Last race of the year

OMG, today has been a day to remember. Jim Casper was right. Yes Jim, you were right.

Anytime someone would complain about a part of a ride or grouse about a hill, Jim would look at them with a dead straight poker face, let the grin grow and say.... "It'll make you stronger." I have been tested more this year on the bike than in the past 4 yrs. My second year training for the ms ride, I didn't really keep track, but figured, I spent about 350-400 miles training, plus the 105 in New Bern. I had two off years for training and then this year, with the surge in attendance and the weekly training rides, I amassed close to 500 miles before the ride, plus the 80 in New Bern. I have done a couple rides since New Bern ( which I haven't done in the past.)

Yesterday, I did a 15 miles ride just to loosen the legs up before the race today. Little did I know that the route would kick my backside and fortunately, I decided to spin rather than work too hard.

Today, after my alarm went off at 5am. WTH. I got up, showered, got dressed and headed out for the race. Definitely not my first triathlon, but it was definitely a different feeling than the first 3. I was resigned to the fact that I hadn't trained the swim all summer and that due to a partially torn patellar tendon, I would not be able to run today.

My start time was 8:58:30.

I eased into the pool, with a touch of nerves, then the countdown 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 GO!!!

I took off at what felt like a reasonable pace, breathing every 5 strokes in the first 50. Then I started getting caught by the swimmer behind me. I decided to race my race, stopped for a few seconds and let her pass me and then continued on. All things considered, compared to last years time, I lost 11 seconds in the pool, I didn't even look at my transition times. They were perfect for me, I'm not a flyer and won't compete. I just do what I need to do and go. I ended up getting a little light-headed in transition and sat on my bucket and got my cycling shoes on and everything else.

Jogged out of transition, mounted and took off. The bad thing about this course is that there is a two-stage hill right after the first turn and it is a real bugger of a hill. I wasn't ready for it last year and this year, it still bit me. By the time I reached the top, I was going about 7 mph or so. Once I crested, I started grabbing gears for the downhill side and blazed it at 28 mph. Corned like Lance Armstrong on rails and kept right on going. being familiar with the course from last year, I knew where to attack and where to spin and it paid HUGE!!!! dividends this year. I got passed by the girl that was right behind me. She caught me in transition and we are friends from our MS cycling. I didn't see her again until I finished, but that's okay. I was racing my race. It always takes me about 6 miles or so to get the legs fulling going on the bike. I know it and I go at whatever pace/cadence I can and just keep spinning. (BTW, Dory from Finding Nemo was my friend today during the race. Just keep swimming, swimming swimming...... spinning, spinning, spinning........ walking, walking, walking....) I don't think the grin left my face the whole time. I was having fun and that's what it's all about. I burned up the bike course in a sizzling 33 minutes. WOW!!! Last year, i rode it in 44 minutes. HOLY CADENCE CHANGE BATMAN!!! All my time in the saddle this year made a HUGE difference.

I passed two people in the final 200 yds and run into transition, but was promptly passed back.

My run this year was all walk. I tore my patellar tendon in Ohio and did not know it until about 2 weeks ago. My orthopedist said I could still race as long as I walked. I did for the most part outside of jogging in transition and about 3 minutes out on the run course. This run course must not like me, because I fell... AGAIN!!! Last year, I tripped coming across a speed table and bit the dust, rolled and kept right on going. This year, I heard a runner coming behind me (we were on the sidewalk) and stepped into the grass to give her room as I was walking. As she passed me, I hit a hidden hole in the yard I was walking in, rolled my left ankle and down I went.

If you have ever wondered about what the atmosphere of a triathlon is, let me say this. The woman that passed me, came back, asked if I was okay, helped me to my feet and made sure I was okay. It took me a few minutes to get back up to my walk speed, but I was able to go. I walked up to the last 100 yds and jogged across the finish with my hands held high. I had done it again... I was a triathlete again. It's such an affirmation to hear those words when you cross the finish line.

Kara Prater, you are a triathlete. That is the first time I have heard those words at the end of a race. It made my day and the smile has yet to leave my face. I looked up my times from last year and realized the following.

I cut 11 minutes off my bike like for a 33 minute PB on this course.

I cut 3 minutes off my overall time for another PB. AND THAT WAS WALKING!!! Imagine what I can do next year.

YEAH Baby!!!

Keep following, changes will be coming. I hope to train most of the winter and be ready for more tri's next year. Maybe even a few lbs lighter. WOULDN'T THAT BE AWESOME!!!

Okay, it's training time again.

Here is my promise to myself.

Last year, I took time off after my last triathlon to allow my neck more time to heal and ended up fighting my way back into some modicum of being 'in shape.'

This time, I won't allow the same thing to happen. I have reached a point with my cycling that I am averaging 14mph on a solo ride. I can probably handle faster with a paceline. Climbing still hurts, but it has gotten better.

