tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64897438134880089842024-03-19T02:41:36.292-07:00Andrew and Leslie HoltonTrue stories of Andrew and Leslie Holton. We run, ride, and swim alot. Leslie is on the road to the DecaIronman in 2013...Andrew and Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837102402590138029noreply@blogger.comBlogger135125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489743813488008984.post-23934895350228240492014-01-03T07:23:00.002-08:002014-01-03T07:23:57.124-08:00Ending the year on my feet<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">My office was closed between Christmas and New Years so I conned hubby into heading down to Phoenix to do the Race Across the Years. It's a runners party disguised as an ultra race. A 1.055 mile lap through Camelback Ranch (where the Dodgers and White Sox do their spring training). I signed up for the 48 hour race with the hope of getting the 100 mile belt buckle and calling it a day (technically I could only go 44 hours and make my return flight). Hubby signed up for the more aggressive 24 hour race.</span><br />
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So, a great dinner with friends the night before then at 9am lined up at the start. Did a casual wog (run a bit, walk a bit, repeat) chatting with folks and watching the fast guys tear up the course. Several fast guys took it out, but dropped out around 40 miles but they were fun to watch while they were out there. The weather during the days was terrific, warm but overcast... The aid station was awesome. </div>
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Sun down and the cold started to set in. Went 15 miles or so with Drew who was doing the math and decided 100 was out of reach and fun was not being had so decided to call it. Kept going around. Felt sorry for myself, and my feet were getting rough. Got COLD. Eventually decided to hit the car, curl up, and take a nap. A little after sunrise (maybe 4.5 hours of rest) I woke up and Drew talked me into heading back out. </div>
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Sunset again, add on some clothes but could see the end in sight. Had some great company in the last few hours and they went by nicely, then 36:06 after I started I finally ticked over 100.8 miles. The buckle was mine!</div>
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A great close to the year and the season, easy enough for a short recovery (Tampa Double is in 8 weeks) but... My first 100 miler! Sweet! Was also a terrific way to let go of all of the stress and reflect on the year... and I have a sweet belt buckle!</div>
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Bring on 2014!!!!</div>
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Go long,</div>
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Leslie</div>
Andrew and Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837102402590138029noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489743813488008984.post-9200654716620156302013-11-12T08:58:00.002-08:002013-11-12T08:58:33.449-08:00A week of ironmans, Italy, Sept 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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First, it need to start off with thank you's.<br />
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<ul>
<li> Thank you to Melinda, my bestest high school friend who agreed to come and crew for me as part of our 28 year reunion... </li>
<li> Thank you to Georgio, Riccardo, and the rest of the race team who made lemons from lemonade and pulled together a race that was more challenging (cold water, hills on the bike, and a partial grass run), a mishmash of accommodations, and everything else to give us athletes a revenue to race. </li>
<li>Thank you to the tripleDeca racers who were a crazy inspiration </li>
<li> Thank you to Heather and Tony for sharing the experience with us, and a big congratulations to Tony on a splendid finish. </li>
<li> Thank you to Gu, and Salty, for magic fuel. </li>
<li> To Debi for the challenge of being my coach and to Dina for training me to eat. </li>
<li> And, finally to Drew for continuing to be my staunchest supporter. </li>
</ul>
Whew... An academy award list of thanks, but it was a race that needs it. The goal was a DecaIronman, but the conditions smacked me down and instead I finished 7 Ironman races in 7 days, and a wicked cold 8th swim, to set a new US women's record.<br />
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Melinda and I got there weds night before the race, but Bixby (my bike) decided to take a detour. Two stressful days waiting for Bix (who did get there Friday night), and getting ready, and before I knew it, it was race morning.<br />
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The swim was is a 25m pool, on the roof of a building. Day 1 the water was chilly, but the swim went by pretty easily. Change over to the bike, and then time to do laps and laps of the bike. The bike course was super fun on Day 1, 5 hills per lap, only 1 that wanted standing up. Wind exposure was interesting... But on Day 1 no issues. I was so stoked to be there and be racing, and couldn't stop smiling the whole day. On the run I took it real easy, planning for the days ahead. The run course was about a mile loop, half on cobbles, half on grass and lent itself well to run/walk/jog strategies. Felt pretty good after the first day ended. Pumped an energized and ready to take the week on. Loving hanging with the racers, Melinda was rocking the crew world, and all was on track.<br />
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Day 2... Still quite good. Seems the bike was windy, and the run was harder, but nothing unexpected.<br />
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Day 3... Interesting getting out of bed. I could barely walk to the bathroom, and couldn't quite understand how I was going to race. But, somehow I did, and the aches and pains receded through the day.<br />
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The middle days are a blur. Painful, but doable. Full of doubts in the morning when everything hurt, but hours later counting laps down on the run. Staying steady pace, not fast, but focused. Eating constantly, whatever Melinda and Heather hand me to eat. Drinking Gu recovery, protein, and glutamine shakes each night.<br />
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Day 6 was when we realized that the pool was not heated. Each day the temps got colder, but on Day 6 the pool became a mad scene. People stopping every 10 laps or so to try to warm up. Ghislain walking through the water unable to put his head in. I stayed with it, and came out of the water third, blue, and shaking. Took the start of the bike easy, but struggled to get my head into it.<br />
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Day 7 there was fear getting into the water. Georgio said go, and folks slowly got wet. It was cold. After 20 laps or so Georgio asked me to stop and poured hot water into my wetsuit. It helped for a lap or so, then the cold set in again. Tried to stay head down and moving forward but couldn't help watching the scene as people stopped, warmed up a mite, and started again. Eventually it was done and I got out and Melinda hustled me to a shower wetsuit on. 5 minutes in the shower, wrap up in a blanket, drink tea, get warm. The pool facility was unheated, which added to the challenge of the warm up. Eventually out on the bike. An odd thing happened on the run that day... For about 2 hours I felt awesome, could not hold back to my usual jog/walk. My body was getting used to the stress. I could see how the triple deca folks adapted to the stresses.<br />
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Day 8 and back to the pool, with overcast skies and rain threatening. Again the pool was an insane cold suffer fest, which they cut to 3000m, and then the hour transition to the bike struggling to stop shaking from the cold. It was raining and cold on the bike, and I could not get warm. I called it a race.
