Thursday, March 19, 2009

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Monday, March 16, 2009

Finally Ready!

Today the finally piece of my triathlon fell into place...

What I'm wearing :)

This has been in the top three or four of things I've been worried about.  Why you ask? (or maybe you don't)

Well I'm not what you might call your standard size triathlete.  Some races call me an 'Athena'  but to put it bluntly - I'm closer to two Athenas. (Men you can ignore this next bit).  There was also the question of how to contain 'the girls'.  Most standard suggestions (wear tri shorts and a swim top) just wouldn't cut it for me.  I cannot run without major support.  It's dangerous and painful.  But -it was near imposable to get a sports bra on while wet... not to mention that from what I've been told there is no covered transition areas at Lavama.

Then I found that while swimming in a standard suit - when I really got good rotation going - certain parts couldn't keep up and were trying to escape from the sides.  So, my first 'modification' to standard tri gear was to start wearing a sports bra under my suit.  I've been doing that for a while now and I couldn't imagine trying to swim with any kind of speed without it now.

So my thought was, swim in a standard suit, with a sports bra and then throw on bike shorts and a top for the bike/run.  Yeah that thought lasted 1/2 a second.  There's no way I could sit a bike saddle with a standard suit on.  I had enough trouble with  bike shorts!  Ok then - bike shorts under the suit, suit comes off and a top over the bra...  eh yeah.  Probably would work except there's no way I'm going to run around in HI in just bike shorts.  I'm sorry, I just can't subject the world to that.  So, what to do?  And then there was the issue I found during our sprint tri,  when the bike shorts were wet and then I biked/ran in them - the chafed along the seams of the padding - so I had started to wear another layer under them.

The straw that finally broke the camels back (or broke open the camel's wallet) was when I went to swim last week and discovered that my suit has gone a little... limp.  eh almost no elasticity left!  It was going to have to be replaced before the race... what to do?  what to do?

Well I broke down and got a once piece tri suit!  It arrived today and I LOVE IT!!

The plan is this - tri suit and sports bra for the swim.  (and swim cap a goggles -duh)

T1 = an athletic skort over the tri suit ( to preserve my modesty) and my TNT tri top.  Socks and bike shoes, helmet, gloves, and my watter bladder.

T2 = a quick change to running shoes

And that's all

With my trisuit I also picked up a race belt and timing chip band - I'm so ready!!

Thank you Team Estrogen for getting me my stuff so quickly and for having such a great size selection!


By the way - check back here in six months or so - I plan on needing a much smaller tri suit :P

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Sexy New Handlebars

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Oh what a day!

I made some changes to my bike today.  Not sure how smart that was considering we're shipping them to Hawaii tomorrow and I won't see it or ride it again until the day before we race.

One change -- well I didn't have much of choice.

We had a team ride today and so last night I started checking my bike and noticed the back tire was flat.  Ok - no problem.  I started changing the tire and as I was taught, checked the tire for debris before putting the new tube in.  What I found wan't good.  It looked like some of the metal of the tire was showing little particles of steal were poking out... ahhhhh new tire!  There was no way to get a new tire before our team ride so other plans were made.  Those included getting up this morning - loading our bikes on the back of the FJ and heading to the bike store.  The plan was, once we got a new tire for me, we would do my training ride together (hubby and I).   Fine, no problem, until...

As I'm driving along, I hear a light 'thump' on the back of the FJ.  I knew 'something had fallen'.  I just knew it.  I check the side view mirror and see a bike tire rolling down the median.  CRAP!!  Hubby had put my empty rim back on the back of my bike, but hadn't looked the chain around, and hadn't (apparently) tightened it enough! After pulling over, exchanged info with the woman who had been behind us (and gotten her car scratched) we headed back to the bike shop, but this time needing an entire bike wheel assembly -- and I was supposed to be shipping my bike to HI tomorrow!

Luckily the bike shop had everything I needed, new rim, gear assembly etc.  They were really great, helping me make sure everything fit, and even assembling it for me putting on the tube and tire etc.  Of course while I'm there waiting for my wheel to be fixed I start browsing.  Ooooo handlebar tape.  I need new tape cause I totally screwed up the stuff on my bike by falling a few times.  I found some snazzy red and black stuff that made me happy just looking at it.

