WODS for Warriors: Nov. 16, 2013

Marathons, Triathlons and now I can add another thing to my list...CROSSFIT!!!! I started crossfit in June, because I decided I need a change and something different for a little bit. Am I done with Ironmans? No but just wanted to take a break for a few years and that's how all this crazy crossfit stuff came into play.
As soon as I tried crossfit back in June I fell in love with another sport. I have always enjoyed lifting weights but this brought it to a whole new level. And of course I can't do anything without just jumping right  in and going big =) So 4 months in I signed up for my first crossfit competition WODS for Warriors

Wow what an experience this was and I have sooo much to learn, but I glad I got my feet wet and did this competition.  This competition consisted of 3 WODs. This was how my day panned out.

WOD 1 - NATE
8 toes to rings (TTR)
8 handstand push ups (HSPU)
8 keddlebell swings 53lbs (KB)
Had to do as many rounds as you could in 10 mins.

My NATE score: 133
5 total rounds (120)+13 reps in my 6th round

I was feeling pretty excited and really wasn't nervous at all. I just wanted to do well for my first competition. I knew in this workout the HSPU would be the hardest part of more. My shoulders fatigue quickly on HSPU. Early on in the workout I started to get a little frustrated because a few times, the judge gave me no rep (that means I didn't do the move to standards and it didn't count) on some of my KB swings. Of course as well as I started to get tired I started struggling on my HSPUs as well and was getting no rep on those as well. All I could do was keep pushing and not give up and give it all I had and that I did. Given the no reps I got I still did better then any of the previous times I had done training this WOD. So overall I was happy until I saw that I was in 6th place after the first workout. Me being a competitive person I just would have liked to finish higher, but I was able to take a lot of things away from the first workout to improve on. I had to clear my head fast though and get ready for the second workout.

Waiting to go in for the first workout.

Doing the TTR

KB swings

WOD 2 - D.T.
5 rounds for time
    12 deadlifts
      9 hanging power cleans
      6 push jerks
all with 95 lbs

My D.T. time: 8:06

With only 1 workout done and in 6th place I knew this was going to be best workout out so I had to refocus fast and get ready for it.With me being in lane 7 I felt I had a slight advantage, because I could see all the girls I was up against and kind of keep track if I was ahead of them, on pace with them or behind them. I had a plan of attack for this workout and I knew I had to stick with it and I would be fine. I did just that and I had my best D.T. time I finished in 6:08 and finished 2nd in the workout!!! I was really happy with my performance in this WOD but I also gave it 150%  and I couldn't be anymore happier about it. With the second place finish in this WOD it brought me up to 3rd place!!! Oh and I didn't get a no rep =)

deadlift

push jerk

 After this is seriously the way I felt after the workout and I still had another one to go =(

exhausted

The one thing I was happy about though is that I had almost a 4 hour break before I was going to have to do the last WOD. So I took time to relax and try to recover as much as I could, because I was dreading the last WOD.

WOD 3 - BRIAN
2 rounds for time
    5 rope climbs 15' ascent
  25 backsquats with 115lbs

My BRIAN time: 7:49

I was feeling ready to get this last and final workout over with. Only really learn how to climb the rope efficiently a few weeks prior I was nervous and I just wanted to make it though and try to keep my 3rd place finish. I knew if I could make it through the rope climbs I would be fine on the backsquats. So on 3-2-1 I started climbing =) I made it through the first 3 ok and then I started to struggle but I wasn't going to let my self fall and have to try to climb again without going to the top and I made it through the first five now it was time to get my squat on and with breeze I got through my squats and then it was back to the ROPE. UGH!
All I can say is I struggle but I managed to get all 5 in again in the first try and then it was to do my best again to backsquat my way to stay in 3rd.  I did exactly that!!! I finished third!!! That is the good news, the bad news I was in a 3 way tie and so told us we had to do another workout to break the tie =(

I wasn't giving up!!!

backsquats

I gave it all I had and I really thought I was going to die right there and ended up in a 3 way tie

TIE BREAKER - FRAN
15 Thursters/pull-ups
12 Thursters/pull-ups
  9 Thursters/pull-ups
the order we finished would determine 3rd, 4th and 5th place
they left off the set of 21 reps thank God!!!

