tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71139169258156444372024-02-20T05:14:37.132-06:00Jessica Jacobs' Ironman SiteMy experiences in training and competing as a professional triathlete while also managing motherhood and being married to an Army Officer!ironjacobshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10918576806895530692noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113916925815644437.post-18686523336394293072013-02-06T05:15:00.001-06:002013-02-06T05:15:47.003-06:00ironjacobshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10918576806895530692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113916925815644437.post-41424585570279857742013-02-05T20:58:00.000-06:002013-02-06T05:17:19.050-06:00<br />
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<b>Facing your Fears</b></div>
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<b><i>What would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?</i></b></div>
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<b><i>- unknown</i></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The above quote rests tightly on my visor in my Xterra and in addition it's my screen saver on my phone. It's so simple, yet if you allow it, it gives you a "gut" check if you really look into all the things in life we often forgo to the little tales we tell ourselves daily. You know the ones…the voice that says, "oh, some day", or "well…I would, but I'm just too busy today". How about the "I'm too tired today" mantra, or infamously using your family as a crouch and saying, "I have to do this for little John/Jane, today, otherwise…I totally would!"…don't lie to me - I'm with you and have said it to myself as well! Well, 3 weeks ago today, I could no longer "hide" behind excuses - I accepted a challenge, a fear and I was on a plane to Santa Monica, CA to work on something I'm simply not the best at…my swim. Year after year I've dug deeper and deeper into the well of my being for great results on my bike and run, but the swim has been a second thought, a necessary evil, but nothing I put nearly enough time, energy and passion into. Why? Because, for years I was told and it was reinforced that I'm not a natural at it. Plain and simple - I'm one of those lucky people that got thrown in a pool at the ripe age of 3 and developed a sense of the water. Also, to add more turbulence to the matter, I am a perfectionist and I love being good at things right off the bat. I'm naturally very athletic, so when something doesn't come to me right away, the perfectionist side of me gets aggravated. Now - before you go ahead and think I NEVER worked on my swim, well - that is far from the truth…but I needed the RIGHT coach to work with me, and unfortunately, I had never truly found one. There were several good SWIM coaches out there…but, often times I found they were trying to put me into a "cookie cutter" process to become a better swimmer. Many didn't understand my body, tailor my swim training for a triathlete, versus a strict swimmer. And many - let's face it, think they can call themselves a "coach" when they have no business being on a pool deck barking out orders…sorry, but, there is a huge difference between being an athlete and then turning around and coaching one.</div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Allow me to back everything up - after performing rather poorly in the swim at the World Championships and again at IM FLorida in 2012 my coach and I decided that it was time for drastic measures. I found myself faced with my demon and there was no turning back. Giving up 15+ min on the swim in an ironman is a near impossible grave to dig yourself out of…it can be done, as I have proved in the past, but it makes for an extremely daunting experience mentally and physically. And at the World Championship level, it is unacceptable.</div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><b><i>TRY</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Sometimes I think it's better to never ask why…funny how the heart can be deceiving, more than just a couple times...Ever worry that it might be ruined? And does it make you wanna cry? When all you're out there doing what you're doing, are you just getting by? Where there is a fire, there is gonna to be a flame, where there is a flame, someone's bound to get burned, but just because it burns doesn't mean you're gonna die, you gotta get up and try, try, try…"</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- P!nk</i></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Fast forward some phone calls, research, inquiries and I landed myself in the welcoming arms of Gerry Rodriguez and the wonderful athletes at the "Tower 26" swim club in Santa Monica, CA. It was time to get direction/coaching from one of the best. </div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Nervous" can't even begin to describe how I was feeling my first morning. You know that feeling you get when you're afraid your alarm will fail you, when you really have no idea the lay of the land and you pray your GPS doesn't fail you? At the pool I was so afraid of getting assigned to a lane I'd struggle to keep up in…thoughts erupting in my head varied from, "will the other swimmers get irritated with me if I'm too slow…what if I hit somebody on a flip turn? What happens if I'm faster than someone? Are they going to get mad at the "new girl" tapping them on the feet?" Yeah, welcome to the heart and truth of the matter - I was the "new girl" in school, it was my first day and I was hoping everyone would like me…God, didn't I already go thru this in middle and high school? Sigh! ... Needless to say, I don't think I slept more than a couple winks that night. </div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I showed up to the Pacific Palisades pool where all Tower 26 workouts take place. It was a rather "chilly" morning and I had no idea we'd be swimming outside - temps where in the mid 30s and here we were jumping into the water in the dark - can life get any better than this? - (I love knowing I'm awake before the rest of the world and working harder in the first 1-2 hours of my day than most will experience all week). I was instantly put to ease when I walked up to the man I believed was in charge in the big swim parka - I was correct, it was Gerry; a handsome, dark-haired gentleman originally from Trinidad, that resembles the features you'd find in great actors that were "manly-men" - like a Gregory Peck, Andy Garcia or Rock Hutson. I was instantly welcomed with a big hug and my fear of alienation started to ebb. Without boring you to death with too many details my first practice went well and I found myself capable of handling the workout with ease…did I mention that Monday is "recovery" day at Tower 26? Good day to start…but no where near the intensity nor volume that was awaiting me in the days and weeks to come! Ignorance is bliss my friends! </div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Good news - I more than survived the sweet sessions that followed. I found myself taking direction from Gerry and understanding my inadequacies in the water. I learned to "look at the trees and not the forest" - basically, take each day, each session, each set, each lap - ONE AT A TIME! The first couple days Gerry had to work on me to "peal the wet blanket" (as he calls it) off my psyche. I had repeatedly been told over the years that I wasn't a swimmer. So, I believed it and resided myself to it…this took some work to remove that facade, but slowly it melted away as I kept proving myself over and over again what my biddy and mind could handle. I was churning out more yards and swimming faster sets than I ever had in my life. If someone would've told me 3 weeks ago I would be swimming 6 days a week, 9 sessions a week and building up to 40,000 yards a week, I wouldn't have believed it possible….but, Gerry took me (as an individual) and figured out what I cold handle - how intense I could be pushed…and so on…(NOTE!!! PLEASE do not think that you too must to what I did…my whole point in the part is that everybody is very specific and there are no "cookie cutter" shortcuts/workouts or plans that works for everybody!)</div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>So, how do you peel away your demons? There are many ways - facing them is one, as stated above but also surrounding yourself with positive people is another. I believe a column was written once on me describing my bike and run combo to be one of the best in the business, but my swim was compared to a mannatee…(ouch!) I too convinced myself that "I'm just not a swimmer"…well, I'm here to tell you (and my old self) that that is bullshit! (DId that shock anyone? Sorry - but, those who really know me know I have a little "potty mouth" - mama is so proud!) Bottom line kids…you are what you tell yourself you are. If you tell yourself you're slow…guess what - you'll be slow. If you tell yourself you're fat - you're probably gonna carry yourself with your head down and decomposed. If you tell yourself you can't do that balancing pose in yoga, make that interval on the track, hit those watts on a bike, or do that set of 100s in the pool, well, damn straight - you just fulfilled your own destiny and you aren't even going to attempt it! </div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Last year I wrote a blog about surrounding yourself around positive energy and "firing" the energy thieves in your life. I had someone in my life that left me utterly flat every time we spoke and I've since removed this person from my inner circle. That applies to your goals as well! If you surround yourself around "go getters", "believers", ones with positive energy that also want the best for you as well - you are more likely going to go beyond what you thought was possible. It's quite simple if you think about it! I think that that is why I've got such an enduring heart for dogs…they welcome you at the door, wag at the sound of your voice and are ready to give you little kisses for no reason at all…(I must have been a dog in a previous life!)</div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Morale of the story - or blog - find your weakness and confront it. Don't hide behind your fears and hope and pray that they'll go away…don't pull an ostrich! You'll feel so free when you face your demons, acknowledge them and devise a plan of attack. So…go out there, grab your weapon of choice and face your fears…what have you got to lose? Oh - and pet a dog…it'll make you feel better!</div>
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Cheers!</div>
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Jess</div>
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ironjacobshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10918576806895530692noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113916925815644437.post-11338736780539226092012-11-05T18:31:00.000-06:002012-11-05T18:31:26.711-06:00<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">IM Florida 2012 Race Report</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">How do I begin a race report that is still so raw at times to talk about. I go from utter disappointment, to realizing that this is a part of the process, the journey and business of being a professional. I guess it's just time to "put on my big girl panties" and just type!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>So - after the World Championships and being sick in Kona I obviously wanted to use my body to its greatest potential and go after IM Florida with vengeance. I wanted redemption for what I wasn't able to put together in Kona. Especially with my bike/run combo. I was able to still put together a great bike split in Kona, but my body wasn't able to run due to a chest infection. So - after getting better and rested I headed to Florida determined to do my very best physically on that course that I love so much. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Leading into the race I had several race commitments that took me away from relaxing more than what I would like. In the 2-3 days leading into the race I was required to attend 7 functions. It might not seem like a lot, but it's a hour her, 2 hours there and it does require your energy, attention and adds stress to be here and there on time on top of taking care of your own last minute details for a race. Bottom line - I learned that that was too much and now know where my limit lies. Remember, while I was required to shake hands and chat with the masses, my competitors were chill-axing on their couches with their feet up…it makes a difference.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Race morning I felt great - cool, calm and excited to race. The air temps were higher than any other year I have raced (this was my 5th start in a row). I found that getting into the water it was going to be a choppy swim heading out to the first turn buoy. Rough, it was. This was definitely a tougher swim to deal with over last year. I unfortunately was slower by 3-4 min than last year which frustrated me, but after the swim, you HAVE TO put that performance on the shelf and move on to the next obstacle. I was excited that there were several other Pro female bikes still racked when I got to my bike! Yeah - not the last one out of the water! BONUS! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Getting out on the bike, I was super calm and even though I heard there was a 14-15 min gap bt me and first, I remained calm. I took the first 10 miles to wake up my legs and gain control of my hydration, start salt intake and take a swig of my gel. Computers on, timer on my watch on…check, check, check! By mile 10-15 I started the passing of chicks….always feels good when the prey are hunted down - that feeling NEVER gets old! My instruction was to stay bt 190-215 watts, but, in all honesty I was delivering 220-235 with ease. I tried really hard to not wrap myself around the numbers and go back to what "feels" right as I have done for years…what felt right to me was holding 220s. I'll need to download my Power tap to see the official results - but killing the bike with a PR split of 4:46 - I'm proud of that. And yes, I had an official sitting around me all day so clean riding was in order! