tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62849786443068442602024-03-12T22:49:37.710-04:00The Lazy MarathonerRace reports + an archive of my journey into the sport of IronmanKristin Bradfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06153520360380713154noreply@blogger.comBlogger618125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284978644306844260.post-84465466098915329572016-10-22T18:20:00.005-04:002016-10-23T14:53:33.074-04:00Ironman Wisconsin 2016: My Ticket to Kona<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Start of the Journey<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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On November 14, 2014, I received an email from Ironman
telling me I was selected to compete in the 2015 Ironman World Championship
from the Ironman Lake Tahoe lottery after the race was canceled due to a forest
fire. I was beyond excited, but I really wanted to qualify to compete there. I
thought there was a chance I could do it at Tahoe, but as fate would have it,
I’d never get to find out. So I talked to my coach, <a href="http://e3ts.com/" target="_blank"><b>Jorge Martinez at E3Training Solutions</b></a>, signed up for Ironman Wisconsin 2015 and set a goal of
qualifying there just one month before competing at Kona so I could go to Kona
again in 2016.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Life doesn’t always go as planned and on July 1, 2015, I was
diagnosed with a stress fracture in my hip. Wisconsin was out and I was
initially told Kona was also not possible. Since I don’t give up easily, I
found a new doctor and worked with Jorge to make it to Kona with the ability to
complete the race and enjoy the experience, albeit on the slow side. It was
beautiful. And it made me want to get back to the Big Island more than ever.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We sat at Lava Java before the race and decided again that I
would aim to qualify at Ironman Wisconsin the next year. And that officially
started my journey to back to Kona.</div>
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<b>Build Up<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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I chose Ironman Wisconsin as my goal race for a number of
reasons. It’s where I did my first Ironman, I’d raced it four times and love
the course, my family lives in Madison so it’s my adopted hometown, and the
race was on the 15<sup>th</sup> anniversary of September 11, which had extra
special significance for me as a New Yorker. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The first phase of training kicked off over the holidays with
a heavy swim focus. Having averaged 1-2 trips to the pool a week at best in the
past, it was a rude awakening to be going 5-6 days a week, especially in the
cold, dark months. I often hated it, but I did it, and for once I did the
drills and followed the workouts and waited for the pay off.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I also did a lot of work on the bike over the winter, aiming
to get my FTP back up to my pre-injury level and develop strength. I spent many
early mornings on my KICKR, riding 4-5 days per week. I actually enjoyed this,
which helps a lot!<o:p></o:p></div>
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In the build to Wisconsin, I also raced at Ironman Lake
Placid as a tune up and test. I had done well at my last couple races placing
10<sup>th</sup> AG and finishing between 11:17 on a flat course, and 11:46 on hilly
courses, but had never truly raced to compete and was still about one hour
short of the top spots. I needed to put the plan to the test and see if I was
capable of being a contender so we went into Lake Placid with a goal of top 5.
While I’ve had some big goals in past races, it was my first time racing against
competition, rather than against a time goal, and I was lucky enough to have Jorge
and my <a href="http://czechchick15.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b>teammate, friend and Ironman idol, Jana</b></a>, to support me on the course and
keep me updated on where I stood. I came off the bike in 6<sup>th</sup>, but
quickly passed into 5<sup>th</sup>, and made my way to 4<sup>th</sup> near the
halfway point of the run, finishing in 4<sup>th</sup> place AG. I had the 3<sup>rd</sup>
fastest bike split, but my run was not what we were aiming for. I was overjoyed
with my first Ironman podium and had a lot of learnings to apply to Wisconsin.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Recovery and Final Prep</b></div>
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The 7 weeks between races consisted of a week of deep
recovery with some days off, some easy swimming and spinning, and my first run
just four days after the race. Then I ramped back up into a moderate week with
a 65 mile bike and a few shorter runs, before going back to high volume for the
next three weeks. I was started to feel the fatigue of the long season and I
was also struggling to get back into the game mentally even though WI was my
goal race. Work was really busy and at times I was barely staying afloat, but I
kept at it. While it felt like everyone else was tapering, I was still going
strong and had a 70 mile ride and 12 mile run on the schedule a week out from
the race, but thankfully Jorge pulled the long run and declared my taper to
officially begin with a much more pleasant 45 minute run. I was feeling good,
but was so happy to get some rest! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Heading into race week I felt way better than I did before
LP. I was much less fatigued, but was still sleeping a ton and feeling the
benefits of the rest. I focused on getting my head into the right place, doing
a final analysis of my competition, and reminding myself every single day that
I had the ability to be at the top of my AG and earn my Kona spot. Someone had
to win, and there was no reason it couldn’t be me. Since I started this sport,
I’ve found that if I boldly share my goals it feels more likely I’ll achieve
them. I spent the past year telling anyone who asked that I was aiming to
qualify for Kona at Wisconsin. As race day drew nearer, this goal weighed
heavily upon me, but it kept me focused and motivated. I realized I was as
ready as I was ever going to be and it would come down to how well I could
execute the plan, and how well my competitors executed their plans.</div>
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<b style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">Race Morning</b></div>
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Race morning arrived faster than ever and it was time to go.
I had my usual 3am breakfast of an English muffin with almond butter and honey,
as much of a banana as I could stomach, coffee and two bottles of Ensure. I
woke up feeling more calm than I’d anticipated, but also very reflective. I
scanned the news and social media posts about 9/11 and spent the early morning
hours feeling grateful to have the chance to do what I love surrounded by
family and loved ones. I was staying with my parents as always, and Scott had
flown in Friday night to be there for the big day. The only thing missing was
my sister and her husband, who’ve been at every IMWI I’ve raced and even a
couple that I didn’t, but this time they couldn’t make it. I had their support
from afar though and literally could not have asked for more. My heart was
really full that day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Swim</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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IMWI is one of the last Ironmans to have a mass start, which
I still really love. I got beat up badly in LP with my aggressive start
position that served me well pace wise, but I paid for it with heavy contact
due to my less than great swim execution. Wisconsin is also one big loop so you
don’t end up swimming into slower swimmers like you do on a two-loop swim.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I got into the water about 10 minutes early and swam all the
way out to the buoy line. It was surprisingly not crowded and I asked the
people around me for their goal times to be sure I was in the right place. Most
were aiming for 1:05-1:10 so I settled in and floated until the gun went off.<o:p></o:p></div>
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At the beginning of the LP swim I was so nervous I felt sick
and was flooded with adrenaline for the first 500 yards or so. But at WI when the
gun went off I felt really calm and in control. I took some typical mass start
contact, but nothing major, and within a few minutes I was in relatively clear
water and feeling strong. I migrated slightly inside the buoy line and was
focusing on swimming straight. The first stretch was a little crowded, but for
once I was passing and holding my position when others passed me. There was a
bottleneck at the first turn buoy where people stop and moo like cows (for
Ironman MOO, as the race is often called), but I navigated through and only
slowed a bit. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The next stretch was straight into the sun and full on
contact so I just tried to get through it as best I could. As soon as I made
the turn for the long back stretch I settled in and was swimming what I thought
was my best race ever. I occasionally glanced at my watch and my pace was
consistently 1:37-1:39/100, which is really good for me. I felt great, my
sighting was strong and I was handling the crowds better than usual. I was
certain I was on track for a big swim PR.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As I exited the water I looked down at my watch and saw 1:14
and change. I was a little disappointed. I swam 1:14 in LP and was hoping for
1:10-1:12 in WI, but I didn’t let it phase me. A big part of my race plan was
to finish each leg of the race, forget about it and keep moving forward
regardless of whether or not I was on goal. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Time: 1:14:13</b><br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>T1</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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I made a quick stop for the wetsuit strippers and ran for
the helix. Ironman Wisconsin is pretty unique in that the transition takes
place inside a building. And not just any building, but a Frank Lloyd Wright
building with a curly-cue parking ramp leading up from the swim and down from
the bike, referred to as the helix. <o:p></o:p></div>
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A lot of people came out of the water with me so it was
jammed, but I managed to pass a few people and keep the momentum going. I found
my bag quickly and ran into the change tent where I stood off to the side and
put on my socks, stealth top loaded with nutrition (which took a lot of
struggling with the help of a volunteer), helmet and sunglasses, a spritz of
sunscreen that cuts through water, and grabbed my shoes for the long barefoot
run to the bike. The transitions in WI are incredibly long, particularly T1
which has the run up the helix, then a run the entire length of the bike
transition area in both directions.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I quickly put on my shoes when I reached my bike, ran to the
mount line and cruised down the opposite helix. I felt like I had moved as
quickly as I could, but would later discover I was about a minute slower than
my last time racing at WI. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Time: 7:10<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Bike</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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The big learning coming out of LP is that while I rode what
appeared to be a perfect bike effort exactly at 70% normalized power, my
average power was low and my variability was high due to a lot of power spiking
as I passed on flats and started climbs. Lake Placid has just a few big climbs
so it’s much more manageable than Wisconsin, where there are nonstop rollers
that often hit 8-11% grade in spots. These short, steep bursts can lead to
major burn out. The course tends to be faster than LP on the bike, but a lot of
people pay for it on the run. I’ve ridden it multiple times in training and
racing so I felt pretty well prepared, but needed to focus on not burning too
many matches.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p>Jorge broke the course up into 4 segments for the first loop
and 3 for the second, each with an average power, normalized power and maximum
power target. The beginning of the course is always really crowded and not 500
feet off the helix, some guy nearly sideswiped me. Sadly it wouldn’t be the
only time during the ride due to the increasing number of people racing
Ironmans with very limited bike handling skills. There is a long no passing
zone just a couple miles into the ride so I knew I’d be losing some time there.
