2nd Place but Photos to Follow

So it's about 9 pm and I just got in from my Las Vegas, NV race. It started at 4:45 in the afternoon which is about the weirdest thing. But it's Vegas and everything operates on a different time schedule. The event was called the Showdown at Sundown and it was by far the HARDEST race I have done but also the PRETTIEST. And guess what? I took 2nd place in my age group. I totally rocked it!
This is state #10 and my first race of the season. I am thrilled with the results, of course, but more important, I am thrilled with the way I felt during the race. The winter blues of New York had me worried that perhaps, I was not ready for today. But I felt strong and had a really good time. I caught up to 2 waves ahead of me on the swim, only 1 person passed me on the bike and the run was strong as well. I had a little "issue" on the run though. The turn-around was not clearly indicated and there were 3 races happening concurrently. I wound up running past the turn-around and ran into the longer race. Bottom line... I ran an extra 5 minutes that I didn't have to. And I still took 2nd place... imagine that?!
I am still in Vegas and don't come home until Monday so I will try to post my video and photos then. Suffice it to say, I had a blast!

The Eagle Has Landed

Good news... my bike has arrived in Las Vegas and Nate at The Bike Shop in Henderson, NV is setting it up for me. A big shout out to them! I am so relieved. This is the first year I am shipping the bike ahead and I was concerned. It is costing a bunch of money but peace of mind is worth it. And I just don't trust the airlines any more. So.... this is the week.
I leave Thursday and the race is Saturday afternoon. It's called the Showdown at Sundown and is the first race I have ever done in the afternoon. I am a morning workout gal and of course, most races go off at 6 am so this will be very different. We'll have to see if my body likes it. Truth to tell, I am happy about being able to sleep in. But what of my nutrition? How do I eat that day? Big learning curve but I am excited. I stand to learn a lot from this experience.
Stay tuned. I will blog when I get back.

UPS Don't Fail Me Now

I bought a really good, hard cover bike case this year. And it is making its maiden voyage as we speak. I paid a ridiculous amount of money for the case but traveling on the airplanes with my soft cover case isn't smart anymore. The airlines don't care and my bike was damaged the last two trips. I am trying a different strategy now by packing it and shipping it to my destination. No carrying on the airplane, no security check, no struggling to fit it in a rented car.
So this morning at 9 am when UPS opened, there I was with my 64 pound, packed to the gills, bicycle case. Destination LAS VEGAS.
Believe it or not, the cost is the same as what the airlines would charge. And I bought a pre-paid return ticket already so I will do the same thing coming home. I will have it picked up at my hotel and sent back to my house where I will re-assemble it.
This is a huge weight off my mind. I have been consumed with the hows of the bike transport and I am really hoping it goes as smoothly as today's UPS trip.
Stay tuned.

First Brick

So a brick is when you combine 2 of the sports back to back. In other words, you swim and then you bike or you bike and then you run. Yesterday we had some AMAZING weather in the northeast and I gained a ton of confidence for the upcoming NV race. I ran 6 miles with my girlfriends in the morning. The pace wasn't stellar but we were talking the whole time. The distance felt good though. In the afternoon, I decided to venture out again and cycle outdoors for the first time since last October. Nothing short of heavenly! I did a quick 10 miles as I really didn't want to overdo it my first day out. And then I did a brick by running another mile fresh off the bike. Jelly legs for sure but it gave me some muscle memory to fall back on. A little sore last night but am hoping for another run this afternoon. Tomorrow will be a rest day and then a little over 2 weeks before the race. Now the logistics begin. Shipping the bike is for starters. Actually taking it apart is first but I am going to ship UPS this year instead of carrying it on the airplane. Same price, less stressful... I think. That's the news. If you live in the Northeast... enjoy this weather!

Home Stretch

So the calendar has turned a page and it is March already. My triathlon season is on the horizon. Wasn't it just December and wasn't I just enjoying the time off and the extra calories... guilt free? Time flies and although I had a tough off season, I am looking forward to racing again. I was sick several times this winter which is very unlike me. And the snow and ice in the Northeast has made outdoor training challenging. But I can feel it... SPRING is around the corner. Rather than the ice field in my backyard, I see mud. That makes me happy; it means things are melting. Las Vegas is the first stop on this year's journey and I am OH so excited to feel the warmth on my shoulders. Stepping up the training but trying to take care. I don't expect to post any amazing results since it's the first race of the season but it will feel good to get "back in the saddle". I must really be suffering from the winter blues. My 5 am run this morning was actually pleasant. More later...