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>By the midway point of the ride I was excited to get a new coke out of my Special Needs bag as well as take a few chugs out of my can of Red Bull. Every 10-15 min I was taking in sips of my gel flask and every 30 min I would take in 1 salt tab. Around mile 70 I started feeling the effects of the race - neck, arms were getting achy - but legs were pumping like pistons! Had to reinforce cola into my body and gels - but right around mile 80 I knew I needed to get in the calories and was under, but the thought of eating just wasn't and usually isn't desirable. This is something I really need to examine preseason and figure out! Do I need to start incorporating CARBO PRO or something similar into my bottles so calories are going in but I don't' have to worry about eating them. The last 2 races (Kona and Florida) I craved water all day, but drinking the perform (even watered down) wasn't appealing. It tasted too strong and didn't feel like it was "sitting" right - nothing that made me sick, but definitely drinking coke or even Red Bull seems to work better for me later in the bike. By around mile 100 I was feeling the effects of riding hard and trying to gather my head around the marathon. I knew I went into the well during the bike, but nothing too badly, just wasn't as fresh as I'd like to be leading into the run. I followed my usual routine the last 7-5 miles of the bike where I think about the first 3-4 miles of the run and how I'm going to feel and what I'm going to try to run out of T2. I visualize getting off my bike, handing it off, running into T2, grabbing my bag, putting on my shoes, asking for a volunteer to put on my bib while I'm slipping on my shoes, etc. I was mentally in a pretty good place, but knew I was far off of 1st and 2nd place and had a large number of girls nipping at my heels going into T2. I'll admit, I was afraid that I had really rode harder than I probably should have and expended a lot of energy only to get frustrated watching how much drafting was going on as I passed and how much drafting continued after I passed. These girls had ultra fresh legs going intuit the marathon - bottom-line.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Onto the marathon I felt strong and looked solid. I was out of T2 very quickly (around a 2 min T2 time) - and off I went trying to maintain a smart first 3 miles. I have a tuff time settling into a smart time right out of the gate as I'm excited to be running, I'm going past so many awesome fans and I look down at my watch and sure enough - it says, 6:15. TOO FAST! So, I try to slow down and next mile says 6:20-6:25…again…too fast. Mile 3, 6:35….ok…now that's a little better, but you're gonna pay in this heat (it was a good 82-85 degrees with no shade on the course, so, being conservative early on would be smart…well - right around mile 3-4 I hear these tiny little foot steps coming and WHOOSH - Rinny FLYS past me as if I'm standing still…she's cruising past me on a 6:00 pace and I was going 6:20 at the time and it felt like I was standing still…it sucked. It brought me down a notch - I'm not going to lie, that deflated me a bit and it's something I need to work on mentally. I'm so accustomed to passing, passing, passing chicks all day long. Very few actually pass me. So, how do I still stay mentally tough and confident if/when this happens? I've faced being re-passed on the bike before and I'm been smart and confident enough to not get caught up in that game and stay true to my ride and my race…I always think to myself - I'll get her on the run…no problem. But, on the run if I'm passed…how do I stay cool, calm and not allow the negative thoughts to enter? I tried to say to myself, "Just run YOUR race - let Rinny do her thing - you can't control her, only yourself and it's very early in the race." </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>By mile 6.5 of the run I was feeling like I had a good rhythm, but no where near "my running capabilities" - I couldn't pinpoint what was wrong with me on the run yesterday. It was very frustrating and the only thing I can honestly tell you that I think it was was my fear of the girls behind me creeping up on me and coming with their fresh legs. By the turn around I knew I would be able to see there turn over and it brought me back to that ugly place I was in at IM Canada 2010.. Same freaking thing happened. I wasn't feeling good, they looked amazing and I mentally fell apart. I continued on and by mile 11 I was getting very hungry - putting in cola and some pretzels were pretty much the only calories I was craving. By mile 14 I got some Red Bull from my special needs bag and that tasted great! However, I think my energy debt was settled in and I was starting to really slow down. I kept feeling more and more lethargic as the race progressed and I was getting dizzy. By around mile 17 I remember going thru an aid station and feeling cold/chilled. By mile 20, I just wanted to fall asleep. I put my hands on my knees and said to a volunteer, "Can I just sit down for a bit?" Down I went and I started shivering and again, all I wanted to do was lay down and fall asleep. Next thing I knew I was being asked a million questions and was getting my vitals taken. Blood sugar level plummeted to 64 and according to the medics if you go under 100 you're getting in a danger zone. Into medic tent I went for an IV - I quickly got wrapped in blankets and was getting fed pretzels and chicken broth. Again, all I wanted to do was sleep - but those damn medics just keep asking you questions! (I realize they do that for a reason, but, man I felt like saying, "Shhhh - leave me alone!"</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Needless to say I got my vitals under control and my body started coming around and then the disappointment started settling in. All I could think about was that I disappointed so many people in the last 3 weeks. It's a tough pill to swallow and I know that that is not something I can control or shouldn't even consider, let's be honest, we're "Type A" personalities and are our own worst enemy. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>In all honesty, I'm tired. More emotionally and mentally than physically. Physically I love training, I love the cycles that triathlon takes my body thru. I'm accustomed to waking up, training, eating, training, napping, training, etc. But, the mental and emotional toll the last 5-6 weeks I've had to go thru has been tough. Let's face it, it's been a long season, especially with trying to gear up for IM NZ and Melbourne. But, in the last 5-6 weeks I started doubting my abilities a little when it came to landing in Kona and facing the competition. I wasn't afraid of going hard on the bike and run, but my swim is my weakest link by far and I HAVE to do something serious about it. That is my NUMBER 1 goal going into 2013. If I can drop some serious time from the swim - I'll be unstoppable and something very difficult to beat.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>So, I think after disappointment you naturally go into "fix it" mode. I've evaluated what went right, what went wrong and what I need to sustain and improve upon. This is something I'm so used to doing from my Army days that it is engrained in me. I gotta look at the positive, gotta look at what went right and sustain it. Then I look at what went wrong and how to improve on those mishaps. Finally, I sandwich it all with the reminder that this is still only a sport and not everything in my life. That I've spent 3 months away from Kasey this year and I better learn from it all so that it's not all for nothing. Learn from you failures to succeed in the future. So, here are the things I really need to work on going into 2013:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">1.) Swim</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">2.) Mental stability on the run</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">3.) Believe and challenge myself to stay on feet during the swim and believe in my abilities on the beach right from the start.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">4.) Decide what my plan is for 2013. I have a good idea of how I want to approach it. I believe my idea is smart and simple!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Ok - so, there's the honest to God truth on what's been going on in the head of dear 'ol Jess after this race. Hope you enjoyed and can help me out on this journey!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Jess</span></div>
ironjacobshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10918576806895530692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113916925815644437.post-46357695576463438762012-03-30T08:17:00.001-05:002012-03-30T08:18:17.698-05:00<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font: normal normal normal 18px/normal 'Gill Sans'; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><b>My 2012 IM New Zealand & Melbourne Journey </b></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "> </span></span>Going into my 2012 season, I knew I wanted to hit up 2 races that had higher points early in the season in order to solidify my KPR. This was meant to allow me the comfort of a mental and physical advantage as opposed to a.) worry about points through out my season and b.) potentially burning myself out physically and mentally with travel and racing. I wanted to allow myself the ability to race shorter races in the spring and summer, while "saving" and preparing my mind and body for Kona, and 1-2 other IM distances races in November. </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 17px; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "> </span>Now, training for not only one, but two IM races early in the season is not something I've EVER done before. The earliest IM I've ever attempted was last year and that was in late May - this year, IM New Zealand was on 3 Mar with IM Melbourne 3 weeks later on 25 Mar. Training in Wisconsin for these two IMs was also a new challenge I had to face. Running on some icy and snowy roads and facing the indoor trainer and computrainer daily becomes a necessity. Luckily, I was afforded the opportunity to train in Birmingham, AL for 4 weeks prior to flying to New Zealand. This offered me the chance to get outside, feel the road, and acclimate my body to the weather I'd face in Taupo and Melbourne.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 17px; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "> </span>As luck would have it - the weather served up a turn of events for race weekend and ESPECIALLY race day in Taupo, New Zealand forcing the race organizers the difficult decision of canceling the race. The rumor mill ran amok as I heard things such as: it was only going to be a bike and run and no swim, they were only going to have us do a 1/2 IM but still, no swim, the 3rd rumor that came across was that no swim, no bike, but we would all do the marathon…it became a little nerve racking not knowing when and what we would be doing, especially when you've prepped your body for a full distance race! Finally, the Friday before the original race day, we were all asked to come to a meeting at 4pm to be told the race (which would've been the next day) was cancelled. However, the race was going to be held on Sunday, but it would only be a half IM. This brought cheers and tears to many. Cheers, because, despite the conditions, SOMETHING was still going to be put together. Tears, because, we all came to do an IM and over 500 of the 1600 competitors were first-timers, or what I call, "vIrgins". Let's face it, you spend the time, money, energy - you want to do a full. I recall meeting a girl from the Chicago, IL area that was in total tears. I felt so bad for her (and her family that flew all the way to NZ to watch their girl race). I gave her a big hug and told her she WAS going to be an Ironman, it was just going to be a matter of time. I told her to remember that it's the JOURNEY she took to train for one that builds your character and that's what makes you an Ironman. Yes, the actual one day event solidifies it, but it's a stepping stone of many days, hours, and minutes that puts it all together and you can't forget that journey to get there!</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 17px; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "> </span>Racing a half, went alright - got my points for Kona but, again, was a bit disappointed I couldn't do a full - but, on the positive side, my body was not as beaten up for Melbourne as it would've been had NZ been a full! So - heading over to Australia after NZ was different than I had anticipated. I wasn't nearly as tired or sore as I would've been had I done a full IM but, I still raced hard and needed a little time to recover. Jake and I took 4 days after the race to enjoy and explore New Zealand as tourists before heading over to Australia. It was also foolish to not do a couple "tourist" things as well as enjoy each other as we haven't lived under the same roof since June 2011 (8 months) and it takes a little while to get accustomed to having someone there ALL THE TIME! :)</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 17px; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "> </span>Once arriving to Australia I was more than ready to get back to "regular" structured training as I was recovered and thrive on daily "beat downs"! I was eager to get in a good 7-10 days of tougher workouts before tapering again for IM Melbourne. We stayed in Noosa Heads, Australia, which is one the beautiful coast about 2 hours from Brisbane. I was fortunate to find a great deal on a condo for 10 nights before heading to Melbourne, so I took advantage of the hotter, humid climate, while still getting to be doorsteps away from a gorgeous, sandy beach and amazing weather. First workout out the door was a 4 hour ride with intervals…most of my closest friends know, I like and have a tendency to sleep in…especially if there's a husband in bed with me that's in no rush to get up either! Well - first day out, I took my time and it wasn't till about 10am that I hit the rode…big mistake! I felt the humidity within the first 20 min…soaked to the bone on that ride is an understatement! But, what doesn't kill you - makes you tougher! (However, I learned quickly - get your a@$ out of bed!!!)