Gasparilla Ultra Challenge 2016

I think this is how the conversation went...

Tammy: "Hey, you know what sounds like fun? A little 5K at the Gasparilla races in Tampa.
Kayla: "We should just go ahead and do the 8K, 15K, and half marathon, too...haha!"
Tammy: "Okay."

And that is how this crazy idea of 4 races in one weekend with 5 ladies got started. But by golly, we had a lot of fun.

Indiatlantic Triathlon

I had so much fun at Pinappleman Triathlon that I last minute registered for Indiatlantic Triathlon just three weeks later. And of course, I convinced Tammy to join me.

One of my favorite things about this race is the number of people that participate. It truly is your local, small town race. Maxing out at 300 people, you get plenty of space and time to set up your transition. Not to mention you get to practically park at the start/finish line for ease of unloading the car. This is also the race that is my fastest sprint time. So once I got set up, I was ready to race!

Recently, sharks have been all over the news. Shark spotting, sharks washing up on shore, and more importantly shark attacks. Including several on the Florida coast. Although I do most of my races in Florida, most of the swims are either in lakes or in the inter coastal (although it is the Ocean, it seems less scary since there is land on both sides). As I was standing on shore, I just kept saying, 'swim fast and the sharks won't get you.' In hindsight, that probably wasn't the best thing that I could have done. Sharks were on my mind and I was not in a good spot. About a third of the way I encountered a jelly fish. And you would have thought I was getting attacked by a shark. With the wrong mind set and the sudden sting, I freaked out. I ended up having to swim to a kayak, hold on, and cry it out. And by cry it out, I mean hysterically bawled my eyes out, while the volunteer didn't know what to do, other than continuously ask me if I want to quit. Well, no, I'm not quitting, I just needed to focus and get my act together. After taking forever to finish the rest of the swim, I got my head in the right place and was able to focus on another strong bike.

The bike goes over two Florida hills or causeways as non-Floridians call them. And since I was training in DC for the last couple of months, I was actually pretty ready to tackle them on. About 2 miles in to the course I hit my first one and raced up it. I passed some people and that gave me the boost I needed to push hard for a strong bike.

On to the run, I was on a mission. I know had a horribly slow swim, a solid bike, and was on to my bet with Tammy. I can never beat her overall but I'd been doing a lot of running (and she was still recovering from her back surgery), so we made a bet on the run - whoever ran the fastest was to be served a post race beer. And although the beer was free, bragging rights were on the line. Again, I figured that I would either run hard till I passed out or till I crossed that finish line. So I ran, I ran hard, and I finished before I passed out.

Seeing the results at the finish was a little heartbreaking for me. Yes! I beat Tammy on the run. But I took 4th in my age group. And I was only off by less than a minute. I was second fastest in T1, T2, and the run; and 3rd on the bike. But last on the swim. So after taking a second to pout, I realized the big races of the year had yet to come. So I drank my glorious, bragging rights beer and cheered on Tammy's podium finish.

Pinappleman Triathlon

Pinappleman Triathlon is one of my favorite races and of course, how could I miss it this year? But with my focus on 2 70.3 races and a full IronMan races this year, I was in a completely different training mode. But heck, I knew I was putting in the work, so worth still racing and having a good time.

Of course, racing with my best training partner always makes the day better. Tammy and I setting up transition for the day and rocking our new tri kits. #badassisbeautiful

They switched up the swim course this year and I swear it got longer...if it didn't I got way slower. I felt like I was swimming strong in the water but seeing my time was frustrating and confusing at the same time. So what do you do when you aren't performing well? Push harder. And that is what I did. On to the bike I was determined to make some moves and make up the time that I felt that I was behind, so I hammered out as hard as I could. I managed to have my best course ride by almost 5 minutes that day, which I was stoked about. But, it was an extremely hot day, so by the time I got to the run, I might have overdone it. The run is one of the best because it goes through a neighborhood and everyone comes out to cheer on the racers. Even with the heat and pushing hard on the bike, I managed to pull through a solid run for a good finish. I was actually 4 minutes slower than last year...I've learned this year that training for an IronMan and for a sprint are two very different things. In fact, I might have been slower, but I was way less tired than years past due to some of the longer workouts I've done. Maybe next year I will focus on sprints and getting some big PRs!

Post race celebrations!

I've Finally Arrived!

