TRI-ING a TRI!

I am not known for being spontaneous!  PLAN, PREPARE, AND TRAIN!   So, on a Friday morning, when I got a text, from my good friend, Ginger, asking me to join her for a reverse, off-road sprint triathlon on Saturday, I did not respond for a while. Completing in a triathlon has been a bucket list item. Chattanooga has Tri-fever, and I want to be one the cool kids too :0.  The race was no Ironman…5K trail run, 8 mile mountain bike ride and a 400 meter swim (in a “pool” with max depth of 4 feet)…tempting!  No problem, a little run and swim training, and I will have my first tri done…oh wait, it is tomorrow…OH SNAP!  I have adulting to do on Saturday...cannot make it! Did I mention, I had not run or swam in a year! The back pedaling had begun!!!!  I have, I need, there is stuff to do, but my supportive husband, Craig, stepped up, he was going to cover responsibilities with our son.  BUT, what about our girls…It would be boring for them to join me at the race.  My girls have seen me race many times.  They have seen strong determined women, like myself, conquer physical and mental obstacles.  They have been with me on podiums and hugged in defeat.  All great life lessons, but they would still be bored waiting.  The race venue was in Huntsville at the Rocket and Space Center. I am the proud Granddaughter of a former NASA designer.  My Grandfather was part of the great space race, designing tools that aided in the construction of the Saturn 5 Rocket and many others.  Introducing my girls to a part of their past would be wonderful.  Excuses were starting to run thin.  

Ginger was bringing her family…fun times from the sidelines. Jon, her husband, would watch the girls while we raced, with plans to head to Space Center afterwards. No backing out now, everyone was excited…me, I was scared to death.  Water and I are not on speaking terms.  My stomach had more butterflies than the monarch migration. One more attempt to duck out…we don’t have hotel room…yeah, that will be it, no place to sleep.   As luck would have it, Ginger was still in Chattanooga, planning to leave early in the morning. Out of excuses, excited and scared, I was throwing caution to the wind. I had support, I had my girls, I had a partner who was just as crazy as me…I had no swim goggles…

Craig and I already had a Friday night date planned. With about an hour to spare, a quick equipment check was needed. Bike, check! Helmut, check! Tri suit, check (oh take the tags off)! Socks, check! Tennis shoes, check! (note I said tennis shoes, not fancy trail running shoes). Um, swim cap, nope. Goggles, nope.  A few text messages later and I had secured both…Chattanooga Tri-fever was paying off.  A great friend and neighbor (who just so happens to be training for the Ironman World Championships in Kona!), hooked me up.  Thank you, John!.  Ok, so I had my gear. Nutrition, sure just a few electrolyte blocks, pickle juice, hydration powder for water...All set!  Date night consisted of talking about the tri, talking about the tri, a few promises not to drown and talking about the tri.

The next morning came EARLY!  Moving to the suburbs sounded great…driving down to Ginger’s house before the sun came up...not so good, but it was race day...those that race know the adrenaline rush of just waking up on race day!  Sleepy eyed girls, Ginger and I included, loaded our stuff and headed out on our adventure. I was driving, nervous, and no idea where I was going, with one missed turn, we made in time to register!  Enough time to set up our transition zone and slip in a warm up run in with the help of our future racers.  I still had no clue what I had gotten myself into! Luckily, Ginger’s husband is a triathlete.  He shared a few tips of the trade…hold the bike by the saddle in the transition, don’t drowned during the swim…that kind of stuff.  Recall this was a reverse triathlon. We started with the run...Just a 5K right…I can crawl 5K, if needed.  We started in a mass start. BOOM…Ginger was gone! Me, on the other hand, jogging…conserving energy, or at least that was what I am telling myself. I found myself forcing a smile…stay positive!!!!. I talked to other competitors making fun of my last minute decision…they kinda hated me, I think.  I just decided to do this last night, they trained.  After 2 miles, I notice my 5 year old running shoes were starting to cause blisters on the bottom of my feet…I don’t run!  I struggle through the last mile knowing I would have fun on the bike…stay positive!

