Mighty Mite RR

Another little race happened.  The competition was quite good for a small local race.  My lead up to this race seemed okay.  I feel on the up and up with training and life balance in general, and that is great.

One process I am going through currently is building into the athlete I am now and I am going to be rather than looking behind at who I was.  It is tempting to compare my former self to my current racing.  I was faster, stronger, and more competitive a few years ago.  But, if I keep holding on the idea that I want to get back to that, it is preventing me from developing and growing in new ways.  I have had several coaches talk to me about this in the past 2 years.  They have all said I have to learn to work on going forward with the new me and new body instead of trying to get back to a former self.  I will never be that athlete again, but it doesn't mean I can't be a good or better athlete in the future.  But, I truly have to stop looking back to move forward.  I still struggle with this at races, and it is an interesting part of my development right now.  The good news is, I finally get it.  It took a little pounding into my brain, but I get it. 

 Enell Sports Bra, Wattie Ink Race Kit, Powerbar nutrition, ISM Adamo Road- perfect race set up

I really struggled in this race from the swim on.  I completely understand why.  My swim and bike miles are very low, so even though I am running well, I am certainly not going to even post a good run off of the bike when my SB fitness is low.  The good news is I am having some good cycling sessions in training when I do get on my bike.  I just don't have enough miles and rides in the legs for racing.  My swimming is not terrible when I do get to swim, but I have stopped going to master's so I can marathon train, and I just don't have the yards to set up my day.  I am making choices that require trade offs, and that is okay.  I still find myself comparing my race to the competitors that finished in front of me, and I have to really back off and remind myself that they are training a lot and there should be no comparison.

So, yes...it was just a slow struggle from the swim to the bike to the run.  There was no part of the day where I felt on or strong.  But, one very positive part of the day was that my bike position is finally dialed in.  After a 3 year struggle with position, I think I have it.  YES!!!!!

 I love my mtn bike guys that show up to the triathlon on their cross bikes and still crush the bike course. 

The very best part of the day was my very favorite ride of the year....the ride back to T1.  I make the guys pull me the whole way (hee hee!).  I rode the course many minutes faster back than I did in the actual race, which is fun.  Waiting for me at T1 is a nice, cold beer.  And really, the post race ride and beer with friends is the best part of racing.  I was just so happy being on my bike with my buddies. 

So AG Nats is definitely out.  I am just not triathlon fit.  Yes, my baby is 2 and I am not race fit.  I would feel like a loser compared to all of the amazing mothers that are going to Kona and blah blah, but honestly I feel like I am very normal, and we need more normal people blogging.  I am just working to move forward with my journey which has seems to have a different time line.

So, on to the marathon.  8 weeks.....