Sunshine!

When I woke up this morning...it was sunny and clear outside! This is exciting because it has been raining/drizzling/cloudy every morning for 2 weeks! We have been biking inside, workouts have been cut/shortened, roads are flooded, etc. It has made training no fun!
Maybe this is the start of something new...maybe the weather is going to start being NORMAL for south California in February! Today's schedule consists of a 2.5 hour bike and a 1.2 hour run. We are heading out on the bike in a few minutes...the plan is to climb hills for an hour but the road we have to take to GET to the hills is flooded. From what I've heard...a large dip in the road is now a roaring river complete with uprooted trees flowing past and a car stuck in the middle! (I don't think I'm going to try it on my bike:)
Yesterday was a light workout day...we did a swim in the AM...I had a good main set that I am pretty proud of (5x400m free @ 5:00...best average...I held 4:34s so I think I've still got it!:)
In the afternoon we did an hour of running drills at the track...I ran a little bit before hand because I needed some more workout and the drills are not really 'running'.
Tomorrow is my BIRTHDAY!!! I'm going to be 22 years old...I can't believe it! We are trying to make plans to all go out to dinner at Buca di Beppos...but I'm trying to make reservations for about 30 people and I think I might have waited to long:) I tried to call yesterday but I was informed that I would need to speak to the party planner who would be available today! Cross your fingers that I am able to have a bit of a party:)
Sun-keep on shining!

SPEEDO!!!!

Got a GREAT message on my phohne today...from Shannon the SPEEDO rep!!! I had pretty much given up all hope...but it looks like something might come out of this after all! I gave her a call back and we talked about meeting up here in Chula Vista. She is heading this way to talk to USA Triathlon about outfitting the resident and u-23 team for this year...and she said that we can get together and chat about my race schedule. Speaking o f race schedule...I've got to get that finalized! I've got to talk to the coaches here about what they suggest and write out an official schedule so that I know what I'm training for!
I want to do open water, I want o race ITU, I want to race U-23...I want to race all the time, not just a few weekends each year! it's a hard decision!
The race I was planning on racing in Mexico is no longer an ITU race so there is probably no money and I can't get any points so there is no point in going...but I still want to go to the Open water world cup in Mexico...so I looked at the web site and found out that the deadline to enter was YESTERDAY! oops! I e-mailed the race director so I hope that I will still be able to enter!!
Off to bed for more training tomorrow!

