Weather.... or not

I won't make you wait for my next blog.  Here is what was sent to UCP.  Only readers of my blog will get the "pre-release".  Enjoy!

View of olympic swim

Sprint and supersprint location

In my short 3 year experience competing in triathlon, I have never had a “wet” race.  (Knock on wood!  I have 2 more races to go this year!!!)  Roads have always been dry, weather has been decent.  There have only been two races in my career where I thought it would be a miserable weather day.  This past Cleveland triathlon was one of them. 

Around 1 or 2 am, the thunder started to roll.  Now, I love a good rainstorm as much as the next person, but not when I have to wake at 4:30 and the dog is hopping on the bed then off the bed, on the bed and off the bed, nails click-clacking on the hard floor in an echoing room trying to escape her terror.  My mind started wandering in my half-asleep state as to how I was going to manage the fast downhill on the eastbound shoreway with rain on my brakes.  I wasn’t concerned about anything else.  I’m already wet on the swim, and a rainy run would be refreshing.  See, I’m one of those people who would rather watch their kids grow up than go on a rainy training ride and wipe-out.  I ride my bike on the trainer in the basement instead.   Needless to say, I don’t have much experience riding in rain. 




View from E 9th towards Lakeside

On the commute downtown, the roads were remarkably dry.  I was quite surprised and giddy!  Everything was coming together.  I couldn’t even believe it when I was getting blinded by the sun on my swim.  “Ok!  The rain is past us,” I thought (incorrectly)!  However, on the bike, fighting the hills and the wind, I was too distracted to notice that the sun had disappeared.  It wasn’t until the 3^rd loop on the bike that I realized it wasn’t my sunglasses making the sky dark; it was going to rain. Oh how I prayed that I could make it into transition before it hit…

I received the news that bad weather was coming as soon as I dismounted the bike and I couldn’t help but feel concern for those still trudging up the shoreway with the wind and hills.  I’ll be honest though, I was relieved to be off of the bike.  I saw the clouds.  I knew what was coming…  Fortunately, the good Lord had mercy on my soul and saved the downpour for my run, which actually felt quite nice!



The wet, lonely finish line

I must admit, though, that I was disappointed when I crossed the finish line. I felt great the entire race, I had a great finish placement, I thought, but it was missing.  The patio party—the celebration of teams—the camaraderie…   I look forward to the party on the patio after the race every year.  Listening to the teams cheer for each other as they cross the finish line, watching the smiles, witnessing what victory really means…  This year, it was nothing but a damp and empty quiet that filled the space.  Transition was already being cleaned up and people were asked to leave due to the possibility of bad weather.   Results for the Olympic race would not even be posted. 
While storms thankfully did not happen, race companies are put in a tight spot; risk bad weather if people stick around, or risk decent weather if they’re asked to leave.  It’s a tightrope and I’m glad I didn’t have to be the one to make that decision.  It’s hard to turn down a party!



The only limb left to write on

Even though the ending to the Cleveland Triathlon fizzled at the race, you can still celebrate what was accomplished.  Thousands of dollars were raised, those with UCP continue to make strides (literally and figuratively), and you can revel in your accomplishments!!! 

I will see you next year!  Until then, I leave you with a little poem…

“Weather… or Not”

Whether or not you wanted to wake
Whether or not you swam towards the lake
Whether or not you were caught in the rain
Whether or not you raced until pain
Whether or not there were cheers at the end
Whether or not you are now on the mend
Whether or not at the line you did cry,
You did it ‘cause you were Inspired to Tr





Wind--the day before

Post-race haiku

I finished my race
Only rain was on the run
Time for a shower.

I want my results
I think I did REALLY well.
I'll get back to you.

If being interviewed by the Plain Dealer is any indication, I think I did more than just ok....

Thank you for your prayers.  We had a thunderstorm around 2 am but nothing but WIND and clouds all morning until the run.  Thank you, Lord for answered prayers.  No rain on the bike, raised $1000, successful race, family showing up to watch and cheer you on--what more could you ask for?

I greatly appreciate your generosity with donations, patience with my plastering of facebook, and general support as I tri. 

I'll post results as soon as I know them.

Packing Day Haiku

It's packing day.  At the end of taper week I just want to jump out of my skin.  Workouts are light and short, and I'm just not used to that anymore.  So, to control myself, I've written you a little haiku...

I am packing up
For the Cleveland Triathlon.        (that's tri.ath.lon, not tri.ath.a.lon by the way)
Excited to race.

Dear Lord, please no rain.
It's been so dry this summer
I don't want to crash!!!

Yes.  Any little prayers you want to send my (and our, collectively) way will be welcomed.  Prayers for cool weather, dry conditions, no wind, and safety are highly encouraged.  Thanks!

Too poop-decked to pop.

This past week I spent my time training (as usual) and playing "Shipmate Suzie" at VBS.  (Your humble blogger is on the right.)  More pictures will come later. 

I'm so tired, I can't even think straight.  So, to pacify your blog-reading desire, here is my latest entry for UCP Cleveland. 

http://www.ucpcleveland.org/2012/07/27/guide-to-an-enjoyable-race/

Eight days to go!!!!  I'm at $625.  Can I get to $750 $1000  in one week?????

One month to go...

In one short, little month, The Cleveland Triathon will be history.  I always find it amazing how events, when planned, seem so far off:  Graduation from high school * Wedding Planning* Pregnancy* Waiting for your child to sleep through the night for the first time (especially this one!)*

Setting goals is a good thing.  It shows you where you want to go.  Planning for the event tells you how to get there.  In the blink of an eye, it's time.  Fortunately, I still have 31 days to train for my next two events and to raise some extra cash for UCP.

