Half Rev3 Anderson SC Recap

So two weeks ago, I did a half ironman distance race. Wow! I can't believe it's already been two weeks. I wanted to write this race report awhile ago, but things have been a little crazy in the Smith house. Four days after my race the baby and I flew to Colorado for my cousin's wedding. Then we were both welcomed home with sickness. Now that I have recovered from my race and my trip to Colorado, it's time to share about my race before it's old news.

The week before the race, I took it easy. I rode my bike trainer for about 2 hours Monday, 4 mile run on Tuesday, and 3 mile run on Thursday. Throughout the whole week I was pretty chill and not too nervous about race day. On Friday night my brother and sister-in-law arrived. We had our church retreat on Saturday, which ended up being a good thing. I was pretty distracted with my family coming into town and get the details together for the church retreat. Then on Saturday afternoon after lunch, I had a friend ask me how I was feeling. That's when it hit me. Reality set in. Ahhhh! I was about to embark on the longest day of exercise I had experienced yet.

Matt, Baby C, and my brother, Trevor headed to Anderson for packet pick up and to drop off my bike. The first stop once we reached Anderson was the Civic Center (where Transition 2 was located) for packet pickup and the athlete meeting. No surprises there. Everything that was mentioned in the meeting I had already read in the athlete guide. After the athlete meeting we headed over to the Multi-Sport Ministries. There was a group of about 10 people. We gathered for a short devotional thought and prayer time. I mistakenly raised my hand for a prayer request. Almost immediately I started crying. I just turned into a blubby mess. How embarrassing!

Enjoying the Athlete Meeting with my Little Buddy

Transition 2 the day before the race

The next thing on the list was bike check-in at Darwin Wright Park (Swim & Transition 1). Everything was nice and smooth. After dropping my bike off and checking out the swim exit, we were headed home.

She's ready to ride!

When we got home, I was beginning to get more and more nervous. I finished getting all my race gear together and bagged. Then I crawled into bed. I have to add that I have to sweetest husband that slept in the other room with the baby monitor so I could get a better night sleep. (He also did this Friday night. What a guy!)

Race Day arrived very early the next morning. I attempted to eat some eggs for breakfast and jumped in the car as soon we could. Baby C did so great. We transitioned him to the carseat, and he slept to whole way to Anderson. The car ride was no problem with one quick nervous stop at a rest stop before arriving at the race.

First stop was Transition 2. I set up all my running gear, and we were off to Transition 1. Matt found a great parking spot at a church parking lot across the street from the park. I headed to my bike, got the tires pumped up, and set up all my biking gear. I had a great spot in both transitions, right on the aisle.

The waiting game began.... But before we knew it was 7:30am, time to nurse the baby. One of the things I was most nervous about was nursing/ not nursing all day. Now looking back I don't think it could have gone any better.

I think I was the only triathlete that morning nursing. :)

After nursing I slipped into my wetsuit. We headed over to the swim start. My parents and brother and sister-in-law arrived. I took a quick dip in the water to adjust to the temperature.

One happy triathlon family

After some tears were shed, it was race time and I jumped in the water. I took it nice and easy. No rushing. I felt very comfortable in the water. My wetsuit and goggles fit just right. The temperature of the water was great, not too cold or too hot with the wetsuit. I seriously felt like this swim would never end. We swam around a peninsula with four red buoys. Finally I saw the shoreline. The end was in sight. My swim cap started to come off, but no problem. I just ripped it off as I was approaching the shore. I got out of the water at 46:35. Right on target! I got out the water and chit-chatted with my family in transition as I was setting up to head out on the bike. With T1 at 5:21 (also right on what I had planned). Then it was time for a bike ride.

Ready to ride

I was excited to get out on the bike. This was a great course. Absolutely beautiful with nice rolling hills! At first was surrounded by other riders. I was quickly being passed by the Olympic collegiate racers. It was really nice the first 10-12 miles with all the other riders. But then I was out on my own as the Olympic course went right and the Half stayed straight. Occasionally other athletes would come a go. Then at mile 30, I stopped my family out on the course. I was so excited to see them! The ride continued. While I was out there, I started wondering if I was the last one out there. But I wasn't I even passed a few people out on the course. My nutrition and water was great, just enough but not too much. I finished up with 13.5 mph. I was really satisfied with that, because I was estimating 13 mph. I will say that I have never been so excited to get off my bike!

