Open Water Swim...can we be FRIENDS?

Had my first OPEN WATER SWIM of the season Sunday!  Its been a few years since I have done anything official in open water.  I was stoked to try my new wetsuit because I have never swam in one before and I was totally excited to see how I really wouldn't have to swim because the wetsuit makes you float, right? 

I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous.  I grew up on Lake Tapps, but playing and swimming...they are very different, plus...knowing a lake helps.  I was anxious to see how it would go, the water, the swim, the wetsuit, the scary fish...you never know whats going to happen.

Getting in was nice...the wetsuit helped a ton!

My wetsuit is a 2011 BlueSeventy Reaction w/ sleeves that I got for a sweet $100.  It was through a local gym that was getting rid of their inventory.  I think it has been worn once for a rental.  Glad I jumped on that deal...I really like it.  I would show you a picture of me in it, but I don't want to make any of you jealous...I look pretty SWEET in this thing!  It really complements my figure and holds everything in very nicely!  I might start wearing it in place of my spanks...just sayin!  Can you sense my sarcasm?

This could get long...lets do bullet points, shall we:

• The wetsuit makes getting in cold water...a TON easier
• I was breathing every other stroke, not normal for me!  I usually breath every 3 or 4
• I couldn't catch my breath
• And I thought the swim would be the easy part of the TRI...haha!
• I swam freestyle and then would do breaststroke when I got tired
• Seeing the actual distance is a lot different then being told to swim 500 yard in the pool...
• What happened to my stroke?
• I hated seeing under the water...though I couldn't see anything...it still freaked my out
• I need to do MORE open water swimming to get COMFORTABLE with being UNCOMFORTABLE!
• Why did I sign up for an Olympic TRI...why do I do CRAZY THINGS? 
• Wow, I can do this...
• I almost got out after 30 minutes...but I didn't.
• My swim coach was there and gave some tips...after that...everything got a lot better.
• I slowed down my stroke, which slowed my breathing and heart rate down..WAY BETTER
• Oh yah...now I remember how to swim!
• The first 1/2 hour I was with the fast crew...that was confidence booster...even if I felt like I was dying!
• My wetsuit worked great...it's amazing to float...buoyancy ROCKS!
• My hands and feet were freezing
• I need to do this MORE!
• With a wetsuit...remember Body GLIDE...I forgot, didn't feel anything during the swim, but my neck has a nice rash now.
• I felt dizzy!  Getting out of the lake...I felt super dizzy.  I guess the cold and a few other things make that happen.  Good to know!
• Not following a line (like in the pool) make "Sighting" very important.  I need to work on that!  Don't waste energy swimming off course!
• Swimming in the ocean would be more fun!  Kona...gotta get there!
• Thankful for my friends on my swim team that loaned me their open water goggles...Maximum visibility is VERY nice!

So there you go...my first OPEN WATER swim!  It was an eye opener...I'm glad I did it...and I'm really glad I have time to do more.  If you are doing a TRI and think you have the SWIM part covered because you swim in the pool...think again.  Swimming is my strongest sport, I love it...but open water swimming with people...that's a totally different animal.  Learning to be comfortable with being uncomfortable is a BIG deal. 

Winner, Winner...Dilettante Tri Winner!

So excited to announce the winner of the June 16

BTO Multisports Dilettante Triathlon!

Because this race was a local one and women only...the odds were pretty good!

I used Random.org to pick the winner

And The Winner is....

Diana!

This will be fun because she has never done a triathlon! Can't wait to see what she thinks of her first triathlon!   Check back, Diana and let us know how it goes!  See you at the finish line for some CHOCOLATE!!!

Thanks for entering and commenting for this giveaway! Thank you BTO Multisports for sponsoring this GREAT giveaway!

Prom??

My boys were asked to be a part of something fun on Sunday!  I love how CREATIVE people are.  The boys loved it!  So cute!  And of course...she said YES!

What came first?

What came first?  Smiles, then long course or LONG course, then SMILES?

When I heard about long course, I was excited...probably feeling like this picture!

