Friends and racing

One of the best parts about triathlons and sports is the people you race with.  In high school I became good friends with the other girls I ran against.  I really liked this.  It was fun to race against these girls since I knew how much work they put in each week and they made me want to work harder.   It's the same with triathlons.  It's fun to see the girls and guys at each race both on the course and off.  Before and during the race, it's strictly business-but afterwards it's fun to catch up and chat!  There are different groups around the island that meet and train together, but personally, I tend to do a lot of training by myself, mainly because of time.  I do really look forward to Masters Swimming, because that is my social training time.  In the pool it's fun to work hard and see others push theirselves to be better and get faster.  I could meet others to run and bike, but I don't.  I wonder if my running and biking would improve if I did this?  I think it just depends on the workout.  Anyways, that's not the point of this post-the point is to say that friends that have the same hobbies are great!  And it's even great to hang out with those friends and not workout!  For the past couple of years, I've always had a running birthday party--where I get my friends together to run and then we eat afterwards.  It started in Utah with a morning run and then breakfast afterwards and then last year it progressed into dinner and this year I decided to invite a lot of people, but I couldn't make dinner for everyone so I made it into a 'run and dessert'.  My plan was to make desserts for everyone, but I forgot that I lived in Hawaii and people always bring things--so we ended up with a TON of desserts!  And I also forgot that we are all active and don't always want the extra sugar.  I don't know what I was thinking?!?!?  Next year, it'll be a 'run and fruits and veggies' party.  :)  But it was a lot of fun.  It was fun for people who only knew each other from Strava or Instagram to meet.  It is a small island, but not everyone has met face-to-face.  I had a great time chatting and watching others have a great time too.  Thanks everyone for coming and spending your Friday night with me. :)

Triahtlon and dating

Triathlon is not only a sport but a lifestyle.  At the age of 32 (almost 33), I find myself still single and wanting to find someone to share my life with.  I've always thought that I would end up with an athlete, specifically, a runner or a triathlete.  I've dated runners in college and most recently I dated triathletes and neither has worked out-each for different reasons.  One thing the relationships had in common was the triathletes were very passionate about their sport and their sport was their number 1 priority.  I too am very passionate about my sport, but I know that I can make my partner my number 1 while still being passionate about my sport.

I've also dated some non-runners or non-triathletes but there are times when I feel embarrassed when I have to explain to the person I am dating, that my workouts are like another job to me and that it is important that I am able to complete them.  They aren't something that I am going to skip to hang out and I guess I feel guilty about this.  I don't know.  Dating is such a hard thing.  I know the grass is always greener-but I am ready to find someone to start living life with. Someone who I want to make a priority and someone who wants to make me a priority.  It seems like such a simple task, but it isn't at all.  I've been on the dating apps, but I've had to take a break from them.  It wasn't fun anymore.  It was causing me more stress.  Ideally, I'd like to meet someone 'in real life' but almost all my friends are married or in a serious relationship, which means they aren't around single people very often, I live on an island, and I don't go out much.  Honestly, I can only think of one person that I could potentially date, but he is friends with both of my ex's...so that probably isn't the best idea.

Now, why am I am sharing this on my public blog--good question.  I guess I want to get in the habit of blogging again.  I want my blog to be about my life in triathlon and this is where I am right now.

I also sometimes get 'mad' at the sport.  In the past, I have felt like I've been dumped for a sport.  Why do people choose a sport over a person?  Why is a sport more important than a relationship with another human?  In my life, triathlon is important, but if I find someone that I want to be with-I know I would make them my number 1.  But guys are different.  Or maybe they aren't.  I guess the relationship didn't mean the same to them.  Or I've heard it many times, 'the timing wasn't right'.  I believe these words, but I've just heard them too often.

Anyways-in the meantime I will focus on myself and the things I can control.  I'm pretty excited that I was chosen to be a part of #teamWYN2018.  This is WYN Republic's inaugural team, so I feel pretty lucky to have made the cut.  I'm excited to make triathlon more than about myself and help my community and also the triathlon community.

Lanikai Update

Lanikai Triathlon was as great as everyone promised!  The racing was fun-but the most fun might have been the socializing afterward.  :)

First about the race.  So, it was a 500m swim, so not too far, which meant it was going to be fast.  I am not the fastest swimmer, but I am also not the slowest.  I've been swimming a bunch, especially since I had to take a break from running, so my swimming has really improved.  With the said, there are still swimmers that kick my butt in the water!

When the race started I found myself in the pack and I looking for some feet to pull on.  The men started 3 minutes before us, so within a couple of minutes, we were passing some of the slower swimmers.  I didn't really find my rhythm and I was just trying to hold a good pace, since I knew Lectie was going to have a strong swim (she ended up having the fastest swim split-including the men!)  When I got out of the water, I found myself next to a girl who started swimming with the Kailua Masters and who is WAY faster than me in the pool!  Just like with riding inside vs riding inside, there is a big difference in pool swimming vs ocean swimming.  I think each has it's place-but I think it's important to do both. Anyways, I came out of the water right with her--and then a bit ahead I saw Michelle (who also kicks my butt in the pool and ocean swims!).  When we got into transition I was right there with her.