I was also trying to keep my power conservative so I felt I was getting off to
a slow start and was feeling a little frustrated.</div>
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Best Bike Split predicted my Lake Placid ride at 5:49 and I
rode it in 5:49 on race day. So I was rather excited when it had me at
5:39-5:41 in the days leading up to the race, adjusting slightly as the
forecast changed. The last time we looked was Saturday night and I was looking
good for 5:40 so the goal was 5:40-5:45. However, as it often does in
Wisconsin, the forecast changed overnight and we ended up with a windier day
than anticipated. It wasn’t intense wind, but just enough to make the effort a little
harder and a little slower, but I wasn’t aware of it in the earlier miles. I
was expecting an average of 19.5 or higher and was barely maintaining 18.9. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I hit the end of the “stick,” the section leading out of
town to the loop, and my power was a bit low and my pace was far from a PR. I
was well into my nutrition plan of one bottle of Skratch/Gatorade, one gel and
two Clif blocks per hour and overall I felt really good. My legs felt fresh, I
wasn’t depleted from the swim and the temperature was absolutely perfect. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I headed out onto the loop and got ready for the hills,
gaining some speed as I passed through the first, flatter part in Verona. There
were a couple hills to pay close attention to in this next segment – a roughly
5 mile climb into Mt. Horeb that starts as a false flat and gradually increases
before a steep climb at the end. I’ve always thought this is a section where
people blow themselves up without realizing it so I paid attention to my
numbers and was exactly where I needed to be. I started leapfrogging with a lot
of guys and this would go on for miles. I was riding a steady power and they
clearly were not, so I just ignored them and focused on my own race. I saw more
than a few of them walking on the run.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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The next hill was THE hill that had everyone talking for two
months leading up to the race. Due to road work, they had to take out the
famous three climbs that make the IMWI course so challenging, but also so much
fun since they are lined with spectators, tents and people in costumes. The new
route took us up a beast of a hill called Barlow Road that was around 1.5 miles
of heavy climbing with a quarter mile section of 12% or more grade, with bits
in the 18-22% range. It was such an all out effort that my head and arms were
burning. I love climbs like this, but not so much in an Ironman! The reward was
a very fast downhill and another long descent after on Mineral Point Road. I
tucked into aero and took advantage of the free speed and recovery time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A few miles later we had the third of the original three
hills. It was absolutely packed since everyone had to condense from three hills
to one. I saw my parents and then Scott. As I passed him I was averaging around
18.9-19 and was way below the anticipated plan. I said I wasn’t having a very
good day, which I meant speed-wise, not how I was feeling. He told me my
average was among the fastest in my AG and I was doing great, which was such a
relief to hear. I finished the climb feeling much more confident and figured we
were all a little slower than planned. I zipped through Verona and got a nice
boost from the crowds before starting the second loop.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I treated the second loop as one big segment and aimed to
maintain my pace and stay on the power plan. The wind was steadily picking up
and on the long rolling/false flat section into Mt. Horeb I was about 2mph
slower than the previous loop at the same effort. I didn’t want to overdo it by
trying to push harder against the wind so I let my power drop a bit. I knew the
climbs would bring my normalized power up, but I’d have a bigger variance than
we were hoping. I didn’t want a repeat of LP where my normalized power was dead
on, but my average was way off and my legs were heavy and shot by mile 10 of
the run, so I was a little more conservative while keeping up a strong effort.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The big climb was only on the first loops so the second loop
was shorter. The wind was strongest heading back into Verona and was mostly
crosswind and tailwind heading back into town so I pushed as much as I could to
make up time with low power thanks to the net downhill.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmpc5dUtV6ZRADfIVIw3Qpd-FvfZ9l3s6oUUoFRjGEBGJqYPrKxeOdz6o6-Ofsn-e09GcF5pbuGz1sYx2Gc5kW8BJJ7Qe4J5cPmu3D1wPpq70xw_-89erLWgdz8Y2UOy11Wf2Zcr0E7Xk-/s1600/29+140_m-100735534-DIGITAL_HIGHRES-1364_037459-3726392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmpc5dUtV6ZRADfIVIw3Qpd-FvfZ9l3s6oUUoFRjGEBGJqYPrKxeOdz6o6-Ofsn-e09GcF5pbuGz1sYx2Gc5kW8BJJ7Qe4J5cPmu3D1wPpq70xw_-89erLWgdz8Y2UOy11Wf2Zcr0E7Xk-/s320/29+140_m-100735534-DIGITAL_HIGHRES-1364_037459-3726392.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I approached the Helix my average speed was at 19mph,
about .6mph slower than the Best Bike Split prediction. I finished in 5:52,
which was three minutes slower than my LP ride. We would later discover that
BBS had me at 5:51 on race day due to the change in the forecast. This is a
great example of how easy it is to let the data get into your head and
potentially ruin your race. I was feeling pretty down and felt like I was
blowing my chance until Scott told me my bike was actually going well. It’s
great to have estimates, but you have to remember that race day is
unpredictable and a million things can change.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I got off the bike and started running to T2 my legs
were burning, but luckily it faded quickly as I ran to the changing area. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Time: 5:52:58<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>T2</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In and out, that was the goal. I never sit down, I just grab
what I need and get everything situated on the run out – pulling on my race
belt, getting my visor on and loading my pockets up with gels. This transition
is much shorter as we only have to run the length in one direction.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Time: 2:27<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Run</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I spotted my mom and dad right away along the first part of
the run. My mom shouted out that only a couple of the women we were tracking
were ahead of me, but I would find out in the coming miles that the tracker
stopped reporting bike splits after mile 61 so we didn’t have much accurate
data for the first part of the run. I was feeling really great and running
well, and was hopeful I might already be in the top five and have a shot at making
my way to the top two.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKJzLTEVjmz9nekZ-wCBoMh_F3haW1BHtdg8YvRWTrD8nFE2mRi-t8USu3sXuhGcHczhMoqQNyceQb74xYLxlcywvNb_ix6gdaydG4dLr7XgoasjhjHhnDuUc95xXsbMmJHqcltjjrTG8/s1600/30+144_m-100735534-DIGITAL_HIGHRES-1364_045419-3726396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKJzLTEVjmz9nekZ-wCBoMh_F3haW1BHtdg8YvRWTrD8nFE2mRi-t8USu3sXuhGcHczhMoqQNyceQb74xYLxlcywvNb_ix6gdaydG4dLr7XgoasjhjHhnDuUc95xXsbMmJHqcltjjrTG8/s320/30+144_m-100735534-DIGITAL_HIGHRES-1364_045419-3726396.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Scott was waiting around mile 1.5 for the first update and
as I ran by, he told me I was in 7<sup>th</sup>, which was a little
disappointing. The next stretch has a short out and back on a bike path and I
saw one of my competitors was only about .4 miles ahead. My race plan was HR
and pace based for the first 18 miles, aiming for 140-145 bpms and roughly
8:30s. My HR was spot on and my pace was a little faster in the 8:20s due to
some downhill, but I didn’t want to risk speeding up for the pass only to blow
up later so I kept her in my sights and stuck to the plan. The temperature was
perfect and I was feeling pretty great. At times I lost sight of her, but
didn’t let it worry me. I knew I’d see Scott around mile 5.5 for another
update.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRsoE7Y20VmR8CyX6cqRWjTSaUtWn1uO9TDF2E1bdZ_M70xA0OVM_O56l5MtLiSHD68vRZ6S3v3pIk1GscPCCk7TSOdVDq8iNykp1j6XmxFgki0eps6Zh4W2OGV5KZOJw_SDkITfikkiGV/s1600/32+153_m-100735534-DIGITAL_HIGHRES-1364_055580-3726405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRsoE7Y20VmR8CyX6cqRWjTSaUtWn1uO9TDF2E1bdZ_M70xA0OVM_O56l5MtLiSHD68vRZ6S3v3pIk1GscPCCk7TSOdVDq8iNykp1j6XmxFgki0eps6Zh4W2OGV5KZOJw_SDkITfikkiGV/s320/32+153_m-100735534-DIGITAL_HIGHRES-1364_055580-3726405.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I tackled the first run up Observatory, the only steep hill
on the course, and managed to keep my HR pretty controlled. Scott was just past
the bottom and told me I was in 7<sup>th</sup> off the bike, but was now in 4<sup>th</sup>
or 5<sup>th</sup>. We would later discover I came into T2 in 7<sup>th</sup>,
but started the run in 5<sup>th</sup>, passing two women in transition. I knew
at least one of the women was right in front of me so I figured I would at
least be able to grab 4<sup>th</sup> or 5<sup>th</sup> place as the worst case
outcome. I saw my parents right after near the State Street turnaround and the
reiterated that I was definitely in the top five.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next section has a longer out and back along Lake
Mendota so it’s a great opportunity to see where your competition is. I spotted
the woman right ahead of me and realized she was slowing down, only about .25
ahead at that point. But I had yet to see the others, which worried me a
little. I continued on and the miles ticked away. I stayed focused on my pacing
and nutrition, which was water at each aid station, sometimes a little
Gatorade, 4 gels spaced out about 4-6 miles, and around mile 12 I had Coke at
every aid station with an occasional gulp of Red Bull. I had stomach pain,
which I also had in LP, but it was not enough to slow me down or keep me from
getting my nutrition in.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGWX7ESWyjyjwnh8BJw9RuC6dfl1i78oeibR786GEUvQ1zoXRROad4pklGHDKyhcdpgC4CSopspnw6Deb6XV0QF8wtXd1XpeHNx4K2Z8EvPIK1hJOLG2gGWZlszKOjdq1lPrAOBrZQaZN/s1600/35+132_m-100735534-DIGITAL_HIGHRES-1364_018730-3726384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGWX7ESWyjyjwnh8BJw9RuC6dfl1i78oeibR786GEUvQ1zoXRROad4pklGHDKyhcdpgC4CSopspnw6Deb6XV0QF8wtXd1XpeHNx4K2Z8EvPIK1hJOLG2gGWZlszKOjdq1lPrAOBrZQaZN/s320/35+132_m-100735534-DIGITAL_HIGHRES-1364_018730-3726384.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I neared mile 12 I saw the woman right ahead of me and as
we went through the aid station, I passed her. She didn’t try to catch me and I
didn’t speed up, I just continued my steady pace and hoped it would be enough.
About a half mile later I saw Scott again and motioned behind me so he would
see I had passed her and he gave me a big smile and said I was now in 3<sup>rd</sup>
place! The woman in 1<sup>st</sup> was way ahead and 2<sup>nd</sup> was about 4
minutes ahead. I was so happy. It was a big gap, but I was steadily gaining
ground and I still had half the race to go.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Shortly after, I finally saw the woman in 1<sup>st</sup> and
she looked strong. I didn’t see 2<sup>nd</sup>, but Scott saw her and said she
looked like she was suffering. I started to feel like there was a chance I’d be
able to pull it off, but I still had 13.1 miles to go.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX53ZcIgaFrolPUQ_nDUHXU0uKSlUo0DUE76CfPa4hXJrmmRsD6YHAq6FPzQhtmsbpMBwcCGvOvfn5b6OywN-WpYNRjLTxBy8XIyJDykxWAo-tMn374149WzQCS57wzNKxPuY553sKSDvC/s1600/34+IMG_5925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX53ZcIgaFrolPUQ_nDUHXU0uKSlUo0DUE76CfPa4hXJrmmRsD6YHAq6FPzQhtmsbpMBwcCGvOvfn5b6OywN-WpYNRjLTxBy8XIyJDykxWAo-tMn374149WzQCS57wzNKxPuY553sKSDvC/s320/34+IMG_5925.jpg" width="303" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next several miles were pure focus. The pain started getting
more and more severe and fatigue was building, but I couldn’t afford to slow
down. I couldn’t wait for mile 19 where I’d get another update. As I headed
into the State Street turnaround, Scott said she was slowing down and I was
maintaining. Then, just a few hundred yards later, I finally saw her for the
first time and she was no more than .25 miles ahead of me. I got the biggest
jolt of adrenaline and it took every bit of control to maintain my pace and not
make a stupid move. As I made the turn toward the Lake Mendota path, Scott pointed
just ahead and said she was right there, to go get her.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We passed through an aid station and as my Garmin beeped for
mile 20, I made the pass. It was at once the most thrilling and most terrifying moment
because I wasn’t sure how she would react. Almost everyone’s ages had come off
their calves, but of course mine was still on so she would know we were
competing against one another. I ran a mile or so before the first glance over
my shoulder and I didn’t see her there. At the next turnaround, near mile 22, I
was able to see how far back she was and I had gained about .4 miles on her. But
I still didn’t consider it a certainty. I realized it was going to be the
hardest four miles I’ve ever run in my life!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4IGYamURvTHIgeEl4Zjo60JPOZq2Fy7P32cZlA7olzVcbpZyVjNhwTFDsBBY4naNN81mwCsS8dBf1eFVmE-S3ECJsJdVtpobhma7FNGKu7_EVf76P4_JjzjcnFOMkOqCTcFRY9xqP1MQ/s1600/37+166_m-100735534-DIGITAL_HIGHRES-1364_078790-3726418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4IGYamURvTHIgeEl4Zjo60JPOZq2Fy7P32cZlA7olzVcbpZyVjNhwTFDsBBY4naNN81mwCsS8dBf1eFVmE-S3ECJsJdVtpobhma7FNGKu7_EVf76P4_JjzjcnFOMkOqCTcFRY9xqP1MQ/s320/37+166_m-100735534-DIGITAL_HIGHRES-1364_078790-3726418.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My HR was up to the 150s and I was in tremendous pain. My pace
had slowed around 5-10 seconds per mile, but I gave it everything I had to
speed up a little and keep putting more distance between her and I. I looked
over my shoulder at every turn and while didn’t see her, I was so worried
someone else would come out of nowhere and pass me in the final moments. I was
overwhelmed by emotions and wanted to get to that finish line more than
anything. I saw Scott at the usual spot one last time, just about a mile from
the finish and he told me she was down by a lot and it was mine. I couldn’t
believe it was really happening. But I had to stay focused because so many
things can happen in an Ironman.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ca246gvDqfM3PP1KblpUNIvBklEGIimHcV-lr-h4jj6cBejbq-lhj4ieq5Nbt8VNcBkurCyjptst2zQ9ySIa3-TEBE6CgMLKSgbKYbq37_XazuG2n4aNUDqkzy-uc23JdXRnFrfuZCFj/s1600/38+158_m-100735534-DIGITAL_HIGHRES-1364_063543-3726410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ca246gvDqfM3PP1KblpUNIvBklEGIimHcV-lr-h4jj6cBejbq-lhj4ieq5Nbt8VNcBkurCyjptst2zQ9ySIa3-TEBE6CgMLKSgbKYbq37_XazuG2n4aNUDqkzy-uc23JdXRnFrfuZCFj/s320/38+158_m-100735534-DIGITAL_HIGHRES-1364_063543-3726410.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8VDpc5Ac-JA5_HC75Zk4LQS6NLhjXU00AtC7mW0i9bJHj3Kqsj7mGfl3w8qOXm7pm3wXLuecmsJOn-yrGaRhCCRh3TZNb6N6LHcHep5n5odweHRCWb6uqLzA4kWagtant_KRA1zO8m9kJ/s1600/39+160_m-100735534-DIGITAL_HIGHRES-1364_063545-3726412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8VDpc5Ac-JA5_HC75Zk4LQS6NLhjXU00AtC7mW0i9bJHj3Kqsj7mGfl3w8qOXm7pm3wXLuecmsJOn-yrGaRhCCRh3TZNb6N6LHcHep5n5odweHRCWb6uqLzA4kWagtant_KRA1zO8m9kJ/s320/39+160_m-100735534-DIGITAL_HIGHRES-1364_063545-3726412.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The race ends with a loop around Capitol Square where you
can hear the finish line on the other side, but still have about .5 miles to
go. When I reached that corner I looked over my shoulder one more time, and
finally let the emotions take over. I had done it. I was in 2<sup>nd</sup>
place in my age group, which meant I would qualify for Kona. I had the finish
chute completely to myself and it was such an incredible moment. I crossed the
finish line in 11 hours, 4 minutes and 20 seconds, a 42 minute course PR, and punched my ticket to
Kona. I was 10<sup>th</sup> amateur female overall, I had the 3<sup>rd</sup>
fastest bike split in my AG and 2<sup>nd</sup> fastest run.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Time: 3:47:32<o:p></o:p></b><br />
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTVDgWu376gBJsyhzTD987uDJ1UvNB8ZLag0bRm1yX3efa6eOlY0Tq-7PRVLkybXjCwAO6kuO7Rxh15t2wTwn5vesx_Ljag3ThT6YqzSUyb4PLwI1b6QVEzCq7uMOqTFIENlsz9gGv1giO/s1600/41+180_m-100735534-DIGITAL_HIGHRES-1364_107221-3726432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTVDgWu376gBJsyhzTD987uDJ1UvNB8ZLag0bRm1yX3efa6eOlY0Tq-7PRVLkybXjCwAO6kuO7Rxh15t2wTwn5vesx_Ljag3ThT6YqzSUyb4PLwI1b6QVEzCq7uMOqTFIENlsz9gGv1giO/s320/41+180_m-100735534-DIGITAL_HIGHRES-1364_107221-3726432.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Final Thoughts<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I raced my first Ironman in 2009 on this same course and it
took me 15 hours and 45 minutes to finish due to an injury right before the
race. I did the same two races in 2010 that I did this summer, finishing LP in
13:31 and WI in 12:48. A few years later I came back to Wisconsin and did 11:46
and placed 10<sup>th</sup>. I was so excited. I did it again at Coeur d’Alene
and while I still had a long way to go, I started thinking that I could do
more. The Tahoe lottery spot to Kona was the push I needed. I knew it was going
to be incredibly hard work and I knew there was a chance my best wouldn’t be
good enough. But Jorge believed in my goals, he build the right plan to get me
there, and I did the hard, consistent work needed whether I felt like it or
not.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the end, it all came together and I achieved a huge dream
at my goal race, where all of this began for me 7 years ago, with my family and
friends there to share it with me. To say I’m grateful is the biggest
understatement. I didn’t sleep at all that night and as I sat at the awards and
waited for my name to be called for the Kona slot allocation, I was still in
disbelief. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQLAYVNdVSxVIVlfujMSVXccQMOBuH2vWDHwUzDvLgyKPb_3H0ZjFWSADllr0e-d-qc0sIy1DJzjVXmnxHeMCQgKb4wnxFlf6hizcU7LIAag7TYGiZcxMWdBOSZZ0F6995B4ahG_ZxnfR/s1600/53+IMG_5968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQLAYVNdVSxVIVlfujMSVXccQMOBuH2vWDHwUzDvLgyKPb_3H0ZjFWSADllr0e-d-qc0sIy1DJzjVXmnxHeMCQgKb4wnxFlf6hizcU7LIAag7TYGiZcxMWdBOSZZ0F6995B4ahG_ZxnfR/s320/53+IMG_5968.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
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If your dreams don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough. I am
proof you can set a goal that everyone might think is crazy, and if you work
hard every day and don’t lose sight of it, you can achieve that goal. I can’t
wait to set a new goal and see what happens next.</div>
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Kristin Bradfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06153520360380713154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284978644306844260.post-70477588333934979862015-12-02T21:09:00.000-05:002015-12-02T21:13:44.291-05:00Ironman World Championship: Living My Dreams<span style="font-size: small;">Having an alarm go off in the 3am hour is generally unwelcome, except for
race day. I miraculously slept pretty well, albeit not long enough. My race
morning procedure is a simple science: start the coffee, jump in the shower,
drink an Ensure, drink a coffee and eat an English muffin with almond butter.
