Spring Road Racing and a Duathlon!

This spring I did 4 road races a duathlon and they all get to share one blog post (because I am behind like ususal!).

Chick Chaser Awards

Up first was the Chick Chaser 5 miler in March.   I have done this race a couple times before and it's a total blast!  I didn't want to go too hard here because I had one more track meet to go the week after.  I settled into a fairly comfortable pace (after those 3000's on the track it felt so nice !).   My goal was to do the race in 32 minutes and average 4 min/ km.   I was a bit behind with one km to go so I kicked it in nice and quick to finish the race in 32 minutes and a fun second place prize too :)

Early in the race with Lindsay Winters (photo cred Jordan Bryden)

The next race was the Glencoe Icebreaker 10km at the end of March.  This is not a fast course with a good size hill and some false flats but I was feeling good from running track and really felt I could run 39 minutes on this course this year.   I went out waaay to fast, but it felt good so went with it.  I was doing this race with my training partner Willie and we stuck together for the first 3km and then he pulled ahead slightly.  I kept
him in my sights all the while thinking about my goal of 39 mins.  I caught back up to him around the 7km mark and the two of us worked really hard together ( and deeply in the pain cave) to try and hit our goals.   He edged ahead of me at the very end and I was thrilled to come away with a small PB and a time of 38:57. This also gave me 3rd place overall for the ladies!  It was a great race early season race for me!!!

Up next was the Calgary Police Half.  I was feeling really good going into this race and had set a goal to run it in 1:29 despite the tough course and uphill finish.  Off the start of the race I was running in 6th place and settled in behind Andrea Glover, a super speedy marathoner.  I kept her in my sights and passed a couple ladies to move into 4th around the 7km mark.  I was feeling really good at this point so decided to pick up the pace and try and catch up to Andrea.  I caught her around the 9km mark and settle in at her shoulder.   We caught second and first place and the two of us had moved into the lead around the 16km mark.  I was still feeling really good so at this point decided to stick on her shoulder and see what the rest of the race would bring.  With about 3 km to go a found myself a few steps ahead of her and decided to make my move at this point.  This is also around the time the course starts a climb to the finish.   I dug in and worked really  hard to not slow down in the final kms.  I was able to hold pace and win the ladies division of the race in a time of 1:27:57 just two seconds off my half marathon PR.  I was absolutely thrilled with this race!  Everything clicked.... you could call it a zen race!

Leoni, myself and Hillie after the race

I have some bad luck when it comes to my ankles.  I joke that I like to sprain my ankle every two years....   so this year was the year, and 6 days before the Sylvan Lake Sprint Du I sprained my ankle getting out of my truck....yup!  I'm that coordinated!   I gave it some good rest and did some swimming as pull only and some easy cycling when I could do that pain free.  I still really wanted to race at Sylvan Lake so I braced it up and decided to run the first run (only 3km), bike as hard as I could, and only run the second run if I had no pain.   The first run was pain free, I was up at the front with some younger guys, it felt great!   Up next was the bike and I put the hammer down and rode it pretty darn quick!  I avgerage 39km /hour over the 26km!  I got off the bike and went out on the run.   I passed two runners ahead of me from an earlier heat and realized I was in front of everyone, even the men!  I worked pretty hard in the last 2-3km of the run to hold the guys off and crossed the finish line in first overall!  So much fun and almost pain free :)

Just one week after the Syvlan Lake Du was the Calgary Marathon 10km.  This is a flat and fast course and was a PB for me last year.   I knew I was faster than last year based on my times from the Police Half and Glencoe so I set a pretty lofty goal of under 38:30.  I went out too fast (again) and may have burned my legs in the first km.  I struggled!  It might have been the effects of the du the week before had taken their toll or having had missed some key run workouts while the ankle was healing.  Either way my legs were not happy during this race.  I struggled to hold my goal pace and decided to modify my goal for a 39 min run.   I struggled to hold that pace as well.  It was a tough day for me and finished in a time of 39:18, good enough for 4th overall and first in  my age group.

And that catches me up to end of May!  Up next race reports from Wasa Lake and GWN!

Adventures in Track and Field

My son Liam runs track and field with the Airdrie Aces.  I really enjoyed watching him race in 2014 and often wished I had entered some of the masters events at the meets he went to.  So this winter....I went for it!  I returned to the track after almost 20 years.  My plan was to attend 3 meets, Golden Bear Open in Jan, Alberta Indoor Games in Feb, and Athletics Alberta Provincials in March and do the 3000m at each one.

