KO KO KONA TIME

i guess no news is good news...life was really a bit frantic leading up to Ironman Lake Placid. I wasn't one of the two selected by Cadence to go but I already had secured my slot as I registered last year for the race. Coming out of Eagleman i was really beat up. I took some time to rest and I started to worry that perhaps i was losing fitness. i was doing intervals in the weeks prior to IM and I wasn't really sure if I was sharp enough to really hammer it in Placid. I didn't want to "test myself" and i decided to have faith that i was well prepared and to trust my taper.

well...it worked. Even with the hellish weather---raining so hard at times that i was nearly blinded.....i was able to pull through and go 11:01:03....good enough to go 4th in my AG and secure a slot to the big island!!!!!!!!!

just when i thought it was all over...i've got to go the distance again in October. Let the games begin!!

I'll post more later about my race but i just wanted to thank everyone that believed in me...and everyone that has followed along...

i am home safe and sound...dry and warm...sleepy..a bit swollen...and proud as hell.

ever do a half....on the equator?

well...apparently Cambridge, MD is located on the equator...and the tropic of cancer...and in the devil's bedroom...all wrapped into a big bundle of city on the sun. I was dreading writing this post as I wasn't sure where to even begin. Eagleman was a crumbling mess of sweltering body. It was a true test of guts and will. It sucked. I was really proud that I finished because for the first time in my racing career...i really didn't want to. I didn't want to continue because my body had ZERO interest. It wasn't functioning. My legs were locked. No matter how much water I drank--it simply wasn't enough. There was NO SHADE....they need to invest in some TREES in Cambridge. That meant simply no relief....just hot hot smoldering lava sun beating down on our poor vulnerable bodies. My wave didn't go off till close to 8AM so by the time I got to the run it was over 100 degrees with 90%humidity. I was sweating....like dripping down my face type of sweat...before i did ANYTHING!! Just standing and waiting for my wave to go off....sweating...

The water was like bathwater but i had to wear a wetsuit because as you know...i can't swim. HA. I ended up totally over heating in the water and found myself breathing to the same side every stroke....where typically i breath every three. Clearly this slowed me down as I had the slowest swim ever. This was a total mind Fu*k as i knew at that point that in those conditions I simply couldn't catch the pack...i knew my hope at qualifying was over just 40 min into tthe race. T1 was terrible....i dropped my bike...lost my chain...and couldn't get my damn wetsuit off. The bike wasn't much better....there were terrible winds out on the course that mirrored riding into a 2500 watt hairdryer. I couldn't get my speed up....didn't feel uncomfortable necessarily---just super hot and had trouble spinning my legs through the winds. The run was the real start of my nightmare...I felt okay going out of T2 but by the time i got to the first aid station i had to stop and shock my body by splashing ice water on me. I have NEVER stopped at an aid station. I proceeded to have to do this at EVERY aid station the whole way. Barely jogging from station to station ...stopping and drenching my body with ice water to get my core temp down. It worked for a minute ....or less....but then i was back into that terrible funk of nightmare hobbling. I simply couldn't acclimate. I was sweating harder than i have ever sweat and i just couldnt replace it fast enough. I am certain i need to take a look at my nutrition--because CLEARLY i was missing something....probably not enough SALT...and I forgot to pack ice packs and cold compresses in my fanny pack. :) the finish line wasn't really sweet...it was merely the end of a terrible journey. After several minutes of gathering myself...it became a bit sweeter--but only because i was really really proud of myself for sticking it out in those horrid conditions. Many people dropped out or did half the run. Finish time....5:26

Back to life now....took a LONG time to recover. My first day back was this past Saturday--went for a 2.5hr ride and a 30 min run. No pressure--just easy work. I was weak...i needed more time. I took sunday and monday off again and yesterday was my first "official" day back--rode for 2 hours and ran 40 min. Felt incredible. In fact, I had probably my strongest run ever--as far as HR in relation to speed. My body almost felt like it was robbed of a race and my legs were unleashing their capabilities. I am super glad that all went well because i was kind of dreading going back to training....thought maybe i took too much time off. It is true--rest is a blessing.

So I put hell behind me and plunge forward to IM LP. My volume is about to skyrocket and I am going into this event in hopefully the best shape of my life. I will post some EM photos as soon as i get them.....they arent pretty. ha. But they are beautiful to me as they are a simple reminder that you can do ANYTHING. If you fight like hell and you dont give up...you WILL hit that finish line. you WILL prevail because YOU decided YOU wanted to.

Keep your chin up and keep your training hard and smart. ITS TRI SEASON KIDS!!!!!!! YIPPPPEEEEEE

FYI VOTE TILL JUNE 15TH!!!!

Polls wont close until JUNE 15th so please dont forget to VOTE FOR WITTMAACK! :)

Memorial in the MASS!