I got into my tri kit, woke up my parents and prepared to make my way to the
start.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHoQGJt-k5hXhyk4AJqGEBOg9Lkea10c_4ljV0_vNBNGRX-i5cO0DM9HvefRH6f-IpJq83Ne0vUi53Sy4pgZHLKAJzi7AkLRINK6KCZO-ADTUl95wb9kplTOXQUTpbNzoZ7sePrNmzAF4K/s1600/10599597_10153762702459612_3218678802143202737_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHoQGJt-k5hXhyk4AJqGEBOg9Lkea10c_4ljV0_vNBNGRX-i5cO0DM9HvefRH6f-IpJq83Ne0vUi53Sy4pgZHLKAJzi7AkLRINK6KCZO-ADTUl95wb9kplTOXQUTpbNzoZ7sePrNmzAF4K/s320/10599597_10153762702459612_3218678802143202737_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
As we walked in the dark toward the pier, it felt surreal just to be there.
I was nervous, but in a quiet sort of way, not the overwhelming urge to throw
up or cry that I often feel on race morning. I still had a touch of fear about
my hip and the unknown, but was ready to get started and enjoy the day.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zwn-rnN6Fy5bKSgJiJyIehsoYaCJSZl6vFtSOK0yxAn4KM6E_lWgAd01-NL0cO_XzCheXoNe-uXQbkWpxpEgoiMDlbqPI785knXkth628wzF32q5xf87jcZTHsV_MZ2dmRQD4tU93ump/s1600/12196227_10153762702279612_6301753345635494355_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zwn-rnN6Fy5bKSgJiJyIehsoYaCJSZl6vFtSOK0yxAn4KM6E_lWgAd01-NL0cO_XzCheXoNe-uXQbkWpxpEgoiMDlbqPI785knXkth628wzF32q5xf87jcZTHsV_MZ2dmRQD4tU93ump/s320/12196227_10153762702279612_6301753345635494355_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Body marking at Kona is quite the process. As you enter the secure athlete
area a volunteer sprays your arms with alcohol and wipes them down so the fancy
body marking tattoos will stick. Like everything else at Kona, it's one
volunteer to one athlete and they make you feel like you're the only one there.
It's the best. Next you get to step on a scale and see how much carb loading
you've done. Then it's off to the pier to make sure your tires didn't blow
overnight and to get the bike ready. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">As I approached my row in transition, I
saw my best friend Laura and her husband right at the end. They volunteered in
transition to have a good view of the start and waited for me at my bike. A hug
from a loved one was just what I needed to keep the nerves at bay.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
I pumped my tires, loaded up my nutrition and prepared to kill a lot of time
until the start. I ran into Jana so we braved the porta potty line together,
then it was time to get into my swim skin and apply an entire stick of body
glide. The pros started and I still had a long wait ahead. I listed to
Titanium, my ritual pre-race song, before checking my bag and doing a short
warm up swim. I finally couldn't avoid it any longer so I walked to the pier
and got into the water. The nerves intensified and I knew in about 15 minutes
I'd start the swim and not stop moving until later that night.<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">The start at Kona is unlike any other. The pier and seawall is lined with
people, there are cameramen under the water and on the beach, and there is a
news helicopter hovering above. I've never felt adrenaline like I did that
morning. I'm not a great swimmer so I usually put myself about 1/3 of the way
back from the front, but here I opted to wait on the beach until the last
minute. I was literally the only age group woman not in the water and I enjoyed
those final moments where I had the famous start all to myself. I saw no reason
to tread water without a wetsuit for 10 minutes and was happy to save the
energy. I decided to start all the way at the back since my goals were so
conservative. In the final moments of treading and waiting I saw Carolyn right
in front of me. We hugged, wished each other luck and the cannon went off. My
Kona experience officially began.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>The Swim </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Starting at the back may not have been the best idea. I'm not a very fast
swimmer, but I still found myself struggling to navigate around a lot of women,
something I'm not very good at. This would go on throughout the entire swim. I
didn't experience the hard contact others complained of, but definitely never
had clear water either. The only important thing is that I felt comfortable and
strong. I glanced at my watch at the turn buoy and my average was 1:37/100
yards - really great for me. But I also knew we had the current in our favor
and I'd slow after the turn.</span><br />
<br />
I didn't feel the current right away, but as we got closer to the pier it
was really strong. I stayed on feet as much as I could and had a couple women I
paced with the whole way. After the turn we also swam into the slower men so
the course got really crowded. I glanced up and saw the big Gatorade blow up at
the end of the pier and knew I was close to the finish. The time on my watch
was 1:13. For a moment I thought I was going to have a pretty good swim time,
but that last stretch seemed to take forever. At times it was like an endless
pool so I just kept chugging along. I had no idea how much time had passed, but
a glance at the watch as I exited the water showed 1:24 and change. Not good,
not bad. Did I care? Absolutely not! A huge smile spread across my face and as
I ran up the stairs to the pier I screamed out, "I'm doing Kona!" I
was so overjoyed.<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYtWxVqv2A3E6mZe5jpqn8AKXbLFOk2OuU6UGX-PX6mKm-HBsEjoKKGrTOXFGDRTFeVK3zvUEl2AJon_bGtOTjjK6AHUVuSW4x9v_D7rOw_MpMo5yEK0vlcXWMFMj9AqZrVhUTSiaVUd1/s1600/1162_005470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYtWxVqv2A3E6mZe5jpqn8AKXbLFOk2OuU6UGX-PX6mKm-HBsEjoKKGrTOXFGDRTFeVK3zvUEl2AJon_bGtOTjjK6AHUVuSW4x9v_D7rOw_MpMo5yEK0vlcXWMFMj9AqZrVhUTSiaVUd1/s320/1162_005470.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3SXBArRxBsoC7xj9iH5lpSnug3qdUp5MAUoLnBu2giFIzRidfuBbZQjlt0MfsY1e7aVtVrOjlsDP-1ytjPNz0rXO1qG2KgD1AtAe4R2CTxhuvH0or5SLjx2WqpsUTSpzc_VVFqiFmrEd/s1600/1162_007391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3SXBArRxBsoC7xj9iH5lpSnug3qdUp5MAUoLnBu2giFIzRidfuBbZQjlt0MfsY1e7aVtVrOjlsDP-1ytjPNz0rXO1qG2KgD1AtAe4R2CTxhuvH0or5SLjx2WqpsUTSpzc_VVFqiFmrEd/s320/1162_007391.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Transition was a slow crawl simply because I wasn't in a hurry. As I ran out
to the bike, I realized my sunglasses had gotten caught in my sunscreen spray.
A volunteer let me wipe them on her shirt and saved the day. The volunteers at
Kona were angels. They were selfless, their energy was limitless and they were
there to pick us up when we most needed it. It's not possible to thank them
enough.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Time: 1:25:07</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>T1: 7:17</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>The Bike</b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Kona is all about the bike. You never know what Madame Pele will have in
store for you: Headwind? Crosswind? Rain? Hail? Heat? The only thing for
certain is that it will be uncertain. The first several miles are in town and
my race plan called for these to be really easy. I saw my family as I headed
out onto Kuakini Highway and I stuck to my plan, particularly the nutrition.
Coach Jorge warned me I'd come out of the swim dehydrated since Kona is so hot
and the water is so warm. I finished a full bottle of Skratch in the first 30
minutes and my second bottle in the next 30. Once out on the Queen K I relied
on the aid stations for all of my liquids.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
The first 30 miles were a breeze, quite literally. There was a great
tailwind and not long into my ride, I had the thrill of seeing the top pros
finishing their rides. It is hard to imagine they are THAT much faster, but
they are. Jan Frodeno would be crossing the finish line before I even made it
to T2!<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">I reached the end of the Queen K and made the left turn toward Hawi. So far,
so good. I was so on top of my nutrition, averaging about 1.5 bottles of
Gatorade and a bottle of water per. The heat was getting intense so I also
soaked myself at every aid station to keep my body temperature down. I was
riding well within my power guidelines, maybe even a little under due to the
tailwind. At 40 or so miles in I was on track to make my predicted 6 hour
split.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSC3GQnnfLLrAH0M_W7wueOoZbn1rJKDvcY7sFi2tQuuUCmQg4lknAiMqgUkFDyfk2-L73R1xwm3AiewrXZly2nPU7Lqi1hfr-eDl9rzvOzKuMUccrQxpJdsxWskE59fT58egvFv__1Bqg/s1600/1162_018082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSC3GQnnfLLrAH0M_W7wueOoZbn1rJKDvcY7sFi2tQuuUCmQg4lknAiMqgUkFDyfk2-L73R1xwm3AiewrXZly2nPU7Lqi1hfr-eDl9rzvOzKuMUccrQxpJdsxWskE59fT58egvFv__1Bqg/s320/1162_018082.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZ6Za1QROBoYdhD1-n0vH8a9pQkEyjnjoScH06f-VaNmoDWvc6EdPTE6ZWrCWx1w68H0N18leMlSNiIKUFwmGTiFPx_VpVyrZxO5-juBRVzFmHcoOYTL5uNjpow6IiI-pZ5DvYPsrg8ND/s1600/1162_030899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZ6Za1QROBoYdhD1-n0vH8a9pQkEyjnjoScH06f-VaNmoDWvc6EdPTE6ZWrCWx1w68H0N18leMlSNiIKUFwmGTiFPx_VpVyrZxO5-juBRVzFmHcoOYTL5uNjpow6IiI-pZ5DvYPsrg8ND/s320/1162_030899.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
But that changed as I started the climb to Hawi. The climb itself isn't much
of a climb, it's more a long steady grind. But the headwind picked up and out
of nowhere, we had a huge downpour. This brought some relief from the heat, but
made it so hard to see through soaking wet, fogged glasses. The climb felt like
it took forever and parts of this section were a bit of a drag. The stunning
ocean views to the left helped and knowing I was nearly halfway helped even
more. By the time I reached the turnaround, I had fallen off my 6 hour pace and
was on track for 6:15 or so. I thought the descent might help me catch up.<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqX0mRxiNbR427DFSHKExhOwSVtFFJ_QjjHv-zicpdfhW9FSIeaIYlHs61K3ccdMGnx1uDTvChTv6JHrq2oZK2khsrLodCBjzpilGuBuTaYMccRQQm3rPhlFPvDvTPZHRKVBagRfHy8lVG/s1600/1162_103952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqX0mRxiNbR427DFSHKExhOwSVtFFJ_QjjHv-zicpdfhW9FSIeaIYlHs61K3ccdMGnx1uDTvChTv6JHrq2oZK2khsrLodCBjzpilGuBuTaYMccRQQm3rPhlFPvDvTPZHRKVBagRfHy8lVG/s320/1162_103952.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
The descent was awesome. The infamous crosswinds that I was truly afraid of
just weren't blowing that day, or at least at the time I was descending. I tucked
into aero and enjoyed the free ride. As I neared the Queen K, I was feeling
pretty good and thinking we had dodged a lot of bullets conditions-wise. It was
really hot, but the wind really wasn't that bad. I'd soon find out I was wrong.<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">As I turned back onto the Queen K it was like hitting a brick wall. It was
early afternoon and the vicious headwind had settled in. I had nearly 35 miles
to go and knew every bit of it would be a fight. My legs were also hurting,
something I don't usually experience on the bike, so I was a little worried
that my injury and lack of training were starting to catch up with me. This
final stretch sucked. There's no other way to put it. If my mind wandered to a
negative place, I forced myself to get back to the moment and remember where I
was: I was racing <u>Kona</u>. I was <u>lucky</u>. I had NOTHING to feel bad
about, nothing to complain about. So I kept drinking the orange Gatorade I
despised by that point, put my head down and pedaled through it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZByPD3Qz112F64e7NH9zmWDw8PVAkRuUHpwZ57nYU1ueeXfSCM-12etO7Im_2Ai83fqI5I_oSKgmTQA-_7k2Oaas3ldtjVuUzbiPY84GbIUxNFDkTztVRhYILe_1Il_cmOUujej9UgWBZ/s1600/1162_040282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZByPD3Qz112F64e7NH9zmWDw8PVAkRuUHpwZ57nYU1ueeXfSCM-12etO7Im_2Ai83fqI5I_oSKgmTQA-_7k2Oaas3ldtjVuUzbiPY84GbIUxNFDkTztVRhYILe_1Il_cmOUujej9UgWBZ/s320/1162_040282.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
The last stretch was also lonely at times. In general I'm not slow, but at
Kona, I'm slow. I was out there alone a lot and the people I passed looked far
more miserable than I. Little groups of people out cheering by the resorts
offered a nice boost and then I finally saw the airport and knew I was getting
close. Shortly after I passed the Energy Lab where lots of people were already
well into the marathon. My spirits lifted tremendously, I was just miles
from T2 and definitely ready to get off the bike.<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Time: 6:38:49</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>T2: 8:21</b>... could have had a nap and massage with that time!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>The Run</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The run is usually my strength in an Ironman. I did 3:49 and 3:52 at my
last two races and was aiming to do 3:45 or faster this season before my hip
fracture. Until just weeks before Kona, we weren't sure I'd be running at all
so I was mentally prepared to walk the entire course if I had to. But my
recovery and limited training progressed nicely in the final weeks so Jorge had a
very conservative plan for me to jog easy and walk all aid stations and big
hills. As I ran out of T2 and headed up Palani I saw my mom and dad and stopped for the sweatiest hugs I've ever given at an Ironman. It meant the world to me to have them there sharing the day with me. Just past them were Chris and Laura so more sweaty hugs were had, some photos and videos were captured and I started the run.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnnIwO0NB1kxMeDld9xLifcGz1SAfcVBqoCoqpf0rm-FG2wHKJa_tFH7MzBKCCcsxJaEZGxCpJP0p2jvyYDCEsj6P4R10eiFBD0Kgm37RmmfD-FlSq3i6-2sXO47aBmedH3iN0UGXPgDFF/s1600/12208557_10153762702474612_1464172281868012370_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnnIwO0NB1kxMeDld9xLifcGz1SAfcVBqoCoqpf0rm-FG2wHKJa_tFH7MzBKCCcsxJaEZGxCpJP0p2jvyYDCEsj6P4R10eiFBD0Kgm37RmmfD-FlSq3i6-2sXO47aBmedH3iN0UGXPgDFF/s320/12208557_10153762702474612_1464172281868012370_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The first several miles are in town and mostly on Ali'i Drive. Of course I felt great in the beginning so I was running a bit faster than planned and ran up the first couple hills. I had to remind myself I not only had a really long road ahead of me, but that I still didn't know how my body would respond in the later miles given I didn't do any long training runs. So I walked the next few hills and enjoyed the spectators that line this part of the course.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;">It's difficult to put how I was feeling into words. I was truly filled with joy and was so grateful to be racing. I didn't care if it took me all night to make it to the finish, I just wanted to make it. Having that positive mindset carried me through the miles and pain, and not once during the run did I wish for it to be over, even when it got really difficult. And it was definitely going to get difficult.</span><br />
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Those first 10 miles literally flew by and before I knew it I was walking up the really steep hill on Palani headed for the Queen K. That hill felt like it went on forever and I was more than happy to be walking! At the top I saw Jorge for the first time all day and just seconds later saw Jana coming in for the finish with a mile to go. I cheered for her, then had a quick chat with Jorge to let him know how I was. I still had 16 miles to go, but I felt great. I was hopeful. And I don't think I stopped smiling much at all the entire time.<br />
