Boise 70.3- Where the heart is

I am still coming down off of the energetic high from this past weekend. Being my second race in the pro field, this event presented an interesting dichotomy: the comforts and familiarity of racing in my own community coupled with the added pressure to perform and make my city proud.

The week leading up to the race was not a stress-free time for me. In true over-achiever fashion I had saddled myself with 3 work-related project deadlines. I had also suffered a little tumble at the Lyle Pearson 200 bike relay that resulted in a broken handlebar the weekend before. This made for a nail-biting situation for me and MFMG to get my bike fixed within a 6 day window. If that weren't enough this rookie went and screwed up her registration and had to scramble to remedy the situation 48 hours before the gun went off. Stress is only as influential as you allow it to be, though, and by Friday afternoon my life had harmoniously aligned. It is critical to mention that I schooled MFMG in a game of cribbage the night before the race. Historically my cribbage performance is inversely related to my race results...but it appears the winds are changing...

Take that, sucka!
Photo by Matt Green

Surrounding myself with positive, supportive people is critical in the days leading up to a race. The individuals with whom I spent my pre-70.3 time are some of my favorites: MFMG (of course), Heather and Wattie, my friends and fellow Wattie Ink teammates Sue and Jay, Dusty Nabor & Karin Langer, Wildflower roomie and buddy Liz Lyles, my coach Flanny, as well as dozens of friends and coworkers who have all got my back.

I will spare you too many details, as I realize everything I think is important to convey in a race report may be snore-worthy for all of you. In reflection, there were some key voices in my head throughout race day that were crucial to my performance. (I teed up that one for you smartasses who want to make a quip about "the voices") Here is a quick breakdown of my breakthrough:

• Nutrition Bullseye! Matt told me on race morning, "Your nutrition plan is your greatest advantage. It will be hot and windy out there, and people are going to meltdown on the run. You've got your nutrition dialed, stick to it and HYDRATE." So every time the wind jolted me around I said to myself, "Drink!" It worked...I drained my Speedfil at least 4 times over the duration of the bike, ate my standard salted potatoes and power cookie and routinely sipped my Powerbar Restore (yes, I use this during the event instead of Perform). 
• Relax and swim. When I was getting all worked up about the intensity of the swim start and my lack of confidence in that area, Flanny encouraged me to look at every race start as a learning opportunity. "Don't spend a lot of energy worrying about such a small fraction of your race," he said. Liz and her mom played chauffeur to me race morning and it gave us a chance to share some hopes (and apprehensions) about the race. Having her encouragement really helped. And wouldn't you know it...we swam shoulder to shoulder. Booyah!! If not for the sensation that I was drowning after that second buoy I would have smiled about this. Thank goodness it was a wetsuit-legal swim; my Blueseventy Helix performed flawlessly. Remember that waterboarding scene from GI Jane? This is what I sounded like during the latter portion of the swim (no joke):

• Race the bike, but don't race stupid. That gem was provided by Flanny when discussing race strategy. At Wildflower the word of the day was "patience." For this race, I was given a little more discretion to use my power meter as a tool and gauge my efforts accordingly. Boise spring lived up to its blustery reputation and made for an extremely challenging bike leg. If not for the comfort of my ISM Adamo Breakaway I could not have stayed tucked into my aerobars for such a grueling effort. At the turnaround at 10 Mile Creek I could see that I was hanging in there mid-pack. Sweet! 

Highlight of my race: a shout-out and supreme fist pump from my #1 fan, MFMG.
Photo: Matt Green Photo

• A run PR! My run training is relatively in its infancy this season. We have infused my steady (but cautious) mileage build with a few speed sessions and my body is responding well. That and the nonstop party (courtesy of the Boise Aeros) occurring on 8th street fueled the fire under my KSwiss Kwicky Blade Lights for all 13.1 miles. Huge thanks to Wattie, my mentor Harold Frobisher from Tri Town and local pro Chris Ganter for zipping around on their bikes giving me splits. Also, my good friend Justine was a bike escort for 3rd place pro male so I got an extra boost from her giving an encouraging shout-out to her "bitch". A 1:32 half marathon after that tempestuous bike?? I'll take it!

Photo: Matt Green Photo

Our State Representative and friend Holli Woodings ruled by volunteering , cheering and snapping photos!
Photo: Holli Woodings

• A 4th place finish. I am thrilled! I executed my race plan impeccably...and in the midst of my family of Boiseans! From the wild cheering on race day to the touching Facebook posts and texts for days following, I am humbled and moved by the volume of support and camaraderie of this community. 

Photo: Dusty Nabor

• 10 Barrel after-party with Wattie Ink teammates Sarah Barkley, SheriAnne Nelson and Toby Baum (who all had fantastic races!), Jay & Sue, Matt, Liz, Ben Hoffman (who also finished an impressive 4th...look for good things to come from him at IMCDA in a couple weeks!).

