Race Recap: The Frigid - January 17, 2015

The first race of 2015 - The Frigid - fortunately did not live up to its name. This past Saturday was sunny and warm for January making the 4 hour - Rogaine that much more enjoyable.  361 Adventures put this meet on and also offered a 4 hour nighttime Rogaine that we (my husband and I) opted not to do. Considering we are still fairly new to the sport and after finishing the first one, we knew we made the right decision.

Frigid Map

A Rogaine is a type of race where you choose your route based on where the checkpoints are located on the map. For this particular one, there were 14 main checkpoints plus 4 extra checkpoints that would be revealed at one of the main checkpoints. You are given a map and this time the 14 checkpoints were already mapped. Everyone has the same start and finish points, but then you and your team decides what is the best route for your team's ability. A team is made up of 2-4 people or you can go solo.

This registration was from 8-10am, maps passed out at 10:15am, and race started at 11am. We made it to Explore Brown County (Indiana) way too early - 8:30am. It was a short drive where I grew up in Columbus, IN which was nice, so my parents could watch our 3 kids. Registration was quick and easy. We had already signed the waiver form so we picked up our bib number and waited. My brother-in-law and cousin made a team and joined us shortly after we arrived, so it was nice hanging out with them while waiting for the race to start. 

The main meeting place was inside a red barn like building that had plenty of room for the 100 or so participants. The race directors had a short meeting reviewing  the rules and tips such as be careful of the black ice on the gravel. Once that was done we had about 30 minutes to look over the map to plan our route. We gathered our gear and was ready to start. Each person had to carry hydration, a light, a whistle, hat, and a long  sleeve shirt. Each team also had to have spaceblanket, compass, the map, passport (paper that you punch when you find a checkpoint), charged cell phone, and the race number.


This year, our plan was to try to get all the main checkpoints. Last year, my husband and his brother got all but one, so we wanted to do a little bit better. We planned our route to follow the easiest navigation route, run the flats, and walk the hills. We stuck to the plan and ended up getting all the checkpoints plus one of the extra checkpoints finishing in 3 hours 33 minutes. You get penalized if you are late, so we wanted to make sure we were not late! Only one checkpoint gave us trouble as it did for a few other teams that we met up with while trying to find which we were eventually successful.

It's not all seriousness with The D team as we look for our next checkpoint.

Overall, the rogaine was fun. I had my fill of the Brown County hills for sure. Some places, I was sliding down since it was so steep and then climbing up on all fours. Fortunately, my feet stayed dried since most of the creek crossings were shallow and slightly frozen still. After the race, there was vegetable soup, bread, and cookies with water or lemonade to drink. There was about an hour between the end of the day race before the maps were being handed out for the night race. Awards were handed out to the top 3 teams and top 3 solo finishers. We finished as the 5th team, 10th overall. Next year, the plan is to clear the course and get a few more checkpoints. That will only happen if I practice some hills so I don't keep saying, "oh, hill no!" sarcastically in the race again.

If you are interested in learning more about orienteering, rogaining or adventure racing check out some of these groups for more information and races. They are fun for all levels whether you hike or run, if you like being out in the woods, these races are for you.

361 Adventures

OLOU

DINO

Flying Squirrel Adventures

TOPO Adventure Sports

Meeting Barn at Explore Brown County

ROGAINE stands for Rugged Outdoor Group Activity Involving Navigation and Endurance

2014 Recap: My Year in Running

A few years back, I started choosing one word that I wanted to focus on for the year instead of making new year's resolutions. I like doing this for several reasons, but that is a topic for another day. This year, in addition to this one word, my husband and I decided to make the resolution to complete 12 races each. I can say that I was able to keep this resolution this year! Time for a celebration, right? 

A fellow Girls Gone Sporty Ambassador - Pretty Lil Mudder - came up with a brilliant idea to give 'awards' to our races this year which also allows a great way to look back at some of the races this past year. Be sure to check her awards and the other ambassadors that linked up (see the bottom of this post too). You may just find a race to add to your calendar for 2015.

Backside Trail Half

So here are my 2014 Race Awards:

Most Scenic Course - Backside Trail Half/Marathon - Any trail run is definitely ranked as most scenic for me.  Find my race report of the Backside here.

Most Challenging Course - Mission Lite - 4 hour DINO Adventure Race. Even choosing our own route due to orienteering part of the race, this is still what I would consider the most challenging course: canoeing, mountain biking, and trailing running (or bushwhacking or  swamp trekking) .

