Off Season and Fall Fun

Lets just start this post saying coming down from your peak... simply sucks. 

Post-race depression is for real. Teresa prescribed a schedule to kick off the 'OFF' season that left me with some major training withdrawals... antsy, annoyed, bored, cranky... IN A MAJOR FUNK.  

It took a lot of trust in her to listen.  I didn't like it one bit (Hello Christie Control Freak) 

but I got through the rest phase that in all reality, my body NEEDED. 

(Do yourself a favor and go read this post over and over for a reminder of the importance of rest) 

and now...we are back to base building for a whole new level of racing in 2014!

In the mean time... some off season Fall fun 



Supporting friends
St George Marathon

Absolutely fantastic day!! The St George Marathon snapped me right out of that funk and rejuvenated my spirit.  Rachelle and I had so much fun pacing people throughout the day.  Watching the leaders pass at mile 23 with such focus was crazy inspiring!  Walter, Janice, and Julia let me share in the last few miles of their races which was incredible. 

I ran (and screamed) the last 3 miles with Walter who finished with a 2:36... NBD, right?!  Janice was flying when I found her and finished so dang strong earning herself a nice PR.  And Julia PR'd and BQ'd. SO PROUD.


Park City 5K Pink Series

Laura was nice enough to let me spend the night with her before the race in Park City.  It is absolutely stunning up there this time of year! Fun race... but a whole lot of ‘girlieness!’  When they say PINK they are not kidding! :)  Got a fun prize for 2nd overall. 
 

2 products I am OBsessing over right now...  both from Zoot 

There are no words to describe how AWESOME these recovery tights are. Seriously. After you eventually get them squeezed on, the lower half of your body is in pure bliss. For a week  post Worlds/Big Cottonwood weekend, I may have only taken them off to shower :) Worth.Every.Cent.

Kiawe's - Mad crushing over these shoes lately.  I love my Brooks Pure Connects for road racing, but after Boise 70.3, I decided to look for an alternative triathlon specific racer because of all the blisters I was getting. Major score. 

 

Race Pacing - Moab Other Half

 
This past weekend I went with the American Flyers Race Pacers to help pace the Moab Other Half.  I had the biggest group I have ever had in a race stick with me.  It feels so great at the end of the race when you are able to help people achieve there goals.  Almost all of them came in under goal time too!

While we were down in Moab, had to take advantage of the beautiful scenery and did a short hike up to Delicate Arch before heading back home...

Big Cottonwood Marathon Race Report

 

Back to Back Race Weekends...

Marathon #4

The day before The Big Cottonwood Canyon Marathon, I decided to run it. I was able to get an entry in, my body was feeling incredibly well from the prior weeks 70.3, and I really wanted to spend some time with friends I rarely get to see - So, the Big 26.2 it was.

 
It was so nice going into a race with absolutely no pressure.  Even at the start line I had no nerves at all!  6 days prior goal race in Vegas was complete, so this was pure, spontaneous fun! At the start line, I chatted with friends, met some new nice people, and enjoyed myself.  I thought it would be fantastic if I could pull out a PR (I am a goal person, ya know?), but honestly, I had no real expectations on the day other than to have fun.  Walter and I decided to run together and our plan was to take it super comfortable (basically walking for his speedy self) until we were out of the canyon then he’d push me.  I also promised myself that if I started to feel ANY sort of 'injury' pain that I would drop out. 








First of all, can I just say how amazing it felt to start a race on fresh, non-biking legs AND in actual cool weather… Yeehaw my legs were so happy! When the miles would click, I kept thinking we were going too quick. I felt good though and my HR was staying in a good range so I just let my legs do their thing through the canyon and stayed relaxed. 


Walter provided the entertainment for this section by teaching me his speedy race secrets.  I think we were at about a 6:40-:45 avg coming out of the canyon. 

6:22, 6:28, 6:30, 6:36, 6:35, 7:05 (GI issue/ bathroom stop!), 6:47, 7:15, 7:03, 7:15, 6:48, 6:38, 6:25, 6:54, 6:30, 6:56

 
I felt really good up until about mile 18ish.  Going from all that pounding to flat killed my hamstrings/feet... Your legs are wondering WTH you just put them through.  I haven’t run over 17 miles at all this year and I think I let that and last weekends race get to me more mentally that it was hurting me physically.  I am a little mad at myself for letting that happen.  I preach 'mind of matter' so much and I didn't follow my own motto.  











