Part 2 of 2: Trisports.com training camp/Trifest

After a quick swim Mike and I were ready to be in Tucson. Thursday morning we loaded our gear and prepared for a great weekend, but never expected how special it would turn out. The drive to Tucson was much like the night before: talking races, training, and me trying to soak up everything that was being said. The first thing we did when we arrived was visit Jaclyn at Trisports.com. They have the reputation of being the equivalent of a kid in a candy store for tri-geeks. This is why I was surprised when we walked through the door my total attention was immediately drawn toward something totally different then tri-gear. Anyways, we met with Jaclyn, picked up our welcome kits, and stocked up on food for the next day.

After the Trisports.com stop we ran around the U of A campus, which brought back some old race memories for Mike.  Afterwards we prepared ourselves for the ascent of Mt. Lemmon the next morning. Over 100 people were waiting outside the store when we arrived. Once we hit the base of Lemmon I found myself behind the lead group of elite cyclists and would later learn this was actually a bad thing. Over 6 hours later we finished our ride and rushed to swim practice at the local JCC. Jaclyn did another amazing job on getting us a pool, and with the help from Seton, a workout. After the swim it was time to get some rest and prepare for Saturdays workouts.

It was announced that we would be doing a sprint triathlon. Like everyone else I saw this as an opportunity to show off my early season speed. The only problem was that I FLEW up Lemmon the day before and the veterans of the team cruised up. Lesson #1: learned. Once we hit the bike I knew I didn’t have the legs. I ended up cruising and talking with Missy Kuck, who will make her pro debut this season by the way. Mid-way through the second lap I felt a presence. I knew what it was, who it was, and what was about to happen…. Mike. He blew by me so fast I couldn’t even grab his wheel.  With the rest of the team racing as well it just felt like me and Mike were on the course. Our minds were working the same, “where did he start, what’s the gap, what pace am I running, what is he running, etc.” I was able to close the gap and pass him on the run, but we both knew it wasn’t enough for me to beat him.

 I mention all the time how special the relationships are that I create through the great sport of triathlon. This weekend was nothing different. I met so many amazing and talented people that I am truly blessed. I hope to see many of my teammates achieve many great feats, not only this season, but in their careers. All the laughs (many can’t be mentioned), memories (also can’t be mentioned), and friends will never be forgotten from this weekend (the best part would have to be the post-VIP party festivities). What started as a trip to Tucson for some training, turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life.

Thanks again to Trisports.com, Seton Claggett, his beautiful wife Debbie, Mike Montoya, Jaclyn Appelgate, and the rest of the 2011 Trisports.com team .

Safe Training & best wishes

        Mike and I before Lemmon. It was clear Mike is in great shape for 2011. He will be tough to beat.

Part 1 of 2: Trisports.com training camp/Trifest

This is a two part post, so bear with me. I would first like to thank Trisports.com and especially Jaclyn Applegate for an absolutely amazing weekend in Tucson, Arizona. Without Jaclyn, working hard as always, this weekend and all of the fun filled festivities wouldn’t have happened. I’m extremely grateful that I was able to attend the team training camp this past weekend and to be sponsored by such an amazing organization. I was able to meet all but four of my teammates. It is without a doubt that my teammates are extremely talented and are going to do some amazing things this season. I was a bit intimidated, as was a majority of the team, when we all lined up together for the first time.

Let’s start from the begging of my weekend, which started Wednesday by the way. I was able to contact a fellow Trisports.com teammate, Mike Montoya, and stay at his house and drive together to Tucson the next morning. Did I mention he has been one of the top triathletes in New Mexico for almost twenty years, competed in 200 triathlons (thanks to our secret team workout Saturday, which turned out to be a triathlon), and one of my biggest inspirations and favorite athletes. I felt like a teenage girl the entire drive to his house. I kept thinking, “Hopefully he thinks I’m cool, I don’t want to say anything stupid, am I dressed okay??”

 I would also like to mention the first time I met Mike and give a little back story. It happened to be my first triathlon and I was wearing a fluorescent blue speedo. We lined up on the start line together and he asked if it was my first triathlon. He gave me a few words of advice and then we were off. I ended up doing the opposite of what he said, not intentionally, and finished way behind him in 33^rd place. Mike won. Something that I would learn happens a lot when he shows up to a race. The second I got home I pulled up the results to see his times and remember telling myself, “I want to be as fast as him someday.” I wouldn’t race Mike again until a few years later due to conflicting race schedules. It was in his home town of Socorro, NM. He beat me by 8 seconds. Long story short: Mike won.  

Once I arrived at the Montoya’s it was pretty close to what I imagined. Bike filled garage, with a shelf full of running shoes, and old race photos on the wall. The night continued how I hoped it would; staying up late talking about races, training, etc. The next day we hit Tucson.

Tomorrow’s Part 2!  

                                                      (Late '08)  Tan Lines of a roadie!

('10) Still have the tan lines and speedo and Mike is still beating me

Did I mention...

The weather is warming up and I have been getting some great workouts in. The temps in southeast NM have been up and down the last few weeks. We have a few days in the 70s and then a few days in the 50s. It seems the wind has been constant, but it hasn’t affected my workouts much. I am glad to report that my bike legs are beginning to come back into form. My swim and run are fairly consistent, but I could always use some more meters in the pool. You would think after 3+ years of diving into the cold water at the local pool you would start to become immune, it feels like the opposite effect, but it has to be done. My weekly distance in the pool has steadily been rising and will continue until the start of the season. This will put me on track to have good swim form in time for the first tri of the season in May. Once I arrived home from Phoenix I felt like there was a fire lit under me. I was eager to get some tough workouts in and when I did I just wanted to get some sleep so I could wake up the next day and do it all over again. I’m anxious for May to be here and I feel the anxiety is only going to grow stronger as the days go by.

 This week I will be heading to Tucson for the Team Trisports.com Training Camp. Team Trisports.com is going to have a full arsenal attending the camp. Trifest will also be taking place this weekend. A full week of nothing but swim, bike, and run will make any triathlete’s mouth water. Did I mention… training, training, and more training?? With the presence of some strong athletes this week I expect to be pushed each and every workout. I’m hoping this trip will help calm my nerves a bit, seeing that May is still a ways off.

Trisports.com will have an open group ride Friday morning. We will start from the store at 7 A.M. sharp and will be riding up Mt. Lemmon. So, if you’re in the area come out and enjoy this great event!