And -- areobars -- I've wanted them since I got a road bike! And even more after the long ride last week. So, I got a pair.

I know - changes like this right before a race - not always a great idea, but I did run around the neighborhood and my trainer with the new gear and mmmm I liked my bike before, but I luuuuve it now! :)

Look out Hawaii Here I come!

Thursday, March 12, 2009

A new day

I'm done feeling sorry for myself.  Time to move on and focus on the training - which is what I've wanted to do all along :)

Did a two mile run last night, pushing to get just a little faster by doing some intervals for the last half.  Honestly though I'm more worried about endurance then speed.  The 4.5 miles I've done during training is the logest I've ever run and the though of running 6 is still very overwhelming.  I'm just going to focus on keeping my feet moving :)

Tonight's a bike ride followed by a run.  An unusual mid week brick - but nothing too strenuous.  Two weeks 'til we leave for HI!! woo hoo!

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Disheartened

Well, Friday is my fundraising deadline and I'm still short $2500 of my fundraising minimum.

I've had to make some serious decisions:

I could walk out on my commitment.  Not a nice thing to do, but in these economic times, and with two of our credit cards having slashed our credit limits to what we owed...  The training has been rough through all of this.  I'm not what one would call an athlete, but I still had this dream to complete a triathlon.  It was bad enough that I would be walking out on a commitment to people who seriously need the support and caring, but I would be walking out on myself as well.  Then there was the fact that I had already spent $1500 of my own money on the trip to HI.  Money that was non-refundable...

So today took out a personal loan.  I'll be meeting my commitment, going to HI and finishing my triathon.  I can honestly say it's been one of the best and worst times in my life.  There will be other triathlons (I've several lined up this year) and I will do other things for charity... but I will never try to do something of this scale again.

Friday, March 6, 2009

Thank You!

First, thank you to everyone who came out to the party last night - it was a BLAST and there were some fabulous singers!

Second, thank you to all the people who donated items for my raffle.  It was a huge success!

Last but not least, thank you to everyone who donated at the event and/or bought raffle tickets.  You raised almost $800 in the battle against blood cancers.

100% of the money donated will be going to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society.  Since its founding in 1949, LLS has invested more then $600 million in research specifically targeting leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.  They believe that innovations in blood cancer research hold the keys to curing all cancers.  Treatments such as chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation, originally developed for leukemia, are now standard treatments for many cancers. LLS also offers support groups, financial aid, information and advocacy programs for patients and their family.
Your support is crucial to their success,  thank you again!
Shawn

Monday, March 2, 2009

Thank You Red and White Fleet

The Red and White Fleet has donated to my fundraising raffle!

The have given me a voucher good for one bay cruise for two people!

about the Red and White Fleet:


Founded in 1892, the family-owned Red and White Fleet is legendary for its breathtaking San Francisco Cruises. Sail under the Golden Gate and around Alcatraz aboard our 1-hr Golden Gate Bay Cruise – a San Francisco original narrated in 8 languages. Or enjoy amazing sunsets and appetizers aboard our relaxed 2-hr California Sunset Cruise. Our new 90-min SF Explorer Cruise is an amazing way to discover San Francisco's unique natural history, architecture, and Native American culture on a sailing route that promises spectacular views! All of Red and White Fleet's cruises depart from Pier 43½ in the heart of Fisherman's Wharf.
Find more at their website here:

Mark the Date! - March 5th!

I just wanted to let everyone know - that if you're in the San Francisco Bay area (or even if you aren't) - your invited to the Party at the Mint in San Francisco this Thursday- March 5th!  We're starting at 5:30 and we'll 'officially' go until 8:00PM.  There will be a karaoke contest for those who wish to participate.  Or you can just hang out and support a good cause.

Also - I'm selling Raffle tickets for all the prizes I've been announcing below.  $5 each or 5 for $20.  If you want to be entered into the raffle, but won't see in me in person before the event - let me know and I'll give you your tickets 'virtually'!

Last, but not least, you're always welcome to make a donation via credit card at my fundraising site - http://pages.teamintraining.org/sf/lavatri09/smuellerboddy

I still need $3500 to meet my fundraising minimum - so anything you can do to help is greatly appreciated!