What's next??

I couldn't decide if I wanted to write about the upcoming 2010 season or ---- turning 40. They both happen at about the same time.
Racing won. I am still compiling my thoughts on the 40 thing.
Here goes. Hmmm. 2010. I am still trying to get over 2009 quite frankly. My motivation is still waxing and waning. But here it is. I have a plan for now.

First---heal stress fx. This is almost done. I am actually running. Or shall we call it jogging. Short distances. On the grass. With walking mixed in. But it's Something! I'll take it. I'm afraid of my foot. It's annoying because I always have some pain whether I have a stress fx or not! So now, when I am running, I have to be certain that the pain I feel is the old everyday chronic pain and not an unhealed fx. I made the mistake of boasting to a friend that I was planning to run and swim my way into the new year. Immediately after Kona, fine, for a Month or so after Kona, I didn't want to look at my bike. But...the foot cracked on me and threw that plan away.
I had originally planned on hopping into all the little 5ks for the winter. I would turkey trot, jingle bell run, ho ho ho run (not sure if there is one of those) you get the drift.
Insteeaaaaaaaad....I will settle for a 2.7 mile trot around the block today.

Back to the current adjusted race plan.

Cape MidWinter Classic 10 mile road race-I've been doing this race on and off for years. I think I did it back in the early 90s with my Mom actually. I grew up in Cape so although I've been away for 20 years (back to that almost 40 thing...), it's still a home town race. Tons of good friends run it. Friends from the Tri world and friends I know from Cape. It's often cold and icy but always a great test of fitness early in the year. I hope my foot is 100% soon so I can do this and do it right.

PolarBear 5K-I'll probably run this race. I won last year. That was a surprise! I never win road races!! Must say it was a fun was to start '09. It's on Valentine's day.

Tucson Training camp!! I'm heading to Arizona for a training camp with coach Jen!! I can't wait to meet her in person and spend a fun long weekend in the sunny southwest climbing Mt. Lemmon and running hard with the other athletes.

PolarBear Sprint Triathlon--I love this race. It's the first Tri in Maine for the season. And..It's a pool swim!!! That's a great twist for me. It's fast and furious. Takes just about an hour. ok, I have yet to break one hour but in '08 my time was 1:00.01. no joke. So of course my goal is a nice fast 59 min day.

Rev3 Half Ironman --I'm heading to Connecticut for a June Half Iron. I'm excited for this. Around 20 Mainers are heading down and staying at the same hotel. My sister in-law lives nearby so we'll crash with her too. My family can entertain themselves at the amusement park that is open only to spectators that day. Meanwhile, I hear it's one of the hardest 70.3 courses out there. Bring it on!

The middle of the summer is a little unscheduled right now. I am not sure what I'll feel like doing. And you know, that's the beauty of next season! Last year was so incredible structured and serious due to Ironman Lake Placid and then Hawaii. There was no room to throw a random race in here or there.
I just found another race I can do!! June 13th is the Pirate Tri at Sebago Lake. Right near camp!! My husband is fired up for this and I'll be sure to hop in to the fun too. And best of all, there's a kid's aquarun! perfect family. I think we can even drive our party boat over to the venue!

If the Norway Sprint happens and it's convenient, I'll do it. that in my current home town.

Portland Urban Epic. Same as above. We'll see.

Beach2Beacon 10K road race. Back to Cape Elizabeth. This is a huge world class event started by Joan Benoit Samuelson. I think it's limited to 6000 runners now. if you knew our small coastal roads in Cape you'd realize why this is so remarkable. It's a great even that started in 1998. I hope to get on the registrants list for this one. I had to skip it last year...still learning how to walk after LP.

Maine State Tri --- another small sprint tri close to home. I have loved this race. They changed teh course and it's no longer a ridiculous climb over small nordic ski trails in the woods or through knee deep mud holes in the fields. Again, missed it last year due to Lake Placid. I hope to go back. I've placed 2nd in this race over and over. Maybe this time...? :)

Timberman Half Ironman! This will be my other A race. (along with Rev3) I have decided I LOVE the Half Ironman distance. I can really race that distance and yet still enjoy a pure endurance event. Timberman is where it all started for me. It was my first Half in 2007. I love this event. Keith Jordan does a fantastic job. I can't wait to go back. And...there's a CHANCE my husband will join me...in the race! (if he hasn't already missed the registration window..)

Lobsterman Olympic race--this is a beautiful ocean race in Freeport, Me. I feel like I say 'hometown' race a lot. however, my Grandparents lived here, my mom and dad do now, and our cottage is here. So again, it's like home. I love this race. The water is usually disturbingly cold but the course is hard and fun so it's a great end of the season race. Plus, they have beer, lobsters, and a kid run after.

