Perch Lake Open Water Swim Report

I did a 1 mile OW swim race saturday in Hudson, Wisconsin. I talked to JH about the race and she said, RACE it like an OLY Tri. Well, I have never done an OLY race! More on that later...but I am doing my first Oly Tri next weekend. Woohoo! Wish me luck.

Anyways we headed to Perch lake, in Hudson Wisconsin... around 6:45 am saturday. KJ picked me up and was nice enough to pack my bike as well so i could ride home from the swim. When we got there it was super foggy from the super high humidity. But the lake was super calm and you could see the buoys easily and unlike the last OW race our caps were bright yellow! KJ and her daughter were swimming together, it was Elizabeth's first OW race. She is 13 and a super duper swimmer!

I had only one issue of stress:) self induced of course. Wetsuit or no wetsuit? The water temp was fine, it was 74 so if it was a Tri, we would all be wearing wetsuits. I hemmed and hawed the day prior bc it was not a USMS race ( where wetsuits would be illegal) and i intended to NOT wear a wetsuit. When JH told me "LET ME BE CLEAR...if wetsuits are legal, you HAVE TO WEAR A WETSUIT to be up in the top of the group." of course my pea brain was thinking i didnt want to wear one and be the only one wearing one, and be in the top of the group bc i was cheating. Ok, not cheating. But swimmers are not wetsuit wearers. Without calling people REAL swimmers versus TRI swimmers, I just wanted to swim hard and hopefully place well.

Ok enough background on that. I was going to wear my speedsuit. Then i see two women, my age putting on wetsuits. Game on. I am wearing my wetsuit. Ha! my friend KJ said ( JH you would like her) "Julia, you are racing? Wear the wetsuit. You are gonna be pissed if you dont and somebody in a wetsuit beats you." So I wore the wetsuit. And yes I did have a bit of energy left to swim.

The 2 milers went off first. We waited for what seemed forever for them to clear the far buoy. And then we were off. I swam really really hard to get out in front. I did. I had a few people next to me, but I had clear water and didnt get pounded. I heard a few people got pounded back there. Ouch. I saw that there was one cap in front of me, but there was a big gap. And he ( I think it was a he) was swimming far left of the buoy( we were swimming clockwise) so i got so tight to the first buoys i nearly clipped them with my arm. All the sudden i see someone coming up on my left side. She ( she didnt have a wetsuit on!) was MOVING. I hopped on her feet and off we went past the leader. We got to the far side of the lake and started to head back towards the shore and i was in front all the sudden. I am not sure how she fell off but she did. I was sighting on the big orange buoy but the more i swam the more i realized ONCE AGAIN I was sighting off something ( the buoy) on shore. I was totally confused as to why they had put a buoy, on shore, or at least on the rocks. I didnt realize this until i was about 3/4 of the way there and then thought it was there as a "dont go over here" buoy bc in order to swim to the left of this i would need to get on shore. So i then thought "OK just added, as usual, an extra 200 or more to my mile swim" and totally cut back towards the other buoys that lined up towards shore. The poor kid who was behind me ( i could tell she was heading towards that land buoy as well) cut over with me and all the sudden she was on me and passing me. I could see from my peripheral vision that there were about 5-7 yellow caps who had NOT swum to the land buoy and i was able to keep my lead on them, but dang it. It was really confusing.

So once i found another line with the swimsuit gal we just both hauled it in. She got me by about 20 seconds and i could not keep up with her once she passed me. Plus she wasnt wearing a wetsuit so i just kinda figured she should win. The time i heard when i got out was 22 something. I have no idea if that is fast or short or what, but as Rich said. IT is what it is. There were alot of people wearing wetsuits so i didnt feel like a cheater after all, but heck, I am not sure why i wanted to make it harder on myself.

I did learn that the Land buoy had blown or drifted off course, and they had to drag it back out to the middle of the lake where it had started. So i didnt feel as bad about "cheating" or cutting a buoy bc likely we swam to where it should have been, and i am glad i didnt swim to the shore and stand there saying "huh?" I was really happy with the swim, I swam hard and i was pretty gassed when we finished. We grabbed some food and then Rich and I rode home from Hudson, Wisconsin. ( it sounds more glamorous than it is) and for the first hour i was sorta in lalaland.

I didnt feel great, and i had no energy. I got a 2nd wind when we got into Minnesota but i think i just swam that hard that my body was sorta fried. We got in just in time to eat some more, rest up for a few, and head to a family friend's wedding..

Sorry no photos from the race or the ride home, but we did snap these at the wedding:

A beautiful outdoor ceremony on the St. Croix( yes about 10 minutes from where we were all morning!) and great company. We sat with my old ( former) tennis coach, and a few Latin teachers from SPA. Too funny. We also sat with the minister and her husband that did the ceremony. She also married us last November so we really enjoyed the comraderie and the memories of our special day last year.

