Diary of a TRI-wife: Entry #2 Bridgeland Triathlon

Sunday, Forrest finished his second sprint triathlon. Technically this was his first FULL sprint triathlon since the swim portion of the last one was cancelled. It was a fun day starting off at 4:30am when we left the house along with Forrest parents to head off to the event. Once we got there, Forrest left to get his transition area set up, Big Forrest found a good spot for our chairs, and Cheri and I ran around trying to find where the swim started so we could get pictures and root him and Aaron on.

The 500m swim went well but Forrest said it was much harder than he thought it was going to be. He had been swimming around 1500- 2500m three times a day in a 25m community pool before the race but said swimming in open water is much different. He didn’t feel prepared enough; in fact Sunday night he went and swam at Lake Bryan to make himself feel better. He is so hard on himself!

For the bike, Cheri and I again were right there watching him as he transitioned. He seemed really calm and focused on getting his gear on. He set out for 14 mi and did really well. He averaged about a 20mi/hr speed which is an improvement from his last race. He was pretty content with his performance on the bike.

His 3.5 mi run went well but he felt as if he couldn’t reach his potential. He has had some cramping issues lately and if he cramps, it unbearably forces him to have to slow way down. He was trying to prevent that so he went at a steady pace – about 8:30 mile. He would’ve liked to have done better but plans to work on this too. I tell him it is not about speed for the next couple events he has coming up, it is about ENDURANCE! Which I think he knows. He has definitely been working on improving his distance for each sport.

Anyways, it was a fun day. I enjoyed rooting for him and watching him cross that finish line. He makes me so proud!

Trip of a Lifetime

I am a little behind on blogging and before I talk about Forrest’s triathlon this past weekend, I want to post some pictures from our trip from Iowa we took a few weeks ago.

This was a little bit of a spontaneous trip for us. My parents, sister and her family had all planned a trip to see my Dad’s side of the family in Iowa and I didn’t think we would be able to go. Well, luckily and at the last minute, Forrest and I were able to get out of school and work for just long enough to be able to go. I was just so grateful that it worked out because I didn’t know when the next opportunity would be for us to all be together up there.

And what memories we made! We enjoyed a picnic party for Reagan’s 2 year birthday which was like a big family reunion. We dug into some GOOD Iowa corn at my grandparent’s house. We stayed at my Aunt Terri and Uncle Andy’s house which was better than a bed and breakfast - they were just unbelievable hosts to us. We did a little shopping us girls (Mom and Aunts), dining out with the whole family, and one night Forrest and I along with some of my cousins went out for a few drinks. We really enjoyed the entire trip and made such great family memories.

Now its their turn for a trip to Texas so we can entertain them!! :)

 

 

    

Believe

“I believe that we are magic, that all things are possible, that life is precious, that peace is reasonable, that laughter is special, that blessings are divine, that love is grand…

and that you are the best thing that has happened to me.” 

I saw this quote the other day and for some reason just enjoyed reading it. Besides thinking about Forrest obviously, it also made me think about believing in things and believing in yourself.

Then yesterday, Forrest sent out an email to all his family about registering for the Ironman. It was such a personal and meaningful letter, just containing all of the thoughts going through his head immediately after committing to one of the toughest athletic events in the world. I can’t imagine what that would feel like and can’t explain how proud I am of him without sharing his letter.

So now, for the first time in meganandforrest.blogspot.com history, you all will get the chance to read words from Forrest, instead of me.  :)

Letter from Forrest after registering for Ironman on 7/19/2010:

Ok, so I am sick to my stomach already just thinking about what I have just done.  On may 21, 2011, I will be entering the full ironman in Woodlands, TX, know as "Ironman Texas" Here is the link to the actual web site www.ironmantexas.com/.  This will be the first full Ironman event ever held  in the state of Texas.  For those of you that don't know the iromnan is considered the toughest endurance race in the world and is only held at 23 locations across the globe annually.  It consist of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and then a 26.2 mile run.  This all must be accomplished in 17 hours to be recognized as a "finisher" which is my goal. From what i have been reading in the blogs, this one is going to be even more challenging because it will be in May in Texas... which means a lot of heat and humidity.  You will see people from all over the world entered into Ironman Texas.

I have been thinking about entering for the last two weeks and today I read that registration is expected to be full by this week. So I decided to go for it and to not leave anything on the table so to speak.  If I wouldn't have signed up, I would always wonder if I have in me what it takes to get through something like this. Hopefully I will find out that I do have it in me.

Believe me, I am not sending this email to brag or pat myself on the back for signing up because that is the easy part.  I am sending this out for two reasons; one - When I train and workout I imagine myself running for my family and that I am representing them and quitting during a race or training exercise would be to me like I am quitting on you guys... sounds funny i know, but that is where I find my motivation when I feel like the wheels are starting to come off and my body wants to quit.  I wouldn't be able to complete something like this if I didn't have the support of family. two - If everyone knows what  goal I have set for myself, I will be motivated that much more to train and work  day after day, month after month to achieve this goal as it will be probably the hardest thing I have every done physically and mentally in my life.