 I thought, 50 meters compared to 25 yards?  It can't be that bad?  Right?  Um....

Well it was a bit harder and LONGER than I had imagined.  Plus...probably wasn't the best idea to move into the FAST lane on the first day of long course?  Yah, not my best decision.  Plus I had done a Open Water Swim the day before.  I swam 1.1 miles in 30 minutes...which I thought was good!  But I was tired and feeling it the next day, which happened to fall on the first day of LONG COURSE!

See...that's FAR!

What I love...You get into a groove and can really focus on your skill without stoping! 

What I didn't love..being with all the fasties and NOT having my confindence in-check.  It was out of my comfort zone, which I HAVE to get used too.  I know it's good for me and I have to push myself.  If my coach didn't think I could do it, she would never have put me in that lane.  I hate when the very thing you LOVE can be the very thing you question?  I know that's just part of the journey, but I question my abilities when I feel weak or lacking in those abilities.  I'm sure thats normal.

I should probably do in the pool what I did on my long runs and FOCUS on a word that will help instead of letting my mind take me to places that do NO good.  Swimming is my strongest sport, by far!  I just need to keep working and contniue to improve.  I also need to learn not to compare myself to others.  A lot of Swimmers on the Masters Team have swam competitvelly in High School and College...I did neither. 

I just grew up on a lake, did swim team and happen to LOVE swimming.

*What do you do when you feel less than?  Doubting your abilities?  Mental games?

Don't forget to check out my giveaway!

Dilettante Triathlon Entry GIVEAWAY!

If you have been reading my blog at all in the last few months, you know I'm focusing on and training for triathlons.  This has been a ton of fun!  I'm thrilled to get more of my friends involved in this adventure!  Way more fun to involve friends in the craziness of TRIATHLONS, right?  Plus with 3-sports to train for...so much easier to connect with more friends!  See, I told you this would be fun!

Because I'm training for a July 8th Olympic Triathlon, I really wanted to do a Sprint Triathlon before!  Always good to test the waters and see how things are going.  I signed up with BTO Multisports to do the DILETTANTE Women's Triathlon on June 16th.  Do you know what Dilettante is (HERE)?  Yah, it's like the WORLD BEST CHOCOLATE!  Yah, that's right.  I figured a triathlon, women only and chocolate...does it get better?  It might, but not much.  I have already roped, begged gotten 4 friends excited enough to sign-up!  If I have learned one thing through this blog and racing...its always way better to do it with a crew of friends. 

BTO Multisport is a great RACE series...they actually give you your money back if you refer friends!  For each friend you refer you get 25% refunded back to you, so if you get 4 friends to sign-up, you get a FREE race entry!  So even if you don't WIN this FREE ENTRY!  You can still get a FREE entry! 

So what's up with all this TRIATHLON excitement...well I get to invite more friends to join me...and one of my LUCKY readers and friend gets to do this event for FREE!  I wish I could pay for a plane ticket for you who don't live near by but I don't think my hubby would be thrilled with that!  SORRY!  But maybe you want to come to SEATTLE in June?  It's a great city?  Triathlon, Seattle...it would be EPIC! 

Anyhow...Have you been wanting to tri a Triathlon?  Best place to start is a FREE SPRINT TRIATHLON with all the chocolate that you want at the finish line! 

Please leave a separate comment for each ENTRY!

1) Must be a FOLLOWER of Running to SANITY!

2)  LIKE BTO Multisport on FB HERE and tell them I sent you!

3) Visit BTO MULTISPORT HERE website and tell me what EVENT you would like to do!

4) SHARE this GIVEAWAY on your BLOG/FB/TWITTER (entry for each)

5)  Have you done a TRI?  What distance? LOVE/HATE?

So many chances to WIN...lets do this!

I will pick the winner for the DILETTANTE TRIATHLON in ONE WEEK! 

*Will be doing another giveaway soon for the Islander AQUATHON July 28th!  Get more info about the RACE HERE!

The Long RUN...

