I was dreading this weekend and looking forward to it all at the same time. I wanted to see just where I was in the scheme of being ready for this season. In that respect, about a month ago, I decided to back down from the 70.3 distance to the Olympic distance. Good call. Not because physically I could not have done it, but mentally, I was not there yet.
It was a beautiful venue and could not have been a nicer day. Great people, fun team, nice atmosphere, cold water and a warm breeze. All this equaled up to a great race for me...a 20 minute personal best over last years flat race. This race was wetsuit legal (water temps 62-64 degrees! brr!) and I was trying out my new wetsuit for the first time in open water. I LOVE my wetsuit. Not restrictive in the chest, not restrictive in the shoulders....held me up...felt strong.
Swim 32:46:6 (8/21) (a 7 minute PR over last years swim). Felt that I held my line (though there were not very many buoys out there)...my Garmin had something else to say about that...instead of ~1500 yards, it said I swam 1775yds...so....perhaps I would have been faster if I had held a straighter line, but I'll take it...I did not panic - even when I was swum over in the beginning - not sure why we were all so close to the front of the start!!! Got into a rhythm and just swam.
Bike 1:24:19 (7/21) (3 minute PR and an average speed of 17.1mph over very hilly terrain). What a beautiful and fun ride. I felt strong, cadence high, body position low, actually passing people on the way UP!!!! and when I realized that we didn't have to come back up the steep incline that we went down on the way out...I was ecstatic!! Only issue was a little bit of IT band pain on the right side which totally disappears once I am off the bike.
Run: 1:18 (15/21) ..ugh...though I should be happy about my run...and I am pleased with my progress...what the hell is up with the cramping...same thing..every year...once I get past the sprint level, my quads cramp! This run, though, as is every run this season, is a lesson in mental strength. I did what I could...I never said, "who care's" or "I can't." I said...do what you can, "see if you can run through the cramping"....and somehow managed a 9 minute PR over last years flat run...even with the cramping. The second half of the run was better than than the first, though I doubt it was faster.
Overall, completely pleased with my progress. Then, why oh why, did I have a complete meltdown yesterday at KB?
Its times like these (and many other times) that I am supremely grateful for my trainer Adam and the girls in my class and yesterday in particular, for Patty..... I had no warning of the crash, no idea that I was upset...I just started sobbing...and realized that I was TIRED...so very TIRED...and hungry....and frustrated with the cramping...and frustrated that I was tired...and and and and...........
So, I went home...ate a huge meal, slept 10 hours and today is another day. With the next 2 days off from KB and training....I am relaxing!! and strategizing....and planning for the next race.
And to keep things in perspective...I remember why I swim and bike and run......
I feel recovered, well rested, and RESTING! and preparing for work tomorrow!
IMMD is 150 days away...and I'll be ready....physically and mentally.....
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