Learning from your experiences...

Yesterday I raced my first Pro race. It was a really great experience. On Saturday I got to register for the race at the Pro suite. Pro's get to register away from the lines and crowds in a separate part of the hotel with snacks and chairs to sit down in to relax while you fill out your paperwork. It was unreal. They were doing camera interviews for the TV show. I didn't want to do it b/c I am really nobody compared to some of the big people there. But the camera guy made me. And what was even more weird was that he knew my stats! I brought Molly to the pro suite while Bill checked into the hotel. So while they interviewed me on camera one of the crew guys held Molly outside of the room. When I came out Greg Bennett was holding Molly's hand and talking to her! I don't think I will wash her now for a while. I am hoping some of the speed and desire he has rubs off on me!!! All I can say is that I was completely star struck. Later at the pro meeting I sat in the back with a really nice girl I had met that Barb coaches as well. Looking around the crowded rooms it was full of talented athletes. I felt like a tiny ant sitting there. All I could think of was I bet none of these women have kids! I don't know why that was the first thing that crossed my mind. It struck me as they asked questions and headed out to have dinner that all most of those athletes have to worry about are themselves. I think that is advantage that I will have going further into this. I have more on the line that I have sacrificed. BUT on the other hand I did just have a baby 5 mos ago and WHAT THE HECK am I doing here with these people!
I slept awesome Saturday night b/c the pro start was at 11am. I was actually not that nervous more excited about a new experience. And I knew that I had it in me to finish in the top 10. I know a lot of the girls in there that have turned pro in the last few years from nationals and I have beaten them. So I felt good about my goals and what I could do. I just needed to execute them and probably hurt a whole LOT to do it. Remember, they have trained all year. I just started 3 mos ago!
I got to the swim start to warm up and some of my friends were there to cheer. I was really touched that they came to watch. Thanks everyone. You don't realize how special friends are until they show up for your biggest days. I got in the water and felt excited! Once they told us to get in they literally blew the horn a few seconds later. I am glad we didn't tread for long I think I would have gotten more nervous. I actually felt good on the swim. I held on to some feet for about half of it then kept them in sight. My swimming is probably the last thing that I will get back b/c getting to the pool is the hardest thing to do with kids. Half way thru the swim my wetsuit came apart just a little but I felt water rush in, yuck. Oh well I kept going no big deal. Then off to run more than a quarter mile to transition! I was sooo out of breath. I got on my bike and realized after passing a few girls I was biking behind Samantha McGlone! I did the entire ride with her. You can ride with someone as a pro as long as you are staggered, new to me. During the ride I started to feel cold and semi bonkish. about half way thru I decided to slow down a little to make sure I had something left since I was feeling this way. I kept drinking as much as I could I knew it was important to stay on top of this since it was warm and sunny (and I am still freaking nursing!). As I rode into transition behind Samantha (I can't tell you how awesome that was) I knew I was feeling bad. But I grabbed my bottle and gel to head out. Right away I was laboring WAY to hard for the effort I was putting out. By mile 2 I could have dropped out. I was CRAWLING. I haven't bonked that bad for a few years. I couldn't see straight, I was wavering on the course. It was bad. I'm not sure where I went wrong. I think looking back it was a combination of a few things for me: the race is was at 11am (I never workout that late), it was warm and sunny, and nursing takes a ton out of you nutritionally and fluids as well. I can't figure out how to eat right before a race at that time or run in hot temps. If we had gone off at 8am it would have been a different day for me. My run time was probably 5-6 min off of what I can do now. Plus my bike was even a little weak. But I do not quit. So I dragged myself barely running to finish. I believe if you can finish then you should. I sacrifice too much to not finish a race. I want my kids to know that you don't quit no matter how bad it gets.
I know that over this winter I will get stronger and faster. I think that I put too much pressure on myself after having Molly. I am proud of myself for going pro and racing yesterday against such a talented crowd. I learned so much about myself and how to race better. Anytime you have a bad day you have to take away something from it so it isn't a failure but a learning experience. I know if this was last year I would have been top 10 but it is this year and I have a beautiful baby girl to show for it! And next year, who knows I could be top 5 (trust me I will be top 5)!

Thank you to everyone who was there cheering for me! I heard my name yelled out a ton of times on the course. It felt great to know people were pulling for me when I was really needing it.