I run because...

Although I call myself a triathlete, running is still my sport of choice. It's what I do to clear my mind, to feel healthy, strong and alive. In a race, I can't wait for the moment when I'm done with the stress of open water swims and the adrenaline of bike racing, I can drop all the equipment, all the worry, and just do what I do best. Nothing to get in my way, and nothing to think about but staying relaxed and keeping my feet moving fast. People have been running since they stood on two legs. It's primitive, it's free, and it's something I'm so glad to have discovered a passion for. Three runs over the holiday break reminded me why I do this sport, and I've been wanting to write about them ever since.

#1: Annapolis, MD. From my house, over the Naval Academy bridge, past my elementary school and down to Greenbury Point, a beautiful set of trails right by the Severn River that I need to explore more often. It was late afternoon, the sun hitting the leaves and water in that perfect way. I wanted to know where every trail led, and I ended up running for much longer than I had planned. Back over the bridge just as sunset was approaching, and home again with the ever-addicting mix of exhaustion and exhilaration.  

#2: St. George Island, FL. On a family vacation, staying at a beach house just behind the dunes. It was morning, and heavy fog made visibility impossible beyond about 10 ft. I ran down a road parallel to the beach for about 20 minutes, then turned toward the sand to head back. I ran home on the beach, right on the edge where the sand was still hard-packed from the waves. It was the most surreal run of my life. It was as if this stretch of silent beach, the seagulls and pelicans that occasionally flew by, and I were the only things left in the world. Unable to see even to where the beach houses began, I took a guess about 40 minutes in and headed up to the dunes, fortunately finding my street right away. It was perfect.

#3: St. George Island, FL. Another beach run, but this one completely different. It was about 4:30 in the afternoon, and I wanted to try my first barefoot beach run ever. It felt summer warm, so all I needed was a pair of shorts and a sports bra. This time I walked right out to the beach so I could do my entire run on the sand. With slow sitar music playing on my iPod, my bare feet splashing in the waves as they hit the shore, I just kept going. All I could think about was how much beauty was surrounding me. I  ran as the sun set, not wanting to stop even as I could feel blisters forming on my toes. When I was finally spent, I collapsed in the sand and just stared at they sky turning to dusk. After a final soak of my feet in the water, I hobbled back to the beach house, not realizing how long I'd actually been gone. My parents were ready to come searching for me — (sorry for the stress, mom and dad.)

And Boulder, while it doesn't have rivers or oceans, is beautiful in its own way. Here, I get to run through the mountains, watch the sun setting behind the Flatirons, catch a view of the whole city from up on Flagstaff. I run because for me, there's no better way to feel like a part of my surroundings and appreciate what the world has to offer. I hope I'll be able to run until I'm old, because few things make me more content.

A sampling of perfect beach-at-sunset run music:

Maharaj Pariksit

Give and take.

Caryn

Flying

I know this blog has pretty much gone neglected for most of the fall semester— but I'm doing my best to revive it now. I did a lot of writing this past semester for my classes and for the CU Independent, so I sort of forgot to write for my own enjoyment. But now I'm home in Annapolis for Christmas break, sitting by the fire and the decorated tree with my grandma. And I can't think of a more relaxing thing to do than write.

This semester has been different than any other at school. I've started to prioritize sleep and manage my time so I feel less constantly stressed. I don't go out as often, but I've had just as much fun at roommate/team move nights and I haven't had to deal with so many hangovers (yuck). I've worked hard to get back in shape after Italy, and I finally feel like I'm back where I was this time last year, fitness-wise. This semester I grew closer with my teammates, took classes that I actually liked, and took more time to myself. Now that I'm home for break, I'm taking advantage of the opportunity to relax and recharge before Boulder spring. It sounds like I've been more like an old lady than a college kid this fall, but it was really what I needed.

I'm not anxious to be back in Colorado yet, either. Normally I get tired of being home pretty fast— I miss the independence of college life and I miss having my team around to motivate me. But this is the first time I've been home since summer, and I want it to last. I'm better at motivating myself than I used to be: I know that a good workout will always make my day happier and make me more pleasant to be around, so I usually make it happen. But Italy also taught me that it's okay to take a break, so I won't make training my life right now. Christmas break is about family, friends, and the comforts of home, so workouts are really just for my own sanity :)

And once I get back to Boulder, I have so much to look forward to. My roommate and friend Hilary is coming home from Spain, trading places with Veronica in the house at Whitney Place (though I'll miss V too!) I'm going to be an editor for the CU Independent sports section, and the basketball season is about to get into full swing. The tri team retreat is in February, with all the team bonding/partying/snowshoeing that it always entails. Then we have another time trial, regionals at Lake Havasu in March, and finally Nationals in April— back to back to back in 'Bama ;)

My friend Kari and I were playing a board game the other day. I had to answer the question "If you could have one superpower, what would it be?," and one of the choices was eternal optimism. I chose that one, since "challenges are the joys of life." Kari's response: "I feel like the fact that you just said that means you're probably already an optimist." She has a point...

