Truskavets, the world famous resort.

I am back to Ukraine, but still not at home. Just 2 days spending in Lvov and I went to a beautiful place, named Truskavets. It's the world famous place on the west side of Ukraine, very close to Carpaty mountains. I came here for few reasons: to have a good recovery after few hard races in US, to get rid of the stress I got from a long trip and from an acclimatization and the main reason is to clean my body with a special water. 

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Ironman Arizona, again 4th.

One week already passed after Ironman Arizona and it was very busy week for me: few days of rest in Phoenix, a beautiful trip to Grand Canyon and a long, very long journey back home to Ukraine. So, back to the Ironman last weekend: I think it was toughest condition of the weather during an Ironman race in my triathlon experience. Till last Sunday I thought I am good with the hot weather,but I was a bit wrong. A strong wind on the bike course was slowing me down sometimes to 23 km/h and after turn around it pushed me so hard and fast. It looked like I did a fartlek: 3 times 30 km. Even more than usually I looked forward to start to run. But with +93+97 degrees and almost no shadow ( just under the bridges) it wasn’t that easy and enjoyable at all. And honestly, on the each loop there was a spot when I just wanted to give up. But I am really glad I didn’t. And with a sprinting for 400m at the end of an Ironman, thanks Lensey Corbin who gave me this chance. I finished 4th at the Ironman Arizona 2008 behind Erika Csomor, Micheille Jones and Heither Gollnick. Now I am looking forward to the next races in Europe of cause after several days of recovery in my rainy but still beautiful city Lvov.

Results

2.4 Mile Open Water Swim - Tempe Town Lake

The Ironman Arizona is in less than one week from today. We went yesterday for the open water swim  in Tampe Town Lake. Almost 400 people were participating in that event. It was organized as a race, but most of the people who swam that day wanted just to try the Ironman swim course week before the Ironman, as well as me. I was worry at the beginning about swimming with 300 something people around ( didn't do it for a long time). But it wasn't that scary. The way out seemed to be so long to me, although I was really glad with my result at the end. I wish to have same swim time next Sunday. 

We'll see ;)

Results

California 70.3 and team Timex meet.

The first big race of this season is done. The women field this year and the previous years as well was really  strong. All big girls came to California at the beginning of a triathlon year to compete. It was great for me to be a part of that mix of the champions. After good training camp with my new family down in Clermont, Florida I felt pretty good,  although I didn't taper yet and I was still a little tired. The weather was nice and we were lucky that it wasn't raining on race morning. I was kind of ready for the cold water, I had some experience a several weeks before at the Great Escape triathlon in Clermont. But I still decided to wear a Blue seventy warm cam and, honestly, even with 15 degrees water temperature it felt hot. Thanks Blue seventy for saving our brains:) The Bike course was fast and flat, kidding, just few first miles were like that and then it turned out to the hilly routs with the strong head wind. I didn't feel very powerful at the end of the bike course and I was looking forward to start my favorite part of the race, a run. I thought before the event: " Even if I'll have a good race in California with this field it doesn't mean I'll be able to make top 8, but the small goal I had motivated me a little bit too: a new laptop, as a present from the prize money, if I would make some". I guess without my new "baby" you wouldn't read this blog.

The other nice gift after the hard race was a team Timex camp and meetings with new and old (not by age) family members. Unfortunately for me and possibly for somebody else ;) I wasn't able to join the guys and girls from the team for a party and a fun part of the camp. I hope I'll do better next time :) But I was very happy to see my team all together and happy.

Results

Pictures