Annual End of Year Race Report: 2007

End of the Year Report, 2007

Technically, this is my 3rd tri season (especially since I know I’m writing my 3rd End of Year Report!), but it felt like my second, since last season was riddled with injury—specifically with a pretty bad stress fracture right after the Boston Marathon in April 2006 which led right into tri season that year. Nevertheless, 2007 was a fun year, and while last year I completed my first marathon, this year—even though I am still a beginner triathlete—I completed my first Half Ironman.


JANUARY

I started off the year on the right foot. My friend Julie introduced me to my coach and I began taking indoor cycling classes twice a week with a group of people. I got Daniel in on it, too. I actually needed to phone him a couple of days ago to ask when we started because it surely seemed like about two years. In fact, he told me we started January of this year. “Are you sure?” I asked. He was. When we hung up, I went to my archives and sure enough, I found an entry in January that showed me that I did, in fact, start the beginning of January. (Many of the people I’ve been cycling with now I have only known less than one year; it was just so hard for me to believe this!!)

Anyway, what I additionally found was interesting: After a couple of weeks at indoor cycling, I told Tony my plans—warm up with the Aqua Bike at Patriot and do my 1st Half IM at Timberman. He said to do Patriot as my first Half IM instead [see Jan. 16th post]. I commented that this was six weeks earlier that what I had planned, but he said that we can be ready. So, that day—on January 16th—I registered for the Patriot Half Ironman.

January also started off on the right foot, because I ran the Hangover Classic on New Year’s Day. [RR posted Jan 2nd.] This was my 3rd year running and my 2nd consecutive year doing the Ocean Plunge! This year was much warmer than the year before; fingers & toes didn’t freeze! I am hoping that Jan 1st 2008 will be warm! Given the snow we’ve been getting this month, I’ve been a little concerned – but I will still plunge. I think it is good luck for the new year! January 2007 had me still getting back to running (I started up again in the fall of 2006 after the stress fracture), so I was quite happy with my time for this 5K. (32:26; pace 10:26).

FEBRUARY & MARCH

My February and March months were spent in indoor cycling class, as well as swim class. Ran on my own, but no road races. This was mostly because Saturdays were spent with Team in Training (TNT) doing water stops, mentoring, and volunteering. Sundays were combined swim/bike class. Road races are mostly on the weekends, but my weekends were full.

Although the weekends were packed, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention TNT. It was a huge part of my experiences in 2007 and consumed a lot of time, in a very positive sense, from December through April. I met even more TNT people in 2007 doing water stops than when I was running in 2006. A great group of people, truly. I was happy about my decision to not train to run Boston, but rather train my thumbs to navigate the buttons on water jugs. :-)

APRIL

I had planned to run the Cohasset 10K. I ran in 2005 and it was one of my favorite road races. I was injured at this time in 2006 [yep, again, just a couple weeks out from Boston, that’s right – see April 3, 2006 entry]. However, I had a bike test scheduled on April Fool’s Day this year and that was more important than the 10K, so I took the test instead. I am looking forward to this race in 2008, though. It really is a nice course and part of it is along the ocean.

The morning of April 22nd, I got up and decided to run the Doyle’s 5 Miler in JP. It was a fun morning and I saw people from Team Envision, TriFury, TNT, and my swim/bike group. [RR posted April 22nd— 53:20; 10:40 pace).

One week later, I ran the James Joyce Ramble 10K in Dedham. I decided to run this one the night before. Marla and I met there and ran. We saw Cara Bradley, which was nice, as I hadn’t seen Cara in a quite while. [RR posted April 30th. 1:06:42; pace 10:44…actually it was more like 1:04 something, but whatever…]. This race is a nice course, hilly at times, and it dedicated in memory/honor of a person who fights for human rights.

My pace was not really improving much, but I was having fun at all of the races, and I was running, so I was happy this Spring.

