaru Western Triathlon Series are a great bunch of events. They had a ton of stuff going on. The place was packed. Todays tasks included grabbing my race pack, dropping off my bike, have kids run the kids fun race, do a short run and a quick swim.

Both of my girls ran the race. Big sis did awesome even though I don't have a photo because I was busy running with little sis who bonked after the first lap.

We spared her by not taking a photo of the aftermath. Let me just tell you there were a lot of tears and then after she recovered she wanted to run again despite the race being finished. Don't worry though she did get a prize anyways.

Had some lunch back at the trailer.

The husband and I had a super awesome rice bowl that I concocted.

The kids had the same thing but of course their food can't be layered in a bowl.

Met up with my coach briefly, got my run and swim in and then we headed out for some food to celebrate Fathers Day a day early since I would be busy racing.

I then put my racing stuff together and double checked that I had everything I needed.

The hoodie underneath everything came in my race pack. It is super cute.

We then took some time to relax by the campfire and roast some marshmallows. We met a lovely family from up Island at Comox who the husband was also racing. Turns out there were a few of us camped here (my coach included).

Off to bed.

Race morning I was up at 5:30 to be at the site for 6:30. As I was getting ready I had a very sad and very sick little girl.

Turns out she had the flu. After a few bouts of the barfs I got her to go back to bed and wished my husband a happy fathers day. He later got barfed on. Sigh, I did offer to stay home from the race but he said he would be fine. I now realize his day was less then desirable. I'll have to make that up to him.

My coach and I got dropped off by his lovely wife which worked out very well because there was no parking anywhere. The line for the porta potties was 15 minutes long. I eventually got my transition set up.

Then off to the lake to start this race.

Unfortunately due to a husband who had to deal with a super sick kid and a naughty great dane we have no race photos except this one of me yelling to see how little sis is doing. She was definitely on my mind the entire race. So was the fact that I was considering not running the race due to my knee being very painful. 

I totally look like I'm going so slow here. Apparently my average speed was 29km/hour though.

My spectators getting bored.

My other spectators getting a little pep into her after barfing on her dad.

So once I crossed the finish line I had some great friends come and congratulate me. There was someone missing though...

My coach. So I started asking around. Normally he finishes about 30minutes ahead of me and waits at the finish line for me. Turns out he was in the medical tent : (

He stubbed his toe on the run and hit the ground hard. He tore up his hands, his knee, his shoulder was all scratched up and he even popped a rib out. Craziest part is he still won his age group! 

So all in all I had a great race. Yes it totally sucked that I missed my goal time by 1 minute and 31 seconds but looking at all my times I'm really proud at what I did. 

Swim: 26:51 (fastest in my age group)

Bike: 1:34 (45km)

Run: 55:59 (a little slow but considering I wasn't going to run, not too bad)

My transitions weren't as fast as I would have liked so I need to practice a few more of those but overall I thought I did pretty good. 

So we are less then 6 weeks to my Calgary Ironman 70.3 

I'm feeling a little more confident that I can do it but I have a bit more work to do on the bike and run... after I recover.

 This is all worth it right?

Klutz is my middle name

It's been a busy week in my house. We are gearing down with the last 2 weeks of school. Between beach days with the school, volunteer time at the school, appreciation teas at the school... you get the picture. Well, trying to fit in some training this week has been tough. I've got patients I need to treat, and I need treatments for myself too. I did manage  a pool swim with Masters Monday night, Tuesday I squeezed in a very quick run between volunteering at my littlest ones school, running home for a quick lunch and then off to my other little ones school for another round of volunteering. Which by the way I was not prepared for. Nothing like using my muscles to stir thick concrete, wearing "nice" clothes to stir said concrete and get splashed in the face including my eye. Don't worry though I am getting over it ; )

Today after I pick the kids up we are off to the lake so I can practice some transitions to prep me for this upcoming triathlon in Victoria.

I am feeling not too bad. A little nervous since my knee still isn't right. I did have a decent run yesterday but there is definitely things going on in the pesky knee. Today I saw my super awesome sports med. He fixed me up last year with my other knee surgery. Anyways, options aren't ideal right now because it's only six weeks till my first 70.3

So he said if I can push through the pain to get me across the finish line then that's what I need to do. I won't do any more damage (isn't that reassuring) but we just don't have enough time to fix it up within 6 weeks time. I would lose too much training. Bottom line is that I will probably be going in under the knife this fall. I'm okay with this because I have been there 2x's before. I have a tendency to wreck myself...

