Race morning came and my nerves were up, but I was ok, I felt fairly ready. The kids race was first, Beth did the whole kids race! I was so proud! It was tough for her, but it was awesome. James and Kate both ran the mile, they killed it too! Proud mama. I was only there to watch Kate cross the finish line, but it was awesome. Before the kids were all back we had to get the adult race going. The swim always makes me nervous because I've always been first out of the water, so I feel pressure to be first out of the water! My cousin's daughter is on the swim team and had told me she would probably do it in 7-8 minutes and I knew I couldn't compete with that, so I told myself to just stay calm and find a comfortable pace. About half way through I realized I was ahead of her! I didn't want to get my hopes up, but I was feeling good and at ease in my pace. When I finished the timers said "is that it??" I double checked my GPS watch and I was indeed done, so I hoped out and ran to transition. I had done the 500 meters in 8:47! That's a whole minute faster than I had been pacing it in training, I was shocked. I hoped on my bike and got going. My bike felt a little off, I don't know what it was exactly, my chain was clanky and it just felt off. But I managed. The hill was as hard as I remembered it, but I completed my first loop in under 10 minutes which was my goal. Each loop got a little easier, but it was a tough ride. Headwind and that "off" feeling, but I kept on pace. I was pretty wasted when I got to T2, but I was first girl off the bike, I got my shoes changed, walked to the top of the parking lot and started jogging, it was slow but I was running. I made it about a mile before I needed a walk break, which I was happy about. At that point my achilles and calves were tightening up, but usually a walk break will ease that, it wasn't as helpful as I wanted but it was ok. I kept walking and jogging to the hill, my plan all along had been to walk to hill, no reason to torture my legs for a couple extra minutes. But shortly into the hill my legs were freaking out! My calves had totally seized up. They hurt a lot! I had to stop walking a couple of times and stretch just to keep moving forward. Once the road flattened out a bit I was able to job some, but it was still a challenge. That's when Emma passed me, dang it! And not long after that Misty caught me. Misty encouraged me to run with her and I did for a while, I was hoping to stay with her to the finish, but my legs just wouldn't let me. I had to take one more walk break, so she got ahead of me and I ended up 3rd place woman. Not the win I was hoping for, but I was overall happy with my performance. Running has always been my weakness, I know that, and I obviously have some work to do still, but at least my other events went well. It was a fun day! I'm glad I did it. I have work to do before next year, but I know I can do it.
My mind still isn't completely together with my eating and fitness goals, Ryan and I have both been struggling, but we are trying. Our century training is going well, a couple longs rides is all that's left before we ship the bikes off! Just about 3 weeks until we head to the ride, and from there to the Bahamas! I won't have the swim suit body I was hoping for back by then, but I can make some progress at least.
