Finish Line Report- Finally!

This might seem a bit anti-climactic, but I thought I'd blog about the Triathlon last weekend. FINALLY.

It went beautifully. Despite temperatures low enough to make our breath visable, pouring rain until we got in the water and a flat tire in transition one, the Nation's Triathlon went off without a hitch for me and my wonderful team. Seriously. It did.

I had a personal best swim, getting out of the water in 38 minutes. I was feeling strong when I got to transition and put my helmet on. Sadly, Blue Steel wasn't feeling it. Not sure how it happened but my back tire was flat. I mean, it couldn't have been flatter if it tried. I couldn't get the tire off to save my life because my arms were so tired- total mush.

Thankfully my friend Tori was just behind me and gave up her time to help me. We labored over that tire for 29minutes until it was finally road-ready. Wow. I think for the first time in my life I really experienced, or at least allowed myself to experience, the true meaning of "teamwork." It was incredibly humbling to have a fellow teammate and friend blindly give of her time during transition, sacrificing her race time, to help me. I couldn't have done it without her and I think the only way I could adequately pay her back is to simply pay it forward. I look forward to that opportunity.

Biking did go well though after I was finally rolling. The course was gorgeous. We circled through some of the monuments and then out into Virginia. Rolling hills and babbling brooks dotted the course. It was nice and cool and I didn't even finish my water bottle. And, Blue Steel and I made it in in just under 1:40:00-a personal best for sure.

Running couldn't have gone better either. Since we were on the same time frame, I was able to join T for the run and it was really awesome to get to cross that finish line with the person who talked me into this whole ordeal in the first place! We proudly trotted that 6mile stint out in just a little over one hour- pretty awesome considering there was a bathroom break in there and some back pain to boot.

Never in my whole life did I think I'd do anything like this. 6 months ago, if you'd ask me to go on a run, I would have laughed in your face and tell you I don't work out. Well, now, I'm preparing to run a half marathon in December, and may even do another Tri in October.

Having a goal again has been life-changing. I don't mean to diminish the significance of what our team accomplished- cumulatively, we raised over 200k for Leukemia and Lymphoma research and helped our fellow Triathlete Rebecaa Holmes countdown the last days of her precious son Gage's chemotherapy- and he's the real reason we were all there.

But selfishly, I gained so much. I think we often forget that people go through great pain and challenges because they might look fine or talk a good game. But really, you never know what's going on behind closed doors. For me, having this goal, and crossing that finish line has helped to exorcise alot of demons. Some are more stubborn than others, but regardless, it's caused a shift. And for that, I am eternally grateful.

I plan to keep blogging about my training- stay tuned.

Claire

The Countdown's On

I cannot believe it is only 12 days until THE BIG DAY! Dear Lord. Training has flown by. This is the last week of intense workout and then we taper off until D Day on September 12. I've been running and biking and swimming galore this week and am feeling really strong. Health-wise, I'm well. The steroids have really bought me some time and I'm very grateful. However, tomorrow will be my last dose of the wonder drug and I'm anxious to see how I feel off of them. Pray that this calmed version of my colon lasts through the event.

I'm planning to swim tomorrow evening after work. Now that I'm working full time again, early morning workouts are especially brutal, so in an effort to maximize my energy, I'll be going for a 7pm dip instead of a 5am ride! I have to say, I'm totally happy with that decision. Saturday morning will be my last major bike ride until the event. Again, I could not be happier about that.

Blue Steel and I have definitely bonded on some levels. We groan at the same time, so I think that's a form of solidarity, and you know what, I'll take what I can get. I've actually come to like the little booger (my bike) and no longer plan to sell BS post race. Might even take him out for a spin every now and again. (seriously, I'll need some carrot to dangle in front of me as incentive, so if anyone has any bike dreams you're interested in living out, fill me in. I need the motivation).

Now it's time for bedtime. I go to bed at the same time as all local 3rd graders these days. Never would I have guessed I'd happily turn in my night-owl ways for lights out by 10. Growth folks. Major growth.

Sweet Dreams,
Claire

The Roids

I never though I'd say this (especially after the stint I had with them as a 16-year-old) but I love steroids. And so does my compromised colon. We had a great workout yesterday! Did 22ish miles on the bike and ran 4 miles after. Best part, I felt GREAT. I am so thankful. It's a short dose of steroids- only 7 days- but the theory is that the quick shot will nip my Crohn's in the bud before it rages on too out of control. This is the nature of the beast but there is always that fear that after stopping the steroids, the beast will resurface, which based on the timing of this, would be almost right at race day. But we can't worry about tomorrow. So today, I'm grateful to God for making this treatment available and for my doctor who enthusiastically wrote the prescription.

I'm also thankful for the flat tire I had yesterday. I changed it all by myself, with moral support from a sweet teammate and a nice stranger who gave me a CO2 cartridge. I am so happy to know I can change a tire should that happen race day. Huge relief!

Today I swim. Going up to the SMU pool to practice in the big kid lane (50meters). It's exactly two weeks from today, that the big kid lane I'll be swimming in will be the Potomac River. Can't believe we're in the home stretch!

Claire

MIA

Once again I've fallen short on my blog. Which is sad because last weekend was AWESOME! I participated in my first triathlon! Our team did Take on the Heat in The Colony- a sprint tri. The distances were as follows:
350 meter swim
12.2 mile bike
3.2 run

I am happy to report I kicked that mother's butt to the tune of 1:36:01! I was surprised that my strongest showing was in swim, completing the distance in 8:44. Biking wasn't too shabby at 47 minutes and I held strong to my running pace, finishing it up at 34 minutes. It was a great showing and I have to say, I feel really proud.

