Team Believe--Take Two!

Well...here we go again!

I've officially committed to being a member of Team Believe for the second year.  Just like last year, I'm excited! (And maybe a little nervous.)  Yeah...raising money isn't "comfortable" for me (and for many people!).  However, raising awareness and funds so that the incredible kids and families I've personally met and worked with at Easter Seals can continue to receive life-changing therapy services...that's something I can get behind.

Me with JB, close friend and fellow Team Believe runner

 This year, Team Believe has 5 runners training for the Chicago Marathon and 10 runners training for the New York City Marathon while raising money and awareness for Easter Seals.  On top of training to run a marathon (that's 26.2 miles...and for some of our runners, it will be a FIRST marathon!), each of us has committed to use our running to raise funds and awareness for the children and families served by Easter Seals.

Easter Seals exists to provide exceptional services to ensure that people with disabilities and their families have equal opportunity to live, learn, work and play in their communities.  Easter Seals is committed to providing quality therapy services and family support.  As a pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist I feel strongly that family involvement is key for optimal progress in children's development.  At Easter Seals, therapists work closely with families so that they are able to facilitate carryover of therapeutic techniques into their daily lives at home, school and elsewhere.

I've written extensively about my affiliation with this incredible organization (that now spans the past seven years).  If you're interested HERE is my re-cap from last year's NYC Marathon, which I ran as a member of Team Believe.  Last year, I was able to personally raise over $6,000 (with they help of many of you reading this...THANK YOU!) and our team as a whole raised over $50,000!  Also check out my previous blog entry "The Kids of Easter Seals Need our Help" to learn more about these kids I do so love!


Click HERE to check out my fundraising page (kudos to those working on fundraising pages at Easter Seals...these seem to be more user-friendly thank last year's!  Additionally, there are no administrative fees!).

Stay tuned...I will be posting periodic training updates as I work through my post-winter-training-slump and build back up to the big twenty-six-point-two!  Thank you for reading...and thanks for your support of the Kids!

~Rachel

Post 2013 NYC Marathon!

Back in the Saddle

Well hello there blog-land.  I took a bit of a hiatus from writing...sheesh it looks like it's been 3+ months since my last (exuberant) post in which I announced my acceptance into the Rev3 Age Group Team for 2014.  Frankly, I haven't felt much like writing....mostly because I haven't done enough training/racing-wise to warrant writing these past few months.  After completing my first Ironman in September and running the NYC Marathon in November, I needed a break.  I know there are some people who don't require a mental and physical break from strenuous training (and I ADMIRE them...and am even a little jealous!), but I learned this past fall/winter that I am not (yet?) one of them.  Certainly the HORRID winter that plagued much of the US didn't help my mental state/motivation much either.  Anyway, instead of being hard on myself over my slacking I've decided to just accept my need for a break and move on.

Did I do anything notable with my "spare time" when I wasn't training these past few months?  No, not really.  I did keep up with yoga (though after 2.5 years of practicing, I frustratingly STILL cannot rock a headstand or handstand.  ARGH!) and did a lot of riding on my trainer (including days 1-7 of the 9-day Tour of Sufferlandria...yeah, I know, it doesn't really count to say you participated without successfully completing the entire thing :)).  But, I gave up on running (aside from one pool run and one 30-minute run/walk during one of the few above-zero-degree days in January) and swimming until recently. 

I swam my first swim workout in months one week ago...2000 yards swam as 4x500yds.  It felt AWESOME getting back into the pool...in spite of the fact that I had read THIS somewhat disturbing and definitely disgusting article just the day before.  I re-visited the pool today with my friend Sarah.  She is registered for her first triathlon just two months from this weekend...the Tri-Shark.  Today I gave her a few hopefully-helpful pointers to consider as she continues prepping for this exciting endeavor.  Helping others with their training is a humbling experience.  While I feel like I still have SO much to learn and improve upon in the triathlon world, I know that I do still possess knowledge and experience that others can learn from.  Sharing these things and seeing others get excited about the sport is one of my favorite things :).  I am so thrilled that Sarah is stepping out of her comfort zone and committed to accomplish this new challenge...and I can't wait to watch her triumphantly cross that finish line!

