I usually don't like using this blog as a diary, but I think I have learned a lesson recently that some people may be able to learn too. For most of my life I have wished that I was something else, or more like somebody else. I have wished that I was a better soccer player, and that I could have played on my high school team. I've longed to be funnier, prettier, smarter, nicer, etc., than I am. I've dreamed of super quick race times, being 4 inches taller, and of straight A's in college. But none of that time that I spent wishing was ever worth it. Realizing that you already are the best person you can be is empowering, and any reason you can find to believe in yourself is a good one.
Envy is part of life, and of course is normal. Humans have been comparing themselves to one another since the loin cloth was in fashion. But instead of spending time comparing yourself to others, spend time improving yourself. You have talents that you don't yet know that you have, and just because you haven't done something before doesn't mean that it's impossible. Just because something could be better doesn't mean that it was all that bad in the first place.
This reminds me of a quote (and you know how much I love quotes): "You must love yourself before you can love anybody else." That's so true, right? How can you be someone else's world while you are still unsure of your own? As weird as it sounds, we learn to love in life from 3 people: our parents and ourselves. My dad has always told me that I have to love myself, and it's probably the best advice he will ever give me. I'm not sure why it's taken me so long to finally understand it.
Keeping the focus on doing things in life is infinitely better than dreaming about things that you want to do. Today is always the day, tomorrow is for the lazy and yesterday is already gone. Life is yours for the taking; live it as though you were born with everything you will ever need. Because more than likely, you have. Don't spend your life wishing that you had this or that. Spend it knowing that you have what it takes to get this and that.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Monday, May 7, 2012
It's about what you DON'T eat, not what you DO eat.
Yes, this is a blog about nutrition. When you conclude in reading it, please don't knock down my door, leave notes on my car, or give me the silent treatment. This is such a touchy topic that I have restrained from sharing my view for a while. I will make my best effort to build a bridge over the nutrition disparity rather than add water under it. So, without further ado, here it is, in a nutshell: nutrition is more about what you don't put into your mouth than what you put in it.
I work at Publix, and as creepy as this sounds, you can tell a lot about a person by what they put into their shopping carts. I see people from all ends of the food spectrum: all organic to all Little Debbie. I can tell when people are trying to maintain or lose weight, and there is a spectrum there as well in regards to what kinds of foods that I pull across my scanner. One side is full of 100 calorie packs, rice cakes, Snack Wells, and diet soda; the other overloaded with vegetables, beans, chicken breast, and fresh fruit. Let's play a game: which cart has more calories? Which cart is better?
So the answer to the above question is quite obvious, but it helps me prove my point. When people diet, they are often too caught up on calories and not caught up enough on nutrients. Although both carts likely have similar caloric values, the one with the vegetables has a whole lot more bang for the buck, so to speak. The proportion of people who don't eat fruit or vegetables is quite alarming. A diet without fruits and vegetables is like a building that is missing one of its pillars. These foods have a lot of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other compounds that simply cannot be matched by even the most fortified of foods. A diet that includes lean protein and whole grains is not complete without a large dose of vegetables and adequate fruit intake.
A long the same lines, a diet that is adequate in plant foods is not wrecked by a daily indulgence. Sure, sugar and saturated fat causes problems (to say it succinctly) but the consequences of a not-so-perfect diet are nowhere near those of omitting the vital food groups. Besides, if you focus on eating your daily quota of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains you won't have room for too much more (unless you happen to be a competitive eater, which I don't recommend)
However, nutrition varies so much over a continuum that it's difficult to follow concrete rules. Our bodies process food so differently, and our needs are a product of our daily activities. For athletes, nutrition varies by training cycle and even day to day. Macronutrient needs (daily ratios of carbs, fat, and protein) are a hotly debated topic, but the only idea in this area that I believe is that the ratio should be determined by body type, and then later tweaked for the individual. Those on the heavier side should start with a higher protein and lower carbohydrate ratio, and individuals with low body fat should aim for slightly higher carb diets. I really don't want to go into extreme detail over this, but I think it should be out there that I believe that this is a good starting point.
