I know it has literally been months since I posted on this blog. I honestly don't have the time between training, coaching Tball (june), kids, cleaning, and coaching my clients! The last thing I want to do if I do have a spare moment is sit on the computer. BUT now that I am done with my season I realize I have TONS of time. So maybe now I will make up for no blogging:) What do people do that don't train in their spare time? I guess read and write.
I have to admit overall my season was good. Not necessarily spectacular but good. I had some poor races and some good races. But I truly am a big believer in the need to have "bad" races. Those are the ones you learn from and really make you appreciate and revel in the wonderful ones! Chicago Triathlon was my last race of the year. I never understood why some races make the pros go off so late. NO one ever stays to watch. Supposedly that is why they like them later, for spectators. From personal experience no one spectates triathlon, pro or amateur. Except for the few die hard friends and athletes that don't mind sitting in their own sweat and stink to cheer for you. I was very touched by the friends and family that did spectate on Sunday even though by the time I was done it was 94 degrees with not much shade.
The swim went great. The water felt like a dream. After jogging to the swim start which seemed like forever I jumped in to warmup with my skinsuit on. It was wonderful. I have no idea why anyone would wear a wetsuit in that water. Pro water temp cut off is much cooler than amateur. I LOVE that. I know I probably could use the help of a wetsuit but I honestly feel so much better when it is above 90 without one. I think the wetsuit alone takes off a few minutes from your swim time. Not sure the exact numbers on that but seems that way! By the time the gun went off I moved myself behind all the girls. I know I am one of the slowest pro swimmers so I don't like to be swam over. I eventually found a girl to swim behind. It didn't last long she seemed to slow down so I tried to move in front of her. For a long time we swam side by side but she kept moving me away from the swim course. I think I spent more energy dealing with staying straight that moving forward. I so wanted to give her a few words when we got out, but no time for that!
On the bike I purposely tried not to go all out. I was very cautious of the heat and respectful of it. I tried to keep myself cool and hydrated. Normally I would bike so hard that I can't talk but this time I actually felt myself singing! This kept me from going crazy and turning my body inside out by racing too hard. I passed a few girls here and there. Then I got stuck behind 2 girls that wouldn't move. The officials were right behind me so I sat up in my bars and waited for something to happen. Finally a turn came and one of them went faster so there was room for me to pass both of them. The official came by smiled and waved to let me know I did it legally. I was a little annoyed that I lost time but it was a nice little rest. Lakeshore drive was awful! Speedbumps and cracks galore! NOT a fast course for sure. The wind had picked up for us. I knew it would. They kept saying at the pro meeting that the wind off the lake gets stronger around noon, lovely. I actually thought it was stronger on the second loop too. (I was right I asked a few others).
Onto the run. My goal was to run overly controlled for the first 5k. I grabbed my ziplock bags of ice shoved them into my suit and took off. I didn't care who passed me I just wanted to run my race. And I did it! I ran super smooth felt great for 6k then hurt a lot the last 2 miles or so. It wasn't a hurt of can't go faster it was the heat. They didn't have much fluid on the course and what they did have was WARM water. Some of the aid stations the people weren't even paying attention anymore so I got nothing. That was my biggest complaint. They should have had sponges, cold water, or ice on a day like that. Running on blacktop at 1:30pm in 94 deg heat with warm water is no picnic. I am sure if there were the masses earlier in the day there would have been a big up roar. There were some very nice spectators that were dumping water on our heads as we ran by. It was not by any means a fast run for me but I ran the whole thing even and controlled. When it comes to racing in the heat I have learned that control is the key. If you dig too deep early on then your body can't cool off later in the race.
I also have learned that the smaller athletes do better in the heat. Oh well not much I can do about that since I Love to eat and will never be a tiny athlete. For now, I will just keep my ziplocks of ice in my suit:)
So I finished 6th after all that. My goal for the day was top 10 and I did it. Even if I swam straight, didn't rest on the bike to not pass, or dig deeper I think I still would have been 6th. I am not questioning anything. I am taking it and running. Or at least jogging slowly:) With about 12 hours of training a week I made my goal. I think most of those girls ahead of me train 20-30 hours. So not too bad for me! I know a few amateurs that train 20+ hours a week, crazy!
My whole family came to watch. It was great. My Mom, Dad, brother, husband, kids, Big Papa, friends, and clients watched. Having a support crew is a HUGE help. I love them all. Even though they were miserably hot and sweaty. Thanks to all my great sponsors Gao Fei for even making racing possible for me. Powerbar for fueling me. And Avia for giving me the BEST racing shoes ever.