Coming out of the canyon, some quick math put a sub 3 in my head so I was trying so hard to keep a pace to earn under the 3 hour mark but today was not the day for that.  That last 5K hurt - a lot.  The back of my legs were cramping so bad but I refused to walk.  

Walter was basically switching from running form tips to screaming profanities at me the last 30 minutes.  I wanted to punch him in the face that  entire time... until we crossed the finish line Haha :D :D Lucky to have had him there with me.

6:57, 7:01, 7:24, 7:44, 8:13, 8:24, 7:57, 9:05>>>whoops, 8:41, 7:56,   

So there it is. An aided 15min. PR… 3:09:41

1st ag, 8th female, 59 overall

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I do a really good job of isolating myself and I am the queen of 'Walls Up' to just about everyone - 

SO,  weekends like these are good reminders that it is ok to let people in... 

it actually makes life a whole hell of a lot more meaningful and fun.  

There are good people out there - 

but you never know without letting down those walls to give them a chance. :) 

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Side note on the race:  ***This is probably one of the best ran races I’ve participated in.  Organization and attention to detail was spot on.  The race directors really went out of their way to make sure us runners were very happy.

World Championships 70.3

What a weekend!!!   The World Championships lived up to all my expectations.  

Just being at this event was incredible in itself.  Being surrounded by talent, and intensity, and competition was so exciting and intimidating all at once.  I am so happy to have had the opportunity to race here with the other 2000+ athletes... especially since this was the last year the event will be held in VEGAS.  

 
We arrived in Vegas a few days prior to the race.  I was able to get a swim in the amazing outdoor lap pool, a ride, run...all the normal pre-race formalities.  Dropping my run bag off and Heather Jackson came up to me to chat... just about made my day :D  Most importantly, those few days before I made a point to stay off my legs as much as possible, hydrated like champ, and visualized executing my race plan - over and over and over. 







Race day I woke up to a little rain and as we drove to the race start, it turned into a straight-up downpour; it stayed like that until just before I started to run.  I text Coach T and she reminded me to still keep up on the hydration so that the humidity doesn't kill me if the rain were to stop.  I was in the 15th wave, so I didn’t get to start until 75min after the first group… not ideal because things get very congested and I have more time to sit and be nervous!

Swim 39:46 Ouch!! This is a non-wet suit swim so I was expecting this slower time. Lake Las Vegas is like swimming through mud, yum! Found my rhythm right from the start. Nothing really went wrong; my swim just needs work, especially if I expect to place higher.  I lost 8 age group spots just in the swim.

T1 3:56 Transition 1 was nuts. I knew that this was going to be a longer transition so the day before I practiced going through it 5 times to avoid any silly mistakes. You exit the water and have to run up and over this bridge, then through a grassy area (which was a bunch of mud holes by the time my group got to it), get your bike, then hall the bike up a hill before you mount! There was the longest line going up that hill and it was starting to frustrate me that people were not moving very fast.  I allowed that time to let my heart rate come down before getting on the bike.  You can tell where you are standing by how many bikes are gone... so I knew getting on my bike I had a bunch of ladies to catch! 

Bike 2:50.44 (Pre-race meeting they told us the bike was about a mile long)  I was honestly having a great time on the bike.  Caught 33 girls in my group moving me from 59th to 26th place.  It was raining so freaking hard that it was just making me laugh.  Everyone had been prepping for ridiculously hot weather, and here it was downpouring. (Good thing I did all those work outs with sweatshirts and beanies on! lol) My race plan was to keep my heart rate consistent in the 157-163 range and not pushing too hard on the climbs.  This race, I was not so glued to my watch and going more by 'feel' which still had me in my planned range when I would check in.  I felt really focused and just 'in the game' during the bike.  I continuously checked in with myself... 'how am I feeling... can I run fast off this effort... am I thirsty..etc.' Lots of crashes out on the course because of the water!  I don't feel like I was able to take advantage of all the descends because I'll admit, the water made me a little nervous.  The last climbing section into town was when I felt the most power so I was excited to get my running shoes on! All in all, super challenging course but fun!! 