I am confident that I had the training in, both physically and mentally, and the nutrition game solid and had the conditions not been so brutal I would have been able to finish the full deca. Just having a place it get warm would have been a help.<br />
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So, I finish this season content. I still have not completed a deca, and I may go back I and give it another shot in a few years, but I am secure in the knowledge that I can. I finish the season 18 lbs lighter than I started, one with Bixby, and coming around with the run.<br />
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A new personal, and US record... Not too shabby.<br />
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After the race, I had a intense 3 week work stint in South Africa which have me time to recover physically, and now I'm easing back into the game. Next season I have 3 double Ironman races on schedule, and am setting goals base do on finish time and competing. Then, to finish the season I plan to tackle a straight quintuple... A new format for me and a solid challenge to finish. I can't wait to push the limits of what this body can do... And see who I am at the end!<br />
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Tri long!
Leslie<br />
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Day 1: 15:58<br />
Day 2: 17:02<br />
Day 3: 17:34<br />
Day 4: 17:12<br />
Day 5: 17:39<br />
Day 6: 17:38<br />
Day 7: 17:20<br />
Day 8: 1:02 (shortened swim)<br />
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Day 9:<br />
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Andrew and Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837102402590138029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489743813488008984.post-22773428367107335322013-10-04T18:27:00.001-07:002013-10-04T18:27:42.013-07:00Day 71:20, 8:09, 7:51, 1st American woman to do 7 ironmans in 7 days and still counting. Andrew and Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837102402590138029noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489743813488008984.post-4543824159035694412013-10-03T18:02:00.001-07:002013-10-03T18:02:51.956-07:00Day 4, 5 & 61:25, 7:25, 8:00 for 17:12:12 day4<div>1:26, 8:10, 7:35 for 17:39:36 day 5</div><div>Today day 6 - was overcast and chilly all day water was cold as well, or at least felt cold in their condition at this point. 1:19, 8:02, 7:52. Only 4 to go, but the hardest ones with the weather turning for the weekend. </div> Andrew and Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837102402590138029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489743813488008984.post-43086978767337984192013-10-02T17:14:00.001-07:002013-10-02T17:14:23.923-07:00Day 4 & day 5Yesterday. 1:25 swim. 7:25 bike. 8 hour marathon. Final total 17:12:21. Today. 1:26 swim. 8:10 bike. 7:35 marathon. Will have precise total tomorrow. So pretty consistent.<div><br></div><div>She's over hump day, PR - 5 ironmans 5 days</div> Andrew and Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837102402590138029noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489743813488008984.post-11242272617813060662013-09-30T16:49:00.001-07:002013-09-30T16:49:59.050-07:00Day 3Well, kind of a tough day mentally today....and maybe eating wise. 1:26, 8:10, 7:35 for 17:35. I think she might be in a groove on day 4 or so. Andrew and Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837102402590138029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489743813488008984.post-1288299561469213252013-09-29T16:24:00.001-07:002013-09-29T16:24:04.807-07:00Day 2Ok, tough day on the bike, rain and windy. Swim 1:23, starting to find a groove. Bike 7:49 trying not to over extend. Run 7:30 or so. 17 hrs, took a little while to find something that tasted good but all good for today.<span></span> Andrew and Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837102402590138029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489743813488008984.post-69547627573011924482013-09-28T17:28:00.001-07:002013-09-28T17:28:09.685-07:00I've got a little more now.Swim1:25 or so, bike 7+\- hours, run 7+ hours as well. Nutrition was on and she smiled all day. Sadly the other woman, Sarka, dropped out but I don't know why yet.<div><br></div><div>I'm working on being more current on updates, might not be til Monday though.</div> Andrew and Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837102402590138029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489743813488008984.post-80816191112797225722013-09-28T16:10:00.001-07:002013-09-28T16:10:30.121-07:00Day 1Day 1 Complete 16hours or so, says feeling good, went conservative to save for next days. Andrew and Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837102402590138029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489743813488008984.post-86767879282334172022013-09-23T14:53:00.002-07:002013-09-23T14:53:33.404-07:00Off to Italy for the DecaIronman<br />
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Hi Ya’ll:<o:p></o:p></div>
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I am off to Italy tomorrow to take another run at the
DecaIronman. My race officially starts
on Saturday at 7:30am Italy time (many of my crazy friends are out there
warming the course up for me now in a 30 day attempt).<o:p></o:p></div>
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If you are curious, you can find results at:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://andrewholton.blogspot.com/">http://andrewholton.blogspot.com/</a>
(look at the twitter feed on the right hand side… Melinda (my crew) will be posting sometime in
the morning and then at the end of each day)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Directly on twitter with @leslieholton<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://tripledecaironman.myblog.it/">http://tripledecaironman.myblog.it/</a>
(the race’s blog site)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://usaultratri.com/">http://usaultratri.com/</a>
(Steve is compiling the race results in a spreadsheet… this may be a day or so
behind as it is information he is getting from a variety of facebook sources)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Deep breath!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Leslie<o:p></o:p></div>
Andrew and Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837102402590138029noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489743813488008984.post-29715562206647715392013-03-04T09:18:00.002-08:002013-03-04T12:49:51.233-08:00RR: Tampa Double IM<br />
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It is about time, and seems way too soon at the same, to get
this season rolling!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last weekend was the
Tampa Double Ironman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me first say
(Oscar style) a huge thank you to Linae, Joe, Molly, and Drew for crewing for
me, to Gu for the cool hats and nutrition, to Sturdy Girl Sports for keeping
the girls secure, and to Kirby and all his staff for a terrific event and
venue.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRAbpoVpsgaDSUGHGjGvUvnQdWc0bBbEPWm7jz1iahE6DHAggGgnNLAgF1IcynnWEtBsBeY4wnQXj_0-Q4EJ15M_U3h2JmWeJCS60zjoM4TJP6i5S6sM9E2WbMHQuhXMLxAturHxwAFA/s1600/Florida+069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRAbpoVpsgaDSUGHGjGvUvnQdWc0bBbEPWm7jz1iahE6DHAggGgnNLAgF1IcynnWEtBsBeY4wnQXj_0-Q4EJ15M_U3h2JmWeJCS60zjoM4TJP6i5S6sM9E2WbMHQuhXMLxAturHxwAFA/s320/Florida+069.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's me in the black swimcap in lane 2...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The race starts with a 4.8 mile, 50m pool swim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pool is just fantastic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were 5 people in my lane, but it spread