Best Expo - Kentucky Derby Festival Half/Full Marathon - I am not big on expos, but the Kentucky Derby Festival Half/Full Marathon is huge - held at Kentucky International Convention Center. They have the packet pick-up down to a science - easy and fast.

Best Post-Race Food/Beverages - Mission Lite - Another award for this 4 hour adventure race. They had a cafeteria style lunch included meatball subs, fresh salad bar, chips, fruit, and dirt pudding. It hit the spot after a misty morning of stomping through the woods.

Best Swag - Tri-Cap Mud Slinger Trail 6K and 13.1m - Stocking cap and pull-over long sleeve shirt  - Need I say more?

Most Unique Medal - SIPAC 4 miler - I might be a bit bias since my brother directs this race, but where else are you going to get a cow eartag as a medal?

Favorite Race Shirt (tech tee or reg) - Mill Race 5K - Although, I am not a fan of the white, I love the design on the long sleeved tech tee featuring my hometown. It connects aspects from the bridges, Cummins, and running.

Favorite Overall Race - Mission Lite - This category was a tough one to award. I really have a top 4 with this one topping this list. The Mission Lite tops the list because not only did I team up with my husband in the race for a 'race date', but also because I like having the extra elements that come with adventure racing: teamwork and strategic planning. It is how I would imagine treasure hunting and racing against the other pirates to find all the gold! My other 3 favorite races are the ones I ran with my friend, Maleah , my niece and my son. It is hard to beat those time running together!

Best Course Support (aid stations, volunteers, people cheering you on, etc) - Waterfront Challenge - The military volunteers at the challenges  - whether they were cheering or ordering - were fantastic!

Race You Are Most Proud of Yourself for Completing - Columbus Challenge Triathlon and Duathlon - This was my 'A' race for 2014, so yes, I am most proud that I finished my first Olympic Distance triathlon, hands-down. I can still remember trying to swim a few laps in the pool and here I swam almost a mile in open water. It is an amazing feeling to cross the finish line after all the training - completing something you have never done before. 

How would you pair up the awards with your 2014 races? 

Check out the other blogs 2014 Recap - maybe you'll find a new race!

Running Escapades (http://runningescapades.com)

Runner Girl in a Rocking World (http://runnergirlinarockingworld.com)

MCMMamaRuns (http://mcmmamaruns.com)

Once Upon a Run (http://www.onceuponarunfairytale.blogspot.com)

The Runner Within (http://therunnerwithin.com)

Fat Girl to Ironman (http://fatgirltoironman.co.uk)

Love for Running (http://loveforrunning.com)

Peace Love & Ice Cream (http://peaceandloveandicecream.com)

Miles to Go (http://miles-to-go.org)

How My World Runs (http://howmyworldruns.com)

This Mama Runs for Cupcakes (http://thismamarunsforcupcakes.com)

Uptite Mamas (http://uptitemamas.com)

Kristin's 5k (http://www.kristins5k.blogspot.com)

Pretty Lil Mudder (http://prettylilmudder.com)

Run, Kat, Run: Turkey Run at Iroquois Park

5 miles, to the top of Iroquois Park and back down—no worries!  Ran this same course 50 times.  Woke up ready to do it.  My goal was under 50 minutes and with all the hills involved that would be what I consider “really good”.  

It had snowed the night before and it was COLD but beautiful!  The race was packed, about 900 people I think.  The gun blew and we were off!  Made it to the top in pretty good time, at least in good enough time to be under my goal.  The awesome thing about the top was the view of what seems like the whole city from the overlook covered in a fresh blanket of snow.  Once we started downhill, it was all good!  I finished in 49:12 which was under my goal!  I was happy.  

After the race they had tons of awards and prizes. They also had a ton of food for the runners and walkers.  

Great race, I’ll be doing this every year! (2014 IHR Thanksgiving Day run/walk)

Race Report: Tri-Cap Mud Slinger Trail Run

Where did November go??? I imagine you are thinking the same thing with Christmas just around the corner!

Last month, I  finished the Tri-Cap Mud Slinger Trail Half Marathon. This race is held in Ferninand State Forest in southern Indiana held typically on one of the first or second Sundays in November. They also offered a trail 6K.The funds raised from the race benefit Tri-Cap programs helping the less fortunate in the area. The half marathon was $50 if you signed up early and $30 for the 6K.

Since it was a late start at 10am, I picked up the packet race morning with no problem. It was a fairly laid back, friendly race - with just over 50 finishers for the 13.1m trail run and over 100 finishers for the 6K. My brother was also running the half while my nephew and sister-in-law ran the 6K. The race started on the road for about a mile before turning on the trail to run. Each race was a loop in the forest. The half marathon ran the 6K route backwards at the end of the race.

