13th AG and 143rd OA at Eagleman 70.3

My first Ironman-organized 70.3 in the books, and my 3rd of the year (and of my "career"!)

Time: 4:40:25

I suffered a great deal on the run after having a good but slow swim and a rather good bike leg...

I'm excited to have had the chance to measure myself against a strong field and looking forward to redeem myself next year! 

Race report to be posted shortly! 

6am - 72F - great day to get a tough workout in

1 weekend left before the big race, Eagleman Ironman 70.3! Regardless of how well I do there, it's already been a truly amazing experience.

I found this group of amazing triathletes that are just as dedicated as I am, and probably even more! We can call it an addiction, I think. Getting up in the am to hop on the TT or jump in the pool got me! the endorphins created from training rush to my brain at lightening speed, and just like junkies with drugs, the more I train, the more I want to train! It can't be all that bad, can it? Of course I am not alone in this journey: I have used Will and Jared as my role models, as "go-to" people for any questions or doubts I have, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future!

The icing in the cake is that my brother (from another mother!) Brad and his wife Heidi will be cheering me on at the race! I could not have asked for me! I only hope to put on a good performance and make them proud! 

Unfortunately Will won't make it to the race after a series of bad luck he's had in his preparation. I'm only hoping that he'll be back on the horse soon (I give you 1 year leave, no more!). 

I have a lot of reading to do on Salt tablets, but had a privileged chat with Jared last night who gave me the inside scoop about te race! 

I will brace for and embrace the heat and harsh race conditions that will be thrown at us, because this is apparently what makes this race unique. But most importantly, I will certainly have a blast!

It's GO time! 

1st AG and 4th OA at the Black Bear Triathlon-Half

I'm only 2 weeks until Eagleman, the race I have been training for the past 8 months! My preparation involved 1 open half marathon (PR at 1'22'53 - 20th overall) in Queens, NY, and 2 half ironman!

My first half ironman was in Bass River State Park on May 5th - the Bassman race - there I finished 7th overall and won my age group. It took me 4'26'48 to complete 1.2MS, 56MB, and 13.1MR! Very stoked about this result as it came as a surprise that I could race that fast...on a pancake flat course, though! 

My second Half Iron was in PA - the black Bear half ironman - despite the hilly course (bike and run) and inclement weather, I came out of T2 (bike to run) in 1st place, and managed to finish 4th overall and 1st in my age group. It took me 4'51'27 to finish it. Only 5 of us finished under the 5 hr mark! 

I can't wait for Eagleman, and now hope to stay injury-free until June 9th!! 

1st AG and 7th OA at the Bassman Half Distance Triathlon

My first race of the season with Aidan as my coach, and first ever half ironman distance...and my first age group win ever!
The swim was probably the hardest of all! I panicked after 5 minutes but managed to collect myself and get back into it. It could have been because of the chill water temperature (I believe 55-56 degrees) and the anxiety, excitement, and adrenaline of participating in my first half distance that got the best of me 5 minutes into the swim. It took me about 30 minutes (hell yeah!) to swim the 1.2 miles and off I am on the bike for 56 miles.
The bike course is pancake flat, and the chill temperatures didn't affect me 1 bit. I covered the 56 miles in about 2hr23min with no flat and no injuries to notice. I wondered how I'd react to the half marathon leg I still had to deal with!
I started the run roughly 3 hours after the gun went off and the 60F weather only helped me col down and maintain a low HR. I knew that if I maintained a steady pace in the first 6.5 miles, I'd be able to keep it up through the finish. 1'27 to cover the roughly 13.1 miles and only 6 athletes crossed the finish before me! SUCCESS!

Thrilled about the race, and looking forward to Black bear in 2 weeks!

Lill' Moose is psyched about this new tri season! So am i!

24 weeks into my training with Aidan

Looking back almost 6 months ago when I started working with Aidan, I trained 9 to 11 hours per week. I am now at around 14 to 18 hours and am asking for more! Aidan wouldn't do it as he knows better!
My joints and knees have to get used to the pounding when running on hard surface. I'm currently running on average 30 miles per week.
The biking is going great. from 90 miles on a weekly basis when I first started, I bumped it up to 160 to 190 miles on average, coming into the weekend with close to 85 miles under the belt! It might sound like a lot to some, but I feel like I can do more, and will be doing more - It's just a matter of time before I get completely immersed into my Ironman Training! and I CAN'T wait!

7th AG and 20th OA at the Queens Allstate Life Insurance Half marathon

First test race with a 13.1 run in Queens, NY in the bitter cold NY weather.

and a PR @ 1:22:53 or 6:17min/mile pace.

Great start of the season! looking forward to adding 1.2M swim and 56M bike ride before running the 13.1M of the half distance triathlon in Bassman River, NJ on May 5th!