out quickly and there were no issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Actually, I was the faster person in my lane and I would have preferred
a faster lane so I could have drafted off some folks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, it was just a long slog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Swimming is interesting as there are limited
distractions/things to see/people to talk to so I tried to entertain myself
watching the other lanes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Made a quick
stop at 4000m for a slurp of Sprite and a Gu but other than that head in the
water for 2:56 and done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>6 minute
changeup and off on the bike.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The bike started with a few miles on roads to the park and
then we headed out on 7ish mile laps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This course is terrific.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Great
pavement, soft turns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a tad on
the windy side (all right, really irritatingly windy) and cold for Florida.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My goal was to stay above a 16mph average,
and I managed this for the first 112mi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately,
once it got dark I could not see my odometer and my mph definitely slipped
(note, bring my cheater light to see next race).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can tell my long bike mileage isn’t quite
there... some girly bit issues, inability to stay in the aerobars, and other
tirednesses that say early season were obvious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My shoulders were also screaming but Joe worked out the kinks maybe 10
hours in and that really helped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried
to stay on a good mix of Gu’s, Resse peanut butter eggs, trail mix, and some
real food and stay on top of my nutrition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I also started in of the caffeine and it was awesome!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The caffeine taper did seem to do the trick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it was around 15:XX when I got off
the bike, but the race results aren’t up yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I know I came off the bike in 3<sup>rd</sup> place, and moved to second
pretty quickly so while I am not wicked pleased with my speed it was a
competitive split and that is good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>More training, my new ride set up for long aero-riding (should be
getting this week), and some tricks and hopefully I can get this split down
into the 13:XX next race… <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNcWxQpFyrqwALADWgd4073-gBesLhnYeww2-WaWQPb8G8MP6V880rNmh-YzWwiLsB1pYROlxcERjgd9PvQ-O6408dvbMAyGd-Bb66A3xycdCiqhoTZz9I17pdNSxpVwdex5byskCQWw/s1600/Florida+079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNcWxQpFyrqwALADWgd4073-gBesLhnYeww2-WaWQPb8G8MP6V880rNmh-YzWwiLsB1pYROlxcERjgd9PvQ-O6408dvbMAyGd-Bb66A3xycdCiqhoTZz9I17pdNSxpVwdex5byskCQWw/s320/Florida+079.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Run? Walk? Shuffle!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Finally… to the run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This was 31 laps on a flat course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My goal here was sub 16min miles, and I held that only to the marathon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just couldn’t figure out how to make this
body move any faster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Around 30miles to
go I had complete foot implosion (blisters on the balls of both feet) and from
that point on it was a slogfest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to
do this odd shuffle not quite run, not quite walk, because anything else would
really get the blisters screaming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
lost my 3<sup>rd</sup> place with maybe 10 miles to go and I could only whimper
“good job” when she went by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coach Debi
has some tricks for working on this (something about shoes) and the goal
remains next time to get this solidly under a 16min mile pace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Food wise this was Gu’s, salt tabs, water, blueberries,
and this one absolutely godsmacking amazing blueberry doughnut that should not
have but totally hit the spot around daybreak.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKcMlyXx5goqUczaHM2imKhAYeGrlhRQAmxxq35D7u_eMdc5H0Eyikrq1TWMz9VxUOPLKiCvuXChWNad14W5VPwvquEoAG6RRv64TravS5FGTLMwDp_joKcJb0ZOkli5mYiXCKhammac/s1600/Florida+086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKcMlyXx5goqUczaHM2imKhAYeGrlhRQAmxxq35D7u_eMdc5H0Eyikrq1TWMz9VxUOPLKiCvuXChWNad14W5VPwvquEoAG6RRv64TravS5FGTLMwDp_joKcJb0ZOkli5mYiXCKhammac/s320/Florida+086.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesome crewcheif Linae and RD Kirby!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p> </o:p>Finished at 34:59:51, 4<sup>th</sup> place female.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>3-4 hours behind schedule… but I see places
for improvement and am really excited to see how this season goes.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPqjUGK86MOBjqUSIWUo1bZAX4R41Leqj-NawdKVJqDSVv0S9dXqezu_pRme9k-NgFjLL08MxjN9OzM1r3yZO5VOVAlS37_6RYOOB7pNZeaKViVxufJS2kU_Ig0GDPQB9Aoymbwm-Vbg/s1600/Florida+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPqjUGK86MOBjqUSIWUo1bZAX4R41Leqj-NawdKVJqDSVv0S9dXqezu_pRme9k-NgFjLL08MxjN9OzM1r3yZO5VOVAlS37_6RYOOB7pNZeaKViVxufJS2kU_Ig0GDPQB9Aoymbwm-Vbg/s320/Florida+036.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recovery!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One cause for concern is my left foot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yesterday I could not put any weight on it at
all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went to the Dr and the x-rays are
inconclusive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Got a script for pain and
inflammation, try not to do any weight bearing for the week, follow up with a
sports ortho end of the week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Best case,
deep bruising and I’ll be back to walking, buying new running shoes, and
jogging about next week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Worst case,
stress fracture and my next race is in jeapordy (Double IM World Championships
in Austria May 18<sup>th</sup>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Til
then, I am getting more of an arm workout with the crutches, and giving my
blisters time to heal.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Thanks for reading!<o:p></o:p></div>
Go long!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Leslie<o:p></o:p></div>
