True. My triathlon skills are sub-par at the moment. I expect this to change at some point. In the meantime, I’m getting out of my comfort zone.

- Criterium racing
Although I love racing bikes, I’ve been off that circuit lately. Even so, I rarely race a crit (those are the races that go around and around a short course for a predetermined time). Fear issues plague me in a crit. In the past, I’ve raced 5 crits – usually part of a stage race that I have to finish. The whole time I hear Jen McRae’s voice, “Get in there, Juli…. Get your wheel in there… You are wasting too much energy…” My heart rate maxes out from sheer anxiety. Criterium racing requires the absence of thought process, as that would take way too long. It’s all about reacting quickly to a situation.
So, I’ve been racing our local crit, The Driveway Series. Turns out, I’m getting a little more comfortable. We race with the cat 3-4 guys, so the field is a decent size.

Autumn also jumped in the last few weeks in the junior/women 3-4 race – she’s racing as a junior (10-18 years old). Since the women and junior fields are light, we have quite a collection of pint glasses (Really, for juniors and women? But may I regress and point out that our pint glasses, clif bars, and Climb On sunscreen rock as far as bike race prizes.)

- Rave
I set my alarm for 11pm while on vacation near LA to drive to a rave in a warehouse-looking place to see my brother’s band perform. Suffice it to say that I was the only one dressed in yoga pants, tank top, flip flops, and surfer hoodie… but my strength was a bonus as mash-pit-guys attempted to block my front-stage view. Point of reflection: I had many late-night-flashbacks that were enjoyable, and I made it back to our hotel room before Autumn and Michael left for the airport. Sorry, no photos.

- Running
I’ve never been a great runner, but I’ve never been so sluggish as I have been in my post-bionic–ankle state. Chann and I discussed training for the marathon, but I don’t need to run farther at the slug-pace. So, I am training for the mile. I intend to PR the mile at the end of the year. Let’s just say that Andrew could run my PR pace while pulling a wagon after 56 miles on a bike… and I’m okay with that.

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Dr. Laurie Buob specializes in Active Release Techniques (ART) in Austin, Texas. I recently spent some time with Dr. Laurie.

What is Active Release Technique?
Dr. L: ART is a patented, state of the art soft tissue system/movement based massage technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves.

Who needs ART?
Dr. L: A wide spectrum of people can benefit from ART: anyone who has pain to those who would like to improve their performance, prevent injuries, and support general fitness goals

Why see an ART specialist even without a specific injury?
Dr. L: Add ART as part of your regimine to improve performance, prevent injuries and support a healthy lifestyle. As a sports chiropractor my care is based on the idea that the musculoskeletal system and the body’s overall health and function are closely related. I manipulate the spine, joints and soft tissue with the goal of reducing or eliminating pain, maintaining or improving function of my patient’s body. As a Sports Chiropractor I specialize in the treatment of muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. I am focused on injury prevention, rehabilitation and injury management. Whether you are a CEO, a stay at home mom or someone who is going to compete in an Ironman, if I can help you achieve a greater level of strength and resiliency – a huge advantage. As an athlete – or an everyday athlete – pursuit of fitness through activity is more fun without unnecessary pain. When you are free from your discomfort or pain and leave empowered to fulfull your physical potential, you win!

How is ART different from other treatment methods?
Dr. L: ART is fast and effective. Patients who see other professionals only receive temporary relief a solution to their problem. I treat the cause not the injury and it does not take me any more than 6 to 10 visits on average. By combining ART and Graston I have seen my treatment visits drop and patients returning to their activity pain free.

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Photo: Ruby Orbea with Jack and Adam’s Bike Service Engineer, James, and I

To be succinct, the Hermann Memorial 70.3 went like this:

Survival.
Pummeled with chop; crowded with people. That was a tough one. Kept my crown as the TIMEX Multisport Team Slowest Swimmer (38 mins).

Rocking.
I love my bike. I love racing my bike. Fastest overall female age-grouper split by 7 minutes; I was right in there with a handful of pro girls in the 2 25-2 27 range (Sam McGlone and Karin Thuerig went faster). I’m convinced the Orbea Ordu has some special features like a motor. I haven’t been racing my bike regularly this year, so I went into the race feeling very uncertain about my bike fitness. I raced using power for the first time – it was helpful, as I was able to accurately manage my consistency. (2 hr 26 min).

Erratic.
Not running for a year has put a strain on my running. No excuses. Just need to be better prepared. Looking back, I didn’t drink enough on the bike, and with little aid-station sips, it wasn’t cutting it. I had to stop and drink, which helped. I just could not will my legs to turn over consistently; my splits were erratic (almost 2 minute deviations). My fitness just may not be there… yet.

Race mantra.
I used, “I am well, happy and peaceful” as my meditation mantra today. It was solid for the most part, except for a few moments on the run, when it was horrid and I swore off racing for a second or two.
So, my sweet ride into first deteriorated into 5th AG, but, well, as it goes.

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I decided to throw my hat in the ring in 2010, after spending 2009 with rehab (The Bionic Ankle Saga) and chasing fitness that wasn’t caught.

So, this weekend, I planned a trip to Galveston to try out the Hermann Memorial 70.3. I ended up making reservations at the San Luis resort, in the event Michael and Autumn wanted to join me. Since Autumn is going through a phase where she doesn’t want to leave me (she’s 10, so there is both trepidation and joy at this…. Since one day she may abruptly change her tune), so they joined me.

I drove a car full of stuff, wearing my new wetsuit for part of the drive (don’t wear untested gear) and they flew. Good plan.

Honestly, I just don’t know how families pull off having their kids hang out at the race venue. Pre-race, I was hanging out in a lounge chair on the beach (my wave was last, 75 minutes after the first) – and there was a family with 2 little boys sitting on lounge chairs. As if!

Autumn loved the beach and the waves so much that going to the race was agony – she just wanted to be in the surf. I knew this because of her immediate reaction at the finish line: “Mom, will you go to the beach and boogie board?” With her ADD it’s true that she prefers activity and is more self -centered – it just made me laugh. My legs were sore, I wanted to socialize, but well, whatever.

The process of getting my stuff and bike was greeted with frustration and impatience, but we got out of there – we rode our bikes back near the hotel – and hit the beach. The boogie board is quite fun.

PS:
The video of the boogie boarding is more fun than the race photos, because they had no interest in taking any. But who wants to watch another family’s family video?
Thanks to the Austinites cheering today…

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I didn’t ever think I’d thank Nancy Reagan*.

I didn’t think I’d swim, either, so what do you know.

Alas, this isn’t about what you didn’t think you wouldn’t do that you do….

In harmony with Michael’s mantra for me, “No more volunteering, no more hobbies”, when pressed to volunteer for a weekend of bicycle races, I said, “I’m sorry, I can’t commit to that.” Thinking that surely, compassion and understanding would rule the day; perhaps mandatory doesn’t apply to me.
Guess what? Mandatory does apply to me, and this became a decision. Oh. So, if I want to be on the team, I have to volunteer. Oh. A place to apply my 2009 learning, “Just because I can doesn’t mean I should” and Michael’s “No more volunteering, no more hobbies”. Oh. Priorities – check. Letting go (challenging since I think I can do it all – have my cake, eat the whole thing, wear size 2) – check.
So, I’m not on a cycling team anymore. Nancy would be so proud.

*Nancy Reagan headlined the infamous “Just Say No” anti-drug campaign in the 1980s, for any super-youths out there. Right, this post had nothing to do with drugs, you didn’t miss anything.

P.S.
The photo has nothing to do with the post, so you didn’t miss anything there, either. I just love my bike. :)

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