Breakthrough!

We were at Zuma again this week to swim. After putting on our wetsuits (I'm getting really good at this) we walked half a mile down the beach. It felt like the longest walk ever and the anxiety just built up. As we jumped into the freezing water, I'd gotten so used to diving under the waves and have my face, hands and feet numb that nothing was really shocking anymore. I had a good swim and as I was swimming back to the beach I looked over my shoulder ever stroke. I've been practicing the last two Sundays at Santa Monica and all the tips Coach Pete gave me really paid off. I feel comfortable enough to even kick as the waves were coming in and I rode a wave 20 feet to the beach. I got out of the water and I felt really good.

As we stood there with the rest of the people who had finished, we looked out and saw the lifeguard on a jet ski rescuing some people. The lifeguards must hate these few weeks before the Malibu triathlon with all the amateurs out in the rough sea learning to swim in the ocean. A few of my teammates had a panic attack today. I knew exactly what they're going through.

Swimming nightmare continues

Went out to Santa Monica pier 26 to swim with the Westside team this morning at 6:30 AM. It was foggy and visibility was around 30 feet. The waves were a good height and I practiced swimming out to the buoy which is about 0.2 miles out. I was coming back to shore and a got knocked upside down by a wave that broke right on top of me. As I was gasping for air I noticed by goggles near my face and I grabbed them right in the nick of time. I'm so lucky I didn't look my prescription goggles or I'd have to order another pair.

After another frightening experience, I had enough of swimming for the day and I just practiced diving under the waves near the beach with Nina from the Westside team.

Oh, the Rollercoaster of Life

Last week was probably the high point in my training for the Malibu Triathlon on September 11. With my first triathlon under my belt, albeit a short one, I was feeling pretty confident. Today was a mock triathlon at Malibu and for the first time, being hammered by giant waves in the ocean, I felt like this isn't the sport for me. As I was panicking in the ocean, I felt like there was a chance I wouldn't get back to shore alive. It all started so carefree in the morning too.

I drove to Malibu before the sun was out. The staff wanted this mock triathlon to be as representative of the real thing as possible. So we were to show up early and on time to set up our transitions and get registered for the event. They even has an official sounding name, (the now dreaded) Zumaman. Once I arrived I got my race number and had my number and age written on my body with a sharpie.

I scrambled to get my wetsuit on as the westside coach, Tim went over the race details

We lined ourselves along the beach and got ready to do two laps in the ocean (so we could practice going in and coming out of the ocean twice). The guys lined up for the first wave in our light blue caps and the women wanted behind in their pink caps.

This is the best picture I could find of the waves

As the race started we rushed in the ocean, I think for those of us who'd never experienced waves before, it was a complete shock. Being completely ignorant of the power before me, I let a wave break right on top of me and it knocked me over and back 5 feet. I was dazed, my heart was beating super fast. I got back to my feet just in time for the next wave to knock me over again. By now I was already hyperventilating and it felt like there was a great pressure on my chest. I started thinking, "I don't think I want to swim in the ocean, triathlons might not be for me." I barely got pass the waves and into the open ocean and everything I learned from all the drills in the swimming pool was completely gone. I was just moving through the water any way I could.

As we closed in on where we had to swim back to the beach. I saw a girl struggling with me. She told me she was claustrophobic. I think we got strength from each other and as we inches in to the beach. A giant wave hit us from behind. It was even worst than before as it was unexpected and our feet weren't touching the ground. My body felt like it was hit from all sides and I did a few flips in the water. All around me the water was turbulent and I couldn't tell were the water and the air meet. I felt helpless and dying for a breath, and for a moment I felt like I was going to drown. As the wave passed, the first thing I did was yell out but what came out was this high pitched scream. The girl I was swimming with had completely lost it and broken down. I kinda knew what she felt like.

