Wearing the Stars and Stripes

After completing my first two races I was given two options, to go to a Continental Cup in Barbados or go to the San Diego WTS race the same weekend. It took me minimal time to decide that I would rather go to San Diego to compete against some of the best triathletes in the world. Why is this a big deal? Racing a WTS race is a big step for me, rather a large infinite leap! Normally the order of events is compete in a Continental Cup (my first two races), then a World Cup and then compete in a WTS or World Triathlon Series race with the best of the best. And often you do multiple races at each level before moving on to the next.

By skipping the World Cup level I’m probably getting a bit in over my head. I justify my decision because I’m very aware of that. I know that I shouldn’t be expecting to win this race (or come anywhere close) but I also know that doing this race is going to be a huge learning experience. I figure if I’m already uncomfortable why not just completely throw myself into the highest level of professional competitions and see what I can do. Not to mention I'm hoping with all the depth I'll get to be in a bike pack for this one :). I am excited to learn from the more experienced triathletes as I did in both Clermont and Sarasota and see what it is truly like to compete in a world-class event.

The race is to take place at Mission Bay Park, a place where five years ago I competed in one of the biggest races of my collegiate career at the time. I was a freshman in college racing at Junior Cross Nationals. Now I am returning to do the biggest race of my triathlon career so far. In my head I am competing in my own little Olympics (though I was assured by Hunter Kemper that I may be the only one thinking of this race in that way). In all there will be 53 athletes who competed in the 2012 London Olympics, 24 of them being women in my race. It’s a pretty exciting event from what I’m told. I haven’t even gotten there yet but so far USAT and the race venue are really spoiling me.

I think one of the things I am looking forward to most is wearing the stars and stripes suit. A few months ago I was reading Lopez Lomong’s book Running for my Life and he talks about what an honor it was for him to represent his country, the United States of America. Until this race I had never really felt that, or been able to really grasp what that feeling would actually be like. Going to the race this weekend and being one of seven women to represent USA, three of which have been to the Olympics, is something I really look forward to doing.

This is even more meaningful to me considering the recent events at the Boston Marathon. The incomprehensible acts of another being to maliciously hurt innocent people is something that truly and deeply saddens me. However, the will of Americans to work as a community to support and grieve with the families who were affected is something I find so honorable and comforting in a time of sadness. This is something that unfortunately we have gotten to see time and again, with September 11^th, the Aurora shootings, the Newtown tragedy and now the Boston Marathon. But I can’t help but be proud to be an American in a country where so many people reach out to those affected. How right away people put their own lives in danger for the sake of others. And how in the aftermath there are millions of people reaching out and remaining American strong. You see this on the television watching people come to the aid of others, but also all the support to the victims on Facebook on Twitter. Acts that show that we care for the families and that we will be keeping them in our thoughts and prayers.  I could not be more proud to wear the stars and stripes of the American flag on my uniform this weekend. I hope to represent the strength of America and the ability of all of us to stay resilient and unified during times when someone tries to hurt and damage our American hearts.  

 

 

A BIG Weekend!

This past week was a big week for me. I competed in my first two professional races AND I came back to Colorado Springs with a ring on my finger and Brad Miller as my fiance! In accordance with saving the best for last, I'll let you know how the race went first.



The start!

Coming out of the water in 4th!

 

Sarasota was an Olympic distance race, so it was double what Clermont was the week before. The swim started off great with me coming out of the water in 4th place. I hopped on the bike and somehow missed being with the lead pack. So there were about 4 athletes on the bike ahead of me and then about ten athletes in a pack behind me. After doing two of the eight 5k bike laps by myself I was pretty tired. The wind on the way out on the bike was relentless and if there is one thing I have learned about draft legal races in my first race, it is that being part of the pack is much more fun than being by yourself. Then around the turn I noticed there were now only three girls ahead of me! When what to my wondering eyes should appear but McLarty moving up from the rear! Unfortunately she had gotten a flat, but fortunate for me she was now stuck with me!

McLarty and I working together on the bike.

 

 So we worked hard together trading off the leads to maintain our distance from the lead pack while also trying to hold off the pack behind us. It was tough work, but we ended up getting off the bike about a minute back from the leaders and a minute up from the next group. On the run I was quite tired. I came off the bike in 5th and ended up getting 7th and in the money woot woot!

A hard lonely run

 

 Once again I know there are plenty of places to improve, but being only my first two races I've got to say I'm pretty darn happy with my standings. My next race I do is going to be WTS San Diego, which is the most competitive of the ITU draft legal triathlons. I'll be going up against some of the best in the world, and my goal will be to enjoy the ride and use this race as yet another learning experience to help me prepare to be the best in the future.

Now on to the more important stuff...