There are just so many people to acknowledge that I'm afraid of accidentally forgetting someone. Of course, Matty Green, the wearer of many hats, I couldn't do this without you. Wattie Ink and all the aforementioned sponsors and teammates, thank you for all of your time and support! Flanny, I'm so excited to continue down this road with you- great things to come! Thank you and congrats to Liz and Heather for inspiring me and being such awesome ladies...and to Uli Bromme for pushing me all the way to the finish line. And finally, to Heather Fuhr and the Ironman team who were very cooperative and prompt with helping me correct my registration error.

Media coverage: The Statesman and KBOI

Next up: Pacific Crest

Pole Peddle Paddle

Yeah, yeah, I realize it should be "Pole, Pedal, Paddle" but this is a test to see if my buddy Tom Lloyd reads my blog. If you'd like a little background on this silly misspelling, check out my uber blonde moment in my Facebook thread from May 17th. I have no shame.

Mt Bachelor at the start...can't tell but it was snowing pretty good.

This event has intrigued me since I learned of it a few years back. Granted, I could hardly stand on skate skis, let alone wallow my way through 8k of it back then. But my Nordic abilities have since improved, especially after training for and completing the American Birkebeiner this past February. These mad skills are what attracted the attention of my friend Bryan Escobedo, who was (ahem) "desperate" for someone to do the Nordic ski portion of the race. Whatever...he totally picked me for my superior speed (and uncanny ability to flail like a mad woman while screaming down the trail, somehow avoiding multiple wipeouts). Team "Jalapeno Business" was born! Say it slowly...

Team "Jalapeno Business" with my buddy Bryan Escobedo

Props to the people of Bend for organizing and executing a logistically challenging event that requires more planning and gear than a Hollywood housewife backpacking trip. The race starts at Mt. Bachelor, where the downhill and Nordic portions are held, as well as the bike transition. I opted to Nordic ski, then hop on my trusty rocket and fly down the mountain toward town. It was my first (and hopefully ONLY) ride in the snow this year. Mother Nature treated us to some flurries at the start, but cleared up for the remainder of the event. Bryan ran the 10k, paddled on the Deschutes and then tagged me for the final sprint finish. Good enough for 3rd AG in the pairs division...we'll take it!

Race swag. Good for coffee or beer.

Aside from some confusion at the bike-to-run transition (Escobedo got trigger-happy and took off before I got a chance to tag him), some inclement weather, and an unfortunate case of foodborne illness for Mrs. Escobedo (who is also 30 weeks pregnant and a total trooper) it went off without a hitch. What an adventurous, fun way to mix it up during the race season- already contemplating next year's PPP. Plus, spending an extra weekend of the year in Bend, OR does not suck.

Next up, Boise 70.3. Let's hope PPP really was my only ride in the snow this year...

The WILD One

It has been a week since I crossed the finish line at the one and only Wildflower Triathlon held at Lake San Antonio in beautiful California. My goals for this event were pretty simple- complete my first elite race, enjoy the festive atmosphere and have a solid performance. Turns out I exceeded my own expectations.

I had been steered toward this race for several years and decided I could wait no longer after hearing all of the fantastic reports. Dubbed the Woodstock of triathlon, Wildflower is an iconic race trademarked by its challenging course and hostile takeover of the entire San Antonio Reservoir Recreation Area. This uniqueness often draws a competitive crowd, as well as party-ready spectators and participants. SOLD!
Another selling point for me was that the Wattie Ink Elite Team had named Wildflower as an official team event, which meant that several of my fellow Wattie Ink teammates would be in attendance. Ooooooh...Saturday night will be fuuuuuuun!

The Wildflower course is notoriously hilly, which makes it an "honest" race. Many fellow athletes applauded my bravery for choosing such a course for my elite debut. At the elite athlete introductions the evening before the race, Bob Babbitt and Michellie Jones both chanted, "virgin, virgin..." in a friendly but taunting fashion. Hmmm...

(Photo Credit: Tri-California Events)

Despite the warnings, TriCalifornia Events made it the easiest challenging event I've ever experienced. The impeccable hospitality practiced by TriCal staff and volunteers was above and beyond anything I had anticipated. I also felt incredibly welcomed by my fellow pros, which aided in calming my new-kid nerves.

Now I could go on and on about the race, analyzing every step in this post. If I did that I fear you'd become glazed over by the third sentence so I'll focus on the highlights (good, bad and ugly)

• First and foremost- I met all of my aforementioned goals: completed the race while managing to have fun and soaking in the incredible energy along the way, and I feel I had a solid performance.
• Crummy swim. Ugh, coming into T1 and seeing my trusty steed all by its lonesome with only one other bike was tough!
• Fighting through negative thoughts and energy on the bike. That swim hung with me for about 35 mi of the bike in the form of a constant reader board of berating thoughts running through my head. "How embarrassing, Erin, you can do better." or "Jeez, you're lightyears behind the other ladies." 
• And now for one of my best strengths- staying positive! Each time that little devil on my shoulder would start it's B.S. I would shut it up with some uplifting retort, "Focus, it's not over, just execute, you got this!"
• EUROSTAR!!! 'nuf said. 