I was in no hurry to get back into the ocean

I felt dizzy and weak as I my legs were finally on the beach. I felt so defeated and when I saw Victor the first thing I asked was, "Do we really have to go again?" "Ya, one more time," was his response in a calm commanding voice. I was able to somehow get through another swim and the rest of the bicycling and running went by without a hitch, but I had a new respect for and fear of the ocean.

You can be my wingman any time

I've reach my fundraising goal! Thanks to everyone for their generous support. Thanks to my friends who so kindly asked me how my training's going and thanks to those who donated without even having to be asked. Thanks to my family who are so generous in all ways. Thanks to my coworkers who are like the steam catapults on an aircraft carrier; you got me started with full afterburners.

Results from yesterday's race:

I'm a Triathlete!

"Congratulations, you're a triathlete!," people said as I ran into the finish line. I had to think about it for a few seconds because this isn't even the event I'm training for. Yeah, I am a triathlete. Sweet!

It was probably this nonchalant attitude that probably helped me from getting too nervous about my first triathlon. I tried to get some sleep last night and went to bed around 10. I kept waking up every few hours and around 1:30, I got out of bed to get ready. Without my glasses on, I could have sworn it said 4:30. Went back to bed and at 4:30 in the morning I got up again.

With all my gear in my car and some breakfast in my belly, I was on my way by 5:30. Once I got to Hansen Dam, I ran into Nancy. A few more cars down, we ran into Irene and James. Our cadre headed to the transition area with all our gear. I found my wave group based on age and set up my bike and shoes.

From this point, I think I'll consider myself super lucky. Like the guy at a TED conference said, people usually only focus on the things that go wrong in their day instead of everything that goes right. While I'll try to focus on all the things that went right. As I was setting up my transition area, my neighbor on my left gave me plenty of room.

Swim start in the calm, murky Hansen Dam reservoir

Right before the race, I took a long practice swim and that got me acclimated to the water. Even though I swam the long way around the buoys that gave me a ton of extra yardage, as I was getting out of the water, I was struggling with the zipper of my wet suit and some kind racer came by and in what seemed like one motion, opened the velcro and unzipped the back of my suit.

Struggling to get out of my wet suit as I transition into the cycling

As I got my cycling gear on, my neighbor said , "Don't you just love this?" A little premature, we're still racing. I had a pretty strong ride and due to some well placed volunteers I was able to slow down in time to make a tight right turn.

Shadow of personal photographer in the bottom right

I had a super fast transition into the run and although I was running at a respectable 9 minute mile pace, I felt like everyone was passing me. I saw my teammate Sheila in the spectators cheering. After running what seemed like 4-5 miles instead of 3. There was a killer hill and I though I was complete out but I heard someone cheer the end is right behind that banner and I dug deep and sprinted in for the finish.

My sprint into the finish line

The coach and all my teammates congratulated me and we stood around and waited for other teammates to complete the race.

Official triathlete

This might be a little premature, but I'd like to quickly recap some things that have gotten my team and I to this point. I think it's incredible how hard everyone is working out. I've seen some amazing improvements in the pool from not knowing how to swim to being able to swim continuously for almost an hour. Everyone making time in their lives to make sure they stay with the workout schedules. Like working out at 5 in the morning. Making time for workouts in the midst of church, family and work. Working out even on vacations and staying strong, commit and brave in the face of family loss.

We're all working hard and improving, together.

Special thanks to James for attending. He woke up at 7 AM and came out to support us and take pictures.

Staying ahead of the peloton then a fake out

Workout: Week 13 - 45 min. run

Who really wants to run 45 min nonstop or alone? I decided to change it to a brick and drag my folks along. I had them drive my running gear to the Rose Bowl. I rode my bike from my house there and did a quick transition and ran for 30 mins.

I kinda tricked my mom into going on a walk. She hasn't worked out in years and she did a 3.14 mi. walk. Not bad. I wonder if she'll be willing to go again the next time I go for a run.

Traitor

I need some extra practice with open ocean swim and Lily from Team John (the group I'm doing the Los Angeles Triathlon with) suggested that I go to Redondo on Sunday and swim in the afternoon with the LA Tri Club. They do a swim in the ocean that's open to everyone. The only requirement is that you have a yellow or pink swim cap and that you can swim 500m without stopping. Double check!

