Stronger Together (and a Race Report for Columbus Day Triathlon)

This past weekend was the Columbus Day Triathlon at CB Smith Park.  The soul reason I signed up for this race was because my former neighbor and long time training bud Jessica was celebrating her 34th birthday, Tough Chik style, by doing something she never thought she would do--a triathlon.
Coincidentally, my Tri season started back in March on this same course.   It seemed an appropriate way to end my sprint season.  The only multisport event left on my calendar is the Miami Man International Distance Tri in just 4 short weeks (with the Halloween Half sandwiched in between). 

Anyway, I was off my game this past week.  Anxiety and eating like crap and all that fun jazz.  I can't even explain it.  Anyway, I was feeling off my game coming in to the weekend.  But seeing as the whole reason I was doing this was to support my friend, it really didn't matter.  All I knew was that I *had* to do better on the bike portion of the course than I did back in March.

Jess and I were looking super adorable in our Tough Chik Zoom Zoom kits, with matching painted nails and the whole nine yards. 

Its FINALLY cooling down a hair in South Florida . . . which means mid 70s in the morning instead of 80s.  Race morning dawned beautiful and calm.  The lake was pleasant (as opposed to March when it was bone chillingly cold).  We met so so so many first time triathletes waiting to start, which was amazing!  The swim was just meh for me.  I'm so much more comfortable in the water than I was when the season started, but I'm just not an efficient swimmer.  And I can't seem to swim in a straight line to save my life.  Going to work on that as much as I can in the off season (even though our Y pool is closed) so that next year can be better.

The bike was ROCKING.  All the weekends spent schlepping around with my awesome riding friends has paid off.   I averaged 19mph over 11 according to my computer, and 18.5 according to race timing.  The only people who really passed me were serious competitors on tri bikes.  I was super stoked at how fast my little aluminum baby rode.

Legs felt like jello after the bike, which I know is because I'm not practicing enough bricks at my race pace.  I'm too lazy to push that much outside of a race.  Something to work on going forward.  I was determined to break an 11:00 min/mile pace, which has been my pace for the ENTIRE summer, on this run, so I set my watch timer for 33 minutes, making sure I was on pace at each mile marker.  This race is a 2 loop run, and at loop one I got passed by a young lady I remembered from packet pickup.  I spent all of the 2nd loop watching her back, and we finished together. Pace for the run came out at 10:21, which makes me SUPER stoked to see what I can pull off at the Halloween Half. 

Times were good enough for 2nd place Athena.  If I would have raced Age Group, I would have been first, but I'm so incredibly happy being an Athena.  I feel at home there. 

I had to grab a picture with Madison, the awesome chik I kept an eye on during that second loop.  My favorite races are always the ones where I find someone to keep me company/push/encourage over those last miles.  She scored a 1st in her age group.  

 Jess did amazing for her first time out, scoring 3rd in her age group. 

 This medal design is probably my favorite of the season.

The bling is nice, but this is my favorite race of the season for another reason.  In part because there were so many newbies there to encourage.  It was a personal best (by a lot) on the run, and I felt sooo strong on the bike.  It was nice to conquer a course that conquered me back in March.  But its more than that.

 One of the great advantages of racing with Multirace is that they give you a link to all your stats, and keep track of everything.  I think back to who I was when I did that first race in 2009, and how far I've come since then.  I was still scared, wasn't sure what I could tackle.  I feel slow, still, but when you look at the progression, its slow forward progress.  SLOW, but still progress.    And this last race was all the sweeter because I managed to improve while being two months in with this whole homeschooling thing. 

And THIS is the Stronger Together part of this post.  This progress has been possible because of support.   The folks I run with on a daily basis from the gym and from my running group.  My Tough Chik sisters, who keep me motivated when days are rough at home and I want to sit down in cry.  Who understand that determined does not necessarily mean FAST, and don't care.

As I look forward to 2014, I want to cry--half out of terror, and half out of sheer excitement.  I'm chasing a 2:22 half marathon goal this season.  I want to tackle the Ragnar Relay with so much more strength than I did last year (it was certainly the event that turned me in to a distance runner).  I (can't believe I'm saying this out loud) hope to tackle my first marathon.  Its time to stop settling for "slow" and going for more.

Its never easier to push the envelope, but its SO much easier with people by your side.  Pacing you, pushing you, cheering you on.  Getting stronger (faster/fitter/happier/healthier) is never easy.  Its not in a pill or a powder.  Its in the work you put in, every day, and how you look at your life.  Sometimes we, as a society, like to compare/compete/demean each other . . . but we are STRONGER when we work together.  I was stronger because I managed to attach myself to Madison during the last 1.5 miles of that race.  I am stronger because I just happened to "meet" TooTallFritz in a Weimaraner discussion group online, a lifetime before even considered running.

Sometimes, as we struggle, we feel alone.  Like we are the only ones who feel that way.  Like you might be the only person who wants to quit, so you do, because it doesn't seem like anyone else is struggling.

