Where Did I Put my Lobster?

Whenever I am getting ready for... anything... I can't seem to find anything. The 30-45 minutes prior to a workout are basically me saying, "where did I put my ___?" 
And what's sad is I normally put things back in the same place. I just forget where that place is A LOT. And they are VERY practical places. For example, my Garmin goes in my makeup bag, because that makes sense. My sunglasses go under the decorative  yellow umbrella in the guest room. My Honey Stinger Chews go in the shoe box under the bed. You get the idea...

It just takes me a few minutes, because sometimes things aren't where they should be. Sometimes my sunglasses are in my helmet on the floor in the basement. Sometimes my chews are still in the back pocket of my jersey in the washing machine. 

But ya know, on race day, THANK GOD getting ready for the race isn't actually part of the race.

Yesterday, I got to thinking about my cat, Tuna. Tuna has a toy lobster that she has had forever. Sometimes I think it has disappeared and I won't see if for months. Then, outta nowhere, the little pink lobster will reappear in the most unlikely places. Where has she been hiding that thing?  Is she thinking, "I know I put that lobster next to that pillow, where is it?" And then a month later, she wanders into the closet and thinks, "there it is, under the broom, just where I left it!"

I started taking pictures of the places she likes to present her lobster. It's as if she's tell me, "Look! I found it!" 

lobster in Tyler's old flip flop

lobster in my sparkly hat

lobster in my sweet new PI Tri Fly IVs

Maybe I'll start leaving my Garmin in the cat food? 

Go run some! 

A Little Bit About Quitting

After last week's events... or just event... I guess it was just one event with multiple results, a singular cause with plural effects...

Anyways, so after The Crash of Raleigh 70.3, I am flattered! and confused and appreciative of all the comments, opinions, and kind words from friends, families, and even strangers. Here's what I have learned about people, people in general, including myself:

You really don't know what you would do until it actually happens to you.

Regarding my bone-breaking crash last weekend, lots of people said stuff like... and I quote:

• "I would have just laid next to my bike and cried."
• "I would have just gone home and done another race next weekend" (not sure about that one... maybe he missed the part about a broken scapula)
• "I would have just quit right there."

Well, yeah, I'm sure if, 2 weeks ago, I heard of someone crashing and whacking their head, breaking their shoulder, and not breathing properly, I would have said "I would just quit right there." Makes sense! Who can imagine continuing for 4.5 more hours in that kind of pain? What's the point? I still don't know what the point was....

But what I'm trying to say is maybe you would keep going?! I didn't go into that race thinking "I'm going to finish no matter what happens!" My only goal was to do the best I could and finish knowing that I didn't hold back. I have a pretty good feeling that you have been in a situation when you did something you didn't think you could do, or you reacted in an exceptional way that might surprise others.

The days before the race I thought about preparing for things like staying hydrated in the heat, changing flats, improving my sighting in open water. I didn't think, "what if I'm faced with making the decision of quitting or finishing?" Who thinks about stuff like that? You don't and CAN'T plan for that... it just happens and you have to react... and I bet you'd be surprised how you react. It was like fight or flight! And I guess technically I fought? And I bet you would too! It wasn't until much later when the adrenaline wore off that I started to think "something is definitely wrong". And by then, I had already knocked off a chunk of the bike portion and I had to consciously decide to keep going. 

So I'm not special or more "hardcore" or "badass" than anyone else. I just reacted the way I did. When I see things on the news about people doing brave or heroic things I think "Wow I would have never done that!" But maybe I would? Maybe you would too? You really just don't know till you're faced with it in real time. 

go run some. wear a helmet (on your bike... running with a helmet is silly).

Injury update: shoulder range of motion has improved a ton! arm strength sucks, road rash is still painful and gross. breathing great. still have some headaches, especially at night but getting better. riding bikes is great. will try to run soon. swimming not happening for a LONG time.

I can reach the coffee mugs in the cabinet and put on my own shirt! Still waiting for the Wake Med ER bill, eeek!

:-(

"Raleigh 70.3" or "How I ruined a potentially amazing race" or "How I ruined everyone's weekend."

I just couldn't decide on a title for this one... So many things to talk about! I'll try to keep it short and sweet with minimal whining.

