Sorry...

Hey All. Sorry, I just really haven't had much to blog about.

Monday was a horrible metro accident. I appreciate all the e-mails and phone calls wondering if I was okay. It was on the red line, my line, but I live in the opposite direction. Also, luckily, the trains were coming into the city, out out - otherwise I don't want to think about what might have been. Also, lucky because I was going to swim practice that night at CUA and decided to drive, not metro. Sometimes listening to that little voice in your head is the best thing you can do.

Merissa was in town from Cleveland and staying in Woodley so I got to see her not only once, but TWICE! WOOT! It was great to catch up, something that is worth skipping a workout.

And that's really it. I am just trying to take it easy and figure out what is going on with my back. My PT is awesome. She also started a bike handling skills clinic on Wednesdays at noon. Hopefully I can continue to attend as learning to ride in groups, close quarters, slight bumping, pace lines are all good things.

I'll Take It!!

When you get up at 4 in the morning, it has to be worth it. Well, if it wasn't for a race, the sun raise was totally worth it. I only wish my camera could have captured this better.

I got to transition, set up, and started walking around. It's always so fun to chat with people, feel the energy of the race, wishing everyone luck - especially when the race is in your city, your back yard, and 9 of the top 10 Olympians will be racing a few hours after you. What a great energy! At some point, I realized the race would be starting soon and I should mentally prep for a race. Only a sprint, but still, that's what I said last week about the Bay Swim - and we know how that turned out...

Well Janel was with me and was awesome. I was also excited for Nicole (who is Tony's wife that I did Ironman Moo with last year when we started the run together), as it was her first race. We lined up and jumped in. Jumped in where you ask - yes, the Potomac River. (NOTE - this pic is from the day before, the water was much calmer) Honestly, it wasn't as bad as I expected. Yes, some people said they hit logs, ran into water bottles, saw tires - but I didn't and have swam in much MUCH worse places. The water didn't even taste that bad...

Swim time, not too bad. 15:13. But, looking at my 100M split, I would have liked to have been a bit faster. T1, I am always slow. But, Carlos and I were feeling good after yesterday's practice ride so we were off.

I have to say, I L.O.V.E.D riding through the streets of DC with no cars. It also helped that I had my DC tri jersey on and heard tons of "Go DC Tri!" It's always a good feeling. I would have liked a better pic, one with the Washington Monument, but oh well. The bike was good. Carlos did well and averaged 16.8 mph. Not bad for a flat course! My HR was up the entire time, but knew I wouldn't have a great run so wanted to push a bit more.

So far, everything was feeling good. My back was a bit twinge, nothing too bad. T2 was fast for me, under 2 minutes so I can't complain. But this was the moment I wondered if doing this race was a good idea or not. My back was TIGHT! But 3.1 miles, if I walk, I walk. I do the run walk and if I had to walk the whole thing, fine. But I kept seeing DC Tri people and they were so encouraging... I had to run. Lori and Ed were at one turn and just started yelling for me to run. I did, laughed, and they snapped a few pics. But after about mile 1, when the rain started, I did feel better. Things were loosening up and I was feeling pretty good. I ran a bit more and was just happy to be finishing. Not a great 5K time, but given my back and lack of training, I was happy.

As I heard my name announced when I crossed the finish line, I also heard "And here is America's Mayor, Adrian Fenty!" Oh cr*p. All the cameras are recording him and I really didn't want to make it on tv. Yes, I finished before him (and I will ignore he the Oly course, twice the distance as I did), but still... I didn't make it on TV (yay), but also didn't get the great finisher photo I was hoping for with The Capital in the background. Oh well... I know it was there.

Overall, it was a good race. Tons of great people, good friends, and strong accomplishments. I was proud to race in my backyard and celebrate with some friends over a few beverages while we watched the pros. I was home and ready for a nap all by 3.

A pretty good Sunday.

Oh, and of course, a celebration with America's Mayor.

Hapy Dad's Day!

Before I get to my race report for today, I just wanted to wish my favorite daddy a very a happy dad's day!!

Love and hugs!

Oh Carlos

Sometimes I don't know how/why he doesn't throw me off.

This morning I met up with Diane and K for a quick ride around Hains Point. They are getting ready for SheRox and I was more than happy to get a quick ride in before tomorrows race. I really wanted to make sure my back would be okay. Also, I take Carlos out for sprint races and I needed to make sure he would be okay too.

