SATURDAY, 05.09.09 This is what I sought to do just 13 weeks ago. My first ever triathlon. What did I learn? NEVER forget your transition bag in the hotel!!! I awoke (or maybe I didn't) at 5 am - calm as a cat. Braided my own hair, put on my bright blue "first triathlon matching outfit", slobbed on sunblock, pumped my tires and headed for breakfast with the team. At 6 am I enjoyed some bananas, bagels with cream cheese, and a cup of coffee of course. Together we left for Spruce Run State Park. We parked and I grabbed what I thought was "my transition bag." Not until Tom pointed it out to me did I notice I left all my damn gear at the Hampton Inn 6 miles away! I immediately called the hotel and spoke to Mike who found my bag. They arranged for Chris (a random triathlete who was racing) to find me, Joy # 437 in blue. To think of it, I really should've taken his phone number. I missed the team warm up swim at 7:30 am and on my way to find the porter potty, I found Chris - my savior of the day! I gave him the only thing I had to give, which was a smile, a hug and a sincere thank you. After putting on my wetsuit and some of Carey's popular body glide, I met up with the group in the sandy beach. It was a gloomy day with expected rain, but by the time I got to the beach to warm up on my own, I noticed the sun peering through. "Why hello sun!" I remember thinking while I practiced my spin turns and backstrokes. My family and KC arrived just in time to watch and hear the exciting count downs of the different waves. When it was Coach Jenn's turn to start, our team counted to 3 and chanted to cheer her on! She was the only female racing in the elite division! She carries a lot of traits to be admired. Not only is she very focused, she knows what she loves and isn't afraid to go after it. Right before her jump into the water, she scooped up a struggling bat in the middle of the shore just so it can have a chance to survive.
There was a warm sense of togetherness being in this team - for most of us we were sharing a first time experience. Being with this team made it that much more comforting. It was our turn. I remember dancing to the music that was playing and then suddenly startled by the horn that prompted everyone to charge into the water. I took a few seconds to let the avid swimmers attack the water then I ran in and went after it myself. I needed to pace because I estimated 30 minutes to complete my half mile swim. At one point I started to doubt my estimated time because swimming with a large group of people and continous sighting was tougher than I thought. I went off track a few times because I didn't sight as often - lesson here is to consistently sight after 4 or 5 strokes! I went on my back twice for a few seconds during my swim, greeting the sun again to help calm me down. Throughout my swim, I breathed during every stroke, but as soon as the end was near, I pushed it to every 4 - 5 strokes. When I got up, a familiar face popped up right next to me! It was Marianela! There was a smile on her face. She looked happy the swim was over as did I. We laughed and clocked in at exactly the same swim time: 24:01 minutes. Nice job, 6 minutes faster than I calculated. Transition 1: Took me 4.41 minutes? That's almost 3 minutes more than I expected! What did I do wrong? I didn't run to transition, I carefully packed my wet suit away, I cleaned my feet. Don't do what I did. I rolled my bike out of transition and started my 19.5 mile bike ride. I better pay attention to the pointers and signs. I was afraid to lose focus and wander off to a different street. There were many cops and volunteers who guided the path and stopped traffic. The course was hilly (not quite what they had described). I encountered some major hills but was never once discouraged. I reminded myself many times to *grip the floor* - I must not be comfortably cruising in this race. People passed each other very politely. I averaged 14.9 mph on this ride and had a max speed of at least 35 mph going downhill feathering my brakes. I can't believe Emily sped through 45 mph! This girl is fearless! Though the ride was tougher than I had expected, finishing in an 1 hour and 18 minutes, I enjoyed it. It was challenging like it was supposed to be. I was glad I rolled safely back into transition - without a scratch. Transition 2 was much faster than Transition 1. I clocked in at 1.13 minutes though really...to change to my sneakers and grab my racebelt should really have only taken 45 seconds! Note to self - hurry the hell up next time! =) Now the run. I was surprised I didn't once mentally or physically complain like I usually do quietly during training. =) I just went for it - 3.1 miles. It was definitely my support team who came to cheer me that boosted my energy. I did not digest any GU as was suggested by Coach Laura. This certainly help me not get any stomach cramps - either that or the adrenaline rush. The water station aids really helped me hydrate since during the bike ride I hesitated to drink water. During the last mile I bumped into Lindsay, an athlete who I met that morning. She was nice enough to tell me that I ran too far passed the cone! Whew! Lost a couple of seconds there - but geez Joy! Why are you in La La Land? In the last couple of meters, I noticed a guy run passed me. With one swift breath he quickly said to me "Let's go!" So, I decided to push myself and follow his faster pace. Between trees and around the bend we went, until I saw that balloon that said "FINISH." I shook the sweat off myself and went for it. It took me 29 minutes at an average of 9.4 minute mile to finish 3.1 mles. When I crossed that finish line, I took a leap, I cried, I hugged my dad, my mom, and finally KC. I was so happy they were there to see me finish. It was an experience of a lifetime and I can officially call myself a triathlete!
