General Discussion Triathlon Talk » 2011 Highs and Lows Rss Feed  
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2011-12-12 7:49 AM

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Elite
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the desert
Subject: 2011 Highs and Lows

as we close in on another year, I thought it would be cool for everyone (or anyone) to highlight any of their accomplishments this year and also some of the obstacles (injuries and what not) that they overcame in 2011.

For me, the low was definitely PF Chang's last January. I had very aggressive goals and had trained hard, but it just didn't happen for me on race day, suffering cramps in my legs and having to walk almost half of the marathon. I finished, but my run time was slower than my IM run split and it was mentally defeating.

The highs have to be how I my running has improved as of late - new PRs in 5K, 10K, and half marathon this fall.

Hoping to do more triathlon in 2012. Turns out, I only did 1 this year (I did do the Marquee, but that became a DU).



Edited by Fitzy 2011-12-12 7:51 AM


2011-12-12 9:05 AM
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Champion
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Fountain Hills, AZ
Subject: RE: 2011 Highs and Lows
Fun! Well, this was a great overall season for me culminating in reaching my goal of making the AG podium at 70.3 Worlds in Sept. The lows are are happening now as i manage through my torn plantar fascia which has put the stop on all the planned run racing I wanted to do this winter.
2011-12-12 9:11 AM
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Expert
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Subject: RE: 2011 Highs and Lows

Great Job Fitz on the PRs

I am ready to put 2011 behind me. A tough year all the way around. It started with an asthma attack in PF Chang's followed by my bike crash and DNF at IMCDA.

My goal is to have a great 2012 with PF Changs, RNR Pasadena, RNR Portland, Chicago and IMAZ on the schedule.  

2011-12-12 9:53 AM
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Veteran
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Subject: RE: 2011 Highs and Lows
My highs for this year are doing my first three triathlons (all sprints)...ever!! I love training for them and racing in them, which is very contrary to my fairly non-competitive and unathletic tendencies. The lows have been trying to figure out how to run without killing my knees and feet, and realizing I have no swimming form.
2011-12-12 11:27 AM
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Elite
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Phoenix, AZ
Subject: RE: 2011 Highs and Lows

High point was baby 2. She's basically absorbed all of my training plans for this year, but it's been fun.

Low point was getting into the water at Firebird Lake. Don't do it, people!

2011-12-12 1:21 PM
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Subject: RE: 2011 Highs and Lows

Hmmm...high point was a GREAT coach and training group in 2011.  I trained harder/better/smarter than previous years and had great races as a result.

Low point was bike crash and DNF at IMAZ.  Down...but not out!!!

Happy 2012 everyone!



2011-12-12 1:44 PM
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Subject: RE: 2011 Highs and Lows

Low for me were:

1. Marquee Duathlon instead of the Triathlon.  I let it get into my head about how disappointed I was that I could not swim and had to run extra.  I basically told myself that I paid for a training day and raced it that way. Needless to say that was not a good race. 

2. Continuing knee pain.  Been like this for years but this year was pretty bad sometimes.

3. Right shoulder issues.   New this year. 

 

 

Highs for me were:

1. Nathans Olympic Tri.  New PR of 3:01:25 and beat my last Olympic by 11 minutes and 53 seconds. 

2. Spring splash and dash #1.   As I got out of the water I thought "holy crap, where is everyone...dang it..... I need to catch up!!!" and about 1/4 mile into my run I realized that I was in front of everyone.    Then all the runners caught me a minute later and I realized I was no longer in front!  I ended up placing 3rd overall in the swim.

3. Seeing my wife after Nathan's.  She did not tell me that she would be there and it was an awesome suprise.

  

2011-12-12 2:54 PM
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Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: 2011 Highs and Lows

This is a great thread!  It makes me realize how blessed I am to be able to take part in such a great sport (and that I have been very, very, very fortunate to avoid injuries, crashes, etc all year long).

