BT Memorial Day race report

This was another great race.  (Have a mentioned how happy I am to be back racing?)  Not because of how I ran (spoiler alert: poorly), but because it was the babies' first race!  This is a very family-friendly event, so the plan was for me to run and for my mom and aunt to walk with the babies until I was done and could meet up to finish with them.

Well, to clarify, the during/after was great.  The before was... a lot.  I'm very spazzy pre-race, I'm very spazzy taking the babies out in new situations, and I'm VERY spazzy with my loony mother who takes spazzy to an epic level.  I love her, but I will not be racing with her ever, ever again. 

After some kisses and pleas to take a nap, we parted ways, and I was off.

This is the same race I did two years ago, and the course was once again hilly, hot, humid, and windy. The weather quickly became an issue as people were passing out all over the place.  I was feeling hotter and weaker than was comfortable, so after ditching the shirt and slowing to check on the boys on an out and back, I cruised to the end.  Final time: 43:11

They boys were very happy to see me (the best part about babies this age!), but I think the glasses confused them.

I walked the rest of the course pushing the boys, and when we crossed the finish line, they started clapping along with everyone.  Awwwwww.

Happy Memorial Day!

Women's tri race report

This race was absolutely a dream come true.  I'd hadn't really trained for 2/3 of it, but that wasn't the point.  The Husband was bringing our babies, the race was across the street from the hospital where they were born, and I couldn't wait.

Pre-race
It's a NICU mom thing, but after driving that route several times a day for two weeks with a constant mix of emotions, I still get a little choked up seeing that hospital appear over the hill and pulling off the highway.  This time was no different. Sniff. 

I got everything set up and wondered around chatting with people.  This was an all women's tri, so the atmosphere was extra exciting and supportive. 

Here's the start:

Race
Swim- 750m- 18:19
I continued my reign as badass (or "don't have time to get used to a wetsuit, so I'll go without") and was one of a few people sans wetsuit.  The water was cooooold and muddy.  I focused on staying calm, staying strong, and staying straight. It was over fairly quickly, and I was off to transition pleased with my effort.

Bike- 20k- 53:43
The course was fairly hilly, and my lack of training was apparent right away.  To make it worse, I dropped my chain twice downshifting before deciding to just leave it in the easiest gear.  My time and power suffered, but it was worth it.  I got passed quite a bit.  Blah.  I did get my first glance of the boys on my way into transition.  YAY!  (And... tear)

Run- 5k- 26:26
I've never been so happy to run.  I was even looking forward to the hills.  Bring it on!  Out of transition: HI BABIES!!!  My parents surprised me out on the course too. (Hurry up, Dad.  I can only flex my abs for so long.)

The run was over quick, and I enjoyed passing several people who smoked me on the bike.  About 100m from the finish, the girl next to me asked, "you want to push each other to to finish?"  Of course!  I thought for sure I was going to face plant, but we both ran as fast as we could down the final hill.  Weeeeee!

1:42:03
47/214

I crossed the finish line with a huge smile.  After thanking my sprintmate, I found the boys and scooped up everyone in hugs.

My last triathlon was two years ago when it was just The Husband and me.  It still boggles me sometimes that we're a family of four now.

The boys are very into clapping these days.  Greatest cheering section ever!

I'm still trying to figure out how "Mommy" fits into my personal passions, but today was one of the best days yet.

Race pics and tri cramming

Papio HM race pics. Well, the decent ones, at least. This is also what I wore when I PR'd, and hey, this time I have two gloves.  Look how much happier I am about it!    

Now that I'm done with my spring half marathons, I'm trying to get ready for my first post-baby triathlon on Sunday.  As I discover how "mom" redefines various aspects of my life, I've been thinking where "triathlete" fits into that.  First, I don't consider myself a triathlete.  Technically, having done triathlons, I qualify, but I don't train as one. I used to ride, but I don't have time for that now. I'm a runner who wings the rest.

Don't get me wrong, if I won the lottery, I'd move to Hawaii or San Diego and swim/bike/run all day.  Triathletes in paradise are my favorite blogs.  I'd be skinny, tan, rich, and have all the sweet tri equipment. But until then, I run as much as I can and love my regular life in Nebraska.

As for the bike/swim, I did one pre-race swim last week, and I did one pre-race bike ride tonight.  It felt pretty good, actually.  I only went 20k since that's the race distance.  I took my time to practice shifting gears, turning corners, and getting comfortable in the saddle. Then I ran a quick mile to remember how that felt.  Wow. Jello and lead at the same time.