If you've been following me on twitter, you know that I have been working extra hard (biked 1305 miles, ran 765 miles, swam 82,700 meter , and lifted weights for over 23 hours in 6.5 months to be exact) on the #Road to Augusta and well, I've finally arrived!

After dealing with some challenges leading up to the race, I was nothing less than excited the entire week before hand. By Monday that week, I was already packing and preparing and couldn't shut up about Augusta. I know social media loved the way I flooded the pages with everything Augusta related.

Although I was extremely excited I knew that I was also very anxious, so I decided to make a mini road trip of heading to Augusta to help break things up. Thursday, we headed out early from work for a pit stop in Jacksonville and then a late night check-in into Savannah. This put us just two hours away on Friday morning to Augusta. After a leisure morning, brunch on the riverwalk, and some site seeing, everything hit. Literally in the middle of a store while shopping, I looked at Josh and told him "we needed to go". Not sure why, but I had the sudden urge to get to Augusta and be there right then. Lucky for me, he knows I am a little narcotic when it comes to races, so he obliged and we were on our way.

We arrived to Augusta just as my parents were also arriving. Perfect timing...or great instincts to leave Savannah as quickly as we did. Back in December, I got a tip from my friend Dave about hotel location and we were able to score a room that was walking distance to the expo, the swim start, and the finish line (score!). So as soon as we arrived, we headed to the expo for packet pick up to avoid the Saturday morning/afternoon rush (not that I knew there would be a rush, but my IM experienced father expected one and well, I just trust his judgement). Registration was a breeze, literally no line at all.  The moment we walked in, my heart sank...in a good way. It finally felt real. Just two years ago I couldn't even swim, just 16 months ago I did my first triathlon, and just three years ago I couldn't even imagine being in good enough shape to do any one sport of a 70.3 by itself. But here I was and I was so ready for the experience.

IM photo at the expo with my mom. She somehow was super calm this day and but was also super excited to be competing in her first 70.3. In fact, it was my dad's first IM 70.3. Yes, he has done like 12 IMs, a double iron distance, and 3 half iron distances; but never and IM 70.3. So it was a cool family moment.

More pictures. I mean honestly can you have enough?

My dad on the left and Dave on the right. Throughout the process and training for Augusta, both these guys have been super helpful and encouraging. My dad has given endless training advise and wisdom and Dave has kept me accountable for long weekend rides and making me push harder and faster. It was great for the two of them to meet.

Back to being a little narcotic about racing; turns out my father is the same (must be genetic) and neither of us like to do things last minute. Which means we usually show up early than necessary or the second transition opens. As you can see, we were at transition so early on Saturday to rack out bikes, the place was nearly empty. But with our bikes in place, the only things I needed to do was breathe, eat, breathe, stay calm (I hear breathing helps with this), breathe, and rest. Oh, and breathe some more.

And then there was time for more photos. Here is me, mom, and dad; all ready for the day ahead of us.  After racking our bikes, I ran through both T1 and T2 to mentally prepare what I needed to do the next day. Following this we walked back to the hotel and then had dinner. The afternoon seemed to fly by but my restlessness that evening definitely slowed the evening down a bunch.

Just like that, race morning was here. The weather that day was great perfect. Low 70s in the morning and mid 80s mid-day with great cloud coverage. However, the water was only 68, so it was definitely a wetsuit kind of day. My mom and dad started the race at 7:48a and 8:00a, respectively; yet, I wasn't starting till 9:00a, so they were suited up and ready to go before me. Snapped a great photo (I had only cried once before this photo), wished them luck, and then I was stuck thinking about the race for the next hour.





It is funny that no matter how many times I swim or prove I can go the distance, I still freak out a bunch before entering the water. This day was no different. As I got in line and with the group of girls in my wave, the tears just started streaming down my face. Josh tried to comfort me as much as possible but I think that is just my way of dealing with all the anxiety and excitement. As we approached the dock my heart sank...in a bad way. Then everyone just jumped in the water and started swimming. I panicked and thought I missed the gun. Nope, just I missed that the start line was not the dock, it was some imaginary line about 25 yards out.  Not wanting to be left behind, I jumped in. Something about just getting in the water changed me completely. I stopped crying and the anxiety disappeared. I was in race mode!

I had heard that the race had a strong current, but to be honest I couldn't see the water moving so I assumed I would finish the swim in about an hour.  Once I was actually moving along, I felt great and all the nerves just became excitement. I focused on smooth strokes and not time. Although I underestimated the power of the current and finished in 38:16, I think there is a ton of room for improvement.  Although a way better time than I expected; the slow, smooth strokes were more like an easy swim day not a race swim day and I know that I could have pushed a little harder. None the less, you learn something new at every new race...so next year beware.