I hope to jump into a few more at the end of the season. The CELT sprint in Cape. It's a pool race and yeah...back to home. And I grew up in that pool so it would be especially fun. Do I dare say the Maine Marathon?? not sure. really really not sure about that one. If not, probably the half marathon.

You can sense my tone. Fun for 2010. Fun and Fast! I can't wait for Jen to train my legs to have zip and speed again!!! I'm excited.
At the same time..it's tough to get my fire right now. Everything is so far away. I am doing all my workouts and working hard but...I'm just waiting for the big drive to kick in again.

I think that'll happen when that big 4-0-hits.

Everyone Has a Story

Sportsmanship.....

While many of us go out and race with others on a regular basis, we don't always know the inside stories. We can read the race results and see who won. We can find out our friend's splits. We might be lucky and read about the conditions on race day. But as we all know, triathlons are more than that. Each and every athlete has as story every single time they race. They experience highs and lows that are worth listening to. They go through moments of succes, periods of suffering, and hopefully they experience the pure joy of crossing that finish line. These stories are all worth sharing.

I have a friend who has a new blog. I want to share it with you. His last entry inspired this post of mine. He wrote about his 2009 race season. I watched Bob race at many races this year. He had a fantastic season and topped it off with a super fast day at Clearwater. He worked as hard as anyone I know to earn that spot and then conquer that day in Florida.

While reading his stories, I realized what an incredible person he is. Now, he is my friend and I already knew this, but there was something different here. It's worth sharing...

In his first race of the year, his goal was to win. I like that goal. Why not go for it, right? The race was a duathlon ...run/bike/run. On the first loop of the run, Bob's competitors took a wrong turn. He was in 3rd at this point. Instead of continuing on the right way, and slipping easily into first place, Bob stopped. He hollered to the guys who were ahead and steered them back the right way. He even allowed them to get back in front of him. As he said, a win is not a win unless you are the fastest. He didn't want any freebies. He wanted to win honestly. Click here to find out if he won or not. Bob's Story

First place or not, I'd say Bob was the winner that day. Wouldn't you?

One of the reasons I have loved Triathlon is because of the people. I have experienced amazing sportsmanship in this sport. I come from a long history of competitive sports and this has not always been the case. This sport I am enjoying as an adult is full of hard core training, racing until I can't see straight, and some of the most inspiring people I have ever known.

Reading each others blogs allows us to peak into the stories out there. The special moments that make this sport great.

Thanks for sharing that Bob. You earned everything you got that day.

Looking Back

It's Thanksgiving week. Where has the year gone? It was only a year ago that I was recovering from Clearwater. It seems like just yesterday when I was starting my first training plan with Coach Jen. Just yesterday when I began training for my first Ironman.

And yet, so much has happened. It's been a huge 12 months for me in the sport of Triathlon.

I decided to look up the numbers. We all love numbers and stats. Here are mine for 2009 thus far.

616.5 hours of training

390, 483.6 yards of swimming

3,658.7 miles of biking

897.1 miles of running

2325.9 miles of Bricks

432.1 miles of Racing

The past year was different for me. It was all about Ironman. ALL about Ironman. I raced a few sprints and a few olympic distance races but I was forced to swallow my pride and accept that I was racing on "Ironman legs." I geared all my training to my two A race Ironmans. Was it worth it? Yes. I learned a lot about myself this past season. First, I learned that I can do anything I set my mind to. I kind of already knew this about myself. I am typically very focused and ready for challenges. However, I was intimidated by the 140.6 mile race. I will not lie. I had no idea if my body would let me do that. With amazing guidance and training by Jen, unwavering support from my family, and complete determination and dedication on my own part, I did it. I am an Ironman. I love that. I love that I fought through long long days on the road alone, in cold rain, with aching legs and a tired mind. I love that I fought the demons that told me to stop along the way. I was nervous. I was scared. But I also knew I was prepared. I was strong. And I was not about to step back when the going got tough.

My first Ironman day was the most challenging athletic event of my life. I had to reach deeper inside my soul to pull out the strength to get to that fabulous finish line. But you know what, my second Ironman day, a mere 10 weeks later, was much tougher. Much much tougher. And yet, I did it.

The satisfaction that comes with fighting through those moments is irreplacable.

