Ready for Hibernation Season

I’m ready for the cold weather, not only to escape working out in oven-like temperatures, but to get rid of the rattlesnakes, at least for a while.   Yes, I said RATTLESNAKE!  For the last month, once a week a different rattlesnake has been spotted in the road in front of my house.  I can only hope they were heading for cover and getting ready for hibernation.  The road in front of my house an oil road (it looks like black pavement) and the light brown snakes are seen easily.  However, what’s scary is the fact that when they slither off into the grass/bushes they are undetectable.   Their camouflage is soooooo good.  I almost always run on dirt roads that have grass/bushes on the sides and I am constantly on the watch for snakes.  I love, love, love running in the cold weather!  The colder, the better!  Running outdoors in East Texas during the late spring/summer/early fall can be compared to running in a 450 degree oven.  Not only is it hot, it is usually humid.  If it’s humid, then it’s like running in a sauna.   My times get slower and my mental tank is drained by the end of the summer.  Now, I now have another reason to appreciate the cold, snake hibernation!  I know that my times could be faster if I wasn’t concentrating on snakes! (Wink, wink)  I think me and the snakes could work out a deal, I hibernate during the hot season and they hibernate during the cold season.

My New to Me Tri Bike

I finally made enough money to buy a bike!   Last winter I bought a Giant Avail 2 roadbike.  I outfitted it with aerobars and a forward facing seatpost.  I soon found that I loved riding in the aero position, I felt FAST! 

So, may I introduce my Javelin Arcole size 48 cm with 650 cc wheels.  It has a mix of Shimano Dura Ace and Ultegra.  I also got a powertap hub, yes, this baby is fancy for me!  Because of the size and geometry it will only accommodate one water bottle on the frame so I got an Xlab Turbo Wing and mounted my two Bontrager cages on it. 

 

I rode it once outdoors and I decided that I needed a new saddle and I got an ISM Adamo Typhoon. 

I’m looking forward to spending the winter cozied up to my new bike and gear on my indoor trainer.  I hope to have more gear reviews in the following months!

 

Pineywoods Purgatory Bike Ride

I completed the 51 mile bike ride of the Pineywoods Purgatory in Lufkin, TX a few weekends ago!  Before this ride the furthest I had ever ridden was 25 miles.  I have not trained for 51 miles but I decided to give it a tri, after all, I didn’t have to swim before the ride or run afterwards!  There were some major hills but I was fine until mile 30.  At mile 30 the road got really bumpy and I had a sugar low.  I decided to eat some snacks and drink Gatorade.  I also decided to mentally break the rest of the ride into segments.  I concentrated on the next 5 miles and this helped the last 21 miles fly by. 

When I finally rolled in to the finish all I could think about was a cold Coca-Cola and I could already tell that I was going to be sore in places I didn’t even know I had.  My time for the ride was 3:34:45 and I didn’t stop at any of the rest stops.  I wanted to use this ride as a buildup to Ironman 70.3 and Ironman Texas.    This ride defiantly helped my confidence and I can’t wait until I get to complete another long, challenging ride!

Overall, this was a great event.  The ride seemed well organized and the scenery was beautiful.  Some of the roads were a little bumpy, but this is understandable. 

2013 Tri Season Complete, Now What?

I completed my last tri of the season on Sept. 14.  I took one week off and I found myself really enjoying the afternoons sipping coffee and reading a good book on the back porch with my dogs and cats. But there was this little voice inside my head screaming for exercise!

Last year I decided to complete a marathon in December, so I had a goal that helped me maintain my focus.  Since starting this post I have begun my off season training.  I swim once a week and usually bike 2-3 days and run 2-3 days.  I feel normal again and my goal of Ironman Texas seems attainable.  I hope this optimistic attitude continues to hang around. 

So, I guess I do have a goal, Ironman Texas in May 2014!  Everyone I talk to is afraid of the swim but I’m worried more about the bike.  I’m not a strong swimmer but I think I can survive 2.4 miles and make the cutoff time.  112 miles on a bike is another story, I hope I get more confidence as my training progresses. 

2013 Rose City South Midwest Sprint Triathlon Race Report

650M Swim, 14.1 mile Bike, 3 mile run

Background:  I competed in this triathlon last year and it was my first triathlon ever!   I completed it last September with a total time of 1:44:39.  I thought I did well but I knew I needed to improve and I have been waiting all year just to see how far I’ve come as a triathlete.

Prerace:  Well, my mother took me to this triathlon and she is not really a morning person and we were running a little late.  But, I got everything set up with no problems and I had plenty of time to spare.  Wow, what a difference a year and 7 more tri’s under my belt makes.  My transition set-up is so much easier now.  My age group was the last swim wave to start, so I snacked on HoneyStinger Chews and sipped water.  I wasn’t really even nervous; I was just ready to get the show on the road.

Swim:  When I started last year this was by far my weakest discipline.  I could not even swim all the way down a 25 yard pool, so just completing an open water swim was a huge victory.  My time last year was:  21:33 and I was 19^th out of 22 in my age group.  Well, I have really focused on my swim.  My coach has done a great job, she has an IPAD she uses to film us under the water and she held on open water swim clinic that really helped me with sighting.  My swim time was 16:44 and I was 9^th out of 16 in my age group.  BIG improvement! J

T1: This a long long long run through a pasture.  Last year I was totally dazed and confused from the swim, my time was 2:54.  This year I was mentally prepared and my time was 2:19.  I think as my swim improves, my T1 will also improve.

Bike:  This is a hilly and challenging course.  The roads are so rough in places that I’m afraid I will chip a tooth!  Last year my time was 54:33.  This year the course changed a little, the turnaround was down another road.  My time was 55:10, I was 9^th out of 16 in my age group.  I had a sneaking feeling that the course was longer and when I checked my bike odometer it said 14.6!  So the course was ½ mile longer.  I was somewhat happy with my time, but I need to work on climbing.

T2:  I love T2, I finally get to run!  Last year my time was 1:04 and this year it was :44!

Run:  Last year my time was a smoking 24:33.  This year I really found anther gear, my time was 23:16 and I was 5^th out of 16 in my age group.  This is where I really made up ground and it got me an age group award!

Overall:  I have made so many improvements, but there is always room to get even better.  This first year of triathlon has changed my life.  I can do anything I set my mind to.  HARD WORK, PAYS OFF!