Swim...Bike...Run...Flirt...

Reflections on the Passing Year

swim.bike.run.flirt@gmail.com (Kristen) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 17:32:00 +0000

So another year has come and gone, a time where we now all reflect on the last year and feel both pride and accomplishment in what we have done, and slight feelings of regret for those things that we did not. Most of us, even if we are not willing to admit it out loud will come up with a few resolutions of sorts.

For me this year has been full of changes, people have come in and out of my life and honestly the year has just flown by. At this time last year I was considering moving to Minneapolis. Although I do miss many of the people I met up there, when reality sets in, there is no way I could deal with the cold for that long. Just last week it snowed a decent amount, and I honestly cannot wait for it to go away.

In the last year I have made huge progress in triathlon. I am by no means saying that I am a super elite awesome triathlete, but my attitude and passion for the sport has increased exponentially since this time last year. Especially in terms of swimming. I honestly look forward to swim practice and in the past few months would rather be in the pool than on my bike. In terms of races the year started out a little rocky with the two VA races in April, but I made up for it by placing 2nd at Over the Mountain, finishing 30 minutes faster than my goal at Mooseman being among the top 20 female finishers, and improving my Ironman time by over 3 hours to finish in under 12 hours.

This year I have also made the first step in going back to school, which is something I have been talking about for several years. It will by no means be an easy process. I took two classes this fall semester, and although I did make an "A" in both Chemistry and Biology it did not come without sacrifice. Training being the major sacrifice since starting classes in August. Stress and school has a way of allowing a few extra pounds to creep up on you. But I am learning to be ok with being a little more fluffy. Right now getting my prerequisites is my priority.

Like pretty much every year, my personal dating life has been a roller coaster of ups and downs. There was the scary flower guy, the "Oh by the way, I am married" guy, the OCD guy, the 5-year plan guy, the I'm out of my kissing phase guy, the not so nice rafting guide, the really sweet just a little too country guy, just to name a few...and to be honest, I would consider them all friends...they are just not what I am looking for... Although I do want to get married more than anything, I am not going to settle just to get a divorce in a few years. My biggest fear for relationships is divorce. In the past year it has come to my attention numerous instances of infidelity, lack of communication, lack of respect, and lack of commitment in many of my acquaintances marriages. It saddens me to see relationships fail, I have been blessed with two parents who are in a committed loving relationship with one another. I am 99.9% sure their relationship has not been perfect for the entire 30 years, but what relationship is? There are going to be ups and downs, it takes work, and nothing in life worth having is easy. I can only pray that God will bless me with committed marriage like my parents, but until then I will remain patient and not settle for something just for the sake of getting married.

So what will I resolve to do in 2010...Well I have to keep up the tradition by saying lose weight, eat healthy, and exercise more. But in reality I want to be more patient, strengthen my female friend relationships, and to keep expectations within the realm of reasonable.

My Own Personal Hell

swim.bike.run.flirt@gmail.com (Kristen) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:54:00 +0000

This weekend I discovered my own personal hell. A climb that seemed to go on forever!

I rode the Nantahala Nightmare route, and a nightmare it was... Like a bad dream you cannot wake up from, there was a climb that did not seem to end.

The first ten miles were a gradual uphill which I have to admit, even though the plan was to not worry about pace, did not do well in terms of moral. By the time I made the first turn I was starting to wonder if I'd get home before dark. Shortly after the turn, through the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, it was a gradual downhill for ten miles or so, and I quickly made up for the pitiful average clocked in the first ten...not that my average mattered of course. There was a little bit of a climb around mile 25, but after that it was a very nice picturesque ride for a little while. Although I will say one word of caution when riding up Hwy 19...Watch out for Tour Buses...one nearly took me out when it came within inches of my shoulder.

Then after riding already 70 plus miles, I began climbing a hill with about a 7% grade, after about 4 miles of climbing, every turn I thought to myself, "this has to be the end," but turn after turn I looked ahead and the road continued ascending. But like everyone knows, what goes up must come down. After finally making it to the top it was smooth sailing to the end. Granted there were some bumps along the way, but nothing too crazy.

But to be honest even with all the climbing, this route has made my top five favorite routes. The actual organized ride, Tour de Nantahala, is in late October and leaves from the Nantahala Outdoor Center.

I did hear someone mention another climb in the area that is supposed to be worse...yet another reason that I need to get a road bike. See ya on the road!!

Planning for the 2010 Triathlon Season

swim.bike.run.flirt@gmail.com (Kristen) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:06:00 +0000

As my training is about to start slowing down for this season’s A race at Lake Placid, I am already thinking about next season. I am hopeful that by planning next season, I will keep my mind occupied enough so do not get too down about not training as much.

I agree that it may seem a little early to be thinking about next season, when we are only halfway through the 2009 triathlon season. However, when you have to sign up for some races a year in advance, you kinda need a ballpark idea. I had every intention on signing up for IMCDA, but was very disappointed to find out that Ironman Coeur d’Alene will not be on my birthday in 2010, my only reason for wanting to do that particular race next year. So now, I am at a loss for what to do. Do I want to do a few shorter races here and there? Do another Ironman? Concentrate on cycling? Sit around, get fat, and lazy? A combination of any of those options?

I am leaning towards just doing all distances except Ironman and working on my cycling. I would like to get involved in some bike races, just to see how I could do. I have a few thoughts on triathlons I would like to do next year: Mooseman was an awesome race, so I defiantly want to go back to New Hampshire to do the race again, and possibly do the Bull Moose Challenge (International distance on Saturday and the Half IM on Sunday). Then there is the Kinetic Half, which was a terrible race this past year, so I could go back to improve on my time, but to be honest it is not at the top of my list. The White Lake Half is a good race, so if I sign up early enough I’ll do that race.