I will look back at my year a lot over the next month. I need to remember all that hard work and success. It is what will motivate me for 2010. I am sitting here feeling gross. Feeling frustrated and a bit depressed. This stress fracture is really getting to me. I need to run. I really need to run. I feel my fitness slipping away. For some reason, it is the running that makes me feel most fit. Ironically, about a week before my foot gave into the long season I gave it, I said to a friend, "I am going to swim and run my way into 2010." Ooops. Spoke to soon. (yes, kona did me in on the bike....that ride was just way too long that day.)

I will sit back and behave with my foot. I will swim, and bike, and lift. I will also keep things in perspective and remember all that 2009 did for me. It boosted me to a higher level. So once this foot is healed, watch out. I'm ready to hit 2010 full force. The new Ironman in my soul is ready to see what's next.

More Kona pictures!!

My friend and fellow Hawaiian Ironman finisher, Mary Lou Lowrie, just forwarded me a few more photos from Kona. I had to post and share a few more memories.

A relaxing meal two nights before Ironman.

Enjoying the Hawaiian sunset with Mark,Nat,Matt and Mary Lou. (taking the picture!)

Carol and I squeezing into our speedsuits before one of our morning swims that week.

The Coffee boat...(orange flag) The Hula girl on the beach directed us there...and if we missed her you could see the giant sign laying on the clear ocean floor. Coffee ------500 yards

Head down and don't breath yet!

I'm stuck at home with my little sick guy right now. It's pouring outside. Absolulely pouring. I love love love being home when it's raining. I had planned a big Christmas shopping day today. The boys were even going to take the bus home so I could have until 4:00. Instead, I am here. Making lists. Planning for next week. Next week is full of good stuff...but all that good stuff takes a little work. So I am planning that work since I can't go out and get the stuff I need to do it.

I've been thinking about swimming a lot lately. Hmmm...wonder why! It seems like it's all I've done for training this week! It's all relative though. I swam 4x times this week. In reality, that's nothing. Nothing!! I was a swimmer swimmer way back. In college, we practiced 11x week. And each practice almost double in yardage what I do at one these days. But that was all I did so it's ok. So now, as a Mom who does Triathlons, swimming 4x week is a lot. Especially because the pool isn't nearby.
Ok...so I've been swimming. I also watched the Swimming World Championships on DVR the other day while on my trainer.
You know what I Love about guy swimmers? Alright, this could be a long list but I'm going to focus on one thing here. They are very very Hot! No....that's not what I am going with here. But yeah....gotta love those swimmers huh.
No, they take their form very seriously. I find that hot quite frankly. I love that they know they must respect the water and use their bodies smartly in order to go fast. They push off the walls so incredibly tight. They are streamlined and they kick cleanly and efficiently. Their strokes are amazing. Their egos don't preceed form in the water and therefore they fly.
I hear my old coaches yelling or grimacing almost every time I push off the walls these days. can you say Lazy?? It's bad. And it's slow. Sometimes I'll be swimmign along, feeling strong and fast, I'll hit my turn and before I even pass the flags I'm pulling and taking a breath! Ahhh!! that is Bad! I realize that Most of my races are in open water now...but as a swimmer this shouldn't matter. That's just a bad turn. It's slow and lazy and messy. Jen's workout for me the other day involved working on distance per stroke. The final challenge of the workout was to descent 3x100s while keeping the same stroke count. It was a stroke count that was just below my norm. It wasn't too hard for me. You know why? I decided to suck it up, hold my breath a little, and hit those turns like I used to. I pushed hard, streamlined like an arrow, and then pulled out my secret weapon. My dolphin kick. (x-butterflier here...) I kicked like mad and hit that turn like a real swimmer. The result? A 1:10 100 yard swim with a low # strokes. Cool. Ange...do it all the time. Sheeshh....see what happens when we get lazy and sloppy? We get slower. We get lazier. If you practice the proper form all the time..it's easy to use and you will be faster when you race.
This is the same for biking and running too I believe. You must practice. Constatnly. Ride like you want to ride when you race. And run like you want to run. I dont' mean race each ride, run, or swim. Of course not. But be smart and use your skills. Dont' get sloppy. Because as soon as your sloppy, you are reinforcing that in your brain. When you hit mile 8 of a half marathon, or mile 34 in a half ironman, or 500 yards in a 1.2 swim....you will be tired on some level and your body will fall back into the bad form you reinforced while training.

My new mission is to hit all turns next week like a real swimmer. This used to be a strength of mine. Good starts and good turns. So I will get that back. No more laziness off the wall. Details, yes. But it matters.

back to the planning.

A snapshot of my week...

