May 20, 2008
I am at the brand new HyVee grocery store in Topeka. I'm snarfing down some chicken and veggies with lo mein noodles trying to reverse the low blood sugar crash I let occur.
My fortune cookie is a keeper this time:
“Your playful spirit heals and inspires others”.
That puts into words perfectly who I want to be.
I got home last night about 7:30pm after dropping my Mom off in Lawrence at the end of our road trip to Memphis in May. Not long after I pulled in, Jeff and I headed back out to the local Sonic Drive-In for a burger. Going out to eat in the car seems like a strange thing to do after being on the road all day, but in a way it was like extending the trip and having Jeff along for a while. It was such a fun experience hanging out with Mom for a few days, but Jeff and I have been traveling to races for so long together, I hope this was the exception and not the norm this season. However, the next race that Jeff is not able to go to I would love to travel with Mom again or maybe my Dad and I can hit the road!
My Mom is the one that got me to start my blog and it was a lot of fun to come up with topics that I could post. I should have made her type as the miles went by.
We talked a lot about business strategy as I am embarking on my own business with Vemma. You can check out my website link along the side (www.myvemma.com/lesliecurley).
After spending almost 10 years in a cube as a computer programmer for Payless Shoesource, the few social and business skills I have are severely lacking. The cube served it's purpose at the time to keep me isolated and insulated from any social situation. My training and racing during that time was my escape. I could just go and do and not have to think or pretend I was someone I was not. For many years I went to races to be in awe and inspired by all the other crazy people out there doing what I loved. I kept to myself and observed and soaked it all in. Everyone at all those races gave me something to carry me to the next. I tried to be an anonymous participant and it was hard for me when people started to know my name. It's not that I didn't enjoy and look forward to seeing familiar faces, but for me triathlon was an escape from uncomfortable situations and I didn't trust my social skills to be comfortable.
Now that I am 'living out of my box' a whole new dimension has been added to my triathlon world. Camp HTFU was a HUGE groundbreaking experience for me. It took a lot of guts for me to put myself among a group of women athletes who before I would only observe in awe and amazement. What could I possibly contribute. I knew that it was something that I did not want to miss and I would just have to relax and be me...the real me. I'm still figuring out who that is but I have found that it's just not worth it to sit back and only observe. For years I swam and biked and ran but only this year have I started really enjoying the fellowship and friendship that comes along with it.
My focus going to Memphis in May was more on seeing my friends and making new ones than just going to race. I got to see Elizabeth Fedofsky and her husband Chris, Liz and Eric Ott, Jennifer Meyer and Kristen Moore just to name a few. I also got to meet my DFT teammate Robyn Karlage and even Ashley Long's Mom!
On my pre-race brick I met Mike Zinn from Texas. Mom and I then rode along with Mike and his wife Carol and Yorkie, Rocky, to preview the bike and run course. We put his bike in my car so we could all fit in his. I almost had a chance to upgrade to a P3 Carbon when they drove off in search of Italian food after dropping us off. When Mom and I got back in my car we realized it was a bit crowded. Luckily I had given him my business card and sure enough, about 10 minutes later we got a call and they were headed back to get the bike. It was way too big anyway. Mike is a star in the 60-64 age group and is currently being coached by Dave Scott!
My only race goal going into MIM was to try and break an hour on the bike. The 2 times I have done the race before I was within a minute. As I rode I tried to stay focused and remind myself that at any one moment in time all I have is one pedal stroke...make it count! There was a bit of a crosswind and not near enough tail wind, but it is such a fun and fast course. I'd have to call it a 'Grinner'. Alas, there were a few times I caught myself not focused on the goal and ended up 36 seconds over the mark. That was a few seconds closer than the other times, so I'm not complaining. I'm hoping to get Mom and Dad and Jeff to come for next years attempt. Then we can stay and check out Graceland and all the other things one should do in Memphis.
Next up on the race schedule is Kansas Ironman 70.3. It is so neat that there is going to be an Ironman 70.3 race practically in my back yard! My Coach, Karen Buxton, is going to come for the race and stay with me. We are going to have a Transition Clinic on the Friday night of race weekend (yes, Friday the 13th) in Topeka at Lake Shawnee. The local Topeka Tinman Triathlon is on Saturday at Lake Shawnee and then Kansas 70.3 is on Sunday in Lawrence. If anyone is going to be here for 70.3 and would like to come to the clinic on Friday let me know!
May 21, 2008
WAHOOOOOOOO! I just got an email from the Chicago Triathlon and I am officially entered! I had procrastinated a bit too long in entering and it was closed online. I sent in the entry just in case I could squeak in. The newsletter also had an article about the Beauty of the Brick which quoted HTFU's own Jen Harrison!
