If you're not the lead dog...

...the scenery never changes.


Pretty sure I'm okay with that.

I love this man.

Masters Swim

Today was the first day of Master's Swim "Team". I use the term team loosely, only because there were 5 of us ranging in age from 27 (me) to 50-somethings. Some people have swam all their lives, and for others this was practically their first time in the pool.

We're like the Average Joe's swim team.

It's all good though because it turned out that it's pretty much just lap swim, with a coach there to answer questions and help out in any way you see fit. She told us that we can set our own workouts and leave whenever we're done - -nice! I had something quite different pictured in my head: a drill sergeant of a coach standing on the diving board, whip in hand, yelling "stroke! breathe! stroke! breathe! for a grueling 3000m main set, while something like "Kill the Wabbit" played menacingly in the background. While we're at it, let's give the fictional coach a viking helmet & metal bra, just to complete the picture.

Thank goodness, this was not the case!

It turned out to be a fantastic (albeit, early) way to start the day - perfectly calm morning, that temperature that is still cool & refreshing but right at the edge of warm, a completely still pool....and the only thing playing in the background was the birds chirping. AND I got to see the sun come up over the hill....all while playing in the pool on a Monday morning.

I cannot think of a better way to start my week.

Moses Lake Family Sprint Tri

This was a good race. It was nice to finally race and be able to see if all of my training has paid off & find out what I need to work on and where my strengths and weaknesses are.

On with the race report!

Swim: .5 mile / 15:24 (longest race swim so far) / 1:45 per 100yds

To quote Dave, "for having a crappy swim, you had a really good swim!" He's right - my time was great, but that's about it! I started myself right in the middle of the pack, which was probably not the best idea because I got caught up in all the adrenaline and ended up starting waayyyy faster than I should have. Next time I'll be starting on the far outside, away from everyone, in my own personal bubble. Please don't touch me.

a mass swim start with 70 of my closest friends

Now, for those of you who don't speak tri, the problem with getting caught in a fast swim start is that I tend to kick my legs really shallow and fast, which in turn increases my heart rate, which makes it harder and harder to catch my breath. So then I was stuck in the middle of the lake, gasping like a fish out of water, fighting off the b!tch in my head who was whispering "call for a boat" & praying to God to get me back to dry land.

And yes, not only do I pay to do this, but it's also fun.

I finally made the turn & sidestroked, backstroked & probably doggie-paddled my way back to the boat launch. Climbing out of the water I almost fell over when I saw my time - it was that good and I had barely even used my freestyle stroke (I hate putting my face in the water when I can't catch my breath, so I do everything but freestyle) - imagine how much faster it would have been if I did!!

T1: 2:30

I'm not mad, I just don't believe Dave
when he tells me my swim time. I thought
my watch was wrong!

Wetsuit off, socks, bike shoes, race number, sunglasses & helmet on. Bike shoes are not the easiest thing to run in.

Bike: 13 miles / 42:40 / avg speed 18.28 mph

The bike leg was dry when I started! There had been thunderstorms for the last few days, but they were holding off for the moment - this was not to last. The first half of the bike my legs were absolutely dead - another side effect of kicking too fast while swimming. Somehow I managed to average 18 mph, which is a personal best for me! I figured that I had some catching up to do with the rest of the pack, so I played Close the Gap and managed to chase down 2 or 3 girls in my age group, which felt really good!

Right before I hit the turnaround it started to sprinkle just a little. A few miles later the clouds opened up and it poured. Cats & dogs people. Seriously. I was just as wet coming off the bike as I was coming out of the swim. It was just rain though. No hail, no wind, no cold, so I can't really complain much. It was actually kind of fun - although rain at 20 mph stings!! The rain didn't cause my any issues except for coming around an 's' curve at the very end when my back tire kind of slid out from behind me. Nothing like a fish tail with your feet clipped into pedals to get your adrenaline going!

T2: 1:36

I didn't fall dismounting Honey or running on wet pavement in bike shoes! Yay!! Switch to running shoes...wish I had extra socks - mine were soaked. ick. And we're off!

Run: 3.1 miles / 27:30 / 8:52 min per mile

I met my goals for this run: sub 9:00 miles & a negative split (second have was faster than the first half). Would you like to know why I managed a negative split? I had the choice to participate in the run or compete in it & I chose to compete. Never underestimate the power of competitiveness, people.

The first half of the run was uneventful. We went through the park and up a very narrow paved community trail. My legs were still hurting pretty badly, but I managed to pass a few people, one who was even in my age group. I made it to the half way point and only stopped to walk at the top of a hill and through the aid station (I always walk through the aid station. I can't drink & run.)

Right after the aid station a girl in my age group caught up to and passed me. ahh crap.

Option #1: Let her go. But what happens if you end up getting 4th & she got 3rd? Then how will you feel?

Option #2: Her pace isn't that much faster than yours. Compete a little bit. Suck it up. Hurt.

I decided that Option #2 was probably the best course of action, and ohhhhhh was I a little bit dirty about it. Some might even say slightly evil. I call it competitive. I caught up to her and we ran side by side for awhile and even chatted a little bit. Okay, I admit that I struck up a conversation hoping she would run out of breath and walk. No such luck.

Right before we got to the very narrow community trail I managed to pull a few steps ahead of her. I knew I could pass her and was actually waiting until we hit the trail to make this move, because I knew that as soon as she saw that I was in her age group she was going to step it up. We made it to the trail with me in front by about 2 steps & for the next 100 yards I took my share out of the middle of the path and made myself as WIDE as possible so that she couldn't get around me. (I know, I know, but I was not about to lose).

When we hit the grass it was about another 100 yards to the finish line - uphill. (as a side note, why does every race insist on putting the finish line at the top of a freakin' hill!!) I was hurting and wanted to stop so badly, but I could hear her right behind me and I was not about to give up. As soon as I was at the bottom of the hill I knew I had her - I run hills all the time. I pumped my arms & got my legs moving as fast as I could and managed to hold her off till the end. I beat her by 2 seconds!

..just barely in front of her...

...and now you can't even see her....

ohmyholycrap! why is there always a hill at the end?!?

I finished the race in 1:29:00 which is a 6 minute PR for me! Woohoo!! And yes, I shook her hand after the race. It was her first one & she did great!!

In addition to surviving the race, I also endured 2 graduations (congrats Matt & Chelsea) and 9 graduation parties.

Thank goodness there was a keg at the last one.

Just a small town girl...

...livin' in a looooonely wooorrlld.

That's my Journey tribute for the week. What can I say, my husband would be so proud. Actually, I've heard that song a bajillion times this week, so we're making it the weekend theme song. Appropriate with the race and all, no?

as a side not, Pandora just switched from 'Don't Stop Believin' to ' Won't Back Down'. Scary - like it knows.

I can actually say that I'm not nervous for tomorrow at all, which is a first. It might sound corny, but I've been working on some relaxation & deep breathing techniques to use when I feel myself getting too amped up about the race, and they seem to be working in practice - let's hope the work tomorrow!!

Also different for this race, is that I don't really have an outcome goal. (Although I'd really like to place in my age group). My goals are more process oriented this time, which has actually helped me enjoy the training & preparation more - yes, training is fun.

new song - 'Here I Go Again on my own.' Pandora is psychic, I tell you.

I'm ready for tomorrow! I'll be back later in the weekend (assuming I survive 1 triathlon, 2 graduations, 10 graduation parties & alot of alcohol Sunday night) with pictures!