Hydrate Early and Often (A Product Review and Discount Code)

"Hydrate Early and Often".  . .  this is a phrase you hear often in endurance sports, and for good reason.  Our bodies depend on water to keep us running (or riding, or swimming, or zumba-ing), and without it we can land in a heap of trouble.  Without proper hydration and electrolyte balance you can experience fatigue and less energy, reduced mental focus, muscle camping, and decreased endurance.

However, until a few years ago, I paid no attention to fueling for workouts.  I thought that if I had a little water along the way on a long run, or a sports drink at the end of a ride, I was doing the right thing.  In fact, when I completed my first Olympic distance triathlon, I fueled with water, an orange, and a couple of Fig Newtons.  No wonder I fizzled during the second half of the race and felt awful afterwards.  I saw exercise as a means to BURN calories, so why in the world would I want to CONSUME calories during my workout?

As my training became more focused and my knowledge about what my body needed grew, I began to try different fueling options: gels, gu, chomps, bites, beans, powdered drinks, tablets.  And while I didn't have GI issues with any of them (oh, well, maybe there was this one product that sent me straight to the port-a-potty), I didn't exactly LOVE any of them either, and I had no brand loyalty.  In fact, I would just use whatever was lying around the house--casts offs that the hubby had tried and didn't care for, race samples, hand-outs from friends--or whatever was on the race course.  Luckily, I never had major issues with switching things around, but I still wanted to find something that I really LIKED drinking and eating.

First Rule of Hydration:  ALWAYS stop for Lemonade Stands!

A few months ago, I had the opportunity to sample a new product that had just hit the market.  After a few workouts, I wrote the company to let them know how pleased I was with the taste and inquired about purchasing more of their product.  They replied quickly and asked me to join their team as an ambassador for their product! 
                                                       

Cocogo combines the hydration of coconut water with the taste of freeze dried fruit and natural sugar while providing a balanced blend of electrolytes and seven essential vitamins.  The taste is light, refreshing and natural, as compared to other products I have tried that are either too sweet, too syrupy, too gritty or too artificial.  Each serving is measured out in a convenient little pouch, allowing you to adjust the intensity by adding additional pouches for flavor or longer, harder workouts, and it mixes beautifully with no gritty sediment waiting at the bottom of the bottle when you finish your workout!

 

Cocogo comes in three flavors: Grape, Lemon-Lime and Raspberry Passion Fruit, and honestly I love them all!  I was skeptical when I tried the Raspberry Passion fruit, as I am not a Raspberry fan at all, but it is a perfect blend of flavors!  I often mix Grape and Lemon-Lime for long workouts to intensify the flavor and the hydrating benefits, while sipping on "Grape-Limeade"!!  Not only do I use these myself, but I feel good about my active kiddos using Cocogo as a drink mix on hot days or after swim team workouts. 

Want to try it out yourself?  Well, you are in luck!  Cocogo has just launched their NEW website and is offering FREE SHIPPING for this week only! 

 

 

And to save even more, use this discount code (ELEVENTHAL) to get an additional 40% off your order anytime!

 

If you are already using Cocogo, now is a great time to stock up and take advantage of FREE shipping!  Get an extra box for the car and the gym so you are never without hydration!

 

 

Note: The opinions in this post are mine and I am not compensated for my review of this product.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leap of Faith

 

Eleanor Roosevelt said it best. . .

 

And I'm pretty sure I've got the next thirteen weeks covered. . .

 

In July of 2009 when I participated in my first triathlon as part of a relay team, I had no intention of adopting triathlon as a hobby.  I was a runner, who liked to ride my bike, and I was perfectly happy with that.  Eight weeks later when I completed my first super-sprint distance (clinging to the side of a canoe for the better part of the swim portion), I had no intention of tackling anything longer or more challenging.  Swimming was still my nemesis, and I didn't think I had the time or skill to train for a longer distance race. 

 

In the Fall of 2011, in a moment of excitement and peer pressure, I successfully completed my first Sprint distance race. Again, I was happy with my finish and felt that the distance was just enough to feel challenged, but not too much to feel completely overwhelmed.

 

                                               

In April of 2012, I took another big step forward in my journey by completing my first international/Olympic distance race.  This new distance challenged me in a new way, and I began to think that maybe, just maybe, I could tackle more.