Mile 30

It felt so good to come around the corner to see Transition 2. I got off my bike and got ready for my run. Then headed to the porta-potty. My legs felt good. As I headed out of transition, I joined lots of people on their second lap. I just kept going. I ran the entire first lap. As I was finishing up my first lap I got some major chaffing. Matt ran to the car and met me with some Tri-Slide as I was starting my second lap. After that it was smooth sailing. I walked with Matt up a hill close to Transition but then started to pick it up again. I continued to run until about mile 11, where I started to walk occasionally just because. I felt really good about my overall time, and I knew I was going to make it under my 8 hour goal. So I decided to be a little bit more comfortable. As I approached the last aid station, the volunteers asked me what I needed and I yelled out, "the finish line". I was so close! For the last quarter mile Matt ran with me carrying the baby. Then we saw the finish line. I grabbed the baby and ran through the finishers.

Starting the second lap with Matt and a granola bar

Finishing the race with my favorites!

My finish time was 7:48:30. I was very satisfied. My goal was 8 hours. I did it!!! What a transformation from a year ago. Pretty crazy that I was able to complete this race just 10 months after having a baby. Thanks so much for all the support!!

Colleen, my hero, and fellow triathlon mom

Family cheerleaders

I big special thanks to Matthew!! There is no way that I could have done this without you. What a great year this year has been!

Thanks so much to my brother, Trevor, and sister-in-law, Wyntre, Colleen and Abby, and my parents for making the trek up to Anderson to cheer my on!!!!

Since race day, I haven't really been working out, but who knows what the future holds!

Let's do this!!

  Let me first start out saying... I'm tired! The last couple of weeks of training for Rev3 Anderson have been wearing on me. I will be excited when I don't have to drag myself out of bed to go on a long ride or run. 

  A couple of days ago, Matt and I took a trip up to Anderson, SC to ride the course for my race. We wanted to see if it was what we expected. The night before Matt's mom came down to watch the baby for us while we rode the next day. We left the morning of and drove the hour drive to the Darwin Wright Park. Isn't that awesome that the race is only one hour away? We unloaded the bikes and hopped on the course. Within the first couple of miles there is a decent climb, but overall the climbs aren't necessarily more than we were expecting. Overall the course is good and is going to be a beautiful ride. My preview ride of the course was rough, mostly because the course is not marked, has lots of turns on back roads, which made us stop several times, and it was HOT! I hope it starts to cool down before race day. Because riding 56 miles and following it up with a half marathon in 90* weather is not really ideal for me. I followed the ride up with a 2 mile brick run in the park (not on the run course). The ride was rough, but the run made up for it. The run gave me the confidence I was looking for. Now all I have to do is run 11.1 more miles.

I was running, even though in this picture it looks like a walk. :)

  As the week continues, so does my training. Yesterday, I did a long swim, which was just average. Then today I did another 10 mile run. This was the worst run I've had in weeks. But the good news is I ran the whole thing, no walking. Again it was hot, and I didn't have enough water. I was so exhausted this afternoon, the baby and I took a two hour nap. I don't think I have gotten a nap that good in a very long time! 

  More good new is... I'm only planning on doing TWO more 10 mile runs and 55 mile rides! I'll do a long ride and run next week, then vacation week, another long ride and run week, and the a rest/taper week. Now that's exciting!!! Race day is coming! The thing that keeps me going is running across that finish line with my husband and carrying my baby.

  Thanks to everyone for asking about training and giving me encouragement!

I'm married to an IRONMAN!

  A huge milestone stone has happened in my husband's life in the last week and a half. And although he did turn 30 last Friday that is not the milestone I'm talking about. Matt completed his first Ironman. I am so proud of him. It is such an awesome accomplishment. It was a long day for all of us, even though Caffrey and I didn't race. I could give you all the details I remember, but my husband says it so much better. If you haven't already read it, check out his race reports from the swim, bike, and run. 

Matt & our buddy Josh after completing Ironman Louisville

  So since Ironman Louisville Matt has been taking it pretty easy as far as training goes, and he totally deserves it. But I on the other hand have not. I've got my first 70.3 coming up in five and a half weeks. After spectating at a 140.6 event, it makes me nervous about my 70.3, even though it's half the distance. I will say that this will not be the fastest 70.3 out there. My goal is to finish before the cut off. First of all, I am not a fast triathlete to begin with, and second I have a nine month other baby that is exclusively breastfed which takes precedence over my longer workouts. So in other words a lot of my workouts are geared around the baby and Matt's schedule. It's pretty exciting to look back over the last three weeks to see what I've been able to get accomplished in my training schedule. I've been able to ride a 48 mile and 50 mile outdoors and run 10 miles three times. I've done a couple longer swims, but I've been trying to put more time in on my rides and runs, because that is where I believe I can improve the most. 