On April 16th, I volunteered at the Boston Marathon with TNT. At Mile 20.5, we had our TNT table. I was with Tom, Nancy, and Coach Lori. I was able to cheer many people on and I also met Lindsey here. From here, we ran (almost) the rest for the way in. We made the turn at Hereford and half way up Hereford, we could see her Mom and peeps at the corner of Hereford and Boylston. I said goodbye and she kept running. I ran back to see Dave T. for a moment. I heard that Maggie was still out there, so I went to check. As I ran out, I saw her walking with her boyfriend. So, I ran back to Hereford & Boylston to meet up with Dave T. again. We walked back to the hotel to meet the marathon finishers there.

A few other notes from April:

Hair Donation: My hair finally was the right length and I went to the salon on the corner and had Orize cut off my hair. I sent it in soon afterwards. Right after Orize cut it, I had her color it red once again! [Pictures were posted on May 2nd.]

Misc. April Bike Notes:

* I also got new road pedals (vs. SPD pedals, and that took some getting used to.)

* I was scared of my bike. [Entry, April 20th.]

* I had my first-evah coached bike class outside in April. I had met Alex for the 1st time (I cannot believe I have only known some of these people since January – April this year!) I actually referred to him as “helper-guy” on my website. He’s a good guy. Also, I fell…in front of my coach. Then, he put me on a side street cycling in figure eights. It did help. But I left wondering if he was regretting he took me into his class. [Entry, April 21st.]

Needless to say (but I’ll say it anyway), April was a big month in 2007.

MAY

May was a big “practice and progression” month for ‘me and my bike’. I had planned to do one road race, but due to bike class, I opted out. I was going to do the Run To Remember. Again, I had run it last year (with TNT, as part of training) and it was a rather fun race, running through the city and ending in front of the Seaport Hotel/World Trade Center. Originally, I first switched from the Half Marathon to the 5 Miler option because of the Mooseman Quarter Iron (Olympic) which was around the corner. Then, I decided not to do it altogether, due to bike class that day. (And I needed the bike sessions given the Mooseman’s famous “devil hill”.)

May was an interesting bike month in terms of progression. At the beginning of May, I went on my first Mooseman Recon ride. I got to a “new low” of 4 mph on my bike and clipped out about ~5-6 times on the hills. [May 9th entry.] Shortly after, I began weekly Thursday coached rides with Trifury and Coach Sharon and Lisa. On the first ride, I did six hill repeats and was so happy that I didn’t fall over! [May 11th entry.]

May was also certainly a month for reconnaissance rides, as I also did my first ride on the Patriot course on May 12th with Tony & the crew. We did the two loop course and Marla & I pretty much got pushed around the 1st loop by Tony, which was the only reason we were able to ride the 1st loop in 1:38. [May 14th entry.]

Training weekend was this month, too! This is always a fun weekend. And this weekend Trifury and Team Envision shared the weekend, so we did some things jointly, including flexing and stretching our vocal chords. [For entry and pictures, see May 21st post.] I also attempted my 2nd Mooseman Recon ride during training weekend was very pleased that I did not have to clip out once—not even up “the devil hill”.

The end of this month brought for me my longest training workout since running the Boston Marathon. The crew rode with Coach Tony in Sharon, MA and we did our own Sufferfest. We did a long brick of 55 miles on the bike and followed it with a 6 mile run on the track. [Entry, May 27th.] Afterwards, Tony said were all ready for the Patriot Half IM. The following day [Entry May 28th], I did my first open water swim of the season in Boxford at Stiles with Trifury. I needed to get out in the open water before Mooseman, so I went, but I remained in the back of the pack for most of the swim. Lisa was great, staying with me much of the time in the back.

JUNE

June was my first Olympic Triathlon—the Mooseman Quarter Iron—on June 2nd. [Race Report posted June 15th.] My overall time was 4:04:17. (Splits were Swim—42:02; T1—9:30; Bike—1:51, pace 14.6*; T2—5:53; Run 1:15:05, pace 12:05.) Actually that was my ‘official’ bike time, but my bike time on my watch was actually 1:46, pace 15.7. That was because I came out of T1 with mud and dirt stuck in my cleat and I couldn’t clip in. Per my watch, that took five minutes. This is important to note, as I really wanted to see how I would do on the bike. 14.6 would not have made me a happy lady. I was OK with 15.7 on this bike course. I pretty much blew up on the run but Robin was there on her bike speaking words of encouragement which helped A LOT. (Thanks.) I know I said my coaches are great, but I also feel I should state, for the record, that I not only have awesome coaches, but pretty awesome team mates. And I’m lucky they’re all my friends, too.