The miles go by a little smoother when you know someone believes in you.

The tears come a little easier when you know someone is crying with you, even if they aren't in the same room, or the same state, or the same country. 

Find a tribe to help you reach your goals.  Find them in a gym or a run group . . . or if you still feel like you are drifting on alone, join Team Tough Chik.  Its easier to believe in yourself when there are others who believe in you.  When people who have never even met you believe in you.  Team Tough Chik registration is open only through the end of the month.

Fast or slow, thick or thin, we are STRONGER TOGETHER.  So go out, get inspired, and be inspiring. 

On Values and What Is Right

The world right now is a world of uncertainty, especially here on the bit of soil we call America.  There is finger pointing, there is a blame game, and there is a government (not one side or the other of the government, but the ENTIRE government) playing politics and being ridiculous while the American people suffer.  There are children shooting each other in school and adults shooting each other almost everywhere.

There are people who make vows to one another and then simply leave when the going gets tough.  And no, I'm not saying there is anything simple about separating from a spouse.  But we live in a world where a PROMISE really just means "I promise to love you while its convenient and easy.  Unless it gets hard.  Then I'm done." 

There are people who spend the few hours they have with their kids with electronics in front of their face instead of listening, REALLY listening to what their kids have to say.  Our children can be empowered when we give them a voice and actually LISTEN to what they are saying.

I'm blown away lately by the nastiness that is floating around in the world. . . from partisan rants to vitriol among people that should be friends. It leaves you with a yucky feeling.

So do yourself a favor.  Smile.  Say something nice to someone.   Listen when your children speak.  Turn off the TV and have dinner as a family. Let your children know that their opinions and thoughts matter.  Model how they should treat people by how YOU treat people.

Our world is broken, and sad, and sorry right now. But it doesn't have to be that way.  Even though we are each single people, we can change our little corner of the world.  We can change it for our children.  We can change it for our friends.  Bad things will happen, but we can approach them with grace and show that strength is beautiful.  We can revel in the simple beauty of the day.  We can find wonder in the simpler things in life.

We had a great yoga class a few weeks back about keeping steady in times of uncertainty.  Going back to basics is a great way to do this.  Our foundations, our roots are what keep us strong.  What is your foundation?  What are your strengths?  Think of those things as you move through your day. 

Take a step back. Unplug.  Do something kind.  Say a kind word to someone you don't know.  When you make a promise, keep it.  And when there are people in your life who don't do these things, let them go, because they don't add any value to your life.  Our days on Earth are numbered . . . we are each only here for so long.  Don't kid yourself that what you do DOESN'T impact someone.  Because it can.  And it probably does.  Live a life you can be proud of.

Race Report - Mack Cycle Triathlon Trilogy Bonus Round - Mostly in pictures

In 2012, I was amazingly pleased with myself just for completing all four races in the  Mack Cycle Triathlon Trilogy.  (Yes, Trilogy means THREE, but there is a bonus round).  I got a new bike and spent a lot of my season learning how to ride it well.  This season, the trilogy was different.  I learned that I could be competitive. 

This race was super special because after Brad thinking I was NUTS for doing this stuff, he decided to JOIN me.

Getting ready to head out in the wee hours of the morning.

 After racking our bikes in transition

 And really, what beats this??  It isn't about winning or losing or how fast you go.  Its about meeting the day, rising to the occasion, and living each day to its fullest.

 I got to pass Brad on the bike once.  Other than that I didn't see him.  He was waiting at the finish for me, but in the end I had him by a scant amount of time.  Of course, HE was on a mountain bike and it was his first race.  I was actually sad when I saw my run time, I was expecting to kill it because I felt AMAZING.  My time last month was faster. 

 After

 Really liked the Tough Chik Zoom Zoom top.  It didn't chafe and stayed in place and was kind to all my lumpy places.  I snagged the matching shorts for the Columbus Day Triathlon, where I'll accompany my long-time run bud Jess on her first Tri.

 Times were good enough for another 3rd place.  I had a personal best in almost everything.  The currents were in our favor for a change.   I also managed 3rd place Athena for the series.  Sooo close to 2nd, but close only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades.  Was happy having my little miss on the podium with me, arms raised in victory.

 We managed to finish up the awards ceremony before the storms started rolling in.

Beautiful day.  Brad had fun, and will definitely be back for more next season. His only response to his time was "I should have practiced a brick."  :-)  Ever so slowly pulling him over to the dark side.

Don't forget Team Tough Chik registration is still open, through the end of the month!

One Day At A Time

I still owe you guys a race report from the Bonus Round of the Mack Cycle Triathlon Trilogy.  It would appear I'm slipping again in the blog realm.  It seems there are just not enough hours in the day to train, get school work done with the kids, work, make dinner, and keep my house clean.  Oh wait, my house isn't clean. 4/5 isn't bad, right?  Oh, snap.  That's a B.  I don't like "Bs". Perhaps there is a grading curve??

