The Rage in Las Vegas

Wow! Wow! Wow! Is all I can say about my race. It was incredible. It was incredibly hilly, hot, breathtaking,beautiful and challenging. Who would of thought you could find all that in Las Vegas. I had wanted to race St Croix this year but could not make it work with our schedules.I found this race in Las Vegas. It was the 1st year for the 1/2 IM distance. The race itself has been around for 5 years. Check out www.bbsctri.com for more on there races.

The swim took place is Lake Mead. It was beautiful but so cold. The water had to be below 60 degrees. After the initial freeze I was pretty good to go. They sent all of IM athletes together.I was hopping to find some bubbles to hook on to. No such luck. There was a guy around me the whole time but he kept swimming off course. I kept looking around thinking of how beautiful it was,every time I took a breath I saw mountains. The water seemed to get colder to me, which at times made it hard to breath. With my lack of swim training,(yes I know I have pool just not enough hours in the day). I was hoping for a decent swim, between 30-35 minutes. I got out of the water in around 32 minutes, so I was happy. I kept telling myself all through transition that I was warm. I had difficulty getting my helmet strap snapped. My hands were shaking which made it extra fun. Scott was right beside my bike in transition cheering me on. The transition was very long and all up hill.I carried my shoes,running was interesting with frozen feet. It was turning in to beautiful sunny day. I was ready to ride for the 1st this year outside! Off I went, and the hills started right away. It was up and down the whole way. It was absolutely beautiful there were many time you got different views of the Las Vegas Strip, Lake Las Vegas and Lake Mead. It is one of the most challenging bike courses I have ever done. I loved every minute of it. The wind was around 20-30 miles per hour.It seemed to always be in our faces. I had no computer on my bike, I had not viewed the course prior to riding in, even on the website. This forced me to ride steady and to be in the moment. My HR was elevated at times, I told myself many times to back it off. Save it for the run. I finally got feeling back in my feet around mile 25. My nutrition, hydration and salt intake were all good. I took water every time I could and poured a bunch on me, the temperature climbed quickly throughout the bike and I knew it was going to be a warm run. From mile 50-53 it was uphill to a turnaround back to transition. This is where my hurting started, and I had a few moments where I wondered I had I given up too much. I literally coasted back to transition I was flying it was all down hill.

I began to get my head together and prepared myself for the run. I was excited to run. I had not previewed the course, so I was interested to see what kind of trail running there would be. Scott had been all over the bike course cheering and encouraging me. Always reminding me to stay with in myself.

The run: We headed out toward the swim start on sand and rock. Then took a hard right uphill for about 1/2 mile to hit the trails. I kept thinking the 1st aid station should be coming. I could really feel the heat. It was at least 80+ degrees at start of the run. I had my fuel belt and realized I need to start drinking right away. I could not wait for water. So I started sipping my carbo pro/ cliff shot.I downed one 6 oz bottle by the time I got to the 1st aid station at 1.5 miles. I drank water and and poured water over my head and all over me at every aid station. Mile 2ish, was a nice big downhill to another aid station and from there on I filled my fuel belt bottle at every aid station. I drained each time. I also drank additional water while I was at station. So every 10 minutes I was taking in 10-12 oz water. It saved me big time. When I started the run there were people still on the course for Olympic race all walking because of the heat. By mile 3 I had a caught a woman that passed in transition. From 3.5 to 5 it was up hill in sand rock. At times I laughed out loud at the terrain. It was very difficult but I was enjoying myself. I saw Scott at 3.5ish which was a big surprise. I did not think he was going to be on the run course. So that was a big lift. I was determined to stay steady, stick to my plan, and just run. For some reason my HR monitor went on the fritz at mile 1 of the run. I was going totally on feel and RPE. The climbs up on the trail was amazing you could see all of Lake Mead. It reminded me a great deal of how Kona looks as you ride up to Hawi. They ran us through 4 enormous tunnels that were so dark inside you had to take glasses off to keep your footing. I kept telling my self to get to turn around. The wind picked up even more on the run, there looked to be small sand storms at times on the trails. I had a nice coat of dirt/dust all over me. As I made turnaround I was excited at how good I felt. I kept drinking,eating and running. Back through the cool tunnels and then somewhere around mile 9 I got see Scott again. He ran me back down one to mile 10 and said he would see me at the finish. I could not believe I had 3 miles to run. I kept drinking right up till the last aid station.I sucked that dry too.

