My 2011 is kicking off next week with the 5150 Miami. I am super excited to start the season, even though the first race is always a little scary...As far as I know it will be a non wetsuit ocean swim, followed by a hot bike and run.
The weekend after that I will be taking off for San Diego for a most likely pretty cool wetsuit legal ocean swim :-) Ahhh...that is what I like to hear...
I have never visited Miami, but I am looking forward to it. I only "know" Miami from watching Dexter and Burn Notice...it looks like a lot of fun!!!
A very nice family from the Ndorphin Triathlon Team is taking me in (THANK YOU, check them out at www.ndorphintriathlonteam.com). I would not know what to do by myself in a city that I have never been in before, so I am really thankful!!!
Phoenix is warming up like crazy. We are going to have 90 degrees as a high almost every day this week. But no complaints here, this is wonderful to train in compared to the snowy, slushy
roads in the places I have lived before (Flagstaff/Spearfish).
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Ragnar with Team Durapulse
The best team out there:
Ragnar:
197 miles
12 runners
Wickenburg to Tempe
Do you wanna run Ragnar? Sure, count me in. Friday morning 6 am came around and I met my team. At this point we were 12 people, mostly strangers to each other. We split up into Vans of 6 people each, us being Van 1 which ment we were running for the first 6 legs before we got a little break.
Nice to meet you Ken, Steve, Chris, Carey and Kelly. Little did we know what the next 30 hrs in one van would turn into...
Here we go, navigating our way to Wickenburg:
Here we are before I took off for my first 8.5 mile run. Everyone was happy and refreshed.
I ran the first 4 miles with a guy from a different team, but then he got tired and I said ADIOS. As I made my way to the first exchange I was wondering why the van hadn't passed me yet...there was no other way then this road to get to the exchange...mhhh...I got to transition and waited...for about 15 minutes. There were lots of teams at the exchange, everyone super excited since it was the very first one :-) And everyone kept asking : Where is your team? Mhhh, not sure, but I was 100 % sure they would come eventually ;-)I have to admit that I was there a little early. You have to turn in "predicted" times and I decided to run a little faster then that time. So it was not their fault.
After I handed off the bracelet to my teammate, the remaining 5 of us laughed for about an hour about the exchange-accident.
We switched off and switched off and cheered out the window and had a TON of fun. The first 6 legs went by so fast and we handed off to Van 2. Time for us to...sleep? get some rest? NO WAY. Time to get...
...some coffee. We wanted to cheer for every Durapulse athlete out there (we had 3 teams), so we had to stay awake and we made it our mission to be the loudest, happiest and most cheery people out there. With that much action going on in the van it was no surprise that the van soon looked like this:
Poor Ken, who provided us with the Vans...We decided to use window crayons not only for the outside windowns but also for the inside of the van...where else would we write down notes from the trip, right? The van was great!!! A comfy companion for 30 hrs. Stuffed with 6 pillows and 6 now sweaty runners, food for 6 people and much more. Ken tried to keep it under control by looking in his secret mini-van-mirror.
At 9 pm it was our turn again to run and I was so thankful that I was runner 1. I had 7 miles in Sun City before I handed off the bracelet. Our last runner went off at around midnight. We were for sure the loudest van out there, I think everyone else gave up and went to bed:-) NOT US. We went back and forth to see if our runners needed anything and to motivate them!!! Now that is Team Spirit!!!
We ended our legs in Anthem and took a shower and a attempted to take a 1 hr nap. Mhhh...50% successful before we got back up at 5 am to drive to the last leg. There was no time for breakfast, but my sweet teammates offered to get coffee for me and have it ready after my run!!! Whohooo!!!
We got done running our legs at 11 am on Saturday and now it was up to Van 2 to bring it home to Tempe.
The unbelievable part was that our coach's team consisted of only 6 people (for 197 miles). They started 6 hrs !!! later then us and managed to pass us at noon on Saturday!!! It is amazing how far people can push their bodies, especially on no sleep!!! CRAZY!!!
Ragnar is a super fun event and if you ever get the chance to do it: DO IT!!!