Hey everyone!! Happy post Memorial day!! Sweet signs of great weather and sunshine!!! Hooorayyy!!! I went up to visit my buddy in Mass this weekend...outskirts of Boston. Just beautiful!! Got in some great training in prep for Eagleman in TWO weeks!!!! i can't believe how close it is!!!! Went up Thursday Eve and trained through Monday AM....at which point i drove back to Jersey to mom's place and ate myself into a sweet fat trance of Memorial justice. haha...it was perfect. Last good fat meal before i attempt to drop weight for Eman. Train heavy...race light. :) So Thursday I trained at Cadence in the AM-then drove up. Friday I got in a Run (just 30 min), bike (1 hr 30 min flat), swim (45 min). Saturday i did a race in the AM--duathlon--short and fast as hell...I'll revisit this--but 2m run 12m bike 2m run. Then I came back and rode an additional 40m hard with some great climbing. Sunday i got up and did the Boston Half Marathon--not hard-took it really easy. I ran it "bandito"...just hopped in the masses at the start. It was awesome!! SOOOO beautiful....the course and the weather. The weekend wasn't a lot of "volume" per say but it was a lot of quality and perfect for wrapping up a very intense training block. I'll start the taper this week-i think...gotta check my schedule. The duathlon on Sat was GREAT training and hard as HELL. I essentially red lined my HR for the entire duration. Mind you-I hate short course. It is SO hard for me as I am just not that speedy--like the kind of speedy you need to be to win those events. Either way-I had the fastest overall female bike split--my cyfac "cadence" (as she is called) is RIPPING fast. My run to follow suffered as I just couldn't keep my HR in check. I left T2 in second place and got passed in the last .20 mile by a girl who had a full 1 minute on me in her run split...in other words she was running over 30 seconds a mile faster than me in the second run...she was bound to catch me--as the run was only 2 miles. I just couldn't hang...i gave it EVERYTHING i had and I knew she was coming and making up ground but I just couldn't get to the finish line fast enough--my HR was like 210 and i was seeing spots and my mouth looked like a st. bernard. It sucks when you are passed in that state but she deserved the win. I ended up in 3rd place overall and lost to 2nd place by 6 seconds. the girl who won the race was running 5 min miles--i haven't seen that kind of speed....ever. But i smoked her bum on the bike.... :) Thanks to my Cyfac and my handy dandy computrainer training!!! :) Doesn't really matter though as she still won...takes some good sticks to run that fast.
Not nice to be back in dirty jersey but at least its Tuesday so we're almost to the halfway mark of the week! NICE! Monday's are always a treat to have off!! My training is going to be really reduced in volume and upped in quality. lets keep our fingers crossed that i have a successful taper and hopefully i'll see the lava beds of KONA at the finish line at Eagleman.

eagleman FULL SPEED AHEAD

so im recovered from the Devil.....didn't take long. Concentrating on getting ready for Eagleman. Laser focused. This week was my first real week back as last was used to flush any fatigue out from the race. I feel good. Im doing everything I am supposed to--i've SWAM EVERY DAY>>>>CAN YOU BELIEVE IT???!!!! I know i know...pigs do fly. But I made a commitment that I have to do everything I possibly can to get myself ready for this race....that means swimming every day. I've done a 180 on my diet...lots more water...MINIMAL caffeine-i was a diet pepsi junkie....and i'm making almost all my meals...lots of salmon, tuna, chicken breast and TONS of fruits and veggies...fresh fruit smoothies. I'm trying to get at least 8-9 hours of sleep when i can. I'm pretty sure I am right where I should be. Next week will probably be the most important building weeks to sharpen my speed. I may head up to Lake Placid with my buddy over memorial day to kick my butt and do some epic training. That would be my last set of monster sessions before I would move into the taper. I'll be ready.....it would be AMAZING to get my Kona slot at Eagleman....but I have to win my AG. Never know who shows up....we'll see. It would have to be a perfect day.

How are you all?? I am missing your comments!! Are you reading? Are you voting???? Please take a moment to vote for me! This is the year to go to KONA!! I need your support and your help!!!
PLEASE send an email to triathletemagcontest@gmail.com with the name WITTMAACK

Looks like the poles are open till Monday 5/19.

Thanks to everyone that is lending their support! It means so much.

VOTE VOTE VOTE

NO NO NOT FOR OFFICE!! The poles are open and I NEED YOUR HELP!! THE TIME HAS COME!! I need you all to send an email to triathletemagcontest@gmail.com with my name (WITTMAACK) as well as the name of another athlete of your choice. Cadence is sending 2 of us to race Lake Placid this year for a chance to qualify for KONA. Only 2 of the 6 of us get a chance to go! Without your help and your VOTE....i will be dropped from the CKC and will be void of the chance to win an all expense paid trip to KONA!!

Please believe in me...read my blog...read my Triathlete mag submissions....and in the spirit of spring and good will...CAST YOUR VOTE!!!

Hope to see you in Placid and keep you all posted on my journey!!

Dancin with the Devil.

HEY HEY! So this past weekend, I ran my first half ironman since Clearwater.....it was Devilman in NJ. I did this race mainly as a measure of my current fitness. My important races are Eagleman and Lake Placid. The race was tough....like really tough for me. They dont call it DEVILman for nothing. I never really felt like I could get in my groove. I never felt fluid or smooth. I felt flat. In fact I dont think I ever really felt good on the bike--my hip flexors and my arse and the rest of the one million muscle groups ached right off the bat. The winds were hellacial. They were relentless and never let up. It was great training-but certainly played with my head. Furthermore--this race was the poorest run event i think ive ever done. There was 1 bottle drop on the run...and if you missed it you were screwed!!!! You hit it 2x--mile 20 and 40. I just dont think that was fair. The run was the longest half ever!!! Probably because of the lack of mile markers...they were totally sporatic-mile 2 marked...mile 6...mile 8...very frustrating as you couldn't click off your splits. The aid stations were also pretty poor--only gel at a few and then just water and gatorade--No frills is one thing-but it was very hot out there and this was bad. I prepared to be able to hit an aid station at every mile and have a gel. Therefore--my lack of calories hurt me. Heres a little recap-

swim--well this has always been a real struggle. I have spent a lot of time in the endless pool and working with my coach on stroke imporovement. I felt pretty good in the water...other than the fact that it was like swimming in an oil tank. Gross is an understatement. I came out and clicked my watch--just over 31 min!!!!!!!!!!! wow i was pumped. My time on the books is 33 but thats because we had to run across a field before crossing the timing mat. As it turns out--i dont really believe that i swam that fast. The swim times for everyone were really fast--so either the course was short....or there were a lot of really great swimmers. Id like to think the latter is true.

t1--apparently i was blowdrying my hair and enjoying a mani/pedi. the longest t1 ever. im usually pretty quick....dont know what i was doing

bike--just sucked. achy. flat. WINDY. miserable. i wanted out of that saddle. i kept thinking i must have flat tires or something...i just couldn't get up to speed!! going out for the second loop i became a bit more focused on the task at hand--i passed a girl that has beaten me numerous times before which helped me keep my eye on the prize...as it turns out-i had the second fastest bike split (only a few seconds from 1st). ...so i can't be pissed at the time especially with the air force winds. clocked 2:31 but then again had to run a ways to the timing mat--so 2:33--still felt terrible and i know i can rip a MUCH faster split.

t2--i dont even know...i was just thrilled to be off the bike...