All these ideas are still up in the air for now, so if you have any suggestions, please feel free to leave them in the comments. Until next time, happy training…I am off for a run!

Must be a Cyclist...

swim.bike.run.flirt@gmail.com (Kristen) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 11:43:00 +0000

About a year ago, I was sitting at a table with a few people I had just met, and the question was asked, "What must be present in someone you date/marry?"

Without hesitation, I said, “They must be a cyclist.”

While some women have dreams of fancy restaurants and romantic evenings on the town, I have a much different 'perfect date.' Long bikes ride out to a scenic area with a wine, fruit and sandwiches and skinny-dipping in a moon lit lake. Probably not a first date, but…well…who knows, I can be free spirited at times.

I also do not want to feel guilty about leaving them home while I am out on an 8-hour bike ride on the weekend; I really want them to be with me. In talking to my triathlete/cyclist friends, I have been presented with the downsides of being with someone who trains as much, if not more, than I do. What about children, because I think I do want kids some day, who will stay home with them if we are both out riding? To that I say, “They can come with us,” followed by visions of pulling one of those bike trailers up Pilot Mountain. Imagine how much stronger I could be…

Thinking rationally, which happens ever now and again, I have considered the pros and cons of dating someone who is as passionate about the sport of triathlon as I am. On the other hand, would it be better if they are active and supportive of my training, but could careless about participating in a triathlon themselves.

I think this requires more research...and I am not in a hurry.

My apologies to the roadies...

swim.bike.run.flirt@gmail.com (Kristen) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 05:40:00 +0000

Being a triathlete, being female, or riding up on a tri bike are not exactly the best ways to make friends on an all male group ride, and being a female triathlete on a Cervelo...I have had to and continue to prove myself on many group rides. One guy, who worked at a bike shop in the next town over came up to me on my first ride with this particular group and was actually trying to tell me how to ride my bike. I am a little hot tempered at times over certain topics and this is one of them! Long story short, he got dropped and went on to ride a few extra miles.

So why all the grief? Why do Roadies have to be such ass holes towards triathletes? This has always bothered me and I recently got my answer when I met a new group of cyclists. Among the group was someone who is an extremely experienced triathlete, much more so than myself so one could easily assume that at their level of experience, their bike handling and riding skills would be near flawless. I was very mistaken.

This person was all over the road. The concept of riding the line was lost in translation from a few inches off the white line to anywhere between the white and yellow lines, and really anywhere. And communicating with other riders, forget it. Although I may be a little over sensitive due to my wreck a few years ago I was scared to death to get anywhere near that rear wheel.

And then probably the number one complaint of the Roadie...Aero Bars. I will admit that I do get into aero position from time to time on group rides, but it is usually with someone I am very comfortable riding with, I am at the front of the paceline, or I am no where near the guy in front of me. This person, later realizing was also new to the group drafted almost the whole time on their aero bars. Riding the wheel of the person in front of you not knowing anything about their riding style or capability isn't exactly a safe position to put yourself in, or the group for that matter.

So to my Roadie friends, I apologize, maybe you do have a little bit to gripe about when it comes to triathlete cyclists, but cut those of us who do know how to ride a break.

Let’s talk about Portland...

swim.bike.run.flirt@gmail.com (Kristen) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:29:00 +0000

Like almost everything for me, there is usually some way a place, event, song, food, activity, etc. etc. can be tie a boy crazy story. Portland is no exception…I can actually tied three separate stories to my favorite city in the USA, although only the memory of one still brings a smile to my face, among other things…

Don't worry, I won’t sour the city or my blog with details of the ass hole that I flew out there for only for him to break up with me soon after I got there. Still a little bitter, but let’s just say karma is a bitch. Instead Portland brings to mind thoughts of a tall hot triathlete, hot springs, a creepy man, stealing roses, 'bathing' in rose petals, and probably one of the more memorable evenings of my life...at least in the top five.

But I digress. So, everyone has those days where nothing seems to be going right, you are tired, and just want to escape, so you close your eyes relax and think (or talk in this case) about something that makes you happy. For me the prospect of moving to Portland with one of my best friends is my current 'happy place.' So...'Let's talk about Portland'...As previously stated it is my favorite city in the USA and I have been talking about wanting to move there since my first visit in 2003.

Of course it was love at first sight when I realized how cycling friendly the city and surrounding areas were. One day we drove out to Astoria, and I swear I could have ridden my bike from city center to the coast without fear of someone running me off the road. The whole city just feels so comfortable, I could spend hours relaxing at the Rose Garden. Walking through the city parks. Kayaking the Willamette River. Skiing on Mount Hood...on real snow...I bet they don't have grass in the middle of the slopes on February... And that is only the beginning of my list of things I love about the city and surrounding areas.

So move already...what is stopping us? Well, a few minor details...two mortgages, general lack of money, the booming real estate market, and a plethora of job opportunities, not to mention the fact that I am planning to go back to school. Regardless, within the next two years we hope to join the other Portlanders in the 'City of Roses'. But in the meantime..."Let's talk about Portland."

Where do I begin?

swim.bike.run.flirt@gmail.com (Kristen) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 03:26:00 +0000

So a friend of mine told me if she could run, I could start a blog...so here I am. She also gets credit for the blogs title, since apparently all my friends think I am boy crazy and obviously love triathlons.

And the reason I have never tried to start a blog...Where do I start? What should I write about? What do people want to read about?