My Escape from Alcatraz TRI!

This was put together fast sorry about spelling and anything else you might find..I'm on a plane.. :) 

"Dream Race Recap"-

Start of the morning was at 3:00 am Bethanne calls me to wish me luck    Which was perfect I couldn't sleep. I get up eat a banana with Pëëps we get ready head out the door at 4:15am off to the race. It was 

Cold out, foggy, and windy walked down found my bike spot set up, headed to the busses to take us on The BOAT it was awesome talking to so many athletes from everywhere, talk to Matt Reedy and Mirinda “rinny” Carfrae  wished them luck as they wished me luck back and off into the boat I went "oh" yea I looked for Andy but no luck. 

As I entered on to the BOAT it was awesome people laying or standing everywhere, I sat as close to the doors well as close as I could lots of athletes wanted off the boat ASAP too. As we were getting closer to Alcatraz the excitement with all of us was loud and crazy..(my type of ride) the National Anthem was sung by everyone (it felt like) and them the pros went it was crazy the boat went up/down 3min. Later the pro women the boat again up/down 

Then us normal extreme crazy athletes turns I was sitting by 3 girls we all gave hugs said have a great race and it was go time ... I dove off the boat (holding on to my goggles) at 7:33 it was AWESOME, the cold, it took my breath away, I swam as hard as I could to get out of the way athletes they were on their way out and I needed to get away from the boat.. .. I breast stroked a few moments to get it together I took in a lot of salt water like crazy (it taste like...) I looked back at the boat and just (lived in moment) and thought that is AWESOME I watching athletes jumping into the water, I also looked at Alcatraz it was just so amazing, as the current was taking me away from the boat..and as was getting it together I started swimming again it was amazing how many times I was slapped in the face by the waves, every time I tried to breath a wave was right there it's for sure a head game, goggles fogged up 3x i had to breast stroked fixed them and off again as I'm getting closer to the dome (a sighting spot) I can see dark spots by me I'm thinking ok that's a huge fish or an athlete I could smell fish and all I kept thinking is the sea lions will not hurt me god I hope not.. LOL.. I have to add you were never drafting off any athletes every time I seen someone the next breath they were 5 waves away from me. Everyone was spread out as I'm getting closer to shore the water is getting colder and all the sudden I'm past my point i need to be at I'm getting closer to the boats that pick you up and I see myself going down the current.. Thankfully I swam as hard as I could and got back into the game.. I'll admit that was HARD and to keep it together (in my head) I get where I needed to be stand up and wowza the world is spinning, I get out of the water look at my watch and it 42:11 I take off running... 

Transition - You had to Run a half mile you could have shoes waiting for you or run without I ran without I was on a mission thankfully I run only on toes. I get to my bike and I'm freezing my legs/arms and hands are purple and pink trying to get my wet suit off was hell...and then try to put my long sleeve shirt as fast as I could was tough my skin is wet my finger and arms didn't work like normal at all, i put on my cycling shoes and run into the bathrooms, I have to go and no way am I peeing on my bike. I get out strap my shoes, grab my bike and start running with it out...

Bike- Get on time to ride, "I feel the need the need for speed" I felt awesome I tried to spin my legs as much as I could to get them warm yea not working. The hills were amazing and fast I loved it, the only bad, bad, bad part is we had to slow down for a major bike accident (it was awful) not a sight you ever want to see...back at it, my sweet hamstring started acting up I push through it changed up muscle groups to peddle.. Note: People didn't understand passing in your left they would ride slowwwwwwwww In front of you it drive me crazy! Everyone was cramped together at points.. I can see why they had a major bike accident. Lots of flat tires (roads were terrible) people's chains were falling off too. Lots of sharp turns on the down hills.

Tradition 2- all you hear is dismount,  dismount I jump off my bike without hitting anyone ran with my bike to the way back went potty again no potties on the course unless you accidentally went running behind something..  running shoes on, hat on run out... 

