Tri Talk Tuesdays: Pre-Race Jitters

Oh man, jitters!  For me there is really no avoiding them.  After all the training the anticipation of the start is inevitable!  But, I LOVE IT!  It helps me know I'm ready. It helps me know I want to do well. It helps me know I CAN!

A few things I do to deal with the jitters:

** I stretch.  I make sure I am all warmed up.  I typically take a few strokes in the water, time permitting.  I make sure my legs, shoulders, neck are all warmed up and stretched out.

** I meditate.  I go through what I want the race to be like. I visualize the finish in my head, the transitions, the awesomeness I am going to feel throughout the race!  I visualize my success.

** I make sure I am nourished.  I don't eat much, a banana and a protein shake usually, but I make sure I have something to sustain myself.

** I smile!  This journey was fun and the event itself is even more fun!  Smile, enjoy those butterflies and get going!!

--what do you do for pre-race jitters?

--what is your favorite race?

Iron Girl: Cherry Creek Race Report

I cannot believe how quickly time moves.  It does not seem like this triathlon could be here and gone already...oh but it is!

I had a great time going away for the first time on a 'girls weekend' and including a triathlon in the mix.  It was a whirlwind of a trip, but it was so worth it.

Alex and I drove over on Friday and got there in just enough time to check our bikes and get our race packets.  Then, off to Pei Wei Asian Diner for some yummy terriyaki chicken, veggies and rice.  Then, home to lay out all my stuff and hit the bed. I was So tired.

After a great night sleep, the alarm went off way too soon.  Sent my husband a text that read "Always wonder why I do these things when the alarm goes off in the morning"...and that is so true.  Hate getting up that early, but glad it is worth it in the end.

Next, off to the event.  The parking was a little bit of a pain because they wouldn't let everyone into the resevouir so we had to park at the local high school and walk in.  It took 7-10 minutes to walk in so it wasn't too bad, but still kind of a pain.  Luckily the scenary was beautiful and put my  nerves at peace!

 Into the line for body markings, and the bathrooms!  They had lots so that was nice, it went quick.  Set up my transition and I am ready to get the show on the road.  My only goal this time was to get out of the water without feeling like I got beat up.  I wanted to have a good swim.  We went down to the water's edge and they started lining up the different waves.  I was in the 4th of 5 waves so I had a little while to wait.  I got in the water did a few strokes and felt like I was ready to go.  Found my girl friends in line and wished them luck and then went over to watch the waves start.  Finally it was my turn.  I positioned myself in the front right side of the swim start.  I figured that I liked to be passed better than trying to pass so if I put myself up there the fast people could pass me and I would settle in quicker.  I was right.  I placed myself perfectly and got into my groove much sooner than I have in the past.  I was almost 3/4 of the way out when I hard the next wave start.  I couldn't believe how far I had come in 5 minutes!  Yeah, I felt great!  On the home stretch, I felt great.  I was passing people, staying within what I felt I could do and almost liked the swim!  I only got passed by 2 girls in the wave behind me and one was Winter, from Team Winter.  Go read about her, she is amazing!  I felt good about her passing me :).   My final swim time was 17:58.  I was happy to be on dry land again, but I felt great after the swim, which has never happened.

T1 was a pain.  We had to run up from the swim out and go up stairs and the boat ramp and it was long and frustrating to already feel my legs tiring just to get into transition.  Once there, I had to take off my wetsuit, which i have never had to do because the other races have people there to help you.  I just sat down by my bike and took it off so it wasn't too big of deal.  I hate putting my wet feet into socks and shoes, but alas, it comes with the racing game!  

Onto the bike course, the race packet said it was 'pretty' flat...hahaha.  There were very few flat parts.  Hills were everywhere.  It was as tough course and I had to put my gears all the way to the easiest possible to get up some of them.  I still had a great time biking and loved my Daisy.  She did well for me again.  I actually fueled on the bike this time with Strawberry Heed and Grape Nuun.  It was delish.  I am glad I did because I really needed the help during my run.  It got hot and pushing it so hard on the bike wore me out. I teared up coming in from the bike when I saw kids there cheering for their Moms.  I missed my little cheering section. My bike split was 44:54.  I will take that on the hardest course I have done yet!

