Still runnin'!

I ran at dusk today, on this oddly spring-like day. So, I put on my 2013 Boston Marathon shirt that I've been "saving" (for what, I asked myself?). But I wanted long sleeves and yellow for the visibility so on it went. I looked at the sleeve displaying the year and thought, wow, 2013! I've run 10 years since then (and about 15 in total).

When I ran Boston, was I thinking I'd still be running in 2023? Probably not, but here I am! I'm still runnin'! 

What's the same?

Through the years, I've remained very consistent and it's rare that I miss a workout. I guess you'd call that discipline, but after so many miles, it just becomes what the body craves and needs. I still have my same fantastic coach, Jim McGehee, who every year says, "you don't really need me anymore." And every year I say, "yes I DO!!!!!." Having structure (translation: not having to decide what to do) and having that knowledgeable and caring person to interact with on a regular basis is priceless. I would put coaching as one of the best investments I have made in myself.

Something else that's the same: it's STILL hard to get out the door some days. When people struggle with an exercise habit, I remind them you can't wait for motivation. You just have to take action, get going, and the motivation grows as you go! 

What's different?

I'm definitely slower now (I ran a 3:33 that year) but running has come to mean so much more to me. Back then, my run thoughts were all about the workout. I was so intensely focused on performance and I ate it up! Now, running is about time away from screens, and clearing space between my ears for my own thoughts about life, my kids, relationships, work. I run to podcasts and catch anywhere from 10-75% of the content, depending on what my mind prefers!

I'm more chill about racing now, especially before a race, and more patient within the race. I'm not so willing to bury myself, but I will still push myself close to that edge! Workouts are done more by feel and less by exact pace. I have more fun now, and put less pressure on myself. Oh, and I strength train. I got away with skipping that part for a lot of years, but no longer. It's a part of my routine, 3x a week.

There must be something to this running stuff. So many of my friends have also been doing it for years, decades, a lifetime! The only explanation: there's magic in those miles!

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P.S. It felt good to write this. I spend my days as a health coach writing, writing, writing, which I love, but it doesn't always leave a lot for me to say at the end of the day! 

Blacksburg Turkey Trot

Thanksgiving is reportedly the day of the year that draws the largest race participation in the US. I did my part to contribute, as did my friends Michaela and Carla (above, photo courtesy of Nora).  I showed up in my several-decades-old homemade felt turkey tail and long-ago-purchased turkey hat that I wear every year, even if just for a solo run. I got lucky this year that my shoes happened to be color coordinated too. 😉  This year I swapped out my maroon VT shirt for a UVA one in tribute to Lavel Davis, Devin Chandler, and D'Sean Perry.

We had the most gorgeous morning and the crowd was large and full of energy for it being 8 am. 

I opened Spotify, paired my headphones, and pulled up my playlist, queuing up the next thing in line: a Fresh Air podcast on Retirement. 😆  Yeah, that's my jam...podcasts! 

My mind was already thinking ahead to the day's meal prep. This would be the first year celebrating without our head chef, Spencer. He only had two days off for the holiday, and being at UCLA it was just too far to travel. He hosted his first Friendsgiving instead.

Once the race began, my thought shifted immediately to the task at hand: run a relaxed but strong 5k. 

Sidebar: one of my reasons for wanting to re-start my blog is to talk a bit about training and racing in the post-menopausal years. It's been a physical and mental adjustment to navigate things like the age-related slow-downs (I'm 55 now), reduced heat tolerance, about a year of insomnia, more need for strength training. The 5K has been, and remains, one of my preferred metrics for where I am in my speed, strength, and fitness.

Anywho, I had no idea what the route was and was just happily following along in what felt like the right gear, the right perceived exertion. I was curious how long I'd been running. I guessed maybe 10 minutes. I glanced down at my Garmin which I had somehow inadvertently paused just after the start and so I had no metrics, and there were no mile markers! I restarted my Garmin, a bit bummed I wouldn't have my splits. Then I shifted my thoughts to gratitude that I could do this at any pace. I also thought about some of my amazing coaching clients too.

I heard a few people yell that I was the "first turkey" and that gave me a boost! I crossed the finish line in 22:46, feeling very pleased with my time, effort, and happy mindset.

