Race Report: Columbia Triathlon

It has taken me a long time to even get this post started and up. I don’t know what to say about it besides….

 

IT WAS HARD AS FUGG and I FINISHED!

 

It had to be, for me, the absolute hardest race I have ever done. THE HILLS are nothing to laugh at. They were not rollers or little lumps…the hills were straight up CLIMBS that they even put a picture of a mountain on the course maps for the bike and run at every single hill. Mountains they were.

 

My motto has always been “I may be slow, I may even be last, but I will look good doing it.” I lived up to my motto that day with a glorious DEAD ASS LAST finish.

 

But here is what I KNOW…Compared to ME last year at my last OLY where the bike course had half the hills (and could be considered flat in comparison) and the run was absolutely flat with no hills and NO SHADE for that matter…

 

I DID OUTSTANDING!!!! GO ME!

 

The swim was cancelled due to heavy rain and the water not being good for humans. Just about everybody was pissed yet at the same time didn’t want to get amoebic dysentery or some form of mad cow flesh eating disease. Stuff happens – go with it.

  The morning of the race it was 45 degrees and NOBODY was mad anymore about getting into the water. AT ALL.

 

We staggered our run into transition to get our bikes by swim wave, 2 at a time and we were off.

 

BIKE – 2:07:22

I actually felt great on the bike. I incorporated everything I learned from my Spin90 Coach (John Hughes) and from my TriCoach – Pro Suzy Serpico. I kept my rpms at 85-90, MOSTLY – not so much on those hills. I felt slower that I wanted but I didn’t want to push a big gears and burn out. I attacked each hill, got to the top and pushed through. I was pretty pleased with myself. I did TriPhilly Oly in 1:58:03 with half the hills and I – GASP – unclipped on one loop.  Columbia was mad, crazy hilly hard. I RIPPED IT BABY!

 

One day I’ll be a bike machine maven – I’m going to let John have at me for some outdoor sessions and I’ll try and not cry – what does it matter though – sweat and tears look the same. (Knock,knock,knock---hey, Norm! Come on out and put me through my paces…I’m sure you will have my lip trembling in short order. LOL)

 

RUN – AKABATAAN DEATH MARCH – 1:49:41

This picture is of me coming UP Gatrorade Hill on my way out to the skate park. Speaks volumes. I was done and was looking for someone with a fork to stick in me so it would just be over.

 

But then I saw my BFF Run Buddy Misty with her cowbell telling me to pick my head up, it will be okay and my Momz was at the water stop, handed me a cup and looked me in my eyes and I KNEW I could go on. She has a way of speaking volumes without saying a word.

 

I’ve been trained well. I can do the distance, but I just was NOT prepared for the hills on this run. It was just as disrespectful as the MC17.75 Course. When I got out into the neighborhood portion of the run (the back 3 miles), I was alone. I knew that to get back to my mother (who’s shift had BEEN over, but I knew she would wait for me) I had to get my mind game together. I started singing a song from the movie Santa Clause is Coming to Town:

 

Put one foot in front of the other
And soon you'll be walking cross the floor
Put one foot in front of the other
And soon you'll be walking out the door

You never will get where you're going
If you never get up on your feet
Come on, there's a good tail wind blowing
A fast walking man is hard to beat

Put one foot in front of the other
And soon you'll be walking cross the floor
Put one foot in front of the other
And soon you'll be walking out the door

 

OVER AND OVER – as this is the only part I know…and soon I was walking up Gatorade Hill for the last time. Princess Cara picked me up with about a 3/4 mile to go and kept running back an forth and Leslie brought me in the last .5 or so…and at the finish line was my husband, Shawn and Danny and a bunch of the RipIt crew.

 

IT WAS DONE!

 

I thought I had made no run progress from last year and the foot injury that (that is still nagging me, but I have an ortho and chiro on the job and hope of pain free running in my near future); however, last years TriPhilly Oly Run was FLAT as a pancake (albeit HOT as HADES) and I finished 1:41:51. In comparison, I was SPEEDY FRIGGIN GONZALEZ on the Columbia Course. RIPPED IT – AGAIN!

                 

I spent the afternoon in a drug induced coma – LITERALLY. I accidently packed a vicodin instead of a motrin (which look exactly the same except one is slightly smaller) at the end of the race. Once I woke up, I beat myself up over my “poor performance”, had a short pity party and then remembered…

 

See you out there!

Diva Review: Even Glow Vitamin C Serum-Antioxidant Skin Treatment

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

 

I spent the last month testing the Even Glow Serum - Antioxidant Skin Treatment - 20% Vitamin C by Valentia Skin Care and I was very impressed.

 

After a few days of use my skin was definitely softer and after a few weeks some of the dark spots on my face were noticeably lighter or had faded all together.