Race swag

Once I read "If you are looking up, you are going down," about trail running. That fit this race to a T.  As you could expect being a trail run, there were plenty of hills, slippery leaves, holes, roots, rocks, creeks to maneuver through. This year the course was marked with spray paint on the ground - aka the leaves. For the most part, it was easy to follow. Since I'm a mid-pack runner, there were one or two places that the marks were almost gone from the previous runners. Fortunately, I could almost always see a runner in front of me. I saw several slip while running and a few almost take a wrong turn, but no serious injuries occurred from the falls. I took a few good falls when I found some holes covered by the leaves as well. There were a couple rugged climbs that were slippery due to the leaves and rocks, but that is what makes trail races interesting.

Unfortunately, my phone died midrace so I was not able to get any pictures, but the race's Facebook page posted some. You can get an idea of the course from those. 

Overall, this was a fun race and great for the beginner or experienced trail runner. There were plenty of water stops along the way with oranges so I did not carry my own water. At the end of the race, there was chili and hot dogs. Those did not appeal to me after running so I just stuck with the oranges and water. Instead of medals and t-shirts, they gave out stocking caps and pullover shirts which was great.

 Trail running is a different experience from road running and has a unique vibe that I like. I highly recommended trying some out with a friend the next time you go running.

Until next time, have fun finding your fit in Louisville. 

Run, Kat, Run: Urban Bourbon Half Marathon October 2014

My last mini-marathon I swore it would be the last.  It was awful.  I never officially checked my time because it was so awful.  I was 30 pounds heavier, eating food that came out of a drive thru window, and not training to the level that I should.  I learned my lesson, oh boy did I learn my lesson.  I vowed to either change and train right or not do another race.

After losing weight I decided that I would give it another try.  I dedicated myself to training like I knew I should and signed up for the Urban Bourbon. 

pre-race

Training was fun!  I enjoy running, I enjoy cycling, and I enjoy being active so that was not a problem but finding time to do all those was the problem.  I started training about 10 weeks out and ran 2-3 times a week for shorter runs then once a week for my long runs.  Long runs are my favorite!  I know I complain while I’m running but I enjoy it. 

I missed one long run because of being out of town but otherwise I made all my long run dates!  And through the training I continually was impressed by my ability and my time on training runs.  But I wasn’t convinced that all that training “greatness” would surface on race day!

We lined up for the race, headphones in, garmins on, ready to rock it!  I was lined up near the 2:45 pace group, not at all where I wanted to be.  My first and best half marathon was 2:24 and my goal was to be under 2:24, even if it were 2:23.  I quickly passed the 2:45 pacer, then the 2:30 and I was feeling good.  Up ahead my running partner saw the 2:20 pacer and said “there’s your pacer” to which my reply was “there’s OUR pacer”.  We caught up and stayed in front of the 2:20 pacer for a long time.  Eventually, my partner and I got separated on the hills of Cherokee.  But I just turned my music up and kept going all the while the 2:20 pacer was still behind me.  And I was feeling good!  I couldn’t believe that I was on pace to finish under my goal. 

My folks and my Granny came to see my about mile 8, my kids and in-laws came around mile 11, and then at the finish line.  I cry every time people come see me, it makes me so happy.  Try running and crying at the same time.  I always get choked up when I see my kiddos and I get a burst of energy from their hugs and high fives. 

Around mile 11 I started getting cramps in my calves so I slowed down but kept going.  Just keep swimming, just keep swimming was going through my head.  I saw the finish line and tears welled up in my eyes, I was just about done!  I turned it up and headed to the line.  I crossed the line at 2:19 and my chip time was 2:17:11!  I was thrilled!  So proud of myself and my dedication to training correctly.  Of course, now I’ve got like three more half marathons scheduled to do in the near future and hopefully a marathon will happen sooner rather than later. 

post-race

Kathy Kingsbury

Hiking Review: Cumberland Falls, Yahoo Falls, Natural Arch

I am a huge fan of waterfalls. As the main family planner of vacation, I booked a few days at the Cumberland Falls State Resort Park in southern Kentucky or so I thought. I actually booked our 2 night stay at Lake Cumberland, but did not know that until they could not find our reservation at the Cumberland Falls park. Not the way you want to start your family vacation after a 3 hour drive. Fortunately, the staff was super helpful and had a cabin available so we were able to stay and not have to drive an extra 70 or so miles to Lake Cumberland.