Just after registering for Rev3 Anderson

  I'm excited to see what I can accomplish in the next couple of weeks. Here I come Revolution 3 Anderson 70.3!!

  

My Favorite Baby Things

  Recently I was talking to a friend that is in the beginning stages of pregnancy. She was asking me about different products that she should put on her baby registry. So instead of just sending her an email, I decided to blog about it. That way I can refer other people to it also in the future.

  First of all registering for a baby is so much more intimidating than registering for a wedding. When Matt and I were registering when we got married for the most part we knew what we wanted and how to use it. For a baby it was a totally different situation. We had no idea what half of the stuff even was. When we were registering we asked other people that have recently had babies, but I also used a blog, Create Studio, that my sister told me about. The author wrote a blog post "How in the World to Register for Your First Baby!". So I mostly went off this list, but I had some things that I liked better than what she recommended. When registering for/ buying baby products, keep in mind that every baby is different. One thing that my baby liked, yours may not like. So here we go!!

Layette

Aden & Anais Swaddling Blankets- I used these all the time for the first 3 months until baby learned to get out of the swaddle. I will say that only about 4 of these blankets are really necessary.

Halo SleepSack- We used this swaddling blanket from about 3 months- 5 months. We used the microfleece one, only because baby was born in the winter. One or two of these may be useful, but you could survive with just one.

Aden & Anias Sleeping Bag- Now we use this and have since baby was 5 months. We don't use it every time we lay baby down, only when baby is cold. I also bought the "cozy" one, only because I found it on sale at BabySteals.com. (Two other website to check out for cheaper baby items are BabyHalfOff.com and Zulily)

Nursery

Summer Infant Baby Touch Digital Video Monitor- The things that I like about this monitor are: you can rotate the camera from the video screen, it clicks in easily on the charging dock, and a percentage of battery life is on the screen. 

Portable Crib- 

There are lots of options out there. Probably the most common is the Graco Pack N' Play. We got one with a reversible napper/ changing station. 

It seemed like a good concept. But the napper/ changing station was never level when we flipped it. So if I bought another one I would buy one with separate napper and changing station

The Baby Bjorn Travel Crib Light 2 looks to be pretty cool. It is super light, small, and goes up quickly.

Phil & Teds Lightweight Traveller is very similar to the Baby Bjorn Travel Crib, but it looks like it may require a little longer assembly. This one does has a zip away side, though.

Guava Family Lotus Everywhere Crib is basically the same concept too.

Swings/ Bouncers- We got a used swing from a friend and a new bouncer seat with music and vibrations. We put baby in the swing more often then the bouncer seat. Although, I wish I would have just registered for a Portable Swing.

Mobile- I never found a mobile that I liked and matched the baby room. So my sister in law made a really cute decorative one. But now that baby is pulling up in his crib, we took it down. I don't think it's a super necessary item, but I have heard of it entertain baby, especially if they can start the motion.

Feeding

Bibs- I've heard the Baby Bjorn Soft bibs are great. I don't have any yet.

Breast Pump- I have the Medela Pump In Style Advanced. 

I have loved it! But have I really needed this pump, since I'm a stay-at-home-mom? Probably not. If you are not going to use a pump daily, a Medela Swing may be a better choice economically.

Nursing Cover- There are lots of covers out there, but Bebe au Lait Nursing Cover is one of the biggest and has a stiff rim to look in while nursing.

Nursing Bras- I bought the Medela Ultra- Soft Cotton Nursing Bra and the Medela Ultra-Stretch Nursing Bra. Both of them have been good. I never got a sleeping bra. I just wear nursing cami/ tank top with bra inside.

Bottles- I rarely use bottles, but I have just used the 4oz Medela bottles that came with my pump. I did try a Calma nipple. It worked well when he was young, now the regular nipples that came with the pump and bottles work best.

Nursing Pillow- My Brest Friend was my favorite over the Boppy, because it was firmer and more supportive.

Nursing Pads- A friend recommended Lansinoh Ultra Soft Disposable Nursing Pads. They are pretty much all I've used. They have worked well. 

Soothie Gel Pads were awesome, especially the first few weeks. They really helped with soreness, especially when they are cold from the refrigerator.

High Chair- We have just started using ours, but the Fisher-Price Space Saver High Chair is great and turns into a booster seat when baby is bigger.

Bumbo Seat- I've heard other babies and parents love these, but our baby could only sit in these for a few minutes before he was tired of it.

