I was pretty excited about the race even though I hadn't been able to run in a couple of months and the few times I did run I felt great so I didn't feel there was anything to worry about. The water was warm for the swim so I opted out of my long sleeves and I was so glad I did! As usual, I stayed at the back of the pack before the gun went off hoping I could work my way in as people started claiming their own space. Things were going smoothly for awhile then it started getting a little choppy...who would have thought those little chop waves could push you so far off the course? I think I spent half the time trying to work my way closer to the buoys and I'm sure that I swam an extra 1/2 mile in the process! When you fight your way back across traffic like that though, you're bound to run into a few beasts who won't stand for getting their stroke interrupted so for those times, I got my goggles punched off... for a total of 3 times. Maybe I still have some things to learn. T1 was uneventful with the exception of getting a cramp in my left calf muscle taking off my wetsuit. That, of course, affected the rest of my race because it was a pretty bad cramp and it is still sore today.
Not one porta potty that I saw on the bike course. Not one. During my 70.3 last year I had to pee so bad that I tried to relieve myself while riding and I just couldn't do it. I couldn't relax enough, worrying about peeing on someone behind me. This time...well, I had no choice but to give it another try because my bladder was so far extended that my quads were hitting it with every pedal stroke. And this time I was successful! Ahhhhh, relief. But as much as my power felt restored, it was one of the most disgusting things I've done in a long time and I'm not quite positive I'll ever do it again. Maybe next time I'll just consider wearing a diaper or better yet just put one of these on my bike seat to soak everything up! Yes, this is a true story...right next to me on the bike rack.
As I'm pulling into T2, the path they're making everyone take to get into transition is all the way down at the opposite end of the run out. Guess where my bike is? Yep, at the end of the run out. So as I'm biking in, I only have to take maybe 12 steps to get to my bike but instead, I have to run all the way to the other end of transition and then run back up the entire length of the transition area to get to my bike. I see where this day is headed...hence, the lengthy T2 time.
Who's taking pictures? Why didn't anyone tell me I looked like a member of KISS with the chain grease all over my face? When your girlfriend tells you that you look beautiful, you should believe her, right? The pictures tell a different story. Anyway, as I start my run, I give every ounce of effort to look strong for my loved ones cheering me on. But my legs are so weak! I knew that I was in trouble when I had to stop 3 times before I reached the first mile! This is gonna suck. I guess I didn't do enough bricks during training but eventually my legs came through for me. Then at about mile 4, my ankle started to complain from a previous injury. Not the normal running kind of complain that's typical for me but a true pain. One you can't push through. This was the start of a lonnnngggg 13.1 miles. All I can think is that my ankle was weaker due to the lack of running. It sounds good but it didn't feel good. On top of that frustration along with my sore calf muscle, let's pile on the fact that I needed so badly to take a crap! 3 porta potties. All with a line of people waiting. Yep, for the entire 13.1 miles I needed to go to the bathroom and couldn't. I'm sure all of my tri friends know that it's not easy to run with that pain. I've been reduced to a mere trot but I did finish. I guess I should be thankful for that even though I added 30 minutes to my last HIM...*sigh*. My hope was to finish under 6 hours. I wasn't anywhere close to that but my disappointment isn't really with my time but that I don't feel I pushed myself to my fullest potential. 6 hours wasn't realistic in my condition but I was hoping... I know I should still be proud. I just can't, not this time. But I am so very thankful for all the support I had that day! It's such a long day for spectators, I know this first hand. So thanks to my family and friends for being there for me!
Next up...Crabman and Cranberry!~ oiy!
1 comment:
Brenda! You were beautiful with grease on your face!! STUD!
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