First day of school

My full race report is finished! You can view it here:
http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=129760

Yesterday was also my first day of school. I'm glad the triathlon gave me something to look forward to (so that I wasn't worrying about school the past few weeks). The summer went by way too fast- and school started again way too soon!

There is not much I can really say about my first day of school. I was given a pop-quiz first thing in the morning in U.S. History (me and the entire rest of the class failed this quiz!). I hope the quiz wasn't counted for a huge grade. I'm very relieved we are having a bonus quiz later in the week to be able to make up some points we lost from that pop quiz. I hope all the teacher's quizzes and tests aren't as hard as that first one I just took!

I was also given another quiz in chemisty. That quiz was pretty easy though. It was over the names of the elements in the periodic table (which I studied this summer). I only missed three questions out of about thirty on that quiz.

Yesterday, I was also given a ton of homework in math. I was given 6 sections of the book to complete, every section has about 50 problems. I'm incredibly glad we get two weeks to finish this assignment!

My study hall was really nice though. It gave me plenty of time to get some of those math problems done. I am so greatful for that study hall this year!

I think the funniest thing that happened yesteday was during third period spanish. I am taking Spanish 3, and throughout the entire class, the teacher thought that we were in the Spanish 2 class. She didn't realize her mistake untill the end of the period when someone pointed it out to her. That was definitely intresting!

My second day of school today was pretty much as uneventful as my first. It went by a lot easier though, now that I know what classes I have and where they are all located.

Just 178 more school days untill next summer break!

Some photos from the race

Remember when I said I would have race photos up soon? Well, here they are. These pictures are only the ones that my parents took. I think the race organizers took photos as well. I'll have those up soon too.

I think this is the first time I posted photos on this blog. Now you all get to see what I look like. I'm sure you were dying to know.



The start of the swim. Just me and 750 of my closest friends.



Coming out of the swim. I am the one in the black swimsuit (not the wetsuit) just barely out of the lake.



Still coming out of the swim. In case you still haven't found me in the black swimsuit yet, I am the one with HUGE tan lines on my legs.



Running from the lake to the transiton area.



Running to the finish (this is when I picked up my pace from a walk to an almost sprint)!



Still running to the finish (now I'm sprinting- well, as much as I can after 4 hours of exercise)!



FOOD! (Yes, I look like crap after 4 hours of exercise in the heat. I think everyone does!).

I think the race orgainzers are going to have a lot more photos from between the swim and the finish. My parents weren't at the race site the whole time, so those are the only oppertunities they had to take pictures. Sorry if it seems like there is a huge gap in this photo-story!

Today's race: A brief report

I finished!!! I did my first olympic-distance triathlon today and I finished!!!

The race was really fun, but pretty tireing. I enjoyed every moment of it!

Some highlights of the race-

The swim: I accidently swam the half ironman course. Oops. Oh well, the lake was nice anyway. Apparently when I saw some people turning, I was supposed to follow them toward the finish line. I wasn't supposed to keep going straight!

The bike: My new road bike made the 25 miles fly by. At the end of the ride, I felt like I could have actually went farther! I even ended up passing a couple people during this bike ride (all on road bikes!) even though maybe 20 or so people passed me. I never passed anyone on a bike before! The hills also felt SO much smaller and easier to climb on the road bike!

The run: Whew! This was when I was starting to get tired! I pretty much ran/walked the entire course. The race also finished in 85 (ish) degree heat. I kept myself plenty cool with the water at the aid stations, but the run was still pretty tough. My next goal is to be able to run the entire course (without walk breaks) next time I do an olympic-distance triathln.

The finish: Wow! The finish was amazing. I couldn't believe I just did an olympic distance triathlon. I did a huge sprint to the end, followed by much eating, drinking of water, and when I got home- a shower, nap, and more food.

Today's race was great! I love this sport SO much!

Full race report (with pictures!) coming soon.

Triathlon tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so excited I can't sit still!!!!!! A moment ago, I was jumping up and down all over the room!!!!!!! I can't wait until tomorrow. I can't wait until tomorrow, I can't wait until tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tomorrow is my first Olympic distance triathlon, in case you may not have realized (well obviously, now you do)!!!!!!!

I wasn't even thinking about this race a whole bunch between the time I registered for it and now- it was just something that was in the back of my mind. It didn't seem real that I was actually doing it. Now it seems as real as the skin on my face (Was that the dumbest simile you ever heard?!).

