Fasting My Way to Race Weight

I started intermittent fasting (IF) towards the end of July. Since I was still trying to figure out what worked best for me, I'm using August 1 as my official start date. That makes August 31 the end of my first month. I decided to wait until I had tried it for at least a month before talking about it because I have started plenty of diets only to have them fizzle out. Honestly, I do not consider fasting a "diet" its really just an eating schedule.

Quick summary...success on lots of different levels.

Why Intermittent Fasting?

I learned about IF from a coworker that used this technique to win a weight loss challenge last year. After he told me about it, I decided to do a little research. It seemed simple enough. Just don't eat for a specific period of time each day or multiple days...whatever works best for you. No calorie counting, special foods to order, no special supplements to buy. All I have to do is do nothing.

Intermittent fasting offered the promise of:

• Weight loss 
• Cellular repair through autophagy (There was a study about how autophagy can promote nerve regeneration. I'm hoping this will prove true regarding my nerve damage.)
• Reduce inflammation
• Reduce insulin resistance
• Increase energy

Because IF doesn't cost anything, you won't find it advertised all over the place. There's no money to be made by the diet industry, so they won't mention it. I guess the only thing you can spend money on is reading material, which I have done. I am currently reading "The Complete Guide to Fasting: Heal Your Body Through Intermittent, Alternate-Day, and Extended Fasting". I decided to buy this book because I wanted to get a little more info than what I was reading on blog posts and websites. It's a good read, but you can probably find the same info online.

Listen to this podcast if you don't feel like reading. It explains a lot about intermittent fasting.

Trying to Reach My Goal Weight (Again)

Last year while training for CIM I had a goal weight I was trying to reach. I was well on my way to that goal when I was hit while riding my bike. I spent a few days in the hospital, unable to eat due to a possible surgery. I came home from the hospital bloated and swollen from all of the IV fluids. When my swelling finally went down, I got on the scale. I was 142 lbs. Only 7 lbs. away from my goal.

Unfortunately, at that point I was unable to train, and in my depression I threw my goal out the window. Then the holidays rolled around and my weight continued to climb. In a race photo from a duathlon earlier this year, the extra weight was noticeable (I was too scared to get on the scale).

According to an ideal weight calculator on Active.com, I started this fasting journey OVER my ideal weight range. In fact, my starting weight could have qualified me to race as an "Athena" in certain races! I am now on my way back down to my goal weight. I am hoping to reach this goal by the time I toe the start line for CIM.

My Typical Day

Initially I started by skipping breakfast. So my first meal would be at noon. This was not that difficult, I'm not a big breakfast eater anyway, so I really didn't miss it. HS and I go to bed fairly early, so I would rarely have anything to eat after 8pm, This initial schedule gave me a 16 hour window of not eating and an 8 hour window to eat.

I continued to eat what I normally ate and did not change my workout schedule. In fact, on weekends when I usually have a long run or trainer ride scheduled, I will do it fasted. Eventually, I stretched my fasting window to 18 hours.

This is what a typical work day looks like:

4:30am - Wake up, drink a glass of water with apple cider vinegar
9:00am - 15 minute walk
10:00am - Perfect Keto drink
12:00pm - 30 minute walk
2:00pm - Eat
4:00pm - Work out
6:00pm - Eat
8:00pm - Bedtime

Water, tea, and coffee are OK during my fasting periods

A little boost mid morning

On the weekends, I shorten my fasting window. That's one of the best things about intermittent fasting, it's flexible. If I don't want to fast for a day or two, I don't have to. One other plus about fasting is that it works with whatever typing of "diet" you may follow. After two weeks, I moved towards a more keto type diet to help get me to my goal.

Final Thoughts on Month One

Fasting is not hard to do. In fact, it was much easier than I expected. It took a while, but my weight began to drop slowly and steadily. At this rate, I will make my goal weight by CIM. My energy levels seem up and I have finally emerged from the horrible brain fog that I couldn't seem to shake. I am definitely much more productive.

I hope that month two goes as well as my first month...stay tuned.


#intermittent #fasting #keto

Bear Valley Triathlon - Race Report

Before I get started, I want to thank several people.,,

First and foremost, I want to thank Hot Stuff. For the last several years of racing, he has put up with crazy training schedules and schlepping my gear all over the place! He stood by me last year as I lay in the hospital and he swore he would take me wherever I wanted to go if it was someplace I would feel safe riding. This weekend it was Bear Valley.

I also want to thank Robert Fuller for allowing me to join the FREAKSHOW RED RACING team. I am honored. Over the last several years I have humorously used the hashtag #willraceforwine, now it's official. Robert has also designed one of the coolest, most fun kits I have seen. I also want to thank all of my new CX teammates that so graciously welcomed me to the team!

Next, of course, I want to thank our team sponsor, Michael David Winery. I've enjoyed these wines for many years and HS and I have been wine club members for longer than I can remember. It is awesome being able to represent MDW and some of my favorite wines! I was also a treat getting to race with David and his wife, Corene.

The battery in HS's phone died at the end of the day, but no worries. Robert's wife, Susana, is an awesome photographer. What HS may have missed, she captured. It was great having her there snapping shots of the race. Thank you, Susana.

Lastly, I want to thank Mark and Candy of On Your Mark Events. This was my first time racing at Bear Valley. It was a top notch event! I hope to come back again and again. Thanks for making race day so much fun!

____________________________________________________

The Race

The Bear Valley Triathlon had been on my "To Do" list for a while. Last year, after we bought a cabin in Arnold (about 25 miles from Bear Valley), I figured I was finally going to have a chance to do this race. However, when my sister announced that she was getting married on Labor Day 2017, the same day as the race, I knew I was going to have to put the race off another year.