I arrived at 11, at the time it was supposed to start and everyone was already in their wetsuits. I scrambled to get my suit on and I felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb being the only one completely decked out in TNT gear. Good news, the water at Redondo was much cleaner and I felt so much better swimming in the water. The one thing I did noticed was the even the slight amount of waves really buffeted me and it disrupted my stroke and breathing. I felt like a twig out there. I struggled to stay with the rest of the swimmers and LA Tri Club mentors were kind enough to keep an eye on the laggers. Once I reached shore I was completely exhausted from head to toe. I was a little weak in the knee.

I'm feeling much better now. I can actually do the ocean swim without throwing up.

Claustrophobia!

Our first open swim in the ocean at Alamitos Bay in Long Beach. Jenn picked me and Irene up in the morning and on our way there we had a fun conversation. Once there, we got some good parking and picked up our brand new wetsuits.

Felisha unveiling our new wet suits

The coach showed us some tricks of getting our wetsuits on and things to prevent chaffing. Bodyglide applied on our necks, wrists and ankles to minimize friction. A plastic bag on our feet and hands to help get the tight suit on our bodies. The buddy method of get the suit over our shoulder and the zipper closed without too much effort. The first thing I noticed was how tight the suit was, especially around my gut.

Coach demonstrating the buddy method

Once everyone get their suits on, we waded into the water. The first thing you notice after you get over how cold your feet are is that weird feeling as water seeping into from your zipper. Once completely submerged in the water, it was really fun just floating. It was really effortless with the buoyancy of suit and the density of the salt water.

Getting into the ocean for the first time

Mmmm, salty like a pirate

Alamitos Bay is a pretty substantial size bay with houses and plenty of parking for boat. The water was extremely murky and after a couple hundred meters of swimming. I just felt really uncomfortable. Thinking back I suspect it was either the pollutants in the water or some Power Bar gummi's that didn't agree with my stomach.

Dry heaving

Moments before I lose it

As I struggled to get very far without getting on my back to rest, I felt like this must be what's it like to feel claustrophobic. It's this sense of panic. My chest felt uncomfortable warm and tight. I couldn't really breathe. I feel dizzy and I fought back bouts of nausea. About three quarters of the way through the swim, I started to heave and felt like throwing up. I'd have probably felt better if I did. Once I got back to shore, I finally did throw up a little and I did feel much better. I used my arms like dispersant and quickly got rid of any traces of white foam. Dang, BP should have hired me to get rid of gross disasters.

We finished the workout with a 30 min run along the beach. I wore my brand new sleeveless purple Sugoi. I'm not sure if people were staring at the bright purple color or my t-shirt tanned arms.

I just signed up for my third triathlon this season

Today, I just registered for the Los Angeles Triathlon. I was a little nervous about signing up for this one because of the horror story from last year. There was massive surf and a large number of people couldn't even get into the ocean. They kept getting pushing back to the beach. I've got the short Hansen Dam tri in two weeks. The main event in September and this will be something to do since I've already trained so hard.

Lazy Sunday

Today, I was exhaust from my LAN party at James's new place. Thanks to Viv for putting up with the nerdiness.  I slept at 3 AM last night and today I couldn't get out of bed for my 30 mi. bike ride and 45 min. run.

Once I got home, I plunked myself in front of the TV and did the next best thing. I watched the ITU World Championship Series Triathlon in London on Universal Sports. It was a pure coincidence that was it was on and I only caught the last kilometer of the race, but it was pretty exciting. Javier Gómez was leading slightly but he was running with such ease and grace and close behind him was Alistair Brownlee, trying to keep up, yet in such obvious pain. After passing his limit, Brownlee of Great Britain just dropped away from the chase and Gómez of España won with a time of one hour, 42 minutes and eight seconds. That's about the time it takes for me just to do the cycling portion of the race.