Capital of Texas Triathlon (captextri)

My second race of the season has come on gone with the completion of a sprint distance at Capital of Texas Triathlon on May 28^th in Austin, Texas.

Why Austin?  My father left the cold of Almonte twenty-five years back to a new life in the very hot climate of Austin.  With the exception of a couple of years I travel to Texas at least once a year to visit Dad and my Step-mom.  Recently my Step-sister and her two cute kiddies have moved back thus allowing me to get to know them.  It was just natural to have my first triathlon outside of Ontario in my second home.

Barry (my husband) and I arrived Tuesday May 21 to be greeted by 90 degree plus weather and sun.  Instead of taking my bike Coach Paul suggested I check out the possibility of renting.  The bike shop only minutes away from Dad’s has rentals and to my luck had the same make and size of bike I ride.  We picked it up late Wednesday and the fellows at the bike shop took the time to fit me correctly, recommend a cycling route and chat.  I was concerned about the pedals and the tightness of the clips but they were just right for easily clipping out.  Thursday morning saw me on a Parmer Avenue for an hour cycling the rolling hills around Austin.  Although this is a very large four lane road the shoulder was exceptionally wide, paved and a bike line was provided at the lights.  If only we had the same set up in and around Durham Region.  During this ride I chased a fellow, caught up with him and then pulled away.  Eventually he caught up, passed me and we road together for a good fifteen minutes.  It was bliss.  I was on the road fairly early but the ride did provide an idea of how it hot the race would be.  A big thank you to Bicycle Sport Shop for a great rental experience.

Friday saw me in the pool at the local Y for a light swim.  This afternoon we headed off to Round Rock to see the round rock. Yes, the City is named after a round rock that is located in Bushy Creek.  This section of Bushy Creek is part of the Chisholm Trail and there are ruts in the stone from all the wagon drives.  After Dad and I measured the ruts we headed up the river to see the new park.  We saw some youngsters wading in the river or what was left of it and saw my Dad wading in it too.  So you might ask why are you measuring the ruts?   “Wagon Wheels, Train gauge, Space Shuttle dimensions all trace back to the wheel base of Roman Chariots which was 4 feet 8.5 inches.  The width of the wagon ruts cut in the stone at Brushy Creek in Round Rock Tx. have an inside to inside measurement of 4 feet 8.75 inches. Center to center of the ruts measure closer to 5 feet. Close enough for government work."

Saturday was a rest day.  Dad, Barry and I headed to San Marco’s to the new car museum Dick’s Classic Car Garage.  The museum did a bang up job explaining each car and the history of ownership.  I found this much more interesting than the cars.  We saw a Dusenburg which was owned by a Chicago mobster – supposedly Capone had this guy killed for not testifying in his defense. Another Dusenburg owned by the Queen of Diamonds and finally a Chrysler Imperial parade car which was used by President Roosevelt and saw King George IV and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mum) toured in it.  For any car buff they have a Tucker number 50 which was the last to roll of the assembly line.  We followed this up with some good Texas BBQ.

Sunday was a rest day too however it was race packet pick up and bike drop off day.  Barry and I headed down to the Palmer Center for 11:30, found my lucky number 2060 and headed off to register.  It was a breeze.  We all stood in a quick moving line which divided then into our distance.  After looking at the passport they gave me my packet and then off to T-Shirt pickup (isn’t this reason we do it?) and chip confirmation.  Then we scouted out the transition area back to the 2:30 athlete meeting, dropped the bike in transition, waited for the fire department to clear us to enter the building and then back home for a dinner with family and friends.  All along I’m fretting as the water temperature was hovering 80 degrees which equals no wetsuits. 

Monday morning I received a surprise when I opened up facebook to see a notice transition was closing an hour before our race versus the previous commitment of fifteen minutes.  We rushed out the door and grabbed a coffee and bagel at Einstein’s and off we went.  It ended up being a hurry up and wait situation.  I e-mailed Coach Paul the night before about the wetsuit issue and he pointed out the obvious – you practice without a wetsuit so why do you need it a race? Barry told me the same thing.  As the water registered 80 degrees it was a wet suit illegal situation at least if you wanted a medal.  As I was talking with my neighbours in transition some decided to wear one some not.  I walked out of transition without it and from then on fretted about going back to get it but did not.  Swim start was different as we jumped in the lake from the dock, swam to the start, treaded water and then started when the gun went off.  I explained how I was nervous about treading water and they were fine with me sitting on the dock until start time.  I sat there until 30 seconds before the gun and then headed to the start only to have the gun got when I go there.  No wasting energy on treading water and no nerves because of it.  I surprised myself as I was somewhat calm and enjoyed looking at the skyline as I went along.  As the nerves set it I remember Coach Paul telling me to take in the sites and calm down and it helped.  By the time I was on the way back to shore I was in my groove and it felt great.  I still can’t believe it. 