TRANSITION ZONE!  Started changing my shoes, I heard John in the background hurrying me along. I finally got my bike down. Started to exit the transition area. Being completely a triathlon virgin, I mounted my bike. Immediately, 20 different people were yelling at me…okay, okay, okay, I know I am awesome and all.  Thank you for the cheers!  Oh wait, I am breaking a rule, but I am still awesome...the bike must be completely over the line before the ride portion begins! As I get on my bike after, fully out of the transition zone, I noted my back tire was low. NOPE, it was flat! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!! Ran back to the bike support center…HELP!  YES...they had a pump! Quick inspection, no holes, 30 PSI and a prayer. Hoped it held!  

At the racers meeting there was warning about a HILL, beware the HILL!  The area around the race event appeared flat, but hills are known for hiding..sneaky little things.  With air pressure in the tire, I started to pedal across the flat windy singletrack, I was in my element.  First rider, dropped, than two, three, four, on your right, your left...I stopped counting.  I was at home on my Trek Top Fuel 9.8.5, some of my fellow competitors not so much. Upon reaching the bamboo forest which the racer director mentioned would indicate the start of the climb, I dropped a gear in preparation. HA! Well that was a pleasant surprise.  No more than small 5 pedal stroke roller. Where was the hill?  It must still be hiding!  Quick check of the tire, it held pressure, off on the second lap. Now that was fun! Dirt, turns, roots, whoopty dos.  AND, somehow, I was kinda in front...well not completely in front….Ginger was stumping me.  Sorta in front, I am going to go with that...sorta leading.

I completed the second lap and returned to the transition zone, being certain to not break any rules. TIME TO SWIM/NOT DROWN!! Aaggghhhh. I saw Ginger had already finished and was cheering me on..YEP, she is a BAD ASS...Oh, did I mention this was her first tri too.  Yep, pretty much the same story.  Her strength and commitment to better herself, helps drive me.  GIRL POWER!  She won the overall women's category. Now back to the drowning, I sat down in the transition zone, tried to get on my swim cap...Screw it!  Aerodynamics...it was a 400 meter swim, forget it. First off, I was expecting a pool...someone said a POOL...THAT WAS NO POOL! Okay, it was Alabama, so maybe it was a pool...I prefer to call it a swallow man-made pond, but tomato, tomato! Just one lap around that murky pond, I had that. I ran into the water and started to swim. My swimming was not pretty, but I was not drowning, yet. I used the breast stroke, side stroke, back stroke, doggy paddle, upside down stroke, backwards stroke, splashing at the water stroke...even walked! I HATE swimming. Just as I thought, I wanted to be done, I was! FINISHED and made my goal of sub 1:30!! To top that off I won my age category! How about that for a girl that trains, thinks and plans out all races months in advance.  First triathlon, and a podium spot.  Pretty damn proud of myself!  If it wasn’t for Ginger, the support of my family and from GRIT, I would have never even tried.  Thank you for the guys at Scott’s Bicycle Shop for keeping my bike rolling.   

If you are in the market for a road TRI Bike, check out Trek Bicycle's models.  Doug and the gang at Scott’s will be more than happy to guide you through the process.  Chattanooga has TRI-fever, and I might have caught a mild case of it.  Onto the next adventure in pearls!

MOUNTAIN BIKING MOM

Night Shift, love it or win!

Night Shift 2016

Love it or Win it!

Night Shift, love it or hate it!  Reminds me of my clinical rotation days...night owls, newbies or the land of the really pale people.  On April 23^rd, I hit a different kind of night shift time-clock.  The Velo Vixens were host to the 6 hours of Night Shift Mountain Bike Race at Enterprise South Nature Park trails. Six hours of flowy, dirty goodness.  What more could a girl want!

My Scott’s Bikes/Trek Racing teammate, Beth Lofgren and I teamed up for the Women’s Duo Category.  Beth was in the midst of training for the Chattanooga Half Ironman, my family and I were moving the following day...WHO DOES THIS TO THEMSELVES?!?!?...Uh, that is me!  It could have been more complicated, but when is racing easy!

Special thanks, as always, to Scott’s Bicycle Centre for having the Big Dawg (Trek Top Fuel 9.8(.5)) ready to roll, as well as having spare Lights and Motion lamps for the after dark portion.  The Scott’s Team tent serviced as our oasis between laps.

