Race Report

So, here it is....my first race report of a multiple sport race.

The morning started out well, as well as possible when the alarm goes off at 5am on a Sunday!  I headed over to the lake, which is only a few miles from my house.  Arrived, found a parking spot and started walking.  During my walk I tried to soak it all in, my first race, all the competitors, the bikes, the atmosphere, it was wonderful.  During my walk I also learned a few things, but we will get to that in a minute.

I arrived at T1 ready to unpack my things.  Now this was a swim and then run event for me so setting up T1 was super easy....shoes, socks and a shirt.  Once I was set up I walked through the T1 checking out the set ups that all the triathletes had.  Checking out bikes, shoes, how their transitions were set up, etc.  What a great learning opportunity.  I then noticed an area that was crowded with people all wearing the same thing....red, white and blue!  It turns out that there were a few Olympians running the triathlon and they had their full team there setting them up.

So, after I left the transition area I headed over to the start.  Here is the view early in the morning,

Now my wave was scheduled to start at 8:15 with the first wave starting at 7:00.  This gave me time to talk with people and watch the first several waves.  After the first wave took off I was blown away by their swim speeds.  So I headed over to the swim exit to watch them come out of the water and see first hand their transitions.  Impressed was an understatement.  The first three people out of the water were Olympians, with a 1500m OR 1.5K swim distance in under 18 minutes.  The three of them were in and out of the transition area and on their bikes in under 1 minute 20 seconds according to the guy standing next to me with a stop watch....that is crazy fast considering the swim exit had a 100 yard run to the bikes and then about 150 yard run before the mounting line.

So, off I went back to the start.  I texted wifey, received some encouraging words back and headed to the start line.  The goal before the race.....don't drown, finish the race, and third have a swim time in the 10-11 minute range.  The horn blew and we were off.

I found myself at ease entering the water, which was a surprise considering this was my first open water swim in a LONG time.  I made it around the first buoy with ease, but then hit a wall right before the second buoy.  I switched it up to a breast stroke to get around the second buoy and somehow found myself back in freestyle before I was on the boat dock.....still don't remember making the switch.

This is where things get interesting.

As I approach the transition and volunteer asked me if I was ok, I said yes as I was catching my breath and she then stated "caused you don't look ok."  Is that because I just finished swimming in open water in a race or because something was actually wrong....I brushed it off.  Was in my shoes and off on the run.  Wow, I did not expect my legs to be heavy at this point but it must have been due to the breast stroke, but my legs felt like bricks for the first ten steps.  I was then ok, and found my stride.

About 200 yards into the run I found myself trying not to fall as I had a major shooting pain behind my left eye.  I kept my balance and kept my feet moving only to then find that my vision out of my left eye was completely blurred.  I kept walking figuring that it would go away in a minute.  I kept walking.  Next thing I know I am at the turn around point and Gracie (a true sweetheart) asked me if I was ok as she could see something was wrong.  She wanted me to sit down, but I was stubborn and kept walking.....so what did she do, she walked with me.

As I kept walking I realized that the pain was not going away and that it was actually getting worse.  I also realized that I wanted to finish this race more than anything.  I figured I would rather have a horrible time and come in last than have  DNF next to my name.  Gracie kept me talking the whole way back to the finish line.  Crazy part is, she at one point went to the same church as us and between the two of us seem to know a ton of the same people.  The Lord was looking out for me now that I look back.

So there I was at the finish line.  I was done, but that is where things had just begun.  Without getting into to many details, I was then taken away from the race by ambulance to a local hospital where my wife works in the ER, talk about having a connection.  Spent the entire day there and sent home.

Now, it's Tuesday and I have spent three days in bed in a horizontal position.  This sucks.

So.....first race down, all goals completed.  Oh, by the way my official time in the swim was 7:19 when I had a goal of 10-11!  I am happy!  With that, what is in store for my triathlon future.....the jury is still out.

Who's Who

This weekend looks like a lite race weekend.  Does that mean everyone is out doing some tough brick workouts?

Here are our racers,

Coy at First in Philly is runner her first trail half marathon.