When I first heard this I was not happy at all my first competition and I did 3 WODs, I just wanted to be done and go home. =) Thanks to Autumn for getting my head back in the game I was ready to take on FRAN. All I can say is I gave it all I had and I was very very happy with myself and how I did in FRAN. I ended up losing 3rd place by 3 reps. Bummed yes I was but heck 4th place in my first competition I was excited about that. I could not have asked for a better day!!!

Getting ready to start FRAN

Pull ups

I took a lot away from this day. And I will never forget it and I can't Thanks Autumn enough for being by my side that day and coaching me through it all. And I can't thanks my husband enough for all he lets me do and supports me in it all! I still have a lot to learn but I am ready to take on the next challenge.

Thanks Autumn for all your help

A trophy carries dust. Memories last forever! 
-Mary Lou Retton

WOD = workout of the day

Age Group Sprint Nationals - Aug. 11, 2013

This is one race I would like to forget. With everything you do though, you can't have a prefect race and you have to learn from your mistakes. Also this is the time where I also found crossfit about a month before and just started spending more time in the gym then training for my race. When that happens you can't always expect a good race then when you don't prepare properly.
I remember this day clearly and the morning started early with setting up my transition and then have to wait a long time before my age group entered the water. As the wetsuits start to get zipped up and we are on deck waiting to get in the water, the race comes to a stop from letting people start. All the athletes in the water are allowed to continue on racing but they are not allowing anyone to start. As all the athletes are clear of the water coast guard boats, jet skis and paddle boards start combing the water. Come to find out they are missing someone and so they started looking in the water for the person. After 45 mins of looking they find out this athlete never entered the water but went over the timing mat that started his chip. Most importantly he is ok and safe, but thanks dude for never telling anyone and prolonging the race for us that haven't started yet. By this time a lot of the athletes are done racing or finishing up. Now almost an hour later then the planed start we are finally in the water and swimming! With the lack of swimming I did in my training I expected to struggle a little bit but not as bad as I did. I just hoped I was with the middle of the pack when I got out of the water.
SWIM: 17:51
Out of the water I was towards the end of the middle of the pack not where I wanted to be. Now I was going to have to fight harder on the bike to gain on the people in my age group. The course was hilly but nothing I thought I wasn't ready for. What I wasn't ready for was the wind =( It seemed ever direction you turned it was a headwind, but I kept pushing. With the bike being so short it's hard to gain time on it when it is your best leg. I did what I could but I knew my swim didn't help me at all.
BIKE: 37:57
When it was time for the run it started to drizzle and actually felt nice! I was hoping I could continue to try to chip away at people on the run, but my legs where not letting me. It seemed as I was running the people I past on the bike start passing me back on the run. Well I guess I went out to hard on the bike =( All I could do was continue to try to push and hope that I could still maybe fall as an alternate for Worlds. With about .2 left I had my eye on a girl in front of me and I did all I could to pass her and I did!!! I was happy about that but then but then learned I still didn't finish high enough to earn a spot on the World Team. I didn't even earn a spot as an alternate like I did last year.
RUN: 25:31
With that being said I was bummed and not happy about my performance. I know where I went wrong in my training and my racing and I can learn from it. Next year I'm coming back and I'll be ready.
TOTAL: 1:25:05

Finish Line 

I also got to meet an amazing Triathlete that I look up to. This was the highlight of my whole weekend 

