2014 Report Card

Jocelyn told me to write an end of the year recap so I'm trying to dig back in my memories for what happened in 2014. Off-season for me started September 8th this year - which means lots of Atomic, a couple running races, some running to train for those races, and swimming when my shoulder can handle it. It also, coincidentally, means work ramps up. I changed job roles 3 times this year. I almost think that's more notable than my triathlon season, really. My current role is the busiest I've been my entire career, where work took over life and that balance thing kind of went out the window. Going into 2015 I am trying to re-find the life part even though for the first time in my entire tech career I can say I actually enjoy the work.Which means I don't mind (as much) being a workaholic.

2014 sort of feels like the season where I tried really hard (too hard at times) and didn't really go anywhere. Like spinning my wheels for the most part.

My report card:

It started out with training for the GCI Relay in early April. On the way to that I did the RAAM Cycling Challenge in Marble Falls in March. 130 miles of chilly, drizzly weather from Marble Falls to Fredericksburg, TX, and back, in loop form. I managed to finish about 15 minutes before the rain rolled in. And that was just a prelude to what the weather would be at GCI though.
Grade: A-, I completed the entire distance with no major issues, but nothing to write home about.

The GCI Relay was supposed to be 263 miles from New Orleans, LA, to Pensacola Beach, FL, with Jocelyn, Ricky, and myself riding together all 263 miles and Mike and Kevin sherpa-ing. However, our ride got cut short somewhere outside of Mobile, AL, giving us only 181 miles, as it started to thunderstorm and pour just as we got lost. We were behind schedule as well - another woman and I both got flats within the first couple hours of riding, we battled crazy winds along the Mississippi Gulf coast, and our rest stops took forever. I've ridden a few double centuries in California and those were all really enjoyable. This was far from it.
Grade: C+, Criteria of not finishing certainly did not pass, but I got to spend time with friends I don't see that often.

Moving onto the Marble Falls HITS half aquabike in late April. Nothing remarkable here. I was 1st in the aquabike due to about 3 women participating total. The course was pretty non-interesting, although I do enjoy swimming in Lake Marble Falls.
Grade: A-, Went hard on the swim and tried to go hard on the bike. Course was very chipsealed so hard to ride fast on consistently.

Then we get to Ironman Texas in mid-May. I was using a hybrid programming of Team Marsh's generic IMTX plan and Coach Tod at Atomic's plan. I set a new PR of 11:12 and change, 23 minutes faster than IMLou in 2012. I was happy with the bike - stayed on power, no major issues, but unsatisfied with the run. Thanks to Atomic I've gotten really good at going out hard on runs and then it catches back up to me in the marathons. I had also neglected the necessary run training I think, or at least I didn't have my old huge running base to pull me through.
Grade: B, Got a new PR but not impressed with my run. Also was wasting time at the start and was only knee-deep into the water when the cannon went which definitely cost me time in the swim.

Pretty original finisher's medal. 

Mid-June was the Lake Pflugerville sprint tri. This is always a favorite of mine - go hard from start to finish. This was also the first place I'd ever spotted Mike (race in 2013) after recognizing him from OKCupid.
Grade: A, Went hard despite a knee injury. Top 10 women and Austin has some tough competition.

Then we get to Buffalo Springs Lake 70.3 in Lubbock, TX, the very last weekend in June. I was still having some knee issues going into the race and had barely run since IMTX. So of course, it was going to not be great, but I didn't know how bad it actually would be. This was my first "real" tri (ie WTC branded race) back in 2008. That year it rained for most of the bike, but was also unseasonably cool. I did it again in 2010 (flying down from California) and won my age group to get a Kona slot. I always had a soft spot for this race until it ate me up and spit me out this year. I was actually 4 minutes slower than my time in 2008 and wound up with an IV afterwards. Swim was fine, winds were horrible on the bike, and the run was hot and miserable and some mish-mosh of run/walk/cry. We had signed up originally for this race because Mike wanted to do a big half, unfortunately he hurt his back when were unloading the car in Lubbock, so that did not even pan out.
Grade: B, Toughest race I've done so far, did not meet expectations. Upside was that by I managed to get myself a Worlds 70.3 slot. So much irony there.

Marble Falls Triathlon was in mid-July. By now I was pretty tired of racing. I think it was my slowest time so far, however the race director always puts on a great race so I like to support him. Also the first race both Mike and I did last year together.
Grade: B, Pretty much as expected.

Then we finally get to Worlds 70.3 in Mont-Tremblant in early September. Clearly this was not on my race calendar in the beginning of the year, but the more I began to read about the race and location the more I wanted to do it. And especially since it's the only year the WCs would be there, I figured it would be maybe a goal to see how close I could get to a slot at BSLT. And luck be in my favor, I got to go. I really enjoyed this race. Since I really only had about 5 weeks to train for it (late July to race week) and it was known to be a hilly course, I set pretty low expectations. With that, I really got to enjoy the village and the race course. Mont Tremblant went all out for the race; it was very close to how Kona feels during the WCs there. As for the course - the water was cool and very clear, bike was hilly but pretty, and same for the run. I definitely would like to do the full ironman there, one day. The downside and blocker to that is that Canada is expensive.
Grade: A, Hit my loose time goals, enjoyed the race and race site.

Clearly when you look at how I graded myself, you can see why I thought this year was a meh. Not enough As for this Asian. I think I average out to a B+ or so.

I think the biggest takeaway I can get from this year is that I have done at least 1 triathlon per year for 9 years running. I'm pretty sure I never thought I would stick around this long as most of my other hobbies have fallen by the way side in past years. So, that's an accomplishment. I also joined a local triathlon team which expanded nationwide, which gave me the opportunity to meet many triathletes both locally in Austin and at the various races around the country. Thanks Moxie!