I ran my FIRST race of 2014 today with my good friend Kelly!  Our local Fleet Feet store put on a 10k supporting a local charity and I was excited to participate (in spite of the fact that I had run only approximately 29 miles since the New York City Marathon over four months ago).  Kelly and I planned to run at a laid-back pace, which we did (until we were about 50 yards from the finish when Kelly sprinted like she was being chased by a murderer).  It was great to be outside, soaking up some Vitamin D after an especially long winter.  Spending time today with many of my area tri-friends made me get more excited for the rest of the 2014 season ahead.

Other new/somewhat random tidbits from my past few months (some racing-related, some just life-related):

-I traveled to Manassas, VA earlier this month to attend the Rev3 Age Group Team Summit.  This was an exciting three-day period of meeting my new teammates from around the country and learning more about the company and about our sponsors.  Additionally, we received some useful training on using social media.  I am extremely excited and honored to be included in this impressive group of people and can't wait to spend more time with my teammates at many Rev3 events over the coming months.

-I made the decision to pursue my doctoral degree in Special Education at Illinois State University (I am in the VERY early stages of this...I submitted my application this past week and registered for my first class this coming summer; I was allowed to register for the class even though I haven't technically been accepted to the program yet.  I still need to re-take the GRE prior to my application being considered "complete."  Gross!  I took it in 2007 prior to starting my Master's program, but apparently scores are only good for 5 years.  Wish me luck...this could get ugly ;)).

-I re-started going to counseling and found a new therapist whom I LOVE.  Let me tell you what, making the decision to take care of my mental health has been one of the best ones I've made these past few years...and I encourage anyone struggling to not be afraid to seek out professional help if and when needed!

-I am all registered for Rev3 Dells on June 22, 2014.  My sister Megan and I are doing the 70.3 relay together...I will be doing the swim/bike legs and she will bring us home on the run!  We're planning to make it a mini-family vacation and I am really looking forward to it and can't want to share Rev3 with my family for the first time.

-I am officially a member of Team Believe, a team of marathoners raising money for Easter Seals, for the second year in a row.  This year, I will be running in the Chicago Marathon on October 12 with 4 other teammates who are also passionate about the kids and mission of Easter Seals.  10 additional runners will be running for the kids of Easter Seals at the NYC Marathon in November.  If you're interested, read about my adventures at the 2013 NYC Marathon as a member of Team Believe HERE.  If you're local, come check out the inaugural Run, Walk and Roll event (5k and 1 mile) with me on April 19 to raise money and awareness for Easter Seals of Central IL.

While much of my 2014 season is still up in the air (HERE are my tentative ideas from last fall, some of which have already changed), I'm excited about all that is to come and am eager to start putting in some more focused work toward my goals.

That's all for now!  Thanks for stopping by...and happy training!

~Rachel Lynn

2014 Team Rev3!

I've been going crrrr---aaaaaa---zy over the past few weeks...waiting for Rev3 to make the announcement regarding who was on their 2014 Age Group team!  Turns out...it hasn't been just a one-day announcement.  They've had fun with this one, dragging it out over weeeeeks (and they still aren't quite done!!).  Cool for those behind the scenes, somewhat excruciating for those of us waiting to hear the news!

Each day since Tuesday, December 10 Rev3 has been revealing 3-5 team members for 2014...here was the one posted on their Facebook page today.  Apparently my true colors are revealed to the world with this pic.  HA!

I am honored, elated, surprised, nervous, giddy...super pumped to be able to officially announce that I am a member of the 2014 Team Rev3!  I wrote a bit about my desire to be on the team after I applied in a blog post here.  Rev3 is an incredible organization that puts on seriously awesome events.  Here is a great video that tells more about Rev3. 

