It's official...I'm a triathlete!!!! :)

Yeah!!! I did it! I'm so sorry I haven't written sooner, be prepared this is a long blog...

Here's how it went, I had planned on getting a good 7 0r 8 hours of sleep but that didn't happen. I wound up going to bed at 11:15 and woke up at 4:15 so you can see that does not equate. I had my bags ready the night before so all I had to do was throw my clothes on when I woke up.

I picked up my new triathlete friend Arlene (I got her to sign up & join me in the race) around 5, we got to the race parking lot around 5:45/6am. As we were taking our bikes out of the car there was a coach instructing his students about do's and dont's, precautions etc. etc. of course you know the two of us were soaking it all in lol.

You sign in at the transition area and just pick a spot where you want to put your bike and gear. For those of you that don't know transition area is the area where you go after each stage of the race to check in, change etc. When we were done setting up our stuff we looked around and realized everyone had their bike facing in the opposite direction from what we had and their stuff was set up parallel rather than horizontal (like we had); so we switched it all around. Next we were off to get body marked, followed by a mandatory meeting, then off to the beach for a warm-up swim.

I was very happy we got to warm up because I was nervous about my swim. I haven't really trained in my swimming and I knew I was going to be slow. I mean I couldn't really expect anything but that because I really only swam 2 times in the month of June, nothing in May and maybe a handful of times in March and April. So I definitely expected to be slow. I was in the 2nd wave so I started at 8:05. I wished I had a camera for the beautiful sight I saw when the first wave started. It was a vision, 100 - 150 swimmers in the ocean moving forward with the morning sun reflecting off the swim caps and water. I hope I never get tired of seeing that sight. Ok back to me about to swim, I'm in the water waiting for the bell to go off and I'm in the back of the group because I was slow and just didn't want to get kicked in the face - that would be bad.

The horn blasts and we're off! I started swimming and all I had to remember was just keep breathing. Don't hold my breath because that's what makes me more tired. Just keep the buoy in my sights and go straight. There was this girl that was to my left and she was slightly ahead so I tried to make sure I stayed near her. I didn't want her to get away from me. Next thing I know I was coming to shore and everyone was running to the transition. Let me tell you I was tired, I started running too and said "hell no I can't run this whole way I'll never have anything left!" But guess what? In that short walk break I surprised myself because when I got out of the water I looked at my HR monitor and I did it in half the time I thought it would take!! yeah! 1/4 mile swim check. I get to transition and strip out of my wetsuit and put on my gear for biking which I'll also stay in for my run.

You have to walk your bike from T1 to the mounting area...that's where I saw my new running buddy Julie, she had her camera and was snapping pics and cheering me on. I'll confess that right before I saw her I had been hoping my friends would make it cuz I really wanted an action pic of me haha and I got one! Biking is my strongest of the three sports. So I didn't really train for this either because I knew I could do it. However I had a few fears...one major one being that I'd get a flat!! Thankfully I didn't, but I saw at least 3-4 people with flats. While it was a flat course and I know I do well on flats I felt like I was going sooo slow. I actually thought my cyclometer was broken because it kept on saying 15 and 16mph for my speed. Finish on the bike get to T2 and switch my shoes for the really hard part...(sound of doom here) the run. As soon as I start running I get a stitch in my side and my legs feel kinda heavy. I feel tired and start thinking "damn those bricks why didn't I train doing them?" I have to walk because I was tired and I knew I had a whole 3.1 to run. So I started walking and trying to control my breathing then I'd start up again and run. I did this the first 1.5 miles especially the first 1/2 mile I felt like I had to walk every other minute. I get to the turnaround and I'm like yeah almost done! :) I see my friend Arlene just starting on her run and I keep going. All I'm telling myself throughout the run: "this is all I have to do. Get through the run. Run/walk run/walk. Today is my birthday. I couldn't even run 3 minutes 2 months ago now I'm running 3.1 miles. keep moving. You better make it in under 2 hours" this was my mantra. Next thing I see is my friend Arlene in front of me, I call to her and she stops. I told her to keep going she said she could take a break lol. It was awesome. Then she left me and I was thinking DAMN she's fast. But then I was approaching the finish line..I could hear the music. And all I could do was smile on my way in. Cuz I finished strong and with a smile on my face. I made it in under 2 hours!!!!! It was AMAZING. Guess what my offical time was? 1:47:24. How sweet is that? Below I posted my times for everything, best surprise of all was that I finished my swim in 1/2 the time I thought it would take, AND my cyclometer wasn't broken I really was going 15 or 16 mph. haha

