September Round Up

... I read back on August's recap and the goal for September was to survive. So, did I? Let's see ...

(and shut it I know that the fact I'm here means that I technically did.)

Swimming: 750m (.47 mi)
Cycling: 15.21 mi
Running: 8.75 mi
Lifting: two sessions (:38)
Other: one hike (:50), two sessions hockey (2:31), seven walks (2:59)

This month had Brineman, a fuckton of travel, and some health issues (I'm fine; just something obnoxious that I'd rather not go into publicly ... but it did keep me from moving) and therefore ... it was terrible.

I feel so utterly out of shape - I might be in the worst shape I've been in in YEARS - and at this point, it's gonna be couch-to-Roth. I have, happily, moved both days in October so far (with plans for today as well) ... so here's hoping things start to improve.

Race #3 of the Season: Brineman Triathlon

... did I train for this race? Marginally. Was it better than last year? Eh. Is it still fun? Yes.

We had a lot of travel prior to this race (literally flew back home from Boston on Thursday, getting in early that afternoon like five hours before packet pickup started ... and that trip was a day or so after getting back from a different trip), but hey, we roll with it. And it's nice that it's around the corner so it was an easy peasy ride on the gravels over to packet pickup.

And an easy peasy roll out of bed that morning to drop our stuff off in transition.

However, I did stress out HORRIBLY going back to transition after coming back home for breakfast since B was racing and was a lot less worried about the timing of things.

(he also rolled back out of transition like 5-10 minutes after it closed. not for me ...)

I mean, I partially get it since we get kicked out at 8a and then the sprint doesn't go off for like 75 minutes, BUT STILL.

Getting into the wetsuit wasn't quite as bad since we actually did a tiny open water in them up at B's parents' cabin the week prior ... but I don't know if my nail luck finally gave out or if it's because the neoprene was old (... wetsuit was purchased in ... 2017? 2019?), but some chunks came out. Same with B. So I guess a new wetsuit gets to be purchased next year. Hooray?

Anyway, teeny tiny practice swim, back out, line up, go.

The Swim:

... the swim actually felt a LOT better than last year. Granted, the swim numbers have still been abysmal, but my sighting was a LOT better (even the Garmin map said so). The first bit around the little island seemed like it didn't take long at all and the worst part was the final stretch back ... but that was mostly due to the sun and not being able to see a damn thing.

But I didn't almost run into a dock this year, so there's that.

I definitely didn't run as much to transition like last year, but things were a lot quicker, which was awesome.

Time: 20:10.48

T1:

... I don't know if it was a less advantageous spot or what, but this was a bit worse this year. I dunno. I didn't like being on the other side, though - not as easy to help get the wetsuit dry.

Time: 2:10.36

The Bike: 

... when I looked at the times from this year as opposed to last year, I was a bit surprised to see that my bike was actually slower. They might have had us go a bit further onto the causeway, but not a full 1:30 further.

Although, to be fair, I think the headwind coming back was a lot worse. And the stupid winds that can be around our neighborhood can make quite the difference on the bike.

And apparently they did this year.

Who knows.

Time: 34:36.19

T2:

... this was ABYSMAL. I NEVER have transition times this bad anymore. I didn't even BodyGlide the toes (which I probably should have). Part of it was one of my socks somehow got tangled up in my race belt skirt (how it exited my shoe I DO NOT KNOW) and so I was freaking out trying to find it. Eventually, I did.

Eventually, I got moving.

But sheesh. Terrible.

Time: 4:11.53

The Run:

So. The run still isn't a 5K (or 3.2 mi - I forget what they advertise), but it IS actually closer to it now. It's more like 3.3 miles as opposed to the 3.5 it WAS.

We were thinking I would catch B on the run since he injured himself playing hockey about a month ago and running for him really hasn't been a thing (since we know he would get out of the swim before me).

Honestly, it was going pretty well - I neg split the first two miles - but did spend some time walking with B once I caught up with him because why not. I also shared with him my last two maple candies in case he wanted them (he did).

The reason the run course got closer to the actual distance is due to changes off the road - there's now a fire station - so we can detour off to get to the nature park more efficiently than before ... and it cuts off a decent chunk.

Time: 36:41.82

Overall Stats:
Time: 1:38:30.4
4/8 division (F40-44)
50/112 gender
159/277 overall

Eight overall seconds slower than last year. I blame that terrible T2.

I finished and waited for B to cross the line ... which he did, hobbling, and collapsing right after. Apparently he took a bad step soon after he entered the nature park and re-tweaked something. Thankfully he's fine, but it was a bit scary.

Done.

Sadly not a comically large oversized brine shrimp this year.

Local pro Skye Moench was doing the long course as a Kona tune-up and we saw her walking back home.

I would say I'd return to this race next year ... but the date changed to like two weeks later so it might interfere with us going to/being in Germany for Oktoberfest (since we're probably going to do that hockey tournament again). So ... maybe?