I'm blocking the calendar for next year too!

This year, knowing that my sister would be off celebrating her first full year of marital bliss, I blocked off Labor Day weekend on our Airbnb calendar (Shameless plug...rent our cabin!) and made plans to finally do this race. When I say made plans, it really didn't include triathlon training. I was running and riding on my trainer, but  I wasn't doing any kind of swim training. I figured I would be OK.

I was really looking forward to this race. Not just because I've wanted to do it, but because I was going to get to race with some of my new cyclocross teammates on the FREAKSHOW RED RACING team. I even bought the tri kit knowing that I probably won't wear it again for a while. That didn't matter, I wanted to fit in and look like the team. After years of doing long distance triathlons, I was tired of doing races by myself. Having a group to encourage you and cheer for you was going to be so much fun.

Freakshow super fan... #willraceforwine

Pre-Race

HS and I actually slept in a bit. This race has a 10:00am (thank you, thank you, thank you) start time and the cabin is only about 30 minutes from the venue.  There was no need to get up early or get in any kind of a hurry. I made breakfast burritos and coffee and had a nice leisurely morning. I did opt not to take the dogs on their regular two mile morning walk because I wanted to give my legs a break.

My puppers got some Freakshow miles in on the Arnold Rim Trail the day before the race :-)

As we neared Bear Valley, HS asked if I knew where to go. I looked up the event info and all it said was Bear Valley Rd. (There are low key events and then there are low key events that only give you a street name! LOL) We turned off of Highway 4 onto Bear Valley Rd. and hoped that we could figure out where to go. As we neared the Bear Valley store, we saw cones on the side of the road and then some chalk markings. "Follow the chalk!"

HS drove along, following the chalk marks in the road, until we started seeing vehicles with bike racks. We quickly found a spot to park on the side of the road and made our way towards transition. As we neared the bike racks, I spotted a Freakshow kit. I had found my team :-)

What a great looking group! (HS pic)

After everyone was checked in and had their transition areas ready, we posed for a few group shots and made our way down to the water to warm up. I figured Coach James would at least be happy that I was warming up even though I had stopped coming to practice last year LOL. I entered the water and felt a chill as the water made its way through my wetsuit zipper. It was COLD!

Walking down to the lake (HS pic)

Good turnout for the race (HS pic)

Last week at "Mark & Tony's Margarita Trail Run and Party" (Yes, that is the name of the event). Mark, from On Your Mark Events, told us that wetsuits aren't necessary at Bear Valley and that the water is fine...about 70 degrees. However, this is also the same guy that referred to the hills at the Angels Camp Triathlon as "rolling"! I'm not sure if he just has a mischievous side or if he doesn't want to scare people, but when I saw one of his Instagram posts for Bear Valley with a polar bear dancing in the water, I figured I was going to wear a wetsuit.

Polar bears do not make me think of warm water

Swim

The swim start was one mass start. Surprisingly, I wasn't too nervous about this. I did seed myself towards the back of the pack, so that probably helped. I knew I wasn't going to be that quick and I had no intention of getting in anyone's way.

I started swimming...taking nice, slow, easy strokes. Within a few minutes I was feeling winded. Maybe it was the altitude or maybe it was my lack of training. I did a few strokes of breaststroke and was amazed at how far the first turn buoy still seemed. I put my head down and started swimming again. There were bubbles in front of me so I followed them. A man to my right started to swim in front of me, crossing from right to left. I pulled up and let him get out of my way. A few seconds later, that same guy was swimming in front of me again, this time going from left to right. I pulled up again and tried to head in the opposite direction of where he was going. When he crossed in front of me the third time, I really got irritated.

I started swimming breaststroke again to try and figure out how to get away from this guy. It was at that point I noticed that he didn't have any goggles and that his eyes seemed closed. I also noticed quite a few people swimming backstroke. Hmmm. Maybe I'll do that instead. I rolled over onto my back and started swimming. I could see why people were doing this. I was able to move forward and continue to get air. At this altitude, this was a big plus. Every once in a while I would roll over and give freestyle a try, but would quickly give it up for backstroke. Believe it or not, I was able to pass people while I was on my back and I actually stayed fairly straight.

Getting out of the water, still the best part of the swim (Susana Fuller photograher)

Final note, my Garmin had this 600y swim at 800y!


Transition 1

There is a short run from the beach to transition. The run includes a brief climb up the side of a hill, but there are some steps along the way and it is mostly sandy. HS had my flip flops, but I decided to run bare foot. It wasn't too bad. When I got to transition, I gave each of my feet a quick squirt with my water bottle and slipped on my Pearl iZUMi Tri Fly P.R.O. v3 triathlon shoes (They look great with my Freakshow kit).

Moments behind me was Robert Fuller, aka Rocket. I tried my best to get a jump on him coming out of transition because I knew what was coming. SMACK DOWN!!


Ride

The Bear Valley Triathlon bike course consists of three laps. Since this was my first official race/ride on the road since the hit and run, I was very, very conservative...aka: "slow". Initially I planned on buying a second set of wheels for my cross bike so I would have a semi-road set up. Unfortunately, the wheels I want from Williams Cycling will not be in stock until December. I decided to bring my Specialized Shiv and make the best of it. Since I have never been on this course, I really didn't know what to expect other than some hills.

Well, hills and Rocket blowing past me. It didn't take long before Rocket flew past me like I was standing still. Good for him. I'm playing it safe and slow. LOL

During the pre-race instructions, Mark mentioned a hair pin turn that would land you in a resident's back yard and potentially destroy your bike if you didn't take it easy. He said they had marked "SLOW" in chalk as you neared the turn. I spent the first part of my first lap nervously looking for the warning. When I finally saw it, I slowed down even more and made my way safely around the corner.

