Week 50

Getting ready for an ocean swim on the Jersey Shore

Jersey Girl

If it weren’t for the 2017 Jersey Girl Triathlon, I wouldn’t have set out on the path to complete a 70.3 Ironman Race. I definitely would have never gotten on a bike. 2017 was the year I decided to overcome my fears. I took swim lessons. I went to the dentist to have that root canal I’d been putting off for way too long. I got on a bike for the first time in nearly 20 years.

During my sophomore year in college, I rode my Schwinn mountain bike everywhere. The University of Florida campus spanned a couple miles. I had 15 minutes to get from one end of campus to the other and it wasn’t possible if I stayed on two feet. One day, someone walked in front of me as I was riding downhill on a paved path. My handlebar caught her shirt sleeve and I went face first over the handlebars right onto the pavement. The impact knocked out my front two teeth and left a hole all the way through my lower lip. I swore I would never get back on a bike.

I was terrified when I signed up for the race but I knew it would force me to overcome my fear of cycling. I vowed to ride 11 miles on a beach cruiser. Barbara and Stacey told me I was being silly and talked me into upgrading to a hybrid bike. After one ride, when I could tell how much easier it was for everyone around me to gain momentum with their shoes clipped into their pedals, I traded up to a road bike. It only took me a couple pride falls while stopped at red lights to get the hang of clipping in and out.

I was shocked at the end of the race when I discovered I placed 3rd in my age group. It was the most fun I’ve ever had at a racing event and I couldn’t wait for my next triathlon which wasn’t for another two years given the circumstances.

This year’s Jersey Girl was the end cap to my triathlon season before I transition into fall marathon training. I wanted to see how much I’d improved over the last couple years, even given a bit of a setback. The day did not disappoint. The weather was perfect and the ocean was calm. I had no time expectations, I was just out to have another incredibly fun day.

Two years ago, I doggie paddled the entire ocean swim. Although I struggled a little more than I would have liked, I did manage to actually swim the entire course this year. The bike course was uneventful and when I got to the run I tried to hang on the best I could. I never looked at my watch but I was certain my pace was somewhere in the 8:30-9:00 range (it was actually in the 7-7:30 range). I didn’t see anyone with a ‘3’ on the back of their leg (in triathlons you get your age bold displayed in thick black sharpie on your calf) after the first mile. I had no idea where I was in relation to everyone else on the course but I thought I might have a shot at placing again this year…if I could just hold it together and keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Right foot, left foot, right foot, left foot….

I crossed the finish line and went straight to the transition area to find my flip flops. My feet needed serious triage after the residual sand added an extra fun component to the run. When I walked back to join everyone, Chris told me Yana and I had both placed 1st in our age groups. I came in 12th place overall out of 550 women competing, 4 minutes faster than my last time on the course. Naturally, I sobbed the biggest tears of joy I’ve felt in the last year. It was a lot to take in. To have Yana, Necole, Barb & Chris, the same crew who was by my side during the most difficult days following my accident, with me to celebrate a huge victory made the day even more monumental.

2017 & 2019

The real victory came on Sunday morning. Alden warned me “I know you raced yesterday but…” I had a long run comprised of a 30 minute warm up and then 60 minutes at marathon pace. I thought there was no way my legs would have any turnover left in them after the race but I wasn’t going to throw in the towel without giving it my best effort. The first 30 minutes felt absolutely terrible. I considered ending it there. I convinced myself to try running the workout for 10 minutes and if I still felt terrible, I would be at a good spot to turn back for home. Those 10 minutes weren’t so bad and neither were the next 50. Completing this particular workout, the day after my race, was the single biggest confidence boost I’ve had during my training and I am grateful in my coach for believing in my ability even when I don’t believe in myself.

One of the best post-race feasts ever! Straight from the farmers’ market to the wood fired oven

Weekly Training Log

Monday:

TRX

Tuesday:

RUN: 4x1mi sub 7:00

Wednesday:

SWIM: 40:00 OWS

BIKE: 55:00 Tempo

Thursday:

SWIM: 2,000

Friday:

SBR: 10:00 each - watch didn’t die this time, Suunto saves the day (and the workout)

Saturday:

RACE!

Sunday:

RUN: 30:00 easy, 60:00 MP