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Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Caesar Rodney Half Marathon…Phew!!

The first race of the season is always a test to see how one has fared through the winter with training…or a lack thereof!  After my ankle injury in January, I wasn’t sure I would make it to the starting line of this one, but it being one of my favorites, as I like to say, “It is what it is!”  The result was much better than expected: no pain in the ankle and only 1 ½ minutes slower than last year.  Phew!  March’s unpredictable weather always makes this race interesting.  Past race conditions have presented in the 20’s and windy, in the 40’s and rainy and in the 70’s and sunny.  What would this year bring?  With temps topping out in the low 40’s, blue skies and sunny conditions, one had to count their blessings!

The Caesar Rodney course is notorious for its blistering fast first mile (downhill) and its slap-in-the-face last mile (uphill).  One might say at the half-way point, “Wow!  This is going to be the fastest half marathon of my life!”  Oh, contraire!  The second half of this gem is the real test: an uphill, switch-backy jaunt through Rockford Park.  Fortunately, the lack of hill repeats training all winter didn’t turn the legs to lead as quickly as I thought!  This year’s course had a few alterations, which the veterans of the race claim made it slightly more difficult (a fabulous explanation for slightly higher times!). 

On-course, note-worthy extremes included the lovely waterfront and boardwalk followed by a pile of trash near a warehouse with a lot of barking dogs (one could only guess what was going on inside!).  Also, I was very excited to be sporting the HCM singlet for the first time and was able to see/meet a few of the other Endurance Team Challenge members at the race.  It was very inspiring to hear “Go HCM!” and to think about the common goal that we are all striving for through our racing.  All-in-all, an enjoyable ride for me with a finish time of .  Phew!

Monday, March 14, 2011

February's Training (Back to Running!)

Here is a look at February's training.  Fortunately I was able to start running again in the second week...like a limping turtle!

Sunday Jan. 30-Saturday Feb. 5
Swim: 3000 yds.  Bike: 42.2 mi./120 min.  Elliptical: 30 min.  Climbing: 2 days  XC Skiing: 70 min.

Sunday Feb. 6-Saturday Feb. 12
Swim: 3300 yds.  Bike: 31 mi./105 min.  Run: 5.7 mi./50 min.  Climbing: 2 days

Sunday Feb. 13-Saturday Feb. 19
Bike: 57 mi./3:15  Run: 64 min.  Climbing: 1 day

Sunday Feb. 20-Saturday Feb. 26
Swim: 2500 yds.  Bike: 44 mi./2:30  Run: 107 min.  Climbing: 2 days  XC Skiing: 65 min.

January's Training (What Sprained Ankle?!)

Here is a snapshot of my training for January.  I had a bit of a setback when I sprained my ankle the first week, so I had to improvise a little.  The injury has taken a good 2 months to heal, so hopefully that will be the only one this year!!  FYI, the "climbing" is doing rock wall routes at Go Vertical rock gym.

Sunday Jan. 2-Saturday Jan. 8
Swim: 6500 yds.  Run: 90 min.  Climbing: 2 days

Sunday Jan. 9-Saturday Jan. 15
Swim: 7950 yds.  Elliptical: 25 min.  Climbing: 2 days

Sunday Jan. 16-Saturday Jan. 22
Swim: 4300 yds.  Bike: 41.6 mi./137 min.  Climbing: 2 days  Yoga: 30 min.

Sunday Jan. 23-Saturday Jan. 29
Swim: 2500 yds.  Bike: 42 mi./140 min.  Climbing: 2 days  XC Skiing: 3 hrs.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Then and Now

