Galena Triathlon

Galena Triathlon-

Thoughts on my mind the week of Galena…

Leading up to this race, I was very concerned about how the FREAKING COLD weather would effect the water temperature of the lake at Apple Canyon River.   I was checking the weather updates for Galena all week to see what the lake temperature was going to be.  I wanted to get an idea of my swimming fate.  According to USAT rule, water temperature needs to be at least 60 degrees in order for the athletes to swim.  The water temperature at Apple Canyon was teetering on 58-60 degrees all week.  I was certain Galena would just change the triathlon into a duathlon.  There was no POSSIBLE way that the water temperature would be 60 degrees.  We had such cold, rainy weather the past few days.  I had such high hopes that Galena would change the race.  I couldn’t even imagine what swimming in 60 degree water would feel like.  Galena stuck to their guns and stated that the water temperature was 60 degrees.  This meant we were going to swim.  Boy, did my heart drop when I heard the final announcement.  I could not believe that the water temperature was actually 60 degrees.  I was terrified to swim in water that cold.  I didn’t know if I would survive.  Lets touch back on that in a minute…

Morning of the race: it was a three hour drive to get to Galena… THREE HOURS!  Can you say leg cramps?  Good Lord, was I glad to get out of the car once we arrived at the race site.  The Galena triathlon has two different transition areas.  One is right by the beach were we swim, the other transition area is 16.8 miles away.  So this means race morning you need to set up two separate transition areas.  It took 25 minutes to drive to the second transition area and another 25 minutes to drive back.  There goes my warm up… This also meant that my dad would have to go from the start line to on an hour long bus ride (around the course) to get to the finish line.  Not a very spectator friendly race to say the least. 

Once we finally got my transition set up, I went to the water to see how horrid the swim was going to be.  When I first stepped in the water, my feet were burning.  Then it felt like tiny needles were stabbing at my skin where Audrina was not covering me.  Eventually, they were numb.  A very brave French lady in the water next to me jumped in head first into the water…If she could do it so could I…this seems the be reoccurring factor in my life lately…. So I went underwater expecting the worse, which would be that I decided I could not race. However, it wasn’t actually as bad as I had expected!  Pheww, that was a huge relief.  I mean it wasn’t going to be a cake walk, but I would be able to get it done without worrying if I was going to die.  

The race was beach start.  I squeezed my way up to the front of the pack of women waiting to go off at 9:20.  When the buzzer went off, we ran into the chilly lake water.  I was able to fight my way to the front of the pack of girls and started drafting of the girl in the lead.  My fingers grazed her feet every so often.  I felt slow at first, because of the cold.  Once we got into the grove of swimming, I felt like I was going at a decent pace!  The lead girls and I started passing the men from the previous wave.  Take that guys!!  All of us lead girls came out of the water at once.  I was fourth in my wave.  The transition was a LONG and pebbly one. My guess was that the actual

 swim only took 7:15-7:25minutes, we had a heck of a long transition to run up.   

Goodie gum drops!  Just what I’ve always wanted.  Thankfully, some of the run to the transition area was covered with a rug.  The parts not covered with rug was covered with sharp little rocks which  got stuck to my feet.  Ouch!  I had such a hard time getting my feet into my shoes.  I swear, they were fighting against me at one point!  

Now for the bike.  There was a steep hill right out of the T1.  Hence, I could not stick to the normal plan of jumping onto Cecilia with shoes already on the pedals.  Running in my shoes with cleats was the only option.  On the bright side, I was able to get Audrina right off of me!  No problems =]   HOORAY! She is finally liking her momma.  

I was the first woman out of transition and onto the bike course.  Two things about the bike portion.  The hills were huge!  Holy Guacamole!  I expected my legs to be like jello once I was finished with each one.  Surprisingly, I felt pretty strong after each hill and was able to push hard going into the down hill that came with each steep climb.  I was passing guys left and right.  These were guys in full tri gear.   I was so happy!  This definitely gave me the confidence to push even harder on the bike.  I hadn’t seen a woman pass me yet!  Around mile 13/14 I was getting ready to climb a big hill.  I switched from the big chain ring to the small.  Low and behold, my chain dropped.  This is the first time anything like this has happened to me during a race that has caused me to stop completely.  I was terrified.  I had never dropped my chain at all.  My pedals wouldn’t move and I was convinced I was going to fall over.  I safely (shocker) got to the side of the road and tried to fix poor Cecilia.  Now I put my chain back on my bike several times before, so I knew how to fix it.. or so I thought.  However, being a Mascarella, my chain was stuck between the bottom bracket and the chain ring.  For the life of me, I could not get it loose.  At this point, my grief stages started to kick in.  I was in tears trying to fix stinking Cecilia.  Finally, my knight in BONKER kit came to save my life.  It took some elbow grease and some skill to finally get my chain back on, but after a heart wrenching 3.5 minutes, I was finally back on my bike and ready to go!  While I was having a mental break down on the side of the road, three women had passed me.  No way I was going to catch up with the first two, but I was going give everything I had to catch the third women.  This lady and I were playing cat and mouse once I caught her.  She was about 15ft in front of my when we arrived at the transition area.  She dismounted her bike by clipping out of her pedals.  I was able to hop off of Cecilia and edge the other girl out of the T2 line by a few inches!  That’s what ya’ get for passing me!  I ran to my next transition area and attempted to take my helmet off… but Vaderette did not want to come off of my head.  She somehow got herself wrapped up in my hair.  I mean, Christ on a corndog, could anything go right?  After fighting with my helmet for a while, I was finally able to get her off and get my shoes on.  

I was off and out of transition and just a second behind the lady I had just edged out of the bike… touché, my friend, touché.  I was now going to take on the monster hill that was the run course of the Galena Triathlon.  I ran the first half of the hill and walked the second half, I mean there was no point.   I was going to save my energy for the rest of the run.  There were a couple of little hills thrown in during the rest of the run.  My legs were shot and screaming at me from trying to catch up to the ladies on the bike.  Once I was at the turn around point, three women blew past me…typical.  I was going to finish strong and steady.  I kept a good pace the rest of the run, even finishing with a 7:50 mile..should’ve been faster, but I’ll take it.  

