The Triathloners and The Turkey Trotters

Dennis and I both decided that maybe reverse triathlons were not "our thing"...

The T3 Turkey Trot Tri and 5K was November 3, 2007. I think the best thing both of us can say about the experience right now is that it was an experience to be had.

I was recovering from a cold and figured there was no way in you know what that I would be able to do the entire tri. I "turkey'd" out and completed the 5K.

Dennis completed the whole race! It was his first tri and I am SOOOO proud of him! He can't stop talking about his "next race" and what he will do differently next time.

We need to get on Active.com and see when our next race will be and get out the ol' training calendar and get up to speed. I have committed to working on my core muscles and seeing how that will help with overall training, endurance, and all the rest. I'd like to think that I am disciplined enough to make it to a spin class once a week...Oh yeah, did I tell you that the class is at 5:45 am? We'll see how many times I get there.....UGH.

The pedals keep moving forward...the pools are being drained...and the running shoes are still drying out from a walk...And so goes the life of budding triathletes...

Turkey Trot Triathlon

A Triathlon in NOVEMBER???? Are you kidding me???? No! I am serious! I am doing my second race on Saturday November 3, 2007. It's the T3 Turkey Trot Triathlon. It's another fundraiser...You know me and working out for a cause! This race raises money for a residential treatment center in Utah county that uses triathlon training as part of the modalities for treatment. I LOVE that idea! Maybe I can talk to the race director (who is an MFT) and see if I can do some of my internship hours with their group! Wouldn't that be cool?!??! The GREATEST thing about this race is that Dennis is going to do it with me!!! YEAH!!! I have printed our workout schedule from now until race day...Not only that, I have paid his entry fee...so he is doing this for sure!!! I know he will do great! This is a reverse tri, so that should be interesting. Someone asked me why it was a reverse tri...I responded, "Would you want to finish your swim and then bike and run soaking wet in Utah in November?" Pretty good point if you ask me... Here's to the next few weeks of training! Can't wait to TURKEY TROT TRI!!!! See you at the finish line!

Dismantle your bike HERE!!!

I Can TRI Challenge - Z Edition

Zach did a Sprint Tri this morning. It was GREAT to be out in the nice morning air and support the Big Z while he raced. Hopefully someday Z and H2 can do a race together!!! Way to LIVE STRONG, Zach! You are an INSPIRATION!!! Love you!!!!

From the land of the rising sun...

jeeeeez.... just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water-- they throw a bike and some road in front of the finish line! hahahaha. you go girl!! kimi nara zettai dekiru kara sa!! akiramendaide o-ne chan rashiku yacchyai!!

The Day After...

I am more sore today than I was yesterday. I think that is to be expected. I have told several friends and family about the experience. Reliving the experience only makes me realize how much I really enjoyed the triathlon. I can't wait for the next one. I am considering doing a tri-relay with some friends. If it works out, the race will be the last Saturday of September. Another race to raise money for the Pleasant Grove High School Swim Team. I will keep y'all posted! I am taking tomorrow off...no training again until Tuesday or Wednesday. I think recovery time is critical in training. 'Til next time....Peace and elbow grease!

H2

Race Day:: Hollie's First Tri:: 25 August 2007

The alarm clock rings loud and very early at 5 am. It's still REALLY dark outside! Not to mention chilly. Did I really say that? Is it really chilly in August in Utah? YES!!!

I had all my gear together last night. All I really needed to do this morning was get up and get on the road. The butterflies in my stomach seemed to be awake before I was. I guess the butterflies knew what lay ahead for the day.

Dennis and I arrived in Orem. Other participants quickly filled the parking lot and proceeded to do the same things I should be doing. So I unloaded my bike, bag and other gear and proceeded to athlete check in. I got my packet and my number. Number 106. Then someone proceeded towards me with a rather large black PERMANENT marker. "Body art", they say at this race. My number was written on my left shoulder and right calf. I will probably be wearing this body art longer than this weekend...Anyone know the number to customer service for Sharpie? I really think that triathletes are kids at heart who like to draw on each other.