Run--i wanted to be done after the first mile. i was pissed the miles werent marked. i couldnt clock my splits and i stopped trying. it was hot and i was exhausted. I wanted more gel. i wanted cold water. i wanted a buffet and a good nights sleep. my mind was everywhere. i would be focused...then id lose it and start to think about how LONG the run was....how far i was from the finishline.i kept telling myself to just keep going. KEEP GOING>>>keep your eye on the prize.. it was hard. so hard. i was counting down the miles...counting down the minutes. I could see a woman in front of me but i just couldn't reel her in. To be honest--i couldn't even think about trying to reel her in...i was just too spent and the only thing that mattered was finishing.
time 1:39--i am really upset with this time...i am much faster than this...i just didn't have it.

Overall time 4:49:30 5th woman overall. (1st and 2nd place were Pros) i looked at my watch with a little less than 1 mile to go....i wanted to just get in under 4:50. It took everything in me to get there. I am proud of myself for sticking it through and not leaving anything on the course. There are no excuses or wandering thoughts of whether i could have gone harder here or there....i did what i could and i have to be pleased with that.

I met some great folks after the event--BIG shout outs to Tara, Jay, and Stephanie They were totally great and its soo cool to be recognized at an event for being a part of the CKC. I hope we can all keep in touch and see each other at future events. They crushed it out there and should be very proud of their performances.

Next up--Eagleman. Time to get focused and dial in on my training. Eagleman is a Kona qualifier. Game on...i gotta get sharp and i gotta get fast. Lets see how the next few weeks play out. Right now...i gotta recover. my body feels like crap. i need more sleep and a years worth of massage. Stay tuned! Keep reading...and keep your comments coming! i love to hear from you!!!

and remember to keep your eye on your prize!! Keep training hard! Keep focused! Keep up the good work! I can remember when i DREAMED of going sub 5 in a half. I remember when i went 4:45 and felt great. I can't believe that i can now go 4:49--and have a super crappy sluggish race. Its a testament to hard work. it means that if i have an amazing day-i can go 4:35-- just keep going -just keep dreaming--never quit and put one foot in front of the other.

Back from paradise...home to the concrete jungle

Swim course--Race morning.

Im baaaackkkkk to dirty jersey. Was at St. Anthony's this past weekend down in sunny beautiful St. Petersburg Florida. I went down Thursday and returned yesterday. I wasn't racing--went down to train and cheer on the athletes and my good friend, Alex--and his new girlfriend--yet to have a name--but an outstanding crotch rocket with a trade name of GURU. She is friggin hot...and for the first time i am certain that Jackson may have a new girlfriend. Although its a bit of a long distance relationship as she lives in Boston. For those of you that dont know--Jackson is my Cervelo....he is also the light of my life..the twinkle in my eye...and gives me butterflies like no man could. :) Hes been dating "Cadence"--my new beautiful Cyfac....appropriately named after the wonderful folks that helped me adopt her. Jackson and Cadence have been together for the past few months--but the "yet to be named" GURU is stealth about snagging his eye. Okay...enough strangely fun bike talk for now.

Anyway--I went down to get some great training in...and I did for sure!! The swim course was already set up on Thursday. The biking is great with wide open shoulders....the running is fab along the ocean. Typically when i go away to train...its pretty epic. however, I am racing next weekend so i didn't want to go too too crazy. Here is how the past few days have gone--

Thursday--arrived in the eve. I ran a hard 4 miles before i went. After I got there-I ran another 4 miles--fast--sub race pace for sure. TOTAL 8 miles

Friday--Rode 3 hours--from St. Petes to Clearwater Beach. It was hot and very very windy. There were times I couldnt get above 12 mph. It was great seeing clearwater again...i went around the circle and up over the memorial causeway where the 70.3 champs were held...ahhh fond memories. the wind was real bad though...great training in the elements.

Transition run-50 minutes. This was tough. It was very hot and I had no water. Again--great training.

Open water swim-35 minutes. I was exhausted and felt like a whale. its good to feel what that feels like when you are way the hell out in the chop of the ocean. you just keep on swimming.

Saturday-Ran hard. 60 min. 45 min at 6:30 pace. Did this on the treadmill as i wanted a controlled environment. Not such a bad idea as Craig Alexander got on the treadmill next to me. suh-weet!!

Rode-30 min

Got a 1 hour massage at expo

Open water swim 45 min

Got another 1 hour massage at expo (both by same guy--really great with deep tissue and trigger point)

Sunday--Race day....OH SO LONG!!! We were up at 4. Today was active recovery. I would have liked to get in some training...but there was just too much exciting stuff going on! The race was great....as you know-watching a race is no small potatoes!! I was running here and there and everywhere!! out on the course and around transition. SO FUN!! Alex did great!! 3rd in his AG. it was a very competitive field....im really proud of him.

Monday--Ran 40 minutes

Swam--in a BEAUTIFUL outdoor pool--40 min. I was tired. Pretty much a recovery swim.

Then i had to pack up ....grab lunch and head to the airport!