Once we unloaded the van, we set off on our first hike to Cumberland Falls which is known as Little Niagara. One of the trailheads was in our cabin area that led to the falls. It was just under a two mile hike roundtrip and fairly easy hike. My 6 and 4 year olds had no issues. Once we reached the falls, we could walk out on the rock bed near the top of the falls - similar to Falls over the Ohio, but much smaller scale. Hiking a bit more, there were several overlooks, sandy beach, and some rocks to climb.

 Day 2 we headed south to Natural Arch, Yahoo Falls, and Yahoo Arch near Whitley City which is about 15-19 miles from Cumberland Falls. The parking area for Natural Arch is $3 which has an envelop right at the entrance. The overlook of Natural Arch was beautiful with the fall colors. The arch is one of the largest in Kentucky - 60 feet high and 100 feet long as compared to Natural Bridge - which is 78 feet long, 65 feet high.  The hike to the actual arch was another easy one for my kids - 2 mile round trip again. There are picnic tables, swings and bathrooms in the parking lot area.

Our next stop was the Yahoo Falls - the tallest waterfall in Kentucky - and the Yahoo Arch which took us on a gravel road to reach the parking lot. We ate lunch in the parking lot there which had also had bathrooms and picnic tables. These two hikes were about 3 miles. We hiked on top of the falls first and followed the trail to the arch where we could walk on top of this one. This arch was 17 feet tall by 70 feet long. Heading back, we took the Yahoo Falls loop to go down to the 113 foot waterfall.  On the way home, we stopped by the Dairy Bar on Main Street in Whitley City that is a 50s diner which was a fun treat after a day of hiking.  We pretty much had all these hikes to ourselves, just seeing one other group at each of the hikes.

Day 3 we explored the Eagle Falls Trail (1.5miles) at Cumberland Falls. We got there right after breakfast so we were first in the parking lot which overflows as the day goes on. This trail was the most rugged of all the trails we hiked and kept our kids close since it follows a cliffline. The views of the Cumberland Falls were gorgeous from this side of the river. Right before reaching the falls, it looks like the trail ends, but just climb over the tree debris. The Eagle Falls offered boulders for climbing, ability to go behind the falls, and a sandy beach to play. Needless to say, we stayed for a long time once we reached the falls. This was the kids' favorite.

This was a great mini hiking fall break. The hikes were short enough for our kids to hike on their own. We packed flashlights so they could check out all the rock crevices and cut throughs along the hikes. I look forward to going back to the Daniel Boone National Forest to explore even more.

Race Report - Mill Race 5K

We had a family gathering recently at the Mill Race Marathon, Half-Marathon, and 5K in Columbus, IN. My dad, brother, sister-in-law, nephew (11 years old!), and cousin (going to grad school in Illinois) ran the 2nd annual half marathon. It was my cousin's and nephew's first half marathon. Also, my husband, oldest son, niece, and myself ran the 5K while they were running the 13.1miles. With that being said, there were 9 of us ranging from 6-68 years old for our family running that day. My mom and 2 other kids were our support crew and cheering us on, so definitely a family affair!

pre-race

My immediate family and I registered the day before the race at the expo in downtown Columbus. I was holding out for the weather since kids were running. The weather turned out to be beautiful! There were no lines for packet pick-up or sign-ups which was simple to follow. The only thing we missed was the parking pass booth. There are several parking garages and lots downtown, so they were passing out the free passes to ease parking in the morning. We thought they were going to be in our packets and did not check until we got home. There were several vendors there at the expo to browse as well.

Race day: Street closures were going to start at 6:45am with the half marathon starting at 7:30am followed by the 5K starting at 8:15am. We parked at my parents' church parking lot near downtown since we did not pick up a parking pass. It was an easy walk to the festivities. We were able to cheer on our family members running the half before starting the 5K race. My husband ran with my son and I ran with my niece. We ran through the park across the bridges and back to downtown. It was relatively flat with one water stop. Fortunately, we did not get stop by the train like some of the marathon runners did!

post-race

Overall, the race was well run and we all had a great time. My niece was able to run her first 5K without walking! Besides the finishers' medal for each of the race, if you finished the 13.1 or 26.2 race you were put into a drawing to win a free truck and if you finished the 5K you had a chance to win one of four bicycles.

They already have the registration open for next year. The location downtown Columbus, IN is a great place for the race - plenty of restaurants and entertainment for all ages - definitely recommend checking them out.

