Saturday morning I logged into Facebook before I headed out for a ride. My friend and old Coach, Jen Harrison, had posted something on my wall. I'm grateful for that because I doubt I would have seen this otherwise. 

Honestly, I am humbled and blown away by this.  To be put on a list with the likes of Karen Smyers, Paula Newby- Fraser and Natasha Badman is just .... unbelievable to me!  I work so so hard to be the best that I can be.  Last year was a pretty amazing race season and to have this type of acknowledgement means a lot.

I don't have a big post to go with this. I'm just very happy and honestly, pretty excited. It definately fuels my fire to keep pushing forward!!! 

Masters Athletics Ironman Hawaii - Triathlon All-Time Rankings Home Records Results Athletes Links Sitemap Triathlon All Time Rankings - Ironman Hawaii Ironman Hawaii - W 40 - 44
Mark	Athlete	Nation	Swim	Bike	Run	Year
9:30:47	Karen Smyers	AUS	1:00:12	5:02:24	3:22:27	2005
9:31:21	Natascha Badmann	SUI	1:07:04	5:00:28	3:16:44	2011
9:32:05	Beate Görtz	GER	1:09:26	4:58:40	3:18:45	2011
9:43:25	Samantha Warriner	NZL	58:44	5:04:09	3:31:38	2011
9:50:35	Fernanda Keller	BRA	1:06:30	5:19:50	3:18:33	2006
9:51:40	Paula Newby-Fraser	ZIM	56:14	5:16:54	3:32:54	2003
9:51:41	Susanne Davis	USA	1:00:32	5:27:42	3:17:15	2011
10:00:52	Wendy Ingraham	USA	55:29	5:27:57	3:31:37	2005
10:01:06	Eric McCarty	USA	57:32	5:20:01	3:34:56	2011
10:03:06	Donna Kay-Ness	USA	1:04:49	5:15:09	3:37:28	2006
(10)
10:04:15	Sandra Patt	SUI	1:07:56	5:28:37	3:21:19	2011
10:05:24	Missy LeStrange	USA	1:01:10	5:21:38	3:42:36	1993
10:08:43	Amy McGrath	USA	1:06:05	5:38:00	3:18:20	2010
10:12:00	Lynn Keane	USA	1:09:31	5:25:25	3:29:42	2005
10:15:05	Lisbeth Kenyon	USA	1:03:10	5:23:22	3:42:15	2009
10:16:06	Karen Smith	BER	1:06:03	5:37:44	3:24:45	2010
10:16:30	Michelle Boyes	AUS	1:11:36	5:22:12	3:37:33	2010
10:17:22	Diana Hassel	USA	1:06:33	5:15:52	3:48:15	2010
10:17:55	Marijke Zeekant	NED	55:55	5:32:23	3:45:39	1999
10:18:29	Belinda Granger	AUS	57:43	5:16:25	3:59:06	2010
(20)
10:18:43	Shannon Donley	USA	1:06:41	5:09:39	3:56:30	2011
10:20:06	Kathy Winkler	USA	1:03:59	5:32:21	3:38:23	2006
10:20:15	Sofie Dovren	SWE	1:01:57	5:23:01	3:47:55	2005
10:20:36	Peggy Yetman	USA	1:15:28	5:46:29	3:13:07	2008
10:24:02	Sophie Van Biervliet	BEL	1:15:33	5:24:55	3:36:43	2011
10:26:00	Angela Bancroft	USA	1:04:41	5:37:15	3:34:57	2011
10:26:48	Terry Martin-Duvel	USA	1:04:38	5:31:07	3:44:34	2005
10:27:03	Tanja Buehlmann	SUI	1:07:29	5:31:55	3:40:44	2009
10:27:05	Sophie Whitworth	GBR	1:04:39	5:31:33	3:42:00	2011
10:29:02	Dianna Ineman	USA	1:10:46	5:10:24	3:56:34	2005
10:29:11	Sue Mellsop	NZL	55:32	5:47:33	3:39:40	2008
(30)
10:29:22	Tina Eakin	USA	1:16:17	5:36:59	3:29:01	2011
10:29:30	Britni Bakk	USA	1:04:34	5:40:13	3:40:21	2007
10:29:32	Sylvie Dansereau	CAN	1:14:42	5:27:03	3:42:22	2008
10:29:57	Ruth Bradbrook	GBR	1:04:09	5:27:54	3:49:20	2010
10:30:33	Leslie Sanderson	CAN	59:17	5:41:52	3:41:53	2010
10:30:57	Cordula Gruber	GER	1:03:11	5:30:38	3:47:19	2005

Race Report-- PolarBear Sprint 2012

Polar Bear sprint Tri... our  Maine season opener!!! 