I am very excited to begin my 6th year competing in triathlon.  When I think about my racing career thus far, I always like to reflect on the “learning experiences” from my very first tri (swimming in 60-degree water with no wetsuit, wearing a Camelbak on the bike, running bow-legged because my bike cadence was too low) to remind myself of how much learning and growth is possible.  Last year I was able to compete in the 70.3 World Championships in Clearwater, FL which was an absolutely amazing and humbling experience for me.  I really credit triathlon and endurance sports for helping me not only to achieve my personal best, but to develop enduring relationships with friends and training partners as we challenge each other through all of the triumphs and setbacks.  My triathlon club (Philadelphia Triathlon Club) and running club (Wissahickon Wanderers) have been invaluable connections and represent a complete lifestyle transformation for me.  As I look forward to new challenges this year, I am dedicating my 2011 racing season to my dad who is battling mesothelioma cancer.  My dad is a great encourager and support to my athletics and I wouldn’t be where I am today without his example and leadership.  Through his inspiration, I will be racing to support families affected by cancer through HCM Foundation.  All that being said, with my past reflections and present inspirations, I am ready to give 2011 everything I’ve got!   

Date               Name of Event                                        Result
11/13/2010    Ironman 70.3 World Championship       5:10:59; 55th in age group
09/12/2010    Delaware Diamondman Half-Iron Tri      5:00:25; 4th female overall
07/18/2010    Anthracite Tri (Olympic)                       2:35:07; 1st in age group
07/11/2010    Musselman Half-Iron Tri                       5:15:23; 2nd in age group
07/10/2010    Musselman Sprint Tri                           1:27:14; 1st in age group
06/26/2010    Philadelphia Triathlon (Olympic)            2:18:21; 1st amateur female
06/13/2010    Eagleman 70.3                                     5:17:15; 10th in age group
05/23/2010    Columbia Triathlon (Olympic)                2:33:16; 3rd in age group

"My father didn't tell me how to live, he lived and let me watch him do it." -Kelland

This year I am privileged to be granted the opportunity to make a difference in our community by taking part in the 2011 HCM Endurance Team Challenge.  HCM Foundation is a grass-roots charity that tackles cancer head on – helping families significantly impacted by cancer through directly providing them with things like food, assistance with health benefits, rides to and from treatment – day to day things that really make a difference.  I am thrilled to be a part of this amazing team of endurance athletes dedicated to supporting families struggling with the impact of cancer in their lives.  As many of you can relate, when cancer affects a loved-one, it impacts an entire system of family and friends.  

Reaching out to families impacted by cancer is an endeavor that is especially close to my heart.  In conjunction with supporting HCM Foundation, I am dedicating my 2011 racing season to my dad who is diagnosed with mesothelioma (cancer of the lining of the lungs).  My dad is a great inspiration and support to my athletics, and was himself an accomplished collegiate basketball player, basketball and baseball coach and most recently an avid cyclist.  One of his most inspirational endeavors was biking across the state of Michigan (both west to east and south to north) on a tandem bike with a friend of his who is blind.  My dad is a person who has selflessly shared his genuine spirit, giving heart and positive attitude with everyone he has encountered throughout his life.  He inspired countless people in his career as a teacher and probation officer.  Over the past six years he has traveled over 30,000 miles in the state of Michigan as a Prison Outreach Volunteer, serving as a mentor and friend to over 40 inmates.  He also corresponds to each of them on a monthly basis.  He has also generously given his time and talents through a local nursing home ministry.  My dad’s strength, support and encouragement are aspects of him that I will carry with me as I race this year and aspire to pass them on to others facing the challenges of cancer in their own lives.

It is my desire that our team’s racing and fundraising efforts this year will help bring some joy and hope to families impacted by cancer through activities which have had such a positive impact on my own life.  Thank you so much for taking the time to consider a donation to HCM Foundation.  Every little bit counts and your generosity is most appreciated.  Your support keeps me motivated to work even harder!  I will continue to provide you with updates throughout the year as to how your donations are being used and on the progress of the families you are impacting.  Thank you once again for your encouragement and support.  I could not do it without you!  To donate, please check out my fundraising page:  http://www.active.com/donate/hcmteamchallenge/pollyjansen


More About HCM Foundation:
HCM Foundation is a non-profit organization that builds meaningful, comforting and long lasting relationships that support families who are significantly impacted by cancer.  When cancer enters into the life of one person, it enters into the lives of their entire network of family and friends.  HCM Foundation is the compassionate link within the community that keeps this network together, motivated and strong.  For more information, go to: www.hcmfoundation.org