Lastly, the common theme that should run through any diet is whole foods. Stay away from processed foods as often as possible, and buy organic if you eat a certain food frequently. An easy way to do this is to "shop the perimeter" of the store, except when you are grabbing those frozen vegetables from the freezer section. If you do buy products with labels, be sure to read it; and be sure to understand the ingredients before you toss it into your cart. Organic Oreos are not better than regular Oreos. (sorry, I wish it were true also) I liken eating food additives to trying to trying to funnel a thick liquid. Additives can get stuck to the sides, but whole foods are like water that can just slip right through without consequence.
Eat your veggies. Drink water. Whole foods only. Get moving. That's all there is to it! Criticism is welcome, but I hope that this is perceived as a neutral opinion, not one that will start a war.
I work at Publix, and as creepy as this sounds, you can tell a lot about a person by what they put into their shopping carts. I see people from all ends of the food spectrum: all organic to all Little Debbie. I can tell when people are trying to maintain or lose weight, and there is a spectrum there as well in regards to what kinds of foods that I pull across my scanner. One side is full of 100 calorie packs, rice cakes, Snack Wells, and diet soda; the other overloaded with vegetables, beans, chicken breast, and fresh fruit. Let's play a game: which cart has more calories? Which cart is better?
So the answer to the above question is quite obvious, but it helps me prove my point. When people diet, they are often too caught up on calories and not caught up enough on nutrients. Although both carts likely have similar caloric values, the one with the vegetables has a whole lot more bang for the buck, so to speak. The proportion of people who don't eat fruit or vegetables is quite alarming. A diet without fruits and vegetables is like a building that is missing one of its pillars. These foods have a lot of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other compounds that simply cannot be matched by even the most fortified of foods. A diet that includes lean protein and whole grains is not complete without a large dose of vegetables and adequate fruit intake.
A long the same lines, a diet that is adequate in plant foods is not wrecked by a daily indulgence. Sure, sugar and saturated fat causes problems (to say it succinctly) but the consequences of a not-so-perfect diet are nowhere near those of omitting the vital food groups. Besides, if you focus on eating your daily quota of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains you won't have room for too much more (unless you happen to be a competitive eater, which I don't recommend)
However, nutrition varies so much over a continuum that it's difficult to follow concrete rules. Our bodies process food so differently, and our needs are a product of our daily activities. For athletes, nutrition varies by training cycle and even day to day. Macronutrient needs (daily ratios of carbs, fat, and protein) are a hotly debated topic, but the only idea in this area that I believe is that the ratio should be determined by body type, and then later tweaked for the individual. Those on the heavier side should start with a higher protein and lower carbohydrate ratio, and individuals with low body fat should aim for slightly higher carb diets. I really don't want to go into extreme detail over this, but I think it should be out there that I believe that this is a good starting point.
Lastly, the common theme that should run through any diet is whole foods. Stay away from processed foods as often as possible, and buy organic if you eat a certain food frequently. An easy way to do this is to "shop the perimeter" of the store, except when you are grabbing those frozen vegetables from the freezer section. If you do buy products with labels, be sure to read it; and be sure to understand the ingredients before you toss it into your cart. Organic Oreos are not better than regular Oreos. (sorry, I wish it were true also) I liken eating food additives to trying to trying to funnel a thick liquid. Additives can get stuck to the sides, but whole foods are like water that can just slip right through without consequence.
Eat your veggies. Drink water. Whole foods only. Get moving. That's all there is to it! Criticism is welcome, but I hope that this is perceived as a neutral opinion, not one that will start a war.
Friday, May 4, 2012
St Anthony's Triathlon Report
Let me start out by saying that St. Anthony's is my favorite race. It is a mere 45 minute drive from where I live, and it is one of the most beautiful courses I have ever raced on. There is a lot of pros and a lot of hype; 29 waves of athletes from all walks of life. Everything is super organized and well-run, it almost makes me feel like a pro too.
I arrived into transition knowing that I had still 2.5 hours until my race would start. Setting up transition has become routine, no longer something to stress over. I made my way down to the swim start and admired the amber colored sky. It was a beautiful day to race, albeit warm and humid (goodbye, spring!). I relaxed and talked to my biggest fan (my mom) for a while as the announcer set off hundreds of athletes into the Gulf. When there was 45 minutes til my start, I jogged around to loosen up. It just so happened that the pro women were on the run course, which snaked behind the beach of the swim start. I stopped to watch their impeccable and seemingly effortless form. They would definitely be finished with their race before I even started. Wonderful.
