It's very unlike me, to commit to something without first researching and knowing exactly what I'm getting into. It's not that I'm not spontaneous, I'd like to think I can be. But I'm generally a planner. I believe in fully knowing what you are getting yourself into so you can handle any situation (and have the opportunity to get the most out of what you are doing). Most of the time.
After I was injured at the end of last year and spent a few months all mopey on my couch, I was ready to commit to a race to get myself back in shape. We were working on planning out Matthew's season and thought an early warm-up race would be good for both of us. While looking through the list of races, I found the Golden Gate Triathlon on June 26. Both a Sprint (for me) and Olympic (for him) distance, local so no travel, and a run course out on the Golden Gate bridge - perfect! I signed up (and thought he did though just found out he forgot and registered 4 days ago) and we had our first race of the season on the calendar.
Jump back to August of last year. Matthew was very good at encouraging me to try a triathlon, and did a very good job by choosing the perfect beginner course. The swim was a struggle due to some strong currents that weekend, but the bike and run were basically flat and fast - my kind of race. Fast forward to 2 weeks ago. I was taking a riding clinic that just so happened to include the course for our upcoming race. Holy hill...it's a bit of a beast, but I thought, I can do this. Then I remembered that this was a looped course. We basically take off, hit a Cat 5 climb for about a mile, descend the other side for about a mile, turnaround and climb right back up with a 7% grade and descend back to where you started. Then you turn around and do that again 2 more times (5 more times for Matthew). Seriously??
I have been freaking out now for the last 2 weeks. I am not back in shape. I'm getting there, but my legs just aren't back yet. Add the crazy bike course to the climb up to the bridge on the run and I'm a goner. I will finish this race...I must finish this race. All thoughts of trying to finish within a goal time or even not finish last are completely gone. I don't care if I'm the last one across that finish line, I'm going to cross it. My only goal at this point is to not have to get off my bike at some point and push it up the hill. But if it comes to that, I will (sweet baby Jesus, please don't let it come to that...).
Race is in t-minus 21.5 hours and counting...
UPDATE:
The race went surprisingly well. The swim was great. Wasn't the easiest course but I felt really good the whole way (except when I overshot the second buoy and got stuck in a current for a few minutes, watching at least 5 people pass me). I tried to stay calm as I pedaled towards the hill on my bike. The first loop was hard, but not terrible. The second loop was actually a little easier, and the relief I felt after cresting the hill for the final time on lap 3 was immense. I walked most of the climb up to the bridge on the run, but I was OK with that. Didn't stop running once I got there. In the end, it was a very hard course, but I felt great.
Swim: 22:47.6 (Rank: 9)
Bike: 1:09:14.3 (Rank: 7)
Run: 39:18.9 (Rank: 22)
I'm Not a Runner, But I Tri :)
No comments:
Post a Comment