Anyway, always a good time to race so close to home - in more ways than one.

August Round Up

August was ... better in some ways. Worse in others. Read on.

Swimming: 4397.51m (2.73 mi)
Cycling: 52.99 mi
Running: 13.8 mi
Lifting: eight sessions (2:35)
Other: one hike (:22), one session hockey (1:29), five walks (2:37)

Definitely the most I've swum all year. And the numbers got weird because I attempted an open water swim up at B's parents' cabin and ... yeah. Attempt is the right way to phrase that.

Cycling was also fairly decent which is nice. Because it needed to be.

Running ... ugh. Let's not talk about that. Or lifting. Because I am mad at myself for that being so terrible. And we all know summer kills my walking numbers.

September is going to be interesting (has been interesting) for the first two weeks since I am insanely busy ... but afterward, I seriously need to focus. I plan mostly on surviving the month and then writing out a loose plan for the rest of the year in order to start gaining some consistency in terms of swim/bike/run as well as prioritizing strength work and ideally speed work before the true Roth plan starts in January. 

July Round Up

So, July. We have positives? We have fear? Read on ...

Swimming: 1300m (.81 mi)
Cycling: 28.08 mi
Running: 19.89 mi
Lifting: 19 sessions (4:36)
Other: one hike (:53), two sessions hockey (2:32), 11 walks (3:47), one session yoga (:25)

So. Some progress made. I swam twice! I cycled more often! (I think that was three rides). Running ... is still not long, but I'm doing it! I actually hiked! I DID YOGA!

All good things. 

But there's a reason for me trying like hell to focus on triathlon-specific things again and NOT just because I signed up for Brineman sprint again (because I did that, too).

It's because next year, on my birthday, I'm doing Challenge Roth.

If you don't know it, Challenge Roth is a full distance (140.6) mile race that is iconic and has been around for over 40 years. It takes place in Germany. Almost all - if not all - the speed records set at the distance have been at that race. There's a hill - Solarer Berg - that you climb single-file due to the Tour de France-style crowds (look it up on the 'gram). 

It also has a shorter time cut.

Most Ironman races are 17 hours with a few notable exceptions (Chattanooga being one at 16 or 16:30). 

Roth? Used to be at 15:30. Now? 15 hours.

I have never done a 140.6 race in 15 hours.

If you combine my fastest times across all disciplines (including transitions), I still have never completed 140.6 miles in 15 hours.

Am I terrified? Yes. Do I think I can do it? ... yes. I have to say yes. There's no other answer. I have to believe I can do it or there's no point. I've already paid my money. I'm going.

So wish me luck. And maybe more importantly ...

... wish me speed.

June Round Up

... you can probably guess by now.

Swimming: 0m (0 mi)

Cycling: 12.6 mi

Running: 17.74 mi

Lifting: 6 sessions (2:25)

Other: four sessions hockey (4:00), 19 walks (8:11)

I keep meaning to call VASA to see if their stupid pool is open (... I swear it's always closed when I try to go), but then I don't. And I don't swim.

I rode ... I think once for global cycling day and then again when I got my oil changed (will ride home and then back to pick up my car). But do I need/want to ride more? Of course. Do I? Obviously not.

And running ... is hit or miss. And mostly miss. And short. 

Lifting was the biggest frustration this month. I fucking know better, and yet.

At least July is off to a decent start ...

Race #2 of the Season: Jurassic Run 5K

We were supposed to run this race last year.

We found it, saw "oh hey, dinosaurs," signed up. Then bought tickets for "How to Train Your Dragon" in concert (symphony plays to the movie) that night. Realized the race was an evening race and ... oooops. Thankfully, the race allowed us to defer a year so we got to run it this year.

The race takes place partially inside (but mostly outside) the Ogden Dinosaur Park so you know, right up our alley. Downside is that it's an evening race in late June, so it's also hot. Thankfully not as hot as last year would have been, but still.

Photographer got us walking around pre-race.

We got there relatively early - mostly for parking purposes - and then just hung out walking around and stretching before we were set to start at 7p.

Sign.

Like I wasn't wearing my T. rex (T. flex) shorts for this race.

Neither of us have been running a lot this year (you know I haven't and it's been a lot less for B), so we had zero expectations for this race. Well, that's not entirely true: since B doesn't do well in heat, the goal for him was to not die.

We ran together - what I didn't know is that the little park you do an out-and-back in nearby has a MONSTER hill. Yeah, we mostly walked that. 

But other than that, we were running fairly well early on, but the lack of any training for either of us, plus the fact that, y'know, balls, meant that we crumpled some in the back half. Eh. It was expected.

Final bit was actually in and around the dino park, as evidenced by the official race photo.

Weeeeee!