I'll try to squeeze another ride in before Sunday, but regardless of how the race goes, I'm just excited to race with my babies watching.  Run mommy, run!

It's not too late to vote for me!

Papio HM race report

Post- babies half marathon #3 is complete!  While I knew I wasn't much fitter from my previous half, at least I knew what to expect with myself.  Assuming I didn't mentally melt down this time, it would be a little more fun. 

Pre-race

M2M ended up sick, so it was up to Razz and me to pull the weight for our trio.  We met up before the race and chatted how unpleasant the weather was. Isn't that why you have running friends?  So you can bitch about the weather together.  Well, that's what we do.  Anyway, it was mid-40s, windy, drizzling, and primed for rain.  Woo hoo.

Race

I was probably 10 steps beyond the start line when my Garmin died. D I E D. Cue panic. Razz was thankfully near, so I dramatically shoved my blank watch in his face.  Then I swore loudly.  I was still running behind Razz when a thought dawned on me: I know what pace he wants to run.  While I won't be able to hang on forever, at least I can trust him to run that pace consistently and keep me from having to think about it.  

After confirming that it was okay to tail him, I settled in and tried to get comfortable.  Since that was my biggest problem in Lincoln, it was nice to run without thinking.  It was just like one of our Running Buddy runs but without actually having to find stuff to talk about. 

I stayed one step behind him for almost 10 miles. Even after I walked for water so I could take a gel, I sped back up to catch him.  I was pretty proud of myself.  Then I see him dash over to some cute, jumping kids going "daddy!"and give them high-fives.  Annnnnd with that, he had an extra bounce and was off.  I was disappointed I couldn't keep up, but I was in a much better space than I was last race about it.

The last three miles were blah.  I'm just not very mentally tough right now, and that only comes from training.  Stroller running gets you in very good running shape, but it's not very good for racing shape.  Oh well.

I crossed the finish line at 2:03:20 just as the skies opened up and started to rain.  Two minutes better than Lincoln, at least.

Post-race

I quickly found Razz and asked how he did.  He finally got his illusive PR!  I was really, really, happy for him.  He'll always be a sandbagger, but I know he worked hard for this.  It totally helped temper the disappointment at my current racing ability.  Maybe running buddies are good for more than just a bitching buddy after all.

I met his lovely wife and cutie kids before dashing to my car and heading home to see my own family.  Clearly, they were thrilled to see me.

Just a reminder to VOTE FOR ME in the top mom health & fitness blogs!  Why?  Because I take my kids to the grocery store where they stare at other kids getting yelled at like it's a car wreck.

 And I take pictures.

$36 of badass

In addition to my second 2011 half marathon on Sunday, I have a sprint triathlon the following weekend.  Let's see, I haven't been on a bike or in water for almost two years.  In fact, this is what my bike currently looks like:

(I started putting on new tires, got distracted, and haven't had a chance to get back to it.)

But I'm actually far more stressed about the swim.  My very first open water swim experience about threw me into a panic attack.  Some clicking around the race site yesterday led to three discoveries:

1. There was an open water practice scheduled that night.
2. Wetsuits were available for rent for $36
3. My co-worker was registered too.

She and I got to talking, and for the last week, she no longer gets professional, capable, sane Niki.  Oh no, now she gets neurotic, spazzy, pre-race Niki.  What are you wearing?  What time are you getting there?  Have you seen the course?  Where's a good place to park?  Have you checked the weather?

Poor lady.  She said she was doing the open water swim practice, the water was 64 degrees, and she'd rented a wetsuit.  I needed to swim practice, but I hadn't rented a wetsuit.  That sent me off into a loony google hole that lasted most of the afternoon.  Do people use wetsuits in 64 degrees?  Is it dangerous to not? Will Wednesday's rain make it colder or warmer?  Can I rent one last minute?  Do any stores around here sell them?   Only 10% of my desire to have a wetsuit was for the warmth.  90% was my fear that I'd be the only person without one.  I decide to just go with my tri race outfit and hope no one made fun of me.

When I get to the practice, I realize that of the 50+ people there, I'm the ONLY one without a wetsuit.  *gulp* I find the race director who's handing out suits to those who rented them.

Me: I'm guessing you don't have any extras of those.  Am I insane to do this without one?

RD: The water temperate is chilly but not dangerous. So long as you're a confident swimmer, you'll be fine.  The lifeguards will be able to keep an eye on you since you're easy to spot.

Awesome. 

