Pre-race hang out at the campsite.
I'm in the center. I was nervous. Usually before races I don't get too nervous, but yesterday I had set the bar fairly high for myself. Everything I've seen in training told me I should have not just a good race, but a great race.
This is the beginning of the swim - when I was actually with a pack...
Other than getting kicked in the face and having to stop to get water out of my goggles, the swim was fairly uneventful. It was my typical lose-the-first-pack-of-girls swim. Only this time I managed not to run head-first into multiple buoys and continued swimming hard. I eeked in just under 30 with a 29:53.
Onto the bike and time to ride hard. Only problem was that the first hour I felt terrible. There was a great head wind (which later turned into an awesome side wind that I was fairly certain several times was just going to take my disc and I down), but I don't think the wind was the problem. My lungs were on fire. I got a cold Monday and figured by race day it would be no big deal. Not really an excuse, it just was what it was. Can't exactly always time these things around races. Thankfully the middle and last section of the bike I felt way better. I came off the bike in 2:49.
Onto the run I had company in some fast age group guys. This ninja samurai guy in front actually ended up pulling me half way up the final hill until I completely fell apart and lost him.
The run was a mix of feeling frustrated and limited by my lungs and feeling like I was running half-way decent.
The final death march hill. I ended up running a 1:31, good enough for 13th and 4:54. I raced as hard as I could on the given day, and really can't ask more of myself. Some days you have it and other days it just isn't there.
I've got some great friends, who continue to bet with me at races (I have been told I have a race-gambling problem...ha!) I lost a lot of bets yesterday! But this is what makes racing so fun! Kevin rocked a 4:40 and I will be taking him for chai lattes each week for a month.
The best bet-loss hands down went to both Phil and Fast Brian. Phil and I had a straight-up run split bet. He beat me by 2 seconds. I owe him drinks. Fast Brian and I had an overall time bet. He beat me by 2 seconds. I owe him dinner. Seriously - TWO SECONDS?!!! To not one - but two guys?! How does that happen?
Thankfully I actually won a few bets somehow in the mix as well. It was a great day of racing & my friends just downright rock. I continue to be grateful to be a part of this crazy sport.
Happy happy birthday to my friend Kiet!!
A HUGE THANK YOU to my sponsors:
Zoot Sports for outfitting me with speedy & comfy shoes, a quick wetsuit, and fun tri gear. Profile Design for my aero bars, grips, hydration, and some super awesome wheels! Quintana Roo for a bike that I love to ride every day, but especially on race day. TriSports.com for not only carrying everything tri-related, but for treating me like family. ZipVit for fueling me along the way. SableWater Optics for allowing me to see while I swim. Extreme Endurance for keeping lactic acid at bay. Rudy Project for my rockin glasses and helmets. SCAPE labs for protecting my skin. MicroscopeWorld for working with my crazy training/racing schedule. My crazy race schedule would not be possible without the support of these companies.
Next up - getting rid of my cough & cold! Then on to New Orelans 5150 May 15. Thanks for following my journey!!