So my superpower of choice, in the end? Flying.

Give and take,
Caryn

Annapolis Summer

In four days - FOUR DAYS! - I'll be getting on a plane back to Colorado. I really can't wait. I feel like it's been forever since I've seen beautiful Boulder, especially because I've kind of had two separate summers. And yes, I still miss Italy and everyone I met there. But over the past month I've soaked in that perfect American summer feeling at the pool and on the water, and I think I might actually be sad to say goodbye to home.

A couple weeks ago I went from just lifeguarding to teaching morning swim lessons, and it's been 1000x more fun. I love seeing kids learn, especially when I've had something to do with it, and I love how excited they get when they pass the swim test or master the back float they've been struggling with. You can just see when something clicks in their minds, and they can't wait to show it to everyone they know. Sometimes I can't tell who is happier about learning something new, the kid or me. I also like being on the lessons crew because I get to know the camp kids that come to the pool every day of the summer. I've made friends with several of them, and I know which ones to look out for when they stray into deep water. I know a pool and a classroom are completely different things, but teaching swim lessons has reinforced my decision to get an elementary teaching license. I can't wait for my practicum this fall!

Summer at home has also given me a chance to reconnect with old friends, both from high school and childhood. My "lifers," as we called ourselves in high school, have never struggled with staying friends post-college. We continue our long-held traditions, such as walking to Kaleigh's beach dragging a box of Natty Boh in her baby sister's wagon, then drinking on the dock and talking about life. Or swimming in Rachel's backyard pool and reminiscing about how weird we once were (even though we know we haven't changed.) I've also spent some quality time with Bessie, my best friend since age two. In high school, with completely different friend groups and interests, we drifted apart a little, but lately we've remembered the power of "shoombadles" (our... friendship word... I really can't explain.) Bessie's heading to France in a few days to study at the American University of Paris, so we're trying to fit in as much Bessie-Bobo time as possible. I'm lovin' it.

And, uh, about that triathlon thing... I honestly have been trying to get back in shape, but with only a few days left until I see my team, I'm prioritizing friend/family time and things like packing. I've been delinquent with masters' swimming and early spin classes lately, mostly because I don't want to worry about waking up at 5:30 am when I'm out with friends the night before. Also, I think I really am addicted to a team, or at least training with a buddy. If I don't make it to masters or spin class in the morning, it's hard to motivate myself to go alone. Which is why I desperately need the CU Tri Team to come to my rescue! Warning, guys: I may not be super fast for the first couple weeks, and I may or may not faint if we do an "easy run up Flagstaff." Bear with me.

See you soon, Boulder!
Give and take,
Caryn

Rebounding

I still miss Italy... the experience, the people, the lifestyle. Being home is so different. Everyone speaks my language, an "antique" is something made in the 1950s, and coffee comes in a giant thermos rather than a sweet little mug. Instead of the beautiful view of Urbino's city walls, I'm watching sweaty kids playing in the pool from the vantage point of my lifeguard chair. In about a week the last of my friends that are still in Italy will be returning to the States, and I'll no longer be able to follow their blogs and photos, imagining I'm in Europe again. I guess it's time to get over being mopey and start focusing on real life.

Between my Italian trip and my return to Colorado in mid-August, I'm trying to work as much as possible and get back into shape. With humid Maryland days and a heat index of 115, though, finding energy and motivation is not easy. I haven't been able to go on a run longer than half an hour without feeling like passing out, and the pool feels like bath water. It's the first time I've taken such an extended break from exercise since junior year of high school, and it's a tough climb back up.

One thing that always gets me going, though, is a new piece of equipment. I just paid the deposit for my new tri bike, a Quintana Roo Chicqilo 2010. It's pink and white and super fast, and it's waiting for me in Highlands Ranch. The day I fly into Denver on August 17, I'm heading over to pick it up. Having a well-fitting, speedy bike will definitely make me want to get out on the roads as much as possible. I'm tired of spin class! I've also got a brand new pair of running shoes, the most recent version of the Mizuno Wave Riders, and my first pair of racing flats, neon yellow Saucony Grid Type A4s (free with the gift certificate we won at Nationals!) Who wouldn't want to get out and use all this fancy new gear?

I just keep telling myself that if I work hard through this part of the summer, bear the heat and humidity, and rely heavily on my iPod, I'll be back to my team in no time. In three weeks, I'll be in the foothills of Boulder trying to survive "Hell Week" with old and new Buffs. I'll be moving into a cute, spacious house with two of my best friends and one teammate that I'm looking forward to getting to know better. I'll have a class schedule full of journalism and education classes (no more calc!), and I'll go back to the CU Independent as an experienced returning reporter. I may even have a job at Boom Yogurt Bar, a brand new Ripple-style joint owned by a couple professional triathletes, Matt and Kelly Reed. (Just sent in the application, so it'll be a little while before I know for sure!)