A little background in case you didn't know: I'm from NC. My bro and mom are there and lots of childhood school buddies. I planned to do this race so I could come back for a few days, see my family, hang out with my best buddy and her hubby, and see how much sea-level butt I could kick on the side.

swim

bike

run

 The Raleigh volunteers were so dang friendly!! And I wasn't the only one that noticed; lots of people were buzzing about the southern hospitality. You could tell the city was genuinely excited to host an Ironman. It was incredibly well organized, even with 2 transitions! And the EMS was prompt and friendly... More on that later.

The big issue the night and morning before the race was water temperature. It was hovering around 77 on Saturday, but of course, they can't "call it" until right before the start. At the Athlete Debriefing meeting on Saturday, the announcer basically convinced me not to bring the wetsuit, but I figured I should... Just in case. Whadoyaknow, it was 76. Instantly, the crowds grabbed cell phones to try to call someone to bring their wetsuit. At least I did that right! In fact, I am pretty proud of my swim. I started confident, swam relatively straight, battled some big swells toward the end, and finished with a gender rank of 118.

swim start

So the bike... Yeah... Felt awesome (get it? Felt). I was beginning to feel my higher altitude training kick in. I'm still not exactly sure what happened. Next thing I knew I was on the ground with my bike in a ditch and a medic in my face. I've been trying to put the pieces together. I think I just overreacted when I saw the first aid station. I was eager to get some water because the temps were climbing quick. I reached out with my right hand, squeezed the breaks with my left hand (which breaks the front wheel), lifted out of the saddle and the rear wheel just flew up behind me. I landed directly on my shoulder and indirectly on my back and head. Yep head. I'm pretty sure I had a baby concussion. I was disoriented for a few secs. The first thing I thought was, "don't tell the medic you hit your head, or your definitely out."

Medic: Are you ok?

Me: Yep, is my bike ok?

Medic: Does anything hurt?

Me: My shoulder is pretty busted.

Medic: yeah that's nasty. Do you want me to take you to the hospital?

Me: No. Where's my bike.

Volunteer (in a pirate costume): In the ditch. You're tough as nails matey. Safe sailing ahead!

cracked helmet. Thanks Giro!

I check my bike and it's looking good. I figured it stayed in one piece for a reason and that was finishing this thing.

I get back on and immediately realize something was really wrong, more than just road rash. Every time I inhaled, it felt like a knife stabbing my upper-right back. I run through all the terrible things that could be happening inside my body... Punctured lungs, internal bleeding, broken ribs. I figured I'd keep going until I felt like I couldn't take it anymore. As the miles passed, I just thought "ok a little farther then I'll decide." I seriously considered pulling out after the bike, but why quit there? I wasn't dying. My mom and bro were out in 90degrees to see me finish a race. I knew Ashley and Jay were on the run course in 90degrees, to see me run past them for a minute. I choked back tears for the majority of the race but crying made my breathing issue worse, so I had to cut that out.

road rash

My nutrition was excellent. I was handling the heat and humidity just fine. My legs were ready to go. But every time I tried to pick up the pace, my breathing would increase and I'd get that knife in my back. It was beyond frustrating.

I'm still not exactly sure why I kept going. I didn't feel like I had to prove anything to anyone, or myself. I guess I just felt obligated. I paid for this thing, I trained, I am responsible for getting to the finish line. I definitely appreciate the encouraging words from my buddies! But right now, I'm still just grumpy about the whole thing. It will take some time to heal physically and mentally about the giant let-down I experienced.

The medic at the finish line cleaned up my shoulder and checked my shallow breathing. She recommended I go to my doc. "Yeah, my doc is in Colorado" I said. "Maybe you should go to the ER. A cracked rib could puncture a lung" the medic said. I panic. I get cleaned up and my bro takes me to the ER. "Do you want a wheelchair?" the nurse asks. " I laugh thinking I just ran a 1/2 marathon and she thinks I need a wheelchair! I just say "no thanks" and take a seat... I'm still not sure what my injury is. X-rays showed no cracks or rib dislocations. My breathing improved a lot the next day. 

Natty Greene's Belgian Blonde "I survived" beer

Well today, I woke up in tears. I couldn't roll over in bed. It felt like a rock was in my shoulder blade. I went in for more X-rays with my orthopedic doc... fractured scapula. I guess the ER was looking for ribs and lungs since I was most worried about my inability to inhale. They took some images of different angles and you can see the crack through the tip of the bottom of that bone. So that's that. 