Today Im going to spin for 1:15 hours and do a 25 min transition run--EZ. Im tapering this week. I gotta rest and recover as Im racing the Devilman half IM this sunday. Im ready to kick some butt!!

Im pretty happy with the amount of training I got in--not a lot of hours-but an appropriate amount of quality intensity 1 week before a race.

I got some great pics from the awards ceremony. The mens field was won by Matt Reed followed by Potts, Bennett, and Alexander. The womens field was taken by Sara Haskings, Becca Wassner (a fellow CADENCE athlete!!!) miranda carafree and Sam Mcglone.

Funny story--i took sister Madonna Buder to dinner on Sunday night!! LOL...long story. i'll save it for next time! Here are some pics:

--The line up--Wassner left, Carfrea, McGlone, Lavalle, Dibbins in yellow on right

Haskins was at the podium speaking

---Alexander, Bennett, Potts Then Reed at far Right.

1st race 1st place 1st Overall win!!

well if this isn't a good sign for the season to come...i dont know what is!!!!!!!!!!!! Did a lil race this past Saturday. Called the Great Causeway Challenge--down at the Jersey shore. 30 mile bike and a 10k run. BEAUTIFUL day. I didn't taper obviously...just used it as a training run to get out there on the road and see how all this computrainer stuff has paid off.

well it has paid off. BIG TIME. I rode like a dude. it was awesome. In fact it was so awesome that i was scared that i wasnt going to be able to run. but.....i could. training pays off.

Here is a little race report..short and sweet.

Drove down to the race that morning. Had a bag of pretzels, two diet pepsis, and a tuna sandwich from the gas station. CLEARLY the cornerstone of all nutritious breakfasts. Oh i may have had a sugar free red bull too. The drive was an hour and a half. got there...registered. set up transition---sneakers and a hat. Start line was a mass bike start. was nervous as ive never done that before...my strategy---according to my buddy scott was to shoot off the front like a bat outta hell and ride as hard as i could to break away. i figured i would get mowed down by a zillion men...but i didnt AT ALL. in fact, i was right out in front. i was nervous again cause i was so far out in front that i thought maybe i was going too hard but i felt really good. i was maybe in 4th place overall...when the chase pack caught me. just a few guys....no worries. I rode as hard s i could for the 30 miles and i hung in the whole way. it was great! There wasnt another chic for a few miles. At the turn around the wind kicked in but i just took it down a gear and spun as fast as i could. I came into transition and moved as fast as i could out on to the run course. i didn't find my legs for 1.5 miles and there wasnt any water out there and it was hot. i was keeping a good pace though and just gave it everything i had. the course was kinda hilly in parts and i felt myself really starting to drag toward the end......i just needed to hang on for as long as i could. I did. i gave it everything i had.

Final time: 1:58:02 Splits: Bike: 1:14:56 (24 mph) Run 43:07 (6:58 pace) Now these times include my Transition time...not sure which split is comes from but i think from the bike as i dont recall coming in over a mat.....and i do remember running out over a mat. ???hmmm.... so maybe my bike was just a bit faster.

This time was good enough for a 10th place OVERALL finish. 1st overall female.
http://www.compuscore.com/cs2008/april/causebia.htm

i am also surprised at how depleted i felt after. damn i was sore that night and for sure sunday.

I have to give a big shout out to the GREEN BROOK RACING TEAM!!! SIMON JOE SIMON and the other men...they are just great!!!! thank you for following my blog and being so supportive and sweet. I look forward to kicking your asses in future events. OH and Joe...i let you beat me. :) Damn guy had 9 seconds on me....I decided to be gentle and not hammer his pride. :) just kidding Joe Pa. you had me...fair and square...i honestly couldnt catch you.

as for everything else...i am just so HAPPY it is racing season again! SOOO EXCITING!!!

I am going to ST Anthonys this weekend...to watch and train and support my friend Alex who is racing. I CANT WAIT!!! i need the sunshine and to beat myself up for the weekend. im going thursday to monday. YESSSSSS>>>>>i am going to ride and run and swim myself silly!!!!!

Tried out the new Zenith wetsuit in the endless pool today...shit that suit is fast. i was RIPPING IT!!!! i am pretty excited to race in it....hope it helps...i felt like my legs were hovering over the water....really nice feeling. we'll see!!

GAME ON!!!!

GAME ON!

Okay so a little training update. Ruts are good. This week has been crazy. I dont know where the hell this fitness has come from....but i am scared. haha. I just hope i am not getting ahead of myself. I am pounding out these silly workouts and recovering like a 12 year old. its weird. It goes to show you that time OFF is good. it gives your body a break. it allows you to break through to the next level. I am there. my cycling is scary. i feel so good ....i am so PUMPED to ride on the rode...i haven't gotten outside yet. Its still been cold and nasty...but when i get out there, i am really excited to see how this indoor work has paid off. I dont want to seem cocky-or self absorbed--please dont take it like that. I am just really happy that i have broken through. I was really bummed a few weeks ago...going through that winter rut--and i know you have been there-which is why i am writing about it. i hope that i can give you some hope--if you are there right now--please believe you will work through it. YOU WILL break through too. just keep at it and keep working hard and listen to your body.