The course flattened out towards the middle of the first lap as I crossed Bear Valley Rd. Since the first half had pretty much been all down hill, I knew what was coming. There was no way to get back to where I started without some climbing. As I neared the end of the climb, a group of Freakshow supporters were off to my left. Since I am new to the team and they had no idea who I was, they just shouted "Go RED!" Good enough for me. I loved the support. One lap down, two to go!

Slow and steady (Susan Fuller photographer)

The second lap seemed easier than the first. The climbing portion was still tough, but didn't seem as bad. I caught a woman just as I started my third lap. She had a 51 on her calf. My first thought was "OMG! Is this her second or third lap?" I passed her briefly. However, a little bit later, she flew past me as I attempted to wear out my brake pads. As I made my way across the flat section, I saw her again as the climb started. I worked hard to catch her and pass her. I finished my 3rd lap and concentrated on getting out on the run and not on my competitors.

Transition 2

In my opinion, this was one of my worsts transitions in a long time. It was not my longest, but it shouldn't have been. This should have been very basic and fast! Unfortunately, as soon as I racked my bike the trouble started. First issue...I couldn't get my helmet unsnapped. My teammate, The Blade, had to come help me. Talk about feeling a little silly. On the plus side, I am thankful I didn't run off with my helmet still on my head.

The second issue was my running shoes. I had bungie laces and it was a pair of shoes I have used in a number of races. This time, I managed to jam the tongue of my right shoe into the shoe. No amount of tugging and pulling would free the tongue. I slipped on my left shoe without issue and finally removed my right shoe and put it back on again. How hard is it to put on shoes? Jeez!! LOL

Run

Thankfully, once I got out of transition, the first part of the run was basically down hill. I tried to suck it up and just run knowing that each passing minute got me closer to the finish line. My legs started feeling the effects of CIM training and the half marathon trail run I did the previous weekend. I told myself to focus what I was doing.

The run course was altered from the ride circuit and just a bit longer. On the flat section through a giant parking lot, I stopped for a cup of water. I started running again and chatted with a pleasant gentleman wearing a vintage Pearl iZUMi kit. As the incline increased, I backed off and started walking...and that's when I saw him....ROCKET!

I knew Rocket would kill me on the bike, but I held out hope that I could run him down. I glanced up the mountain as I walked, and saw a Freakshow kit. That had to be him. I started to run. It was starting to get warm and my legs were tired, but I wanted to make up for the bike. I slowed to a walk again. Thankfully, he was walking. Rocket started jogging again. Ugh! Just walk, Rocket, damn it!

Run, Rocket, Run! Thank you for dragging me up the hill!

I made a deal with myself, run as long as you can, but if he starts walking, you better start running. I stuck to the plan until I eased up behind him. Actually, when I got up along side of Rocket, I really wanted him to start running with me. Instead, he told me there was a female behind me and that I better start going. I shuffled off the best that I could.

Eventually, I could hear the female behind me and I knew she was going to overtake me on this long climb. When she finally passed me, I had no idea how old she was because she was wearing running tights that covered her calves. Based on my best guess though, she was under 30. I was OK for now and could continue walking (I'm not walking next year!)

At what I thought was the top of the hill, I saw the Freakshow fans. They were still cheering me on and I kept going the best that I could. The final 1/4 mile seems to dipped down to the finish line. I ran, not out of trying to beat a time, but out of fear of having a finish line photo showing me walking.

Finished! (Awesome photo, HS!) I look trim and I am running! LOL

Post Race

Unlike most races, there was a break between racing, eating, and awards. Racers were given a chance to pick up their gear and move down the hill to the community center where beer, pizza, and other types of cold drinks awaited.

I don't eat a lot of pizza and I definitely don't drink beer, so I grabbed a Diet Coke and waited for my teammates. When the pizza showed up, I ended up grabbing a few slices because it looked really good (and it was).

At 1:00pm, the awards started as promised. Mark started with the relay teams, then went to the women's age groups, and then the men's age groups. Last but not least were the overall awards. I was thrilled to win the women's overall masters award. I also got a bottle of Michael David Petite Petit (One of HS's favorite wines).

Winner, winner, chicken dinner (Susana Fuller photographer)

HS earned this bottle today (Susana Fuller photographer)

#willraceforwine and raffle prizes :-)

Besides my masters award (and wine), I also won a raffle prize that included two trail passes and XC ski rentals at Bear Valley. (Thank you, Bear Valley Cross Country Adventure Company).Who wants to come up to Stone's Throw and try something new with us this winter?


Final Thoughts

1) I'm coming back next year
2) You should do this race too
3) Road bike, no tri bike
4) Go to swim practice
5) Have fun!

#michaeldavidwinery #freakshowredracing #pearlizumi #williamscycling #onyourmarkevents #fleetfeetstomo #willraceforwine #trialthon #bearvalleycrosscountry #xcountryskiing #triathlon #bearvalley #stonesthrowarnold #cranked

2018 Prairie City Race Series - Very First MTB Race EVER!!

As I rode my bike over to the start line staging area, the only thing going through my mind was “What is a 50-year-old woman doing signing up for a mountain bike race?”

Out of My Comfort Zone

To say that I was out of my comfort zone was a huge understatement.  I was at a completely foreign venue, I didn’t know the lingo or what I was supposed to do, and I was on a brand-new mountain bike. I felt like a fish out of water. If this was a triathlon, I wouldn’t be feeling this way. I would know what I needed to do. Chances are that I would be racing on a course that I had raced many times before and that I would know several of my competitors as well as the race directors. There would also, more than likely, be members of my triathlon club racing too. This evening, the only familiar face was that of my husband.  Honestly, I wanted to call it a day and just go home. What was I trying to prove?

