ITU Chicago Triathlon

Well, I did it! I made it to the end and I had a smile on my face :) This was an experience I will cherish for quite some time! I participated in the ITU Chicago World Triathlon...on the same course (but shorter) as the pros! I am super excited to add this to my accomplishments. So, first I had to rack my bike a day early...WHAT?! And leave her in the rain?! Yep...so I did. It was strange, but she made it ok. 
                         

I decided to see a little of the downtown area while I was there and watch the female elite's compete on Saturday. MAN, they were in beast mode!! It was very motivating to see how fast and strong them were. So, I tried to remember this motivation when I prepared myself for the day ahead...

 

Here I am, ready for the swim portion of my race. On your marks, get ready, SWIM!!

Where's April?! This was another new one for me, a wet suit and wave start! But, I did my swim and in a decent time too, 18:02 for 800 yards. Next, I had to get out of this thing and get to transition for my bike portion...

                                  

                                  

Then, there was transition to begin the run. I was not prepared enough. I did not drink enough on the bike, and I was not well trained enough for the run. Here I am below trying to be positive at the end of it all!!

                                

I finished the 16 miles in 1:53:48 [1/2 a mile swim, 12.5 mile bike, and 3.1 mile run]. Remember, you can do what ever you set your mind to. You have it in you if you believe in yourself. I had a goal, and I accomplished it. I did not finish like I wanted to, but I did finish and to me, that is what matters!

I will be working hard on my run for the next one...which will be in D.C. on September 7th! I have already signed up! :) Here's to the next work out! Until then...

April

Ride Yellow 2014

So, here it was...my 3rd year to do the Ride Yellow event! This year, however, was only my second time to do the 37 mile loop! My goal was to complete it in 2:10:00, however...I took a bit longer.

Here I am pre-ride getting ready to head out! It was a great day for a ride :)

I did my best, and even though I got really tired, I did better than I had 2 years ago! I finished in 2:19:09 :) I averaged 15.7 mph with my fastest mile coming in at 2:34! I was going down a big hill! My slowest mile, however, was 5:55 :(. I was going up a big hill! 

Here I am in action! I don't look very professional...but I'm getting there!

In all, I am pleased with my performance. I missed my mark by 9:09, and beat my time from 2 years ago by 17:51! I'll take it! Here I am after the ride :) All smiles and happy to donate to such a great cause!

This is a great experience every year! I can't wait for 2015 :) Here's to the next workout! Until then...

April 

June 2014 Workouts

And here I am again...posting for an entire month because I am a slacker!! SO, after recovering from that horrible sinus infection, I got to it to continue training for the Chicago Triathlon scheduled for June 29th!! Here are my work outs up to then:

June 2: I had a great 600 yard swim today! I broke it up into 50s, 100s, and 200s. My total time for 600 yards was 11:05, which is a 1:54 per 100.

June 4: I did another 600 yard swim today. I broke up my swim again into 50s, 100s, and 200s. I did 600 yards in 11:14, which is still 1:54 per 100.

June 9: Today I did an 800 yard swim, the distance I will be swimming in Chicago. I did it in 16:15, with a 100 average of 2:00. I broke up into 50s, 100s, and 400 in the middle.  

June 11: Today I did another 800 yard swim. Again, I broke it up into 50s, 100s, and 600 in the middle. I did the 800 yards in 15:24 anda veraged 1:54 per 100.

June 14: Ride Yellow year 8! I will have a separate post on this event :)

June 16: I ran 1.80 miles around campus in 18:07, which is an average pace of 10:00 per mile. You can view my route here. I also walked 0.20 of a mile to complete 2 miles. I did this in 3:11, with a pace of 16:13. You can view that route here. 

June 18: Today I did a 900 yard swim. I did 900 yards in 18:07, which is 2:00 per 100 on average. I broke up the swim into 50s, 100s, and 650 in the middle. 

June 20: I ran 2.26 miles around campus in 22:42 with a pace of 10:02 per mile. Then, I walked 0.34 of a mile in 5:44 for an average pace of 17:03. I would show the route, but Garmin is not working properly and won't upload my workouts after June 18th!

June 23: Today I swam 850 yards in 17:59, which is an average pace of 2:07 per 100 yards. I did 50s and 700 in the middle. 

June 24: Today I ran 2.52 miles in 24:59, which is a pace pf 9:54 per mile. Then I walked 0.31 in 5:16, which is a pace of 16:59 per mile. Again, I do not have my route because it is stuck on my watch!

June 26: I had to get one last swim in before the Triathlon. Today my goal was to jump in and just start swimming, just like I would do on Sunday the 29th. So, I jumped in and swam 750 yards straight in 15:42. At this pace, I would finish the 800 in about 16:45. I was hoping for 16 flat, but a finish was a finish and if I completed it without stopping I would be happy!

June 29: Chicago Triathlon!! I will post separately for this event!

As you can see, I was very busy in June :) I am glad I got my energy back and was able to get some much needed swims in before the big day! Here's to the next workout! Until then!

April