Big Pig

Last weekend I raced Big Pig. I signed up for it as a just for fun race. The week before was pretty tough with work and workouts, but I was lucky enough to get someone to come into work for me for most of Fri night, so I was able to get some sleep!

Race morning was very foggy. So foggy that the race was delayed 45 minutes so that we could see two buoys while standing on shore. While, you could see two standing on shore, but nothing once you started swimming. We (the people in the first wave) swam who knows where, and the boats had to direct us back on course. Of course they found a spot on the lake that was 77 degrees so the race could be wet suit legal. I was burning up! Anywho, I was the first female out of the water, but not by too much. T1 was pretty good except I had a little trouble getting my helmet on correctly.

For the first 20 miles of the bike I was pretty much out for an easy Sunday ride, I don't really know where my head was. I was passed by four girls before mile 20. After that 4th chica passed me I though, "I"m here to race, so I darn well better race!" and pretty much hammered from there on. At the turn around I figured out how far the girls were in front of me, around 5-6 minutes. So they probably gained 6-8 minutes on me in the first half. By T2 I think I was 9 minutes behind the next girl.

The run was HOT. For the first few miles I was right on the pace I wanted to be. I was hot so I was drinking 1-2 cups of water at every aid station. Then I got hotter, and a little slower. It was hot. I could not get enought water. I was putting ice down by suit. Man was I hot. The fourth place girl was just ahead of me around mile 5? and I passed her before the turn around, which was up a lovely hill. I went up the hill very slowly and very hot. Then I came back down the hill slowly. By now all I could think about was where was the next aid station and the one after that. I would drink 2 cups at every aid station and be thirsty for more literally 2 minutes later. The stations were getting so much business they had become a help yourself kinda deal. Run up to the table, grab whatever cups look like liquid, and keep going. I managed to pass the third girl around mile 10. I think she was really struggling in the heat (because, if you didn't know, it was blasted hot). For the last few miles I could see the second place girl, but just didn't have it me to catch her. Plus, she had her cheerleader on his bike who was out riding along. He would ride up to where she was and stop and look at his watch until I came by, then hop back on his bike and ride up to her again and tell her how far back she was etc. He could have at least been telling me how far back I was too! All I can say is, someone is lucky I did not have more energy. So I ended up third overall. But I had a lot of fun, got to see some fellow Tri racers, family and friends. Next on the agenda: Branson 70.3 on Sept 19th.

Fun in the Sun

This past weekend was pretty fun. My parents came down with the boat and we spent much of the weekend out on the lake and at the campground. I love just cruising around on the water, feeling the sun and wind on my face. I also did some tubing. Which is really fun, but now I'm really sore. I almost couldn't open my window. We had some steaks and potatos grilled over the campfire, and then, of course, s'mores. One of my favorite things of the weekend was the margaritas we drank from Gatorade bottles. Camping in style.

Next weekend I'm racing Big Pig Triathlon in Palo, IA. I'm doing this race for fun. I'll be training hard through the race but I'm still super excited for it.

Steelhead 71.5

Race morning we arrive to the race site and it's raining. Thankfully, it wasn't lightening so we could still race. All of our stuff was soaked before the race even started. The rain was cold so we put on our wetsuits and then headed to the beach...to walk 1.2 miles to the start. This is why I call it Steelhead 71.5. I thought I gave myself a ton of extra time to get to the start, but I guess it took longer with all the people heading that way and walking in the sand. So I jogged part of the way, got there and had to run up the sand dune to use the bathroom By this time I was already sweating and the race hadn't even started. After the bathroom I swam for about 5 min and then headed to the start line. So much for a little time to rest before starting a long race!

Swim went well, my time was pretty fast because of the current, but I felt I could have been faster if there had been some people around my speed to try to catch up with or stay in front of. In T1 I started running down the wrong row, had to turn around and go back. It was still raining a little bit, but not nearly as bad. Bike was pretty good. Nothing eventful on this leg. Only saw a few people drafting, which is good. I may have spaced off a bit for the last 16 miles. By T2 the rain was done and I had put my run shoes in a plastic bag so they were dry! Hooray! Something that wasn't wet and full of sand (yet).

My run was pretty good. I think only 1 min off my PR for any half mary. Some of the hills were a little tough and I thought I was going to poop myself miles 2-6, but luckily I didn't. And lucky for the people around me. I finished up strong, maybe too strong. Ended up with a good time and 3rd overall female. 1st in my age group...and Clearwater World Championship bound! My wonderful and amazing boyfriend is also Clearwater bound because he WON the entire amateur thing in lightening speed, and it was his first 70.3 (or 71.5)!