We get lined up on the boat dock... holyshitholyshitholyshit.... start walking... deep breath... oh... wait... this water is totally fine!  I'm fi-- MUD!!!!!  AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

  

For some reason, I was NOT expecting mud.  It was up to my knees, and I'm freaking out right now just typing about it.  Clearly the transformation from Regular Niki to Athlete Niki didn't happen in the parking lot as planned.  My heart rate was through the roof as tried to get myself acclimated to the murky water and under control. 

Eventually, I managed to get in a groove and swim the 750m course pretty comfortably.  My sighting still sucks, but it'll hopefully be easier to follow the crowd on race day.  The swim back through the mud was less surprising but no less disgusting.  Nebraska needs an ocean.

Anyway, I was extremely pleased with how it went.  Three people asked me on the way to the car if I was comfortable without a wetsuit since they were thinking about going without on race day.  Confidently, I said yes.  It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought.  I spotted the race director, and he called me a badass.  Thank you, sir!

So, we shall see how Sunday's half and next Sunday's tri go.  How hard can it be, right?

On a totally different note, I've been nominated for the Circle of Moms Top 25 Health & Fitness Blogs.  I recognize a few names, so you should go check them out.  And while you're there, you should vote for me!  Clicky vote button over on the right side too.  Those other moms may be healthier and fitter, but do they attention whore out their kids as much as me?  I think not.

Nothing says "health & fitness" like The Husband's Diet MD! 

Lincoln HM race report

The race was a week ago, and while I was fairly miserable at times, every day you get to race is a great day.  (Although my attitude was significantly less chipper seven days ago.  It's amazing what a little ibuprofen and some time will do to a memory.)

Pre-race: I set my alarm for 4:40.  Technically I set three alarms since I've haven't used an alarm in 10 months. Baby babble is far more pleasant to wake up to than  a cell phone beeping.  I stumbled around, picked up M2M, and started the drive east.  The morning was beautiful and chilly, and we got everything organized and lined up.

Race: I was fairly undertrained, so my plan was to go out and see how long I could hang on.  Miles 1-5 were good, miles 5-10 were shaky, and miles 10-13 were miserable.  Mile 10 may have taken me 45 minutes.  It never ended.  At one point I was slowly walking up a hill hating life, and some cheery spectator leap into the street to give me an encouraging high-five.  You can do it!  clap clap!  You're almost there!  Screw you, lady. (Okay that was mean, but I was tiiiired.)  

I saw most of my goals slip away, and I just wanted to be done.  The finish line was on the 50 yard line of Memorial Stadium, so that was pretty cool to see yourself on the jumbotron and say you ran on the field. 

Final time: 2:05:25

Not a personal worst, at least. 

Post-race: This was an absolute disaster.  After the finish line, you had to travel through halls and areas intended for a couple hundred football players.  Not 10,000 tired runners.  The food line was insane, everything double backed on itself, and everyone had to squeeze through a tiny hole in the fence to get out. 

All I wanted to do was get out, and I started to get really cold and anxious trapped in with everyone.  I finally got to our meet up spot and uncontrollably shivered, too cold to eat or drink anything.  I was light-headed, sick, and much colder than I think I should have been.  Thankfully, M2M quickly arrived, and we headed to the warm car and home.  All three boys were napping, and I happily curled up on the couch for a nap too.

 

(Look how much bigger they are compared to September!)

I've spent some time thinking about my performance.  I'm disappointed, but I really shouldn't be.  Sometimes race day hands you heartbreaking back luck.  Sometimes race day hands you a gift you didn't expect.  And sometimes race day hands you exactly what you deserve.  I deserved 2:05 no matter how much I don't like it.

I don't run nearly as much as I should.  One outcome of racing undertrained is just not being mentally trained to run for that long.  My focus was long gone about half way.  The second outcome, and this one surprised me, is because 75% of my runs are with the BOB, I have no sense of my own comfortable pace.  Much of our BOB runs include stopping to pick up dropped socks, slowing up/down curbs, and cutting runs short for hungry babies.

I picked some pace I thought I "should" be able to run.  Not based on any actual training, mind you. I spent an extraordinary amount of energy checking my watch in the beginning.  Nothing felt comfortable.  I was constantly speeding up and slowing down.  Back in the day, I could run forever at exactly the same pace without thinking. Junk mile expert, right here. It's frustrating, but it's no one's fault but my own. 

Anyway, I'll tackle it again next weekend when we run another half marathon.  Not that I've done anything to improve my fitness, but hopefully it'll go a little better.

On another topic, a very happy mother's day to all the moms out there.  This is my first official mother's day, and it couldn't have been better.  The boys made me hand print cards, I went for a fantastic run, we took the boys to the park, and we traveled back to my cousin's house again this year for lunch.

It really was the perfect day.