Race Report (Kinda, Sorta): Great Hudson River Swim

The Great Hudson River Swim/1.3 Miles

I didn't drown. That's it folks, nothing more to say. This is partially true. I don't really discuss my swim training all that much because, well, there isn't much to discuss. I am not a great swimmer. I took the requisite swim lessons as a kid and spent most of my adult life as a recreational swimmer. I have only started swimming competitively (I hesitate to even call myself competitive, I'm more like an extra body in the water) last year. The rub is, I love swimming. I am trying to improve at it and feel like I have improved a lot from last year. That isn't saying too much.

I feel like I can hold my own in the pool as a middle of the pack swimmer, but put me in OW and I crap out, for lack of a better phrase. Where the swim is concerned in tri, for me it is about surviving it; just making it out the other end without drowning. OK, I exagerate a little. The Hudson River? Kind of freaks me out. It suddenly seems so much bigger when you are actually in it, rather than running along side it as I often do. I had a repeat experience of my tri last year (same river). So here we go...

Pre Race:

Check in started at 10:30 AM and the race was scheduled for 12:10. I got there right at 10:30 cuz that's how I roll. Got my number and swim cap and went to check out the course looking down river to find something I could sight for when we were out there. I found a place to sit and called my friend Laurie for some calming down. Mostly just to hear myself talk my way into a less panicked state. It worked, Thanks Law!

I decided to get my wetsuit at least halfway on and then spotted one of my ride leaders from my bike SIG I just finished up. I sat with him and chatted for a while. I should tell you now that he is an awesome swimmer and took 3rd OA. I see him at my pool always in the 'very fast' lane. Congrats John!! I also spotted a fellow blogger Christopher @ Beyond Defeat. He is a NYer and a super fast runner, does tris and the OWS events. It was so nice to meet him and his friend. He did considerably better than me, but I think almost everyone did. I had to pee so badly, but there was no way in hell I was going to struggle with my wetsuit in the public restroom. I decided to wait until I got into the water. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I peed in my wetsuit.

The Race:

I hesitate to even call it a race, since I was not operating in race mode, but it is what it is.....

Had a GU and we got into the holding 'pens', I was in the first group to enter the water (Damn my last name at the beginning of the alphabet; it did not server me well here today). The entry was a short jump from a pier and we kept dropping in like lemmings, one after the other. The water temperature was 61˚F. It was a bit shocking at first, but I started to acclimate pretty quickly especially after I peed; I was enveloped in warmth....ahhhhhhhh. Once every last swimmer had dropped in there was a huge cheer and the countdown started, we were off. I hate swim starts. I am not an aggressive swimmer. I try to be, but I'm just not, I lack the confidence for it. However, I did keep swimming to the end of the pier and headed south around the buoy. The current was slightly against us, but not too bad, but I was working for sure.

I took my inhaler about an hour before the swim start, but I felt like a fish out of water, except I was in the water. I just couldn't get my breath. I was starting to panic (flashback to NYC Tri last year). After some distance when I just couldn't take it anymore, I rolled on my back and just tried to get my head back in the game. I had to do this once more before I finally found my rhythm and was able to do what I set out to do: repeat my mantra, "long and strong", sight every 5-6 strokes and get comfortable and steady. Seriously, this took probably half a mile to get to this point, way too long. Then I was zig zagging all over the place (clearly my sighting needs work), and the buoys seemed to take forever to arrive. And then, when you think you are at the last one and it's not the last one, I was like, UGH!! Keep swimming. Crap! When I finally did see the end, it was like Hallelujah!! Thank you sweet Jesus!