Though I love being home, I get restless knowing that Colorado life is just around the corner. I miss being part of such a close-knit group like I had in Urbino, and it's hard to find that at home this summer since so many of my friends are traveling. Once in Boulder, I'll settle back into my CU Tri Team family, reunite with my best friends/sisters/roommates, and of course meet tons of new people. And being greeted every morning with the incredible Flatirons will be pretty cool too, I guess.

23 days. Hurry up :)

Give and take.
Caryn

  

Havasu Race Report

I just had the most rewarding spring break of my life.

A week ago today, my team and I were prepping for race day at Lake Havasu, AZ. We went about the usual pre-race day routine: 20 minute run, half hour bike, quick dip in the lake, short transition practice, packet pickup, huge pasta dinner. There were a few nerves, but most of us were just excited, proud to wear the CU jersey, and ready to throw down against the other MCTC teams. Early to bed...

And early to rise. We biked from our campsite to transition at about 5:30, set up our gear, and warmed up. Before getting into the lake, we did our team cheer, led by Nate Diaz, the "most ethnic" kid on our team in the absence of Cedric:

Iki la boomba
Iki la wiki liki
Affa la waffa laffa
Oo-chee-ahh...
C-O-R... shit... (Nate has some spelling troubles)
C-O-L-O-R-A-D-O
What's that spell? Colorado! 
What's that mean? Victory!


And into the cold, early-morning water. The sprint waves went first, with several of our CU girls along with Coach Mike and Coach Dave. Then the men's Olympic, and then... we were off!

The swim: 1600 meters. Out around a couple buoys, then down the channel, then back up the channel to T1. My swim was VERY slow. I swam right next to Rihanna without realizing it for awhile, but once we turned around to come back up the channel I lost her. Got a little off track a couple times, thanks to lousy swim form that I've been trying so hard to correct. But eventually I made it out, in 29:07 - almost two minutes faster than last year. My swim-to-bike transition was pretty awful, too - over two minutes! And once I made it out on my bike, there were more issues to come.

About 3 miles into the bike, while I was on my aerobars, I noticed that they were starting to angle down. Realizing something was wrong, I sat up, and suddenly my aerobars were in my hand. They had completely come off my bike. I rode with them in my hand for a few seconds, trying to decide what to do. Then, when I found a sign on the side of the road I knew I would recognize later, I threw the aerobars towards the sign-- I wasn't about to bike 23 more miles with them in my hands.

Then the frustration set in. I'd gotten used to riding with aerobars, so going back to my drops felt awkward. I knew I had wasted time and needed to catch up, and my Nats team spot was on the line. I was tired and breathing hard almost immediately. I knew there were several girls on my team that swam faster than me but that I could catch on the bike, but they were nowhere in sight. Negative thoughts starting creeping in, threatening to discourage me, but I tried my best to fight them away. I suffered through the infamous "Box," a series of steep, intimidating hills, and knew the worst was over. But I still had to hold on.

I credit my teammate Morgan for helping save my race. She's been rooting for me for the Nats team since last year, and when I caught her, she could tell I was struggling. She saw me, picked up her pace, and yelled at me to follow. She kicked me into gear, and when I eventually passed her, my energy was back. I finished the bike strong, coming into T2 with a bike split of 1:14:36 - six minutes faster than last year. But I still had work to do, and it would have to be done on the run.

Coming out of T2, I just tried to pass people one by one. Spot a jersey, catch it, spot another, catch it, and repeat. I focused on staying relaxed and keeping a fast cadence. I saw lots of teammates on the run-- the "fast boys" about to finish just as I was heading out, and Bryn, Tess, Maggie, Courtney, and Molly pushing it for their final miles.  Just after the 3 mile turnaround, I caught Leigh, and I knew my Nats spot was safe as long as I could hold on. Catching Molly with a mile to go gave me the kick I needed to finish strong. As a final push, I passed an Army girl in a sprint to the finish, with my team on the sidelines cheering me on. Growing up in a Navy family taught me never to get beat by an Army jersey. :) I surprised myself with my run time: 40:37, almost three minutes faster than last year. I know I couldn't have done that without having my teammates as rabbits, so I thank them for that. I crossed the finish line with Will Thompson, in a final time of 2:27:27.

I'd been stressing about this race all year, knowing that it would be the deciding factor for whether or not I made Nationals team. I dropped over 7 minutes from last year's time, so I would've considered this race a success no matter what-- but it does feel great to have accomplished my year-long goal. I am a member of Nats Team '11, and I can't wait wear the Colorado jersey in Tuscaloosa in 2 weeks!

As a team, CU rocked this race. Our guys' team took 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, and 9, and our girls took 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 12. Good for the men's team win, women's team win, and overall regional championship. Army traveled all the way to Arizona to take us on, but they couldn't hang. ;)

After Havasu, a big group from our team headed to Tucson for a spring break training camp. It was the most rewarding week of training and team bonding I've ever had-- separate blog about that coming soon. After this week, I feel like I've gotten to know some of my teammates so much better, and I'm going to love racing with them at Nats. B3!

Give and take.
Caryn