I'm about 1:15 slower than my fastest 5K years, but I am running faster this year than last. Contributing factors could be that I am sleeping much better (seemingly due to HRT), and I've been fairly consistent with strength training over the last year too. 

Overall, I train at slower paces these days, not on purpose, but that's just how it is and what I have in me. I find I have a little less energy. Even so, things generally come together on race day and it kind of surprises me. I can probably chalk it up to experience and consistency across many years. And an excellent Coach (thank you Jim McGehee!).

This race was an unexpected and welcome boost for my motivation and spirits. Thanksgiving dinner turned out well too. It's good to put ourselves to the test and see what we can do! 

Hokie Half

Today was the Hokie Half (half-marathon). That's me on the right, with Ally Bowersock who co-owns Runabout Sports Roanoke, among other talents and distinctions. We both won our age groups today!

After the finish, I ran into a fellow area master's runner, Randy, who asked if I was still doing triathlons and asked about my blog. I told him I was still racing, but with so much change in life over the last few years, I had shelved my own writing. But then and there, I decided it's time to revive the blog. As a health and wellness coach, I encourage clients to journal and I understand the value of time spent reflecting. It's time I "walk the walk" and continue my own conversation in this space.

When I first began my blog, I was in my early 40's and finding my way as a new runner and triathlete. My star was rising, and PRs came with regularity.

Now I am 55. I'm no longer chasing PRs, but I still love to train and love to race. In this phase of my athletic life, it's about finding my personal bests in mind and body that go beyond the time clock. 

Back to today. This was one of those races that ended up so dialed in for me! I added the Hokie Half to my calendar in mid-August after tri Nationals, just as a fun-change up, and I've truly enjoyed preparing for it. We shifted my long runs from Wednesdays to Saturdays and cut back on my cycling. Just those few differences - it's like fluffing the sheets. It freshens everything up! 

Based on my training runs, I came into this race targeting about an 8:25 mile pace. My last half marathon, a year ago, I ran in 1:52, so I was hoping for 1:50ish finish on this course even knowing it's fairly hilly. (My half PR is 1:39:45 from 2016). I stayed very relaxed on the first of the two loops and that paid off with a sweet negative split, averaging about 15 seconds per mile faster on the second half. I totally surprised myself finishing in 1:44:54, which comes out to an 8:00 pace. More importantly, I stayed in a really positive and confident headspace, which is so vital for a good performance. That was the real win for me.

That's racing. You just never know what you might have on the day, for better or for worse. 🤷‍♀️ 

The personalized bibs are fun. "Cort the Sport" is a nod to my dad and his nickname for me from a very young age! 

Always fun to see the Hokie Bird. 

Thanks to Coach Jim McGehee of One on One Endurance for the excellent race prep - 13 years of guidance and encouragement! 

Return to Scenic Mountain Triathlon

(photo credit: Rob McKenzie Photography)

With Nationals less than a month away, I really needed to get my butt to a triathlon, so I picked the Scenic Mountain Triathlon in Richwood, WV, a race I had done three years prior (race report here). It's a small but very well-produced race which has been offered for 34 years, including in 2016 when the town was ravaged by flooding and the race was rescheduled, but not cancelled. This year the race was also the USAT WV State Championship. The event draws from Morgantown, WV, Cumberland, MD, Roanoke, VA and many other regions. If you are within 250 miles of this race, it should absolutely be on your race calendar!! 

How'd I do? I was pleased to again win the women's division, by a good 12 minutes. I was 6 minutes slower than in 2016, but I was happy with how I managed my own race. (Results here)

The most exciting part of the day for me was when I saw a black BEAR run across the road in front of me on the bike descent - maybe 20m ahead. Just a week ago I had told my friend Kristen that I was always on the lookout and hoping to spot a bear on the back roads we cycle (I've seen just one prior). I considered it a really good omen and it put a huge smile on my face!

About the race:

The race takes place in the Monongahela National Forest, starting with a half mile out-and-back swim in Summit Lake. Then it's onto your bike to drop down the mountain briefly, then spend most of the 17 mile bike ride pedaling up the Kennison Mountain to the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center. Then you top it off with a 10k run that is downhill to the Cranberry Glades, and uphill back, with generous amounts of shade. When you finish, you've really accomplished something. This isn't some pedal and stroll around a park!