Nashville Music City Sprint Triathlon July 28, 2013

Trying to play a little catch up so I will keep this one short and sweet.
Wow!! What a weekend this race was for me. With taking the year off from Ironmans I thought I would try to do some short distant racing which is not my favorite.
This was also the first time I have done this race but I enjoyed every min of it. The swim was cold and I was glad I decided to wear my wetsuit. Not only for the temp. but also give that extra little bit faster of a swim. =) Then it was off on the bike. The bike was enjoyable for me like also I found my rhythm and away I went. Since this race was a time trail start in the water and you didn't start with people in your age group I had no idea where I was in the race. With that being said I just kept pedaling away on the bike. Then came the ran and this is usually when I always fall behind in the race. Yes I am a runner but I am not your fastest. This run was a challenging one too. I went into the run not knowing a lot about it and as I started running, I started noticing it was hill after hill. UGH!! With this being said I kept telling myself it's only 3 miles and you keep going as hard as you can. I continued to push. This would be one of the reasons I hate short distant races, because it's not a slow steady pace that you are aiming for. You have to push your self faster and doing everything faster because it's so short, and I kept doing that!! I had an amazing race and was proud of my time and couldn't have asked for a better day.
The day did get better though!!! Without knowing where everyone else was in my age group to my surprise I finished FIRST!!! It was nice to have my parents there to cheer me on and see my first place finish!!!

Swim: 7:50
T1: 3:00
Bike: 44:12
T2: 1:49
Run: 25:53
Total: 1:22:42

Grandma's Marathon

Wow! It's been awhile since I have posted anything about races. So it's time to go back a few months to where I did grandma's marathon back in June. To start though I decided to take a year off from doing Ironmans and to focus spending more time with my husband =) With that being said I still am doing races and learning how to enjoy life outside of Ironman training. First thing I have realized is how much down time I have now. With that being said I did decide to sign up for Grandma's Marathon to get another state out of the way. This marathon would make state number 11!
Grandma's marathon is a point to point run along a lake and it was also a straight shot with really no turns. So 26.2 along one road made for a long run haha. The morning was cold somewhere in the 50's and extremely foggy. I have never ran in fog like that before and it was actually pretty neat. You could only see about a half mile in front of you. With the little training I did for this race those because I was dealing with an injury, I was really hoping to just finish. The race started out good I told myself I was going to run/walk the race like I did an Ironman Florida. I ran 4 mins. and walked 1 min and it was working out great. Right away though in the race my foot was hurting a lot, but it didn't stop me. I tried to focus on 4 mins at a time. Around mile 6 a guy noticed I was doing a run/walk and asked me about it. After talking to him for a while he decided to join me in the run/walk. At this point even though it was early on in the race still it was nice to have someone to talk to to help take my mind off the pain. He really helped me get through every mile with the pain I was in.
I believe it was around mile 20 I heard someone yell "Tracey" I looked over and there was Jordan (he was running it to) hunched over. I ran over to him and asked what was wrong. To keep things simple his calf's cramped up on him and he could barely walk. I was about about him finishing so I put all my focus on him and walked the rest of the race with him. We even at times had to stop. With it been so cold out and every now and then it started to drizzle I found something to wrap myself in to stay warm and continued to walk with Jordan. That was the longest 6 miles of my life =) We both made it to the finish line and Jordan's drive to still finish was amazing since he was barely able to walk. Most of all I am proud of him with never letting himself quit as we past every drop out zone they had. With that being said neither of us had our best race but we finished and have another state under our belt!

A little something I wanted to share with everyone.  When I was in FL I shared a condo with 4 other girls and 1 guy (Jay). Poor Jay got roped into being a Sherpa for 5 girls. So here is a peom he wrote from the eyes of a sherpa, being traped in a room with 5 girls. Hope you enjoy and get some laughs.

 

THE BALLAD OF AN IRONMAN SHERPA

 

After months of training, their day was here, But for a sherpa, a time to fear.

       

             As a warning . . . This tale may seem to be quite unreal, But hang with this group,

you’ll soon know the deal.

October 31st, the day we left for the feat, When the rest of the world all went Trick or Treat.

To Ironman Florida, in Panama City Beach, Where 17 hours is the mark you can't breach.

On the drive, every ache and pain felt through the year, Came back with a vengeance as the race, it was near.

We arrived at Boardwalk Resort, all in Room 6- 0 -0 - All so excited, stress running low - not!

 

There were signs on the walls and flowers in a vase, And mountains of food to get through the race.

See you must never look in the fridge of an Ironman freak, It would scare you to death, it's

not for the meek.

 

It was soon time for dinner, chose Hammerhead Fred’s. Came back at 8 - still late for bed.

 

Up the next morning for an early swimming gig - All walking past the mirrors thinking "Does my ass look big?"

