The Future Is Bright

"Call the man

Who deals in love beyond repair

He can heal the world

Of hearts in need of care

Shine a light ahead

When the next step is unclear

Call the man

He's needed here "

July 27th, 2011 was the day my dad was struck while riding his bike by a driver looking in his backseat.  I still can't believe I stood in a funeral home over a year ago at my own dad's funeral - - I was supposed to be home in just 1 week to spend a long weekend with him, he still has to see me race, see me graduate as a doctor, walk me down the aisle, and oh so much more.

Since that day I've had times when I've wanted to throw my arms up call my dad and know he'd have all the answers or know the right thing to say.  I've moved more than a few times in the past year - into a storage unit, down to Georgia, back to DC, to a new apartment in DC, etc.  In the past my dad has always been a huge helper when I've moved, whether into my first dorm or first apartment in DC he was there carrying mattresses and hanging curtains.  When I had to move my DC stuff into a storage unit I was overwhelmed.  It took 2 days of hauling car loads to the storage unit and then unloading the car and filling the storage unit.  I couldn't take it anymore, I had to finish so I would be ready to fly to Arizona the next day and be moved out of my apartment completely -- so I called on my dad to help me, to give me some energy to finish what seemed like in insurmountable task.

I've called on my dad many other times throughout the past year +.  One of those times being the last 2.2 miles of my Ironman.  The first 24 miles of the run I had energy, I had support, I had friends on the course.  As my energy drained and the finish line drew near I didn't want to walk.  I wanted to speed up, but 110 miles into a race, it's hard to just speed up.  At mile 24 my main run support headed to the finish line to be there when I came through - so I did the only thing I could think of at the time.  I asked my dad to carry me on Angelwings (the name of his sailboat) the last 2.2 miles. 

When the next step isn't clear and the tears come I know there will be a way.  As my dad said in an email the morning of the accident, "The Future Is Bright."  My mom has moved to Arizona for a year to go to film school - with of course the ultimate goal being to produce a film.  The film will be a documentary on safety for cyclists, distracted drivers, and most importantly saving lives.  The "Sorry mate, I didn't see you" excuse should not be plausible for taking a human life or severely injuring someone and it all to often is.  There is a long list of people who have been killed or severely injured while cycling and following the rules of the road - some were even targeted by the drivers.  Names you might recognize affected by this include:  Bradley Wiggins (2012 TdF Champion) - Hit November 2012, Sarah McLarty (Pro Triathlete) - Father killed 2011, Levi Leipenheimer (Pro Cyclist) - Hit, Bob Breedelove - Killed during RAAM.  This is only a small sampling of more notable people who have been in this type of accident.  This happens everyday all across America.  As driver's we all need to be more aware and share the road.  

In order to produce this documentary my mom is starting a fundraising project.  Below is a guest post from her and a link to the official fundraising page.  

End Distracted Driving Now-Save Lives!

My husband was killed July 27, 2011 by a distracted driver!

     Hello, My name is Judith Finneren.  My husband of almost 37 years was killed by a distracted driver July 27, 2011, while riding his bicycle.  We have 2 children, ages 25 and 30, whom I had to call the night the accident happened, and tell them what happened to their father.  I never want to hear that gut wrenching scream of pain from my daughters voice again and the dead silence of my son!

     My campaign is extremely important to me, so that not one other family has to experience the pain, loss and tragedy we did!  As I am creating this documentary film, I am also healing the pain of loss and helping to make the world a safer place for bicyclists.  As a contributor to my campaign, you will be part of helping my family heal the pain of loss, while increasing awareness and making the world a safer place for bicyclists.

     I need $5,000 to help produce this documentary film.  The money will be used to travel to various locations, such as Michigan, where the accident occurred, and Washington D.C. where several safe bike paths exist.  Interviews will take place with several organizations that work towards ending distracted driving and increasing bike safety.  Interviews with families of people killed while bicycling and injured bicyclists will be shown in the film.  I will need to pay a production crew with lights, camera and sound to travel.  Food, lodging and travel expenses would be funded by your contributions.  This film will touch your heart and soul!  It is a human interest story.  It is real.  It happened to my family.  

     If I do not reach my entire goal, the funds I do receive will help create the film anyway.  I may not be able to do all I want to in the film if all funds are not received, but it will still be created, produced, touch peoples lives and make a difference!  You may not be able to contribute financially and that is okay.  Please get the word out and share, make noise about this campaign-you will be touched and changed, and so will the world! 

Show your support and help make this dream a reality.

What the hell is that thing?

DCTC Crew - Stu, Dena, Myself, Adam

The Kent School Osprey Triathlon

"What the hell is that thing?!"