T2 is always quick for me.  I have to remind myself to take my helmet off and then put my race belt on and I am off.  I walked through transition to get my legs back under me and then took off running once I cross the timing mats. 

Oh the run, how I struggle with the run.  By the time I get to the run, I am just exhausted and for me to run when exhausted is quite the event.  I had a horrible cramp in my neck/shoulder when I started the run and started crying because it hurt so bad.  I got it shaken out at about the 1 mile mark, thankfully!  The run was on a hot, not shaded course with a few little rolling hills that made it quite difficult for me.  My feet were swollen from the drive over and they were just screaming at me.  I was SO happy to get some Heed at the aid station.  Couldn't have been more happy to see the turn around point and almost lost it when I could hear the finish line :).  I pushed through all of the pain I was having and got a great split time... for me.  It was 31:53.

Total time: 1:39:18, just slightly faster than my Snake Tri on a much harder course.

I was proud of what I pushed myself through this time.  I had more problems to work through this time than I have in the past 2 triathlons, but I did it.  I was rested and ready for this triathlon, just traveling threw my body off I think.

  I enjoyed hearing my name called at the end and the the Iron Girl sponge to pour cold water on me!  Katie Williams .... YOU are an Iron Girl!!  And the post race food was so delicious!

 It was so fun to meet a bunch of new girls from Idaho Falls and hope to continue to "Tri" with them in the future!  I am so happy with how my first triathlon season went and cannot wait to crush these times some day!

The Great Snake River Tri Race Report ...

The Great Snake River Tri!  What a race...it was beautiful!  I decided to do the race on Thursday, the event being on Saturday.  It was actually kind of nice to not have to worry about it so much beforehand!  I wasn't nearly as nervous for this one as I was for my Rigby Tri even with it being in the river.  

It was quite a different feel for this event for me.  I was doing it 'by myself', only my son Nene came.  I am grateful I know so many people in the actual tri community so I had a few people there to cheer me on.  It is amazing what a little cheer can do for you!

That morning, I went and set up my T1 spot first.  It was in a different location than T2, which was different than at Rigby.  I put everything at T1 because I don't have to change my shoes.  So T2 was empty for me.  After T1 was set up, went over to T2 to await the athlete's meeting and socialize with everyone.  Got my fuel in me, went to the bathroom and then walked over to the swim entrance.  Oh how the jitters start when you are standing there. At least I didn't start crying this time!  Progress!  I was hoping to get my swim time down quite a bit because of the current in the river, but that didn't happen much.  The current was swift when you first started but after that it was only slightly there.  I was kind of hoping it would have been more :).  Beautiful swim though, the river wasn't very clear, but the trees were beautiful, the sky was pretty and there were lots of people around me the whole time, not close enough to hit me, but enough I could see them when I was swimming!

I didn't hate every minute of the swim this time, which to me is progress!  It was still super hard and I was super excited to get to the end...except the moss that tried to eat me when getting out :).  It was scratchy and frustrating to be in moss right at the end, but it made me even happier to be out of the water.  I was exhausted so I kind of took my time walking up to the strippers and getting into T1.

Once I got on Daisy, the world was happy again!  I loved the ride.  The way out there were quite a few hills, but if you go up them, you get to come down them, which is great.  The back side of the course was really bumpy, but it was less than a mile so it wasn't awful.  Just felt like I might get bumped off my bike was all!  I pushed it pretty hard on the bike hoping for a good time.  I did okay on time. I averaged 16.2 according to my chip so I'll take it.  Hopefully next year will be faster.