We ended up 7th in the race and we are on a mission to take 1st place next year. We were the 2011 masters of Roadkill -athletes that started earlier then us- (what the heck? Roadkill? Street Roadkill? NO- runner roadkill :-) We passed 130 runners with our team and van 2 120!!! 250 roadkills for team Durapulse!!!)
By the end of the 30 hours none of the 5 people in my van were strangers anymore. Actually, I have been without them for one day now and I think I miss them already :-)
Poor Ken, who provided us with the Vans...We decided to use window crayons not only for the outside windowns but also for the inside of the van...where else would we write down notes from the trip, right? The van was great!!! A comfy companion for 30 hrs. Stuffed with 6 pillows and 6 now sweaty runners, food for 6 people and much more. Ken tried to keep it under control by looking in his secret mini-van-mirror.
At 9 pm it was our turn again to run and I was so thankful that I was runner 1. I had 7 miles in Sun City before I handed off the bracelet. Our last runner went off at around midnight. We were for sure the loudest van out there, I think everyone else gave up and went to bed:-) NOT US. We went back and forth to see if our runners needed anything and to motivate them!!! Now that is Team Spirit!!!
We ended our legs in Anthem and took a shower and a attempted to take a 1 hr nap. Mhhh...50% successful before we got back up at 5 am to drive to the last leg. There was no time for breakfast, but my sweet teammates offered to get coffee for me and have it ready after my run!!! Whohooo!!!
We got done running our legs at 11 am on Saturday and now it was up to Van 2 to bring it home to Tempe.
The unbelievable part was that our coach's team consisted of only 6 people (for 197 miles). They started 6 hrs !!! later then us and managed to pass us at noon on Saturday!!! It is amazing how far people can push their bodies, especially on no sleep!!! CRAZY!!!
Ragnar is a super fun event and if you ever get the chance to do it: DO IT!!!
We ended up 7th in the race and we are on a mission to take 1st place next year. We were the 2011 masters of Roadkill -athletes that started earlier then us- (what the heck? Roadkill? Street Roadkill? NO- runner roadkill :-) We passed 130 runners with our team and van 2 120!!! 250 roadkills for team Durapulse!!!)
By the end of the 30 hours none of the 5 people in my van were strangers anymore. Actually, I have been without them for one day now and I think I miss them already :-)
Sunday, February 13, 2011
VOS weekend
It was really hard to take a week off of training :-) I guess I am addicted. I was "staying-in-bed-sick" until Tuesday morning...on Thursday I attempted to go for a ride...that lasted for about 20 min before I got a headache. I ran for about 30 min, but my HR was really high. Grrr...one more day of rest. Friday evening I went to the pool and felt surprisingly good for being out of the world of exercise for one week.
This weekend I watched the Valley of the Sun Stage race as my team was racing and I was soooo jealous - but I totally loved being the supporter/spectathlete/cheerleader :-)
The hardest part was watching the Criterium. Stage Races have a great variety of events -VOS had a TT, a Roadrace and a Crit. I like the TT, like the Roadrace but LOVE the Crit. Oh well, there will be lots more races in the cycling world that I can do.
Unfortunately two of my teammates crashed at the Roadrace and ended up in the hospital (yes, I know, I feel guilty complaining about being sick...small fish compared to a crash like that!!!)There was a crash 10 min into the Cat 1,2,3 race- I hope everyone involved heals fast!!! My two teammates are tough cookies. They both showed up at the Crit today to cheer (one with a sling around her arm due to a broken bone in her shoulder, the other one with a cast one her arm due to a fracture in her radius)...and let me tell you, they cheered LOUD. They did not complain once...VERY IMPRESSIVE!!! I hope they get better very soon.
This weekend I watched the Valley of the Sun Stage race as my team was racing and I was soooo jealous - but I totally loved being the supporter/spectathlete/cheerleader :-)
The hardest part was watching the Criterium. Stage Races have a great variety of events -VOS had a TT, a Roadrace and a Crit. I like the TT, like the Roadrace but LOVE the Crit. Oh well, there will be lots more races in the cycling world that I can do.
