Races, Races & More Races

Well, I spoke prematurely when I said my next blog would be about my bike shopping experience. I'm thinking that will be a fun weekend post but we'll see.

Since IMTX is officially on my calendar, it's time to finalize the rest of my race calendar so my coach can come up with my training plan. I'm trying not to think about the number of purses or shoes I can buy with what I'll be spending on race entries and other tri related stuff but that's ok. There will be plenty of time to add to my shoe & purse collection later.

So here it is, my newly unveiled Race Calendar!

August 28th Clear Lake Sprint (Tri)

September 26th Houston Olympic (Tri)

October 9th 10 for Texas (Run)

November 7th Ironstar Half Ironman (Tri)

November 25th Run Thru the Woods 5 miler (Run--and really only here so I don't feel guilty on Turkey day)

January 30th Houston Half Marathon (Run)

April 10th Ironman Texas 70.3 (Tri) --this will be the dress rehearsal for IMTX

May 21st Ironman Texas 140.6 (Tri) -- aka Crazy Fest

Next step will be to officially register for everything and then it will be even more real! I'm so excited for my training over the next 11 months. I know I'm going to have some tough races to tackle but I know I can do it. Even if I don't do well in a race (or two), I will be learning things that will only help me tackle IMTX.

I'm not going to predict what the next blog will be about. I think it will be about bike shopping but you never know. Something completely shocking could pop up before Friday and I'll have no choice but to blog about it.

MHSL Tri 2010 = SUCCESS

I did this race last year and while I didn't have a PR (missed it by 20 seconds completely attributed to my transition times), I had a blast. The good news first! This was a 300m swim PR for me so I'll take that. I took 1:03 off my swim time from last year and about 20ish seconds from my last swim PR (but that was in a lake). Anyway. Very pleased w/ that. I averaged 18.2mph on the bike and KNOW I can do more once I'm able to do more training on the road and less on my trainer. My run was slower than I wanted and slower than what I'm capable of but again, that's ok. After passing out at Lonestar Oly in April, I was uber sensitive to taking it easy in the heat. Either way, I did improve my run time from MHSL 2009 so was pleased. Overall, great race and a great day. Congrats go to Brandi, Misty & Luke who all had awesome races AND Kofi who raced his first tri today!!!!!! Nice job!

I have to thank my family who showed up to cheer us all on!!! Keith & Hannah got up at 4:30am to ride down to SL with me. Hannah gets extra props for being the LOUDEST cheerleader. Coming in from the bike, I could hear "GO JENNY!!!!!!" and looked over to see Keith taking pics and then Hannah, a few hundred feet away. This girl has got some lungs on her for being so petite!!! It means SOOOOO much to me to have everyone out there.

So, my first race after deciding to pursue Ironman dreams was a huge success in my book. I've got some take aways from today: (1) keep practicing that swim and I will be below 7min in no time, (2) get out on my bike more w/ my teammates and (3) keep having fun!

I'm hoping to post some pics here. If I'm successful, you'll see them. If I'm not, you won't. LOL. Hope everyone has had an awesome weekend!!!!!!

Next Time on Jenny's Blog: Bike Shopping for my Motobecane's sister!

The day I lost my mind

I'm pretty sure I will always remember Friday, June 25, 2010 because that's the day I went nutty and signed up for Ironman Texas. Yes, the girl who cried after her first sprint triathlon, swearing she'd never do another. The same girl who slowly made it through her first 300m swim in a not quite blazing 10:41 (give or take) and did most of it on her back. And yes, the very same girl who has said on NUMEROUS occasions she would never sign up for an Ironman. Well, as my very wise boyfriend has sad many times, "never say never".

For those of you who are reading this and aren't familiar with an Ironman, it consists of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run....all in the same day. In order to be an "official" finisher, you must finish this race in less than 17hrs. Yeah, sounds like a fun day huh? My brother Doug looked up Ironman on Wikipedia and immediately messaged me to see what he should say at my funeral. Funny Dougie!

Talking with Keith & Hannah (my boyfriend and his youngest daughter), we thought it would be a great idea if I blogged about this crazy journey I'm about to embark on so all my friends & family can share in my pain. :) Keith will have a guest column occasionally and I'm sure he'll be imparting words of wisdom (that or he'll just use this a venue for telling the same 'ole jokes).

Consider this blog under construction until further notice...I'm new to this and need to figure out my vision! I hope you guys enjoy reading this. I'll be posting pictures and telling you all about the crazy stuff I get to do to get ready for this race.

With that, Jammaster Jenny is signing off (sorry, inside family joke). :)