My thought process for the length of the swim went something like this (and I won't use quotes cuz I am a lazy typist):

Oh crap, here we go.
Damn all these people.
This is so hard.
What was I thinking?
Why do I do this to myself?
I can't...catch...my...breath.
I can't do this.
Where the hell are the kyakers?
Ok, roll over and get a grip.
Should I keep going? It's so far.
Ok, let's go.
Why can't I calm down?
Why can't I breath?
Just swim, long and strong, long and strong.
Roll over, get a grip.
Were are the buoys?
How did I get so far off course, ugh.
John is probably done by now.
How will I do this next weekend?
This chop is killing me.
What is that taste? Diesel?! Gross!
Ok, here we go, now I'm settling.
Not too bad.
Keep going.
Sighting isn't great, but I'm managing.
How the hell do they do 2.4 miles for Ironman?!
Wonder if Tom made it to the finish.
I'm going to be so hungry when this is over.
What did I just touch?! Oh, a stick.
I can't see shit under the water.
I'm glad my goggles are not fogging.
Why is it taking so long to reach that buoy?
elbows high, long and strong.
four, five, six, sight.
There it is! The finish.
Hurry! NO! don't hurry, just stay steady.
ok, pass that guy.
Follow those caps.
Almost there.
Yeah, FINALLY!!!

Finish Line

You can see the full scale of emotions based on my series of thoughts. I'm sure I have left out a ton of other random thoughts as well. The last 1/4 mile I was being bitch slapped by the chop that suddenly appeard, from nowhere, to make my life a living hell. It was not fun and I felt like I was on a roller coaster. What the hell was that about?

The algae beard...look closely.

I made it to the pontoon and up the steps. I was unsteady on my feet and felt like I was still moving, I have never been happier to be on land. Actually that's not true. I took a sailing trip to Menorca once from Barcelona. We hit a storm. I sat up all night with a friend keeping watch. I have never been so terrified in all my life. The waves were over our heads and crashing down on us. I really thought I was going to die that night. I literally kissed the ground when we arrived back.

Happy, happy me.

Tom and my son were waiting as I exited the water. I got a nice finishers medal (which I really wasn't expecting). My final time was 57 minutes. I was 179/197 (I know, right?), three people withdrew and several others (50?) were a no show.

Smooches as my reward

Finish area. The World Trade Center used to be behind these buildings.

Now, you might expect me to be disappointed, and maybe I am just a little. For me, being my first open water swim of the season and given the fact that I suck in OW, I was happy to have swam the distance. Another thing that surprised me and made me happy: I was not tired after this swim. Yes, I had trouble getting my breath, but I was never fatigued. I also had no shoulder fatigue from wearing a full wetsuit. I fully expected that.

I know I should be unhappy with my result, but I am not. I am too jazzed about heading to NH and my first HIM. I may not be a star on the swim, but at least I know I can get the job done. I'll be more in my element on the bike (for sure) and the run. I leave tomorrow which will give me a week to train on the course and in the lake; sweet.

Wishing you all a happy Memorial Day weekend. Ok, now I am fatigued...time for bed.

Foto Friday: Shit My Kids Ruined

So many comments coming from you all telling me how much you like Foto Friday and look forward to it, thank you. Now I feel pressured to deliver, damn! I have to give credit here to the site Shit My Kids Ruined, that is where these come from and there are tons more. It's nice to know your not alone....

That is exactly what you think it is....

Sweeny Toddler

This is also exactly what you think it is...

Silly Putty....hmmm that once had happy memories for me.

This is NOT what you think it is, it's peanut butter, but the damage remains.

This person wrote, "My mental health". Indeed.

Here kitty..nail polish. Can you imagine?

This person wrote, "Three kids later and my breasts are RUINED!! They were real, and they were SPECTACULAR!!" I can relate (the boob part, not the 3 kids part).

My appetite.

Amen.

Random Nothingness

I hate watching movies more than once. If I've seen it, I don't like watching it again. Unless......unless it's You've Got Mail. I know, I know, it's not Citizen Kane, but I can't help it. I am not even sure why I feel compelled to watch it when I come across it on TV. Maybe because it is shot in my neighborhood and I recognize all the businesses (even the ones that no longer exist) and the landmarks, etc. Maybe because I like the humor in it (I do think Tom Hanks is pretty funny in this) or maybe it's Meg Ryan before she did God-knows-what to her face; when she was still 'cute'. This past weekend it was on twice. Do I need to say it? yes, I watched it both times (even the second time when it came on at 11:30 PM; I didn't make it to the end...zzzzzzzzzzz).