Prior to the race I read and re-read the instructions on the race website. I knew there was something called a speed-check that I needed to do before the race and that I had to get my age marked on my leg. Turns out, it’s not your age on your leg, it’s your starting wave or category. The website referred to it as “Calf Marking”. The triathlete in me came out after I picked up my race packet and asked where the body marking area was. Close enough. A young volunteer scribbled a 29 on the back of my calf (it’s better than the 50 I get at a tri). I’m pretty sure my category of “Beginner Women 40+” was the very last to start.

Practice laps at Prairie City OHV

Next on my pre-race to-do list was to ride the course. This was another suggestion on the website because the course changes every week. Riders seemed to pass me left and right as I navigated my way around the dusty, bumpy rock filled trails. When I finished my lap, I rode over to my hubby and told him that were a lot of river rocks all over the course. The description worked for me, however, I later heard another rider talking about all the “Baby Heads”. I Googled it when I got home and, as I suspected, my river rocks were what MTB riders call baby heads. I learned something new and now I can sound cool too talking about baby heads.

Back to the Start Line Staging Area

There were over 350 riders registered for the race. I made my way to the back of the pack and found some other riders with “29” on their left calves. We introduced ourselves and started chatting about the race.  ‘Will people call out “On your left?” during the race?’ I asked one of the riders that had competed there before. “Some do, some don’t” was her response, “Just hold your line”. My question showed how naïve I was about MTB racing. During the race I heard “Left”, “Right”, and even “Coming up the middle”.  Passing and getting passed is definitely a skill I need to master.

Our category moved closer and closer to the start. I clipped in my left foot and prepared myself for the chaos I was sure was coming. A swim start has nothing on a mass bike start! Category 29 was combined with the smaller preceding category so there was about a dozen of us starting together. The actual start was a blur. I can’t even remember if there was a countdown or if the announcer just said “Go.” All I know is I started to pedal and could not get my right foot clipped. My group appeared to ride away from me but I eventually got my foot clipped and began to catch up with my group.

Trying to get clipped in

I remained focused on the task at hand which basically amounted to staying upright. I gained confidence with each pedal stroke. What time I lost to being a bit timid on the descents, I made up for on the climbs.  None of the climbs were too steep or too long, but on my first lap I did find myself bunched up with some bigger dudes that were struggling a bit to get up hill.  One rider swerved towards me so I quickly moved left and out of his way, only to end up unclipping to avoid falling over. I hurriedly walked to a flatter area where I could clip in and start riding without interfering with other riders. No big deal.

Start of Second Lap

My second lap was faster and more fun than the first. Probably because the competitors were spaced out a bit more and because I am sure some of the expert riders had already finished all four of their laps.  The course was more familiar but I still struggled a bit with some of the sharper turns and steeper descents. On the last half of my second and final 2.8 mile lap I noticed a familiar rider. Her yellow jersey caught my eye and I recognized her from the start line chat.  I had one goal…catch up with her.

Always smile when you see a race photographer 😊 

I started to close the gap, only to have it widen as she sped downhill away from me. I kept riding. If I could just get a little closer, I might be able to chase her down on the flat gravel section leading up to the finish. All of a sudden I hit a bump. The bike went up, I came down, and my saddle shifted. The nose of the saddle now pointed uncomfortably upward. I tried to sit on the saddle and press it back into a flatter position, but that didn’t work. In this position, I couldn’t sit down and ride like I intended.

I crossed the finish line and then tried to figure out where I needed to go. I thought I read that there was a finishers chute and that you were supposed to keep your order as they wrote your number down but I didn’t see anything of the sort. I rode through an opening in the barricades and stopped at a group of young riders. “Is this where finishers are supposed to go?” They told me that all I need to do was cross the timing mat at the finish and everything was recorded there. I thanked them and rode off to find my husband. Even if my finish didn’t get recorded, I didn’t care. I figured I was dead last in my category anyway.

Not the most comfortable riding position 😉

I found my husband and showed him my seat. He made a joke about me not being as light as I think. I didn’t laugh. We then found ourselves standing there trying to figure out what to do next. “There’s not an awards ceremony is there?” He asked. I knew that was code for “It’s getting late and we still have an hour drive home.” I responded that there must be because there is a podium.  I had no idea if or where any results were posted and I didn’t want to ask another stupid question so I suggested we head home. Besides there was no way I was on the podium.

Post-Race Reflection

Since the hit and run, I have been trying to find new ways to enjoy riding on two wheels without worrying about things with four wheels. I quietly reflected about the race on the ride home. I found the race itself to be incredibly fun and the challenge of the terrain kept me mentally engaged for the duration. It was the complete opposite of the long, day dreamy rides I had on the bike leg of an IRONMAN race. However, I found myself feeling melancholy about the whole race day experience. I had strongly hoped that this new type of racing would seize my heart the way my very first triathlon did.

I think my initial post-race feelings were a culmination of a number of things…my new bike let me down, I had no idea how I did at the race, I was so very, very far out of my comfort zone, and I missed having my triathlon friends with me. When I got home, I decided to see if the results were posted on line.  Kudos to the race director. The results were posted and I was pleasantly surprised to see that I had placed third in my category (still getting used to not saying “age group”). On top of that, I was only :14 seconds behind the lady in yellow and even better, my second lap was faster than my first.

Suddenly, I started feeling much better about the whole experience. My saddle is a minor fix and I know that the only way I am going to get comfortable with this type of racing is to do it more than once. My biggest task is going to be convincing my triathlon buddies to dust off their mountain bikes and come join the fun! I can honestly say that it was a great experience and a fun way to challenge myself. I am looking forward to my next race.

