Korea Photos

Thanks to Joe for remembering his camera on this ride and snapping some fun shots of the USA group riding around the roads of Tongyeong.

It was a beautiful day for a ride yesterday and I was fortunate to go with the other American athletes out on a 1 hour training ride. We toured the perimeter road and some of the age-group bike course.

Tongyeong - Day 1

Jill and I got 7 hours of blissful sleep after our late night arrival to the hotel. I started stirring around 7:00am...motivated to wake up by a very hungry tummy.
Fortunately, I have about 20 pounds of food that I packed in my bike box so I was able to cook a tasty breakfast this morning. I dumped two packets of oatmeal, 1/2 packet of soy protein powder, one box of raisins, one scoop of chunky peanut butter, and a few squirts of honey into my hot pot and let it boil away for a few minutes.
The rest of the day I have spent doing the following: working with the chiropractor, building my bike, going to the pool for a swim, eating lunch, searching the TV for English channels, going for a bike ride with Team USA, walking down to the corner store for some yogurt, OJ and bananas...and now we are all meeting to drive over to the host hotel for the pre-race meeting.
I'm going to grab a jog while I'm over on that side of town...maybe check out the run race course...and then come back to my room to cook a safe and healthy dinner in my hot-pot...all while enjoying the English TV stations that I found!

31.5 Hours

If you were ever sitting around on a rainy day, and you started wondering how long it might take to travel from Orlando, Florida to Tongyeong, South Korea...I have your answer!
31.5 FREAKING hours!
Trip time started at 4:30am when I pulled out of my driveway heading to the Orlando Airport. Trip time ended when the bus pulled into the parking lot at the Hansan Hotel, 12:00 midnight in Korea.
I got a fantastic shower, brushed my teeth, hooked up the internet, and now I'm off to sleep!
More updates from Korea when I'm a little more coherent.

Red Carpet Club

Free food, comfy seats, drinks, bathrooms, peace and quiet...and I still have to pay $6 for Internet! But, I calculated that I had about 3 hours to work on the computer so it was worth it. Especially since I'm going to be air-born for the next 12 hours and I might go into Internet withdrawal!
Jill, Matt, and I were all upgraded to First Class from Orlando to San Fran...so that made the first 5.5 hours of the flight pretty smooth. Unfortunately, the next leg wasn't upgradeable (not that Doug didn't try his darnedest to upgrade me!) so I'll be chilling in the economy section and loving life:)
Thanks to all the people that have sent me comments and facebook messages and texts and emails after St. Anthony's. I'm still sitting on Cloud 9...but need to come back to reality in time for the big race this weekend. Racing ITU again will be exciting, there are so many different little things that make the race change every minute...got to be on your A-Game at all times!
Flight to Korea departs in 1 hour...I'm off to pack up my gear and purchase some food for the long haul! See you on the 'Flip Side!'

St. Anthony's Recap (quickly)

I just got home after racing the St. Anthony's Triathlon this morning.
Arrived at the race around 5:30am. Heard announcements over the PA system that the water was so rough/choppy they canceled the swim for all waves EXCEPT the pros!
Pro men (Dustin included) started at 6:52am...pro women (me included) followed 3 minutes later.
Dustin was the first person to exit the water (2 minutes faster than me)...I was the first female with a :55 second lead over the next woman.
Hopped on my bike and felt amazing...all the great training in Clermont paid off with the FASTEST women's bike split of the day!!! (Out-road Dustin by 4 minutes.)
Dismounted my bike :30 seconds behind Dustin...and with a 2 minute lead over the next female.
Started the run feeling great, tried to pace myself smartly and hang on to my lead. Got to the turn around with a 1 minute lead...got passed by eventual race winner Bec Wassner at Mile 5...and had a sprint in the finish shoot with Sarah Groff (she passed me).
Finished 3rd Overall at St. Anthony's!!
Dustin beat me by :33 seconds!

Chilling in St. Petersburg

I've got about 3 seconds to say hello from St. Petersburg. I drove over this morning, checked in at the pro meeting, check into my hotel, and now I'm off to meet my family for some pre-race dinner! Got to get some yummy chow in me to race fast tomorrow morning!!!

Beth's HERE!

