The 3/4 to Ironman Weekend in Lake County, CA was incredible! I completed my longest open water swim distance to date, 2-miles in Clear Lake, biked 100-miles and ran 16-miles.

Although the water temperature felt perfect, the first swim lap seemed very choppy as I was swimming against the current causing slight difficulty to maintain course. The return trip was smooth and fast. Once I knew what to expect and where I was going, the second lap out didn't seem as bad. The staff also provided really good water support and keep us on course. Coach Dave was on a jet ski fending off the boaters from entering our swim area. This weekend was the Clear Lake Bow Fishing Championship where burly men used these large bows to shoot carp off their rigged boats with platforms.

The bike ride seemed to go on forever since for most of the 8 hours, I was riding alone and always wondering where if I was still on course. Luckily, I didn't get lost. We road around the whole perimeter of Clear Lake, California's largest natural lake and one of the oldest lakes in North America. I've never been to Lake County before and the scenery was pretty, especially riding thru the vineyards on the steep hillsides. The roads felt more bumpy than smooth, causing my hands and shoulders to hurt after awhile. Today, I went and got a massage, but somehow feel more sore after the massage than before.












What did I learn this weekend?
1) After awhile, I can't stand drinking my electrolyte/carbo-loading concoctions, or eating Gu, Luna Moons, pretzels, or bananas. And the rest stops didn't have anything I felt looked appetizing. I'll need to find another variety of food/drink the second half of the day for variety, if possible.

2) I experienced heat rash for the first time on my top of my thighs where my bike shorts elastic rubbed. Will need to remember to Body Glide that area in the future. I also had heat rash on my cheeks. Website says that heat rash occurs when sweat can't exit the pores. After a few hours, I did stop producing sweat even though I was drinking a lot.

3) I experienced sharp jaw pain for the first time during my run. I still have this pain and it's killing me when I eat. I don't think that I clench my teeth when I run, but I must. A website search says to keep mouth open when running and breath thru mouth to help relax jaw. The only reason I don't like doing this is because I don't want bugs flying into my mouth when I bike or run. Another website says that need to run a smoother step, from heel to toe. But thinking about it, the jaw pain could have started with the bumpy bike ride and finally blew up during the run.

4) Having my own pillow with me is comforting at night. I know that I slept good this weekend in the stinky motel that we stayed at only because I had my down pillow with me. Need to bring it with me to Vineman.

5) On Saturday night, teammates and volunteer staff shared their personal connection to our cause of raising funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I was reminded how fortunate I am for my health and to be able to do all this as my own choice. Cancer patients don't have a choice.

6) Although this weekend had it's challenges, I'm feeling more and more confident in myself that I will rock the Vineman course on August 1, 2009.