This wasn't your traditional triathlon at all.  The event was a bike, kayak, run - luckily you didn't have to bring your own kayak.  It was a fundraiser for the school so there were a lot of families and kids participating as relay teams.  This was by far the most relaxed and race I have ever seen.  Transition was an area of grass where people threw their stuff down.  The start line was an imaginary line through 2 hay bails the had set up.  Bike racking was - well just another area of grass near the hay bails.  There were 4 of us from DC Tri that went out to take part in the grueling 7 mile bike, 2 mile kayak, and 5k run.  We lined up in the front with our bikes with only a few seconds to spare before the announcer sent every one off over his megaphone.  Off we  rode about 3.5 miles out and 3.5 miles back.  The bike was over and done with in the blink of an eye and I was running to my kayak.  I saw the 1st place male only about 20 seconds ahead of me in the kayak.  My kayak goal was to catch him because knew he'd take me in the run no problem.  Through the 2 mile kayak I slowly caught up to him but not before this old dude in an outrigger jetted past both of us!  At the turn around I saw Adam and let him know how I felt about the fancy boat.  "Ahh, what the heck is that thing?!"  Totally not legal was my thought.  I came out of the kayak just 5ish seconds behind the now 2nd place male.  I pulled my kayak up to beach it dropped my life jacket and took off to start the 5k run.  The volunteers at the beach were pulling Adam's kayak up for him, yo what about mine, I'm the lady here!  I felt like I was running ok, but I had accidently left my hat on, no wonder Iwas sweating bullets.  I knew I probably wouldn't be catching the 1st or 2nd place males but I didn't want anyone catching me either.  About a 1/2 mile in a caught up to a young boy who was running as part of a relay team. When he looked back and saw me he took off sprinting.  This pattern continued for about 2 miles.  His mom was there telling him to take a break and walk if he need it.  He was having none of that - he was not going to let a girl pass him.  About 2.5 miles in I passed him, but next this I knew he's behind me talking to his dad and says, "it's time to gamble" and takes off again.  This kid was going to try to sprint it in about 1/2 a mile.  Good luck to him I thought.  A few hundred yards before the finish I caught him again.  By this time there was no way I was going to let this little shit beat me so I gave him a good little trip and took off to the finish with my arms held high.  No not really, actually instead of passing him I encourage him and stayed a step behind him the entire way in to the finish.

Overall Champs

It was a fun race and a cool setup afterwards with hot food and beer for everyone while we waited to the awards to start.  Our DC Tri crew took home 1st Overall Male and Female as well as a couple age group awards.  One of the best parts about this race is the location near the Chesapeake bay.  After the race we drove in through town and found a cute restaurant on the water to hang out at before continuing on the weekend adventure.

Augusta 70.3 Race Report

This was my 2nd trip to down south for Augusta 70.3.  In 2011 it was my first 70.3 and by far the longest race I'd ever done a year ago.  I set my goals high for the 2012 race - I'm more fit, more experienced, have raced much longer, have ridden and run much farther, and this would be my 3rd 70.3 race.  The two races previous I've been happy with, improving with each one.  I was told by some people that I would struggle being only 1 month our from IM Louisville - not once during the race did I feel tired, fatigued, or sluggish and blame it on Louisville.  Sure maybe if I hadn't done Louisville I could have had a better run in Augusta or I wouldn't be as sore now, but Augusta 70.3 is one of my favorite races and when I knew some newbies from DC wanted to head down I jumped on board right without much hesitation.

PRE RACE - SATURDAY

I met up with a couple friends, rocked my Canadian Tri Kit and headed down to the Savannah River for a practice swim.  The river was moving pretty well and I knew a swim time better than last year's could be possible.  Out of all the river's I've swam in the past couple years (Potomac, James, Ohio, Black, etc) the Savannah River is one of the cleanest.  I could see my hands through the water, I could see the wonderful seaweeds, and I could see feet in front of me.  We swam about 500m of the swim course and I felt great.  The water was just cool enough to be wetsuit legal.  Post practice swim I headed up to the expo for a short massage since I hadn't had time to get one in DC.  The massage was awesome and my hamstring felt way better afterwards.  Post massage I racked my bike (in the wrong spot :O whoops! just one digit off).  The rest of the day was spent napping, meeting up with an old friend from Southern, and finally capping it off with a pre race dinner I'm all too familiar with at Olive Garden. strategies

RACE DAY - SUNDAY

PRE RACE - 4:45 Wake Up

I plan out my entire race weekend prior to getting to the race site.  I leave plenty of time and space in the day or 2 before the race to make adjustments based on where and who I am with.  On race day, it's pretty by the book.  Wake up, change, eat breakfast.  Same breakfast as last year - Special K Red Berries, Almond Milk, banana, and peanut butter.  Yum. Loaded up all the car and hit the road by 5:15 AM.   Parked at the Inn on the run course that some DC Tri-ers were staying at and soon after headed to transition.  I was in transition by 6am inflating tires, reviewing in my head what nutrition I'd be taking and when, and if I had all the gear I needed.  I made my way out of transition and literally ran into one of my favorite patients that I treated at PTS in Acworth!  How amazing to see him and catch up, only if it was for a few minutes.  I decided to save my legs and take the bus the 1.2 miles up the road to the swim start.