</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 17px; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "> </span>After 10 days in Noosa, Jake and I flew to the big city of Melbourne. I had no idea Melbourne was as big as it was and our hotel was in the heart of the city! It was exciting to be walking down sidewalks with LIFE going on in every corner. Trams sliding down the street, performers jamming out on the street for some of your change, artists drawing or painting a picture - it's cool to be around that for a bit, but, I am a product of my father and like my own space :) I'm not claustrophobic, however, the older I get, the more crowds of people bother me. My theory on this is that most people, when put into a crowd, stop using their primal instincts or forget about "situational awareness" - they become sheep and just follow the person in front of them or don't necessarily think about others. I'm extremely intolerant of this and get very much on edge. It sometimes makes my husband laugh, but I remind him also that in a crowd, I'm usually one of the smallest/shortest people and it gets a little daunting at times, whereas if you are his height (6'0") - you can tower over the idiots and make your way to your destination with ease…have I been babbling too far? Sorry - I'm off my soap-box now!</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 17px; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "> </span>Here comes the honest portion of my blog…I'm not going to lie or withhold any feelings on this part, because, a.) it's therapy for me to honestly put out my feelings in order to learn from them and b.) if at any time my experience can help out a reader, fellow athlete, etc, then great! Win, Win! I was feeling uneasy going into IM Melbourne - not scared to race, or to be in a big city, but I felt a couple things. Allow me to number them and then follow up with how I dealt with them!</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 17px; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; ">1.) OUTSIDE EXPECTATIONS: </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 17px; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; ">First, I knew I was going up against the best of the best in the world…this posed a lot of challenges to me that I haven't faced in my career to this degree. I already put an enormous amount of pressure on myself on a daily basis, but I also have a great support network of family and friends that put a lot of faith and belief in me as well. With that wonderful support also comes pressure and unfortunately ignorance. So many believe in me and somewhat live "vicariously" thru me that the pressure to always win (regardless of the competition) is at the forefront of their minds. For example, when I didn't "win" in New Zealand, I received a couple texts and emails with forlorn "congrats" or "you go get 'em next time" - I hate those "pity" emails and sometimes get frustrated and down by them…I feel like shouting, "I don't come to your job and ask you why you didn't get that account, or make that sale?!?!?" Now, how did I deal with this? Well, I'm mature enough to know I'm simply under a microscope and that that is the pill I must swallow when it comes to this crazy profession. At the same time, I also have to learn to switch it off and not really care about who I "please" or don't "please" --- it's NOT my job to make this person or that person happy. However, I've also learned that it is simple ignorance on their part and I must remember that my sponsors, coach and agent have put full faith and belief in me, so, I need to believe in me! But, more importantly - if you don't get a good vibe from a "friend" or family member - fire 'em! Yup! You heard me, FIRE THEM OUT OF YOUR LIFE! They are energy thieves, will never be happy and are most likely unhappy with their lives and want some company in their own misery! I find myself (now in my 5th professional year) selecting very few close friends and family to confide in about my training, lifestyle and racing - I begin to surround myself with people who understand the ups, downs, twists and turns that racing takes, or simply give you an energy boast! If you're ever confused by not knowing ether someone is toxic or not…just ask yourself, "Do I feel energized after I speak to them or after I'm around this person do I feel a bit lower?" Your answer should be sweet and simple! Next on my list is...</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 17px; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; ">2.) YOU CAN'T ALWAYS PEAK FOR EVERY RACE! </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 17px; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; ">I had to remind myself several times on this trip that it's MARCH…the big dance is in October and if you are in peak form now…well, good luck getting there again or maintaining that till October! It was frustrating for me to not get to race an IM in New Zealand, even though it was a good thing that my body didn't have to endure two IMs in a matter of 3 weeks - however, my body was a bit confused. I trained for an IM and then had to turn on the 1/2 IM switch. I then got a little recovery and tried to ramp up again for about a week before tapering again - my body has been going hard for a good 2.5-3 months and THRIVES on consistency and training - this slow down in training was difficult on me mentally and physically but I had to believe in the process and put my faith in my coach that he would properly advise and prepare me for these 2 races. Then, the next step (and even bigger picture) is to get me back to training for the next 6 months leading up to Kona. Believe in the process regardless of what your ego is shouting…no…you are not getting fat! Yes, people - I too have those negative thoughts that wreck havoc on my soul and if any of you have a special pill to take that hampers those evil little voices, please send them to me! This brings me to my 3rd point…</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 17px; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; ">3.) EMOTIONS: </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 17px; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; ">I found myself several times get a little emotional in Melbourne. I think looking back it was a combination of things. a.) not training in my normal environment and on a normal schedule threw me for a loop and b.) I was away from family and friends for quite some time - almost 2 months away from Kasey (daughter) brought on a lot of "mother's guilt" and the lifestyle of living out of a suitcase for close to 5 weeks overseas (not to include the 4 weeks in Alabama before flying down under) was starting to wane. Yes, I was with Jake, but I had that pressure of spending time with him while mentally and physically getting myself geared up to race…by no means was he putting undo pressure on me, but it was pressure I put on myself to spend quality time with him knowing this was our month together before he left for Afghanistan this July (for 9 months). This all lead to the inevitable…number 4…</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 17px; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; ">4.) RACE PRESSURE! </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 17px; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; ">This was a HUGE race…the Asia-Pacific World Championships…a 4000 point race and let's face it - this was the best competition outside of Kona the world was going to see this year before the World Championships! The big names were showing up, while the question in my head that kept ringing…"Do I belong?" was stirring controversy. The pressure of getting enough points for Kona, making some money to justify all this sacrifice, time away from family, cost of the trip, etc…at times, it's enough to make a grown woman cry! </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 17px; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; ">So, how does one deal with all these factors? Great question! Let me know when you figure it out! Ha! Ha! No, in all sincerity, I think it all comes down to taking each individual stressor and properly compartmentalizing it into a section. This is a part of the whole journey and I put myself in a totally different situation this year than ever before by coming overseas for 2 HUGE races in order to properly position myself for the World Championships. I had to continuously remind myself to keep my "eye on the prize", which was to gather up my points for Kona so I didn't have to spend all summer "chasing" them and burning out my body and mind prior to the big dance. I learned a lot of things this last month. I slayed a couple dragons by facing some big fears - like going over seas to compete on foreign soil…guess what, when you're not in your back yard and aren't the favorite - you better have a fan in your head pushing you along! Another thing I learned was BELIEVING in myself. The last 4000 point race I attempted was last year at IM Texas. I defeated myself mentally before the gun even went off. It took me months to recharge my mental battery and get to that place of confidence and belief again. I was determined to erase the 4000 point race curse I faced last May and I did that on Sunday. Remember, the race doesn't start when the gun goes off…you still have the challenge to get to the starting line - many forget that piece of the puzzle! Lastly - and probably the most important piece I took away from Sunday was finally believing in myself and knowing I belong in the top 10 in Kona. I've heard others say it - I've had it whispered in my ear, but to KNOW, now, without a shadow of a doubt that I'm in that arena of greatness, I am fully charged up to spend the next 6 months dedicating myself to that goal. It's going to be a great 6 months to watch it all unfold! </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 17px; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 17px; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; ">Well folks with that, I better hit the hay! Hope you enjoyed my piece of insight and I'll be writing another (much shorter) race report tomorrow regarding how IM Melbourne unfolded!</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 17px; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; ">Thanks for your time and I hope you enjoyed this piece!</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 17px; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; ">Cheers!</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 17px; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; ">Jess </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 17px; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 17px; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "> </p><div><br /></div>ironjacobshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10918576806895530692noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113916925815644437.post-11611346501208725082012-03-11T04:08:00.002-05:002012-03-11T04:34:31.090-05:00My trip (so far) to the land Down Under!!!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; "><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; ">Hey all!!!</div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; "><br /></div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; ">Some of you know I've been in New Zealand for the Ironman, but some of you may not have known! Well, to catch you all up, I was in NZ for 2 weeks and now I'm here, in Australia getting ready to race in 2 weeks.</div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; "><br /></div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; ">Allow me to recap you on my adventures and such! My apologies for boring any of you! I really need to BLOG once a week so I can get my thoughts out clearer and more concise! But, before I forget - I would love to hear from you all and miss home (the great United States of America) a lot!! </div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; "><br /></div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; ">To recap NZ: left the US on 23 Feb and arrived on 25 Feb in Auckland...here was my traveling for that: </div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; ">3 hour drive from Green Bay to Chicago O'Hare (snowing...yes, left Wisco while it was coming down...how appropriate? Took a video just to remind myself when I would get home sick that it was SNOWING in the northern hemisphere!) Then got on a plane for LAX (4 hour flight) - then a 3 hour lay over, then a 13 hour flight to Auckland, NZ followed by a 3.5 hr drive to Taupo, NZ - which...might I add...I had a quick learning curve to adjust to as I drove on the OPPOSITE side of the road on the opposite side of the car...yes, in NZ and Australia they drive on the right side of the car and on the opposite side of the road...so, everything...absolutely everything you learned from little on...just gets thrown out the window! I was CONSTANTLY turning on the wind shield wipers every time I wanted to turn on my "turn signals"! I stuck out like a sore thumb indeed! Oh...and traffic lights? What are they? Everything down under is a traffic circle or "round about" - Dad would be having a fit! For those of you who don't know...one of the last things I remember my Dad complaining about before he past away was he HATED traffic circles! I remember him saying: "This isn't Europe!!!" Ahhh, gotta love the man and his stubborn ways! </div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; "><br /></div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; ">After finally arriving in Taupo, I drove to my "home stay" I was connected with by my agent. I was staying with the wonderful "Docherty" family! All I really knew about them was what my agent told me - that they were a lovely family that she and her hubby have stayed with in the past and they were awesome and would take great care of me! I was connected via Facebook with Fiona, the daughter, as she was a professional marathon runner back in NZ for the summer while she resides in Boulder, CO during our summer months...I was told she was going for the Olympic Trials for the NZ team, however, when I got to talking with her, I unfortunately learned she's had to put that dream on the back burner for a bit to take care of an injury that needed surgery this past week. Well - to my surprise, as I walked into the home I was amazed by the beautiful photos all over the walls...photos of Fiona racing and running on all over the world and then there was a pic of this guy holding up a NZ flag and a silver medal at the Athens games...holy hell...I was staying in the home of Bevin Docherty...yeah, the silver medalist in Triathlon from the Athens games. As you can imagine I felt like an idiot for not knowing this sooner and then I soon realized that HE was the guy that beat Lance Armstrong in Panama 70.3 just about 4-5 weeks ago....ha, ha, ha...ignorance is bliss! None the less...Fiona, and her mother, Irene and father, Ray treated me very well and I don't think it matters to them WHO they are, or WHO I am...it's about who you are as a person and how you treat one another...look...I could be a total jerk, and at the end of the day - no one is going to remember your accolades, but, they'll remember how you TREATED them! I always tell myself that when I'm talking to people...at the end of the day...it's not about your accomplishments, but your 'tude! (Can't learn that in a text book!!! Well - wait...maybe you can if you consider the Bible a textbook?!?!?)