Sunday, June 24, 2012

I can't believe 70.3 is here. There are so many athletes here, it's amazing. Jim and I arrive around 6 a.m. Unfortunately, since I'm in a relay, we are the last wave to start the race. We wait around for what seems like forever until our wave starts.

I decide to wear Sharon BuMann's wetsuit because I figured it would help me float better and thus make it a little easier on my elbow.

Finally, we start. I'm flying at first. I'm going really fast and pushing myself. It's a little discouraging because usually, I'm at the front of the pack, and at least half of the relay group is flying past me. I really push myself to try to keep up, but it's too difficult. Eventually, I get into my groove and stick to my own pace. I feel pretty good for the first third. Then my neck gets really stiff and achy. It makes things more challenging. I have to do a little backstroke and a little breastroke to try to relieve some of the pain and stretch my neck out. It's pretty stiff. But I make it. It's about 5 minutes slower than I wanted, but I'm okay with the time. For not training enough and being injured, I'm proud of what I did.

I get out of the water and I am out of breath and I feel like I'm being strangled by the wetsuit. I try to rip it off, but I take it off on the side I have my watch on and get stuck. It's pretty funny. But eventually, I get the top off. I run to transition, Sharon takes the timing chip and is off on the bike.

Both Sharon and Sarah do amazingly on their portions of the race. They really kicked butt and I'm so proud of them. I will let them tell you about their experiences in their blogs.