Summer 2011: Day 61

Monday morning ride…Lake Minnetonka 6 am.

Summer 2011: Day 41

Racine at it’s best.

# 614

And so it’s here…the big race of the season.

I am packing up to head to Racine later today. The race is Sunday. My wave kicks off at 7:30 am. My bib number is 614, that feels lucky!

I have spent a lot of time training, I’ve come a long way this season, maybe even more mentally than physically.

This race…it will be a fight, a fight for how badly I want to go to Vegas.  The planets, the training, the weather, may it all come into perfect alignment.

Of course there are people who think I’m crazy and in no way can attain my goal. To you, I hope to prove you wrong.

The hard work is done, now it’s time to put it all together and have some fun.

As my coach simply put it:  ”YOU CAN DO THIS.  Believe in yourself.”

Summer 2011: Day 35

Last track workout before Racine…LOVE IT!

Summer 2011: Day 26

Tri Boyz of Summer off to Chisago to see how it all is roll’n.

Summer 2011: Day 24

70 miles of wind and serious whoop-ass.  Thanks to Jackie and Di for pulling me all the way.

Summer 2011: Day 22

jMatt graces us with his presence for a quick 30.

Summer 2011: Day 21

Spent the day in Chisago Lakes putting on a 1/2 Ironman training camp.  Great job everyone!

Somedays

Yesterday, on an average sort of not very hard 35 mile training ride, somewhere around mile 25 my right hamstring seized up.  In fact, it was so bad, I could NOT be in my aero bars without pain shooting down my leg.

I slowed down, I sat up, tears started welling up in my eyes, it really hurt.

My other hamstring has been hosed up since last year.  It’s frustrating, my PT ditched me and says she has done all she can.  That can never be a good sign.

I ask an awful lot of my body, I know that.  To what end?  For what reason?  Would I push until it makes no sense to push any farther and damage myself?

My drive is strong.  Being an athlete is part of who I am.  It gives me an identitiy.  It has always been a piece of me.

As I rode home in pain yesterday, I realized how hard it would be for me to be sidelined due to injury.  How even harder it would be if I injured myself to the point of no return.

So with that, I take a step back for a day or two.  Listen to my body, (try to) be smart and know it will all be ok.

It better all be ok.

Summer 2011: Day 17

5:54 am.  Meet Gretchen.  It’s raining outside and we are meeting for a lake swim.  She has her wetsuit AND umbrella.

Yes, umbrella.