I never thought I would reach $500.  That was my goal.  I bombarded facebook (sorry, guys) and made a special note to everyone who donated.  (Thank you notes are coming, BTW-I'm waiting until the race is over, then I'll send them out.)  The goal was reached.  That means it's time to set a new goal:  $1000. 

Mark Zehnder, race inspiration

I'm trying to set up a challenge.  I would say I'd cut my hair if I reached it, but for those of you who have known me for a long time and have seen me recently, you know that's already been done.  I'd do it again, the result just won't be that dramatic.  I'd say I'd sign up for a full ironman distance, but that's a few hundred dollars in registration fees.  (That's a lot of money, plus travel expenses.  I need pre-planning for that.)  If you have any ideas, send them my way.  Shameless plug--> if you want to donate, go here


In other news, I'm pleased to report that this girl who is a self-proclaimed math nerd who usually despises writing (for a grade, that is) had her first blog posted to UCP.  Cleveland Triathlon picked it up, then Pacific Sports (the race company that puts on the tri).  Hooray!  Be on the lookout for two more of them!

Finally, to post race results from the Tri-tech Olympic distance: 

Total Time = 2:27:17
Overall Rank = 72/223
Age Group Rank = 1/4
Swim= 21:44 for 1500 meters 
           (01m 27s / 100meters)
T1= 1:40
Bike= 1:15:03 for 24.8 miles 
          (19.83 mile/hr)
T2= 59sec
Run= 47:53 for 6.2 miles
         (7m 43s min/mile)

Great race and perfect weather.  I'm pleased.  Race report can be found here .

With all that said, I hope you have power and air conditioning.  The storms around Columbus have really made a mess the past week.  Fortunately, we were only without electricity for 4 hours on Friday, June 29, but many are still out.  Frequent lightning storms have not helped the situation.  Stay safe and thanks again for reading!!!

Where do your great ideas happen?

Growing up, I loved to wake up and stay in bed.  I think my mom thought I didn't wake up until 10 or so, but I'd just lay there for an hour or so... just thinking.  Thinking about nothing... thinking about everything... just letting my mind wander to wherever it wanted to go. 

Fast forward 20 or so years--

I would love to wake up and lay in bed for an hour to collect my thoughts.  My firstborn is an early riser and loves company.  He is our alarm clock.  I now have to find a new time/place to do my thinking; just let my mind be consumed with randomness or sometimes very focused thoughts. 

The gym.  The long bike on Saturday.  The long run on Sunday.  This is my "now" spot for my brain time.  (It's not my "new" time but my "now" time for thinking--I've been doing it for years.)

Today I had a great thought for my blog in a secondary place.  The shower.  I had it all planned out.  Exactly what I'd write in my blog tonight.  HOWEVER (there's always a however), I couldn't tell you what it is.  I forgot my great idea. 

I do have news, though.  I received an email from Beth and Tammy from UCP Cleveland and asked if I could be a guest blogger until after the Cleveland race!  It was just one of those messages that brighten your day.  I feel really honored that they would think of me to do that.  Golly! 

In other news, 3 more races are in the books: Warrior Dash, Deer Creek Olympic, and Steve-o's Wendy's Tri.  Very productive races.  I'll leave you with the pics and finishing times.  One week until C-bus Olympic, and 6 weeks until CLEVELAND!!!!

Warrior Dash:

Time: 30:53 for 3.4 miles (9:08 min/mile)
age group rank: 7 of 1408
overall rank:      227 of 7680 overall









Deer Creek Olympic:  (LMFAO theme)

Time: 2:37:13
swim - 26:29 (1500m)
T1     - 1:31
bike  - 1:19:24 (24.8 miles)
T2    - 1:17
run   -48:30 (6.21 miles)

3rd place AG!

And... as extra motivation for these races, 4 fantastic people donated to UCP!!!!!!!!!!!

A lot can happen in one month

Wow.  It's been over a month since I've last posted.  Usually, by the time I get to settle into my thoughts I'm too tired to write something coherent. 

Since I've last posted, my racing season has begun.  It started on May 5th with the Capital City Half Marathon, where I ran a personal best of 1:43:25 for 13.1 miles.  The weather was perfect: overcast, cool, but a tad humid.  If I knew I was going to feel so good, I would have pushed it harder.  I suppose that's what next year is for...

At Cap City Half race expo enjoying some bubbly.

Also happening is the finishing up of school for my kids.  My youngest just today magically turned into a kindergartener.  How did that happen so fast?  My eldest turns into a 3rd grader in one week.  It's a good thing I'm STILL 29 and not getting any older.

The full brunt of racing season gets underway on my sister's birthday 6/2.  Warrior Dash!  So much fun!  It's a 3 mile race with lots of muddy obstacles, climbing walls, hills, streams, logs, a beat-up old cars to climb over.  The next day is my first tri of the season at Deer Creek State Park. 

For your inquisitive minds, I've posted my race schedule in case you want to join me or just cheer me on from your comfy bed. 

6/2 Warrior Dash
6/3 Deer Creek Olympic Triathlon
6/24 Columbus Olympic Triathlon
8/5 CLEVELAND OLYMPIC TRIATHLON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
8/18 Age Group Nationals Olympic Race  (if I do really well, I could go to London!)
9/5 Rev3 Half Rev Triathlon

Also, I've picked up some neat widgets: my workout tracker so you can see my progress and a mileage tracker.  It will take me a little bit to input my info from the beginning of the year.  Bear with me.

Enjoy!