 

 After the race Brad, my mom and I all went out to dinner in Siesta Key at The Cottage, which I would highly recommend if you ever find yourself in the area. Having planned in my head that my perfect proposal would be on the beach I was wearing the outfit that I had picked out just in case it actually happened. Then I noticed during dinner he had something extra in his pocket, and when my mom hung back on the beach while Brad and I went for a walk after dinner I was pretty sure I had put all the pieces together correctly ;). As much as I love surprises I tend to ruin them through good detective work.

This is actually the night before, at the moment my mom's camera is hoarding the real post-engagement photos.

We continued on the walk with Brad holding my hand tighter than ever, and seeing Brad nervous is not a common sight. So we continued to walk until we were alone on the beach and then I got the most perfect proposal I could have ever planned. Oh right and I said YES! Brad is my best friend, my biggest supporter, the person who is there for me no matter what emotion I am going through and the best travel buddy and playmate a person could have. I couldn't feel more blessed and excited to be the future Mrs. Katie Miller and spend the rest of my life with him!

First Race!

On Saturday was the Clermont Sprint Pan-Am Cup. It was my first race as a professional as well as my first draft legal race. Leading up to the race I was so nervous. (If you'd like to read more about the lead up to the race I have a blog on USA Triathlon about that...USA Triathlon: A Time for Firsts Blog). However, the great thing about triathlons is that the swim is first and I find as soon as the gun goes off I am completely calm. I raced out into the water and after being pummeled for a bit I found myself off to the left of the mass of athletes but somehow in solitude and still on target for the first buoy. Rather than get back into the mess I decided I would rather swim alongside the group. Going around the first buoy was difficult and physical, but after that swimming felt smooth and I just tried to keep picking off swimmers ahead!

 

Coming out of the water I was right on the back end of the lead swim pack. I ran up the beach and had a great transition (fastest of the field woo hoo!) and got on the bike. Going out on the bike I was a bit behind the group and in my head two subconsciouses were working against one another going back and forth with "I can't catch them"..."I can catch them"...but I'm happy because the "I can catch them" side won, and I latched onto the group!

 

I'm pretty new at the whole group riding thing and considering we averaged 24.6 m/h for the race I had never gone around turns at that speed and wasn't so comfortable in the group. I struggled with staying with the group around the turns and would sling shot off the back. Then I would catch up and the nice thing about catching up is it gets so much easier once you're back with your group. The other athletes in the group were athletes that have pretty awesome athletic resumes and it was great to be up with them. They were fantastic at communicating and telling me what I needed to do/not do in a nice way and I tried my best to work with the group and take my turn at pulling.

Yep that's Sarah Groft's butt in front of me, she got 4th at the London Olympics.

 

So after 4 laps of fartleking the bike it was time for the run! And I was tanked. I didn't do much on the run, but I also didn't lose my position. I ended my race in 7th against a competitive field and was so happy! There were five Olympians in my race: Sarah Groff (USA), Vendula Frintova (CZE), Radka Vodickova (CZE), Paula Findlay (CAN) and Helle Frederiksen (DEN) as well as a few other well known respected triathletes that I also look up to. Even though I didn't really set many expectations for this race other than to finish and not get last in the race, I definitely exceeded them! It was a great start to the season and I am excited to compete in my next professional race...Saturday at the Sarasota ITU Triathlon Pan-Am Cup!

 

Harlem Shaking It

Who knew: We can swim, bike, run AND dance (well at least attempt it)

 

 

USAT Collegiate Recruits and Elite Triathlon Academy

 

 

and in case one wasn't enough....

 

 

 

Here is one with even more OTC residents and staff!

 

 

 

 



Knowing Your Limits

Some days I feel like this...

 

And as cute as Baby Leo is in this video, he obviously is not listening to his body tell him he needs to take a nap!





On Friday we were scheduled to have a swim, run, strength, bike, swim. At 3:20 I began my journey over to the pool to participate in the swim that was set to start at 3:30. For all those who know me, me heading over at 3:20 is practically the same as me being there fifteen minutes late. Not to mention I wasn't even in my swim suit yet! But I made my way over, changed into my swimsuit, got my equipment bag out of the bin and then made my way over to the hot tub. And there I sat for the next 20 minutes deliberating whether or not I was actually going to get into the pool. Sitting in the hottub gives you a lot of ponder time where I questioned whether this swim was going to make me better. Ultimately I decided that swimming that extra 2500 meters (I was actually planning on doing quite a bit less than that to begin with)  definitely wasn't going to make me better, and although it may not hurt me either it wasn't worth it for me.

I think it is so important to listen to your body and mind and know when either needs a break. I'm not saying to do this all the time, because let's be real there are few actual days where I am running to jump into the pool in the mornings and if I listened to my mind all those times I'd be a pretty crummy swimmer. However, some days it is important to know your limits. Rather than swim I allowed my body to recover. I went to the recovery center and did Normatek which in the long run was probably more worthwhile for me.