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Tons of fast people were nearing the end of their marathon, but many of them were really hurting. I saw several people vomit and more people walking than usual. The heat was taking a toll and I think a lot of people were struggling with nutrition. I had fueled and hydrated really well on the bike and was feeling the benefit. I did the entire marathon on Gatorade, water, Coke, Red Bull and one gel in the earlier miles. The heat was brutal, but I kept drinking and kept dumping water on myself and putting ice down my top and pants whenever I could.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Around mile 14 I saw a friend of a friend and he snapped this photo of me. I hadn't covered 14 miles in training and was still feeling good. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The sun was just starting to set and it was beautiful. I knew it was going to get really dark really fast and it would make the rest of the run that much harder, but I was running, I wasn't in terrible pain and every step was getting me closer to the finish line.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Once darkness fell I was desperate to get to the Energy Lab. Even though this section is notorious for being brutal, I was so sensory deprived in the dark and needed a little boost. The aid station at the entrance to the Energy Lab was awesome. They were blasting music, had a stage set up and were dancing. My legs felt like they had been run over repeatedly like a truck - remember, this was my FIRST long run since spring - but I couldn't help but dance my way through the aid station. It was just what I needed. I strapped a glow stick around my neck and headed back into the darkness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">All in all, the Energy Lab wasn't as bad as I expected. It's a difficult point in the race as it's roughly miles 16-20 where a lot can go wrong both mentally and physically. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Endurance athletes not only need a hefty pain tolerance, but also the ability to keep your head in the right place when things get tough. </span>All Ironmans hurt. Sometimes it hurts so much you wonder how you're able to keep going, but somehow you do. This Ironman hurt a little more so the pain was pretty intense by this point, but it was mostly because my legs lacked resilience since I couldn't do long runs in training. My injured hip was fine, it was ironically the only thing that didn't hurt! But tolerating pain is one of my biggest strengths so I pushed on. I had stopped taking walk breaks and slowed to an 11-12 minute pace jog instead because I realized it didn't hurt any less to walk.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">When you leave the Energy Lab, there's a false sense that you're in the home stretch, yet there are still six miles ahead. For some reason I felt like I was always running up a slight hill at Kona. I was anticipating the return to town to be easier than it was, but it was a struggle. It was pitch black, most of the time there was no one else around, and time was passing so slowly. I used this time to reflect on the day and think about what was waiting for me just a little more than an hour away. I could do anything for an hour, I'd already come so far. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">There were still people out cheering here and there and the aid stations were still full of energy. It wasn't that late, maybe 7 or 7:30pm, but at Kona, it's late enough that most athletes had finished, had a meal and were celebrating with family and friends. As I turned the corner on Palani, my celebration was just moments away and I felt overcome with emotion. There was still roughly a mile left but it was literally downhill and I could hear the famous finish line just a few blocks away. My mind was racing and I forced myself to be 100% in the moment. I didn't want to fly through the finish and not remember it so I made a deliberate effort to look around, listen, celebrate with the spectators and love every single moment of my final trip down Alii Drive. There I was, the most unlikely athlete to even be doing Ironman, finishing the most spectacular race in the world. It really was like a dream. I heard my parents screaming for me, but didn't actually see them. As I got close to the end I turned around and ran a few steps backward so I could see the entire finish chute. I will never, ever forget it. As happy as I was to be crossing that line, a part of me never wanted it to end. </span><br />
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I crossed the finish line nearly two hours slower than my best race, but nearly two hours better than I was anticipating. My run was exactly one hour slower than usual, but for the first time in a long time, time meant nothing. I had a dream day at Kona and enjoyed every challenging minute. I wouldn't change anything about the experience. I can only hope to earn my way back and have another shot at this magical course. There is truly nothing like it in the world.<br />
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<b>Time: 4:50:29</b><br />
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<b>Finish Time: 13:10:03</b><br />
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This video says it all: the joy, emotion, accomplishment and gratitude.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>Kristin Bradfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06153520360380713154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284978644306844260.post-15988364253311979142015-10-22T23:03:00.000-04:002015-10-22T23:03:55.030-04:00Race Week in Kona<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There is nothing quite like the days leading up to an Ironman when an entire town is filled with energy, the Ironman Village is the center of action, and excitement (and nerves) for the race build more and more each day. Race week in Kona is like this on steroids. Almost everyone is in town a full week or more before, the Ironman store and Village open several days in advance, and the hottest triathletes in the world are training, milling around town, eating at Lava Java and swimming at the pier: Every. Single. Day. It's like Ironman crack for those who love the sport and for a brief time, you get to live in a dream world where you share this magnificent venue with the top pros in the world.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Pinch me, this is really happening</span></i></div>
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<i style="font-size: small;">Found my name!</i></div>
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I arrived in Kona late Saturday night, October 3. I would have one week to acclimate to the 6 hour time change and attempt to adjust to the 90+ degree heat that often felt like 100-105. Oh, and the 38mph wind? No problem. My coach, <a href="http://e3ts.com/coaches/jorge-martinez/" target="_blank">Jorge Martinez from E3 Training Solutions</a>, was conveniently in the condos next door and there to guide me through the days leading up to the race. What wasn't so convenient is that he had me out training in the hottest hours of the day on various parts of the course so I would be as prepared as possible for the big day. I cursed him as I did my final long run, 8.5 unbelievably hot miles on a 105 degree day. But as race day approached, I knew everything we did that week would get me that much closer to the finish line.<br />
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My first order of business was to swim at the Pier. I arrived feeling jet lagged, dehydrated and more than a bit out of it, but the crazy scene immediately snapped me into Ironman mode. My first swim was in really choppy water so all the subsequent swims (I swam daily leading up to the race) would feel that much easier. Some swims were serious and some were more for fun, including a couple coffee boat swims and some underwater goofing with good friends who came in from Chicago for the race.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Gotta love a GoPro</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>The famous Kona coffee boat... which was out of coffee</i></span></div>
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As the week went on, I previewed almost the entire course and had a good sense of what I was in for. Jorge took me through a detailed race plan, but ultimately my only goal at Kona was to have the time of my life. Being smart about the approach, the course, the conditions and my nutrition was critical for getting me through the race with my minimal training, but also for making sure I could enjoy the day. I felt ready.<br />
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I traveled to Kona alone, but was not alone for a single moment. I had friends already there, like Jorge and one of his other athletes, the amazing Jana (aka <a href="http://czechchick15.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Czech Chick</a>); a fellow Tahoe refugee, <a href="http://wheresthetofu.com/" target="_blank">Carolyn</a>; and <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/05/health/personal-ironman/" target="_blank">Roni</a>, a new friend I made on the long flight from NYC to Kona. I spent time with them every day, whether planned or by chance, and kept meeting new people everywhere. The spirit of camaraderie is stronger than ever at Kona and everyone I encountered was incredibly positive and friendly. Later in the week my amazing support crew arrived, including my mom and dad who made the long trip from Wisconsin to share the day with me, and my best friend and her husband from Chicago, who I can't seem to race an Ironman without. More friends arrived from Austin to volunteer, and suddenly we had this big group, which just added to the overall experience. I also felt so supported from afar, I literally couldn't have asked for anything more. My heart has never felt fuller than it did in the days leading up to the race and for a brief time, I was able to forget I had an injury and the thought of not finishing wasn't even an option. Ironman is a largely solo endeavor, but you never do it alone. The people who love you and support you are the most powerful source of fuel when it gets really difficult. I had more than enough to get me through 140.6 miles.<br />
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The official race events started on Thursday with the famous Underpants Run in the morning and the welcome banquet in the evening. I had a great time at both, joining Carolyn for the UPR and Jorge and Jana for the banquet. I even managed to reverse photo bomb the great Mark Allen.<br />
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Friday is when it became all business with the packing of the gear and mandatory bike and gear check in. This is usually a pretty nondescript task, but not at Kona. There was red carpet style set up and a small number of athletes allowed to go at one time. As you walked down the chute with your bike, industry professionals lined the barrier with clip boards capturing every detail about our bikes: who made the frame, what wheels we were riding, what type of power meter, hydration systems, etc. I was stopped by Enve to be photographed and given a t-shirt since my bike is maxed out in Enve. Powertap gave me a swag bag for using their power meter. People were asking what swim skin I'd be wearing. It was awesome. Each year I read the articles about what was seen at Kona, and to be part of the source was amazing.<br />
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After check in I had a quiet dinner with my parents and got into bed as early as possible to study my race plan one more time. Something I didn't mention earlier is that I caught a cold Monday evening and had been pretty sick throughout the week. By Friday night I was definitely feeling better, but also on the cusp of having it move into my chest. I got to bed as early as one can before an Ironman and hoped for the best. I knew in just a matter of hours my alarm would go off and I'd be starting a day I had dreamed about for years.<br />
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<br />Kristin Bradfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06153520360380713154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284978644306844260.post-27141151056420923942015-10-20T22:33:00.001-04:002015-10-20T22:33:40.916-04:00The Kona DreamEveryone who does Ironmans dreams of getting a chance to compete at Kona. And for most people it's just that: a dream. Kona was the race that inspired me to learn to swim and get into the sport. I jumped straight into the Ironman distance and never looked back. While I've done well over the years, progressing from a roughly 13.5 hour time to a best of 11:17 and two top 10 finishes, I've never made the podium and still have a lot of work to do to land a coveted Kona qualification. However, as fate would have it, my journey to Kona started a little over a year ago when I toed the line at Ironman Lake Tahoe, a race I was uniquely trained for and had a super secret goal of getting a KQ at, and the race was canceled at the last minute due to a massive forest fire. The 50 qualifying spots were randomly given to those of us who showed up, checked in and intended to race, and as luck would have it, I was one of the 50. I had nearly a year to prepare for my Kona experience and I decided to also make a real effort to qualify for 2016 at Ironman Wisconsin just 4 weeks before Kona.<br />
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My 2015 season also included the Boston Marathon so I felt like I was living a dream. Training was tough over the winter, but Boston went well (I hit another qualifying time) and I went on to do the Big Sur Marathon just 6 days later. I loved the experience and felt I came out unscathed, but ultimately, I was wrong. Nagging pelvic pain had come and gone throughout the winter, and as Ironman Wisconsin training ramped up, I developed acute pain in my hip. It first happened on June 21 and my last run would be June 29. On July 1 I was diagnosed with a stress fracture of the lesser trochanter and told my season was over. It was a little more than 2 months before IMWI and 3 months before Kona and a stress fracture of this nature usually requires 8-12 weeks for full healing. It also required 3 completely sedentary weeks, 4 weeks on crutches and another few weeks of very light and easy indoor cycling and minimal swimming. Overall, I was down about 6 weeks before easing back in ever so carefully with a goal of just making it to Kona and crossing that finish line.<br />
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About 7 weeks before Kona I was cleared to start some weight bearing activity, primarily walking and elliptical. I then progressed to running on an Alter G negative gravity treadmill and about 5 weeks pre-race, I did my first outdoor run/walk of 4' running with 1' walking for 30 minutes total. I never did an outdoor run/walk of more than 9.5 miles and my longest on the Alter G was 13.1 at 70% body weight. But I was able to cycle a lot, so I put as much effort into that training as I could and when I was finally able to swim normally again, I worked hard there as well. It wasn't until about 3 weeks before the race that I was starting to feel like a finish would happen.<br />
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I haven't posted here in 2 years and don't really intend to continue posting, largely because it's easier and more interactive to share what you're doing in the sport via sites like Strava, Twitter or Instagram, but I really wanted to capture and share my Kona experience. Partly because I never want to forget a moment of it from the battle to make it to the start, to the incredible journey to the finish, and partly to share that dreams really do come true even for those of us who aren't naturally at the front of the pack. Next up, my race week experience and Kona report.Kristin Bradfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06153520360380713154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284978644306844260.post-71484019994798552132013-08-04T17:20:00.000-04:002013-08-04T17:24:23.958-04:00Where I'm AtIt's hard to believe August is already here. My blog has been on a hiatus, but my training definitely has not. When I last posted, I was just getting back on track and had Ironman 70.3 Syracuse fast approaching. A lot has happened since then, including a pretty miraculous recovery that has allowed me to have one of my best seasons ever. Here are some highlights:<br />
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<b>Syracuse 70.3</b><br />
