The Ultimate Challenge - Tour of Utah Ride

The Ultimate Challenge gives an opportunity for us amateurs to experience the same course that the pro's race during the Tour of Utah -  Stage 6 "Queen Stage." Starting at Eccles Stadium in downtown Salt Lake you ride 110 miles, finishing up Little Cottonwood Canyon with over 10K of climbing!! This year, there were around 750 riders, 73 of those female - and with the 'OK'  to sign up from T, I was one of those 73!!! :)   I thrive off of challenges, so this event was right up my alley!! Incredible day!! I was very nervous going into this ride.  First, I cycle alone. I can count a handful of times I have rode with other people, let alone hundreds.  Second, I was warned about 77.777 times that I was going to get made fun of for riding a TT bike (which I did... stopped counting at 40 people).  With all the nerves, I was to just focus on this as a long training day for Worlds/Tahoe.  Onto the race... Slowly they had us roll out and immediately ascend Emigration Canyon.  I had never been up this canyon and was loving the gorgeous scenery - which lasted the entire day!  Having that many riders around me was freaking me out.  Focused on doing my own thing and the nerves were gone by the time we started climbing up Little Mountain.  Key to completing this ride was nutrition and pacing - both of which I started and kept up on from the very start.  I just stayed in the moment that I was in, sippin' on my Powerbar Perform and swallowing down my GU's. Interesting side note: Men discuss some X-rated, off-the-wall stuff when they are 'with the guys.'  Kept me very entertained.  Worked my to the summits of both Little and Big Mountain when the course drops into Wasatch County.  FROZE MY ASS OFF!!! I was so cold.  About half way down I started to feel more comfortable, got into aero and started working.  The entire day I rode solo other than a 10'ish mile stretch in Wasatch County when I came up on the 'Blue Boys.'  (I think they were Precision Cycling?).  Feisty older dude (who I later became friends with at the finish line) in this group quickly informed me to not **** up their line.  'Yes Sir!'  I don't know the correct terminology, but they let me work in their 'line' and I kept pace, AND didn't wreck. Score :)   At the third aid station we all stopped... I had to pee so bad, like a gallon of water bad.  The Blue Boys ended up taking off and the rest of the ride I was at it solo again.  Uneventful miles into Park City.  There I stopped and fueled up as I was listening to all the nervous chatter about the climb ahead.  All that nervous chatter was certainly valid.   I've never climbed for that long, at that altitude, with that grade before.  I was in my smallest gear and just mashing.  I thought I had reached the top, let out a 'heck yeah', shifted to my biggest gear to get ready for a massive descend.  Yea, short lived.  The actual Gaurdsman climb had not even begun.  The terrain quickly changed and it was too late.  I knew if I shifted I'd drop my chain.. so I just tipped over.  SO embarrassing.   As I was getting going again this ass goes, "I knew you wouldn't be able to climb on that bike."  Got back going and worked my way on the chipped-potholed-rocky road to the real top (and road past the above ass in the process :D) Getting to the top of that beast felt amazing! That section was the toughest part of the ride for me.  I stopped for a second to just catch my breath before the decent into Big Cottonwood Canyon.  By this time in the ride, my lower back and shoulders were talking to me in a big way.  Same with the palms of my hands… I am so used to riding in aero that being up in the bars hurt.  An ambulance was taking a rider away as I was summiting, adding to my descending nerves.  Initially going down, I took it overly cautious (ie SLOW) until I hit the sharp right turn by Solitude.  Then got down in aero and had some fun! The leg fatigue set in for me right outside of Big Cottonwood when I felt a drag during the first climb on Wasatch Blvd. (mile 100)  There was a dude in yellow I was focused on about 20 meters up, we ended up going off course ~1 mile.  Honestly it didn’t annoy me at all.  It was a flat area and nice to spin for a minute before climbing LCC.   Approaching LCC they have the final aid station.  Stopped, bathroom, ate, and shoved a ton of ice down my bra and shorts.  The sun was out and making things hot!! Final climb time! In my head, I saw myself just cruising up that canyon. Which did not happen.  I was so dang hot and starting to feel dizzy.  Many people were off their bikes walking...I wanted to stop too and take a break but refused to until I saw the finish line. I couldn't even really think... just counted to 7 over and over to get in a rhythm.  I was passing people which was encouraging and now instead of rude comments, I got YOU GO TT GIRL shouts. :):):)  The crowd support was insane!  Lots of people waiting for the Pro Top Of Utah riders right behind us! As soon as I saw the 5K countdown signs I got this surge of energy.   Who knew where that came from?  Found another gear in my legs and my cadence picked up.  Dumped water all over myself every time a spectator would offer.   And then...  the awesome downhill finish!!! Biked back to my car, changed out of my wet clothes, run shoes on, and headed for the trails. Surprisingly, my legs felt good.  My breath was completely labored. Running at 9K is hard. This was definitely harder than any race I’ve done thus far.  Finishing things like this is what fuels that fire in me.  Today was a good freaking day!   Next up -- IM WORLDS 70.3 xoxo

Ironman Racine 70.3 Race Recap

DIVE IN AND GO!

