Sprint National Championships

 

What I was hoping to be a fun weekend of racing turned into a weekend of stress. All I could do is just keep pushing forward. It start out with not being able to fly into Burlington and had to find another place to get into that I could get out of as well because of the flight loads. I finally decided that Boston would be my best bet. I got into Boston no problem and enjoyed a 4 hour car ride to Burlington. Finally getting into Burlington around 2:30 pm I picked up my bike from Podium. Getting into Burlington later then what I wanted to there was a lot I wanted to get down that day so I could relax the day before the race. After a few adjustments on the bike, It was off to get into the water to get in a short swim. The water was nice and was not as hot as these GA lakes =) After a short swim it was off to pick up the packet and then time to drive the bike course. I am really glad I drove the bike course. The roads were really bad with lots of holes and a lot of sharp turns. It is a technical bike course so seeing it a head of time was really going to help.

The next day I was up early to ride the run course to see what it was like. I had to get an early start since the Olympic Distance was that day and I wanted to get down before they started their race. After seeing the race course I was really excited about it. It is a flat course except for one nasty hill right from the start. For the rest of the day it was just time to relax and cheer on my friends doing the Olympic distance. See them race was really getting me excited for Sunday!

Sunday couldn't come soon enough, but it was finally here. I was in a later wave start and my wave didn't go off till 8:24 but I was still up early to get down to transition to set everything up. Then it was back to my hotel to relax some more before I had to go to the start. Around 7:45 I finally headed down to the water and ran into a friend that was there cheering us on. I talked with her for a little and was also able to see 3 of my friends in earlier waves leave out on the bike! After that it was time ti focus and get myself ready for the race. Finally I was in the water and I did my normal prayer, and a few mins later the horn went off.

All I can really say about the swim is that I swam. I am by far not the best swimmer. Maybe one day I will get better, but until then I am your middle of the pack swimmer always getting hit and kicked. Because I am never a fan of the swim I try to stay away from everyone and just try to get to the end and that I did. Out of the swim and through transition I was out on the bike. This was the first time I was nervous about the bike. I know it's not ideal, but I really didn't have a choice I was racing on 808s instead of 404s. I was just hoping the wind wouldn't pick so I wouldn't get blown around and I could have a good ride.

I really had a great bike!!! I finally averaged 20 MPH on my bike in a race!!!! I just tried to relax on the bike and ride like I own it. I kept telling my self to just keeping push and never let up and that is what I did.  I also wanted to say thank to Allen for cheering me on up the hill that I started to slow down on. Coming back into town and making the final turn back into transition I was excited that I made it back with no flats and I didn't get blown over on the 808s. Coming into transition I was still feeling good and it was out on the run.

Leaving out of transition I started the run and there it was that "nasty" hill only .1 miles into the run. Just as you are trying to get your legs warmed up from coming off the bike it's like BAM hello hill! =) All I can say is I tried. I tried and tried to run up it but it was ether waste all my energy on the never ending hill or conserve some of my energy for later. Conserve some of my energy won. I walked about 1/4 of the hill. Finally up the hill the rest of the course was flat for the most part and it was time to find my groove. My groove didn't come as fast as I wanted it to. Finally around mile 2 I was finally feeling it and I was finally running the pace I wanted to.

An hour and 21 mins later I crossed the finish line having a really good race for myself. Even though I had a great race for myself, there were still a lot of girls faster then me in my age group. I knew this was going to be a tough race and one of the toughest Sprints I would race this year and that it was. Everyone was out for blood and everyone wanted to make the US Team. With that being said as of right now I didn't make the team. As much as I wanted to be on that team I am still happy with my performance and I know I still have a lot of work to do. As it stands right now there are 7 people that are in position to get a roll down spot if for some reason someone that did make the team doesn't want to go or can't go.  And guess what??? I am one of those 5!!!

So this is how it works. All of the people that made the team will get an email saying they made the team and they will have a few weeks to give a yes or no if they want to compete at Worlds next year on the US team. If someone says no, then they go down the line of the people in the role down position. So if I had to guess it could be about a month and I will know for sure if I get a chance to be a part of the US Team. Oh and did I mention that Worlds next year is in LONDON!!!! Let's see what happens.

I also want to say Thanks to Podium from bringing my bike up to Burlington and a very special thanks to Allen Heaton from all the work you did on my bike last min to make things work right, don't know what I would have done without him there. Also even though they were not there they are still my biggest cheerleaders and I couldn't do any of this with out the support of my husband and my family. I also have amazing friends that keep me going as well when I need it. I really truly believe I have the best support team one could ask for and amazing GOD that gives me the strength to be able to do all this.

Now that Nationals is done it's time to refocus and get ready for Ironman Florida in 2 1/2 months!!!!

Don't have any pictures yet from the race but once I get them I will post some here as well.