What knocked me into this shock of reality was the planning that I just now realized I have to do for tomorrow. Tonight, I was half- heartedly thinking “oh, there is a race tomorrow". Then I (again half-heartedly) realized "Oops. I have to prepare!” By the time I started thinking of concrete details, however, the reality began to sink in. I started asking myself questions such as: What time do I need to leave the house? (I have to leave at 6:00 A.M. to be at the race site by 8:00 A.M.) How far away is the race from where I live? (54 minutes according to MapQuest) Should I start packing my gear now? (Yes!).

I can't believe this is actually happening!!!!!!

As you may recall, I haven't done a triathlon- of any distance- since the beginning of May. Now it is time to see the benefits of an entire summer of training. I've been training 2 hours a day for 6 days a week. I also got a road bike and increased my longest swim/bike/run distances- all by pretty good amounts.

This summer has basically gotten me addicted to the sport. I'm now completely addicted to training, and the euphoric way that I feel afterwards. This sport feels like more than just a hobby to me now. I love to race, but participating in this sport is no longer all about the races for me. I would keep on training- even if I never was able to race again.

This summer has shown that I have really found something in life that I love to do. I love this sport and am ready to tear the course up tomorrow! Maybe (if I am really, really lucky…) I will finish second to last place tomorrow. That is a big if- and I honestly could care less how I place! I looked at the participant list for tomorrow and I was the only one listed in my age group competing in the Olympic distance triathlon. I will still get a trophy no matter how slow I go! Horry for automatic awards!

I am SO ready to see how much I have improved in this sport over the summer. This race is going to be the true test of that. I am going to do more exercise in a single day than I have ever done in my entire life. I have built up to biking 25 miles with a short run afterwards (about a 3 mile distance). I have also done some long runs (about 10 miles). I have never, however, rode my bike 25 miles and then ran 6. It should be quite the experience! I hope to finish strong!

Anyways, next time you hear from me, I will be writing a race report. I can't believe I am doing this!

Now, if you excuse me, this typing is WAY too much focus and sitting still for me right now. I shall return to jumping up and down and screaming loud, stupid songs.

I could really use a workout right now. A 2 hour swim, bike, or run sounds like heaven. The only problem is that I have to stay off my feet to keep myself fresh for tomorrow; however, I bet I won't be wishing for more workouts in the middle of that 6mile run tomorrow!

Getting used to my new bike: A daily diary

Here is my daily diary (bought to you by my training log) of what it was like getting used to my road bike. I am pretty much used to it now, but still can not believe how fast it goes! I am so excited to use it in the triathlon on Sunday! Maybe it won't take me 3 hours to finish the 25 mile bike ride now! I am secretly hoping to finish the bike ride in less than 2 hours with my new, lightning-fast Trek Pilot 1.2. That would be so neat if I can make that goal!

Mon Aug. 18:

I got a new bike today!!!!! It is a Trek Pilot 1.2. It is so awesome and I can't wait to ride it! I test rode it in the parking lot of the bike shop, and it is SO fast compared to my mountain bike!!!

Tue Aug. 19:

I did an easy ride today (I rode for about 45 min) to get used to my new bike. Oh my gosh! It is so fast!!! I had to keep breaking and coasting to keep my speed down. I am not used to going so fast!

Tomorrow, I will try pedaling normally on the bike to get comfortable with the new speed.

My elbows are also really sore from riding my bike in a different position.

I LOVE MY NEW BIKE!!!

Wed Aug. 20:

I did another ride today to get used to my new bike. I rode for about 55 mins today. I am still getting used to the extra speed, but I am breaking and coasting less (I only did that a little on the down hills)!

I'm still getting used to the hand position too. My elbows were less sore, but my hands were kind of sore today. I am also getting used to the new way of turning. I accidentally went off the road twice while trying to turn!

I'm getting used to this bike :)

Thur Aug. 21:

I'm getting a little more used to this bike now. I was actually able to ride my normal route today- that I was originally riding with my mountain bike. I actually added 2 miles to the route and STILL finished in the same time that the mountain bike ride would have taken me (about 45 min)! I also wasn't even working that hard (I was barely sweating when I got home). I need to work harder and get used to all this free speed!

The turning is getting a little better too. I only went off the road once today!

My elbows and arms are still a little sore (though not as bad as yesterday) but I will get bike gloves to help with that.

Maybe I won't finish dead last in the triathlon Sunday. That is a BIG maybe...

Fri Aug. 22 ("That is today!" says Captain Obvious):



I love my new bike!!!