When I mentioned my nutritional cravings on my century ride, Aimee @ I Tri To Be Me told me about the margarita flavored Clif Shot Bloks in reference to my cravings for gummy and salt. They do fit that bill nicely. One problem. They taste exactly like margaritas. I love margaritas. Unfortunately margaritas do not love me. To give you a little perspective with reference to Tequila and it's effect on me, my husband calls it "Devil Juice". Yeah, no happy memories for me. Needless to say when I popped one of these into my mouth my head started to spin and I had flashbacks to episodes that I had managed to block out until now. Thanks Aimee, but I think I am going to have to find another alternative, especially since I didn't find a worm at the bottom of the package.Yesterday I had a easy one hour bike and a swim scheduled. I decided to do it with my friend Laurie who I hadn't seen in a while. We met in Central Park and did a loop around and then headed over to Roosevelt Island (situated in the middle of the East River between Manhattan and Queens for those not familiar with NYC geography) for our swim. The pool was a bit crowded, but soon people started to drift away. It was a nice evening. I usually don't train in the evening, but it was nice out and I had good company and got it done in good stead.

59th Street Bridge from Roosevelt Island looking at Manhattan

My son and I spent an evening at the Boat Basin at 79th Street on the Hudson River earlier in the week. I wanted to be on this booze cruise; cool old wooden ship.

Shopping at Wal Mart this weekend (it seems to be a running joke now and yes, judgy peeps, I shop at Wal Mart when I see them) I saw this in the refrigerated section. Something called 'Scrapple'. It is exactly what you would expect it to be, scraps. Scraps of what you ask? Well, let me quote from the wrapper in case you cannot make it out: pork stock, pork livers, pork fat, pork snouts, corn meal, pork hearts, wheat flour, salt, spices. Mmmmmm.....doesn't that just get your appetite revving?

Next up is Corn King Ham and Water Product. I am shocked that this is actually on the Livestrong website. EW! I can't make out all the ingredients in this, but what I can make out is this in this order): Ground ham shank, water (of course, it's a ham water 'product'), corn syrup solids, dextrose, salt, modified ?, and a bunch of sodium something or others I can't make out. Blech. Interestingly enough, I cannot find a list of ingredients online....me thinks this rather strange. By the by, did you know sorbitol is a corn product? Me neither.
Last, once again, for Big Daddy, I saw this at a street fair.


I know this kind of went like a Foto Friday, but I have something planned for that. Lastly, some music.....corny video, but Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde has some pipes. From the soundtrack of my youth.....Heal it Up

Bricking and Stuff

What a glorious weekend weather-wise. Oh, training-wise too. I had a nice hour long run on Friday morning with some 1 minute pick-ups and then some hill sprints....nice.

Saturday morning I got up early and set out for my last big brick before race day. I had a 3 hour ride on the docket. I purchased an aerobottle which I used for the first time, sweet. I headed back to NJ to finish the ride I posted photos of on Friday. I wanted to go and tackle that mile long 7% incline I've been dying to do. It was so peaceful that hour of the morning and not a lot of cyclists out yet. I won't bore you with an uneventful ride. On my return I started seeing more and more cyclists just heading out on their long rides; it felt so good to know I was done. When I got back to my building and off my bike I felt really good; my legs felt fresh. I dumped my bike and put on my Brooks to head out for my 40 minute run. Coach Michelle told me to go out faster than I have been for the first ten minutes and then settle into an easy pace. I just timed my run and went by feel since I will be racing naked at Mooseman. I felt really great at the quicker pace for those first 10. I passed by the Team In Training folks finishing up their bricks too (1:15 ride & :30 run). I was tempted to stop and say hi to the coaches, but I kept moving. I felt really good, which is nice since it will be time to cash in my chips in two weeks.

I had lots of time to think during this brick. Mostly I thought about the Mooseman course. I know it is not going to be a fast course for the run and especially the bike. I have to remember that this is not going to be a fast race, but it will be a test of my endurance. I can't compare my race time to other HIM times on different courses as they all pose their own set of challenges and require racers to have their own skill set to conquer them; hills, heat, turf, cold, etc.. Since this is my first HIM there is that 'great unknown' factor. However, I strongly feel that Michelle has prepared me, not only physically (that is the easy part), but mentally for the challenge. All of this pushing myself past past what I think I am capable of has helped enormously. I still have a long road ahead of me in terms of embracing the pain, but I have come farther than I ever thought possible.