</div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; "><br /></div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; ">So, on to the race - I was in Taupo to do Ironman New Zealand...however, as the weather reports were shaping up for race day, the frantic mood of the race organizers and participants was becoming very unnerving. I kept looking online and in the news and it wasn't looking good. I'm not a type of athlete that gets really bent out of shape about weather (cold, hot, wind, rain) - but, when you see the waves crashing into the water front and the wind kicking up...you begin to wonder, "is this race going to get off the ground?"</div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; "><br /></div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; ">Well, as race day approached and the weather got seemingly worse and worse - the final verdict was in as the winds were reaching 100-120KMs an hour and temps as low as 9-12 degrees C. The race was cancelled. However, as a silver lining - we were going to race a half IM the following day. This put ease to many racers that traveled from 47 different countries, but I really felt bad for the over 500 "ironman virgins" out there that trained long and hard for probably 6 months to a year just to hear Mike Reilly say, "You are an Ironman" - but, mother nature has a mind of her own (as most woman do!) and she is not something we can control. Safety first is what the race organizers had to think about and I applaud them for that decision. I would NEVER want an accident, or heaven forbid, a death on my hands if I were a race director. I can say with certainty, there would have been a lot of bike accidents in those winds and I don't even want to think about the inevitable drownings that could've occurred - (not to mention the poor volunteer kayakers that would've gotten thrown from their boats!) For me, it was a little heartbreaking as I too have been training for an IM...not a half and although as a professional I must always "roll with the punches" I was really looking forward to completing my 19th IM on NZ soil! But, as a "cup half full" kinda gal, I looked at it like this - I was still going to make up the same amount of points and money in a half as if I would if it were a full AND not put as much damage onto my body, which would help with my recovery for my next IM 3 weeks later. This was all good! The whole purpose behind racing these 2 races (NZ and Australia) so early in the season was to knock out 2 big points races early and get those points for Kona...then train, train, train all season (summer in the states) without having to worry about "chasing" points all over the US and Europe! My goal is to get to the World Championships fresh and ready to race - but, that would be very difficult to do if I would have to race all over the world in the summer...traveling can really burn you out and racing long course can also create a lot of havoc on your body as well...you have to be very smart with your racing and training schedules if you want a long career.</div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; "><br /></div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; ">So - on race day, in a nut shell I got my points I was working toward and added another 1,400 to my already existing 2,000 - so, right now I'm sitting at 3,400 (15th place) in the KPR (Kona Points Ranking). For those of you who don't know...as a pro, you have to get points at races throughout the year, the top 30 women and 50 men go on to Kona...bottom line, you either race a crap load, or race the right races. I get asked a lot, "How many points do you need?" - but, that's the million dollar question! You just race, race, race and get your points and hope you have enough to move on to the next level! Last year was the first year of KPR, so my coach and agent told me a good number to have was 5,000...I think that that must have been the "magic safe" number to have...so, with that...I'm aiming to go over 5,000 to secure my slot to Kona.</div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; "><br /></div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; ">I stayed in NZ for 5 days after the race to enjoy the country a bit as it's nearly impossible to really soak in the country and culture the week leading into a race. Jake (hubby) showed up late Friday night before the Sunday race and was able to watch me race as well as stay in NZ and then come over to Australia with me - yes, we get a whole month together before he goes back to Texas to train up for his upcoming deployment to Afghanistan in July! He'll be gone for a 9 month deployment as Kasey (daughter) and I will stay in Wisco living with my mother...once he returns in April of 2013, I'll hold off till Kasey is out of school (early June) and we will once again be a family under the same roof...it will be 2 years since that will have happened! Ahhh...gotta love the Army life! So, although we miss our little "Kas-adilla" aka, daughter, Kasey, we're doing our best to enjoy each other for a month. Jake and I went to "Huka Falls" (imagine an abridged version of Niagara Falls), and went White Water Rafting on the Tongario River in New Zealand...it was the cleanest water I had ever seen...and cold as we jumped off a cliff and into it half way thru rafting. Truly beautiful and serene - gorgeous God's country! </div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; "><br /></div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; ">On Friday we were SUPPOSED to fly out of Auckland to Brisbane...but....well, let's just say that I'm normally the laid back one on the time schedule and I depend on Jake to be very structured and on top of things when it comes to when to leave, how long it's going to take to get to the airport, where to drop off the rental car and so on...well, I honestly don't know where that man was on Friday, but...we didn't make our flight out of Auckland...so, we had to stay the night and rebook for an early flight out the following day. Oh...what am I going to do with that man? Get him out of his uniform and he all jacked up! :) Jake and I finally got into Brisbane yesterday after a 4 hour flight from Auckland, but then we had to take a 2 hour shuttle bus to our condo in Noosa, Australia, where I'll be training for the next 10 days prior to my race in Melbourne. Noosa is beautiful and right on the ocean...yes, I jumped in the ocean yesterday and swam in the lovely salt water and loved it!! Today, I got to spend the day navigating my way on the Aussie roads during a 4 hr ride. I saw a traffic sign that had a kangaroo and koala bear on it and it said, "Crossing" - haha...I chuckled to myself and thought, "Yes, I'm in Australia!" </div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; "><br /></div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; ">It's incredibly humid here and was 30 degrees C by 10am - I think that's like 90 degrees in Fahrenheit. So, needless to say, I was in a little shock today with the temp changes from NZ to here...most days in NZ it was overcast and patchy - temps around 15-18 degrees C....which is like, 50s-60s. I loved New Zealand, as it was very naturally beautiful and serene - but I really like it here in Australia for different reasons also! Both places have incredibly friendly people and I feel completely safe too...it's expensive though...allow me to give you an idea:</div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; "><br /></div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; ">Oh - by the way...USD isn't as strong as the Aussie Dollar, but it's a little stronger than the NZ dollar - however, that didn't matter a whole lot when you would go out shopping or eating...see below! :(</div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; "><br /></div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; ">Coke Zero 24 pack: $24.00 (AUS) - </div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; ">Pack of turkey meat at the grocery store for about 1 sandwich: $5.00</div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; ">Cereal: anywhere from $5.50 - 8.00 a box</div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; ">Milk: $3.99 a liter (or looks like a half gallon we would get in the states)</div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; ">Eggs: $2-3.00 a carton</div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; ">Chips: $2.50-5.00 a bag </div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; ">Candy Bar: $2-5.00 (depending on the size and brand)</div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; ">Going out to dinner: Regular pasta meal: $24.00, 2 pieces of garlic bread, $3.50; coffee (small): $3.50</div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; ">Gas is cheaper here than in NZ - but still $1.49/liter, which would be about $4.50 a gallon in the US. Gas in NZ was around $2.12-2.16/liter</div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; "><br /></div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; ">Here's a little story for you to love! Jake and I were walking back from the beach yesterday and saw a little gelato shop...Jake got all excited for a little spoonful of heaven...1 scoop? $7.50! I told him he would have to wait for his spoonful of heaven back in the states! HAHAHA!</div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; "><br /></div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; ">Miss you all, hope I didn't bore you too much with my chatter! </div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; "><br /></div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; ">Cheers Mate!</div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; "><br /></div><div style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important; ">Jess</div></span>ironjacobshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10918576806895530692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113916925815644437.post-18514372491900140202011-08-28T22:49:00.001-05:002011-08-28T22:51:59.316-05:00<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><b>Road to Wisconsin…Part I</b></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><b>26 Aug 2011</b></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px">
<br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>As many of you know, I have moved (once again) in July back home to my original home in Green Bay, WI - there were a couple deciding factors in making this change, but the two biggest ones had to do with my husband deploying to Iraq and the instinctive family connection I craved shortly after my father's passing in March. Since July, I have NEVER once looked back and my focus in not only training, but in my daily life as a mother, daughter, wife and sister has never been so pronounced. You know that feeling you get when you just KNOW you are where you're supposed to be in your life? I'm there RIGHT now! I'm almost waiting for someone to pinch me!</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px">
<br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>At any rate, once arriving and getting situated in Wisconsin I raced in two 70.3 races - both were "training races" leading into my IM endeavors later in my season, but none the less, I wanted to perform well at both and see where my fitness was at the time. First off was Racine 70.3 - it was on one of the hottest and most humid racing days I ever experienced! Yes, my friends, it gets hot in Wisconsin…don't let the "Frozen Tundra" of Lambeau Field fool you! The day was an "ok" day for me with a 4th place finish. It gave me some perspective as to how I could perform on very tired legs as my coach and I didn't taper for the race at all…but, rather, "trained thru the race" - I reminded myself of what my ultimate journey was - and that wasn't until September!!! </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px">
<br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Next on the schedule was Steelhead 70.3 in mid August…I drove to the lovely town of Benton Harbor, Michigan in which I was pleasantly surprised at the atmosphere and local area…very cute! Beautiful homes line the coast of Lake Michigan and the little shops make window shopping a must! The race ended up turning into a duathlon due to the 7 ft waves that crashed the am surf…so, a "time trial" start was arranged quickly and effectively by the race directors. It was a first for me, but a really cool experience! I was excited to race and race hard right from the start! What was cool about that race was we as pros had a 30 sec gap between each other…so, yes you were chasing, but also being chased! It was so much fun! You had to tell yourself all day, "Go! Go! Go!" Because you really had no idea how far ahead you were of "X", "Y" or "Z"! At the end of the day I put together a solid performance and took home 3rd place! I was very happy with my run split as I negative split the 13.1 course…very good confidence boost heading into IM Wisconsin!</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px">
<br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>So, here I am, only 2 weeks out of a major race…I feel like a race horse at the Kentucky Derby! I went to Madison last weekend and rode the course Sat and did the marathon course on Sunday…it was awesome! What a city! So many riders were out there testing the course on Saturday - it was really so special and fun…seriously, what other IM course allows you so much access to great country roads where hundreds of riders can get out on it beforehand? Not many! The city of Madison, Verona, Mt Horeb and Cross Plains really embrace IM and for the most part accommodate our nutty lifestyle commitment! (Doesn't hurt that we bring in a ton of money to their gas stations when we need to refuel on gatorade, water, bars and coke!)</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px">