 

                                             

 

 So, in August of 2012, I signed up for Ironman Raleigh 70.3.  The outcome was not what I had hoped for, and I immediately began to question my judgment of what my body and my mind could handle.  You see, as the distance becomes longer, your mental strength is just as important as your physical strength.  However, I moved forward, conquered my fear, and began to feel confident in what I could achieve once more, and registered again for Raleigh 70.3, leading to a successful and joyful finish.

                                         

                                              

 

Late in the evening of October 26, 2013, as I walked in the dark with the hubby who was shuffling from port-a-potty to port-a-potty during his first Iron distance triathlon, we made a promise to each other to one day do a full Iron race together (2.4 mile swim; 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run).  That promise planted a seed that has been growing in my heart since that night. 

 

As I trained for Raleigh 70.3 this year, I knew that my short term goal was to have a happy (green) race, but in the back of my mind that promise that the hubby and I made was ever present, and I often thought to myself, "Could I really conquer that distance?". 

                                        

A few weeks before we raced Raleigh, the hubby and a group of friends decided to register for Ironman Maryland, and while I lingered over the registration form online, I wouldn't commit until I had a solid, successful 70.3 under my belt.  As we sat around the dinner table discussing his commitment, I shared my desire to race longer and we agreed that if Raleigh was successful, we would fulfill our promise to one another and register for and race Beach to Battleship together in October 2014. 

 

On the way home from Raleigh, I told the hubby that I felt ready (well, as ready as you will ever feel to make a HUGE jump in distance) to sign up for something longer.  I technically had two successful 70.3 experiences in the bag, and I finished both with a smile and gas in the tank.  He asked which race I was considering. . .  Would we do B2B in October as we promised each other or would I sign up for Ironman Maryland (IMMD) which was at the end of September? 

 

The more we discussed it, the answer seemed to appear.  Although B2B would give me an extra month of training time, It would also mean that the bulk of my hard, long training would happen after returning to work in the Fall, making the weeks a little nutty around here.  If I chose IMMD, I could train all summer while I was off work, with my heaviest training weekend falling over Labor Day weekend and a recovery week scheduled for my first week back to the grind of work. We already had travel and hotel accommodations nailed down for IMMD, but B2B is less than a day's drive and we have family that live a few miles from the start, so that wasn't an issue.  My training plan lined up to begin IMMD training after a rest week without having to make a huge jump in the distances I was already used to.  In fact the first few weeks would be a welcome step-back from where I was right before Raleigh.

 

So, on a Thursday afternoon a few weeks ago, I did this. . .

 

I kept it a secret, at first, only sharing with a few trusted and like-minded friends, and unsure that I would ever tell the world of this crazy plan.  But then I remembered something that I read in a weekly email I receive:  In order to achieve your dreams, first you have to say them out loud.  Share them with the world and let your support crew of friends and family hold you accountable. 

 

Although much of triathlon racing and training is a solo venture, the support of those around you keeps you going when the days are long and the training is hard.  So here I am. . . putting it out there. 

 

 



Am I scared?  You betcha.  But, I am also excited about this journey and proud of myself for taking the leap of faith.  Do I think it will be easy?  Absolutely not.  I know the training will be long and hard and I will have to make sacrifices.  I know that race day will be long, so long, and grueling at times, to the point of wanting to quit, but I am preparing now, both mentally and physically, for that challenge (as much as you CAN prepare for this distance). There are no guarantees in this journey, but if I never take this chance I will never know what I can accomplish.

                           

 

So, that leads me to this blog.  When I began this blog, it started as a challenge from the hubby, who enjoys my writing and thoughts and urged me to share with the world.  The blog name "I could go on and on and on" referred to my verbose-ness and unending thoughts.  I have shared thoughts, feelings, ideas, rants, projects and food with my readers (all 18 of you) off and on for a few years now, and I have no plans to eliminate those kinds of posts as I move forward.  But I have also begun to share and document my running and triathlon journey, and while I realize that some of you couldn't care less, many friends have reached out and asked me to blog about this part of my life as it brings inspiration and motivation to their own journey.  I don't document these adventures to brag, but to share in this life's journey with those I care about and maybe, just maybe, inspire someone out there to take a leap of faith and dream big.