I've been a chicken baby all my life and the day I signed up for Team Chapstick I had no idea what lay ahead. I started writing this daily blog, documenting the physical, the mental, and yes even the emotional experiences. This blog helped me remember and realize the person that I am. I've been a catalyst for change - inspiring others to learn to swim, to buy a bike and even to start training for a triathlon! Looking back, I have accomplished alot for myself but the journey certainly doesn't end. I have more races this year, and I'm here to only get better. After analyzing the race results, I noticed that every second of every minute counts towards that finish line. Same with life and the choices that one makes. That minute you decide to commit is the same minute your life changes. CHEERS TO THAT!
Congrats Team for your commitment and job well done!
And thank you Coaches for your sincere dedication and support!
Friday, May 8, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
WEEK 13.0 - VISUALIZE
FRIDAY 05.08.09 My heart has been pounding fast and hard throughout the day. I guess now I can say I'm starting to feel nervous - where as yesterday I felt nothing. Today I will visualize my whole race. So far, I've been doing it in tid bits. Usually at the start, waiting for that horn, about to dive in for the water...Sometimes in transition, not knowing where to put my stuff and what to pick up....Other times worrying about eating the wrong thing at the wrong time and cramping up in my mid section. Where are the positive thoughts Joy? Race is tomorrow~ Get it together! Time to head to the gym for a full visualization. =)
THURSDAY 05.07.09 Carbo-load! I didn't know I was supposed to do this until Marianne gave me the idea. I watched the transition video which I found helpful. http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=1488&printer=1 I have yet to start visualizing my race. Instead of running on the treadmill today, I decided to run to my favorite store in the world, Lululemon! I got an email notifying me that their new line of triathlon wear just came in. I've been waiting months for this! I HAD TO GO! I blasted my iPod and ran about 30 blocks dodging the people out for lunch in NYC. I arrived there with my face dripping wet and my white office shirt soaked. =O Oh well. There was our huge Team Lipstick banner right in front of the 66th and 3rd avenue store. I tried on their swim line and triathlon outfits and gave some feedback on their first ever triathlon peices. Mainly that the smallest size it came in(size 4) was loose fitting. I love this store - I won't be surprised if I started working there one day. I bought the hottest Caribe colored halter ever and a two peice endurance swim wear in hot Pow pink! I walked out of there with a bag and with a smile. Coach Laura and Team Lipstick have been featured in Metro Sports Magazine! This is such exciting news! Team Lipstick is New York City's largest most successful all-female triathlon team! Today's transition practice was great. After a week of gloom and rain, the skies have cleared just in time for our 7 p.m. meet at the boat house. Many wore sexy tanks and new triathlon gear - myself included! We did a double paceline full loop warm up around the park. Met up at the transverse and imitated race day transitioning. I left my stuff in KC's car, so I didn't get to participate. Regardless, we did 5 harlem hill repeats on our bikes cutting off the 102nd street transverse. I was very careful of the wet roads going downhill and on turns. Right after we transitioned to our run around the harlem hill. During our briefing, Coach Laura explained race day rules and meet up times. As she was talking, I saw a slow moving, puffy creature walk and then stop a foot away from me. I looked down as this fat, furry, THING. And once it looked up at me, I SCREAMED, causing a chain reaction of screams from 20 other girly triathletes! I was afraid the racoon was going to take a bite off my leg, so I didn't know whether to run or stay steady! I remember quickly grabbing the sides the person next to me without looking, and I swear Marianela, I'm sorry if I grabbed a bit of your...ummm...you know. =X We were all hysterically laughing as the racoon decided to run off across the street. Then I heard more loud screams, followed by more laughter. It looks like more animals came to visit! This time they were two large, friendly labradors. What cuties! As Coach Laura started to wrap up our briefing, we witness a tall man in SBR attire crash on his bike right in front us! We heard him fall pretty badly. Coach Jenn rushed towards the man, who coincidentally was her friend Bobby. After picking him up, he and his new bike seemed okay. This morning his Facebook message read: Bobby Leong is incredibly embarrassed. Took a spill on my bike in front of 20 gorgeous female triathletes. Thought I died and gone to heaven when I looked up after the fall.
WEDNESDAY 05.06.09 I digested my second banana of the day while I stared up in space. In the gym, I somehow drowned out the lively music and loud people. Zoning out doesn't seem so bad. I was going to run with my shin guards today to see how it feels before my race but I ended up just sitting there, reading my book. WOW it's been almost a year since I've sat here and read. I miss it. After reading, I decided to do some serious stretching of my mind, my heart, my body and my soul. It felt good, but even after I felt like something was missing. Like I need a punching bag. I commuted with a heavy 3 loop bike rack and my large back pack earlier today. I thought it was going to tire me out but apparently I have a strong set of shoulders. Can you imagine an Asian girl carrying an overloaded backpack and a huge black garbage bag over her shoulders in the 6 train to Grand Central?