I digress.  I'm currently in freak-out mode, and trying very hard to take things one day at a time.  The whole "one day at a time" thing is keeping me from having a nervous breakdown, mostly about school stuff with the kiddos.  Partially because I am so annoyed with our government.   Partially because I'm a little worried I over-reached in planning my schedule for the next six weeks. Partially because anxiety issues run in my family.

In the next six weeks, I have a sprint tri, a week off, The Halloween Half Marathon, a week off, and then the Miami Man International Triathlon.  This race is my goal race for the year--I just want to be able to NOT DIE (specifically, drown, but I am now less worried about that then I am keeping a decent pace for 26 miles on my bike and then running afterward).    In addition, in the spring, I promised myself that I would break an 11 minute mile pace at the Halloween Half Marathon this year.  

So, pace.  Being a middle-of-the-packer is sort of annoying.  I've been running for several years, and have watched many runners who are new blow out times that are far faster than mine.  For a while I convinced myself that my pace is my pace.  But my last two distance running events last year showed me I *CAN* be faster if I just work at it.  But I KNOW I have to work for it.  The thing that makes you faster is running outside your comfort zone.  I know that this is why I haven't gotten "faster".  Although, really, I have . . . my first half was at a 13 min mile pace and my second was at an eleven min mile pace.  But still.  I'm ready for more.  Yes, comparison is the thief of joy.  But I want RELENTLESS FORWARD PROGRESS too.

So I've been putting in the miles--September was the highest mileage month for me since probably January, when I hit 70 miles.  I've never been a high-mileage kind of girl, I enjoy too many other things to run more than 3-4 days a week.  But when I hit the send button on our entries for the Halloween Half this week, I had a moment of complete panic.  Have I done enough work?  Have I put in enough time on tempo runs and speed work (two things I HATE) to sustain a good pace?  Were my times in the spring completely influenced by the cold weather?  (Both races were in 50-60 degree weather).  Can I sustain a sub 11 minute pace on a balmy October morning?

Add in the fact that our YMCA has decided to close our pool for the season, which makes getting pool time for triathlon training INFINITELY more complicated.  Yes, we have a pool in our community, but its a heck of a lot harder to swim laps when you also need to make sure your children don't drown.  Add in trying to work around school schedules, work schedules, my husbands meeting schedules . . . and his training schedule too since he is doing the Halloween Half along with me.  Blah, blah, blah.  In the end, these races are happening. Whether I am ready or not, these two big races are happening in the next six weeks.  And yeah, I'm a little scared.  Scared of not meeting my goals.

Saying goals out loud freaks me out more than a little.  I worry about failing.  I don't always believe in myself.  I tend to freak out about my pace if I have a concrete goal.  I worry about failing.  I worry about being judged as being slow.  People expect certain things when you (talk about) run(ning) as much as I do.  Sometimes I get the "you aren't faster than that?" look.

But you know what?

You have to believe it to achieve it.  Its hard to remember that each and every workout, each and every scrap of sweat you put in makes a difference.  You have to trust in the process.  You have to take things one day at a time, and remember that in the end, it adds up.  You have to trust in the process. You have to take it one day at a time.  You have to believe that in the end, the miles and the sweat and the tears will add up.  


And you have to believe that you worked hard enough. That you can do it. That you are tough enough.

 

Dilemmas like this are why I love Team Tough Chik, by the way. Because not everyone wants to listen to me lament on all this.  Not everyone gets it. But my toughie teammates do.  Team Tough Chik registration is open RIGHT NOW, and I'm so glad to be in for another year of greatness.

I find myself watching this video before nearly every workout lately, because the voiceover really resonates.  I HAVE come along way, and sometimes I get caught up in the "look how far you've come."  But while I've come a long way, I still want to go further.  I want to get faster.

"The voice you have chosen to listen to is one of defiance. . .Sit up, put your feet on the floor, because we have work to do.  Welcome to the grind.  For what is each day but a series of conflicts between the right way and the easy way. . . When you make that choice, when you decide to turn your back on what is comfortable, what is safe, what some would call 'common sense,' well, that's day 1.  From there, it only gets tougher. . . The easy way out will always be there. . .This is no time to dwell on how far you've come . . . Remember, this is The Grind, the Battle Royale between you and your mind . . . Drown out the voice of uncertainty with the sound of your own heartbeat. . .  REMEMBER WHAT WE'RE FIGHTING FOR. . . Is that all you've got? Are you sure? . . . Believe that voice that says you can run a little faster . . . When your time comes, and a 1,000 different voices are trying to tell you that you aren't ready for it, listen instead to that lone voice of dissent.  The one that says you are ready, you are prepared, it's all up to you now."

I feel like I'm rambling, so I'll be done now. Here's hoping that you can take it one day at a time, too, while at the same time making those days count.  These are not easy times, but tough times don't last.  We're all tough enough to outlast the tough times.