 

With a swim time like that, I was pumped and ready for the bike. I don't have another race of this distance to compare T1 to, it felt like I hustled though and clocked in at 6:08 and headed for the 56 mile ride.  I didn't use the new bike since I didn't get a chance to use it before hand, but the Trek had just come from the shop and was ready to roll. 

Never in a bad mood while racing and finally saw the camera on this course to capture a rocking, happy photo. Just after this photo, I had some complications with the bike. Given the time I had to take off before the race, I didn't get a chance to ride the bike before the race and after I got it from the shop. Turns out it wasn't really fixed. I might have had to stop twice to try and look at it myself, twice to talk to a tech, and twice to replace the chain. True story. But that is neither here nor there (and it gives me a huge opportunity to PR the bike course next year). What matters is that no matter how many times I stopped or had issues, nothing could get me down that day. I was there to have a good time and a good time is what was had. Even when I found myself getting frustrated that I could only use two gears to make it up the hills, I was reminded that hard work and good health conquer races like these. And even if I was the last one off the bike, I still had the run and the right attitude to make time up.  It was a very slow 4:01:37 and way slower than I would have predicted. T2 was 5:34 and I took a potty break, so faster than the first go around.

The run is always my favorite part and if this photo doesn't show how much I like this part and how much I enjoyed the race as a whole, I don't know what else would.

My favorite spectator, Josh, snapped a bunch of photos as I did the run. Augusta has such a spectator friendly course that I was able to see him like five or six times in the thirteen miles. I was also able to see others that came to cheer me on (and my dad who killed the race and finished before I even started the run...did I mention he also showered and changed clothes? He is fast!).  It was an awesome reminder how great the athletes and spectators are and I hope they know how much I appreciate their support (thank you Josh, Anetta, and Alex for cheering me on)! And thank you for everyone cheering me on from home ('Coach Tammy, Heather, Melanie, Kristen and everyone I missed). It was too cool to get done with the race and see that my facebook and twitter feeds were loaded with messages of support, pictures of my progress, and endless comments.  Now back to the run...again, a little (okay maybe a lot) slower than I expected. My legs were shot from powering up the hills on limited gears, so although I ran the whole thing (with the exception of aid stations), I ran slow.  I guess, that just gave me more time to enjoy the best part. I talked with so many athletes out there and was so impressed with the positive spirit that they brought and the encouragement they gave. My total run time was 2:32:46.

What a great first 70.3 race. I officially crossed the finish line at 7:24:21. I wish I got a better finisher photo, but at about an quarter mile to the finish I passed my husband, mom, and dad all cheering me on and I just balled like a baby. Not little tears. Like the 'ugly cry that is uncontrollable that you aren't suppose to do in public' cry. I guess my first instincts were to hide my face. None the less the crying wasn't because of my 30 minutes slower than anticipated time, it was out of pure joy and amazement.

I won, I won (in Ralph Wiggum voice).  Finished my first 70.3 and looked good doing it. What more could a girl ask for? A 140.6? Details to come...

Ice Blocks

The start of the race, Ocala Hits Triathlon, was delayed to wait for the sun to rise; not sure if they wanted the sun for the light it would provide or for the potential heat it would provide.  Waiting on the shore that morning, the air was 52 degrees and the water was 64, I noted that doing a triathlon in March may be too early in the season...even in Florida.  This was the first race of the season and the kick off for my official "Road to Augusta 70.3."  I was, as usual, nervous.  Super nervous in fact.  I always doubt myself when it comes to the swim. And even with a few open water swims for the season (at Lucky's Lake), I was still nervous about the 750 meter swim.  Most sprints are only 400 meters.

Pre-race nerves setting in. Trying not to freeze, cry, or quit.

Coach Tammy giving me a prep talk.  Still dying inside here.

And we are off!  Yes, I am one of the people still running at that point.  I am always confused to when the right time to start swimming is, when the water is barely waist deep.  But eventually I had to start swimming.  And that I did.  When it comes to open water, I am hesitant to just "swim." I know that sounds strange, but I constantly check my watch, stop to breath "extra," and worry about people around me.  So my goal was to worry little about time and focus on only looking up to site.  I did stop a few times, but my swim felt good...

