2014 Season Recap

2014 Season Recap:

 

Was a season of not necessarily getting faster, but continuing to race consistently and sharpen the mental toughness. The biggest thing I learned in 2014 was that an open mind is a powerful thing. If you give yourself a chance, often you’ll surprise yourself.

 

So, here is what I was up to in 2014: 

 

Early season racing included the Shamrock Shuffle 10k and the Crazylegs 8K. I tried to find my running legs and get some speed back despite a very cold and snowy winter and not a lot of track work.

 

 I ran the WISCONSIN HALF MARATHON in Kenosha in May. I ran slightly slower than my half marathon time last year, but on an out and back course leading the womens race was really cool and even came with a motorcycle at the end. Best thing? This box of cheese that I won. Oh, and the cheese head crown. 1:26:16, First Female.

 

Then I went back to the AMERICAN TRIPLE T. 2013 was the year of random errors and issues keeping me just far enough away from the top spot that I couldn’t wait to come back and try again… even though triple t is crazy hard. It was SO SO COLD this year and the courses changed slightly, but my mission was be tough all weekend and don’t walk at all during the run. In the end, I snagged 2^nd place by 23 seconds. Yes, 3 days… 4 races… 140+ miles… 23 seconds. So, being OCD about not walking at all paid off. In retrospect, the break to refill my own water bottles on the bike probably could have been better planned...

 

 

so so cold. getting ready to bike back up the hill to the lodge... 

 

LEONS was a warm year with a different run course. Rather than seeing people on the out and back you were on a big loop. I had pretty much the same gap on the girl in first the whole time and didn’t have much pep in the run to catch up to her. 2:17:49, 2nd Female.

Leons awards

 

I raced PLEASANT PRAIRIE. It was super foggy and the race was delayed what felt like forever. I swam super far off course and for the first time ever would stop and see most people ahead of me stopped, treading water, trying to figure out how we get back to the beach. Stellar. My high point was when I kayak waved frantically and pointed me in the direction to my right, which was where the buoy I should have been heading towards was. 2:09:43, 4th Female.

VisionQuest representing at Pleasant Prairie!

 

Then I had what seems like my annual melt down prior to RACINE. Everything felt slow and awful. I was certain I was on a downward spiral that I wouldn’t get out off. I’m clearly not overly dramatic at all with my training…. But, I was talked into having an open mind and giving myself a shot at Racine (BIG thanks to the brains behind the operation – Scott Iott of Training Bible). And I ended up with a decent day at Racine – just slightly slower than last year, first AG and a big reminder to have an open mind and give yourself a shot. 4:44:54, 1st F25-29.

 

 

So, with this new found motivation I was ready for some more triathloning. I was also enjoying being unemployed for a month while I transitioned between jobs and moved up to Madison. There was a camping weekend and then the TBC Iroman Wisconsin camp and then I was going to start work! And, then I went trail running in devils lake and sprained my ankle. Walking hurt for a while, my ankle still doesn’t quite seem like it’s the same size… and I was off running for like 2 weeks. The big rides during the IMWI camp where still there and we tried to get the most out of bike fitness before I was back in the working world. But, that scrapped any August tri plans and put running on the back burner for a bit. It came around and I was back at it before too long.

Fat ankle and banged up knee. #notwinning.

The stretch from September to November was tough. There were lots of friends wedding activities to train through, cold weather and less and less people to train with. It was wonderful that Amanda had decided to do IMAZ and continued to be a training buddy during those months and that I found a good running club at work to keep me motivated during some mid week long runs.

 

IRONMAN ARIZONA has a great end of the season. It was awesome having a good IL / WI representation down there and so many people had great races. TBC cleaned up in the M35-39 category, Amanda claimed the overall amateur female slot and DOMINATED with a sub 10 hour Ironman. I will continue to cling to her wheel during long training rides with the hope that I’ll get some of that bike speed! I rocked a new Smashfest Queen tri kit and enjoyed soaking up some of that energy in Arizona. Lots of love for smashfest at that race!! 10:09:51, 1st F25-29, 5th Female (amateur)

IRONMAN ARIZONA!

 

Serious thanks to everyone this season. Training buddies in Wisconsin and IL (Amanda for dragging me around on the bike many times this summer, Trey and Eric for runs back in the burbs and a few bike rides around Madison and other running buddies :)). Scott Iott and Training Bible for the coaching and putting up with my crazy and working around a busy summer of friends weddings and a move and new job. Jason for tolerating my schedule and how tired and hungry it makes me all the time.