Swim: 12:50 pace 51:20
Bike: 43:40 rate (or avg.?) 16.5
Run: 44:58 pace 14:31
Div/Tot: 36/37
Gen/Tot: 213/234

Final: 1:47:24

If you're wondering how my blood sugars were...well they weren't so good. I woke up ok, ate food and probably didn't bolus enough for it because an hour later I was close to 300. I gave a correction and got ready for the race. Right before I went out to do the warm up swim I checked and it had gone down only slightly, I think it was like 288. I changed my basal to 50% because I didn't want to have to worry about doing it during the course of the race. When I finished with my race swim I checked and I was 308! damn. I didn't do anything because I knew I still had like 3 units on board. So I kept it moving. I had planned on checking during the run portion but it didn't happen. I wound up checking when I finished the race and guess what I was? Like 180 I was like "sweet!" haha. Of course after the race I ate and my BG jumped back to 300 but then I did a correction and the rest of the day and night I was staying near 80-90 beautiful beautiful numbers.

I'll end this really long blog by saying I had an amazing 28th birthday. I did something I thought I'd never do especially in terms of running, I was able to share the day with great friends over food, I treated myself to a recovery massage. I thought of Val the whole day because the weather was so great and I really wanted to go to the pier with her and I know I'll never get to do it again. I miss her but I know she was with me that day. I also found another passion. Training for triathlons so I'm upping my Ironman schedule. I'll do Olympics and a 1/2 Ironman next year and the year I turn 30 I'll compete in my 1st Ironman. lol Having diabetes has brought me to all of this. A-Mazing :)

Til next time,
-J

Triabetes

So it's 2 days before my race, I'm gonna pack my bag tomorrow rather than tonight. I'm excited and still nervous. But it's here and I am ready to be in the moment. I did my first BRICK today and realized that I will for sure be having to do more of those this summer before my next race.

I'm going to confess a secret...I would love to finish my race in 2 hours. That is my hope but no matter what the ultimate goal is to just finish. And that I will do. The thing I keep thinking about is that despite how very slow I am in my running, 2 1/2 months ago I could only run 3 min and now I'm going to run 3.1 miles. So I've made some progress and the whole race itself will be a great learning experience. I'm pretty sure I'll cry when I cross the finish line...it'll be tears with a smile :).

On to my header...I was able to meet 7 of my fellow triabetic teammates including the founder last night. All of these people are amazing. I feel so happy to be a part of this group and just like I knew after riding for JDRF that I would continue each year to raise funds and ride 100 miles; I know that I will forever be involved with Triabetes. I'm so inspired by all of them. I wish my job could be to train or go around meeting people and getting them involved in exercising, or thinking positive on their diabetes. Because really, diabetes is what has transformed my life for the better. I feel so happy about all the things I am doing, the friendships I am creating, the places I am visiting and best of all the wonderful memories I will be able to have and share.

Denise is one of the captains who I met last night. I just finished reading her blog and all I want to do is give her a big hug. She's a little nervous that once she completes her Ironman in AZ this November (I think this might be her 4th) all the captains will disperse and not stay in touch. I don't agree with this and I haven't even met them! lol I just feel like anyone who is active, wants to be active and learn more will continue to stay with Triabetes. Unconsciously or not, people are drawn to positive energy. People are drawn to feeling like they are part of a team or group - we are pack animals. This is now one of my packs. Don't worry Denise, Triabetes will stick around and you and I can get this east coast region talking about Triabetes and meeting up for training or races.

Well kids, I'm gonna hit the sack (I wonder where that line comes from), have an awesome night and I'll check back in with you tomorrow night before my race.

xo-
J

Countdown begins...

Ok so it's 4 days til my race!!! I'm starting to feel a little nervous and the next 2 days will be jam packed with things to do since I plan on doing nothing on Friday but work and sleep.

I went for an open water swim on Sunday to just time myself and see how long it takes me to complete the 1/4 mile and it should take me 20 minutes to do...so I'm thinking longer and will just say 30 min. (thinking on the safe side). On Monday I ran 3.5 miles in 50 min. so I was very happy that I did it. I had to wind up walking more but I was ok with that because I knew that's what would happen to me during the race. I'm not going to get another swim in but that's ok because I already know I can get throught the swim. Slowly but I'll do it ;).