I crossed the finish line and was happy that race was finally over.  

I was 2nd in my AG and 11th female OA.  If only I did not drop my chain, I strongly believe I would’ve placed first in my AG and at least somewhere between 5-10th place OA.  

Oh well, like everyone keeps telling me, “Its alright, it’s a learning experience.” Yea it might have been a learning experience, but it still really sucks that my chain dropped!!!  Ughh! I’m still steaming over it.  I’ll eventually get over it, but it wont be anytime soon!  

 

J-Hawk Early bird Triathlon 2014

Oh triathlon season, how I’ve longed for your sweet embrace.  I’ve missed the feeling of cutting through the water during the swim. I’ve yearned for the wind to caress my back as Cecelia and I fly through the bike.  I’ve ached to feel the bittersweet burn and pure exhaustion of running several miles.  The excitement of the new triathlon season can not be contained…or so I thought!  

On the morning of the J-Hawk triathlon I was debating the possibility of not racing.  The weather report was for 25mph winds, rainy skies, and a cool 42 degrees.  I was not looking forward to coming out of the water to have the FREEZING cold air nip my poor, pasty winter skin!  I urged myself out of bed and went downstairs to see my parents.  I expressed my concerns about the weather conditions in which I was going to race…My dad contemplated my worries…. the proceeded to call me a baby and told me to suck it up! Thanks dad…using this tough love, name calling as my motivation, I decided that he was right and that if other people could race, so could I.  We packed up and headed out to Whitewater, WI at 6:00am. 

Once we arrived, I registered and I found out my start time wasn’t until 11:45…WHOA!  Holy Cow…I liked the sound of that!  To bad we didn’t know my start time was going to be that late, or else we wouldn’t have gotten there at 7:30…Since I had such a late start time, we filled it with a family breakfast.

 We arrived back at the race site and I began to set up my race transitions.  Over the winter, I had purchased a beautiful set of race wheels:  Bongtrager Aeolus 7 in the front and Aeolus 9 in the rear, also known as Fast and Furious.  I was very excited to use them in a race that was not a TT.  However, this would bite me in the butt in only a few short hours.  

Race time!  

I thought my swim went pretty well.  I felt strong and felt like I was moving through the water at a quick pace. I found out that I was not.  This years swim was slower then the previous year.  But then, last year I didn’t have to grab a towel and dry off before I headed out the door to the transition area to fend off hypothermia.  I know that this doesn’t make up for entire time difference, but I does account for some of it… at least that’s what I’m telling myself so I feel better.  

After drying off some, I ran outside to the bitter cold air to begin my transition.  I put on long pants, a jacket, and a pair of winter riding gloves.  this turned a :30 transition into a 2:30min transition.  I do not regret any of it, because I would have turned blue and miserable if I had not taken the extra time to dress like an Eskimo.

At first, the bike did not seem bad.  I was actually cruising along at a pretty good pace.  But then it happened… The safety and comfort of the trees that sheltered me from the awful wind, was thinning.  One by one they disappeared until they were totally gone.  They left me to either become a survivor of these horrible hurricane-esque wind conditions or to become a quitter.   Now this is where I realized I go through the stages of grief while competing.

Stage 1-Denial 

This wind isn’t so bad, I can totally handle this!  There is no way I could blow over!  I’m over thinking these wind conditions.  I’ve had worse.  I am keeping this awesome pace that’s 30watts above my average! 

 

Stage 2- Anger

Are you freaking kidding me?!  Mother Nature you are one cruel, bitch mother.  I hope you crawl in a hole and die!  Who do you think you are making these wind conditions so furious?  Did someone piss you off?  I bet your date from last week never called you back. Is that it?  So your taking it out on us poor triathletes?  WTF?!?!

 

Stage 3- Bargaining

Okay, Mother Nature.  If you slow these winds down just a little bit, just a teeny tiny bit… I will recycle everything I possibly can.  I will ride my bike everywhere and only use “green” materials.  I swear it!  I just don’t want to die a painful death from crashing into the road head first.  If you can help me through this wind you have created, I promise I will be the most eco-friendly person ever! 

 

Stage 4-Depression 

I can’t believe I’m actually doing this.  I should just stop now.  What’s the point of continuing on?  I should just end this race now.  There’s no point.  Why am I even racing in the first place? Stupid, stupid, STUPID!  I’m never going to finish.  I’m going to crash and end up in a ditch on the side of the road and Cecilia will be smashed to smithereens.  Why Me!?!  Why this race?!? 

 

Stage 5- Acceptance

Well, Mother Nature, you seem to have NOT heard my request to stop the wind.  So we are in this together.  I am going to show you who’s boss. I will complete this race and make your winds look like they have no effect on me!  Besides, it’ll make me that much stronger!  So take that.  Here you thought you were going to give me a challenge that I would not be able to complete.  Well, guess what. I’m going to do it and look good doing it!   

 

That was my bike leg in the nut shell.  Praying that I did not crash took up a large portion of my motivating self talk I engage in while on my bike.  

After the bike, there was the run (as usual).  I transitioned fairly quickly, then got right into the groove of a 5k pace.  

The J-Hawks 5k is off road and on grass or dirt for the vast majority of the run.  This is something that I’m not use to and that slows me down a bit.

At the start of the run I saw my dad and he asked how the bike was.  I told him he could have my wheels (which I renamed “Holy” and “Shit”) and that I never wanted to see them again.  

The run consisted of a few steep hills on the course, which did burn, but I got through them without a problem.  I felt really strong on this run and completed it with a 1:xx min faster pace then the previous year.  I was a happy camper with that.  My parents also stated that I look much stronger while I was running!  All the hard working I had been doing was worth it.    

The results were in.  I placed first in my age group and third overall female.  All in all, I am glad I decided to race, didn’t quit during the bike and completed the first tri of the season.  It should be all up hill from here, right?