The other thing that amazes me is the education I have received on this journey. How things that don't make sense start to come together with perfect clarity. There have been several 'ah ha' moments where I've thought, "Oh, this is why she has me doing this, I get it now." It really is a process and I am consistently impressed with the knowledge that Coach Michelle possesses, which can only come through years of experience and some 'light bedtime reading", ha!

I am definitely one of those people who races to train. I have no passion for racing, I do have it for training, but I find myself rising to the occasion on race day. The breakthroughs I have in my training mean far more to me than a finishers medal; dare I say even a AG award? I guess it's the quiet triumphs I enjoy most. All that said, I do plan to have a finish I can be proud of come race day.

OK, now to the good stuff, new stuff!! Back in my biathlon, the one raced in the Biblical flood, I broke the inside fastener of my bike helmet and have been making do as I sought out a new one. I have a new one and it matches my bike. I told Coach it was kind of corny, I know, but she assured me that is was cool and maybe even awesome. I feel better and less dorky.

My bike

New Bell Array Helmet

Of course, one needs a "uniform" too. Well, I actually ordered a tri top from my local tri shop. I love their logo and their colors are black and yellow, a no brainer. Problem? Not sure if it will get here in time for when I leave. Grrrrr..... Luckily, there was a street fair today and Super Runners Shop had their discount boxes of running/tri gear out and I scored a Sugoi tri top for $18! I've never owned one. I always raced in a running singlet (with one woefully, ill conceived decision to race in a trisuit for which my body was ill prepared; it's ugly and I won't make it easy by linking to it, you'll have to unearth it yourself. That said, it looks pretty good on me these days...but I don't think I'll be wearing it)

Not a bad backup.

I think I have taken up enough of your time.

Foto Friday: Phone Photos & More....

Judy at Miles and Madness suggested posting the last five photos on your phone as a post idea. I like it, kind of gives you a little insight into what folks are photographing spontaneously.

Tan lines from biking.

Porta Potties on my block for the AIDS Walk last weekend.

Logo I designed for a local arts group I used to belong too (I ran across a show they were holding-they are still using it from many years ago.)

Some random dinnerware I designed for TJ Max I think...

This is for Big Daddy; a new restaurant that opened in the 'hood.

These I took on my ride this morning..it was such a gorgeous morning. I rode over the George Washington Bridge to River Road in NJ. Lovely.

View of Manhattan from the bridge looking downtown

On the Jersey side heading under the GWB

Under the GWB

The bike path

A waterfall? This close to Manhattan?

EXTRA:

It appears I have a budding swimmer on my hand...He is a Pisces after all.

My Graduation

Pink B-18 Group (I'm on the right end in green)

Last night NYCC, the bike group I joined this year, had its B-SIG graduation. The groups range from B-16 to B-18, the number standing for MPH. We were all placed based on a time trial we did back in March or was it late February? You get the picture. There are then 3-4 subgroups within each speed category. I was in the Pink B-18 group; the rockingest group of all (and the loudest last night...yeah pink!).

It was a really nice evening spent with fellow riders, leaders, beer and food. Not necessarily in order of importance (that would be beer, food, leaders, riders - sorry guys). Our ride leaders called each of their groups up to receive a kind of diploma for completing the 10 weeks of rides.

I'm official (officially what I'll leave up to you..be nice)

There was definitely a lot of good humored joking and it was made clear to me that someone has been reading my blog (eh, em...) cuz I was awarded a nice package of Boudreaux's Butt Paste in honor of "butt paste saving my lady bits". I actually thought that was pretty hysterical.

About to get my butt paste!

Ahhhhhh....Sweet lady bits!

I am really going to miss this group of folks. I'll get to see most of them on a reunion ride on June 12th, which I am looking forward to.