Race Report

Saturday was the big day! The night before, we had already loaded our bikes and trainers. We climbed into the vans with our race gear at 6am and headed north to a little town called Murrieta to compete in Stage 2, the road race, of the Tour of Murrieta. http://tourofmurrieta.californiabicycleracing.org/
The Women were all at one start time: 9:15am. All the girls on the Resident Team were racing as Cat. 3 but we still were going to give all the Cat 1, 2, & 4's a good race! All the guys on the Resident Team were Cat. 3's also...and they raced at 11am so they were able to see us start and cheer a bit as we road by.
We started right on time and headed out for 40 treacherous miles through mud, water, potholes, slick roads, rocks, and rain! The course was 3 loops of 13.4 miles and there was a prime on the 2nd lap...but it was only for points in the GC so none of the triathletes bothered to sprint. All was going smooth during lap 1 & 2...the large pack was getting smaller thanks to a few sprints up some hills.
Speaking of hills, the course was GREAT! It was relatively easy for a chick from Florida who stinks at climbing hills...they were very small, gradual, and followed by a sufficient down hill that if I had fallen off the back, I could have caught up in no time at all.
But there was never any need to 'catch up' because I think we spent most of the 'race' averaging 15-17mph! The hardest we worked was up the hills and we we braking on 90% of the descents! My brakes almost need new pads:)
Back to the race course conditions...I have never heard 'HOLE' yelled so often! It was like riding through a mine field...2 miles into the race and I was thanking myself for pumping my tires to max pressure because I would have flatted 10 times over if they were remotely low! Another common sound was 'SLOWING'...I hate to admit it but the few road races that I have competed in as a women are a JOKE...no one wants to go fast, or pull, or work hard, or do anything but chill until the last 400 yards and then sprint their butts off! 'MUD' was a common occurrence...the roads had rivers of mud and water crossing them every few feet so not only was it treacherous to ride...I got mud splattered on to EVERY part of my body, including mouth (very crunchy) and I was not enjoying riding directly behind other chick's wheels!
Back to the race...the first 2 laps were uneventful...all 5 girls on the Resident team were still in the lead pack. With 1/2 a lap to go, there was a big crash behind me and when I was able to look around, I couldn't find 2 of my teammates in the group. At this point, I could see Sarah Haskins and Kelsey Withrow still riding near me...but Jasmie Oeinck and Rebecca Wassner were missing. I thought "I hope they are OK, and if they don't show up at the finish a few minutes behind me...I'll send out the ambulance!"
2-3miles to go and we are still slowing down...it's getting a little ridiculous so Sarah Haskins and I move to the front and start rotating to pick up the pace. Kelsey was suposed to jump in the rotation with us but she was unable to get to the front (we were not allowed to cross the center line and the roads were very narrow). With 1/2 mile to go, other chicks started moving to the front to jockey for position...and I can only say 'thank goodness' I was already at the front because as the sprint started...there was a HUGE CRASH behind and to the left of me. I was in a good finishing position so I just kept on sprinting! I crossed the line in 4th...and ended up being 1st Cat. 3 woman! It was a pretty decent finish considering I was pulling the whole time to the sprint! (Note to riders...safest place in the pack is AT THE FRONT!!)
As soon as I finished...I turned around with Sarah H...and we raced back to the area that they crash happened...it was our teammate Kelsey...she went down hard and was being loaded into the ambulance. Jasmine ended up finished just a few places back after her crash earlier in the race...she landed soft (thanks to the chick she landed ON) and was able to hop up and keep riding. Rebecca also went down and mangled her front brake so she didn't finish the race. At the end of the day, we picked Kelsey up from the hospital...she was good to go with the only injuries being some minor road rash and a slight concussion. (The main damage was too her front wheel where 5 spokes broke!)
I had a great time in the race, the weather was fun, the conditions were memorable, and my teammates are a tough group of girls!

Nuthin' but Trainin'

Swimming, Biking, Running. Well, I have just summed up all that I have been doing since my last post! Oh yeah, also some Eating, Sleeping, Laughing, Shopping, Napping, Relaxing, Having Fun, Reading, Watching TV, etc!
This is almost the conclusion of the second week of Chula Vista camp. It was harder than the first week, with more cycling and running and about the same in the pool. Today was very light in preparation for a Road Race tomorrow: http://tourofmurrieta.californiabicycleracing.org/. Check out the web page for the Tour of Murrieta. We are competing in the road race, 40 miles for all the women in 3 laps of 13.4 miles. Wish me and the rest of the women's Tri team good luck!!
Also of note would be the results and current action of the GATORS SWIM & DIVE TEAMS at the SEC meet in Gainesville, Florida: http://gatorzone.com/swimmingdiving/tour/sec/2005/. Check out all the gold medals, NCAA records, SEC records, Team records, Best times and great races that the Gators are performing! Lets see, just to name a few things...the men AND women WON the 800 free relay on Wed. night...both in NCAA RECORD times! Then there was Lochte's American Record in the 200 IM. How about Caroline Burkle's 500 Free...SEC record! Dustin McLarty (can't leave him out) 2 swims already...and 2 best times; tomorrow is the 1650...it's only about 15 minutes of pure pain...good luck!!!

Still Rainin'

This is what I left Florida for...RAIN like 24/7?!? I have been here 6 days...it has rained for 4 of them! But there is a silver lining to this rain cloud...at least it's not snow...and it's not really THAT cold...except when the wind blows and you are already soaking wet!
Today is a tough day workout wise...I've already done most of it...all that is left is a swim practice this afternoon (and these swim practices are like relaxation sessions for me) so I guess the hard part is OVER! But it sure didn't feel like it was going to end, let me explain:
WE RODE OUR BIKES INSIDE, ON THE TRAINERS FOR 3 HOURS THIS MORNING! I SOAKED 3 towels with sweat and drank 3.5 entire water bottles! It was absolute misery...the small silver lining to this cloud was I was able to workout and watch 2 movies at the same time!
I just can't understand NOT going anywhere on my bike...it's just a weird feeling...I would have enjoyed the whole 3 hours a lot more if I was out in the rain, pedaling somewhere! (Those of you who have always lived in FL will be the only ones who can understand me!)
30 minutes before the ride started, I got new pedals and cleats in the mail so I rushed to put them on. One word: HEAVEN! The old pedals on my bike were REALLY worn out and my foot was rocking in directions that were not normal...and I'm sure that I was loosing a TON of efficiency! It was an expensive replacement...but for more comfort and faster riding...it is well worth keeping all parts of the bike "up to speed":)
If swimming stays as planned today...from 6-8pm...we are going to entirely miss the hours that the OTC dining hall is open for dinner! Darn...that means that we will have to go out and explore the town looking for somewhere to eat dinner! More on that later:)

