This is all I got!

Today was the Silicon Valley International Triathlon (formerly San Jose) and I was excited to be able to finally do this race after the past 3 Junes being in Coeur'd'Alene, Idaho at Ironman. This race venue is absolutely the perfect place to hold an event and the day promised to be good. Something was missing from my belly (like some fire!!!) this morning though and I fought to find it all morning. The swim was long, a lot longer than 1500m and the run to transition was even longer. (think one way traffic counter clockwise and I am clear on the other side) Onto the bike I was trying to just hold a certain pace and click off people but it wasn't happening. That and I wasn't overly agressive either. As horrible as this sounds because I wouldn't want to discourage anyone to not "tri" I couldn't stand the masses of newbies out there that could not ride a bike. The bike was long too according to my PT by 2 miles so therefore disappointment at my time.
But onto the run I went. Somehow, someway my legs always come back running and I was able to run a semi decent race. After last weekends 95 degrees, I opted to carry my hand held water and it was a hidden treasure. Couple sips, couple dumps on head is how those 6 miles played. As much as I like these shorter faster races, I much prefer to go longer at a slightly lower intensity. Now some more longer work I think is in store before the next Olympic in four weeks. YAY! Then a little marathon/sightseeing! Super sherpa Bill forgot to take pictures and the only one he got was before the race!

Today started at 3:30am

It has been 4 years since I competed in this series and I have missed it. The TBF series is so well run, the location is perfect(HOT) and the course is TOUGH. This is the first year I am not going to IMCDA and was anxious to do the series. I have never faired quite well at this distance and putting in lots of long miles and endurance based training doesn't really equate to a short fast race but I was willing to put my best foot forward. I have been working on my swim for the last year and can successfully say that the work is starting to pay off. First of all I never really quite grasped the whole "swim." But after letting the two girls do all the work in front of me today I had a nice ride and a 2+ minute PR on the swim alone. In the 8 or so times I have done this exact course I have never swam a different time. Except for today. It also helps to change your mindset. The old ladies (myself included) were the last wave of the day so I had nobody to worry about as we were going to be chasing everyone.

Onto the bike and it was already HOT. My goal was to just hurt. Push a pace I couldn't normally hold and keep it there. Take down every person that was in front of me. Worked like a charm. Had my best time ever in Olympic distance. Then the run. You know here's the thing. I can run and I look forward to running. But there is something that happens when you are running on single track, dusty dirt road and rocky trails and it is 95+ degrees. All I could do was run the each aid station with what I had, drink a cup and dump a cup. I didn't have a stellar run but it wasn't as bad as it could have been either. All in all a very good day. Just what I needed. And check out the new kit. Up next weekend, San Jose, where it is flat and fast and I know I can better this time today by a TON!

cheers-

ChChCha...Chia and Chchchchanges

Chia Seeds. Wow. I didn't realize they were so good for you until yesterday when I stood at Whole Foods listening to the bulk buyer sell someone on them. So, I jumped on that bandwagon and bought 5 lbs. (I know, I go to extremes) But, they are SO GOOD. Good for you and you can put them on everything. Think I am kidding? Ask Bill. For the past 24 hours I have been singing the chia pet song!

Maybe we can call them chia changes. Yes, if you haven't noticed by now. I am BACK! from the dead. It really only took me like 9 days to feel better but sometimes you need that time. I have returned. I have a better attitude, new goals (think a fire was lit under my buns??) and exciting opportunites. Because isn't that what training/racing/exercising/working out is anyways? One big opportunity? and you know what? I can't wait!