 

Over the next 13 weeks, you will probably see more triathlon and training posts here, and if that's your thing. . .  awesome, come along for the ride.  If not. . .  I still love ya.  Because now, "I could go on and on and on" doesn't just refer to my love of talking/writing, but to this multisport lifestyle that I love and want to share with the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don't Call it a Comeback. . . (Ironman Raleigh 70.3 Race Report)

Race week is filled with anticipation, planning, fueling and tapering.  Since the hubby and I were both racing, we also had to make arrangements for kiddos (and pack a race day goodie bag of fun toys and snacks to keep them occupied), not to mention the fact that the Reporter and I had Saturday school the day before the race to make up a snow day from our harsh Winter.  Needless to say, it was a busy, busy week.  However, I had already decided to stay "in the green" all weekend, so I did everything I could to alleviate stressors--meal planning, getting ahead on paperwork so my workdays wouldn't be overwhelming, hydrating, and prepping the kiddos for a long weekend. 

The week of the race, we decided to see if any hotel rooms were available in the area to eliminate the need to drive an hour to and from the race site, and to get some extra kid-free rest and relaxation after the race.  Luckily we found a room at the Marriott that was adjacent to the finish line and transition area.  Now, all that was left was the packing. . .

 

Friday:

The hubby and I decided to go to the Expo and packet pick up on Friday afternoon to avoid the Saturday crowds.  This turned out to be a great decision for many reasons.  We saw pictures of the line for check-in on Saturday and it was crazytown.  Not only did I not want to stand in line for the afternoon waiting to get my race packet, but I needed the time to pack my individual bags (this was a point to point race, so there were three bags to pack--morning gear, bike gear, run gear), unpack them, and pack them again (and maybe again. . .).  Also, having to work on the Saturday morning before the race put a time crunch on the whole arrival process, so I wanted to avoid feeling rushed.  But most of all, I needed to avoid the chatter.  I know many people love the pre-race atmosphere, meeting other athletes and speculating about water temps together, but it was more than I could handle.  That kind of talk would take me right from GREEN (my happy place) to RED (sheer panic), and I knew my limits. 

 

The hubby and I milled around the expo, picking up samples and registering for door prizes, but it wasn't long before I became overwhelmed by race talk and the thoughts of Sunday.  I quietly slipped out to the lobby and hubby found me a while later, fully aware of my panic.  We decided on a quiet dinner before heading home to pack.

 

Saturday:

The alarm sounded early for me to get the Reporter and myself ready for a half-day of school.  Time passed quickly and before I knew it, the hubby and I had dropped the kiddos off and were headed to the lake to rack our bikes.  As soon as we reached the Lake, I quickly realized that the position of my bike rack was identical to the location of my rack last year.  Suddenly I worried that I was in store for a replay of the events of last year, but I quickly shook off the fear with a reminder to "trust my training, trust myself, trust my wetsuit, and trust God". 

 

Once the bikes were racked and ready, we met up with a few friends for a quick chat, checked out the buoys on the water and were ready to head to Raleigh for dinner and a good night's sleep. 

 

As I have mentioned in previous posts, I am part of an amazing online community of athletes that offer support, advice and friendship on a daily basis.  Several of these athletes, that have become long-distance friends, were also racing in Raleigh and the hubby and I had the opportunity to meet up with one athlete and her family that I have grown particularly close to for an early dinner.  We planned our early wake-up (3:45am!) and agreed to meet to ride the shuttles to the lake together.  After a quick photo op and a pep talk from the hubby, I was ready to turn in and see what Sunday had in store.

Hotel Lobby Shenanigans

Sunday: Race Day:
Wake up came early at 3:45, although I had woken up just past midnight and panicked thinking that we had missed the shuttle.  Luckily the hotel had a Starbucks in the lobby that agreed to open at 4:00am for race morning.  When I stepped off the elevator (in my pajamas) at 3:50, there was already a line forming outside the doors.  I quickly grabbed 2 Americanos with steamed soy, treated my buddy Mike to some caffeine and headed back upstairs to eat my race day "waffle PBJ" before heading down to T2 (This is the location we would arrive when the bike portion was complete, so our run equipment needed to be set up before boarding a bus to the lake.)  Before I finished my waffle, Heidi was knocking on the door and in a flurry of nervous giggles, we headed downstairs with the hubby.  Once we arrived in T2, run gear needed to be set-up, but I couldn't focus because there was no word of water temperatures, yet.  Remember that last post about needing water temps below 76 to be a wetsuit (security blanket) legal race?  Well, temps had been borderline, so every athlete was waiting for word from the head official.  After we set up our transition areas, Heidi and I sat on the curb waiting for the hubby and checked Facebook for race day updates.