I then jumped into the water to set my stroke before it was race time. The water was a chilly-feeling 77 degrees and quite salty. I had been spoiled with 3 freshwater swims in my previous races this spring. Finally, I heard the announcer call purple caps into the corral and then out into the water. The swim start began with all of us treading water for what felt like forever. The current began to pull us away from the start buoy, and everyone was babbling about how they need to just start the race already. I turned to the girl next to me and said "Sorry, there just isn't a polite way to tread water.". We were elbowing and kicking each other before the race even started. Then the horn went off, and I had one of my best swim starts yet. I felt confident and could tell that I was in the upper third of the pack. But then we made a big turn out into the Gulf, and the water got really rough (the swim is always rough at St. A's, and they were trying a new course this year). My body rose and fell with the waves, and I began to swallow large amounts of salt water. I really messed up once I got to the yellow turn buoy. Every time I sighted, I was further and further from the directional buoys that led to shore. I began to get frustrated, and I felt like I was punching water rather than swimming in it. I was angry when I emerged up the stairs and into transition; that swim felt like it took years to complete. Definitely not my best swim. And to put whipped cream on my sundae, I lost my bike in transition. It took me 1:47 to get out on the roads of St. Pete.
With my adrenaline pumping hard, I took off on my bike with the intent of getting the time back that I lost on the swim. I knew I was going fast by the feel of the wind on my face. The course was crowded with all of the waves that went off before mine, and it boosted my ego that I was passing so many people. (I blame my drafting penalty on this) I passed All Children's Hospital and blew it a kiss. If only they all could see me now. My legs welcomed the flat course, and it was much easier to maintain my effort than at Clermont or Nationals. I zoomed into transition with a time of 1:11:48. BOOM!
I found my transition area slightly faster this time, and put on my awesome new racing shoes with glee. I pranced off on the run, my legs feeling great so far. As I left transition, I heard my mom's voice as it was trailing off "Go Kacy! BE CAREFUL!" I had been dealing with the same tendonitis that haunted me after the marathon, and I wasn't sure that I would be able to finish the run without limping to the finish line. I hadn't even thought about it until my mom reminded me. I directed my attention for a quick second to my ankle: no pain. Alright, it's go time! The run was hot, as expected. My effort level was higher than Nationals, but as far as I could tell I was still holding a good pace. The spectator support was remarkable; there was seldom a spot where there wasn't anyone cheering you on. I began to sing Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer" in my head, because it was the last song I heard on the drive over. Songs always motivate me, but I have also found that focusing on my body and effort level has been a key to keeping pace on the run and bike. I collected beads from some fans around mile 5, and slung them around my neck. As I came running through the finishing shoot, some girl pulled up onto my shoulder. I sprinted away from her, and never looked back. I felt like Usain Bolt as I crossed the finish line in full stride. I didn't know it at the time, but I finished with a PR of 2:28:53.
Because of the (assumed) drafting penalty, my official time is 2:30:53...but I don't care. Breaking 2:30 was been a goal that I've had for a while, and I finally did it. It was even more satisfying, because I was starting to feel like it wouldn't be possible. The cool thing with triathlon is that there are so many ways to lower your time...and always room for improvement. Perfect races are rare, but I can't wait till the day that I have one. Oh, and I know that I will.
This race has certainly raised my perceived ceiling. I know I can get faster. But not right now. I need to take some time to reset my body and try and avoid injury. Here is my quote for the next few weeks:
"I've never been patient, but I've always been determined. This time I'm determined to be patient."
Monday, April 23, 2012
Collegiate Nationals Race Report
It really hit me Thursday morning. The weekend that I have been waiting for all semester was here. Collegiate Nationals were on Saturday, and later that day my teammates and I would make our journey to Tuscaloosa. I ran some 200's around the track that morning with that pristine finishing shoot in mind. I was so excited to get home and start packing; the feeling consumed my body and made me feel like I was constantly going down the drop of a roller coaster. I hadn't felt like that in a long, long time.