Race Recap: The Urban Bike Adventure - September 13, 2014

The Urban Bike Race was one of my first 'bike' only races so I was not sure what to expect, but had a blast being teamed up for my husband. It was an affordable race - $25/person with 2-4 people per team. It started at noon which was something I was not use too since most races start just as the sun is coming up.

The race started with everyone getting a sealed envelope for the race starting at 4th Street Live. It contained about 10-14 clues of places you had to bike to or ask strangers for help in pictures. You could use your phone for GPS, maps, call friends for help, but could not use public transportation. It did not matter what order you completed the tasks which was all part of strategy. We completed the race in about 90minutes and probably covering about 10 miles. We actually ended up finishing 3rd overall!

We raced over to Indiana to the candy store, hunting down some statues along the waterfront while asking strangers to take pictures with us in tug-of-war, piggy back ride and more. We also had two extra challenges we had to complete. First one was walking a golf ball on a tee along the course without it falling which was a bit challenging after riding a bike. The second was having an Oreo on your forehead and moving it to your mouth without using our hands. (You know you want to try this now, don't you?) This one I thought out of the box and asked the judges if we could have the Oreo start on my forehead and have it land drop it in my partner's mouth. They said that was acceptable and we got it done on the first try! Who knew we had this secret talent?

Overall the race was more fun than competitive which I find appealing. It was a unique way to have to have a 'date day'. I was surprised how the strangers we approached were more than happy to help us out in our tasks  - so friendly! I highly recommend checking The Urban Bike Race out next year with friends.

Run, Kat, Run - Do What in MUD?

The Rugged Maniac is an Obstacle Course 5K, in MUD!  There are 25 obstacles that you have complete while running a 5K.  I ran the race in Paoli Peaks, IN on the ski slopes, so it was up and down and up and down the slopes.  Some places running was impossible it was so steep! 

Some of the obstacles included: a mud pit with barbed wire over your head, iron rings to cross, seesaws covered in mud, walls to climb, fire to jump, creeks to cross, and so MUCH MUD!!!  To me it seemed like they put the easier obstacles first and they progressively got harder.  The first obstacle was a giant mud pit about knee deep that you had to walk through—several lost shoes in that one!  Then we went to walls to climb and mud to army crawl through.  The last obstacles were hard!  There was a 12 foot wall with 2 steps, needless to say you needed help to get over it.  And then there was the “wall” that was straight up covered in slimy mud.  The idea is that you get a good running start, run up the wall, catch the top ledge with your hands and hoist yourself over.  I tried two times and got so close each time but slid right back down the wall each time, making the bruise on my hip bone get larger and larger. 

It was fun!  It was muddy!  It was everything I had hoped for!  I have the bruises to prove it!  

I Ran the Farm - 4mile Race - Sept. 6 - Dubois, IN

front runners

About 90 minutes from Louisville, is a small town of Dubois, Indiana - near Patoka Lake. It happens to be the home of SIPAC - Southern Indiana Purdue Agricultural Center where my brother is the farm superintendent. The past two years, SIPAC has hosted a 4mile mixed terrain race to start off the family field day.

Pixie and I walking it

The event is a very family friendly, laid back race whether you want to run or walk it. I am able to push our jogging stroller through the course. However, there are some parts that have rough footing such as going through the pasture. The trails through the woods are wide and easy to follow. There were a few hills and dry creek beds to cross that were rocky, but manageable with the stroller. There was a water station that you passed by twice on the course if needed. Once out of the woods you run on gravel until the finish line. So you pretty much run on every type of surface-  pavement, gravel, grass, dirt, rocks.

Rooster finishing

If you stick around after the race, there are a variety of demonstrations and activities. This year you learned about importance of good soil which helps produce forage which goats eat which helped them produce good milk and then make ice cream. My kids were able to milk a goat and then make some ice cream. There was also a forestry tour and geocaching available to spend the morning on the farm after the race.  A fun way to spend the morning with family.

Learning about forage

Milking the goat

Friday Favorites: Favorite Local Shops for Runners and Triathletes

Living about 30 minutes from stores, I do not do much shopping - especially with three kids in tow. However, when I need new running shoes or gear for triathlons, I find it worth it to pack the family up and head into town to the local running and multi-sport stores. Bonus - all these stores support the community in leading group trainings or classes for all fitness levels.

Here are three of my favorite stores:
1. Ken Combs Running Store - Located off of Shelbyville Road in St. Matthews,  I can take all 3 kids and be out of the store in about 15 minutes with a new pair of running shoes. I love that they recommend shoes based on your feet, so I can try them on and pick the best fit. My last visit I told them I was starting to have arch soreness. They gave me suggestions with icing and stretching which has helped. They have more than shoes of course if you are looking for some good running socks or other running clothes. They also offer track nights for group speed work. They also have race calendar on their website.

