Yesterday was the Pleasant Prairie Sprint/International Triathlon. We had a great turnout from Midwest Multi-Sport, with about 14+ members in attendance. We were racing in the Sprint, International and even had a few in the Dualthon. It was so great to have everyone there.
Friday night was the pre-race pasta party at Stephanie B's house. The food was so great and it was great to just hang out and relax a bit. Granted I packed in a rush, I just kept going thru my mental list of things making sure I had it all... And not bad, all I was missing was my hat (and later I realized sunscreen, but thank's to B I used hers :) ).
Saturday morning I headed out with Wendy, bright and early, in wonderful RAIN. All this just to get in a lake swim. I know I'm being nuts-o, since my swim in my strongest discipline but I felt like I needed just ONE MORE LAKE SWIM. Well, I got just that.... A swim out and back in the rain. YUCK. But hey I did it. After that we snuck into the locker rooms, showered and waited for the Stephanies to show up. We then hit the Harbor Market and back to Franks Diner for lunch. MMMM Spam sandwich with tater tots - gotta have tater tots with the tri-taters :)
Once we got our stuff, a nice massage and our backs evaluated we headed off to rack our bikes, walk the run route (had to see if the gravel was taken care of) check into the hotel and drive the bike route. OMG the bike route was crazy. They had us on frontage road, on hills and sharp turns. Not to mention the turnabout at the top of the overpass. This was gonna be tough. After that we meet up with Lou, Nancy and Ed for dinner. We relaxed and complained about how the heck was the girl gonna get her packet. At dinner we decided that i just leave it at the front desk and she deal with it whenever she gets there. Once I was able to get that packet out of my possesion I was so much better. Relaxing in the hot tub after dinner and then slept like a baby... well a baby with noisy drunk neighbors. I think the wedding that was being held in our hotel had our floor booked with guests :(
So here we are race day... I woke up feeling good, but once I ate my waffle, I got sick to my stomach. I just wanted to puke. We loaded up and drove off, only to be stuck parking in the beach lot, and now having to walk all the way around to get to transition. Not fun, but at least we didn't have our bikes with us.
My transition was set. Since I was wearing compressions socks that was one less thing I had to worry about, just wondering if it will help or harm me. I haven't trained in them at all, not a smart move, but no turning back now. After a short warm-up swim it was time to wait in line for the Porta-poties and then wait for my wave... Again I'm stuck in the last wave, but this time for the International group, I still had sprinters behind me.
Here we go.. the horn goes off and I'm diving into the water. I forgot about my foot and just went for it. Well forgot until someone grabbed me then I realized I had to be more careful. I was so worried I was going off coarse, but looking at my Garmin I was pretty much on track. For some reason, the first leg of the swim was really really long. I just couldn't tell when I was going to get to the turn. I started to get scared that I couldn't do it, that I would have to stop and hang on somewhere. I switched to breaststroke to make sure I was on track and that seemed to help. After the first turn it got easier, then at the second turn, it was straight to the finish. I couldn't believe I did it, I made a mile swim in less than 35 minutes... SWEET... Now to just be able to get out of the water gracefully for the photographers... HAHA right. I think they got a picture of me falling into the sand :)
T1 wasn't too bad, once I got my legs to move. I put on my sunglasses and helmet on first, ripped off my wetsuit and then on with the shoes, all trying to down a gu and drink some water. Then race belt on and I was off, walked my bike out and stumbled as I tried to get on my bike.
The bike was hard to get started with... This brick is something we never really worked on, and boy I could tell. Once I got my pace right I was booking it on the road. I could tell it was starting to heat up and the humidity was rising. But at least on the bike you get somewhat of a breeze. Well that was good until we got on to frontage road and started to head south, right into the winds, and the rolling hills didn't help at all. I managed to see Stephanie B on the road as she had just finished the first loop. I still had so much more to go :( I worked thru my gears, pushing thru the wind and making sure I drank. Finally the first loop was done and now to the other side, with 2 nice rolling hills that were KILLER. Here we merged with the Sprinters but it wasn't too bad. The heat continued to rise, any route heading south was sure to have winds and of coarse hills. I was feeling pain in the saddle and I'm sure I'll be buying a new seat soon.
I was happy to get off of the bike but the run was not good. The heat was bad, the humidity was getting worse and I was cramping up. My foot was hurting and I got worried. I figured, I gave myself 4 hours to finish and I was in good pace to break that even if I walked. But walking just meant being in the beating sun that much longer... AND WHERE THE HELL DID THE WIND GO!!! The air was so stale now. I guzzled water whenever I got to a water stop. The gravel path was tough... no wind, no shade and no water. UGH not fun. Finally out of there it was down to only 1 more mile and I pushed thru it. The finish seemed so far away but I knew it was closer than before.
I finally passed the finish line, hearing the girls and guys yelling for me... I so needed that then. I crossed, grabbed my gatorade and Wendy gave me some of her bagel. We sat around talked and stretched before we headed back to the hotel to change and pack up, eat and hit the road home... One new feat under my belt and I could've never done it without my Coaches and my Team... Oh and a side note here... we had no coaches here as they were on vacation in London, but we knew they were thinking of us and cheering us on :)
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