Seventh Place at US Nationals / ITU Pan-American Cup Tuscaloosa Alabama

Wow! What a race. I would be lying if I said the whole thing was a whole lot of fun because to be honest the last lap and a half on the run was sheer pain but I will get to that.

The race started at 12:00pm, 92 F. The course was 1 lap swim, 8 laps bike with a small twisty hill, and 4 lap run along a road one way (no shade) and pathway on return (some shade). It was my first race this year where there was no chance of rain and I was not wearing a jacket at the start to stay warm. Given that I have been training in Austin where temperatures are routinely in the 90s and thus used to dealing with heat I thought - no problem, my body will be able to handle this... 2 hours - thats all right! I was ready to swim, bike and run up to my potential. I felt good and was excited to race.

The gun went off and I was perfectly positioned next to Hayley Piersol, just one of the USAs amazing swimmers in the sport. I just had to follow her and I would be ok. I followed her right into the first pack and swam comfortably on the feet of the leaders and specifically Sara McLartys for the first 900meters or so. I kept thinking this is good, stay here and don't let them go... but then around the second buoy Sara decided to strap on a turbo jet and my wonderful draft was gone! Just like that. I had no feet, no Sara pulling me along happily and I found myself having to work very very hard to close a gap that was opening up. Ugggg. The gap ended up being around 15 s and despite the fastest transition (which I am quite proud of) and working so super hard to close the gap on the bike - I failed. Second Uggg.

Jillian Peterson pulled up to me with Jennifer Speildenner and she was going super strong. It is with these two that I rode the 8 laps. Not much to say on the bike except that I felt fine, had lots of time to drink and actually ran out of my GU brew... 2 large bottles in 1 hour. It was that hot.

So the run began and I just heard Zane's voice in my head saying 'run up to your potential, grab someone and stick with them.' No where did I hear in my head "Respect the heat - It will get you if you do not conserve". So off I went running. I passed Jillian, passed McLarty and was all of a sudden in fourth! Brilliant. I would be lying to say it didn't hurt but to be honest after the second loop I was feeling ok. I believed that I was holding a pace I could sustain. The numbers were right (if not slow). It was not until the 3rd lap that I started to think wow I am really getting hot. Then I started to think, this is really hard and I am not really loving this right now. Then I started to think, I hope I can finish (that was on the 4th lap). Then I stopped thinking and just tried to stay on the path (the weaving, closing my eyes began). I crossed the finish line and was helped to the medical tent where I was given ice, water, a place to rest.

I ended up seventh. It was a great race on many different levels but mostly because it was a great race to prepare me for the Pan-American Championships in Puerto Vallarta. I felt rusty going into this race as it was my second ITU race this year but now it is like the chain has been lubed, a few aha moments happened and I have no doubt that I am on the right track.

On my way back to Austin now and will definitely be working hard. I will keep you posted but mostly my blog will be me saying I eat, I sleep, I train and once in awhile get excited because I have discovered a new icecream to make in my new ultimate icecream maker. Stay well my friends, congrats to all my fellow racers this weekend and thank-you volunteers, race officials and City of Tuscaloosa for a great race!

Third Place at Avia Austin Triathlon!

Finally my race report on the Avia Austin Triathlon! I could have wrote about the race immediately citing the amazing organization of the event by High Five Events with critical support by Jack & Adams. I could have wrote immediately about the stellar form Kelly Handel Williamson is in and of course Desiree Ficker, both of whom caught me on the bike. I also would have probably said something about the icecream, tortillas, beer that you get at the finish line.... but when it came down to it I needed a little time to think about my race and what it was to me.

Since Alcatraz last weekend it has been straight down to business. I have an opportunity to get a solid few weeks of training in before my next important race, the ITU Pan-American Cup/US Nationals in Toscaloosa. I am back in Austin with Zane at my side correcting any form slips since I have been away. I am back at the UT Masters early morning practices and doing the infamous ATC Saturday rides with the roadies. And then of course getting used to loosing serious water weight everytime I train in the Austin heat and humidity. The Austin Triathlon was part of the training, part of a hard week.

When you get on the start line it is just the same though - the anticipation of a adrenaline kick, your chance to put hard work into action and to be the best you can be that day. A few days prior to the race there was a lot of talk at the pool of who was going to be on who's feet, who was going to have to do the hard work off the start. Unfortunately for me the guys (Philip Graves, Richie Cunningham) took off at such a pace that I could not match it despite my best effort. There were no feet for me to draft. I did have a great swim though closing the gap toward the end of the course and getting through transition very quickly. On the bike I kept thinking go go gadget legs! My breathing was fine but my legs were having a heck of a time giving that extra race

ummph, that - I am in a race grrrr factor. Kelly and Des passed me at virtually the same time on the third lap. Again I thought - anytime legs go! But alas what I had that day was what I was putting out there. The start of the run was in the pouring rain - one could say refreshing? I just laughed given my track record of cooler weather/rain race starts this year. Knowing my legs were a little shot I determined to really focus on good form and getting my speed from that. I was cheered by friends which was awesome - really kept me going and pushing.

When people first asked me about my race, I didn't know what to say - hard day on the job? Now I would say that it was great. Zane keeps emphasizing progress to me. The Austin Triathlon evidenced progress - I swam faster and ran faster on tired legs with much better form. Steve Sisson (UT Womens and Rogue Elite Team Running Coach) was there and was so positive that I think I am still glowing. Progress. At the end of the day this is what it is about. What I can do is have no regrets, give each day, each race everything I have. Did I do this - absolutely.

The highlight of this day was cheering on the Rogue athletes who were accomplishing their own greatness - seeing their faces, look of determination, joy (ok and maybe a little pain) was awesome. Celebrating their accomplishments was fulfilling and joyful. I have said it before but being part of the Rogue athlete community brings me to the essence of why I do what I do. I started triathlon aiming to be the very best athlete I could be, bringing it to a level I had not achieved, taking care of every detail of my training and life to accomplish this goal. For the Rogue athlete - this may look a little different but it is about accomplishing something great, their own PR, overcoming fears and being their own best. Progress right? So to end this congrats to all those out there that have aimed for progress today. Keep going. Everyday counts.

This is it!

It is 7pm on a Friday night and I am cleaning my room. My legs hurt and I am getting hungry as it has been a whole two hours since I ate last. I also just thought that I better get going because it is bedtime soon! As I look around I realize that I have way more Sugoi gear that contains spandex than anything else. I have GU gels on the counter right beside a few CO2 cartridges. The jewelry I have is a Garmin and it is connected to my computer uploading my latest run. All these little things are my life. What is better yet is that I am living and doing exactly what I want to be doing even for a Friday night. There are not too many people that can say that. From where I was in March through to now has been a tremendous journey with so many people that have been there along the way. They are right now on Quadra and Hornby Island, in Courtney, Vancouver, Kelowna, Calgary, Ottawa, London, San Francisco, Austin and living it up in San Jose, Milan, Muskoka, Kenya... I hope that everyone enjoys what life has given them this long weekend from races, weddings, baseball games and just hanging out. I will. How cool is that!