This past weekend was awesome. It included everything that is summer. I was able to get off work early on Wednesday so Pat and I left for my parents home that night. Thursday was a nice lazy summer day. It was a rest day for me too, so it was the ultimate lazy day. On Friday we drove the race course (only got lost about 5 times) and sat by the fire at night (Pat ate 5 s'mores). I think between Wed night and Thu night, I slept as much as I usually do in 3 nights instead of 2. It was glorious. Friday we did our workouts, picked up our packets, and ate sketti. On Saturday we woke up at 3:45. Almost as bad as Hy-Vee. Good thing I had maple and brown sugar oatmeal just waiting to be made, or I would have gone back to bed.
We arrived at transition and I was setting up when I noticed the gal who has won the race the past 4 or 5 years, along with many other big races over the years. I knew I was capable of putting up a fight with her this year, but it would take a stellar performance on my part if I stood a chance of beating her. Anyway I finished setting up and warming up and all that. My wave was the 5th to start, behind 2 pro waves, the corporate charity challenge, and men's elite. My wave (elite women, and elite masters men and women) was the most violent wave I have been in yet. I felt like a powerball ball in the little tumbler thing. A handful of us from that wave caught up to some from the previous wave(s) before the first turn. The first turn was a cluster bunch. Then I lost track of who was from what wave. I ended up the second elite female out of the water by 10 seconds. T1 was just okay.
I started the bike as the second female as well. Started out biking hard and trying to keep the first girl within view. I ended up losing her around 5 miles in-but it is also hard to see too far ahead on this course. I was just biking along like usual, trying to keep going fast so I didn't get past by other girls (the usual for me on the bike). But a little before half way it happened. That girl, who has a long history of winning, passed me. That really got me going. I biked like crazy and kept up for a little while, but she is a stellar biker. After I lost sight of her I know I still had to keep pushing if I wanted even a sliver of hope to catch her on the run. I could not be distracted by pretty houses, slowed by big potholes, or take any extra time to enjoy my nice warm powerbar endurance drink. Not long after she passed me a guy passed me. I was able to keep up with him and we jockied back and forth all the way to T2. This was good for me; to really have someone to race and keep me from heading to la-la land for the last half of the bike.
Again, just an okay T2. Started the run in 3rd. No other girls had passed me on the bike. I'm getting tired so here's the short version-passed the girl who had beat me out of the water right at the halfway point of the run. Never caught the girl who has won many times before and passed me on the bike, but got darn close. Only about 30 seconds off-I was gaining on the run, but just didn't have enough time to actually overtake her. Ended up 2nd overall. Biked the hardest I ever habe, now just need to keep building off that. Next race-Steelhead 70.3 on Julyl 31st. Very excited for this longer race! Pat won the race for the men. He is pretty much my hero, maybe he will tell me his secrets. I am a little disappointed he waited to tell me he won. Here I was talking about my race and what place I think I finished in and he's just standing there listening. Then I ask how he did, "oh, I think I won." What?!?!? You just stood there without telling me! Anyway, he rocks.
The rest of the weekend was great too. Saturday night ate at Chino Latino in Uptown with Pat and both our parents and Pat's cousin. One word to describe this restaurant: MMMMMMMMMMM. On Sunday we went boating and jet skiing all day. Lots of family, sun, fun, and food. Then another fire and some s'mores. On Monday we ate at Big Bowl and played mini golf. Then we ate at Culver's. Now it's time to get back to the real world a little fatter, tanner, and happier.