After a long 8 hour drive, we all crashed early with our sights on packet pickup the next day. And that is really when it REALLY hits you: race numbers in hand, awesome t-shirt on your back, and the Tuscaloosa Ampitheater looming overhead. Hundreds of fit and attractive people buzzed around the race site, holding their free Rudy project bags and a water bottle for hydration. My teammates and I went to the swim start by the Black Warrior River, where in about 17 hours the race would unfold. We squeezed into our wetsuits (I needed to jump around to get the legs up to where they were supposed to be) and plunged into the 69 degree water. Much better than last year. After doing a combination of swimming and enjoying our new found ability to float, we slipped out of the wetsuits again and half of us went on a run to loosen up. I have never felt so ready and excited for a race before. That night we went to the free pasta party on UA's campus (yay free food!) and then went back to the hotel for an early night of preparing race bags and getting our race numbers in place. Since the women would start first this year, we put on our number tattoos before gingerly going to bed, hoping that they would still be there in the morning.
4:45 came before I knew it. I woke up wide awake and ready to go. I slipped on my new race suit, ate a banana and a peanut butter sandwich, and off we went. It's race day! I felt an interesting combination of nervousness and excitement. Today was the day. We got to transition with plenty of time, and I got a good run in before lugging my wetsuit to the swim start and plunging in once again, just to avoid the shock at the start. I gave another speech, this one more epic than Clermont. There was profanity involved...yeah, that epic. After standing in the holding pen for what seemed like an hour, we all filed onto the dock. I ended up not getting a spot holding the dock, but rather floated on the side of it with a poor line to the first buoy. The air horn went off, and everything that I had worked for since the last year I swam in this water was being put to the test.
The swim went well. I love the course because it isn't a triangle and is easy to follow with minimal sighting. I didn't find too much contact since the start and some girl swam right over me. I emerged not-so-gracefully from the water in 27:15, by far my best 1500 yet. The steep exit almost made me fall flat on my face before the excessively long run to transition. After struggling (again) to get my wetsuit off, I was on my bike and ready to take on the Alabama hills.
I have really started to enjoy the cycling portion, as I now look forward to zipping along the course with the wind in my face. The run isn't the whole race for me anymore. I now care just as much about my bike split as I do my run split...I just might be becoming a triathlete yet. The course was windy from a cold front that was passing through the south over the weekend, and I struggled in spots to keep my cadence up. One of the hills was particularly harder than I remembered, and I had to stand up to crest it. The first loop was done before I knew it, and I remember thinking about how fast the race was going. It was just as enjoyable as it was painful. I didn't once think "UGHHHH I wish this race was over!". I instead wished that it would never end. Bike split: 1:18:09
On to the run. I knew that hill was coming for me. I kept thinking "this is where you break people...come on, break em' all..." I passed a few on my way to the small neighborhood at the top of the beast. I felt good, with no Ab cramp in sight. I went through a rough patch around mile 3, with a girl from Penn State right on my tail. She passed me and I never did catch up, despite the awesome back half that my legs carried me through. I was under my splits every mile marker, and knew I was in for a good finishing time. My body and I we're one, not fighting each other, but just cruising along. I ran through the finishing line Gator chomping and smiling ear to ear. Run split: 42:30
Collegiate Nationals is an awesome experience. Everyone is so hard-working and so much fun. I'll tell you, they know how to work hard and play harder. I have gotten so inspired on both of my trips to Tuscaloosa, leaving for Gainesville with an "Anything is possible" feeling. Just seeing the improvement a year can make was an inspiration in itself. I'm falling in love with triathlon more and more with every race I do. College triathlon is an experience that I wouldn't trade for a full ride scholarship. I love the people that I have met, the challenges I've faced, and the new skills I've acquired. Thanks to USA Triathlon, Tuscaloosa, and my TriGator teammates for an awesome weekend!!
After a long 8 hour drive, we all crashed early with our sights on packet pickup the next day. And that is really when it REALLY hits you: race numbers in hand, awesome t-shirt on your back, and the Tuscaloosa Ampitheater looming overhead. Hundreds of fit and attractive people buzzed around the race site, holding their free Rudy project bags and a water bottle for hydration. My teammates and I went to the swim start by the Black Warrior River, where in about 17 hours the race would unfold. We squeezed into our wetsuits (I needed to jump around to get the legs up to where they were supposed to be) and plunged into the 69 degree water. Much better than last year. After doing a combination of swimming and enjoying our new found ability to float, we slipped out of the wetsuits again and half of us went on a run to loosen up. I have never felt so ready and excited for a race before. That night we went to the free pasta party on UA's campus (yay free food!) and then went back to the hotel for an early night of preparing race bags and getting our race numbers in place. Since the women would start first this year, we put on our number tattoos before gingerly going to bed, hoping that they would still be there in the morning.