My BFFFFFFF showed up on my door-step this afternoon! Of course she timed it just as I finished my lunch...and she hadn't eaten yet :).
Well, we made the most of the afternoon, catching up on life events, sharing photos from our latest travels, doing some light training (perfect since I'm on taper for St. A's), cooking dinner, playing with the cat, etc.
Beth & Robert are down in Florida to visit their parents and go to Paige & Matt's wedding on Saturday (which I have an unfortunately very important reason to miss). Beth dropped Robert off in Orlando for all the pre-wedding festivities and then drove over here. She has to head back tomorrow for the rehearsal dinner in the afternoon but they both plan on making a quick visit to Clermont on Saturday morning to get in a swim practice with Fast Lane!
Coach Alec was ecstatic when I asked if he would mind if Robert Margalis jumped in with the team for a few hours:)
Before all that, Beth and I still have some fun girls-only time planed tomorrow. I have to be at the NTC pool coaching from 6-8:30am so Beth is going to check out the Winter Garden Trail. She showed up with her bike on the back of her car and I said she needs to compare the Clermont hills to those in Athens, Georgia! We are both going to arrive back at the house by 8:45am for a homemade pancake & omelet breakfast followed by more catching up. At 12:30, we have an appointment (along with my Clermont-ian friends Misty & Sara) for a pedicure at the Salon l'Europe!! Pink & pretty toes...here I come:)
In regards to training...all I have on Friday is an easy 2000 yard swim to stretch out and relax. I'm going to head over to St. Petersburg on Saturday morning...no rush when I live 2 hours from the race site:) Hopefully, sometime between now and then, I'll find a few minutes to compose a pre-race Press Release to let everyone know that I'm back on the playing field and ready to rock!

The Final Countdown

Okay, this isn't the final countdown...but I sure am excited! It's been 5 1/2 weeks since I went down to Miami and had an 'OK' race. Starting on the day I returned to Clermont (Monday, March 16th) I have been training sooooooooooo hard! I've loved every minute of it! It sure has kept me busy and focused on the goal of being back in decent form for the heart of 2009.
Speaking of 2009...that race season has arrived! I'm gearing up for 5 events in the next 2 months! Fortunately for my wallet and my sanity, most of them are in the USA and relatively easy to travel to. Everything starts this weekend over in St. Petersburg with the St. Anthony's Triathlon. Due to my foot injury & some serious blister pain after the '08 Olympic Trials race, I was forced to withdraw from St. A's last year. That was very sad and it was like the first time I've missed that race in my triathlon career!
Well, that won't be happening this year...I am soooooo ready to race! I'm looking forward to seeing all my friends and teammates (that's just a nice way to say competitors) and cheering on some of the people that I have met over the past couple of months working at the NTC.
My younger brother, Dustin will be competing in his first race as a Professional Triathlete! The men's pro wave starts at 6:52am on Sunday morning. The women follow them into the water 3 minutes later at 6:55. I'm sure I will catch a few guys (there are OVER 50 pro men registered...that is HUGE!) but I will be mentally cheering on my brother...I'm hoping for a McLarty sweep of "first out of the water!"
Speaking of Dustin's first pro race...the challenge is ON between the two of us...it's like a race-within-a-race. I really think that I can beat him...if not across the line, than at least post a faster time. Can you tell I'm excited?!?! I'll stop talking about this silly race, promise!
I'm looking forward to some house-guests before and after this weekend's race. On Thursday, my BFF Beth Margalis is stopping by for a visit. She and Robert are in town for our good friend Paige's wedding. Sadly, I will be at the pre-race meeting in St. Pete while Paige and Matt are saying "I Do"...so I will send my love with Beth! She's visiting me while Robert does all the pre-wedding festivities with Matt.
After the race, I'm bringing Matt Chrabot and Jill Petersen with me to Clermont. They have both accepted my offer to stay in Central Florida for the 48 hours before departing to Korea. Saves them an extra trip back to Colorado...and gives me some friends to travel with out of Orlando on Tuesday morning! Casa de'Sara's will be jam packed full over the next couple of days...but the more, the merrier!!