Run- my feet were still freezing, my first mile was 6:23 second mile was 6:40 and yep my  hamstring is on fire however, then the single stairs came you had to stay in line (athletes were coming on the other side)  so if you were behind someone slow to bad you were staying there. Up down hills rocks, trails, road I took a Selfie at mile 4 a memory of my hamstring killing me... I sent it to the last person who text me and that was Sue. 

Then off to the sand it was heavy sand so you sunk into it so i baby jogged as much as I could (the waves were incredible) I had to take a photo I wasn't going fast at all and then the awesome sand ladder it was amazing however, the mixture of Cytromax, Powergel and Salt Water together was not a good combo -yea as I was halfway up heart rate was sky high and I start puking....and to top it off all over another athletes shoes (i couldn't believe it) I felt so bad he was awesome its ok, no worries, so I took a few photos and on I went,  I picked it up as much as I could got to the top and off running again up a hill not to far I'm puking again i couldn't control it ..good thing this time not on someone shoes.. 

Now I'm back down the single lane stars and someone passed someone and took both of them out that was another bad site.. 

After making sure the two were ok I tried to pick it up as much as I could but with my hamstring I couldn't open up my stride or push it so I told myself "keep the pace, stay in the race" (unless someone with 40-44 on the back of their leg passes me then hell no...run) about mile 6.50 I all the sudden start getting "Bethanne syndrome" which is GI issues I keep it steady again there's no bathrooms on the course... I get into the finishers shoot and kept a steady pace (most athletes know the situation I'm talking about) however,  I see I'm under what I wanted for time and I almost break out in a cry I'm so excited.. I finish and had to pose with my Plankstar the medic thought I was crazy... If she only knew :) 

My Dream Race was over it was one amazing event/adventure.

I thank my husband for all his support, Tina,Tim,Tracy and Shelly for taking their vacation times and watching, yelling and cheering me on while I achieve my once in a life time race. I thank all of you for your calls, amazing text messages, fb messages, emails and support. This race was dedicated to so many I thought of everyone in that race.

-I was asked by so many- Would I do this race again? "Heck Yea"...  But when you have a Dream Race and achieve it I need to move on to a new Dream :) 

I'm so blessed in do many ways, now I can't wait to get home to my amazing kids and get back to my amazing job of being a trainer/coach and athlete! 

"Live it. Love it. Be it!" 

 I hope I've inspired you to take a challenge and achieve your dream or I've inspired you to Escape from Alcatraz!! 

 I have to share this a friend sent this: Whether you know it or not~today you will test your own limits! you will inspire someone else! you will win a test of wills between your mind and body! you will prove you could! you will be the reason someone else starts tomorrow, you will gain confidence, you will believe you can do even more.

You will make a positive difference in so many ways when you step to the starting line where only a few truly understand the determination it took to get there. To most people today is just another day. For you, it's a chance to make your mark. 

Amazing and so true!

Check out this site amazing!!
http://amyshealthybaking.com/blog/2014/07/13/raspberry-oatmeal-cookies/

Print

Raspberry Oatmeal Cookies

Yield: 15 cookies

Serving Size: 1 cookie

These are the softest & chewiest oatmeal cookies you’ll ever make, and the fresh raspberries add an irresistible sweetness and subtle tartness. Store any leftovers in an airtight container on the counter for up to a week—if they last that long!

1 c instant (quick-cook) oats (measured correctly)

¾ c whole wheat flour (measured correctly)

1 ½ tsp baking powder

½ tsp ground cinnamon

1/8 tsp salt

2 tbsp coconut oil, melted

1 egg, room temperature

1 tsp vanilla extract

½ c honey

6 tbsp fresh raspberries, diced

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the oats, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the coconut oil, egg, and vanilla. Stir in the honey until thoroughly incorporated. Add in the flour mixture, stirring just until incorporated. Fold in the raspberries. Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes. (If chilling longer, cover with plastic wrap, ensuring it touches the entire surface of the cookie dough.)
2. Preheat the oven to 325°F, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat.
3. Drop the cookie dough into 15 rounded scoops on the baking sheet. (If chilled longer than 1.5 hours, flatten slightly.) Bake at 325°F for 13-15 minutes. Cool on the baking sheet for at least 15 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack.

