A Different Beast

My first Xterra..

Swim: Awesome, best open water swim of the season!  1300 m, started out
strong but didn't kill myself, figured out how to draft, stayed on course, kept
strong til the end, getting out of the water was awesome with the TriCats and
my mom there to cheer me on!

T1: Slow but no screw ups, saw Rachel in transition and got a shout-out for
the TriCats from the announcer

Combined Swim/T1: 31:24.00

Mountain Bike: Well… right out of the parking lot I had to push the bike up
a big hill spiking my heart rate which sucked, got on at the top and had a nice
trek all the while looking at this mountain in the distance that I would have
to climb.. it was pretty cool talking to people as they passed me, everyone was
awesome and there were some other first-timers out there as well. So yeah, that big mountain.. I see Rachel half way up it as I reach the
base, it was steep, really steep, really really steep and rocky. The next bit of the course was actually not
that bad, beautiful scenery, got through the sand w/ no problem thanks to tips
from Makko and Coach (one woman even said I was her inspiration through it, but
then took off like I rocket once she could)! Forgot to mention that it was pretty hot out and only getting warmer. I figure I’m almost done with the bike but
then see more of the trail in the distance. Lost sight of pretty much everyone and that’s when I started getting
down and loosing a lot of drive and energy, a few stragglers passed me on the
next stretch and then I was alone. Oh,
and I almost got hit by a few quads and dirtbikes, that was cool and my seat
post kept slipping down so I had to adjust that a few times. Highlight: didn’t crash on any of the
downhills this time but I came close, remembered to keep my butt back and my
elbows loose, thanks Chris! But.. had to walk my bike down the last hill then
hit pavement, man did I want my FastBack! Made it to the resort with a messy hand-off of my bike gear.

T2: Quick transition, only needed to throw on my race belt and hat.

Trail Run: I don’t really want to
talk about it but I will. It was
pathetic. My feet were aching from my
too tight speed laces but it was near useless at that point. Tried to run, so hot, cursing the incline,
almost crying, take off my shoes and run a while then think it’s probably
better if I have them on. Get to the
first aid station, drink water, keep going, find a friend running through the
sand, walk the uphills. It’s so f-ing
hot but I’m feeling chills on and off and the scenery is kind of swaying, the
only thing good about tunnel vision is that I can still see the trail. Aid station #2 drink water, my friend finds
his second wind and takes off, run past David in the sand and tell him to keep
going. Run through some crazy tunnel,
dizzy, confused. Keep going to 3^rd aid station, only a little bit left. See
shade that I could sit down under but hear the music and keep going. Run over river rocks, Phalyn finds me as I’m
nearing the stables and runs up the last hill through the finish line with
me. Remember kicking off my shoes and
taking off my socks, Mom, water, ice, TriCats, and the first few choice words
from my mouth “So when’s the next Xterra?”

3:52:21

Not bad for learning how to ride a mountain bike two days before race day..

Combining the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of this race, I can
say that this was the hardest thing that I have done. But I won’t let this be the hardest thing
that I have ever done, I’m ready for the next challenge and the one after that,
and the one after that.