TUESDAY 05.05.09 I really like Coach Carlie Brown. Today she coached the team by herself and was very attentive to the class. At 6:30 am she's able to emit strong energy and maintain good sense of humor. One new thing we did was use the kick boards as bouys between our legs. A great drill to feel the resistance created by your hip rotation. I also attempted to do a summersault in the middle of the pool length without touching my feet to the ground. I don't particularly like being upside down on the ground and would be even more uncomfortable with it in the water - but I tried, and it didn't work. Oh well, I'll keep trying. Today Coach Carlie pointed out to me a couple of things. (1) My chin is too tucked and therefore my head is too low into the water - creating drag and resistence. (2) My left arm is not completing the pull in the water like my right arm is doing. (3) My fingers come up perpendicular to the water after my pull which shows that I'm not pulling the water. In 12 weeks of training no one has paid as close attention to my mistakes as Coach Carlie did this morning.
THURSDAY 05.07.09 Carbo-load! I didn't know I was supposed to do this until Marianne gave me the idea. I watched the transition video which I found helpful. http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=1488&printer=1 I have yet to start visualizing my race. Instead of running on the treadmill today, I decided to run to my favorite store in the world, Lululemon! I got an email notifying me that their new line of triathlon wear just came in. I've been waiting months for this! I HAD TO GO! I blasted my iPod and ran about 30 blocks dodging the people out for lunch in NYC. I arrived there with my face dripping wet and my white office shirt soaked. =O Oh well. There was our huge Team Lipstick banner right in front of the 66th and 3rd avenue store. I tried on their swim line and triathlon outfits and gave some feedback on their first ever triathlon peices. Mainly that the smallest size it came in(size 4) was loose fitting. I love this store - I won't be surprised if I started working there one day. I bought the hottest Caribe colored halter ever and a two peice endurance swim wear in hot Pow pink! I walked out of there with a bag and with a smile. Coach Laura and Team Lipstick have been featured in Metro Sports Magazine! This is such exciting news! Team Lipstick is New York City's largest most successful all-female triathlon team! Today's transition practice was great. After a week of gloom and rain, the skies have cleared just in time for our 7 p.m. meet at the boat house. Many wore sexy tanks and new triathlon gear - myself included! We did a double paceline full loop warm up around the park. Met up at the transverse and imitated race day transitioning. I left my stuff in KC's car, so I didn't get to participate. Regardless, we did 5 harlem hill repeats on our bikes cutting off the 102nd street transverse. I was very careful of the wet roads going downhill and on turns. Right after we transitioned to our run around the harlem hill. During our briefing, Coach Laura explained race day rules and meet up times. As she was talking, I saw a slow moving, puffy creature walk and then stop a foot away from me. I looked down as this fat, furry, THING. And once it looked up at me, I SCREAMED, causing a chain reaction of screams from 20 other girly triathletes! I was afraid the racoon was going to take a bite off my leg, so I didn't know whether to run or stay steady! I remember quickly grabbing the sides the person next to me without looking, and I swear Marianela, I'm sorry if I grabbed a bit of your...ummm...you know. =X We were all hysterically laughing as the racoon decided to run off across the street. Then I heard more loud screams, followed by more laughter. It looks like more animals came to visit! This time they were two large, friendly labradors. What cuties! As Coach Laura started to wrap up our briefing, we witness a tall man in SBR attire crash on his bike right in front us! We heard him fall pretty badly. Coach Jenn rushed towards the man, who coincidentally was her friend Bobby. After picking him up, he and his new bike seemed okay. This morning his Facebook message read: Bobby Leong is incredibly embarrassed. Took a spill on my bike in front of 20 gorgeous female triathletes. Thought I died and gone to heaven when I looked up after the fall.
WEDNESDAY 05.06.09 I digested my second banana of the day while I stared up in space. In the gym, I somehow drowned out the lively music and loud people. Zoning out doesn't seem so bad. I was going to run with my shin guards today to see how it feels before my race but I ended up just sitting there, reading my book. WOW it's been almost a year since I've sat here and read. I miss it. After reading, I decided to do some serious stretching of my mind, my heart, my body and my soul. It felt good, but even after I felt like something was missing. Like I need a punching bag. I commuted with a heavy 3 loop bike rack and my large back pack earlier today. I thought it was going to tire me out but apparently I have a strong set of shoulders. Can you imagine an Asian girl carrying an overloaded backpack and a huge black garbage bag over her shoulders in the 6 train to Grand Central?
TUESDAY 05.05.09 I really like Coach Carlie Brown. Today she coached the team by herself and was very attentive to the class. At 6:30 am she's able to emit strong energy and maintain good sense of humor. One new thing we did was use the kick boards as bouys between our legs. A great drill to feel the resistance created by your hip rotation. I also attempted to do a summersault in the middle of the pool length without touching my feet to the ground. I don't particularly like being upside down on the ground and would be even more uncomfortable with it in the water - but I tried, and it didn't work. Oh well, I'll keep trying. Today Coach Carlie pointed out to me a couple of things. (1) My chin is too tucked and therefore my head is too low into the water - creating drag and resistence. (2) My left arm is not completing the pull in the water like my right arm is doing. (3) My fingers come up perpendicular to the water after my pull which shows that I'm not pulling the water. In 12 weeks of training no one has paid as close attention to my mistakes as Coach Carlie did this morning.
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