With the tiny exception of posting this race on the “Race Calendar – 2011” side-bar, I didn’t tell many people that I was doing The Columbia Triathlon.

Tri-mobile

For starters, I wasn’t sure how I would feel after my marathon. Would I be able to do an Olympic distance triathlon 3 weeks after my marathon?

Secondly, I wasn’t prepared. I took 1 week off after my marathon – which gave me 2 weeks to train for the race. In preparation, I swam twice and rode my bike 3 times (since September 2010). I had a strong running base but I didn’t do any double or brick (bike/run) workouts. In a word, I was nervous.

BJ told me to treat the race as just another training day. My friend, Betsy, reminded me that I finished EagleMan 70.3 with less training than mentioned above (granted, I ended up in the hospital but I still finished). I knew I could do it, I just wasn’t sure how fast I could finish.

Race Day: I woke up to beautiful weather, finally. I completed the race in 2009 and 2010 – and it poured both years. In 2009, it also hailed as I was getting into the water for swim start. It’s hard enough to wake-up at 4:45am for a race – I don’t want to wake up to rain. 2011 weather – thank you very much!

Swim: Wow, I felt like I was in the middle of a major girl-fight. I have never been in so much physical pain from a swim. It was a large group – 150 women in 2 age groups (25-29 & 30-34). About 1 minute into the swim, I was punched in the face – obviously not on purpose – but the blow was so hard that it knocked my goggles completely off my face. I had to stop, tread water, and try to get them back on. The pain continued the entire swim – I was hit more times than I can count, swam on top of people, had people swim on top of me, and was punched once more at the end. This time the pain was so intense that I started crying. No joke, I have bruises on my eyes from the swim. I know that the hitting and swimming on top of people is normal at the start of a swim, but it usually “breaks-up” a few minutes into the race. Not this time – it was a full on girl fight for 31 minutes.

Okay, for only 2 swims and each lasting no longer than 25 minutes and a treading water/goggle adjustment penalty, this wasn’t a terrible swim.
Time: 31:34

Bike: I can’t bike or race this course without my chain falling off my bike. I can’t make this sh*t up – my chain drops every time I bike Columbia. The 1st year it happened, I had NO idea what to do or how to put a chain back on. Thankfully, I was more prepared this year. But preparation aside, it’s still annoying to lose a few minutes getting off the bike and trying to fix it. Double dagger: when it happens while you are going up a hill.

Other than the chain drop, I felt really good. I was able to re-pass everyone that had passed me while I was fixing said chain, but wasn’t able to catch (back) up to the pack I was riding with prior to the chain drop. It was a beautiful day for biking and I was excited to be on the bike and experience little to no pain.
Time: 1:26:56 (includes 3 minute chain dilemma)

Run: Ahh, my sweet spot and the only thing I was actually prepared for. I felt good considering I had not practiced a bike-to-run run (aka brick workout). It wasn’t my best run ever but it also wasn’t my worst. The last mile is really flat (a nice change from the rest of the course, which is extremely hilly) and I was able to sprint it in. The run is where I make-up for my lack of speed on the swim and bike – so, no matter what my time, I love passing people on the run.
Time: 51:21 (8:16 pace)

2011 Columbia Triathlon finisher!

Statistics:
Time: 2:54:09
Swim: 31:34
T1: 2:48
Bike: 1:25:56
T2: 1:33
Run: 51:21
Age Group Place: 9/56
Female Place: 122/539
Overall Place: 655/1633

The Columbia Triathlon is a great, local race. The volunteers are amazing and really put a lot into making it a great race. There are some heavy hitters (in the tri world) that race Columbia – and it’s so cool to see them on the course. It was a beautiful day for a “training day” and I’m happy with the results. Oh, and I should mention that my 2011 time (with very little preparation) was 14 minutes faster than my 2009 time – a testament to marathon training (thank you marathon). Overall, it was a great day – and I got to spend time with BJ and my friends – I can’t think of anything better {with the exception of the beer we had a brunch}.

BJ and Me: Pre-race

Today is National Bike to Work Day. I love “national days” that encourage Americans to do something healthy – and not only for themselves but for the environment, too!

I’m an anomaly in the D.C. area: I can walk and ride my bike to work every day. I know, I know – I’m very lucky. (Please don’t hate me)

Bike to Work Day: Beach Cruiser Edition (and yes, this is the bike I ride to work)

If you are in DC, Virginia, or Maryland, the Washington Area Bicyclists Association is going all out. There are 49 regional pit stops and 27 commuter convoys. Find more information here.

Did you bike to work today? Did you meet up with a convoy or take a pit stop? How was it?

{Don’t forget about my PlanetGear.com giveaway HERE}

Okay, does anyone get daily emails from HauteLook, Rue La La or Shop it to Me?  If yes, I’m sure you can relate: I anxiously wait for 11am EST so I can overload my brain with things I want, but don’t need (BCBG dresses, Tory Burch shoes, Michael Kors watches)  For those of you who don’t know what I’m talking about, let me explain: these websites host private, limited-time sale events with today’s top designer brands for women, men, kids, home, and beauty.Membership is free and everyone is welcome.

Well, I’m happy to announce, I just added another one to the email list: PlanetGear.com.  The world’s best outdoor gear, apparel, and travel destinations at exclusive pricing.

Finally, a site with discounted gear for athletes! It’s awesome. Just last week Planetgear.com featured Rossignol, K-Swiss and Kelty.  Up next week: Roxy & Quicksilver. I’m a Florida girl so I’m especially excited about this sale!

A few random things I really like about PlanetGear.com
1) 1% for the Planet member: 1% of PlanetGear.com sales goes to environmental groups
2) Give and get: Give a $10 credit to friends you refer and get a $10.00 credit when they place their first order.