The race info doesn't tell you what is so great about traveling to Richwood, about staying at the Four Seasons Lodge with the Cherry River out your back door. It doesn't say anything about the great race sponsors and cash prizes! How many races do that? The natural beauty is spectacular and touring the Nature Center to see all the snakes and wildlife info is a finish line bonus. There are kind Forest Service Officers who get you into your car when you've locked the key in (yup) and helpful Chamber of Commerce race director/staff who transport your forgotten camp chairs down the mountain (yup).

There are wonderful dining options where people are not staring at their phones (limited cell service which is a good thing ;-) Sherpa Bryan and I ate a fantastic dinner at the Whistle Punk Grill and Taphouse and then I had some a-mazing chicken and dumplings at the Oakford Diner.

If you want more details about the race, or how I personally approached it, read on! If you just want to go eat chicken and dumplings now, I would not take offense.

Swim:

We self-seeded into a faster and slower wave. I was a little worried about being clobbered at the swim start of the faster wave (mixed gender) but I quickly found my own space. I remember thinking "where did everyone go??"

Photo credit: Bryan Walsh

This photo shows the swim line really well - we swim up one side and down the other. Some people were way right. (photo credit: Rob McKenzie Photography)

My approach:

• Swim strong but not frantically. I always remind myself the time differential between all-out effort vs just a strong stroke is not that much. 
• Swim smart: sight frequently and stay on the shortest, most efficient line

photo credit: Appalachian Timing

Bike:

I chose to ride my road bike for this race. I haven't yet done a triathlon with it and it's what I'll be racing in Lausanne. I was grateful for the extra climbing gears!! 

My approach:

• Go fast but not recklessly on the first descent (maybe saved me from crashing into the bear!!)
• Drink (Gatorade) every two miles
• Have a gel half-way
• Keep heart rate above 160 (don't slack off)
• Keep watts around 200 but don't spike much over 240
• ENJOY!!!! 

I did hear on the bike course that I was the first female, but with two swim waves, one never knows. I certainly didn't let up on the gas. 

T2 is cool because a volunteer grabs your bike, hands you your run bag, and takes your shoes and helmet! It's so easy!

Photo credits: Bryan Walsh

Run:

My approach:

• Stay cool. For the first time ever, I put a bottle of water and small towel in my run bag. I put the towel around my neck and drenched myself and the towel then drank the rest. I passed my bottle off to the volunteer 1.5 miles in, and she offered to refill it and have it ready for me on the way out! I totally took her up on that. To whoever that volunteer was...THANK YOU!!!
• Stave off cramps. I had a mustard pack on the way out and another on the way back. I thought to slightly pre-tear the tops so they'd open easily.
• Go conservatively downhill and then run consistently back up. Don't worry about pace, just slow down as little as you need to. Keep running! 

Probably no surprise...John Denver's Country Roads was on repeat in my head for most of the run!

Whatever your approach, race your own race and eventually it brings you to....THE FINISH!

photo credit: Appalachian Timing

Thank you to the Richwood Area Chamber of Commerce and the many, many sponsors for supporting this race that showcases such a beautiful area and strong community! 

Thank you to my ace sherpa Bryan and to Coach Jim :-)
Appreciation also goes to Dave at Valley Active for working to get my glute and hamstring healthier and my core stronger! 

The Next Chapter, A Decade in the Sport

I'm typing this from my front porch, as I listen to the birds, watch the goats in the front field (the neighbor's goats), and enjoy a gently snoring dog and a sprawled cat next to me. I finished a short pre-race brick and am cooling down.

I moved across town at the end of April, into my own home, after 15 years in the same house where my ex and I raised our kids. Finding this home was a dream come true for me. It's a lovely wood and stone home on 17 acres, within two miles of the New River, and offers great running and biking routes. As I've explored on foot and by bike, I've met so many of my wonderful neighbors. I am happy to be a part of this community!

It is the start of a new chapter. It is full of promise and hope.
But it is also a bit scary. I'll officially be an "empty nester" in a month. And I am solely responsible.

