When Charlie inquired with me about being on Team Rev3 this year I had no idea what I was in for...UMM...THE BEST TEAM EVA! My season was not going super racewise but the fun I was having made up for it. After Quassy I just could not get over all sorts of tendinitis and some real hamstrong/glute pain. I went into the weekend unsure how things would go...or if they would go.
I was really excited about driving down with SWF. We hit the road around 12:30pm Friday and got there in no time. When we got there we heard a lot of what miserable traffic...but we had not noticed through our non-stop talking! After packet pick-up, checking into the Powhatan, and matching jean short shopping for SWF, Jenny, and I (#shimmershineandsparkles) we were off to dinner with teammates and in bed at a reasonable hour.
***DISTANCE***
.6 mile swim (~1300 yards)
15.3 mile Bike
5K run
***RESULTS***
Swim: 17:38 Strava stats
Bike: 41:19 Strava stats
Run: 22:44 Strava stats
Total: 1:23:09 (5th OA female, 7th OA, 1st AG)
I slept pretty good for the night before a race. Got to the race site with plenty of time. Got set up and headed down to the swim start.
SWIM - All females went in the 1st wave. I positioned myself front and center right behind Julie. On the go I hung behind her and two others. The way out seemed quite easy as were were with the current. We rounded the corner and headed in, which seemed to take FOREVER...the buoys were coming so slowly and I felt like I was not going anywhere. Finally the buoy to turn into the finish...and it was pulling through nets of seaweed. I stood up but it was no help because the bottom was like quick sand...so I swam as fast as I could to get out. Yep, probably looked like swamp thing coming out of the water.
T1 - 4th into transition and managed to come out of transition in 1st or 2nd. (Matias, aka transition police, you have taught me well)
BIKE - It was lonely. I was out ahead for a few miles and then a girl flew by me. Then Melissa and Suzy caught up. We went back and forth the rest of the ride and came into transition together. Race was ON.
T2 - Suzy and started the run together.
RUN - Racing against Melissa is always fun but such a challenge. We are so close in speed swim, bike, and run so it is an ALL OUT battle the entire race. under pressure. I started out a bit ahead and maybe made some time on her. My HR was skyrocketing from the get go but my body felt pretty good. In the last stretch I was in 4th about .2 miles to go and did not have much left. Melissa gained on me and passed me. bust but oh well. Ended up 5th overall and 1st AG. It was a solid race for me...a great rust buster. I had given it my 100% and was a bit worried about what I would have left in the tank for the Olympic the next day.
Only 3 of these are mine...really
***DISTANCE***
.9 mile swim (~1300 yards)
27.2 mile Bike
10K run
***RESULTS***
Swim: 19:16 Strava stats
Bike: 1:13:28 Strava stats
Run: 50:42 Strava stats
Total: 2:25:41 (10th OA female, 3rd AG)
Had a chat with Parker Sat afternoon...I was feeling pretty wasted but nothing was really hurting or sore...did I give the Olympic race the next day a go? OR teammates were talking about relaying...that sounded like such a better idea. He said NO DO IT! He said you will probably feel better. WHAT?!?! I changed my focus from a possible relay to not even contemplating about not doing the full Oly. Round 2...ding ding ding
SWIM - Today females 39 and under went last. So no Julie to draft on :( On the go I pulled out ahead. But who know what was happening as we caught thr groups ahead pretty quickly so it was basically doging people. The current was deifnietly more in our favor the entire course. I think my time was almost the same from the previous day, which had been a shorter distance. Physically I felt a ton better in the water today. Towards the end of the swim when I put my face in all I saw was black. I felt like I might be hallucinating. EEK. I picked up my pace. Heading in from the last buoy I again felt the nets of seaweed. I didn't dare step down into the quick sand. People were walking and I just swam right through keeping my mouth SHUT.
T1 - Off on pink sparkles...
BIKE - I had no idea of my position since we started last. Sarah quickly caught me and we went back and forth for pretty much the entire race. I would have to say this was my favorite part of both races. It was awesome flying by all the guys with our macthing shimmer and shine (We're Shimmer and Shine...We leave it all behind!). My legs felt awesome...well until the last 5 miles when some fatigue set in. I had the 10K in my head the entire race...
RUN - Wow. OK. I felt good. I was hoping to just be able to hold sub 8 pace. I was easily holding 7:30s. (Parker was right...I should be able to hold the same pace as in the Sprint and even feel better). Well until about Mile 4. Enter PAIN CAVE. I saw Ed right as the demons got in. Serously, WHERE was my suitcase of courage?! He knew I was gaining on him and kept yelling KATIE P...where are you?! I am almost there! I finally caught up...for a short short bit I was ahead...then that nasty bridge. DONE. SO DONE. I felt so dizzy and started seeing spots. This was NOT good. I walked a bit. I looked behind me and did not see anyone. I trotted. I walked. OMG I felt so awful. Coming into the finish line I was walking. Jean passed me and said COME ON KATIE! I trotted it in. I headed to the med tent to see if I could just lie down and go to sleep. They had me sit and took my vitals I was going to live. And even managed 10th overall and 3rd AG! DANG I will take it!!!
Team had an AWESOME time. We rallied that night...karaoked, made new friends, wadnered the streets of Williamsburg?! Seriously...Rev3 you are AMAZING! One of the best moments of the weekend was watching the final finisher...chills...just so awesome. I am so happy to be part of this tremendous family. Such good hearted people all around. It is more than just training and racing...but a lifestyle.
While I was away Matias took the kids to VA beach to see Aunt Carla! I missed them and could not wait to get back to my babes!