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I signed up two weeks before the race and competed 31 days after my release from the hospital. I was definitely not at my best, but I executed the race exactly as planned despite some of the toughest racing conditions I've ever experienced. It was 90+ degrees, heavy humidity and the run course had several hills that were difficult to even walk up. <br />
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<i>Syracuse bike course</i></div>
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<b>Vermont Training Camp</b><br />
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A couple days after Syracuse I went to Vermont for a training camp in the Green Mountains where I was able to ride 235 miles with more than 20,000 feet climbing over 3 of the gaps. We did Appalachian - one of the harder gaps - twice in one ride. It was some of the most incredible cycling I've ever done and definitely contributed to some huge fitness gains. Plus I got to catch up with some good friends.<br />
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<i>Top of App Gap with my friend Dan</i></div>
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We did a fair amount of open water swimming as well and one simple tip shared by my friend Dan, who is also a coach, improved my swim by 20 seconds per 100. I've been swimming for 5 years, but have never improved until now. </div>
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<i>Post-swim fun at Blueberry Lake</i></div>
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<b>High Volume Heat Wave</b><br />
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Two weeks ago we had 8 straight days of record-breaking heat and humidity in NYC. Of course this was timed right when my volume was going through the roof so I suffered through 18 hours of training in 100 degree weather. I was waking up as early as 4am to attempt to beat the heat but it was 85 by 5am and in the 90s by 9am. I had some big accomplishments that week on the bike and swim and logged a solid 16.8 mile long run that was only about 45 seconds slower per mile than my usual. The highlight of the week was the Governor's Island Swim, a 2-mile race around Governor's Island in the NY Harbor. I swam my best ever time in choppy water without a wetsuit.<br />
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<i>Huge swim PR</i></div>
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<b>First Peak Week</b><br />
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Last week I did my fist peak week of the schedule, a week my coach called "super compensation" since I did maximum volume on both the bike and run. I'll have additional peaks in the coming weeks, but each will focus separately on the run and bike. The key workouts went very well, especially my long run.</div>
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<i>Yet another Garmin shot...</i></div>
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I was fatigued for some of the shorter workouts after this run, but bounced back for a huge ride last weekend to Bear Mountain, where we rode up to the summit twice. We hit a total of 115 miles with 9,000 feet climbing.</div>
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<b>Ironman Wisconsin Recon</b><br />
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And finally, this past week I had a chance to do some training on the IMWI course in Madison. I booked a trip for family reasons and decided to bring my bike for course recon. I haven't been on the course since 2011 and I was terribly out of shape then so I wanted to see just how far my fitness has come and how much good it will do me on race day. Things could not have gone better. On Thursday I did a half course ride at slightly harder than target race effort and totally nailed it. I completed the loop in 2:17, way faster than anything I've done in the past, and the half in 3:06. My race goal is 6:15 so I am right on track. I followed it up with a really strong run off the bike, much faster than race pace.</div>
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I did some running and two swims on the course - one short and one 2 miler. Again, right on my goal pace.</div>
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But the highlight of the week was my full course ride yesterday. I rode conservatively and managed to negative split the loops and the out and back. I felt strong the entire time and finished slightly faster than my PR in 2010, but slower than my target pace this year. With a few more weeks of training and taper, I'm confident I can reach my goal.</div>
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<i>At mile 96 of 110 with my friend Phil</i></div>
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<br />Kristin Bradfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06153520360380713154noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284978644306844260.post-22505389371603886232013-06-14T21:50:00.001-04:002013-06-14T22:51:36.334-04:00Hospitalization, Trauma and Recovery<b>Warning: </b>this is a long post, but my illness was a long and difficult ordeal. It's been quiet around here, and with good reason. After my <b><a href="http://www.lazymarathoner.com/2013/05/deathly-ill.html" target="_blank">last post</a></b> I suffered a relapse and ended up back in the ER on Sunday, May 19, only this time I was admitted to the hospital. Initial blood work showed I had a white cell count of 36,000 - normal is 5-10,000 - indicating an infection rather than the earlier suspected virus. <br />
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I woke up at 6am that Sunday with a fever of 105.2. I spent hours in bed covered in ice packs, drinking tons of cold liquids, praying the cocktail of Tylenol and Advil would kick in. It was too early to call anyone and it was a Sunday - I knew I'd never reach my doctor. I was able to keep my temperature in the mid 103s, but something more was wrong. After trying my doctor, his answering service, his back up doctor, and his answering service, I made the decision to start an antibiotic that had been prescribed to me "just in case" earlier in the week. I took just one pill. That one pill plus my incredibly high white count managed to blow any chance of having conclusive blood cultures so they never identified the source of my infection.<br />
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The other issue was my strange set of symptoms, or lack thereof. I exhibited some of the symptoms of meningitis, but not all. So they did a lumbar puncture to rule it out. It wasn't a pleasant experience.<br />
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I had symptoms of pneumonia, yet my chest x-ray was clear. I had abdominal pain, but no digestive issues. I had severe head and neck pain, but my head CT was normal. I had back and flank pain, but my kidneys looked fine in a CAT scan. The only thing we were able to confirm was the myriad of illness I definitely didn't have. I was diagnosed with Sepsis of unknown origin, which is a widespread infectious and inflammatory state. Many people who get Sepsis have major organ failure and some die from complications. Luckily I'm healthy and my body is strong, so test after test showed I was fine aside from the infection.<br />
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By Monday morning my fever had broken and my white count dropped to 25,000. I was responding to broad spectrum IV antibiotics. They continued to do more tests and I felt like a human pin cushion, but still no answers. By Tuesday my white count dropped to 10,000 and by Wednesday it was 8,900. My fever never returned and the antibiotics were doing their job. My infectious diseases specialist decided to transition me to an oral antibiotic, monitor me, and hopefully release me if I continued to improve. I was finally released Wednesday night, May 22.<br />
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The aftermath of the experience and recovery were more difficult than I imagined, which I why I haven't posted an update. I spent the first 10 days in constant fear of a relapse and felt emotional over the whole experience. I was still very tired and needed a lot of rest. I was suffering from severe and debilitating tension headaches that required a hardcore prescription to even function. I had a flight booked to see my sister in DC over Memorial Day weekend but I was too sick to fly so I cancelled last minute, bought a train ticket and slept all the way to DC. I needed to be with family and it turned out to be better than any drug prescribed.<br />
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I started light training five days after my release, and eased into a semi-normal schedule the following week. Each day I felt stronger and was so thankful to be active again. I started going out, seeing friends and catching up on life. I got back on my bike and rode 92 miles despite the nearly three-week hiatus. I've had multiple follow-up tests, and the final results came back today: I couldn't be healthier. <br />
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I will never know what caused my illness and I have to be ok with that. The only thing I know for sure is that I will never take my health for granted. I went from riding 137 miles in a weekend to barely being able to walk across a room. I lost 10 pounds in seven days (not such a bad thing actually!) and was in some level of pain for more than 21 days. But now... now I feel better than ever and have put this behind me. I have some huge training weeks coming up and a half Ironman next weekend. I'm back on track.<br />
<br />Kristin Bradfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06153520360380713154noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284978644306844260.post-66694590844030935172013-05-15T13:28:00.000-04:002013-05-23T18:52:19.074-04:00Deathly IllJust as my training was ramping up and feeling good I hit a major bump in the road. Last Thursday's long run was misery. I just felt off. Afterward I was in terrible pain and could have slept the rest of the day.<br />
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Then I woke up Friday with a fever of 102.5. By 8am it was in the mid 103s and by 1pm it was 104.5. I checked into the ER at 3:25 and wouldn't return home until midnight, and only because I demanded to leave and signed out AMA. After numerous physical exams, blood and urine cultures, a chest X-ray and an abdominal CT, which involved drinking a liter of the most foul tasting solution on earth, there were still no answers and I still had a fever.<br />
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This went on all of Saturday and Sunday, although with a lower fever threshold each day. Monday marked major improvement, but still no recovery. I had additional blood tests yesterday and more exams, but no diagnosis. Then today, on day six of my mystery illness, I finally feel "normal." I haven't had a fever (yet) and am not taking any ibuprofen or Tylenol. I don't have any lingering body aches or pains. I have a decent energy level and mental clarity.<br />
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I hope this is the end and I hope the beginning of my wellness is just around the bend. I'm so anxious to move. I don't need to go out guns blazing and dive back into training, but I've seen enough of my couch and bed to last a lifetime. Fingers crossed.Kristin Bradfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06153520360380713154noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284978644306844260.post-78728470488001033942013-05-02T20:37:00.002-04:002013-05-02T20:41:10.693-04:00Train Like Somebody's WatchingI always race far better than I train. There are many reasons, of course, including fitness gains from prolonged training, stored energy from taper and race day adrenaline, but there is also another reason: people are watching me. They are waiting for me at designated spots with estimated times, or tracking me online. Knowing this makes me pedal a little harder and keep running when I'd really love to walk.<br />
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I have logged some pretty epic training over the years for my four Ironmans, but I definitely don't put the same level of energy into most solo workouts. I recently hired a personal trainer for this reason and I've accomplished more in four weeks with him than I did in six months on my own because he stands there and makes me do the hard work.<br />
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Last weekend I joined a friend late in his long ride and halfway through my short ride. He is so much faster than I that I wondered if I'd even be able to keep up, but I gave it a try regardless. It was only my fourth outdoor ride of the season and my first longer ride in weeks due to travel. I had to ride near my max HR for over an hour to even keep him within sight, but I managed to do it. Could I have done the same on my own? Not likely. But if I could, just think how much better my races would be.<br />
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For this reason, I recently switched to a local coach after having a remote coach for three seasons. My coaching is private, but I will have access to group training if I want and he monitors my weekly progress on Training Peaks so I feel far more accountable. He also happens to be my personal trainer, so I have two hours of one-on-one time to chat about goals, plans and progress while I'm being tortured.<br />
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It's still early, but I'm feeling good about the season and can't wait to see what's ahead for me. <br />
<br />Kristin Bradfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06153520360380713154noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284978644306844260.post-33817527269561773192013-04-25T10:21:00.001-04:002013-04-25T10:21:22.909-04:00Traveling and Training, or Lack ThereofIn the past 14 days, I spent nine of those days traveling - first to <b><a href="http://www.lazymarathoner.com/2013/04/weekend-in-paradise.html" target="_blank">St. John</a></b>, then to London. Neither of these were quick jaunts and each involved a full day of travel on each end. It may seem like poor planning or general torture, but it was worth it.<br />
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As most athletes know, training during travel is difficult. Luckily I'm early enough in my season that a couple missed weekends won't hurt tremendously, but it still took a toll. St. John didn't allow for much at all aside from swimming. Running was difficult due to the small size of the island, steep grade on just about every street and scorching heat and humidity. I ran once, about 40 minutes, and otherwise did lots of snorkeling and a little swimming.<br />
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London should have been easier, but jet lag and an overload of pints actually made it harder. At least in London I was on my feet all day, every day, often logging five plus miles. I also did one good run in Hyde Park to justify filling a quarter of my suitcase with running clothes.<br />
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Now that I'm back I feel pretty beat up. The sunburn from St. John has finally healed and the stiffness in my legs from the London flight is subsiding, but I'm suffering from jet lag and I've caught a cold. I likely taxed my immune system way too much and am now paying the price. Luckily it's a "neck up" cold so I'm attempting to stick to my normal training schedule.<br />
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The key will be getting back out on the bike as soon as possible. It's the area I'm lacking in the most due to the miserable spring we're having in the Northeast. But that's no excuse. It's time to step up the miles and get ready for my first tri of the season just six weeks away. In the meantime, I'll reflect on my trips and the fun I had, and look forward to the next. I love travel too much to give it up because of training. Life is about finding balance. <br />
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<br />Kristin Bradfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06153520360380713154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284978644306844260.post-52625181349916049982013-04-18T17:29:00.001-04:002013-04-22T21:03:55.255-04:00Weekend in Paradise<div style="background: #660000 url('http://zengu.s3.amazonaws.com/wineChataeu/gs3.gif') no-repeat top; height: 77px; line-height: 12px; padding: 0 15px; text-align: center; width: 336px;">