Of course, I would love for everybody to be there and everyone is invited, however i don't expect it and if you can't make it I certainly understand.  I know Megan will be cheering loud from sidelines.  I will be giving 100% of everything I have in me, plus some.  And just so you know, yes.. I am scared to death! My motto of "Go big or go home," might really bite me on this one.

Background on how I got tangled up in this madness.  Megan and I were sitting on the couch in December '09 watching the biggest loser update show and someone on the show attempted the ironman although they did not finish.  Anyway it got my attention and made the wheels in my head start to turn.  Megan and I started talking and she suggested that I could do that if I really wanted too...  forcing me to put my money where my mouth is...   She pretty much called me out! So the next week at work I started to look up events on line and signed up for the 1/2 Ironman or 70.3 Longhorn Ironman that was 10 months away which is not a beginners event by the way.  It will consist of a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike ride and 13.2 mile run that must be completed in 8 hours.  This will be very difficult as well.   I started running on the treadmill once I signed up and could even run a mile without stopping.  Since then I have swam over 40 miles, biked over 700 miles and ran over 300 miles as well as dropped 40lbs and haven't really looked back.  The best part about this race is that I get to do with my brother-law, Aaron who signed up as well. Misery and Pain loves company. I guess he like the idea of the personal challenge as well.  We have been training together on the weekends when both our schedules allow it.

Other events I am doing before the Full Ironman:

70.3 Longhorn Ironman - October 17, 2010 - http://www.ironmanaustin.com/index.php  This the original race I signed up for last December which is going to very hard as well.  It will consist of 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike ride and 13.2 mile run. AKA - 1/2 Ironman   Event will be in Austin, TX.

Austin Marathon February 20, 2011 - Or as I like to call it, "Operation, Keep up with Tony" Tony, Aaron and I will all be running in this together...   Tony has ran several 1/2 marathons and a full marathon.  He will do well.  Registration is still open if anyone wants to join us.

Houston 1/2 Marathon Jan. 2011 -  I haven't registered for this yet as selection is on a lottery system so hopefully I will get to do it. I will keep you posted.

Thanks all for reading.  Hopefully, I we end up with results that we can all be proud of.

Wish me luck!

Forrest

P.S. Megan and my sister (Amberly) are doing the 1st triathlon in Austin on October 3.  I am really excited for both of them and can't wait to watch them.  Be sure you ask them about it when you see them and ask how their training is coming.  They have both been working really hard.  I am almost more excited to watch Bird and my sister than I am about my own.

P.S.S. Amberly, Aaron, Megan and myself all have a new cycling coach, my mom.   She jumped into the action and got a bike too.  Megan and her completed a 24 mile bike ride in Katy this past weekned with ease.

Happy Birthday Sister!

Happy Birthday, Sister! I look forward to celebrating with you and the rest of the family in less than a week!! I love you so much.

Shoot for the Moon

Forrest tells me this when it comes to school. He tells me that if I try for A’s, I will do well no matter what. Well since he started training, I have been telling him the same thing, although he already aims pretty high.

Well a group of nursing students are getting together to do a women’s sprint triathlon in Austin on October 3rd. They want to get some relay teams together and I thought, hmm okay I will offer to swim for a team (which would definitely require some training on my part). But I figured we would have a lot of runners and possibly bikers, so I thought swimmers would be more in demand. I mean who wants to get out there in open, cold, dark water and swim with thousands of people in their way at 7am?! Not too many people.

Anyways, I got to thinking about “training” for the relay and I started to get really excited! I LOVE little projects and having something to do and look forward to plus it was something Forrest was doing so I know I would have good support from him. And all this excitement got me thinking, what the heck if I train in swimming, and I can already run a 5K, why not do it all?! All I need is a bike, doesn’t have to be fancy. I don’t care if the pro’s fly right past me, I would just be content in finishing. Why not shoot for the moon?

So that is what I have decided. I registered yesterday which means there is no backing out. Just have to get a bike now and get to riding. I have been swimming a little here and there in the pool but plan to practice more in a 25 m pool starting in August. The race will be a 1/2 mi swim, 12 mi bike, and 3.1 mi run. Anyone care to join me? Sign up here! There is plenty of time to train. It will be fun. :)

Trek Women Triathlon Oct. 3, Austin TX

The Fourth!

We had a great time at the A-teams house yesterday celebrating the 4th of July. We indulged in some good BBQ sandwiches, made homemade ice cream out by the pool, watched the boys swim, and just relaxed. Perfect way to spend the holiday!!

Only disappointment was that we went to bed so early, we missed out on the fireworks!! Forrest was so tired from waking up at 430am that day, he could barely keep his eyes open.

Anyways, it was a fun day and has been a fun weekend. Thanks A-team for having us over!