I found a spot for my bike and other gear in the transition area. I had no clue what I was doing. I picked a spot and thought, this was just as good as any...But what did I know? And it really didn't matter.

Then someone yells, "It's time to go!" I made my way to the pool. Not really sure where to put my stuff...and I am sure I did everything all wrong...but oh well. This is my first tri...no one is going to take me to tri-jail.

After a word or two of instruction everyone asked us to line up according to groups: kids, sprint racers, and then my group, the novice racers, and then we were to line up according to how quickly we could swim. This is the part I wasn't really prepared for: The standing around and waiting to start my tri! Thank goodness for my cute husband and Tyron who came along to be my cheering section and support group.

FINALLY, it was my turn to get in the pool. Honestly, the rest of the race is a blur. I completed the swim...made it to my bag. Getting clothes on a wet body is hard! Again, thank goodness for my husband who was there to help me out! I'd probably still be wrestling with getting my gear on for the bike and run portion of the race if it weren't for him! I could NOT get my socks on and decided to go without socks. This would prove to be a rather painful decision later. Note to self: do whatever you can to get your socks on during the first transition!

The bike ride went well. I was surprised at how quickly it went. The first half was a little bit of a climb...really not bad, but made for slower speeds for me. Someone passed me and said, "You're doing great!!! It's all downhill after the next corner!" And she was right! A little bit of a "breather"...Well...kinda...My brother Zach would be proud of me...I shifted in to a tougher gear and increased my speed.

Hollie's First Tri:: The Agony of deFEET

Transition 2: I put my bike back in the transition area, grabbed some Accelerade, (Thanks to Zach, Suz, and Easton...cheering from "The Cheap Seats") my hat and headed off to the third and final phase, the run...in my case, the walk.

My legs felt so heavy and so strange after the bike ride. It took probably a good half a mile before I felt like I really had my legs under me. Similar to the bike ride, I felt like the walk went really quickly as well. I have to tell you, I was passed by a woman who gave me some words of encouragement as she passed. "You're doing a great job!!! Keep it up!!!". To which I replied, "Yeah right!!! That's why you are passing me!!!" As she continued on her race she said over her shoulder, "This is a race for charity...and I only do it to see the half naked men!" I laughed and replied, "Well, I guess that's a great motivator right there!"

Before I knew it I was back at the park. The finish line was in sight. It was great to see Dennis and Tyron. They were such great cheerleaders! Someone started to really sprint to the finish line...The man next to me elbowed me in the arm and said, "Are you kidding me? Sprint? I say we trip him!" He was joking of course...I think...

Well...The agony of deFEET is this: Because I did not wear socks, I got nasty blisters from my shoes. Yeah. Not pretty. The pictures don't really tell the whole picture. I have blood stains in my shoes. I have to say...I am one tough chick. :)

I did it. I completed my first tri. I am really proud of myself. I had a great time. I told Dennis I never would have thought this would be something I would do. And now that I've had a taste of the tri world, I do want more. I am excited to continue training and work toward a true sprint distance tri. I am setting my sights on the Woman of Steel Tri next May. Until then, I will post training stuff...which may not be too exciting but is a HUGE part of this process.

I am strong. I will continue to get stronger. And my feet...they'll heal.

First Tri::Share A Smile Foundation::Orem, Utah:: 25 August 2007

So tomorrow is my FIRST triathlon. I NEVER would have thought at the beginning of 2007 I would be entering a triathlon of all things. But a lot of wonderful changes have happened in my life this year...and this is one of them. I am committing to a healthier me...a more active me.

Tomorrows tri is a novice tri. One-eighth mile swim, 4 mile bike, and a 1.7 mile run. My goal: to finish.

I have a wonderful support team (my handsome husband) and have received a wonderful note and package from "The Cheap Seats".

I am not looking forward to the 5 am alarm. I am nervous, but excited. I have to keep telling myself I am excited.

I will post an update tomorrow...and pictures!

Wish me luck!