Water temp had been posted.

75.4

We both squealed with joy and at that moment a sense of peace and hope filled my heart, knowing for sure that this time would be different.

Riding a bus full of anxious triathletes for 45 minutes is not the way to calm your nerves, but luckily I remembered my headphones, pumped good tunes for the ride and read encouraging notes and messages from friends near and far on my phone. 

When we arrived at Jordan Lake, everyone exited the bus and began prepping their bikes and equipment. Being in the third to last swim wave, gave me plenty of time to set things up and check my tires, but I finished quickly and headed out to watch the swim start.  Heidi and I were fortunate enough to watch both the pro men and women exit the water before having to put on our wetsuits and wait our turn.  The hubby was in a swim wave about 15 minutes ahead of me, so after a quick pep talk and a kiss, I told him I would see him at the finish line and saw him off.  I had nothing to do but wait for my turn, and I couldn't have been more excited to get the race started.

The Swim 1.2 miles:
The swim was in a triangular formation, with buoys every 100 meters for sighting.  As I approached the in-water starting line, I hung toward the back, as I usually do, with my friends Heidi and Lisa.  I checked my cap and goggles and before I knew it, the starting horn sounded.  I did my regular "count to 10 and get in" routine, but there were so many women in my age group, that I had no choice but to just GO.  The first 100 meters I worried that I would get kicked, hit or swam over.  Then I began to think about the two waves of swimmers coming behind us, and I wanted to move to the side to get out of the path of the strong aggressive swimmers.  However, with every stroke I felt strong and able and. . . calm.  The worry of someone getting in my "personal bubble" went away and I felt confident in the middle of a pack of swimmers.  As I rounded the first buoy, I looked to my left and saw Heidi.  We had made it to the first buoy without stopping, without meeting a kayaker, and without panic.  As I made my way across the long back leg of the swim, I found my rhythm, got kicked a few times, and took advantage of drafting off of other swimmers (and I may have even laughed when I saw a girl swim head-on into a blow-up buoy).  There was no hesitation, only joy.  As I rounded the last buoy to start the final leg of the swim, I was tempted to look at my watch.  This was the very spot that I realized I was going to miss the swim cut-off last year.  Dare I look?  43:00.  YES!  I only had to swim about 500m to reach the shore and I knew I could make it and even have a "best time" at the 1.2 mile distance.  I pushed hard those last few meters, remembering that I had 56 miles ahead to ride, but wanting to post a good time (for me).

Time: 53:52(a personal best)

                                                               
 T1:

After a quick clock check and a visit with the wetsuit strippers (these people are wonderful, and trislide is a must-have), I headed into T1 with a smile.  I quickly dried off, pulled on my socks, shoes and tri top and began spraying myself with sunscreen.  Suddenly I winced.  I realized that the body glide I had applied to my neck to prevent wetsuit burns hadn't done it's job.  My neck was covered in "wet suit hickeys" and they were burning.  I endured the burn and headed out of transition to the bike course.



 



 The Bike--56 miles:

Having ridden the first 35 miles of the Raleigh 70.3 bike course more than a few times, I felt confident beginning the bike.  The first three miles, or so, were uphill on less than wonderful pavement.  But I knew that when we turned the corner, it would be smooth sailing and downhill for a few miles.  What I didn't know is that we would encounter a wicked headwind and crosswind for a large portion of the bike course.  I wasn't happy about the conditions, but it could have been worse.  I made the best of it, thankful to just be on the bike and sailing down the road. 

My ride was solid for the first 35 miles.  I averaged around 15.6 mph (good for me, while still keeping my legs ready for the run) and fueled just as I had planned.  I stopped at the second aid station to shove a Honey Stinger waffle in my mouth, chase it with Blueberry Banana Pocketfuel and switch out my bottle of cocogo.  The ride was going well, although my left hip had been giving me a fit since mounting the bike out of T1.  I stood to stretch it out at every opportunity and kept moving forward. 