<br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Lastly, I can't not finish this blog entry without mentioning the wonderful reception I've received from several athletes in the Green Bay and Milwaukee areas. I was honored to put together an open water swim clinic for the Ozuakee Triathlon club in late July. What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon! (see photos!)</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Also, I've been blessed to meet a couple great training partners in Green Bay that are also on their journey to IM Wisconsin…Bill Roach, Marc Barbier and Jason Helgeson. These three gentlemen greeted me with open arms and have shown me some great routes and have reminded me (once again) what the core of triathlon is all about! Simply going out there…doing what you love and doing it to the best of your ability…so cool, so pure, so simple! </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px">
<br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Well - that's about all for right now…thanks for taking the time to read a little about my journey and get ready for my "Wisconsin Part II" blog…so much more to come!</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px">
<br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Cheers!<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></p><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre">
<br /></span></div>ironjacobshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10918576806895530692noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113916925815644437.post-128317820028866052010-12-08T23:18:00.002-06:002010-12-08T23:42:41.433-06:00Pro's and Cons to moving to El Paso, TXAs some of you know, I recently made the trek from just outside Birmingham, AL to El Paso, TX. My husband was offered several duty assignments, which included, FT Benning, GA, Alaska, FT Riley, KS, Korea, Ft Irwin, CA and FT Bliss, TX --- we reviewed the pros and cons of each assignment and duty location and found our best scenerio to call "home" (for at least 3-7 years) in El Paso, TX....or, FT Bliss! <br /><br />Many friends and even some family were confused by our choice, but looking at our options, we felt the best place to raise our daughter, a climate I can train in year-round and a duty assignment to help catapult my husband's career, was in Texas. I mean, let's me honest, yes, Alaska would've been gorgeous...but, how many months could I actually train on my bike outside?!?! <br /><br />Well - it'll be 1 month this Sunday since I've arrived to our new casa, so, I've gotten a pretty decent "lay of the land", feel for the people, taste for the climate - that is why I can feel comfortable to give you my "PROS and CONS" list of El Paso/FT Bliss, TX!<br /><br />ENJOY!<br /><br />Pros:<br />Very Friendly atmosphere...haven't met one person that has been rude to me, or treated me with disrespect.<br /><br />Cons:<br />Driving on post is ULTRA SLOW --- I think 35 MPH is the max?!?!<br /><br />Pros:<br />Weather has thus far been quite pleasant - it's chilly in the morning (December), but quickly warms up and you can be out on your bike taking off layers by 8-9am!<br /><br />Cons:<br />I heard Mar/Apr is the windy season...dust, sand storms, tumble-weed -- yippee!<br /><br />Pros:<br />My husband is happy he's back serving in the Army and my daughter goes to a great private school and she is getting a phenomenal education<br /><br />Cons:<br />My dogs have a smaller backyard than in Alabama!<br /><br />Pros:<br />The on-post pool is 50 meters, 8 lanes and open 7 days a week...new gym is 60,000 sq ft and has state-of the art equipment...even a TRX room!<br /><br />Cons:<br />The pool is 50 meters...that's a long way to go before you "flip"!<br /><br />Pros:<br />I have been introduced to some great people in the tri community here and swim with some friendly guys at noon on Wed who have been nothing but welcoming!<br /><br />Cons:<br />I miss my training buddies in Bham...God I miss you guys!<br /><br />Pros:<br />The roads here have SHOULDERS --- amazing concept that Bham has yet to implement<br /><br />Cons:<br />Seems to be a lot of glass out there...what is up with all the smashed beer bottles?!?!? And why wasn't I invited to that party?<br /><br />Pros:<br />I have extra time to spend with family and take care of my home since I no longer teach spin classes at Gold's Gym or the YMCA.<br /><br />Cons:<br />I dearly miss my clients from the above gyms - you guys really made me feel like I was afforded the opportunity to help change, cultivate and add a POSITIVE impact onto your lives...and for that, I will forever be grateful! <br /><br />Till next time - be good! Santa's watching!!!<br /><br />Cheers!<br /><br />Jessironjacobshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10918576806895530692noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113916925815644437.post-65245425069694463772010-11-09T01:00:00.003-06:002010-11-16T04:06:33.545-06:00Ironman Florida - Champion!!!You know that dream you have for many, many years...that scenerio you play over and over again in your head while you're out running trails, staring at a black line on the bottom of the pool or biking on an endless country road for hours on end? Well, mine came true on Saturday, 6 Nov 2010 in Panama City Beach, FL...the title, "Ironman Champion" is now mine!<br /><br />For years I had that nagging goal rip away at my core - Ironman Florida was my 17th Ironman distance race (10th as a pro). I have spent years clawing my way up this ladder and when you look at the time commitment it takes to train, the career I traded for this one and the chess match I play daily managing a 5 yr old daughter and support a military husband's career...you begin to look at your goals in a completely different light...this is why this victory is so incredibly sweet!<br /><br />Before I go into the race recap, I have to take a moment to thank my husband and daughter for their enormous support and understanding. I know I am not the easiest person to love everyday, but they do and show it everyday! I want to thank my coach for believing in me when I called in February. I was on the verge of walking away from the sport last December, but, I decided to give it "one more year"...thank God I picked Derick! He accepted the job and is not only my coach, but an amazing friend and confidant! Lastly, there are those who supported me mentally, financially and physically - allow me to explain! Mentally...that one goes to my sister Jayne, brother's Tony and Mark, sister-in-law Ida and nieces Aly, Rachel, Taylor and Sarah...and of course my mom. You are all my big fans, I love you and will always stay grounded because of you! Financially, I have to thank my sponsors: Sport Beans/NTTC, QR, Hawk Racing, Newton, SLS3, Rudy Project, Blue Seventy, and Schwalbe. Thank you for believing in me and allowing me to endorse your wonderful products! Finally, the crew that keeps me physically moving in the right direction...Eskeridge and White Physiotherapy and Bike Link. The amount of love you've given this journey is beyond words of appreciation. I will have a hell of a time finding replacements in El Paso that will take care of me the way you guys did...thank you, thank you, thank you!<br /><br />Ok...now for the report! I had an erie calm going into IMFL...I knew I felt ready, but I wasn't nervous. I've felt prepared in the past before, but not like this - this was a "I'm going to work to do the job I know I can do and will do" kind of confidence. My coach and I organized my training in a way that capatilized on this confidence, but, with only being together for 8.5 months, he, as a coach, was probably still trying to figure me out! Hell --- I'm still trying to figure me out! Ha!!<br /><br />At any rate, the swim was ironically a welcoming retreat due to the cool air and cold beach sand that embodied Panama City Beach that morning...outside of choppy waves going out to the bouys on the 2-loop swim course, I really had a somewhat uneventful swim...one little kick to the goggle that forced me to quickly stop, readjust, but, no major damage was done! Once out of the water, I hustled into the changing tent to the arms of one of my good friends that was volunteering...Tanya Beck, along with 2 other ladies made quick work in giving me my helmet, sunglasses and putting my race belt around me...oh, and how can I forget the precious (and much needed) arm warmers...those damn things are so hard to get on when you're cold, shaking and wet...but...damnit...on they went! Boom! Out of the transition tent and out for a little run thru the bike parking lot...(Here is a snippet of what went thru my head during the trek to my bike) "Oww! Oww! Cold feet! Cold toes! Ouch, Mother of God! When will I see my bike...ahhh!!! There you are!!!" <br /><br />Off onto the bike it was "go" time!!! I love this course, I love to ride and run...anyone that knows me, follows me, knows this about me! Today was no exception, but, it was cold and I did not change my kit, so I was wet, wet, wet! I did have on those lovely arm warmers and toe covers, but unlike some other racers, I did not add tights, leggings, gloves (I wish I could've found a pair at Walgreens the night before, but...no luck!!!), a vest or jacket. So, for the first 30 miles I was a popscicle...I felt my body literally creak like the "Tin Man" from the "Wizard of Oz" as I got out of my saddle to climb the first (and close to only) hill on the bike course around mile 10...but I started heating up and thought...this isn't so bad...it's hurtin' them more than it is you!!! By mile 10 I started passing some female pros, so, maybe that ignited my fire and made the crisp morning not seem so bad! I kept holding the pace I knew was powerful, yet steady...I wanted to actually go harder than what I went, but, once I made the pass into first at mile 75 I knew I still had a marathon to tackle and wanted to be smart...my coach and I had a plan and I was already surpassing his (and my) expectations on the bike...I could've gone much harder on the bike...but to what cost would that have affected my marathon? The bike came with 3 mishaps I need to tell you about! First one: completely missed my bike special needs bag - the woman tried to give it to me, but her reach wasn't fully extended and nor was mine, ohhhh, so close, but it was like 2 ships passing in the night....In my head it went like this, "Oh no...crap, there went my Coke, hmmm, that's ok, I still have almost a full bottle...oh, but I also had donuts in there...damn, powdered donuts sound good right now...ok, what else was in there...an extra GU? Hell, I have plenty of that on the course, an extra bar...no worries, still got a granola bar here...see, you're cool Jess, you got it all!" Then, just when I had my head readjusted from the special needs fall-out, I hit a minor bump in the road...literally...SNAP! Off went my right aeropad....not JUST the pad...didn't you hear the SNAP!!! The ENTIRE piece completely gone...so, for the next 52 miles, my arm rested on the bar...it hurt, but not as bad as quitting would've! And, finally, there is that pesky "stop-n-go" penalty I incurred. I rec'd the yellow card for the following reason...for about 20 miles I pulled 3, let's call them "gentlemen" for Christian purposes...then, they heard the rumble of the Race Officials Harley coming...one guy passes me right away to reflect attention off his questionable riding behavior. I immediately sat up and stop pedaling to fully allow the 10 meter rule to take effect. Well, just as I'm doing this, a 2nd knuckle-head passes me and instead of passing me and the first guy, he squeezes in b/t me and the first one...oh no! I knew waht he was doing was illegal...he needed to pass the both of us due to official distance rules. As upset as I was, I SHOULD HAVE let it go...waited a good minute, and then hammer pass this drama...but, I didn't...I reacted and passed both men right away...bottom line...I got a yellow card because I didn't allow a full 25 sec to go by before passing the first man. I made a mistake and fully accept the punishment and consequences...but, for any AG male out there that is doing this...shame on you!!! Please remember we are pro's trying to make a living...if you want to draft off me for the full 112...I don't care! But, please, please, please don't suddenly kill my tempo and potential race by passing me, then slowing down and not maintaining a strong cadence when you hear a Harley coming...it's so uncool and you're are literally taking food out of my daughter's mouth! (How's that for a guilt-trip people!?!?!?!)<br /><br />On to the run!!! Yes, the marathon! I wanted 2 things out of the marathon upon entering T2...First, I wanted to leave T2 before the next female Pro got into transition and next, I wanted to come as close to 3:03 as I could (this is my Ironman distance PR for the marathon). First goal, accomplished! Got out of T2 3:30 something before the next chica, then, slapped down a 3:04 marathon split...BAM! Part II, done! At the end of the day, I hit the fast female bike and run splits, became the first American woman to win IMFL and I believe had the second fastest time...not bad for a girl originally from Green Bay, WI!!!<br /><br />When I spoke to my family the next day I felt as though I really made my family proud of me...not because of the win, but because I try to ALWAYS cross the finish line with the American flag during an Ironman distance race. They saw that on the live feed and where touched by my words of graditude of the men and women of our Armed Forces. They are the true heroes...not me. I carry the flay as a symbolic effort to show how absolutely proud I am to be an American, thank those who are or have served and to tell the world...this is the BEST country to represent...look how many come here for work? To play? To experience freedom? <br /><br />So, on behalf of a proud veteran herself...thank you to all who serve and allowed me to follow my dream, this accomplishment could never have come to fruition if it wasn't for your sacrifice...I do the easy work...you do the tough stuff! Thank you and I love you!<br /><br />Thanks for reading!!! More to come soon from El Paso!!! <br /><br />Cheers!ironjacobshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10918576806895530692noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113916925815644437.post-13367393967525629082010-10-28T08:20:00.003-05:002010-10-28T08:37:28.630-05:00IMFL...It's Time!!!Ironman Florida...3rd year in a row, here we go! I'm about 9-10 days out right now to "show time" and ready to race! I felt pretty prepared this year for IM Canada, but in hindsight, now - I feel totally ready to go!