Looking at the results after, I wasn't too far behind.  I still have some work to do to be more in the mix of it, but I am putting in the time!

Once we got out of transition we were out on the bikes.  I was excited about this ride.  I just felt I could have a strong ride.  There was a turn around spot about a mile or two into the race, so I was looking forward to seeing who was in front of me.  I saw Lectie and figured out she was about a minute ahead of me.  She is such a strong athlete!  It is so exciting to be racing her.  So I had that in mind while I was racing.  I also knew some of the men racing and I thought I could pass some of them so I had them to look for on the bike too.  I also knew that Michelle was behind me, so I didn't want her to pass me either!

The ride was pretty crowded since the women started 3 minutes behind and there were a lot of guys to pass.  I remember when I first started doing triathlons I was eager for the bike part to be over because so many people passed me, but now I look forward to it.  I have really gotten a lot stronger on my bike, especially since I wasn't running too.  My legs weren't as fatigued.

Anyways, as we were coming down the downhill I forced myself to stay aero.  This is another place I can improve.  I get really nervous riding down hills.  I just think bad thoughts and my life flashes in front of my eyes..but when it comes to racing I am more confident because there are other people around me doing the same thing, so I suck it up and go for it.

I got off the bike the same time as Michelle and onto the run we went.  My foot was still tender since my PF, so my running wasn't the strongest.  I felt tired on the run and I just wanted it to be over.  I don't like it when my triathlons feel like this.  It is such a contrast from when I started the sport.  It was during the run where I would pass the most people and rarely would I get passed.  That has changed and I don't like getting out run or passed but it happens more often.  But in the end, I can up second to Lectie.  Like I said before she is so strong, even at this distance. 

After the race, it was fun to hang out with friends and meet some other athletes.  Being around people who share the same passion as I just makes me so happy.  There is an energy about it that I just love.  Maybe it's the endorphins-but I just love seeing people work hard and enjoy being outside in Hawaii. 

Thank you all for making this such a great sport. 

This weekend's race

Lanikai Triathlon.  I've been hearing about this race for a while now.  Although I have already had my first and second race of the season (Haleiwa Tri and Lavaman), and I've already done my 'big' race for the year, Taitung 70.3, it is this race I am the most excited/nervous for.  Since I have been away from Hawaii and the Hawaiian triathlon scene, I am super excited to be back and doing all the local races. Since I have declined my 70.3 Worlds Slot this year, my goal for this year is to be the best triathlete in the state.  Which, is a lofty goal since I've already gotten my butt kicked my former pro-Bree Wee, so I still have a lot of work to do :) (but I'm back running--so that should help!!)

My training has been going well.  My foot is a ton better!  After about 4 months, 2 doctors and 3 PTs later, it's feeling strong again.  I did my first speed workout (6x2 minutes) this week.  Although it's not much, it was a huge step forward.  My swim has gotten a lot stronger in the past year and having Michelle as the Kailua Masters Coach is only going to make it stronger!  She gives us great workouts that are challenging and we challenge each other in the pool.  I love it!!!!  My cycling has also gotten stronger.  I still have good days and bad days on the bike and there are times when I can't hit my numbers but I'm working on it.  I am still not much of a fan of the low cadence high power 30-seconds drills.  They are hard..it's not that I don't like hard workouts, but it is just a different hard feeling.  I'm excited to work on it this summer.  Since I decided not to teach summer school I'm looking forward to spending the time training.  I'll probably head to the mainland and find some races and nice areas to train.  I'm really looking forward to exploring a new place (or going back to Utah after 4 years!?!?!) and just being able to focus on swim, bike, and run for a couple of months.  :)

Back to the race.  Lanikai Tri. It'll be a fun and challenging race with other super strong local triathletes.  And I can't wait!  Although winning is fun-it is more fun to have a solid and strong race.  I would rather not win but know that I left it all out there on the course.  So, that is my goal for tomorrow.  Win by giving it my all and having a fast swim-strong-bike and quicker run.

So----I'm excited about the race update!

SWIM

BIKE

RUN

New Chapter

A new chapter in my life began in July.  It was when I left Europe and moved back home to Hawaii.  I left the international teaching world for a couple of different reasons and like most things, some of those things didn't work out.  BUT some of those things did work out!!  I knew when I left Europe, one thing I wanted to do was become an involved member of my local triathlon community.  Although triathlon is a very individualized sport, you can still be a part of a team and be surrounded by people who share the same passion as you-and that is what I want to be a part of.  I have a few hurdles still to jump, but despite this, I have made myself part of the community.  I have also made swimming, biking, and running a huge priority in my life and that is what I want to share on my blog.  I want to share my journey to becoming the best triathlete that I can be.