~Another example of my klutziness~

Saturday I was out for a 60km ride when I caught my finger in the shifter. Yup, only I am capable of bleeding on the bike without actually falling off. 

So bottom line is if you are a klutz, get used to it because it never goes away.

Anyways, back to racing. I'm starting to feel very nervous about this weekends race. More so that I don't want anything to hurt. I have a specific time goal in mind but I don't know if I can achieve it with this knee issue. I hate excuses but sometimes we do have to be realistic with ourselves and realize that pain is not good and if it hurts that bad it is okay to stop. I'm still working on this. I just have to remember I tried my best. So here is to a fun racing weekend with as little pain as possible!

Rough week

Happy Friday everyone. I've been meaning to post all week but I've got to tell you, I've had a rough week. I've been a single parent while the husband is away (in Santa Monica...sooooo jealous). I've had the flu, I'm having troubles fitting in workouts while husband is away and I had the post race blues...

As many of you know I've been battling a slight injury and wasn't sure if I was going to be able to run the Victoria Goddess Run last Sunday.

Well after being away last week in Calgary Alberta, I flew into Victoria Saturday afternoon to my lovely husband waiting for me with a beautiful bouquet of pink peonies (my absolute fav!!!). 

From the airport I had to go pick up my race package regardless of me running or not. I got to the expo grabbed my package and decided despite not being ready to race I was going to do the half anyways. Don't worry my coach was okay with it as long as I promised to stop running if there was pain. Now a lot of people give me grief for racing when I'm not optimal but here's the thing. Not all races are going to go well. My theory was that when I race my Calgary Ironman in July I might be hot, I might be very tired, things could go wrong in my estimated 6 hour time and I need to be able to still finish. So last Sunday, despite not having run more than 8 km in 4 weeks I decided to just do it.

~pre-race photo with my lovely Goddess Girl Friends~

I have to say this was a super fun race! I had lots of friends running the half, the 10km and the 5km and I love seeing my fellow girls out pounding the pavement. 

So how did the race go?

~At the start~

My start was great! I felt really good and had a great pace. I thought I might even break 2 hours. Only problem is I might have gone out a little too fast. I lost steam around 8km (maybe because that's the longest I had run in 4 weeks). Then my injured knee got sore so I had to back off. I even walked for a few minutes. I was still happy around 15km but then I started feeling nauseous. I was scared to take in another gel. I had to stop at all of the water stations to sip some Gatorade. It started getting ugly. Yet I was still on track for getting a sub 2 hour. At around the 18km mark I was falling apart. My knee was getting more sore, I was fighting my body to not throw up and my legs were seizing up. I was not happy. That's when I decided There was not going to be a sub 2 hour today. I sucked up my pride and slowed right down. I stopped at the last water station and took my time. I had a couple of friends on course cheering me on and I put on a big smile but inside I was miserable. I honestly was not confident that I was going to be able to run to the finish. But, I did, and I got this cute necklace.

I filled up with oranges and water at the finish and regrouped with my lovely half Goddess's.

~We had lovely weather~

So all and all, I am happy I did it! I know I can keep going when the going is tough.

Now I am preparing for my next race. The Subaru Victoria Olympic Triathlon.

This is not a priority race for me so I will be treating it more as a training session but it will be good. I'm really looking forward to it. 

Before I sign off today I just want to send a little shout out to all of those single parents out there. My 1 week has nothing on what you guys do day in and day out. Parenting is tough enough as it is.

Also, for those in the San Fran area See Jane Run has a super fab race this weekend. If you live in the area it's worth checking out.  They do still need volunteers and there will be chocolate!

Chumbawamba had it right

Well I hate to say it but I'm still dealing with my little injury. My coach was very firm in telling me I will not be racing the Victoria Goddess Half this upcoming weekend. I'm pretty bummed out about it. I was really looking forward to running it with a great friend of mine (who happens to be a super hard core runner). I've been trying to figure out ways for me to still do it. Maybe run the 10km instead or even the 5km??? I have an Olympic distance triathlon in less then 3 weeks so my guess is my coach wants me to just get better before that race. Forget having fun we are getting down to business!

