Me, Shannon, Jen and Robert (Terrier Head Coach)
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Another Philly pic
Here's another pic from the Terrier Team dinner at Philly:
Me, Shannon, Jen and Robert (Terrier Head Coach)
Me, Shannon, Jen and Robert (Terrier Head Coach)
I am sore and tired...
So I am definitely a little sore from last nights workout...we did Harlem Hill repeats. I don't mind hills (they make you stronger), but after 7 of them at 90% effort, my body was tired. Plus, then I still have to get home (Harlem Hill is NOT near my apartment at all). Needless to say, it was a long workout. And I got up this morning and did a brick (17 mile ride, about 1.5 mile run).
I know, I'm a crazy person.
I know, I'm a crazy person.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Pictures
Official race pictures aren't up yet, but here are some my friend Shannon took of me on Sunday:
Heading into the finish:
Heading into the finish:
All done! (I'm such a dork I know)
Philly Tri!
I finished the Philly tri this weekend! YAY! I am beyond excited to have finished and am pretty happy with my time as well. It was a ton of fun. I was a little nervous going into it (as it was my first), but not as nervous as I was before my first marathon. I went down on Saturday afternoon with some friends from Terrier. Upon arriving, we went straight to the "expo" to pick up our numbers. Got our numbers and went and checked out transition. Then, we went back to the hotel, checked in and chilled for a bit before dinner. We had a Terrier team dinner (which was a ton of fun!) and then it was back to the hotel. Since I had to get up at 4am the next morning, I was in bed by 9pm.
The race started at 7am on Sunday. I was in the 4th swim wave. The swim went well. The water was very nice - not too cold. After the swim, it was time to bike. The bike was 2 loops of the same course. The course was definitely very technical with a couple of steep climbs, but by the second loop I was able to anticipate them better. Then it was time for the run. I had a rough T2 - I got a little confused coming off the bike. Kinda forgot what I was supposed to be doing, lol. The run went well. I was definitely drained, but was still able to run a 9:00 pace.
All in all, I was very excited for the race. Spoke with Coach Josh yesterday and he was really pleased with my time, (especially since he didn't taper me at all). Now just the half-ironman in August!!!
Times for Sunday are below:
Swim (.93 miles) - 30:51
T1 - 2:57
Bike (24.5 miles) - 1:30:03 (16.5 MPH)
T2 - 2:15
Run: 55:48 (9:00 pace)
Total: 3:01:55
The race started at 7am on Sunday. I was in the 4th swim wave. The swim went well. The water was very nice - not too cold. After the swim, it was time to bike. The bike was 2 loops of the same course. The course was definitely very technical with a couple of steep climbs, but by the second loop I was able to anticipate them better. Then it was time for the run. I had a rough T2 - I got a little confused coming off the bike. Kinda forgot what I was supposed to be doing, lol. The run went well. I was definitely drained, but was still able to run a 9:00 pace.
All in all, I was very excited for the race. Spoke with Coach Josh yesterday and he was really pleased with my time, (especially since he didn't taper me at all). Now just the half-ironman in August!!!
Times for Sunday are below:
Swim (.93 miles) - 30:51
T1 - 2:57
Bike (24.5 miles) - 1:30:03 (16.5 MPH)
T2 - 2:15
Run: 55:48 (9:00 pace)
Total: 3:01:55
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Philly Tri
This weekend is the Philadelphia Olympic Triathlon. I can't believe its here already. I remember registering for it in December and thinking it sounded so far off. So much has changed since then (in a good way). I feel ready and prepared. I am driving down with some friends (my bike is going on the Terrier trailer). We are having a team dinner on Saturday, which will be fun, and then the race is on Sunday!
I'll update next week with details! YAY!
I'll update next week with details! YAY!
Busy Week
I've had a busy week and half of training. Both Tuesdays I had running. We've been working on speed work, which just wipes me out for the next day. I went for a ride on both Wednesdays (yay!) and did a brick both Thursday AMs. The bricks are getting a little easy each week - I think it depends on how recovered I am from the run. This past Tuesdays run was a little tough, so my legs are still tired. Last Saturday I did a 36 mile bike ride and a 9 mile run on Sunday.
Monday was a really interesting day. I did a bike assessment with my coach. They put your bike on a trainer which is attached to a computer and the computer controls the resistance (so it can make it harder simulating hills, etc). The reason we did it was to analyse my leg strength and spin. I did a course of Central Park. It was definitely weird to be biking and not moving. But definitely worth it.
