Summertime Blues: Back to Basics

Look what the cat drug in!   "Summertime Blues" was not what I was feeling but  my first race back this season!  As many already know, I was in a freak accident back in April, two days out from Galveston as a matter of fact, and I ended up with 3 months booted and braced, and the rest of the season in rehab.   My calling has always been running, but since rehab is taking longer than expected, I am still not up to speed.    However, I swallowed my ego and signed up for the local sprint on September 4, 2011 in Freeport.   

I was feeling pretty good just coming off an epic week of altitude training so the morning of I had no pain, only a little jittery.   We arrived in Freeport, cheerleader in tow (Gretchen) and began to get transition set up and i remembered my love for this sport.   I saw some new friends out there and they looked as surprised as I was to actually be racing.  The weather was fairly mild for the hotter than hell temperatures I've grown to despise in Houston.   nonetheless, this was my first time back and I was going to do what my body would allow!    After my area was set up, I walked over for body marking.   Special shout out to my best little fan and volunteer, Cassie Toler for all the artsy work she drew on me in permanent marker.   It was fun and reminded me that we are all there to have fun.    I walked back over to transition for my goggles and swim cap in lieu of getting a warm up in the water as I have never competed in a salt water race!    I found Sabrina Haun, an up and coming youngster to the sport , who helped calm my nerves as I measured my set up against hers.   Thankfully I remembered how to set up and what gear I needed.   We went over to the "Swim out" and as I slid my goggles down over my face, I also slid my foot right over a slimy sharp rock.   It hurt for a second but I continued on my warm-up not knowing what I had just done to my foot.  
Salt water tastes something nasty, like when you put salt instead of sugar in your morning java!  That will wake you right up!   ICKY.  
We exited the water and went over to transition for one last check on our gear, then I noticed the trail of blood I was leaving behind.   It seems that little slimy rock left me with a "brand".   I really hadn't noticed the damage I had done. A nice older man offered me some tape so I wrapped that sucker up ( thank you athletic training background!) and was on my way to start my race!



Nice little war wound

 My wave started at 7:20 a.m. which was awesome because I got to see the lead swimmers come in!   Of course I was yelling at them and getting myself psyched for the 500 m salty swim I was about to endure.   Finally, the gun goes off and I hit the water.   Last season, a good friend helped me a lot in the open water.   He would always tell me " just go all out the first 200 and get it out of your system", that advice has always done me right.   Thanks Bubba!   I did get all my nerves and lake monster fears out of the way the first 200m and allowed myself to settle in at a nice pace.   The most difficult part of the swim was coming back directly against the current, and getting whacked pretty good in the rib!   I managed to be 3rd out of the water in my age group, but the real gratification was making my goal :  8:30!





salty dawg!




On your left!


I hustled through transition like a wild fire only taking me 50 seconds to gear up and put my wheels down!  I managed to nail a semi flying mount and looked so legit in my aero helmet!  I'm sure it was quite a sight!   Going out on the course, there were  15 mph winds and much higher gusts as we rode beach side.   However, it was a tail wind helping me along at first, but coming back really distinguished the ladies from the women!   I'm a decent climber so getting over the toughest part of the bike route was a bridge.   Against all laws of cycling,  I climbed  in aero position :  head down, arms down, knees tucked close to my top tube.  This is likely the ONLY place I can toot my own horn, as many of these  guys and gals were on my rear or passing me until we got to this bridge.    I picked off 9 people going up and over that hill!   That being said, the way back was a much different scene.   I had a headwind, some really tired legs, and yep blood streaming through my cleat and onto the ground!   This is where I lost my edge!  Headwind -1: Jenn-0!  Learning experience!.   I came in third off the bike with a 49:29.   I'm happy with that also, as there is so much more to biking when there was a swim before it!

Aero-dynamics!

Back into transition for the last leg of my race,  I immediately noticed that the tape around my foot was now pink/red so ripped it off and left it for dead.  I pulled my flats to my feet an d was on the run.   I must be completely humble here as this is where I lost my race.   Although I am pleased with my swim and bike results, my run was something-unique.   I was on pace to hit about a 21:30 5k, put lost my cookies after a mile.   It seems my broken rib and bloody foot was not something my body wanted to overlook, but I did talk it into a walk/sprint pattern for a bit.   The harder I had to breathe, the more my rib fought me!   Ok, ok I surrender!  These things happen, so I got real-  just finish it!    I ran it in as hard as I had left but still only ended up with a 10:47 pace.   YIKES!   That is the slowest time I have ever run/walked in my life.   I swear I didn't stop for a latte' or to give a speech, but that is what it was!   I was amplified once again to hear the announcer call my name as I crossed the finish line in 4th place for my age group, 1:32.   Do we ever get tired of hearing that we completed our goal?

My biggest lesson of this race, is that I didn't go against my body.  I set realistic goals and didn't beat the snot out of myself for not pushing beyond my limits.   I finished it.   My friends and supporters were there cheering me on like my life depended on it.   They, and I, all know what this seasons struggles have been and crossing the finish line I was reminded of when walking was a daily task.     I'm grateful that I was ABLE to race.  I wouldn't trade that for a first place win any day.   Thank you to all the people that sent me well wishes and cheered me on before, during and after the race.   It means a lot to a stubborn athlete when we have other stubborn athletes supporting us!  I have much more work to do and I am looking forward to a couple more races before the season's end !


Bella loves her medal!