And the
comeback tour is on! After a few
"learning experiences" (ie frustrating and disappointing races), I'm
finally starting to settle into 2015 and post-injury racing. I'm now three races into my season (plus a
swim meet) and yet to post a race report so here's a quick summary!
I kicked
things off at one of my favorite local races, Rage Tri, put on but the super
rad people at BBSC Endurance. I haven't
raced a sprint in a few years and forgot just how tough it is to properly
execute one of these fast and furious events!
I committed the cardinal sin of overconfidence and skated through the
finish only to find out later that a rock star high schooler in a later wave edged
me out by three seconds! I was kicking
myself for days after this one but still had a great time racing with all of my
friends in the Las Vegas multisport community!
Rage Podium
Coach Vic of
Las Vegas Masters can officially talk me into anything. After realizing I could hit USMS Nats in San
Antonio in the same trip as Ironman 70.3 Texas, it was on! This was my second swim meet as a masters
swimmer and first time racing the three events in which I competed (200, 1000,
and 1650). I especially enjoyed my first
event of the meet, the 1650, and was able to surprise myself with the
result. The best part of the meet was
the company, however. I absolutely adore
my LVM family so it was great to spend some time out of the water with
them! Additionally, I was able to stay
with my Aunt and Uncle for a few days which is always a blessing.
Texas meet entertainment
Distance ladies heading out
Our gorgeous competition pool
As soon as
my last event was complete Friday afternoon at USMS Nats, I got behind the
wheel and scurried myself down to Galveston, TX for IM 70.3 Texas. Arriving to my homestay much later than
anticipated, I quickly put my bike together, strapped on some bike lights, and
got out for a quick ride. Saturday was
then spent completing the pre-race checklist while dodging rain and
thunderstorms. My homestay host, Dean,
got me where I needed to be throughout the day while prepping for his own race
(a relay with his friend Mark) the next day.
Finally, the rained cleared out and the three of us went to a gorgeous sunset
dinner of fresh seafood right on the bay.
It should be noted that I had no hesitation in selfishly monopolizing
the bed that night while Mark slept on the couch and Dean on the hardwood
floor. #sorrynotsorry In the morning, I introduced the boys to my
two pre-race traditions: a bowl of unidentifiable mush and a dance party!
Couldn't complain about the dinner view
I was concerned for a bit that we may just be doing the swim in the street
Both the
men's and women's fields were stacked and there were some fantastic results out
on the course. I, however, did not have
such a fantastic day. I let my guard
down and fell off the pack in the water, lost focus (and consequently
speed/power) on the bike, got myself dehydrated, and epically bonked on the
run. Obviously, this is not a
combination for a fantastic race result! That said, it was a great learning day for me
and another step towards better days and bigger goals.
You can practically see the humidity
Relaxing post-race with Dean and Mark
Following
Texas, my coach and I really got to work and put in five weeks of quality
training. Additionally, I took on a huge
transformation in my nutrition. For the
past year (especially the past 4-6 months) I have had fairly perpetual and, at
times, debilitating stomach trouble. I
finally got myself to a doctor and was
diagnosed with a slew of food allergies (I intend to have a much more detailed
post up about this sometime in the next week or so) and have had to make some
major alterations to my diet. While this
is never fun or easy, I'm finally starting to feel better, woohoo! I'm still experimenting but my new race
nutrition plan of whole/natural foods coupled with Hammer Endurolytes is
starting to get dialed in. Heading to Raleigh, I felt much more race
ready than in the previous month.
Originally, I hadn't planned on making it to Raleigh, but with generous
Southwest points donations from Bob Wojak (Pro Motorsports of Fond Du Lac) and
my dear Megan Peterson, I was on my way!
While in North Carolina, I was hosted by super-rad elite runner Stephen
Furst who slowed his pace to run with me on a local trail, helped me get my
Blueseventy training tan on at the pool, drove me all over Tibmucktoo, and fed
my now-neurotic tummy (I now know how to steam an artichoke - worth the trip
right there). Unfortunately, I
mysteriously strained a muscle in my glute on Friday and spent the 36 hours
leading up to the gun hobbling about.
Fortunately, the massage therapist at expo was a miracle worker and got
me loosened up to a point that I was able to compete.
As the race
had a point to point bike course, we had an extra early morning in order to
catch a shuttle out to the race start.
While my gas station coffee was nothing short of disappointing, I was
fortunate to find myself riding the 45 minutes next to Jackie Hering (badass pro
triathlete AND fellow Wisconsin girl - who could ask for more?). Knowing that my run would likely be at least
somewhat altered by my glute, I made a decision, supported by Coach Mace, to go
all in on the first two legs of the course and hope for the best on the
third. Mentally, I typically save
something for the run so this would be a new approach for me.
A few
minutes into the swim, I started to get excited; I had made one of the main swim
packs for the first time in my professional career! It was such a great feeling to get out of the
water relaxed and confident as opposed to feeling like I'm already behind. As Raleigh is a hilly course with a net
elevation gain, I was expecting pure misery.
However, I ended up having a BLAST!
In addition to the gorgeous scenery and constant change of
elevation/direction, I was able to ride most of the 56 miles near two other girls
which kept the course fun and my effort focused (resulting in a new bike PR). As with the bike course, the two loop run
course through town was far from flat.
I'd be lying to deny misery but it was well supported and I was able run
negative split for a mid-pack 11th place finish - a definite improvement from
just a few weeks ago! Also, despite the
tough course and humid conditions, I managed to make a pretty big PR and get a
little closer to my season's goal.
I still have
a long way to go this season and in this sport but am pleased by the progress I
have made this spring. After a rough
start, comeback time is officially on - next up, Ironman 70.3 Boulder on the
13th!!
Thank you
for the continued support to Coach Mace (MP Multisport), Hammer Nutrition,
Blueseventy, HIE Cycling, Pro Cyclery, Pro Motorsports, Duro Tires, It's YourChoice Training, Las Vegas Multisport, and Anthem Fitness.
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