Masters Swimming

In September of 2010, I was looking for a Masters swim club to join and signed up to be on the waiting list for the District of Columbia Recreation and Parks Masters Swim Team. It was so long ago that I forgot all about it until I received an email on June 5th saying that my name had reached the top of the waiting list. I was preparing for EagleMan, so I decided to not start until after the race. I came up with every excuse possible to not go in the 4 weeks after the invitation came. I was nervous. I was scared. I even wrote to the coaches and told them how I was nervous to come out because I am slow and I don't know how to do flip turns and I don't want to slow anyone down... yadda... yadda. Their response? See you at practice.

I went for the first time on Tuesday and I got in the slowest lane with an 81 year old man. I thought that I could at least hang with him. Nope. There was another lady that got in our lane and this old man was literally swimming over us. Eventually, he told us that he was tired of swimming into us, that we were too slow and that he was going to find another lane. An 81 year old man told me that I was too slow. Wow. This was after the coach told me that the warm up was 600 meters. SIX HUNDRED METERS! My longest warm up to date has been 300m. By the time I got to 500 meters, he told me to just stop and he moved me on to the next set/drill. After 1 hour of him modifying the workout for me, I decided that I had enough for one day. The swims are 90 minutes long, but 60 minutes was all I had in me.

As expected, I was slow, I couldn't  flip turn and I did slow someone down, but I survived and I went back today. Today was a better day. The coach gave us all drills that most people were unfamiliar with. They still did the drills faster than me, but we were all at the same starting point, which didn't make me feel at that much of a disadvantage to start. I am glad that I joined and I know that this Masters team will make me faster and a more efficient swimmer. I will keep showing up and just keep swimming....

EagleMan Ironman 70.3!

About to get it started with Tania!

I can proudly proclaim that I have completed an Ironman 70.3 Triathlon! I swam 1.2 miles in the Choptank River, cycled 56 miles through Cambridge and Dorchester, Maryland and ran 13.1 hellish hot miles for a grand total of 70.3 miles. This race was one of many lessons. Due to some mistakes and race day conditions, the race was hard as hell, but I'm a FINISHER!!

1.2 mile Swim: Lesson - Make sure that I study the course and don't bring leaky goggles

I had a complete panic attack after dipping my head in the brackish water, which burned my left eye. My goggles were leaking! No bueno! This was followed by my second panic attack when I realized that I didn't study the course to know which way to go and could only see out of one eye. Tania was with me and told me, "You don't have time to go back! You just have to use your good eye! You can't see too much in this dirty water anyway! Just follow everybody else!". I quickly realized that I was already out in the water and I just had to buck up. The beginning of the swim was very panicky for me. I thought of asking a kayak person to lead me back to shore. I thought about how many people have a DNF (Did Not Finish) on their Triathlon record, so it would be no big deal if I quit. I COULD NOT SEE! Those negative thoughts were thwarted once I thought about all of the people who got up early to come out to cheer me on and to follow me on-line. I reminded myself that I had over 30 people on FB who wrote that they would pray for me and send good vibes. I thought about how I have done this before and how I have practiced swimming in the pool with my eyes closed but only opened them to see, when I turned my head to breathe. I practiced that in order to prepare myself for something like this. I combated every negative thought with a positive one and I made it through the swim. However, I did have a near accident when I thought that the yellow kayak was the yellow buoy, so I tried to swim around the kayak... just as the guy in the kayak was about to take off! I am so glad that he saw me, as that could have been a very bad accident. I made it through the swim in my expected time, despite the panic of only having one good eye. It was nice to hear Maddy screaming my name as I ran into transition.

56 mile Bike: Lesson - Stop when needed, as trying to push through will cost you time

I had some Tart Cherry Juice with breakfast, but perhaps I had too much. My stomach was in knots even before I got in the water. After ingesting a little too much river water, my stomach was not happy. I tried to keep it moving and started the bike ride. It was great to see Heather cheering me on as I took off on my bike. I just knew I was about to smoke that ride!There were porta potties on the route but I just kept moving, hoping my stomach would settle down. I started off super fast with my fancy borrowed ZIPP tires from Arrow Bicycle, but I noticed that my pace got slower... and slower... the more I tried to ignore the stomach pain. I just wanted to finish. Finally, when my speed dropped to something ridiculous and I could not be upright any longer, I stopped at mile 46. I was able to return to my planned speed for the last 10 miles and quickly regretted waiting so long to stop. I could have finished that bike ride about 45-60 minutes minutes faster, if I had not been too stubborn to stop. Lesson learned.