The rest of June was spent gearing up for Patriot, my first Half Iron, coming in less than a month.

JULY

Pretty much my only post in July was my Race Report for Patriot. This Race Report/ Entry was written and posted on July 9th. It says it all—times, stories, actual quotes, and of course, pictures. So, I won’t post anything about it here….except that I will say here, again, that my coaches, team mates and friends are all really (really) good peeps.

I will just add quickly that in late July, I did volunteer at Danskin as a swim angel. This was my 2nd time. After doing it last year by default (couldn’t race/injured), I did it this year by choice, instead of racing. And, if I’m around next year that weekend, I’ll do it again. It really is a fun time. And rather amazing to watch.

July was also a trip to Lake Placid again this summer for IMUSA 2007. This year, I was healthy enough to ride my bike, so I rode the course (one loop). Hard, and fun. This year's race had sooo many Trifurians completing it. Additionally, it was Lisa and Helen's first. Congratulations to all once again.

AUGUST

With Patriot over, I was now prepping for Timberman, which occurred on Aug. 19th. I decided (and boy, was I glad I did) to switch to the Aqua Bike since I had Jocelyn and Alex’s wedding the night before. This meant being up at Lake Winnespaukee Friday night into Saturday (for the Sprint Saturday morning), driving to Gloucester, Mass that afternoon for the wedding and returning late that evening back to Lake Winnespaukee to get up at the crack of dawn to the Half Iron (minus the run…after my well thought out decision, thank you). It also meant a tight time frame to Gloucester due to the need to rack one’s bike in the transition area the day before, which, in turn, necessitated changing into wedding guest attire in the backseat of a car as we pulled up to fuel said car, but that’s enough about that…..

Great wedding, happy to be there, and glad I decided to forego the run, in advance (because DNF was not an option….)

The day was great. The water wasn’t as choppy as the Sprint triathletes had the day before. Per my Race Report [posted Aug 31st], I started out not clocking my first 12 miles on the bike and went much slower than I should have (and I’m sure I could have gone a bit faster). I did a pretty good job making up speed after that, but it just wasn’t enough. Still, I had a good time and will do this race (the full Half IM) one day. The Timberman Sprint was my very first triathlon, and it’s always fun-packed weekend. Results: Total—4:39:21; Swim—50:58, T1—6:52; Bike—3:41:32, pace 15.2, rank 42; Place 20/26 (females); 46/52 (overall).

Luckily for me, I was able to do a Recon ride of this course this year. In 2005 I rode it a handful of times with Liz Hamp, who was training for her 1st Half IM. As I was doing the Sprint that year, I was well trained for the bike portion. However, I hadn’t been on the course in ’06, so I was really feeling a need to get out there this season in ’07. Cesar, Dan, and I rode the course on an extremely hot day; I think it was the Saturday of the 1st weekend in August. I don’t remember temps, but I think it was high, high 90s. I remember being concerned, as Dan & I rode one loop, but Cesar was making this one of his long IM Louisville prep rides, so he was out solo for another loop. While Dan & I were in the oh-so refreshing lake, Cesar was headed out for another loop. (It all paid off well in the end for him in Kentucky, though.) And, although Dan was much faster on the bike, he really didn’t mind to wait every so often for moi. Even better—since he really didn’t seem to mind, I could take the anxiety down a few notches (actually to the point where it was non-existent—I hate holding people up!) so thanks, Dan.

The following day Cesar and I swan at Walden—TWO MILES! This was huge! This was our longest swim. We had been swimming together at Walden and I felt like I was getting the big end of the stick here. Why? Basically because we were following the swim portion of his IM training schedule. So, I was pretty much swimming for an IM. I was psyched because mentally, I thought to myself, if I could swim 2 miles, well, then surely I could swim the 1.2 miles at Timberman—even if Lake Winnespaukee was as choppy as it was last year, whitecaps and all! It was actually fun, and very motivating, having a swim buddy the whole season. And I got to know one of my teammates a bit more and was also able to get very excited about his first IM, which is a huge accomplishment! (Congrats again.)