The last 3+ years have been packed with major life events - sudden death of my dad, selling the childhood home, moving my mom, helping my sister to care for my mom, separation, divorce, my mom getting sick, my mom passing away, job changes, shepherding two kids through high school, going through the college application process, and getting them headed off to college (UVA for one, Carnegie Mellon for the other).

Through it all I trained and raced (very helpful for my mental health), but I was going 100 MPH to make it all happen. A lot of important things slipped - like cooking, eating well, sleeping well, taking care of myself, keeping up with medical appointments, reading - that sort of thing.

I felt like I was on "high alert" constantly and that I had to be productive 100% of the time or I would just get buried. It was exhausting.

No more.

I'm working less now, and have allowed myself the chance to SLOW the HECK down for the summer. But it's not easy to retrain myself. "Just breathe," I have to say often.

I am starting to get back on top of the things that have slipped. June was "medical catch-up month." After one pair of very expensive computer glasses, bloodwork, and a mammogram scare, plus four wisdom teeth removed from the kiddo, we are through that. I've been cooking again and eating a lot better. I renewed my library card and I've read some books. I'm enjoying mowing (only a small part of the property), working in the yard, and doing house projects. My kid and I just finished a puzzle. I'm getting help for a glute/hamstring issue that has plagued me for 6 months. And I'm spending time with friends.

I'm working to recharge my personal batteries.

The hardest thing for me right now? That would be not having my mom to talk to, to share this with, to lean on. We would talk daily, sometimes multiple times per day. She was always my sounding board and advisor.

I recently got a standup paddleboard that I've been enjoying on the river. It's pretty awesome to paddle hard up river and then sit back for a slow, quiet drift back. Those are the times I "talk" to my mom and my dad. The peacefulness from the middle of the river is really healing.

Now back to triathlon, since that is really the point of this blog.

I'm racing the Scenic Mountain Triathlon in West Virginia on Sunday. It will be my first triathlon of the year. Yes, you read that right. My first. I did the Duathlon in April, and then concentrated on the house. My typical 99.5% training compliance dropped to about 85% during the house moving process but it's come back up. I can feel myself getting stronger. I'm not putting down amazing speeds or power, but that's OK. Not every year, not every race needs to be full-throttle.

This August marks one decade for me in the sport of triathlon. The "why" of it has changed for me from year to year. This year my "why" is really focused on being among the community of triathletes. I've been incredibly grateful for my friends over the last few years. As I lost my mom, they have really helped to lift me up, and I hope I do the same for them.

Thank you, friends, for the conversation, companionship, and laughs!

Here's to healing, recharging, and goat snuggles!

Du Nats and What I know about racing after 10 years

Preface: I have no business writing right now. I am so tired, and I should be in bed, but I just need this. I need the luxury of some time spent in my own words, to slow down, and be. Why so nutty now, you ask? Well, I'm moving across town in 12 days, after 15 years in the same house. I'm excited, and it's my dream retreat home, but as my work teammate who is also moving described it, buying a house and moving is like having another job. In the span of two weeks I will have two houses sold (my mom's and our house to my ex) and one bought. I'm packing and counting down the days, and yes, still working and training in the midst, albeit the training is scaled back. I'll share more after closing is done. It's hard to believe it's really happening.

So despite having a lot going on, I made the trek to Greenville, SC last weekend to race Draft-Legal Sprint Duathlon Nationals. I wanted to go and get some experience racing that style since I am going to Worlds for the Draft-Legal Sprint Triathlon in September. Between other life responsibilities and a hamstring issue, I was not in any sort of peak condition, but I had 10 years of consistent training to draw on so I wasn't worried. It was a short race of a 5-kilometer run, 18-kilometer bike and 2.85-kilometer run.

The brief race report is that I found myself in the first run behind a woman one age group up (Geraldine Lupini, F55-59) who was running my pace and she seemed consistent and disciplined. So I tucked in behind her and just focused on keeping up. A duathlon is not won in the first run. I was amazed that my hamstring seemed to be a non-issue. I ran a 23:10, not stellar for me, but decent considering. Then Geraldine and I took off on the 3-loop bike course and the fun began!! Without really saying a word, we traded off pulls and we rode really strong! It was mainly just the two of us then we were caught by Jocelyn Shilling (who went on to win F55-59) and the three of us came off the bike in close proximity. I paced off of Jocelyn for the first bit of the second run then pulled ahead to finish. I won F50-54 by a mere 12 seconds. I was thrilled and I had SO much fun with that style of racing. It was really nice to do something different! (And yes, I'm the same person who was very opposed when sprint Worlds changed to draft-legal.)