Wasn't much to the finish after this and though I crossed the line first ... B beat me by .1 second. Grumble.

Overall Stats:
Time: 33:13.5
7/30 division (F40-45)
40/211 gender
101/368 overall

What I DIDN'T know going in is that we got medals.

... and this picture made me realize that there were several different medals and that the third option was way cooler than mine. So obviously I swapped.

Regrets, I have zero.

Ultimately, fun race, we enjoyed it. Would it have been better had we trained? Yes. Would it also be better in the morning prior to the park opening as opposed as to at the end of the day? Also probably, but I get why it's in the evening.

Still, fun, small, local race. May do again. Probably. 

(because dinosaurs.)

May Round Up

Another month down. 

Swimming: 0m (0mi)
Cycling: 31.68 mi
Running: 20.69 mi
Lifting: 13 sessions (4:16)
Other: one hike (:55), three sessions hockey (3:46), 22 walks (11:37), one session yoga (:13)

Swimming ... is a struggle. To be transparent, I did try to go ... and the pool at my regular gym was closed. Because of course it was. Because this happens to me all the time. 

Most of the cycling miles were in one giant 20 mile ride I did with B and one of his friends ... and it went pretty well despite me having no miles in my legs, but that's how the bike tends to go.

Running is about par for the course for me right now. I do have a 5K at the end of June that was deferred from last year, but I have zero goals except have fun at it since it's through a dinosaur park and I know I'm going to want to take pictures. So there's that.

Lifting wasn't terrible but DEFINITELY needs to be more consistent. I'm proud I did some yoga, but I really need to do a lot more bodywork. Because I can tell that I'm in my damn 40s. 

As for June? I know I can do better, so let's hope that I actually do for a change.

April Round Up

Well, in some ways, April was an improvement. Read on ...

Swimming: 800m (.5 mi)
Cycling: 7.87 mi
Running: 22.02 mi
Lifting: 12 sessions (4:54)
Other: one hike (1:37), three sessions hockey (3:58), 22 walks (12:01)

Can you believe that first one? I actually got back into the pool. Crazy, I know. Hoping to do it again here shortly. 

Only got on the bike once, which I'm not happy with, but given my general spring bike anxiety ... I'm also not surprised.

Running was decently consistent even though I'm not yet really upping any mileage. But I'll take the consistency. Same with strength training - I think I only missed two or three scheduled lift days, which is DELIGHTFUL.

Still managing hockey even though my season's over and got out for a hike while in Tucson. And I'm logging every walk I do this year, which is why that's so crazy. But I'm not mad about it. Steps are good.

Hoping to keep building for May ...

March Round Up

... you can guess ...

Swimming: 0m (0 mi)
Cycling: 18.31 mi
Running: 11.52 mi
Lifting: seven sessions (3:17)
Other: eight sessions hockey (8:00), one session erg (:05), one day skiing (2:50), seven walks (3:04)

Can I get into the pool? No. Am I intending on it? Yes. Will it happen in April? We can only hope.

Both cycling and running were ... if not marginally better, they happened. Consistency is rough. But hey, I managed to race a du and podium, so whatever, right?

Consistency is also rough with strength work, but I'm trying. As I am with everything - like walking. March was a good hockey month, but that will taper off as the season is coming to an end this week. It's not like I won't still keep playing, but it'll be more intentional and not scheduled.

I still don't necessarily have many plans for the rest of the season - still aimless - but I have finally sketched out a loose plan for at least this month.

Race #1 of the Season: Icebreaker Sprint Duathlon

... did I sign up for this race, knowing that I enjoyed it the year prior? Yes. Did I train for it? No.

Is this my life these days? Unfortunately, yes.

Still, I paid my money so I showed up to race. Got there early for parking and then just hung out. Eventually made my way to race. Weren't a lot of people racing the du again as usual, and the other women I saw were first timers to multisport in general.

One B was helping with her bike and we realized she needed her tires pumped up badly so we quickly managed that with a few minutes still to go prior to the start.

Lined up, waiting to go. Glad to have the new winter weather cycling jacket.

The Bike:

Similar to last year, the two older dudes racing took off and left the rest of us in the dust. I did not forget the two terrible hills early on, but they were a bit more terrible with very few bike miles on the legs. Also, it was cold. I don't think the legs officially thawed out until the second loop.

Which, I might add, I did NOT miss the turn off for this year. I swear it wasn't labeled as clearly last year. I SWEAR.

(I did, however, encounter a car that, had I not been paying attention, I may have collided with, since they do not know how to turn with urgency on a race course.)

More people were on the course for loop two - people finishing the swim portion of the tri as well as more cars - but I managed well. Ate a maple candy at the halfway point and continued dealing with the shitty hills.

Time: 47:21

T:

So this was a lot slower than last year, but I also peeled myself out of my cycling jacket since I knew it would be way too warm on the run. So eh.

