Sorry for the delayed race report. I am positive you were paralyzed just wondering when the heck it would be posted.
I have been a bit busy. Today Sam had four wisdom teeth pulled. Here he is still waking up, but awake enough to send peace out into the world:
Is it pathetic that I love feeding him yogurt and wiping off his face just like in the good old days? I draw the line at breast suckling and diaper changing, though.
Then I had to spend some time reading this about a dog’s last day (so reminded me of Lucky’s last day) and watching this about the newest in running hydration devices for men (or could be for a woman if you enjoy strap-ons).
So…the RACE.
It was an Olympic distance (1.5 K swim, 27 mile bike, 10K). Our coaches gave us options regarding whether we wanted to go all out or not. They said if we were feeling fatigued or injured to use it as a training day or a day to work on one or two disciplines. I was feeling up to racing, so that’s what I did on this gorgeous morning (please let the conditions be like this on race day!)
My approach to the swim was to chill the hell out, since my last 2 mile open water swim sucked. I warmed up before hand. I also got a sleeveless wetsuit used for $40 and I swear this helped so much with mobility. I stayed very relaxed during the swim with thoughts of cranking it out on the bike and run. The last 100 yards I swam through a mess of thick and gross algae. I am still picking it out of my teeth.
Swim – 1.5K (1,640 yards) – 29 minutes
What I realized when I got on the bike was that I had a bit of catching up to do. Our swim wave was all of the 40-49 year old women –and this age group is ridiculous. So speedy and fit. I think most of them were already ahead of me.
Actually, all of Boulder is speedy and fit. I need to start racing in Mississippi. Not to say Mississippians are not fit or anything.
I passed a fair number of women in my AG – and only got passed by 1. I knew I was making up some time. The entire ride I pushed myself and I wondered if I would have anything left for the run. I downed 2 GU Roctanes and that gave me kind of a boost. I love caffeine. And electrolytes.
Bike – 27 miles – 1:18 – 19.9 mph average
I set out on the run just hoping to get in under an hour. I was not wearing a Garmin, so I had no clue about pace and just went based on feel. It was getting hot and one of my coaches yelled at me to cool off with water before I got over heated. I dumped a bunch of water on my head and shoved ice in my non-existent cleavage. In the last half mile some guy came up beside me in a golf cart to tell me a woman was 30 seconds behind trying to catch me. Thanks dude. That was the motivation I needed to spice it up to the finish.
Run – 6.2 miles – 50 minutes – 8 min/mile average
Final Results: 2:43 minutes. 13/70 in age group
I was happy with that. Obviously I have not been training for shorter races, so I was glad to have the tiniest bit of speed still left in me. This is my last race before Ironman Boulder, which is in 19 days. Did you hear that?? 19 DAYS.
I just ordered our shirts:
Yes, I do make my family and friends wear these because HOT DAMN I have been training for this race for months and I want/need support on race day!!! And lime green is very easy to spot when you are delirious and dehydrated. Plus it will remind me of margaritas (with salt).
Post-race on Sunday my mom had us over for dinner. Yes, this happened (and there might have been wine involved):
Home made spinach pie, lamb shish-kabobs, pork souvlaki, fresh fruit, roasted potatoes, rice/edamame salad, Greek salad, and Heinz ketchup. I think my mom deserves a lime green shirt!
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Best dish your mom makes or made when you were young? Chicken and dumplings. She also makes a killer chocolate cake (Wacky Cake!).
Do you still have your wisdom teeth? Nope. I got them out when I was 17. I thought it was pretty painless, but my mom told me this weekend that I was a wreck. Must have blocked it out.
SUAR