I had some downtime in Nov/ Dec due to injury and illness so didn't have a ton of prep for the first meet.  I set a goal of 11:15 and felt comfortable I could achieve that.  They had the masters women run with the youth girls (grades 10 and 11).  When I toed the line the young gal next me asked me what my time was ( I remember asking other racers the same thing back when I was that age ).   I had a little laugh and told her I didn't know, I hadn't ran track in 20 years.   She kindly told me that anything under 12 was really good (again, I remember thinking the same thing at that age :)).  I went out with the leaders and quickly settled in second place behind a speedy gal from MAC Track.   I wasn't able to stay with her but ended up running 11:00.56 which I was really happy with.  Did I mention I those 11 minutes were some of the hardest racing I have done in awhile??   It was a much faster pace than I was used to!

After the first meet was done I got a little ambitious.  I looked up the masters records and saw for my age group the record was 10:47.  I figured that was a great goal to shoot for by March.   So my plan for the meet in Feb was to pace for 10:46 and try and hold on, knowing I had another shot in March.  Before this race I did an 800m speed work session just trying to hold 10:46 race pace and it was so hard!  In this race they put the masters women in with the Senior women (ages 19-34).  I got to race against the speedy triathlete and U of C dino Sarah McArthur.   I let her go and ran my own race, sitting in second the whole time.  With 3 laps to go I was right on pace so dug in and went for it and ended up finishing in 10:44.15 and getting the record.  Again, for me, so fast and sooooo hard!!!

1500m sprinting :)

After achieving my goal in Feb I got all crazy and decided to try a 1500m.....what was I thinking!   I never train at speeds that fast, literally!  If you had asked me to sprint 100m that's my 1500m race pace!  Again for this meet we were paired with the youth girls and after looking at the entry list I figured I needed to go out in 3rd spot.   I was a bit nervous of the start, it was a full heat and I hadn't ran anything as fast as a 1500m in a very long time.  I was right to be nervous because I got boxed out right away and found my self running the first 300m out in lanes 2 and 3.  I was finally able to get in behind the first two gals and settle on their heels.  It was at this point I realized I was literally sprinting!  Holy smokes!  I did my best to hold onto these girlies and stayed fairly close to them crossing the line in 4:56.22, 4 seconds faster than my goal of 5 minutes flat.  Did I mention how hard this was?  Definitely taking me to new levels in the pain cave.
The next day was the 3000m and after how hard the 10:44 was, and running the 1500m the day before, I definitely didn't have plans of setting a new PB.  I was in with the youth women again and was once again up with the speedy gal from MAC track.  I figured I would go out with her based on her previous seed time of 10:40.  Well she had other plans and went out way faster than a 10:40 pace....oooops.  As my son said she burned me.   I eventually let her go and held on for dear life and finished with a a new PB and record in 10:40.66.  I was thrilled to set a new PB!

My lessons learned from track and field as a 38 year old?  I am faster and fitter than I was when I ran track from 15-21.   I have defined new levels what it means to work hard in a race.   I know exactly how my son feels when I'm telling him to "pick it up in the middle".  It's not so great.   But, I loved it, it was a lot of fun and look forward to squeezing in some races in the outdoor season.

2014 Year in Review!

In 2015 my goal is to update my blog more....   we shall see!

Ok 2014....here we go!

Rock and Roll Arizona Marathon - January

Me barely upright post race, they had to get the car for me!

I was fit and ready to go for this race!  I'd put in some grueling long runs in a nasty winter, and some wicked interval sessions.  Most of them with the help of my training partner Willie.  This race went as perfectly as possible.  I was able to stay at my coach Angie's home, cook my pre-race supper and have a good night's sleep.  I got dropped off quite close to the race start and was warmed up, familiarized with the start area, etc and ready to roll.  The weather was perfect.  Low teens to start, high teens to finish.  My goal was 3:15 for this race but I also had a goal of rrunning as close to an equal split as possible.   So when I rolled through the half way mark in 1:36 I decided that I needed to aim higher than 3:15.  The muscle pain that hits you in the last quarter of a marathon started a bit earlier in this one than the last one, so I was worried that I had gone out too fast, but just focused on my technique and pacing.  The last few kms were quiet but I focused on the people that helped me along the way, held pace for the most part and passed quiet a few that were hitting the wall!  I crossed the line in 3:12:57, 2 minutes ahead of my goal and completely thrilled (and unable to walk, lol!)