I felt strong all day. I never looked at my watch again after the swim till I could see the finish line.When I saw my time I was amazed I had been out there that long. I though I could be at least 45 min faster on a decent day. As I crossed the line and realized what a great day I had for myself, I was estatic and I had a blast. It was great to be back out there. It was truly refreshing and motivating in many ways. I would go back and do this in heartbeat. It made me realize there are many great races out there to try.

It was such a great surprise of a day. I continue to learn as I race and the biggest obstacle I have had has always been my head. My thoughts have many times gotten the best of me. That is something that I have been diligently working on this season. My hope is to pass on to you what I have been studying, applying and successfully doing not only in my training, and racing but in everyday life as well. Big thanks to Lisa for that!

Big thanks to the following:

Thanks to my husband Scott for his unbelievable support. You bring out the best in me.
Thanks to my son for inspiring me and for keeping it real.
Thanks to my coach and friend Eric Hodska for once again having me very prepared. I have really enjoyed the changes we have made to my training, and can feel the differences.

Viva Las Vegas

What an incredible week I had last week. We went to Las Vegas for a little bit of a vacation and a race for me. Things went really well on an incredibly hard course. Race report to follow. We had wanted to do St Croix but could not make the trip work. This was a great alternative, and a great early season race.

This picture is from helicopter on a tour of the Grand Canyon.
More to come

Vacation running...

I was on a running vacation yesterday morning!
Big thanks to Jennifer Collister, who set up organized the run, to Sam Joseph and Tina Hoban for going with us. We run from North Chagrin Reservation, it was wonderful. All trails,lots of mud, lots of laughing and I have no idea where we actually ran. It was a great vacation. The terrain was challenging and I found that not knowing where I was going, or how far I had been a very good thing. It is one of the most enjoyable runs that I have had in a long time. Can't wait to go back! Thanks again to Jen, Sam and Tina!

Early Riser

I have always appreciated the fact that I am a morning person. After years of getting up early to go swim practice it is interesting that in my adult life that has continued. As I began my training this season I have opted for more early morning workouts. I have come to truly enjoy the solitude of my basement at 4:00 AM. It gives me time to think, to plan my day, the best thing that it gives me back is TIME!
Getting up early is like buying time for me. I have been able to get many workouts in with out anyone even knowing I was up. This schedule has kept me from missing out on the things that I want to be a part of like being there when Wesley wakes up, or seeing Scott before he leaves for work. My biggest struggle this year with my training has been finding a balance that I feel good about and that is good for my family. The balance of marriage, family, work, sport and life for is a constant work in progress.
I did my long run a couple weeks ago at 4:30 AM, thank you Tina! It was awesome to be done by 6:30 AM.

So the next time you get up early just know that your not alone!

Believe

Believe....such a simple but powerful word. Easy to say hard to do. I put this on my jet stream when I did Ironman Wisconsin in 2006. This race was 6 months after giving birth to our son. I had read this quote..."Believe".... It is simple but it works for me- Annika Sorenstam... pro golfer.

As I talk to the athletes I coach I am constantly reminded how it important that Believe is. For many of you doing your 1st Ironman it is a very physical event at least the preparation,by the time you get to race day it is a very mental one. For most of the athletes I work with the biggest obstacle is TIME and what they Believe they can do. We spend many hours training our bodies to perform, not thinking or anticipating what our minds will do. Having a race focus,a race strategy or plan, having A,B,C goals are all part of that. But for me it has been finding out and figuring out why I do this, and why I want to do this. That is what keeps me going and keeps me coming back. ( I will be racing next year!!) I have spent hours writing race plans,going over race plans, answering all kinds of questions, but the why? do I do this question does not come up often.