I have formulated a training plan for me, my sister and my hubby. We are planning to run a 5k together in november. For me, there will be walking involved as well, we will only be halfway through the training plan. Hubby used to be a runner and I believe will return to running quicker than Krista and I. We'll see though. I am excited to see what happens.

Until then, let's go. Time to train and time to have some fun.

Kara

Tri Training

My training this summer has been heavily weighted towards cycling. I know I'll regret that in October at my race, but oh well.

Last night's ride was awesome. I averaged close to 15 mph. For me, that is insanely fast. I even sprinted up a hill at 17 mph. That was a BIG SURPRISE. I made a couple of changes in positioning on my bike. I moved the seat back a little bit and changed my bars a touch. I also made some mechanical changes. New chain and cassette.

I rode 13 miles last night and even went off-road twice... (not good... really.) I was able to keep the bike upright, and was quite fortunate to have done so. it scared the crap out of me.

back in the swing

Okay, last night was a good ride, today was a crappy jog.

.6 mile in 9 minutes. Yuck-a-duck.

Now as I type this the dog is laying beside me licking my leg. Why is it that dogs like sweat??

I am feeling better with this cold. Now if I can continue on the upward swing to sunday. I will post results on sunday evening, but please, keep following the training this week. It is by far my best month to date.

Long off-season

Wow, it has been a LLOOOOOOOONNNNGGGGG Off-season.

I have fought my way through a sinus infection since February. 4 rounds of antibiotics, one round of steroids and if that hadn't worked, it may have meant sinus surgery again. Fortunately, no surgery after the 4th antibiotic and steroids, it resolved. My training has been limited to essentially the month of May.

By the end of the week, I will cross the 100 mile mark for this cycling season. I got 16 miles in tonight. It was a hellishly hilly ride. OMG, I still averaged 12.8 mph. I am looking forward to a hell of a triathlon this weekend and I know it will be a day to HTFU and keep moving.

Goals are a max 5 min swim, 40 minute bike and 50 minute 5k. I have not done much in the way of running or swimming so I have to do what I can and live with what I get.

Today

Heck Yeah!!!! Today was an awesome training day. And I mean AWESOME!!!!!

I jogged over the weekend i the rain. My pacing is horrible. I haven't been much of a runner since middle school. That's a long time ago. But now I am making an honest and legitimate attempt to improve my running and pacing. Right now I am at a 1:1 which for those of you who don't train it means I run/jog for 1 minute, then walk for a minute. it helps me control my breathing and my pacing. I am having the same issue with my Tib Ant on my right leg again. When I started training last year, I had problems with my tib ant. getting fatigued and then not being able to control my toe. It caused me to wreck during a tri last year.... ON THE FLIPPIN' RUN!!!! How the heck does that happen, aside from tripping on your own two darn feet.

The race crew chased me for a little bit after the fall to check and make sure I was okay. I told them to leave me alone... (I was more embarrassed than anything.) I usually use a t-band to work it and get a little more strength and get it used to being fatigued.

So today as I said was AWESOME!! As some of you know I've been fighting fatigue and exhaustion. I got the results back from my testing and there is no MS. I have slowly gotten back into work, doing massage, and training for my triathlon. I am in a bit behind in my training for my half-ironman bike, but I seem to be building my base back fairly quickly. I am running and cycling. My swimming is behind after giving up my gym membership. No pool available. I hope I can recover that quickly as well. So back to today.... again. I got home from my mom's tonight, got the squirt settled with her movie and went for a walk/jog. Finished 1.5 miles in 25 minutes or so. Cooked a nice healthy dinner, chicken in the frying pan with some EVOO and steamed carrots. NICE!! after taking the time to get the squirt down for bed, I set the bike back up on the trainer and went for a spin with intervals. I need more work on doing longer intervals, but that will come. Like I said nice training day. 30 minutes on the bike, 25 minutes on the run for the second run of the day.

I have a BIG bike ride on saturday, It's the spring fling in Durham. Come and join us if you can. The Spiritual Spinners will be riding in Colors. Look for Rainbow tye dye and our awesome wings on the back.

Back in the saddle again

Courtesy of Aerosmith.

I'm back
I'm back in the saddle again

Ridin' high
Ridin' high
Ridin' high already

I know it doesn't sound like much, but I got almost 16 minutes in tonight. Considering the last month I have been through, it was a chore to get on there for even 10 minutes. I am hoping to slowly build my base back up. I don't want to get going too quickly and burn myself back out. I am making some dietary changes, vitamin changes, and various other changes so I am able to maximize my training and effort. It's time to get serious about my training and life.

I plan to sit back down with my nutritionist and build a plan. Not going veggie, but going to increase my veggie intake. I have given up soda and Five bucks coffee. I think that is better for me too. My training drink of choice right now is plain water. As my spins get longer, I may alternate between water and Nuun.

K~