Glencoe Icebreaker 10km April 2014

After the marathon I took some time off so this was my first post marathon test of fitness.  I felt fitter than previous years this time of year so knew I could likely set a course PR here.  Conditions were great and I finished in 40:20, a great time for me for April!

Calgary Police Half April 2014

Enjoying Florence, Italy with my girl Ayden

This race is a great prep for the upcoming half ironman race season so decided to do it again, despite the fact that I would be only 3 days home from a trip to Italy.  After eating a lot of cheese, chocolate, bread and salami/prosciutto I knew this race wouldn't be perfect....   The tough course didn't disappoint and the last 5km were so hard!  I finished in 1:31:13 just a few seconds slower than the year before so considering the travels and bad eating habits I was pretty happy with it!

Sweet award!

Sylvan Lake Sprint May 2014

This is one of my favorite tri's!  So well run and organized and awesome volunteers.   I didn't taper for this race and felt like it was an equal performance to the year before ( I was a minute faster than 2013, but didn't have race wheels in 2013 so call it even!).    A good indication that the season was off to a good start.  The swim and bike were strong and the run almost felt effortless!   My time was 1:16:21 ( a sprint with a 26km bike course).

Calgary Marathon 10km June 2014

This race was late add on.  I was planning on attending the race to support my athletes doing the half and full marathons so decided to throw in the 10km as I would be there anyways.  I went out pretty quick but discovered that it was feeling pretty great so decided to go for it.  Around the 5km mark I realized I was on my way to a new PB and quite possibly a sub 39 min 10km, which is a standard I never thought I would hit.  I dug in as hard as I could in the last 3 km and crossed the line in 38:58!  A new surprise PB!

Wasa Lake Triathlon June 2014

Hardest part of the race!  Winner's speech!

My run in Calgary gave me some great confidence going into the Wasa race.  I really wanted to do well here.  I was 3rd last year, and 5th the year before.  I was focused on swimming a strong swim leg, swimming hard from start to finish with no mental lapses.  Check!   On the bike my goal was to maintain the same effort start to finish.  I had a couple gals ahead of me and knew I had a couple fast gals behind me.  To my surprise I passed the ladies ahead of me and held off the ones behind me and went out onto the run in first.   I ran scared and hard.  I passed one of my teammates on the out and back course, around the 5km mark and he yelled at me that I was having the race of my life and to go for it.  It was at the point that I decided it was indeed possible for me to hold off the gals behind me and win this race.  The last 3kms were so hard but I was able to hold my pace and hold onto first and win at Wasa!  It was such a thrill to win such a competetive race and finish ahead of gals I have been chasing in past races!

Great White North Half July 2014

On the bike, thanks Ken Anderson for the pic!

The problem with exceeding your own expectations is that you start to put higher ones on yourself.  I was crazy nervous at the start of this race.  A flat tire in transition threw me for a loop but thankfully the ever supportive Marty was there to keep me calm and help me change it.

Hurting on the run!

I had set some pretty big goals for this race for myself.   My swim was great!  I found feet right away and was able to stay on feet almost the whole race.  I came out right around the time I wanted to and went out and had a great ride.  I was back and forth a couple times with Kelly-Lynne Marcott in the second half of the bike but was able to pass her in the last 8km and hold her off heading into T2 in fourth place.  I ran a hard half marathon in 1:33 (oh man did that hurt!) but wasn't able to move onto the podium.  Nonetheless I was thrilled with my final finish and time, a new PR is 4:32:44.  I was fourth overall female, but first amateur female.



Lake Chapparral Olympic Distance Aug 2014

Swim start!  That's speedy Kristina Schulz with no wetsuit. 

After GWN I took a full week off to recharge and
refocus on the upcoming age group world champs.
Part of this build was to do another OD race before Sept.    This was right in between the two races so was the perfect option.  All went well, I had a strong swim, stayed right on the feet of strong triathlete and swimmer Kristina Schulz.   I passed her early on in the bike and stayed in first for the rest of the race.  Went out on to the run feeling good but around 7km I started getting pain in my hamstring so pulled up and slowed down as I have history of pulling hamstrings :).    I was still able to hold onto first and good time as well.  2:12:52.


