Big E and Family Weekend

So now that the Triathlon is over.. next event is my Diva's 1/2 Marathon in Long Island. looking forward to that. I haven't been running much lately though. My last long run was like 2 weeks, prior to my Tri. I ran 9 miles then. I was scheduled to run on Sunday 11 miles, but that didnt happen. That was due to this..

That is the Big E's famous Crazy Buger, its a Bacon Cheesebuger in between a glazed donut.. It was soo Yummy. My Husband family came up for the weekend. We all went to the Big E. It's a big Fair that happens every year. Nothing really much changes each year, but we go for the food..! Lots of food..! So after a big Breakfast at my house, we all drove to the Big E. Surprisley the traffice was not bad all at. We did leave a little earlier and it sure made a difference. We had Our 4, plus my husband's Mom, her Husband and My Husband little brother, plus his Aunt and Uncle and 2 cousin meet us there. For such a big group we pretty much stayed together, and had the best time..!

We stayed all day.. 10am - 8:00pm. So you are wondering why I couldn't run the next day, beside being soooo bad in eating the wrong foods, I was so tired. My feet and hip hurt from all the walking. Its a pretty big fair. Some of the foods that I did see, that I could just not try..


Fried Jelly bean

Fried butter balls

Fried Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich

Fried Cheesecake - My daughter had this last year, she said it was good.

Fried Oreo


So as you can see by the above list ... not very heathly.. But I am sure its ALL GOOD..!

My Husband and I may go back one more time.. maybe I will try one of the above items.. who know.. :-)

Women's Triathlon Race Report

Was very excited this morning to start my very 1st Triathlon. After many times being a spectator, I am finally on the other side of the Transition fence..! Got up at 4:00am this morning, surprisingly I actually slept pretty well. I was in bed by 9:00pm the night before. My husband wakes up and loudly puts on some pumping music. My daughters thought it was funny, blaring the music so loud at 4:00am, but it put everyone in a great mood. I had my breakfast which ended up being a plan bagel with peanut butter and honey, (only ate one half) and then a couple of bites of a banana. For some reason I was not hungry, But I knew I had to eat something. While my sweet husband packed the car, I had time to relax and take my time getting ready. We got to the race site, a little after 5:30am. When to get body marked and set up my transition. I ended up getting a end spot. Which was nice. As my family can see me without any issues throughout transition.

I was very excited seeing all my group friends.. We were all very excited and giving each other good luck for the race. I started to put on my wetsuit, when my twin sister showed up. Very excited she came. This would be her 1st triathlon she ever spectated at. My daughters said she was very excited through the whole event.

SWIM - 28:53 min

I was in the 3rd wave, every 4 mins they had one go. I was very nervous of the swim part prior to going into this. As I am not a very good swimmer, I need a lot of work. I also knew for some reason I do not have the stamina to keep swimming. The swim was a triangle swim, Buoys on the right up till the sailboat and then back. I figured my time would be over 30 mins. As last time I swam 1/2 mile it took me over that, and then I figured with the rush that I may panic and slow down. During the swim of course I struggled, but it was great to hear the motivation of the ladies going by. One lady asked me for my name, and together she said we will make it to the end. She would always keep me in her sites, and look back to make sure I was ok. Thank you Katie.. Another motivation was when I was close to the shore, I could not see her but I could here my oldest daughter yelling "GO MOM GO.. Your almost there, don't stop". It touched me that she was cheering me on. So I took one last look and give it all I got to make it so shore. I was so happy when I got there. Best part of all I did it in 28:53 mins..! not great, but better then I thought I would do.

T2 - 3:33

I struggled with my wetsuit. I have not mastered that yet. Plus when I got to my transition area it looked like a hurricane ran through there, I had wetsuits in my area, I couldn't find a thing. Totally forgot to where my arm warmers. Regretted on the bike ride, as I was cold.

Bike - 52:10 mins

Bike was actually pretty good. I passes a few people. I have road the route before so I knew what to except. I was so cold, (man those arm warmers would have been nice) the bad thing is that I didn't drink much on the ride, which my husband was not thrilled to see. One reason was because I had to go the bathroom so bad. It didn't help with the pressure of the bike seat either. The route was fairly flat, a small area of rolling hills, and then 1 main hill. I got pretty good at changing gears so I was ok with it. I did manage to take a gel pack while riding, prior to getting into the end of the ride.


T2 - 1:41

I didn't have to change shoes, as I have a hybrid, so I just wore my old running sneakers, as I knew the run is off trails and I figured they would get dirty and gross anyways. I struggled getting my bike on the rack, as most of the bikes were all back, so I had to squeeze mine in. The good thing I was at the end of the racks, as my family informed me while I was about to run off, that I didn't have my race/number belt on.

Run - 39:14

This was a hilly and very sandy run. It was like running on the beach with roots everywhere, so you had to keep an eye on that. I felt pretty good, surprisingly, as I hate running. I kept a good pace, skip the 1st water station, as I still needed to go to the bathroom, I did end of taking a sip of water on the 2nd station - Mile 2, as my throat was kind of dry. I finished strong at the end, by passing 1 person, as my daughter and sister were cheering me on. My husband was at the finish line. He gave me a high five just after the finish shoot. In one of the professional pictures (Bid number #305) you can see his hand sticking out giving me a high five.

