Thursday, May 26, 2016

CRAMPS!!!!



Sunday I raced my first Triathlon of the season.  St. Louis, MO.  Olympic Distance.  Probably one of the best run races I've participated in.  The little inconveniences were attended to.  There were drones taping the entire race for spectators.  The weather was perfect and wetsuit legal.  The course flat with minor hills and a dead snake on the bike course. And it was well covered - there were people disqualified for cheating!!!  (They turned early on the swim.)

And the beer at the end, refreshing.  I love my new glass.  However, it couldn't save me from leg cramps. In all the years I have raced, I have never known the pain of cramping muscles like this.

They started in the swim.  I tried to kick harder during the last half of the swim.  Calf Cramps!

Okay, just relax, work it out.  Go to the bike.  Nope, thighs started to cramp and continued.  By the run, I felt it all down the back of my legs into the arches of my feet.  "just keep going, work it out..."  By the second mile, I focused on relaxing and continuing.  My first mile was over 11 minutes.  Somehow, I managed to average around 10 min/miles by the end.

As soon as I stepped across the finish line, turned in my chip and stepped aside, I felt it.  My legs locking up.  I went to the recovery/stretch/message tent.  My husband signed the form, and I just started to stretch.  (I was not looking forward to the hours of riding in a car before sleeping in my bed.)

Needless to say, this was my worst race.  Looking back, what did I do wrong?  Was is the yogurt and fruit topped with granola for breakfast?  Was it the fact I didn't just sit and drink water the day before?  Was it the driving for hours?  Lack of sleep?  or the extra weight that I'm carrying?  So many factors. 

But I can say it all started a couple of weeks earlier when I ran 6.2 miles before work, and then sat for 8 hours.  My first leg cramp was behind my right thigh.  It's still tight.  First mistake, not enough base training.  Along with my weight and poor life habits.  I have a sprint triathlon in just 2 more weeks.  Shorter distance, I should be able to focus on it.  I should be able to correct some of that base training.  And correct some eating habits, and lack of stretching throughout the day.

For now, I will remember the beer I earned from that race. I will savor the smell of Honeysuckle from the bike and run segments.  I will look at my husband who has promised to join me next year, and how he promises to start training as soon as we get back into hour house next month.  And I will train smarter in preparation for Chicago.

Friday, May 20, 2016

St. Louis bound - Triathlon season begins

I'm almost packed, at least my race bag is. Need to ride the bike a bit tomorrow morning to make sure the chain isn't going to drop Sunday.  Other than that, ready or not, my race season begins.

Instead of Racing Carlyle (3Disciplines - Gateway Triathlon) this year, I opted for the first St. Louis Triathlon in Creve Coeur, Missouri.  No sharp turns on the bike like Carlyle, and not gravel roads.  With our moving in December, and all of my daughter's schedule, as well as trying to get our house rebuilt so we can move in, I do not feel I am ready to race.  I will finish, but I can't say I'm at my best.

This past Spring, I experienced shoulder pain that caused me to research and re evaluate how I swim.  I believe for the better.  First, because the pain is gone.  Second, because my stroke is more efficient. I have been riding with a group on Saturday and Wednesdays, when my daughter doesn't have a softball game and weather permits, but I have not spun enough to have a strong base/foundation.  The neighbor below us has complained about the noise, and I have tried to accommodate. As for my run, I need to drop weight.  I ran significantly faster early season.   Now, as I added distant runs, I have a tight muscle in my right leg that slows me down.  (I'm just old.)

The course for this race is interesting.  The swim in an out and back.  One turn.  The bike is available to download for your trainer.  I've ridden it a few times.  I want to watch it again.  Literally, you watch it on the screen as you pedal.  Amazing.  And the run is basically through a park, under trees.

Did I mention the Swag Bag? Tee shirt, visor, socks, glass pilsner (I have a new collection starting).  Not to mention the finisher's medal and the red swim cap.  (I'm in the first heat after the para-athletes.)  I wish my daughter would join me in doing more triathlons.  But she hates running.

This is the first race.  But not my first event of the season.  I did a 60 mile gravel grind not long ago.  I'm looking forward to more.

After this, 3 weeks to be ready for Esprit de She in Naperville.  Looking forward to the shorter distance.