 

I have tried other Vitamin C serums before and they have all seemed a tad harsh and caused me to break out (ain’t nobody need all dat at my age). I did have a few “red patches” pop up but nothing like before an it resolved the next day. Perhaps it was the addition of the green tea extract or the “skin super oils” that gave it a less harsh feel.

 

AND it had a pleasant orange scent that was not overpowering.

I even tried a mask recipe using an Organic Matcha Green Tea Powder. I used the Green Tea Powder that I recently reviewed – Diva Review – Organic Matcha Green Team Powder – and that was a nice treat.

I looked just like Elphaba – the Wicked Witch of the West from Wicked, but after it was all said and done, by skin was tingly clean and smooth. Loved it.

 

I have added this to my skin care regimen – which wasn’t really much of one beside wash, moisturize, SPF makeup and go, so this isn’t a big change up. Give it a try if you don’t believe me. You will be pleasantly surprised.

 

Here is some background information on this vitamin c serum:

 

• EVENS SKIN TONE: Vanquish dark spots and skin discoloration, replacing uneven and ill-textured skin with smooth, wrinkle-free skin that leaves you looking flawless and ageless.
• INCREASES GLOW & RADIANCE: Revitalize your skin with essential fatty acids that leave skin smooth and visibly brighter. Smooth skin capable of reflecting light will give your skin a youthful glow and a brilliant shine for that well-rested and refreshed look.
• ABSORBS RAPIDLY: Moisturizes skin due to the capacity of the hyaluronic acid to absorb water, thereby increasing fluid between cells, giving your skin a smoother and younger appearance. This intense water absorption means no more dry, peeling or cracked skin, even in extreme weather.
• BOOSTS COLLAGEN PRODUCTION: The presence of Organic Rosehip Oil and a foundation of 20% Vitamin C increases collagen production so your skin retains the elasticity responsible for a youthful appearance and prevents skin sagging associated with aging. Enjoy smooth and supple skin that takes years off your appearance.
• REDUCES WRINKLES & FINE LINES: Special ingredients such us Hyaluronic Acid and Organic Sea Buckthorn oil work to plump up the skin, reducing wrinkles leaving skin clearer and younger.

KEY INGREDIENTS

Organic Rosehip Seed Oil & Organic Sea Buckthorn Oil

These oils promote skin hydration and lock in moisture to protect your skin from signs of aging and improve its beauty and youthfulness. Rosehip Oil has specifically been used in medical communities around the world for those with serious skin aliments and only recently has North America learned to embrace natural alternatives from our ancestors. These 2 organic oils are full of antioxidants, therefore,

acting as the perfect supporting cast for our best friend - Vitamin C.

Resistem (Plant Stem Cells)

This provides the perfect mix of protection from stress-related aging and promotes skin detoxification. Resistem will help your skin regenerate faster while protecting it from environmental stressors.

Hyaluronic Acid (Botanical)

Holding up to 1000 times its weight in water and drawing moisture out of the environment and onto the surface of your skin, there is not a more effective moisturizing agent on the market today. It penetrates deeply and activates collagen production for a fresher, younger, firmer, and brighter complexion.

Green Tea Extract

The catechins in green tea are a potent antioxidant which also contribute to the overall anti-inflammatory and anti-irritant benefits of this ancient health and beauty secret

 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Bad Omen? I think NOT!

There are two and a butt days till The Columbia Triathlon and this morning was an easy 25 min continuous swim. I left the house and forgot my swim bag with my goggles, lap counter, temp trainer in it and had to turn around to go back and get it.

I get to the pool, put on my goggles and SNAP! broken strap...(see pic)

Well, DAMN DAMN DAMN DAMN DAMN! I sat there in edge of pool feelin mighty low. I started letting fear, doubt and uncertainty creep in. Da Hell I gon' do if this happens just as I'm getting in water on Sunday? Is this a bad omen of things to come? 

Oh HELL TO THE NAW!! I think NOT! It ain't going downt like dat!! 

I sat on the edge of the pool and it took me 10 min to jerry-rig those goggles. I turned my frown into a smile; deciding that instead of an omen it was an OPPORTUNITY---an opportunity to think through a solution (swim without and keep your damn eyes shut - won't be able to see nuttin no way in Centennial ) AND an opportunity to go SHOPPING for some new gear (see how I turned just needing goggles into a gear shopping spree).

Those jerry-rigged goggles held for exactly 26 min before the strap popped again. WORKOUT ACCOMPLISHED!

Meet me at REI! 

I may be slow...I may even come in last...but I WILL finish and, by the way, I WILL also look mighty good doing it!

Columbia Tri...I'm bout to RIP IT! And RIP IT GOOD!