I'm back at HyVee eating more chinese food and my fortune this time is “Your help will be needed by a close friend”. Tomorrow I hit the road for Indianapolis, Indiana with my friend Libby. We are going to talk to the Indy Race Car Drivers and Pit Crews about Vemma!!!! The Chiropractor that contracts with Indy and works on all the drivers and pit crews at the races has decided that Vemma is the nutritional product that he believes enough in to endorse. At the last race he was at, his 80 foot gym in a trailer was parked next to Danica Patrick in the infield. I just might get to meet Danica...HOW COOL IS THAT!!!! It's too bad I don't have an HTFU t-shirt or bumper sticker or something to give to her. She is definitely fast enough and tough enough to have earned it!
It is amazing the opportunities that present themselves when you get out of your box and stop just observing!
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Happy Mother's Day!
When I woke up this morning I just wasn't ready to get on my bike yet. Jeff had to go into work at Noon so I wanted to spend some time with him and I really just wanted to get the paper and eat my oatmeal. I finally went downstairs and got on my bike when Jeff left for work. I am so spoiled by my Computrainer! Soon I will venture outdoors but everything is still setup for my riding pleasure in the basement. It just seems wrong to mess with it and besides it was really windy and a bit chilly out. By the time I got in my 2.5 hour ride + 15 min easy run it was almost 3. I was going to go to Lawrence to spend some time with my Mom, but she was enjoying just puttering around and suggested I use the time to get stuff done and we'll get together another time. I certainly have stuff to do.
Last weekend at the last minute I decided to sign up for and do The Race For Sight in Columbia, MO. It is a sprint triathlon with a pool swim. I had thought about just going up to watch, but after talking to a couple of friends doing the race I really wanted to play too! Once I entered, I was absolutely giddy. I had no idea what my body would think of a hard effort 3 weeks out from IM, but I was going to find out. Going to Columbia was also a good test to see how I would handle traveling and racing on my own without Jeff along since he had stay home and work.
Jennifer Meyer, a triathlon coach in St. Louis (www.trismartusa.com) was also making the trip alone so we met up at packet-pickup. This race always has an elite division that in the past has done the race 2 or 3 times in a row while the age-groupers go once. This year we found out that the elite's were only going once. Well, this got Jennifer's attention and for some silly reason she turned to me and said “If you do it, I'll do it”. Say what?!?!?! I'm 3 weeks out from IM and have not done a speed workout since before Du Worlds last October. I've got none, nada, zippo, zero, zilch speed in my legs! Jennifer has been training hard and has been getting stronger and faster over the last few years, so yes, she should go elite. But me? That would be nuts! Jennifer scoped out the other elite entrants and she thought there was a shot at the $ that paid 5 deep. There were a few 16-17 year olds in the division and her logic was that even if they could swim and run they wouldn't have the bike legs that take a few years to develop. I followed her logic but pointed out they could be young blazingly fast phenoms.
I gave in and into the elite division we went. The real advantage of being in the elite division is that you get to start first and split a lane instead of having to swim the pool serpentine and duck under the lane lines like the age groupers. That also meant that it would not have a chance to warm up any outside before we had to run out and get on our bikes.
At least Jennifer did buy me dinner (the traditional Subway sandwich) as payment for roping me into this. Throughout the night I found myself breaking out in spontaneous giggles at the absurdity of the move to elite. No matter what happened in the race I would have a story to tell!
Race morning it was 45 degrees which I was not that thrilled about. I had a jacket and gloves at the ready in T1 and my toe warmers were on my shoes. The pool at the University of Missouri is absolutely gorgeous (it almost makes me want to swim). Waiting for the race to start we notice the youngster phenoms. They are from Chicago and are all wearing sleek 2XU trisuits with their names on their butts. They even had a team cheer before hand which we quietly countered with our own 'Go older women!' since the rest of us were in our 30's and 40's.
The race favorite was definitely Kristin Moore. It has been so fun to watch her develop into the rock solid racer she has become. With Jennifer Harrison as her coach now...watch out!
The swim was a long course 400 so I only had to count to 8. I was surprised that I didn't get left behind right away but after the first 200 I was dropping back a bit. The hardest part was climbing out of the pool and trying not to look like an idiot in front of the other 600+ athletes waiting for their turn to swim. It is a long run to transition but luckily the effort disguised the cold. As I was pulling on my jacket, Jennifer Meyer was leaving transition yelling “I'm going to freeze!” and I noticed she had opted not to put on the shirt she had planned to. Poop, I suppose I am in the elite wave and should tough it out too. I threw the jacket down and just went with the gloves which I put on while I was riding. I had no idea what it would feel like to try to ride hard but I knew it would be short. When my legs started to burn I panicked a bit but then remembered that's what it is supposed to feel like. During IM when I felt any burn I backed off.
I was actually able to pick off a couple of names on butts and just barely made it back to transition before Jennifer. Starting the run I was in 5th but I knew Jennifer was faster so it was a matter of time. Once Jennifer passed me there was a name on butt ahead that she caught and I was hoping I would catch too, but she went with Jennifer and I didn't have any more gears. I ended up 6th just out of the $ but Jennifer got 5th and $100! Kristin dominated the field and won easily.