Ouch

I would absolutely do this race again! Next year? The whole course was beautiful. The roads were smooth on the bike. Great crowd on the run. And seriously, the friendliest volunteers I've seen. For now... my summer is definitely on hold.

How to Taper Gracefully

Does anyone else turn into a neurotic psycho the week before a big race? I know there is an endless wealth of information about how to taper out there.  Yeah, yeah, I get it. Easier said that done, right? I'm in a glass cage of emotion this week... 

Somewhere between excitement and self-doubt, I have caught myself having conversations with myself, probably outloud, arguing and worrying about too much as I taper for the Raleigh 70.3.

My left shoulder/armpit area has been killing me this week. I don't get it! I've been swimming LESS! Am I sleeping on it weird? What should I do? Ice? Heat? I'll do both. Maybe my shoulder is freaking out because it has too much energy? I've never really tapered for a swim before. That's it. It's just confused.

Should I eat that brownie? I'm not working out as much, so I probably shouldn't. But... I do need to carb-up right? Brownies have carbs. So does beer! In fact I'm pretty sure all food is carbs, so I'll eat all food. Why am I so hungry?! Am I just bored? I'm burning LESS calories this week. Maybe my muscles know what's coming and they're simply sending the "feed me" signal to my brain. So yeah, I do need seconds of that pizza.

I can't sleep! To much energy left to burn? Worried I'll forget to pack my goggles? But I'm tired... why? I hope I don't wake up at 4am AGAIN kicking my legs around like a dog dreaming about chasing squirrels. Sorry Tyler!

Tyler and I settled in the basement for a crash course in how to pack a tri bike in a softcase for my flight. Unfortunately, I'll be rebuilding my bike all by myself. (Unless, of course, I find an attractive male triathlete to help me... I mean do it for me?) Anyways, all you gotta do is remove the handlebars, wheels, seatpost, pedals, and rear derailleur. That's it; piece of cake. NOT! I borderline have an anxiety attack as I practice removing and rebuilding the derailleur. "Holy %#*@, what am I gonna do if I can rebuild this piece of &#^%! What if I don't even make it to the start of this &#%*^#@ race!" I take a few deep breaths and dry my tears. Oh well! We'll see what happens when I arrive in Raleigh.

As I try to balance resting and feeling lazy, I just try to think of the hard work I put in and whatever happens happens. I am really excited to see my family and a few buddies back in NC. Oh, and check out the weather I get to stress about. Ahh, deep breaths. 

Cycling Rites of Passage

I am SO HAPPY to be riding outside regularly again! I can proudly say I haven't been on a spin bike in over 2 weeks!  I only rode on my trainer once in 2 weeks and it was only because I had to get a ride in crazy early (5am). And I woulda ridden outside but I have a fear of getting a flat and being late for work. 

My Green Flash has gotten lots of time on the road; and my booty knows because I finally had to upgrade the saddle due to lady-business issues, again (that's a fun story for later).

After tragically rodentslautering a prairie dog a few weeks ago, I began to think of other unpleasant things that come with cycling. I consider these "Rites of Passage" because one goes through a transitional period in which they become a more well-rounded and experienced cyclist. Let's being...

Accepting snottiness. I mean literal mucus. Without any other reason such as illness or allergies, one's nose will run uncontrollably, regardless of weather. Learn to love snot rockets. Once you have snotted on someone, been snotted on by someone else, and snotted on yourself, you have reached a new level. 

Tipping over in your pedals. One may tip for various reasons: simply forgetting to unclip at a stoplight, hesitating behind another cyclist and panicking, forgetting you're in a massive gear before you clip back in, and trying to look cool balancing while holding onto Ty's truck and just tipping over for whatever reason. It's only embarrassing the first time, I promise :).

Roadkill. Last fall Tyler plowed over a squirrel. I watched. I screamed. I cried. I didn't understand how someone could not see a medium-sized animal darting toward them. Well, last month, I offed a rodent twice as cute as that squirrel. Outta nowhere, a depressed prairie dog decided he was ready to take his own life by running under my front wheel. I screamed. I cried. I didn't understand how I didn't wreck! RIP Mr. Nibbles McBurrowton. 

Getting heckled. At some point, one will be on the receiving end of nasty potty-mouthed-harassment, whether you're doing something wrong or not. I give them an exaggerated thumbs up and smile. They're jealous they don't have a pink water bottle and lime green shoes, clearly. 

