Blog entries

Blog- Jan 23, 2012

Joella Baker — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:25:58 +0100

I have to admit, I'm terrible at keeping up with my Blog. It's always been a goal of mine to update it weekly, but like so many things we want to do on a regular basis, it doesn't get done. I get on my athletes if they don't stick to a plan, I get on my son if he doesn't study, practice his guitar or do his homework, but somehow, I can't commit to writing my own blog.
I'm not one to believe in New Year's Resolutions. Most people fail at these resolutions. Right now our YRead More...

Training for ITU Long Course Worlds with a Lupus Flare Up

Joella Baker — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 00:47:28 +0100

Well, I certainly didn't keep up on my blog entries the way I wanted to, but in light of some new developments, I thought it might be time to update everyone. About 5 weeks ago, just before the Musselman Triathlon Festival, I started to get a sore throat and I was really tired. I knew this meant I was either catching a cold or possibly having some issues with my Lupus. I decided to back down on my training at that point. I had friends cover my running club coaching forRead More...

Preparing for ITU Long Course Worlds

Joella Baker — Mon, 09 May 2011 07:57:45 +0100

It's been a very long time since I updated my blog, so let me catch you up on a few things. With my age group win and 11:45 finish at Beach 2 Battleship in 2009, I qualified for Long Course Nationals in 2010. That gave me the chance to qualify for ITU Long Course Worlds in Las Vegas, NV November 5, 2011. This is the chance of a lifetime for me. I am officially a member of Team USA and I'll be representing our country at Worlds. I also have Jason Jacobs, one of myRead More...

Beach 2 Battleship Race Report

Joella Baker — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:59:27 +0100

Beach 2 Battleship Ironman

Swim 2.4 miles; exited the water at 50:55, crossed the timing mat around 52:55
Transition 1, around 6 minutes
Bike 112 miles, about 6 hours and 10 minutes
Transition 2, 5:05
Run 26.2 miles, 4:33:06

Nutrition, 5 small Snicker bars, 5 Chocolate Outrage Gu’s, 12 Clif Shot Blocks, orange slices and grapes. Heed, water, flat coke and chicken broth.

My training for the Beach 2 Battleship Ironman started in JanRead More...

9 days to B2B

Joella Baker — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:42:24 +0100

Well friends, I have 9 days until my first Ironman. I continue to remind myself of my big workouts and I try not to freak out when I wonder how will I get through such a long day. I'm not sure if I could have prepared anymore than what I have. I probably could have done 1 or 2 more 18 mile runs, but would I have been injured along the way? I've completed 23 marathons. Not after swimming and biking, but 23 none the less. I know how to run a marathon and I knRead More...

12 days to the B2B Ironman

Joella Baker — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:28:28 +0100

Well, it's 12 days to my big race and like any other athlete tapering for their first Ironman, I'm in panic mode. I feel sick, I'm tired, I'm thinking I haven't done enough miles or, long workouts. I'm basically worried about everything.

I know once I get to Wilmington I'll feel better.

25 days to Beach 2 Battleship 140.6

Joella Baker — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:28:50 +0100

Friday, October 9, I completed my longest workout to date. I rode the spin bike for 6 hours, ran 2:38, walked 11 minutes and swam 34 minutes. Total time I was out with changing clothes and going from the bike to the run was 9:35. It was a long day, but with the help of so many people, I was never lonely and I felt strong all the way to the end.

My nutrition went very well. For breakfast I ate a fried egg sandwich. During the cycling portion, I drank HRead More...

Chesapeake Man Aqua Velo 6 Weeks to B2B Ironman

Joella Baker — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 07:00:00 +0100

Chesapeake Man Aqua Velo

Distance: 2.4 mile open water swim in salt water, 112 mile bike. I followed it up with a 6 mile run just to see if I could do it.

Goals: To swim in 1:12 or under. To hold an 18 MPH AVG on the bike and to run at least 5 miles at a 10 minute per mile pace. These are my goals for Beach 2 Battleship on November 7, so they were my goals today.

Swim time 1:17:30
Bike Time, Official 6:07:07 (18.3 AVG MPH) Without my stop at mile 65, 6:06:03, (18.46 AVG MPH)
Read More...

7 weeks until Beach to Battleship

Joella Baker — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 07:00:00 +0100

We keep counting down the days to the Beach 2 Battleship Ironman in Wilmington, NC on November 7. At this point, I'm starting to panic, as do most athletes, that I haven't trained enough and I'll never survive. A few weeks ago, I had all the confidence in the world. Now, I'm a nervous wreck. Some people say I'm ready now. If I tapered and got some rest, I'd be just fine to complete a full Ironman.

