Race Schedule 2011 (part one)

I would argue that a strong mental game is just as important as the physical talents we bring to the line.  This applies to anything in life really.  Don’t agree? 

·         How do you handle pain?

·         Can you hold it together when things go wrong? 

·         What motivates you to push harder?

·         Can you dig deep or do you stay comfortable?

·         Are you willing to put it on the line and risk the chance of failure?

·         What do you consider a success?

·         Do you stick to a plan?

·         What goes through your mind during a race?

These are just a few things going through my mind as the season quickly approaches.  I’ve been way out of my comfort zone mentally (and physically) the past 6 months.  I remember a sports psychologist in high school encouraging us to seek creative opportunities outside our comfort zones- we had fun with that challenge.  (For those of you who don’t know me well I am a creature of habit, I try to keep things under control, and I avoid drama whenever possible.) 

These past months have been all about change, stress, uncertainty, and decision making.  There are people voicing their opinions about training methods, what distance I should race, which races to sign up for, etc.  Let me just say it’s been interesting listening to the opinions and comments.   Everyone sharing their advice comes from a different perspective with different motives.   This mental stress is a heavy weight, and I assume it can only intensify once racing begins.  The tough part is recalibrating my mind to be patient and embrace the changes, knowing there is value in lessons learned.   

Race Schedule (tentative… things always change!)

April 17- Miami (Ohio) Sprint tri HFP (local race)
May 1- St Anthony's
May 15- either New Orleans 5150 or Knoxville Rev3
May 22- Memphis in May
June 19- Washinton DC 5150
June 26- Philadelphia Lifetime

We’ll see where we go after the first half of the season.  “But Missy, you do better at the long distance races."  Quite possibly, but the shorter distance is allowing me to race more often, focus on power and speed, and learn aspects of the sport I’ve never experienced.  "But Missy, this schedule is so different than what you're used to.  Shouldn't you stick to what you've done in the past?" Maybe.  Never know til you try!  Variety is the spice of life, right? 

miss

TriSports

I spent the weekend in Arizona visiting the TriSports.com staff and team.  Wow.  If you have visited their website (and who hasn’t?) you know they offer top of the line triathlon gear and nutrition at great prices.  (I brought an XL bag to bring new gear home- yay!)  But do you know how this company started?  In 1999 Seton and Debbie Claggett began selling triathlon equipment from their garage.  After 2 location changes, years of hard work, thousands of sales/returns, and huge success TriSports has built an amazing business.  Get a load of these details:

• They offer a commuter program for staff members who bike to work.
•  They recycle like it is part of the job description.  They built a massive water basin outside to collect water to be used.  They hope to add solar energy to their building in the near future.
• Each workspace offers a form of natural light.  For those hidden areas, they have cut out solar portholes in the ceiling for natural light sources.
• They allow dogs into their workspace.
• The website has numerous articles discussing topics such as gear comparison and much more. 
• The store has a 2-lane endless pool, brand new GURU dynamic bike fitting machine, and treadmill to trial your new gear. 
• They have a massage therapy room… ahhh! 
• TriSports gives back to the Tucson community in numerous ways (adopt-a-highway, sack lunch ride, sponsorship for 5 various groups.. just to name a few). 

OK… so who wouldn’t want to be associated with this company?!?  I was quite impressed and wish I lived nearby.  The majority of the sponsored athletes were present this weekend and I can now put faces to the names of talented athletes associated with TriSports.com.  I’ll be sure to track the team’s success throughout the 2011 season- it will be huge! 

Training highlights: the weekend began with my first long ride since September up Mt. Lemmon. 

 This climb is comparable to rides I’ve done in Birmingham and in North Carolina.  Loved it! 

I also experienced my 1^st flat midway through the climb, but thanks to Seton’s help I was quickly on my way back to climbing in no time.  Over 8000 ft elevation- yup, that's snow on the mountain side. 

At the top of Mt. Lemmon I encountered the “Cookie Cabin”.  I am glad this place isn’t anywhere near Dayton, OH…. I’d be in real trouble… though the calories are well deserved if you consider the effort it took to get there. 

Look at the size of this cookie in comparison to the helmet next to it!  (do you even have to ask if I finished it?) 

Our swim workout (outdoors- yay!) included a “get out swim”.  (For those of you with a swimming background, you know what those are and guess who got picked to do it?  Bingo.)  We trialed a potential location for a sprint tri in Tucson which included a swim against a current in a “lazy river pool” and treacherous trail run.  I ran the streets of Tucson a couple times, did laps around the trifest expo, and played quite a bit of blackjack at the celebration afterwards.  Thank you TriSports for the experience!

I would love to live in a setting like this (who wouldn’t?)- great weather, motivated and energetic company, challenging/varying terrain, and tons of fun!  Maybe someday…  Until then, it’s back to the grind in Ohio.  The season is almost here! 

Get ready!!

miss

Treadmill training

First off, let’s give a shout out to those Buckeyes!  Both men and women’s swimming taking 3^rd place at Big Ten’s.  Men’s basketball topping the rankings heading into March Madness.  Go Bucks! 

(Kona 2006 Underwear Run- yeah baby!) 

Ohio is starting to see the first signs of spring: the snow has melted, flowers are peeking through the ground, thunderstorms have begun, and we've got 30-40 degrees somewhat consistently.  Hmmmm… still not my ideal, but I’ll take it.  For many, it’s not time to part from the stationary equipment just yet.  Many people are forced indoors due to time constraints, weather, family commitments, or shortage of daylight hours.  I love my Computrainer for indoor workouts!  It allows for variety, simulates familiar race courses, and allows you to track your training data.  My brother did a chunk of his IM Louisville training on one.  But what about the treadmill?  How can you make running in place not only more exciting but beneficial to your training?  I asked Ed Alyanak – running coach, E2 short course tri coach, fellow elite triathlete, and letter "Y" in the picture above – for some treadmill workout suggestions for those still stuck inside. 

Progressions: Start very slow and increase the pace every 0.5 miles by 0.3 mph until you can't go faster (Maybe do this twice - the second time every 0.25 miles)
Pyramids: Warm up then do a pyramid starting around a normal good day run effort and increasing to 5k effort and back down by time or distance Ex. (8.0mph, 8.5, 9.0, 9.5, 10.0, 9.5, 9.0, 8.5, 8.0) each for 0.25 -0.5 miles
Intervals: Combine gradient and speed to get desired effort 4-12 x 2-4:00 at tempo effort w/ 1-2:00 easy rest (not jogging)

And if that doesn’t help, try my rock star nephew’s treadmill workout.  Ditch your running shoes for a good pair of hockey skates- time for some intervals. 

Louis is a defenseman for the '02 Jackets- Little Caesar's League Champions!  Go Lou!

As for me, I'm escaping the midwest and heading to Tucson, AZ for a couple days.  TriSports is putting on "trifest"- I can't wait!  Long weekend meeting new people, buying new gear, swimming outdoors, and climbing mountains.  Boom-shaka-laka!  No need for a treadmill out there :)

happy training
miss