Well, we get all packed and on the road just in time for the rain to start. REALLY!?!?! I am SOOO sick of rain around here! But, we were there, and it's good practice, so off we went. Even though Carlos really doesn't like the rain.

The good news is 12 or 13 miles with just a few twinges. The bad news, my shoes are still wet. Good news no falling in the rain. Bad news, everything thing is wet. Good news, biking in the rain is always good practice - even if it's not fun. And Carlos wasn't too happy - not all of his gears are working, but I will still use him tomorrow.

Oh, and of course, less than 2 hours later, it was sunny and humid. Typical June in DC. Blah! But, I did my packet pick up (with lots of pretty eye candy pro triathletes ;-). Dropped off Carlos on his bike rack, with his new present, and ran into a bunch of DC Tri people.

I am really hoping tomorrow goes well. I NEED a good race!!

Well My Therapist Said

Today was day 2 of physical therapy. I had to switch therapists because the first one I saw on Tuesday was going out of town. So, I had to go through what happened again, along with my laundry list of foot/knee/hip/shoulder/elbow issues, but this time my back was feeling fine. The prescriptions were working wonderfully and it was like night and day.

So, it was a bit hard to explain the exact problems I was having because they were no longer there. I know drugs won't solve the problem - they are just a (wonderful) band-aid, so I am still keeping my appointments for next week.

If I want to keep doing tri's - and possibly another Ironman, I need to fix these issues NOW.

Oh, and my therapist said I was fine to race on Sunday! As did my doctor. Both said yes, assuming I felt okay. Woo-Hoo!

Update

Well, things have been a bit interesting the past 2 days. I have been in so much pain from back spasms that I was stuck on the floor for 20 minutes and I have also been feeling w.o.n.d.e.r.f.u.l. I went to my general doctor and she prescribed me some muscle relaxers and anti inflammatories. She said they would make me feel very mellow or I would be up to 4 in the morning cleaning out my closet.

I went the mellow road.

Thanks to everyone to was making sure I was okay through out the day!!

Seriously???

Right now I am sitting at home, on the couch, with a heating pad on my back. On Saturday afternoon of a day of sight seeing - my back started to twinge. Not good I thought, but whatever. I took some Aleve, but it didn't seem to help much.

Sunday was, well, Sunday, and it really didn't bother me much during the swim. After is a different story. I attempted to relax the muscles with some cider - but that didn't help either.

Yesterday during touristy stuff I did more stretching, resting, whatever I could to help. Not much worked. With some DC tri club forum advise, along with facebook advice, I kept trying different things. Ice/heat/ice/heat. More Aleve. Nothing seems to be working.

This morning, I tried to lay down with the legs up against the couch for 15 minutes. It took me 20 minutes to get back up - and was worse than I imagined. The spasms won't stop! Poor Mom and Dad stopped by to say goodbye on their long drive home and I was in so much pain... not the way I wanted to say goodbye.

So, I have an appointment at 2 and I am really hoping things go okay. I am starting to get a bit frustrated and down about this stuff and not sure what to do. Sunday's race is looking bleak and I am really trying to stay positive. Really REALLY trying.

So This Is What Happened

My parents were in town. It was Arin's first Bay swim and I was so excited for him. Saturday we did some touristy stuff, low key shopping, and I made a nice pasta/chicken dinner.

Sunday we got to sleep in a bit as it was an 11:30 start. We made it out to Sandy Point State Park without too much of an issue. Arin and I pick up our numbers (40 and 41) ran into Tammy and Dad set up ladder ball. ME found us, we relaxed and played some ladder ball as Mom and Dad took pictures. After listening to the pre race talk, we got into our wet suits, I greased up, and we all headed to the beach. They decided to start the swim 15 minutes early - and I should have known...

Mile 1 was pretty easy. I did pull way to the right (south), but had plenty of time to correct. Mile 1 was about 28 minutes.
Mile 2 wasn't too bad. I didn't want to go too quick, knowing I had 2.4 more to go. I stopped at the food boat, had a cracker, and went on my way.
Not exactly sure what happened next. I told Arin, Tammy and a few others - in all my experience, to stay to the left. Some how, I didn't and I started to fight the current and stay within the bridges. I threw up a few times and won't be having cran-raspberry clif blocks any more. It took me about an hour 10 minutes to get to mile 3.

