Kennebunk Race Report

Kennebunk Sprint Tri was on Sunday. Coming off a week of having an ear infection and on meds and almost no training. I was actually excited to race but a little worried given the sickness and not sure how my body would react.

The swim went well. I actually enjoyed the ocean swim and the waves and felt pretty good. Quick transition at T1 and out on the bike. The course was relatively flat and felt pretty good during most of the bike. My left elbow rest came loose again. I had fixed it Sat night but obviously not good enough. It didn't really effect me, just slightly annoying. Another quick transition at T2 and out on the run. The first mile was a little tough. That is to be expected as I haven't done many brick workouts this year. Started to settle in after that and finished strong.

The story on this race though was my perspective. I had a great day. I love the race atmosphere, enjoyed seeing all my tri friends, and had a great time racing. BUT, all that went out the window as soon as the results were posted. When I saw how slow I was and finished way out of any awards, my heart just sank. Now, I have no reason to feel this way. I have not trained up to standard this year at all. In fact, almost quit racing this year altogether. My drive home was rough. I actually cried, which for me is out of character. I'm the "no emotion" queen ya know.

I now have realized -(well I think I already knew)- that I am not the kind of person that can do anything half way. I either need to be a competitive triathlete and train like one or quit. One or the other, no in between. I don't know if this is what I needed to figure that out but looking back I am glad this happened. I have learned a lot about myself this season. Hope I can take this forward into next season and be ready to totally get it on ...

Wildman race report

I was nervous for this race, not sure why. I get nervous sometimes for big races but this wasn't one of those. Anyway, watching the rain all week got me wondering if was going to have to race in bad conditions. At the last minute, I took a friend up on his offer to crash in North Conway the night before. So, packed up on Friday night I headed to NH. Arrived at about 7:45 and then stopped in at Moat Mountain for one beer and a little extra food. A quick chat with Bill and then off to bed. Watched the opening games of the Olympics for awhile then tried to sleep. Didn't sleep well at all, then up at 5.

We dropped my truck off at the base of Wildcat Mtn and headed to Shelburne. Registration and set-up was a breeze. Warm-up went well. First leg - 10K run. Tried to run steady but conservative, clocked at 45 and change and was in 2nd place. Second leg - 22.3 mile bike. The first 7 mile loop was rolling but not too bad. Up Route 2 then onto Rte 16. The last 7 miles was a very long gradual climb up to the base of Wildcat. My legs started to really feel it the last 4 miles and was ready to get off my bike. I slowed and was passed by 6 females leaving me in 8th place. (Note to self - need to work on my hill climbing on the bike.) Third leg - 3 mile run up Wildcat Mtn. Transition didn't feel too bad until we started to hit some of those grades that were 20%+. Steep enough at points that at fast hike/walk is all you could do. So, walk-run all the way up, passing 2 females on the way. Crossed the line in 2:59 and in 6th place. Good effort!

A BIG thank you to Bill for being my tri-sherpa ... from making my coffee at 5 am, shuffling my stuff from T1 to T2, for taking what seemed to be 100 photos during the race, and for being at the top with warm clothes! You're amazing!

Another race in the books and feels REALLY good to be back at it ...

there are two people in this world ...

yes, those who are positive and those who are negative. those who make things happen and those who just sit back and watch life go by.

a couple of recent events have really brought this to my attention lately. a good friend of mine recently complimented me by saying how much he admired me for what i had accomplished in my life through hard work. then, i had a conversation with another friend of mine who is really down and very negative. it was hard to take because she is scared of failure which is inhibiting her from stepping out of the dark cloud she is under to find something better. although i try to be very supportive, i realize that she has to possess that "something" inside her that allows her to make the conscious decision to step up and face the challenges.

i am so grateful that my parents raised me constantly telling me to be positive. to know that i could do anything i wanted if i worked hard and was motivated. they instilled a "can do" attitude that has helped me through many hard times. yes, i get scared sometimes but for some reason i always know that i will be okay. the outcome may not always be my choice, but if you don't take a chance you will never get anywhere. i've had many highs and lows through my life but always step up to the challenge. when life is hard you just work harder. as they say, you have to try and if you fail, just pick yourself up and try again. never give up.

thanks mom and dad ...