After the crash on Monday most of the week comprised of sleeping...and trying to fit work around that. Training took a back seat to both, since when I wasn't sleeping I felt like I was stuck in a constant hangover and even just sitting at the computer felt woozy. While I've trained while being hung over (hello college...), this wasn't a time to be brave and possibly ruin the rest of my season if something went wrong while recovering. Run workouts were done in the pool, swimming was easiest, and biking was done on a trainer inside. I was a bit too stubborn to take a week completely off work and training like the doctor said. So, I was going to be as smart as I could be for being kinda stupid.
By the time Saturday rolled around, I decided to see how I felt volunteering for Rt. 66's Sprint Triathlon before I made any decisions about trying to duke it out on Sunday. Toting my bike along for the journey, I figured I could ride a little at the end and see how I felt getting back on it too. Volunteering was fun as usual, especially getting to cheer on my friends at the bike intersection and seeing a few of them bring it in on the run. I only felt a little fatigue from standing most of the day. Running around after felt a little stiff, but biking felt relaxed which was a huge confidence builder. I still have no idea what happened in Austin (a few insights from others suggest it was more likely someone hit my front wheel than a slide-out), but I'm glad I could get back on the saddle fairly easily.
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| Saturday's racers! Great job Terra Tri! |
Saturday night I made the decision that I would try to race on Sunday...on the condition that if I felt crappy and had to stop, I'd stop. I desperately wanted to race because last year was such a bust with the weather, and both times the race was cancelled, but again I knew if I did anything stupid it would really mess me up for Canada. Rob helped set up my bike to race, I threw my gear in my transition bag, and decided to give it a shot. If anything, I would come in with a pretty nice taper of sleeping!
The swim was a new course of a double-loop around a triangular buoy set up, which ended up working out really well with sighting, but made the second loop really choppy with all the wake created by the first loop around. The water was warm enough to not wear a wetsuit, so as usual I chose to forgo it (though with strippers there to help take it off, I may reconsider using it for next year), which made me a little slower but less of a hassle to deal with. Emmy drafted off me a little while on the first lap, and I felt bad because I did my usual "get off me" tactic of super-kicking to create splash so its harder to follow me, and only after turning to see who it was...realized it was her. Oops. The dark water, waves, and mist made it hard to see and got me a bit nauseous with the water motion, but it went by pretty quickly and then it was off to the bike...the part I was most nervous about. Two girls were ahead of me out of the water, but I felt pretty good that I could challenge them in the next legs.
Since my helmet from Austin was rendered unusable due to the left temple area getting smashed in, Emmy sold me her helmet, which was the same as my old one but in blue. The only problem was that I didn't practice getting the new clip system that she installed on and off, so I literally spent 30 seconds in transition trying to figure out how to clip the helmet on. Practice, people! I didn't do a flying mount with the shoes on the bike again (sorry...that skill will have to wait a bit longer), but still managed to hop on my bike fairly well and just hoped I wouldn't get anxiety once I really hit speed. Thankfully the course was a pretty straight shot of two out and backs, so the only parts I felt a little hesitant were the turn-arounds [I even went into the grass both times]. Yes, that slowed me down a ton, but there was no other way I was going to do it on my first ride back on my TT bike. I passed one of the women on the bike, and was keeping pace with the girl in the lead.
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| Nope...still can't flying mount. Thanks Dan for the pictures! |
I managed to get my feet out of the shoes again before the T2 (score!), and then it was off to the run. Surprisingly I was feeling pretty good on the bike, but I did feel the pounding of running a bit more on my head and felt a little of it out compared to the other disciples. Since I didn't have a watch on, I had no idea what my pace was....which was intentional since I wanted to go on feel only, and not be pressured by a set time or pace. I just focused on putting one foot in front of the other, and let my body go on autopilot while trying to drink as much fluid as possible. I passed the first-place girl on the first half of the first loop, and built up a safe buffer for the rest of the race.
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| Chuggin' it on the run. |
Overall my swim was OK, the bike could be better but I was playing it
safe, and the run turned out to be right where I need it to be at this
point in the season for my second-best time ever in an Oly. I finally
got my win at Rt. 66! The best part of the race, though, was the volunteers and friends there. It seriously feels like a Cheers episode when you race at Rt. 66 since everyone knows everyone and we all support one another. I loved racing with my friends and their support. Thank you guys!
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| The best part...being with friends! My partner in crime Cat |
Next on the agenda? Tulsa Tough Medio Fondo on Sunday to try out Fondos...then its a few solid weeks of training as I juggle work trips to Black Mesa, Washington DC, and Claremore.