The same loop I rode today took 2:55 in May.

With my mountain bike a couple weeks ago, this loop took 1:55.

Now this loop takes 1:27!

I am getting better used to this bike now. I still have to break before I turn (which probably isn't good on the breaks) but I didn't run off the road once today.

This bike is so light. I feel like I can ride forever on it! The only problem is my hands hurt. I will get bike gloves for that this weekend.

I can't wait to see how fast I can go on the triathlon!

New bike!!!

I finally got a road bike yesterday! It is so awesome and fast! Shown above is a picture of my new bike. My new bike is a Trek Pilot 1.2 and I love it!

My mom paid for half of the cost of the $660 bike. I had to pay the other half. I am now $330 poorer, but the bike is definitely worth the expensive cost. Maybe I will actually get to finish second to last in a triathlon (as opposed to dead last like I normally place!).

I took the bike on a test ride in the bike store parking lot yesterday, and was immediately amazed at the lightness and speed of the bike. I was even more impressed when I took the new bike on its first ride today.

The ride I did today was mostly just to get used to the bike. I rode the bike up and down the street right next to my house, where I wouldn't have to worry about cars. I practiced shifting gears and basically just getting used to the new feel of the bike.

These are the things I noticed while taking my new bike on its first spin today:

1. This bike is so much nicer than my previous steed- a $100 piece of crap from Wal-Mart.

2. This bike is so light!

3. The gear shifting on this bike is so much different than that of my previous bike.

4. The hand position is different too. My elbows are kind of stretched out and sore today, but I'm sure I will eventually get used to this new position.

5. This bike is SO light. I can actually lift the bike many feet above the ground. My other bike, I may have been able to lift an inch off the ground.

6. The suspension on the bike is very different. I can feel every little leaf and bump now. Now I see why people complain about bumpy roads in triathlons! On my old bike, I never felt any of the small bumps!

7. This. Bike. Is. So. Fast. The speed I can maintain pushing as hard as I can going downhill on my mountain bike is the same speed I can now maintain while barely pedaling on the flats!

8. Going faster is kind of scary! I had to keep braking and coasting because I wasn't used to all the new speed! I WILL get used to the new speed on this bike, and I WILL be comfortable enough to pedal normally and fly down the roads (They don't call this bike a 'Pilot" for nothing!).

9. This bike has no kickstand. I had issues leaning my bike against the wall today; having it clatter to the ground twice and making me look like a HUGE klutz!

10. I love my new bike and can't wait to ride it again tomorrow!

P.S. My mom and dad also got new road bikes yesterday too. My mom got the Trek 1000 and my dad got the 1.5 model of my bike. They couldn't stand me having something nice that they didn't have! All they had before they got these new bikes were 20 year old Schwinn mountain bikes, so they needed new bikes more than I did!

A quick stop in my school in the summer

Yesterday, I had to go back to my school (in the summer time!) to get my picture taken. I have absolutely no idea why my school does pictures during the summer- I guess for the same reason that they have summer homework. They don't want us to have an actual summer break!

Anyways, I haven't gotten my picture taken since middle school (back in the time when they actually took pictures during the school day…) so I had to get my picture taken this year. Actually, my mom forced me to get my picture taken. I had no enthusiasm about the plan whatsoever. I already know what I look like! Why would I want to step into a school building two weeks early just to get more proof that I have blonde hair and braces?

My mom made a really huge deal about getting these pictures taken (since I haven't had any in three years!). She took me to a salon, where I got my hair blow dried and curled. Then, my mom had me put on a ton of makeup (which I normally never wear). This makeup included lip gloss, eye liner, eye shadow, mascara, blush, and some random green and beige goo that I had to rub on my face. By the time this was all done, I was all prim and pretty. I was as ready as I ever could be to step into a school building in the middle of the summer.

Thankfully, the line to take the pictures wasn't that long. I was done fairly quickly; however, for some reason, my mom forgot to put the check in the picture order form. I had to run all the way back out to the car to have mom write me another check! After this, I had to go all the way back to the gym (where the pictures were being taken) to give the picture guy the money!

After giving the picture guy the check (thankfully, I didn't have to wait in line again!) it was time to pick up my schedule for the upcoming school year. There is not really much to say about this schedule (It’s a school schedule. How fascinating can it be?). The only thing to say is that I have all my hard classes in the morning. All my easy classes are in the afternoon.