In addition to swimming two miles in August, I also (for the very first time) was able to manage to take out my water bottle from the back cage. And put it back in the cage after a drink. All while riding. For those of you who don’t ride a bike, or for those of you who have no issues with this maneuver, I’ll just say this was a huge feat. The ultimate breakthrough. Until this day, I always had to stop, clip out, and switch bottles when I was done with the bottle in my front cage. That day, I became a free woman. [Entry posted Aug. 11th.] Actually, I really became a free woman, because as I look back at this post, I see that on the same ride, I actually rode by myself…all alone…for a 4th loop. This was the very first time I ever rode alone off of the Minuteman (shh…. ). I was a free woman, but we have yet to find out if I am a self-sufficient free woman, as the ride was uneventful (translation = no flats). Although, while there were two of us (so I know it doesn’t really truly count), I still have to add that it wasn’t too long ago that Liz & I figured out how to use the C02 cartridge all on ‘our’ own.

SEPTEMBER

With the end of Timberman, and the start of Autumn later in September, comes the end of the tri season for many New Englanders. One last big local race is the FirmMan Half Ironman in Narragansett, Rhode Island. I did this as a relay in 2005 (I did the bike), and I was signed up again to relay it on Sept 9th (scheduled to do the bike).

Prior to the race, I did one last long ride in Sharon on Sept 3rd. Andy & Beth were great to do a 4th loop with me, as they had planned to just do three loops initially. [Sept 3rd entry.] We totaled 50.58 miles at a pace of 16.3 (total time 3:06:03). So, my goal bike time at FirmMan was within reach….

Sept. 9th came and I choked. I needed to ride to course at a pace of 17.6 to ride it at my goal time of 3:10. I ended up averaging 16.6 mph for a total bike split of 3:22. Oh well, I’ll be back. It was a fun day, though, relaying with Suzanne and Daniel. Overall, we finished in 5:46:33. And, I met John and the family for the first time… in person!!!!

Also with Autumn came the last open water swim of the season (and of 2007) for me and my swim partner. We were lucky, though, because we had a heat wave a few days prior, so the water, and the air, was quite alright on the morning of our last swim, Sept. 26th. I had been thinking we’d be putting on our tough guy and gal faces to brave our last open water swim. But no, sir! Although that award does go to a handful of our brave (crazy?? nahh…) team mates!

Just four days following my last swim of the season, came my last triathlon race of the season, and my first ocean water swim in a race. All rolled up into the Buzzard’s Bay Sprint held on Sept, 30th. [Race Report posted on October 9th.] RESULTS for the 1/3 mile swim, 18.5 mile bike (actually 20 mi.), and 3.1 mile run: Total—2:06:11 (would have been nice to break 2:00, maybe next year); Swim—17:32; T1—4:14; Bike 1:10:03, 17 mph avg* (actually faster, as I said this ended up really being 20 miles!! Yeah!); T2—2:25; Run 32:00; 203rd our of 226 total / 9th our of 14 Athena. I braved the jellies, enjoyed the bike and run course, and generally had a fun time. Conquering the ocean swim in a small sprint race, and having fun were my two key goals. Oh, and biking at least a 17 mph pace on the bike. So, I accomplished all three! This was a pleasurable race and one I will do again as an end-of-season fun race!

