I owe a few race reports, so lets start with Wivenhoe a few weeks ago. I signed up to test out some new performance goals and to see where I am at with my swim, bike and run. I have not trained the density I usually do leading into a race. Instead I had a few easier weeks while spending time in Hawaii. Although I intended to train there, it was clear that I needed a break to recharge and recover. I did not know my own status nor the competition at Wivenhoe. The race was inland of Brisbane in dam/lake. As I warmed up there were group of kangaroos hopping around like the pidgins in Hawaii. They did not care about me at all and kept feeding. I have not seen them wild so far, they are truly cute! The lake was 9 degrees and I was shivering through my wetty. The gun went off and I started to cramp up. The gap to the pack grew and after 1 round I was about to bail out. I didn't go anywhere.. The only thought that kept me going was McMahons advice "you don't know what happens until you cross the finish line." So I kept going battling against my self. I was so far behind that I got embarrassed and had to forcefully stop that thought. After all I was doing all I could. Then I saw a girl had dropped out and I did not want to be a drop out. So the decision was finally made that I would indeed keep going and so I went off to round number two. I started to close the gap, FINALLY warming up and getting into rhythm. A few girls decided to put arm warmers on in transition. I skipped that part and went off. I passed the first 2 girls early out on the road. It was a hilly course (good!!) and the street was wet, which usually gives me an advantage because I don't fear wet road conditions. I know my bike well and I know how to handle slippery from xterra. I was leading after 1 loop and closed the gap to the Open Males by loop 3, and they pushed me along for the last 4th loop. By the time I came into transition I had several minutes of lead. Since my run had been so painful in the past and my run training lacked any form of intensity I just wanted to get into a smooth stride and stick with it until I finish. Off the bike I still did not feel my feet. This was a bit dangerous as we ran out on rough terrain. There was another HUGE kangaroo crossing and jumping along me for a few meters. Could not be more Oz'like. The run had a few steep hills and my legs were doing their job more than well. I felt light and fast and kept my lead finishing with the fastest bike and run in the females.
From all races I have raced, this was about the toughest mentally. On that swim, there was a mental war going on and I will never forget my struggle to keep going, and the satisfaction that followed once I overcame it. Winning World Champs or World Cups is great, but winning over yourself in a local race is up there in the "you are a champ" category. Any athlete with whatever background should be reminded about this!
And now I am back to pain. Hip pain and hamstring pain. I signed up for Kingscliff anyways, because I licked blood at Wivenhoe.
Though my run could be on or off when racing even without much training, my swim has been an area that I have focused on training wise. My goal for Kingscliff was to make the front pack and stick with it no matter what. They announced no wetty for the open categories. I held on to the pack, but two girls in the front were able to escape with the middle of the pack lacking to hold on. After first 500 the midpack slowed down and another girl started an escape. So here I went, sprinting to the front trying to catch up with the girl and it took about 200 of sprint efforts to finally get into the draft. I realized that she kept her pace up and so I worked to just hang in there. Another 2 girls were drafting me and finally getting in the front for the last 100, which I was not too worried about, but instead happy that they do some work. So I was pleased with how I raced the swim. I made up time on the bike, having the fastest bike of the female. I was in 2nd after lap 2 and closed the gap to the leader by lap 4. Yep until then all was good. Upon starting the run I knew it is going to be a long painful mission. The downhill did not help in loosening up my hip which it usually does and after the first round I needed to seriously reduce my stride and intensity. I leave it here.. nevertheless a good time out there.
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