The first lap was mine to shred.  The great equalizer, PAVEMENT, separated the pack at the start. Adrenaline flowing, my heart pounded out of my chest, it's race time!  The trails were perfect, HERO DIRT, it had rained just enough to knock down the dust.  The trails gripped my Bontrager Team Issued SE3 tires. I know these trails, my home track, each rock, root and turn has been mapped in my mind, and Strava, over miles and miles of training runs. First comes Black Forest, rolling short up and down hills with lots of more for speed. I was able to keep a solid pace knowing, that Beth was itching for her chance. The TNT trail went by in flash!  BOOM...Log Rhythm kept me swaying to the flow of the trail!  Blistering down to the transition area for a quick trade, my first lap was the books.

Across the timing mat, the hand off was completed, Beth was on her way. It was great to see her blast off to start her lap. No holding her back now!

Did you think I was the only Lawson that races?  NO, of course not, my husband does too.  He was racing the 3 hr solo in the Clydesdale Class.  No bony little man for me! I was able to help refuel his water and food, as he was heading out on lap #2.  Love you, Craig!

Family time is a must!  My children have been part of races (theirs and mine) since the early days; hanging out with race friends, grabbing a snack and playing games.  Their sweet encouragements refuel my soul.  All three were chilling under the team tent, taking in the joys and sounds of Mother Nature.  It is the simple things that change our worlds.  The passing smile from my littlest one, a wink from my son or a "Love you, Mom" from my oldest daughter.  Those moments keep me going!  No matter how hard life, or the race, they keep me grounded.

With my water bottles full, replenished calories and a recharged soul, my muscles needed some attention.  Virginia Lee with Revive Massage Therapy was just what the doctor, or Nurse Practitioner, ordered. All I can say, MAGIC HANDS…AHHHHHH, what a relief!  I have been struggling with left leg and lower back pain for the past year.  Virginia has been a part of my personal care team.  She has kept me moving! Thank you, Virigina.

A little extra special encouragement for Beth’s final lap :0, and this race was done!  Sub-hour laps, 60 miles in total, we were in 1^st place for our cat. OKAY, so we were the only women's team, but who is keeping track…WE RACED, they didn’t...WE WIN! Going back looking at the times for the Men's Duo Teams, we were 5th place overall. Yep, a couple BA working moms whipped some…

Oh, and my husband, he took 3^rd in his race!  #proudwife

I have two more blog posts dropping soon...stay tuned!  A little insight into the Trek Top Fuel 9.8(.5).  An escape to North Carolina's mountain bike heaven with my stud of a hubby and BA friend, Ginger.  Plus, my first attempt at controlled drowned…AKA, a triathlon. 

Keep the rubber side down!  Never miss an opportunity to spend quality time with your family, each minute in the past, can never be relived.  Cherish those moments, making stories one scare or bruise at a time.  

Mountain Biking Mom

The February Snake Finale

It would not be "The Snake" if both races had spectacular weather. Even though it was below freezing with 10+ mile per hour winds, I was actually excited to ride. I felt prepared. My one training ride on the course a few weeks ago, taught me a lot. My clothing choices (which is huge in this type of weather) and my legs were feeling good. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits as we shuttled to the starting line. Laughter is the best medicine! We were reassuring each other that we were not crazy, just true mountain bikers (well...maybe we were crazy mountain bikers, but at least we were all going insane together).

I knew I had to dress just right. I did not want to have to stop and strip mid-ride, that would just be a precious waste of time. I had picked out a great merino wool base layer, my Bontrager women's hooded soft-shell jacket and my Bontrager women's convertible windshield jacket. My toes where covered with Vaseline and I had placed Hothands in my shoes and gloves. My head was covered by a cap and my neck with a gator. My plan was to just unzip the arms of the convertible jacket if I became too hot. That would be quick and easy. Luckily, I had planned just right, no wardrobe changes were needed.

It was a tough call, but I chose not to warm up before starting. The cold was just too much to exit the warmth of the truck before absolutely required. When I say cold I mean Yeti cooler COLD, burrrrrrr. Even Jeni from Ohio said "yeah we have weather like this up there, we just stay inside." 

I started off feeling great! I knew I needed to beat my time from the last race to win. I needed to climb faster and descend with more speed. I now knew Vomit Hill. Found some lines and felt more confident.  I needed to stay atop my Trek Top Fuel until the end!  No crashes, less dabs and pedal strong.