<img border="0" height="42" src="http://zengu.s3.amazonaws.com/wineChataeu/spacer4.gif" style="-moz-box-shadow: 0px 0px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-box-shadow: 0px 0px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: none; border-top-width: 0px; border: 0px; box-shadow: 0px 0px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); display: block; padding: 0px;" width="337" /><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://www.winechateau.com/category_French-Wine" style="color: #005dff; font-style: italic;">Enjoy French wine</a> with this fine selection.</span></div>
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Last weekend I went to St. John with two of my best friends. They were married on the island a year ago and graciously invited me to crash their anniversary trip. It was amazing. Since it's one of the most beautiful places I've been, I thought pictures would do a much better job than words.<br />
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<b>Upgrade! Nice way to start.</b><br />
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<b>Finally arrived. It's a long journey, but well worth it.</b><br />
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<b>We had this amazing view from our deck.</b><br />
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<b>Dolled up for dinner...</b><br />
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<b>Typical sunset...</b><br />
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<b>The lovebirds</b><br />
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<b>Chris making the famous Painkiller drink!</b><br />
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<b>View from a little hike to Ram's Head</b><br />
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<b>Blue cobblestone beach</b><br />
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<b>Sugar mill ruins</b><br />
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<b>Tons of snorkeling... Look closely for the sea turtle at the bottom!</b><br />
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<b>My daily view</b><br />
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<b>Sadly on the ferry back to St. Thomas for the journey home</b><br />
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<b>But just a few more Painkillers at the airport!</b><br />
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There was eating, drinking, swimming, snorkeling, laughing, laying on the beach, and even a little bit of running. Aside from being too short, it was the perfect weekend.Kristin Bradfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06153520360380713154noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284978644306844260.post-89255448215080581762013-04-15T22:19:00.000-04:002013-04-15T22:19:03.366-04:00Boston<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqOzIaiyo-A00Scd0ymUmdM-lYcZN3hZweEYznlQHrqc2X65LaDu_2-HW3p65DLJ3MYknIgjPPRP_1tMxQtWtKTpiyQcfmdRCM0WTh5wOdargruzskFiib5ugNQ9bAH30dJy_zbBccFpYK/s1600/537299_10151388247572636_659323131_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqOzIaiyo-A00Scd0ymUmdM-lYcZN3hZweEYznlQHrqc2X65LaDu_2-HW3p65DLJ3MYknIgjPPRP_1tMxQtWtKTpiyQcfmdRCM0WTh5wOdargruzskFiib5ugNQ9bAH30dJy_zbBccFpYK/s320/537299_10151388247572636_659323131_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Source: One More Mile Running Apparel (<span style="font-size: x-small;">via Facebook)</span></i></span></div>
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Kristin Bradfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06153520360380713154noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284978644306844260.post-15733468062313075532013-04-10T09:52:00.000-04:002013-04-10T09:52:32.114-04:00Losses and GainsIt seems spring has finally arrived in New York and I'm loving every sunny minute of it. Tuesday's forecast demanded another outdoor ride.<br />
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It feels great to bike again. After consecutive years of logging thousands of miles in the saddle, I dropped to just over 1,000 in 2012 and didn't ride at all after summer. I spent countless hours doing intervals this winter on the trainer and it has definitely eased the transition back to the road. After just two rides I feel stronger and I'm anxious for more.<br />
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I'm also improving with my personal trainer. After a few sessions I feel slightly stronger and a lot less sore. We'll be doing two hours a week for at least six weeks, then will evaluate how to move forward.<br />
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And finally, my losses this season are something to celebrate. A full year out of the sport really took a toll overall, including some not-so-surprising weight gain. When I started training in January, I immediately lost around three pounds, but then hovered at the same weight with no improvements. So <a href="http://www.lazymarathoner.com/2013/03/operation-st-john-its-on.html" target="_blank"><b>six weeks ago</b></a> I started taking it far more seriously and the results have been great. I've lost six more pounds and about three inches off my frame. Five more pounds will put me at my typical Ironman race weight, but typical just isn't good enough for me this year so I'll aim to lose five more beyond that. Seeing this reminder pop up on my computer this morning was a good motivator. <br />
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I'm off to St. John tomorrow! Open water swimming, running, snorkeling, cocktails, the beach and two of the most amazing friends you could ask for. I can't wait.<br />
Kristin Bradfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06153520360380713154noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284978644306844260.post-59948412963466091082013-04-07T23:21:00.002-04:002013-04-07T23:21:28.272-04:00Opening Day, Personal Trainer, Hill Repeats and Wine School<div style="background: #660000 url('http://zengu.s3.amazonaws.com/wineChataeu/gs2.gif') no-repeat top; height: 77px; line-height: 12px; padding: 0 15px; text-align: center; width: 336px;">
<img border="0" height="42" src="http://zengu.s3.amazonaws.com/wineChataeu/spacer3.gif" style="-moz-box-shadow: 0px 0px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-box-shadow: 0px 0px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: none; border-top-width: 0px; border: 0px; box-shadow: 0px 0px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); display: block; padding: 0px;" width="337" /><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">Fine wines and a <a href="http://www.winechateau.com/category_Spirits" style="color: #005dff; font-style: italic;">wide selection of spirits</a> also.</span></div>
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I had such a phenomenal week. It kicked off with the launch of our new company, <a href="http://www.zipzwine.com/" target="_blank">Zipz</a>, at Citi Field opening day. This was our first customer!<br />
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Then I finally pulled the trigger on hiring a personal trainer. I want to make serious fitness gains and just can't seem to do it on my own. I did a session with Travis last fall and loved it, but wasn't sure I wanted to make the commitment. After two workouts I am thrilled with my decision. I can barely get out of bed or dress myself, but I love it.<br />
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The weather remains challenging, but today I decided to HTFU and get outside on the bike. I'm fairly sure the last time I rode outdoors was August last year, so it was a huge step. And it involved the customary stop for espresso and muffins.<br />
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The ride was incredible. Just over 51 miles and nearly 3,000 feet of climbing, including two rounds of hill repeats on a one-mile climb. I never do repeats even though I should, and I loved it. I battled a 20mph headwind all the way back to the city and still loved it.<br />
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Next up is my new wine class, starting tomorrow. Taking a class, regardless of what it is about, is always great. Since graduating from college I've had very limited classroom experiences aside from a long stretch of Spanish classes and a short stretch of Italian classes, neither of which resulted in me being bi-lingual.<br />
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Wine has been a hobby of mine for quite some time. I started exploring it in my 20s and fell in love with it in my 30s, and spent the past few years really delving in and ultimately led me to my new job. I know a lot, but have wanted to formalize it more for quite some time so I signed up for the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) intermediate level course and start tomorrow.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfyElhjidx3MsIEXOZ3IUmDfn_U3sHfriaTjesN4u6rV3d4SCoV3hE0R8UQPP3EaA929NMKOoEwafpGaL6gsHbHtBvck2u8zNhE7T5QQVBrAUck38KGDHzgro3qPBzYrGp25-4dt2GUHe/s1600/wineclass.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfyElhjidx3MsIEXOZ3IUmDfn_U3sHfriaTjesN4u6rV3d4SCoV3hE0R8UQPP3EaA929NMKOoEwafpGaL6gsHbHtBvck2u8zNhE7T5QQVBrAUck38KGDHzgro3qPBzYrGp25-4dt2GUHe/s320/wineclass.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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On top of that, I logged a very solid 12-hour week of training and I'm off to St. John in just a matter of days. Life is really, really good.Kristin Bradfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06153520360380713154noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284978644306844260.post-33237920558461936242013-04-04T21:53:00.001-04:002013-04-04T21:53:28.512-04:00It Finally ClickedI've struggled on and off all year with consistency. I've been training since December 31 and have had many ups and downs, definitely some fitness gains, but still didn't feel like I was training for an Ironman. Then last week, something finally clicked and I stopped making excuses. After another spotty week I decided to at least commit to completing my long run and brick before the weekend was over.<br />
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I wasn't ready to ride Saturday even though the weather was good, so I did my long run and really loved it. Unfortunately, I still wasn't ready to ride Sunday. My bike has been in the basement for months, covered in dust and spiders. The weather was a bit bleak, which wasn't motivation to dust off the bike, kill the spiders and bundle up. Yet I had a 40 mile ride and 3 mile run to tackle. So I decided to HTFU and do it indoors, albeit with a creative twist.<br />
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My longest trainer ride to date was 60 miles. I was forced to do it while training for an early-season half Ironman when a blizzard struck. Forty seemed much more tolerable, but still slightly dreadful, so I decided to break it up into a triple brick. I did:<br />
<ul>
<li>One hour bike, 10 minute run</li>
<li>One hour bike, 10 minute run</li>
<li>Thirty-four minute bike, remainder of the run</li>
</ul>
My neighbors surely think I'm crazy since I dashed in and out in running clothes every hour for three hours.<br />
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This week has been spot on. I have nailed every workout and started working with a personal trainer. I've been plagued by injuries resulting from weakness and imbalance, and feel like I have no trouble gaining endurance, but I struggle with strength. I hope strengthening my body will improve my performance overall and ultimately keep me injury free. After just one session, I'm in so much pain that simple tasks feel monumental... and I love it. I feel like I'm making a positive, necessary change. Kristin Bradfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06153520360380713154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284978644306844260.post-13170596662012370712013-03-27T22:49:00.000-04:002013-04-03T21:55:50.111-04:00Mom Surprise, Russell Crowe and 24 Courses My sister and her husband gave me a nice surprise: a ticket to DC for a weekend escape. I took the usual Friday 3pm flight that lands just in time to take the Metro to <a href="http://www.veritasdc.com/" target="_blank">Veritas</a>, a wine bar in Dupont Circle where we traditionally start our DC weekend fun. As I approached the bar I could see my sister and her husband in the window, but the other half of the table was out of sight. I walked into the bar and rounded the corner and realized there was a third person with them - my mom. She had flown in from Wisconsin the night before to surprise me, and surprised I was.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY36VQJiUym0hx2okfeQc0yWIGaVyS-JPMTwme1f5Ta82YFma9n9R7A3d6vp6m_quM_wKFdFx6jV-1QItq-Stcfx4IGP3qQ5fpLPaJ3iUB3En21ZHyTSjEPquPk4velVpjA4G3KRPksqK6/s1600/598987_576277832396088_1241317918_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY36VQJiUym0hx2okfeQc0yWIGaVyS-JPMTwme1f5Ta82YFma9n9R7A3d6vp6m_quM_wKFdFx6jV-1QItq-Stcfx4IGP3qQ5fpLPaJ3iUB3En21ZHyTSjEPquPk4velVpjA4G3KRPksqK6/s320/598987_576277832396088_1241317918_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And to top it off, they were giving away free Les Mis coasters, which for me meant free Russel Crowe coasters (or Russell Crowesters, if you prefer).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQ0vMhqteSzS9VDeyUaTm7Q002t2Lq1wMTUDauamXd8NoXGKD6GzIfG4Igjx9W1uQWFuhwmQ_rrTtF4Uv2cl2rtyT5kDlrkqM2JEBdC1F-3UBRJXnj4eXfZjHKNpmmNnb7pbQbVyYMM1H/s1600/479805_10151587266884612_1697289206_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQ0vMhqteSzS9VDeyUaTm7Q002t2Lq1wMTUDauamXd8NoXGKD6GzIfG4Igjx9W1uQWFuhwmQ_rrTtF4Uv2cl2rtyT5kDlrkqM2JEBdC1F-3UBRJXnj4eXfZjHKNpmmNnb7pbQbVyYMM1H/s320/479805_10151587266884612_1697289206_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I enjoyed my coasters so much I tweeted about them and Russell Crowe himself retweeted me. It was certainly a social media highlight for me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIbsdLbWQRTW5DQE-so19NzrTBYXAE9HrTX1lW37zjVtR9fqQ-e7vhfNHJNWiI763Q_bjWEszSQPZmv_aTx-UVa0xnFTWR1o6dE_Y8GuijY14KZAVRpdXy7dqyqEvyb-j0uX-zYF9JEB_/s1600/480438_10151587351239612_1080097854_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIbsdLbWQRTW5DQE-so19NzrTBYXAE9HrTX1lW37zjVtR9fqQ-e7vhfNHJNWiI763Q_bjWEszSQPZmv_aTx-UVa0xnFTWR1o6dE_Y8GuijY14KZAVRpdXy7dqyqEvyb-j0uX-zYF9JEB_/s320/480438_10151587351239612_1080097854_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Saturday I awoke with a tiny hangover, but battled it at the Equinox in Bethesda, justifying my exhorbitant monthly membership cost. I picked up some heavy things, did a massive number of squats and lunges, and hit the salt water pool that other members of the gym seemed to know nothing about. It was empty and glorious. Then we were off for a <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/bars-clubs/p.o.v.-roof-terrace-and-lounge,1157678.html" target="_blank">drink with a view</a> with a former client and now friend of mine that I keep bumping into during our travels!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1o52_FaWpOfUSXfTndC6BIJnc048CH92zwh6GNCUfytts3Ol5LVxan_cP0v364N8O11XbooYUbTYFy0E40xbgQRjItl3amDkGlHs4YcTAeJJbhShqk4XLzDxUiNqWcqqgz7MGDsapsTiy/s1600/487401_10151325039770810_26801039_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1o52_FaWpOfUSXfTndC6BIJnc048CH92zwh6GNCUfytts3Ol5LVxan_cP0v364N8O11XbooYUbTYFy0E40xbgQRjItl3amDkGlHs4YcTAeJJbhShqk4XLzDxUiNqWcqqgz7MGDsapsTiy/s320/487401_10151325039770810_26801039_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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But the highlight of the weekend was dinner Saturday night at <a href="http://www.rogue24.com/" target="_blank">Rogue 24</a>. There were a couple options for dining, but we went for the full monty and 24 courses. It was worth the four-hour investment of time and relatively large investment of cash. I knew words would fail me in describing it, especially days later, so here is a little photo montage of our "Journey," as they call it on the menu. If you're in DC and you want an unforgettable dining experience, go to Rogue 24. You will not regret it. And better yet, invite me to go with you.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnr9H_kC4MAgoSHg-1i7ArsgW2FSYslFL0EZK9GwRzCupwHW0IifBxrxkY-PqkfU3tcRE_EuOwEX6o8tlWMS7jnZuZrf0Ci6_EZh6E0pEWME2i3Sb1rBvTNEJVgOUUs1YkZTP2Ie-1v5Jt/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-03-24+at+10.00.32+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnr9H_kC4MAgoSHg-1i7ArsgW2FSYslFL0EZK9GwRzCupwHW0IifBxrxkY-PqkfU3tcRE_EuOwEX6o8tlWMS7jnZuZrf0Ci6_EZh6E0pEWME2i3Sb1rBvTNEJVgOUUs1YkZTP2Ie-1v5Jt/s320/Screen+Shot+2013-03-24+at+10.00.32+AM.png" width="253" /></a></div>