As soon as we reached the 35 mile mark, the hills began.  I LOVE climbing on the bike, love it.  But I am a huge scaredy-cat with the downhills.  For every huge uphill that I passed a handful of people, the same people would zoom past me on the downhill.  I made a new friend on the bike as we leap-frogged each hill all the way to Raleigh.  Coming into Raleigh, I had peeked at my bike computer and was sad and disappointed to see my average pace slip so much in those last 20 miles, but I felt certain that I had made the bike cut-off and would have a shot at crossing the finish line.

Time: 3:51:13

T2:
When I arrived at T2, so many bikes were back that it made me panic.  Would I get to run?  I thought I had met the cut-off.  I yelled to Coach E, who was standing outside the transition area, and he assured me that I still had plenty of time, so I quickly changed shoes, grabbed my water bottle, sprayed more sunscreen and headed out. 

The Run--13.1 miles:
I had 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete the run and still get to "finish" and after almost 2000ft of climbing on the bike, I was worried that I would take every last second of that time.  I had decided to use my tried and true 4:1 run:walk for the run, but when I tried to run I knew that I would need to switch gears and take plan B (It appeared that I wasn't the only one with a Plan B.  People were walking everywhere).  The first half mile out of transition was uphill, so I decided to walk it until I could hydrate a little and stretch my hip out.  When I reached the top of the hill, I decided to go with a 2 minute run to 1 minute walk plan.  I continued that pattern for a few cycles and suddenly my legs felt alive again.  I tried for 3:1, then 4:1, feeling good and making good time.  I knew from my Marathon that the "main drag" of this race was full of small, rolling hills, so I made the decision to walk the uphills and run the downhills and flats.  Suddenly I was cruising.  Everything seemed to be working the way it should and I had no pain during my run.  I stopped to grab ice and water at a few aid stations and even snagged a Coke in the last few miles for some extra energy, but I primarily fueled with pocketfuel and cocogo (I had Endurolytes with me, but the case fell out of my pocket around mile 5 and I didn't realize it until it was too late). 

The two loop course made for a very spectator and athlete friendly race.  I loved seeing my kiddos and parents as I looped by the finish line to start my second lap.  I even got a high five and a kiss on the course from this guy:

 

The miles went by quickly and I felt great.  It was hot, but the course was dappled in shade and the energy from the volunteers and spectators was motivating.  As I checked my watch at mile 11, I knew that I was on track to beat my time from  my own 70.3 from the previous year.  I gave myself enough of a walk break that I knew I could run the entire length of the "finish line"--a long city street lined with fans.  As I approached the finish, I smiled, I cried, and I looked around for the hubby in the sea of spectators. 

 

 

Time: 2:21:22

 

 But he wasn't there.

 

 

He was just beyond the finish line, medal in hand, waiting for me.

 

He had asked if he could come back into the finishers area to award my medal. 



 

 I had done it.  I finished.  I finished with a smile on my face and feeling absolutely fantastic.

And I couldn't have done it without the support of this guy.

 

1.2 mile Swim: 53:52

T1: 6:13

56 mile Bike: 3:51:13

T2: 4:19

13.1 mile Run: 2:21:22

70.3 Total: 7:16:59

 

 

After a quick visit with our support crew:

The Reporter!

Coach E, the Little Guy and the Reporter!

 



We headed back to T2 to pick up our bags and bikes:

 

Celebrated with friends:

Heidi, we did it!!

Lisa, hubby, and me

 

 And celebrated a year's worth of hard work, both mentally and physically, that led to a personal victory and the beginning of so much more. 

I never lost hope.

I never lost focus.

I found the courage within to overcome.

 

And I'm just getting started. . .

 

 



The Road to Raleigh

Remember this?

And then there was this:

 

So in July, after much thought and searching for other 70.3 races, I did this:

 



After the events of last June, there was no doubt in my mind that I would return to the Raleigh 70.3 starting line this year with a new confidence, different training, and an unbreakable spirit. 

The road to Raleigh wasn't without potholes and roadblocks.  There were setbacks from injuries. I was forced to take 8 weeks off from running at the start of 2014 due to a nagging injury that occurred during marathon training.  I saw my  Chiropractor more than my hubby some weeks as I worked through impingement syndrome in my shoulders that kept me out of the pool for a month.  Although I had to work through physical issues to get to the starting line on June 1 (and in turn, come back stronger), I never let doubt creep into my training.  If I couldn't run on the road, I would run in the pool.  Couldn't swim?  Ramp up the miles and hours on the bike trainer.  Daily stretching, compression sleeves, and rest became part of my routine.  My training was solid, focused, and manageable, but I did not let it take over my life.  I found a balance that worked for our family (hubby was training for Raleigh, too), and my kiddos were present and involved with the majority of my training time--I swam laps with the Reporter, pushed The Little Guy in the jogger as the Reporter rode for bike for miles as I ran, and I relocated my bike trainer to the patio for many Sunday afternoon rides while the kids played in the yard for hours on end. 