13.1 mile Run: Lesson - Remember the tips

Shelly told me to put some Body Glide or Aquaphor to my feet before the run. I had both of these, but I forgot to slather it on.  Truth be told, I simply forgot once I saw my teammate, Mylah, in transition packing up her stuff. She said that she was done, that she was not going back out on the race course to finish. I asked her if she needed anything like food or drink or if she was injured, but  she was fine. When I realized that it was just mental, I literally grabbed her by her wrist, pulled her off of the ground and we ran out of transition together. The poor girl didn't even have time to put on her socks; she had to stuff them in her shorts. I just could NOT let her quit.  We shuffled together until she gave me her commitment that she would not quit and then I took off. I initially had a little Achilles pain and had to stop to stretch a few times in the first 3 miles. I thought that if the pain continued, I may have to quit. The pain eventually went away. I wore my ankle brace to protect the ankle, but could not wear my compression socks due to some new rule. I thought I needed the compression socks to ward off shin splints, but my shins never bothered me this time. It would have been too hot for them anyway. My feet started to feel like they were covered with blisters after mile 5 from my socks being so wet and all of the friction. I did not think to wear moisture wicking socks. My feet hurt so bad to run, that I just walked the last 8 miles. It was over 90 degrees and there was no shade. About 90% of the athletes were walking. There was plenty of ice and snacks on the course, which was great, although they ran out of snow cones at the turn around point. I made a new friend, Kristine with the DC Tri Club, and we kept each other company until we approached the finish line. The Tri Unify cheering squad was in full force! Cassandra and her friend Sharlimar were waiting for me as I made my last turn to finish the run. Rian was there to give a high five as I made my way down the finish-line chute. Maddy, Diane and Adrienne were not too far away. It meant the world to me to have them there to cheer us on. It was a proud moment to see Mylah cross the finish line after she nearly quit the race. Next time, I will be sure to remember the tips and to wear proper socks.

Tri Unify Cheering crew!

Me and Mylah (those are Mylah's socks stuffed in the legs of her shorts)

 In hindsight, the race was not bad, with the exception of the heat. I was properly trained to complete the distances. I just need to make sure that I remember some key things next time, so I can be better prepared for what race day may bring.

I will do this all over again in Cozumel on September 23rd. I just hope to do it a little faster!


Tri Becca

Winning = earning the medal

Training for a 1/2 Ironman has been one of the most mentally challenging things that I have done so far. It has taken more than just training and learning how to fuel properly. More than ever before, I have had to have the "you can do it, if you really want to do it" talks with myself. There were days when I just stayed in bed or on the couch, because my mind believed that training that day would not make me any faster or more fit. On many days, I thought "What's the sense? What does it matter? What will this ONE training do to help me?". There were days that I went out to swim and could not get my heart rate to come down. Today I went for a run and the ugly shin splints returned. The shin splints decided to return just NINE days before the race!?!? WTH???  I was determined to not let it get me down. I came up with a plan after realizing what could have caused the shin pain to return. It has been HARD. It has been harder to just get my mind right, than it has been to complete any 56 mile ride, 2000 meter swim or 13.1 mile run. But, I am stronger as a result of training for this race. Mentally stronger.

I know that I can finish this race on June 10th. I know that I can finish all 3 legs of the race before the cut off times. I know that if I keep my heart rate low during the 1.2 mile swim, keep a manageable pace, eat and hydrate on the 56 mile bike and if I consistently do a 4:1 or 3:1 run/walk for the 13.1 mile run, then I can finish before the total race cut off time. I KNOW this. I BELIEVE this. I don't have doubts, per se, I just don't feel as fit as I want to feel going into the race. Am I excited? Absolutely not. I'm nervous. I'm nervous, because I don't know what to expect since I have not done this distance of a race before. I'm nervous because I won't have my usual racing buddies with me or my usual cheering squad out there being my "race day stalkers/paparazzi". I have been trying to get used to training alone and racing alone and being okay if there are no familiar faces out there on race day. But it has been tough. Mentally tough.