Andrew and Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837102402590138029noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489743813488008984.post-64094908467024967552012-10-19T12:39:00.000-07:002012-10-19T12:39:01.209-07:00Bring on 2013!<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font: 13px arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Finally recovering from our trip to Kona for Drew's Ironman... it is quite the race! It reminded me of the Boston Marathon, but for triathletes. Lots of fast people, lots of hype. Sponsor tents everywhere giving out schwag. Everyone up and excited.</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font: 13px arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font: 13px arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font: 13px arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Running down Ali'i drive in the days before the race was awesome, because every half mile or so were sponsor houses, with tents set up (Gu, Powerbar, Cliff, etc.) so every run was supported. You could pick the racers out by their wristbands, but everyone was out and about. Strange to see so many people strutting their stuff.</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font: 13px arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font: 13px arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font: 13px arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">I sucked up the energy, but oddly it didn't make me want to race Ironman again. I love the energy of a big race, but for me it is still more about pushing myself to new places. Pulling my Ironman time down from 13:45 to 13:00, or accumulating cool finishers medals is just not the right challenge for now.</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font: 13px arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font: 13px arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font: 13px arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Next season is that season for me to really push the boundaries.</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font: 13px arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font: 13px arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Starting with the Double Ironman in Tampa in February, a few European Doubles (maybe 1 Double/1 Triple) in the summer, and then the DecaIronman in the fall in Italy. I want to show continual improvement through the season, do the Deca in under 150 hours, and throw down a challenge for the IUTA World Cup. It's my 10th year at my job, so I have 25 days of vacation and I am using them all in support of seeing what I can really do in the world of ultradistance triathlon.</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font: 13px arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font: 13px arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font: 13px arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Using this season to recover seems to have done the trick. I'm antsy, I'm ready to go.</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font: 13px arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font: 13px arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font: 13px arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Training starts today with my last challenge, a 10 day swim challenge.</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font: 13px arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font: 13px arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> 2.4miles each day in the pool. Not crazy hard physically, but mentally this one will be the toughest (I really find it hard to get myself into the pool). After this Debi has the plan, and I am ready to execute!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font: 13px arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Go long!</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font: 13px arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Leslie</span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font: 13px arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />Andrew and Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837102402590138029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489743813488008984.post-3486863734896647352012-09-26T09:24:00.000-07:002012-09-26T09:24:54.394-07:00Puppy play date!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYiGxgnVzvL3NfqoC6E7M-Xgi9FKtYdlYzM1__sqQhuxol0ai7fndFhPaNPx2IfJc5eCzz8xXaLdY9aucnT7-iycbcqZ5mAq0KdPLtA6JGMXlqniTQRXIW6Di6xyQHznIVIB1MUoaLAYw/s1600/perry+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" kea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYiGxgnVzvL3NfqoC6E7M-Xgi9FKtYdlYzM1__sqQhuxol0ai7fndFhPaNPx2IfJc5eCzz8xXaLdY9aucnT7-iycbcqZ5mAq0KdPLtA6JGMXlqniTQRXIW6Di6xyQHznIVIB1MUoaLAYw/s320/perry+010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Andrew and Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837102402590138029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489743813488008984.post-87068920277579802352012-08-22T16:00:00.003-07:002012-08-22T16:00:13.664-07:00Not a race, but a set of challenges...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #0023a3; font-family: Helvetica;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style="color: #500050; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">As the 2012 season starts to wrap up, and I looked towards my goals for 2013 I decided that rather than finishing 2012 with a race it makes sense to finish it with three challenges. So, I consulted with Coach Debi, and with Gu and we came up with this… One challenge a month for the next three months. The first starts on Friday.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #500050; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The challenges are:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #500050; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Bike (50 miles a day): <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://1" x-apple-data-detectors-result="1" x-apple-data-detectors="true">Aug 24 to Sept 2</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #500050; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Doesn’t seem too bad, but recall that I will be working full-time… So, next week I will park 25 miles away and ride from Golden to Louisville, work, then ride back…</span></div>
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<span style="color: #500050; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Run (13.1 miles per day): <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://2" x-apple-data-detectors-result="2" x-apple-data-detectors="true">Sept 14 to Sept 23</a> including the Buena Vista Autumn Color Half</span></div>
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<span style="color: #500050; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Marathon and the Denver Half Marathon</span></div>
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<span style="color: #500050; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Hmm… the most physically difficult of these challenges…</span></div>
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<span style="color: #500050; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Swim (2.4 miles a day, in a pool): <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://4" x-apple-data-detectors-result="4" x-apple-data-detectors="true">Oct 19 to Oct 28</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #500050; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> The least time consuming but will require the most willpower…</span></div>
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<span style="color: #500050; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">As you know, I am a Gu girl, but I focus in on the Just Plain and the Blueberry Pomegranate Roctane… They are sending me all of their flavors for this. I plan to try a different flavor each day (10 per challenge) and see if I can expand my flavor pallet. I'll let you know how they taste!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #500050; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">These challenges should set me up mentally and physically for next season, which includes a few Double IMs and the Deca IM in Italy. I’ll be posting as they go along… anyone want to join me?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #500050; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Go long!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #500050; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Leslie</span></div>