This has not been a dull week in the Bancroft house.
Let's see....Sunday afternoon the boys headed to a cool birthday party with Daddy. It was a Survivor theme. I kind of feel like I'm living my own version of Survivor right now. I didn't join them. Instead, I hit up the grocery store for what seemed like enough food to feed 3 families. But alas, it's just right for my 4 boys. (including Dad in the count.)
I went to bed Sunday night ready to hit the week running. However, 3 a.m. came along and apparently, I was done sleeping. It drives me nuts when that happens. The alarm was set for 4:30 but I was already up. 4:45 out the door and off to the pool.
I swam a strong 3000 yards and hurried home. Monday was my day to Substitute 1st grade at my kids' school.
Let me just say this. It is NOT easy to jump into someone else's classroom 25 minutes before the kiddos arrive and prepare for a day! Not at all. I think I could write 10 pages about that day. I did have fun. The kids in the room were adorable. They really are just little tiny people. However, they are busy busy busy!!! It seems that perhaps the classroom model these days is much more flexible. The kids don't all sit in their seats quietly and listen. Ahem...or was it me? I've had others tell me that it's just that way now. Of course, I am sure a big part of it was me. I was the Sub. I was, "Cameron, Tommy, and Nick's Mom!!!" I was instructed by one child how to do every single thing in the room so I would be Just like his teacher. I was even told which side of the board to stand at! Cute at first...and then...well....not so much! The kids told me about many of their trips to the bathroom, they told me each and every move the child sitting next to them made and better yet, they told me all these things in unison. Yup, 4 or 5 arms tugging on me at a time. Unreal. I don't know how teachers do it!! Seriously, hats off to you guys. It's a tough job for sure. I even had to SING! My kids were horrified when they heard this. They spend most of our car rides to swimming lessons (40 min away) trying to get me to Stop singing with the radio. And yet I went to school and Sang to their Friend!? About the environment? And bees, and plants, and animals. Oh Mom how could you??
I surived and I will go back. The kids won me over in the end. Despite being in a cold sweat with a dry mouth (drank ~70+oz of water while in there/I kid you not) all day, I had a good time and enjoyed the little ones.
After school Monday, the boys and I jumped in the car adn drove Back to the pool for their swimming lessons. (remember its' 40 min away and this was my 2nd trip that day.) And to boot, my husband had a meeting so he wasn't home at night. It was a busy day for us.

Tuesday-again. repeat. Groundhog day. I taught special ed groups in grades 4-6 instead. It wasn't as hard. That night my son had basketball until 8 p.m.

Wedneday-the day started with a swim. Again. I am putting in some serious yards in the pool.
that is one good thing about this stress fracture. Oh yes, the stress fracture. I have been feeling Better lately!! So yesterday I spoke to my doctor. I am allowed to start my functional rehab now. What does that mean? Over the next few weeks, I will be adding some running back in. First, I will walk 1mile. After that, I'll alternate running/walking for a short distance. I need to build the strenght back in my bones before I can pound on them again. It's a Start and I'm happy!!! I also hit the gym yesterday. What is the deal with the pullups!!! Why can't I do them?
I got on the machine with the assisted pull ups. A man stopped and watched me. I had it on zero assistance. I basically just hung there with a red face while I tried to heave my body up. He said, "Oh! I was wondering how you use that machine!" I laughed. Was he serious? I didn't Do anything! I'm blaming it on the machine. The handles are very wide. I need my hands closer together I think. I woudl like to try that but we don't have a pull up bar like that. This is my goal. One pull up by Tommy's birthday. I just picked that randomly. It's Dec 13th. Seems like a good time frame.
Last night at home was nice. No after school sports & no meetings. We had a nice meal and some good "play time." Tommy entertained all of us by reading stories he had written at school. The favorite of the bunch was called, "The Giant Baby." He might have a future in this.
All seemed normal until I headed to bed. I went in to kiss all the boys and when I got to Nick, I knew.
He was burning up. 102.8
I was up several times in the night to check on him and to give him soem medicine. I even saw 104 at one point.
So here it is Thursday. I didn't go to the pool because I was up half the night with Nick and quite frankly, dont' like leaving home when one of my kids is sick. His temp never went down. We have talked to the doctor and she said it is most likely H1N1. Seasonal flu has not made it's way to Maine yet. The fever probably was lower with the motrin than it woudl have been...she said it was most likely still rising. poor guy. He is miserable. He is hot and achey and he has a headache. He is so so sad. Which makes me sad.
There are 5 of us. I hope we all dont' get hit. Time will tell. For now...my Mom hat is on. I can't worry about whether I get sick. All I can do is help the little guy feel better.
Training will happen if it fits in. I am sure I'll figure it out.
I can't wait to get this little guy back:

Cameron and Tommy's First Race Report!

