SPONSORED!

I signed up a couple of months ago for a sponsorship with Team Aquaphor. I'm way excited that I made the team for 2010! They choose 200 athletes from around the US to represent their brand, and I just received my welcome kit yesterday.

Who doesn't love free stuff?? I have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of my kit; excited to get my new duds to train and race in. I LOVE the Tri outfit! They also sent a jacket, tech tee, running top, running shorts, headsweats hat, and TONS of other goodies. I tried to fit all the goods into one shot:

They require you to race in their gear for 6 races out of the year and hand out samples to friends and fellow racers. Should be a piece of cake and something fun to be a part of! :)

Thanks Bonnie, for your words of reassurance.

Race Report - Liberty Half Ironman!

Well, I did it. I finished my 2nd Half Ironman! (If it needs clarification the distances are a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, and a 13.1 mile run.) Overall, it was a good day weather-wise in Maple Plain where the race took place last Saturday. It was in the 60's and it didn't rain until we were out on the run, which felt kind of good actually.

I have only done one other Half Ironman, and that was last August. That was a horrible day... we had to deal with wind, rain, and hail on the bike... it was scary to say the least. I finished that day in 6 hours and 15 minutes. On Saturday I finished in 5 hours and 53 minutes. That's a 22 minute improvement and a PR (personal record). I'll take it!

I was 4th in my age group this time, and 27th woman overall. I was happy with the race and how I felt throughout it. I also think my nutrition went well. Half Ironman races are great 'tests' for the FULL Ironman. It's a great way to figure out what you can eat and drink through the day to fuel yourself. I was pleased with how that all went, and had NO tummy issues like I've dealt with in the past, so that made me happy.

There were some bloopers this race. I fell coming out of the water. We had to run up a set of stairs, and I hadn't taken my goggles off yet. I started right in on trying to unzip my wetsuit, so as I tried to put my foot on the first step, I biffed it. It was pretty funny too as the crowd was cheering, then when I went down, there was a big "oohhhhh". I felt like such a dork, but it didn't hurt, my wetsuit acted as a protective shield.

After the fall, I couldn't get my wetsuit unzipped. I was in such a hurry coming out of the water, and getting up and getting out of there after the fall, that I just could not get the zipper down. I eventually had to stop running, take a deep breath, find the zipper, and get it unzipped. It was only my second race wearing a wetsuit so I knew there would be some trial and error in knowing exactly how to get it off in one swoop.

I found some of the photos Minnefota Moments took on race day. One on the bike and one with my "strong finish".
I'm sure the lady right behind me in the finishing picture thinks I'm a b***h as I blew by her in the last 60 yards. That's somewhat a race etiquette 'no no', at least if you are not finishing with the win. I just felt so good to be done, I had to sprint the last little bit. Sorry lady, I just couldn't help it. :)

I am looking forward to having a few weeks off of racing to get back onto the training bandwagon. I am hoping to get a century ride in this weekend. I hope it's decent weather for my first 100 mile bike!

Race Report - Buffalo Triathlon!

Last Sunday was my first Olympic distance triathlon of the season (probably the only Olympic distance I'll be doing this season). The race was in Buffalo, MN and we were very lucky with weather; it was beautiful!

I wanted to get in an Olympic distance tri before doing my first Half Ironman of the season, which is in... 3 days!! *Gulp* Nonetheless, mission accomplished.

The distances at Buffalo were .9 mile swim, 24.8 mile bike, and a 6.2 mile run.

I had a pretty good day. I was very pleased with my swim. This was my first race wearing my new, super comfortable, fast, sleek, non-confining, absolutely perfect wetsuit. The Xterra Vector Pro X2! I am more than happy with my purchase now that I've tried it out in a race. It worked great and it comes off quick.

My bike was OK. I found the course to be very bumpy and I had a hard time getting my pace up due to the bumps (and a bad headache for about 30 minutes). Besides the bumps, I liked the course. There were a couple of hills in the first half, then the second half was pretty flat.

The run was OK as well. The run is my weakest, or "third best" as Coach has me say, and during this 6.2 miles I could tell that I have taken some time off of running. Now that my foot is feeling better I am going to try and focus on the run this summer to try and build it back up. Not like it was anything more than it is now, but I keep hoping someday it'll just click. I will let you know when that day comes. ~Wait for it......~

I ended up placing 2nd in my age group (30-34). I won a pair of Tifosi sunglasses which is pretty darn cool! Overall for women I was 16th. Here's the picture they took for the website after we get our award. Unfortunately, the other two women didn't stay for the awards so I had to be in the picture all alone. All in all I'd consider the day a success. Feels good when all the hard work pays off in ways such as winning some new shades. :)

Onto the Liberty Half Ironman this Saturday!!

The views from the top of the world!

Day 1 AM...
Running UP and UP and UP some more, Rampart Range Road. Here's the view of Pikes Peak during that morning's run.

Day 1 PM...

Bike through Garden of the Gods. The clouds have cleared up!

My teammate in front of a beautiful backdrop.

A view of the "garden" while on our ride.

Day 2 AM...

A long ride through Colorado Springs. We did NOT stop here to take a potty break. 

Notice the street sign at this spot. I was thinking this same thing right before the sign verified it for us.

Day 2 PM...

A long climb up Cheyenne Mountain. We all made it and some did it twice!

Day 3 AM...

Running UP to Pikes Peak on the Barr Trail.

The view of Pikes Peak while still approx. 10 miles away.

Day 3 PM...

Run around the trail on Rampart Range Reservoir at 9,500 feet! BEAUTIFUL.

It was amazing how high we were. Pikes Peak was nearly eye level up here.

Any hill on the trail was getting tough towards the end of this long run day.

Apparently pain, altitude, and extreme winds are very funny!

Day 4 AM...

Another day of climbing on our bikes, UP Gold Camp Road.  

Felt great to make it through another day!

 

Here's a pretty sweet shot of the whole team.

P2CC 2010!