 

It’s hard to believe what they next sought out to do, A 112 mile car ride just to see what they’d soon go through.

 

Then they came back and began to soak one by one. it’s what these people do, it’s what they do for fun?!?

 

Now time for dinner and they all started to cook. Something called quinoa - but it looked like gook.

 

They looked at the schedule to see where in the morn they must be, Upset when they realized the pancake breakfast would not be gluten free.

 

They started to pack their bags, a nerve-wracking chore, As their gear began to overtake the entire condo floor.

 

Green bags and red bags, yellow and blue, Bottles and tickets and still they were not through.

 

 Helmets and goggles and wet suits to find, And soon they were exhausted and began to unwind.

 

 Off to the pre race talk went the newbies like they’re supposed to do. When they left the others laughed so hard I think they turned blue.

 

Then another soak and then time for bed - They all seemed on edge, but I think it was dread.

 

The next morning, last minute supplies – to the nearest store, And Dunkin’ Donuts coffee was the sherpa’s next chore.

 

The girls thought about dinner - roasted chicken - their pick - Slow down, its only lunch, these girls are sick!

 

Then the girls started tossing their hair around all as a team. And talking about something they called Hoo Ha cream?

 

"I put it here, I put it there," is what they all did say. With this much estrogen flowing - stay out their way!

 

 Soon it was time to take the bikes and bags to the start. So they loaded down the Sherpa, like he was a baggage cart.

 

The newbies had their check lists - they went to the extreme. Their walls and doors were covered - crazy it did seem.!!

 

With not much sleep, they awoke; now time for the race, To conquer the course, all fears to face.

The day would consist of swim, bike and run, And yes, don't forget, they do this for fun.

 They endured the aches as well as the pain; they endured the wind, but thankfully no rain.

As I watched the race, waiting for the day to be through, I raised my cup of beer in a toast –

Now that ’s what smart people do.

 Everyone finished, they all crossed the line, with smiles and tears, happy with their time.

 

The night was tough, but there was one last chore, up at four for the finisher’s store.

 

The finishers entered at a fervent pace, Forgot their pain, this the real race.

 

You see, if you finish you HAVE to purchase the swag, whether a jacket or a shirt, even an Ironman rag.

 

As a Sherpa, you think you are finally through, When there is still one more job that you must do.

 

To massage their legs, yes, it’s quite insane, as they scream "It hurts good" ‘I can take the pain."

 

 To bed they go, their time away almost done. They all have their medals, they all have won.

 

See, it’s who they are, it’s part of their soul, to reach the finish, the ultimate goal, To struggle and fight, to do all they can, To hear the crowd cheer,

"You are an Ironman!"

 

By: Jay Bernath

The Race of my Life

Wow where to start, I had an amazing race and it all came together for me. Leading up to the race was another story though...

Wednesday morning it was Florida bound with a good friend of mine. When we arrived in FL is was time to get down to business. We registered right away to get everything we need. After we got settled in the condo it was time to get a bike ride and swim in. And this is where everything started going down hill. 5 of us girls decided to bike the run course to check it out. About 3 miles in my bike started to not break right and as I decided to break to stop to see what was going on all of a sudden my tire blew. This was a breaking point for me. In the past month I have had 3 flats and this bringing it to 4. I just couldn't believe this was happening. After 5 of us tried to change the tire we couldn't get it. For some reason neither of us could not get the tire over the rim. After almost 20 mins of trying some guy came out of his house to help. After he tried as well we didn't have any success and he offered me a ride back to the condo. To speed things up, when I got back I asked 4 different people for help and finally the 4th person was able to get the tire on the rim. At this point I thought my race that hasn't even started was over. I locked myself in my room and had a break down, because it I get a flat on the course there was no way I thought I could get the tire back on.  I was hoping to swim but with how long everything took with my bike it was just going to have to wait till Thursday morning.