Rubbing Salt in the Wound

I rarely like to brag. Usually, I just don't enjoy getting pleasure out of someone else's pain.
But, there must have been something in the air today that has made me feel a bit different.
I know what is making me feel this way...it was all the SUNshine today!
I started out my morning, like usual, watching the news and weather while I munched on breakfast. I couldn't help but notice that they were calling for 2-3 inches of snow in Colorado, some wet/sleeting conditions in the northeast, and mid-80 degree temps in Sunny Central Florida.
So, I made the most out of my easy training day (yes, I said EASY training day...those have been rare in the last two months) and put on a bikini for an hour of sun-bathing at the lake-shore-beach. I'm paying for each of those 60 minutes that I spent lying on my back on a towel...my front side currently matches the color of Pepto-Bismol!
OUCH! But worth every second that I'm not dealing with snow in April!

Clermont Adventures (Part 1)

A few weekends ago (yes, I'm finally getting around to posting photos) some Clermont-ian friends and I went on an afternoon kayak trip. I always love to point out that I now live in "LAKE" County, Florida...and they didn't have to think very hard to come up with that name! We have lakes galore!
And what we also have right here in our backyard is called the "Chain of Lakes" where about 7 good-sized lakes are all connected by canals and channels. Perfect for KAYAKING!
So, after a day of crazy hard training, my friends took charge and prepared the adventure. I mentioned that it would be tons of fun to head out in the afternoon with a picnic-dinner packed. Paddle for a ways, pull over and enjoy dinner with a sunset and then paddle home. After I swam, biked, and ran until exhaustion...I found myself cheerily climbing into a kayak loaded with snacks and surrounded by good friends!

Misty, Vicky, Adam, Ashley and I made up the five adventurers of the afternoon.

We started in Lake Minneola, from Ashley's dock, and headed northwest. This was the official exit from Lake Minneola and into our first canal.

The wildlife was not disappointing. We saw a family of otters crossing the canal in front of us...I only managed to snap some shots of this papa/mama because it hung around. Seemed quite interested in our little group...or loved being photographed...you pick.

Mr. (or Mrs.) Otter checking us out from the river bank.

River-Blockade! Must pay with snacks or drinks to get through!

Check out the timing of this photo! A beautiful Big Blue Heron taking flight.

That's me in the red kayak, taking a photo of...

...Misty in the blue kayak, taking a photo of me:)

Ladies and Gentlemen, dinner is served! On an island, in a lake, on some cement blocks that we found! Watching a beautiful sunset and having a lot of laughs!

Oy...The Wind!

When will it end! Central Florida experienced some unusual April weather today (and tomorrow) in the form of temperatures about 30 degrees below normal and insane winds from the NW.
Nothing was going to stop me from completing my workouts, though. I might have postponed my three hour ride if I wasn't meeting Jarrod at 9am. Even with that as a motivator, we still didn't get out the door until about 9:15ish.
My ride included some race-pace efforts and I kept myself entertained by watching my speedometer. This is my attempt to convey how INSANE the wind was blowing:
*With the head-wind, I was going 7mph during the recovery time and managed to get up to 14mph during the hard effort. It all took place in my easiest gear, no need for shifting when you can barely turn the pedals and stay in a straight line!
*With the tail-wind, I was coasting at 22mph and got up to 33mph on the hard effort! I was out of gears and still flying down the road.
Unfortunately, you always end up spending MORE time going INTO the wind...so the ride was pretty close to miserable. My solution was to have some random fits of screaming and yelling, at nothing in particular...but since you would have to be sitting on my handle-bars to hear me, I wasn't concerned about startling the neighborhood.
After that, I spent the better part of mid-day working on my 2008 Taxes! Yep, started them this morning and filed them online at 3:00pm! I should pick up another career:)
And then I was off to death-match-with-the-wind, #2. This time we battled each other down at the NTC track. Who thought it would be a good idea to build a track in a circle? No matter where you run from, you always have to go INTO the wind! It was all I could do to focus on my form and effort and not crack-up laughing each time I faced into the wind. I would go from barely making progress down the back stretch, to fighting the side-wind on the corner, to literally flying down the home stretch with the wind at my back.
After an hour outside, I gave up on the battle and went into the NTC to run my cool down on the treadmill. There was finally nothing to bother me except the squeaky shoes of the guy on the next treadmill. I was watching out the window where my swim teammates were getting into the pool and doing the warm up sets. I made it out there just in time to dive in and start the main set.
I have two possible explanations for my amazing swim workout this afternoon. first, it could be because of the Gu Roctane gel that I took right before getting in the water (the things that caffeine can do!) or it was because I had a good training day and just felt good. Hummmm...knowing how I was feeling out on the bike, and down at the track, I'm going with option #1...dang, those Gu's are GOOD!