Yesterday was the big day. My two little boys ran their first 5k!! I took the boys for 4 or 5 training runs before my stress fracture happened. The three of us ran easy 1 or 2 miles after school a few times. They weren't overly prepared, but knowing these two and their 1) energy level 2) natural abilities and 3) unavoidable innate competitiveness, I knew they'd be ok.
We started the day at home with a prerace meal. They downed oatmeal, yogurt with fruit, milk, hardboiled eggs, applesauce and a bowl of cereal. Yes, that's normal. My boys eat a lot. Every single meal. That's another subject....
We hopped in the car and drove the hour ride to beautiful Freeport, Maine. Freeport is almost like home to me. If you've been reading my blog for a while, you might remember me gushing over our cottage on Wolf Neck this past summer. And last summer. And the summer before. Anyway. My Grandparents used to live there and now my Mom and Dad do. So, it's like home.
This 5K is a new race put on by Maine Teen Talk. A non profit organization that teaches Healthy Relationships education to high school students in Maine. It was a fairly low key event. Perfect for my kid's first time. You might notice in the background of the pictures a barn. The starting place was at a farm. The kids ran around the barnyard before we started and watched the goats, sheep and a rather large bunny.
Mark and I were very happily surprised to see our friend Nat there to help time the event. The last time we saw Nat was in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii!! A slightly different event I must note. Only 1 month later there we were, in Freeport Maine with our winter hats and ear muffs. And just as happy.
The boys were just themselves that morning. They were excited and yet didn't seem nervous. Tommy asked me a few questions about running in the woods. Cameron was worried about starting with everyone and not just the kids.
My Mom and Dad came to watch. I wish someone had taken a picture, but I was the typical Mom. I had my camcorder. My 35 mm Cameron on my shoulder and my digital camera in my hands. I finally had to give up and put one down. I looked extremely cool when you combine that image with my large stress fx boot. yup. cool.
The story in photos:

Our family.


Pre race scene. (can't you just feel the stress? )

I'm not sure why Nick is always tipping sideways in pictures.

Mark and Nat chat before the start (note the barn in the background)

The Athletes. Ready with bibs and race clothes.

But they're still brothers who just like to 'pick' at each other...

Focusing for the pre-race meeting

Lining up for the start. At this point, Cameron announced, "Butterflies in my stomach!!" in a sing-song tune. He was quite proud to be wearing Mommy's "racing watch." You can see him (in black) getting ready to push the start button.

Littlest brother Nick rolls around on ground while big brothers get all the attention that morning.
They started off looking strong. It seemed like a long long time before they came around for the 2nd loop. Once they got there, they looked great. Tommy yelled to Nick, "Nick, take my gloves" in a serious-all-business voice. I watched them gallop off and hoped loop 2 wouldn't result in lots of walking and cramps. You never know. Cameron trotted along with Mark. Tommy, oh Tommy. He is the most spirited little boy you'll ever meet. And his energy is endless. I watched him run zigzags along the dirt road. His arms were up and down in the air. He jumped along like he was playing ball in the backyard. I smiled and knew they were doing just fine.
Mark later told me that they ran the whole time. The course was tricky. It went in and out of the woods, over wooden bridges that were at 45degree angles (boys had to reach down and use their hands a few times), they maneuvered over rocks and roots.

And get this! They negative split the race! Mark wore my garmin so he could keep them in check. The first mile was around 9:40, 2nd under 9 and 3rd mile in the 8min/mile range. I don't know exactly.

They came running up the homestretch looking fast!!! Mark let them go. Cameron took off. I am sure he wanted to finish ahead of his younger brother. But, the excitement got the best of him and apparently he wasn't' 100% focused during that pre-race meeting. (aren't we ALL guilty of That! :o) ) He thought he had to run back to the starting line instead of making the turn to run under the flags for the finish. ooops. Little brother got ahead and beat him by 1 second.
They were 4th and 5th in their age group. I think that might have been 12& U but I'm not sure. It doesn't matter.

They had a Great time and asked when they could do it again. Success.

More photos:

Final 300 yards. Cameron made the break from his little brother. He was going for the big 'win.'

Ooops....Cam missed the right hand turn to the finisher's chute. Little Brother took the lead. Despite all our yells to redirect him, Tommy got him by 1 second.

They did it!!!!!!! 30:35 and 30:36. Amazing job guys! We're so proud of you!!!

this picture is out of order....the 3 boys are coming around for their second loop. Mark wore his day glow yellow so Mom could spy them from afar. It worked! Note: Little brother Tommy is in the lead.

post race smiles....
Love the red faces :o)

CONGRATS BOYS!!!! Mommy is PROUD!!!!!!!