 

Now for my big announcement: I will be going away to Lees-McRae College in North Carolina. I was awarded a scholarship in academics and one for cycling.  The cycling team will be a great way for me to attain my Athletic Training degree and pursue my dreams of becoming a professional athlete.  I will continue to ride for ABD when I am home from school.   

   

   

4/26 Crit

Race Weekend April 26th-27th, 2014

 

The season has begun.  It has been a very busy weekend of racing.  Saturday was a crit Cat 4 and Women’s Open.  Today, Sunday, was the first Triathlon of the season.  

This past weekend I learned two things:  1. Never leave the pack and 2. I go through the five stages of grief while racing in a triathlon.  

Saturday, I had originally planned to join the team in Hillsboro.  When I found out it was a four hour drive one way, I chose to race at the Whitnall Park Spring Classic near Milwaukee.  The website said 80 feet of climbing…. they left out that EACH climb was 80 feet of climbing!  It may not seem like a big deal to some, but when the only landscape you train on are the very flat roads in DeKalb, it IS a big deal.  The plan was, as always, to stay in the pack.  

As I am at the start line, I overhear an ABD hater talking to his girlfriend as she is getting ready to race.  He was saying how our team must not be doing any big races this year since I was there.  He complained about the shop.  He told her not to worry about me.  Well, all of this just pissed me off!  This was my drive to kick his girlfriends gluteus maximus, medius and minimus.  Now staying with the pack was just NOT going to work for me.  So up the first climb in the first lap of the first race, I decided the girls, ie ABD Hater’s girlfriend, weren’t going fast enough and I wanted to see if some of them would break away with me.  Little did I know that they were going to let me dangle in front of them by a 15 second lead for the next 6 laps.  I looked down at “computer” and thought I only had a lap to go.  So I pushed even harder trying to get more of a lead and not expecting the girls to catch me.  I reached the start line and heard, “Three laps left.”  You have got to be kidding me!  Change of plan.  The girls were slowly catching up to me.  My motivation dropped.  I was swallowed up by the pack.  I relished the relief in my legs as I drafted off the other riders.  The last quarter mile was upon us.  I squeezed through two riders in the sprint, nudging elbows and handle bars the entire time.  They almost fell over but I stayed up like a boss.  I felt like Jack Thompson.  I was making my way towards the lead.  My legs were going as fast as they could.  The last 100 meters was uphill in one gear too hard.  My legs just would  not go any faster.  I was pedaling as hard as I possibly could.  I edged a girl out half a bike length from the line to get fourth.  I was only a bike length away from first place (insert sad face or curse word of choice here)  On the bright side, ABD Hater’s girlfriend finished after me.  To sweeten the deal.  She crossed the finish line and proceeded to crash into another finisher and fractured that poor girl’s collar bone.  

Let’s try this again.  I signed up for a second race.  New plan, stay in the group.  I wanted to redeem myself and maybe win a little cash since only seven people were signed up.  At the start, 11 people show up.  What?!  The majority of the women were Cat 1/2 so I thought I may be able to get fifth.  So, I stayed with the group.  I looked for the largest woman that I could and settled myself behind her and let her do the work.  Why didn’t I do this before?  It was like an epiphany.  I could breath.  I could talk.  I could sing…if I wanted to.  So this is why I should stay in the group.  My Dad and Jim do know what they are talking about.  I guess we live and learn.  A couple of laps from the end, I was enjoying myself just a little too much and nestled in a bit too far in back.  When the front riders broke away up a hill, I wasn’t able to catch them.  There was one other girl left with me and three riders behind us.  The girl and I took turns drafting off of each other until the end of the race.  With 100 meters left, I was looking forward to a friendly competition from her to the finish line.  We started to sprint and I either blew her away or she gave out.  I am not sure which.  I ended up seventh.  No cash for me.  The moral of this story is, I will stay in the pack and save my legs until the end and always kick Haters BUTTS!

 

Stay tuned for numero dos later this week and a huge announcement.  

Copyright Katrina Mascarella 4/26/14

ABD Indoor TT #1

My first race of the 2014 season; The ABD Indoor Time Trial Series, race one. The course was a 10k rolling uphill.  I had been looking forward to this race since December.  I wanted to see if I could increase my wattage from last year.   I also wanted to increase my average mph.  

I hopped on my trainer for my half an hour warm up while I listened to my pre-race mix.  I was lucky enough to have my Mom and Jim C. across the gym facing me.  They kept me entertained with inappropriate gestures and funny faces.  Once I was completely warmed up, I took my trusty steed, Persephone, to the computrainer to be strapped in.  I was all psyched up and ready to take on this 3% grade, mountainous course…. actually it wasn’t that bad.   I planned on going hard and fast during the down hill and stand on the climb to generate more watts but conserve energy at the same time.  

The race started with a 3,2,and a 1…we were off.  I started out strong and felt really good.  I was putting out more watts than I planned on.  This was good as it would keep my average up.  I was feeling strong until the last mile.  My stomach was quickly feeling quite qualmish.  I was getting queasier by the moment.  But I was quiet about it.  I thought to myself, “I must not quit!”  Then “I thought I should have had quinoa instead of quesadillas last night.”  I was on a quest to qualify.  I needed something to quench my thirst.  Mom was nearby with a quart of water.   Now just for that 3% climb and I would be in the clear!  UGHHH Finally the race was over.  

I dismounted Persephone and was pleased that my watts were 197.  Just 3 under my goal, Wow!  I wasn’t going to complain.  What a race.  

 

 

Once I found out my time, I was not happy with it sooo…I decided to race again.  

In my mind I thought the second race would be faster then the first race…#athleteproblems.  

Quick and Dirty Second Race Review-

Getting ready to race.

….. 3…2…1

……

Racing…..

…..

Sweating like…hmmm…..Just think of something super sweaty and put it…(Here)

….

Stilling Racing….

…….

DONE!!

As I’m sure you guessed, my second race was slower(30seconds) then my first race.  I was DYING the second race!  I unfortunately did not have a fan pointing near me so there was a small pool underneath Persephone.