Click here to sign-up and become a member of PlanetGear.com (it’s free).

Giveaway Time! PlanetGear.com is giving away a $25.00 credit toward any item purchased at PlanetGear.com Since items are already heavily discounted, $25 goes a long way.

To enter:

• Follow “I RUN LIKE A GIRL”
• Leave a comment with your email address
• Bonus Entry(s)
• Like PlanetGear.com on Facebook
• Use the link above to become a member of PlanetGear.com
• Link this contest on your blog, Facebook or Twitter (or any other social media platform). Leave a separate comment letting me know you did.

The PlanetGear.com giveaway will run until 10am EST on Monday, May 23rd, at which point I will close the post for comments and choose 1 winner via Random.org. I will announce and contact the winner shortly after 10am.

With all the marathon-and-BQ-buzz running (no pun intended) around the blog-world I thought I’d share some running inspiration.

Disclaimer: While this post might seem a little random at first, I promise that it will all make sense in the end…

I was literally born to run. My mom ran all 9 months of pregnancy – and even went for a (slow) 3-mile run on the day that I was born. I didn’t have a choice.

On my 26th birthday BJ bought me a Kindle, pre-loaded with one book: Born to Run. It’s one of my favorite gifts (and books) to date.

That same year, I bought & gifted 4 copies of Born to Run and gave them to friends and family.  This includes, but is not limited to, my mom. I gave my mom her very own copy of Born to Run for Christmas.

Four days before my marathon (April 27, 2011) my mom attended The Naked Tour, talk and book-signing with:

• Chris McDougall, author of Born to Run
• Eric Orton, bad-ass coach
• Scott Jurek, Ultra-god 

One day before my marathon, my mom gave me her very own copy of Born to Run, signed by Chris, Eric and Scott (for me and BJ), it’s full of running inspiration! It was seriously one of the coolest things ever – and really prepped me for my first marathon and Boston-qualifying dream.

So, if anyone needs some running inspiration here you go – because if this doesn’t inspire you, I don’t know what will. Many thanks to Scott Jurek, Eric Orton, and Chris McDougall for your words of encouragement – I got my BQ!

It’s never too far or too tough.  DIG DEEP! – Scott Jurek

Run Wild – Chris McDougall

Demand the Impossible.  Go Boston! – Eric Orton

Mom and Scott Jurek (rockin’ Brooks gear!)

After the marathon I took one week off. Here’s what I did:

Celebrated my 1st marathon with champagne

Cheers!

Sat on the couch

Had a margarita

Ate homemade truffles

Had another margarita

More couch time

Ate lots of steak

Even more couch time

Ate mushroom risotto…

sweet potato fries…

and homemade pizza

Then ended the week with one last margarita

A little over a year ago I met the most delicious nutritional, energy snack ever.  His name is Honey Stinger and it was love at first taste.

Let me first start by saying: I have a very sensitive stomach and I’ve never been able to take supplements while working out.  This includes, but is not limited to, Gatorade, Heed, Gu, and Clif bars/shot bloks.  One time I was accidentally handed a cup of Heed at the start of the run (of an Olympic distance triathlon) and threw-up the entire 6.2 miles.  Bottom line, my stomach kind of hates me…

…until I tried Honey Stinger Organic Energy Chews. Now, my stomach can’t wait to go on a 23 mile run just to have some.

I’m trying to be funny – but honestly, Honey Stinger is the only thing my stomach can handle during a workout and for that, I’m a lover for life.

Honey Stinger makes honey-based nutritional foods, and since honey is a natural form of energy, this product just makes sense. Studies have shown that honey is just as good, if not better, than {other carbohydrate} gels on the market.

• Consuming honey before exercise leads to improved performance
• Honey is a good sugar that your body quickly absorbs into your blood stream and converts to energy
• Honey can increase power, speed and endurance

My favorite is the Organic Energy Chews in the Fruit Smoothie flavor. They are so delicious and I’m often found sneaking packs during the day (to eat) as an afternoon snack. The Honey Stinger Organic Energy Chews are formulated specifically for health-conscious individuals and athletes seeking a great tasting energy snack. Honey Stinger Organic Energy Chews are unique as they are the first to include naturally occurring fiber and protein derived from 100% organic tapioca syrup and honey. Smaller and softer than other chews. (personal commentary: easier to chew and swallow during a marathon)

In case you were wondering: yes, I ate Honey Stinger Organic chews during my marathon. And yes, those little chews really got me through the last 6-8 miles. Now, I can’t imagine eating anything else during a workout or race.

Sorry local running store, you need to order some more Fruit Smoothie

Giveaway time!!! Honey Stinger is giving away 2 boxes – 1×12 Organic Energy Chews (endorsed by I RUN LIKE A GIRL) and 1×16 Organic Waffles (inspired and endorsed by Lance Armstrong) to my readers. Okay, okay, I know that I’m not even close to being as cool as Lance Armstrong but still, I can endorse something, right?!

• To enter: Follow “I RUN LIKE A GIRL”, and if you aren’t already a follower – join my wolfpack (The Hangover style)
• Leave a comment: let me know which box you would like to win and why. Also let me know if you have ever used Honey Stinger and why you love it
• Bonus Entry(s): “Like” Honey Stinger on Facebook and/or link this contest on your social platform of choice. Leave a separate comment letting me know you did one, the other or both.

“My Favorite Things” giveaway will be open until noon EST, Friday, May 13th, at which time I will close the post for comments, choose 2 winners via Random.org and announce the winners with a (new) blog post.

Afraid to take your chances on the giveaway and want to buy Honey Stinger now?! Honey Stinger is available online HERE and at many local running/bike/grocery stores HERE

I never leave home without them (or hide them when I am home):

Secret stash at home, don’t tell BJ

In my purse

Office desk drawer