Its kind of funny b/c I never seem to have a lack of something to say, but sometimes putting it into words is a whole other subject. I went into this race praying I’d be able to do the international distance race (they offered a sprint that day as well), and yet knowing it wasn’t going to be the smart decision. I’ve had a shoulder/arm issue for a little over a year, and I decided to try PT again to see if it would help and I know I’d just be going backwards if I swam more than I had to.
For some reason I felt like I mentally needed another Olympic distance under my belt. I don’t know why, I guess I felt like I had something to prove. The international wasn’t meant to be though, and I think the only thing I ended up proving on Saturday was that I CAN NOT fit into my wetsuit. Okay, maybe I proved a few other things but to say I came away completely satisfied would be a lie.
I’ve discovered a few things in the past couple months that I’m not quite sure are good or bad things. One of which, I hate to lose. I hate to lose even more when I know what I’m capable of versus where my fitness is currently at. Yes, I realize I had a baby. Yes, I realize that I was on bedrest for 3 months. Yes, I know I still have some weight to lose. Yet I find it hard to use any of those as excuses.
I don’t have a ton of details to report on about this race. There were a few highlights though. For example, I wait until the last minute to put my wetsuit on before a race. My race started at 9:30, well at approx. 9:13 I start to put my wetsuit on as the race director yells for us to get into the water early b/c a swimmer was coming in rather early. Problem. I can’t get my wetsuit all the way up. I’m literally fighting with my wetsuit while he comes over the bullhorn 4 more times telling us to get in the water. I manage to waddle across the boat dock while Sarah is trying to zip it up. The crotch is literally at my knees. Fat man in a little jacket is about how I felt. I could barely breathe, much less bend down to get into the water. I was waiting for it to just bust at the seams.It was horrible yet so funny at the same time. For those of you that got great amusement out of watching me trying to get the wetsuit on right before the start, I’m glad I made you laugh.
The swim was uneventful, it was pretty much a sufferfest b/c of the wetsuit and the shoulder. The bike wasn’t much better. I just don’t have the power for the hills like I’d like. I think people were passing me more than I was passing them, which I have to say I really didn’t care for. The run, well I started the run kind of hoping (pleading) that my times had miraculously gotten much better and maybe I could pull out a 25 minute 5k. No such luck. The course is extremely hilly, and it wasn’t my day to drop 2 minutes from my last sprint. I did come away with something positive, I promise. I felt good the last mile of the run. Not just good, but strong. I haven’t had that feeling in a really long time. My time may not have reflected it, but right now feeling good on the run at any point is a plus.
I don’t think the end of the tri season could have better timing. I need to focus on my run, and I need to get back to the basics. I need to give my shoulder some rest, no swimming (like I’ve been doing that muchJ) and no aero rides. I need to take what is harder right now, and work at it. Come January I will be back to working on all 3 sports, and I mean working hard at them. I’ve got this mad desire to get back to the fitness I remember. Nothing motivates me more than being a little pissed off.
A friend reminded me this weekend that my fiery little “I hate losing” attitude is what helps me race day. So maybe its good I don’t like to lose, I just need to remember that how I feel the moment I finish that race should trump where ever I fall in rankings.
Huge thanks to www.Trisports.com, Atlanta Bread Company @ Cherrydale, Powerbar, Skyline NW, Daniel Becker, and Zeal Optics. You guys have supported me through my toughest year yet, and I can’t tell you how much that means to me. I hope everyone realizes that the companies that help support athletes like me are truly something special. Times aren’t easy right now and yet they still help out. Thank you to my husband and my family for your love and support. Thank you to my grandma Rohling for watching Addison during races where needed, you help make these things possible.
Off to the running races!