T2 1:29 Nothing exciting here except it was super nice to have volunteers rack your bike for you



Run 1:42  During the last 5-10 miles of the bike course, Las Vegas Sun decided to come out to play and turned the course into a humid, sauna.  The first couple groups of the day, were able to run in the rain… luckies! By the time I got to the run, I starting to get pretty hot so I was super happy I drank extra on the bike like T told me to.  The run course was either up or down hill – 1 down, 2 up, 1 down (repeat 3 times) no flats.  The first loop I took conservative, keeping an eye on my heart rate.  Every aid station I dumped ice down my top and shorts and put water over my head.  Felt really good until that last 2 mile climb. Kicked My Butt! That section was where I caught 3 of the 6 girls though.   Caught 6 girls on the run taking me to 20th by the end.  Being able to see my Dad and Janice three times was great... high fived them and my dad would yell out to me what Teresa wanted me to do!! I cant tell you how many times I have practiced progressive runs and I feel like that translated perfectly during this race.  That last mile was strong and fast... how it should be!  



 

I am completely addicted to the feeling of finishing an all-out race.  Crossing the finish line brings emotion out of my 'emotionless self' that is unexplainable... races like these break through that tough outer shell you create.  They allow you to lay all your hard work out when you are confident enough to cross over that line of fear, become vulnerable to the pain and hurt and just be your own raw self... it is an amazingly unexplainable feeling...(clearly):D






Results were posted to show I finished 20th in my ag and I can honestly say I am proud to have finished there... no disappointment whatsoever! This course and the weather and the girls were insane.  I followed my race plan exactly and gave it my all.  I crossed that line feeling like I wanted to feel.  Being my second year racing, what more can I ask?

I say this in every race report but I honestly feel like the luckiest girl to have some pretty awesome people in my life.  Words can not event start to describe how awesome my dad is, and I know, if I wouldn't have met Teresa, I would not be where I am today... not just as an athlete but as a person.  I also have a few, special friends, that continue to give me such support and confidence to believe in my crazy dreams!!





Another stepping stone in Building My Machine....

This time of year... Vegas here I come!

Race day is 13 days away.   

Which means taper time…. 

Which means blogging time to occupy my ‘I want to be training, not resting’ mind!! 

I remember this time of year, last year, getting a text from Coach T about considering  

qualifying for the Worlds 70.3 as a goal of mine for 2013. 

Big goal… I’m game! 

Reaching that goal in St George was amazing and the rest of the summer has been all about training hard, racing smart, and learning lots to lead me to a great race on September 8^th.   

Vegas is going to be very windy, and a lot hot, and plenty hard. Championship race worthy... I think so! :) Tough courses make for tough athletes, right? I am such a numbers person… quantifying everything is something I do without even thinking about it.  NOT for this race.  No time expectations going in.  Don’t get me wrong, I want to have a fabulous race, but my #1 goal is to leave everything I have on that course.  I am so excited to race with some talented ladies and all I want, is to cross that finish line feeling absolutely spent.

.......

This time of year is also when I decided to change my life.  Two years ago I committed to letting go of an awful lifestyle and began ‘Building My Machine.’  Recently, I finally feel like I have gotten to a point that I am not ashamed or held back by that past ‘life.’  A couple weeks ago at the gym, a young man I didn't know asked me if I would talk to his mom about her weight issues since I have been able to overcome mine. This was a real 'aha' moment for me. I have overcome them. I can admit to it without being ashamed.  I can help others now.  Changing your life is freaking HARD no matter what the adjustment you are making.  You can have amazing support like my dad, coach, and cousin but that doesn't simplify the change.  Throughout the two years I was always teetering back and forth, so owning my new ‘changed’ life never seemed honest and genuine.  But now, NOW I feel like I have gotten to a point to use that weakness as fuel instead of a weakness rendering me from my potential.  Finding strength in that weakness, Akhilandeshvari! Fueling my fire within. 

“If it isn’t something that’s physically stopping you, then it’s mental.  

So, is your mind going to be your weapon or weakness?”

You better bet that fuel will be my weapon in Vegas! 