It was nice to see my name in the USAT article about the race!

Some pics from the race:

Behind Geraldine 

I swear we traded off, but here I am behind Geraldine again! 

 Starting run 2 behind Jocelyn

With Geraldine post-race

VERY happy to have finished 1st!

At Fluor Field for awards

The whole experience just got me thinking about my racing now vs when I started 10 years ago and some of the differences.

What has changed:

1. I don't bother getting nervous/excited until maybe an hour before. I just don't have the time or energy for that anymore!
2. After 10 years, I am confident that even if I have a "bad" race, chances are it'll still be pretty good. I trust myself.
3. I used to pack my pre-race meals and be super disciplined about what I ate. Now, I don't pass up the opportunity to enjoy a great local meal the night before. I do this for fun, it's not my career!
4. I now know that arriving 30-40 minutes before transition closes is plenty of time. I don't "need" 90 minutes like those early years!!
5. I know not to fret about needing extra layers unless it's below about 52 degrees F. That threshold is different for racing than for training.
6. I've learned not to judge myself while racing. Did I feel like I was having a winning race at Du Nats? Not really, but I stayed positive and pushed on and was on the right side of that 12 second gap. Race happy, race hard!
7. I'm a more patient racer now. I know the danger of pushing too hard and going to the "dark side."
8. With a very few exceptions, I have little interest in the professional race photos. They all start to look the same.
9. I don't take myself so seriously. I race my best on the day and it is what it is. There's always positive aspects to every race, and things to learn from every race, but they are just things, they are not who I am. 
10. After Nationals last year, I learned to always take a nice change of clothes just in case I end up on the podium!!

What hasn't changed?

1. Even after 10 years the sport does not get boring. There are always new variations, venues, distances, and formats. 
2. Race morning I never feel like racing and I feel lazy and sluggish. I just accept that's part of how I am and I ignore it.
3. Once the starting horn sounds, the body and mind know what to do, and in the moment I most definitely enjoy it.

I am taking a little break from racing for May and part of June. I want to get settled in the new place, enjoy the summer with my boys, rest, refocus, and ramp up training for Lausanne in September. 

My goal is to slow down my life, and speed up my racing!

Many thanks as always to Coach Jim and Sherpa Bryan :-)

Thank you, friends!

Today I enjoyed my longest ride in ages - just shy of 60 miles (6700' of elevation gain, ouch), with a big chunk of those shared with a friend, Desen (pictured). We hadn't ridden together before, but we immediately clicked, and it felt good to work with her across the miles. It's nice to ramp up the training again and notice some fitness returning after my least consistent winter ever.

Less than four weeks ago my mom passed away - maybe you saw my post. We'd known since late November that she had just a few months to live with metastatic brain cancer.

For most of my adult life, I talked to her nearly every day (sometimes twice) just to chat about the goings-on of life. She was a wonderful advisor to me. That's gone. At least in the way we used to do it.

But in the aftermath I have felt friends "circling the wagons" for me, especially those in my triathlon/running/cycling world. They've been ready with hugs, encouraging words, ears to listen, and just as important - they've been there to swim, bike, and run with me.

Triathlon (and running/cycling/etc) is a community of survivors and thrivers - those who push through challenges whether it be a major life change, illness/injury, or even just getting out of a warm bed for an early morning session.

During tough times I keep training as I can, and I encourage others to keep training through their tough times too. Dial it back and give yourself flexibility to adapt, but keep going. It's not just for the physical and mental benefits, but for the community.

Last week I really struggled. I think my efforts to be strong and keep everything going - work, family, all the paperwork and things related to my mom's passing - it all caught up to me and sort of boiled over on Thursday. The last thing I wanted to do was go to Master's swimming, but I went. I told my coach I was having a really rough day. It felt really comforting to just be in close proximity to my friends, to chat and share the workout. And darn if I didn't swim pretty decently. Afterward, our coach asked me, "How do you feel now?" I of course felt much better :-)

My mom was part of a community of lifelong friends forged through tennis (many of whom I've enjoyed catching up with over the last few weeks.) I can't imagine my life without the friendships that have blossomed through the sports I enjoy.

