Athleta Iron Girl

It's Official,

I will be at the Athleta Iron Girl Triathlon in Webster, MA!

Instead of 70.3 this summer, I have a couple sprint distance races. Athleta Iron Girl is exciting for me, because as some of you may know, it was previously the Danskin Triathlon. In fact, back in 2010, this was my very first triathlon!!

It was my first race after my foot surgery, after starting my blog. This race started my love of triathlon, and I am SO excited to go back & race it with all the new improvements that Athleta has brought to the table!

As a special treat, Athleta Iron Girl has given me a coupon code good for $10 off race registration good for ANY of the races below...

RUNTOHEALTH

·    Athleta Iron Girl Lake Zurich Women’s Sprint Triathlon on June 16^th

·         Athleta Iron Girl Webster Women’s Sprint Triathlon on July 21^st

·         Athleta Iron Girl Pleasant Prairie Women’s Sprint Triathlon on August 11^th

·         Athleta Iron Girl Seattle Women’s Sprint Triathlon on August 18^th

·         Athleta Iron Girl Cherry Creek Women’s Sprint Triathlon on August 24^th

·         Athleta Iron Girl Sandy Hook Women’s Sprint Triathlon on September 8^th

·         Athleta Iron Girl Bloomington Women’s Duathlon on September 22^nd

·         Athleta Iron Girl Clermont Women’s Sprint Triathlon on September 19^th  

·         Athleta Iron Girl Las Vegas Women’s Sprint or Olympic Triathlon on August 18^th

Now pick a race & train with me!

BIA 5K & weekend race plan...

So I decided... 

Both the 5K & the Sprint Triathlon this weekend. 

The more I thought about the triathlon, the more I talked myself into it. I had already paid the $90 registration fee, I would hate to see that money go to waste! It is a sold out race, and I would feel bad not showing up, when someone really wanted to be there. The race is "supposed" to be flat & fast, and the Athenas are in the last swim wave. I managed to get one more swim practice in on friday morning, and felt a little better about the swim. Now I need to get to packet pickup today, then start laying my gear out for tomorrow!

Today, I met my friend Debbie in Longmeadow for the BJ Williams Road Race, to support the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts. Kevin's mom suffered a traumatic brain injury almost 4 years ago, and we are still dealing with the many complicated things following that, plus my area of work, made me really want to support the cause.

It was a small race, non chip timed, through the fairly quiet streets of Longmeadow. I started off a little too fast, got pretty tired near the end, but sprinted to the finish I chicked 2 girls (one had a jog stroller). That made me feel good haha

The bad, I missed my goal finish of under 30 min by 2 seconds, clocking in at 30:01.

Good? 30:01 is a new PR!!

When I got home, I checked the goody-bag they gave us, not too shabby for a cheapie local race!

Definitely a quick easy race, close to home, for a fabulous cause! I was really glad I joined Debbie for a mood boosting run before tomorrow's triathlon. Time for packet pick up & sneaker shopping with my mom!

Check out my guest blog post at Rust Belt Runner HERE! It posted thursday, but I've been so busy, I forgot to let you guys know!! Please please please, check it out!

To race or not to race?

Today I am so incredibly sore from bootcamp yesterday, that I cannot squat to pee. Thank goodness my trainer is off to California for advanced TRX training and will be missing the next 3 sessions. Bad news is, I know my strength training will suffer during that time. No worries, she'll be back right as I begin Marathon Training!!

Now before that marathon training begins, I still have a couple weeks. This weekend leads me to debatable races. I already signed up for the Women's Triathlon in Farmington, CT on sunday over a month ago. 

Problem? 

I have only been swimming once since my last race. It was a 1/2 mile, but it was a pool. I was not feeling good after my open water swim at the last race, and that was only 300 yards. I have not been cycling, and now the rain is keeping me from it. I could have pulled the bike in on the trainer tonight, but instead I laid on the couch. I could tomorrow night, while Kevin's at class. The running I am not concerned with, it's what I've been doing the most of, even though its my weakest sport, its my most comfortable. I have no friends to do this race with, but Kevin would tag along to cheer me on. Do I skip or plow through even though I will have a panic attack in the water probably not be pleased with my performance?

Saturday is a local 5K to support TBI research. The weather is supposed to be perfect running weather, the cost is only $20, the roads are relatively flat, and its 5 min from home in lovely Longmeadow, MA. Hmmm maybe I should go after that under 30 5K I've been dying for?

Should I do the triathlon or aim for the 5K PR?

Or both?!

I faced the music of the scale at my meeting tuesday. 3 pounds in mojitos, desserts, and cheese plates. Totally worth it. Yesterday & today I have counted points, and stayed fairly healthy, working at getting back on track with my nutrition. I know that weight loss would really help me while training for Disney!

What's your advice for me as I get ready to start marathon training?