Grizzly 1500m open water swim, Aug 2014

The TTL gang post swim.

This was a late add on but was so glad I did it!  Such a great race /great atmosphere.  It was so much fun to do "just" the swim.  Not nearly as many nerves as for a tri!   It was 3 laps of a 500m loop.  By the time I hit the first buoy I had found myself swimming with another gal.   We seemed to trade lead off and on for the rest of the race (as we did the "beach run" and went around bouys) and as we rounded the final buoy we came out side by side and it was a race to the finish.  We both seemed to want to get the other and swam hard and straight to the finishing chute side by side for 200m.   As we hit the beach I was able to get a better line and out sprint her to the finish line.   So much fun to do a swim race like this!  I surprised myself by placing in the top 3 women overall and winning my age group.

ITU Age Group World Champs Sept 2014

Opening ceremonies

All the great races this year and all the great training had come down to this.  I knew if I raced well I had a good shot at the podium.  I'm not going to lie, I would have been disappointed with anything else.   I had several days in Edmonton to do some workouts and review the course.  The experience as a whole was so much fun.   From the opening ceremonies, to the team activities, to watching the elites and para-triathletes race, it was an experience like none other!   Race day came and the temps were cool!  I sought out a spot in the pavilion by the lake to stay warm.  There were alot of triathletes in there doing the same but I had headphones and tried to relax.   I put my wetsuit on in the building, went and checked my bag and joined my age group in the athlete area.   We were walked down to the lake by bagpipes, definitely sent chills and excitement through me.  We lined up in the corrals by the lake waiting our turn to go in.  I finally was able to see my family on the other side of the fence and I just started tearing up.  I was so happy to have my hubby and kids there to cheer me on!
We lined up and I chose a spot I had practiced on a couple days earlier.  I had a good start and was off quickly.  I swam most of the race on my own, in 4th or 5th place.   I came out of the water 5th, and passed one gal after the exit so I could cross to the other side of the chute to high 5 Leoni and Hillie who were hard to miss in their TTL gear.   I ended up passing another gal in transition but didn't know it.

First lap of the run course

 I had a very strong bike and thought I was in 5th for most of the ride, passing one gal and moving up to fourth.  In reality I had rode most of the ride in 3rd and the pass had put me in 2nd.  It was a crowded race course with other age group waves out there so very hard to know what place I was in.  I hit T2 in second, but thought I was 4th.   I passed the gal ahead of me just before we exited T2, now thinking I was 3rd (side note, everyone tracking me on the live results knew I was in first but me!).   I wanted a podium spot so badly so I ran so hard.   I had a good first lap and found another gear in me for the

The fam with swag :)

second lap and was able to run faster.   I crossed the finish line having left everything out on the course and happy that I snagged a world championship medal.  After I crossed the line there were no other ladies from my age group waiting and I wasn't sure what was going on.  The gal who won silver came across and told me that I won, and then the gal who won bronze came across and told me the same thing.  I didn't believe them until a race official pulled up the live results on his phone and showed me. This is right around the same time my family saw me on the other side of the fence and I broke into tears.   They waved me to to the exit and we just had the biggest group hug ever.
 I had done it!   I think I cried a few more times that day, running into other people who had supported me or chatting on the phone with people...  and the text messages and facebook posts.....  it was so overwhelming. Snagging the gold medal later that night at the closing ceremonies and holding up the Canadian flag is a memory I will never forget!

Claiming the gold for Canada!

Melissa's 10km Sept 2014

I took a week off after Worlds and then it back to a couple weeks of training to do Melissa's.  I had been having some hip pain so wasn't sure how that would go, but knew I was fit and set a goal of running this race in 39:00.   With the big hill I knew I would have my work cut out for me but wanted to give it a try.  I did have some pain in my hip for most of the race but nothing that I couldn't manage.  I had a quick first couple kms and then settled in to "effort" for the climb up the hill.  Once I crested I worked on making up a bit of time on the downhills and then running strong the final 5kms in town.  This run hurt (do I say this about all my races???)!  I managed a 39:07 which I was thrilled with!  It was a 2:05 course PR!  Good enough for 4th overall and 3rd in my age group.

