Getting Into Race Mode

Happy Friday!

It seems so weird to be titling a post "Getting Into Race Mode" in September.  Normally that would be something that I'd probably write about early in the season.  But, given that I haven't really had a season and my first (but amazingly, not last) race of the season is tomorrow, it's appropriate.

Tomorrow I will be toeing the line at the Ontario Women's Triathlon for the swim / bike.  I could probably tough out the triathlon as the run is only 4km but, I know that when I push the pace when I'm running, I aggravate the nerve in my leg.  So, I figured I'd play it safe and not risk doing any more damage.

I have to admit, I'm feeling a little rusty and more than a little nervous.  Of course, I broke my goggles this morning at the pool so when I get home I have to dig through everything and try to find my spares.  Or I take G's, which I think I should be able to find relatively easily.  I'm going to take my tri bike out for a spin tonight to make sure everything is running smoothly now that my race wheels are on my bike.   And of course, I can't forget to pack my wetsuit.  I also need to find my race belt.  I have no idea where that is, although I'm not sure I need it for this I'm not running.

SO MANY THINGS.   I feel like a newbie all over again, ha ha.

I am looking forward to racing this, even with the less than ideal forecast for tomorrow.   I went out to the free swim / bike clinic that Race Director, Paolina Allan held on Monday so I could check out the course and get another open water swim in.  The water is lovely!  I am hoping that it's not windy so the lake doesn't get too choppy.  The bike course it pretty much pancake flat so I can't wait to let Tom Sawyer fly.   I'll be curious to see what I can do given my lack of any sort of targeted bike training this summer.   Especially on my tri bike.  I've been riding my road bike on a regular basis since May!

Paolina and all  the ladies that came out to the clinic

I took my tri bike out a couple of times last weekend and it felt weird at first.  It just doesn't handle the same as my road bike.  But I got used to it fairly quickly.

I gotta say, I still think it's a pretty sweet bike.  I'm really hoping that it sees more action next year.

Speaking of next year, I've signed up for Tremblant 70.3 again.  Hopefully I make it to the start line.  There is also talk of doing Lake Placid 70.3, which falls on THIS weekend next September.  Could be a chilly race!  Finishing on that Olympic Oval is something pretty special.  So, we'll see what next year brings.  I have to fix my broken body first!

Anyway, good luck to everyone that may be racing this weekend and I'll be back next week with a race report.  Woohoo!

Running the Numbers at B&BT

I normally wait until the end of the year to do my recap, and I will probably still do so,  but I have been inspired by a post that Ty at Seeking Boston Marathon wrote, to do something a little different in the meantime.  If you read his post, you'll see that it doesn't just focus on all things running, which I thought was pretty entertaining and refreshing because running is more than just miles logged.  It also comes with it's own set of experiences.  So, I'm going to #RunTheNumbers from this year and, I'm hosting a link up so all of YOU can #RunTheNumbers with me.  Share your random running and non running numbers by linking up to this post with the handy Linky at the bottom of the page.  Feel free to grab this image as well or create your own and join in the fun!

SEVEN

The number of pairs of running shoes currently sitting by the front door.  Coincidentally 6 out of 7 are Mizunos.  I've definitely become a huge fan of their shoes over the last year and a half.

FIVE

The number of black toenails I've had this year.

TWO

The number of black toenails I currently have.

253, 407

The number of meters I've swam so far in 2013.  I still have 10 sessions left this year.  We'll see how many of them I get to between now and the end of the year.  For now, that's 253.4km.  That would be like driving from Toronto to Kingston.  

529

The number of pageviews on my #BostonStrongTO post.  That has been my most popular post on this blog to date.  My Boston race report is not far behind it.

13 of 14

The number of races where I made the podium.  The only race I didn't was The Boston Marathon.  Those fast folks are a whole other category of speedy.   Yup, it was a freaking epic year of racing.  Bling Bling!

Six

The number of times I made it to hot yoga in the last year.  I really need to work on that.

Lost Count

Of the number of blisters I got.   I come by my blog name honestly folks.

Three

The number of days you have left enter my Health & Fitness Holiday Giveaway! 


How about you? Link up below and #RunTheNumbers !