Total time - 2:05: 29... Instead of medals, they gave out a custom pin designed by Karen Rossi. Cute- it has a sneaker, helmet and goggles.

Overall - Besides the swim, which was to me the hardest part. I felt good the whole race. I had a great time, and it showed, all of my pictures I was smiling in them. (You can see the link above for the professional pictures, I will add in the pictures that my family took as soon as my husband downloads them.) It was just great to see someone from my family each time I ran around one corner or another. I see now how much being a supporter really means to the athlete.

I loved having them there,. so thank you to Team Myra... David, Ashley, Samantha and Zoe..! Love you guys.!

Race Day..!

Well.. Just got back from Olive Garden.. YUM.! Tomorrow is race day.. A little nervous.. but very excited. I picked up my packet today, not much for a swag bag.. nice shirt and bag.. bunch of papers and Wheaties.! But I did end up picking up a few things.. New cool bike shirt, jacket, arm warmers and compression socks..!

Of all the things, I am most nervous of is the swim, I think after I finish that part, I will feel more comfortable about the rest of the race.

My husband and 2 daughters will be there to cheer me on.. I need all the support I can get.

Well good luck to all who have races tomorrow.. ! Best wishes to my brother in law, Tech-Tri, he is doing Touchman 1/2 Ironman tomorrow!

Below is a prayer I found online, it goes out to all the Triathletes..

A Triathlete's Prayer...

O God, You have taught us to compete with perseverance the race that is set before us. Give me good courage to run this race to the finish. Be with me when I am in the water and on land, so that I may feel your presence in all things--in wind and in weather, in the beauty and magnificence of nature, in the passing scene, and in the health and vigor of my body straining to meet this challenge. May I compete in this race in a way that brings honor to you, myself, and those with whom I compete. When I finish the race may I do so humble and should I not finish may I accept it with equal grace knowing that I have done my best.

author - unknown

It feels like Christmas...!

My husband got me some new goodies..! Tyr Wetsuit, Science Rocket Jane Tri Back, Tri Mat, Race belt and a Road ID..! Now I am all ready for the my race..!

I wish my mind was ready.. I have issues with the swim. My Husband says its all in my head, as I have no problem swimming 1/2 mile in the pool. It all started when we went out for the 1st time to use my wetsuit... first of all.. what a pain to put those things on. And I have watched many many videos on how to do it.. it doesn't make it any easier. Anyways, we got into the water, started swimming and I swear I thought I could not breath. I was having a panic attack!. It took me forever to finish the 1/2 mile swim. As I kept stopping and tellimg him that I could not breath. I couldn't catch my breath. He felt it was because of the wetsuit and I was not used to it yet. I did ask my coach is this is normal, and she did say yes, some people do feel constricted in the suit, you just need to get use to it.

We went out the next day again, as I felt I needed to, so I can get used to the wetsuit. But this time instead of rushing out to do the swim, we just hung out at first in the water, he had me do a few short laps to warm up. I did feel a little better this time. I wasn't as panicked as I was the day before. We went out again on Thursday, with the group. We all swam the 1/2. I still felt a little out of breath and slow..! I kept telling him, I can't do this. Maybe I am just used to swimming in a pool, and in open water, I just can't seem to get my endurance to keep on swimming. I kept on stopping. Unlike the pool, you reach one end and you turn around, and yeah, I may do it non-stop, but you do get that quick break between each lap. So again, my husband thinks its all in my head. As he know I can swim the 1/2 miles as I done it in the pool, with no issues. Now with only 8 days left till the race.. I am really worried about the swim portion. I am hoping to go out at least 2 more times, prior to the race.. Just to make me at ease. Again, it could all just be a head game and I just need to say to my self.. I CAN DO IT..!

We just got our final instructions for the race. They are going to have wetsuit strippers..! Cool, as that is another thing I have issues with, it always get stuck at my feet.

There will be 5 waves.. Not sure if I will be with my age group or if since I am with a beginners group training, if they will put in the first timers wave. Which are last, which means less time to finish. Last waves goes in at 7:46am and cutoff is at 8:30am. So that gives me 44 mins to finish the swim.! Again, if I was in the pool, I would say NO PROBLEM, as I done it in like 23 - 24 mins.. But open water.. ?? I have issues..!

A couple of Rules they put out..! I love rule #8..

Rules
We try not to have a lot of rules. The few rules we do have are to make sure competitors have a safe course and a good time! But we do have some basic guidelines that you'll need to know before race day.

1. Enjoy the competitive spirit, the great people and the beautiful venue at Winding Trails!

2. Gear requirements: bike helmet, helmet number, event issued swim cap, race numbers displayed with body markings for the swim, official bike plate on frame and official run number on the front of your body, Winning Time Chip on Velcro strap on your ankle. (ChampionChips will not work at this event. You must have a Winning Time chip, issued by us, on your ankle).

3. Wetsuits are optional up to 84 degrees. Water temperature readings will be taken on Saturday, September 11 and posted at registration and announced at mandatory pre-race meeting at 7:20 a.m.

4. Absolutely no headphones allowed on any part of the race.

5. Transition #2 cutoff time is strictly enforced. You have 2 hours to complete the swim and bike. Competitors not making the cutoff may continue on the run and they will receive an official time and finisher medal.

6. Bar ends must be plugged.

7. Competitors are responsible for setting up their own gear in transition areas.

8. No frantic spouses, overly involved parents or nervous boyfriends allowed in transition.