Next the bike.  My transition area was only two stands from the Bike Out and In which made it very easy to find the bike in transition.  The route was fast with hills but not like we have in Ontario.  It was a two 10K loop and I was consistently passing people on the ride.  I did loose a few minutes as I missed the second loop but lesson learned for the next race.  By the middle of the second lap the heat was setting in and I was feeling a little off.  I downed a salt pill, started the electrolyte drink and nutrition.  Finished the bike to hear go Liz way to make up time.  Barry was there cheering me on.

The run was a challenge.  I was finding the heat very hard to handle and started walking. The race did a bang up job providing lots of water and every aid stop I had some.  Eventually the salt pill, electrolytes kicked in and I was running.  More lessons learned about nutrition. 

I crossed the finish line very happy with a no wet suit swim, a great bike, a completed run and lots of lessons to apply for next time around nutrition.  I felt awesome physically.  I even caught the electrolyte issue soon enough that I did not have any wooziness after the race.  My total time was 1:49:27 versus 1:46:22 in my last year of 2011.  A little longer in transition and the nutrition did take its toll on the bike and run but I was pleased with my swim as it was 2 minutes better time without a wet suit.  I can’t believe it !! Barry kept telling me I would be faster without the wet suit.

This was our last full night in Austin.  We spent the evening celebrating my parents’ 24^th wedding anniversary with family and friends.  It was a great surprise party and a great way to finish off the week in Texas. 

Next race an Olympic distance on Father’s Day.

Pictures to come.

Liz

Lisa

On the weekend of the Academy Awards I gave a list of my supporting cast.  The supporting cast included an awesome lady and athlete named Lisa.   Lisa has been training all winter for Ironman Texas which happens tomorrow.  An Ironman distance is a 4K swim, 180K bike and 42K run.   With the great winter we have had Lisa has been able to do much of her run training outside.  I had a fantastic time running with her and another tri-buddy Elaine once and then we all ran Around the Bay together.  I must say I learned a lot from running Around the Bay with Lisa. 

While I was enjoying my Saturday morning spin with Coach Paul and others Lisa was spinning at the Whitby Recreational center - spinning, spinning and spinning.  A week before she left for Ironman she was on the bike for 8 hours or maybe a wee bit more.  I really don't know how she did it.  Spinning with Paul calling makes two hours fly by but with no one calling its tough.  I know she would converse with people as they went by and watch movies but still its amazing. 

Lisa has had some up and downs like we all do when training but mentally and physcially she is prepared. 

So here's to Lisa.  Give it all you got tomorrow.  I know there are many from Durham Region and beyond that will be cheering her on and watching for bib 656 on the Ironman TV, split updates and on Paul's blog.

- Liz

Head Space

It’s been a few weeks since I last posted.  During this time I’ve been thinking about how important the mental aspect of training is.  I think it is even more important than the physical aspect. 

Last week I was in Ottawa on business.  I was able to catch up with my Aunt Wilma, Nancy, Fran and how my extended family up in Almonte is doing.  I found out I do have relatives on that side in Oshawa.  At some point I’ll need to go seek them out.  My Aunt Wilma really isn’t my Aunt but my Grandfather’s first cousin but when your parents are both only children distant relatives become closer than blood lines say they are.  I was stunned to see Aunt Wilma, who is 84, looks the same as I remember.  She is busily working in her kitchen and was proud to let me know she still does all her own housework.  I can only hope I will have the same vigor as she does when I’m 84.   

While in Ottawa my training schedule saw me in the gym, pool and finding a yoga class.  All very doable things but head space became an issue.  When I returned to my hotel room I was focused on getting caught up on work and my head space was there rather than training.  I did get to the gym but as for the pool and yoga it did not happen.  I have a wee bit of an issue when I don’t have tick beside the scheduled training event but sometimes head space, physical issues or other things pop up that get in the way.  We just have to remember not get trapped in this head space or we won’t accomplish our goals.  So I’m back on track this first week of May.

I can not believe this first week of May brings the end to our Monster “Spin” Class.  Monster Spin is a one and half hours on Wednesday and two hours on Saturday of intense cycling.  The City of Oshawa provides traditional spin bikes but most of us have a bike trainer which allows our bike to become stationary.  After a warm up Coach Paul shares the name of the ride we are doing which ranges from Oatmeal to Mash it up.  By the time you are done oatmeal your legs feel like oatmeal.  The trainers have a fly wheel which “rubs” against the back tire and is adjustable.  Like riding outside as you change your gears it gets tougher.  Today Coach Christine called a 4 minute gear 12 standing up.  We were doing a hill climb after already riding for 75 minutes.  Although we all find it hard and often cheerfully complain we do know every one of these classes make us stronger for riding outside and for our races. Outside here we come.

My second race of the season is just a short few weeks away.  I’m nervous but after speaking with Coach Paul I know it will be fine.  Plus I can call him and he’ll help to calm the situation down.

I was asked the other day is it true what they say "take your weakest sport and make it your strongest"?  After much thought I realized that usually our weakest sport is the one for some reason we don’t like and may not see it as fun. Now that I think about it this applies to more than just triathlon it applies to life.  Let’s try to change our head space and put some fun into those jobs or events we don’t like. I do believe the job will get be easier and accomplished quicker. 

Have a wonderful week