Empire State Marathon Relay Recap

Empire State Marathon Relay was last weekend. The course was changed about a month before the race to allow for a faster, flatter race showcasing the new Trail along Onondaga Lake.

I was the Second relayer on our team. I was to go out on Hayes road, back into the park and then to the new section and exchange.

The day started out with my usual breakfast before a race. Protein, Applesauce and Banana. I chugged some water, Grabbed my gels and was out the door.

I didn't like that our bus was supposed to leave as soon as the Marathon started. I didn't want to be waiting out in the cold for a hour waiting for my teammate to arrive to the exchange. To my surprise the bus stayed and kept us warm!!

I got out and did the usual pre race things, chugged a gel and went for a mile warm up. When I came back, the lead people were running by already. Great timing as my teammate was about 5 min off the lead person!

I grabbed our wrist bracelet and hung on for dear life trying to keep my cadence fast and my heart rate in check. My heart rate monitor started falling. It was driving me crazy but tried to focus on my running and form. Mile 1 ticked off at 7 min/mile! I passed one of the lead runners and kept going. Everyone was shouting I was 4th, then 3rd female. How amazing?! I had to tell everyone I was just a relay runner. But the rush was phenominal! I need to continue to get faster so I can cont to feel the rush!!

The next miles ticked off around 7:15-7:30 and I was comfortable with that. By mile 5 I started feeling a twinge in the back of my leg. I kept pushing through it knowing I only had a few miles left before the exchange point. I was ever so relieved to give my wrist band to my next teammate.

I then took her car to meet at exchange #3. Heated seats are awesome! Next car I buy this will be a must!

I met our teammate and we wished her luck to bring us home, jumped in the car and met her at the finish line to run in.

It was cold waiting. It was 40 degrees, overcast and windy. Brrr...

We saw our last runner running in and ran the chute together

Our time: 3:25:11

FIRST FEMALE TEAM!!! 3rd overall team! I know to some having a relay is not much of a big deal but when we can pull together and make a awesome team, that is when we are rewarded. I heart my team!! :-)

Don't we look mighty cold?!!! Finish line photo

Cross out child Abuse 2014

Trying to do something new definitely has its obstacles!! Like the Sand pit above! This was after about 4 times already going through it. Hit a rut and went down. I never have felt so much pain and happiness as I have on a cross bike. Luckily I escaped this race with just minor Bruises.

Cat 4 race:
Did well the first lap. Then It all went downhill from there. I hit a off camber uphill turn and fell, I never could clip in after hitting the barriers. Damn this shit is tough! I use my breaks a lot and am still learning how to be more fierce. Time and practice will be the only saving grace for this type of Racing! I came in 5/9 females! Only 1 min off the lead person! Not too shabby!!

Open racing:
A harder field but was just using this as practice. Fell a whole bunch of times! Had a bad sport in the bunch racing with us. There has to be one rotten egg in the bunch!
3/3 people!! Ha ha! I actually won money and donated it back to the County to help raise awareness about Child abuse.

Happy Training!

Cyclocross. All the cool kids are doing it!

The last month I decided to give another sport a try. Cyclocross!! Cyclocross is a very specific type of bike racing. For the most part, the course is off-road but there are sometimes portions of pavement included in the course. You can expect to encounter grass, dirt, mud, gravel, sand, and a whole slew of other assortments and combinations.

Why did I decide to do it?? Because of course all the cool kids are doing it! My honey is loving it and I decided what better way to share some time together?? By killing myself, I mean, Having fun with my partner and best friend!

I've done a few races just weeks after owning my own bike. I think I got the hang of it somewhat. I am not that graceful, nor can I really "jump" or remount or whatever you want to call it back on my bike.

My honey looks way more professional than I do

So this weekend I will be going up to Oswego, NY to do the Cross out Child Abuse race. I felt daring enough to do 2 races tomorrow!

We will see how it goes!

T minus 27 Days until Ironman Training begins!!