Thanks for reading!

Dum Dum De Dum: Where we have been, Where we are going

First a few photos: Where we have been..

KO thank you.
This is the bruising you get when they give you 2x day heparin shots for more than 2 weeks. Man he is still sore from those. The only good news about the bed rest was his clavicle healed. Hee, little joys!

Ok that "dum dum de dum" was my "sing along" to Mendehlson's Wedding March. Which by the way I am not using.

This is my dress. And my head piece.

Ok it isnt really, but how fun would that have been? Even tho it looks like an asymmetric curtain and a pigeon on her head. Only in New York, I am guessing.

Ok I have been watching too much Arrested Development, pigeons, magicians, and Gob, pronounced JOBE...ok ok either you get it or you dont.

Damie you didnt miss it:)

Tonight starts the festitivities as my parents have a family "grownup" party and some family is shipping in today.

Friday brings a pool swim, some coffee time for the ladies and the rehearsal. haha I need that. I already thought that the bridesmaids came in after me. Oops.

We are combining a 50th party for my parents with a Groom's dinner on friday.

Then saturday, a run or maybe a bike, then there is some makeup and hair where i have been promised i wont look like Tammy Faye.

I love this phone conversation with the hair person:

Me: "So do you want me to arrive with clean hair, wet hair...??"

Hair person: " Well what do you normally do with your hair in the morning."

Me: Blank space, dead phone..." Brush it?"

Hair person: sensing my confusion..." So you put in the PRODUCT and then....???."

Me: " I dont usually use product...."

Hair person: " So you just blow dry it and....." she is trying so hard to help me...I can sense her pain.

Me: " Nope never blow dry it...so how about if i just come in with hair that isnt squeeky clean?"

Hair person, thinking "HELP HER..." YES THAT IS FINE.

Maybe i do need a dead pigeon in my hair

But then the Goal Event ( A RACE) is at 4:30. Reception will be a bit different than we had planned but still super fun. No worries.

We leave for the honeymoon monday!

Once again i cant say enough thanks to all my friends, family, those i dont even know who prayed for us or sent vibes in whatever spiritual or non spiritual manner suits you.

Today at a work meeting a scripture was used to describe Pace: The Gift to Run Your Race.

It was our all staff meeting and an author named Larry Julian spoke. He has three fantastic books out: GOD IS MY CEO, GOD IS MY SUCCESS, and GOD IS MY COACH ( along with Jen)

www.larryjulian.com

I really think that you all ( in addition to Beth!) will enjoy these books!

"Let us throw off everything that hinders...,and let us run with perseverence the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1

Now when we define perseverence-moving forward despite obstacles and disturbances- we get new insight into these words and how they apply to us. Whether you apply this to a Triathlon ( winds, cold, you feel like crap, you are slow, you have PMS) or you apply this to life ( your fiance is diagnosed with cancer, you have a sick child, you have an injury, you lost all your $ in your 401k)

We have all perservered and now it is time to rejoice and celebrate!

I promised Rich no blog or FB on the honeymoon so ..signing off for a few weeks!

This is for Michelle. You cant read my lips but i am saying HTFU:) You cant see it but MY OCEAN ...The Mighthy Mississippi...is calm and lovely to my left. Marit would be out there rowing. I know my sister was!

Ruby says hi. She is sporting the ribbon from a Williams Sonoma gift box and actually seems quite pleased with it!

A time out in the action

Well not really but i hate to be the blogger that only updates when I race. I love to blog but I just get so dang busy with LIFE and since i am on the computer alot sometimes it feels like work to blog. I know some of you agree!

I recovered pretty quick from the Wizard of Oz Tri last weekend.
I was amazed how fast my energy came back but i didnt have much appetite for about 4 days. I suspect that eating cupcakes and drinking wine didnt help, but i finally feel like my legs and my brain are in sync again. Just in time for my big build to:

Finding musicians, meeting with the florist, reserving rooms, getting a Pashmina ( I dont actually totally know what that is but my sister in law said to get one since i am getting married in November and it wont be sleeveless weather post ceremony) and....yes I am in full on mode for a November 7th event. Haha. I am doing my best to make this fun, but like all good workout sometimes i get the "head down, do the work, get it done" mode on and i have to stop and breathe and remember this is fun. And it is. It is all so wonderful and I have such wonderful family and friends that are throwing parties and celebrating with me. ( After i am done with my JH prescribed workouts, of course) Today i think is the first day EVER that i missed a workout and I am outing myself on the blog LOL ( core. I can do that in a hearbeat, not a big deal) but i just got so busy with work and then some wedding stuff and of course now my blog:) Dont worry my core will get attention tommorrow. I promise.