I'm guessing if your anything like me, you check out runners while your driving!  You know what I mean..shoes, gadgets, jackets...you know, like maybe they have something I don't and I need it?  Or I just like to sympathize with them if it's raining or be jealous I'm not running too, cheer them on because I'm proud of them for getting out there (though I have no idea who they are).

Have you done that?

We have had crappy weather here in the Northwest and I'm not being dramatic, but SATURDAY was beautiful!  The boys and I were headed to a BIRTHDAY Party and while driving we saw so many people outside enjoying the weather, bikers, runners...there were a lot.  I noticed one gal, pink compression socks, 4-bottle Nathan hydration belt...I knew she must be out on a long run, but she wasn't wearing a sign saying what mile she is at...I really think people should, LOL! 

Clearly people knew I was business when I was sporting my own, long run attire!  Oh yah!  Only a runner could appreciate the beauty of both of these!

Hours go by...2.5 to be exact and we leave the party and I pass this same gal, who is still running!  Wow, I so remember those days of the long runs for my first marathon.  Totally gave me flashbacks and made me think about how great the journey to the marathon was!  You don't realize it every mile of training, but it's great to reflect and have good thoughts of all that led up to my marathon!  Totally made me smile to see her running, training for her own marathon, I'm sure!  Way to go Lady with the pink compression socks on...you totally motivated me and made me smile!

I was right, she was on her long run, the compression socks and hydration belt was a dead giveaway.  It's funny how you can tell what kind of run people are on, based on their attire!

She is a SMOOTH OPERATOR

Here she is!  Can you believe it?  I finally got my bike.  I'm beyond thrilled and am totally blown away by this amazing bike.  If you're friends with me on facebook (here) then you have already seen this picture.

This is a different bike than I had posted and to be honest, this was not the bike I had originally picked out, but I couldn't be happier with the upgrade.

It's a Scott Contessa CR1 Comp (you can check out stats here!)

After shopping around and looking at many stores, bikes and test riding a few I had decided on a cheaper Scott because I liked the higher components and realized I didn't need a carbon bike, I am new to the cycling world and was looking for a nice, affordable, entry level road  bike. 

One of the bike guys at REI suggested I go with the Contessa Speedster 15 (the purple/black bike I had posted here) instead of the 25 because it had the SHIMANO 105's...yah I didn't know what that was either until I started shopping!  Those are higher end compontment compared to a cheaper bike I was looking at.  I decided I would take a cheaper frame with higher components than a carbon frame with lower end components...ARE YOU STILL WITH ME? 

Always good to talk to people who know what they are talking about instead of just basing your bike purchase based only on color...bummer I know! 

So how did I end up with this bike?  Well...to be honest...I'm shocked because this is a carbon bike and it was not in my budget or my plan but I got a killer deal and couldn't pass it up...so I went for it!  I'm glad I did.  It does have the lower components, but after reading about the difference from the Shimano Tiagra vs. 105's here it doesn't seem like it should be a huge deal for me...until I become an ELITE...LOL! 

Sizing was another issue I was struggling with.  REI has a great video to help out with sizing, HERE.  It's very helpful.  My bike actually doesn't have as much room when I stand over the frame barefoot (but how often am I going to ride barefoot?), but if I had gone with the shorter one we would've had to change the stem on the handle bars and make other adjustments and I didn't want to buy a bike and then have to put more money into making adjustments.  Good news is the size I got seems to work PERFECT.  It's a size SMALL, 52 in Scott Size.  All bikes are not measured the same so you really need to test them out.

Out of all the bikes I have test rode, borrowed from the last couple months...this is by far the best fit and most comfortable which makes ME very HAPPY!


My dad and I on a very WET bike ride!

Buying a bike is a lot of work!  There is way more involved than I ever imagined.  I'm stoked to have it and took her out on a last minute 6-miler yesterday and it was AWESOME!  Plus we have had an amazing 2-days of weather with sun and temptures in the 60's...yah, like I said...AMAZING and perfect CYCLING weather. I can't wait to get better on the bike and do some longer rides. 

Hope some of this info HELPED YOU!



Cycling...ROCKS!

