Friday, May 23, 2008

Memphis in May

Well, I know it has been a couple days since I raced and I have not put up a race report but the reason for lack of putting it up is nothing more than I have been fried on all fronts and just having a tough time keeping up. I raced Memphis In May on Sunday for the 4th race in 5 weeks. I was fried in the middle of last week, had to take a few days off and was really not looking forward to traveling let alone have to go and hurt for 2 hours. My mom who is one of my biggest fans joined me on the trip, which was great. Race morning arrived and in very unlike me fashion, I woke and first thing to cross my mind was do I have to do this, well I get to go it first and fore most, and yes I traveled 6 hours to race and was going to give it my best shot. The race is a time-trial start unlike a wave start, we start at number 1 after the pros leave 20 min before we start the race and every 3 seconds they send you into the water. I was number 375 and it went fast before I knew it I was in the water. I planed to press the swim which I did, but there was a lot of traffic and in fact I was crawling all over people felt like I had a decent swim and then into T1 where I just felt a little sluggish and not in a panic mode like I normally do, but made it out with no problem. Started the bike and at that point I knew I was in for a long day, my legs they just weren’t with me. A guy passed me on the bike like I was sitting still and I could do nothing to respond to him, nothing. I pressed on and had to battle my mind and body the whole race, I was in such bad shape mentally I just was hoping to flat so I could just stop hurting. The bike was complete and then on to the run, this run course is tough with lots of hills. I just knew the guy on the bike that passed me, I had to catch him if I was going to win, I did catch and pass him and overall in the run felt ok, ended up running 33:53 which is pretty fast only one other guy beat me in the run a pro who ran 2 seconds faster than me. I ended up the day as the top amateur and 10th overall. (Went 1:51.20) I should be really happy for to win Memphis in May is a big deal, but I just love to compete and do my best and well, I did my best with what my body gave me that day, but I know I am a lot better and wanted to be top 5 overall, we live and learn. Now I have some down time till Worlds, which are June 7 in Vancouver Canada, and down time that is much needed and will be taken advantage of for sure. I will be in touch have a great Memorial Weekend and remember if you don’t DREAM BIG, what is the use in Dreaming.

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Coastal Alabama


So, this past Saturday I was racing in Gulf Shores, Alabama for the third race in as many weeks. It was supposed to be a 1000 meter swim, 19.5 mile bike and a 4.5 mile run. But because of the currents, they had to cancel the swim and replace it with a one mile run, much to the liking of yours truly. The race started, my coach Brent Lorenzen told me to "NO MATTER what, HAMMER the bike". After changing the seat position on my bike, I felt like I was dancing on the pedals. I ran the first mile in 5:22, averaged 25.8 mph on the bike, and then ended up running 24 minutes for the 4.5 mile run. I won the race by 4.5 minutes. After two second place finishes, I finally was able to win one. Now I have two weeks to train for Memphis in May and will spend the week in Destin training, thanks to Tucker and Joyce Montgomery (Larkin's parents) graciously letting me stay in their condo. Also I forgot to mention how much I appreciate my good friends Jared and Stephanie along with their son Caden, who made the journey with me to Gulf Shores to watch me race. I feel like I am living the dream and thanks to the people that support me, because I can't do this without the support. Good news on the sponsor front, BlueSeventy has contacted me and they want to sponsor me. Hope all is well with everybody and I will give a pre-race update before Memphis next week. Remember, Never Stop Believing... Dream Big