I can't believe it! Twice!

If you've listened to the latest In Transit, then you know half of the news I'm about to tell. First off all, I did the Monster Triathlon in Keller, TX last weekend (October 15th) and I just completed the RunBiTri Triathlon also in Keller, TX this morning (October 22). Unbelieveably, for me anyhow, I placed first in my age group at both events!! Holy cow! Although they were held in the same city, these sprint tris had completely different run and bike courses and were put on by different race productions.

The Monster tri was pretty rainy, but a fun race. There was also a costume contest on the run portion, where I dressed up as a cheerleader. (see pics on the In Transit Web site. My time at Monster was 1:16:03, which was good enough for a whole minute faster than the second place woman in my category. I was very happy with my results--- improved my run to finish with just over a 9 min/mile pace. For all the details check out In Transit Show 16.

The one today was equally exciting. The RunBiTri had very similar distances to the Monster (400m swim, 12 mile bike, 5k run). Monster was the same, but the swim was 300m instead. Oh, and, according to my Garmin today's bike and run distances were actually 13 miles and 3.39 miles, so a little longer than advertised. The RunBiTri was also a reverse triathlon-- it went Run, bike, swim. I am thankful for that because it was only about 45 degrees this morning. A little too cold to be running and biking soaking wet. It was crazy though. I felt super strong on the run, a little more fatigued than usual on the bike, and the swim felt like snail-pace. Oh, and since it was so cold outside the transition from bike to swim was quite a shocker. I'm still waiting for my official results to be posted online-- so I can see how many were in my age group and what my splits were, etc. Overall, it was a challenging course, but a fun race. I'm sure Elizabeth and I will include the official times and discuss this more in the next show. I guess that's all for now.

Another soggy triathlon??

Well, it's the eve of my final triathlon of the season-- the Monster Spring Tri in Keller, TX. The forecast is calling for thunderstorms all morning long!! ugh. If you recall my last triathlon (Texas Man), it was also a rainy day. Luckily the rain let up just long enough to complete that race though.

Also, the Monster tri has a Halloween theme that comes with a costume contest for the run portion. And, of course, that means I must join in on the fun. I won't give away what I've decided to dress up as, that'll be in the next episode of In Transit.

Oh, and Triboomer is going to be my correspondent tomorrow (yay!). I don't know anyone else doing this race, so I'm happy he'll be there to join in on the fun.

Expectations: I think this will be a fun race. The swim should go off without a hitch (it's a 300 m pool swim). The bike should be good (12 miles), unless the weather doesn't cooperate. The run: interesting b/c I'll be wearing a costume and also fun to see what other people come up with.

I also did a 50 mile bike rally today in Denton (the Denton Power Rally), so it should be interesting to see if that has any effect on my race performance. I feel pretty good right now though.

So, I'm crossing my fingers that it is not downpouring during the race. I'm curious how it will be handled if the weather is bad. I just hope the race goes on!

Okay, that's enough for now. Full coverage to come in the next show!

Show 15 y'all! Stellar!

Upcoming race plans. Elizabeth's 5k. Cara's trip to Chicago. A long discussion about newbies, race distances, and a trend in elite sports. Also, a new segment. Enjoy!

In Transit Show 14 has arrived!

This one covers the Texas Man Triathlon where we met up with Emily and Brett from Zen and the Art of Triathlon and Brian a.k.a. Triboomer. We also have a short interview with 2 of the owners from a brand new women's triathlon inspired gear company called Girls Tri Harder. Please check out their Web site by clicking here. You can download the show from our Web site or through iTunes.

Texas Man Race Report Coming Soon!

The next episode of In Transit is coming soon and will include a full race report from the Texas Man triathlon in Irving, Texas. I was lucky enough to race with both Emily and Triboomer, got to meet Dave Scott and Brett from Zen, and had a good race overall.

The show should be out by the end of the week. Click here to see pics from the race.

In Transit Show 13

Hey everybody-- Show 13 is here. This one is about the Spoly and a race preview of TexasMan which is this coming weekend. Woot!

In Transit Spoly Triathlon

Well, I wish I could say I successfully completed the first ever In Transit Spoly tri, but I can't. Unfortunately, I have been sick for the past 5 days with a pretty bad head cold and did not feel up to par enough to do the tri. Elizabeth was able to complete a slightly modified version of our orginally planned triathlon, which she completed with flying colors. She has recorded some audio of her spoly experience and we'll have that in the next show.

I decided to sit out this tri for a couple reasons 1) I felt like crap 2) I'm doing the Texas Man Olympic tri this weekend in Irving, TX, and I want to save up and get well to be ready for that one. I actually broke down and went to the doc today, since it wasn't clearing up. I'm on some antibiotics now, so by Sunday I'm hoping I'll be in tip top shape.