Racine 70.3

WHERE IS THE LAKE???

My father and I made the 24-hour road trip to Wisconsin.

When we first got into town, we drove straight to the race start to see Lake Michigan.  Which should be called Ocean Michigan.  It's huge. And unlike a typical lake, there are 'ocean' waves.  Which made me freaking nervous and text Teresa instantly. WTH is this?? How do I swim in this?? and her response...

DIVE IN AND GO!! 

One of the things I love about Teresa is she has the perfect balance of caring AND toughness.










We ended up staying at the Radisson.  Location was awesome.  Hotel not so much.  Next time I'd probably choose somewhere else to stay.

Friday and Saturday were filled with pre-race swim/ride/runs, driving the course, pack-pickup, met-up with some IG friends, and taking it easy.


OH - and hydrating.  I was to

'hydrate like it was my job.'

<<<<Water bottle in hand at all times :)

The morning started off with an amazing sunrise over Lake Michigan.  The reflection made the lake look like it had a shadow of fire across it.  Perfect weather.  Quick transition set up.  

SWIM

You walk 1 mile to the swim start.  Amateurs were allowed to warm up, so I took advantage of this.  The water was sub 60 so it was nice to get that initial shock out of the way. 

I have been seeing improvements in the lap pool. They did not translate today.  Kicked off goggles started the series of 'road bumps' I would have throughout this race.  I refused to let these ruin my race.  You can not change what has happened, don't make excuses, just keep moving forward... JUST GO!

Point to point swim followed by a longer than normal run up the beach to transition.  (Practice running in/out of about knee deep water to prep for this race)

Transition 1 went smooth.  My glasses got moved, but other than that I grabbed Rocky and we were off!

BIKE

During my pre/post race rides, the less than ideal road conditions were super annoying... they have road seams about every 15 feet.  During the race, I do not remember being bothered by this at all.

This is a fast bike course.  Flat with a few rollers.  The first and last 30ish minutes of the ride have several turns that slow you down a bit.  I rode a new bike PR today which I am super excited about.

Right out of transition you have to mount on a hill.  I made sure to be in my easiest gear so I could spin right up it.  As soon as I got to the top, I fixed my watch (accidentally had it on Auto Powerdown mode) and then started focusing on nutrition.

Time to put my head down and hammer!

The series of unfortunate events followed me to the bike with some flats... chain drop... water bottle flying off.  HELL NO was I throwing in the towel.  You can not change what happened - JUST GO!

>>>>>>>>>> Missing water bottle (I think i was more mad I was going to have to buy a new Profile Design water bottle)>>>>>

The miles flew by and I was back to transition.

Jumping off my bike I thought I was in for a solid run.  Leading up to this race I have had a few niggles in my calf but I was feeling fresh and ready to GO!! 

My legs on the other hand...

were not ready to go like I would have preferred :)

RUN

The run is a 2 loop course.  Flat with a significant climb that you hit at mile 1 and 7.  Now that I am getting more courses under my belt I can compare a little better - I'd say this one is similar to Lake Stevens.

My rating so far (St George > Lake Stevens/Racine > Kansas > Boise)

So back to the race - I did not have 1 mile that felt good. 

I kept thinking...

1 more mile and my running legs will show up.

Take a GU! How about some cola?

I repeated every dang mantra I have.

Counted steps... tired to work off other ladies...

Add in the heat and my legs just would not respond.  I stopped looking at my slowing pace and told myself just.freaking.GO

AND - Do not walk!  I wanted to walk so bad.  But in the back of my head I knew the 'tough T & my dad would kick my ass... :)  There were quite a few other Team Zoot'ers out on the course that helped as well.  

Ended up finishing in the top 5 of my AG. Thumbs up to that! :) 

Racing is my favorite aspect of Triathlon.

You can not replicate the feeling of it in training.  Pushing your  body.  Testing limits.  Responding to the unknowns.  Truly seeing how you respond under pressure. And learning.  Not so stellar races serve as huge learning opportunities.  Gaining knowledge for your Big Picture goals. 

Of all I learned today, most important is to not allow your mind to make excuses.  

Make up your mind to 

JUST.FREAKING.GO!!!!

Most awesome dad award goes to this guy!

Racine... I will be back for you next year!!! 