Welcome new followers!  Thank you for FOLLOWING, RUNNING to SANITY!  Sit back, relax and enjoy the craziness....and remember to say HELLO!  I love hearing from you all!

Can I tell you how HAPPY I am that I finally decided to go after triathlons? 

Thank you to everyone for your feedback on the training plans.  I was surprised that many of you create your own plan or just figure it all out without a specific plan.  I got a few emails from some of you and that was SO beneficial!  THANK YOU for taking the time to help a girl out.  The websites you suggested were very helpful.

Saturday I finished a 22-mile ride (first bike ride clipped in) with my dad and a 1-mile run.  It all went great!  The GOOD news is that I joined to club...the clip-in and fall off your BIKE club!  Are you a part of that club?  I was lucky though...I fell into the dirt...not the street!  I was more worried about my friends bike than I was myself.  It was a slow fall and very uneventful...can a fall be uneventful?  Maybe it was a BIG deal...either way I am fine and so is the bike!  Let's hope that's my only fall...but I doubt it!  Clipping in was way better than I thought and I can see how it can help your bike ride.  Clippin-in and out will take some getting used too.  If I didn't have to stop for cars and things...it would be a lot easier!  Oh and I almost got hit by a car!  Yah...very scary, but just like when you run...when you bike you have to make sure drivers see you!  Reminds me as a driver to pay attention more...so scary!

Heading out...Let's Do This!

Road bikes are fast!  I rode with my dad years ago after purchasing my hybrid bike and had no idea how people could cycle with a pace of 16 mph for a long period of time!  My dad rides a recumbent which is not a speed bike, but very comfortable.  With a road bike...you can move way faster than you can with a hybrid...I know that because I have lived it...yes...that was funny!  I felt like going fast and I did and I loved it! 

I miss this view!  I grew up with this every day! 
Lake Tapps is a man made lake so the water comes up in the summer
and goes down in the winter...it's partially down in this picture.



The route we rode was BEAUTIFUL.  Views of Mt. Rainer, red barns, cows and farms...I loved it!  Makes me miss living out there and having all of that in my back yard.  Its so weird to ride through neighborhoods where my childhood friends lived and I had sleepovers and birthday parties and seeing how it has all changed.  A lot of childhood memories!  Seems like so long ago!  We rode to Buckley and went to Wally's and had hot chocolate and an ice cream cone...that's what you do when you ride with my dad to Buckley and back...Can you see why I like riding with him?  After warming up it was time to go back into the freezing weather and head back.  The sky was clear but the temperature wasn't warm.  I so regretted no buying the full finger bike gloves the day before this ride!

Leaving Wally's!

The best part of the day was hanging out with my dad!  I love doing that.  For so long I haven't been able to join him on his adventures but now that the kids are getting older, I think we will be able to do it a lot more.  

I was glad to see that I had some speed and anxious to see what I can do when I keep up those speeds the entire way.  We ran a mile after the bike ride and I felt pretty good...the legs were fatigued but not as bad as I thought they would be.  Curious to see how the legs will be after a faster ride? 

Can't wait to get on the bike again!  I think I'm going to like LOVE cycling! 

Oh and I think I have finally found my bike...HERE Scott Contessa Speedster 15.

I will tell you a little more about how I picked it in another post! 

Have you fallen off your bike while clipped in?

What's the longest bike ride you have been on?

Do you prefer to swim, bike or run?

St. Patty's Day 5k!

Snow, Rain, Wind and FREEZING temperature did not take the fun out of our St. Patty's Day RUN!

We had so much fun.  I was excited to see Kerrie go after her PR that she had been working so hard for and to catch up with Kim from out of town.  I haven't seen Mel in ages and it's always great to see Zoe and cutie-patootie, Goober!  I also secretly hid our dear friend, Chelsea at my house so she could surprise everyone with her presence on race day...I'm such a giver.  I was happy to see Alma and  Tiffany too...who I have met but not spent much time with and they are a BLAST.  We have a great group of runners/bloggers around here...great group of ladies!