<br /><br />I feel as though my coach and I have taken my fitness in running and cycling to a completely different level in the past 3-4 months. I was able to really test it 2 weeks ago when I took a little trip to Panama City Beach for a weekend of training. I got out the course map and rode on that bad boy like I owned it! It's a little different from the last 2 years, but, all in all, it's pretty much the same course...flat, little windy and fast! I'm excited to see what my legs can clock in on the bike and then turn around and give me in the marathon. I'm even stoked to ocean swim!!!! Yes - even the swim I'm excited about :)<br /><br />This year has been a wonderful journey - new coach, huge PR in my open and ironman marathons (2:48 open...just 2.5 minutes off US Olympic Trials qualiying!!!) new revelations within myself (less is more), an ultra-supportive husband, daughter and family...I have no excuses! <br /><br />I'm excited to see what I can put together in Florida as well as where my journey will take me in 2011...this is an attitude I did not have last year. I will not lie -driving to Florida last year, I was just "going thru the motions" - really wasn't excited, but thought..."oh well, one more IM won't hurt me!"...luckily it didn't physically hurt me...but with it being my 5th of the season...something had to give! I was ready to hang up the season right after Kona...but, you get that itch to do "just one more" --- at what point do you tell yourself, "STOP!! Take a break for goodness sake?!?!?" Burnout and a bit of disappointment shadowed me leading into Florida and post-season...but, like anything in life ---- brush yourself off...find out what truly makes you happy and figure out a way to live that life to the fullest EVERYDAY! I'm not going to lie...some days don't click, life gets the best of you...but, take a deep breath, evaluate, examine and pick yourself back up...that's a true LIFE LONG champ!!<br /><br />Cheers!<br /><br />Jessironjacobshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10918576806895530692noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113916925815644437.post-67298150392677851992010-09-27T23:22:00.002-05:002010-09-27T23:37:20.390-05:00Thank You REV 3!!!<span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">Thank you REV 3 for the amazing race series you put on this year! I was fortunate enough to race in all three locations building from the Olympic distance in Knoxville, to the 1/2 in Middlebury, CT and finally landing in Sandusky, Ohio for the full. It was worth the wait to get to Cedar Point and put everything I worked for this season on the line! It was all easy of a day as Lake Erie was more like a cold washing machine than a lake, but, I made it thru the swim with the thoughts of, "ride hard...run harder" on my mind! I had to redeem myself from IM Canada two weeks prior...I had a great swim and bike there, but, nutrition got away from me, I lost track of it a bit and paid dearly on the run. It absolutely broke my heart, but after much reflection, I was happy I could pull myself together to have a little "redo" in Ohio...I wanted to prove myself on the run...the run is my baby, my buddy - how could I let you down in Canada?!!? We needed to rekindle our friendship and we did! After a fun little trip on the bike for 112 miles I got to unleash the beast on the pavement! I felt great leaving T2, but had to remind myself to "run my race" --- 26.2 miles is still a LONG way...luckily my sister was cheering me on and told me to "relax...chill!" My husband was constantly on the phone with my coach, Derick Williamson, giving him updates, then relaying those messages onto me...it was great to have the love of so many on my side mile after mile! I knew leaving T2 in 5th place I could put pressure on those in front of me...but I didn't know how much. You can NEVER underestimate your competition, that's why it is VITAL you just RUN YOUR RACE...sounds so simple, but, it's so true! YOu never know what kind of day they are having...or not having...so, control YOURSELF - believe in your abilities and let "the chips fall where they may!" (That was an old saying my high school cross country coach used to ALWAYS say!) Suffice to say, I crossed the finish line in 9:28 with a new marathon PR of 3:03...besting my old PR of 3:12 by 9 min...I was elated (go check out the photos on the REV 3 Cedar Point page!!!) What a day! My family from Wisconsin was on hand to enjoy the ride with me as was my husband and daughter that traveled with me from Alabama! What's up next?!?! Ironman Florida on 6 November...stay tuned for the adventure my friends! <br /><br />Cheers and enjoy the ride!<br /><br /><br /></span></span>ironjacobshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10918576806895530692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113916925815644437.post-14778867354810114212010-03-03T22:52:00.002-06:002010-03-03T23:08:06.049-06:00Long time my friends!!!I know, I know, I know - I've abandoned my blog for some time and I am truly sorry for such a huge delay! There has been a lot going on in my life and training, but no excuses...shall we make a date - twice a week, I BLOG!!! How's that for a New Year's Resolution in March!!! <br /><br />Ok - to get you all up to speed, I'm still a Team Sports Beans/NTTC girl, and have resigned with Newton, Rudy Project, Blue Seventy, SL3s compression socks, but my biggest leap this year came when I signed a 3 year agreement with Quintana Roo. However, I still maintain my relationship with Hawk, by riding are their amazing wheels and their excellent bottom brackets! I'm a very lucky girl to get the best of both worlds! Thank you to all my sponsors for your continued support and love!<br /><br />Secondly, and, to me, this is a big step - I've decided to change coaches this year. After much research, interviewing and exploring my options I've decided to partner with Derick Williamson and his team at Durata Training. I'm very excited to work with Derick as I feel as though he has the science, knowledge and experience to take me to the next level of fitness I'm ready to cultivate! (This new coaching style should add fuel to my blogging!!)<br /><br />Finally, I've already starting 2010 off with a win as I defended my title at the Mercedes Marathon in Birmingham, AL on Feb, 14th. My primary goal was to enter the race and go under my PR of 2:54:25 Well, I did that and won! I went 2:52:56. It was a great day, my race plan unfolded beautifully and I capitalized on it as I did last year. Feels great to win on your home turf! Thank you Bham! Looking forward to writing much more in 2010 - take care! <br /><br />Cheers!!!ironjacobshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10918576806895530692noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113916925815644437.post-11530648745505974962009-08-25T21:35:00.003-05:002009-08-25T21:48:19.554-05:00Training for Wisconsin and KonaYes, I'm biting the bullet and racing in Wisconsin (Ironman Wisconsin) again this year, with only a 4 week turn-around time to the "Big Dance" in Kona. Some critics may think this is crazy - but I've decided that after I felt so good and performed well in Roth, Germany after only having a 3 week break from Ironman CDA that I'd give this a shot! I love Wisconsin and as many of you know, it's home for me...family will be there, fellow cheeseheads and come on...that course and the support from the volunteers in unbelieveable! I had a big break-thru race there last year and I'm ready to capitalize on that this year....my training here in Alabama has been going very well as the weather has cooperated the last month...it's not as hot and humid as it was last year, but beautiful conditions for some great training. I'm very focused right now even as many of my training partners are starting to "wind down" from the season and begin to focus solely on "Alabama football"! <br /><br />There is something to be said for the amount of training I'm doing alone right now and how at peace I am with myself and surroundings during the endless hours on the road and in the water. I've had time to think, think, and think some more the last few weeks - I will sometimes "zone out" for miles at a time and think about my family, something my brother discussed with me over a lengthy phone conversation, an expresssion my daughter learned from a scene out of "High School Musical" or the latest drama my husband is dealing with at work...whatever it is, it helps tick away the miles and time I have to put in for the week. Let's be honest...this sport is my salvation from a lot of things...some may need meds, therapy, drugs or a bottle to "cope" - me...I need an open road!ironjacobshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10918576806895530692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113916925815644437.post-24452699818668464792009-07-25T17:30:00.004-05:002009-07-25T17:37:54.873-05:00Ironman Couer d'Alene!!!<strong><span style="color:#cc66cc;"><span style="color:#cc66cc;"> </span>Ironman Couer d’Alene<br /><br />My 2009 ironman season was kicked off in beautiful Couer d’Alene, Idaho. I race here as an age-grouper in ’06, so I was familiar with the town, its fantastic scenery, and community filled with some of the best people you can come across and tough, tough conditions. <br /></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc66cc;">When I left Birmingham, the heat was in the 90’s and when you factor in the heat index we were looking at temps hovering around 110! Needless to say coming to Idaho sends you into a bit of a tail-spin. You have to pack not only summer, but also some autumn like clothing as well…you’re only 90 miles from the Canadian border, so, chilly weather is certainly to be expected! <br /></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc66cc;">Water temperatures this year were kind, but it was still 62-64 degrees! Definitely wetsuit legal! The water literally takes your breath away for the first few minutes, so never mind the anxiety you face swimming competitively, but now you have to add the “shock” of cold water and you’re in for a LONG swim…oh and did I mention the waves on race day…year, Lake CDA is NOT kind and in my opinion one of the toughest swims on the race circuit! <br /></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc66cc;">The bike course was changed in 2007, so I had reacquainted myself with the new hills I didn’t experience in ’06…tougher course…by all means! I swear, the race organizers looked for and FOUND every hill imaginable and plotted it on that course…and I like hills…I thrive on hills, but in all honesty, I could not find that gear on race day to really get myself attack like I normally do on the hills. Not making any excuses for myself, but I did find it a bit more difficult starting so far ahead of the mass age-groupers. This made for a LONELY day out on the ride as I normally attack, attack, attack on the bike – I love going after the better age-group swimmer’s, as well as the faster female swimmer’s, but this was not the case on race day. Our Pro start time was 6:25…35 min ahead of AG’s…I would pass someone about every 90 min on the bike…then see nothing for miles and miles…let me tell you how many times I thought I saw someone, got excited only to realize it was a mailbox in the distance…oh, if only you could’ve heard the curse words I was muttering! <br /></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc66cc;">Finally as the run began I landed myself in 8th place…I didn’t really know how my run was going to pan out as I was in a lot of physical pain from the bike…my right scapula seized up around mile 80 and I could even raise it up to get fuel at the last two aid stations. In T2 I begged on of the volunteers to rub out my muscle spasm in my right scapula. I felt so bad for her as I was telling her, “go ahead, press down harder, deeper!” Poor thing probably thought, “What a nut-case!” (However, I did find this particular volunteer and thanked her after the race…she was an angel for doing such unconventional work on me!) Once I got out on the run I was instantly happy, I knew I still had a FULL marathon to do, but I was out of the saddle and virtually pain free. During the run you do 2-loops and run along the lake, back thru T1/T2 (cheering fans), thru local neighborhoods and then again along the lake front…it is actually one if mot my favorite IM run courses and my attitude and time agreed! I felt very strong on the run and kept moving thru the field with a strong charge. Capturing 7th place on the run didn’t come easy, but I made my move and pass around mile 22 and didn’t look back. <br /></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc66cc;">During the final stretch I saw my family cheering my on one last time – they held out an American flag for me to wave. With pride I grabbed it and proudly waved it for all to see…I am very proud to wave our “stars and stripes” especially in such an internationally deep competition. After crossing the finish line I saw my family, I remember hugging my husband and telling everyone else how hard it was out there. They all agreed that the conditions (cold and windy) were tough on a lot! I was lucky…as we got back to the car it started raining! I felt so bad for my friends still out on the course. My friends Nan Gelber, Eddie Thomas and Travis Grappo all came from Bham to race and they were out there as I got to go back to our rented home and shower! My husband looked at me in the car and said, “I’m so happy you’re done and we do not have to stand out there in that weather!” So, I guess that was one positive thing about starting at 6:25am! <br /></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc66cc;">As we were driving home the texts on my cell phone came in and I was receiving my congrats, but one fond message I received that wasn’t expected was one from my friend Kyle – he wrote in a text message, “girl, you got the run course record! They just talked about it on “ironmanlive.com” – I couldn’t believe what I was reading! It didn’t register at the time, but later, once I got my wits about me, I realized how big this was! Heather Gollnick had the run course record of 3:15 something…I clocked in a time of 3:12 flat…I bested the record by 3 minutes! What a great way to salvage a less than perfect swim and bike day! Needless to say the moral of my story is simple…never, ever, ever give up! I felt like and wanted to throw in the towel in T2. I was in a lot of pain and wasn’t performing up to the level I wanted – but I am NOT a quitter out there and respect all the athlete’s and fans for putting their lives on hold to compete and watch…it’s my job and duty to finish! This is why I LOVE ironman racing…it is such a long day out there. You can feel horrible one minute, but turn a corner and your body says, “ok, I’ll play nicely” – now sometimes you really have to go thru a world of hurt to get yourself mind/body connection to comply, but patience is such a virtue and I’m learning to love it every day!