Cycling is like my crack. haha. i just love it so much. i love the feeling you get when you feel strong. when you are doing intervals and hammering it out and sweating all over the place and your heart is pumping and i get goose bumps and i feel stronger and stronger with each interval and your cadence is high and you just close your eyes and see the road and see the finish line. i cant explain it. i am weird. i must be. i had this moment today in the heat of my cycling class....mid interval...at my LT...cranking...the music was pumping...and you look around the room and you are there with all these other people and everyone is struggling and sweating and panting and the sound of the wheels spinning on the trainers just resonates through the room and i am just so happy....smiling...singing in my head...rippin it. yes it is beautiful and i dont care if you think i am weird. i am really happy that i have something in my life like that. so many people dont. those moments that i get are what keeps me coming back. its so unexplainable. its like you just keep going because you cant stop. you cant stop until the interval is over. you have to go through it and suffer but its good suffering. i may be a masochist. haha.

oh well. yesterday was speed work on the treadmill. mile repeats. my workout was: 20 min ez warm up. 10 min--alternating every 30 seconds between a 6:30-7:00 pace. (8.5, 9.0) Then 6 x 1 mile repeats at 6:30 pace (9.0) with a full recovery between each repeat.--walk .25 mile or so. then a 10 min ez cool down. it was great.

swimming today went really well. i can say now that ive come a long long way. i am eager to race. i am eager to see what all this endless pool stuff has done for my time. even if my time isnt reduced--i KNOW that ill be more efficient....haha...at least thats what my coach says. lol

okay. i need a nap. thanks for reading. i am sad that i haven't heard from any of you. i feel like ive lost my supporters. please let me know you are still out there. it sucks not hearing from you. i want to know what you are all up to. i want to know how YOUR training is going. please let me know if i can help.

a cry for change

Here goes the paradigm of the “American way”. Graduate from college. Buy a black suit. Get your fancy schmansy resume compiled and contrived with your laundry list of “successful accomplishments”. Get hired by a big swinging corporation with lusty lures of benefit packages and stock options. Decisively spend the rest of your life continually updating your resume with your latest negligible accomplishments and corporate awards so that you may prolong your work for the corporate warlords that have zero appreciation for anything much more than funding the man above--who in turn funds the man above him. You continually invent excuses of why you can’t make it to the gym or why your “bad knee” prevents you from running. How you would love see those last 10lbs dissipate--as you chomp into a Krispy Kreme. How you would love to get back to skiing, playing the piano, or writing poetry, but you just can’t find the time in between your nightly sitcom reruns. How Tuesday comes and you say to yourself, “When I wake up tomorrow…I can say that the day after tomorrow is Friday!”. How you are living each day for your next day away from that office. How you only see your vision, your truth, and your passions in your dreams and in the traps of your mind. Every moment that slips away, those hopes collecting a bit more dust.

I have succumbed to the “American Way”. I have fallen captive. Thank heavens I have found my white flag now before I have lost too much. I have played the fence for some time now. In the eyes of the “men above”, I am the perfect soldier. I am a workhorse. Proactive. I am diligent. Confident. I blow out my sales numbers. I am a leader. I am professional and well put together. I am aggressive and far from obnoxious. My clients love me. I get the job done…well. I am attractive. Fit. Secure. Poignant.
So where in lies the problem?

I am checking my excitement at the door. I am stifling and suffocating. Shame on me. Dirty money is inanimate. To surrender your inner peace is hellacious. To deprive your zeal is corrupt.

I hate that damn black suit. And that blue one. It looks terrible over my tri shorts. My high heels feel like crap on my beautifully blistered feet. How dare I subject my calves to those horrid shoes after ripping 220 watts for nearly 2 hours. My blouses don’t hang very eloquently over my sports bra. Ponytails don’t work well in “Corporate America”. That’s 45 min less training…forfeited to a blow-dryer. The back seats of my Chrysler 300 are inked with chain grease. My trunk littered with cycling shoes, extra tri shorts, goggles, jugs of HEED….packets of Recoverite….and of course my signature cowboy hat and my pop-tent. God help me if my boss decides to come for a “ride in the field”. I’d have to come up with a real good doosie of an excuse as to why Tri gear has taken precedence over medical samples and hospital records. I abhor the dichotomy of it.

I find little solace in lending my brains, sharing my ideas, and teasing out solutions for a cause that I do not believe in. You have to believe. You have to believe in your cause. You have trust that there are many more “American Ways”. That cookie cutters come in a variety of shapes. That is the beauty of it. The freedom. The freedom to change. The freedom to pursue. There are those that lead the company and there are those that work for those leaders. If you invest yourself in an arena that you believe in; if you invest your convictions appropriately, then you will position yourself in nothing less than a position of leadership. If nothing else, you will simply lead by example.
I would like opportunity to embrace the ideas. I want to lend to the cause. I want to spread the word. Fuel is fire. I am in pursuance to ultimately touch the hands, to cultivate a foundation, to strategize and collaborate, to grow with fervor and dedication, and to execute and stretch the breath of my creativity.

“I have to remind myself that some birds aren't meant to be caged. Their feathers are just too bright. And when they fly away, the part of you that knows it was a sin to lock them up DOES rejoice”.
-The Shawshank Redemption

blessing in the Rut!!

So everyone tells you that time off...or unmotivated time ...is a blessing in disguise. That you can't just "hammer" all the time. My buddy Scott called me following my last post--He yelled at me in his thick jersey accent...."You are in a rut cause you just cant keep pushing it all the time...day in and day out!!! you face mental burn out!!!" I believe it but when you are going through that time-its hard to believe. So like my last post indicated--game is ON for Devilman on May4. I think I actually could be ready to race before then --after my training this weekend. I am shocked...and i guess the rut was a good thing. Friday-I Rode 42 miles on the trainer and Ran 11 (hard on the treadmill). I broke it up though into 2--a run (4) bike (42) run (7). I hammered the runs -negative splitting) and felt awesome!!! I finished the workout feeling amazing and my only hesitation was how i was going to feel saturday. Oddly enough, I felt great Sat. I ran to the ferry and took the ferry across the river to the west side highway--ran north to central park-ran 8 miles in the park then ran back. A total of just over 13 miles. My legs felt a bit numb after but after a good meal and some rest-felt fine. Sunday was going to be the true test. But once again, my training was solid! (30 min treadmill, 100 min trainer ride, 45 min treadmill, 30 min trainer ride) I felt great after and I feel great today--it is a recovery day and I will swim and do a short ez run. I am going to take some extra precautions this week as it will be first week back really loading on the training. Precautions meaning --extra sleep, good eating, extra water...etc. all the stuff we should be doing all the time!!