Time: 2:04

The Run:

Like last year, B was there for the first little bit. I ate a maple candy right out of transition - oh look! I'm learning how to fuel! - and wandered off. I didn't really run much of those two nasty hills - the run course follows the bike course for a bit - having learned my lesson from St. George. I was fine walking them if it meant quicker things later.

Other than that ... fairly uneventful. Ate a maple candy at miles one and two. Felt like there were fewer people on the run course with me than last year. Saw B a bit earlier on the run but I'm not mad at that.

And it was short, again. But I'll take it.

Time: 34:11

Overall Stats:
Time: 1:23:36.03
1/3 gender
3/5 overall

Slower than last year, but faster than the others who showed up which means ... podium for meeeee.

I dunno where the other two went. I had seen them around prior to the official awards ceremony ...

Glad to have raced ... even though damn do I need to figure out a way to train. Also: did race for pancakes again, but they were WORSE this year. No butter? For shame.

(Flippin' Flapjacks, I miss you.)

February Round Up

... baby steps?

Swimming: 0m (0 mi)
Cycling: 11.39 mi

Running: 11.7 mi

Lifting: eleven sessions (3:40)

Other: two sessions hockey (1:59), two days skiing (3:36), ten walks (4:24)

Still haven't managed to get back in the pool - why that is so hard I'll never know - but I did finally get back on a bike. Once for a small trainer ride (bust the mental barrier) and once outside on my gravel bike to take advantage of a nice day.

Running ... is a thing. I'm attempting to build up mileage, but it ain't easy.

I am grateful I upped the strength a lot.

Hockey was a lean month, but March will more than make up for that. Went skiing finally ... but the other half broke his hand last time out so we'll see if I get out again. And I really do need to keep walking and walk even more.

I did sign up for the Icebreaker Du again so, um, let's hope I can get on my bike more in March?

January Round Up

It was not intentional (getting sick for like two weeks doesn't help things), but January ended up being a lot of the same old, same old.

Swimming: 0m (0mi)
Cycling: 0 mi
Running: 7.84 mi
Lifting: four sessions (:59)
Other: three sessions hockey (3:15), two walks (:31)

I did actually attempt to sketch out whether I could feasibly do IM 70.3 St. George and ... well ... at my current level of fitness? It's not smart. Given that my run base is non-existent right now, I could safely work my way up to 8 or 9 miles which isn't the worst, but not what I'd feel comfortable with. Especially on that course, which is a brutal bike. And with the swim being what it usually is (typically cold AF)? Yeah, not smart. So I miss that opportunity, and I'm going to have to live with it.

If I can claw my way back to a decent base by the summer, I may still consider signing up for Challenge Roth in 2026 since it does fall on my birthday, but I'm also still unsure about that. Fear rules a lot right now, and I don't enjoy it.

2025 Goals

... I should probably not make this post while I'm sick (came down with one of the plagues that's been going around for everyone - got it from B), but here we are.

Do I have goals for 2025?

Truth be told ... I don't know.

Get healthier. I feel like I took a large step back last year - I rarely get sick and yet I was sick multiple times last year. I hate the way I look, the way I feel in my skin - it's definitely a year where I felt like I came out worse than I entered it.

So for 2025? I'd ideally like to finally FIGURE OUT MY DAMN SHIT, but I've been hoping for that since 2021, so good luck?

I was considering signing up for St. George 70.3, since it's being discontinued after this year, but I still haven't quite decided. Whether I want to do it for the right reasons, or just because it's going away.

I definitely have a dinosaur-themed 5K that we were supposed to do last year, but had a conflict with something else, so we deferred it a year. I may do the Icebreaker du again, but we'll see. Brineman sprint is also a possibility. I in theory said I'd do a sprint up in Idaho with a friend, but I haven't officially signed up for it.

This is rambling. I don't know.

2025: may I end the year feeling better and stronger than when I started it.

December and 2024 Round Up

... let's just get into it.

Swimming: 0m (0mi)

Cycling: 0 m

Running: 2.27 mi

Lifting: one session (:10)
Other: six sessions hockey (5:56), one walk (:22)

The intentional rest from November turned into somewhat unintentional rest in December. There were some perks - I had a hockey tourney mid-month and we ended up having to play four games in three days ... and, unlike the Germany tournament, they were actual, full-length games. I also survived it (though my lack of endurance is starting to show) ... and I played some of my best hockey.

But really, the month seemed emblematic of the year. Idle. Stagnant. Never truly getting going.

What was good about 2024? 

I played a lot of hockey.

I ran my first (standalone) marathon.

I broke a very old half-marathon PR.

... and in terms of athletic accomplishments, that might be it. I'm slower. I'm definitely heavier. I'm weaker. And my brain still hates me.

But it is. It's done, and it's in the past. All I can do now is try to hopefully move forward.