 

 

Overall, it was a good race.  Wish I could have been a little bit faster, but that is something that I will have to work towards for the 3rd race, when we repeat the course!! I had a great time seeing everyone again, what a great way to start of the race season! 

Off Season!

Hello all.

Ah, finals week.  You don’t realize how much time you spend in class each day until you have the whole day just to wait around to take the next final.  So here I am, in between finals, writing a blog post.  I know, I know it has been a while since I have given an update.  Not much to report on the racing aspect of things.  I competed in the Fall Fling, dominated in the women’s cat 4…and beat all master’s women, even beat the masters men I was racing with on the second Sunday!  Sorry guys!  I also did the Dole Duathlon, finished 3rd overall female, with the fastest women’s bike.  By far, my FAVORITE prize…I won a bottle of Champagne.  

 Oh!!!  I also completed my first cyclocross race!  HOLY COW, that was a lot harder then I thought it was going to be!  I really would have liked to have done more, but life gets in the way.  More like school gets in the way…anatomy in particular.  

 

Since my last race, I really settled into taking down time from training.  I did what every good athlete should do in the off season…EAT LOTS AND LOTS OF DESSERTS!!!  Five pounds worth, to be precise.  Now that my off season is winding down, it’s time to get serious about training again!

 

Looking back at my season, there were some things that were definitely memorable.  Here are my top 5 memorable moments from this pass season. 

 

5) Breaking into crit racing, and doing pretty well I might add! 

 

4) Being awarded MATTS Female Newcomer of the Year 

 

3) Qualifying for World’s 2014 in Edmonton, Canada

 

2) Meeting Christy Wellington when I crossed the finish line at Nationals, as she put my medal around my neck and kissed my cheek.

 

1) Winning Overall Female at Tri the Illini!

 

 

    

Thank you everyone, for your advice, support and encouragement.  I really appreciate and take to heart all the words of wisdom and apply it to my racing.  I wish all of you a very happy holiday season and, I am going to say it…..MERRY CHRISTMAS!  

See you in January at the ABD Time Trial Series.

 

Katrina the Beast

p.s. Try to stick to the elves four main food groups, candy, candy canes, candy corn and syrup! 

Tri the Illini

Tri the Illini

Champaign, IL

September 22, 2013

 

My last tri of the season.  My last chance to meet my goal of winning first place overall female age group.  For this race, I set my goals as 4:00 swim, 40:00 bike and 23:00 run.  When I told my dad my projected run time, he laughed and said, “Ok”.   I don’t blame him.  My best run for a 5k is 25xx, so to shave off two minutes is asking a lot.  I knew it was stretching it but I was determined to win.  

 

Me and the “fam” headed down to Champaign on Saturday afternoon.  We stopped for a carbo loaded dinner at Olive Garden then checked in to the hotel.  As I readied myself for my bedtime routine, I found a pair of neon pink girls size 5T shorts behind a chair in the hotel room.  I decided to try them on.  To my surprise, they fit!  What happens next, I am not proud of but I can’t pretend I did not have fun.  Yes, it was a “Trina in Tiny Pink Shorts” photo shoot.  

 

With that behind me, I settle into bed while Mom, Dad and Krystal run to Target to grab sweatshirts.  It was going to be a chilly morning and all of their jackets were left at home.  

 

I wake up refreshed with my new shorter sleep time.  I am ready to kick booty and take home the gold… or glass mug that they give out at the Tri the Illini.  I was originally signed up for the colligate category, but after a disappointing falling out with my Tri Team, I was able to switch to age group at the last minute thankfully.

  It was super chilly when we packed up the van to drive to the race site.  Not the typical summer morning warmth I have been use to.  Luckily, I remembered pants and a jacket, unlike my family!  I check in and get #40.  After I get settled in to transition, I jump on Cecilia for a warm up ride.  HOLY first crisp day of autumn!  When I finished my ride my hands were shaking they were so cold.   I grab my Mom’s gloves(the one warm thing she remembered) and throw them into my transition box in case it is still chilly for the bike.  Thanks Mom!  We head to the pool deck for the pre race meeting and to check out the water.  I find my two friends, Wyatt and Matt.  They are fast fellow triathletes that are fast.  Did I mention they were fast?  Shout out to Wyatt for sharing his king of fastitude tips with me.  It has really helped.  

 

It turns out they have numbers 38 and 42.  Is it destiny?  We are separated by six seconds for the staggered swim start.  We hang out together and get pumped up for the race right up until the last second.  Now that is what a team does! (My new team)  It’s my turn.  I jump in for the swim.  My plan is to keep Matt at my feet and not let him pass.   I keep strong through the swim.  Matt doesn’t pass me during the swim, but he does pass me while we run to the transition.    

 

I am speedy fast through transition, and beat Matt to the bike out line.  However, he passed me a mile into the ride.  As I am cruising along, I see Wyatt jumping back on to his bike…did he crash?  He passed me, then I passed him and told him to stay strong!  I felt amazing on the bike…I was really surprised my legs weren’t sore from my domination at the crit the day before!  Maybe a crit right before a race is a good leg opener? I see the bike dismount line and get out of my shoes.  I see my dad and shout, “How many in front of me?”  He told me I was the first girl in on the bike.  AHHH!  Maybe I will be able to keep first overall female.  

 

I head out on the run and I am still feeling fresh.  This is the best I have felt coming off the bike.  I am associating it with all my pent up anger and determination.  Wyatt passed me again on the run and told me to, “Pick it up, your not going to win going that slow!” …. He meant it with love…I’m sure of it!  I picked up my pace even more.  I was running 7:36 miles!  I’ve only run that fast in training before.  And I still was energized…until I hit around 2.5mi, that running pace was catching up with me.  I was so close to the finish I couldn’t stop now. My dad found me on the run and told me to keep up the pace.

