I completed the practice tri yesterday at our coach's house. I think it went really well!! I completed the swim sub 15 and was the first out of the water and onto the bike route. My transition was madness! I got a major cramp in my hamstring when I jumped off my bike and started running so I took 2 salt tablets and that helped and worked really quickly so I was able to recover and complete the run. Hopefully that will not happen at Tri Latta, but if it does, I'll be prepared with more tablets! Going from one event to another was exhausting but it was SO MUCH FUN!
I am really excited for the next 3 weeks. I have $590 pending in my fundraising account, so I am still accepting ANY AND ALL donations. Every dollar counts, whether it's $5, $10, or $20 it brings me that much closer to reaching my goal!
Less than one month remains until my triathlon and LOTS to update on!
I've picked up my training the past 2 weeks since school is through, and I'm feeling more confident about my tri now that I'm able to work out without the added stress of exams and research papers. I was able to volunteer at the Lake Murray tri a few weeks ago and learned so much just watching the transitions. I've never seen such agile people, jumping onto their moving bikes, jumping off of them and breaking into a full sprint to get running shoes on.....it was quite the learning experience!
Since school has finished, I've shaved off about 5 minutes from my 2 mile run time! That AMAZES me! I also attended my first ever spin class at the Y (sad, I know--3 months of membership and I'm just NOW going to a spin class) and it felt really good. I now know what my optimal cadence is, and turns out I'm right on target!
I've also gotten to practice some open water swimming in Lake Murray. WOW does it feel different. It's a completely different world out there and felt nothing like swimming in a pool. I felt so disoriented swimming in Lake "Murky"...I couldn't see anything under the water except for my hands in front of my face. I really need to work on spotting without breaking my stroke!
My cookbook sales (http://www.rocharleston.wordpress.com) are coming along but I'm still about $800 away from reaching my goal. Please donate, every dollar counts!
There are a few other added bonuses for donating:
$30 donation- receive a Restaurants of Charleston cookbook
$20 donation- receive a FREE consultation/exam/xrays (worth $245!) at HealthSource Chiropractic (2 available)
$10 donation- receive a $5 off coupon to Carolina Ale House (2 available)
I finished a tri on Sunday!
Ok, so maybe it wasn't a full triathlon, but it was great practice and a good opportunity to get my feet wet. I did half the distance of the sprint tri, and that was ENOUGH! Getting off my bike and running, all I could think was, "What did I get myself into?!"
I swam the 300m just fine, and probably could have kept going but I wanted to save some energy for the bike. The bike went really well, and I actually think this will be my strongest leg....though I need to get to a point where I say that about each leg! Then the run....oh boy.
I can't imagine not taking the time to stretch after the bike! My legs felt so tight and even though I was only running 1.5 miles, I stopped to walk (I was passing a dog park and spotted a water fountain so I hung a sharp left and got some water!) about a quarter mile in and ended up walking maybe half the distance before I felt loose enough to run again. Bike to run is definitely going to be the toughest leg and the most mentally challenging part of the race. The whole experience was very exciting though, and I can't wait to get some open water practice tri's in before June!
Stephen and I participated in the Cooper River Bridge Run this past weekend with my family!
We broke every rule in the book! Stephen and I ate sushi the night before the race, didn't go to bed until midnight when we had to wake up at 4:30am, ate just a banana for breakfast and washed it down with just a little water, and tried Gu for the first time ever, 15 minutes before the race.
And I beat last year's time by 18 minutes. Stephen beat his by 40!
I'm definitely not going to experiment to this extent again, but at least I know my body can handle Gu!
I'm also announcing the release of my cookbook, Restaurants of Charleston!! I've been working on it for the past 2 months, and I can't believe I'm finally ready to start selling them! They are $30 each and proceeds will be donated to LLS. Each cookbook has recipes donated from chefs at a few of Charleston's finest restaurants. Visit my website to learn more about it and to order yours today:http://www.rocharleston.wordpress.com
I volunteered at the TNT tent today during the Downtown Triathlon. It was raining, windy, and 46 degrees outside! What happened to spring?!
These athletes were amazing! It was so much fun watching my first tri in action. I was set up at the finish line and was able to see the first group of runners pass by and watch them again as they crossed the finish line. What an inspiration.
I had a nice little set-up with a few give-aways, and may have recruited a team member!
My legs are killing me BUT I'm feeling much stronger! I went on another 21 mile ride yesterday and was able to keep up with the boys better than I expected (and more than they expected I think). We picked up the pace from the last ride and went through a few more hills....not Ft. Jackson, but baby steps!! The new gear I bought after the first ride made a huge difference and luckily my legs are the only things that are still hurting.