Thursday it was up early and the wetsuits were on. Staring out at the water I knew this was not going to be good. There were about 20 of standing on the beach not believing the waves we were seeing. Well someone had to just go for it so I took off for the water and next thing I knew I was being smacked by waves and the current was not friendly either. After about 15-20 mins trying to get past the breakers this was the breaking point were I knew I was going to have to be ok with a bad race. As you can see things were just not in my favor but I was determined to push through and just go with whatever the day gave me on race day. The rest of the day was getting things ready to bring down to transition on Friday and look at my bike to see if I could figure out what was going on with my breaking that made my tire blow. After all that it was time to relax. And relax was exactly what I did and needed. I really had to refocus on my for Saturday and set different expectations based on the way things were going.

Friday the day before the race was a little busy in the morning and early afternoon. It was up early for a swim, the water was a lot calmer. It was then off for a bike ride to check things out one more time. The breaks were working good and I felt a little more comfortable. Then it was time for a short run.  It started to look like things were finally starting to turn around for me. I did one final check of my transition bags and my bike, then it was time to drop them off.

 Then it was time to relax for the rest of the day. I honestly think I could get use to this relaxing thing. ;) As the night approached I got my last min things together for the morning and tried to get some sleep.

IRONMAN FLORIDA
4am came fast but I was awake and ready for the day. 4:15 am it was time to head down to drop off the special needs bags and pump the tires. Being so close to the transition are and start line I was able to head back up to the room to relax for almost an hour before it was time to head down to the start. Jordan and my father-in-law stopped by the condo to wish me luck and walk down to the start line with me. With out my knowledge they arrived later then they had planned the night before, because they hit a deer while driving down. I'm just thankful that they are ok. (He was very sweet to not tell me before the race, so I didn't worry).
As we waited on the beach to go into the start area it was nice to see so many friendly faces. There were so many people there I knew to cheer a bunch of us on. It was finally time to get into the starting area and say my prayers and find my spot on the beach for the mass start. Based on the waves (which were not to bad) and current I tried to find where I wanted to be and waited for the gun.

The Swim
BANG the gun went off and instead of everyone running into the water we all took our time and worked our way past the breakers from walk. After that is was game on, the usual kick, hitting and pushing with people trying to get their place in the water.

The swim is a 2 loop swim, when you finish the first loop it is back onto the beach for a 100 yard run back down the beach then back into the water.  The first loop was very crowded and the once you got out into the ocean there were also so nice size waves. I just focused on myself found my stroke and just kept swimming. Coming back in was a lot easier then going out. You could use the waves and current to you advantage.  The second loop they made you get in the water and swim diagonally out to the buoy. Which made it a little hard with the breakers and current. At this point point were more spread out which was nice as well. As I started to make my way around the first turn buoy I started to feel a little sea sick. This is one thing I was hoping wouldn't happen. All I could think was swim faster and get out of the water. As Nemo would say "Just Keep Swimming" and that I did. I exited the water in 1:21. I just had my fastest Ironman swim!!!!

T1
Out of the water and to the wetsuit strippers then under the showers to rinse off and into T1 I went. I rinsed off enough just to get the salt water off my face. With that being said I was still covered in sand from getting my wetsuit off. Oh well nothing I could do now. I grabbed my bike bag ran into the  changing area, put on my bike gear then it was off on the bike.

The Bike
As I got on the bike I was noticing how much sand I still had on me. How well it was time to forget about the sand and get down in the aero position and pedal away. There is nothing exciting about this bike course. It was flat and all the trees and roads looked a like. All I could do was find a comfortable  pace on the bike and keep pedaling. There was definitely wind out there sand it seemed like every direction was a head wind, but it was doable. The only thing I could not believe we're all the penalties that where being handed out. Every penalty box I was was full of athletes. With that being said I had to focus on myself and just race my race. About mile 80 I was to that point where all I wanted to do was get off the bike. So pedaling I kept on.  As I started climbing up the bridge back to the coast I happened to look off my right and in the intercostal we're 2 dolphins. That put a huge smile on my face ( I love dolphins) and from that point I know I was going to have a great rest of the race if I could just pace myself. As I reaches the dismount area I glanced at my watch and I just saw I did a 5:55 bike!!!! My fast bike ever in a distance race.

T2
I passed my bike off to the volunteers and grabbed my run bag and into the changing area I went.  I put on my running stuff and off on the run I went.