I personally think they're crazy. I don't feel like I've been on teh bike enough. I stiRead More...

8 Weeks to the Ironman

Joella Baker — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 07:00:00 +0100

Well, it's coming up on 8 weeks to the Beach 2 Battleship Ironman. Training is going well, but I sure am tired. This training takes so much out of you all the time. This weekend will be a big training weekend for me. We did some speedwork this morning and then I swam. We leave for Canada tonight. Tomorrow I plan to ride the Muskoka 1/2 Ironman course. Saturday, I'm planning to swim and I may do the swim course twice to see what it's like to do 2.4 miles of swimming. Sunday is the 1/2 IroRead More...

14 Weeks to the Ironman

Joella Baker — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 07:00:00 +0100

Well, it's 14 weeks to the Ironman. I just watched two friends complete the Lake Placid Ironman. Lori looked great crossing the finish line and Mike didn't look so good. As I watched the race on my laptop, it occurred to me that I would be putting myself through that same hell in 15 weeks.

Was I going to be ready? Would my body mahe the 140.6 miles in one day. What could I possibly do from now until then to make this as pain free as possible.&nRead More...

Musselman Triathlon

Joella Baker — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 07:00:00 +0100

Well, it's 8 days since the Musselman 1/2 Ironman and Sprint triathlon.

Scott and I left on Thursday after work and drove for 4 hours and 15 minutes to the small town of Geneva, NY. We stayed at a beautiful Bed and Breakfast on Main Street for the weekend. We got a good night's sleep.

Friday morning, we woke up and got a wonderful breakfast made by Jen. She made us blueberry pancakes, sausage, fruit cup and more. It was the perfect way to startRead More...

19 weeks to the Ironman

Joella Baker — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:00:00 +0100

Well, it's 19 weeks to the Ironman and I'm injured. Last Thursday while doing my normal Thursday interval workout I pulled my calf muscle.

I honestly thought I tore something. I couldn't believe a calf muscle pull could hurt so badly. After seeing the ortho doc, I was relieved to hear it wasn't too serious and that a week or two off from any running would do the trick.

Of course, I had a race this past weekend. I was good, I didn't run.&nbsRead More...

22 weeks to the Ironman

Joella Baker — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 07:00:00 +0100

Well, it's 22 weeks to Beach to Battleship. This past weekend I did my first major workout. I completed a 115 mile bike ride at 17.1 MPH and then ran for 30 minutes. It was very tough. My legs were exhausted, but I managed to complete the workout and still rode another 60 miles on Sunday. Today, June 8, I was tired. I did swim this afternoon, but I only did an easy 1500 yards. I wanted to do more, but I was just too tired.

I'm anxioRead More...

June 5, 2009

Joella Baker — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 07:00:00 +0100

Today was my day off. I definitely needed it. Tomorrow we start the MS 150. 100 miles tomorrow, followed by a 5 mile run and 70 miles on Sunday. Hoping for great weather and a nice weekend of riding.

Ironman Training

Joella Baker — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 07:00:00 +0100

Ironman Training

My 24 week plan for the Beach to Battleship recently started. I've spent the entire winter building my base and working with the Running Club at the Cranberry Township YMCA to get my friends prepared for the Pittsburgh Marathon. I'm happy to report that 53 individuals that are with our running club completed the Pittsburgh 1/2 Marathon or Marathon. They all did fantastic. I can't wait to see how they continue to improve.

As for me, my officRead More...

Ironman Training

Joella Baker — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 07:00:00 +0100

Ironman Training

As for me, my officRead More...

April 30, 3009 Getting Ready for Marathon Sunday

Joella Baker — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 07:00:00 +0100

Today is my first time entering information into my Blog. Since I've never done a blog before or even read one before, I'm not really sure where to start or what to write.

I guess I will start with the fact that on Sunday, May 3 I will be running the Pittsburgh 1/2 Marathon with a bunch of my friends. For most, this is their first big race and I'm excited and nervous for all of them. In addition, I have about 22 friends and family running the whole marathon.

Wednesday 4/15/09

Joella Baker — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 07:00:00 +0100

Swam 3300 yards today, trying to keep up with the Distance Diva Jamie, and the energizer bunny of the lanes, JoeP.

man I hate distance.