RACE START - 7:30

Well the male pro's started at 7:30 and a lot of other people started after them.  My wave wasn't off until 9:04.  I had plenty of time to sit on the curb, chat with my friends, relax and eat half of an energy bar.  This is my least favorite thing about this race.  It is the largest 70.3 in the world and it takes forever to get all 25 waves into the water.  The time went by fast, before I knew it I was in my wetsuit standing under the arch, with only a couple more waves to start before me.

THE SWIM - 29:57

9:04 - we were finally off! I've busted my butt in the pool this year and as such expected that my swim time might be a minute or two faster than last years.  No such luck.  Good enough to still have a PR race result but not too happy as I saw the clock coming out of the water.  This year has not been a great swimming year.   I've spent 3 nights a week swimming was a Master's Program since May - I'm starting to believe I may be better off sticking to my own swim training.  The swim was a bit physical at the onset.  All women 18-29 started in the same wave.  Grabbing, kicking, punching, it all happened.  It was oddly enjoyable.

T1 - 3:38

The run into the transition area is a little long but at least there is wetsuit strippers.  My wetsuit was off with ease and I was on to get mister and take him for an awesome ride.

THE BIKE  - 2:38:56 (21.14 mph)

I love this bike course.  It's pretty much flat, rolling hills, flat.  My kind of course.  The southerners think the course is hilly.  I'm not sure where they got the idea that a total elevation of 476 ft  = hilly.  I was passing people the entire ride.   I started the ride with an aerobottle 3/4 full of water and a plastic sport top gatorade bottle full of Gu Brew in the back.  Once through the water I dumped the Gu Brew into the aerobottle and discarded the Gatorade bottle.   This made for simple bottle handoffs - or what should have been simple bottle handoffs.  The first two handoffs went great, the third handoff was a disaster waiting to happen.  As I snagged the water and got settled in to speed back up another chick cut in front of me to get something for herself, she also slowed way down and accidently unclipped her left foot.  There were people passing to our left and volunteers to our right.  I wasn't about to unclip or stop myself so I yelled, "pedal, pedal, pedal, please!"  In which she said something along the lines of "ahhh I don't know what to do!".  She gave me just enough room to skirt around her, crisis averted.  The course is great and takes you through some nice shady forest areas and over a couple bridges.  The course doesn't feel all that crowded until the last 10 miles or so.  This is where avoiding drafting and blocking became difficult.  I had passed 2 women (Penelope and ???) around the 45 mile marker and they weren't going to let me go.  They leap frogged me a couple times but it was obvious they could't keep up the pace. Every time they would pass me I'd pass them back within a minute.  As we crossed the bridge back into GA the course was so crowded the 3 of us were riding on the left the entire time passing others, passing each other, etc.  Soon we were making the final turn back into transition and before I knew it the dismount line was in front of us.  I had my feet atop my shoes ready for a moving dismount but the line was so congested I ended up having to pretty much stop before dismounting.

T2 - 1:36

I had a simple transition.  As I was bent over slipping into my running shoes I had the sudden urge to vomit...so I did.  I turned my head to the side and let go some Ironman Perform right as #3179 (Penelope) was racking her bike.  Luckily for her it was under where her back tire was hanging so it didn't get up in her TA.  I was much more comfortable after letting go of the Perform and grabbed my nutrition and hat and headed out for the run.

THE RUN - 2:00:46

I tried to start the run pretty conservatively, knowing that I went out way to hard on the same course the year before.  I was actually most disappointed with this part of the race.  I ran better than this at the Kinetic 1/2 earlier this year, I've let myself get away with running slow all year long.   The Kinetic 1/2 course is a much more difficult run course.  My goal for the run was 1:50.  Ten minutes off.  On a good note I felt great during the run and kept on top of my nutrition. I carried a small container with salt/electrolyte pills in it during the run and popped a pill a few times throughout the course.

OVERALL - 5:14:50

A PR.  A great time with friends.  I was initially disappointed with this result.  I know what two sports I'll be reuniting with this winter.  I spent a lot of time on the bike this summer.  I enjoyed every second of it and my bike splits have shown improvement, but I love running and I definitely did not spend enough time working on my running this year. I  may end my "tri" season on this note and let the body recover for a little bit - but there is a race on Saturday that is in my head...