First... I must explain the first shot here! That's Mark. My husband. His picture was chosen to adorn the new Trailer for the timing company, All Sports Events!!! So cool! And it's a great shot of him running to boot. I think he looks good in the picture at least. :) The other side of the trailer is a photo of Beth Anderson!!! She's one of our awesome TriMoxie Athletes!!! More to come on that.

Race recap --

I was up bright and early and out of my house by 5:15 a.m. for a quiet solo drive to the race.  My family followed along later on.  Local races work out nicely that way!  I scrambled around for a few hours before the start..setting up Transition, a  quick easy jog, a quick bike ride that really only functioned as a way to get my perfectly shiny new bike covered with mud. Grrr...

Here she is ... ready to go faaaaaaaaaaaaaast!!!!!  ( at least that was my plan!!) 


Finally... time to swim.  We start in waves of 32 ( 16 lanes) . I was in wave 3 with many familar faces.  I have to say, I was definately flustered for a few minutes before it was time to get in the water. I've done this race for years and typically, we all walk over to grab a lane after the heat in front of us starts.  This year, some racers went over early and "called" the lanes.  I have always swum in the lanes in the deep end near my brother and a few others that I am trying to race with.  So..... I had to crawl my way down to the far end of the pool... further away from the door.  But.. I got down there, finally found an open lane and was able to swim next to my friends Anne and Kelsey and with my friend Brett. It was just fine. I wasnt' as lonely or far away as I thought I would feel. 

Alright... let's get down to business. We were in the water, holding the wall ( I miss the starting blocks!) and ready.... An old college friend blew the whistle. ( small world... )

I took off SO hard! I wanted to get right out there. It's only 525 after all!!!! There is NOT a lot of time in a sprint. If you want any sort of advantage over your competitors, you can not wait. It's 110% from start to finish. 

My son Cameron, was so cool and got my splits for me!!!! And one of my other boys, Tommy, video taped my whole swim!!!! Thanks guys!!!! 
I felt strong and fast on my swim and one advantage of being at the end was I could see the clock perfectly as I made my turns.  So here are my splits at each 100--  1:04, 2:15, 3:31, 4:48, 6:02--- or at least close to that... not sure where Cam hit the watch.  Then it was one more 25, out of the pool, a run out the door and to T1. I nearly crashed into Catherine ( super speedy nobody can even come close to touching her Catherine... whom is also super nice btw!!! ) as she pulled out her bike and I ran in. I was just happy to almost share T1 with her!

And off I ran...

I hopped on and off I went. 

I worked so so hard on the bike.. and yet I don't think I felt realllllllly good until about mile 8. It just takes me a bit to get my legs turning over the way they should. But I focused on tighter corners, pedalling hard as I made the turn instead of being afraid of falling over ( bike handling skills can Always be improved upon!) and staying low and never ever ever letting up. That was my mantra... don't let up dont' let up don't let up NOT for a second!!!!! 

Towards the end of the race, my friend Steve passed by.  We acknowledged each other. Off he rode. A bit later, I passed him back.  This happened several times.  Well... somewhere during the last few passes we made, we messed up.  I can't be sure but here's my guess.  I believe that on one of my passes, it took me more than 15 seconds.  The two of us were clearly riding at about the same pace because we just got Stuck together.  Back and forth. On one pass... as I said... I was WORKING to get by him.. He even let out a "Ahhhhhhh" and so I did I.  It was funny. Neither of us were out to cheat or get an advantage off one another. And his guess is that after that pass, he may not have dropped back far enough.  Within a moment, the motorcycle crept up and lurked with us for that uncomfortable "oh oh" amount of time. Damndoubledamn!!!!!!  Not intentional and quite frustrating because you know what? Steve and I are clean honest riders.  We just raced on.... 

This is my brother.....he rode into T2 just behind me after I had passed him on mile 1 of the ride.  Go Jeff!!!! But.. look at me! Right over there bent down at my spot. My T2 was HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!   :47 seconds... too long for a sprint! I was sort of laughing too because While I was over there doing my nails apparently (ok.. KIDDING! you'd know that if you saw  my nails) the announcer was talking to the spectators, "watch these guys transition.. .they're so fast. "  and so on... I have new fast race shoes and they were TOUGH to get on!!! Oh my gosh... I was swearing for sure. Now go back Up one picture.... I was off.. finally.. and in hot pursuit of my little bro.  :)

The guys... Nick, Tommy being Tommy, and big brother Cameron.