After Melissa's I ramped up the training for Last Chance Half.  My hip was slowly getting better and the workouts were going really well!  I was excited at the chance (weather permitting) to have a PB day.  However, my body had other plans and I pulled my hamstring 4 days out from the race.  I celebrated the end of a good season with some chips and dip and a bottle of wine (together, I know....gross!).

On to 2015.....

2013 Races Part Two

So....just trying to catch up on recapping all my races and I seems I am over a year behind.   So here goes, a quick recap of the rest of 2013.

GWN July 2013

This was my first time at this race and it didn't disappoint.  There was a huge TTL crew there and this was a big part of why  my day went so well!  I swam, biked and ran well across the board.  Quads tried to cramp a bit on the run and I had to pull back at times, but other than that this race was near perfect.  Swim was 28:31 (according to sources around 150m too short), bike was 2:33:55 and run was 1:34:47 for a total time of 4:37:12.  When I crossed the finish line of this race I was bawling because I couldn't believe how fast I had gone!

Calgary 70.3 July 2013

After GWN I was pumped to do another half so signed up for this race right after.  This race also went so well!  Everything really clicked across the board.  Swim was a bit rough catching up to the men who had started 5 minutes ahead of us (got kicked a few times).  31:00.   Bike was 2:31:53 (a shorter course).  I had some trouble with a group that was drafting in the last 5km so elected to slow down rather than try and blow by a group of around 10 that were all "flirting with drafting".   You know the ones that stay just inside the draft zone, enough to get a benefit but not close enough to make it blatant.  Run was great 1:35:59 on a tough course.  Total time 4:38:52.  I was so excited by how well I did I claimed my 70.3 world's spot for Sept.

Calgary Women's Run Aug 2013

I didn't taper for this race, my legs were bagged but I still really wanted to go sub 40 on this course again.  Hung on for dear life and finished in 39:52 good enough for 4th overall and 3rd in my AG

Ironman 70.3 World Champs

I was just flat out disappointed with my performance at this race.  I can't pinpoint one thing as being the problem but the end result was I underperformed.  My swim was 2 minutes slower than normal and my swim typically doesn't fluctuate.  The bike was hard, lots of hills and heavy rain followed by heat made it tough.  Things fell apart on the run and I wasn't able to run to my ability at all.  Swim was 34:08, Bike 2:48:30, Run 1:42:46.  18th in my age group when I knew in my heart I should have been top 10, if not top 5.  I wanted redemption for this race.....   

Melissa's 10km Sept 2013

My plan for this race was to run a good pace to the hill, hold effort up the hill, cruise down and work really hard on the flats to finish.  I did this in a new course PR of 41:12 which on the day was good enough for 2nd overall and 1st in my age group.  Always fun to win some $$$

Last Chance Half Nov 2013

I wanted a PB at this race but mother nature dictated otherwise!  There was more than a few fresh centimeters of snow at this race making conditions tough for everyone.  On top of the fresh snow it was also quite cold.  Must have kept the fast gals home because my 1:31:04 in the snow was enough for 1st overall and $500 paycheck :)

An update of many races :)

Since San Antonio's tough half I have gotten in quite a few races. This blog is mostly for my own record of things so bear with me if you are reading for interest sake.


In February I did an indoor tri put on my the TNT youth tri club in Red Deer. Although I had been sick with a nasty case of influenza I really wanted to check this event out. It was really well run and alot of fun (despite wheezing and coughing). The short run hurt alot but the kids counting laps and handing out water were so quite uplifting! Definitely one to go back to!!

A couple weeks after the indoor tri I did the Crave Chick Chaser 5 miler. I was still feeling the effects of being sick so I treated this race like a training run (something I am not good at, but my wise coach asked me to find a way to define success for this race…so for me it was execution). I ran it at an even split, so found my own success there. Time was 34:07

In March I stayed indoors once more and competed in the Talisman center aquathon. This was a mass start 400m swim in a 50m pool in a triangle pattern and a 2km run on the indoor track. Despite feeling I was "behind" due to my illness last month I was pretty happy with the results. The swim was definitely slower than what I would do swimming normal laps but that's what you get when you turn around buoys like a bus :) Swim 6:32, Run 7:31.

At the very end of March I was slowed down by foot pain caused by a bunion. I changed shoes, taped, ultrasound, spend more time on the TM and was able to work through it. Although the nagging pain did last all through April and now (in July) I still get some days with discomfort but it’s holding up!