Travelling

Stroller- We got the Baby Jogger Summit primarily for jogging. Some the feature we liked best are: hand brake, shocks, rubber handle, and folds up with one pull. We did not get the adapter for our infant carseat, just to save the money. We put baby in the jogging stroller fully reclined when he had pretty good head control and was six weeks old.

Since the jogging stroller is bigger and heavier, we also got an umbrella stroller. We didn't get just any old umbrella stroller. We got a Chicco Liteway Plus. This stroller is awesome! It can hold our carseat and has a seat.

Car Seat- We got the Chicco Keyfit 30. We love this carseat. It is so easy to install.

Baby Carriers- I have used my carriers probably more than I have used our strollers. Our baby loves baby wearing. 

  Moby Wrap- I used this all the time until baby was about 4 months old, when he was a little too heavy for the Moby. I used it every week at church and even flew with it when baby was 10 weeks old. Highly recommend. 

Just a heads up at first they are kinda complicated to tie. So here's the video I used to learn how.

  Baby Ergo- This is an awesome baby carrier, very supportive and comfortable. The only down fall is that I need help snapping it in the back. You can wear it on the front or on your back, but I have only worn it on the front. I did get the infant insert, but didn't use it much. I used the Moby instead when he was smaller, unless I was walking outside in the cold.

Bathing

Some of my favorites are the Aveeno Baby Wash & Shampoo and Coconut oil for diaper rash.

Apps

I use the IBabyLog all the time to track nursing, diaper change, sleep, pumping, medication, and bottle feeding. It tracks lots of other things too, but this is what I use it for.

Books

There are tons of baby books out there. Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child is what I use as far a sleep patterns and sleep training. The other book that is helpful as far as development and stimulation The Wonder Weeks.

Another helpful blog post to help with baby savings is How to Save on Everything Baby.

Well, there it is... My favorite things! Sorry, for the lengthy post, but hopefully it's helpful. I hope you enjoy these products just as much as I do!

Here we go again!

I go through phases of blogging and not blogging. So here we go again. Just a heads up, I'm going to to do a little catching up since the last blogs

At the end of April Baby C and I went to California to visit family. I was a little nervous flying by myself and with a layover. Once again little man amazed me. He did great! We'll see if he continues to be a awesome airplane traveler when we fly again in October.

Flying to California

This is my Aunt Sandy. Sandy and her husband, Nan, took us to Newport beach for the weekend.

Baby C got to meet my dad's parents, Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Stout.

He also got to meet my cousin, Kristy, and her fiance', Phillip. (He was about to go to sleep, that's why he's swaddled. I don't usually keep him in a straight jacker.)

We got to see my cousin, Mandi, while we were out in California.

Thanks Sandy and Nan for a great trip to California.

We were both very excited to see Daddy when we got home.

We had kind of a traumatic evening one night in May. Poor baby knocked one of his teeth out in his crib some how. :( His gums are all healed up now, just minus a tooth.

We also got an unexpected visit from my brother, Trevor, and his wife, Wyntre, when they had to cut their backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail short.

At the end of May we headed up to Tennessee for the Georgia Cumberland Conference campmeeting. The highlight of the trip was staying with Matt's sister, Mindy, and her family. 

Fun times with Cousin Brynlie!

First time in the swing

Aunt Mindy is such a good auntie and mommy juggling two babies during storytime. 

We also made it to Zoo Atlanta for the first time. Caffrey didn't really know what was going on, but it was good outing for me to do with another mommy friend.

So I've been trying to fit in my training in the midst of mommyhood. I mentioned in past posts that I wanted to do Ironman Augusta 70.3, but.... It is now filled up, and I can't do it. :( My plan now is to do Rev3 Anderson. It is also a 70.3. It's two weeks later and a smaller race. I'm also excited, because Matt and Caffrey can cross the finish line with me. 

Enjoying some swimming/ training at Collins Hill Aquatic Center

Picnic & playtime, post-ride on the Silver Comet

My mom, Caffrey, and I just got back from a vacation to Branson, MO. We had a lot of fun. This baby continues to amaze me. He did so well with the 13 hours on the road there and back. He did great, but I am really trying to limit his time in the carseat and enjoy as much time as we can at home for the next few days.

My mom, Mimi, & Caffrey looking out the observatory overlooking Branson

This little boy loves to swim 

Just outside one of the cafes about to head home

Overall the last three months have been a lot of fun. We have many more memories to make in the next couple of summer months. I'll try to be better about staying up to date, especially as Rev3 Anderson gets closer.