Bye-Bye Weekday Wine :-(

Tuesday morning was a wake up call for me. I finally got on the scale for the first time since the hit and run. Let's just say that I was not pleased with the number. I knew it wasn't going to be good, I just didn't expect it to be so bad. After the accident. I was afraid to weigh myself because I wasn't working out like normal. The goal of running CIM kept me somewhat focused and once I was given the OK to add running back to my routine, I sort of got back on to a schedule. However, my nutrition did not get back on track.

My shirt should have read "Will sit on the couch for wine"

Prior to the accident, I was very focused. I had given up "weekday wine" (Yes, that's a thing!), I was watching what I ate, and I was taking my vitamins and other supplements on a daily basis. After the accident, my focus was lost. Weekday wine was back on the menu. I stopped caring about what I was eating and started snacking more. I had a hard time falling asleep at night, so I would take a sleeping pill to help me doze off. On the outside, I appeared OK, but inside I was falling apart.  Then the holidays hit.

Actually, first came Ashley and Jay's two weddings. This meant more wine and a lot of delicious food. Next was Thanksgiving, followed by my 50th birthday, Christmas, New Year's and last weekend my Mom's birthday. My mom's birthday marked the end to my gluttony and hopefully the end of my not caring about what I was eating or drinking.

I forgot to mention all of the holiday food at work too!

What finally made me decide to get back on the scale was looking at my race photo's from last weekend's "Kick Start Duathlon". I could tell that my cheeks were a little fuller. Sure, to most people I look the same. However, I could tell the difference from a few months ago. I knew I needed to know where I was, so I got back on the scale. Like I said, the number was a bit of a shock. At that moment, I decided to get back to what I was doing before the accident.

Looking and feeling a bit chunkier than normal.

The Plan

I am going to make small adjustments to my diet to get back to where I was. If I try to do everything at once, I am just setting myself up for failure. This week, I eliminated "weekday wine", eating Altoids like candy, and I also started taking my vitamins in the morning. Three easy changes to make that have already paid off. Next week, I think I will remove all refined sugar from my diet. Eventually I want to give "no carbs" a good 2-3 week run, but I'm not ready yet.

In terms of working out, I had a schedule planned. Unfortunately, the cold/flu that has been going around the office at work finally caught up with me, so I had a couple of days off. I am going to write out my workout schedule this weekend and hopefully get started on Monday. One thing that will be different this year is that I will be focusing on sprint distance races. These shorter races will allow me to find events on closed courses so I will not have to ride my bike on the road. At first I was a little bummed about giving up the longer races, but now I am starting to look forward to trying something different.

Oh, and in case you are curious, the weekend officially starts on Friday afternoon, Cheers!

#endureandenjoy365 #hitandrun #wine #tbfracing

Triathlon - Starting Over

I fell in love with the sport of triathlon after completing my first race in October 2012. I started this blog so I could share everything I was experiencing. At least once a year I publish a post encouraging people to give triathlon a try.

Following my first triathlon in 2012

• 2017 - Repost 
• 2016 - A Different New Year's Resolution
• 2015 - Tri in 2015?
• 2014 - Triathlon 101
• 2013 - Central Valley Triathlon Club

This year, I am struggling to find the words to encourage people to try the sport. Most of this is due to the hit and run while riding my bike. At this time, I cannot fathom riding on the road. How do I encourage people to try this sport when I am scared to death of one of the best, most fun aspects of it?  "Hey, you are going to love triathlons! Just watch out while doing your bike training because someone may run you over. I'll be at home on my trainer." Yeah...I don't see many people wanting to sign up with a sales pitch like that.

I truly miss riding on the road

Another reason I think I am having a problem getting people pumped up to swim-bike-run is because this is the first time since 2013 that I do not have a "big" race planned. 2013 and 2014 had Barb's Race as my focus. 2015 was Vineman, my first iron-distance race. 2016 was IRONMAN Vineman, same race, different name. Last year, was IRONMAN Santa Rosa 70.3. This year I have nothing big planned.

Since I have an issue riding on the road, most of my races are going to be smaller, closed courses. I found myself depressed and feeling like I wasn't a triathlete just because I wasn't going to be racing for 6 to 12 hours. I worried that I was going backwards and that shorter races were equated with "beginner" races. I also worried that I would lose fitness and gain weight without hours and hours of training.

Size doesn't matter. All races are fun!

Believe me, I know that none of what I just wrote is true. The distance of a race does not determine whether or not I am a "real" triathlete. I also know that with proper diet and training, I am not going to get fat or out of shape. Now, will I be able to complete an IRONMAN race in 2018? Probably not, but that just means I am not trained for it this year. It doesn't mean that I couldn't do another one if I decided to in the future.

Plenty to Do in 2018

In order to keep myself focused, I have listed out most of the events I want to do this year including cyclocross!

• January
• Kick Start Duathlon
• Dirty Duathlon
• February
• Double Duathlon
• Lost Trail Half Marathon
• March
• The XTERRA Real MTB Triathlon 
• April
• Ice Breaker Triathlon
• May
• Folsom Lake International Triathlon
• Avenue of the Vines
• June 
• Enduro MTB Race at Mammoth Bar
• July
• Dirt, Sweat & Beers MTB Triathlon
• August
• The 21st Annual Granite Bay Triathlon/Duathlon & Relay Team Challenge
• Oakland Triathlon
• Mark and Tony's Margarita Trail Run and Party
• September
• Bear Valley Triathlon (Finally going to try this race AND we get to stay at our cabin in Arnold)
• October
• Cyclocross season starts! A whole new adventure!!
• November
• Salmon Duathlon (If I can muster up the courage to ride on the road)
• December
• California International Marathon

Getting Re-Started

Yesterday I completed the Kick Start Duathlon. It has been a couple of years since I did this race. I almost didn't sign up because I was worried about competing. I am so glad I sucked it up and raced. It reignited all of the old feelings that made me fall in love with triathlons. At the end of the race I found myself energized and focused...feeling like I can't wait until the next race. 