Lake Stevens 70.3 Race Report

Lake Stevens 70.3  - 5:05.08

8/64 AG

36/421 Female

205/1222 Overall

Lake Stevens 70.3 was my first half distance Tri last year finishing in 5:35.  I am in love with Washington, Coach T is from there, and this course has been my favorite so far so I had to do it again. 

Leading up to the race, I felt the most calm I have ever before.We got into Washington Friday night and then spent Saturday doing all the usual pre-race stuff… driving the course, short shakeout run/ride/swim, and ended the day with dinner with Teresa and Mark - perfect! 

Going into this race, I wanted to have a good run.  T and I decided to take the bike course more conservative in hopes of accomplishing that goal. 

Swim

I was in wave 9 which took off about 30min. after the pro's.  

This was my best swim to date.  I really felt great in the water.  I think what made the difference in this swim was making sure my mind was continuously focused.  

It is very easy to let my mind drift, especially when swimming, and especially when I have the bike and run to think about.  Instead, this race I stayed in the moment. When the finish line was in site, I went over what I was going to do in T1 and before I knew it... it was ROCKY time.

Bike

Absolutely gorgeous course... you are basically riding through a canopy of greenery the entire time. I found the ride more challenging than St George.  I honestly do not know how I did this course last year on a flat pedal bike! 

The plan was to not be in attack mode the entire ride which was my prior race approach.  I made sure to keep my cadence up, spin up the climbs, and try to keep my heart rate more even throughout.   

Finding what balance I need to take to have a good run is going to take time… maybe I held back a little too much on the bike, maybe not… either way, I came off the bike feeling fresh and ready to run.   

Run  

Right out of transition I saw my dad which gave me tons of energy… always does.   

This is a 2 loop course which means a lot of crowd support.  Since we were racing where TNMultisports is based, there were many TN athletes out on the course for encouragement.  

This is not necessarily a flat course, so my paces were not even/consistence; but I feel like my effort was.  

I never looked at pace the entire run, only HR. This was the first run off the bike that my HR was not through the roof coming out of transition.  

I was feeling awesome until about mile 10. When I high fived T and Mark before the second loop I should have took another gel.  I think that would have prevented the energy loss. Going back up the hill at mile12 hurt but crossing the finish line is always worth it.  Especially with the 70.3 distance. I am addicted to the feeling of finishing on completely empty. Seeing my dad and Teresa's faces there at the finish was awesome!  

It is hard not to get frustrated with yourself when you pour your whole heart and are putting in the time and  not necessarily seeing the results. You cant help but question, 'oh I didn’t train long enough, go hard enough, give enough.'  My head and heart want to be racing with those top girls but my body just isn’t there yet...   

YET!

Big goals take time...

Patients. Consistency. And listening to coach T.  

 

DinoTri Race Recap

DinoLand Tri - 1:17:33 (1 AG, 2 Female, 4 Overall)

This past weekend I drove to Vernal for the DinoTri.  This is my new favorite short distance race. 

Great venue (who knew Vernal was pretty?), honest course and organized as well as an IM event.  I was nervous traveling by myself, but the race directors were so helpful; they personally took extra time going over how to find the different transition areas with me. Oh – and the prizes are freaking awesome... cash prizes for overall winners, fun rock plate awards, and differed bonus prizes like 'beat the race director' and 'King/Queen of the Hill'.  

We were bussed up to Red Fleet Lake. Gorgeous area for the race start.  Warmed up with a jog and short swim. **Typically I take a GU right before the start and I forgot one this time

Swim 15:51

I positioned myself very front and center at the swim start.  Swim was going perfect, until I noticed I wasn’t swimming with anyone… stopped and looked up and saw the start line buoy! Freak – missed the turn, swam back to the loading ramp completely frustrated. 

T2 2:10 

Up the boat ramp running pissed. Chip timer came off when I took my wetsuit off.

Bike 38:01 

The bike is where things turned around.  Awesome bike course including some climbing, a steep descend, then rolling hills to the finish.  Right out of the bike you start the 2 mile climb. LOVED it. I was so angry with my swim that I just powered up the hill.

T2 :34

Run 20:55  
Leaving transition I could hear a girl right off my shoulder.  She was breathing very hard so I just focused on keeping my breath calm and fast turn over. You turn 3 times on the course so you could see your competition very well.  Felt strong, didn’t break 20 though! I still need to figure out how to make my legs move fast off the bike!