With a bitterly cold winter (Polar Vortex, anyone?), Jordan Lake's water temperature hovered in the chilly range for months, making Open Water Swim practice unbearable.  I worried that I wouldn't get the time in the lake that I needed before the race, but I also said a prayer everyday that the water temperature would stay low enough to read 76 degrees or lower on June 1, ensuring a wetsuit legal swim. 

The first Open Water Swim of the season for hubby and me was on May 10, less than one month until race day.  Earlier that week we decided to register for The Jordan Lake Open Water Swim Challenge (1.2 miles for me and 2.4 for the hubs).  I mean, there's nothing like making your first OWS of the season a 1.2 mile race, right?  Luckily I was able to wear my wetsuit, and after checking in, I calmed the fears that were beginning to bubble up by getting in the water, without hesitation, for a quick warm up.  At that moment, I knew that this year was different.  There was no fear, no panic, no drama, and no tears.  When my swim wave was called to start, I calmly approached the starting line, counted to 10 after the starting horn sounded, and swam without fear for 58 minutes and 20 seconds.  I only paused to sight along the way (the buoys were spaced pretty far apart) and I didn't meet a single kayaker or lifeguard.  As I emerged from the water, I realized that this swim had given me the confidence I needed to get to the starting line on June 1.  Between May 10 and June 1, I did two more short open water swims with friends, but I knew that I was ready for Raleigh.

 

Most of my training rides for Raleigh took place on the trainer this year, both out of necessity and fear.  Over the past year, my eyes have been opened to the danger of the road with several friends suffering injuries from crashes on training rides.  Because of that, and my two sidekicks, I put in hours upon hours on the trainer.  While I found it frustrating not to log the big miles on the road, I knew that I was getting in much needed saddle time (2, 3, 3.5 hours at a stretch) and building mental stamina.  My first road ride for 2014 was over Easter Weekend (less than 6 weeks before the race).  It started out strong, riding with my dad and the hubby, but before the halfway point, I lost it.  Cars felt too close, the wind felt too strong, and the miles felt way too long.  There was a tantrum on the side of the road, that may have involved tears.  But when you are 15 miles from home, you don't have much of a choice about riding. . .  you have to get home.  As I completed the final 25 miles of that training ride, something happened.  I vowed to let my faith be bigger than my fear, and I began to see the payoff of all those Sunday patio rides.  Faster pacing, consistent cadence, increased steadiness. . .  I just had to find it on that road to find my confidence on the bike.  I only completed three more rides on the road prior to the race --2 on the first 35 miles of the Raleigh 70.3 course and 2 rides posting my fastest average pace on the bike ever.   I finished that last ride with a new outlook and a positive mindset.

Running proved to be a hurdle this year, as well.  While it is usually the strongest of the three disciplines, for me (even though I am far from speedy), starting 2014 on the sidelines didn't bode well for training.  While I was training for my first marathon (a blog post I really should've written), I began feeling soreness in my shins that resulted in multiple trips to the Sports Med doc, two different visits to orthopedic specialists and, finally, a series of Active Release (ART) treatments.  Once I was cleared to run, I had to start low and slow and I was worried that the build up to 13.1 for Raleigh would be too much.  However, I stuck to the plan, employed a run-walk method and added lots of stretching and strength training.  On April 26 I ran the Tarheel Ten Miler, unsure that I would finish with a smile on my face.  My paces had been significantly slower since returning to running and I knew that the course was challenging, as I had run it in 2012.  After a two mile warm up (the plan called for 14 that day, but I was being conservative), I ran the fastest pace that I had clocked in months.  Not back to my speed that I found last summer, but a satisfying sub-10 pace for 10 hilly miles.  After that boost of confidence, I continued logging miles toward half-iron training, many with my favorite cheerleaders in tow. 

 

 

As the date for Raleigh 70.3 grew closer, my confidence grew and my fears lessened.  I knew that I had done everything I could do to prepare for redemption. 

 

But had I done enough?