Morning classes: AP chemistry, AP U.S. History, A.P. Calculus, Spanish 3

Afternoon classes: A.P. English (the only hard class of the afternoon), Personal Finance, Study hall.

The one thing I would like to bring your attention to is the Study hall. I wasn't expecting a Study hall in my schedule, but I got one anyway. I was intending to take Journalism, but none of the Journalism classes fit with my schedule (they would all overlap with other classes I would be taking during the same period).

I was initially disappointed when I realized I didn't get into my Journalism class; however, I realized I can still take that class next year. In the mean time, I had an awesome study hall. I became SO happy!

Having a study hall means I will now have about an hour's less homework every night! This means an hour more of focused studying for quizzes and tests (It is so much easier to study at school than at home. There are so many fewer distractions!). This also means an hour less of homework every night, an hour more of free time, and an hour more of training time!

I was really freaking out about the number of AP classes I had this year, wondering how I would ever get all the homework done every night. This unexpected study hall is such a blessing!

Ready to race!

Last running race: A 5K in the middle of December (In the middle of a blizzard! It was fun!).
Last triathlon: The OSU triathlon on May 4th.
Last swim meet: June 8th.
Last race of any kind: An open water swim race on June 28th I DNF'ed because I couldn't stand the cold.

As you can tell, it has been a long time since I last raced. It has been almost two months since my last swim race, and almost four since my last triathlon!

The whole summer I have done nothing but train, train, train. I have had some fun times involving great workouts and huge impovements on my fitness level; however, I am ready to race!

Just 11 days untill my first olympic distance triathlon!!!

I am so pumped!

Why I want to run a marathon in 2009...

<---- Me in 2009 (though probably a lot slower!)

Running a marathon has always been a dream of mine. After looking at a book on running though called The Competitive Runner's Handbook I realized a way that this dream can become a reality for me.

I was browsing through the book reading all the advice about speed work, nutrition, etc. and came across a chapter on the marathon. The chapter also had a first timer's training plan for running the marathon. A different version of the schedule, which can be found online, is the schedule I am planning on using. The schedule starts at a base of 15 miles a week- which is the amount I have been running for the past 3 months! It builds very gradually to 35 miles a week, with 20 mile long runs. It builds so gradual that I would be strong enough at the end of the program to tackle those daunting long runs; yet, this program definitely has enough mileage to get me ready to run 26.2 come race day.

I haven't decided yet on the exact marathon I am going to run, but I know I want to do one by the end of the year.

Here is one that looks intresting:

Dec 2009- Florida’s Marathon

You may be asking yourself: Why on earth does this crazy girl want to run a marathon? Here are several reasons (bear with me, this may get long!):

1. It’s a great challenge.

2. I’ve always wanted to run one… ever since I was a wee young lad (ladette?).

3. It would keep me from getting lazy in the winter with my triathlon training and losing all my fitness. (I need a good motivation, because otherwise all I want to do in the winter is swim, swim, and swim some more in the heated pool).

4. I could finally call myself a runner.

5. Running would be a nice stress reliever from all the A.P. classes I am taking this year.

6. Being able to say “I did it!”

7. Being able to see what it would be like running that far.

8. I’d be in really great shape.

9. All the mileage would help me run faster (and maybe even swim and bike faster too!)

10. Being able to set a goal and stick to it.

11. Runner’s legs!

12. It would give variety to all the swim training I am doing this winter for swim season.

13. It sounds fun.

14. To prove I can do it.

15. Better now than never!

16. It would give me motivation during the dreary winter months, something to strive towards.

17. It would be an amazing life experience.

18. I would train through all the seasons to get ready for a marathon, and to keep my fitness up to a good level. I would run outside in spring, summer, fall, and winter- allowing me to experience more of nature.

19. Being able to call myself a marathoner.

20. Increased self-confidence for setting a goal and sticking to it.

21. It would prove me to be something other than the last one picked in gym.
22. The excitement of crossing the finish line.

23. As proof that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.
24. The cool T-Shirt and finisher’s medal.

25. The running would make me stronger mentally and physically.

26. Running is so relaxing and makes me feel so good.

27. I would really get to know myself through all those long runs (as if I don’t know myself already!).

28. It is a challenging goal, yet it is something I am capable of doing.

29. I would never be sitting at home bored. I would be outside running!

30. I would get lots of mental toughness for training in the winter months (i.e. getting outside in 20 degree weather, long treadmill runs when it is too icy outside, etc.).

