Challenge Williamsburg Recap

This past weekend I traveled from TX-MD-VA and back to race the 70.3 distance in Williamsburg, VA as part of the Challenge Americas Series. This race was originally on my calendar the whole year, but with the bout of Mono I got to suffer from in Feb- early May it was questionable that I would even start. With a very careful lead up and really only 5 weeks of pure endurance work (did not want to stress the system too much), I saw I was coming around and I was positive that I would start.

I was very excited to race my first ever Challenge Series Race as I had once raced with them when they were the Rev3 brand and had heard only good things about the group. The Race "Family" lived up to its Hype and I must say it was a very pleasant experience from all counters, despite my race circumstances. I look forward to more Challenge series races and really hope they can help grow in America.

Race Swim Start

Lets cut straight to the chase...I raced, and I did not finish. This was not a question of whether I could finish, it was a question of what state I wanted to put my body in. I had a good swim and pretty good bike, but at the end of the bike I could start to feel that something wasnt right in my hip/ groin area. I thought some running would loosen it and it would fade. I began the hilly HOT trail run and after 3 miles it was just not really any better. I ran on because you never know what  could happen until the point I was really just shuffling and could tell I would make it worse by finishing with still 2 laps to go. At this point in the race I was running in 6th position (1 out of the $$) and so it was the smart thing to do to-- pull out and end my fabulous "training day".

Most of the time as a Professional, a "DNF" is a very hard thing to swallow. Hell, its hard for any athlete who has trained for their event. On this very encounter I feel my body has been through so much "Shit" this year that it would have been absolutely idiotic to put it a potential state of injury and risk the rest of my season.  I am happy with my choice to not finish, and I can tell already with a few days of recovery it has faded and I should be on my merry way to the rest of my season schedule as planned with no hiccups.

I still really enjoyed getting to toe the line again and even got to visit with various friends from a far while soaking in some downtime at home with my Mom. If anything the race fired me up and proved I am back and ready to tackle the rest of the season!

Amy and Katie from QT2 who I met at camp 2 years ago.

Myself and Cortney Martin who I met a couple years ago and is a great friend to follow!

I will be racing a series of sprints and olympics throughout the rest of the summer and I cant wait to join my Houston community in the fun!

Find me next  in July at ShadowCreek Ranch Triathlon and then Tri Aggieland!

And of course thanks to the most fabulous sponsors: Bay Area Schwinn for getting me to the race! My Mom as team Sherpa! Coaches David and Tim, Oatmega Bar, Blueseventy, Kiwami, PowerBar, Aussie Cycle Works, SBR Sports, BikeBarnTX, OutRival Racing and Magnolia Masters, CobbMobb!