"It really is wonderful to be able to use Rev3 

as a vehicle to help other people.  

It just doesn't make me any happier than that."  

~Charlie Patten Jr., Rev3 Founder

I'm still in a fair amount of disbelief that I was chosen to be a part of this team.  I've been getting to know some of the other team members via social media...and they are all awesome, impressive people with great stories to tell.  I am looking forward to getting to know them each better, meeting everyone in person and racing together over the 2014 season.

Being a part of the team will help push and motivate me to be a better and stronger athlete.  It will also help me be able to continue to encourage others to check out the sport of triathlon to see how it can impact their lives for the better.  While triathlon is a big part of my life, it isn't my whole life (though sometimes during the intense training months of the summer I may need a few reminders!).  Rev3 recognizes that it is important to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle while continuing to nurture the other areas of your life (family, friends, career, etc.) as well as triathlon.

I posted here about my tentative race plan for 2014...it's still very much a work-in-progress, but one thing is for certain:  it will include many Rev3 events.  And, I hope to see you at some of them! Comment below if you have any questions about attending an event with me.  Bring it on, 2014!

Looking forward to proudly sporting that blue R during the 2014 season!

2014 Race Plan (a Work-in-Progress)

I have been playing with race plans for next season in my head and on paper for over a month now...and I think it's time to get something written out to hold myself accountable.  I've gotten a good start on it, but there are still some "unknowns."

I have registered for one race in 2014 thus far...the Tri Shark sprint-distance triathlon in Hudson, IL on May 31.  This is the only thing for me, race-wise, that is set in stone for next season.  Other than that...I am not completely sold on my schedule yet...but here it is (reminder: somewhat tentative!)~

1.  Saturday, April 25:  Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon/Urbana, IL
HISTORY:    I ran my first half marathon at this event in 2009 with my sister (in 1:57).  I credit this event with kick-starting my endurance event habit!  Therefore, I try to make it a priority each year.  I ran the event in 2010 (seven minutes faster; 1:50!) and registered again to run in 2011...but unfortunately had a stress fracture in my left foot and couldn't run.  I also ran in 2012, so including this year's event I have run it 4 times.  I'd like to make it 5!  It would also be great to earn a PR.  My current half marathon PR is 1:46.49.
GOAL:  1:40 (big jump...I know.  Go big!)

2.  Sunday, May 18:  One thing is certain...I will do SOMETHING this day.  However...I am currently torn.  The two possibilities are:  Rev3 Knoxville OR Run River City (Peoria, IL).  This will be a really tough decision for me.  I completed the 70.3 relay at Rev3 Knoxville in 2013 and would love to do it again in 2014.  It was an AWESOME kick-off to my triathlon season, plus Rev3 events are frankly unparalleled.  However, Run River City has a special place in my heart.  This past season, I ran in the inaugural Run River City event...I completed the marathon distance after signing up just the day before.  This event was one of the most pivotal in my racing "career," as it is where I had my "chance meeting" with random-stranger-turned friend Jenn.  So...I will either do a 70.3 relay at Rev3 Knoxville OR the half marathon or full marathon event at Run River City with Jenn.  Serious thought will go into this decision!
GOAL:  TBD

3.  Saturday, May 24:  Tri for Kids Sake (sprint distance triathlon, pool swim)/Morton, IL
HISTORY:  This year I finished in 1:21:22.9, which was 3 1/2 minutes faster than my time the previous year (2012).  I even got 3rd overall female at the 2013 event!  In 2012 signed up to complete the event just a few days before the event...having just signed up for my first 70.3 in Branson later that season and realizing I needed to get my butt in gear and figure out this triathlon business!   
Fun fact:  when I did the Tri for Kids Sake event in 2012 I hadn't been in a pool for approximately 6 months prior to that.  Ha!
GOAL: 1:15, and getting an overall or age group award would be pretty sweet as well!