So i'll keep you posted as it unfolds. I am sad I haven't heard from anyone. Have all my wonderful supporters left me? what are you all doing? I want to hear from you!! i want to know what you are doing??!!

okay okay for real this time

Hey HEY!!! HELLLOOOOO!! wow...so i promised last time that i wouldnt be such a dork and wait so long to post. I fibbed. I promise i wont do it again. The truth is...i really have been busy. i know i know...we all are...but dont think for even think for one second that this blog hasn't plagued my mind!! haha..honestly i have felt SO guilty for not writing!! so what the heck is going on in my life....well.....are you ready for more truth???..here goes...i went through a RUT! haha...i think we all do. a training rut for a while! i was really having issues..not really motivational issues- but just tired! i am still searching for the root cause. i dont really care anymore because i did pull out...FINALLY! i was having trouble staying focused...i was tired...and all that spiraled into being mad at myself which doesn't help your training at all! i think if i was to put my finger on it...i would accuse my boyfriend. HA. seriously.....relationships and triathlon just dont work...or at least its a lot of work. he has no idea how much work it takes for me to balance him in my life. damn...i cant believe i am saying this! haha...poor guy! No but seriously--i give you married people CREDIT!! im not even married...just dating and im having issues. late nights...dinners where your calories arent watched...morning workouts--delayed!! no wonder i was in a rut...my whole schedule got messed up--let alone the stressors of personal life stuff just mounting up higher and higher!!
well i put my foot down this week and i took off two days to get caught up on everything!...including my blogging! The good news is this...a friendly reminder...if you are in a rut....you WILL pull through it. if you are reading this and you are in your preseason winter slump...make the change now!!! its not too late to get things back in order. everyone goes through it and even though you may feel like you will never get those lets back..the rest is probably a blessing in disguise and you will bounce back within a few workouts!

so now that we've established that...honestly nothing is too new. i am going to race Devilman on May 4th instead of this April 19 virgina race...that is too soon. my "rut" set me back. im just not ready to race in 2 weeks. no biggie-it is what it is. im going to post my workout plan leading up to the race...ill post it soon--it will give you some insight as to what im doing.

im eager for nice weather. i think i get seasonal depression --always hits me in march...i just cant wait for warmth!! i need to move out of the city...i need to go west. im in the midst of looking for a new gig...i would like to work in the industry--hopefully i'll get to relocate!! i need sunshine or mountains or both....tall buildings are ugly!! :)

so i promise that my posts are going to get more interesting...especially since we are really moving quickly into the season!! FINALLY!! I love it! ALL the hard winter work will finally start to pay off!!

So how are you all? I have missed you! Please let me know that you are still out there! Let me know how your training is going!! What are your races this season??

Okay bye bye for now...i promise this time ill be back soon!

here yeee! here yee!

hey hey!! so i am back from the sun and the sand and the just near perfect weather of Arizona and Florida!! Man has it been a whirlwind!! I was in AZ for work...and a bit of play...and then headed to Jacksonville, FL for the National Breast Cancer Marathon. So a few notes about the run....it is so well coordinated!! This was the first year they put it together--there were 7,000 runners between the half and the full and ALL the proceeds went towards breast cancer research. The course was just beautiful--winding all through these little towns and neighborhoods. there was a stretch of 4 miles on the beach!! not as tough as you think--packed sand--but it was HELL hot! like so hot and a bit windy--but the challenge was really enjoyable. The winds were on and off but because of the heat--they actually helped to keep you cool. Now mind you--I really didn't prep much to do this. My boyfriend is from Jax and was going back to run as it was a boston qualifier. I was initially going to "support" but Lord knows--i am not one to sit back and watch. I ran a 20 miler on the treadmill 2 weeks prior and it went really well. However, other than that-i had very little prep. Not to mention that the week prior, I was in AZ for work and my training surely suffered--lots of eating and drinking and corporate bologna. SOOO i got to Jville and had an amazing prep up to race day Sunday. Took a nice long HOT epsome (spelling?) salt bath....did a few pickups--ran 40min ez friday and 20 min ez sat both with some pickups. relaxed..massaged...ate well...hydrated hard. all the usual pre race rituals. Got up race morning and felt really good--peppy...ready...but kinda a different feeling as i am not used to rising to go run a marathon...or run anything long with "cold" legs. Gun went off and the race was on...I started up in front in the 3:10 pack....just to avoid having to run through a TON of peeps. I started off really ez...really ez. got passed by the 330 group and let them go but kept them in sight. i clocked the first mile at 8:25 or so. NICE...felt great...smiling...enjoying the weather. kept the 330 pack in sight and slowly reeled them in but never got too close. by mile 4ish i was right with them but running behind them. still felt amazing. mile 5 i hit the beach and ran on sand for a few miles...i felt really really good...high fivin peeps....but CONSTANTLY reminding myself to conserve energy--have fun but conserve. kept reminding myself to have good form and good posture. My nutrition plan was to hit every aid station. take a hammer gel at mile 5 then 10 then i had a 200 calorie bottle of heed and gel and enduralites (spelling?) and some other crap hammer makes--race day boost...antifatigue caps....liquid endurance...race caps...all mixed together in a large water bottle which i was to hold with me and drink through mile 20. another gel at 21 and then if i felt like shit i was to take anything i could to finish from then on out. I was also going to hit every aid station and keep away from the poweraids and gatoraids. I stuck to plan perfectly except i drank everything i could get my hands on at every aid station and kept myself as WET as possible to stay cool cause of the heat. (90 degrees with NO shade on the course) i was drinking blue crap...yellow crap...LOTS of water...then water on my head....in my face...people had sprinklers and hoses out...i was running through them ALL. haha..i was like a wet rat. there were folks handing out wet sponges at mile 11ish--i grabbed two and carried them the whole way. holding them helped to keep my shoulders relaxed and also by keeping them wet-i could keep cool. My HR goes really high when im hot. it all worked. I was running with the 330 pack the whole way and mile by mile someone would drop out. i still felt strong. by mile 18, i was all alone with the 330 pacer. we ran hard--banking minutes-trying to have reserves in case i needed them later on. The whole race comes down to those last 6 miles. By 21 i was moving...clocking 7:40s over and over. i felt like a rockstar...everyone was walking...EVERYONE. i was passing everyone. i almost thought maybe i went off course and that i was on the half marathon course with the walkers finishing....that was the case but i was stil on marathon course--they just overlapped at parts. by 24 i was in bad shape though. i hit the wall pretty hard after a steep causeway hill up onto a bridge. it was rough and i thanked god i had the banked minutes. However, even though i felt like total crap and i felt my legs werent moving at all--i still pulled a 7:51 for that mile. it must have been short-haha-at the end of 24 i saw my boyfriend in the distance--not looking well. :( i also saw a MAJOR uphill onto another MONSTER bridge. i didn't think i was going to make it...but seeing him really gave me strength...i pulled out of it to run up to him...passing him (and CRUSHING his ego--i feel TERRIBLE) and pushed as hard as i could...i think that mile was an 8:20 or so--not bad considering the hill. at the end of the bridge, i rounded the corner and i could see the finish line looming in the distance. i just closed my eyes and gutted it out. GOAL TIME: 3:30:00 FINISH TIME: 3:28:30. PLACE OVERALL: 46/1681 GENDER PLACE: 13/1041 (bummer cause i thought i was 7th haha) AGE GROUP PLACE: 2/109. Am I happy? I'm ectatic. If I can rip a sub 330 in Placid.....I've got a shot at doing some SERIOUS damage to my lovely competitors. I know that everyone is quick to tell you that running on fresh legs is different--and IT IS...but I've gotten the time in now...and i barely trained for a long course run this year. I've got more than 5 months to get my running sharp. Im confident i can have a repeat performance.
So how are you all doing? how is your training? how is your 2008? anyone interested in doing that half with me in april? dont be scared!! it'll be a jolly ole time!!