4:45 came before I knew it. I woke up wide awake and ready to go. I slipped on my new race suit, ate a banana and a peanut butter sandwich, and off we went. It's race day! I felt an interesting combination of nervousness and excitement. Today was the day. We got to transition with plenty of time, and I got a good run in before lugging my wetsuit to the swim start and plunging in once again, just to avoid the shock at the start. I gave another speech, this one more epic than Clermont. There was profanity involved...yeah, that epic. After standing in the holding pen for what seemed like an hour, we all filed onto the dock. I ended up not getting a spot holding the dock, but rather floated on the side of it with a poor line to the first buoy. The air horn went off, and everything that I had worked for since the last year I swam in this water was being put to the test.
The swim went well. I love the course because it isn't a triangle and is easy to follow with minimal sighting. I didn't find too much contact since the start and some girl swam right over me. I emerged not-so-gracefully from the water in 27:15, by far my best 1500 yet. The steep exit almost made me fall flat on my face before the excessively long run to transition. After struggling (again) to get my wetsuit off, I was on my bike and ready to take on the Alabama hills.
I have really started to enjoy the cycling portion, as I now look forward to zipping along the course with the wind in my face. The run isn't the whole race for me anymore. I now care just as much about my bike split as I do my run split...I just might be becoming a triathlete yet. The course was windy from a cold front that was passing through the south over the weekend, and I struggled in spots to keep my cadence up. One of the hills was particularly harder than I remembered, and I had to stand up to crest it. The first loop was done before I knew it, and I remember thinking about how fast the race was going. It was just as enjoyable as it was painful. I didn't once think "UGHHHH I wish this race was over!". I instead wished that it would never end. Bike split: 1:18:09
On to the run. I knew that hill was coming for me. I kept thinking "this is where you break people...come on, break em' all..." I passed a few on my way to the small neighborhood at the top of the beast. I felt good, with no Ab cramp in sight. I went through a rough patch around mile 3, with a girl from Penn State right on my tail. She passed me and I never did catch up, despite the awesome back half that my legs carried me through. I was under my splits every mile marker, and knew I was in for a good finishing time. My body and I we're one, not fighting each other, but just cruising along. I ran through the finishing line Gator chomping and smiling ear to ear. Run split: 42:30
Collegiate Nationals is an awesome experience. Everyone is so hard-working and so much fun. I'll tell you, they know how to work hard and play harder. I have gotten so inspired on both of my trips to Tuscaloosa, leaving for Gainesville with an "Anything is possible" feeling. Just seeing the improvement a year can make was an inspiration in itself. I'm falling in love with triathlon more and more with every race I do. College triathlon is an experience that I wouldn't trade for a full ride scholarship. I love the people that I have met, the challenges I've faced, and the new skills I've acquired. Thanks to USA Triathlon, Tuscaloosa, and my TriGator teammates for an awesome weekend!!
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Sometimes we run...
Sometimes we run because we don't know what else to do. It's probably not the best thing for us at that moment, but somehow that doesn't matter. Running feels more like a physiological need than just an activity that is done for fun or for training. Moments like these make me feel like I have to run, instead of just wanting to run. It's right up there with hunger or thirst; something that must be satisfied.
Yesterday was a really awful day. I had spent all night studying for an exam that I knew I had no chance of passing. I pushed the molecules around my organic chemistry book with my eyes for ours, and not a single one stuck in my brain. So I woke up tired and annoyed, dragging myself to my 8:30 class before the exam at 1:55. I had from 11 till around 1:30 to study, but my heart just wasn't in it. It just felt to hopeless to try to study anymore. I just didn't get it. So I walked into the lecture hall with a sense of impending doom. I had a bit of optimism tingling in my brain. "Maybe the exam will be basic, and I can pull off a C", I remember thinking.
The exam was as bad as I thought it would be, and worse. I ran out of time and didn't answer the last 2 questions. I knew I had failed it before the TA swiped my unfinished exam from my hands. I felt choked up as I left, tears welling in my eyes and constricting my throat. My first thought, however, was I have to go for a run. Nothing else would help.