Knowing I don't quit, I just kept saying to my self I am not a quitter, and to keep swimming. I adjusted my focus from swimming to the north bridge to angling the correct way to the south bridge. I went from breathing on my left to alternating to just my right. I counted pylons to know I was actually moving somewhere - even though the mile 4 buoy wasn't getting any closer. At one point I turned around behind me and saw a barge go by and I knew I was close to the end but I didn't look at my watch. I just kept swimming. The person in front of me grabbed a kayak. I saw the person behind me grab a kayak. I wasn't stopping until I had to.

What felt like forever, and the mile 4 buoy not getting closer - a kayak yell for my attention and it as over. 1 hour 16 minutes and I only made it another half mile. My day was over, about 3.5 miles, 3 hours and 22 minutes. I grabbed on to the kayak and were were shot out of the bridges like a cannon. I climbed onto one boat with 4 other swimmers. We were transferred to another boat with 4 others swimmers. 9 of us total.

Somethings I heard/learned on the boat and from others after the race

• Last year there were 20 people pulled, the year before 15. This race, over 100
  
• They misread the current by 2 hours
• One swimmer wouldn't stop and they sent the police after him.
  
• There were 2 other Ironmen on the boat
• There was 1 point where it looked like someone just turned on the current - straight south, and people looked like they were just swimming in place.
  

But all I could think about was my family, and how Arin did. As I pulled into the dock, I saw my mom and when I got off, I was so incredibly happy to hear Arin did great and finished in 2 hours 30 minutes. He beat the current and did awesome.

Unfortunately, I couldn't focus on that and just lost it. I was so mad, upset and shocked at not finishing. I wasn't even prepared to not finish - it wasn't even a thought. So my reaction wasn't my best when I saw Mom, Dad, Arin, ME, and Brooke. And Brooke brought cupcakes!!!

So now, a day later, I know it's not the end of the world. I did my best, and it just wasn't enough this time. All I can hope is that I do better, become stronger, and move on.

That Didn't Go As Planned...

Yup, not as planned...

So this is my first DNF. Not what I wanted, but I am grasping at straws to find some positive things that came out of this situation. Tomorrow I will try and post what happened - however right now I am just writing down my thoughts.

1. I didn't quit. I always say there are 2 options. I finish or I get pulled off the course. Today, I got pulled off the course after 3 hours and 22 minutes of trying to swim across the bay.

2. Sometimes it's not just mind over matter. If that was true, I would have finished.

3. My brother kicks a$$. He had am amazing swim and I am so happy for him. He needed it and I would have rather had it be we both finished, but I am SSSOOO glad he kicked so much Bay Swim Butt!

4. My family is incredible. Everything they have done for me - I can not express in words.

5. So are my friends. They are there awesome. They are there to give me a hugs, cupcakes, words I need to hear to put things in perspective, and just listen.

6. I didn't want the shirt anyway. This year's logo was ugly. Yes, someone said I could still get the finisher stuff - but no. I didn't finish and I don't want the finisher stuff.

7. Cardio wise, I was fine. Swimming wise/muscle/speed - not so much. 3600 yds doesn't cut it for a 4.4 mile swim.

8. Doing an Ironman 9 months ago does not mean you are still in shape.

9. Number 1 is very important. It means more to me than anything.

So this is what I can come up with. Most of my readers know I post a picture with all my posts - but today I just couldn't. It didn't seem right. Hopefully tomorrow.

P.S. Congrats to all the Eagleman 70.3 finishers!!!

I Am The Bay

Tomorrow is one of my favorite events. The Great Chesapeake Bay 4.4 Mile Swim. Am I ready - in some ways yes, others no.

I think I have the cardio endurance and I definitely have the experience (this is my 4th year). But right now, I do not have the swim confidence/ability/training. I can crank out 3600 yds in no time (well, about an hour and a half) I am just worried about having to more than double that in about 3 hours.

But, all I can do is my best. Arin is doing it for the first time and I am super excited for him. My parents are in town to witness the event and be a great support.

So, here are 2 of my favorite pictures from the event. It's a good reminder for my self that I can do this, I am the bay, 4.4 miles is nothing. HA!