Now the anxiety kicks in, which is two-fold. Firstly, I was EXHAUSTED after the event. Like, wrecked. And it has nothing to do with my nutrition. I was nutrient rich folks... it was just really hard. And since the big event is DOUBLE those lengths, I'm all aflame about that.

But secondly, and most frustratingly, I've had a bit of a health hiccup. I have a fun and fabulous little condition known as Crohn's Disease. And the sleeping monster has reared its ugly head this week. I've had a rough few days with very little exercise. I've started a round of steroids (no, not the kind that will bulk me up and induce rage and hair growth) so that should help. It is going to help. Come hell or high-water, me and my colon are crossing that finish line on September 12.

Tomorrow I'm biking for the first time this week. And running. I'm very excited to do it and I really hope I can keep it together. This event means a great deal to me. Prayers are appreciated.

Claire

Where Did the Week Go?

Well, I've been a delinquent blogger this week!!! If anyone actually reads this regularly, I apologize.

Its been a busy week, so I'll use that as my excuse for my online absence. Training is humming along per usual. Running and swimming and biking, oh my- everyday. Today, I'll be swimming at SMU to practice one more time in a 50meter lane before this Sunday...

What's happening Sunday? My first sprint triathlon! Our team is participating in Take on the Heat in The Colony (for non Dallas-ites, The Colony is a suburb of Dallas with a really creepy name... much like White Settlement, yes, that exits). ANYWAY. The sprint tri is Sunday morning bright and early. We'll swim 350 meters in a pool about 12 miles on bike and then a 5k run. Should be a great day. I'm excited to have another chance to practice all three events at once and of course, improve my transition time between each event!

Also, I just hope I can finish without vomiting or passing out. That is truly the main objective.

Happy Friday!
Claire

Third Times a Charm

Saturday morning was kind of a big deal. Big in that we did three mini-triathlons back to back. The distances for each tri were not that long at all, but putting three together, and practicing transitioning between each discipline in 90+ degree heat proved to be very challenging!

As you know, I'm generally intimidated by this entire process and am in an emotionally abusive relationship with my bike, BS, so I was surprised yesterday that my angst and frustration were not particularly directed at BS but rather at the transitions. Meaning, getting from the water to my bike and getting ready to bike. It's hard to gear up in an efficient manner! I have always prided myself on my ability to get ready quickly. I can get my hair washed and dried, makeup on and clothes styled in 30 minutes and actually look good.

But I cannot, for some reason, clean my feet, put on socks and tie my shoes in a timely manner. It may be an issue of space. In my day, I've lived in apartments the size of generous closets, but you'd never know it if you saw me scrambling to get ready to bike.

Here's the situation:
1. You hang your bike on a rack which is jam packed with everyone else bike- (I cannot even imagine how tight it will actually be in DC- yesterday was just our TNT team and it was cheek to jowl.)
2. You lay a small towel by you bike wheel which is touching the ground and set up all your gear.
3. On your tiny towel, you place your running/biking shoes, (for me they're the same, as I'm not using bike shoes to clip onto my bike) socks, helmet, gloves, sunglasses, nutrition, etc. Basically anything you need for the biking portion and ultimately the running portion.

This all looks fine and dandy before you enter the water. But, when you emerge from the grungy lake water, run to your station, rip of your aquatic accessories and scramble to clean your feet and prepare for a dry activity, that little towel looks like it's mocking you- I swear, my towel was laughing at me yesterday as I stumbled trying to put my sock on one clean foot while balancing on the filthy one.

By the third round, the transitions were improving for me. I was able to consistently complete each tri in the same neighborhood of time, and I felt strong afterward-Mostly, grateful to have practiced. In order to keep my momentum up for having awesome transitions, I have decided to start timing my showers and laying out my clothing, just to see how fast I an really be- I'll keep you posted.

Claire

If You Need Extra Protein in Your Diet

If you need extra protein in your diet, consider riding around White Rock Lake in the early morning with your mouth open. The gnats you'll consume are enough to nourish anyone. I feel like a greedy frog.

So, obviously, I rode this morning. And it was fine. BS and I are getting along well this week. We're still the tortoise, bringing up the tail end, but regardless, we're moving along at a consistent clip, and I just have to evolve to the point where I'm OK with that. This is a race against myself and not anyone else.

If only I could be more pleasant while riding. As always, my thoughts drifted between the serious aspects of my life and the more trivial. And today's trivial, albeit entertaining thought, was this: if I were a character in "Animal House" (and this is as it pertains to working out, not socializing) I'd be Douglas Needermeir. As we learn at the end of the film, his platoon mutinied and killed him in Vietnam. That's how pleasant I am, folks, to my teammates. If we were trapped in the jungle on our bikes, they might consider taking me out for the morale of the whole. I have GOT to get out of my head and realize that when people ask me how training is going, they aren't implying I suck... that's all me and my crazy.

Last night we had an open water swim out at Lake Ray Hubbard... what a clean body of water that is. It was also approximately a bagillion degrees. But, all and all, I did just fine. My sighting has improved and I finished the workout. This of course, was after a mini-temper tantrum to one of the nicest mentors TNT has provided in which I think I said something along the lines of "I'm totally screwed. I quit." If I had had dry land beneath my feet, I would have stomped and kicked and made other pronouncements like a petulant three-year-old. It's all very charming.

Point of these wonderful insights into my team-player abilities is to say, even though I'm a bit of a handful, I think I'm growing. Admission is the first part of recovery.

As for recovery this morning, it will involve almonds, prayer and a shower.

Happy Tuesday,
Claire

Also, please visit my official Team In Training page to donate today- after all, supporting LLS and helping save lives what this is all about!