I focused my comments on triathlon for the month of September, but I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my favorite race, Reach the Beach, which happened on the 14th- 15th of this month. This was the 3rd consecutive year and so we were team “On the Run to the 3rd Power”. [Race Report in pictures is posted on October 9th. While I don’t have all the pictures, the ones I were able to post sum up this good time!] With 12 runners in two vans making up one team, and 12 homemade personalized team tee shirts complete with frogs, one Brazilian torpedo, one guy who just looves hill running so much he not only sounds like but looks like sunshine even after a nasty leg 3 climb, one horn honking Spanish-speaking Portuguese translator, one very red hot mama (or mamacita), one cool mascot that can really jump, one Mary from Michigan, one way too sexy for her tee-shirt team mate, two fast veteran lady rabbits, one turtle who surprised herself by running sub-nines on few occasions, one woman who—while she didn’t drink any Brazilian juice, and while she ran pretty fast for herself over the course of the race— still managed to be allowed the privilege of being dragged across the sand to the finish by someone juiced up by Amazonian magic powder (who by the way, runs pretty gosh darn fast without the juice!), one partner in crime who for the first time in all of these years was not in my van, and one newcomer to RTB who proved to all that he could hang with the ladies…yes with 12 runners in two vans making up one team, and we had a heck of a good ol’ time.

Year One we did it in 33:24:41, and finished 11th from last.Year Two we did it in 33:32:39, and finished 11th from last.Year Three (this year!) we did it in 32:58:33, and finished 14th from last! woo-hoo!

OCTOBER

Triathlons are finished in September for me, however I usually close out my ‘year’ with a road race—The Tufts 10K on Columbus Day. This was my 3rd year running this race. (Well, last year I ran/walked it, as I was just getting back.) Two years ago, I PR’ed. I knew I wouldn’t PR this year, but I had hoped to still run sub-1:00. I ended up running 1:01:37, pace 9:55. [Race Report posted Oct. 8th.] I was happy with this, because I had been plagued with foot pain recently. The pain usually came after I ran. In this race, the pain came on towards the end of the race, and after the race I could hardly walk. Yes, I had plantar fascitis. Julie confirmed what I was wondering after the race as we walked back to the car. But, focusing on the positive, I was happy with my time. You see, two years ago I was in the best shape of my life and I PR’ed with a total time that was only 2 minutes faster than this year’s race. Yes, two minutes is a lot of time, however in 2005 I was not injured and I was at my best weight and in my best shape ever. So, considering all of this, I was happy with a time of 1:01 and a half.

Paddy’s Road Race came on October 21st. I hadn’t been running because of the plantar fascitis, but I decided to run this race as it was only 3 miles. I ran 29:31, pace 9:50. Again, I was happy because I hadn’t been running so my goal was to run sub-10 minute miles, and I did. However, the time had come to truly face the fact I was in pain here and treat this ailment. I went and bought a Strausberg sock (thanks Deb, Julie & Robin), and started wearing that to bed. It helped a little.

NOVEMBER

I had planned to run the Gobble, Gobble, Gobble Thanksgiving Day, but knew better. I was still having discomfort, so I opted to go to my parents’ earlier that morning and forego the race. No running this month.

DECEMBER

I was scheduled, and registered for, the 30th Annual Jingle Bell Run which was to be held in Somerville this year. Since it was in my ‘hood, I thought it’d be a good test for the ol’ foot. I had ceased wearing the German sock to bed since the pain had been slowly decreasing. I was still wearing shoes around the house. The pain seemed to go away, so I started wearing slippers whilst home. The Jingle Bell Run was postponed from the weekend of the 15th to the 23rd. During this time, the pain resurfaced. I didn’t run. The 23rd was also my RI day to see my parents before they headed off later that afternoon to Nevada for Christmas.

Now, I am wearing my clogs again—all about house and outdoors. I am staring to wear the sock again, and I saw my massage therapist once this week, the last week of this year. Boy, since I had pain only in my foot (and not in my calf), I didn’t think the plantar fascitis was so bad. That is, until he found the trigger point in my foot…and calf. Actually, I still don’t think it is sooo bad. I mean, hey, comparatively speaking, it is much better that a stress fracture that had me out for a whole season. Yes, if anyone actually read this far, before you say it, I know some people have this condition for a week or two, and others who have it for months and months. But I am going to wear the sock again, get myself into PT, and compliment that with calf stretching during the day and a couple more trips to my massage therapist. Yeah, before you say anything, I am still planning to run the New Year’s 5 K. My feeling is that it’s just a 5K and it’s not going to make me any worse. And the regimen will continue before and after Jan.1st.

So, my Autumn was really empty with no running, really. Little swim, lots of work. Such is life sometimes. However, despite this small running setback, MUCH was accomplished this season.