Re-phrase that: REALLY BIG DAY

When I said that we were going on a ride this morning up a 'hill'...I had no idea what I was getting into! That THING was a mountain! I timed how long it took me to get to the top...45 MINUTES! I was going up hill the WHOLE time! It was great...I enjoyed every single painful pedal stroke. Good thing I have a huge 27 gear...I was in it the whole time, either standing or sitting. But at the 'oh so speedy' pace that I was going gave me the opportunity to check out the sights around the area. We went through a couple small and cute towns on the hills. One thing the coaches were telling me as I was struggling was: "when you stand up, shift down 2 gears so that when you sit back down, you have something to work with". It was a good idea, except I needed to be in my lowest gear even when standing (or I would fall over!) I will try it on smaller hills, or when I am having more success on the Honey Springs hill (yep, that was the name today's hill:) But let me tell you about going dOWN the hill: AMAZINIG! It took me about 15 minutes and my speedometer read in the 40s for most of the time. And the benefits of being the slowest up the hill (b/c of a small weight factor)...I sure was the fastest one down it! The other girls couldn't even keep up when they were drafting off me:) Lots of WORK needed here!

Next came swim practice...it was really personalized...I was the only one to go today! I am so glad that I went becasue it was like stretching after the bike ride (with out the stretching). I loosened out my back and legs and got in another workout all at the same time.

After some phone calls home to the family, bro, and g-ma...I went over and picked up my FedEx box which arrived yesterday...good news becasue I needed the rest of my clothes (5 days trying to mix up 3 different outfits...tough and it's time to do some laundry).

The third and final workout of the day was a little jog over to the Mexican border. I had a 50 minute run (some ppl had 1:10 but they didn't swim for an hour so I didn't feel to bad about that) so we ran out to these 'trails' in the undeveloped area near the OTC...which come to find out, the 'trails' are actually the border patrol paths when they are searching for ppl running over the border;) No one was trying to make the run today...but they would have probably needed a little training becasue the area was really hilly (of course, what ISN'T hilly around here??)!

One nice long, warm shower, followed by a nice dinner, followed by half of 'Scarface' the movie and it's time for some sleep:)

Big Day

I'm psyching my self up for a big training day today! The scarry thing is...we are starting off with a 2.5 hour ride in the 'hills'...which I'm sure will be 'hills' for everyone else...but they will be mountains for me!!! I'm in the computer lab...which like everything else here...has a great view of the area! Everthing is SOO green from all the surprise rain CA got during the winter...thank goodness it hasn't poured while we are here!
So I've got to go get in some cycling gear...and I will post more (if I'm still alive at the end:)

Day 3

I can't believe that I have been in CA for only 3 days. Everything is great. The weather is amazing (after Monday which was kinda cloudy and raining)...I'm getting burnt every day at swim practice (mental note to remember sunscreen tomorrow).
Training is so fun with all the other triathletes...we rode on the crit course yesterday (of course they managed to design it with 3 hills on a .9 mile track;)
My three room mates and I are off to go shopping for 'room stuff'.
Later

