Rigby Tri 5-28-11

Our trip to Idaho Falls started Friday morning at 4:30am, I got up and ready then woke the kids up and in the van and we hit the road at 5:30. The drive was beautiful and peaceful (kids were asleep). We arrived a little before 10, met up with my hubby and enjoyed the rest of the afternoon with our great friends. After we checked into our room, my hubby took the kids swimming while I took a nap and then we went to the race mtg. We met up with our friend who was also racing. The mtg was so confusing that I got anxiety from listening to everyone. The directors warned us about the water temp, which was around 58. Luckily I already had my neoprene cap and wax ear plugs! My hubby took me on the bike route, which looked pretty good. Then we went back to Fairfield inn and ate dinner and got in bed by 10.
The night seemed to last forever! I got okay sleep, but kept waking up thinking I had over slept. We got the crew up at 6 and went down to eat breakfast and then we were off to the race. When we got there I put my bike in the transition area (only one area for T1/T2) and got my number marked on my calve and arm. I went to the potty and then with the help of my honey, we put my wetsuit on. It was suggested that the participants get acclimated to the water by putting their whole body in and getting our faces used to the freezing water. By the time I walked to the water my feet were already numb. I stood there a while and then got in. OH MY HOLY CRAP!!! It was completely horrible, I wanted to quit so bad. I got used to the water, submerged my face and swam a little bit. I gave Joe, my honey, a thumbs up and got ready for the start. We did a combined men/women start. I started off great and then it happened AGAIN! I couldn't breath, the water was so cold. I couldn't feel my hands or feet. I tried to do breast stroke, but with the loss of feeling, I wasn't moving very fast. I was so ready to quit and be done with the whole thing. I kept thinking, "why? Why am I doing this to myself? I must be crazy! I want to be done!!" I turned over and did backstroke, the rest of the race, I believe my time was 35 min for the swim. When I got out of the water I couldn't breath and was gasping for air, my feet were so numb I could barely walk. One of the directors was there and he was holding me up, Joe came over and walked me the rest of the way. He had to take my cap off because my hands were numb. There were "strippers" there to take off our wetsuits, so after mine
was takin off I immediately started shaking. I made it over to my bike and started layering my clothes. It took me forever to get ready, with the loss of feeling. Luckily it was pretty laid back so Joe was able to help me out a lot. He wasn't allowed in the transition area, but he
helped me out over the barrier. Joe had to help me put clothes and helmet on. I was even having trouble putting my bike shoes on which had Velcro on them, so lame! My transition was pretty long, but I didnt care, I was just thankful to be out of the water and alive!
Once I got on my bike bike, I couldn't shift because my hands were so numb. About 5 miles in I finally could move my hands and then
realized it wasn't my hands that were the problem, it was MY BIKE! My rear shifter was stuck! I was peddaling fast but not going very fast, I
was so mad. I couldn't catch up to anyone, well I did catch one guy, he had tennis shoes on so he was at a disadvantage too. Joe drove
next to me for a little while and the kids were cheering me on, it lifted my spirit. :) other than the bike issue, the ride was encouraging. As I
passed each olymic rider we all gave each other words of encouragement. It was really great. The last few miles of my ride I saw runners
from the Olympic and sprint and gave them all thumbs up. As i entered the transition area my kids and our friend cheered me on while they
played on the playground. At the transition I took the extra pair of shorts off and the cycling jersey off. I kept my under armor on and slipped
on my running shoes. Now by this time I was in need of a potty break, so I quickly grabbed my inhaler and water bottle and went to the girls
room as I left the transition area. When I got out the LDS missionaries, who were volunteers, directed me to the running path. One of the
elders ran with me for about 20 yds to get me going and wished me luck. I went around the lake with the heavy awkward feeling in my feet
and legs you get from riding the bike and got a cheer from Joe and my baby as I headed out for the rest of the 10k. According to my watch I
was 2.5 hours in so my goal was to finish the run in 1 hour.
By mile 2 my legs finally felt normal. There was a tall guy, the one I passed on the ride, ahead of me by about 100 yds. He was my motivation to keep going. The run was actually my best leg for this race. I was able to keep my 10 min mile pace. Towards the end of the race a lady came zooming by me, my first instinct was to take off, but I reminded myself that this race was a training day for me and I didn't want to risk any injury before the 70.3, so I just kept my pace. My oldest daughter was waiting for me and ran with me towards the finish line, it was great to talk with her and know that I was almost done. I was the 3rd to last person to finish the Olympic race, and I did it in 3:25!
I was so happy to be done! It was great to hear my name being said as I crossed the finish line and wonderful to see my family.
So all in all I finished the race in my goal time. I'm praying for warmer weather and no wind for the 70.3 ;)

Gluten Free recipe of the Week

Last Saturday we got a lot of peppers in our baskets and I had no idea what to do with them. Luckily bountiful baskets will post recipe ideas on Facebook and I got this wonderful recipe! Chile Rellenos Bake was so yummy and easy! I made some Spanish rice to go on the side and we had a little fiesta for dinner :)


Chris ;)

3 weeks and counting!!!!!

