Pokagon Triathlon | TooTallFritz

My primary goal is to run a marathon in every state. However, I also love triathlon. I’ve been meshing my love for running and triathlon for many years now. I believe my first triathlon was in 2004 and then I really started doing more events in 2007. However, Mr. Michael made his appearance in 2009, shortly after I caught the Ironman bug. Little man is 8 now! Time flies …..

As a working mom with two kids and a hectic life, Ironman was put on hold. I didn’t even ride my bike for several years after Michael was born. I ran. Because that is something I can do anywhere, for any amount of time and it helps me relieve stress. But the time on the bike was just too much for me as a working mom with a new baby. So my bike sat on the trainer for 1309 days without seeing the light of day. I rode occasionally for workouts but never outside. Once I dusted off my bike, I decided to focus on races that I could manage with the family, job and my other responsibilities. I decided that I would “specialize” in the 70.3 distance. Not register for an expensive race and haul all my gear unless it really counted. It had to be worth it for me to be away from the kiddos. Once Michael arrived, that’s kinda how life went. Cut the crap. Keep what’s really important. I didn’t want to lose sight of myself but I also didn’t need to run every 5K in town unless there was another reason to go, like when Aby started running. Aby’s first 5K below in spring 2011. This race had free daycare for Mr. Michael. So freaking awesome (Ringing In Spring 5K, Valparaiso, IN).

This was also the time that I really started embracing the long run. Michael was a crazy baby. He was not happy unless I was holding him and to be honest, I just needed to get away sometimes to clear my head and leave the screaming behind. I loved my little man but yes, I needed a break. To this day, I see women who refuse to leave their babies to even go for a run, and I cringe. Most mom’s need time away from their babies to think and reflect. I could never do that while pushing a jog stroller, constantly handing the little one snacks, stopping to pick up juice cups, etc. There were times that I ran with the stroller because the choices were treadmill or stroller run. I’ve also ran plenty 20 milers on the treadmill for lack of other options. I did what I had to do but honestly, I cherished my solo long runs more than anyone could possibly imagine. Through this time, my love for the longer distances really developed. Hey, the longer I ran, the longer I had quiet time, it didn’t matter if I had to run in the dark to get it. Eventually, I cut most other distances to focus on the marathon. Best bang for my buck and the marathon is ALWAYS a challenge. I didn’t want to leave the kids unless it counted. So I pared down my races to the distance I felt was worthy of time away from the kiddos.

Enough chit chat. Now, what’s the big goal for 2018? I’m sure you’ve already figured it out. Ironman. I registered for Ironman Lake Placid, July 2018.

My first, and quite possibly only, full Ironman. Yes, I’ve been waiting for this since 2008. Yes, the time is finally here. In case you’re not familiar with triathlon type races, this is a 140.6 mile event. 2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles of biking, 26.2 miles of running. There are non-branded triathlons which cover the same distance; however, Ironman has made a name for itself as offering some of the best triathlon races in the world.

I picked Lake Placid almost by default. I wanted a race that I could drive to so that I didn’t need to ship my bike. I wanted a race that was not during XC/Football or Track/Baseball season. That really narrowed things down. Lastly, I wanted a new state. The marathon at the end of the Ironman counts as a state for the 50 States Marathon Club. This made the outrageous registration fee a little more palatable. I get to tackle something new, a bucket list item per se, but I’m also still moving me forward in my 50 State goal. Win, Win.

So if you’re in Lake Placid, NY over Ironman weekend, look for me. I’ll try to post more as my training gets under way. Until then, if you need me, I’ll probably be riding my bike. You will find me at a couple warm up races this spring/summer. But everything is in prep for the big day in Lake Placid on July 22nd:

Tobacco Road Marathon – March 18th – I have a “refer a friend” $10 off discount code if you need one, just let me know.
Pokagon Olympic Distance Triathlon – May 19th.
Grand Rapids 70.3 Triathlon – June 10th

At some point, I’ll figure out post IM season. But for now, this is it.

Cheers to a Happy, Healthy 2018. I hope that you get to try something new and move something from your bucket list into the DONE column.

** Life is All About the Story ** Amanda – TooTallFritz

Last Saturday brought us a cool 50 degree day that is perfect for running but a bit chilly for triathlon! However, it was the 11th annual Pokagon State Park Triathlon & I was signed up for the Olympic distance event. 1500m swim (.94 miles), 40K bike (24.8 miles) & a 10K trail run (6.2 miles). First triathlon for 2017 and I was excited. I’ve been working on my swimming ALL freaking winter and was hoping to be comfortable in the water and well, let’s be honest, faster. So I was ready!