31. Running is a great stress reliever. Any problems I have before running always seem to go away during a run.

32. Seeing if I can beat the infamous ‘wall”.

33. I want to do an Ironman triathlon and run ultras one day- this is a great first step!

34. It gives me something to look back on with pride my whole life.

35. It will change my life.

36. How would I know if I could finish a marathon if I have never tried?

37. Conquering all those voices in my head (No, I am not a psycho!) that tell me “I can’t”.

38. Just thinking about running one makes me SO happy. I can just imagine what finishing one would feel like.

39. It wouldn’t matter so much that I am slow. There is a whole bunch of pride just in finishing.

40. This quote says it all (although I have no idea who Mike Ness is!): "Reach for the sky because tomorrow may never come."- Mike Ness

One last shout out to all the marathoners reading this: Great job on accomplishing this amazing goal. I hope you are as proud of yourself as I am of you!

A long training day

I just finished (about 2 hours ago) the longest workout I have ever done!

The workout was a 2:50 bike ride, followed by a :30 run. I finished tired and hungry, but still feeling strong. Because of this workout, I now know that I will definitely be able to finish the Olympic distance triathlon I have planned (for exactly 2 weeks and 2 days from today)!

The bike ride, I am sure, was at least the distance I will be riding in the triathlon (if not longer). It was so calm and relaxing being on my bike that long. I did get a little hungry half way through the ride though. I decided to eat a gel to boost my energy so I could finish the rest of the workout. Taking the gel definitely helped my energy levels!

The gel was a Carb Boom Apple Cinnamon flavor. I never took in any calories while working out before today (because I didn't really need to) but this gel was great. I got it for free as part of the samples of stuff they give away at triathlons. I am thinking about ordering more of this gel to have during my triathlon at the end of this month. I wonder if there is anywhere I can get it, besides online. I’ve never seen it in stores before.

After finishing the bike ride, my legs (particularly my quads) were SO tired, but I was able to make it through the run (without walking, none the less). The :30 run felt great! I am really starting to love running. Even though I enjoyed my bike ride, it felt great to get off the bike and run! The run felt great too, but I was eager to get home and have lunch! The Carb Boom definitely helped tide me over, but I was ready for some real food!

It was great being able to finish a workout like this. It gave me so much confidence for the Oly. I had no idea I was capable of a workout like that. I wonder what I will be able to do next year. Maybe a marathon?

Olympic Glory...

Okay. I might not be going to the Beijing Olympics. To tell you the truth, I won't be in those kinds of Olympics at all, unless purple hippos start dancing.



The kind of Olympic glory I am talking about is the glory of taking on my first Olympic distance triathlon. Okay, technically I am not doing an Olympic distance triathlon. In reality, I am doing a "mini" distance triathlon. I like calling it an Olympic distance triathlon better though. Who the heck calls a triathlon a "mini"? It sounds too cute and fluffy to be a triathlon distance! You would pet something called “mini”, not race it for several hours...

... Which brings me to my major point about this distance: I AM SO NERVOUS!!!! I can't believe I am actually signed up for a triathlon of this distance. In addition to my nerves, I am also really excited for the day I can race. I am really looking forward to seeing what the distance is like, and how I will fare in a race this long.

I would be counting down the days to the race- that is, only if the date (Aug. 24) wasn't so close to the day that school starts (Aug. 26). It is weird to both look forward to, and dread a single date. I REALLY DON'T WANT MY SUMMER TO END!!!

Do you want to know what the official distances of this race are? Sure you do- that is why you are reading this post. If you don't care, go read something else! Sorry, didn't mean to offend you... you can care about whatever you feel like (tear).

Anyways, here are the distances of this triathlon (drum roll please...) 1000 m swim (so easy), 24.9 mile bike (so intimidating), 6.2 or 6.55 mile run (not sure of which distance- two places on the race website say two entirely different things).

My main questions:
Did I really sign up for this?
Am I sure I can do this?
Am I sure I can finish this in one piece?
What if I am not ready?
Oh my gosh! 25 miles of bicycling? Am I sure I can do this?
I wonder what a 6 mile run will feel like after bicycling 25?

And about the race:
What should my nutrition be like?
How can I make sure I have trained enough?
How hilly is the bicycle ride?
Will it take me 5 hours to finish this race?
Will I finish at all?
Should I get slicks for my mountain bike, or just leave the bike alone?

I guess I will find these questions out when I go to the race. I hope the race goes well. My mom made me pay $83 of the $93 entry fee myself. Ouch!

At least the entry fee isn't as expensive as a ticket to Beijing!