I was very surprised that I was able to stay as close as I did. There definitely is something to having a very large base. IM gave me the base and now I just need to add in some speed and find those gears that I just don't have quite yet.
After the race Jennifer graciously offered to buy me one of the fat free vanilla cappuccinos that I had been raving about. Luckily Columbia has a QT, so we headed there before she went East and I went West. I had to get home as fast as I could so I could get online and enter Memphis in May!
Another reason Mom put off having me come over for Mother's Day is that she is going to come with me to Memphis! Jeff has to work next weekend so Mom and I will hit the road. On the way home we are going to detour to Hot Springs Village, AR to see my Grandpa who recently turned 90! It should be an interesting trip.
Last weekend at the last minute I decided to sign up for and do The Race For Sight in Columbia, MO. It is a sprint triathlon with a pool swim. I had thought about just going up to watch, but after talking to a couple of friends doing the race I really wanted to play too! Once I entered, I was absolutely giddy. I had no idea what my body would think of a hard effort 3 weeks out from IM, but I was going to find out. Going to Columbia was also a good test to see how I would handle traveling and racing on my own without Jeff along since he had stay home and work.
Jennifer Meyer, a triathlon coach in St. Louis (www.trismartusa.com) was also making the trip alone so we met up at packet-pickup. This race always has an elite division that in the past has done the race 2 or 3 times in a row while the age-groupers go once. This year we found out that the elite's were only going once. Well, this got Jennifer's attention and for some silly reason she turned to me and said “If you do it, I'll do it”. Say what?!?!?! I'm 3 weeks out from IM and have not done a speed workout since before Du Worlds last October. I've got none, nada, zippo, zero, zilch speed in my legs! Jennifer has been training hard and has been getting stronger and faster over the last few years, so yes, she should go elite. But me? That would be nuts! Jennifer scoped out the other elite entrants and she thought there was a shot at the $ that paid 5 deep. There were a few 16-17 year olds in the division and her logic was that even if they could swim and run they wouldn't have the bike legs that take a few years to develop. I followed her logic but pointed out they could be young blazingly fast phenoms.
I gave in and into the elite division we went. The real advantage of being in the elite division is that you get to start first and split a lane instead of having to swim the pool serpentine and duck under the lane lines like the age groupers. That also meant that it would not have a chance to warm up any outside before we had to run out and get on our bikes.
At least Jennifer did buy me dinner (the traditional Subway sandwich) as payment for roping me into this. Throughout the night I found myself breaking out in spontaneous giggles at the absurdity of the move to elite. No matter what happened in the race I would have a story to tell!
Race morning it was 45 degrees which I was not that thrilled about. I had a jacket and gloves at the ready in T1 and my toe warmers were on my shoes. The pool at the University of Missouri is absolutely gorgeous (it almost makes me want to swim). Waiting for the race to start we notice the youngster phenoms. They are from Chicago and are all wearing sleek 2XU trisuits with their names on their butts. They even had a team cheer before hand which we quietly countered with our own 'Go older women!' since the rest of us were in our 30's and 40's.
The race favorite was definitely Kristin Moore. It has been so fun to watch her develop into the rock solid racer she has become. With Jennifer Harrison as her coach now...watch out!
The swim was a long course 400 so I only had to count to 8. I was surprised that I didn't get left behind right away but after the first 200 I was dropping back a bit. The hardest part was climbing out of the pool and trying not to look like an idiot in front of the other 600+ athletes waiting for their turn to swim. It is a long run to transition but luckily the effort disguised the cold. As I was pulling on my jacket, Jennifer Meyer was leaving transition yelling “I'm going to freeze!” and I noticed she had opted not to put on the shirt she had planned to. Poop, I suppose I am in the elite wave and should tough it out too. I threw the jacket down and just went with the gloves which I put on while I was riding. I had no idea what it would feel like to try to ride hard but I knew it would be short. When my legs started to burn I panicked a bit but then remembered that's what it is supposed to feel like. During IM when I felt any burn I backed off.
I was actually able to pick off a couple of names on butts and just barely made it back to transition before Jennifer. Starting the run I was in 5th but I knew Jennifer was faster so it was a matter of time. Once Jennifer passed me there was a name on butt ahead that she caught and I was hoping I would catch too, but she went with Jennifer and I didn't have any more gears. I ended up 6th just out of the $ but Jennifer got 5th and $100! Kristin dominated the field and won easily.
I was very surprised that I was able to stay as close as I did. There definitely is something to having a very large base. IM gave me the base and now I just need to add in some speed and find those gears that I just don't have quite yet.
After the race Jennifer graciously offered to buy me one of the fat free vanilla cappuccinos that I had been raving about. Luckily Columbia has a QT, so we headed there before she went East and I went West. I had to get home as fast as I could so I could get online and enter Memphis in May!
Another reason Mom put off having me come over for Mother's Day is that she is going to come with me to Memphis! Jeff has to work next weekend so Mom and I will hit the road. On the way home we are going to detour to Hot Springs Village, AR to see my Grandpa who recently turned 90! It should be an interesting trip.
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