Monday was a really interesting day. I did a bike assessment with my coach. They put your bike on a trainer which is attached to a computer and the computer controls the resistance (so it can make it harder simulating hills, etc). The reason we did it was to analyse my leg strength and spin. I did a course of Central Park. It was definitely weird to be biking and not moving. But definitely worth it.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Pictures!
My friend Peter tooks lots of pictures at this weekends Sprint.
Check 'em out below:
http://niessen.smugmug.com/gallery/5127579_7hytm#309725786_cxnmD
Check 'em out below:
http://niessen.smugmug.com/gallery/5127579_7hytm#309725786_cxnmD
Sprint Tri recap
So, my first ever triathlon was this weekend. It was awesome! I was really nervous as we drove up there (like really nervous - I think last week's open water swim freaked me out). But it was awesome!
Luckily, it was pretty close to the city (about 40 mins north), so we were able to drive up there that morning. Once we got there, we double checked our tire pressure and then went to set up our transition areas. Put my bike on the rack, set out all my gear (cycling shoes, glasses, helmet, running shoes, hat). Coach Josh had explained how I should set it up, so luckily that was easy.
Then we went and got "marked". In other words, they take a permanent marker and write your race number on your arm. Which I don't quite understand since it wore off almost entirely from my wetsuit.
About 15 minutes before the race, we put our wetsuits on. It went on much easier then last week (thank god!). Then I did one final check of my transition and went to the beach. Got in the water to get a feel of the tempature and my wetsuit and swam a few yards. Thats when all my nerves went away and I started to get excited.
When my swim wave started, I was super excited. The swim went much better then last week! The water was warmer and not as intimidating (even though there were 400+ other people in the water). I swam most of it, but definitely took a few breathers to do the breathe stroke. Was really exciting when I could get out of the water!
After the swim I ran to the transition while starting to take off my wetsuit (unzip, pull of arms). Got to transition and pulled the rest of the wetsuit off (which for some reason I find super easy!). Then I put on my race number, sunglasses and helmet (a must!). Dried off my feet and slipped into my cycling shoes. And off I went.
The bike course was hilly (like they said it would be), but I had no idea HOW hilly it really would be. And of course, I made it harder. I discovered on the bike course, that I could not switch into first gear (the easiest gear); I don't find CP that hard, so I never switch into that gear. So I ended up doing all the hills in a much harder gear then most people. Despite that, I still managed to pass people (which felt really cool to do). I also rode almost all of the course in my aerobars; something I don't do a lot in CP since its so crowded, but on the course felt natural.
When I pulled into the transition, I have never been so excited! I felt awesome coming off my bike. Ramon (my TNT running coach and one of the people we came with) was already finished, so he was there cheering me on. Made the 2nd transition really quick: just slipped on my shoes (yay speed laces) and threw on my hat and off I went.
The run was 3 miles and it felt great. The first 5 mins my legs were adjusting to being off the bike, but they got back in the groove for running really quickly. By the time I came back into the park for the finish I was so excited! Crossing the finish line was super exciting and made me so pumped for Philly (which is in less then 2 weeks)!
I am pretty happy about my time (esp the bike one since I did it in a hard gear, lol). I don't really know if they are good times or not, but I don't really care. The goal of this race wasn't for time. It was to learn and get ready for my big race in August. My times are below:
Swim: 18:26.2
Transition 1: 2:58.3
Bike: 1:06:50.5 (14.1 MPH)
Transition 2: 49.5 (whoa, thats fast!)
Run: 24:54.6 (8:18 pace)
Total: 1:53:58.58
My new PR for Sprint distance Tri's!
Luckily, it was pretty close to the city (about 40 mins north), so we were able to drive up there that morning. Once we got there, we double checked our tire pressure and then went to set up our transition areas. Put my bike on the rack, set out all my gear (cycling shoes, glasses, helmet, running shoes, hat). Coach Josh had explained how I should set it up, so luckily that was easy.
Then we went and got "marked". In other words, they take a permanent marker and write your race number on your arm. Which I don't quite understand since it wore off almost entirely from my wetsuit.
About 15 minutes before the race, we put our wetsuits on. It went on much easier then last week (thank god!). Then I did one final check of my transition and went to the beach. Got in the water to get a feel of the tempature and my wetsuit and swam a few yards. Thats when all my nerves went away and I started to get excited.
When my swim wave started, I was super excited. The swim went much better then last week! The water was warmer and not as intimidating (even though there were 400+ other people in the water). I swam most of it, but definitely took a few breathers to do the breathe stroke. Was really exciting when I could get out of the water!