Anywhoo...I'm super excited and at the same time really scared. I think I am so scared because it's something I have never done before and I'm not sure what to expect. I'm feeling the same way I felt the first time I did the JDRF Ride to Cure. Scared shitless lol.

I am about to embark on a new chapter of my life as an athlete. It's exciting and nerve wracking all at the same time :). I'll chat with you later...goal for tomorrow - run 1.7 miles with my triabetic teammates.

-J

Swim like a fish...uh not quite

Hey hey!

So I had my second open water swim today with a new found friend from my open water swim class. Let me tell you I honestly felt sooo much better this time around. I swam 2 sets of a 1/4 mile. On the second set I surprisingly was able to shave almost a minute off my time. I don't want to mislead you though my time isn't fast...it took me 21 min. and change the first set and 20 min. and change the second set. I definitely feel more optimistic about my race next weekend, that is I don't think it'll take me an hour to get through the 1/4 mile hehe. :)

Swimming I am coming to realize is much much harder than you could think. You are definitely going against what your body wants to naturally do and that is to keep your head above water and GET OUT. Swimming is scary especially when you've never fully grasped how to breath properly in the water. I used to swim my freshman year of HS on the swim team, but I wasn't fast and I didn't do distance. I did the races that were 50's and 100's, that's NOTHING compared to what I'm doing now and what I will do in my future races. I could never quite get the flip turn, and my teammates and coaches used to call my stroke the minute stroke because I took such a long time to get a breath in during the stroke. I didn't really care then but I definitely care now. I want to start taking swim classes so I can be a more efficient swimmer. It really makes a difference.

I used to think I was a good swimmer....now not so much. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that when I put my wetsuit on for the first time and started swimming I felt like I was suffocating. Gasping for air during each stroke, slow as a turtle and trying desperately not to freak out with anything I saw in the ocean :). Regardless, I love the water. I always have and always will. When I was a kid and we lived in FL during the summers I was in the pool from morning to night. My mom would bring us lunch by the pool cuz I didn't even want to get out to eat; and when I did get out my hands and feet were all crinkly like a prune. haha the other thing I used to always do was pretend I was Ariel from The Little Mermaid...I wanted to swim like her. I think I can get there with some classes ;).

So the goal....take some classes and learn to swim like Ariel.

Til next time,
-J

Great Weekend

So I'm really tired and really want to sleep. I have been going to bed really late and not getting at least a full 7 hours of zzz's and am coming to realize that is a big error. Especially since I am in training. BUT I wanted to share with you my weekend, so I'll write then hit the sack :).

Friday night I took a final math test to exit the remedial program I have been in. I knew I had already passed the class but you kinda need to pass this test to move forward. It's very individualized so no two people will have the same test because it's based on what you got wrong the first time you took it. Long story short...I PASSED IT!!!!! I was so prepared to fail it that I thought the girl was joking when she gave me my score. You need a 30 to pass and I got a 34 - I was stoked. I came out the doors to some of my classmates and I actually cried. I felt so relieved, relieved beyond words. Math has always been throughout my school years a huge challenge for me. I just don't get it. Give me English any day of the week and I know I'll pass. Math? Not so much. I had really lost almost all hope, because this was the 3rd time I had registered for the class the 2 prior times I dropped it because I wasn't understanding anything. But this time I made it the whole semester and I passed the class with a 75...meanwhile my goal was just to get a 60 which is a D and the lowest passing grade you can get. I'm telling you, I wasn't aiming high but I did it! I surpassed my expectations and that is always a nice thing. That white piece of paper with that simple score is getting framed as a constant reminder of what can be done.