For most of you your season is winding down, as you start to prepare for next year, think about the why. Why do I compete? Why do I train? What do I get out of it? When the days become shorter, and colder and your looking for motivation these answers might help you.

It has been very exciting watching so many of you do something for the 1st time. It is so awesome to share in that journey. My hope is that you learned somethings from me but you mostly you learned some new things about yourself.... like I can....., I will...., I did...., I could..., I am going to .....

It has been an inspiring season, I am waiting on several race reports that I look forward to sharing with all of you.

Have a great weekend!!

Ironman

What a day!!

It is amazing to watch an Ironman unfold. No matter how fit, no matter how many hours of training you have put in, you can take nothing for granted. From watching to participating you still continue to learn from this sport, most of the lessons repeat themselves, most of which I have personally learned the hard way.

The day in Lake Placid started out looking to be beautiful. The cool weather seemed to play tricks on people, as we watched the bike splits, you began to get a sense that it was going to be an interesting run. The sun and warming temperatures really took the toll on most of the participants.

It is nerve racking to watch my athletes on www.ironman.com, I spent the entire day yesterday chasing down athletes on the computer. A big shout out to Eric Gibb for all my live updates and for delivering messages to my guys racing, special thanks to Paula's husband Michael also. Scott listened to me day long going on and on about who was where and I wonder blah blah., , . I was left to to watch and to wait.

Chris Nook, Paula Kertes, and Jennifer Collister all had incredible days and each in there own right. Each of them suffered in there own ways from flat tires, dehydration, stomach issues, breathing problems all to cross that line and more than earn there title of Ironman. Congrats to you all I am so proud of each of you!!

There were several of our Lake Placid campers racing, John Morris(Baker), Vinny Daniello, Steve Smith, and Sean Gallagher all had great days. Way to go guys, I watched you all finish. Looking forward to hearing all about everyone individuals races.

This is my second Ironman this year that I have watched on the computer. I feel fortunate to have the technology that we do have, if I had to wait all day to find out what was going on, I would be nuts.

As I look forward to Ironman Louisville,Ironman Wisconsin, and Ironman Florida. I just wanted to say thanks to Jodi, Chris , Paula, and Jen for allowing to be part of there Ironmans this year. It has been exciting, nerve racking, challenging, unforgettable and fun to watch each of you. Looking forward to seeing what you all decide to do next.

Take care, enjoy your down time, and make sure to reflect on your accomplishment.

Angela

Days of Summer

This past weekend the weather was incredible, I felt like I was on vacation. We had a big group ride go from Mastick. Thanks to Jeff, Scott, Debbie, Missy, Amy, Martha, John, Kyle, Delia, Trephina, Jennifer, Paula, Mike,and Mary for showing up and playing with me. It was a day for mechanicals, but in spite of all that we had a great time. Check out jen collisters blog for pictures.

It is also that time of year when everyone is fit.. Jennifer and Paula along with Chris leave for Lake Placid this week and they are ready. Mike and Mary are racing down in Columbus this weekend and for so called beginners they are doing great. Kyle will also be racing and several others have races coming up early August is Steelhead.

I love being out there training with everyone and seeing how hard all of you work. Not racing this season has given me once again a chance to reflect and appreciate this sport. I love being part of and playing a role in all of your endeavors. Keep doing what your doing and keeping have fun!

PS- Stacy Rhea had a great Buckeye 50K - it was her 1st marathon and 1st 50K all in the same day, stay tuned for more details.

Make sure to check out www.ironman.com this weekend, and if you want to sign up for Lake Placid next year you better be at your computer Monday AM!

Make it a great week