IN THE MEANTIME

I always thought that once I get pregnant I'll have so much free time, but I guess it wouldn't be me if I didn't know how to fill up my free time and keep myself busy.

Project #1:
I had a chance to join the Retul Classes and to get certified as a Retul bike fitter. I really like the processes and an idea to help riders to get comfortable and sometimes to get rid of joints or muscles pain sounds great. I keep practicing and getting good experiences at Epic Cycles   fitting cyclists and triathletes on their favorite two wheelers.

Project #2:
For three months: December, January and February we organized a running program with a goal for runners to have a good start getting back in shape and for triathletes to start developing a base training for the long season of triathlon ahead of them. We had a few small races planned in our program with the final event, Gasparilla Half marathon. I am very proud of my athletes who finished the marathon on that hot day and had a great experience.

                                                                                                          

Project #3
Personal coaching. This one started last year and I am very happy how the progress going, my athletes are getting more into it and becoming more and more professional with the training, nutrition and recovery. They already started the season 2013:
Maria Lemeseva, PRO athlete from Russia did hew first race Abu-Dhabi International Triathlon, She improved in all three disciplines and got 4th overall female place on a short course.
Alixa Villalobos, first full year triathlete did her first sprint distance triathlon and finished 2d in her age group, we really need to work on her Transitions :-)
Stephen Crowley, my very first athlete keep making me proud with his progress

Project #4
Staying healthy through the pregnancy by getting enough exercising, eating healthy and stay positive and happy

I also picked up a hobby, photo shooting.

And of course plenty of baby books are filling up rest of my free time :-)
I could probably continue the list but something just came up and I have to go :-)))

BIG CHANGES

This is a little strange, that 2 years in the row I am trying to do Ironman
Arizona and something won’t let me do it. Even though this year the
reason to cancel my trip to Arizona was really great compare to the last
year when I got injured. So after the race in Augusta I was well
motivated and ready to go to do my last Ironman in the season 2012
with only few more weeks of hard training ahead of me. I was pushing
hard in the water swimming with coach Alec, riding hard couple long
rides and my running was coming alone. One part of my training was a
bit frustrating, why my recovery is so bad, after each hard workout I
felt like I just finished the race :-( and another thing was: Why I keep
gaining wait? Looked like my hormones were really messed up, but
why? Three pregnancy tests gave me a pretty clear answer: yes, I am
pregnant. To be honest I had mixed feelings, since this pregnancy
wasn’t planned for the next 1 or 2 years, but on the other side the time
was perfect and I always wanted to be a mom :-). I am 6 months
pregnant and we are very excited happy expecting parents :-).

I am having one in about 18 years long break, but I would love to come
back to racing again in 2014, I love the sport and I still have a passion
for the triathlon. For now I am just enjoying easy exercising, like an
easy swim, jog or yoga. So far I am having a smooth pregnancy, after
all I am the Healthy Triathlete :-) 

IRONMAN 70.3 AUGUSTA RACE REPORT

The race in Augusta is one of my favorite 70.3 races, as well as it is for another thirty four hundred people. I like this triathlon because the first year I did it I had a good race, I also like it because it is only driving distance from Clermont, the town where I currently live and train. And of course because the swim in Augusta is in the river with the current. 

Unusually for myself I wasn't very nervous before the start, mostly because the race season is coming to the end and I've gained some confidence through the year. 
Before the start I've had enough time for a good warm up and I even was able to do my regular pre race yoga routine 

Swim: It wasn't the large group of girls at the start, but not too small either, so I hoped I'll be able to find my little pack for the swim.... that didn't happened, and I ended up pulling someone else instead. 
T1: I got through T1 with no mistakes, until the very end. I was already getting close to the "bike mount" line and I heard some clicking noise at the front part of my bike. That was my bib number hanging on the aerobar :-(. I forgot to put it on. I had to stop completely and put the number where it belongs. 
Bike: I started the bike on the 9th position and felt pretty strong during the first part of the ride. Even though the weather wasn't hot, I tried to stay hydrated and stick to my nutrition plan. Second half of the bike segment I still felt strong, but also was able to pick up my cadence. Couple miles before coming into T2 I passed the third girl and was able to gain another 30" on her.
Run: Two girls ahead of me had gained several minutes on me and it was hard to catch them, my goal for the day was to hold my podium position. But seams like  Ann Cleaver, the girl I passed before T2 wanted to get it back. I couldn't get my run together into the first couple miles, and it was 30 sec, then 20 sec between us. Only after around 3 miles Into the run I finally broke the rope and started to gain the gap again, 30 sec, 40 ... And I kept pushing the pace, thanks to my boyfriend. I think he wanted to be sure that I secure my spot and I did. I finished the race 3rd with improving my time in all three disciplines and with 4h20 min 15 sec total time. 
I wouldn't be able to do it without my sponsors: Timex, QR, Shimano, Challenge tires, BlueSeventy; my support crew: Epic Cycles and TriStars and of course my coach: Alec Rukosuev