Fun day! I highly recommend this race... I will definitely be back next year.

Ironman Boise 70.3 Race Report

Ironman Boise 70.3 

5:11.12

3/47 ag     18/376 female      119/1278 overall

Fun weekend in Boise, Idaho.  Of all my races, I can hands down say I learned the most from this 70.3 with the help a few speed bumps!  Went into this event to gain more racing experience and really wanting to inch my way closer to those pro women times! The sub 5 just wasn't in the cards for me today.

Instead of staying in a hotel, we rented a home which I highly recommend.  It ended up being cheaper than a hotel room, more space (especially for Rocky), kitchen to cook pre-race meal, not so much commotion, etc. etc.  My dad and his girlfriend were great to follow me around all weekend and so supportive!!!    




The day before I rode part of the course to make sure all was well with Rocky and then headed up to the transition area to drop my bike off. (I recommend dropping your bike off the night before so you don't have to carry it up a long dirt trail the next morning).  I always spin through the gears in transition to make sure everything is working properly and noticed my back breaks were locked up?! What.  There was no tech help available until the next morning, so a volunteer suggested I take it to the bike shop, Georges.  Good thing I did.  The tech's were awesome and quickly rewired the back break system for me!   




Between the bike situation, the heat, & the wind, I was getting a bit discouraged.  Being a bit of a control freak, these speed bumps were getting to me.  Had a little pep talk with T who reminded me to focus on the things I can control.  Everyone had to race in the heat and everyone had to deal with the wind so basically... stop being a baby & man up! :) 

Morning of the race was beautiful (this would be the perfect race if they would start it in the morning, just sayin’). I tried to sleep in as much as I could.  Had oatmeal and coffee when I woke up.  With the noon race start, I ate a Powerbar and ½ banana about 3 hours before the start.  Drank about 32ounces leading up to the race.

SWIM – 37:50 

I was in the 11th wave and it started to get hot waiting for our turn.  By the time we got into the water, the 60 degree temp felt great.  The water was choppier than St George but I was able to hang onto the feet of the lead group of girls in my wave until the turn around and then lost them.  The entire time I thought I was swimming faster than St George but ended up slower. 10^th out of the water.

T1 – 2:32

BIKE – 2:45.28

At the race briefing they warned us, at the start of the bike course there are 2 speed bumps, make sure to go slow over them.  Typical Christie to not listen, I rode over them like a bat out of hell and out fell both my water bottles. #1 thing of the day I could control with this heat was my hydration, so losing my water caused a huge mental block… not good at the very start of the race.  Looked down and saw the ‘BTM/Focus’ sticker on my bike, had a little pep talk with myself and got back in the game.  First aid station was around mile 16, which was a little over 90 minutes from the start… I can not tell you how great that water tasted when I arrived. Throughout the rest of the ride I poured water on my kit to keep my body temp down.    

In my opinion, there are no significant climbs on this course, but the headwind and heat caused it to be more difficult than St George.  I stayed down in aero and pushed through it, talking to myself (out loud like a crazy person) the entire way.  Moved to 3^rd position by the end of the bike.    

T2- 1:29

RUN – 1:43

Right out of transition, my body felt hot but my legs were turning over just fine and I was feeling good.  Boise’s run course is ideal to have the perfect run.  I should have had the perfect run.  My plan was to hold 7-7:20’s the first 10K, and then sub 7’s to finish the race.  

I hit mile 4 and my body was hot & would not push.  My legs felt fine and were turning over, stomach felt great, my body just was not responding.  Said my mantras over and over but nothing... and my pace continued to slow each mile. 

Aid stations was water over my head, sip of Cola, ice down the shirt and held ice cubes in my hands until they melted.  Finishing shoot was great with lots of support cheering you on the last 1/2 mile.  They had a huge ice bath tub at the finish line and I jumped right in!   



I learned a lot during this race to implement going forward.  I am so happy to have placed in my age group on a tough day. I am very thankful for a supportive dad and coach and friends.  AND I am ready to kick it up a notch and freaking perform like I should... no speed bumps are going to stop me :) !!!!!




OH....
and meeting Heather Jackson just might have made my day.....

OHx2....

Tradition post race fuel..... SASHIMI