April was a very busy and fun month for multiple reasons.First, it was kind of cool to see the black and white photo on the left in the April issue of Skirt! Magazine highlighting the “She’s Got Wheels” issue. I was dubbed the “Motivation Peddler” and the editor said some nice things about the joy I finding in coaching…whether is be straight up nutrition coaching or endurance coaching. I am thankful every day that I get to do what I love and was grateful for such a nice “plug” in their publication.
Second, racing season officially kicked off locally with the Escape from Ft. Desoto Sprint on April 11th. You can read about IronClad athletes success in the Recent News section of my website. After that race, I am happy to say it feels good to be racing and enjoying the process once again!!
Third, I got a chance to head out to Lubbock, Texas for Collegiate Nationals and the USAT Twenty Twelve Invitational Race April 17-April 20th. The trip was part of USAT business and the position I hold as Florida’s Regional Athlete Development Coordinator. It was a productive weekend watching some very talented up and coming triathletes race as well as brainstorming with other Regional Coaches on many aspects of developing youth, junior and U23/Collegiate athlete development.
Finally, the month rounded out with my hometown favorite race, St. Anthony’s. The past few years I had opted out of racing and instead wore my coaching cap. Last year, I decided to race again and it was brutal. In 2008, I did not put in the time I needed nor did I have my head in the game for a solid personal experience. As such, I suffered. In 2009, I was more determined to train and go out there and “race”. This year, I was willing to suffer for a personal best but race day did not turn out as planned.
By now, most folks who know of St. Anthony’s know this year was different.
St. A’s Triathlon turned into a duathlon. Race morning the RD had to make the tough call to cancel the swim portion for the AG athletes. I, like everyone else, was stunned by this announcement. I totally agree and support the RD’s decision especially having watched the rough conditions and the toll it took in 2006 but also as I saw the pro field working hard to navigate through the swells. The decision to cancel the swim was a game changer for all AG divisions.
Once hearing the swim was cancelled, I did what I could to find and talk with my athletes about this call and how it might impact their day. Unfortunately, I did not get a chance to chat with everyone and this distraction in my own prerace setup would come back to haunt me later.
The one positive side to the change in race format was it gave me a chance to watch the Pro field come out of the water, head out and come back on the bike and head out on the run. Kevin C has been putting in some great training and I really wanted to see him bring it all together this day. Being able to see him head out on the run looking so strong and knowing he was in striking distance of another top 10 finish gave me a piece of mind and allowed me to relax and get into my own zone.
Getting into a zone I did. The time trial start format I really did not mind with the exception that I had way more women I had to try to get around on the congested bike course. I felt really good and strong the entire ride and believe a 40K bike PR would have been possible IF I had not gotten caught/stuck behind the ambulance in Lakewood Country Club AND the bike course was weeded out a bit more the way it usually is with the swim prior to the bike. It was what is was and overall I am pleased.
The run was a slightly different story. With the swim cancellation curve ball, I totally forgot to get the final bike nutrition details in place. I am a very heavy sweater and tend to need a lot of sodium when I race. This day, I forgot to put the electrolyte tabs on my bike and within the first quarter mile of the run I could feel my legs cramping from the lack of electrolytes. I settled into pace that I was hoping to hold without the legs locking up. The run was not fun and all I could do was repeat my mantra over and over in my head (will share that in a future post) until IT was done. I tried to pick it up at the turnaround and at the finish but the twinges in my hamstring and quad muscles said “oh no you don’t”. In the end, I was actually VERY happy with my finishing run time as I know had I done what I needed to do nutritionally, I would have had a PR there too. In the end, I came away from this race with a 3rd place AG award and even more dedicated to the training I know I will need to do have a strong race in Kona.
Official Kona training will be kicking off at the end of the month but next up for me is my 2nd favorite race…Gulf Coast Triathlon.
Last but not least, is the HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to the following IronClad athletes that raced their hearts out at St. Anthony’s:
Karen Alderman- 8th 40-44
Suzanne Brown
Kevin Collington 9th Pro/ Overall with 2nd fastest 10K and new PR 32:14
Heather Hingson
Chuck Kemeny – new 40K bike and 10K run PR
Val Knight
Rose Laurence
Al Matheny – 1st 20-24 with 4th fastest 10K 32:23
Erin Seaverson- 13th 30-34
Marc Seaverson
Michelle Small- 12th 40-44
Me & Michelle- she had the BEST cupcake tri top!
Kevin getting ready to warm up before heading down for the Pro swim start.
My husband Dave, me and Al, his 2nd triathlon with an out of the box and off the hook 10K.
Me, Marc ( who just rocked St. Croix today), lil Karen and Erin enjoying some post race brew.
Kevin, Al, me and lil Karen after collecting awards.
The odd thing is the picture on the awards is of the swim finish....hmmmmm.
Until next time, continue to train smart and eat well!
~Jennifer
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