My 2011 high without a doubt was Ironman AZ.  Not only did I finish, but I accomplished one of my hopeful time goals (under 13hrs), executed my plan thoroughly and never hit the wall.  It was clearly an awesome day when I realized my course training, planning and knowledge, along with sticking to nutrition plans (where I consistently fail) really paid off, and I felt awesome the entire race and had so much fun all day (and night) long.  Seeing my family numerous times throughout the day, other friends and co-workers who were cheering us on, and people like Bryan (bryancd), the ONE Multisport team, Max (thanks for the photos!) and countless others out there rooting everyone on was just incredible.

As far as a "low" goes, that is extremely difficult, as there is nothing of real consequence.  I suppose if I had to pick anything, it would be not breaking 6 hours at the Mountain Man Half IM in Flagstaff in August.  I was hoping to do so, but missed it by about 11 minutes and did not feel I performed well at all on the run, which is supposed to be my best segment.  However, I still improved my previous PR for a half IM by almost an hour, so marking this as a "low" is like winning your first playoff game in years, but not covering the spread.  HA HA

2011-12-12 3:58 PM
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Master
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Goodyear, AZ
Subject: RE: 2011 Highs and Lows

2011 pretty much has ended on a sour note for me, in terms of Triathlon. 

It started out pretty good, I had a successful spring, think I podium'd a few times and the highlight was coming in 1st place amateur at Rio Salado Tri.

Unfortunately this fall we found a 15mm chondral defect in my right knee. I had surgery to remove the loose piece in October but am unlikely to be running anytime soon without some form of surgery/lengthy rehab

Not sure what I will do in 2012. I am cycling, swimming and finding other stuff to fill my time. 

2011-12-12 9:47 PM
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Subject: RE: 2011 Highs and Lows

January:  my first marathon.  RnR Az.  My McMillan prediction was for 3:35.  I ran a 3:36.  Perfect pacing, nutrition.  Totally surprised myself.  Would have been happy with anything under 4:00 and was shooting for 3:40.

July:  Fairlee Oly triathlon.  Rocked it!  3rd place age group.

September:  8-mile hilly Saguaro Loop race.  Was hoping to beat last year's 1:02:45 by 30 sec or a minute.  I came in at 59:00 flat.  Yeee Haw!  Surprised myself again.

September:  my first HIM. Orangeman.  3rd in the swim.  Solid bike.  Rocked the run.  16th/62 age group.  Had a hoot of a time.  it was a brutal course.  really brutal... but that's what made it so much fun.

November:  HM.  My second shot at my local half mary.  Last year I did a 1:41:41.  This year- I held it at LT the whole dang race.  Was hoping for a 1:37.  Ran a 1:35 flat.  Took 2nd place in my age group.  Yee haw again!

Great racing year.  Next goal.  Another shot at RnR Az and going for a sub 3:25BQ if possible.

2011-12-12 10:51 PM
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Subject: RE: 2011 Highs and Lows
My low point was my DNF at the Tempe International and a series of calf injuries. My high points were finding some awsome training partners, putting my OWS issues behind me (mostly), discovering the good folks at Tri Family Racing and doing the Blue Water Sprint Triathlon.


2011-12-13 7:51 AM
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Master
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Subject: RE: 2011 Highs and Lows

It was definitely an up and down year for me.

Highs - a PR for Olympic distance in Cincinnati, where I had a bike split in the top 20% and a great trip to North Carolina for Over the Mountain.

Lows - Lost Dutchman marathon.  I underestimated the hills, and despite training toward and expecting a PR, finished much slower than anticipated.  At the point in the course where I knew that my time goals had gone out the window, it started raining on a very chilly day - fitting.  I struggled with a calf strain most of the season, but it didn't impact me on race days, thankfully.

2011-12-14 6:22 AM
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Subject: RE: 2011 Highs and Lows
Nice thread!

My highs for 2011 were learning OWS, My first wetsuit, losing weight, eatting healthy, Trek 2100 road bike, meeting awesome people, Mt. Man Sprint and Mt. Man Olympic, Splash N Dashes (eventhough I am last out of the water), being in the best shape ever (feel stronger), Bartlett training with friends (total best), Saurgo Lake and trail running (total best), Firebird Olympic (eventhough I did an extra bike loop...lol), getting up early mornings and training with all the Arizona little critters and big critters (Got to see my first Mt. Lion at Bartlett), and Anne Wilson swim coach!

