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| One of the Windy Days |
Located in the heart of the A-1A, the race took place on the beaches of the spring break infested college kids. A few years ago I raced in Miami at the same time frame and remember walking to transition while the party go-ers stumbled home and pointed and made fun of my "pointy hat". I laughed at the scene and just hoped that none of those dummies would walk out in front of me.
This race held alot of mixed feelings and a whole array of emotions. For 5 months prior I busted my butt to become as fit as physical possible. Trying to be confident and comfortable with speed and power, and learn what works and what does not. As a test of fitness, my season opener was meant to be two weeks prior with the Woodlands Half Marathon. Unfortunately, I woke up the day before the race with strep throat. I decided not to race knowing that my big money maker race would be two weeks later and it was better to rest and recover quickly, than dig myself in. The body always responds well to rest and three days later I was back to my normal routine, only to get knocked down again later in the week. This time I could not shake it. I was so sick that my chest was pumping out of my brain and I did not have a clue what was going on with my body. A dose of panic, I was in the ER a mere 4 days before toeing the line. With the luck of good friends and guidance (Maureen, Stephen, David, Tim), I knew that physically I was not going to die, but my body definitely needed to rest. This, I thought, was a new type of race week "taper" and mentally I was not sure I would start.
I flew out Thursday morning staying positive that in 4 days I would turn. My wonderful amazing Homestay and friends greeted me with an airport pickup, and a view to beat the bands. I immediately for some reason was very relaxed. I figured I would listen to my body and just do what I love. Ironically, besides my health, the trip was the best travel trip I have ever had. On time flights, no problems with bike shipping and assembly. Beautiful weather and friends. Mom came to visit. The normal "stressors" of traveling that go with racing were not there or maybe I just had a different mindset.
The Race:
I woke up sunday morning and I could not tell if it was adrenaline or not but I felt normal and fine. Ready to go. I swam along the coastline down to the swim start to ensure a nice and proper warmup. The water was warm and salty but calm as ever. The ladies lined up and had a beach start. Boom we were off.
I have come along way with my swim and in particular a huge swim camp in January this year. I had no problem finding my race pace and pushing HARD the first couple 100m to get in the lead pack. We turned the first buoy and the top 4 girls formed a sort of "pace-line". My goal to keep them all in sight, ride the waves and the feet, and attack but stay calm. I counted buoys along the way, knowing they were 130m apart. I thought that the turn buoys would be different from the coast buoys and unfortunately did not turn when I needed. A kayaker came up and said "go that way". DAMNIT! I shouted and sprinted to the shore. I exited the water probably a good 2 minutes back from where I should have been. I couldnt let my race end there. Shake it off, get it out of your mind and just go.
Once on the bike my mantra for the day became "cool and calm". In an olympic we are going threshold or above for as long as we can hold on to. I dont know if it was the days before that was in my mind but I wanted to build into the bike. I noticed I was not hitting my numbers off the bat but again repated "patience, stay calm". The second loop of the bike I was finally feeling good and started to push harder. I passed two girls and planned to keep putting distance on them. I honestly, never thought once about what happened in the swim after it. I focused on the bike and the bike itself. I didnt let the fact that I couldnt hit my "numbers" plot negative thoughts in my head. Instead I was positive. This is progress in a way. However, I was rather "noseY" on this ride. Usually when I race I dont notice anything but the center line in front of me. This ride I was taking in alot of the scenery and making odd notices. I have to practicing mentally being in the game all the time.
Onto the run, I will be quiet honest, I felt like shit. But who doesnt when racing? We had two loops on the run with out and back segments that were 1.5 miles apart. I knew that I was running evenly paced each segment and was not slowing, but I certainly was not running race pace. I told myself to "just keep running" almost every minute of the run. Sometimes you just dont feel good but it does not mean you need to stop. The route was scenic and flat with lots of participants running by and it was really a great venue to see all the competitors at many parts throughout the race.
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| Kiwami Tri with the awesome and comfortable suit! |
Overall I finished in 7th place, which is not terrible considering the circumstances. It was not the race I wanted to open with but sometimes life takes over and you cant help it if you are sick. The one thing I can say was that it reminded me how much I love to race. It physically just felt so good to be out there! I also know that my fitness level is much higher then I performed at so I have to remind myself constantly of that. As an elite athlete if you let your mind work wonders on you, sometimes you can never recover. Theres lots more racing to be done this year and I cant wait!
Thanks Bay Area Schwinn for getting me to this awesome race venue (i will totally race it again!) Oatmega Bar, Aussie Cycle works, Cobb Cycling, Magnolia Masters, OutRival Racing, PowerBar, Blueseventy, Bike Barn, Klean Athlete, Kiwami Tri, Ralph and his family, Mom, and Coaches David and Tim!
Heres a few more pics from the wonderful trip I had!
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| Some RnR Post Race |
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| The Bayside |
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| Me and my Mom! |
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| Sailboats |
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| Homestay Dinner on the patio |
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