Saturday I went for a 30 mile bike ride with two of my teammates/friends. It was cloudy and cool with sprinkles here and there. The whole time I was riding I felt really really good. This is a route I have done before - we went from the GW Bridge to Piermont and back. My two favorite moments during the ride were when we were on our way back home on 9W and I got to the part I always dread...riding on the highway on a slow climb. I think the reason I fear/dread it so much is that I had such a difficult time with it last year the first time I rode my "arch nemesis". That is now what I have dubbed that particular stretch of the ride. But I have improved because I can just keep going and not feel like it takes me so long to reach the top. I mean last year I was so tired that my coach was pushing me while he was riding his bike! My 2nd favorite part were the last 5 miles. It always seems like it's flat and that's where I really can catch up to everyone else but this time I was in the lead. I dropped into the big ring and just started pedaling. I was in a groove and it felt soooo nice. I left my cyclometer at home so unfortunately, I couldn't see how fast I was going but I think I was doing at least 17-18mph steady. The icing on the cake was that I had gotten my average heart rate down to 154bpm, and my max hear rate went down to 186bpm. While I know that sounds really high to you that is much better for me. I tend to lean towards a higher HR.

I hate to cut this short but I need to hit the sack. When I write next I'll tell you all about my 1st open water swim which I did on Sunday...oh my lordy lord was that a revelation. But before I go I wanted to leave you with a few key terms:

1. cyclometer = a device that tells you how man y miles travelled, max & avg. speed, cadence (kind of like a cars odometer)
2. cadence = # of revolutions of the pedals a cyclists makes each minute. Elite cyclists typically have a cadence of between 80–120 rpm while recreational cyclists might pedal at about 60–80 rpm. Lance Armstrong was known for his very high cadences of around 120 rpm for hours on end.*http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/glossary/g/rpms.htm
   
3. HR = heat rate
4. BPM = beats per minute

Talk soon,
J

My 1st Entry...

Hi! So this is my first time creating a blog. I decided to do it for anyone and everyone who wants to see how my training is going. Training for what you may ask?

1. My annual JDRF Ride To Cure Diabetes
2. My first sprint distance triathlon
   

Each year for the past 3 1/2 years I have taken part in the Ride to Cure Diabetes sponsored by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation aka JDRF. This will be my 4th year taking part in the ride that has essentially changed my life. It is a weekend spent with family I see once a year. It is a weekend full of inspiring stories, laughter, friendship, an adventure of 100 miles meeting strangers with a common interest - diabetes.

Last fall a friend of mine completed her first Ironman race (this is what most people think of when they here triathlon). She didn't know how to swim the year prior and she had never been a triathlete before either. Well she did it. And she inspired me to do a triathlon as well. She is also a type 1 diabetic. So in January I decided to complete a sprint triathlon this year. That's what I'm also training for. My first race is on my birthday June 27th, it takes place in Staten Island and is called Flat as a Pancake. :)

I definitely want you guys to understand I am no expert on any of the sports I take part in. I know what I've learned from trial and error and asking anyone and everyone I know lots and lots of q's. I joined a running group so I can become a better runner, I signed up for an open water swim class so I don't freak out and drown myself in the ocean thinking of what's down below or getting my face kicked in by 500 other swimmers. I've bought books that will inspire me to train, and get used to exercising regularly. Classes and groups and asking questions, reading inspiring books on the sports, learning how to become a better athlete. Learning how to become a better athlete and having diabetes throws it into another category so now I am getting in touch with diabetic triathletes. Cuz no one is going to know better than them. What I do know I have is determination, and once I say out loud that I'm going to do something well there's just no going back. I've gotta do it. That's another major part of the reason why I decided to create the blog. Because you guys are gonna read this and even if no one is reading this someone might stumble upon it and it's that idea that will keep me moving. Keep me going. I don't want to let anyone down. You guys are the driving force in this little engine called Jen that could. So thank you.

As far as my teams, I am part of the NYC Crankees cycling team, and have recently become a member of the Triabetes team. The Crankees are my team through JDRF, they have become close friends and are awesome people. The Triabetes team are my online triathlete teammates who have diabetes. This is what they say "Triabetes athletes are inviting anyone with diabetes to “give it a shot” and join the team. All types of diabetes. All triathlon distances. All throughout North America."

For all who are reading and want to know some terms:

1. sprint tri = 1/4 mile swim, 12 mile bike & 3.1 mile run
2. olympic tri = .93 mile swim, 24 mile bike and 6.2 mile run
3. half ironman = 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run
4. ironman = 2.1 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run
5. century = 100 miles in the cycling world

I think I'm about done writing for now...as more comes to mind I'll give you kids an update. Rest assured I will be giving you guys updates on my weekly workouts while I train, updates on my thoughts on diabetes and anything else that comes to mind hence the title for my blog ;).

Write soon!
Jen