2. VO2 Multisport - Also in St. Matthews, this place covers areas in training and coaching as well as retail. They had a great sale in January this year where I was able to pick up my first cycling shoes and a few pieces of running and biking clothes. Check out their calendar for the bike rides, yoga, and other classes such as bike maintenance 101. They are there to help you whether you are a novice or a veteran!

3. Fleet Feet Sports - Located on Taylorsville Rd, this running store has lots to offer the community as well. They will also recommend running shoes based on your feet and lots of other gear to look through. They have group runs, training groups to help you achieve your running goals, yoga for runners, and a variety of classes such as Self Defense while Running coming up on Sept. 9.

Be sure to follow these stores on Facebook to keep up with deals and events such as the sale that Fleet Feet is having this weekend!

What are you favorite places to get your gear to keep you running and biking?

Ironman Volunteer - August 23, 2014

For the first time, I volunteered with Ironman Louisville in the gear and bike check-in on Saturday. It was a fantastic experience even in the rainstorm. I got to interact with the athletes taking on this huge athletic endeavor. I took their bags while helping to find their place for their bikes. Then we went over to the gear bags section to drop those off and answer any questions or direct them to more knowledgeable people. I had about 10-15minutes with each athlete to talk with them.  It was interesting to hear their stories from the first timers to the veterans. I talked with a first timer who was excited and so nervous it was hard for her to carry on a conversation. I helped another guy from New York that had to rent a bike because the airline lost his bike! I met a husband and wife completing the race together. It was amazing interacting with these athletes.

There were tons of opportunities available to volunteer for the Ironman starting midweek doing a variety of jobs. It's is incredible how much work and preparation goes on to put on such an event. For my particular position I needed to be there a few minutes early so they could brief us on what we needed to do and get our volunteer t-shirt. My volunteer job was pretty easy and simple. The 3.5hour shift flew by. I look forward to helping out another race soon.

Cheering the bikers along US42

80's Themed Insanity at FitMe Studio

Once a month on a Friday night, FitMe Studio (Westport Rd. and Bayberry Place) offers a discounted fitness class ($3-$5). That is a fantastic deal! This month it was an 80s themed Insanity class that lasted just over 60 minutes.

I have tried their Insanity class earlier this year and had a great workout so I was looking forward to my second class. This time I brought re-enforcements with some friends. Since it was an 80's themed, several people dressed in 80's attire with leg work warmers, fringe, and headbands. I was quite jealous of not having a headband soaking up my sweat. 80's music was also played while Heath, the instructor, led the intense workout ending in a plank and push-up session that lasted longer than halftime at a football game, I think.  It was pretty similar to the previous class I reviewed - Insanity class, but that does not mean the second time around was any easier. It was still a great total body workout, using lots of muscle groups I did not work out while training for my triathlon.

If you have not checked out FitMe Studio yet, I highly recommend it. Great classes - for all fitness levels - with great instructors and friendly people at an affordable price.

Race Recap: The Columbus Challenge Triathlon - Aug. 9, 2014

After nearly 12 weeks of training, I swam 0.9miles, biked 23miles, and ran 6.2miles to cross the finish line of my very first Olympic distance triathlon - Columbus Challenge Triathlon!

  
 To think back when I first started training, I could barely swim a 1/2mile without stopping. By being persistent and practicing, I was able to increase the distance.  Even with my brother and his family and one of my best friends there, my anxiety about finishing the swim increased as the time to start the race got closer. They had a time trial start. This just means you lined up according to your number and a swimmer starts every five seconds. This way is a lot better than a mass start at the beach. The first 10 minutes or so of swimming, my heart was racing and I could not get my breathing right because of my nerves and the cold I had. I did alot of backstroke to calm myself down the first half of the swim. Once my nerves calmed and my nose got cleared out, I was able to go back to the front stroke. My sighting on the swim was pretty bad too and even got disoriented one time, but I was able to stay calm and start again. I imagine the lifeguards having a good laugh at my inability to swim straight from buoy to buoy. At the end of the swim, the volunteers were there to pull you out of the water because it was so slick.

Since the swim did not go as well as I had hoped, I still had plenty of energy left for the bike and run. The transition from the swim to the bike went smooth. I dried my feet off to get my shoes and socks on, walked my bike out of the transition, and on I biked. I had one of my honey stinger gels after I had been on the bike for a mile or two to keep me fueled. The course was mostly country roads with miles 7-14 around a big lake that had lots of hills and curves. I drove the bike course the day before so I was ready the hills. With a few miles left, I ate another gel to fuel up for the run.