I felt great until I hit "The Wall". I was sure I was riding faster. Only 2 guys had passed me which was great sign! It was not long after starting the hike-a-bike portion when I felt the fatigue in my legs...that hill feels like a vertical cliff carved from rocks and roots. God and I were talking, "Just get me past this climb.", "Please wrap my legs in your wings and lets fly." At one point I was saying "you got this, just one foot in front of the other," only then to look up an see a volunteer sitting on the rocks above me...embarrassed, but he got it.

I really felt I had pedaled over more rocks than last month...smoother line, better lines.  I knew I had flown down the descents. The only "snake bite" was a dropped chain. As I was finishing the final road descent, my soul was warmed by the sight of my family. They had braved the elements to cheer on the last few hundred yards. As a mom, there is no better motivator than knowing hugs from your husband and kids are waiting.  The pride in knowing that my family will always be there, no matter the conditions push me to train harder.  To prove to my children that hard work and determination lead to positive results.

When I looked at my Garmin I was certain I beat January's time. Not enough to beat the amazing Christine Yario Warren, but I felt good, regardless. After some Snake Pit chili provided by the Northwest Georgia SORBA Chapter, I checked the times. What...I was 7 minutes slower! As my strength trainer and great friend, Ginger Jones Sillery, said, I felt too good at the end to have pushed myself hard enough. Oh well, I maintained 2nd place. Congrats to Jeni Roosen with Cannondale Midwest for a strong 3rd place finish and Christine Yario Warren, the fire pit master, for an amazing 1st place time!  I am proud to say my teammate Beth Lofgren took 3rd place, against some steep competition, in her 34 mile class.

At the end of the day, I had a great time, became closer to God, braved the elements, kept great company by a perfect bonfire and proudly wore my Scott's Bikes jersey on the podium. Thank you Northwest Georgia SORBA for another great Snake Creek Gap Time Trials. Maybe next year I will brave the 34 mile course. 

In the mean time, finish stronger than you started!

Mountain Biking Mom

New Year, New Dirt - First Snake

New Bike, New Dirt...New Challenge

If you are a mountain biker in the Southeast, you most likely have heard of the The Snake Creek Gap Time Trials (The Snake as it is more commonly known). The Snake is known for a few things...1) It is held during the most miserable time of the year...winter. Historically this series has consisted of three races. This year they made some changes and decided to only hold 2 races, one in January and one in February.  The other change is that they went from two distances (17 or 34 miles) to three different race distances to challenge any racer (17, 34 or 50 miles)...  2) You WILL get "bitten" by the snake causing a mechanical, fall or injury....  3)  Brutal rocks and climbing!  Let me state it again, brutal rock gardens!  Preparation and training are a must for success.  Most people get out on the course a few times before the series starts, learn the lines, take some notes, then start to second guessing their decision on the race distance.  You know, the well prepared racer's approach.  Not this Mother of 3!  With a new bike, no course knowledge (other than what Craig tried to pass along in conversation..."watch out the for the root drop on Vomit Hill')...I was winging it.  Family time during the holiday, plus Craig recovering from reconstructive clavicle surgery (whole other story), made  the 17 mile option  the logical choice.  Trust me, the voices in my head were telling me to go big or stay home...50 miles or bust!  Luckily, logic won...17 miler, here I come!

So, I tied on my number plate, clipped in and started the 3+ mile climb right off the start line.  I had no clue what lay ahead. Midway up the initial climb, my Trek Top Fuel 9.8 and I were forging a relationship which only mud, sweat and rocks can form.  With less than 40 miles of saddle time, I was still learning her handling and feel. No better way to really test a mountain bike than on a true technical, elevation prone trail. She impressed me with each passing mile, climbing with ease. The assistance of the suspension lockout and geometry that is only rivaled by a high school math teacher's ability, makes this bike a cross country beast. The rigid feel of the carbon fiber, combined with the light weight components, gave me an extra punch at the top of the climbs...oh, yes there are climbs! Climbs and ROCKS, lots of rocks...rock breeding rocks with baby rocks everywhere...The rollover and agility of the Top Fuel, left these rocks trembling in fear...well that might be a little much, they moved a LITTLE as I rode over them...BUT, trembling in fear sounds way cooler in my head! 

Baby Rocks

As much as I would like to say I rode perfectly, let's be realistic.  Remember that part Craig told me about, "the root drop on Vomit Hill" and the aforementioned suspension lock out switch...yeah, I forgot to unlock it.   I remembered it about the time the bike was riding me down the hill, instead of the other way around  (Note to self...unlock, unlock, unlock). No reason to sugar coat it, crashing is part of the game.