</span>Andrew and Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837102402590138029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489743813488008984.post-14736829417358198982012-06-25T13:36:00.001-07:002012-06-25T13:36:17.192-07:00RATS<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBYcTQScWoI4yLzI240VW1uZdJoMhlTRa-8zxdVQslpyKoMdueQ-nnE_31UtNhM00LxGLmMhCPOi856caTGAs5XcS19_hBsuTwTf7W-cCyhFDZjmft3GN674NypsMC90bRToIOMwI0Cs/s1600/Moab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBYcTQScWoI4yLzI240VW1uZdJoMhlTRa-8zxdVQslpyKoMdueQ-nnE_31UtNhM00LxGLmMhCPOi856caTGAs5XcS19_hBsuTwTf7W-cCyhFDZjmft3GN674NypsMC90bRToIOMwI0Cs/s320/Moab.jpg" width="180" /></a>This stuff is extreme! I’m a spoiled pricess ultragal, and really struggled with the conditions… extreme heat, hours rationing water and then running out miles before the water stop. Heat rash, and total dehydration… Camping in the dusty wind... Even the rest day today was extreme as we sat in what shade we could find and got blasted by sand in the wind. It was more about survival than performance out there…</div>
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But, the racers and support staff were fantastic, and though I fell down (literally) in the face of the extremes I had a great time getting to know an awesome group of people. If I am lucky, our paths will cross in the future in more genteel circumstances. </div>
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From my training log:<br />
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Day 1: Planned 20 miles, actual 20 miles (7:00:49 hours). Started at 1:30pm in wicked heat. Was seriously struggling to keep cool, and ended up in the shade of a little tree at mile 5. Heartrate would go sky high with any effort. Soaked my shirt, got some ice at the aid staton and hiked it to mile 14. Then was able to jog to the finish. Made the cutoff, and then they added 30 extra minutes due to the heat. Well into the 100s. Forgot to mention I took a fall and got a nice handprint sized bloomer ony hip and road rash on my left shin. <br />
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Day 2: Planned 39 miles, actual 24 miles (7ish hours). Not sure how long it actually was, but at least 7 hours. Slept quite poorly as when I fell yesterday's bruised my hip and every time I rolled there it hurt. Got up and planned to take it easy. Was suffering at the mile 14ish water stop after a long gradual and then milish steep hill. Drank alot and recovered well in the downhill. Was again wicked hot with a blow dryer style wind. After the next aid station we dropped down an asphalt road for 4 miles and it was horribly hot. Was getting tunnel vision and major unhappiness. Would not make the cutoff at this pace, so pulled out at the next water stop (24ish miles). The heat and I are not friends! Forgot to mention my new friend,... Heat rash. All over my legs. Oh, and I fell again but it was into soft dusty sand, so I just made a painless POOF.<br />
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Day 3: Plannd 9miles, actual 9 miles (2:45). Intentionally easy walked this stage. Hooked up with two others and had a great walk. still sleeping poorly. Hip still sore. Getting blisters but nothing I cannot handle. Had a good recovery afternoon.<br />
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Day 4: Planned 52miles, actual 27ish miles. (12'ish hours). No good. Was again beyond hot. Hooked up with 3 others, which dropped to 2 at mile 14 water stop. Filled up all water holders, and we headed out with the intention of continuing easily until it started to get dark then "pick it up". 10 mile uphill, 100+ degree air temps (hotter on the ground surrounded by rock). We ran out if water and started sharing our last bottle between us 8 miles after the rest stop. Got very dizzy, dehydrated, overheated. Heat rash, elevated hr, stopped sweating. Went a few more miles stumbling along until we got water/medical attention. (several bottles of fluid, shivers, salt, etc.) Major ugliness. I cannot tolerate heat, and no water. End of the day. End of any thoughts of effort for me.<br />
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Day 5: Rest day. Day off at rats, but not exactly recovering... Was wicked hot with a strong wind causing dust to blow in and on everything at camp. I hate camping. I hate dust. I hate heat.<br />
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Day 6: Race 26.2 miles. Planned 7 miles. Actual 7 miles. Easy walked this with some lackadaisical downhill running. Started at the first aid station and did the "pretty section" of the course to get in some mileage, but in no stress. Wanted to take the time to enjoy the beauty of the day and this experience. Did manage a quick trip, but only a wee bruise on my rump. Went to the finish line and cheered everyone in, the happy tears helped to clean the dust out of my eyes.<br />
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Looking forward to this upcoming recovery week. Lessons learned here at RATS are that I am not tolerant of high temps, cannot handle lack of water, and am not much of a trail runner. Did really enjoy the week in a twisted way, but this was not a race for me, conditions were too extreme for that. Walking away with some sore muscles, a nice set of blisters, a healing hip bruise and some "road rash". Looking forward to getting in the pool, getting back on the bike, and switching running to some sort of speed building mode.<br />
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It was a great, head clearing adventure. Time to go do some nice, non-extreme long stuff! I really am a lucky girl to be able to challenge myself with stuff like this, and to meet and hang out with a great group of crazy people!<br />
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Go long (but not extreme)!</div>
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Leslie</div>
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ps. My SturdyGirl sports bra held up to it all in fine fashion, with no chafing and no issues... 6 days of extreme and still extremely confortable!</div>
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pss. Gu chomps were a bit hard to get down, but the Gu Brew Tabs rocked when I had water to put them in, and the Roctanes were dry, but doable even in the extremes.</div>Andrew and Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837102402590138029noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489743813488008984.post-2184301107167274662012-06-14T11:04:00.001-07:002012-06-14T11:04:20.403-07:00Desert RATSNext week, starting Monday I am off doing the Desert RATS race. This is a 6 stage trail running race along the Kokopelli trail from Fruita, CO to Moab, UT. The stages are something like 20, 39, 9, 52, 26.2 miles. Camping each night, and sadly no showers (though we are near the river most nights... Not sure how I feel about that!). Although I'm still not much of a trail runner, and still nursing my achy soles, I am really looking forward to this challenge as a way to toughen up my mental game and to completely get away from the real world for a week.
You can follow the race website (I expect to place near last) at http://geminiadventures.com/new/?page_id=130
And, if you are curious where I am when racing i will carry my SPOT which will be turned on and update my location every 10 minutes along the race course. To see this, follow the Where's Leslie link on the right side.
Have a great week, I'll be totally offline mon to sat night!