In April I tackled two road races. The Glencoe 10km and the Police Half Marathon. Glencoe was a good race despite very icy conditions from freezing rain the night before. I ran 40:50 which was :30 seconds slower than last year but given the conditions I was happy with that. I was 6th overall and 1st in my age group.

10 days before the Police Half I sprained my ankle. I did some resting, physio, massage, chiro, cold laser and by some kind of miracle I was able to race. My ankle did hurt a small amount coming down the hill into the weasel head flats but the pain went away after a few minutes and I was able to continue. This was a very tough course! I really struggled in the last 3-4km and my pace dropped each km. I had nothing left in the last 500m so I know I ran my best race on this day. Couldn’t have squeeked out another second! Finishing time was 1:31:08, 8th overall and 6th in my age group (speedy age group!!)

In May for the 4th year in a row I did the Sylvan Lake Sprint. I love doing this race, it’s so well run and a great way to open the tri racing season. I had a good swim 11:42, an okay bike (some technical issues with a rubbing tire)42:40 for 26kms and a solid run 21:47 for 5.3km or so. Total time was 1:17:26 which I was happy with especially after putting a good long ride a few days before.

In June I raced both Wasa Lake and Edmonton ITU. Wasa was a blast! I traveled with Marnie and we roomed with Chris at the Wasa Motel and Phil was also staying there as well as several other TTL’ers were in attendance so a great team event. My swim was ok there, I think I took a wider path than I should of, wasn’t able to get on any feet so swam the whole thing (which ended up being about 200m long) alone. Bike was phenomenal. It was my first ride with my new race wheels and I put them to the test! I may have overbiked slightly because the run HURT! Overall super happy with my day and new OD PR. Swim 26:13, Bike 1:05:01, Run 42:56, overall time 2:15:37. I was 3rd female overall and earned a paycheck!!

It was not my intent to race Edmonton but when they announced that Edmonton would host the worlds in 2014 and the 2013 race would have 8 qualifying spots I really wanted to go and earn my spot! I didn’t taper for this race but felt good and ready to go. Swim was good although I got a little beat up off the start and was kicked in the mouth. Bike was good, technical with lots of hills and corners. Run was absolutely outstanding. It went out and back four times so lots of people to see and cheer on. It felt so good and was so fast I was sure the course was short, but I was assured by the Garmin wearers that it wasn’t. Swim 22:16 ( a bit short ), Bike 1:07:25, Run 41:20, total time 2:14:48 ( another new OD pr, but….swim was short so not sure I want to count this one ) I was 4th overall and 1st in my age group and I am registered for World’s 2014!!!

That catches everything up….GWN gets it’s own race report!

The Race that wasn't really about the race....San Antonio Rock and Roll Half, Nov 11, 2012

I am not quite sure when we decided to do this race but at some point along the way I felt pretty sure I wanted to do another full marathon.  We had all signed up to do Melissa's Road Race in September and in my infite wisdom decided to the half marathon.  My coach, who is often (always) my senate ( you know, the sober second thought ) told me that I should do a zone build for the half mary and not "race" the race.  And, in my brilliance told her, "uh, that's not within my range of capabilities"...."I'm gonna race it".   Well, mistake #1.  The race was fine, but I promised I would be carefull with my recovery the week after so I would be ready for my next long run a week after the race.  Mistake #2 was running the Terry Fox Run 5km 4 days later with my pretty darn speedy 12 year old son.  Mistake #3 came later that day when deciding that my cross country running team had ran enough at the Terry Fox Run that we should play grounders and tag instead practicing.  Did you know when you play tag that you have sprint?  Yeah, not so smart.  Did something to my hip that day, and because of it made the decision to do the half marathon instead of the full.  I ended up running with pain up to and including the race in San Antonio (well, that was a long build up, wasn't it?).

So back to San Antonio....  I wasn't the only one in our group having troubles.  There were a couple other injury issues in our group and there was a definite feeling of uncertainty.  Wondering if we could finish the race, wondering if the whole race would be in pain.....  There was definitely alot of mixed feelings about this race.  But who can worry about racing when you are staying in town down San Antonio with your best friends and eat every meal on the riverwalk and walk past the Alamo 4 times a day??  We had the best times enjoying the city of San Antonio and especially the downtown area.  Absolute beautiful and it was so warm...you could tell who the Canadians were, wearing shorts in the 70's!