  Coming into transition, I was able to see my mother-in-law and my parents with my 3 kids cheering for me. This was a first time, my kids had seen my husband and I race and it was my mother-in-law's first time seeing a triathlon. Having a cheering section was a first for me, so that made the race even more fun. The run was 2 loops in the neighborhood that was pretty flat. My legs handled the transition from the bike to the run pretty good. I had read slowing down a few miles before the transition can help so it seemed to have worked for me.

 Coming down the home stretch, high fiving all my family, and crossing the finishing line was an amazing feeling.  It did not matter to me that I had one of the slowest swim times, it matters that I had finished something that pushed and tested me - something 3 months ago I would not have been able to complete.  My husband joined me in this challenge as well. He ended up getting a flat tire around mile 6 on the bike, but still finished the bike ride - riding 17 miles through hills on a flat! We do the races to keep us motivated to stay healthy for our kids and to do something fun together. Now onto figuring out the next challenge!

Before and after the race 

 This race is a fundraiser for Foundation for Youth in Columbus, IN (my hometown). Packet pick-up was quick and painless and even had a free dinner if you wanted the day before. Race day parking was in the neighborhood which was an easy walk to the transition area. The weather was overcast, and the water temperature was 77F so wetsuit legal. The markings on the bike route was easy to follow and volunteers did a great job directing. I wished they had more lifeguards in kayaks or canoes, but overall I think it was a well organized race. There was even a mother-son team like Team Hoyt that was inspirational to see along the course and cheer for them in their first triathlon. 

Burrito Riders!

Rooster on his first ride

What are they? From their website: "The Burrito Riders is a bicycle-based organization dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of the homeless and those in need. We seek to build relationships within our communities, to foster hope, and to show God’s love by helping to meet basic needs, both physical and emotional."

Who are they? Burrito Riders got started by a Tim and his wife, Amanda, who wanted to find a way to serve the homeless community in Louisville. They had read an article in a magazine about a group riding bikes and passing out burritos in Charlotte and this was just the idea they needed.  They are an all volunteer group always welcoming anyone that wants to help out - make burritos (recipe below) or ride bikes to pass them out.

When and Where? They meet at Kroger at Eastern Parkway and Goss Avenue at 8am on the 2nd and 4th Saturday mornings of the month. They take burritos donations anytime since they can be made and frozen.

This is a very simple way to locally help others in need involving the whole family. It is fun to get together with friends and have a rolling party. Everyone makes the burrito filling and brings it to the party. Then, you roll the burritos together. Pretty easy and another excuse to hang out.
The Burrito Riders would love to have your help. It is easy to buy the ingredients, make the burritos, and show up to pass them out on Saturdays. Follow them on their facebook page to be reminded of their upcoming rides (One is this Saturday - July 26) or answer any of your questions.

Mighty Titans - Kids Mud Obstacle Race - Review

This is the second year in a row our kids have participated in the Mighty Titan race in Crestwood. My kids love their races! These races are kid-size version of the Rugged Maniac or other mud-obstacle races.

  There are several start times the day of the race. If you are not an early riser, you can still participate. You need to arrive about 20-30minutes before your start time to check-in. Here, they will give out the t-shirt, write his/her favorite number on his arm,  and offer the eye black to make you look and feel tough. When it is your time to race, everyone lines up and listens to Coach Nicole to start. The race is about 1.5miles with over 14 obstacles. The parents were able to run along with the kids to cheer them on which made the race fun for the whole family. There were volunteers at the obstacles for supervision and help like at the zip line and taller walls.
 My middle son, Rooster, is 4 and the youngest age geared for the race. Some of the obstacles were a bit more challenging for him as compared to my 6 year old who just blew through most of them. 

When Rooster went through the first mud area, it went up to his thigh which scared him a little, so he ended up going on the edge of the mud instead of directly through the middle. He was still able to get muddy, but not feel like he was in quick sand. Besides the sludge mud puddles and zip lines, there were cargo nets, tires, monkey bars, balance beams, slack rope, creek crossing, tube crawling, and wall climbing obstacles to conquer.
 At the end, they each received a Mighty Titan bracelet, water, and a banana. They also had the option to run it again if they wanted that day. My 6 year old was ALL over that of course! To top it off, a fire truck was there with the fire fighters hosing off the muddy runners.
 The price of the races is comparable to what you would expect for a road race and increases as the race gets closer. They are currently offering 3 races for $75 which is a pretty good deal. There are several more races being offered through September. One is next weekend in Prospect, so be sure and check it out!