Unfortunately two of my teammates crashed at the Roadrace and ended up in the hospital (yes, I know, I feel guilty complaining about being sick...small fish compared to a crash like that!!!)There was a crash 10 min into the Cat 1,2,3 race- I hope everyone involved heals fast!!! My two teammates are tough cookies. They both showed up at the Crit today to cheer (one with a sling around her arm due to a broken bone in her shoulder, the other one with a cast one her arm due to a fracture in her radius)...and let me tell you, they cheered LOUD. They did not complain once...VERY IMPRESSIVE!!! I hope they get better very soon.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
How much more can I sleep?
I have been feeling sick for the last 3 days, and I have slept a ton. I actually managed to fall asleep WHILE my friend talked to me (ooops). Today I found out the reason for the sleepiness: Acute sinus infection/flu symptoms and a fever...yeah, that would make one sleepy. I finally went to Urgent Care to take care of this so I can be up and running (literally) ASAP.
This last weekend was supposed to consist of Crit racing and a Trail run/race, instead it turned into nap, waiting room, bed...sleeping through the superbowl (I did see the half time show and...well...lets just say I will stick to my Ipod for listening to the BIP:-) Maybe they were just nervous...)
Here is to getting healthy and strong and a season without any more interruptions!!!
This last weekend was supposed to consist of Crit racing and a Trail run/race, instead it turned into nap, waiting room, bed...sleeping through the superbowl (I did see the half time show and...well...lets just say I will stick to my Ipod for listening to the BIP:-) Maybe they were just nervous...)
Here is to getting healthy and strong and a season without any more interruptions!!!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Goodbye 2010 and hello 2011
Here is my review of 2010:
Hello 2011:
January
...a snowy time in Flagstaff. It was my first New Years in the US, we had a great evening with lots of friends at our house. I got to mix some german cold weather drinks :-) and everyone seemed to be very happy...
...Jack loved the snow...
...Pam took me back country skiing and it was GREAT...
...January was a tough month for training with all the snow...
February
...Tucson Bicycle Classic...after a great TT my second day ended with a crash on the last kilometer. The field was together and we were screaming down a hill...and then I hit a hole...wheel broken, frame broken, stitches, got cactus spines removed from my leg with a lovely scapel...
April
...SUPERSEAL...my favorite Triathlon... Pam and I had a great roadtrip and a great homestay...
...lots of fresh fish eating going on in the 4 days...
...and even snorkeling...
ALSO: made an offer on a house AND wedding preparations are running...
May
...great party before our wedding at TRIBE and after that a few drinks...
...wedding dress testing with stitches in my leg (you should have seen the eyes of the salesperson...thousands-of dollars dresses and a bloody leg :-)
...and then we got married on May 7th BUT CINQO DE MAYO is our real wedding day (when we were married in the courthouse)... the wedding was beautiful..and I was so glad that my family made it through the snow storm :-)
June
...rainy Flagstaff = awesome cyclocrossing...
...also Jack learns how to swim :-)
...also moving to Phoenix just in time for summer :-) Yeah...
July
...back to Germany for ANKE and JENS's wedding!!! It was beautiful!!!
August
...Checking out the trails around Flagstaff...BEAUTIFUL!!!
November
...hiking the Grand Canyon for 5 days!!! WOHOOO...
December
...Christmas in AZ...my parents and my brother are here :-) too bad the weather decided to be under normal :-( ...
...Sven volunteered to catch fish in the Grand Canyon...
...after 3 days of snow we finally got to hike back out with him...
...I loved having my family here!!!
Hello 2011:I have a lot planned for 2011 and everything seems to be on track. Racing starts next week (and I am glad to be racing again) with a Criterium in Phoenix. I even have a trip to Germany planned in August and it will involve lots of family time and 3 races :-) I haven't raced in Germany for a long time!!! Also I am trying to figure out what field to get my Masters in...but...it has taken me 2 years to decide already so no promises that it will be figured out this year :-)
The main thing for 2011 is to stay healthy, happy and injury free - not only for me but for everyone!!!
To a great 2011!!!
Monday, December 20, 2010
And the cross season came to an end...
Unfortunately...
I love the cross season. AZ Cross did a great job putting on fast and challenging courses (even without mud!!!).