</span></strong>ironjacobshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10918576806895530692noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113916925815644437.post-15917314788102859752009-06-24T21:35:00.002-05:002009-06-24T21:53:05.646-05:00PowerMan (National Duathlon Championships!)<div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><span style="color:#00cccc;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">PowerMan</span> Weekend!</span></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><span style="color:#00cccc;">What a great, great weekend and event! Not only did I win the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">PowerMan</span> event - also known as the National <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Duathlon</span> Championships...so, yes, I am now a national Champion!! (And no one can ever take that away from me!) - but, I got to be so lucky as to cheer on my hubby the day before at the Magic City <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Duathlon</span>! (It's a shorter event, but just as exciting! It's a 5K run, 15 mile ride and 1 mile run!) ---- my daughter and I got to be the cheerleaders for Daddy!!! It was very fun, but I can now see why so many say, "it's exhausting being the fans!!!" </span></strong></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><span style="color:#00cccc;"></span></strong></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><span style="color:#00cccc;">On Sunday, it was my turn to go to work! 5 mile run, 34 mile bike, 5 mile run...my plan of attack was to go into the first run conservatively, then lay down the hammer on the bike and let 'er rip on the second run. Very good game plan and smart...if you're patient and controlled! The gun went off and all of the ladies were excited, but I didn't feel as though anyone was going out too hard, so I found myself leading the pack within the first 400 meters. Not what I anticipated or wanted, but I do like to control things! I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">found</span> 2 girls right on my heels if not breathing down my neck during the first 3 miles of the run, but I got a chance to open up my lead and put a little gap b/t #2 and #3 by mile 4 and 5. I got into <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">transition</span> with a 10 sec lead (not much by any stretch, but, it was nice to be first!) --- once on the bike it was time to open up that lead. As planned I rode hard <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">thru</span> the streets of downtown Birmingham like a mad woman! It paid off as I had a 5 min lead going into <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">transition</span> for the second run...that felt great, but I did my best to not allow that lead to slow me down! The second run was tough during the first mile, but than I got my "runner's legs" under me and ran it home for the win! It was nice to win on my home turf (again) and be around such amazing friends and family! I love the Birmingham family I've <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">established</span> here in less than 2 years! I'm so incredibly blessed to have great training partners, friends, a coach and bike shop (Bike Link) that goes above and beyond the call of duty (and with a smile!!!) If you get the chance, definitely support the Team Magic events in the area - Teresa and Faye are wonderful race directors and are always looking for what's in the best interest of the athlete! Hope you enjoyed the blog and I'll be updating you on my adventures some more this week! Promise!!!</span></strong></span></div><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#00cccc;"></span></strong> </div><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#00cccc;">Cheers!</span></strong></div><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#00cccc;"></span></strong> </div><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#00cccc;">Jess</span></strong></div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span>ironjacobshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10918576806895530692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113916925815644437.post-36767923280169298032009-05-01T12:40:00.002-05:002009-05-01T12:45:21.554-05:00New Orleans 70.3 (Half Ironman Race)<span style="font-family:verdana;">Well, my first triathlon of the season was kicked off in New Orleans this year at the inaugural NOLA 70.3. Never visiting NO before I got an opportunity to take in a bit of the energy of the city a couple days before our Sunday race. The city’s reputation did not disappoint…it is a crazy, crazy city! As my dear friend Kate Clarke once said, “It’s as if something is in the water and everyone is drinking it!” My daughter, Kasey, got to see firsthand a lot of beads, masks, and boas (and maybe other things a 3 ½ year olds eyes shouldn’t see, but, she got to take in the culture, (is that what we call it?!?!) she even picked out a boa at a local shop on Bourbon Street and no doubt, my “girlie-girl” picked her trademark color…PINK!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">As far as the race itself, if you didn’t already know, it was a star-studded event. I’ve never competed against such a huge competitive field in my professional career and although it was intimidating (especially as the first race of the season – think names such as Natasha Badmann, Heather Gollnick, Kate Major, Lisa Bentley, Desiree Ficker, Nina Kraft and believe me, the list goes on and on…) I tried hard to welcome the competition with open arms and believed that it would be a great opportunity to really see where I’m at this early in the season! <br />Going into the race with this outlook was very wise because I ALWAYS have to remember that what others bring to the table is out of my spectrum of control. I can control many things, but how others perform is not one of them! During every race I go in with many goals. This helps break up my day and also sets me up with several outlook options rather than putting all my “eggs in one basket”! I went into the swim telling myself to get on someone’s feet. It is no secret the swim is the “thorn in my side” – I didn’t grow up a swimmer and really didn’t learn to swim properly till about 1-2 years ago! This puts me at a disadvantage to those who were tossed in the water at their local YMCA at the ripe ‘ol age of 3, but, I instead grew up running and biking like a banchee, so, there’s the pay-off! So, back to the race…I wanted to hang on to a pack of girls and work together in the water and it happened for me! For the first 800 meters of the swim I hung on to another chicas feet before I decided to pass and open up my speed and go a little harder. When I got out of the water I saw my sister, Jayne, and was smiling as I knew I wasn’t the last damn pro female out of the water…hell, I even passed some male pros out of the water as well! This was huge! </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">With that I got out on my bike and this was my first time on my new baby. This year I’ve been blessed with a great bike sponsor, HAWK RACING. I’ve got a custom made HAWK racing bike and it is special. My bike was designed with several factors in mind, but the color scheme was Kasey’s idea! I asked her, “Hey Kasey, mommy gets a new bike this year, what colors should it be?” Quickly, without hesitation, she said, “Pink!” With that, I decided to make my bike pink, purple, and blue…I wanted to honor Hawaii with Hibiscus flowers, my triathlete pendant I wear religiously around my neck was scanned and painted on the top tube along with my name and a couple butterflies accenting the corners. If you haven’t seen the bike yet, please check it out on my website or on the Hawk website at </span><a href="http://www.hawk-racing.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">www.hawk-racing.com</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> It is gorgeous and you can get a limited edition “Jessica Jacobs” bike also! It not only looks cool, but rides like a dream – I’ve been properly fit on it at Bike Link (local shop here in Birmingham) and the race wheels are phenomenal. The bike portion of the race was very windy at times with gusts as high as 17 MPH! This was pretty tough, but it’s the same conditions for everyone and nowhere near the worst I’ve experienced… (think IM Arizona – now, that’s wind…OUCH!!!) <br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">During the 13.1 miles of the run, I have to admit it was pretty uneventful. The conditions turned from overcast skies and humid to sunny skies and humidity! Once the sun broke out that was all she wrote! I never saw so many people go straight to medical after a race. The aid stations during the run came up about every 2 miles and in my opinion, with humidity and heat as high as it is in NOLA you need aid every mile. Some may disagree, arguing it too expensive or unnecessary, but when you have 3,000 competitors in a race, you have the resources to purchase the water, ice, cups, sponges and Gatorade! That was the other thing I missed…ice and sponges! I would literally go thru an aid station and think…oh…2 more miles before I get some respite from this heat…it felt very close to Kona conditions out there! I guess I’m so accustomed to IM racing and having those luxuries every mile and accessible to my disposal that when I race 70.3 I’m a little “out of sorts”.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">As mentioned above, the run was okay…our field was pretty spread out when I got off the bike so locating your competitors and chasing them down was not an option. Still, I did run down two females during the 13.1 miles which kept my motivation alive. I’m all about moving up little by little as oftentimes my strategy is all about patience and it’s something I’m mastering with my IM racing. IM is such a long day and chipping away at your competition is just something I feed off of as the time and miles tick away. <br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I ended the day in 13th place, with a finishing time of 4:36. This is nothing to be disappointed with and highly competitive with the world-class athletes I faced that day! Thankfully, the first race is down and the cob-webs are getting cleaned out! 2009 race season has begun and it looks good! Next up, PowerMan in Birmingham, AL in 2 weeks…it’s the National Duathlon Championships, so this should be an exciting event right in my town! </span>ironjacobshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10918576806895530692noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113916925815644437.post-54506262444664174062009-02-21T18:11:00.002-06:002009-02-21T18:40:04.633-06:00You are not invincible!This week after the marathon has been a blur...I was of course on a huge endorphine high for a couple days after the race...but just as I was enjoying the moment a little virus decided to settle right in my body for a party...although this is not a party I like to attend! Yes, I got the infamous "after race illness" that so often plagues many athletes after a key race. I'm actually really ok - just got a chest virus that takes time to "run its course".<br /><br />I have a theory that during the week prior to a race your body goes into a state of "hibranation" --- now, with that being said, your body also says..."hmmm, I'm not working me as hard as normal...well, I'd better take this time to repair, rest and take advantage of this break...don't know when I'm going to get to rest again"...well, with that being said, I sincerely believe that during this time of "rest" your body tries to repair, but ultimately "let's it's barriers down" which may lend a hand to a host of virus's marching right into an unsuspecting territory...i.e., my body!!!<br /><br />Well, regardless of whether or not my theory has any scientific evidence or not, it happended to me! I was feeling a head cold coming on Saturday (day before the race) and it didn't let up on Sunday morning when I woke up. You can guess that after running 26.2 miles that your immune system just doesn't stand a chance to any viral infection waiting to pounce! So, yes, this past week I've gone thru more tissues, cough drops, Earl Grey tea bags, nasal sprays and cough medicine than I'd like to admit...augh! I hate being sick...I mean seriously, who does like it? But, I really hate it...I don't have time for it and it just doesn't go very well with my everyday activities...puts me in a bit of a crunch! You see, I'm a mommy, a wife, a triathlete, a coach and I teach a lot of classes at the YMCA and Gold's Gym in Birmingham, so, when I'm sick...I need to find subs, explain to my daughter why I can't play, feel guilty that my husband has to play "double duty" as daddy and mommy and then explain to potential subs and coaches why I'm sick and then get better and so on...blah, blah, blah...it's all just too exhausting! I found myself taking 2 days off...this NEVER happens, but rest is what the doctor and coach ordered - and quite frankly I didn't mind and it was a recovery week, so, if any time off was going to happen, I'd better take it now!<br /><br />We've all been there - sick, injured, or just in a mental funk...whatever the case may be it's a blessing to go thru this piece of the journey. It's a way to re-respect your temple...the body we pull out of bed everyday and train, torture, sculpt and sometimes abuse in order to get the results we all dream and deem so important. I forgot that I wasn't invincible. Thankfully I was able to race last weekend before this head and chest cold took over my body - however, this past week I paid for it...I learned this week though that rest and repair are so important and your body is smart...it knows what it needs...like, for instance right now, I need a good meal and a good night's sleep...still repairing, still getting my health back up...still respecting what God gave me...and remembering to never take it for granted!ironjacobshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10918576806895530692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113916925815644437.post-38934987753885668262009-02-18T20:34:00.002-06:002009-02-18T20:46:18.709-06:00Mercedes Marathon...breaking new barriers!