Julie, Carrie, Jayne, Mel and Chelsea

Liz (thanks to her hubby for the bib), Jamie, Julie and me



I did not actually plan to run this race...I probably have some commitment issues.  I knew I would go out to see everyone, but never actually registered for the race.  I was able to get one from a friend who's husband wasn't able to run...so I ran as a 34 year old male...that is tough age group to compete in!

Chelsea and I stayed up way late and enjoyed some wine, great race fuel...thanks Chelsea for that!  Woke up early so we would have plenty of time to put snow tires on go to Starbucks since I knew it would be a cold morning!  We decided to park at the transit center and take the Link Rail system into town so we wouldn't have to worry about parking. 

We were the first ones at the race and waited under the awnings of "Hal of a Sub"...I love saying that...makes me laugh!  People started showing up so the pictures began...oh yes!  We chatted...tried to stay warm!

Mel and I keeping each other warm!

Time to go race!  I didn't have any expectations for this 5k.  It would only be my 3rd 5k to run and I have not been running much so it was up to my legs, fate...and whatever else...maybe some luck of the IRISH?  The day before I had ran a very slow 4-miler...so who knew what would happen?

Freezing feet....did someone say BROOKS?

Mostly I just wanted to have a good time and try to enjoy the new course that had 1-mile hill at the end...I didn't think there would be any pot of GOLD at the end of that uphill rainbow?  I started running with Mel's sister Jayne who I have known since elementary school.  Always fun catching up with friends!  That's what RACE DAY is all about! 

I picked up my pace, turned my music on and let my legs take me as fast as I could.  I felt great and was enjoying my music, seeing my friends on the turn around and all the other runners. People watching at a race if fun, especially on themed race!  People are very creative...and a little scary at the same time!

Got to the final hill...at the place where we usually go downhill to the finish we had to climb...we were so close!  I was tired but pushed it until the finish line...and just like that a sweet PR happened!  Almost a minute...woohoo!  I love when I PR...especially when it wasn't expected!

Garmin Time: 27.58

Distance: 3.13

Pace: 8:56

If I had race under my name...I would have been 14/251!  Pays to pay for a race under your name! 

Me, Tiffany, Chelsea, Mel, Kerrie, Lolo, Zoe and Goober!

We all went to lunch and waited forever to get our food!  Oh well...more time to chat with friends and talk to friends who have done triathlons.  Seriously...you mention you have done a TRI...and watch out for a million questions!  Kim's husband was a great sport and I think I even convinced him to come race REV3 Portland with us!  Kim's coming out to support me anyways...why wouldn't he join in the fun?  We will see! 

Such a fun group of ladies!

Chelsea and I had a little photo session on the link...those probably need their own post!

This friend also like to use my phone to write status updates on my facebook like this one...

"My name is Jill and I am a dolphin!!"  She is funny!

Camera and us...funny things do happen!

With all that said!  Race days are a funny thing!  I never want to commit to them and I question why the heck I do them sometime, but then they end up being such GREAT days!  Seeing friends that I don't get to see too much, catching up, doing something that is FUN and doing it together!  There is always many laughs no matter what! 

Thanks ladies for making Saturday such a fun day! 

What RACE is up next? 
Will someone make sure to register me?

Training Plans...HELP!?!?!

So, whats up?  I need a training plan!  

I have 17.5 weeks until the Olympic which means it's time to jump into an official training schedule.  I need your help!  I have looked at some online, but they can be a bit confusing.  So I thought I would ask my trusty, bloggy friends who have been where I am right now.

What have you used?

What do you like?

I want to work on the Bike to Run a lot since that is the biggest struggle.  I feel like swimming with Masters twice a week is enough training for the swim portion, what do you think?  Biking and running is what I need to do more of.

I'm also running the RnR Seattle Half, 2-weeks before the Olympic...I feel like that should be fine.  Right?

I think a lot of my biking will be done on the trainer since we don't have a lot of great areas to bike where I live.  Hoping to bike some trails on the weekends, but during the week...it will be TRAINER time!

Would love feedback, tips, advice...any direction to a training plan would be very helpful!