Last weekend were the State Championships. We had 2 AZ guests from New England (and our 3-4 usual women :-). Off course they thought it was way to hot to do cyclocross. There was a tiny but of mud on the course (it didn't even splash) and I thought it was funny to warn them..."there is a little bit of mud over there..." They just looked at me and one of them said: "Where?" She had just raced Cross Nationals in Oregon and I guess the course was just covered in mud...
The race was super fun (as always). I had to promise JR that before the 2011 cross season will start I will have functional brakes (who needs brakes...I have 4 on my bike, but only one works, there was another one that worked but the piece holding the break together fell out during the last race :-) OOOps...AND I will get brake pads too...(his usual before the 2010 races was: There are no pads left...I have never seen brakes that worn out...he is funny)
Oh well, the season is over-til next year cross bike.
Time to bake some cookies!!!
Saturday, December 4, 2010
70's and sunny in December...
The Phoenix live is not so bad afterall :-) I rode my bike in shorts today and the forecast for tomorrow is sunny and 70's...IN DECEMBER.
I have ridden my bike more this week then I have ever done...mhhh...yes, I think that is a true statement...OK, maybe except for one or two other weeks...or a training camp week...
However I have never done two hard days in a row-before this week :-) THAT IS A TRUE STATEMENT
After 2 years of self coaching I finally have a coach!!! I am so excited not having to try to create a plan for myself anymore...even though I have a degree in Exercise Science, I believe it is nearly impossible to coach myself...rest day? Who needs a rest day? 4 races in 4 weeks? Sure!!!
So...I got to meet Nick. Nick is a great coach - nice (and mean when it comes to specific workouts), focused and observant. I always had a coach as a runner. First in my club in Germany, then in college. I trust my coach and do not question what he has me do-because I know that he has a reason for every day's workouts!!! Having a coach allows me to focus on doing the work I need to do.
Nick had athletes competing at IM AZ and he was out there supporting them all day (and my rockstar friend/teammate/first-time-IM-finisher-and-kick-ass-athlete Teri http://www.teritwarkins.blogspot.com/ who competed in IM AZ said: he was everywhere...with good advice).
His bussiness is called Durapulse (http://www.durapulseperformance.com/) and is at the same location as TRIBE Multisports - which means: as an endurance fan like me, you can spend ALL DAY there!!! Super multisports store + training + science + spinning + core +... and fun people.
What you can find at Tribe/Durapulse is one of only 7 USAT certified performance centers in the Nation (if you want to read more about it go to: http://www.usatriathlon.org/resources/for-athletes/usat-certified-training-and-performance-centers ).
I am super excited to be training under Nick's guidance and racing with Tribe Multisports in 2011.
I have ridden my bike more this week then I have ever done...mhhh...yes, I think that is a true statement...OK, maybe except for one or two other weeks...or a training camp week...
However I have never done two hard days in a row-before this week :-) THAT IS A TRUE STATEMENT
After 2 years of self coaching I finally have a coach!!! I am so excited not having to try to create a plan for myself anymore...even though I have a degree in Exercise Science, I believe it is nearly impossible to coach myself...rest day? Who needs a rest day? 4 races in 4 weeks? Sure!!!
So...I got to meet Nick. Nick is a great coach - nice (and mean when it comes to specific workouts), focused and observant. I always had a coach as a runner. First in my club in Germany, then in college. I trust my coach and do not question what he has me do-because I know that he has a reason for every day's workouts!!! Having a coach allows me to focus on doing the work I need to do.
Nick had athletes competing at IM AZ and he was out there supporting them all day (and my rockstar friend/teammate/first-time-IM-finisher-and-kick-ass-athlete Teri http://www.teritwarkins.blogspot.com/ who competed in IM AZ said: he was everywhere...with good advice).
His bussiness is called Durapulse (http://www.durapulseperformance.com/) and is at the same location as TRIBE Multisports - which means: as an endurance fan like me, you can spend ALL DAY there!!! Super multisports store + training + science + spinning + core +... and fun people.
What you can find at Tribe/Durapulse is one of only 7 USAT certified performance centers in the Nation (if you want to read more about it go to: http://www.usatriathlon.org/resources/for-athletes/usat-certified-training-and-performance-centers ).
I am super excited to be training under Nick's guidance and racing with Tribe Multisports in 2011.
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