T2 was a quick, rack my bike, take a drink and off for the run.  The run was pretty simple for the first mile or so, just street stuff.  Once we went onto the paved path behind the houses and around a man made lake it was beautiful.  I felt strong on the run, but could tell my body was running out of fuel.  It was aching and just tired in areas it has never been tired.  But I never walked and finished strong. 

Nene was there to capture some fun photos of me!  It was nice to have a few at least to remember the awesome accomplishment.  I love how mentally strong I have become in overcoming pain and keeping my body going. 

I ended up 2nd in my age group, 1:40:52 was my chip time.  Pretty good for only my 2nd triathlon!  Can't wait to do it again next year and improve my time!

With a little time ...

Oh how your PERSPECTIVE changes...

Two weeks ago, I completed my first sprint triathlon and I thought I would not do another one this year.  The very following week, Coach J did the Echo Triathlon (watch for a race report from him) and I found myself to be extremely jealous! I wanted to have another attempt at doing something so challenging and rewarding!

To be completely honest, it only took about a day to help my perspective change.  While I was going through the swim, I wanted to quit.  I wanted so badly to call over the kayak and have him take me in.  But I didn't!  I kept going and then enjoyed every minute of the rest of the triathlon. Same thing in life, while we are going through trials or hard times it sometimes feels like we just want to quit.  We want to throw in the towel, claim a Did Not Finish, but once we have gone through those challenges/trial/hardships, we are better because of it.  We are a different person and stronger and more able to take on the next challenge.  

Now that I have had time to think about my triathlon experience, I KNOW I want to do more. I know I need to work on my swim to be quicker and more efficient and my run to become faster, but there is always something you can work on to get better, right? If we wait until we are 'perfect' to go after something we desire will we ever be ready?  Will we ever do something that causes us to be fearful if we don't just Go for It and enjoy the journey?

Bring on the next TRI!!

--What has changed your perspective in life?

--Have you ever said you won't do something and then do it anyway?

Triathlon at Rigby Lake ...

 Oh what a day...a day I will not quickly forget!  The day I completed the Triathlon at Rigby Lake.  The day started by me singing the National Anthem.  It was one of the best things I could have done.  It calmed my nerves, helped me focus on something else besides what I had gotten myself into and made me really enjoy my talents.  It was fun because I got a lot of comments out on the course while competing and that gave me several added bonuses when I needed them!

After that, the Olympic distance started.  I was watching them swim, stretching out, hanging out with my kids/parents and couldn't believe what was happening!  My husband came over, the athletes started getting out of the water and I just became slightly overwhelmed, started crying and got a big huge hug and a encouraging pep talk from my husband.  Boy did I need that.  Wet suit on, gel taken and ready to get in the water to warm up a bit.

 First picture with my husband and his 2 brothers.  It was fun to have so many people from our family doing the triathlon together!  The water was warm and the sun was shining...let's get this party started!  We were called over to the starting point.  I was beyond nervous for the swim.  The course was set up in such a way that I couldn't even see the first buoy because it was behind alittle island.  I couldn't decide where I wanted to be in the mass of people and boy did I chose wrong.  I should have started WAY further back than I did.  I got kicked, hit so hard in the head that I got dunked and could NOT find my groove.  The first half of the swim I was doing anything possible to go forward.  I couldn't get my breath, I couldn't keep my stroke going, nothing.  It was super frustrating.  I rounded the first buoy and wanted to call over the kayak to come get me...I was DONE.  I gave myself a little pep talk and decided it was now or never.  I started my front crawling and finished the race strong.  Come to find out, the swim was 1100 yards instead of the 800 yards I was planning on.  No wonder it felt like I was in there forever!

 I have never been so excited to be on my feet in the sand!  My chip time for my swim was 27:31.  Not bad for my first 1100 yard swim and not swimming a real good steady race.  I'll take it!

Got into transition, got my headband on, my helmet on, my shoes and socks on and was off on my new bike "Daisy".  I LOVED the bike.  Every minute.  I was cheering people on, only got passed by 2 people and just loved the feeling of moving forward at a quick pace :).  I kept telling myself I was doing a triathlon and to enjoy every minute!  The beautiful countryside scenery helped with that too. I averaged 18 mph and my bike split time was 42:28.  Mostly because I walked once I dismounted my bike taking it into the transition area.  I was tired and didn't think I was 'racing' for anything but myself.