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Even though I thought I could not ingest another morsel, we managed to rally on Sunday with a chilly-weather BBQ with my dear friend Keely. I haven't seen her since our incredible <a href="http://www.lazymarathoner.com/2012/09/tia-this-is-africa.html" target="_blank">adventure in Egypt</a>, and I got to meet her absolutely darling daughter.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uSX7KSq7nX6ihuw_s_nx5Zp01KP24RR6PL6eLxVW7iNI3JG12V-v3FtgfhJTE4dGk-Ai7-6pMMAo6mXzxLDAAxG6obGbjTU3bC4NyK8pORsaKKRARE4KY0KTYO_TgvHP1XpQEXgqTTfp/s1600/483385_10151590692139612_2120336435_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uSX7KSq7nX6ihuw_s_nx5Zp01KP24RR6PL6eLxVW7iNI3JG12V-v3FtgfhJTE4dGk-Ai7-6pMMAo6mXzxLDAAxG6obGbjTU3bC4NyK8pORsaKKRARE4KY0KTYO_TgvHP1XpQEXgqTTfp/s320/483385_10151590692139612_2120336435_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We had a final dinner on Sunday to toast our incredible weekend and start the sad process of goodbyes. I made New York my home 15 years ago and have loved it, but not a day goes by I don't miss my family. Weekends like this are absolutely priceless.Kristin Bradfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06153520360380713154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284978644306844260.post-80467890662761866972013-03-18T14:43:00.003-04:002013-03-18T14:43:41.467-04:00Operation SJ, Update and Race Calendar<div style="background: #660000 url('http://zengu.s3.amazonaws.com/wineChataeu/gs4.gif') no-repeat top; height: 77px; line-height: 12px; padding: 0 15px; text-align: center; width: 336px;">
<img border="0" height="42" src="http://zengu.s3.amazonaws.com/wineChataeu/spacer2.gif" style="-moz-box-shadow: 0px 0px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-box-shadow: 0px 0px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: none; border-top-width: 0px; border: 0px; box-shadow: 0px 0px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); display: block; padding: 0px;" width="337" /><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">View our extensive <a href="http://www.winechateau.com/category_Kosher-Wine" style="color: #005dff; font-style: italic;">kosher wine inventory</a>.</span></div>
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<br />
Wow, I've been busy. It's time for an update on my Operation St. John progress, finishing another training block, and my race calendar slowly, but surely, coming together.<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><b><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284978644306844260" target="_blank">Operation St. John</a></b></span> has been a success thus far. I did a full two weeks without drinking and while I missed having wine in the evenings, it really wasn't as hard as I anticipated. We even went out a few times and managed to eat oysters without a crisp white wine! I continue to clean up my eating and the result is five pounds lost in three weeks. It feels like a healthy progression and my clothes fit better, so I'm thrilled. I'm also thrilled to be able to enjoy wine again in moderation. <br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>My training</b></span> has progressed, but is about to start feeling more real. I had my most consistent block yet this past month with only a handful of missed workouts. My running is very strong and seems to get better every time. After four challenging, injury-laden years it feels good to be on the upswing. My cycling has all been indoors, focusing on hard intervals. I love it. I can definitely feel an increase in my fitness. We won't talk about my swimming.<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>My race calendar</b></span> is coming together. I finally pulled the trigger on the Rev3 half in Quassy, which I hear is brutally hilly, which is somehow appealing to me. It's what I call Type 2 Fun - it's not fun when you're actually doing it, but it's fun when you look back on it. I know a lot of great people racing and am hoping it will give me a kick in the butt to start training more seriously. June is not that far away.<br />
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Lastly, I had a chance to meet "The Man" himself, six-time Ironman World Champion Dave Scott at the <a href="http://www.tri-mania.com/" target="_blank">Tri-Mania NYC expo</a>*. He was so friendly, humble and normal it's hard to believe he's such a legend. I was slightly embarrassed to talk about the sport with him as if we were peers!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqWh4lyQHP1FBoJiSsOKqYMMRo6ZGTgCtAaQq2he0dHtCezAnqa3FmK-AyQUUoBH8InxaU9pHLP4PYmlO8FuXFY_2IO0wRTj24xEKacma6iISbqH55Lt5rhXAj3ItG8Qd1XHQWi19ZsIJ/s1600/Dave+Scott.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqWh4lyQHP1FBoJiSsOKqYMMRo6ZGTgCtAaQq2he0dHtCezAnqa3FmK-AyQUUoBH8InxaU9pHLP4PYmlO8FuXFY_2IO0wRTj24xEKacma6iISbqH55Lt5rhXAj3ItG8Qd1XHQWi19ZsIJ/s320/Dave+Scott.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">*Tri-Mania NYC Summit and Expo was a client</span></i>Kristin Bradfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06153520360380713154noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284978644306844260.post-31875281938084303492013-03-02T11:10:00.001-05:002013-04-03T21:57:28.901-04:00Operation St. John - It's OnTwo of my favorite people in the world got married last April on St. John and decided to spend their first anniversary there as well.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdVcm7K2EKbq4LNwgI2mnFn5qzGoJ-IArNvU2gKN8ZLdyzZRPyIVWGLtYCaKq73hswp2XxR9ZwRb9m23mriSgrL43eVBXUVIF1an226zoKI9XcXFG5ueXr1QThZOWtn2aWr4QlFMzPNlu/s1600/laura+and+chris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdVcm7K2EKbq4LNwgI2mnFn5qzGoJ-IArNvU2gKN8ZLdyzZRPyIVWGLtYCaKq73hswp2XxR9ZwRb9m23mriSgrL43eVBXUVIF1an226zoKI9XcXFG5ueXr1QThZOWtn2aWr4QlFMzPNlu/s320/laura+and+chris.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I was thoroughly touched when they invited me to join them, but also thoroughly horrified over the thought of being in a swimsuit in 7 weeks. When one does almost nothing active for 15 months AND eats and drinks like a king, it takes a toll.<br />
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Drastic measures had to be taken. Here's what I did:<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Stopped drinking.</b></span> </span>I know, it's shocking. I had a big, fun night out in DC Saturday with many wines and that was it. Aside from one pre-planned allowance of wine Thursday I've been a teetotaler. My nightly glass(es) of wine have been replaced by seltzer or plain water. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>Stopped skipping my workouts.</b> </span>Again, shocking. I even went to the pool. I had to move a few workouts due to schedule, but overall have adopted a no excuses mentality.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>Stopped eating sugar.</b> </span>Aside from some dark chocolate covered almonds and a bit of a stress binge on dark chocolate chips yesterday, I've been sugar free. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>Greatly minimized my consumption of grains. </b></span>I love wheat. I know I shouldn't eat it, but I do. But this week I only had 1.5 whole wheat English muffins, some panko crumbs and a small serving of egg pasta from Piedmont. Oh, and I did have some biscuits during a business meeting, but trust me, they were worth every flaky, carby calorie.</li>
</ul>
The week isn't over, but I already look and feel better. I'm less bloated and down about 3 pounds. I really don't feel like I've given anything up and being super busy helps. The teetotaling plan was originally through March 8, but I may extend it. I have a business trip to Sonoma on the 10th so I'm sure I'll have a glass or two then, but will continue to limit overall consumption and keep following the above plan. With a little luck I'll be down 10 (or more) pounds before I visit this glorious place. <br />
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<br />Kristin Bradfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06153520360380713154noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284978644306844260.post-5682600139045749372013-02-23T12:54:00.000-05:002013-02-23T12:54:25.890-05:00Back to PoolI finally did it. I finally dragged my reluctant self to the pool for a swim. It may not sound like much of a feat, but when you consider I only swam 23 times in 2012, it's significant.<br />
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When I l<a href="http://www.lazymarathoner.com/2008/05/taking-plunge.html" target="_blank"><b>earned to swim</b></a> in 2008 it was an incredible journey. I was tackling one of life's big to-dos and paving the way to doing my <b><a href="http://www.lazymarathoner.com/2009/09/ironman-wisconsin-2009-run.html" target="_blank">first Ironman in 2009</a></b>. It was exciting, new and challenging. I went to the pool five days a week and loved it. Even while training for my first Ironman, I chose to swim four days a week instead of the three prescribed by my coach. But over time, my love of swimming waned and it became a chore. Now I can barely stand the thought of it.<br />
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Six of the months of 2012 were swim-free, and the other six were spotty at best. I only swam three times to prepare for the Celebration Sprint in June, and only two times to prepare for Steelhead. I knew I was strong enough to get through the races and didn't care if my times were slower.<br />
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But now as I stage a comeback from <b><a href="http://www.lazymarathoner.com/2012/04/2012-year-of-00.html" target="_blank">total burnout</a></b> and tackle my fifth Ironman, I'd like to do it right, which means getting back to consistent swimming. I only went once in January and skipped the first half of February, so this week's solo swim was my fresh start. I'm aiming to do the twice-weekly swims my coach has laid out - nothing more, nothing less.<br />
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So how was my first swim in months? It was as expected - a little awkward, definitely slow and surprisingly tiring. But it wasn't awful and because I have a flexible schedule, I was able to go just before 9am and have the pool to myself. Now I just need to do it again and again, until it feels like part of my normal routine.<br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>A lot of triathletes don't enjoy swimming. Is it your favorite or least favorite of the three sports?</b></span>Kristin Bradfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06153520360380713154noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284978644306844260.post-5650359291694348232013-02-18T13:37:00.000-05:002013-04-03T21:58:12.213-04:00Downton Abbey Sundays<div style="background: #660000 url('http://zengu.s3.amazonaws.com/wineChataeu/gs2.gif') no-repeat top; height: 77px; line-height: 12px; padding: 0 15px; text-align: center; width: 336px;">
<img border="0" height="42" src="http://zengu.s3.amazonaws.com/wineChataeu/spacer3.gif" style="-moz-box-shadow: 0px 0px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-box-shadow: 0px 0px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: none; border-top-width: 0px; border: 0px; box-shadow: 0px 0px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); display: block; padding: 0px;" width="337" /><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://www.winechateau.com/" style="color: #005dff; font-style: italic;">Buy wine online</a> at Wine Chateau.</span></div>
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Sunday is usually my rest day, plus it's farmer's market day and generally an all-around "me day." I sleep in, have breakfast or brunch out, go to the market, do my other food shopping, run errands, get a manicure, visit with friends. It's always a pretty fabulous day. But when Downton Abbey season three began, Sundays went up a notch. We drank wine, had great food and watched Downton. Does it get any better?<br />
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Some menu highlights have included 40 cloves of garlic and a chicken, salmon with shallots and grapefruit, and grass-fed beef chili and cornbread. Last night, for the final Downton Abbey Sunday this year, I braised a pork shank in white wine. The shank was from my favorite local pork purveyor, Flying Pigs Farm and the recipe incredibly simple, yet the outcome so divine.<br />
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The shank is rubbed with a mixture of crushed garlic, fresh minced rosemary and olive oil, then placed in a dutch oven with butter and a mixture of carrots, onion
and celery. I used some beautiful yellow carrots from the farmers
market.<br />
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After slightly browning, the temp is lowered, wine is added, and three magical hours later you have the most incredible pork you could imagine.<br />
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The wine line-up paired beautifully: Joel Gott Pinot Gris 2010 for braising and sipping; Siro Pacenti Brunello di Montalcino 2007 with the pork. <br />
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The meal was outstanding. The finale of Downton Abbey, however, was not. I'm still in denial. I'm also in denial that Downton Abbey Sundays will have to wait until January 2014. In the meantime, I'll continue my other Sunday MyDay traditions.<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>Training</b></span><br />
On the training front, things continue to progress after a major stress, exhaustion, work, life-change setback. Thankfully after missing most workouts for two weeks, I had a structured rest week and nailed almost all of it. It's still a juggling act, but as I phase off my consulting work, more time is freed up for training. I also have a new motivation - more to come on that this week!<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>Are you a Downton Abbey fan? What did you think about the finale?</b></span>Kristin Bradfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06153520360380713154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284978644306844260.post-85583568442833767562013-02-14T14:55:00.001-05:002013-02-18T13:47:42.311-05:00She's a ManiacI haven't exactly been consistent the past year and a half and I've paid for it with loss of fitness. I run a lot slower, I can't remember the last time I biked outside and let's not even discuss swimming. So, if I can't do quality for now, I decided to go for quantity.<br />
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The cancellation of the NYC Marathon left me with a choice - take the guaranteed entry and pay yet again to do the race, or take a refund for 2012 and lose an entry I'd already paid for at least three times due to deferments. The reason I've postponed it so much is the timing. It's just months after Ironman Wisconsin and I'm usually burned out or barely jogging by November. But this year, I decided to do both. And if I were going to do two marathons in two months, why not three?<br />
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I've always wanted to qualify for Marathon Maniacs and decided 2012 is the year to try. When registration opens Tuesday, I'll sign up for the Chicago Marathon, which will make three marathons in 57 days, enough to qualify for the Bronze Maniac level. <br />