It really sucks being sick. I've been trying to rest up, which means no working out, in order to help my body fight off whatever I have faster. All I have to say is I feel so lazy!! I can't wait until these drugs kick in and I'm back on track.

That's all for now...

In Transit Show 12

In this show Elizabeth and I talk about our upcoming Spoly plans, which is our version of a triathlon consisting of distances halfway between a sprint and oly. We are doing this self-supported triathlon on Sept. 9th at Joe Pool Lake in Grand Prairie, TX. If you're interested in joining us just send us an e-mail. We would also like anyone who can't join us in TX to do your own triathlons and send us race reports on how you did. Those race reports can either be sent to us via voicemail at our Gizmo # 920-482-4822 or by sending an e-mail to cara@intransitduo.com or elizabeth@intransitduo.com

This show also includes a swim session with Elizabeth, a bike rally review from me and lots of random thoughts from both of us. Enjoy!

You can download the show by going to our web site or by accessing it through iTunes.

Hand, Hotter 'n Hell, and Heat

Well, I've tried some adjustments to my bike at the track and my hand numbness seems to be getting better. Thank you to all those who gave me tips on fixing that problem.

This past weekend I set out to do the Hotter 'n Hell Hundred bike rally, which is a century ride in Wichita Falls, TX and one of the largest bike rallies in the nation (over 12,000 riders). This was my 3rd year doing the 100 mile route, but ended a lot different than the past 2 years...I DNF. The temperature hit 107 that day and the heat just did not agree with me. I made it to the 70 mile mark rest stop, got off my bike to fill my camelback with water and had to run out of the line toward the porta-potty. I didn't make it all the way there before I threw up. The heat just made me sick, I guess. I was so disappointed. I felt like I could probably have gone a little farther, but I didn't know how far and I didn't want to be stuck between rest stops collapsed on the side of the road, so I bit the bullet and sagged in. While waiting in the medical tent for a ride to the finish line the there was a guy who was given an IV and I found out later he is an avid cyclist who had done 14 other centuries and never had a problem-- until that day. I also heard and saw many more people sag in due to heat problems. It was crazy. It was definitely hotter than hell! I guess I just lucked out the past 2 years, because it was only in the 90s those years-- let me tell ya, 10-15 degrees more truly makes a huge difference!!! Anyway, it wasn't a total failure. I figure it was good I didn't end up in the ED or something and at least I got 70 miles in. My buddy Burt who I went with ended up riding 125 miles because there was some wrong signage and about 1000 riders got off course. Craziness! I also saw Triboomer at the 50 mile rest stop. He was lookin' good in his TNT jersey. I see him everywhere these days!! Way to go 'Boomer!!

Well, that is all for now. Pretty exciting weekend.

Gimp hand, ugggh!

I'm really getting worried. It is time for something to change. Ever since I've been riding at the velodrome I have experience some neuropathy (numbness) in my left hand. I know it stems from putting too much pressure on my hand while riding, but I'm not exactly sure how to correct it. Here's why: 1. You have to pretty much keep your hands in the same position while riding-- down in the drops. 2. I am currently renting a bike each time I ride and I haven't been able to figure out any successful adjustments to ease the pressure on my hand. i.e. bike fit may be an issue. Here's what I'm trying to do to address this: 1. work on some core exercises so my core can pick up some of my weight as opposed to my hand receiving all the pressure. 2. While warming up I'm trying to put my hands on top of the bars to give my hand some rest.

Here's why I'm freaking out though: my swimming is seriously hindered because of the numbness. I can't keep my fingers together to pull through the water. I swam last night and I really felt handicapped by my weak hand.

Well, that's my current situation...

In Transit Show 11! Woot!

It's finally here...Show 11, our rock climbing experience. Check it out by downloading from iTunes or by clicking here.

Show 10 has arrived!!

Please give show 10 a listen. You can download it through iTunes or at our Web site. Show 10 includes our typical segments and an interview with 2 local triathletes, Mark and Becca, who are prepping for a Team in Training event in September.

We are staying busy, so show 11 & 12 should have some good stuff too! Preview of show 11-- our rock climbing adventure.

Show 10 is almost done!!

Elizabeth and I have been super busy, so that is why the latest show is delayed. Should be out by the end of today though. Show 10 covers our recent training efforts and an on the spot interview with a couple of newbie triathletes.

Our rock climbing trip was a success! Check out pictures on our Web site. Show 11 will cover our rock climbing and camping adventure plus much more!

