St. Croix Race (if you can call it a race!) Report

St. Croix wasn't much of a race for me. There were torrential downpours the evening and all through the night before. This left gravel all over the road. Not just a little gravel, I mean 10 feet long of thick rough grave every few miles. Many people were either fixing flats or had to drop out from flats or other mechanical problems. I did not get a flat, but had other issues. The biggest one was probably rocks. A blister started to form about the middle of the ride. It ended up causing me to run (well, hobble really) with my shoe half on. I just wasn't going to go all the way down to the island to not finish the race, with the exception of my heel I was healthy and decided to slowly enjoy the rest of the course simply because I could.

 

Practice swim

 

The water is crystal clear and beautiful. During the swim I saw fish, turtles, and a small stingray. St. Croix is my favorite swim course. The bike is hilly. Hilly the entire 56 miles. It rained on us. Some of the roads weren't in the best conditions to begin with, add in the damage from the night before, plus some new downpours during the race, and it became is crazy bike course. I think I personally really struggle coming from the trainer to outside, especially on hills or technical courses.  I need an adjustment period, especially if there are hills involved, and just did not get any biking time in outside prior here in the lovely Iowa never-ending winter. In the two weeks I've been back and riding outside I already feel tremendously strong and more confident on my bike. The run was hot. As I said I had a blister so by this time it was not longer a race for me. Just time to enjoy being happy, healthy, and on a beautiful island. We stayed a few days after the race to do vacationy type things and had a blast, it was hard to come back.

 

 

 

Buck Island

Buck Island

Buck Island

The Blister

Beer drinking pigs in the rainforest

 

Training on the course pre-race

More from the course before the race

Coming out of T1

 

Ironman Texas 70.3 Race Report

Texas 70.3 was not the race for me. I really enjoyed being where it was warmer and there was some sunshine, but as for the actual race, not so much. In February I got a few days of riding outside, but otherwise I haven't had wheels on pavement since October '12. I feel like I can push myself all kinds of ways on the trainer, but it's still never the same as just getting out there and hammering away on the road for consecutive hours. That, combined with all kind of 'life' things made going into this race tough. I knew that going into it, but wanted to race and get that first 'race' out of the way. In the end, it was a good thing, I reminded myself about riding and pushing while outside-and along with that-reminded about nutrition. I need to eat and drink more when I'm riding like that, especially when in the heat and humidity.

It also reminded me about putting my bike together correctly. It was only when repacking my bike to come home that I realized I had the stem spacers below where my handlebars should be, when I normally have my bars as low as possible to be more aerodynamic. Seriously, is there not more screening or something before one can race as a professional??

From the minute I finished I knew that this was just a starting point for the season. Although far from where I wanted to start, I feel like things can pretty much only go up from here. Even though my race was pitiful, it was nice to be outside, by the ocean, and spend some time with my mom.

Thanks to my mom for coming with me, and special thanks to DiscountTriSupply,com, Krueger Chiropractic, and Oakley for helping me get to the start line with everything I need, including a healthy body!

Next race is St. Croix 70.3, so very excited to race (and hopefully feel more ready to race) and then spend a few days exploring the beautiful island!

The ocean, the day after the race

Swimming in the tiny, cold hotel pool the day before because it was too windy to swim in the ocean

 Tan Lines

 



Enjoying delicious Mexican seafood (and girly drink) with my mom post race

Revival of the Blog

I have neglected my blog. I'm trying to bring it back now that race season is quickly approaching. After seeing photos and results from the weekend's past races (San Juan and Los Cabos) I'm getting very excited to be in a race myself! Training also seems to be coming together quite nicely. Although the Iowa weather is doing the opposite of cooperating. Woke up to more snow on the ground this morning and winds that take your breath away.

The good news is at the end of February I did get away for a bit and was able to ride my NEW BIKE outside! We were in Henderson, NV and it was still a bit chilly and windy, but warm enough to train outside.

 

Pretty Bike

 

The one day I was able to train in a t-shirt and shorts, thankfully my biggest training day!

 

 

Back on my trainer in the mean time, hoping the weather changes very quickly so I can get the bike out at least a few times before my first race! H

Happy Training!