HOLY CRAP! This seems to be the new phrase around our home, whether it's the kids. me. or the hubby. I know, I know...it's horrible. Though it could be worse. Time has been blowing by and I am now 3 weeks and 1 day away from the biggest race of my life. The most commonly asked question is, "are you nervous?". The answer is, "YES!!!!!". I've been training now for 13 weeks and I've encountered my ups and downs. I've tried to make the most of every training day and I feel I have done an "okay" job. Could I have done more? HECK YES!
I finally bought my TRI suit, wetsuit, racing belt, tie less shoe lace, and all my nutrition needs. I will need to get 2 buckets to sit on in the transition areas, some extra tubes for my tires, and new running shoes. (I keep putting the shoes off, DUH!)
My husband, who almost lost his life due to me wanting to take, has to work race day!!!!!!!!!!!! SERIOUSLY, I was really upset to put it nicely. He had set up an event a while back, before he knew I was racing, and then another event was scheduled. So he will be popping in and out to see me race. I believe he can track me with his phone, so at least he will know where to find me. Some may think I'm being selfish, but WHATEVER! I've worked my butt off and I wanted him to be focused on ME, but I must be a big girl and realize his job pays for my hobby.
Luckily my mom will be here to capture it all :)
So training has been pretty good, I feel really strong. My one worry is the temperature of the water, it will be super cold. A fellow "tri-geek" informed me that I would probably want to get a skull cap and wax earplugs to help with the cold water. I did have one bad ride last week...all i will say is that I fell 2 times, didn't finish the ride and got a 2nd degree burn on my right shoulder.
Next weekend will be my practice TRI, I'm doing a Olympic race. I mainly registered because the swim portion is a mile and I really want to get the butterflies out before the 70.3. I will make sure my hubby takes plenty of pics so I can post them.
So the emotions for the next few weeks are nervousness and excitement. I will have to practice my visualization technique I used in high school...before every race in swimming I would go through every stroke, every breath, every turn for my race and see myself winning. I would slow my heart rate down to normal and focus on what was in front of me, Doing My Best!

Chris

There's always a first time for everything!

My past 3 training days have been really great! Sunday we went to dinner at a friends house and I decided to ride my bike. It was 20 miles away, so I left an hour before the rest of the family. The wind was pretty strong and it was hilly, but it was good ride and I made it with a friendly honk from my family as they passed me.
Monday was a block of swim/bike I did 2400yds in 58 min and then rode the trainer for an hour (the weather was looking really yucky) My 2nd son and I watched, Anna and the King, while I rode the trainer.
Tuesday ended up being my free day so my husband and I could help our oldest son finish his requirements for the Arrow of Light, the highest award in cub scouts.
Today was looking like another skipped day, but there are situations that just tick me off and then I need to blow off the steam. If there is one good thing about exercise, it's the reward of being able to let go of all your frustrations. I got on my bike and hit the road, I decided to do a portion of the 70.3 route. One mile in and I was brewing over my frustration and then it happened...a motorcyclist gave me the bird. SERIOUSLY!!!! He was on the other side of the road, I wasn't in any way bothering him or making his ride less enjoyable, or so I thought. This poor man was obviously mad, mad at cyclist. I felt sorry for him and his need to be so rude, but someone on the road was probably rude to him. There is plenty of room on the road, we all need to be responsible and be careful to EVERYONE on them. I hope he felt a little better after his public display of his finger. :)
Back to my ride, it was awesome!! Uphill was 2mph faster than 3 weeks ago and then I was able to stay between 18-21mph the rest of the ride! Today's ride gave me a little more confidence, I really needed it.
To end the day we celebrated our sons bday with a yummy gluten free chocolate cake! I love my lil man!!

Have fun the rest of this week and train hard!

Chris :)

Gluten Free Recipe of the Week

I love enchiladas! Our family eats them regularly. So last week when I got about 2 lbs of sweet potatoes from bountiful baskets,I had no idea what to make. My kids are PICKY! There was no way they would eat a sweet potato.
Friday I was reading an article on one of my favorite gluten free blogs, www.glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com, and at the end of the article was a picture of sweet potato and black bean enchiladas. I read the ingredients and decided I would make this yummy dinner.
Making dinner was a breeze and everyone including my husband was a bit hesitant to eat, but the enchiladas were a success! I would of never thought sweet potatoes would be so delicious!! Just 2 of my 6 kids turned their noses to dinner. One complained later to her friend, but she ate dinner without crying :)
It's great to try food that you normally would never think of eating. You'll be pleasantly surprised!!

Chris