The answer was to learn from my mistakes and try and grow as an athlete. I did indeed pout for awhile but I also took the time to take a critical look at my diet and training and recovery protocols and learn from the mistakes I had made. Too much intensity during a training run, not enough calcium in the diet and forgetting that recovery days are when you get stronger. Everything happens for a reason and sometimes you have to take a step back and realize it's all about the process.
I am back in full training mode now and I actually got to race the Top Notch Triathlon as my first race back. The rest period proved helpful as I felt rested and absolutely raring to go on the start line. I was 100% mentally ready swim/bike/run myself into the deepest darkest depths of the pain cave. Not to mention the race takes place in Franconia, NH - one of the most beautiful places in the state. It was just a wonderful, beautiful, adventurous day.
I say adventurous because this triathlon includes a mountain bike portion. And mountain biking is NOT this little ballerina's forte. The day starts with the bike - 3 miles on the road and 3 miles on a twisty, rocky, muddy trail. Gasp! I did this race back in 2007 and I couldn't mountain bike then and despite putting a little practice in on the old mountain bike nothing has changed. I'll save you the sad sorry details but will say I survived the mountain bike (i.e. only face planted a few times). After I disengaged myself from my muddy mess of a bike the race for the course record started. I knew it was going to be close. I plunged into Echo Lake for a quick 1/2 mile swim to the base of Cannon Mountain. The run portion of this race goes directly up mountain. I traded my swim cap for my Speedy Zoot race shoes and off I went! There were parts of the run were I kept doubting myself. Was I breathing so hard because I was out of run shape or was I breathing so hard because I'm running straight up a vertical? :) When my mind began to wander I tried to re-focus on the positives. I reminded myself that I am finally racing and that I do love uphill running. Danny was hiking up and cheering on and as I passed him he told me good job and gave me an update of the runners ahead of me. Just as I thought my quads were going to explode from a steady stream of lactic acid I saw the finish clock and crossed the line proud to have gotten the female course record. I was even more proud of one of my friends, Ryan Kelly, for winning the race overall!
We are so hungry after the race that our medals looked tasty |
Link to the race article - Page 20
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