Another race down...

Pouring rain is the first way to describe this race. I hardly slept the night before as I listened to the wind in the trees and the rain hitting the window. Surprisingly enough I have never had to contend with the rain before in a race. After receiving brilliant counsel from Rob -lower tire pressure so the tires stick to the pavement better and put on oil to block the wind and Jamie -stay off the paint, I felt comfortable enough. I was worried about my hands freezing though.

I got to the race site and although wet I was not cold. It actually was warmer than the previous year. My warm-up and race prep went smoothly. The gun went off and the swim felt ok except that I was slow! I am not sure whether I chose the wrong line or whether I am just slower right now but I came out of the water a bit behind Alicia who I normally don't struggle to stay with or ahead of. The bike is where I felt a little sluggish as well. My body just didn't have the extra race ummph. Although I have not talked to Ken yet I know he is going to say.. what do you expect? You trained right through the race. Despite knowing that high mileage the week before a race and perhaps the 8 hour drive doesn't exactly prep you for a stunning performance, I wish it did! My run felt fine, good turn over I think but it really hurt in that last kilometer.

The volunteers were absolutely amazing! They lined the streets on the run, they had a band playing and everyone had huge spirits. I love triathlons in the US - people get so into it! There was also one moment in the race that would even make a Canadian patriotic. They have established one small hill on the course as "Claire's climb" and is a charity fundraiser for Lou Gehrig's disease. As you climb the hill toward a huge american flag which you eventually ride under they had a bagpiper playing on a grassy knoll beside the climb. They also had little slogans that you could read that would cheer you on. The whole setting was just kind of cool.

So the last race of my season is coming up in two weeks... Lifetime Fitness Series race in Dallas where the best of the best come out. I hope to be a little rested for this one. Should be exciting!

A second place finish at Pacific Grove Triathlon!

Every once in awhile I get to do some very fun non-drafting races like the Pacific Grove Triathlon that I competed in two weekends ago. It was a spontaneous adventure for me, not in the schedule but I was ready and well, who would say no to racing in California along one of the most magnificent shore lines on the Pacific Coast! The race is put on by Tri-California and as with every other race they put on, very well organized. There are some unique features to this triathlon but none quite as unique as swimming through a kelp forest. I had to really fight to stay in the lead and come out of the water with Leanda Cave (world champion and ironman). To start the water was freezing! It was like drinking a few mega-gulp slurpies in a row and getting a really bad brain freeze. The gun went off and we all jostled into position… all until one person would hit a patch of kelp and literally stop dead in their tracks. To get out you would have to push the kelp down beneath you so you could move forward again. As soon as you would be free and maybe into a rhythm, another kelp patch. If everyone didn’t have to go through the same thing it would have been frustrating but because we did you had to laugh at yourself!

The day was a little misty and kind of cold and rainy so the bike was challenging. Huge head winds kept myself and Leanda working hard together. The run was great as it starts on a slight decline. This is rare in a race and I like it! It made getting a quick turnover and speed that much easier - the return was obviously up what you declined but by this time you were able to recover. I came second at the end of the day and was thrilled. A great race.

Check out the link to see the race on You tube

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=745864582705097069#docid=341808186469947849

Next up is Westchester Triathlon in New York State tomorrow! This race will be great preparation for me before the final race of my season at the Lifetime Fitness Series Toyota US Open Triathlon in Dallas, Texas. Although not a World Cup, the worlds top male and female triathletes compete for a total of $92,000 US. That would be one great payday!

Race season continues!

Sunday morning and life is good. I am back in Ottawa and setting my life up once again. First thing Monday morning I drove out to Peak to meet with Ken, talk about Nationals, the past year and what we need to do this coming year. It is all about the run now. I am swimming less, biking less and running alot. This makes me sad as I love being in the pool and can't imagine what's better than being on my bike but perhaps my run will become so good that this will soon become my favorite part of the triathlon! All this talk about me running lots (I used to run 5X/week and it's up from that) made me immediately call Mike for massage as I know injury prevention will be everything... My visit with him was awesome as it had been so very long since I had a truly awesome massage.

While my training program has changed I still am very much in the middle of my race season. This coming weekend I am off to California, then Westchester New York and my finale will be in Dallas in October. I can't believe how blessed I am to be able to go to all these races! I have a certain excitement with how I feel and with what I have learnt at my races this year. One think I can't wait about my upcoming race in California is putting my toe to the line knowing that I am going to put everything out there right until the end. I have been holding back in the run because of fears that I now recognize... no more.

So life continues... training, eating, sleeping and racing with work thrown in there whereever and whenever possible. Of late I have certainly had to be creative on getting the job done but it seems to continue to work somehow thanks to a fantastic manager and my committment to making it work. Not easy but it happens somehow. Off for a ride now - the gatineau maybe?