'Bout Time

It has seriously taken me this long to recover from my Miami race, pick up where I left off in my training, and catch up on sleep/work/chores/lounging/etc. I've logged some of the most awesome training sessions of my career in the past 14 days. Which is why my normal pattern of using my 'down-time' to play and blog on the computer has taken a serious hit! Since I just got a comment about my lack of blogging...it has officially kicked my butt into gear for a late evening post.
Basically, my life has been purring along. I'm happy, healthy, and having a lot of fun. I think there must be something in the Clermont water supply...and I'm liking it! Which also means I will need to bottle it up and travel with a weeks supply of water so that I can feed my addiction on the road:)
But really, training is going great! I came home from the Miami race and Alec put me right to work for the last 6 weeks of preparation for the onslaught of races in April/May/June. I'm half way through those six weeks and already I'm anxious to race...usually it's the other way around...I'm wishing I had more time to train! So, I think that is a good sign. Don't you?
Oh yeah, race season is right around the corner (I am categorizing Miami like a review-test...you know, kinda like what your teachers gave the day before the BIG exam so you could remember what to study). So, I made my mistakes when they didn't matter and now it's time to take the real tests. First up is St. Anthony's on April 26th. I'll be driving over the day before, attending the race meeting, checking out the course, and then spending the night in a hotel up the road. Dustin is flying in from California to compete as well...he's got his PRO CARD...and the McLarty Sibling Challenge is ON! The pro women start 2 minutes back from the men...look out Dustin, here I come:)
Luckily, there is minimal travel involved with St. A's because I will be getting plenty of that two days later. I have been invited by USAT to compete in the first World Champ Series ITU race of the year...in Tongyeong, South Korea, on May 2nd! I will be flying out of Orlando on Tuesday, April 28th, arriving in Tongyeong on Thursday, attending the pre-race meeting that afternoon, competing on Saturday, cheering for the men on Sunday, and flying home on Monday. Phew! I've already got my Monday after St. A's all planned out...ice bath, massage, easy swim/bike/run, lots of resting, last minute packing, etc.
The next weekend is a BIG event. My friend Misty and I will be participating in the Orlando Muddy Buddy on May 9th! We are brainstorming team names and costume ideas. Any ideas are welcome to be shared.
Continuing along the calendar brings me to the weekend of May 16th where you will find me in Oklahoma City competing in the Pan American Championships. I've already got my flight purchased, departing on the Thursday and returning on the Sunday. I've got a hotel room booked. I'm stoked to be rooming with Jasmine again, we are already scheming about fun things to do while we are visiting the area. The final decision will be regarding a rental car...I need to do some research and see if we can survive on just taxis and bikes.
Last, but not least, for the month of May, is the Cap Tex Tri in Austin on Memorial Day Monday. I can honestly say I haven't competed in a triathlon on a Monday yet...this should be interesting! What also makes it unique is my travel plans...I will be in Houston at the US Masters Swim Fest from Friday until Sunday morning. As soon as I can depart, I will be hauling booty in a rental car across the state to Austin (did this have to be in the biggest state??). Hopefully I can arrive in time for the pre-race meeting that afternoon, check into a hotel room, and get ready to compete on Monday! I'm sure I'll have a handful of good stories from that weekend:)
That about wraps up the next two months for Sara McLarty, the professional triathlete. If I really wanted to, I could go down to Miami on the 31st of May (there are a LOT of weekends in this month) for a women's only race! Let me warn you now...don't hold your breath for that to happen! I'll probably spend the weekend refusing to get out of bed:)
But all that is a long way in the future. Right now, I am concentrating one day at a time. Trying to train smart and hard...and still have some fun adventures along the way. Happy Spring to everyone:)