Well the past month has been full of adjustments. Everything from going back to work, to time it takes to get ready in the morning w/Addison, to trying to workout, all the way to trying not to have a breakdown every time I think of leaving him at daycare. I’m still working on all of those things listed above, but thanks to a few people I have been thrown back into the racing scene.
Laurens YMCA Triathlon-8 weeks post pregnancy!
I will tell you what a kid does to you, he makes you so busy the night before a race that you don’t get any pre race jitters. Scheduling is still a mystery in our household, we are both organized planners and that’s been thrown right out the window. Needless to say, I finally got my bike cleaned around 8pm so I could then scarf down dinner. Luckily Addison sleeps through the night, so I managed to get a decent nights sleep before awaking at 4:30am. The morning routine is not quite routine yet, between pumping and feeding and getting myself ready its quite the task. Heath was leaving a little after me and said he’d take care of Addison so I just had to take care of myself, believe me, that’s quite enough these days.
Sarah, Wrigley, and I left for our tri adventure at 5:15. About this time I remembered what I had gotten up so early for and begin to panic. The only reason I’d decided to do this race is I had 2 athletes I coach doing it and I would rather race then spectate. So I chose (a week prior to race) to give it a shot. I’d not swam since March when I got put on bed rest and my bikes and runs have been hit or miss to say the least. You know what though, I didn’t care. I really didn’t. I had no expectation other than not to drown! The swim was 300 yards, the bike 12.5 miles, and run was a 5k.
My pre race warmup consisted of stretching, pumping (not my tires people!), and showing Addison off to some past TNT athletes. Heath and Sarah were very supportive and kept saying I’d be fine, meanwhile I secretly thought of hiding in the bushes and pretending I did the swim and just come running out with other swim finishers. NO, I’m tough, I can do this. I got into the water and chatted it up w/a few peeps to ease my mind and then bam! The horn goes off. I started out wayyyyyy tooooo fast and reminded myself that those buoys were floating off prior to the race and it could be much longer than 300 yards by the time I get to them. I slowed down, got into a rhythm (really not possible), and drafted. I have never focused so hard to draft in my life. All I could think of was I need all the help I can get and by gosh I can’t lose this girl. Land, I see land!! I’m on land! I was so excited I could barely contain myself, and there were other people still in the water too!
Transition felt very sluggish, I’m normally pretty quick and just didn’t have the zip in the legs. The bike was rolling hills which normally would suit me, but not right now. I’m doing all I can to keep pedaling on a flat stretch, please don’t give me a hill! I felt decent on the bike and just kept trying to keep a good cadence. I’m working really hard, seriously. So it really pissed me off when 3 ladies (2 of which were in my age group) pass me and continue to draft off eachother. All I could think is that I’d love to pass them, and give them a piece of my mind. Well, I work really hard and catch up to them and trying to be nice but let them know it wasn’t right to draft I tell them that I’m aware they are faster than me but it’d be really nice if they’d break up there little pack a bit. I must have scared them b/c they didn’t pass me again. My frustration fueled my out of shape butt into an 18.5 mph avg. for the bike portion. I still don’t know how, but I know it didn’t involve drafting.
Second transition was a bit better, but as soon as I started the run I realized that whether I run off a bike or just by itself I’m one slow chick right now. The goal I set for the run was to not walk. I wouldn’t have set that if I’d know the course ahead of time. Hills hills, oh and more hills. Granted right now a speed bump is a hill to me, but these were big hills. I made it approx. a mile before I started the walking game. I kept moving though and tried not to ever walk too long. People were very supportive and I was happy to see my athletes out there smiling, they provided me w/the inspiration to keep pushing. I pushed my way to a 30 minute 5k, and I didn’t care. I had no disappointment. I was so happy just to be out there and to see my hubby and Addison cheering me on, truly priceless.
A few minutes later I learned I placed 3rd in my age group. I know I’m slower, I know my life is full of adjustments right now, but I also know that racing is a part of me that I don’t want to give it up. If you enjoy something don’t ever let anyone make you feel like having a kid means you have to give it up. It’s not easy right now, I cry I get mad I have problems w/motivation but I also have to realize it (triathlon, racing, exercise) makes me a better happier person.