Spin Class at the YMCA

With less than four weeks until my first Olympic triathlon distance, I have been using a spin class at the YMCA to help prepare me for the biking portion of the race. It is definitely not a substitute for getting outside on my bike, but with 3 young kids it is an acceptable alternative to help prepare for biking 25miles.

The bikes are somewhat close together so if the class is not full, I try to find a bike not right next to someone, so I do not fling any sweat their way. This class makes me sweat worse than a horse. The spinning bikes have several adjustments from the saddle, handlebars, and the pedals. The saddle and handlebars have either numbers or letters so you can memorize the setting for next time. If it is your first time or you do not remember your setting, just ask the instructor for help. A proper fit on the bike is very important. You can either wear cycle shoes or just use the cages. I just use the cages and tighten them around my running shoes. The bike does not have odometer. This is nice because you pedal as led by the instructor and how you are feeling that day. You can easily adjust the resistance on the bike with the red knob.

With the lights off and fans on high, the class starts off with a flat, easy warm-up before, Cindy, the instructor of the class I take, leads us in a variety of hills, flats, and sprints. She does a good job of describing what kind of road we are biking on and how much resistance to use. Each song played we do a different type of biking from flat, fast sprints to slow incline. Between the songs we can catch a breath, a drink of water and wipe our sweat off. The bikes have 2 spots for water bottles on the handlebars.

Cindy reminds us to relax the arms and shoulders since spinning works the lower half. I imagine I am going to be hearing her voice when I am in the bike portion of my race making sure my elbows are in and arms relaxed. At the end of the class, she goes through a cool-down and stretching exercises.
This class is only 45minutes and is a great beginners class.

 There are several places that offers spin classes besides the Y - Get Fit 24/7 and Be Well Fitness and Rehab to name a few.

Cycling is a great way to get some cardio in a low-impact way whether you are just getting into exercise or need an alternative from running. Be sure to take a water bottle and a towel when you go. Take a buddy or come join me at the Y and have fun!

Mini ROGAINE at Camp Stem by OLOU

Start of the meet

This past Saturday, we packed up the family and headed to our first family orienteering meet with OLOU. It was held at  Camp Stem, a girl scout camp, in Southern Indiana - about an hour away from Louisville. OLOU was offering a 2 or 4 hour mini-ROGAINE event with 2 starts - 9:30am or 11am. ROGAINE stands for "Rugged Outdoor Group Activity Involving Navigation and Endurance" so a perfect event for our family to have some fun while getting our 'fit in'.

Control Point

We arrived a little after 9am. Ryan got our family registered for the 4 hour one. The meet cost only $10 for our family. We received our map with the 30 check points already on the map and our control card and stick which are used to mark the control points we find. We had a briefing prior to starting to go over the map. The topographic map was old so the trails were not as reliable. Also one checkpoint was worth 3 points instead of 1 because of the location and difficulty. The night before a post was made in the OLOU facegroup page about the easiest check points that would be great for beginners and/or families with young kids like us. In this meet, we were able to go in any order we wanted.

Learning how to read the map

We packed our bags with water, food, first aid kit, and kids and started the race. We followed trails and creeks, made our own way through ravines and uphills while trying to stay in contact with our map using the compass to locate the next control point. Our oldest found the first couple of checkpoints since he was leading us. Near the end, our middle son found them since he had a pretty good view from the backpack that he was riding in while my husband carried him. Our boys had fun trying to find the checkpoints, but they also enjoyed just seeing everything in nature. We found a really cool turtle shell. The boys tried their hands at trying to catch frogs. I was able to practice my orienteering skills which led us through some tricky parts that everyone did great traveling through. Fortunately we did not encounter any snakes which my boys would have loved to have pointed out! Just about everyone found a tick crawling on them, but that is too be expected going into the woods for an adventure.

We were out for 3.5 hours and found 13 control points. By the end, everyone's fun bucket was getting full as we were getting tired. The meet was well run with friendly people.  I found it a bit harder to navigate as compared to the MISSION LITE from last weekend because the trails in the woods were hard to follow. We saw the markers on the trees occasionally, but the paths on the ground were pretty much non-existent. Looking at the map for features such as re-entrants and spurs were more important in this meet. Despite losing Pixie's pacifier and one water bottle, we had an enjoyable time and got a great hike carrying 2 of our kids through most of the course.

Hiking through a creekbed

Pixie enjoying her first meet