Julia's Group - Full (Page 10)

A hint with the hair...  Wet it with shower water before you get in the pool - less chlorine will seep in if your hair has already soaked up the fresh water!  Also, if you can put conditioner on it before you get in, it helps a LOT.

Enjoy the rrecovery week!!  I'll be in Whistler the last weekend in March - too bad not the same weekend!

Nice work Ladies!!  I think you'll both be able to stick to those programs and if you do, you'll have a MUCH better race experience!!  You'll be well prepared  

So a few things I wanted to note to everyone - CONGRATS to:

Elizorbeth - finishing the LA marathon a few weeks ago and buying a new car - and another marathon in APRIL!!!

Lisa (aka elelen) for her 5k last weekend in under 27 minutes!!

Diane & Mike for sticking to the training plan and personal goals - I only see ONE day off in thier log this MONTH!!  NICE WORK

I know everyone is working hard, some on recovering from injuries, some on finding time in thier schedules.  Triathlon is a lot about balance - hope eveyone is finding it

For some people race season is starting - at least with some running races.  Some of you have done one or two, and some might be considering it.  I say GO FOR a nice 5k or 10k.  There are a lot of fun races and you can meet great people and see what a race environment is like.  For those doing their first tri this year, sometimes the race scene can be a little confusing and intimidating!!  I KNOW it was for me at my first race  

My first triathlon race for the season is one week from today!!!  YIKES.  So in preparation, I'm going through my race checklist a little early to make sure I have everything and will be ready to pack and head out of town on Thursday.   As you all start to get ready, let me know if you have questions about racing, gear, transitions etc... 

Have a great weekend

Well, starting to get my feet underneath me again.  Managed to still get in 2 big swim workouts this week and a light bike of 20 min and lifting while having the flu and sinus infection.   My P.T. is on vacation this week, so it gives me a chance to maybe see where I am.  It is getting really nice out and I'm itching to get out on my bike if not for a run.  I've readjusted my goals, gave up on the HIM in June, and don't think at this pace I'll get there in July, so I'm going to go for one in Sept.  Makes me sad and I know I won't do as well since I think I am going to go ahead and map a few vacations while I can get away during my off time.  I've kinda succummed to just doing at this point, I'm sure maybe once I get running I'll change that.  But my swimming is getting pretty dang good.  I'm down to breathing every 3-5 strokes and mastered the flip turn. 

I'm pretty impressed with everyone's logs.  I'll keep living through you at this point, but I'll be the first to let you know when I register for a race....just waiting to get running and biking again, kinda difficult to compete when you can't do those! 

 Someone asked about cheap wetsuits.  A couple places to check here is a website that you can rent them from.  I think it is like $30, and you can try them out for a bit before the race and then do the race, or if it is not the right one exchange it for a different one and in the end you can put what you pay to rent it for to buy it.  I think when I get there that is what I am going to do.  For the wetsuit rental program check out www.midwestsportsevents.com.  Tell them that Midwest Sports Events sent you!  I think the rental place is actually based out of CA. 

Good luck in your upcoming races everyone! 

Kersten 

GREAT!!!  I think you will love it   I have only run a few 5 k's and my experiences were varied.  On one of them it was VERY crowded and was hard to actually run for the first 1/2 mile or so with all the people.  The others were FAST but much smaller.   My advice would be to get there a little early and take in the scene - know where the start line is, the porta potties, and watch everyone else a little bit!  I would also say pick one small goal for the race.  Like no walking, or finish faster than you start - or even just to cross the finish line with a smile   The big key is to take everything in and enjoy the event, not just the race, but the whole experience.  I always make a point to thank people who hands me water at a water station - it makes me feel better about the whole race for some reason.  OR thank a traffic cop who is holding up traffic for you.  Or even just thank or high 5 a few spectators   They are all there for a reason and they make the event that much better!  My other advice would be to drink plenty of water before you start, but hit the porta potty before you start also!!  HAVE FUN!!!! and good luck

See, I KNEW everyone out there had good first race/ silly mistake stories!!!  I'll share one more thing that HAUNTED me before my 1/2 IM and also before my marathon.  Before each of these races I kept going over this scenario in my head -   I'm having a really GREAT race on the virge of placing in my age group, or on the virge of qualifying for Boston, but I have to pee really badly.  Porta potty = no Boston or no podium...  Do I just grab an extra water at the next water station and pee my pants then rinse rinse it with the water???  Lucky for me I didn't have to go that badly during either race   But the thought still haunts me.  I asked my coach what he does in a full Iron Man because I KNOW you have to pit stop with that distance.  My coach laughs - he's a guy, and says something like "I don't know, I just whip it out and pee full stride - I usually don't get any on me though..."  Very encouraging...

Happy weekend to everyone!!  I'll try to check in, but I don't know what the internet situation in Lake Havasu will be.