 

I finally see the finish line!!  I ran my 23:xx 5k!!  NO CRAMPING!  NO SHIN PAIN!  I was in shock.  I have been waiting for 2 years for this to happen.  And you know what?   It finally did!** I was also the first female age grouper to cross the finish line…but this didn’t mean much with the staggered swim start.  I waited and waited and waited to see if another female would be faster then me.  To pass the time I waited in line to get a quick message, ahhh did that make my legs feel ten times better!  Okay, I think enough time has passed to see if I am still first overall female….waiting….waiting…waiting..

 

OMG!! Holy @#$#!!  I did it.  I was FIRST OVERALL AG FEMALE.  My goals for the summer were complete.  My bike was fastest overall female too!  Tri the Illini was my best race this summer I would have to say.  

 

Looking at my averages for the race, they are right where I want them to be.  All those TT’s have really paid off this summer to get my bike to where it needed to be.  Also, all the running I have been doing with all the strength, stretching, hip openers, and a few track practice I’ve done have gotten me right to where I wanted my run. 

Copyright Katrina Mascarella 10/5/13

  

Fall Fling race #1

Fall Fling ABD

September 21, 2013

The night before my second crit ever, I went camping.  I only had about six hours of sleep.  I thought this would cause problems, but as it turns out, less sleep seems to do me good.   The Fall Fling Criterium was held at Pella Windows in West Chicago and sponsored by ABD.  I was excited that this race was at Pella since I have participated in many crits and am familiar with the course.  Once I arrived at Pella, I readied Persephone (my road bike and the Goddess of the Underworld).  *Fun fact: Hades kidnapped Persephone from her mother, Demeter  Goddess of Agriculture.  In her sorrow, Demeter created winter.  When Persephone returned, it became spring.   I went to registration to check in with Krystal and get a grip on my competition.  There were a good amount of women racing but only four others in my cat 5 group.  I tracked down my fellow team mate and friend, Jim Cannella, aka Opera Man and owner of Orange Heating and Cooling.  We discussed strategy as he is an experienced crit rider.  The plan was not to pull but to stay with the break away if they took off.  Right before the race, I was at the start line.  Jim came up and gave me additional instructions, “If the women aren’t going hard enough and you feel good, take off but get far away from the group so they can’t ride your wheel.”  A quick “Shake and Bake” with my mom and the whistle blew.  

We were off.  I was feeling strong.  Before the first lap was over, I thought the women were going too slow.  I decided to pull away.  Two other women followed.  One of them said, “Let’s work together, take turns pulling and stay ahead of the group.”  I said, “Sure, Ill take this stretch.”  I took off.  They didn’t.  Did I miss something??  So that’s how it went for the next two laps.  I was in front.  The women caught up with me.  I decided to sit in and recover for a bit.  After a few laps of crawling, I thought my “coach” Jim said, “Break away.”  What he really said was, “If you break away, go strong.”  As soon as I heard what I thought he said, I went balls to the walls and wasn’t going to let anyone catch me.  I broke pretty far away from the pack.  When I passed the lap counters, they said there were three laps to go.  On the next pass the said again, three laps to go!!  Are you kidding me?!  I was told the look on my face was priceless when I heard that!  I had to keep these girls off me for three more laps?  I could do it!  I pushed myself for the rest of the race.  I ended up finishing first with the second place women coming in about a quarter mile behind me.  Having the female win was awesome!  What a great feeling!  I wanted to feel this way again so I made it my goal to be overall woman at my triathlon the next day. 

Copyright Katrina Mascarella 10/3/13

Muncie Sprint!

Muncie Sprint- September 7th, 2013

 

The Sprint Tri in Muncie, IN would be a bit different than my typical race.  I wasn’t being joined by my family, but with three of my team mates from the NIU tri team instead.  I had no idea what it would be like.  I was going to have to spend 4 1/2 hours in the car with people I didn’t know very well.  I was a little worried.  As you know from my past posts, I am very anal when it comes to sticking to my routines.  I like to eat a certain pre-race meal and get plenty of rest.  I was concerned my schedule would be thrown off and I wouldn’t do well.  

 

The adventure started at 2.p.m. on Friday afternoon.  I had to pick up the Tri Club president, Maria, and another member, Wyatt, on campus and load everything into my truck.  Next on the list was to pick up Matt, the past president, and transfer everything to his van and let him drive.  He lives about an hour from NIU and as we headed to his house via the highway, the three of us were all chatting up a storm!  Shocker!  We talked about the race and how training was going.  We chatted about some of the new members on the team as well.  Thankfully, Maria loves country music as much as I do so there wasn’t an issue with the radio.  (Thank you to Wyatt for putting up with all the country music!)   An hour and a half passed in no time at all!  We arrived at Matt’s house and decided to take my truck instead of his van.  It just made more sense because we were already settled in Theodore (My truck).  We got back on the highway and continued our adventure to Muncie! 

 

The ride to Muncie was looonnnngg, but we were so busy playing road trip games and making up new games that the time flew by.  I think we were also hyped up about the race so we were excited and full of energy.  I must say, having a tri team to travel with is cool.  I mean, I didn’t get to sleep like I usually do, but it was worth it since we formed some new friendships. 

 

We finally arrived at the hotel at about 9pm.  I like to be sound asleep by then!  I was starting to panic a little.  By the time we were all unpacked and had the bikes in our hotel room, it was almost 10pm.  I had to run back out to the truck to get one last thing and when I returned to the hotel room, the door connecting the two rooms together was wide open.  As it turns out,  ISU’s tri team was right next door.  I had no clue who these people were, but Matt and Maria knew them from prior races.  They were talking and having a good time.  I, on the other hand, was ready for bed.  I got on my oversized tee shirt, brushed my teeth and was ready to jump into bed.  As luck would have it, Matt and Wyatt needed Gu’s for the race the next day, so I was able to trade them Gu’s for some time alone in the room so I could fall asleep.  Meanwhile, they stayed up with the ISU team for a while longer.  I finally got to sleep around 10:30pm.

Thank you to the team for letting me go to sleep!!  I would not have been a happy camper otherwise! 

 

Race morning – we woke up about 5:15am to load everything back into Theodore.   With that done, we headed out to bufu land (30 minutes away) to get to the race site.  

