WTS Chicago Photo Story

(this originally appeared in the USA Triathlon Championship Blog, September 18, 2015)

Hello from Chicago! It’s been a whirlwind since landing on Tuesday, for me and for all the athletes here. The venue spans a pretty large area from the expo to the north to transition to the south, and between the hotels and venue there are many many multi lane roads of traffic to be crossed!

At packet pickup I got my first glimpse of all the countries in attendance and I started seeing all the different kits at the hotel, in restaurants, and along the sidewalks.

The day I arrived I was able to get in a short bike ride on the lake front trail just to be sure everything was working mechanically. I also got into Tuesday’s swim familiarization. The water was a bit cool and choppy but nothing concerning. It felt good to get in and move around!

Wednesday I hit the expo and bought a pullover and a few gift items from an already packed event merchandise tent. My advice is if you want event merchandise, go early as supplies are limited!

I visited with vendors and even got to see Gwen Jorgensen’s bike getting tuned up!

Then it was time for the team photo, bike check-in for the sprint, and the parade and opening ceremonies. I was already starting to feel the effects of so much walking – and believe me there’s lots!

Taking the team photo required a lift to fit us all in but it was great fun to be assembled as a team for the first time since arriving.

The parade took place on a perfect dry evening with cooling temperatures. I walked up through the staging area and got photos of a number of countries that you can see here.

I met up with Team USA manager Lauren Rios and enjoyed the walk to Buckingham Fountain for opening ceremonies. 

That’s all from here. It’s race day and I’m off to get ready!       

Who is in charge?

There's been an interesting power struggle going on in me this year as the legs and the mind wrestle with who exactly is in charge.

Is this part in charge?

Or is it this part:

(and yes....I did put the "O" for Olympic under my age, then realized I labeled myself "480" at Challenge Williamsburg)

Very recently, during a few tough speedwork sessions, I have felt like my brain was able to overrule my legs' desire to let off the gas. Maybe it was some sort of mind-body disconnect, or the two-way communication became one-way. I don't know. I only know whatever happened I want more of it.

Looking back on the last few years when the iliac artery problem kicked in, I realize I was definitely letting my legs call the shots. I pretty much had to, there was no ignoring exercise induced restricted blood flow. After the repair, I had a lot of fears - fear of that pain, fear that I was not really fixed, fear the fix wouldn't last. So I continued to let my legs call the shots.

But a year and a half later, I think my mind is starting to take hold of the reins again and I like it. It's scary - it's new territory. I wish I had more time before Chicago to understand it a little more, to trust it, to trust myself.

My goal this week is to have the courage to let my mind rule, and to allow my legs to obey. I'm not concerned with my placing or where I finish. I just want to show myself I have courage.

The Myth of the Mom Taper

The "Race Taper" is a mythical place of legs up, hydration at arm's reach, inspirational reading materials, foam rolling, ideal nutrition, and lots of sleep.

The reality is, if we are traveling to an away race, the "Mom Taper" doesn't look at all like that. It might involve things like laundry, grocery shopping, stocking the kitchen with things the kids will make/eat, coordinating schedules, arranging rides for the kids, buying dog food, paying bills, getting caught up on work etc. (read more about my general race prep on the USA Triathlon Championships Blog - Long Preparation for a Short Race.)

Similarly, "Race Recovery" involves many of the same things - laundry, grocery shopping, driving kids, restoring order to the house.

Unrelated, I had my first race-related dream. The bike leg for Chicago was more like cyclocross and in a jungle. It involved a border crossing, biking along tree limbs, and of course...I got lost.

And REALLY unrelated... engineering paper (top graph) is the best.