Run long,
LeslieAndrew and Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837102402590138029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489743813488008984.post-15121245824572306472012-02-27T10:16:00.002-08:002012-02-27T10:19:06.486-08:00Late winter racing...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi93vCIK5bUonFenDNzrf7G8oQWRbgRI9wxD7Ng2gb63f99WGRzDYYNpsv2ZLREkxMjOj_lUfnTRZHd-_EHsUdQPJ0z6pp7kz2FvMkLHKXguyBBI1wNpB-k_WKGY68gCY4Fp_VieI1bzQ/s1600/southerncross.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713881302763940562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi93vCIK5bUonFenDNzrf7G8oQWRbgRI9wxD7Ng2gb63f99WGRzDYYNpsv2ZLREkxMjOj_lUfnTRZHd-_EHsUdQPJ0z6pp7kz2FvMkLHKXguyBBI1wNpB-k_WKGY68gCY4Fp_VieI1bzQ/s200/southerncross.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>Whew…after 4:20minutes, missing the cutoff and the top loop of the course, I arrived at the finish line of the Southern Cross 50 (32miles for me) cyclocross race completely shattered, and very very happy. This race is in Georgia, and Drew and I figured it would be a nice early season hard effort.<br /><br />I knew I was lacking on bike skills. I am also having difficulty getting my focus this season. I intentionally am taking until June pretty easy with no races longer than half-IM and lots of recovery time… but the fire is not in my belly yet. It’s more smoldering embers that are threatening to go out. I also had a week of work travel and no training right before the race, let’s call it a taper. I arrived at the start already tired, and really nervous. The last time I had ridden K (my classic Kestral CSX mountain bike) on a trail I tore up the rear derailleur and the snow in Denver has made the trails unridable, so while I had butt time in I did not have really any off road time.<br /><br />But, start lines happen and before I knew it the whistle blew and we were off. The race starts with a mile of “cross” course with a barrier, some steep hills, and a mud section but this part wasn’t too bad since there were some 200 people… they couldn’t make it too technical. Then off to the roads. Asphalt at first, then gravel. Lots and lots of uphill. I went to that place where I was breathing heavily, but manageably, and stayed there. First hour went by at mile 8… oh yeah, I was tearing this course up! Mile 10 we hit the steep stuff, completely red-lined, and got off the bike and started to walk. Finally hit the top and the cutoff point at 2:30, mile 12.5, and after the cutoff. The option was to cut off the top loop, and continue on the course. So, down the big gravelly road I went. This was actually pretty cool, because I was now mid-to-upper-pack and could see how the fast folks were handling the course.<br /><br />Mile 30, pretty tired. Turn back into the winery. Down a grassy hill, to a road, and then the flagging goes straight UP. Guys at the bottom are offering beer. Off the bike and trudge up, barely moving. They next 2 miles were killer. Steep climbs, no energy, completely spent. Through a little stream and I just didn’t care how wet my feet got… even had to walk a little grassy incline at the end. I was shattered. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Drew finished a respectable 21st in his category in 3:50 and was pretty pleased with his race...<br /><br />This race was perfect for me. I was in no way competitive, but I did put everything I had out there and it was great to race at my max instead of the steady forever pace I usually work with. It reinforced the message that I am in NO shape today, and the only place I can go is up. I think I need to find some more short stuff for the spring, some trail 5Ks would be great, or maybe even some more mountain bike racing. And, it reinforced that it is time to find my focus. No more skipping workout or making excuses… with RATS in June and a Quintuple in the fall it is time to lay the foundations for success…<br /><br />Time to focus!<br />Leslie</div>Andrew and Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837102402590138029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489743813488008984.post-64499101777446081362011-10-20T14:57:00.001-07:002011-10-20T14:57:37.783-07:00The end of the 2011 season: Deca reportThe 2011 season was a good season for me, a return to the world of UltraTriathon. I learned a lot, and more importantly I am energized and charged up for the next part of the journey.<br /><br />At the end of September we headed to Sicily for the DecaIronman, 10 races in 10 days, and when we arrived I was immediately reminded why I love this sport. It was like a huge sweaty family reunion, and it was awesome being around people who don’t think the things I try to do are abnormal, or insane… because they are the same way. These are “my people” and from the first night’s 25 person wine and food fest at a local restaurant to the smaller dinners towards the end of the trip I had a great time getting to know them. When we left we did not say goodbye, instead it was until we meet again… and we will see most of them again at races in the future.<br /><br />The swim for the race was at a pool in Enna, about 4 miles from the hotel so each morning we met up in the lobby to shuttle to the pool. It was a nice way to touch base and see how everyone’s race was going each day. The pool was a 25m pool, with high walls (about 2 feet above the surface of the water). I was fortunate to have Tony (from Canada) as my lane-mate since he was just a tad faster than me but stopped frequently, so we would always finish within a lap of each other. The pool was cool, so I was comfortable swimming in tri-shorts, a sports bra (thanks SturdyGirl), and a sleeveless wetsuit. The swim was a nice way to stretch out, but 1:20-1:25 is a lot of time to spend in my head each morning. After the first day Drew started to do a poolside dance every 1000m which really helped break it up for me, and gave me a feel for where I was (I tried lap counting, but 76 laps is a lot to get right). My swims got a bit faster each day… though my arms felt heavier. I really struggled with the turns, since I couldn’t grab onto the wall (TRAINING NOTE 1: Make flip turns a natural part of swimming). The first few days I just stripped the wetsuit, threw on a jersey and headed for the bike after I got out of the water, but after the weather got cooler and my bum got sorer I took the time to change into dry shorts.