Tri Season Is Finally Upon Us

Winter is coming to a close here in South Georgia. Don't get jelous too quick, this is one of the most cycling/running un-friendly places in America. Yes, they HATE us here. We are getting 75 and sunny weather on Saturday, so me and my best friend Loraine will be going on a long bike ride. By doing this, our lives are really at risk, and I wish I was joking. But if I get killed riding my bike, I supposed it would be better than the obesity that had me heading into an early grave.

Joel is trying to get us out of here. We both don't like it here, we are both unhappy here. Joel does not like his division, and its not just your average "soldier whining" he has been in the Army for 8 years, and has a high tolerance for stupid stuff, and is an outstanding soldier, but he is getting to his breaking point with this place. Its obvious why I want to get out of here. Nowhere to ride, nowhere to run, no local groups to join. When I go out on a bike ride, I give my family extra hugs and kisses and tell them how much I love them, because I don't know what is going to happen to me out there. Plus, another highly annoying factor, anything you want or need here, that you can't buy at Walmart, you have to drive an hour to Savannah. My "Local Bike Shop" is an hour drive away.

Some positive news, the first triathlon of the season is on March 5th. My last tri was in October, so I am really looking forward to this one. I am also officially registered for all my races leading up to Ironman Louisville. This even includes Ironman Muncie 70.3 on July 9th, Loraine is from that area, and its 8 weeks from Ironman Louisville, so it will be a nice tune-up race, and a chance to see Loraine's family. All my races are listed here on the right side, if you click on the race links you can see the details, so if you are in the area, come race with me!

I am also registered for my first organized ride on March 19th. Loraine is doing it with me, but a different distance route. I was tempted to sign up for the 106 mile century ride, but I have been doing a lot of trainer rides the past few months, so I played it safe and signed up for the 64 mile route. Loraine signed up for the 23 mile route.

My doctor's advice with running and my IT band was I could run, but have to stop when it hurts. The last few 1 hour long rides on the trainer I will throw on my running shoes and run until I feel the beginning twinges of pain. Last night I made it to 1.16 miles, so I am getting better. I am still stretching and rolling, and I start physical therapy next month (insurance covered thank goodness).

I still look like a fool when I swim, but I have been incorporating a pull buoy in a few sets of my training in attempts to learn proper swim form. Its coming along, I don't really think I'm getting better, but not getting any worse either.

I want to go through Champion Systems and get a custom kit(tri suit) made to wear for Ironman Louisville. Any ideas of what to incorporate into the kit?

My First Good Photo From a Race Photographer

I got my proofs from the photographer from the Tybee Island Half Marathon. I usually don't buy race photos because I always look goofy or pathetic in them. Sometimes I'll have one halfway decent one but can never justify buying it. I finally got a good picture, one I want to buy, one I want to give to my mom. I bought a digital copy from the photographer, and I'll buy some copies tonight. You can't even tell I'm soaking wet in this pic

Race Report-Tybee Island Half Marathon 2-5-2011

I'm not absolutely happy with the race, so I'm going to cut this report short. Woke up early of course, only my husband Joel and our eldest daughter Laci was going, we hit the road around 5 am for the hour and a half drive.

Got to the race site nice and early since the race didn't start until 8:30, so we got a good spot. The forecast called for rain, but it was overcast the whole time we were waiting, so I thought I was in the clear. Suddenly around 7:55 am it started raining, somewhat hard, and it didn't stop. We headed to the start line around 8:20, I had an umbrella, I was just going to hand it to Joel a minute or so before the start.

I have been having bad IT band issues, knee pain on the outside of both knees. I had registered for this race awhile ago so I didn't want to be a DNS. I have been foam rolling a lot lately and I was hoping it wouldn't be too much of an issue today.

The race started, it was pouring rain and strong winds. Within the first half mile my clothes and shoes and socks were soaked, adding some weight. I was maintaining a good pace, then a mile 2, the knee pain started in both knees. From this point until the finish line it felt like someone was hitting the sides of my knees with a hammer, it really hurt. I put my mind somewhere else and pushed through the pain to the finish line.

My time was 1:55:12, not a PR, but with the circumstances of the weather and my IT bands I was happy to just be under 2 hours. I plan on seeing my primary care doctor about my knees this week to see if there is anything she can do to help me.