Steve at Steve in a Speedo?! Gross! is teaming up for a Duathlon.  Their team name.... Team Happy Pants....don't even get me started.  Good Luck!

Kendra at Totally the Turtle is in the middle of her marathon in a month.  Go give her some encouragement as she has about 11 miles left to complete in 11 days.  We all know she can do it!

Then there is me, the Bench Warmer.  I am doing the OC Tri Aquathlon.  Should be interesting!  I will post a race report on either Monday or Tuesday of next week.

Also, there is a great giveaway coming up....keep checking back for details!

Struggles

Do you ever find yourself in the middle of a struggle?

Well as of right now I am there!  It is nothing crazy or bad, but it is a struggle that has me all messed up to say the least.  It has messed with my head in such a way that I find it hard to focus on the simplest of tasks.  It sucks the motivation out of me like nothing else.  However, at the end of the day I think about this struggle and realize I have no control over it.  So why do I let it affect me so much?  Maybe, just maybe, because it could change everything or nothing at all.

This is not the forum to get into the details.  The important part is this....and is why I am blogging about it.

The place I feel at ease is actual two places....

1.  Sitting on the couch next to my sweetie enjoying a conversation or a TV show.

2.  In the gym (or ride/run/swim) giving it everything I have.

What a blessing.  To have the an amazing wife, the ability to workout and be healthy, and most importantly to be in a place where my struggles have nothing to do with real problems like so many of our brothers and sisters of the world.

Where do you find your sanctuary of physical or mental rest?

Friend Making Monday

So, my best friend over at Totally the Turtle participates in a Friend Making Monday post almost every week, unless she does a Monday Motivation.

This whole Friend Making Monday seems interesting to me.  So this week I read the original post by Kenz and found out that most of the time it is all about 5-10 items about yourself to get people to know you.  Well here is the thing, I was going to do this post today but I can't think of 5 things that make me awesome!  Sure I am loyal, hard working, handsome (yep i went there) and the list goes on, but does that make me awesome? This is not a pity party, but how would you define awesome?

I define it as a person that is willing to put their life on the line for others, gives out of need instead of wealth, sacrifices for others, is determined to finish things that they have started, and the list goes on.

Do I think I am awesome, maybe, but I know I could do so much more than I do now.

So, want to participate?  Just tell me why you are either awesome or an area you strive to be awesome at and post a link to your blog post in the comments section!

Oh and come back soon......I have a free give away planned AND a guest blog post by Kurt over at Becoming an Ironman.

Long Week

Last week was long and I had very little to post about.  I am in an odd state of mind these days.  The OC Tri Aquathlon is coming up this weekend....am I ready?  I guess we will find out on Sunday.

Here is a quote I read this morning on Marie's blog, go check here out HERE.

"Nobody ever died of discomfort, yet living in the name of comfort has killed more ideas, more opportunities, more actions, and more growth than everything else combined.  Comfort kills."  - T. Harv Eker

Training Plan and Map Created!

As you all know I have been at this triathlon training deal for a few months now.  It has gone well at times and gone horribly wrong at times.  Even with a new PR in the 5K, I knew I need to focus on creating a road map to success.  After my post last week about creating a map and a few days of research and planning I think I have my plan ready to go.  Now of course there will be changes, but that is life!

Although there are a ton of free websites and triathlon training resources, the one I found that I love and feel is going to work the best for me is at Forging the Triathlete.  Coach Suzanne has broken down the triathlon training so well that it makes it simple, even to the over-thinker like me.  So, if you are looking for a plan or a new spin on training, I would suggest checking out her site, HERE.

As for the plan, it's time to get started!  Redondo Beach is 34 days away and Strawberry Fields is not far behind....

Who's Who

Who is racing this weekend?

The list this week is diverse, but not nearly as long as last week.  So, lets get right to it! Go check these guys out at their blogs and wish them luck as well as read about their journeys.

Triathlon

Uli over at Uli Bromme : Triathlon is going to be competing in the Ironman St. George.  Can you think of a more beautiful spot to compete.....besides Kona?