<br /><br />After the swim was a nice 4 mile trip to the Pergusa Autodrome. The road had a couple of long climbs that gave me a chance to spin, spin, spin and also to eat a Gu and drink some Clip2. The first day the bike course was on the roads around the track which had a few small hills and pretty sweet surface. This was my favorite day on the bike since the hills gave me a chance to stand up and coast down. After the first day we went in and rode on the race course, which was a 5K loop with a few fun chicanes, some rough surfaces, and a nagging headwind on the backstretch. The biggest problem on the bike was boredom… which allowed time to focus on the pain in my bum, my aching feet, and the odometer. I would settle into my “I can ride this pace forever” pace, and it often seemed to go on forever. Occasionally I would catch up to, or be caught by, another competitor and we would spend a lap or two chatting which was nice. We also passed the crew area every lap where Drew would hand me some food or drink or just a few words… but this was on the tailwind stretch and all too quick. (TRAINING NOTE 2: Need to do some shorter, faster bike rides with intervals and work on getting back some bike speed… TRAINING NOTE 3: Aerobars. Learn to love them. Seat adjustment? Core work? Do what it takes so I can ride them all the time).<br /><br />The first few days the run course was also around the track, a 2K out and back and then 8 laps. It is amazing how spread out 21 people and their crews can get, it was often a lonely dark place to be. I had Drew run laps 4,6,8 with me which gave me something to look forward to. On Day 4 Giorgio changed the run to be 2 out and backs which helped a lot as it concentrated the runners, let us go by the crew pit twice as often, and helped with the common ankle problem from running a cambered course. I was pleased at how much I “ran” although much of the time my running speed was the same as Drew’s fast’ish walk. TRAINING NOTE 4: Work on run “speed”. 10K’s, half marathons. Build the ability to create a cushion. Love the run.<br /><br />Day 1: Started really nervous, but had fun. Tried to stay quite relaxed. 15:30<br /><br />Day 2: First day on the real bike course, no fun. Bum hurt, feet fell asleep. 16:11<br /><br />Day 3: Felt really happy on the bike, though the winds picked up. Was just a slow day. Did not eat as good as I aught. 16:41<br /><br />Day 4: Tried to eat better. Started raining with 3 to go on the bike, then hail, then furious downpour. Walked the 2Kn with flipflops on waiting for the rain to stop then got on the run. 17:48<br /><br />Day 5: Swim was fine, bike was fine except the rain the last couple of hours. Started the run in the rain. The weather made it hard to eat, and I wasn’t too hungry so I did not do a good job of it. Did the first half of the run and then I started to shiver. Badly. Became incoherent and dry heaving. Jan (Wayne’s wife) and Mario (race volunteer) came upon me and walked/carried me back to the crew area where they wrapped me in towels and forced in some electrolytes. I couldn’t stop shaking, and was freezing, though they say my skin was burning up. Sat in a car with the heater at full blast and eventually (maybe an hour all told) got under control. Drew gave me a new set of shoes and socks and when I could control my hands enough I changed, got out of the car, and said I was ready to walk. Giorgio (the RD) made the call that I had to stop. I argued a bit, promised Drew would walk with me and I’d keep a blanket around me, but he was firm and I do understand his decision. I was officially DNF. (TRAINING NOTE 5: Learn to listen better to my body. If I was able to see the signs earlier and correct for them, even if I sat down and rested/ate for awhile, I would have had a slow finish but a finish. I did not get the cues before I was in full implosion).<br /><br />Day 6: Slept in. Ate a ton. Slept some more. Went out and walked the laps I missed the night before. Felt a lot like I was recovering from a bad illness… just weak and tired.<br /><br />Day 7/8: Went sightseeing with Drew, and Mary and Steve (a great couple from Canada… he DNFd with ankle issues early on). Had a great time playing tourist.<br /><br />Day 9: Did the swim, and 30miles on the bike until the weather got unfriendly. Decided I did not need to be out there, so took a shower, cheered folks on, and went out for a great meal with the other DNFers.<br /><br />Day 10: Cheered on folks at the pool, then on the course. The weather was MISERABLE the whole day, and I was kinda grateful to be on the fun side if things.<br /><br />It was really a great experience and I learned a ton from my fellow competitors. Each person taught me something, from the other DNFers and their whys and wherefores and what to do now plans, to Kim who averaged under 12 hours to win the race, to the middle of the packers and the pains and tough patches they overcame, to Vincenzo who averaged 20 hours and took a nap each afternoon.<br /><br />So… there ya go. Once again I did not meet my goal, but I would rather stretch for something just out of my reach than play it safe. With Kari and Steve’s input I put together a great plan for the next two years. Until July I will do shorter and faster workouts, work on bike and run speed. No long slogs. August on I will build back in my endurance and do the Quintuple in Mexico in November. I will state my goal here and now… average UNDER 15 hours for each day of the race. Then in 2013 I plan to challenge for the IUTA World Cup which will entail doing well at a few doubles (including the World Championship), perhaps a triple, and definitely the DecaIroman in the fall.<br /><br />I’ll end this rather long summary (it was a long race) with some big thank you’s:<br />Drew, who always believes in me and supports me in any plan I come up with,<br />Hilary, SturdyGirl Sports, who really does support me (the best bra’s in the world for endowed gals),<br />Debi, who coached me through this comeback to running and swimming without injury,<br />Gu, who made Rocktane… ,<br />The competitors, it is awesome to have found “my people” and be taken in as one of the family,<br />And, to all of you who believe in me… thank you for reading!