'Hi' from Chula Vista

Hey everyone, as the title of this post mentions...I am in Chula Vista! My flights from Orlando to Denver and Denver to San Diego were uneventful. The United people in Orlando did not even ask for a bike pass or payment for checking me bike (they could teach Delta a thing or two!) In Denver, a couple of the guys from the resident team got on the same flight as me. I already knew Manny ...I already knew Mark from the Japan trip 4 years ago...I met Logan in the Springs last April when I was there for swimming...and I met Nate for the first time. Great group of people...I met some more people when I got to the OTC: TJ, Rebecca, Sarah. Anyways...enough about the people...more about the VIEW! WOW...this place is beautiful, amazing, fantastic. The weather is a little wet today...it has sprinkled a few times and looks like it might continue to sprinkle during our bike ride in 40 minutes.
We had swim practice at 8:00am in the Loma Verde Pool...5400 meters (it's long course and outdoors). The main set was kinda hard...because I felt like I spent all of yesterday in a plane (wonder why) and the pool was about 82 degrees (I was sweating the second I jumped in!)
In about 40 minutes we are heading out on a 2 hour bike ride...according to my workout sheet for the week, this bike ride is: within my Z2 heart rate, working on my pedal stroke, minimal movement of torso, work the climbs, relax on the descents. I don't know if I am frightened or excited about attempting the climbs that are right outside the window! We're definitely not in Florida anymore, Toto!

What A Difference:)

I have never realized (or maybe just never put any thought into it) how much a REST day makes a difference on your training! In other words...I was rockin' it today! Hauled @$$ on the 27 mile bike...was moving on the 6 mile run...and tore up the pool for 6,700yards! I guess after 9 days of putting in LOTS of miles...my body really did need a break (I don't like to admit that...I'm the person that would never rest if I didn't have to!) Well...it's a lesson learned for the future! I also came up with the idea of a new training method that might be fun to try: Day1 - hard & long swim practice, hard & long bike, hard & long run; Day2 - do nothing. Repeat! ( I wonder how long that would work??:)
Other than the training side of life...I shipped a 56 pound box to the Chula Vista Training Center today full of clothes and shoes for 3 months of life in California. (Don't even think that is ALL that I am going to live with...on the plane I am taking a full bike box, 2 large suitcases, and a briefcase!:)
I got (the correct statement would be: "Dad got") my OLD laptop computer up and running with wireless internet for use at the OTC's. This thing has seen it's day...but it's easier (a.k.a. cheaper) than buying a new one! It was brand new in the summer of 2000 before I started college at UF. About 3 1/2 years of my wonderful treatment, it decided to have A LOT of problems and I switched to a new desktop...but with a bit of work, I think it can handle running Internet Explorer so I can access e-mails (which is the only thing that is important now because I AM NOT IN SCHOOL ANYMORE!)
On that note...I am going to dinner:)

Really Funny Drinking Game for Tonight Only!

http://www.alternet.org/columnists/story/21155/

Rest Day...Hurrah!

9 training days...one day off...thank goodness today is that one day off! It's a pretty gloomy day outside so I'm spending it inside the house with a cup of hot chocolate and a cat on my lap. (Except for this moment of course, when I'm typing on the computer in the office:)
Yesterday was a tough training day and I'll give a short summary:
11am - started 35 mile bike ride - 10 mile warm up, 10 x 1.5 mile sprints @ 5:15 base, 10 mile cool down ride home
2pm - drive to Port Orange pool - run 5 miles around the City Center @ 7:45 pace
3:30pm - swim 6,700 yards at swim practice
6:30pm - collapse onto my bed until 8am this morning!
I'm having a dilemma on the packing situation for Chula Vista, CA.
First, I'm not really sure what the weather is like...and since I'm going to be there for three months, I'm packed to be prepared for anything!
Second...I'm only there for three months and I've got to make sure that I don't OVERpack...but I seem to be doing that no matter what. Every time I put something into a suitcase, I remember something else I will probably need, and the cycle is never ending...Resulting in the 3 bags and one box that I have filled so far!
Third, I'm obviously NOT packing at the moment...one example of the many distractions that keep me from finishing!
Today the Fed-Ex guy dropped of my new bike-shoe inserts. WOW, are these things comfortable...I had no idea how uncomfortable my feet were on the bike until I put these new inserts in with nice, high arch support! I think my pedal efficiency will improve dramatically just because my feet are not moving around in the shoes as I try to pedal in a circle! (Notice how I know that I have to work on my 'pedaling in a circle' now! One of the things I learned at the bike store in PA!) I liked them so much that I ordered another set for my alternate bike shoes...make sure my feet are in heaven in all shoes.
I think it's time to get some more hot cocoa and chill in front of the TV on this wonderful day off.........NO!!!!...MUST KEEP PACKING, MUST KEEP PACKING FOR CALIFORNIA!