The race didn’t start until 9am so we weren’t rushed. We got to the park early. Made it thru packet pick up in about 60 seconds, which included body marking. Checked on the water. The weekend previous the water temp for Lake James was 39 degrees. So water temperature was on everyone’s mind. Fortunately after a week of 80-90 degrees, the water temp increased to 63 degrees by race day. I know that’s cold for some people but honestly, it wasn’t that bad with a wetsuit. My fingers & toes didn’t go numb …. so it was good. Smile

Swim – We walked down a longish stone staircase to get to the beach for our swim in Lake James. Keep in mind that when we come out of the water, we have to climb back up to get to transition. So a decent walk to the swim start. But once we were on the beach everything was good. Even though it was an early spring race, the beach was in decent condition & the water was pretty clean. What I love about this swim, that I haven’t seen at many other races, was the line between the buoys. So nice. So minimal sighting was necessary & I was just able to follow the line. I’m not a straight swimmer so did hit the rope a couple times with my stroke & I may have hit someone on the other side once, thankfully it was Julie so she didn’t get too mad at me! The Olympic swim was straight out from shore 375m , around a buoy, back to shore, walk onto the beach to the other side of the line & repeat. 2 loops. Easy. My swim wasn’t perfect but it was decent for me & “fast” compared to my previous swim spits. I don’t usually drop a lot of numbers because I know we are all at different levels but I was happy to get out of the water & see a 31. I lapped my watch to start my transition 1 time & stop my swim time. After the race, I saw I swam a 31:52, which is about 2:03/100yd. Fast for me. I was happy!!

It took me a little over 2 minutes to get up the stairs & into transition. I wasn’t running hard but I was jogging & trying to move as quickly as I could without wearing myself out on the steps. Little did I know, the real challenge was getting my wetsuit off over the huge square box of a timing chip that was attached to my ankle! It took way more effort than I expected. I had to sit down. I almost panicked because I just couldn’t get my suit off over the chip. Somehow I was eventually on my way & running out of transition with my bike.

The bike. 40K – 24.8 miles One loop. On my beautiful new bike! Yes, the bike is faster than me!

I did this race in 2007, before I owned a wetsuit, and ended up doing the duathlon because the water temp was cold that year too! But I rode the Olympic bike course that day. Not sure it is exactly the same now but I remember it being hilly and windy. It was exactly as I remember on Saturday. But maybe windier & maybe hillier. Smile

I think I talked a little bit last year about a few discs in my back that ruptured (June 2016). Well, I’ve not really recovered. The back issue has caused some neuro issues & my legs are constantly fatigued & lack the power that I had previously. Last year was a long year, fighting the issue with my back & legs, which comes to the forefront when I ride. As soon as TRI season was over, I took some serious time off & did some serious treatments (Anti-Inflammatory, PT, Chiro, Cortisone/Steroid cocktail injections). Took the edge off but I’m far from “better”. I had hoped this would be a great TRI season with the new bike. Well, the bike is only as good as the machine riding it. And my machine has a couple blown valves! So my bike split was about 5 minutes slower than my conservative estimation but I eventually made it back to transition & attempted a real dismount. I learned a couple years ago how to slip out of my shoes as I was riding into transition, but I had yet to get brave enough to do a proper dismount. I tried it once last week in the yard, while it was raining & figured I’d just go for it. So as I was nearing transition, I slipped out of my shoes, then attempted to gracefully dismount. Keeping my left foot on the pedal (atop my shoe) and swinging my right leg over the bike to drop it down behind my left foot. Right foot hitting the ground first. I came in a little fast. And hit the ground “running” a little hard. But I didn’t crash & it didn’t jar my back anymore than random daily activities. See a smoother version of the dismount from Derek Taylor who competed in a different event last weekend. His dismount is opposite mine but its still the same concept. Photo credit: Amanda Taylor – Get to Goal.

Slow bike but my 2nd transition rocked. I loved the new dismount & it really helped me speed into transition and get out on the run quickly.

Run – 10K Trail Run – 6.2 miles! Once again, I’ve ran the 10K portion of this event previously. But I was a lot younger & a lot faster! But still, I remember it being hilly. Trail runs usually are hilly but they are beautiful. I’ve never had a more scenic run portion in a TRI than this one. Temps were still coolish, in the 50s. The trail run was mostly shaded. 3 aid stations. Nice day. I couldn’t go real fast. I had to walk up some hills. And my back was really crabby about the pounding down the hills. But I eventually made it back to the start/finish area. 5 minutes slower than I had anticipated but I made it back!

Best part was that I had time to grab my camera to capture Julie’s first ever triathlon finish! We went 1-2 in our age group, you know. But don’t ask how many people were in the age group! Winking smile

Great SWAG at this event. Unisex Brooks technical tee, pint glass & a few other goodies. Then I got a certificate & coffee mug for the AG award. Very cool!

Huge shout out to FNA Bicycles in New Lenox IL for helping me find the perfect bike. Huge shout out to all the police & volunteers at Pokagon for keeping us safe. And the biggest shout out of all goes to Pokagon State Park which is one of my all time favorite State Parks. Great running trails, beaches & camping areas! Hope to see you out there sometime!

** Give Triathlon A TRI ** Amanda – TooTallFritz