Lows were Bartlett Olympic (heat illness). Missing training partners and unfortunely gaining weight. Hmmm.....



Edited by SunshineEstrella 2011-12-14 6:24 AM
2011-12-14 5:34 PM
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Subject: RE: 2011 Highs and Lows
I've had a fantastic year!

Had a great experience at Oceanside 70.3, and did much better at IMAZ than I expected. I did A LOT of races in 2011, and they all went as expected. I have no complaints. I honestly can't think of any low points at all! Great races, new job, more money on my paycheck, and even a new car! I hope 2012 is the same.
2011-12-24 10:00 AM
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Master
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Peoria, AZ (Near Lake Pleasant)
Subject: RE: 2011 Highs and Lows

Lows: Pulling my left lateral Achilles in Feb, DNF at IMCDA (my dream venue for an Ironman) and pulling my right lateral Achilles in October.

Highs: Participated in several races outside of Arizona including TN, ID, NV, CA, TX, and WA. Back into a run workout with no injuries to finish the year and prep for P.F. Changs, Sedona Marathon, and a new enthusiasm for Tri's in 2012. Moving up an age group in 2012! Big Bird is gettin older!!!!

2011-12-26 6:42 PM
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Subject: RE: 2011 Highs and Lows

LOWS: 1. worst marathon time @ Chang. BAD IDEA to run a marathon seven weeks after finishing IMAZ. 2. back spasms hit me out of nowhere in mid-Oct and basically scuttled my SOMA transitions and 13.1, culminating in an all-time low for the 70.3 distance...in spite of PRs both in the water and on the bike.

HIGHS: 1. pulled it together after Chang ?and ran four (one extra for support) awesome Ragnar segments totalling 20 miles @ 8:12 avg pace. 2. PR @ Rio Solado Oly. 3. Amazing experience doing my first Mountain Man (70.3) up in Flagstaff. Hands down, the most beautiful race setting anywhere!! I'm there, every year now. 4. Awesome training thus far for Chang in 3 weeks. Already feel like a smarter and faster runner, doing the Galloway methods. Time will tell with the final result.

Looking forward to a powerful and enjoyable 2012. See you all out there!



Edited by Archangel65 2011-12-26 6:45 PM


2011-12-28 12:25 PM
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Subject: RE: 2011 Highs and Lows

This was a pretty decent year for me after everything got canned last year due to TTL draining.  Here's what I managed to do:

  • First Half Iron Distance Event (Marquee)
  • First Oly Tri under 3 hrs (Rio Salado)
  • Mountain Man Oly under 3 hrs (almost 30 minutes faster than my shameful performance last year)
  • First true 70.3 at SOMA
  • First Century Bike at El Tour de Tucson (111 miles), just under 6 hours by my Garmin

I think this next year will be much more run/bike focused and maybe fewer tris in general, but we'll see.  Maybe Mountain Man Half Iron!

2011-12-28 5:33 PM
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Expert
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Subject: RE: 2011 Highs and Lows

2011 has been a great year for me because after about 8 months of talking about and training to become a triathlete, I finally did my first Sprint at Tempe International finishing at 1:19. Since then I have done a few Tri Family events and have really met some great people and training partners in the " AZ tri community."

I would say my absolute high was finishing Bartlett Lake OLY at 18th overall after being completely intimidated by the course and everything that I'd heard about the course the previous months. I felt that my training and nutrition all came together and my strong finish really instilled a confidence in myself that I had been lacking my entire life. So much confidence, in fact, that I immediately signed up for the Boise 70.3 that day and I can't wait to go to my hometown and compete in that race.

Also, watching the finishers cross at IMAZ and signing up for IMAZ 2012 is probably the most inspiring thing I've done this year and I'm looking forward to a great 2012, coming through that line and hearing, "You ARE an Ironman".

I guess if I had to do a "low" it would be my recent battle with long distance running. (See, "Newbie running question" in Triathlon Talk.) There is quiet a learning curve going from 15 miles to full marathon distance and I admittedly under estimated that jump. Although, with some great input from other runners in here I'm confident that I will turn this "low" into my first "high" of 2012!!

Happy New Year, everybody...



Edited by GoodStash 2011-12-28 5:35 PM
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