Now my next big challenge is getting back in the pool!

Ugh! LOL

California International Marathon - 2017

Those of you that have been following my blog know that I was hit by a truck while riding my bike on September 30th of this year. This event happened about nine weeks into my training for the California International Marathon. I was devastated. This was going to be my year to finally qualify for Boston. I was also looking for a little redemption after last year's less than ideal performance.

Besides my own plans for running CIM, I had convinced my daughter, Ashley, to sign up and race with me. My sister and her hubby also signed up for 2017. In August, HS signed up for the race as too. Then I got hit by the old, nearly blind, farmer.

HS quit training. He was afraid it would upset me if I saw him leaving the house to go for a run. The rest of my family pretty much gave up training too thinking that I was not going to do the race. At my first appointment with my regular doctor I asked when I was going to be able to run again. At that point, it had only been a week since the accident and she advised me to keep my activity to walking.

My next appointment was nearly a week and a half later. At that point, my doctor referred me to a surgeon to drain the huge hematoma on my backside. After the procedure I asked the surgeon if I could run. He advised me to keep my activity to low impact stuff like swimming and cycling (Seriously!). At least I could officially climb onto my trainer and pedal around Watopia.

My next appointment was scheduled Monday, November 13. The deferral deadline for CIM was November 10. I was going to have to gamble that the surgeon would give me the OK to run. Thankfully, the doctor said it was OK to run again and added that I should stop if anything hurt. No worries there...I can't really feel anything in the injured area anyway. I resumed training. I had lost a lot of time and hoped that my hours on the trainer would pay off.

Pre-Race

We headed up to Sacramento early Saturday morning. Since we had Zoe with us, I figured we would park and then take turns going into the convention center to pick up our packets. However, when we neared the convention center, HS said he would drop me off and circle the block. I said OK.

I hopped out of the truck at the red light and walked quickly to the convention center. Once inside, I maneuvered around the people taking their time. I was on a mission, pick up my bib, get my shirt, get my 5-year stuff and get back outside.  Packet, shirt, 5 year cup and pin...back on the sidewalk waiting for HS. Definitely not as fun as walking around all the exhibits but at least it cut down on my time on my feet. When HS stopped to pick me up, I asked if he wanted to run in and get his stuff. He said he didn't want his shirt because he was not racing.

Once again, Lindsey and Max welcomed us into their home and gave up their bed so I could get a good night's sleep before the race. Zoe wore herself our playing with Rocco and crashed on the floor next to the bed. I had a restless night sprinkled with nightmares of showing up late to the start. I was relieved when my alarm went off. I could finally get up and get the day started. I had a big task ahead of me and I just wanted to get through it.

As I rolled out of bed, I noticed a tightness in my lower back that I hadn't felt before. Great! That's all I needed today. I got dressed, had some coffee and instant oatmeal for breakfast, and then tried to loosen up my back a bit. I was more nervous than I have ever felt before a race.   HS got dressed but I told him that I was just going to have Lindsey drop me off at the shuttle and that he didn't need to go. I was getting emotional as it was, and having him drop me off probably would have opened the flood gates.

In the past, I've fretted about getting to the start early. This time, I wasn't in that big of a hurry to go stand in the cold by myself. Lindsey dropped me off a little after 6:00am and I walked to the line for the shuttle. Within a couple of minutes, I was seated on a Folsom-Cordova school bus chugging up the hill to the start. The driver made a couple of turns then a tight squeeze into a neighborhood. It seemed vaguely familiar, so I wasn't worried.

Some of the other runners were a little more concerned about our location. They started Googling directions to the start and then called out turns to the driver. I sort of chuckled to myself. We aren't lost people. The navigators continued "Right turn! Turn right at the next corner!" As the bus rounded the corner the line of porta-potties could be seen. The driver stopped the bus and announced that we were welcome to stay on the bus as long as we wanted. Most of the runners exited. There was still over half an hour before the start. I kept my butt in the seat.

Eventually there were just two of us on the bus so I got up to go to the bathroom one last time. The remaining runner got up and left too. The line at the outhouse wasn't too long, but seemed to slow as we got nearer to start time. By then I knew I really needed to go, so I waited. Thankfully, I was done and walking to the start line with 10 minutes to spare.

Wrapped in my mylar blanket from last year, I eased my way towards the 4:00 pace group and then hung back a bit. Last year I made the mistake of going out way too fast. I wasn't going to do that this year. I also didn't want to start out with my goal pace group of 3:57 because I was afraid that if I couldn't keep up, I would become disheartened and stop trying. My Garmin was programmed with my paces and I planned on following that to the best of my ability.

Race

After the national anthem, the race started. It was a slow walk to the start line. I heard the announcer call out the 3:57 group and then the 4:00 group. The crowd thinned and I started jogging. As soon as I crossed the start line timing mat, I pressed start on my Garmin. Here we go...nothing to lose. This is the first time that I have actually meant it when I told people "I will be happy just to finish."

The first mile of CIM is almost entirely downhill. In the past, I have found it hard not to get caught up in the frenzy and adrenaline and run this mile faster than intended. This year I listened to the warning beeps on my Garmin and slowed down the best that I could. I was still running faster than I planned, but not nearly as fast as I did last year. The first mile always feels so good, it's easy to forget that there are 25 more to go.