My LLS donations are beginning to trickle in and I am grateful and surprised by the generosity of my friends and family. I'm nearly moved to tears when I open each envelope because I picture the many children affected by leukemia each year, and how it's these donations that help their parents breath a little easier. This is for them.
I feel like I'm improving my running leg! I'm not getting tired as quickly, and I'm not sore after each run. I'm still not running very fast very far, but Stephen has been such a big help and huge motivator...I would be sittin' on the couch eating cookies if he didn't pull me up to go running with him every other day. Who says I need a personal trainer, I've got my boyfriend :-)
So since I've been going on runs with Stephen, he agreed to come swim laps with me at the pool...something he hasn't done in maybe 10 years! He is so good at pushing himself and making it all look easy even though he said he felt like he was drowning. I learn alot from him, so this week I'm going to really push myself over the 2 mile hump I seem to be stuck behind. I haven't gone on a long bike ride for a while so I plan on doing a 15-20 mile again this Sunday. Wish me luck, and continue to pray for me as I train...3 1/2 more months!!
My friends and family letters are signed, sealed, delivered! I am hoping for some generous hearts because I am still 97% away from my goal of $2,500!
As far as training goes: That 20 mile bike ride really did a number on me! I was sore for 3 days afterwards! So I've changed my saddle, purchased padded shorts (wow they feel weird), new gloves, and changed my handlebar tape. Even though my bike is about as old as me, it's lookin pretty good now. I also got in the water for the first time in MONTHS to work on swimming. After a painful bike ride and tiring run, I jumped in the pool and thought, "OK, ready to do what I do best."
I left the water dragging like a beached seal thinking, "...uh oh, and that's what I'm GOOD at!"
So I've got alot of work to do!
Week 1 of training is complete! Unfortunately, I was out sick for most of it and did not get much training in. I did a hilly 1.5 mile run and that kicked my butt! I was sore the next day...and I haven't been sore from running since last year's Bridge Run. But i guess that means I was doing something right ;-)
I started to feel better by the end of the week and did a 21 mile bike ride with Burton, Stephen, and Ashley. It was my first long ride with my bike and my bottom is paying for it today! It was good to know I can keep a good pace of 12 mph for a 20 mile out and back, and I can only get faster from here!
Melissa Vause is racing in a triathlon June 12, 2011!
Yes, Melissa, who could barely finish the bridge run last year is now attempting to swim, bike, run! I'm motivated and racing with my friends, Team in Training (TNT), a group created to race endurance events for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).
We all most likely know someone in our life that has been affected by cancer. My motivation is 5 year old Ian Lester of Charleston and Emilee McCoy of Columbia. If you think running a triathlon is tough, try chemotherapy! In the last 50 years, medical technology has grown by leaps and bounds through research funded by people like you and me.
There are two ways in which you can support me in this challenge:
1. Make a generous donation to support my participation in Team in Training and help advance LLS's mission. Donations are 100% tax deductible.
2. Encourage me and pray for me over the next few months. I will be keeping this website up to date with my training and fundraising progress.
Please let me know if there is someone you would like me to race in honor or memory of as well. I hope you will seriously consider joining our team for this race against leukemia. Thank you for your prayers, good wishes, and financial support as I move forward towards fulfilling my goal!
Restaurants of Charl... | $420.00 |
Bill & Melanie V... | $300.00 |
Wild Hare | $194.50 |
A K Allen | $150.00 |
Melissa Vause | $140.00 |
$139.83 | |
Melissa Vause | $100.67 |
Elaine Inigo | $75.00 |
Melissa Vause | $75.00 |
Bruce Lambertson | $75.00 |
Billy Fanning | $70.00 |
Pamela Jean Howard | $50.00 |
$50.00 | |
Parker Land Surveyin... | $50.00 |
Terry Torrence | $50.00 |
$50.00 | |
Janna Krofchick-Holl... | $30.00 |
Erica Kindl | $30.00 |
Joyce DeVeaux | $30.00 |
Casey Zuzak | $30.00 |
Sarah Phillips | $25.00 |
J A Inquimboy | $25.00 |
Nancy Arnold | $25.00 |
M L Niermann | $25.00 |
Amie Branham | $25.00 |
Renato Ancheta | $25.00 |
James Connelly | $25.00 |
Mr Wright | $25.00 |
Regina Veloso | $25.00 |
David Wagoner | $25.00 |
Amber Whitehead | $25.00 |
Patrick Johnson | $25.00 |
John Howard | $20.00 |
Eugene Alaura | $20.00 |
Kim Bristow | $15.00 |
Mary Frances Kennedy... | $10.00 |
Helen Tharp | $10.00 |
Ethel Thompson | $10.00 |
Henry Porter | $5.00 |
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The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is a global leader in the fight against cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is a 501(c)(3) organization, and all monetary donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by tax laws. Please check with your financial advisor if you have more questions.