On the morning of July 4th, Marie-Hélène hosted Team Envision for a sprint distance training tri. We swam in Upper Mystic Lake, and then biked and ran on the Minuteman Trail. We even practiced transitions in her garage. It was a lot of fun and a great tune-up for Mass State. A post-training pot luck brunch capped off the event perfectly. Thank you for hosting, M-H!
Marie-Helene’s Race Report:
LOVED IT. Learned new things.
Swim: It was a smart start or rolling start. This was a first for me. It was a bit challenging because you are surrounded by people your speed, washing machine style. It would normally have made me panic, but I didn’t. I mastered my emotions, got kicked a bit, but I knew I had this. I meditated before getting in the water, which helped. I came out of the water, laughing and chatting with folks and screaming woot woot in the transition. I might have also screamed “I loved this sport”…lol
Bike: A challenge! Very hilly. The first 13 miles were climbing, but I was expecting it. I’m glad I went to Mont-Tremblant 2 weeks before – I was ready. The first hill, my brake got stuck on my wheel and didn’t realize it until mid-way through. I was wondering why it was that hard! lol. I finished the hill anyway, pulled over, fixed my wheel and carried on! I did forget to put on sun screen before getting in the water, so I carried my sunscreen and stopped once to put it on. I waited because another triathlete needed sunscreen so I offered mine. I’m not that competitive, helping and chatting with this great crowd of folks trumps any performance objectives…
Run: My favorite part that I always look forward to. It was 100f…pretty toasty and hilly. It didn’t stop me. I actually finished strong and laughing all the way through!
Next race, Mont-Tremblant full Ironman!
Liz’s Report:
Despite the cold, gloomy March weather on Sunday, the ladies of Team Envision were out in force at this year’s Race-Mania Expo. Zabeth, Sandra, and Liz arrived early to set up a cheery, welcoming booth to provide a space for team members to drop their belongings, have a snack, and chill, as well as talk to prospective new members about Team Envision. The BU Rec center was full of promoters hawking their wares and providing information about upcoming races. Great lectures on topics of interest to endurance athletes such as nutrition, injury prevention, and performance improvement were on going. Several team members attended clinics such as Swim Smooth, Yoga for Triathletes, Chi Running, and cycling time trials; while other members took advantage of free massage, acupuncture, cupping, and Normatec boots.
In addition to having a great time and getting lots of swag, we were also able to talk to many women about the benefits of joining a triathlon team. About two dozen women signed up for more information and took a coupon good for a free drop in ride, swim, or clinic.
This was my first time at the event and I got a lot more out of it than I expected. I’m not much of a shopper, but there was a good selection of merchandise for triathletes, including used wetsuits at a great low price. The lectures and clinics got great reviews by those who attended, and it was great to see other triathletes and potential triathletes get excited about Team Envision. Definitely a must-do for next year.
Heading to Race-Mania? Check your virtual goody bag for a Team Envision registration discount. Don’t forget to stop by the red Team Envision tent to say hi and receive an additional coupon. See you there!
Strength training is an essential part of training leading into race season to build your baseline fitness and avoid injury. Team Envision sponsor Will Karousis of Tri-Hard Endurance Sport Coaching coached us through great workout at Naomi’s Basement Studio.
Team Envision members have been enjoying weekend indoor cycling workouts sponsored by Roy Cervantes at Grace Bicycles in Holliston this winter. We bring our own bikes and set them up on Roy’s CompuTrainers for a spirited ride through Lake Placid, French Valleys, Mallorca, SoCal, and some of the alpine stages of the Tour de France. Sessions last 90 minutes and we often take a team run on the bike trail behind Grace Bicycles after, to make a brick.
Team Envision swim members enjoy weekly swim workouts at Draper Pool. Thanks to our swim coach, Becky Paige, for keeping us in shape!
Nathalie’s Race Report:
There were 4 of us racing. We got rooms in a motel on the main street, very near the transition area, perfect spot! Very early morning we were off to setup in the dark and crossed path with fellow TE member Sara B. After setting up, we went back to the rooms to wait out the start and use private restrooms, what a luxury!
The start for the swim is near the Old Orchard’s pier, it is really a lovely spot. We walk to it from transition, so about half a mile. It is the first race I experience a rolling start, the line is long, but we are chatting and it goes fine. The swim course is point to point, the water is calm and not too cold (it was much colder the day before). In the water, I feel more crowded than with the traditional group start, and as a slow swimmer I get passed all the time… I am glad when I am done. The transition is a bit long from the beach to the bike, but they have put down carpets so it is not uncomfortable on our feet. And the suit strippers are there, I really like that…
The bike course is very pleasant, a lot of shade, not too much wind, and the rolling hills are really manageable: after mile 22 it is mostly downhill. I know the course because we came and did it two weeks before, that makes a big difference, and I am having a good time.
The run is an out-and-back, very flat, nice views, mostly shaded and good surface, particularly on the Eastern Trail. I was worried about the run because of plantar faciitis which has been quite painful for months, I just got a cortisone injection ten days before the race to up my chances of completing it. And indeed the run went well considering the circumstances, and I really liked the course.
My race goal is three fold: to enjoy the experience (yes!), to be under 7 hours (6h53mn) and less than one hour behind my husband (I failed that one as he finished in 5h41mn). But let’s be honest, here is the best part about the race: the lobster fest!
Liz’s Report:
On Sunday evening following December’s first snowstorm, the Team Envision women met for the annual Holiday Lights Run. Anika generously allowed us to use her Downtown Crossing office as a base to store clothing, use the restroom, share snacks, etc. Once gathered, we began our run passed Macy’s Santa up to the Boston Common. Trees surrounding the Common were lit with colored lights giving the snow that still lay on the branches a festive glow. The famous Nova Scotia Tree was large and bright next to the stating rink where a Zamboni was hard at work.
The runners crossed Charles Street and entered the Public Garden. The paths were a bit slippery, but the evening was relatively mild and we successfully dodged holiday pedestrians. After the Public Garden, we entered the Commonwealth Avenue Mall and were delighted that Roy Moore was not there picking up teenagers. Bad joke. But it was a lovely sight as the trees along the central path were lit with white lights creating a tunnel effect.
At the 1.8 mile mark, we turned around and headed up the long hill to the state house and then down Beacon Hill to Government Center, where runners and walkers reconnected. After some exploration of the Winter Market, the runners continued through Quincy Market to the Waterfront Park and took an epic picture. Then we made our way back to Anika’s office to regroup and change of a post-run/walk dinner and drinks.