4.  Saturday, May 31:  Tri-Shark Classic (Sprint distance triathlon)/Hudson, IL
HISTORY: This year I finished in 1:27:07.3 and earned 5th in my age group.  Next year I should be much faster...I know I finished this season with the skills to ride 13 miles in WELL under 43 minutes (what I rode the Tri Shark course in during the race last year).  Additionally, last year's event was turned into a duathlon (run-bike-run) due to dangerous water conditions.
GOAL:  I'm shooting for more in the 1:15 range for next year, and would like to get 3rd or higher in my age group.

5.  Sunday, June 15:  Rev3 Williamsburg (70.3)/Williamsburg, VA
This race will be a NEW one for me!  This fall I applied to be a member of the Rev3 Triathlon Team and I recently found out that I am a semi-finalist in the process!  There were approximately 600 applicants...and from that pool 50 of us were chosen to move forward in the selection process.  I'm nervous/excited/hopeful and am looking forward to early December when they announce who the 15 final candidates are (before 8 are chosen!).  Regardless of the outcome, I am planning to participate in the 70.3 event at Rev3 Williamsburg.  Not only is the venue gorgeous, but this year's medal was just AWESOME...I'm hoping next year's is just as cool!  Check this out:

Something like this must be added to my collection!

GOAL:  My goal for the 70.3 is sub-6 hours.

6.  Sunday, June 22:  Rev3 Dells (70.3 relay)/Wisconsin Dells, WI
Back-to-Back 70.3 events?!  Why not?! Well...because I am not quite THAT hard-core, I will likely do the Dells event as a relay.
HISTORY:  I participated in this tons-of-fun event this past August on a relay team and got 1st in the female relay team division!  I did the run and friends Melissa and Martha did the swim and bike, respectively. 
GOAL:  TBD, depends on if I do the full 70.3 event or if I do the relay...and if so, which leg(s)! 


That at least gets me through April, May, and June!  I will add in 1-2 additional Rev3 events, likely Rev3 Cedar Point on Sunday, September 7 (most likely the 70.3...though to be completely honest the idea of doing the 140.6 at this event is rolling around in my crazy skull...) and Rev3 Florida in November (sun in November?!  YES PLEASE!).

I also need to put some serious thought/planning into my marathon schedule for next year.  I now have 10 marathons under my belt and am 8 states into the 50 States Challenge (working toward completing a marathon in every state!)!  I will obviously keep working on toward that goal over the coming years, though I am not quite sure yet when/how in 2014.  There's a tentative possibility that I would run the full marathon at the 2014 Run River City event...and I've also had a friend mention to me that I should do the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon with him and some of his friends on April 27...and another friend has suggested the Salt Lake City Marathon on April 19.  I am hopefully planning to register for the Chicago Marathon (taking place in October of 2014).  October of 2014 will be the 5 year "anniversary" of my first marathon...the 2009 Chicago Marathon...which makes registering for the 2014 Chicago Marathon quite motivating and sentimental for me.  Obviously, running another marathon in the great state of IL (Run River City and/or Chicago) does nothing as far as furthering my count in my 50-states quest...but running some more local, more familiar races could also allow me to focus more on a long-standing goal:  qualifying for the Boston Marathon.  Hm.  So many possibilities to consider...

While this isn't set in stone and clearly I have some more thinking and planning to do...it's a start.  I'm a lover of lists, so it feels good to have something recorded to at least start with.  Seeing as I am still rocking a boot on my right leg (almost to the three-week point now...so hopefully halfway done), I need to continue to focus my thoughts and energy on getting healthy and on cross training through this winter to get me stronger and ready to race in 2014!  Bring it, 2014!

I'm quite open to suggestions for races to add to my 2014 schedule, particularly July/August events...let me have 'em!  Happy training!