THIS SEASON,

I benefited from the experience of awesome coaching, good times with good friends (some of whom I had not known prior to this year!), and consistent training in order to finish my 1st Olympic and 1st Half Ironman races. While at the end of 2006 my goal was to do Timberman as my 1st Half IM, I am really glad (for several reasons) that I kept the goal of completing a Half IM but switched the race to the Patriot Half IM.

Also this season, although I don’t think I wrote about in on the website (but if I recall, I did pop out an e-mail or two), I survived the snapping turtle of Walden Pond (not a myth, folks, NOT a myth...), as well as a few small jellyfish in Dartmouth, Mass.. I also found my way back from Haven Terrace with a little help from my friends. And with a little help from these same friends, we’ll always remember that day. Other friends helped me learn how to hill climb and how to be persistent even when you blow up at the start of your run split in a race. Yet another friend reminded me that I’m steady. Steady gets you out of the water once you go in. And from Walter last year: “Slow and steady finishes the race.” It also brings you back to Haven Street. And it keeps you going whether you’re a turtle running sub-nines if you’re lucky, well-trained and motivated, or whether you’re trying to out swim another turtle.

2008

What’s next? What’s 2008 shaping up to be?

Well, January 1st is the 5K and Ocean Plunge. I’m hoping it’s warm like last year. Fingers crossed because I’m plunging anyway; I’ve decided it opens the year with good luck. I’m feeling really good about 2008, but we can always use a little luck, too! After that, I will concentrate on four general things this winter:

(1) curing my foot

(2) cycling

(3) consistent swimming, and

(4) finally, finally, loosing 20-25 lbs. and keeping it off. That means getting to my Fall 2005 weight and staying there.

Basically, 2008 will be a year of getting really fit—‘physically plus’.

RACE SCHEDULE 2008

My race schedule is not fully decided. It will certainly include a Half IM—probably Providence, maybe Patriot. It will also include an iron-distance AquaBike (either official or unofficial…meaning Cambridge MD Sept 27th or Sharon, MA sometime in late July/early August).

I’m looking forward to it.

2008 will be great. Hehe.

2007 RECAP:

January: Hangover Classic 5 K & Ocean Plunge (32:28, pace 10:27)

April:

Boston Marathon - volunteered w/ TNT

Doyle's 5 Miler: "Official" no chip timing - 53:44, pace 10:45; My watch - 53:20, pace 10:40

James Joyce 10K Ramble: 1:06:42, pace 10:44 (actually 1:04 & change)

June:

Mooseman International (1st Olympic): Overall 4:04:17 (619 of 660); Swim 42:02 - 617, T1 9:30 - 657, Bike 1:51:51* (14.6 pace*) [*Bike time actually 1:46; 15.47 pace]- 589, T2 5:53 - 657, Run 1:15:02 (12:05) - 601.

July:

Patriot (1st Half Ironman): 1.3 mi swim, 59 mi bike, 13.5 mi run: Overall 7:35:35, 470 of 490. Swim 49:42 (494), T1 6:05, Bike 3:41:19 (457) [3:25 at 56 miles], T2 5:06, Run 2:53:25 (461).

Danskin: Swim Angel

August:

Timberman Aqua Bike: Total: 4:39:21 (46/52 Overall Athena; 20/26 Female). Swim 50:58 (47), T1 6:52, Bike 3:41: 32, pace 15.2 (42).

September:

Firm Man Half Iron Relay: Overall: 5:46:33. Swim (Suzanne) 36:38, Bike (me) 3:23:05, (3:22/16.6 pace), Run (Daniel) 1:44:44.

REACH THE BEACH RELAY: Team On the Run to the 3rd Power: Total - 32:58:33

Buzzard's Bay Sprint: Overall: 2:06:11 (203/226; 9/14 Athena). Swim 17:32 (204), T1 4:14, Bike 1:10:03, 17.o pace (182), T2 2:25, Run 32:00 (202).

October:

Tufts 10K: 1:01:37 (9:55 pace).

Paddy's 3 Miler: Gun and Chip = 30:45; My watch = 29:31 (9:50 pace).