Hopkinton Season Opener Sprint

I'll skip all the boring details of my ride there and how, logistically, I could have done without the mile walk to and from the race with my bike and bag.

Before the race I met up with some friends to chit chat and catch up. Here we are, Maureen, Rose, Linda,  and I.

Twas early for  for an open water swim right?  We ladies in the pink caps, heading out dead last, were fretting about the water temperature. We decided to wade in the water a lot since we had to wait anyways. We might as well get used to the water.  It really wasn't too bad after you became numb. Just kidding. It really wasn't that bad.

I decided I would see what I could do in this rather small race and so I started in the front row of the swim. I probably have no business being there but I have improved my swim and the only way find out how much I have improved is to test.  I went out hard and fast but it was hard to swim. I was thrashing and getting thrashed. Finally about half way through I could finally swim. One two three breath, One two three breath..

I am not so sure this was a good test because my swim was much slower that what I had expected. I am not sure if the course was long or if it was the temps. I think the swim time includes the jaunt from the beach to T1.   I do know that it normally takes me about 7 minutes to swim 8 laps.  This swim was about 8 laps and it took 9 minutes!  Ick!  At least I can say that when I looked back to see how many pink caps were still in the water I had seen several. Like at least 50.  Or maybe I am hoping I saw 50.

T1 was OK. My new Zoot wetsuit slips on and off pretty easily.  I did have to put on socks though.  I am not built up to the no-socks yet.

The bike was steady and pretty uneventful. I found a hard pace that I felt I could hold for 10 miles and stayed there. I don't remember to much about the ride accept for a few hills and tight turns. I also passed a lot of people. That was fun!

T2 - in and out in 47 seconds. Not to bad.

The run was great. The course started on an uphill but then gave us a nice downhill. I almost missed the turnaround because I was confused when I saw other runners up ahead of the turnaround. I thought I needed to go where they were but in fact they were on a different part of the course. I almost got a penalty at that point when I asked the volunteer "are you fucking serious?"  I did not believe he was telling me the right way to go and I questioned him. He was right.

And the results are in:
New England Season Opener - Hopkinton
800 Yard swim, 10 mile bike, 3.1 mile run

OA      Time      AG          Rank   Swim    T1   Rank  Bike     T2    Rank  Run

84/433  1:04:51   1/12  F4549 153    9:56    1:46 87    30:57    0:47  76   21:27       

That's all!

Ironman Training Highlights

Training - Two weeks ago I was lucky enough to get in a week of training out in Sonoma Valley CA while Kathy and I were visting some great friends.  My coach decided that would be an excellent time to up my biking mileage.  I was more than happy to accept. I couldn't wait to get that first century completed. It was a great ride with pal Donna up and over wine country. I took this picture of a bird of paradise while having lunch at some snazzy restaurant.

Running Front:  On Sunday I ran a 6.7 fartlek with Zac and Charlotte.  It was a great run since the sun was actually out.  Charlotte filled us in on the details of her upcoming opening of "Charles River Running" specialty retail store coming June 1st in Norwood, MA.  We runners and triathletes are very excited to have our very own specialty store right in lil ole Norwood, MA.

Team Front: On Saturday I road with Team Infintri  and pal Mel Bair who is also traning for Lake Placid. What a great group of people.  They have been riding together for quite a while and are more experienced than I.  We road 44 miles at 17.3 miles per hour on average.  It was a bit speedier than I had planned but great fun.

Riding Front: On Thursday I road 2 hours in the rain with Kelly. It would have been all good and fun cept Kelly took a spill on a wet corner. Ooh.. That was a bummer. She was OK though. Just road rash thank goodness. She did hit her head on the pavement and turned white as a ghost for a minute. She brushed herself off and got back on her bike and off we went. Mary says that she is lucky because she now has that "One Fall Per Year" under her belt.

On the swimming front  -  Towards the end of my workout on Wednesday I was to do 12x25 yards fast and furious. I soon realized after 6 or so of them that I was hitting them at exactly 22 seconds each time. Consistent, yes.  For the next 5 I tried like HELL to get under 22 seconds to NO AVAIL.  I was dumbfounded -  until - of course - it occurred to me.  HURT YOURSELF!  On the last 25 yards I dug in so deep with my arms and kick that it really hurt. Yes! I hit 21 seconds!  I  know it's only 1 second but after completing 11 of those suckers I was convinced I would never go under 22 seconds. Yay for me!

Racing front!  This weekend is the Hopkinton Season Opener sprint. I'm very excited to get out and race.  It's going to be a coldish swim I know but I want CAN'T WAIT.  I'm stronger and healthier than I have been in years.  So, it will be fun to see what happens. Hopefully something outrageous!   It's 400 yard swim, 10 mile bike, and 3.1 mile run.

Hope everyone's training is going well!

Breathless

Last weekend I road with team Infintri from Caryl Park in Dover. We road for 3.5 hours then I did a short T run of 20 minutes.  It went ok.  We did make a half hour stop for a lost dog at one point. I know we all should have stopped but only two of the 7 riders actually stopped for the doggies.  Myself and the remainder of the group only stopped because the other two riders stopped for the dog and this group has a "no drop" policy on some rides.  Particularly when there are new riders in the group. Which there were that day. 

I finished somewhere around 3:PM.  After that I had a few errands to run and various other tasks such as preparing to bring Lasagna to my sisters the following day. That was Saturday. 

Easter Sunday came and went as fast as you can say "ironman training is tricky".   Somehow I managed to make omelettes,  give my bike a nice cleaning, gave my dog a nice cleaning, and do all the laundry before heading off to the Easter celebration with family. 

Monday rolled around and I got in 3/4 of a work day and an evening swim.  All this time I'm wondering when in the hell am I going to get to go shopping for the many things that are piling up on my list.

Tuesday - I had a nice 1:45 AM ride then short T run. All fine and good but then it's off to work again. No time to go shopping.

Wednesday  - I'm dragging like a fish on a line. I dug deep and got in my run and swim later in the day. Then off to worky poo.  Again.

I wish I didn't have to work so much.  My work pile is pretty high and I still haven't had time to go to CVS or Landry's Bike Shop for some very needed important items.  I'm feeling rushed  - as if there are not enough hours in the day to do what I need to do.   Waaaaaaa!  I need to go shopping damn it! That's all.