 

Race time- I raced the Great Illini the weekend before so I opted to race the Sprint Distance that started at 9am while my teammates did the Olympic Distance that started at 8 am.  So I was able to cheer them on at the swim start.  I waited at the swim out and as the racers exited the water, I told them how far out they were from the first racer.  I like when people give me that info so I thought they might appreciate it.  Once Maria, Matt and Wyatt were out and on their bikes, I decided to get Audrina on and start a swim warm up.  As I was watching the swimmers earlier, I noticed the current was really strong and they were drifting about 200m off course on the swim back.  So my plan was to find someone to draft off of.  It turns out I didn’t need to worry about it cause I was haulin’ balls in that water.  I felt like I was only swimming for 2 minutes and I was done.  I felt AWESOME!  I really enjoy swimming.  I ended up with the fastest female swim time.  In fact, it was a minute faster that then first place winner.

The run to transitions was covered with rocks and acorns and was about 1/4 mile long.  They did their best to cover the path with artificial turf, but running with bare feet, I could still feel the rocks and acorns.  Ouch!  Transition was smooth, I had everything I needed (tri clips and all).  I jumped onto Cecilia and took off.  I wanted to catch the guys that were in the Elite wave in front of me.  It was a little hilly but I kept telling myself, “This is the next to last race of the season!  You can do it!”  I pushed myself and eventually passed three of the guys.  Suck on that men!  I was really happy because it was a 21.3mph average.  My fastest of the season for triathlons.  Again with the ball haulin‘.  While I was on the bike, it followed the run course so I had an idea of what was coming.  I finished the bike in 36xx.  This was also faster than the first place winner. 

I knew I had rolling hills for the run.  Hills are hard to come by in the flatlands of DeKalb so I didn’t have an opportunity to train for this sort of course.  There were no women in front of me.  The plan: to push myself as hard as I could!  I wanted first place!  So far so good.  No CRAMPS!  I was so happy.  As the hills kept rolling, I ended up having to slow my run to a speed walk up them.  I saw the what I thought to be the finish line by a huge American flag.  I stopped, relieved that I was done only to hear someone shout, “NO! Keep going!”  The finish was actually about a hundred feet away.  What a goof!  I crossed the finish and the first thing I asked was if any other females finished.  They hadn’t but since it was a staggered start, I couldn’t tell what place I was in.  When the results came out, there was only ONE female in front of me and she beat me by only.. get this.. 40 SECONDS!!  What?  So close!  Dang you rolling hills and faux finish line!  Could that have made a difference?  Probably.  She made up 4 minutes on the run.  Dang you weak sauce run!  But hey second place overall that ain’t so bad! Hopefully, with the upcoming off season, the weak sauce run will turn into a “steak sauce” (A1) run.  Will be continued….

 

 

*** In other news….. I have accepted the invitation to compete in the ITU World Championship held in Edmonton, Canada in September 2014.  I will be training hard and saving money for the trip.  If anyone needs a sitter, I’m your girl!

 

Copyright Katrina Mascarella 9/14/13

The Great Illini Challenge.

This was the WORST race ever.  I would not like to talk about it…which as fate had it, my mother wrote a blog of her own while I was doing the race!  Its destiny I tell you!   I never wanted to talk about this race again, and she wrote a post for me…its like she can read my mind or something(we have a very special mother daughter bond)!   So here it is, a triathlon from a mother’s perspective, or sherpa.  Its your choice =] 

Enjoy!

 

Olympic tri. A mothers view.  

10 minutes before start. Katrina and I do our pre-race “Shake and Bake!”  I hug her, ” good luck. You’ll do awesome.”  She says, “remember to count the girls out of the water before me.”  I say,  “it will be hard to count to ZERO!”  She laughs and gets into the the lake. I take pics as she stretches and does a few strokes. Do I want to video the start or start the timer?  I decide its more important to get the stopwatch going since I really can’t see her in a group of 50 swimmers.  Note to self: bring binoculars. One minute to race . Who else is wearing a wet suit like hers. No one.  Like I’ll  be able to see her anyways. Still, it’s good to know if someone is drowning I want to be sure I don’t panic if its someone with just wearing the same wetsuit.   I hope she’ll be ok.   5,4,3,2,1.  The horn goes off. ” Go beast!” Lots of splashing and arms going. Crap, lost her already.   4 minutes. A swimmer is way off course. Hope it’s not her, though she has told me she has gone off track a couple of times.   Man, 10 minutes into the race. I see a pack in the front and am confident she is one of them. My baby rocks at the swim.  Darn, i have to pee. Is there enough time?  of course there is, she said like 20 some minutes for the swim.  Ugh, i hate porta potties.  Ok, done with that.  About half way through the swim now.  sweat bees keep landing on my legs.  I am all about nature but don’t they know I’m trying to see my daughter ?  Note to self: bring bug spray.  We are at  19 minutes and I see a few swimmers on the last straight away.  Could  she be one of them?  Wait, men and women started in the same wave. She’s probably in the next group.  They are about 50 feet from the swim in. I see the third swimmer  bobbing up getting their bearings. Looks like her!   The First swimmer out is a woman!  Girl power!  Next a guy. Now I see Trina!  The third swimmer was her!   Holy crap!  I can’t believe it

 

 

 “Yea Trina!  Awesome swim!  Are you ok?”  She says “yea”. She looks wiped. ”  Do you need to throw up?”, I ask. She says”I wish.”  She isn’t a good vomiter. She moans and says “holy s&@#.” I tell her, “triathletes don’t cry!”   “Go Trina!  Way to run into transition!”  She flips me off.  A spectator sees her and looks surprised.  I say”she is really very sweet.”  I love  my daughter.  I know she really means “I’m #1I”. My enthusiasm isn’t dampened .  “Go Trina!  way to take off your wet suit!  Put on those socks!  Alright! Whoo!”  She shoots me a look.  One of those looks that could kill you dead.  I jump up and down and cheer even more.  That will teach her.  “Way to  put your shoes on!”  Finally, a smile. She cant be irritated with me for long.  I know she loves me.  