Spoly

Well, Elizabeth and I have decided we would really like to do another triathlon within the next month or so, but we want to dodge the high entry fees. So....we're going to do the 1st ever In Transit Spoly Triathlon. The date and location are still in the works, but here's the scoop so far:

We decided to make up our own distance, halfway between a sprint and olympic, aka the Spoly. The distances are as follows: 1000m swim, 30k bike, and 7.5k run. We hope to travel to Colorado to complete the race in the Denver/Boulder area. Once we get everything figured out we will announce the date and everyone is invited to join us. If you can't make it to Colorado then you can always do a tri in your own neck of the woods and tell us how it went. We plan on dedicating an entire episode on the results. Also, if you don't want to do the spoly distance, then do a sprint or oly or whatever you'd like!

There is also the possibility of adding some untraditional elements to the race (e.g. a lap around transition area on a roller racer before you can go on). This is still pending.

More to come soon....

In Transit Show 9

We have finished Show 9! This one is a review of our Mountain Man triathlon, Grand Canyon trip, and a special interview with fellow triathlete Peggy from Colorado. You can download it by clicking the title above or through iTunes.

Show 9 coming soon...

I'm in the final editing phase of show 9, so don't fret it will be coming soon. We have some awesome footage from our trip and also a special interview with a fellow triathlete from CO.

More pics from the trip

A pretty sunset at our North Rim campsite.




Getting my feet wet in the Colorado River.




The view behind me is from our North Rim campsite. Pretty stellar!




A couple lizards at the Petrified Forest in AZ. The one on the left is kind of difficult to see due to the shadow-- look closely.




Elizabeth and I after the race.




Me taking a break and enjoying the view from our hike down the canyon on the north rim.




View from the South rim of the Grand Canyon.




Here I am standing next to ruins at the Petrified Forest. These are the remains of a home made of petrified wood.

Arrived alive...

Well, Elizbeth and I made it home safe and sound from our long long road trip to AZ. We had a great time racing on Sunday and checking out the Grand Canyon and other monuments/sites along the way.

We will have full coverage of the race on our next show, but for now here's a short report:

This was an oly held in Flagstaff, AZ on July 16th called the Mountain Man. The altitude is ~7000ft, which is 6500 ft higher than I'm used to here in Dallas.

There were also sprint and half distances offered. It was a relatively small race, there were about 450 competitors combined for all 3 race categories.

Swim-- 1500m
Did this in 38:22, which is 2:33 per 100m. I usually average around 2:10 per 100m, so this is a little slow for me. I did feel altitude effects in the 1st couple minutes though, so I tried to just do the swim slow and steady.

Bike-- 40k
My time was 1:25:42, which is 17.4 mph. This course was flat except for 3 major hills. It was an out and back course. I was a little disappointed with this time, b/c cycling is my strength, but I was actually 2nd in my AG with that time.

Run-- 10k, with a super steep part about 1.5 miles into it.
This was more a run/walk, unfortunately. I really ran into a wall -- not muscle fatigue, but just couldn't get enough oxygen. To my surprise there were tons of people walking the run course, esp. the really hilly part. I have never seen so many walkers in a triathlon and I wasn't even in the back of the pack. My time was 1:16:04, for a pace of 12:14 min/mile. Pretty darn sad. lol

Overall time: 3:23:37
This put me 5th in my AG out of 9, surprisingly. This was a very challenging course, esp. b/c I'm not used to such a high altitude.

I'm planning to do another oly this season to attempt to redeem myself. I am really glad I did this event to challenge myself and also to experience racing at high alt.

That's all for now...


Finally crossing the finish line!!

Completed the race and saw the Grand Canyon

Well, the race (Mountain Man olympic in Flagstaff) was on Sunday and although I didn't do quite as well as I would have liked, I did finish the race and place 5th out of 9 in my age group. I was really shocked about that because I ended up walking part of the run. I was truly amazed how many people were walking on the run course. Many people were complaining about breathing problems due to the altitude (7000ft). I was one who had a bit of difficulty breathing as well. Half of the run course was super steep though, so that didn't help.

After the race we spent Monday through Wednesday at the Grand Canyon, visiting both the North and South rims. I had never been there, but I must say it was truly beautiful and unlike anything I had ever seen.

We're still making our way back to TX, so there will be more to come and a full review on our next podcast when we get back.

Hot off the presses...In Transit Show 8

In this show Elizabeth and I review our road trips back home for the 4th of July weekend, talk about our upcoming triathlon in Flagstaff, and our Grand Canyon camping plans. Please give it a listen by clicking here or downloading from iTunes.