okay i think im done boring you with my marathon bore. it still isn't an ironman...although i thought often of my ironman race while running...how if i can gut it out for 11+ hours then 3.5 should be cake walk. although marathons are just not easy and its pretty amazing HOW MANY folks complete the distance. It is a true tribute to the human spirit and how powerful the mind can be. Macca said it so sweet--that point when your body goes one way and your mind goes the other...your body says STOP...i want to stop--this SUCKS! and your mind says ....NO WAY MATE! NO way...this is what you worked for...this is what you want. in pursuit. GO GET IT! Go get that dream. LIVE IT.

oh my where have i been??

i know i know....i am a terrrible person. i have been so blog lazy. BAD elizabeth...BAD BAD! i'm sorry to leave my trusty standby blog fans hanging from the woodwork. life has been a bit of a whirling tornado the last few weeks!! First I was traveling for work...then I got sick....like sick sick. oh man--my immune system was pissed at me. i was pretty leveled and for once in a long long time i told myself i needed to rest. and rest i did....nyquil and my bed and the story ends there. So when life throws you sickness--we as type A tri freaks immediately conclude that we have lost all fitness and that our lives are trashed. well I am here to change that school of thought. its amazing how life works. When i finally got over it--I eased back into training...2 days of relatively easy work....no pressure workouts if you will. i took it up a notch on the third day and by day 4 I felt stronger than I did before I was sick!!! ITS AMAZING how rest works. Literally i guess your body just gets sick to tell you it needs sleep and when you listen to it--its amazing what happens!! So since then--ive been back into it pretty hard. My swimming work has backed off--just because of the time off--but i will be back on it soon. I say soon--because i decided to run the Jacksonville marathon of Feb 17--so my focus over the last week has been on running and of course biking--although i have been in the water a few times-i wont lose everything i have gained there-and if i do, i am sure i can pick it right back up after the marathon. So the run--coming along!! i haven't prepared for a marathon at all--just figured my current base of fitness would take me through it. i am doing it because my friend is doing it and trying to qualify for boston...so rather than going to just watch him--i decided to go for a nice long run in the sun. i think it will be great just to be in the warm weather and run along the ocean!! plus--i am interested to see how i will do. I want to run a 330..nothing too aggressive. i ran a 345 in 2006 with very minimal prep and zero base of fitness so i think 15 minutes is pretty do-able. my goal is to run an IM marathon at 330 and since that is in 7 months--i figure if i can run it now with minimal prep then i can for sure do it in 7 months with a lot of prep. If i can do it--it will be a HUGE confidence booster. I did my first (and last haha) long run this past monday. my goal was 18 miles. the catch-i was going to run it on a treadmill. HAHAHAHAHA. yes, i was going to run 18 miles on a treadmill...2hours and 30 minutes. ez pace. and guess what...I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! not only did i do it--but i felt so good by mile 16 i took the pace up to 7:30 pace and negative split the last 2 miles...when the tmill stopped..i told it to GO F*CK itself and ran 2 more miles at 7:00 pace to make it an even 20 miles and oddly enough i felt great!! I RAN 20 MILES ON A TREADMILL....i felt like i could friggin conquer the world. i felt like i could do anything when i was done. it was just awesome. so needless to say, i think i am ready to do the marathon and kick some tail down in Jville. So what else....The bike...oh the bike...so that is coming along pretty solid. my LT is 220 and i am ready to take it up to 240 watts. Im going to try that tomorrow. it may not sound like a lot...but the classes at Cadence arent easy and you stay at your LT often for long periods of time...so i am proud of myself. I push more watts then most of the men in the class. again, its a nice confidence booster.