Ironman Kansas 70.3 Race Report

Ironman Kansas 70.3

4:54:47, 2nd AG, 3rd Amateur, 17th Female

We stayed about 20 minutes from the race start in Topeka.  The weekend accommodations were pretty dang awesome. Renting homes instead of hotel rooms is the way to go! 

The Woodward Inn

Restored mansion. Fabulous owner. Quite, home-like feel.  

We arrive Thursday evening. Spent Friday/Saturday going through packet pick-up, getting wheels on Rocky, final pre-race rides/runs, and most importantly VISUALIZING my race plan!

Race Day

We arrived at Clinton State Park right around 5am.

The start of this race is a little clustered so GO EARLY.

There is about a 2 mile walk from where you park to the race start, so I would suggest not checking your bike in the day before so you can ride it to the start. 

Dad got me that new Rudy helmet! LOVE.

Calmest I have been pre-race.

I felt ready.

Quickly got T-1 set up

Gels Taped.

Powerbar Perform In.

Shoes/Helmet/Glasses Out.

GO TIME

Swim 36:29

Lets just wrap this section up with more swim time for Christie is needed :) 

Relatively calm water. Heading out I felt pretty good... coming back I guess I decided I wanted to swim some extra and got out of line about 777.77 times!

Transition 1 went smooth... BIKE TIME!!

Bike 2:40:05

First - Kansas is not flat.
I definitely underestimated that :) That being said, this bike course is my new favorite of the 70.3's I have done so far.  Pretty, rolling countryside with short, challenging climbs.     

70.3 bike PR for me :)  

Perceived Effort.  That was how I rode this course. Initially, my watch was messed up and my HR/Watts were not where they were supposed to be.  I had no clue of my mph. distance. time. Just Rocky and I grinding it out.

Pulling into T2 I was told I was in 6th place - Time to get my RUNNING on!

RUN 1:34:37

Teresa told me... first 2 miles EASY then descend.  I use to be a balls-to-the-wall kind of girl which = blowing up at the end of every race.  NOW - I practice patience and get to finish strong! 

I loved this 2-loop run course (another 70.3 favorite).  It is not Boise 70.3 FLAT but nowhere near St George hilly.  Crowd suppord is amazing.  You run through little ups and downs with the only significant climbs being at miles 3/10.


Downhill I focused my vision down. Leaned forward.  Picked up my turnover.

Uphill I got up on my toes, calmed my breath and pumped my arms.

The REAL hurt came around mile 9. Somehow, my mind went into a trance, I focused, and everything around me seemed quite as I pounded out those last miles.


Crossing the line I had NO clue of my time until my dad told me my new PR and 2nd in my AG. 

Incredible Day.

I know all races can not and will not be like today in Kansas... 

so this excitement I feel, I am really appreciating.

Progress feels GOOD! 

I say this after every race but REALLY, I am SO dang lucky to have some incredible people in my life.  It has been a fun, new experience getting to race on the Zoot Team this year! Teresa continues to teach me so much about this sport... which somehow always has a way of translating to day-to-day life.  Constant support from Ember means the world to me.  

and... who wouldn't be jealous of this dad????

I wouldn't be where I am without him!

....Racine, Worlds 70.3, and Tahoe are on deck! 

Ironman St George 70.3

Ironman St George 70.3

5:00:23, 33 Female, 8th Amateur, 3rd AG and a PR  :)  

Leading up to my first HIM of 2014 did not go exactly... smooth.  The first few months of the year I was injured, which does not translate to an ideal race build up.  Good thing I have an awesome coach who helped me focus on the things I could do and once healed, we were able to get in some solid training.   

I was able to spend a few weekends doing some course specific training

I ran up and down some hills a time or two

Added in some heat acclimatization

and quickly... MAY 3rd was here!









RACE DAY!


35:02 Swim Sand Hollow was beautiful race morning.  Mother Nature was playing nice and held off on the crazy winds.  

Typical Christie tripped over a rock getting into the lake which added in some 'fun' for the day :) My little trip threw me off a bit at the start, but I was not about to let that ruin my race!

2:43 ROCKY TIME!

As soon as I put on my cycling shoes I felt my foot and negative thoughts filled my head... 'maybe this was not going to be my day.'  I was already bummed about my swim time BUT I had a little MAN the freak UP talk with myself and with that I was back in the zone.

I love this bike course.  Hilly.  Fun Descends. Not many sharp turns. I was able to see my Dad and Janice 6 times!!! Best part = Snow Canyon.... Gorgeous & upupUP'ness!   