This is me and my friend Steve that I was talking about.  This is at the end of the run. So, I'll back up... I took off on the run and my legs were fine. However.. I Sounded like Darth Vader. Seriously. My breathing was out of control!!!! So loud and annoying. Within a short time, I was side by side with Steve.  We were matched well this day!! He and I truly ran shoulder to shoulder...... Steve, I am sorry I sounded like that! It must have been a bit annoying!!  Kurt, my coach, ran by after about a mile.  "Come on! Ange! Come on!"  I was tryyyyyying!!!!!!  He was flying and I just couldn't go that fast! But I did Feel fast!!!! Steve and I pushed and pushed each other. He kept me honest and helped me continue on with my mantra of the day, " do not let up!"  It was really cool running with him!!! Steve ran Boston just a few weeks ago and the whole race I kept thinking about how strong he is right now. It was fun to watch!!!!  So... we pushed and pushed and ran in and out of the woods, across the soccer field on the grass, around here and there.... and at the end... Steve Surged and pushed ahead. I just ran my heart out. My boys were lined up every 20 yards or so at the end. One of them had the camera again. I gave my high fives and waves to them then, in the finisher's chute,  since during the race I was serious focused ignore the world around me Mama...

Brother Jeff--- the final push

The last stretch to the finish. Nice accessory in this shot. ahh.. oh well. ...

I finished the race in 58:46. A PR!!! I was 59:11 last year. So hey! A year older and a bit faster in a crazy frantic sprint race, I'll take it!!!!!  2nd woman... I was happy with this!

But then... the final results came out a few hrs later.  Slapped with a 2:00 penalty. Bummer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  That knocked me down to 4th place with a 100:46 official time. Hey.. that's life.  My racing was a bit better so I feel good inside. Frustrated that I messed up a pass. My intentions weren't to draft or get an unfair advantage in any way shape or form.  My intentions were just to go as fast as I could and as I was in the middle of my pass, I realized it was harder to complete it than I thought it would be. Steve was movin!!!!! 

However! I am happy with what I did as a whole! Can't ever be unhappy with a PR!

And I was there for two other Great TriMoxie performances as well!!! So great to see my athletes succeed! Beth and Tammy were 1-2 in the 35-39 y.o. age group!!!!  (shots below of them getting their awards.) 

Beth and I in front of 'the trailer.'  We were twins. 

Beth Anderson- 1st age group!!

High fives for teammate Tammy Webber taking 2nd.

Little boy love

Two posts in one day! The last one doesn't count. I didn't write it.  I found that article this morning while searching for a video....A video to use in a little talk in front of a few friendly faces. 

I watched a movie with the kids the other day and in it, the main character said that you only need "20 seconds of brave" to get through some things.  Just go for it.  Well... how about 8 minute? I need to be brave for 8 minutes on Monday night. 

I could stand on the blocks ready to swim an event in front of 3000 people and it wouldn't bother me in the least. But, Monday night I will be sitting in front of nearly 300 people, talking. About myself. That,my friends, is causing me great anxiety.

I have been practicing and planning and thinking about my talk for a while now. And can I just tell you how SICK I am of talking to myself about myself??!!!   I imagine I will get through it. I hope. Speaking in front of people makes me hugely uncomfortable....  I am quite certain I am going to forget my name, why I am there, and nearly every last sentence I have been rehearsing for the last 3 weeks while driving to the pool at 4 a.m.  Yes, I will sit there, shaky and red faced. Awesome. 

And yet.. I have my 3 little supporters. At least this week. Get this.  I was driving the kids home from school yesterday and we were discussing track practice. I told them that next week, they have to miss both nights. One night they have a school committment and the other night, I have this meeting/ presentation I am referring to. They asked about it.  I reminded them how Daddy and I go to this meeting annually. Each year, they have a presentation or a performance.  A few years ago it was Seth Wescott. ( You know, the 2x Gold Medal Snowboarder Cross racer from here in Maine.)  They said, "Oh yeah... Cool!!" ( They got a signed poster. :) )  I told them, "Yes, that was cool. Well, this year, it's me. I'm one of the people talking." gulp.

Without blinking an eye, Cameron said, "So..what's the difference?  He entered a race and won it. You've done the same thing."  Then Tommy piped in, "Yeah! Except you had to work for over 10 hours and his only lasted minutes!"  Nevermind the fact that HIS race happened to be the Olympics and he was in the process of winning a GOLD medal!!! haha.. yes, just the same guys.
:)  Not sure where all this boy love is coming from this week but I'll take it!. Thanks kids.  I'll pull from this during those weeks that I feel like Mommy-- public enemy #1.

______________________________________

On another note... IT'S RACE TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Maine's season opener is Saturday morning!! I can't wait! It's a fast and furious and full of Strong competition!!! A super quick 525 swim in the pool, 11 ish mile bike and then a 3.1 or so trail run to finish it off. 100% GO GO GO GO GO from the gun! We shall see!!!

Race wheels are on, new bike is sparking and I'm ready to let 'er rip!!!