Notes: It’s incredibly important to measure both the oats and whole wheat flour correctly, using the spoon-and-level method described in the links above. If scooped from the container using the measuring cup, you’ll end up with 1.5 times as much, which will dry out your cookies and make them crumbly. 

To make your own instant oats, pulse 1 cup of old-fashioned oats in a food processor 5-8 times. 

Melted unsalted butter or melted margarine may be substituted for the coconut oil. Regardless of which is used, be sure that the egg is at room temperature before whisking it in. A cold egg added straight from the fridge would rapidly cool the fat source, resulting in small blobs of semi-solid coconut oil or butter. 

If the cookies are still really flimsy after cooling on the baking sheet for 15 minutes and threaten to break apart, let them cool completely on the baking sheet. That won’t let them crisp up too much, and they’ll still stay soft for an entire week! 

{clean eating, low fat, low calorie}

 

http://amyshealthybaking.com/blog/2014/07/13/raspberry-oatmeal-cookies/

Wow where do I start?
So much as been going on
~Positives achieved
Escaped Alcatraz 18th in my age group (I'll post story soon), a few marathons, half marathons and more Tri's
Qualified for 70.3 nationals
My family is doing amazing
My business is incredible!! I'm so blessed
The Negatives, well there's none life is to short for Negatives (everything happened's for a reason)!
Now really working on my running, this year I'm going to work on my Speed see if I can get back to where I was..

Wahooooo!! I figured out my Password, time to start Blogging..

Time to start swimming "in a pool".

Another amazing photo from Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon. No swimming for me today today is Cycling/TRX Training...

Swim 10/23 Air Temp. 42 Water Temp. Freezing!

First snow fall in Lax.

2 swim caps on getting ready for some fun!

all done.... YES IT WAS COLD!!!

I can't wait until the next swim!

Only 223 days away.

 Hill Sprints yesterday, not only is this steep however it's so beautiful when your doing down it, going up it you just want to get to the corner so there is no time to look at the beauty! :)

Today was a great day Pilates/Biking/TRX training. 
Yesterday I did all 3 sports open water swim. bike, run all backwards just to see how I would feel today and I feel amazing!(I haven't done this type of training for so long). Today I was asked by one of my amazing clients "are you back in the Tri world again" I said with a huge smile on my face "yes I am" whoooohooooo!



 The fall colors are so unbelievable we're so lucky to live in this amazing world. 

 

When I started swimming the air temp was 51 and I heard the water temp is low 50's

So today I had 3 challenges~1 to get into my swim suit with an extra 11 mommy pounds on, 2 to get into my wet suit with those extra pounds on yea you can just imagine, and 3 swim 1 1/2 miles in the freezing cold water now, I have to add for the past 4 years my direction has always been on helping people out or my clients out and not swimming or training for myself so this was a huge challenge for me and I accomplished it.

A little bit of fun!
Yep jumping off the toilet to get my swim suit on.

Yep it worked.

Challenge 2 getting my wet suit on..... and yes I had two swim caps

Now swim 1 1/2 and yes the water was so calm and so inviting until I stepped in "OMGOSH WOWZA!" "COLD, COLD!" Then I thought to myself complain isn't going to get me anywhere get going, and I did! I stopped 1 time to fix my goggles and to get my head back into the game. When you don't swim like this for 4 years and your wet suit is a little tight you can get a little anxiety (I"m only human) :)

 

Swim went great! I swam a little over 1 1/2 in great time my confident level is up "Whoooohoooo"

Yep, this is my next shirt, the next time I have a little fear about something...... I'm putting it on.