So what IS next? I am doing a duathlon at the end of september and I am really excited about this one. Last year at IronGirl I just had NO legs on the bike and so I really just want to feel good on the bike. The run(s) are super short so that is just gonna be a hammerfest. My sister is doing it as well and i love racing with her as she kicks butt, all basted on her rowing training and her bike commute fitness!

Then i was lucky enough to get a lottery place in the TCM 10 miler. All the fun and I get to cut off 16.2 miles. Sweet. I hardly would call this a goal race as i didnt think i would get in. but i may as well show up and run hard, dont ya think? From Oct 4th on tho it is full on wedding training. More on that later of course.

I thought i would be ready to be done after Pigman. I mean never in my wildest dreams did i think i would do 2 HIM's this summer and live to tell about it, meaning it just was not possible last january. I remember emailing Jen trying to weasle my way out of one of them " I am not going to be able to do this, maybe we should skip the june HIM just aim for the AUGUST one."
You know what Jen said " DONT BE RIDICULOUS it is 6 mos away." Yes she was right.
But i am mourning the end of my swimming leg. I really got to love the LCM and the open water and even if i dont have Marit-esque fears It is a big deal to swim across a lake and be out there in the early morning when it looks like nobody could see you if you got in trouble. I worry. And I think that this summer it has been harder since our air temps have been SO COLD. The Lake's have not warmed up. And you can guess my insulation isnt great so i do get cold. Then i start to get worried and then...so everytime i swim OW and make it further than i think i can is a great day for me. And I CANNOT WAIT for MN to have a real summer next year and i can linger for hours in the water! and thanks to my swimming pals Kelly and Steve who talk me thru some swims when i start to get cold. "Ok Julia, keep going." If you ever swim with me and i swim by the buoys I am not being anti-social, just keeping moving!

Ok signing off now. I have to get back to wedding duties.
Congrats to all the racers last weekend. You inspire enough to make me think i want to go to Natz in 2010! I even have a roommate lined up! Right Kari??

Focus

As I was riding today, ditching puddles and hearing thunder in the background, I was thinking about focus. My focus this summer has been to break up the bike bike bike that i have done for the last few years, and add in the swim and the run.

Thursday night I went to watch the PineTree Apple Tennis Classic, a fundraiser for Children's Cancer research, and the largest most talented mixed doubles field in the US. My partner of many many years ( about 10) was there watching as well. Funny. I kinda wanted to fly under the radar, but everyone was saying "when do you play? Are you playing?" I felt kinda sheepish when i said "Um no havent touched a racket in about..a year?" But so fun to know that this is still out there and that others have taken over in my place to carry on the great fundraiser for the kids.

So doing something different has been FUN. Not only have i felt healthier orthopedically and psychologically ( bc I am not racing every week in a TT and every weekend in a RR or Crit) but I really enjoy the racing community and the people I am meeting. Jen has kept me in line as I sometimes cant say no and try to squeeze in a team Time Trial or some other event the week before my A race. LOL. When you bike race you can pretty much do it all summer long...each week and each weekend.

But today's bike ride in the early AM on wet roads felt different. I am heading to the Pigman in IA and I really do feel ready and prepared to "GET AFTER IT." :) It may be hotter than we are used to since I have been training in ...um...69 and rain? today. Last weekend 50 and rain...Yea I am so ready for rain. But I also feel ready to accept and experience whatever the day brings me. With a new course and sleeping in a hotel comes the nerves and things i cant control.
"what if i cant get my normal pre-race meal?"
"what if i dont know the course on the bike?"
"what is this TT start format, maybe i should just start elite so i am in a group?"
"what if the Swim is cancelled bc we have bad weather? that would stink. I want to swim."
"Is it wetsuit legal?" ( I kinda hope not, I am so ready for it to NOT BE WETSUIT LEGAL!!!)

And really those things in my head are all just going to be fine. Once the gun goes off I know what i need to do, and I will do it to the best of my ability on that day. But what I am really starting to FOCUS on, despite the ease and the comfort of my 100 times, and my Watts and my Pace per mile ....is my wedding. I cant deny that I am starting to get really excited and a bit stressed as well about the upcoming nuptuals. But the focus I need for the Pigman will show up when it is needed. It has been here since Tucson Tri camp. The focus i need for the wedding and the marriage is something that wont ever be cancelled due to lightening, and one that an extra gel wont determine the outcome. ( Tho i do think that I am usually more even minded when I am not hungry, if that counts!)

So as I head to the Pigman, and a few other races this fall ( IronGirl Du ---dead legs last year. I need to redeem myself and TCM 10miler...) I have my eye on the prize.


My honey. And having a really special and fun wedding day that also is my parents 50th Wedding Anniversary. Can you say " FAMILY PARTY?"