So the last week I've been slowly getting my running back. Just like Chumbawamba said: You get knocked down but you get back up again. I'll tell you it's only been a month of no running and I feel like I've lost all fitness even though I've been keeping it up in other ways like weight training, cycling and swimming. For some reason though it is super hard to get back into running. 

So this morning with a cool rainy morning My partner in crime "S" came over to help torture me in a crazy hour of Sufferfest. 

~We were on a break here~

Sufferfest is crazy hard and a wicked awesome windtrainer workout.

~We are so focused here~

After my bike session I put my runners on and went out for my run. Everything felt pretty good but I've still got something going on in my hip and I can guarantee the 1/2 marathon would break me. So I will slowly build everything back up!

This past weekend was the Shawnigan Lake Subaru Series Triathlon. I don't usually  race this one...

~It's usually bloody cold~

So I have decided to volunteer for this race. The last 2 years I have done it. This year I was a Marshal on the swim course and the Swim Captains Coordinator. Despite being at the race site for 5am it is always lots of fun.

As an athlete I think it is so important to volunteer at 1 or more events during the year. You definitely get a better perspective of all the planning and hard work that goes into these races. If there were no volunteers these races would not happen.

~last minute details of setting up the buoys, still dark out.~

~Transition is all ready to go~

~boats are in position~

~carpet is laid out~

~half iron distance get ready~

~and they are off~

I had a couple of friends racing this weekend and they all did fantastic. "Mr" from my "Mr. & Mrs." got second in his Olympic distance age group!!!! Another friend got 1st in her sprint age group. It was a bit of a cool drizzly day but they all seemed to have a fun time. 

On a last note I was going through some photos and found this great shot of myself with all of my fabulous training buddies. I love it!!!

Accomplishments and a fabulous gift from me to you

Hello friends, this morning I sit here on a cool dreary day contemplating what to write on the blog today. I know people come because it is a super fun, awesome training blog right? I have such great wit and humour and that is why you keep coming back right? Well today I have a great surprise/gift for you so keep reading...

This past weekend we had some damp weather so we had to get a little creative with what to do with our time. I am currently not running due to a weird injury. I don't like talking about injuries because they totally suck! I also seem to be a tad bit accident prone and yet again I am injured. I am currently getting treated with a super neat guy in Victoria who my training buddy "D" told me to go see and I am hoping to try a run tomorrow so please cross those fingers and toes for me.

So after a super wet Saturday "S" and I hit the pool. I love my saturday night swims. Usually my good buddies Mr. & Mrs. join me but they had company this weekend. "S" is working really hard on improving her stroke and I was just happy to help and I of course got some nice sprint sets in. I also spent most of my Saturday hanging out with my fab family at the Victoria Highland Games.

Sunday we hit the roads nice and early while we had a little sunshine. We decided to do a nice rolling hills ride today for 3 hours. I hate hills and "D" & "S" know this. Let me explain. I hate hills because I totally and utterly suck on them. However I am getting better and I am trying to embrace the hill climbing skills. Anyways, there is a crazy hilly area that my coach has been wanting me to do. Part of it has a 23% (It could be more) grade. This is the climb that I was under  the understanding we were doing. So between my injury from running and thinking we are about to do this ridiculous hill climb I was feeling a little cranky. So "D" & "S" told me to suck it up and I would be fine. So we head out and guess what? They forgot to tell me we weren't doing the 23% just the 15% ones and I made it! Know what else? It wasn't that hard. I did it. So the moral of this story is don't think too much about what you think you can't do. You never know if you can or can't until you try. 

~After our big climb~

I won't lie, I was a little tired that afternoon.

Monday we got up bright and early again and headed to the lake. We tackled a nice easy 2000 meter swim. The lake was pleasant. It makes me jealous that I'm not racing the Shawnigan Subaru Triathlon this weekend.

~Right before we dive in~

Now I don't know how many of you have worn a triathlon wetsuit but one of my fab co-ambassodors from See Jane Run wrote a super cute story of buying her first tri wet suit. You can see the story here: http://pleasurenotpunishment.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/the-one-where-she-buys-a-wetsuit/

Well, I hate to tell her the truth but getting the wetsuit on and off never gets any easier...