I am going to race on June 10th. I am going to follow my race day plan for pacing myself, hydration and nutrition. I am going to WIN, which in my mind, is earning that medal when I cross the finish line. I will pretend that every cheer I hear is really just for me. I will be fine. I will be tough. Mentally tough. I will have the mind of a Champion... because, in my mind, I am a Champion.

Tri Becca

Time to press play

 
Last night was the first night that I had a good night's sleep without coughing all night. I finally feel rested and really able to train at close to 100%. Bronchitis is no joke, especially if your lungs have been compromised by double pneumonia in the past. It had me down, but I'm BACK! I thought long and hard about filing for a refund for my upcoming Ironman 70.3 (it's a 1/2 Ironman), but I decided to let the April15th deadline pass. Since I started with Triathlons, I have always had challenges to overcome. I feel that this setback with Bronchitis is no different. I still feel like I can do it and I will.

Eagleman 70.3 (My 1/2 Ironman) is in 7 weeks. I will train hard and make sure that I am as ready as possible. I have another 1/2 Ironman in September in Cozumel, which I will make my A race. My prayer is to stay healthy and injury free, so that I am more prepared for that one.

Thanks for your positive thoughts, prayers and motivation,
Tri Becca

What an honor!

I have the distinct honor of announcing that my colleagues with Tri Unify have elected me as their club President! I am extremely humbled by this appointment and will strive to do all that I can to continue the mission of Tri Unify. Thank you to all of the members who voted for me. I promise to not let you down.

Tri Becca

My first 1/2 Marathon

On yesterday, I completed my first Half Marathon (13.1 miles). I awakened on race morning feeling rested, hydrated and prepared for whatever the day would bring. I smiled upon rising thinking about the support that I would have throughout the day from friends, near and far. My friend was here to pick me up 15 minutes early and I was on my way. I wanted to get a picture before I started to share on Facebook.

I stuck to my plan to have fun, take in the scenery and pace myself. This was the most FUN race to date! There was a different type of band every mile, plenty of cheerleaders and dance squads out, spectators with funny signs/positive words and awesome costumes to keep me entertained! I looked for Francy, who was supposed to find me on the route and ride her bike as I ran. I also looked for some other people that I knew who were running, but I never saw anyone familiar. My friend who dropped me off, took the metro to the half way point/Dupont Circle to surprise me with some extra cheer. I managed to run all the hills and was more than happy to see Tania at mile 8! She ran the last 5 miles with me and did a great job at keeping my mind off of my legs. We were sure to take in the scenery and stopped to take a picture of this on H Street, NE:

Mile 11 was tough and mile 12 was a BEAST! I kept it moving and eventually brought it across the finish line, where Francy finally caught up with me. I handed Tania the medal, so she could put it on me like she did after my first Triathlon. She totally rocks!

I thought that I could realistically complete this race in 2 hours 45 minutes, but I registered my estimated time as 2:30. I had hoped that I could finish in 2:30, but it wasn't until Travel Diva told me that she thought that I could finish in 2:30, that I believed that I could really do so. After running with Tania last week, I secretly hoped that I could finish in 2:15.  My official finish time was 2:39 and I am very happy with that. Thank you Travel Diva for believing in me and know that, as I ran my last 2 miles, I was really pushing for the goal that you helped me to set. Sometimes, it takes us hearing what others believe about us for us to really believe it ourselves.

I truly have the best support network of friends and it really makes all of the difference to me on race day. Thanks to everyone who tracked me via text, came out to support me and those who sent positive thoughts and vibes my way. I am a better athlete because of you.

Mind over Matter: Preparing for my first 1/2 Marathon

I have put in the miles in preparation for my very first 1/2 Marathon on Saturday, March 17th. I got a late/slow start on training after having to recover from yet another ankle injury, but the miles are in the bank. It has been quite a journey with an eventful 8 mile run, a beautiful 10 mile run in Chicago and a 12 mile run that was a true measure of fortitude. Now it is time to start mentally preparing myself for race day on Saturday.

I think that the keys are to remind myself that I have done this before (in training), that it is supposed to be fun and that I am blessed to have the physically ability to run 13.1 miles. I know that I can do this, I will do this and I hope to have many pictures to share after I have done this!

Please keep me in thought and prayer on St. Patty's day, as I conquer yet another fitness goal.

Tri Becca