DHT Press Run 21km Race Report

The face says it all...ouch! 
It was a great race!! Very windy with gusts over 70km/hr. There were some sections that were really tough but most of the course was sheltered. I ran hard from the start, I had a goal time and really wasn't sure I could do it. In fact I was pretty sure I couldn't, but I wanted to give it all I had without holding back for fear of blowing up. I know my body is capable of more than my mind will allow, and I really want to push those limits. 

I hit 5km in 22mins, and 10km in just under 45. After that I wasn't watching my splits but I knew at the hour mark I was over 13km and I knew that was on pace. I tried to do the math in my head but still wasn't sure I'd make it in under my goal time. I just kept pushing as hard as I could. The last km was really tough as it was into the head wind and up a nasty short but steep climb. The 3rd place male was only about 200m ahead of me and he was walking up the hill. I was really hoping to catch him but he turned around and saw me bearing down and took off like a rocket! I figure he owes me a thank you for that last burst of motivation! :)

My heart was pounding out of my chest and my lungs were screaming but I held on and crossed strong. I was as close as I've ever been to vomiting at the finish (but I didn't).

I didn't know my time until the awards but was happy to hear it was a PR at 1:35:42. A minute better than my previous half. The goal I set for this race months ago was 1:35 or better. I seriously doubted it going in and actually though 1:38 would be the best I could do. Thank god I chose to run at my big goal pace and risk blowing up rather than running conservatively and finishing with fuel in the tank. This is how I plan to race all year. "Balls to the wall" as my friend Katie used to say ;) 

D also had a smokin fast run and finished in 1:16 (and change). A good day for us! We were 1st male and female and for the first time I won money! The prize was 100 bucks each, which we chose to donate to the charity that the race was supporting. 

In the most exciting news of the day, I had 8 Women of Strength finish the race, with 5 running their first 10km and the other 3 running the 21km. They all did amazing and it was soooo great to see everyone feeling successful and proud of their achievement. I love my job. 

Next weekend is our 4th race in 5 weeks! Hinton Oly tri is one of my favorite races and I can't wait to rip it up!!! 

Hope everyone had a phenomenal weekend of training, racing and fun!! 

Tick Tock

Tomorrow is the Grande Prairie Herald Tribune Press Run. !!!! 

I am super excited for this race. 1) because I am racing and that is exciting and 2) because a have a group of my Women of Strength girls running their first races!! 

I am so pumped for these ladies to have their first race experience. They are nervous, excited and somewhat ignorant as to what they are in for. All the emotions that you only have before you do something for the first time! I am proud of their courage and honored that they trust me enough to sign up because I told them too!! LOL There are almost 370 people registered for the 10km run/walk and the 21km run/ walk. That is impressive in a center this size!! Kudos to Sonja and Lori who are the race directors and who have really built this race into a big community event! 

As for me, I am stoked to race. My week has been pretty low key as I've been fighting the sickies. Sore throat/ swollen glands have scared me enough to keep the workouts light and easy. I also have a sore leg as a result of H-dog yanking me off balance to chase after something.

Before a race I am never sure if these little aches and pains are real or just psyschosomatic. Sometimes they magically disappear after the race. Anyone else experience this?? 

 

Food for Thought

I came across this article today, and I really like it. I have been personally mortified by the number of processed baby foods that have been popping up over the past few years. I think people trust food manufacturers when they shouldn't. Food is big business and food manufacturers are all about making money/ selling their products. Health of the consumer is not their M.O and we need to remember that! Just because the box says it is healthy, doesn't mean it is a good choice. It is marketing. Getting your kid hooked on processed crap from birth is a frightening thought. 

Anyway, have a read if it interests you...

The Definitive Guide to Feeding Primal Babies | Mark's Daily Apple

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I would like to thank....

The Fire, for returning to my belly :DI am not sure if it is a return to racing, the fact that the weather has turned and we have had some gorgeous summer like days to train, or I have just finally got my mojo back, but whatever the cause I am just happy to feel the way I do.

This weekend was stellar. We met some friends Saturday morning and headed South on highway 40. It is such a beautiful route, the highway is pretty quiet and lined with trees. I rode with Sonya and we chatted nearly the entire 105km. We rode comfortable, but didn't slack off. Our average speed was about 28km/hr and the ride was just under 4hrs. The last climb up Ainsworth hill hurt. I will not lie. But it is great training for Hinton in 2 weeks.

Right off the bike we headed out for a T run. The gang was all doing 20mins, but I had 30mins on my schedule so I went on my own. It was a serious sufferfest for the first 15mins, but my legs gradually came around and the return trip was much better.

We had a wee nap once home and then an awesome steak dinner with lots of grilled veggies. We also had a couple beers (to help with the re-hydration).

Sunday we were up early again to hit the pool. I was expecting the worst as I was feeling pretty depleted from the previous day. Surprisingly, I felt really good in the pool. I had a 300m w/u and then 8x 200m descending 1-4 and 5-8. I pushed hard on these and had D's feet to chase. I hit the retaste zone a few times and was overheating due to the 80 degree pool water. Next up was 800m pull with paddles, I took it nice and easy, stretching out my stroke and keeping the count down. I finished off with 300m of pull, sans paddles to make 3km.

Next up was a 90min run. We ran from the pool so we could do the Southern loop of the half marathon course we are running next weekend. I have to say, my legs were not feeling it, and it took a good 20mins before I could start to feel a bit of a groove. The first 45mins out I averaged an easy 5min per KM, but shortly after the turn around I ran out of water and the heat started to get to me. My pace slowed a bit and I finished up in 92mins. The last part of the run felt eerily similar to an Ironman marathon. But without the aide stations! I really needed an aide station.