~This is my leg stuck in my wetsuit~

So today we have yet another rainy day and I have to take daughter 1 to her ballet rehearsal, go to a triathlon meeting for a race that I'm volunteering at this weekend, clean the house for company that arrives tomorrow and bake a cake. So I guess I'll be on the windtrainer at 9pm tonight. I like to think that I'm not crazy, just dedicated.

SO I promised I had a surprise for you. Now that I am a Jane I will have a lot more contests and gifts for my readers so make sure you follow me and like me on facebook too. 

Today I have a gift code for you to get 10% off of the See Jan Run Seattle Half Marathon & 5K!

All you do is go sign up for your race here: http://www.seejanerun.com/t-See-Jane-Run-SEATTLE-Half-Marathon-and-5K.aspx

and use this code: SJRSEAAMB13

Dreams do come true

I have been bursting at the seems to share my exciting news...

I am officially a See Jane Run Ambassador. I have to be completely honest. I have never viewed myself as a runner. I only did it because I love triathlon so much and well, you need to run the last leg. This past year I have worked extremely hard to improve my running. I have been working with an amazing elite runner who graciously offers running clinics in our area. I hired a triathlon coach who has emphasized the importance of my running to improve my triathlon. I've been embraced by the best of friends and family who have encouraged me to no end and finally I can call myself a runner. I don't know if it was when I completed my first 1/2 marathon (April 2013) or that I have a new 10km PR. I'm guessing that it is because I am now a Jane!!!! For those of you that don't know about See Jane Run they are an amazing company that is owed and operated by women!!! They also put on some fabulous races that serve up chocolate and champagne!!! Yes, they do know women!!! I am so honoured to be a part of this fabulous community and I hope I make them proud.

Now what have I been up to this week?

That's right, my awesome training buddy and I got our first open water swim in. You know what? It was actually quite pleasant. I think the water was warmer than last year. We did a ride right after too but I felt a little chilled on the ride. 

I am on a rest week now so the family took me camping for Mother's Day.

~My 3 crazy girls~

I had a nice relaxing few days. Some lovely walks on the beach, sitting around the campfire roasting vegan marshmallows and putting my feet up to read a book. My coach even called to wish me a Happy Mothers Day and ensure I was indeed taking it easy.

Happy Mothers Day to all you fabulous Mom's out there!

The faster you run, the faster you get home.

If I have learned anything through my journey to my first 70.3 is that not all training days are good. In fact I have quite a few days that haven't been good. Don't get me wrong, I love the training, I love being outside but there is nothing worse then feeling defeated by the elements. I've been battling the odd injury. It seems every other month something creeps up on me. I've have shoulder pain, knee pain, hip pain. Fortunately it's not always the same spot. As a massage practitioner that is great news. It means I'm not doing anything funky that is affecting something specific. All of these injury's are just due to lots of hard work. 

This past weekend we had absolute amazing weather.

This was on my way home from my 7pm run. It was still terribly warm. I guess I need to start getting used to the heat.

I got in 2 fabulous bike rides one of them being an 80km steady state. It made me happy. However Sunday I had to get in a long run. I was supposed to do it right after a short bike ride but it was so stinking hot I waited until 7pm. It was still stinking hot. I headed out with my legs feeling a little heavy but I got into a grove. My best bud drove by and I got a 5minute break to chat. I started at it again and realized I should not have taken that 5 minute break : (

I just felt off. Then 6 km in my knee started hurting so I backed off a bit. Felt not too bad so I picked up the pace again.Then my knee hurt. This is how the entire run went. However, I did end up just walking home the last 2km. I was hurting. I was mad. I was disappointed, and I ran out of water

Barely a drip left.

I hate that feeling of disappointment. I felt I just didn't get in a good workout. Was I wasting my time? Am I on a downward spiral? It's less than 3 months away until my Ironman and all of a sudden all of these weird injuries are creeping up. Needless to say, I was feeling pretty low until a friendly face was wandering down the street as I made my way home:

She sure brightened my day!

So, what do you do when you have a bad training day? You go home, put your feet up and ice that injury, call your physio and hope it was just another hiccup that will pass just as fast as it came on.

Stay tuned I have some exciting news!!!!