<br /><br />Sunday morning I woke up still feeling a cold coming on more and more - but I just masked the effects with 2 "Day Quil" tablets and went on my way to the race. Ate a bagel with cream cheese in the morning with some coffee and then sipped on a bottle of water/gatorade all morning till the race start. Felt VERY relaxed on race morning (still of course had my race morning bowel movement - but didn't happen till I got to the race...really wasn't nervous at home...just tired.) Said my "hello's" my area "Red Clay" teammates and people I know before the race and found Jon (my run buddy) and went over how we were going to feel, communicate and run our races TOGETHER till mile 10 when he would pick it up and go! When the gun went off, I really didn't feel too nervous...26.2 miles is a LONG way and your race can really blow up in the first couple miles if you go out too hard and get caught up in all the nervous energy and ego's of those around you! Jon and I started together and stayed that way mile after mile...it was so peaceful and easy! We really watched our pace and we were finding things that would trigger our instincts to want to "pick it up" once we recognized them, we'd note them to each other and pull on the reigns! We tried to keep pace with Eric, a friend of mine that works with "Fleet Feet" and he too wanted to go under 3:00 --- he's been doing Ultras as of late, so the marathon pace wasn't something to which he was accustomed. Around Mile 7 I told Jon he should take in his last GU by mile 8, he told me he wanted to take it now at mile 7, I told him to go for it, better sooner, than later! I was so proud of him and his patience and ability to work with me. This was his first 1/2 marathon and it was unfolding beautifully. Right before mile 10 he saw someone he wanted to chase down in the final 3 miles, knowing he was going to pick up the pace, I told him to start to go and run his last 5K with everything he had --- knowing myself too well, I know this would be a perfect opportunity to pull over and pee...first and formost, I HAD TO GO!!! and secondly, I knew that if he started to pick up the pace, that I too would naturally want to follow my buddy...this could turn a well laid out plan into a complete disaster within miles. So, right before the 10 mile mark, I found a little pit stop and told Jon to go! The plan was perfect...I lost maybe 10 sec, but, felt as light as a feather and he got a good little cushion ahead of me and although I could still see him, he was far enough ahead of me that I didn't feel compelled to run with him. It went perfectly planned! Going down the main streets of Birmingham thru miles 11-13 I found myself having to really pull on the brakes, I wanted to pick up the pace badly, but I knew that the race still had at least 7 more miles to go before I could really turn up the heat..."the race doesn't begin till mile 20" is all I kept telling myself over and over again! Passing thru mile 14 I saw that I was about 3-3.5 min ahead of my projected time at that point...I thought, "Wow, either I'm going to smash my goal time, or the last 10K is going to kill me...let's see what happens!" At mile 15 and 17 I was so excited to see my husband, daughter and coach...this was going to be a test...was my coach going to be angry with my time? Was I too far ahead of my goal time? He was happy and told me, "Hold this pace till 20 - then run the hardest you can for 10K." Huh, easier said than done there buddy...that's what I wanted to say, but again, I was feeling good! My quads started feeling the effects of the mileage around miles 17-19...at one point I thought to myself, "God, my legs feel like tree trunks" Anyone that knows me knows I have "thick" quads...not manly, just not your typical skinny runner chick legs...they are built for cycling and serve me well in that arena, and definitely know how to manuever a run course, but at mile 19 I would've given anything to shed a little weight off those bad boys! By mile 20 I finally got to "unleash the beast" - however, how much was left of the beast? Miles 20-22 were definitely the toughest miles of the whole race...I kept telling myself only 6 more miles, only 5 more miles, only 4 more miles...once I got to only 3 more miles I was so happy...than again, that is where we got a nice down hill as well and my quads got a chance to stretch out a bit and change direction! By the 24 mile marker I found myself passing a lot of guys...were they relay team members or were they doing the marathon and burning out? The final 1.5 miles took forever...I'm not going to lie...it is a straight shot back into the city and the streets go on FOREVER...I kept looking upward at the buildings I knew would surround Linn Park, and slowly, but surely they got closer and closer...finally I heard more spectators cheering and up ahead was Dana Harmon, a fellow colleague from the YMCA - she was screaming at me, "Jess, you're the first female!!!" I thought, "What, seriously?!?!? How come no one told me?" Unfortunately many couldn't tell who the first woman marathon finisher was due to the half-marathon and relay's going on...so, until I rounded the corner and went into the "Marathon Finish" chute - it was clear only then to many that I was indeed the first female. Pure joy ran over me...first I knew I accomplished my goal of going sub-3 hours...I went 2:54:53, but it was going to be a pay day! I lept up in the air, pounced on the final timing mat and kissed it as if to seal the deal. I was so happy as I got to celebrate that moment with my husband, daughter, coach, his wife and kids and yes, my training buddy Jon was there waiting...he too had something awesome to celebrate...his 13.1 goal time of 1:30 was smashed as he clocked in a 1:27...not bad for your first half Jon, not bad at all!!!!ironjacobshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10918576806895530692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113916925815644437.post-57409478128059398402008-11-11T21:45:00.001-06:002008-11-11T21:47:29.435-06:00Thoughts on Ironman Florida 2008So my coach, Frank Meyers, and I decided to do a little experiment last month. Fresh off of my Third Place finish in Ironman Wisconsin, we wanted to see how quick of a turnaround I could do to another Ironman. Hillary Biscay took first at Wisconsin ONE WEEK after finishing Ironman Louisville. I would not even attempt that anytime soon, but I wondered how quick could I turn around?<br /> Florida was seven weeks after Wisconsin and we both felt that that should be enough time to recovery, then ramp back up with a hard three weeks of training block and then a one week taper. Hopefully this would be a perfect prescription without inducing injury or exhaustion. To be honest, I wasn't 100% enthused and driving to crush all competitors in my way, but I wanted to do well and end the season on a good note.<br /><br /> I drove down to Panama City Beach the Wednesday before the race and got a chance to spend some time with my sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew that flew in from Wisconsin that evening. I LOVE my sister Jayne! She is like an older version of me…or, am I the younger version of her? We get-along very well and she tries to come to as many of my races as possible…in the 9 Ironmans I’ve competed in, Jayne has flown/drove to 8 of them! She’s really into the triathlon community, the family support and passion all the athletes, families and friends bring to the table. Someday I hope she competes in a sprint tri and I’ll be all over the course cheering her to the finish!<br /><br />The next day I met up with some friends to include my good friend from Austin, Richard Freer. Richard is a pro from Austin I met while I was stationed at Ft. Hood, Texas and a great guy. His wife Tiffany is so much fun and I was also introduced to Mike and Kari Harris and their two daughters, who over the course of five days have become great friends as well. Mike, Kari and Tiff weren’t competing, but were there to support, take TONS of pictures and videotape…Mike is such a pro at taping that during morning swim practices he’d take his camera out in the ocean with us and he would video us swimming over him…every year in Florida he puts together a great “movie” of the trip, race, training…it’s awesome! One of the best things about triathlons is that the community is made up of some of the most friendly, kind, and caring people in the world. <br /><br />Race day quickly approached as it always does and my husband, daughter and coach came into town around midnight the day of the event. My husband and coach had to work till Friday evening, so they had to drive about 5 hours to Panama City Beach. Exhausted as they rolled in they knew they would only get about 4 hours of sleep before the race day wake up call! Amazingly, I felt very relaxed and happy on race morning. I’ll tell you, you never know the state of mind you’re going to be in on race morning, but this year has taught me so much about confidence, remaining calm and staying in your “element”. <br /><br />The swim was interesting in the ocean. The water wasn’t too cold, but definitely wetsuit legal. The race was a dry start and a two-loop course which also required the racers to get out of the water after the first loop, run over a timing mat, grab a cup of salt-free water (if you want) and then pounce back into the ocean…this was tough on me and getting my rhythm again in the water was a test of wills! After the swim I was off on my favorite part…the bike! I love the road and it seems as though the road loves me J I always have to remind myself to remain patient and the competition will come back to me…I mean, let’s be honest, I’m ALWAYS chasing down the better swimmers, so the road is where I buy back my time! Florida is relatively a flat course, especially compared to courses like Wisconsin, Coeur d’Alene and such. Now, let’s not let this fool you – this doesn’t mean it’s necessarily easier! You don’t get the down hills to relax…you are always hammering, hammering, hammering! I loved this, but, again, I’m not your normal cyclist J<br /><br />On the run, I entered the marathon in fourth place, but could see third and second place right away within the first mile. I past both girls right away and was excited to be within 3 minutes of first place. The run is a 2-loop course winding you thru neighborhoods, city streets and a state park. It is as flat as the bike course, but again, this doesn’t mean it’s easy…you use the SAME muscles over and over again. Sometimes a hill is a nice break on the quads! I held onto second place thru about mile 17-18, but unfortunately was passed for second and just didn’t have the next gear to go with Tamara. <br /><br />Finishing in third place was a feat I didn’t foresee and was very happy to accomplish. My coach was ecstatic and very pleased with the training he invented and the outcome for the ’08 season. I am now enjoying a nice break from the day-to-day grind during the month of November. I’m taking care of things that were neglected for months such as cleaning the house, painting the bathroom and yes, my husband and I held our very first garage sale last weekend…that was a trip! I look forward to the ’09 season and training, but I’m going to really enjoy the much deserved off-season right now!ironjacobshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10918576806895530692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113916925815644437.post-76592067488294468302008-10-15T20:08:00.002-05:002008-10-15T21:08:37.713-05:00It's Me!Hi! Welcome to the Jessica Jacobs triathlon blog! I'm happy you took the time to sit down and read about me, my life in triathlon and life in general! Well, most of this blog will be about triathlons. Why? Well, for several reasons. Number one, I am a triathlete and it is who I am, not what I do. It encompasses every aspect of my life. When I wake up (4:00 Am) to what I eat (Lots of Gu!), to who my friends end up being (Other athletes). It decides when I get to see my daughter on the weekends and how much energy I have to snuggle up with my husband. I am blogging about triathlons because it is what I am.<br /> But I guess that there is a little more to me. I am a daughter and the youngest of eight cheese heads...Go Packers! I am a veteran of the United States Army, am the mother of a beautiful three year old girl and wife to the most supportive man I have ever known and can't believe God sent into my life. <br /> SO why would you listen to me? I don't know. Maybe you've heard about me via news articles or videos regarding some of my success and are interested in peaking into my life, thoughts, adversities I face and how deal with it all. I guess even if no one ever reads this, it can be a way for me to put my thoughts on paper, or digits, or something. I am guessing that this will be fun and if I can inspire others in the process than all the better!<br /> I am hoping to write twice a week and discuss my training, life, and answer any questions anyone might have regarding triathlon, being a professional, a mother, wife, or anything else on your mind! Now that I am a professional with a dedicated coach, I seem to be training more than I ever thought possible. But when I get tired I just pinch myself and say "Can you believe I get paid to do this? I do get paid, right?" Now, let me be frank - it's definitely NOT about the money...not at all!!! I actually decided to go Pro to inspire my daughter. I wanted to be an example for her to go after any and all dreams she may have in her bright future. I want to say to my grandkids some day, "Yes, Grandma was a professional athlete!" How cool will that be?!?! Also, as mentioned, I served our great nation for 6 1/2 years and loved the Army, my position and leadership roles. However, anyone that served knows it is a very selfless career and you are not allotted the opportunity to "do whatever you want." At times you are sent to the field on exercises for weeks at a time, work very long hours (12 hour days are a norm) and often times deployed. This lifestyle doesn't exactly fit into the proper mold a triathlete (or any athlete for that matter) to truly master their craft. I would get a good couple weeks of running, cycling and swimming in and then told, "Hey, Jacobs, you're going to be on the night shift for the next FTX (field training exercise), so get ready to be at the office @ 1700 (5pm) and you'll be released by NET (no earlier than) 0700 (7am) - yup, that's the price you pay for a 3-year ROTC scholarship! Now, please don't mistake my belly-aching for the absolute respect and admiration I have for our military. I loved the military, my soldiers, my leadership influence and miss it everyday, but there were times that frustrated me to no end because I was constantly putting my triathlon training on the back burner. Therefore, today is "pay-back" time for the time "borrowed" when I gave to the country. I decided about a year ago I was going to do this...it's now or never!ironjacobshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10918576806895530692noreply@blogger.com0