Despite all the fun, race morning came eventually.  I will sum this race up quite quickly, because, as the title suggests, the trip and time with the girls was (for me) the best part about this race.  My hip started to hurt 2 miles in, right after I realized the humidity was super high (it was low 20's but I was soaked by the first mile).   I held my goal pace for 5 miles then slowly, mile by mile, started slowing down.   I checked and rechecked my HR to see what was going on, and it was right up there.  I was definitely going as fast as I was able to on that day.  I finished the race more than 5 minutes slower than my personal best and 4 minutes slower than my goal time.  I'm not going to lie, I was disappointed at first.  It took me some time to take my own advice on races like this....I did the best I could do on this day.....

As it turns out,  the rest of the crew struggled in the hummidity.  In various turns there were deydration problems, pain from injuries, technical issues, bathroom issues, and an overall "slowness" due to the high humidity (even the locals were slower than normal).  But, there was also a couple negative splits, brilliant execution and mental toughness, and some amazing team work and support out there.  Lara and Marnie were there for Mel and Jen in more ways than one!  And despite being in pain from start to finish I think Lara was the only one that was "happy" with her race.   

Now after the race (after we dealt with two dehydrated teammates)????  Let's just say that there are a couple establishements on the riverwalk, Fogo de Chao and Dicks, that will never be the same after 5 post race crazy Canadian gals were done with them.  But that's not a story for this blog....   you will have to ask me :)

Another loooong overdue update! Calgary Women's Run August 2012

Was casually visting my own blog and realized I hadn't even written a race report for Calgary Women's Run at the end of August....so here goes!

I had some decent early 10kms and some good 10kms in tri's this year, so though I would take a shot at my 10km PR that I set waaaay back in my 20's, and that sub 40 minute 10km that eluded me all through my 20's (back before I was a triathlete when I was pounding the pavement 6x a week).

After recovering from Calgary 70.3 ( I was sick for a week after) I had a wicked 2 week run focus, a short taper and it was go time.  There was something special about this race...  in my 20's my husband Marty and my young kids accompanied me to all those 10km races and I came so close to sub 40 so many times, but never did get there (40:11 was my best).  When I told Marty was going for sub 40 at the Women's Run he told me that he and the kids would be there (keep in mind they are now 12 and 15 and an 8am 10km race is not all cool).  I felt so wonderfully supported but also so much pressure!!  I know it sounds strange, but in so many ways I wanted to do this for Marty and the kids, so knowing they would be there at the finish meant there was no wimping out in the last km!

I rode into the race with some girlfriends (which is amazing for calming my race nerves - thanks girls!) and Marty and the kids showed up right before the start.  Marty sent me a text during my warmup telling me to basically get it done and my time would be 39:41.
I never did see that text...  but they were there at the starting line and there for me 1km out from the finish.

I went out fast off the gun and had a really good first 5km ( a nice tailwind for sure ).  I hit the halfway mark at 19:17 so I was off to a good start (this is also a 5km pb!).  Usually in a 10km race I hit the "pain cave" around the 7km mark.  In this race as soon as I hit the 5km turnaround (it was an out and back) I was in the pain cave!  5 tough kms for sure.  I definitely slowed down after the turnaround around, but knew if I could hold the slightly slower pace I would be able to do it.  At 9km I was at 35:50.  I had 4 mins and 10 sec to get it done.  Marty and the kids were there and hollered and yelled and it was just the push I needed.  I dug deeper into that pain cave and pulled off a sub 4 min last km to cross the finish line in....  yeah you guessed...39:41.  Marty predicted to the second!

Firmly in the pain cave at 9km!

I turned around and started making my way back to where Marty and the kids were and they met me half way.  I was so excited to celebrate this personal victory.  I accomplished something that I had laid to bed years ago as being untouchable.  To do this, and have Marty and the kids there to cheer me was a pretty big moment for me.

This was my reaction when I came around the corner and saw my family (followed by very sweaty hugs!)

The story gets even better....  I had three of my Team Tri Life Athletes there with me, and all three of them also had personal best days!  Jen and Lara entered their own pain cave and set new 10km PB's and Cherra-Lynne who is a new runner, finished her 2nd ever 5km in a personal best time.  There was a lot of smiles followed up by a celebration lunch together.  Most definitely a day to remember :)

Just a little goofy over there on the left....nice work ladies!