I just want to say thank you for every kind word, text, message, email, card, phone call, and shared workout. Thank you friends. And thank you Coach Jim, who has lovingly coached me through so many challenges throughout the last ten years. He always seems to know just what I need.

The sweetness of life comes from connecting with and loving others.
That's all that matters.
That's everything.

How my bikes found me

I am not a shopper. I'll do enough homework to get myself into the ballpark for a purchase, and then I like the decisions to make themselves. That's been the story for each of my three bikes purchased in my adult lifetime. There was no shopping. They found me!

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Bike 1 - Jamis Ventura Road Bike (June 2009)

Story: After running for two years and being injured too many times, I decided I should get a bike and become a triathlete. I scanned our local Craigslist and one and only one bike stood out to me as the right size, the right condition (barely used), and really I just though it was pretty!  So I bought it and raced the heck out of it for two years.

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Bike 2 - Quintana Roo Tri Bike (June, 2011)

Story: I'd been mulling over the idea of a tri bike for a while. I had a conversation with the owner of a local bike shop about it and he said I should try his tri bike and see if I even liked that style of bike. The 2008 Quintana Roo Lucero Lite bike was not for sale, but he let me take it, he let me race it after riding it only once (photo above), and I fell in love. He sold me the bike! Again, I've raced the heck out of that bike and will continue to do so in non draft-legal races. It's just a great partnership and we've raced the roads of Auckland, London, and Rotterdam together. 

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Bike 3 - Trek Domane SLR with Di2 (September, 2018)

Story: For years I had been debating getting a different (more comfortable, non-aluminum) road bike. When I qualified for Draft-Legal Sprint Worlds, I decided that was the sign that it was time. I reached out to my coach, to another coach friend, and to Lauren Goss, a professional triathlete I have worked with since 2012, looking for leads. It just so happened Lauren was about to list her Trek Domane, a bike that has quite a following for comfort and performance. (Here she is the day she got the bike.) While I wanted the bike for some limited draft-legal racing, my greater interest is really to enjoy centuries and group rides in comfort and not be "that person" on the tri bike.

The big question was, would it fit me? I am just an inch taller than Lauren, and after some measurements by our Trek rep Janet at our LBS, and by Lauren remotely, we confirmed that it should work. 

I arranged for shipping through Bike Flights, Lauren packed it up, and I anxiously awaited its arrival at FedEx!

Sherpa and equipment manager Bryan headed up the assembly. (Big thanks to him for helping with the decision making and acquisition.) I hadn't been on a road bike in years and had never used Di2 shifting, so those first laps around a parking lot were a little scary!!

To add to the fun of this bike, I got the Di2 charger from pro Kevin Collington, and Garmin Vector pedals from pro Timothy O'Donnell. Timothy is a Garmin athlete and was the top American male at Kona for the second time this year - I worked with him for several years. I asked each of them to send along some speed to go along with it all (haha, wish it worked that way!).

I rode the Domane exclusively this fall and am absolutely thrilled with it. The Jamis went on to a new home with a budding triathlete. The QR is on the trainer and it's nice to be able to leave it on there for the winter. I feel extremely fortunate to have two nice bikes that work well for me. And I love that they come with stories. 

Thank you to Lauren and Timothy for helping me to have a much nicer bike than I could have possibly dreamed of. Thank you to Bryan, my mom, and Coach Jim who encouraged me to "get the bike!" 

My Christmas came early!!

A Tale of Two Races: USAT Age Group Nationals

I am finally getting around to a report on USA Triathlon Age Group Nationals, held August 11 & 12 in Cleveland, Ohio. Why a two week delay (slacker) you ask? Because I got home late Monday after the race, had a backlog of work, and was getting my oldest son ready to head off to his first year at the University of Virginia. That happened Saturday.

I did keep up a Facebook album during the race weekend and won't duplicate that here. It turns out I must have pre-ordered the photos from the Olympic race so I'll put them to good use here. I have to keep up my tradition of race reports!

The short version of my report on racing the "double" of the Olympic on Saturday and the Sprint on Sunday:

Some days ya have it. Some days ya don't. 