Run 1:37 I REALLY wanted to hit this run smart.  Last year after mile 3, the entire run flat out sucked and I did not want that to happen again.  Goal was to take it easy climbing up to the top of mile 3, then progressively pick it up.  Climbing up to the top of mile 3, after hammering it out on the bike just flat out HURTS fyi :)

Once I hit the top of mile three, I let my leg turn over pick up, I started focusing in on individual people to pass and consciously keep the effort 'comfortably hard' until I got back to the top of mile 8.  

I had several out-loud conversations with myself when the heat, or the foot, or fatigue started to get to me.   

The last 3 miles was a super close race with the #2 girl who ended up finishing 15 seconds ahead! Mile 11, a guy named Lech, came up super supportive and we ended up running stride for stride together until the finish line.  Those last two miles hurt, but at the same time I felt good.... I was SO happy to be finishing this race strong and fast!!!

.........



I had a realization after this race.  The past year'ish, I have really found myself disappointed in my racing and pretty frustrated in myself with results.  It is a huge goal of mine to race on the elite level in triathlon.  It is my 'BIG' goal and I have allowed my mindset to be solely focused on achieving it.  Typically, that disappointment would have followed this race.  I wouldn't have let myself enjoy that I PR'd, on a tough course, in hot weather, with a broken toe, by almost 5 minutes!

So the realization - working your ass off, and being dedicated, and driven, and focused is all necessary if you want to achieve big things.  But just because you are a hard worker, just because you are dedicated and driven and focused does not exempt you from being PATIENT TO THE PROCESS.  I think too often we get SO focused in on our big dreams that we forget things happen in stages.  We forget that those stages include both failures AND victories.  I think it is important to stay focused...relentless...have that inner fire burning - BUT take a minute to recognize those small steps. Throw your hands up in the air and appreciate and celebrate the small victories and the fact that you are progressing!  So... all that rambling said, before I get all Gung-ho on my 'BIG' goal again, I am allowing myself to celebrate and be proud of this small victory.



...and that feels good! :)






SO freaking thankful for the supportive people I have in my life!! Especially that Dad of mine... he kind-of rocks!  I couldn't be more grateful to work with the most awesome coach!  And to top it off, I feel so lucky to be on a a team representing ZOOT this year.  Next up.... KANSAS --->>> I am coming for you!  

Starting 2014, Icebreaker Triathlon

THIS...

was how my 2014 started. The time when fresh starts, goal making, motivated and eager to start working athletes are ready to get going again after 'off season'... my body told me to STOP! 

Injuries suck.  Being held back by our own bodies is never fun.  Life has a funny way of breaking you down just when you think you have figured things out... akhilandeshvari!  The first two’ish weeks when I couldn't do anything (even swim) I was not the happiest camper J  It took those weeks for me to realize this 'IS WHAT IT IS' – what I needed to do was focus on the things I COULD do while injured.  So that being said, the first quarter of the year I definitely missed out on some initial season build up, specifically my run training has suffered, BUT what I chose to spend my time focusing on was my swim, being a stronger biker, and strength training. 

ICEBREAKER SPRINT TRIATHLON

Now back and gearing up for St George 70.3, Teresa and I decided the Icebreaker Sprint Triathlon would be a great way to kick off the 2014 season.  I raced this event last year and although I finished a little slower this go-around, I am happy with how I raced!

My father and I drove to American Fork the morning of the race.  After I picked up my packet, I did a quick warm up, set my transition area up, and headed to the indoor pool.  Warm up included a ride checking gears with a few surges and a easy jog with strides.

Swim: 300M
The swim start is self seeded and last year I noted that I started too far back in the line.  Based on the ladies registered, I knew there were 3 very fast female swimmers so my plan was to line up right behind those three.  I ended up getting right behind the 3 and the BAM/SLC Tri guys which worked out perfect! Exited the pool feeling good and my heart rate was not super high like it usually is.  Hit the wall in 5:34 - Huge improvement from last year!

Quick T1



Bike: 12Miles
Double loop course basically uphill, downhill X 2.  I felt really strong on the bike and dismounted at 31:42 so about the same as last year (31:56). Colder this year and wind... my toes were pretty dang cold starting the run. I clearly do not pay attention to things going on around me because I guess I almost got his by a car going into T2 and do no remember it at all, Yikes!:)  Here is a clip...  

Run 3.1Miles
Quickly in and out of T2 ready to run!  The course is up a nice hill mile 1, flat, then back down to the finish.(21:08)  I definitely felt the lack of speed work during this run and is where I lost the minute from last year (20:08).  Crossing the finish line, Amanda was finished before me and I thought she had won because of my slow run time... turned out the bike saved me and took first overall female. 1:01:11 



The race directer of this event is a super nice guy and takes care of all his athletes participating!  Always awesome to have my dad there to support me out on the course.  Love this event and was the perfect way to start off the 2014 race season! 

BRING ON ST GEORGE