The next few miles felt pretty good. The tightness in my lower back eased up and I was getting into a rhythm. Since Lindsey and Max live fairly close to Oak Ave, they were going to walk over with HS and the dogs to cheer me on. I figured that I would be passing them at about 7:30am somewhere around 3-1/2 miles into the race. The thought of seeing them really raised my spirits. As I neared the park where they would be, I kept scanning the sidelines. I moved to the left side of the course so I wouldn't miss them.

My two biggest fans

Eventually I saw HS, Lindsey, Max, Rocco and my big puppy, Zoe. I waved at them and called out Zoe's name. I think there were too many people for Zoe to focus on who was calling her name. At the moment I passed them, Carrie Underwood's "Something in the Water" started playing on my iPod and I let out an audible sob and started to cry. I quickly tried to pull myself together. Who starts crying at mile 3 in a marathon? LOL

Last year I carried a water bottle, but I really didn't find any advantage to carrying something around for 26.2 miles, so I left it at home this year. Instead, I went back to basics and hit the aid stations every three miles for the first half of the race. As long as you pinch the cup at the top, you can still run and get the liquids in your mouth and not down the front of your shirt. During the second half of the race as I started to get a little warm, I started drinking every mile or two.

Somewhere around mile 15, I started to feel my quads. They were beginning to burn. The one thing that my injury really derailed was my hill training. Prior to the accident, I had done quite a bit of running up at our cabin in Arnold. From our cabin, you can go up or you can go down, but flat is not an option. Unfortunately, after I was given the OK to run again, I never incorporated hills back into my training. I think I was afraid that hills would be too much and would aggravate my injury.

My Garmin confirmed that I was still within my desired range, so I kept pushing forward and prayed that my legs would hold out. Aerobically I felt good, so I had that going for me :-) As I neared mile 20, the pain in my legs grew but I noticed that I was still passing people here and there. I did some math in my head and reasoned that as long as I remained in front of the 4:00 group, I would still technically have a qualifying time.

Checking my pace just after the 20 mile marker

My programmed pace for the last 6 miles was a few seconds per mile faster than what I had been running. The plan was to really "race" the last part of the course where it is nice and flat. Unfortunately, I just couldn't find that last gear. My legs were done. It was going to be a mental battle to the finish.

I knew that with less than six miles to go that I would be finished in under an hour. An hour, I reminded myself, is nothing. This race is hopefully going to take less than four hours. IRONMAN Vineman took an additional eight and a half. This is nothing. Each step is one step closer. Just keep going. I was soon within two miles of the finish. Even if I ran the last two miles at a 10:00 minute pace, I was going to be finished in 20 minutes. 20 minutes! That's it. Keep going.

Sometime during the last mile, I thought, "Who cares about Boston? Just walk. Nobody expects anything out of you this year." I imagined a little devil perched on my shoulder whispering negative thoughts into my ear. Where is my little cheerleader angel when I need her? There was only silence. I checked my watch several times a minute trying to make the calculations in my head. My Garmin distance was a bit off of the course markers but I figured I would still make the four hour cut off.

Almost done

Someone called out my name and snapped me back to attention. I looked to my left and saw my family cheering for me. That was all I needed. I knew I was almost there and I wasn't going to disappoint them  by walking the last quarter mile. I rounded the final turn and saw the finish line and ran as fast as my legs would allow.

As soon as I saw HS on the side, I went over to him and gave him a hug and said "I did it." Tears welled up in my eyes. I couldn't believe it. Not only did I finish a marathon a little more than two months after being hit but I had finally achieved the elusive Boston Qualifying time that kept me coming back to this course over and over again.

Official time - 3:58:37
Boston Qualifying Time (50-59 Female) - 4:00:00

Congrats from Zoe!

Post Race

For the 2018 Boston Marathon, runners had to be 3 minutes and 23 seconds faster than the qualifying time for their age group. So, although I ran a qualifying time, it is doubtful that I will actually make it into the race. That's OK.

After the race, I really wanted to ring the BQ Bell. The line was huge and my family was less than thrilled about standing around even more just for a photo op. I said we could just go, but they said we could stay. Eventually I made it to the front of the line and I FINALLY got to ring the bell... five years after my first CIM.

Afterward, my brother-in-law bought me a "Boston Qualified" shirt! 

"Boston Qualified"

You would think that this would be the end of my CIM journey. However, as soon as the re-run special was posted, I signed up for 2018...and so did HS. Of course, my sister and brother-in-law are running 2018 since they deferred this year. Looks like it will be a great group. I'm hoping to remain injury free next year so I can run the race fast enough to actually make it to Boston.

#endureandenjoy #Garmin #CIM #marathon

An Open Letter to the Person that Hit Me and Left Me on the Side of the Road

NOTE (12/11/2017): I'm done with all of this. Out of the loop. People speaking for me without talking to me. It's time to move on with my life. Yes, I am mad but I just don't have the energy for this. Nothing I say or do will change anything. Half of my backside is numb and I just have to deal with it...of course, you still have all of the feeling in your body, no scars, no nightmares...enjoy!

___________________________________________________________

NOTE (12/1/2017): I've been working on this letter for over a month (its now a little more than two months since the hit and run). I shelved this post for a while because it stirred up too many emotions. I feel that now is the time to finish it because I can feel a lot of anger and resentment building up and I just want to get this out once and for all. (Not published at this time).

___________________________________________________________

To the A-Hole that Hit Me and Left,

First, I would like to ask you if you care that you hit me but I know that’s a stupid question. If you cared, you would have stopped. Your actions answered the question before I even asked it.