Awesome tan lines. What is sexier than pale hands, feet, and eyes? And shoulder and thighs? Ok, so I guess you'll just get tan calves and forearms. Don't worry, it's cool.

new best friend

And the exciting saddle sore. Ever had to stop in urgent care to drain a sore and pick up some antibiotics? No?... me neither ;-). If that's not a sign that one must attend to proper saddle fit, I don't know what is. FYI, PRID and a Bandaid is a small miracle. 

I'm sure there are many, many more disgusting and traumatic events I have yet to experience. I can't wait? 

Post Summer Open

Not that bad! 

Actually... pretty darn good, despite some strange circumstances. 

I was way concerned about the water temperature. Even though we received a notice that the water was warm several days before the race, I remained Negative Nancy up until the last minute. I rounded up some neoprene gear just in case (I figured if I brought it, I wouldn't need it; and if I didn't bring it, I would need it, duh). I crept into the water slowly and it was actually pretty nice once I got moving. The first head-under-water took my breath away, but really, it was perfect... 'nuf 'bout that.

There is so much JUNK that goes into a triathlon. So much that there is actually a checklist on the back of my USAT card. It's a pain in the ass... FYI. Of course after I got EVERYTHING together, I get an email: IMMEDIATE CHANGES TO SUMMER OPEN:  Dear Athletes we regret to inform you that tomorrow's bike portion of the triathlon has been cancelled.  At 10:00am this morning Highway Technologies closed all their national operations, with no fore notice to their regional offices.  Highway Technologies is responsible for all the road closures, traffic barricades, cones, etc.
I actually felt kinda sorry for the race directors. This race has had a string of bad luck that is completely out of their control. I was bummed because I really wanted to race my brand new Green Flash. Oh well...

What was really cool was how Without Limits handled the situation: Water is warm and the road was just graded for the race, so we're still racing.  You have two options: Option 1: 1/2 mile swim and 5K run.   Option 2: 1 mile swim, and 10k run (your choice that you can decide on in the morning). Just let us know when you pick up your chip.  We'll be issuing every athlete a $35 credit to use at another event; triathlon, stroke & stride, cycling, or cyclocross. SOUNDS GOOD TO ME! I settled on the long course option. I got to get a little more open water time before my 70.3 and I got $35 out of it. AND... I didn't have to haul 1/3 of my gear to Longmont. 

So it was a good day... I came in 6th overall and 2nd in my age group. I got a sweet mason jar award. 

To wrap this up... I am pretty sure I will never get used to an open water swim start. Where else is it ok to punch your competitors in the butt to get ahead? Seriously? If you weren't so anonymous in your wetsuit and your goggles, would you still behave this way? I guess I better butt-punch back to keep things fair!

2 weeks till Raleigh! go run some!

Pre Summer Open

Let's take a look back at the Summer Open Sprint Triathlon of 2012...

Union Reservoir 2012

I swore I would never do another triathlon ever again. I was going to sell my wetsuit on eBay and I was just peachy with that.

I guess that didn't last long...

Let me start by saying my feelings about this weekend's Summer Open have nothing to do with the race directors. In fact, I LOVE Without Limit's races. They are well-organized, friendly, and super-fun! My feelings are simply a reflection of my attitude toward swimming in frigid water and cycling on exhausted legs.

Reasons I am lacking enthusiasm:
1) I am not convinced one bit that the water is swimable. IT SNOWED 2 WEEKS AGO... A LOT OF SNOW! And all that melting snow? Well, I'm pretty sure it's in that lake now. I am borrowing some neoprene gear and wrapping myself in my Snuggie and doing jumping-jacks to prepare for the inevitable hypothermia.  

not me

2) I am smack in the middle of the last big build toward Raleigh 70.3. I am exhausted. My legs burn just walking up my stairs... the 3 stairs on my front porch. 

3) It's the last week of school. I am exhausted. My first graders are going on a field trip and there are 3 kid-days left and they are making sure I have no sanity left for the weekend. I'm testing, grading, filing, packing, and hauling stuff like crazy! I fully intend to carboload for this sprint tri with beer and brownies tomorrow night. 

So, we'll see how this thing goes. At least I get to ride my new bike! And I got a purple swim cap out of it...

go run some!