Saturday's tale: The Olympic Distance Race

The lake was pretty riled up by the time our wave went. I generally like a bit of adversity and I did have fun with the swim, coming 26th out of 125 which is decent for me. Perhaps some credit is due to the sleeveless ROKA wetsuit I impulsively bought on my way to swim start, about 45 minutes out!! (I kept laughing at my total disregard for "nothing new on race day!!") It was one of several purchases I've been debating for years as I have a full-sleeve and I have wetsuit pants, but no sleeveless wetsuit. But I do now, and it's super comfortable and I loved it.

The swim must have spread us out quite a bit since I didn't see a lot of other women in my age group on the bike. I did my thing and felt OK but not amazing (I was 11th on the bike).

Then on the run I just ran out of steam - mentally and/or physically. In hindsight, I may have been under-fueled given the span of time between breakfast and the race start for me.

On this day I didn't quite have it. I found myself walking the little uphills (embarrassing) on the course and just didn't have much fight in me. I got passed by quite a few women in my age group and that STUNG. But I did what I could and came 17th place out of 125 finishers in my age group. The results are here in PDF form, on the app in individual form, or here at sportstats - none in easily sortable lists (which makes it hard to look at how your various splits compare to others in your age group).

I was 26th on the swim, 11th on the bike, and 24th on the run. With the age-up thing, I was 20th for the 18 Team USA spots which probably means a roll-down slot will come but I don't think I'll take it. Why not? Read on.

Sunday's tale: The Sprint Distance Race

I slept well Saturday night and showed up to the venue fresh and ready for another go. I was not sore AT ALL so I knew I had not fully utilized my race gears Saturday. I was determined to use them this day.

The sprint race was changed to a duathlon. Instead of swim - bike - 5k run, it would be a 2.7k run - bike - 2.7k run. While I would prefer all three sports, I knew this offered me a distinct advantage. I love a short fast run!!!

My age group was THE last group to go. We started in groups of four in a time-trial fashion, and there were maybe 20 women behind me. I was really at the back of the race. The wait felt like forever and when it was my time to go, I shot out of the start with pent-up energy. We ran about 200m on the flat grass then headed up the long-ish incline to the park. At the top I glanced at my pace and was thrilled to see something starting with a 6:XX. (Those track workouts pay off!) That just fueled my fight and helped me to confidently lock into my top gears. I just never let off the gas.

I had a blast on the bike, telling myself to "grind." It's funny the mantras that pop into my head on race day! I knew I was having a good race for me and that excitement carried me through every step of that second run and onto the finish. I felt fantastic!!

Sunday's race tale had a much more satisfying ending. I was 4th on the first run, 6th on the bike, and 7th on the last run. This time I was the one passing people (with a time trial start there could be slower people ahead of me and faster people behind me). Overall I was 5th, edging out 6th by just 12 seconds and earning myself the last step on the podium.

I did not have a change of clothes with me for the awards ceremony. Oops. 

That performance earned me one of the 8 spots for the ITU Draft-Legal Sprint World Championship to be held in Lausanne, Switzerland during the Grand Final next August 30-September 1. I took the spot despite my resistance to draft-legal racing. Why? I am a stronger sprint racer than Olympic. I believe I can adapt to that form of racing. And, I've been debating getting a race-quality road bike for YEARS. So this is my kick in the pants to finally do that. (Looking for: used carbon fiber road bike, size medium frame for 5'7" athlete, affordable!)

I was super happy especially given that this past year I've had to shoehorn training into a very packed life. I owe so much to my fantastic coach, Jim McGehee of One-on-one Endurance who helps me maximize my limited time. This is my tenth year of having the privilege of training with him and I am extremely grateful for his wisdom and guidance!!

Oh - one other victory worth mentioning. For the first time ever, I successfully used the multisport mode on my Garmin without screwing up (i.e. pushing start/stop instead of lap) AND I figured out how to add a duathlon mode for Sunday and did that one just fine too!! Pretty cool!

I am closing out my multisport season with two more races - the Claytor Lake Sprint Tri September 8th and the duathlon option at the Charlottesville Sprint Triathlon on the 23rd.

And I'll be in another season of college applications with son #2!!!