Swimming Starts tomorrow, it's going to be interesting to see where I'm at, I haven't swam in about 4 years....... wow how time goes by. I have to purchase a new swim suit, at this time I would have to jump off the toilet to get into my other ones because of my new mommy hips and belly (however that will change).
I took my body fat% (21%) to see where I'm starting at, tomorrow I will see how long it takes me to swim a 1 1/2, run 10 miles and bike 20.  Yea I know it's over the distance of the race but I wanted to round up. :) 

For my training nutrition will be a big one for me however, I will have peeps, gummy bears and yes licorice (Thank goodness for carbs in them). I will be indoor and outdoor cycling, using my TRX and body weight training (INSANITY Boot Camp Training Style 3days a week) my dreadmill and out side running as much as I can, "OH" and I can't forget about the stairs I will be running them at my Studio and at UWL, I also have a training spot for up hill running but I can't give everything away.... LOL

This year is going to be AMAZING!

This is a Dream race of mine, I told myself I don't want to just finish, I want to kick A**! "In a nice positive way of course!"  :)

                                     "DREAM. BELIEVE. ACHIEVE. ANYTHING!"

Finding out I'm in!

It's 3:50 am getting ready to head out the door for my workout before INSANITY BC Training, the first thing I do is look into my e-mail see if there's anything from Alcatraz........"No Way" I see there's an e-mail I open it right away and this is what I read

Hi Danniela

Congratulations on being selected in the first round of the 2014 Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon lottery.  The names of those selected have been posted. Please read this email CAREFULLY before looking for your name on the list...

OMG, I can't believe it I tear up, I get out the door as fast as I can (I didn't want to wake up everyone with my excitement), get in my car turn on 9.57 The Rock and jam out all the way to my Studio where I jump out of my car get inside and dance around and whoooohooooooooing as loud as I can (there's no one there). Then jump on the dreadmill for a 5 mile run. I can't believe it. Now to talk to my hubby about this when I get home.

 A little history I've been trying to get into this for 5 years and of course last year being prego wasn't going to fly.  

Persistence is probably the single most common quality of high achievers. They simply refuse to give up. They longer you hang in there, the greater the chance that something will happen in your favor. No matter how hard it seems, the longer you persist the more likely your success.
— Jack Canfield

I'm so "Excited"!!

 

Start of week 2 so far so good. Last week of weight training was great, I'm trying so hard not to run as much and run stairs.....it's hard!

I was asked how's it going??? I said "I wish I could take my bike out and ride 100 miles and run 26.2" MMMMMM however, I have to remember my goals.

Now this week I'm going to try and follow Jamie E. Nutrition program as much as I can so far so good I made the Protein Carrot Bars last night, I don't know if I could do the Turkey muffins yet "YUCK" in a nice positive way!

Time to make Eggs with my son.

Day 5/84
Tough! However, that would be normal it's always challenging to change the way you've been doing things for 39 years .......lol...

Today was Back/Triceps "ok" and run 2 miles followed by the stairs....I have to say that's the hardest thing not to do is RUN....
Eating very clean no candy/treats..... I've been looking up and posting so many different recipes with Protein on my Studio Fit Facebook page, they're so good!
Off to make a shake.
Happy Training, Train Smart!
"Perseverance, Persistence, Consistency is the key!

Day 3/84
What a great day, at the Studio at 4:15 am I did heavy legs with 1 min. cardio (running stairs) this afternoon was 30 min. of endurance weights back/bicep.
The hardest thing for me to hold back on is my running OUCH....


Eating was really healthy however, I think I ate to many almonds.... oops!

Train Right and Eat Clean! 

Jamie's Plan..

Maybe: Going off of Jamie plan I'm thinking I'll have to do it like this:

Monday -Legs+/
Tuesday- Cardio Cycling/TRX/ Running (3)Jillian abs
Wednesday Back/Shoulders
Thursday- Cardio Cycling/TRX/Running (3) Jillian abs
Friday -Legs/Calves
Saturday- Crazy Cardio Day
Sunday- Yoga/Jillian abs