Back to Racing!

After IMTX I wound up with a knee injury that stuck around for 4 weeks and pretty much prevented any training besides any swimming with easy flip turns.

Three weeks post IMTX I attempted Trinona olympic distance. I made it through the swim and bike, but immediately after dismounting my bike and taking a few steps, I knew I would not be finishing the run. My first DNF. This was a very hard decision to make, but I knew it was better to not finish this race and heal up then push through and miss more races.

That proved to be the right decision. A week later I completed my first run since the ironman (30 whole minutes!). Then one week later I did Copper Creek Sprint. Not the best way to go into a race- on one week of training after four weeks off. BUT, I was RACING!!! Ended with not quite the results I had hoped for, but alright given the circumstances, and, did I mention I was RACING!?!? And that was enough to really get me going and very excited for more training and some shorter racing where it feels more like true balls to the walls racing unlike longer courses.

Ironman Texas

Canal, swim exit to the right

Ironman Texas..well, I finished. I can't say much more about my performance than that. However, it was a good course, I had a fun time, and an awesome home stay. The swim course was pretty good. I could see how age groupers would have a difficult time in the narrow canal. My swim time was alright, I got in a pack of people and just cruised along, goal in swim accomplished.

Bike Course

I hopped on my bike and headed out, picking up speed quickly into a 90 degree turn with barricades on either side. I was wet, my bike was wet from dew, and I wasn't quite used to the brakes on the race wheels. This all combined for a nice little wipe out within the first mile of the bike. Bad news is I had to bike over 111 miles on a TT bike with road rash on my elbow. Good new, my injuries were no worse than road rash and a nice large bruise on my hip.

The rest of my bike was a bit less than stellar. I had minor issues throughout but no other major issues other than being much slower than I had hoped. My elbow bothered me on and off, it's hard to say how much it really affected me, physically and mentally.

My run started off at an ok pace for 16 miles. The pace I was going would have made for the slower end of my goal run time. Except after mile 16 everything fell apart. I couldn't drink enough, I didn't have enough calories, my knee started to hurt, and I kind-of wanted to cry! The last 10 miles of this race were probably some of the hardest miles I have ever done. I did finish, but now wonder if that was even the best decision as my leg still isn't quite right.

 The race was far from what I had hoped and thought I was capable off, but I learned a lot and overall had a great time in Texas. Thanks to everyone who supported me along the way- DiscountTriSupply.com, Kyle's Bikes, TYR, Krueger Chiropractic, my parents, my homestay, and all my other friends and family.