Preparing for a race...preparing to share stories...remembering my best day in the sport

Ironman Lake Placid Age Group Women’s Race

by Mary Eggers

There must be something in the water over there in Pittsburgh. There is some serious Iron coming from the city of steel, as triathletes from that city have claimed top spots at many national races this season. Ironman Cozumel's top age group woman Kim Schwabenbauer kept that streak going as she ran away with the top spot again at last Sunday's Ironman Lake Placid. Her 1:07 swim, 5:39 bike and 3:17 marathon gave her an eight minute lead over Maine's Angela Bancroft, who took second place.

"It was fantastic day weather wise and this course was beautiful!" Schwabenbauer said, "I never expected to have the day I did, I'm thankful I had a good experience here & never gave in 2 the issues and demons that we all experience in Ironman racing!"
Until mile 14 of the run Maine's Angela Bancroft led the age group race. This mother of three at her third Ironman (previously competed in IMLP 09 and Kona 09) was surprised to find herself at the front of the age group race.
"I was overwhelmed when I was being told I was in 1st. I mean, SERIOUSLY?" exclaimed Bancroft, "I came to Lake Placid this year ready to race. This was my 3rd Ironman and I felt that I was ready to cover the 140.6 miles faster than I had in previous races. After a successful and smooth training period leading up to the race, I felt more fit than ever in my life and more confident that I had what I needed to accomplish my goals. My race plan was very specific and I was on a mission to execute each part of the race exactly as my Coach and I had decided was best."
For the first time in Ironman Lake Placid's history the swim was wetsuit optional, which meant if you wore a wetsuit you'd become ineligible for age group awards and Kona spots. For stronger swimmers like Bancroft, it worked out to be an advantage, "Initially, I was excited to learn it was a non-wetsuit swim for those of us competing for age group awards and a Kona qualification. As a swimmer, I love swimming without my wetsuit with nice free shoulders. However, I found the start to be quite challenging as I was surrounded by men wearing wetsuits. I had more trouble breaking away from the crowd because of this and therefore got 'trapped' in a big group for a longer period of time."
Leading the age group race, while overwhelming didn't cause Bancroft to lose focus. While she knew Schwabenbauer was on the hunt Bancroft as always used it to inspire her "I made the 1st turn on the run and saw Kim coming and she was looking VERY Sparky!!!!! I knew her legs were flying. I held her off for a while but I felt her on my back. I don't think I could have found 7 more minutes in me….. she ran a fast fast marathon. I dropped nearly 30 min from 2009 so I am absolutely satisfied. But boy, it was close! A total thrill for me."
Mile 20 of the Ironman marathon typically is the point to which many athletes focus. They may anticipate, expect and allow themselves to feel the proverbial wall. But Bancroft chose a different approach, "My run felt solid on Sunday. I was in control the whole time. When I hit mile 20, it was just another mile to push through. I have worked to erase the 'fear of the last 10K' from my mind as I don't' want to "expect" to feel even worse when that point arrives. SO to be honest, I am not sure I remember mile 20 specifically! My quads were on fire from very early on in the run. Each leg took turns with the threat of seizing and giving up on me. I focused very hard on cooling off at each aid station, taking in plenty of fluids and calories, and keeping my stride steady and in control. I knew I was having the race of my life. I had many supporters out on the course who were updating me with my standings. I did a lot of self- talk and fought hard to stay positive and strong. When I get to the end of an Ironman run, I break the runs into familiar pieces. If there's only 6 miles to go, I picture my favorite 6 mile route at home and just convince myself it's just another run to get through. The crowds along the course in Lake Placid absolutely pushed me to the finish. First I saw my parents, then my Coach Kurt Perham, then dozens of friends and 1000s of strangers that were cheering my name. I was energized to push hard to the finish line. The pain was just something that one must fight through to get to the finish line. It's part of the game."
Behind Bancroft and Schwabenbauer was a silent and hard charging Amanda Kourtz who finished as the third women's age grouper, less than two minutes behind Bancroft. Kourtz ran a 3:14 and shaved 44 minutes off her previous Ironman time in just 7 months working with QT2. She will be one to watch in the coming seasons.
As the Kona tickets continue to get punched, and seasons are extending through October, we will see these ladies resting before their builds to Kona begin." A full recovery is critical if I'm going to perform well in Hawaii" Bancroft reminds us.
One thing is for sure regarding Kona…. seven athletes under the age of 35 from that city will be heading to the big island, they train together and are close friends. Hard work meets talent? Friends who commit together go to Kona together? Who knows…. bottle me up some of that Pittsburgh water please!
Mary Eggers is a 37 year old age group triathlete, race announcer, writer, mother, wife, triathlon coach, yoga teacher, and nurse. As the race announcer for the Score This Multisport Series in Upstate New York, she's been in the sport for over 15 years. She's a 6 time Ironman finisher and Kona qualifier, and has raced everything from sprint upward. Mother to 10 year old Luc, wife to Curt, she calls Rochester NY home.