Last weekend I raced the Evergreen Triathlon. It went okay for me. The swim was alright, either a bit long or I was really slow. The water temp was in the 80s and the swim course had to be changed due to low water levels. It was warm but tolerable and the first wave was elites/collegiate so it was nice to swim with people not too far from me the whole time.
The first 3-5 miles of the bike are nice, with trees on either side of the road that twists and turns a bit. Then you get into the corn field. Roads are a bit rough, the wind picks up, and besides an occasional barn, just more corn and wind. I was happier with my bike performance here than I have been with my other bikes all year. Still not were I want to be, but heading in the right direction. I pushed hard for the entire bike, minimized mind wandering, and remembered that I was racing out there on my bike.
My run performance was another story. I think it will just take more time not only for my running to come back after those 4 weeks I had to take off late spring/early summer, but even more time for me to get speed back after training for 2 ironmans. I am definitely frustrated right now, but that just keeps me working harder and motivated to get out and train. Especially those track workouts that make me feel like I might literally explode. The run course was out on open roads, also a lot of which were in the fields. It had become overcast, so we did not have to run in the blazing sun, but it was sooo humid, it felt like I had run throw floating puddles. Even my shoes were soaking wet.
All in all I ended up pretty disappointed with my performance here, but looking forward to continuing to train and improve and get out there and race again. Disappointments are part of racing. They help us focus, push us harder, and keep us going. Next up, Omaha Triathlon on August 5th!
After Evergreen my mom and I drove from Bloomington, IL to Bloomington, MN. Including our stops (gas, cheese shop, Norske Nook) it took us 9 hours. NEVER AGAIN. That is too long to be in a car in one day, but worth it for the fun I had on Sunday. Sunday was a day at the lake with the family! I didn't get nearly as many pictures as I would have liked because my camera died, but here are two of me and my little cousin tubing.
I have had the rest of the week off also. Monday was more family fun. Tuesday breakfast with a friend and shopping with my mom. Wednesday I came back to Iowa and went to Zoo Brew...and saw real live PENGUINS!!!! Thursday was Jenny's birthday so we went for a little bike ride and then out to the lake! After we went to Jasper Winery for their summer concert series. Friday morning we went swimming at the outdoor pool. After the crazy week, I was pretty lazy the rest of Friday! Time to get out for my ride today, happy training everyone!
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.