This past week was one of my hardest and longest weeks since being out here at the training center. By the end of the week I had completed 23.5 hours of training, and that doesn't include strength, core or recovery time. Throughout the week there were multiple times when I had to make the decision for myself on how much to do. This can be especially hard when you see athletes around you doing more or higher intensity. Being here it has been key for me to always keep in mind who I am as an athlete and what my goals are. Over the years I've found out what works for me and what doesn't work me. I know the days I need to go hard to make it count (and some of these days I have to fight through) but when it comes down to some of the optional workouts I realize every now and again it's ok to opt out! As Coach Fox used to tell me, you can't lose fitness in a day! So some days rather than press on, just take the much needed nap!

First Oxygen Deprived 5k

Last week on February 9^th, I did my first road race of the season. Not only was it my first race but it was also my first race in Colorado and more importantly my first race at altitude. In the morning four of us, Chelsea, Alex, John and I began our journey to Castle Rock, Colorado which is about 45 minutes North of the Springs to participate in the Freeze Your Buns Off 5k! It was fun going to a race with our small little team! It reminded me of trips in college taking the vans to races and such.

Pre-race smiles, and then warming up to get ready to go because it really was a chilly day!

 Being the poor triathletes we are we contacted the race director ahead of time asking if there was a possibility of a discount and therefore they knew we were coming. The race director was kind enough to discount the price for us and he also made sure that everyone at the race knew that we were all triathletes from the training center (no pressure). We were also lucky enough to have Alex’s coach Trista Francis there for support! (Trista is also the one who provided the pictures, thanks!)

The race day crew, left to right John, Trista (Alex's coach), Alex, Me and Chelsea
 

It’s funny because going into the race I had decided there was no way I was racing this hard, and that I would just build into it taking it more like a workout. But no, the gun goes off and what do I do? Start very hard. To describe my first race at altitude I would have to say it was not exactly a pleasurable experience, in that it never felt good. I knew I was running a very hard effort, but speed wise felt like I was tempo-ing and could go no harder. There also was a cramp at some point, and though it in no way affected my race I am wondering if it had anything to do with lack of oxygen. The course was pretty challenging with some hills and sharp turns, but I blame most of how I felt on the altitude (although it could have also been the fact I haven’t raced since the ManCave 5k at the beginning of December). And yes I know, I am really milking this altitude thing for all it is worth.

Us with the blingage! Yay!

In the end though, the triathletes prevailed and we went 1, 2, 3 and 4 in the race which was a bit of a relief after being spotlighted. We even were given multiple medals, woot woot! And ultimately, about an hour after the race, I was happy that I did it. It shook off the cobwebs a bit and it definitely was a good workout. Not to mention that it was so neat how people responded to us being there. Many were interested in who we were, where we were from, etc. One little girl's mom came up to us asking if her daughter could get a picture with us. The girl who is five had just done the 5k and had dragged her mom out of bed to make sure that they were doing it. There was another little girl who asked us to sign her t-shirt for her who has been competing in triathlons for a few years now and I can’t imagine her being older than ten or so. I was so flattered  and honored that these young girls saw us as role models.

First autograph! So humbled and really hope it means something one day!

I was  also so impressed by their drive that they already have in sport but also how much they both enjoy it! As my dad always tells me before races “Run hard, have fun and tie your shoes tight”. He puts it so simply and each time he says it it reminds me why I really do triathlons/running. It’s because I enjoy it. I enjoy the training, the competition, the people, the environment, the challenge, the drive to be better than the last time, the learning and so much more. Not every race feels great (exhibit A, this one) but in the end it’s a good time, even if you don’t get the time you want or the place. It gives you something to strive for in the next one and there’s always a silver lining to all races good or bad. In lieu of all the Michael Jordan publicity (Happy Birthday by the way) “Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game”. 

Me and my dad after the Cazenovia Triathlon.

 

 

Race results: http://freeze-your-buns-off.com/results/
Race pictures from: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/iTz-Multisport-Endurance-Coaching/186791633271

Picture Book Rhyme Time

Every morning I wake up to this beautiful view...

making my bed and getting things together is the first thing I do...

then I head to one of the most critical places of my day...

the dining hall where I pick an assortment of foods from the array...

I then head to the pool for practice at 7:15,

and jump into the water that is so pristine!

and then back to the dining hall again where...

followed by a run, which could be in a few different places (Bear Creek, Cheyenne Mtn, etc) depending on our fates... 

after the run we usually want to collapse on the ground,

but then we hop on our bikes to continue for the third round,

by this time of the day I'm ready for some aid in the recovery center...

a location where I may also see my roommate enter...

finally it is time for those last hours to be spent back in the dining hall,

then upstairs I go to plop down on the couch until I hear my pillow call,

which is often not too long after the sun has set behind the mountains for the night,

Because it won't be long before I'm up again in the morning before it's bright.

 

 

**Please note there were many more visits to the dining hall than actually captured on camera ;)