<br /><br />And, the journey continues…<br />LeslieAndrew and Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837102402590138029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489743813488008984.post-50307565504578616192011-10-11T19:16:00.001-07:002011-10-11T19:16:48.824-07:00<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54jNonZCEXTwTadZo7I94vay-RK7lWnKs7SiO3VhigC0jrWRsHbUBXJv9vRsODfJJhc6C0Cff3yNPJKCYHfLuDvispsLae3xp0yMoT9PMAzDm3hyNNx3h45stg0WKkb9AHXZjFNl4CV4/s1600/ResizedImage_1317649015340-708826.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54jNonZCEXTwTadZo7I94vay-RK7lWnKs7SiO3VhigC0jrWRsHbUBXJv9vRsODfJJhc6C0Cff3yNPJKCYHfLuDvispsLae3xp0yMoT9PMAzDm3hyNNx3h45stg0WKkb9AHXZjFNl4CV4/s320/ResizedImage_1317649015340-708826.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662423934320403906" /></a></p>Andrew and Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837102402590138029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489743813488008984.post-57373367468609393422011-10-11T14:37:00.003-07:002011-10-11T14:37:28.612-07:00<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLCP3lpdM6DH9qbK-21emqSIMTfhlUvvHf2q4fFSpzMvU0-t97ibywAiHF_MlRX0N8mke1IhNWp4eLAERv3vYjN4r_OG9RZW4Saq2BrIZsR71SR8WAdoYNn_rhgAVLSEnQdeLbqavLFE/s1600/ResizedImage_1317635548349-748613.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLCP3lpdM6DH9qbK-21emqSIMTfhlUvvHf2q4fFSpzMvU0-t97ibywAiHF_MlRX0N8mke1IhNWp4eLAERv3vYjN4r_OG9RZW4Saq2BrIZsR71SR8WAdoYNn_rhgAVLSEnQdeLbqavLFE/s320/ResizedImage_1317635548349-748613.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662351958663780978" /></a></p>ResultsAndrew and Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837102402590138029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489743813488008984.post-85300585606236643932011-10-11T14:37:00.001-07:002011-10-11T14:37:23.267-07:00<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIoUQ762EJgftaxyMAyfMaI0MWxoq0XxBCpXnSJ6orzn4Ucxd8KHpkiyvTjgfSwKu9qdMNG8pjrX0fC-ZZAOZ-cRnpAZ80vh-_tkQ4ygDl2Y3ObXipAaNFTmxerBb0fEOebrvK2VLfDc/s1600/2011-10-02_12-14-12_135-743268.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIoUQ762EJgftaxyMAyfMaI0MWxoq0XxBCpXnSJ6orzn4Ucxd8KHpkiyvTjgfSwKu9qdMNG8pjrX0fC-ZZAOZ-cRnpAZ80vh-_tkQ4ygDl2Y3ObXipAaNFTmxerBb0fEOebrvK2VLfDc/s320/2011-10-02_12-14-12_135-743268.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662351927664716482" /></a></p>Leslie at end of lap 2 on day 3.Andrew and Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837102402590138029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489743813488008984.post-86136997906850651342011-10-08T02:10:00.000-07:002011-10-08T02:18:08.455-07:00The endI just ran out of heart today. Did the swim, but it felt endless. About 20 miles into the bike I called it. No real reason, just could come up with no real reason to be out there.<br /><br />Next season will be a shorter, work on speed kinda season with only one audacious event (the sup race around key west) and then I plan to come back to the deca in 2013 and make this happen. I have learned alot, and I just love the challenge and the people, but I need some time to prepare for it mentally and physically. <br /><br />Time for the off season and then back to this journey...<br /><br />Thank you for your support! I am truly a lucky girl to have my hubby behind me, and all the other blessings in my life that allow me to attempt audacious things!<br /><br />LeslieAndrew and Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837102402590138029noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489743813488008984.post-5987502982895015702011-10-07T12:56:00.003-07:002011-10-07T12:56:21.919-07:00Incredibly clear water<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIU8MZSB66LNM1aAU3o9rf0mJ48uzGjnu_6gfiO_bHyDkF-G0lyD8LISEj_2WuRksX_ywXHSDiZlt1K5LsAkwxaygNzV1IXUGmfhslDGzZHBEb5QgW3cNZ11Adnvi9mvnbOJv9MBQHrJE/s1600/2011-10-07_09-30-04_691-781920.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIU8MZSB66LNM1aAU3o9rf0mJ48uzGjnu_6gfiO_bHyDkF-G0lyD8LISEj_2WuRksX_ywXHSDiZlt1K5LsAkwxaygNzV1IXUGmfhslDGzZHBEb5QgW3cNZ11Adnvi9mvnbOJv9MBQHrJE/s320/2011-10-07_09-30-04_691-781920.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660841558897032050" /></a></p> Andrew and Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837102402590138029noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489743813488008984.post-65209173125233178912011-10-07T12:56:00.001-07:002011-10-07T12:56:19.408-07:00The Ionian sea<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk76vddLhQsPwU0TcPNZkpy-y-PcD5jfRb8z5kS6jnIs19llPIXtnnEbuAdhxKLLh9czc2lsg4LLD5RD2VvRoXbHbIxm0aTiL8mEKsXtH390sGL_gkimWLfR5E9Hr1Od1UDZ6Qa0VSn-A/s1600/2011-10-07_09-29-02_55-779409.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk76vddLhQsPwU0TcPNZkpy-y-PcD5jfRb8z5kS6jnIs19llPIXtnnEbuAdhxKLLh9czc2lsg4LLD5RD2VvRoXbHbIxm0aTiL8mEKsXtH390sGL_gkimWLfR5E9Hr1Od1UDZ6Qa0VSn-A/s320/2011-10-07_09-29-02_55-779409.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660841546671248946" /></a></p> Andrew and Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837102402590138029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489743813488008984.post-72955593575809081902011-10-07T12:53:00.001-07:002011-10-07T12:53:17.877-07:00Toramina<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT2ImGhlzx3U5GkjO_Tr-UMuLclzsoDsjnT85F0oAhusTL6pqFygbpTyGCqE9fKUkv008g-ZiZ4ocFqFgoSRAxNCG0cy5hlukgUQuMPmZ1kLf824sKG1zS_TDFKo-qhww9MG8PXwHSLQw/s1600/2011-10-07_06-04-04_631-797877.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT2ImGhlzx3U5GkjO_Tr-UMuLclzsoDsjnT85F0oAhusTL6pqFygbpTyGCqE9fKUkv008g-ZiZ4ocFqFgoSRAxNCG0cy5hlukgUQuMPmZ1kLf824sKG1zS_TDFKo-qhww9MG8PXwHSLQw/s320/2011-10-07_06-04-04_631-797877.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660840763774035570" /></a></p> Andrew and Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837102402590138029noreply@blogger.com0