D got some work done on our deck project this afternoon and I walked Harley and made a big dinner for us. I feel tired, but completely happy and satisfied with the completion of a solid training weekend. I am finally feeling strong, fit and excited for the season ahead.

Oh and on Tuesday I get my new baby (see previous post). I can't wait! I am thinking of doing the Canmore Xterra at the end of August. I love riding and running the trails and have always wanted to race and Xterra race.


Next weekend is the Press Run 21km. I am super pumped for that race and can't wait to push myself and see what I can do...
Oh, and we didn't take a single picture this weekend during our training. Not surprising, we did get some pictures of H-dog :)

Coming Soon...

Grande Prairie Triathlon Race Report

First tri of the season, and the first one we've done since IM Kentucky! We definitely weren't anywhere near Kentucky...The race was unbelievably COLD! 2 degrees, windy and freeeezing rain. But it motivated me to go as fast as I could! (I didn't wear my watch all day so I never knew any times until the end, which was weird.)
The swim (pool thank god) was good, I was at the back of a lane of 4 and passed them all to come out in 8:46 (500m) I am a shitty swimmer, so this was a good time for me. There is something great that happens when I am in a race, I don't think about swimming, I just swim as fast as I can go and try and catch everyone I can. I actually enjoy it! I wish I felt that way in training, I would probably swim more.
I took the time in transition to put on a jacket, but didn't bother with gloves or socks. Dumb. I wasted some time putting on glasses that immediately fogged up, so I tried to throw them back to my transition spot- but ended up getting them caught in someone's wheel so I had to go back and untangle them. The time would have been better spent putting on more clothes.
The bike was 5 loops, the worst part of the loop was on the main road where it was a slight uphill and a nasty headwind. It was sooo cold! I just tried to ride as hard and fast as I could so I could be warmer and hopefully finish before I froze completely. I had good speed on the straights, even in the wind, but I had to slow right down at the corners, one in particular was a sharp right and I had to nearly stop to get around. I probably could have been more aggressive, but with the rain and my frozen hands I was nervous. By the end of the third loop my fingers and toes were frozen and my thighs were burning they were so cold. I actually questioned if I was going to be able to finish the damn race. On the last loop I was finally passed by a girl and it woke me up. I refocused and picked up the pace to keep her in my sights. She came into transition just ahead of me, but I had a much better T2 despite frozen fingers and beat her out onto the run. My feet were frozen and I actually looked down at my feet to see if my shoes were on the wrong feet because that is what it felt like! I ran as best I could, I was worried about being caught. It was a 3 loop course with 2 out and backs so I was able to keep my eye on the competition and stay ahead. Time was 17mins27secs for 4km. Finishing was a relief, and I went straight inside and into the hot tub. For the first time in my life the hot tub was too cold! I was still shivering!
I guess this is what to expect in Northern Alberta in May... Thank You to all the people out in the freezing cold volunteering and cheering! The people here are hard core!
My time was 1:01:56. I thought I would be under an hour, but I raced as hard as I could in the weather. I was 1st female and 8th overall, so I guess the conditions affected everyone.
D won in 52mins and change, he was flying! We both won shoes again! Two weeks, two races and two pairs of shoes! Local races rock!

I love my husband :)

It goes without saying, but I am saying. I have the best husband. For a million reasons and more... and everyday I am grateful.
Today was the end of a long week. I came home to this "gift" from the hubs. He figured out how to use imovie all on his own and created it while I was teaching classes.
What a lucky woman am I...
http://darin-hunter.blogspot.com/2009/05/this-is-where-my-heart-is.html

Thanks babe.

Run Happy

Well after an extremely challenging week for me, I am happy to have completed the first race of the season. This week I've been dealing with a really painful back. I was unable to train and only swam a couple of times. It was physically painful, but even more mentally tough as I was really looking forward to racing this weekend. Yesterday I made the decision to switch from the 8km to the 5km because I had no idea how things would go and I figured 5km would be less to walk if I had to...

Thankfully my body held out and I was able to run, albeit not at my 100%. Regardless, I am happy to have the first race of the season under my belt and I was fortunate to be the first finisher across the line- meaning I beat all the other guys and gals in the 5km race :D My time was 21:24, unimpressive by my usual standards, but great considering just a couple of days ago I couldn't get my pants on without laying on my back and it was painful to walk, sit and stand...

D had a fantastic race, he smoked the 8km race in 27mins and a few seconds. He has been working hard to get his training in around all his work travel and I am super proud of his amazing performance!
We both got New Balance runners for being the first male and female, and I won a nice Saucony tee shirt to boot!
Great day to race, after over 7months it feels like there were some big cobwebs to blow out and I am officially pumped and ready for the GP sprint tri next weekend and the Press Run 21km in two weeks....all aboard the pain train....wooooooooooot!

I heart my neices :)

Maesa:4, Gianna:2, Angelina:7 months

"A child can always teach an adult three things:
To be happy for no reason, to always be busy with something, and to know how to demand with all her might that which she desires.
-From the Fifth Mountain By Paulo Cohelo

In case you are thinking of skipping your workout today...

Check out Jamie Whitmore's blog. Can you imagine how much you'd want to train if suddenly you couldn't??

http://www.jamiewhitmore.com/

What if this were your last run or ride or? How would you want to remember it...

Monday Morning Motivation

"Live more than your neighbors. Unleash yourself upon the world and go places. Go now. Giggle, no, laugh. No...stay out past dark and bark at the moon like the wild dog that you are. Understand that this is not a dress rehearsal. This is it. Your life. Face your fears and live your dreams. Take it all in. Yes, every chance you get. Come close. And by all means, whatever you do, get it on film." Jon Blais "Blazeman"