Running is awesome in that it lets you have more control over your brain. If you want to think about something, you can, and with more clarity than is possible at rest. If you want to forget, running allows you to dump your thoughts on the side of the road somewhere, to be picked up later. I couldn't tell you what I thought about during that run, but it certainly wasn't organic chemistry. My pace was light but fast, my stone-like gaze fixed straight ahead. My eyes were open, but I'm pretty sure that I didn't see anything at all. The sun was warm and the breeze was cool, a perfect run if I had ever seen one. I ran around campus, which has become something of a novelty since I live off campus now. There's something fun about running in the sun with shorts and a sports bra while everyone else is trudging to class.
I liken the run to a tightly applied band-aid. I felt better enough to function, but my problems hadn't been solved completely. I still thought of the exam in disgust, and still felt angry about my mediocre grades. But I loved how I checked out of the world for 40 minutes. I love how running allows me to center myself when I need it the most. Even though I was so tired, exerting myself felt like the right thing to do. It's weird how sometimes getting out the door is like climbing a mountain, and sometimes is like a walk in the park. But when you are running for a reason other than training, it seems like you have no other option than to put one foot in front of the other.
Yesterday was a really awful day. I had spent all night studying for an exam that I knew I had no chance of passing. I pushed the molecules around my organic chemistry book with my eyes for ours, and not a single one stuck in my brain. So I woke up tired and annoyed, dragging myself to my 8:30 class before the exam at 1:55. I had from 11 till around 1:30 to study, but my heart just wasn't in it. It just felt to hopeless to try to study anymore. I just didn't get it. So I walked into the lecture hall with a sense of impending doom. I had a bit of optimism tingling in my brain. "Maybe the exam will be basic, and I can pull off a C", I remember thinking.
The exam was as bad as I thought it would be, and worse. I ran out of time and didn't answer the last 2 questions. I knew I had failed it before the TA swiped my unfinished exam from my hands. I felt choked up as I left, tears welling in my eyes and constricting my throat. My first thought, however, was I have to go for a run. Nothing else would help.
Running is awesome in that it lets you have more control over your brain. If you want to think about something, you can, and with more clarity than is possible at rest. If you want to forget, running allows you to dump your thoughts on the side of the road somewhere, to be picked up later. I couldn't tell you what I thought about during that run, but it certainly wasn't organic chemistry. My pace was light but fast, my stone-like gaze fixed straight ahead. My eyes were open, but I'm pretty sure that I didn't see anything at all. The sun was warm and the breeze was cool, a perfect run if I had ever seen one. I ran around campus, which has become something of a novelty since I live off campus now. There's something fun about running in the sun with shorts and a sports bra while everyone else is trudging to class.
I liken the run to a tightly applied band-aid. I felt better enough to function, but my problems hadn't been solved completely. I still thought of the exam in disgust, and still felt angry about my mediocre grades. But I loved how I checked out of the world for 40 minutes. I love how running allows me to center myself when I need it the most. Even though I was so tired, exerting myself felt like the right thing to do. It's weird how sometimes getting out the door is like climbing a mountain, and sometimes is like a walk in the park. But when you are running for a reason other than training, it seems like you have no other option than to put one foot in front of the other.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Great Clermont Race Report
I have never pushed myself so hard in my entire life. I know, this sentence probably belongs somewhere at the end of the blog, after I've went into excruciating detail about how much my quads burned, lungs ached, and how hard oxygen was to come by. But I couldn't help it. I mean, look at this face.
Yeah, that's how it felt.
So, to back track, we arrived to transition at just about 6:30. The air was a thick but pleasant 68 degrees. As I walked to transition, was having trouble shaking the memory of last years' race here in Clermont. I had a fever 2 days prior and then subsequently caught an upper respiratory infection. I decided to race anyway, and almost quit after the first lap of the swim. I was exhausted, and spent the time after the race wallowing in self pity and coughing forcefully.
I was also battling some confidence issues. I had anticipated having a much higher level of fitness for our FCTC championship race. I didn't feel ready, and the hills we drove over to get to the race site was an omen of things to come on the bike course.
