{Undercover Athlete: NYC tri}

This year the NYC tri organizers decided to try something new and did a lottery system to fill their 4,000 coveted spots.  The past few years have proven just how popular this race was, for locals and outsiders alike.  In mere minutes, the 4,000 spots would fill up shortly after the clock chimed midnight on November 1st.

So November 1st marked the first day to sign up for the lottery which was open for three days.  Apparently hordes paid $11 for a shot to compete in the 2011 NYC Tri.  I was among the masses that signed up, and among the majority of people who didn't get in.  Initially, I was upset, but then I came to terms with it and figured I'd sign up for other local, not so big tris.

However, I received an email today from NYC tri saying that I was selected during the 2nd round of lottery picks.  Color me flabbergasted!  Now I have to readjust my brain to think that I may actually sign up for the NYC Tri ... uh oh!

Completed my first triathlon!!!

So Sunday marked my first triathlon and having completed it, I am now a triathlete.  Absolutely amazing!

At 5am the water temp in the Potomac was 81 and too hot to wear my safety net, aka wetsuit.  I was really counting on the extra speed, bouyancy, and just the comfort of having it, but oh well.

The race began about 30 minutes late, which shouldn't have been that big of a deal, but towards the end of the race I sure could've used 30 minutes worth of less sun. 

The swim seemed never ending and I found it to be confusing that the return markers had the Olympic distances on them instead of the Sprint ones. 

Finally getting out of the water and into transition, albeit one of my slowest, and I'm off on the bike around the monuments of DC.  Did I take any in?  Of course not.  I was too busy concentrating on keeping my bike in straight line while trying to navigate streets I didn't know well, riding in my drops, and keeping an eye out for all the Team Lipstick ladies around me.  Did I mention that Team Lipstick NYC had 11 ladies in this race and that it was Team Lipstick DC's first race too?

The bike course was so fun for me and now that I know it, I think I could've relaxed a little more on it than I was.

Ok here's where I'll admit that I walked my bike into transition and proceeded to walk out to the run.  I think that transition was almost 4 mins long.  Oh well...it was HOT!!!

The run killed me.  Absolutely destroyed me.  I was so hot and uncomfortable and couldn't wait until it was over.  I had one of my slowest miles ever and walked a decent portion of this course.

I'm glad this one is over, that I have a finisher's medal to prove that I did it.

Trial Triathlete

I got caught up with the triathlon bug about 9 months ago when I took a beginner cycling class with Laura Cozik, CEO and founder of Team Lipstick, NYC's largest and mot successful all-female triathlon team.

Laura is currently the Athletic Director of CNN's Fit National Triathlon Challenge.  Yesterday they were on CNN and were filed on a ride with Lance Armstrong.

Now, 9 months later, I'm training almost daily, one rest day a week, and gearing up for my first triathlon ever, the DC Tri.  I'm training for the sprint length, the shortest triathlon, and mentally prepping myself for an open water swim in the Potomac River.  Articles like Race Rehearsal Tips for the Triathlon Swim Leg have become part of my daily reads that keep my brain engaged while I physically put myself through the ringer.  Things like What's Your Workout?  Kim Nelson inspire me to keep going despite the drastic change in lifestyle.  When your body wakes up on its own at 5am, you know you're there.

Who's jumping into the Hudson with me for the NYC Tri?

Treats for Tuesday

Lots of fantastic things going on in the city tomorrow night. How's a girl supposed to choose?

First off, and this is what I'm attending, is an E&Y WECONNECT sponsored event. No Time Like The Present: Innovation and Transformation will include a keynote speech by Genevieve Bos - former owner and founding publisher of PINK magazine and currently the founding CEO of a private senior-level executive networking company.

Followed by a lively panel discussion featuring:

Stephanie Ruhle - Managing Director, Structured Credit Sales, Deutsche Bank

Maureen Waters - Chief Strategy Officer, Cushman Wakefield

Maria Pinelli – Americas Director of Strategic Growth Markets, Ernst & Young

Another, networking opportunity for women, Contacts & Cocktails is hosting a Women's Networking event for all professional women.

Lastly, but not leastly, is an event focused on the body. Held at Lulu Lemon on 66th and 3rd, Team Lipstick is hosting an informational session on its summer beginner triathlon program.

Rockin' the Team spirit!

So after a couple of months of this Team bag project, the final products are finally in. 1 more step closer to race prep is the gear in order to be prepared ;)

The TYR Alliance bag is perfect for what I was looking for. A great open mesh area for the wet stuff (swim cap, wet suit, goggles, etc) and had ample pocket room for sneakers, cycling shoes, visors, and other paraphernalia.

We were easily able to customize these bags with the team logos and our names which was key. EmbroidMe really helped bring our imagination to life.