All in all, this was one of the best things I have done in my training. Who knows, maybe I'll volunteer to lead next year......One never knows. What I do know is I managed to score this sweet NYCC jersey last night. Love it.

One of the graduates, Paula Froke, made this video which will give you a little taste of what our rides looked like.

NYCC B-SIG 2010 from Paula Froke on Vimeo.

Swim today was solid during the new hours at the pool (3100M with some 3 x 400 descending in there). It was so weird having only two lanes, then eventually 4. I usually swim in the medium lane, but stuck in the slow lane since there were only two of us; I'm not proud. I'd rather have space than face.

Running On Empty (Not)

I had my 2:20 run yesterday after a looooong week and weekend of build. My last build week before Mooseman. I now enter into three weeks of taper.

I decided, most prudently I think, not to get up at the crack of dawn to do this run, but sleep in until 8 then do it in the afternoon; I was tired on Sunday. I prefer running in the afternoon over the morning. I do a lot of training in the early morning, but really, I am NOT a morning person. Left to my own devices I will stay up until 3 and sleep until noon. This, however, does not marry well with triathlon training, but I digress.

I never run with an ipod, but today I decided to since it was a long run and I wanted to be somewhat distracted. So I loaded my shuffle with two episodes of Frontline's audiocast. Yes, riveting I know. In fact my HR was so even during those two episodes it was eerie. Once they were over, I still had about 40 minutes left to run and I had only music left to listen to. At hour 2 I got this crazy second wind and felt like I could go fast and started picking up the pace for about the next 10 minutes or so (peak pace was 8:35, fast for me especially after two hours running); I blame Lady GaGa. All in all, I felt pretty strong through this run (not fast, but steady and strong), which is a nice way to end a long build week.

Today is a rest day. I am happy. I am very happy. I am deliriously happy. Tonight I have my B-SIG (Special Interest Group) graduation. I am kind of excited for it. I'll get to see my fellow bike groupies in street clothes, so we may not recognize one another, and we get to eat, drink and be merry without butt cream, sore joints, tired legs, salt encrusted crevices (ew!) and sweat.

Tomorrow taper starts with a swim. Swimming is going to suck from here on out. As I have mentioned before, they cut the hours at my longcourse pool. One of my fellow riders who also swims where I do (and is an awesome swimmer), told me he went this morning at 11 AM. He said it was a huge mistake; they had two lanes open and 15 people!!! Ugh! I can go to my Y and do the shortcourse, but that is hardly an alternative. I'll just have to make do as best I can.

On a different note, I tried out some of the Brooks ID stuff they sent. The Brooks Infiniti Shorts are amazingly light and have two pockets in the back for GU and one inside pocket for a key(s). I do not recommend more than one key though. I have three on my ring (two to get into my building and a third to get into my apartment) and they were jangling all over; annoying. I loved how light they felt (I almost felt naked!!), as I normally wear 'bike' type running shorts. However, I have meaty thighs and while these were great for walking around in, not so good for running, for me. I need to lube my inner thighs if I use these as I was starting to get sore after an hour run. It might not have bothered me if it were cooler out, but it was hot and humid. Some gals are just not meant to wear these kinds of shorts, I am one of them. The inner liner was great, I have to say, no riding up or getting caught in your "coin slot". Stellar!

See, Meaty

Me thinks my mirror could use some Windex.

Yesterday I donned my ID Elite Support Tank. Ok, support if you are like an A or B cup. The twins are bigger than that. I had to wear a sports bra underneath. Nonetheless, I love this top. Ok, I don't love the color, but I get it. It was comfortable to wear during my 2:20 run and there was no chafing anywhere. It is a snug fit, but I don't mind that. I want this in every color of the rainbow! As usual, I wore my Brooks Launch shoes, which I still LOVE, LOVE LOVE!!!**

Yeah, don't look at my face...blech.

Ok girls, get ready for your close up. Hmmm, freckling, must use more sunscreen.

**In the interest of full disclosure, I am part of the Brooks ID program. I am not paid or asked to review anything by Brooks. This was done of my own accord without any coercion, medieval torture or black mail (come on people, lighten up, that's funny!)