I got a good warm up in because I forgot my timing chip in my car...and then when I got back into transition, realized I also forgot my water bottle. So that was a solid 1.5 mile run all together. After taking care of race priority #1 (it rhymes with smorta-plotty), I saw my parents walking down the trail. I ran over to give them a big hug. It meant so much to me that they woke up at 4:30 am race morning to watch me race.
After a short swim warm up (the water was perfect-no wetsuit required), my Trigator teammates and I did our cheer and got ready to race. I gave a strange motivational speech involving Shamu,"mountains", and strong legs. Then, the gun went off, and we were swimming through Lake Minneola. The swim course got everyone messed up, and I heard that the lead pack of girls got off course. I'm hoping I didn't cut the course in any way, because it was my best olympic swim yet. The water was choppy from the cold front that went through, and I swallowed a lot of water. It was delicious.
I sprinted to transition, strapped on my shoes, and started my one hour and seventeen minute sufferfest. The course is a beast, with 3 out and back loops and more hills than flats. The out and back nature of the course made it so that every hill that you zoomed down you also had to climb. Great. It's the triathlon equivalent of a double edged sword. As hard as it was, I have never felt so capable on the bike, instead of telling myself (for motivation) that my legs were pistons, they actually were. I kept telling myself that "this is my race", and before I knew it, I was believing it. As painful as it was, I enjoyed the bike a lot. I pushed every ounce of power out of my legs, and didn't stop until I saw the dismount sign. I began to worry about the run. Boy, and for good reason.
My parents saw me pull my Pegasus into transition and I could hear the surprise in their cheers. "Awesome job Kace, you're doing great!!" Later my mom told me she didn't even have her camera out because she wasn't expecting to see me that soon. I realized that I forgot to take my GU on the bike, so I pulled it out of my container on my bike and clenched it in my teeth. I ran out of transition, grasping my race belt and with my eye on the lead girl, running 15 seconds ahead.
My worries were confirmed. I used all of my oomph on the bike. My form felt decent, but the speed that I usually have wasn't there. I could see the FSU uniform fading away, especially after the 3 mile mark. I was fighting hard, and my lungs were screaming for me to stop. There was a nice breeze and some shade, so luckily the conditions didn't exacerbate things. My body oscillated between feeling miserable and totally miserable the whole run. I tried to push as hard as I could after the second turnaround point, when I had just about 1.5 miles to go. I met the 6 mile mark with a sense of bliss; I was so glad it was almost over. Then I heard some bounding and breathing from behind. By the time I turned around, I saw a blur of orange and blue blow past me. I had about 4 steps of acceleration, and then my legs told me not-so-politely that they had had enough. I wouldn't have wanted anyone else to pass me at that point. So proud.
So, there you have it. Now I have that wonderful finishing picture.
I am so proud of all of my teammates, who inspire me SO much. For many, it was their first olympic triathlon, and for one it was their first! Everyone overcame difficulty at some point, whether it was the swim, bike, run, transition, or another one of the multitude of variables that come with triathlon. The college triathlon community is awesome too. Everyone encourages each other before, during, and after the race, and we took a group picture as a memento of the last race of the 2011-2012 season. What a great sport, what a great team, what a great race.
"Never doubt yourself in the face of uncertainty; be certain that you have no doubts."
Yeah, that's how it felt.
So, to back track, we arrived to transition at just about 6:30. The air was a thick but pleasant 68 degrees. As I walked to transition, was having trouble shaking the memory of last years' race here in Clermont. I had a fever 2 days prior and then subsequently caught an upper respiratory infection. I decided to race anyway, and almost quit after the first lap of the swim. I was exhausted, and spent the time after the race wallowing in self pity and coughing forcefully.
I was also battling some confidence issues. I had anticipated having a much higher level of fitness for our FCTC championship race. I didn't feel ready, and the hills we drove over to get to the race site was an omen of things to come on the bike course.
I got a good warm up in because I forgot my timing chip in my car...and then when I got back into transition, realized I also forgot my water bottle. So that was a solid 1.5 mile run all together. After taking care of race priority #1 (it rhymes with smorta-plotty), I saw my parents walking down the trail. I ran over to give them a big hug. It meant so much to me that they woke up at 4:30 am race morning to watch me race.
