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Friday, December 19, 2014

A forgotten post...

XTerra West Championships was a crazy race. I'm not 100% certain of what was happening out there, but I'll do my utmost best to write a race report!

I chose this early-season race because I need to do four XTerra series races to qualify for Nationals in Ogden, Utah, which is my goal. Even though I have done a lot of Compu-Trainer riding and even had a few outdoor rides, very few have been mountain biking. Weather, snow and mud make mountain biking difficult this time of year.

AND, I just began Mountain Biking last summer. So, I checked the course out ahead of time on Strava. I certainly didn't underestimate the difficulty, but at the same time, I certainly didn't understand the difficulty.There was about 1500 ft of climbing over 18.6 miles. I do THAT every time I ride out my door....

As a family, we spent the week mountain biking and swimming about 2 hours from the race. This helped me acclimate. I went from 50 degree weather to 90 degrees. At the end of the week, my kids went back home and the Computer Guy and I drove to the race.

At the pre-race meeting, Josiah Middaugh and Shonny VanLandingham described sections of the bike course to watch out for. Since I hadn't pre-ridden, it was a little foreign but I tried to keep some things in mind: watch out for the off-camber sections, gear way down for the sandy washes. Ride with really low tire pressure so you don't pinch flat on the sharp rocks. Got it.

Fast forward: I met Luke McKenzie, 6X Ironman Champ. He stopped by my car and asked for sunblock. I am sure this was a pathetic excuse to come over and meet me...

That night I slept better and more than I have in months. With a band playing very, very loudly down on the hotel plaza, I was thankful. I awoke ready to GO!

I love open water swimming so it was hard to wait until my Wave was sent off. And we were the last Wave. This was going to be the first swim where I had to run on the beach, past the flags and do another swim lap. For some reason, this was something I couldn't WAIT to try. It was FANTASTIC!

The Mountain Biking was unexpected. Lots of sand and climbing. The climbing was straight up. No switch backs, trees, and roots like I am used to. It was a ride of all guts and very little glory! Every couple of minutes I was riding in something new and eventually, the frustration of not knowing what to prepare for subsided and I just began wondering what would come up next, enjoying the variety.

Transition 2 was smooth. I grabbed a gel, some water, changed shoes and headed out. For the first 1/2 mile or so, it was along the lake side. Smooth, grass and fun. All too soon, we turned onto the bike course of dirt, sand, and rocks. Again, the same climbs I pushed my bike up found me walking up one more time. For the last time, thankfully. As I rose to the top, I looked behind and noticed a couple of people falling further behind. I kept my eyes on one man in front that I could see.

As I approached, we decided to walk/run the rest of the course together. I was tired in a different way than I was used to. The last mile, I left my new friend and cruised down to the finish line. A welcome site.







Off Season Resolve

It's the off season and this triathlete is close to thumping her head against the wall. So, this morning I resolved to break out of the dull-drums (do people USE that word anymore?) and do something unique, different, out of the ordinary. Something that is a stretch for me. Something I wouldn't normally do.

For some, they might sign up for the new Ironman Silverman in NV. No, that's something I WOULD do. I need something really challenging and completely off the grid. My mind instantly thought of something, but can I do it? Is it even possible?

Drum roll ---I thought the CRAZIEST thought! Go to a movie and eat movie popcorn!!!

For you movie goers out there, I am not dis'ing on you. Not at all. You are my heroes. This is a feat rarely attempted in my life. I've done more Ironmans and half Ironmans than times I've attended the movie theater. I've ran more marathons. When I remarked to the Computer Guy what I'm actually considering,  maybe overcoming huge obstacles and attempting such a thing, his brow furrowed. "I've think you've actually done that once, a few years ago." I was shocked, "I have?! Did I eat the popcorn?!"

"I think so," was his very unsure response.

This is why hoping on a mountain bike and hurling myself downhill for the first time was easier than going to a movie. This is why deciding to swim 2.4 miles when I didn't know my local pool was actually 50m and not 100m. (I was SURE one time down was as long as 100m! HEHEHE. It still makes me laugh when I think of this guy's face when I asked if it was a 100m length pool.....)

Anyway, back on track. First, I don't actually know of any movies that are playing. I only watch skiing races - if I'm training indoors. Go Ted Ligety!

Next, theaters are so uncomfortable. Granted, I haven't been in quite a few years, so maybe they've changed. However, my kids still remember the last time I went with them, I fell asleep, curled up like a cat in the seat. It wasn't comfortable, but that's what happened. They were super, duper impressed that their mom is probably the only mom that can curl up in a movie theater seat. Yes, Multiple Ironman's and a few XTerra's later and THIS is what impresses them!

There is a separate issue from movie theater comfort, but sort of goes along with it: I am always so COLD in the theater. I don't want to carry a quilt in just so stay warm. I'm old, but not that old! When it is 46 outside, I jump up, grab my shorts and a long sleeve shirt and head out for a run. That's the best temperature for running! And yes, I hate swimming in cold lake water, but if it is around 54-56 I'm EXCITED because I KNOW I'll be leading my Age Group out of the swim. However, 70 in a movie theater? Really? Not happening.

Another problem getting me to a movie is they always show it in the dark. I, know, right? For some reason I hate watching things in the dark. The lights have to be on. I can't explain it, it's weird. I had a easier time in the Boise 70.3 rainstorm doing 40 mph downhill from the Lucky Peak Dam, rain streaming down my glasses and not being able to see anything, than watching a movie in the dark.

Another difficulty I can't overcome is how LOUD the sound is. I stood next to the cannon at XTerra World's in Maui. It was a rookie mistake. I was so nervous, I didn't see the cannon. Right there. Until they fired it off. Movies are louder than that.

But it is the off season, and I am going nuts. I need to do something different and out of the ordinary to keep me sane. Will setting a new goal and rising to a new challenge help? Eating the movie popcorn would be the ultimate "Out there" thing to do. If I go, I have to eat the movie popcorn and I'm not sure I can actually do that....