Off to the run. We go once around the lake which was 1.1 miles of the 5K and that lap was nice.  I was getting into a nice groove and felt very good with where I was at physically.  I didn't know how much I had left to give so I didn't go as fast as I probably could have, but I gave it a good go. On my way out of the lake, which then turns into an out and back, I saw my little cheering section consisting of my children and parents and it was so much fun to have them cheering for me!  Loved it!

My husband ran back and ran with me for the last quarter mile or so and that was so fun.  I loved doing something 'with' him and knowing he was out on the course too.  My run time was 32:57.  It was a hot run but nice to have the out and back to see all the people ahead of me and cheer each other on.

I was over come with emotion as I came into the Finish Line.  I had done what I set out to do.  I had accomplished what last year I didn't know was possible.  I didn't want it to be over.  I wasn't ready but I was all at the same time.  I got my medal, and my husband surprised me with a necklace and a huge hug!  I still get all emotional when I think about it.  I couldn't have asked for a better race day...except maybe a shorter swim.  

It was fun to do it with so many people that I love and knew.  It was amazing to feel like a true triathlete with the TriTats our race did (I didn't want to wash them off).  It was amazing to be one of the people who was doing the race instead of just watching.  It was just amazing!!!

And to top off the awesomeness ... I ended up on the podium for my age group!  I got 3rd place with a final chip time of 1:46.  All 4 of us Williams got on the podium in our age groups too....SO COOL!

 

Will I do another one?  Absolutely!!!  This year, no way!?!  I have a lot of work to do on my swim, but you can bet I will be putting in the time and effort.  I have been bitten by the triathlon bug!

Triathlon Training ...

Wow is about all I can say.  Training for a sprint triathlon, juggling work, taking care of 4 kids and all the busy summer schedules, keeping a house clean and people fed is a tough job!  I feel like I have so many balls up in the air juggling that I might just drop them all....right now, I am just dropping the clean house ... so I am considering that a success.

I have been following THIS plan from Everymom to IRONMOM for my 8 weeks to a sprint triathlon.  It has been a great program and I feel like I am really ready for my first race on July 6th.  I am super excited.  I have overcome many obstacles, fears and frustrations.  I have wanted to keep this blog updated, but I have obviously dropped that ball too, but I will try to get my thoughts and feelings down as soon as I can!

Until then, I hope you are loving life and enjoying the beautiful world we live in!!

A mother's example...

You read a lot about mother's guilt when they take time to exercise, eat right and take care of themselves.  I see it very differently, thankfully!  I have never felt the guilt that comes with training for a race, eating good food or taking the time to get a girls night...do you know why?  It is important to me AND my children that I am a healthy person, in my own life, in my eating life and in my exercise life not just their Mom.  It makes me a better mother and it gives them something to learn from.

If you feel like you are suffering from mother's guilt....think of it this way.  Would you rather have your adult children struggle with the same things you are or give them the example that exercising, eating right and treating our bodies well is just a habit that we LOVE to do?

I love when my kids eat some lean protein and a dinner full of veggies and know that it will make their body healthy and strong.  I love it when they go ride their bike, then run right after so they can train for their 'triathlon'.  I never had the example of eating right and exercising so my body image is way off (I will write more about that some day) and I hope my children don't suffer the same fate as me.  All I can give them is a good example and the education that I have gained!

Do you suffer from mother's guilt?  What do you do to be an example to your kids?

Before pictures...

These aren't pretty, but I am working on it :).  These pictures are taken in my goal top/shorts for my upcoming triathlon in July.  I want to look really good in these when the time comes and be able to crush my goal of finishing my first sprint triathlon.  Gotta have a goal to keep me motivated to stay totally ON-PLAN!