(photo credit: Chris Masilon)

• First time racing with power. I have been working with coach Bob "Flanny" Flanigan with Central Virginia Endurance and was intent on sticking to our plan of being patient on the bike. He had advised me to resist the urge to drill myself on the hills by attacking (which has been my approach in previous years) and to really focus on the target watts. It paid off and I was relatively fresh for the run.
• No injuries!! I have battled some knee issues over the past several years that have yet to be firmly diagnosed. But I have my own diagnosis: a pain in the ass. Just when I think I've got it licked, here comes Mr. Evil Knee Fairy. Not this time! 
• No worries nutrition. My nutrition plan once again worked perfectly, and I managed to avoid meltdown even in the unseasonable heat.

(Photo Credit: Finisherpix)

Complacency doesn't really suit me. So it is difficult for me to be totally stoked with my performance when I know I can do better. That said, I cannot think of a more perfect debut into the elite field with the ideal atmosphere and course for me to cut my teeth into a new world of racing. I cannot thank the Wattie Ink sponsors enough for their support: Blueseventy, Speedfil, ISM Saddles, Powerbar, and KSwiss. I couldn't have done this without the support of my amazing friends and family, my local group of tri-geeks at Tri Town, Flanny at CVE and all of the amazing organizers and volunteers from TriCal events! Also congrats to Heather Jackson and Jesse Thomas on incredible repeat victories!

Onward and upward...

Hunger

It is my constant companion these days. It can easily be compared to the weather- mostly predictable, occasionally surprising and once in a while so staggering that one can do nothing more than succumb to it. Indeed, training is underway for the 2013 triathlon season, which means hunger abounds.

There is the obvious form of hunger, which causes one to dream about a plate of deliciousness that is sure to be the next meal. I often debate with my husband, Matt, about discerning between "tummy hunger" and "mouth hunger." There is a difference between truly needing sustenance and simply craving a certain flavor or texture in a absence of true hunger. Despite all of my adept explanations, my dear husband swears he still doesn't understand the distinction. This is obvious, as evidenced by the Hanzel-and-Gretel-esque trail of tortilla chips that crunch under my feet the morning after he has raided our cupboards late at night. *sigh*

But this time of year brings on another type of hunger as well... a hunger for competition. I find myself pushing a little harder to make that green light on my bike commute. The smack-talking picks up during the cribbage bouts with MFMG. I strive just a tick harder to complete my work before the five o'clock hour. This drive to be one step ahead of others...and myself...takes over on a daily basis.

Perhaps the best method of illustrating this concept is visually. In the following pictures you can see my older brother undergo each stage of hunger:

Hungry for competition (my dad was toeing off with his own plate of ribs)

Tummy Hunger (Yeah! I'm famished!)

Mouth Hunger (I'm miserably full but will keep eating because it tastes sooooo good!)

Now if you'll excuse me, I have a cribbage game to win. ;-)

New beginnings

My first blog post comes from the cozy surroundings of my parents' living room in my hometown of Nezperce, ID. This is purely coincidental, yet fitting.

I lived in Nezperce for my first 18 years. I know every corner of the town. If ever there was ever a place to bring me comfort this would be it. Several of my schoolmates still live here, and welcome me back with open arms. Conversation rarely centers around triathlon. Rather, we reminisce about the mischief and laughs that consumed our days growing up here. As luck would have it, there was even an annual event this weekend, the Fireman's Ball, that provided the perfect setting for me to surround myself with people who have known me since before I could ride a bike.

Beginnings are usually a bit scary. No matter how much confidence or anticipation one has when embarking on a new adventure, these feelings are often accompanied by a dash of trepidation (at least for me). While I have years of triathlon experience under my belt, this will be my inaugural year racing in the elite field...which is a bit intimidating. I am also not a blogger, nor do I peruse many blogs regularly.To launch two very public feats simultaneously has managed to cloud my enthusiasm with an unfamiliar feeling: insecurity.

So how to deal with this? Whenever I find myself in a situation that brings up negative thoughts or feelings and self-doubt I seek familiarity and reassurance to soothe me while I tackle the looming challenge. Most often, I draw from positive past experiences, my optimistic attitude and those key people in my life who support me unconditionally.

This weekend home was the perfect opportunity to immerse myself in feel-good vibes that recharge my batteries and bring back that audacity that keeps life interesting. Old friends, a loving family, and down-home festivities have helped keep me grounded by bringing me back to my roots.