We won, by a lot (but shout out to local stud Jenny Garrison, who still had a faster time by herself than our relay), and the sentiment behind it made it all the more meaningful.īut I was stubborn and I raced, swimming well, riding really well, was leading my age group and the overall race by a good chunk of time when, 2 miles into the run, I felt something in my knee tear and the leg gave way.multiple times (because, stubborn, I kept trying until succumbing and ending up in the ambulance). It a matter of hours, we pulled together an "All-Star" team- Beth swimming, me cycling, and Amber, an Olympic Trials level runner - and we raced in memory of Clari. The day before the race, Beth and I were talking at Masters and decided to enter a relay team to race in Clari's honor. Clari had previously been a part of a relay team that won this race. Beth's daughter, Clari, tragically passed away last year at the age of 19. I swim Masters with one of the funniest and most energetic women I've ever met- Beth. The Naperville Esprit de She Womens' Triathlon. Why didn't I ever write about it? Frankly, I'd been teetering on the edge for some time going into that race, carefully walking the line between peak fitness and meltdown, and Galveston drained the tank and left me a little broken and not really in the mood for writing for quite some time. 4:23, a 10-minute PR, an age group and overall amateur win, the fastest female bike split (period, across all divisions, but to be fair, the winds shifted during the race and were much more favorable by the time my wave hit the bike course than they'd been for earlier waves). I trained like an animal in January, February, and March- likely too much in light of things going on in my life at the time (I always need to throw in the disclaimer that I pushed myself well beyond what which was prescribed in my training schedule) - but I was super fit in April and had a race to show for it. I am sorry, but Galveston is kind of a dump. In light of all the circumstances preceding, a third place at Kona was something I am tremendously proud of, but overall, I think the actual best race of my season was Ironman Texas 70.3 in Galveston in April. This ride in May should have been my warning of things to come:Īnd 90 miles later, my own flat, which ended with a ride home from a random stranger This is not a trend I wish to continue into 2016. This year, I had SIX- two simultaneously at a small race in Terre Haute (completely my fault, in the moment I looked down at my bike computer, I slammed into a massive pot hole at 28 miles per hour, immediately flatting both tires.badly) one in Kona three in Cozumel (more on that later). To cope, I sat under a tent and drank a lot of beers and that made it better.įlat tires! Before this year, I'd never had a flat tire in a race. I was in a lot of pain (even walking really hurt, I accidentally jogged for two steps while cheering for Kristy and almost screamed in pain) and I was pretty sure my season was over, so selfishly, seeing others racing a race that is very meaningful to me was emotionally difficult. Because I am me.Ī couple months later, I spectated Racine 70.3 one week after injuring my leg at mile 2 of the Muncie 70.3. Spectating on the run course, look closely, bike grease ALL OVER my legs. I think I was more exhausted than she was when the day was over, and had gained a serious appreciation for those who have served as sherpas and support crews for me in the past. Sherpa-ing is even more sati s fying when Sherpa 'd athlete kicks ass! Ultimately, she won her age group and punched her ticket to Kona. With a ground crew of multiple people, we tracked Liz's position all day, I rode my bike all over the course cheering and providing updates and occasionally stopping in at a bar to chug a beer and visit with the rest of the spectating team, before getting back on my bike to find Liz again. I am not sure I ever fully understood how thrilling, but exhausting and nerve-wracking, it is to spectate and support someone with big goals in a big race. Got my swim mojo back in Conroe, T X, the best pool of 2015 I absolutely loved the Ironman Texas course and would do this one in a heart beat if it wasn't always a million degrees. In the days before the race, I tried to do my best to help her out and keep her company, and also fit in some of my own training. Sherpa-ing and spectating! Did you know being at an Ironman without actually participating in an Ironman is amazing fun? True story.Ĭarrying triathlon bags is much like this