Toughman NM- You better be tough

Toughman NM was one of the most mentally challenging races I have ever done. I felt like quitting so many times and the only reason I didn't was because my Grandma told me "You better win Lauren".  I guess the competitive spirit runs in the family. I suffered a flat tire as well as another more complicated bike mechanical(that was fixed with a pink hair tie) on the bike course.  The run was challenging especially with some cactus stuck in my foot but the feeling of finally making it down that ridiculous boat ramp is so rewarding.  Each race becomes just another training day after it is over with and this was one that was character building as well as physically challenging.  This race will hopefully make my next one seem a little less hilly,windy, and grueling.





My dad is such a good photographer he can make even
Cochiti Lake look serene and lovely.

I had the pleasure of meeting Angie Kandalaft at the beginning of my triathlon training days 4.5 years ago.  For some strange reason she believed in me and continued to encourage and provide me resources to continue training and racing triathlons in New Mexico.  She was also the person who suggested that I begin working with my coach Jaime who has also for some strange reason believed in me this whole time.  So when Angie told me she was producing a long distance race at Cochiti lake I was beyond excited.  I love an opportunity to race in New Mexico especially if it is a Chasing 3 race.  Thank you Angie for believing in me for almost 5 years now. I am so honored to be the champion of the Inaugural Toughman NM and am excited to be traveling to NYC this weekend representing Angie, Jaime, and everyone who raced Toughman NM. It was so truly inspiring to watch every single person cross that finish line.

So cool to break the tape!!!!

Beginning of season racing/training

So the beginning of my season didn't start out too well... I had stress fractures at the end of the season last year followed by a long bout of flu/sinus infection crap and before I knew it Christmas had come and went and it was January and I had done zero tri-specific training.  I had originally planned to go to Oceanside 70.3 in March when I decided I wasn't in very good shape and then suffered a pretty bad fall on the mountain bike that left me unable to train for 4-5 weeks.  I decided to do St. George 70.3 on very little training and just see how it went.  It didn't go very well.  It was the slowest time I have ever had at a 70.3 distance but the good news was I didn't have any pain from running and I was so pumped to start training again!!!

Finally, some motivation to train and race and do what I love to do had returned.  All it took was a proper ass kicking.  I spent so much time dwelling on how scared I was to race in the pro division and questioning my decision to move up and accept my pro card that I had forgotten how much I loved to race.  I had been racing locally and winning for so long that the jump up to a pro status seemed enormous and something I wasn't capable of.  The reality is you will never get faster if you don't race people faster than you.  So now I am a very small fish in a big pond of pros who are all my idols.  I know who they all are and I am so honored to toe the line with them at the start of these races even if they have no idea who I am. 

Off Season Shenanigans and Injury Rehab.

It took me a while after My last race in September to start doing any tri training again. I had to wait 7 weeks to heal the stress fractures in my foot and I had to spend a few weeks longer working on the injury/pain I was getting in my hip while running for the past 6 months.  Although I was not doing anything tri specific I have been having fun on bikes and have spent some time in the weight room at Elevate which was greatly needed. 

Elevate-
After not much running August through November I knew it was time to get the wheels turning again.  My first run back was extremely slow and painful.  I ran 3 miles at an 11 min mile pace and I was DYING!!!!! It made me understand why most people hate running.  If you are out of shape it is miserable.  I have been going to Elevate to see Lawrence twice a week since my race in September.  I had some inconsistencies and weaknesses that I really needed to work on to get my hip feeling better. I have been increasing my running miles since and for the past 3 months I have been running pain free and it is making me feel a million times more confident!

Cyclocross-
Yes, the sport where grown people in lycra jump on and off their bikes in the yucky weather for beer and Little Debbie handups.  I have never fallen down so many times in one day as when I rode a cyclocross bike.  Now, if you knew me a few years ago you would really laugh because yes, I was one of those triathletes that ate shit while running through transition or sees a shiny penny in the road and flips 5 times over the handlebars.  Now, I have come a long ways since but I still unclip during U-turns (yes in every race even on the road).  The New Mexico CX community got to see me perpetuate the stereotype of triathletes being horrible cyclists but I don't care because I had fun.  I also rode up a hill and then rolled all the way down still connected to my bike. Yes, I still have my front teeth.

Mountain Biking-

My sweet loving boyfriend took me mountain biking on our second date... Well lets just say it took another year before I rode a mountain bike again. My goal the last 2 years has been to do an Xterra. I hope this will finally happen.... I am still pretty bad at turning corners and really anything technical but I am having a blast.  I have left a lot of type O and skin in the foothills this winter.