She was worried about the bike mount. She forgot her tri clips, even though I told her to double and triple check her stuff. She has been at her apartment in dekalb for college so her Sherpa (me) wasn’t there to check her bag.  She was worried for nothing and her bike mount was smooth. She takes off and  I scream, “Go Beast!”  Then wonder, what will I do for an hour and ten minutes?  Worry is what I’ll do. It’s hot and humid today. Will she drink enough Gatorade and water?  Will she get lost?  Or the worst thought a mother could have, will she wipe out or get hit by a car?  Ok, I need to stop that. She will be fine. I find a place to sit in the shade and write this blog. Will Katrina think its good enough to post?  I hope so.  I check the time. It’s been about an hour.  So about half an hour until she comes in. Ill find someone’s dog to pet or kids to talk to.  Anything is better than thinking. 

 

1:28. She should be coming in shortly.  

 

1:40 Where is she?  A sag wagon comes in with an injured rider. Is it her?  No, thank goodness. 

Waiting…waiting…wait, is that her?  Black darthette helmet, black compression leg sleeves..yep. It’s her. “Yeah Trina!”  Your doing great!”

 I run after her. She is moaning. She ran out of Gatorade and water. There are no refill stations on a 40k course. She looks like she’s going to fall over.  Im thinking Come on Trina. Almost done. Just the crappy 6 mile run to do. Please don’t pass out on me. Quit if you need to. Don’t dehydrate on me!!  But I don’t say any of that to her. She once ran barefoot on gravel just to finish a race.  She doesn’t quit.  She will moan and cry, but refuses to have a DNF or even worse, DFL!  So I just rub her back and say ,”you can do it.”  A guy hands her a bottle of HEED, I hand her a GU and she yells at me to stop helping or she’ll get disqualified.  She grabs water from the water station and dumps it on her head. She starts walking. I see her drinking the HEED. She is still walking when I catch my last glimpse of her.  Shiitake mushrooms. Will she be ok?  The run is her weak area. After 2 years and lots of $, she has finally recovered from shin splints. Her run is improving but this heat is not helping any.  It’s 86 but feels like 95.  It seems to be taking its toll on many athletes since almost all of them are starting the run with a walk.  Katrina planned for a 50-55 minute run. I am crossing my fingers. More waiting and worrying. 

To pass the time, I duck out of the heat and sit in the car with the air on.  I text mark ( Trina’s daddy) to give an update. He is also concerned about heat exhaustion. Great. Now I worry more.  We figured 55 minutes for the run.  With about 25 minutes left, I decide to wait at the finish.   When I get there,  a race participant is filling a kiddie pool with ice and water bottles. There are no volunteers at the finish so I help with the water. Runners start coming in. I hand out water and start taking the race chips off. I guess I am the volunteer. That’s ok because it’s a good distraction. I keep checking the time.  I keep cheering for the finishers.  She should be coming in now. Did she pass out?  We’re they trying to find me while I was in the car?  Maybe I should get  in the car and try to find her.  I see a girl. Hallelujah, it’s her. I am ready for her to cross the finish then pass out.  But she is smiling as I cheer,  “You did it!”  I hand her a water bottle and take the timing chip off of her ankle. She takes off her shoes and peels off her sweaty socks and hands them to me. Yuck!  But I am the Sherpa.  It’s what I do. Then I ask, “are you jumping in the lake?”  Yep.  

Copyright Katrina Mascarella and Annelee Mascarella 9/13/13

USA Triathlon Age Group Nationals Sprint Distance was my A race this year.  This one race was everything that I had been training for the whole summer; all the physical therapy, training, and all the races I had previously done were to get into shape for nationals.  Was it all worth it?  Did all of that work pay off?  Well….

Since nationals was on a Sunday up in Milwaukee, WI, my family and I left for the race Saturday afternoon.  Sticking with race tradition, I slept the whole way up to Milwaukee, two and a half hours of some wild dreams of cheese?  I later found out that my mom and sister were talking about all the cheese stores on the way up and making up names for them; Cheese Emporium, Cheese’s R Us, Xtreme Cheese.  Maybe this is why a talking cheese was the star of all my dreams.  

Once we got up at the event site, everywhere you looked there was someone with race numbers tattooed all over their body, or someone with their fancy time trail bikes.  I was in heaven!  It was awesome seeing everyone with their different bike set ups.  It definitely gave me some ideas on how to make Cecelia look even more amazing then she already is!  After I picked up my race packet, we walked around the expo area for a bit, then went to look at the swim course and transition area.  I started to get nervous.  All I could think of is, “This is it!  This is nationals. This is what you have been waiting for all summer.  What would happen if I didn’t do well?  What if I was DFL?”  All these thoughts were spinning through my head.  And let me tell you, this is not a good feeling to have right before your A race.  I just didn’t want to disappoint anyone, especially myself.  After putting Cecelia into the transition area, we went to the hotel.  As I was walking in (wearing some of my ABD spirit gear), I hear someone shouting,”Hey ABD.”  I come to find out the man calling my name and I had some mutual acquaintances.  We were standing in the hotel lobby for what had to have been 45minutes.  He was telling about the race course since he had completed the Olympic distance earlier in the day.  He had some good tips on what to watch out for and where the “slight hills” were.  A while after we started talking, his wife joined him and introduced herself.  She was telling me how she was in disbelief, when none other then  CHRISSY WELLINGTON placed the finishers metal around her neck and gave her a kiss on the cheek at the finish line!  omg… OMG!  Would Chrissy Wellington be at the sprint race?  I would die, DIE I tell you, if my idol was the one to put my finishers metal on me.  When I realized the time, I excused myself to find my parents.  My Mom was sure to be in a panic since she thought I was right behind her.   Before I left, they invited me out to Kansas to a race that they host and decided the wife would be my sherpa (one of the cutest/sweetest couples I have met)! 