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I may not have a full race schedule yet, but at least I have a big goal. I'll do Ironman Wisconsin September 8, Chicago Marathon October 13 and New York City Marathon November 3. And on November 4 I may be hobbling, but with a really huge sense of accomplishment and my very own Marathon Maniac number.Kristin Bradfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06153520360380713154noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284978644306844260.post-60440419550183406872013-02-07T17:58:00.000-05:002013-04-03T21:59:30.944-04:00Excuses and a New Job!Once again, I've dropped off the face of the blog earth, but I swear for good reasons. I was easing back into life as an Ironman-in-training, and finding it pretty hard to give up the 9 hours of sleep I'd become accustomed to. Actually, I still am. But that wasn't the reason for my silence.<br />
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First, my beloved Macbook failed me. Think about how much you rely on your computer, then multiply that by 10 - that's how I felt. As a freelancer, my entire existence lives in that little, metal box. It took me a week of working with a huge black strip up the middle of the screen for me to find 5 days I could part with my prized possession. During it's absence, I had to work on a Dell... I have nothing against PC people, but I do not work well on one. I stuck to absolutely critical tasks only, like doing my work, and did everything else on my iPhone. Blogging from the iPhone sucks.<br />
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Then, I was hit with the stomach virus circulating around the city. It hit fast and hard, and ruined an entire weekend. Plus an entire week of training. While my computer was broken. <br />
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But the best reason of all to drop off the face of the earth - <b>I accepted a new job</b>! I wasn't technically looking for something full-time, but was offered a chance to join the executive team of a start up. It's in the wine business and I get to help shape a brand from scratch. Did I mention it's in the wine business!? It was perfect for me so I accepted and started the same day the offer was made. In the meantime, I still have clients so I've been keeping that work going, starting a phase-off and tackling my new role simultaneously. I've never been happier, but I've also never been more exhausted. In a couple weeks it will start to settle into a more normal pace.<br />
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So there we have it. My list of pretty good excuses for not training and not writing. But I've restarted the training and my computer is fixed, so no more excuses. Plus there will be a lot to share as I embark on this new adventure. I'm definitely looking forward to the journey.Kristin Bradfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06153520360380713154noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284978644306844260.post-36161039023724865492013-01-09T19:13:00.001-05:002013-02-18T13:48:38.474-05:00How Much Time Does it Really Take to Train for an Ironman?Once again I've been quiet for a week and it's because I've been tired. Not necessarily from the 6 hours I spent training (because we all know if I hadn't surfed the couch for a year, 6 hours would be a piece of cake), but from the overwhelming re-introduction to the life of an Ironman.<br />
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I'm talking about the little things that don't end up on your training log: packing up bags, planning and making special meals, packing up said meals for on-the-go access, studying your training plan, learning new workouts, laundry, walking to and from the gym 1.3 miles away, setting up the trainer, taking down the trainer, more laundry, foam rolling, stretching, soaking in Epsom salts (ok, maybe that's just me)... you get the point. For that 6 hours of training I had at least another 3 hours of "other stuff" that made it feel like so much more.<br />
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When I was a pre-burnout training machine I didn't notice these things as much. I was so used to being tired and stretched thin that it felt normal. Now that I'm accustomed to 9 hours of sleep and leisurely morning coffee it's rather shocking. Luckily I have a flexible work schedule so once I get back into a rhythm I know it will be easier. <br />
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On the training front, let's just say it's going to take some time. I am the definition of "letting yourself go" and can't expect to leap up from the ashes and suddenly be a long-distance triathlete again. I have 20 pounds to lose and a lot of fitness to regain, and I'm going to have to fight for every last bit. I haven't started swimming yet, for obvious reasons if you know me at all, but I did 3 solid bike workouts, 3 runs and 2 strength training sessions. I'm determined to keep up the strength even though I felt as though I'd been beaten with hammers from head to toe. In the long run I'll be thankful for it.Kristin Bradfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06153520360380713154noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284978644306844260.post-73689568127225612232013-01-01T18:08:00.001-05:002013-01-01T18:09:53.174-05:002012 in Review: The Year of 0.0I barely blogged in 2012 for so many reasons. I was burned out and lost on the athletic front, so I withdrew from Ironman Mont Tremblant and declared 2012 as <a href="http://www.lazymarathoner.com/2012/04/2012-year-of-00.html" target="_blank">my year of 0.0</a>. While I was taking the year off, I still attempted to maintain a base level of activity and participate in some races for fun.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.lazymarathoner.com/2012/06/rock-n-roll-good-for-soul.html" target="_blank">Rock n' Roll San</a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.lazymarathoner.com/2012/06/rock-n-roll-good-for-soul.html" target="_blank"> Diego</a> Half Marathon<span style="font-size: x-small;">, with Chrissie Wellington! </span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Celebrating Heroes Sprint, with my sister and her hu<span style="font-size: x-small;">s<span style="font-size: x-small;">band (his first triathlon!)</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Steelhead 70.3 Relay (swim <span style="font-size: x-small;">& run), racing where I gre<span style="font-size: x-small;">w up </span></span></span> </span></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <i>Rock n' Roll Brooklyn 10k, part of my <a href="http://www.lazymarathoner.com/2012/10/huge-training-week.html" target="_blank">epic marathon week</a></i></span> </div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Army 10 Miler, <a href="http://www.lazymarathoner.com/2012/10/army-10-miler.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">an annual tradition</span></a></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">NY Runners for Staten Island <span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.lazymarathoner.com/2012/11/marathon-of-kindness.html" target="_blank">volunteering</a> <span style="font-size: x-small;">when NYC Marathon was canceled</span></span> </span></span></i></div>
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So while it wasn't technically a year of 0.0, the obligation of training and racing was lifted and everything I did was strictly for fun. I raced for joy, not a good performance. I trained for the marathon because I wanted to, not because I felt I had to. And when it was canceled, I immediately shifted my energy to helping Sandy-affected New Yorkers. It felt good to do what my heart told me to do.<br />
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A year off has taken a toll on my fitness and I'm starting the new season with an extra 15 pounds to lose, which is never easy. But taking a year off was the right decision and I don't regret it for a moment. It has allowed me to miss the sport and actually look forward to the discipline of training again. This year will be the year of my 5th Ironman and with new focus and new goals, you may be hearing a bit more from me. Happy New Year!Kristin Bradfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06153520360380713154noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284978644306844260.post-77020776245532865052012-12-06T11:08:00.001-05:002012-12-06T11:08:46.819-05:00My Recent Medical DramaFor the past six weeks I've been dealing with a pretty scary medical situation. I didn't post about it because it was loaded with unknowns. It was one of those situations where one thing led to another and to another, and none of it would have been found at all if it weren't for an accidental discovery.<br />
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A couple weeks pre-marathon I was experiencing severe hip and groin pain that forced me to stop running. I had my monster peak week, then basically stopped. I slogged my way through the Army 10-Miler, then stopped again. I thought I had a femoral stress fracture and saw a sports med doctor to confirm or rule it out. He sent me for an immediate MRI and I got the results within days. I was relieved to hear I didn't have a stress fracture, but puzzled to hear something else. I had a growth in my hip socket that the MRI happened to pick up. He said it was likely nothing to worry about, but suggested I see a tumor specialist to be sure. I made an appointment with a leading orthopedic oncologist and waited a stressful week, only to be forced to wait another stressful week due to Hurricane Sandy.<br />
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More X-rays were taken and another MRI was ordered to determine what this lesion was. The results came back quickly and it was a benign intraosseous hemangioma, something we'd have to monitor for awhile, but nothing to be concerned about. But more tests were required to be sure everything was ok, this time a CT scan and full-body bone scan with radioactive contrast. The reports confirmed the hemangioma diagnosis, but discovered more abnormalities in my left leg - one in the tibia, and two in the femur. An old stress fracture was likely the cause of the tibial issue, but I had no idea what could be going on in my femur. I was sent for more MRIs, both with contrast and without, a test that would take more than two, miserably uncomfortable hours.<br />
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I've waited days for the results and thought of every possible scenario, including a battle with bone cancer. When your health is in question, it makes you look at life so differently. The thought of my leg failing me on such an epic level was ironic since I'm an athlete and I rely on my legs to carry me through the challenges I pursue. Suddenly running a slow marathon sounded like a gift, not something to complain about. Simple things felt more important. I think these were some of the most stressful and reflective days of my life.<br />
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But today I finally got the results and everything is just fine. I have what's called an enchondroma, another sort of benign tumor. I was likely born with both of these and had it not been for the running injury, I may not have known about them for years, or possibly never. Since I do know, the doctor can monitor them for any changes and stay one step ahead.<br />
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And the running injury? Simple hip flexor tendonitis. I think the moral of this story is listen to your body and if anything seems off, get it checked out. I'm so glad I did even if it led to stress overload. Now if I could just stick to a strength and stretching routine, I'll be back on my running feet in no time, appreciating every slow, magnificent mile.Kristin Bradfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06153520360380713154noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284978644306844260.post-87697090322737527122012-12-02T17:26:00.001-05:002012-12-02T17:26:19.799-05:00Braised Short RibsEveryone should have a signature dish. Something you love to make and make so well that it becomes your standard for both entertaining and quiet nights at home. My signature dish is braised short ribs. I remember a time when I hated handling raw beef. I was intimidated by the preparation and feared I'd screw it up. Then I got a cookbook called "Bones" and decided to tackle short ribs. Braising is so incredibly easy and this recipe is perfect every time. I've made it countless times now, served it at dinner parties, for evenings with friends and on many chilly nights when comfort food is key.<br />
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Last night was one of those nights. We had some older Bordeaux to drink and it was a cold, dreary day. The perfect pairing.<br />
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You can modify this recipe and it will still be incredible. I've done it without the red wine in a pinch, but I like the acidity it provides. If you don't have wine (we know that wouldn't happen here...) you could use a broth instead. You can sub the fresh herbs for dried, but don't skip them. I almost never bother with the chopped fresh herbs for serving because I can't wait to eat these the moment they come out of the oven! I usually let them braise for longer than the recipe states - the longer the better. Just put the lid back on to keep the moisture in.<br />
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They are great with polenta or just by themselves. Last night I also roasted some Brussels sprouts. Give these a try and let me know if you love them as much as I do!<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>RECIPE</b></span><br />
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Braised Short Ribs (from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bones-Recipes-History-Jennifer-McLagan/dp/0060585374" target="_blank">Bones</a>)<br />
Serves 4-6 <br />
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3.5 pounds cross-cut short ribs, cut into pieces (ask the butcher to cut them for you)<br />
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper<br />
2 tablespoons olive oil<br />
2 large onions, diced<br />
1.5 cups dry red wine<br />
3 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces<br />
6 large garlic cloves, peeled<br />
1 serrano chile, stem removed<br />
One 14 ounce can whole tomatoes<br />
3 flat-leaf parsley sprigs, plus 1/3 cup chopped parsley<br />
1 large basil sprig, plus 1/3 cup slivered basil leaves<br />
1 large thyme sprig<br />
1 bay leaf<br />
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Preheat the oven to 300 F. Pat the ribs dry and season with salt and pepper. In a Dutch oven or flameproof casserole, heat the oil over medium heat. Brown the ribs on all sides, in batches if necessary. Transfer the browned ribs to a plate.<br />
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Add the onion to the pot and cook for 5 minutes, or until slightly softened. Pour in the red wine and bring to a boil, deglazing the pot by scraping up the browned bits from the bottom. Add the carrots, garlic, chile and tomatoes, with their juices. Bring to a boil, then add the ribs, with any juices, the parsley, basil and thyme sprigs, and the bay leaf.<br />
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Remove the pot from the heat and cover with a damp piece of parchment paper and then the lid. Transfer to the oven and cook covered for 1.5 hours.<br />
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Remove the lid and parchment paper and cook the ribs for another 1.5 hours or until very tender.<br />
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If making ahead, let the ribs cool, then refrigerate overnight. The next day, remove the layer of fat and discard the herbs sprigs and chile. Reheat, covered, in a 300 F oven for about an hour, or until heated through. Sprinkle with the chopped herbs, check the seasoning, and serve.<br />
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If serving the ribs immediately, tip the pan and skim off as much fat as possible. Remove the herb sprigs and chile pepper, sprinkle with the chopped herbs and check the seasoning.<br />
<br />Kristin Bradfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06153520360380713154noreply@blogger.com1