The Run
As I ran out on the run there was Jordan and my father-in-law yelling and cheering my. As I started my run I already new I was going to be doing a 5:1 (5 min run, 1 min walk) doing this I was hoping I could keep a consistent pace. As I started adding up all my times I figured out what I needed to run to break 13 hours which was my goal that I kept to myself.  I knew I could do it after crunching numbers if I didn't fall a part on the run which has happened in my past two Ironmans. I knew my nutrition was was on point. Nothing compared to Wisconsin but there were a lot a people lining the roads partying cheering everyone one.  It really helped keep your mind off the pain and on the goal. I saw a lot of friends that were spectating out there and all their cheers were amazing and helpful. Half way through the run I saw Jordan and my father-in-law again and I stopped to talk to them for a seconds as I was talking to them Jordan said "babe if you do the same pace for 13 miles that you just did you will break 12:30." I looked at him, smiled and laughed a little and said "don't count on it" I knew I have paced myself well and I was feeling as good as I could for only having 13 miles left. As I took off running again all of a sudden Jordan ran up next to me a said "12:30" smiled and turned back around.

As I rounded another corner there were all my friends yelling and screaming for me and I won't forget Kate saying "Tracey you are having the racing of your life!!!!" From that point I knew I couldn't disappoint anyone. I was just happy that I was going to break 13 hours, but now I put more pressure on myself and set a new goal with 10 miles left. I had to break 12:30. As every mile went on I would recalculate my finish time with an estimated pace I knew I could hold and I was always a few minutes over 12:30, put I just kept on pushing forward. I started alternating chicken broth with my nutrition and  focused on the finish. With about 2 miles left I calculated it again and then I realized I could really break 12:30. I tried not to get over excited and stuck with my run/walk plan even though I was so close in. It was working so I just stuck with it. as I rounded the 2nd to last turn and I heard a familiar voice. My friend Kate who was spectating was walking to the finish line as I yelled her name she ran over and ran with me as saying nothing but encouraging words that once again will never be forgotten. As she slowed down to let me keep on running to the finish line I looked at my watch and I knew I did it. I had the finish shoot all to myself and enjoyed every minute of it, because I just had the RACE OF MY LIFE!!!!! I broke 12:30 which I never thought could have been possible.

As we walked back to the condo Jordan broke the news to me about hitting a deer. He was so sweet to not tell me about it so it wouldn't affect my race. We got to the condo relaxed and ate some pizza then it was back down to the finish line to cheer on some other friends finishing and watch the final finishers come in. Watching the final finishers cross the finish could be the best part of an Ironman,

Sunday was a day a relaxing on the beach and that is exactly what I did. Nothing was better then enjoying the beach and reflecting back on an amazing race that will never be forgotten. Since I decided to take 2013 off from ironman racing I couldn't;t be happier then ending on that note. I can't thank my husband enough for all the support he has giving the past two years while I trained for Ironmans. I can honestly say he is the best supporter anyone could have. With out his support I could never have done any of the Ironmans I have done. Not only do I have the best husband I have the most supportive family ever as well. I am truly blessed with amazing people in my life. I hope all my family and friends know that none of this could be possible with out there support and help. Even a simple text goes a long way. Thanks you all for being there for me and supporting me in my journeys so far. Even though I have no plans to do an Ironman next year doesn't mean that I won't be racing other races. =) Thanks again I have the most amazing supporters.

Ironman Florida
Swim:  1:21:20
T1:  7:40
Bike:  5:55:34
T2:  4:18
Run:  4:58:57
Total:  12:27:49

Sprint National Championships

 

What I was hoping to be a fun weekend of racing turned into a weekend of stress. All I could do is just keep pushing forward. It start out with not being able to fly into Burlington and had to find another place to get into that I could get out of as well because of the flight loads. I finally decided that Boston would be my best bet. I got into Boston no problem and enjoyed a 4 hour car ride to Burlington. Finally getting into Burlington around 2:30 pm I picked up my bike from Podium. Getting into Burlington later then what I wanted to there was a lot I wanted to get down that day so I could relax the day before the race. After a few adjustments on the bike, It was off to get into the water to get in a short swim. The water was nice and was not as hot as these GA lakes =) After a short swim it was off to pick up the packet and then time to drive the bike course. I am really glad I drove the bike course. The roads were really bad with lots of holes and a lot of sharp turns. It is a technical bike course so seeing it a head of time was really going to help.

