Reflections on 2013... Prepping for 2014!

As 2013 comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on my year in racing, and planning my schedule for the New Year.

My 2013 racing season began successfully as I PR'd at the 8K, 10K, 10 Mile, and Half Marathon distances. The season ended on a low, as I was disappointed in my performance in the 2013 Chicago Triathlon, as well as the 2013 Chicago Marathon.  

I did not successfully PR at these races (my real goals for the year), and I spent time beating myself over what went wrong:  Did I not train enough? Was I too cocky from my previous performances? Did I put too much pressure on myself?

(As you may have noticed, I neglected to post a race report form the Chicago Marathon, mostly due to my disappointment in the result. However, I can be proud of the fact I raised almost $1000 for the Anti-Cruelty Society.  Thank you supporters!)

After some reflection, I realized that circumstances outside of my control were at play (extreme heat during the Triathlon, and unusual stomach cramping during the Marathon), and I cannot let those unfortunate blips overshadow what was an amazing year for me.  I ran times that I have only dreamed about running again since high school in 2013 and I need to keep this momentum going to reach these goals in 2014!

Creating goals for the 2014 season has gotten me excited for the upcoming season, and reaffirmed my dedication to running and triathlons.

To hold myself accountable, my goals for 2014 are as follows (from least important to most important):

• PR (again) at the Shamrock Shuffle 8K - This is my favorite race of the year, and I love competing in it!
• Compete in an early season Sprint Triathlon (June-ish)  - I hope this will better prepare me for the Chicago Triathlon in August.
• Break 4:00 hrs in a Marathon - I am capable of this.  My time in the Big Ten 10K proved I was strong enough to be well under this time.  I am in the lottery for the New York City marathon.  If I don't receive a lottery spot, I will race Chicago again (assuming I can register in time), or Detroit: my first marathon (and PR to date).
• PR in the Chicago Triathlon - This is the real monkey on my back.  After my first year racing, I don't think I have performed to my potential (particularly in the run portion).  I have the strength and experience to break 3:00 hours.  I will this year.

Happy 2014!  I am looking forward to reaching all of these goals with you!

Stay tuned as I finalize my race schedule, and begin training for 2014!

I Go On Vacation....and RUN!

Only 16 more days until the Bank of America Chicago Marathon 2013!  And, only 16 more days to raise money for the Anti-Cruelty Society.

Since the Chicago Triathlon, I have turned my focus back to increasing mileage for the Marathon on October 13.  Two weeks ago I completed a 20 mile training run, the longest run of my plan!   

Last weekend, I was on the East Coast for vacation, and to attend a friend's wedding.  Even though I'm in the "taper phase" I needed to get some mileage in.

With Mark as my running partner, we decided to tour New York City via a long run. 

Our run started with the best fuel possible:  a New York City bagel!

Delicious!  We split it so we wouldn't get sick!

We found a running path along the Hudson River, to Battery Park.  This path was beautiful, as we soaked in the NYC skyline.  We finish to a sight of the Statue of Liberty:

Lady Liberty

 The East River also has a path ending in Battery Park, which we followed into Midtown.  I was determined to make it to Central Park. We only ran a mile in the park, but I can now cross off "running in Central Park" from my bucket list!

We look happy for having run 12 miles already!

 We walked to clean up and hit the town for the night.  Total distance covered during our NYC adventures:

I think the Garmin actually dropped some mileage, but not too bad for a long run while on Vacation!

Drinks at Chelsea Piers once we finished!

It was great to spend the vacation running around New York to see the highlights, as well as get my mileage in.  
 

Race Recap: The Lifetime Fitness Chicago Triathlon

This Sunday I raced my 4th consecutive Lifetime Fitness Chicago Triathlon.  This race is one that I look forward to every year, as it is one of the best organized events I participate in.  After 31 years, they should have it right!

The race has both the Sprint and International distances.  I have participated in the International distance (1.5K swim, 40K bike, 10K run) every year.  I was super excited for this race since my fitness has improved this year.  I was prepared to set a new PR in this race. I was not prepared for the 90+ degree temps that followed.
 
To accommodate both races, the transition area needs to be set up by 5:45 am (which meant I had a 4:00 am wake-up call!  Ugh!).  My swim wave didn't start until 9:04.  Luckily, my mom came into town with her SUV so I could sleep in the car before my wave. 

My transition bags with all of my gear.

 I set up my transition quickly, laying out my bike and running gear under my bike, and headed back to the car to nap for a few hours before my race.

My Transition set-up

Line of Triathletes awake at 5:00 am

Around 9:02 am I jumped into Monroe Harbor with the rest of the Wave 41 25-29 year old females.  The Chicago Triathlon sets off waves of approximately 200 people every 4 minutes.  The waves are based on your age group.  Unlike many other triathlons, at Chicago you start in the water from a tread.

The open water swim in triathlon is all about survival for me.  I learned in my first race, you will get kicked, elbowed, swam over, etc.  Its a part of the sport.

Swim Course

The swim felt like it went well, I exited the water under 35 minutes (my goal was to be under 34, so I was close).  I swam along the edges of the course, which gave me clean water, and kept me away from most of the other athletes.  The race has volunteers that lift the athletes out of the harbor.  I was greeted with a "Welcome Home!" as I was pulled to shore.

Peeling off my wetsuit, I ran to transition, changed into my bike gear, and set off on the bike.  I love the bike route for this race, as we ride 2 loops on blocked lanes on Lake Shore Drive.  There are some rolling hills, but limited turns, which makes for an easy ride.  I spent most of the time in my aero bars.

Bike Course

Around mile 18 I realized the race was not going to end well.  I had maintained around 19-20 mph on the bike, but had run out of Vitalyte and water.  With approximately 7 miles left to ride, and 6.2 left to run, this was not a position I wanted to be in.

Cruising down Lake Shore Drive

 

 

I finished the bike as best as I could (around 1:22, an 18.4 mph pace, far off of my target of 1:15 to 1:18).  I tried not to think about the heat, quickly changed into my running shoes, and started on the run.  I decided not to stress about time, but changed focus to finishing the race comfortably.

Run Course

The aid station set-up for the 10K was efficient, as a water/Gatorade station were located almost every half mile.  Every aid station had amazing volunteers, who were happy to dump water on every athlete, and were incredibly spirited in cheering for everyone. In the 92 degree temperatures, this was necessary.  

The Chicago Fire Department also set up a spray around the 3 mile/4 mile marks on the course, which was a pleasant relief from the heat.  

Unfortunately, after already suffering from dehydration from the bike ride, I was never able to quench my thirst.  I hit the 5k mark around 30 minutes (a 60 minute pace for a 10k) which was about 3 minutes slower then my original target.

The turn-around was approximately 3.5 miles into the run.  At this point, I started to feel nauseous.  I continued pushing through, but at mile 4 the unfortunate happened.  I threw up. 

The next 2.2 miles were painful, as I tried to focus on finishing the race.  I saw my mom and Mark at mile 5, but threw up again shortly after.  At mile 5.6 I reached the Shedd Aquarium and realized I was almost home free.  At this point, I decided to gut it out, and pushed to the finish. 

Finally finished.  I do not look happy.

My official time was 3:16:09.  Not my worst time at this race, but far from the sub 3:00 hour race I had on my mind.

My race splits.

 Although I was disappointed with the final result, I cannot wait until August, 2014 when I get another shot at this course!  The amazing volunteers, spectacular course, and perfect organization keep me coming back every year.

Putting on a happy face for the cameras