Oh rocks...again!  Not being familiar with the lines meant I dabbed more than Cam Newton in the end zone...a toe touch here, a toe touch there...I could have been trying out the for Chattanooga Ballet.  And, then THE WALL, don't even get me started!  I was so happy to see the fire pit and then the towers. From there it was the most exhilarating down hill road ride,enough speed to make me smile again.

In the end, I had a fantastic ride on a new bike on unfamiliar trails. Posting the second best time in the female 17 Mile class just fueled my desire to try harder. Since the first race I have been able to get on the course one more time to do the things that well prepared racers do.  Saturday, February 13, I get another shot at the course.  The bone chilling cold will be out in full force.  Start time temperature is forecasted to be a chilly 25 degrees Fahrenheit with 10-20 mph winds.  I will be ready to put my new Bontrager gear from the guys at Scott's Bikes to good use.  Layers, layers, gloves, helmet, shoe covers, hand warmers...don't forget the pearls!  I won't be caught without my pearls.

  

The Snake might try to bite me again, but it will have a harder time catching me, this time!  

Stay focused on your goals.  Mine...Family First!  A positive outlook and family support, along with a "sweet ride," will make the rocks tremble in fear! Let's finish stronger than we started.

Mountain Biking Mom

http://www.scottsbikes.com/noel-lawson

New Beginning, Old Goals

Here we are at the beginning of a year.  A new beginning!...A time for change.  We all try, every year, to turn over a new leaf, better ourselves, take on new challenges.  This year my leaf includes the honor of being selected to join the Scott's Bikes/Trek Team. This is HUGE for me.  I now represent Trek, one of the biggest bike brands in the world, Bontrager, and one of the best bike shops in the Chattanooga/Cleveland Area.  I started this time of change on my new Top Fuel 9.8, “Lighting ”.  It has no limits.  She proved to be a powerful partner through the January Snake Race.  There was nothing the Pinhoti Trails threw at us that the Trek Top Fuel 9.8 could not handle. 

This new beginning for me represents an exciting time.  It will present new challenges to my standing goals of staying focused on my family, yet making sure that I have time for ME.  I still plan on continuing to expand on the goals of having fun, putting my family first and not over committing myself...... (I am sorry, I just chocked when I wrote that).  Let's be honest with each other, even though we all start a new year with great intent, we are not always successful.  It is a hard balance but an important one.  The responsibility of raising three of the most beautiful, spirited and talented children is no small task.  Add in my amazing husband, my career and training, what is left?... Very little.  It is doable! I want to do it!  I will do it!  It just takes support and understanding from all the other important people in my life. 

Here is why I love Scott's Bicycle Centre and am very proud to be representing them.  They have been instrumental to my growth as a mountain biker.  They understand the need for balance.  There is never a silly question or odd look after I have successfully broken the unbreakable.  Scottie and the gang repair ANYTHING in 24 hours.  There might be a random part that has to be ordered, but these guys are fast!  The quality of their work, their plentiful inventory of all levels of bikes and their commitment to their customers carries through from the first handshake from Doug, the owner, to waggling tail of Gretchen, the shop dog.  I think the world of the shop guys and girls. Swing by, check out the shop, the remodeled front plan is quite impressive or visit them on the web (http://www.scottsbikes.com/home)

I was having a hard time deciding who I was going to race for this year. With discussions of different commitments, races and training, I started to lose some focus. I do not need anything to interfere with my #1 focus, my family. After several weeks of thoughtful prayer and inward reflection, it became very clear that Scott’s Bikes was the group I wanted represent this year. I have committed to mostly local races. I will compete in The Snake Time Trials, Night Shift, Chainbuster’s 3/6 hours of Dry Creek, 3/6 hours of Jack Rabbit and The Black Bear Rampage. I may pick up a few others as time permits (again, trying not to over commit, but you know I will). It will be a great year. I will keep you all informed of my strides and you must promise me to keep me accountable.  

Here’s to finishing stronger then we started. I am going to continue to make my leaf colorful and meaningful. I look forward to this race season. Stay with me as I start this new journey. As always, let’s support each other and have fun.

Mountain Biking Mom
http://www.scottsbikes.com/noel-lawson