But when I saw my time, I was mad...I was really mad.  This is me stomping and pouting my way out of the water cause I was 3 minutes slower than what I wanted.  For a brief moment, I was questioning why I even wanted to do a tri. I spend several hours a week in the gym, I give up some social time, I give up sleep, I give up my weekends...for what?  To get up at 4am on a Saturday, drive to another city, freeze my booty off, stand among people thought to be crazy by their friends, and swim a crappy time after all that hard work...EEERRRRRR.

But, I would at least finish.  Let's be honest, the race shirt was pretty cool; and you can't wear it unless you finish.  So get it together; run through transition, strip the wet suit, grab the helmet, and hop on the bike is exactly what I did. I wasn't much happier on the bike for the first mile or two.  I was wet and cold and pissed...really pissed.  But then, that anger turned into something glorious, strength.  I reminded myself, that just because my swim was weak, didn't mean that my bike or run had to be weak; strong mind = strong legs.  I repeated that mantra in my head over and over and over.  All of a sudden, I was having fun again.  Hauling butt out there and taking names.  Before I knew it, I was back at transition and ready to rock the run.

The combination of wet feet and then the cool breeze created on the bike, made for an interesting run.  I hadn't noticed on the bike, but once I hopped off, I realized my feet were ice blocks. And every s-i-n-g-l-e step HURT.  Or maybe it burned.  Either way, I didn't like it.  But since my attitude had changed so dramatically, I didn't care.  I just thought, "the faster I run, the faster my feet thaw." So I went hard and fast and tried to make up those 3 minutes from the water.

Doing work and pushing hard AKA huffing and puffing my way to the finish line.

What could have easily halted my training for triathlons turned into an amazing race with great lessons and hunger for more.  I say all the time that there are completors and competors that show up to these races. I've always considered myself to be the completor.  There for the race, but more importantly the experience.  But this race help me to realize that even though I am not winning these things, I am winning against myself (I know corny...but true). And every time I wake up earlier, go further, push harder; I get stronger both mentally and phsically.  That is winning in my book.



And by some strange happening, I place that day too.  I took second place in my age group. Tammy totally rocked in the OLY taking second in her age group as well.  Here is us celebrating the win for the day and the kick off to an amazing season ahead and the Road to Augusta 70.3.

I forgot the best part...

They crowned us and gave us booze.
That's the perfect end to an awesome race!
Excalibur 10 Miler

Run, Fun, and Finish

What could be more fun than waking up at 4am on Sunday morning to go run 10 miles?  How about waking up at 4am to run 10 miles with a theme!  That's right, the Excalibur 10 miler was in full renaissance mode last Sunday morning.  And I was in full running mode.  This was actually my first 10 miler race, so my expectations were low.  Just finish, have fun, and run.  Well, and if I broke 1 hour 30 minutes...that wouldn't be a bad thing either.

Starting the day with Tammy and a few new friends.

Great start to the morning.  First 3 miles flew by.  I was in my running/music zone and didn't notice how fast they flew by.

 I might have been having too much fun out there.  I ruined this poor ladies picture.  But yeah, I kinda love races like this.

Speaking of having fun.  Tammy was having more fun than anyone.  She was taking photos, facebooking, and meeting new friends.  She always makes this look way too easy.  But she kept me motivated to keep a solid pace.  We scored this sweet goofball photo along the way.

Somewhere around mile 7 and I was still having a good time, jamming to my music, dancing, and of course smiling.  This was probably around the time that I realized I could actually run a sub 1:30. Maybe all the effort, time, and of course intervals were paying off.

With a strong sprint, I managed to finish 1:28:51.  8/83 for my age group.  Definitely can't complain about that.

Lucky's Lake

So maybe I can swim...in a pool.  But open water is a different story.  I pretend to not being dying inside...but I usually am.  Simply at the fear of really dying.  I've been avoiding Lucky's Lake for some time now, but with Augusta just 7 months away...it was time to sink or swim.  I mean swim, definitely swim.

It was a cold morning and the water was just about 64 degrees.  So not only did I have to conquer to idea of drowning or being eaten by a gator, I also had to worry about not freezing to death.  This is the look of fear covered with a fake smile.  But heck, there were tons of people and Tammy was there to hold my hand (she literally same the first length right next to me).

And that's what a real smile looks like.  I completed a Lucky Lake's crossing and went back for more ("Coach" Tammy kicked in and decided one crossing wasn't enough).

Signing the wall.  Let's do it again!!