The next day I was up early to ride the run course to see what it was like. I had to get an early start since the Olympic Distance was that day and I wanted to get down before they started their race. After seeing the race course I was really excited about it. It is a flat course except for one nasty hill right from the start. For the rest of the day it was just time to relax and cheer on my friends doing the Olympic distance. See them race was really getting me excited for Sunday!

Sunday couldn't come soon enough, but it was finally here. I was in a later wave start and my wave didn't go off till 8:24 but I was still up early to get down to transition to set everything up. Then it was back to my hotel to relax some more before I had to go to the start. Around 7:45 I finally headed down to the water and ran into a friend that was there cheering us on. I talked with her for a little and was also able to see 3 of my friends in earlier waves leave out on the bike! After that it was time ti focus and get myself ready for the race. Finally I was in the water and I did my normal prayer, and a few mins later the horn went off.

All I can really say about the swim is that I swam. I am by far not the best swimmer. Maybe one day I will get better, but until then I am your middle of the pack swimmer always getting hit and kicked. Because I am never a fan of the swim I try to stay away from everyone and just try to get to the end and that I did. Out of the swim and through transition I was out on the bike. This was the first time I was nervous about the bike. I know it's not ideal, but I really didn't have a choice I was racing on 808s instead of 404s. I was just hoping the wind wouldn't pick so I wouldn't get blown around and I could have a good ride.

I really had a great bike!!! I finally averaged 20 MPH on my bike in a race!!!! I just tried to relax on the bike and ride like I own it. I kept telling my self to just keeping push and never let up and that is what I did.  I also wanted to say thank to Allen for cheering me on up the hill that I started to slow down on. Coming back into town and making the final turn back into transition I was excited that I made it back with no flats and I didn't get blown over on the 808s. Coming into transition I was still feeling good and it was out on the run.

Leaving out of transition I started the run and there it was that "nasty" hill only .1 miles into the run. Just as you are trying to get your legs warmed up from coming off the bike it's like BAM hello hill! =) All I can say is I tried. I tried and tried to run up it but it was ether waste all my energy on the never ending hill or conserve some of my energy for later. Conserve some of my energy won. I walked about 1/4 of the hill. Finally up the hill the rest of the course was flat for the most part and it was time to find my groove. My groove didn't come as fast as I wanted it to. Finally around mile 2 I was finally feeling it and I was finally running the pace I wanted to.

An hour and 21 mins later I crossed the finish line having a really good race for myself. Even though I had a great race for myself, there were still a lot of girls faster then me in my age group. I knew this was going to be a tough race and one of the toughest Sprints I would race this year and that it was. Everyone was out for blood and everyone wanted to make the US Team. With that being said as of right now I didn't make the team. As much as I wanted to be on that team I am still happy with my performance and I know I still have a lot of work to do. As it stands right now there are 7 people that are in position to get a roll down spot if for some reason someone that did make the team doesn't want to go or can't go.  And guess what??? I am one of those 5!!!

So this is how it works. All of the people that made the team will get an email saying they made the team and they will have a few weeks to give a yes or no if they want to compete at Worlds next year on the US team. If someone says no, then they go down the line of the people in the role down position. So if I had to guess it could be about a month and I will know for sure if I get a chance to be a part of the US Team. Oh and did I mention that Worlds next year is in LONDON!!!! Let's see what happens.

I also want to say Thanks to Podium from bringing my bike up to Burlington and a very special thanks to Allen Heaton from all the work you did on my bike last min to make things work right, don't know what I would have done without him there. Also even though they were not there they are still my biggest cheerleaders and I couldn't do any of this with out the support of my husband and my family. I also have amazing friends that keep me going as well when I need it. I really truly believe I have the best support team one could ask for and amazing GOD that gives me the strength to be able to do all this.

Now that Nationals is done it's time to refocus and get ready for Ironman Florida in 2 1/2 months!!!!

Don't have any pictures yet from the race but once I get them I will post some here as well.