After a short swim warm up (the water was perfect-no wetsuit required), my Trigator teammates and I did our cheer and got ready to race. I gave a strange motivational speech involving Shamu,"mountains", and strong legs. Then, the gun went off, and we were swimming through Lake Minneola. The swim course got everyone messed up, and I heard that the lead pack of girls got off course. I'm hoping I didn't cut the course in any way, because it was my best olympic swim yet. The water was choppy from the cold front that went through, and I swallowed a lot of water. It was delicious.
I sprinted to transition, strapped on my shoes, and started my one hour and seventeen minute sufferfest. The course is a beast, with 3 out and back loops and more hills than flats. The out and back nature of the course made it so that every hill that you zoomed down you also had to climb. Great. It's the triathlon equivalent of a double edged sword. As hard as it was, I have never felt so capable on the bike, instead of telling myself (for motivation) that my legs were pistons, they actually were. I kept telling myself that "this is my race", and before I knew it, I was believing it. As painful as it was, I enjoyed the bike a lot. I pushed every ounce of power out of my legs, and didn't stop until I saw the dismount sign. I began to worry about the run. Boy, and for good reason.
My parents saw me pull my Pegasus into transition and I could hear the surprise in their cheers. "Awesome job Kace, you're doing great!!" Later my mom told me she didn't even have her camera out because she wasn't expecting to see me that soon. I realized that I forgot to take my GU on the bike, so I pulled it out of my container on my bike and clenched it in my teeth. I ran out of transition, grasping my race belt and with my eye on the lead girl, running 15 seconds ahead.
My worries were confirmed. I used all of my oomph on the bike. My form felt decent, but the speed that I usually have wasn't there. I could see the FSU uniform fading away, especially after the 3 mile mark. I was fighting hard, and my lungs were screaming for me to stop. There was a nice breeze and some shade, so luckily the conditions didn't exacerbate things. My body oscillated between feeling miserable and totally miserable the whole run. I tried to push as hard as I could after the second turnaround point, when I had just about 1.5 miles to go. I met the 6 mile mark with a sense of bliss; I was so glad it was almost over. Then I heard some bounding and breathing from behind. By the time I turned around, I saw a blur of orange and blue blow past me. I had about 4 steps of acceleration, and then my legs told me not-so-politely that they had had enough. I wouldn't have wanted anyone else to pass me at that point. So proud.
So, there you have it. Now I have that wonderful finishing picture.
I am so proud of all of my teammates, who inspire me SO much. For many, it was their first olympic triathlon, and for one it was their first! Everyone overcame difficulty at some point, whether it was the swim, bike, run, transition, or another one of the multitude of variables that come with triathlon. The college triathlon community is awesome too. Everyone encourages each other before, during, and after the race, and we took a group picture as a memento of the last race of the 2011-2012 season. What a great sport, what a great team, what a great race.
"Never doubt yourself in the face of uncertainty; be certain that you have no doubts."
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Race Morning
Here's a quirky little poem I essentially wrote in my head while riding my bike the other day. Enjoy!
Wake up at 5, look at the clock.
Why am I up this early? I forgot.
That's right, I've got a race to do;
gotta find my body glide and my GU
Eat a bagel, drink some Gatorade
Feeling nervous and hoping I won't be late
Set up transition, hang up my bike
strap on my timing chip good and tight
Warm up? Maybe not.
The water's much colder than I had thought.
Gun goes off, leave it all behind,
keep an open heart and a positive mind
Swim-try to breathe, not heave
Bike- hammer, don't stammer
Run- always a fight; did I leave my legs on my bike?
See the finish, hear the crowd,
cross the finish line smiling and proud.
Now time to eat and pass out.
Wake up at 5, look at the clock.
Why am I up this early? I forgot.
That's right, I've got a race to do;
gotta find my body glide and my GU
Eat a bagel, drink some Gatorade
Feeling nervous and hoping I won't be late
Set up transition, hang up my bike
strap on my timing chip good and tight
Warm up? Maybe not.
The water's much colder than I had thought.
Gun goes off, leave it all behind,
keep an open heart and a positive mind
Swim-try to breathe, not heave
Bike- hammer, don't stammer
Run- always a fight; did I leave my legs on my bike?
See the finish, hear the crowd,
cross the finish line smiling and proud.
Now time to eat and pass out.
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