so how are your lives? how is your training going? I hope you are still cranking!! we are already in FEB so the excuse of "early season" isn't really valid anymore. :) My first race is April 19--I am going to do the Half in VA. Does anyone want to do it with me? we should get a whole group together and all meet up there! HOW COOL would that be??? A whole group of strangers all meeting up in person!! that would be great. i would love to meet you all!!! we could all go for dinner the night before. For those of you who dont want to do a half--there is an olympic the following day. I think the half is sat and the olympic is sunday. the name of the race is Kinetic half and its in VA. you can google it for the website. not sure what it is off the top of my head. any takers????

So i love the recent article written in triathlete--the point/counterpoint about whether it is appropriate to be cocky or not. if you haven't read it--go do so. its the issue with the Bennett's on the cover. i agree that it is important to believe you are the best if you want to win...winners never win if they dont believe. props to Brad culp--the writer. yes, there is a fine line between being rude and being bold....but i'll frequent that line any day....and if you dont like it--thats cool. cause at the end of the race, i'll wait for you at the finish line....after i cross it first. :)

what else what else.....i leave friday for arizona for work. i'll be there till 2/14 then i'll fly straight to Jax for the marathon. ill return 2/18. im going to try to blog a bit next week but dont hate me if i am not as on point as id like. I will be sure to be back on it with some worthwhile goodness once i get back!

oh and the "dude" that im dating. Hes not going anywhere. Props to you folks that do this IM training while you are in a relationship. it isn't easy. probably why i got sick...trying to balance to many things with too little sleep. But i'll take it. I'll manage. he's a keeper and i dont think ive ever said that before. (oh...and he doesn't read my blog cause its "firewalled" on his computer... great cuz i can gossip about him behind his back!! :) wow...does Elizabeth have a sensitive side? HAHA...i'm gonna get kicked in the ass for this one. :)

sexy sexy computrainer of joy.

Hey everyone. so its been a while. i know i know. last you heard i was pooped. then i crawled out of it. but now im pooped again. i know its because of these heavy loads on tuesday thursday and saturdays...i need to get more sleep and im not taking care of myself in that way. i started dating...HA...weird i know. they say that once you start that dating thing--your training goes down the tubes. i am very weary of this...and i haven't let it get in the way--but it is amazing how good you feel when you go out and have a few crazy nights on the town and not think about training. At least....that is what others say. I wouldn't really know... i seem to just never not think about training. even when i am in the heat of training--i am thinking about it or what the next session will be...or what im going to eat next so that i am sure to recover right so that i am good to go for the next big workout. Therefore...i am quite sure that this "dating thing" wont last very long. To a "non-triathlete" i would imagine i am boring as hell. HA. well sorta. i can pretend that i have other interests...but that wont last long. i guess i am just too in love...and its not with a man. So the reality is....is that dating is probably the reason that i am pooped. managing training long hours...work (when i go...haha)...life stuff (clean apt, laundry, groceries...you get my drift)...the last remaining minutes need to be spent sleeping and blogging (ha) and not cuddling up with some dude. (even though i think he is just great.) Geez...i hope he doesn't read this....although I know he would understand. either way--i wouldn't trade Tri for the world. it is something i choose to do. my choice. some say that Tri shouldn't identify you...it doesn't...i identify with it. living out my dream everyday....dreams dont happen when you sleep--remember??!!! Time is so very precious. Remember that statement..I will come back to it in a future blog. Training is going just amazing. Cadence is so PIMP. like for real--i may be the luckiest chic on the planet. I LOVE THE COMPUTRAINER. did i just say that? yes. i did. and I MEAN IT. i LOVE THE COMPUTRAINER> i may have just yelled that out my window for all to hear. Yes...there is totally something wrong with me. In fact, I remember when I got my first trainer. I got in the saddle and rode for like 5 hours. literally. My friend kept calling me and leaving joking messages on my voicemail..."you are probably still on your trainer....." the funny thing was that I was. I was alone in my NYC apt on my bike trainer at like midnight....fogged up windows....getting tickled pink over the sound of the rubber on the flywheel. i will never ever ever forget it. it was the greatest thing i have ever bought. I remember telling some of my tri friends that i got my first trainer...and how totally stoked i was...they were like "elizabeth....what the hell is wrong with you?" they haaaated the trainer. personally, I think its pretty hot. when was the last time you met a hot chic that drools over her bike trainer? HA. yes, i am pretty hot. HA! Back to the greatest trainer of all time...the computrainer!! I dont know why i love it so. is it that you can constantly monitor and push yourself? all your stats right there in front of you. setting wattage at different levels and forcing yourself so stay at that output. it is so damn hot. i LOVE the classes at cadence. i love being in a room with a bunch of sweaty men...and i am putting out more wattage than most of them. HAHA. its friggin hot. and i love sweat. i dont even like to turn on the fans cuz i love to just sweat all over the place. wow--i am gross. sorry to be so graphic but i know that some of you get what i mean. when i sweat... i feel like i am really alive. i love the feelings that you get when you go through the workout...sometimes you struggle but you keep cranking and you get through it...and sometimes the highest wattage feels so easy. UGH. i want to get back on the saddle right now. Yes i am sick. i must be. But that is the difference between me and most. I dont need motivation. ever. i just need someone to tell me what to do and i'll be damned if i dont do it. thats when you know about real confidence in yourself. when you can be told to do anything and you just go execute. when you just have no doubt. no doubt. that is what makes you win. lack of doubt. pursuit. All of these words are so connected.