So, knowing that you don’t care and that you have no regard for human life, I am writing this letter in hopes that perhaps someone else will read it and think twice about their own actions. Maybe someone will read this and decide that they are going to obey the traffic laws and give cyclists three feet clearance. Maybe someone will read this and they will stop and render aid if they hit a car, pedestrian, or cyclist.

Please note, there were three of us that day that you hit. No, hit is not the right term. There were three of us that you ran into, over, and through. We were riding single file along the white line on the side of the road and ...ONE...by ONE...by ONE ...you took each one of us out in a different and horrifying way. This letter will only discuss the pain and horror you inflicted on me. I will let the other two riders tell their own stories.

The Terror

The last memory I have while still upright on my bike was the sound of gravel and loud sound of cracking. In the split second before you hit me, I did not have time to process that what I was hearing was the sound of your tires driving through the gravel on the side of the road. Yes, the gravel to the right of the white line. Forget about three feet of clearance, I would have given anything to have only had one foot of clearance and not to have you directly behind me. Oh, and the loud cracking I heard, that was my friend’s bike being snapped and broken as you drove over it and him.

That’s the extent of my memory. I was knocked out for a couple of minutes. The next thing I remember is that I am standing up. I was dazed. I looked around to try and get my bearings. I can only say that at that moment I felt as if I had been picked up and dropped in the middle of a horror movie. My two friends were severely injured and laying in the road. There were bikes and parts and gear strewn all over.

There was a gash in my head and blood was running down my face. I thank God that I had the wherewithal to grab my phone and call 9-1-1.  Please note, I did not call for help because I am some sort of hero. I called for help because of the sheer terror you had left me to deal with!

I was alone on a country road with two injured friends and I was scared out of my mind! I needed someone to help us. I should not have had to do this. It was your responsibility to stop and call for help immediately!


The Physical Pain

When you hit me, an artery was torn somewhere in my left buttock. I spent my three days in the hospital cinched in a T-Pod in an attempt to stop the bleeding without surgery. I was denied food or anything to drink for the first two days because the doctors did not know if the bleeding would stop on its own. I had stitches in my forehead. Other wounds were bandaged and wrapped. The left side of my body was covered in deep purples bruises and extremely painful road rash.

First day home

After I was released from the hospital, I spent the next two weeks at home, unable to return to work. I'm sure you were back to earning a living before I even got out of the hospital. I was fortunate to have my husband and daughters with me doing what they could to make me comfortable.

Comfort was fleeting though. Trying to find a sleeping position that kept me off of the bruises and road rash was nearly impossible. Getting up to go to the bathroom or move about the room caused even more pain as scabs on my knees and elbows split open again and started bleeding.

As the swelling receded, a huge hematoma became apparent. I'm sure it was always there, I just couldn't see it because of all of the other damage you inflicted. Thankfully I was able to find a surgeon willing to drain the hematoma so it could start to heal. What started out as a swollen, numb, lump on my upper left buttock is now a hard, semi flat, tingly, painful area (and yet it was still oddly numb).

People keep telling me that it is just the nerves "waking up". Honestly, I wish the nerves would go back to sleep because the burning, itching, and zapping that strikes at random times is very disconcerting. I am trying to get back in to see my doctor to see it there is something that can be done to help.

Do you want to know what really pisses me off about the physical pain?

What really pisses me off about my physical pain (over two months out and I still have no feeling on my left side) is that I don't even feel like I have a right to complain about anything given the extent of the damage you inflicted on my two friends. I feel like I just need to shut up and accept it because I don't have any broken bones or because I am not in the hospital. I've been told this is similar to "survivors guilt", maybe that's what it is, but it sucks because I suffered and continue to suffer.

Hematoma after three weeks (The lump is NOT my butt!)

The Suffering of Others

Speaking of suffering. You put my husband and daughters through an incredible amount of suffering too. When you hit me, my daughters were down in southern California celebrating my oldest daughter's bachelorette weekend. They had rented a house and were having a fun weekend up until the point when my husband had to call them and tell them that I was in the hospital because of what you did. I would have given anything not to ruin their plans. However, they ended up cutting things short and coming home early. I understand why they came back early, I would have done the same if anything had happened to one of them. However, they should not have had to do that!

When my family walked into my hospital room, the pain and sadness on their faces was too much. We all started crying. I didn't want them to see me all banged up just as much as I am sure they didn't want to see their mother with stitches, scabs and bruises all over my face. You were probably at home at that exact moment enjoying dinner with your family.

I do take a bit of solace in hoping that you and your family suffered even the slightest bit of distress when the police showed up at your door and told them what you did. Did your family cry when they found out that their father hit three people and left them on the side of the road? (12/11/17 Note: After reading the police report, your family did not want you driving that truck!)

The Intangible Losses

One of my favorite activities was riding my bike. I rode with friends from the triathlon club, I rode with neighbors, I rode with co-workers, and I rode with my family. If anyone had a ride planned, I was ready to go! You have ruined, no I think STOLEN is the right word, my joy of riding. In your one single, heartless act, you have taken road cycling from me. Maybe if you would have stopped to help us, I would be able to fathom getting out one the road again. If I thought that someone would help me if the unthinkable happened, I might be able to consider riding again.

Below are several of my favorite pictures from my rides. I want to cry every time I think that I may never enjoy this again just because I am scared of some heartless jerk running me down and leaving me again. On top of that, I couldn't stand being involved in another incident where friends were injured. My husband talks about going out riding with my co-workers. I'm not sure I could stand knowing he was out on the road. I don't want to get the same call he got about me.

Heartbroken that we may never have our date-rides

Riding with my daughter and son-in-law

My co-workers

Tri club friends

Racing

I can't finish this letter...enjoy your life selling vegetables under the freeway on Saturday mornings. Watch for cyclists!