Running

Misty over at Athena Diaries is at it once again, two marathons in one weekend!  How does this girl do it?  First she will be starting out at the Kalamazoo marathon and then moving on over to the Wisconsin marathon.

Cycling

Our first cycle only event is this weekend with Rock Star Tri doing the Medo Fondo 71 miler in New York.

Well, that is it!  Did I miss you on the list?  If so, email me your race schedule already!

Creating a Map

After my post earlier this week about training plans or lack thereof, I have decided that this weekend I am going to make a plan that works for me.  The plan will include my training, days of training, nutrition, work, family, and me time.

I will be starting with a few different plans that I have printed off the internet and create my own plan.  I will continue to strength train with my good friend DB, because lets face it he is a major factor in keeping me motivated.  Outside of my wife, he is my biggest motivator to keep pushing forward in the gym.  DB if you are reading this....one day I will be bigger, stronger and faster than you!

To make this even more interesting, I am planning on posting my weekly results for all of you to read and comment on.  Lets face it, numbers don't lie and who better than to review my training logs than a bunch of people doing the same thing, training for triathlons.

Hope everyone is training hard, staying safe, injury free and having a good time!

Interruption

The regularly scheduled program has been interrupted.

It's baseball season!

I have been blessed with an amazing family, hands down. Seriously though my oldest son is a baseball fanatic, much like his Daddy and he is only 2 1/2! Maybe it's my love for the game that gets him excited or it's just in his blood, but boy does this kid love baseball. I mean, look at the smile on his face!

After our race on Sunday we took him and his brother and sister to a baseball game. Dirtbags vs. Cal Poly. You read that right.....Dirtbags. If you follow college baseball at all you know that the Long Beach State 49ers are nicknamed the "Dirtbags" on the diamond. This name is was given to the team back in the 80's. It comes from the mentality of the team, play hard 100% of the time and give everything you have to the team. When you give up yourself for the sake of the team, you become a Dirtbag.

Maybe one day my son (or sons) can become a Dirtbag.

What activities typically interrupt your regularly schedule programs?

Training Plan, or Lacking

I have been reflecting the past two days on my training. Sometimes with my training I tend to over think things. Frankly, I think I do this in most aspects of my life. There is something to be said for having a coach or trainer just tell you what to do in order to get ready for a race. I don't have that, I am the coach, trainer, athlete, and therapist all wrapped into one.

Last night after playing 3 hours of softball, yep a double header I read Deb's blog over at Deb Tris. Here blog post was simple, train according to your training plan OR CHANGE IT so that you can follow it. Makes total sense.

Here is my problem. I have found so many great training plans, but cant seem to figure out how to make them work with my schedule.

I do know that what I am doing is creating some major improvement. My 5K last weekend was proof that I am running faster. It just makes me think that what if I had a real training plan....how much further along or better would I be????

Any ideas?

Post Race Notes

As many of you know this weekend was my first race of the season. Although it was not a triathlon it was a race in which it would give me real time feedback on where I was at in my preparation for my first triathlon.

So, it was Sunday morning, Kendra and I headed out to the OC Fair Grounds for the Wahoo's 5K. It was an interesting morning....We had no kids in tow, thanks to my Mother-in-Law who had all three kids spend the night at her house. The freeway at that time in the morning was empty, which if you know Southern California this condition happens very rarely. When we arrived at the fairgrounds there was NO parking, which made me a little upset seeing that I had PAID for parking. Luckily I was at the right place at the right time and was able to park in the swap-meet parking area.

So here we were, ready to race.

Before the race even started I knew in my mind that I was in better shape for this run then the last 5K, but was still doubtful that I had made much progress in my training. Most of this is because I hate running and therefore most of my training has been swimming, biking or weight training. Problem right?


So the race started and I stuck with Kendra. She runs at a much slower pace than I do but I was staying with her for two reasons....1. She was not feeling well and I wanted to make sure she was ok, 2. I knew if I started slow I could push through the leg pain to a point that it would go away. Also knowing that the competitive side and the husband side of me would not let her pull away if my leg was hurting.

Well, I am happy to report my strategy worked. I was not only able to push through the leg pain but I also recorded a new PR in the 5K.