The night before the race, my pressed in stone rituals could not have gone any worse.  We had to wait 45 minutes before getting seated for dinner, which we were already an hour behind for.  This threw off my scheduled bed time by almost 2hours.  That means I wouldn’t be asleep until almost 10:30pm.  Needless to say, I was mad at the world that night.  Once we finally got back to the hotel room, my family left to walk around the city and give me a chance to get to sleep.  I was very happy that I waited to listen to the “StuffYouShouldKnow” podcast from that week.  The sounds of the podcasters, Josh and Chuck explaining how diving bells work relaxed me so I could drift off to sleep.  This has become part of my race night/morning rituals, I listen to these podcast before every race to calm my nerves.  They always get my mind off the thought of racing with their knowledge of the most random topics.  I would kick some major booty at bar trivia! 

Race morning, my lovely mother wakes me up at 5:45am!!!!  I had nearly 3 hours before my wave went off at 8:55am.  What was I going to do with all that time?!?  I couldn’t fall back to sleep, so I changed into my tri-suit and gathered all my racing equipment in my clear baggy (no backpacks allowed) and headed down to transition with my Dad to set up.  Mom and Krystal would meet us there.  

Transition was set up with all the girls in my AG within 2 feet of each other.  It was curse and a blessing; I could scope out who was my major competition and who I wouldn’t have to worry about so much.  While setting up my area, I hear a women on the speaker announcing that there would be no swim warm-up from 7am-9am as scheduled.  @#%$!   Well, that’s one way to ruin my warmup plan.  FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC!  When I was done setting up, I walked back to the hotel to grab my road bike for my pre race warm up.  We were not allowed to take our bikes out of transition once they were in.  I road down the streets of the city for 30 minutes, I then would start the quest to meet my father and switch out bike for wetsuit…  I assumed we would met by the transition area because that would be the most logical place.  Nope, not in the mind of a stubborn male.   I was without my phone and time was ticking closer and closer to my start time.  I ended up asking a police officer to call my dad for me.  He was half mile away at the art building and was making no effort to look for me.  After we finally met up, I threw on Audrina (wetsuit), ate my bagel with peanut butter, and waited for Mom and Krystal.  

My nerves were beginning to fray.  I watched the competition talking and laughing with each other as I was trying not to throw up.  I was more nervous than a tick in a Lyme Disease research laboratory.  My Mom and sister showed up and tried to calm me down.   I was winding myself up into an anxiety attack.  Mom and Dad both gave me words of encouragement.  They told me not to worry and that it is still early in my triathlon career.  But nothing helped.  

It was time to get in the water.  A quick “Shake and Bake” and hug from my Mom and I jumped in.  I was thinking about the tips my coach gave me for the open water start.  With a two minute warning, we had to line up by the break wall.  As we were waiting, someone in the next wave nearly drowned.  Nice.  The air horn went off and it was time for me to go go go.  My plan was push myself and to draft off some of the stronger girls so I wouldn’t “shred” myself to the point of not being able to walk up the swim in ramp.  I finished 13th in my wave for the swim.  Not bad.  Once I was out of the water, it was a very long, long, long run to get poor Cecilia out of the corral.  I felt like I had an awesome transition.  It was very smooth and everything went perfectly.  All around me, there were people falling off their bikes, they couldn’t get their feet in their shoes and couldn’t get their shoes in their clips. (It was sort of entertaining in a sick way.)  

Once I was on the bike, I was ready to hit the “slight hills” that I was told to expect.  I have come to realize that not everyone’s idea of hill is the same.  These were by no means “slight hills”!  They were steep hills that went on and on and on.  Down the hills was lots of fun traveling at 30mph.  I was disappointed in my low watts but after talking to my coach, her other athletes watts were also low.  My bike was about two minutes slower than I wanted but with the hills I had to conquer, I wasn’t going to complain.  Off the bike and another incredibly long run to get Boss and Status (my running shoes).  Transition was smooth except for the fact that as I removed Darthette (super cool helmet), my beautiful French braid had come undone.  Now my hair was all over the place.  Luckily, I had on my fashionable bracelet/pony tail holder and was able to tame my tresses.  I started out on the 3.1 mile run.

I felt really good for the first mile.  I grabbed a cup of water and slugged it down.  Big mistake.  Same squat, different race.  You think I would learn my lesson.  Oh the cramps!  My stomach was in knots.  Noooooo!  I would walk for about 10-20 seconds than run again.  While I was running, I was pretty fast but that walking was killing my time.  I kept plugging along.  About a quarter mile from the finish, Dad and Krystal were cheering me on.  They told me the end was near.  I was so glad to hear that.  I saw the red carpet come into view.  I couldn’t walk now!  I had to push myself and run through the finish line.  I hit the carpet and heard my name.  Just past the finish stood my idol, the most inspiring, talented, determined, accomplished triathlete… Chrissy Wellington!  She was smiling this big British smile and in her lovely, lovely accent, praised me for my good race and placed my finisher medal around my neck and kissed my cheek.  I could have just died!  Even though such a beacon of inspiration stood at the finish line, I was still sad and disappointed in myself because I didn’t place and I did the one thing I did NOT want to do, walk during the run.  I began to cry and sob and blow snot onto my Mom’s arm as she hugged me.  Everyone told me how silly I was being and that I really did a great job, but I would have none of it.  

After I calmed down and looked at the results, it turns out I didn’t do so bad.  A talk with my coach boosted my moral.  There is a little “age up” rule.  It turns out I was in the top 10 for 20-24 year olds and earned a spot at the ITU World Championships in Edmonton, Canadanadana!  Now the question is, will I go or not.  I will have to do some major saving and possibly some fundraisers.  It would sure be an awesome experience.  

So with my A race under my belt, the season should be over, NOT.  I have a race every weekend through October.  I am really excited to finish strong and hopefully end up top 50 for my AG in USAT standings.  

 

P.S.A.  I really know how to spell Canadana. ;] 

 

Shout out to Prairie Path Cycles!!  Without them, I would not have been able to have such a strong season.  Also, thanks to the group rides and all the advice and support to help up my game.  I really listen and take all your words of wisdom into consideration when training.  

Copyright Katrina Mascarella 8/21/13