After the swim I ran to the transition while starting to take off my wetsuit (unzip, pull of arms). Got to transition and pulled the rest of the wetsuit off (which for some reason I find super easy!). Then I put on my race number, sunglasses and helmet (a must!). Dried off my feet and slipped into my cycling shoes. And off I went.
The bike course was hilly (like they said it would be), but I had no idea HOW hilly it really would be. And of course, I made it harder. I discovered on the bike course, that I could not switch into first gear (the easiest gear); I don't find CP that hard, so I never switch into that gear. So I ended up doing all the hills in a much harder gear then most people. Despite that, I still managed to pass people (which felt really cool to do). I also rode almost all of the course in my aerobars; something I don't do a lot in CP since its so crowded, but on the course felt natural.
When I pulled into the transition, I have never been so excited! I felt awesome coming off my bike. Ramon (my TNT running coach and one of the people we came with) was already finished, so he was there cheering me on. Made the 2nd transition really quick: just slipped on my shoes (yay speed laces) and threw on my hat and off I went.
The run was 3 miles and it felt great. The first 5 mins my legs were adjusting to being off the bike, but they got back in the groove for running really quickly. By the time I came back into the park for the finish I was so excited! Crossing the finish line was super exciting and made me so pumped for Philly (which is in less then 2 weeks)!
I am pretty happy about my time (esp the bike one since I did it in a hard gear, lol). I don't really know if they are good times or not, but I don't really care. The goal of this race wasn't for time. It was to learn and get ready for my big race in August. My times are below:
Swim: 18:26.2
Transition 1: 2:58.3
Bike: 1:06:50.5 (14.1 MPH)
Transition 2: 49.5 (whoa, thats fast!)
Run: 24:54.6 (8:18 pace)
Total: 1:53:58.58
My new PR for Sprint distance Tri's!
Monday, June 2, 2008
New York City Half Marathon
NYRR posted the lottery results of the NYC Half Marathon this weekend (its so popular they have to do a lottery and last year I didn't get in); but this year I got in! I am super excited! It's on July 27th. Awesome!
Oops
Ok, so its been a while since I've posted. Oops, sorry! Let me give a brief re-cap of the past couple of weeks.
Shoes - I clipped in for the first time 2 weeks ago. My friend Peter helped me learn how. It was definitely a weird feeling. My feet were attached to the pedals! Was able to grasp the concept pretty easily, so thats good. I've gone on a couple of rides clipped in, which has been exciting.
Brick - Did my first brick last week. A brick is a bike followed by a run. That is the weirdest sensation in the world. You feel like you're going to fast on the bike and then I felt like I was crawling when I started running (my legs also felt like they had lead weights in them). Definitely a good thing to practice.
Open water swim - We had an open water swim clinic this past weekend. Oh my god. It was freaky. I've never really swam in open water before - it was terrifying. The waves, the current, swallowing salt water, the whole feeling of a wetsuit. I felt much better by the end of the clinic but still not comfortable. Glad I was able to get in the water before this weekend....
Which brings me to this Sunday. I decided (kinda) spur of the moment to sign up for a sprint triathlon with some friends. It will be my first tri ever! It's exciting, but also nerve wracking. Luckily, the swim takes place in a lake (so hopefully it won't be as choppy). I am nervous about the bike though. Apparently, there is a really bike hill. I hope I can make it up it and not fall off my bike. Oy vey!
Shoes - I clipped in for the first time 2 weeks ago. My friend Peter helped me learn how. It was definitely a weird feeling. My feet were attached to the pedals! Was able to grasp the concept pretty easily, so thats good. I've gone on a couple of rides clipped in, which has been exciting.
Brick - Did my first brick last week. A brick is a bike followed by a run. That is the weirdest sensation in the world. You feel like you're going to fast on the bike and then I felt like I was crawling when I started running (my legs also felt like they had lead weights in them). Definitely a good thing to practice.
Open water swim - We had an open water swim clinic this past weekend. Oh my god. It was freaky. I've never really swam in open water before - it was terrifying. The waves, the current, swallowing salt water, the whole feeling of a wetsuit. I felt much better by the end of the clinic but still not comfortable. Glad I was able to get in the water before this weekend....
Which brings me to this Sunday. I decided (kinda) spur of the moment to sign up for a sprint triathlon with some friends. It will be my first tri ever! It's exciting, but also nerve wracking. Luckily, the swim takes place in a lake (so hopefully it won't be as choppy). I am nervous about the bike though. Apparently, there is a really bike hill. I hope I can make it up it and not fall off my bike. Oy vey!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)