Race Recap:
2014 Grizzly Triathlon
Missoula, MT
April 19, 2014
Springtime in Montana can bring a variety of weather condition. Its possible to see snow, wind, rain or even sunshine. We lucked out this year with clear
skies and temps in the mid 60’s for the race.
I raced in the afternoon with the elite women. This
was an honor in and of itself. racing with Pro’s and other amazing athletes. The
competition was tough this year, and unfortunately for me two days prior to the
race I came down with a nasty GI Virus. This
was the worst timing but there isn’t much you can do but let its run its
course. 2 hours before the race the worst of it was over and I could keep water
and a banana down, so I decided I would race.
The elite heat went off at 2:40 on the dot. I had a pool
lane to myself and I started off strong. Less than 500M into the race I started
to feel the effects of not eating for over 48 hours. My energy quickly declined
and my swim went to hell. I jumped out of the pool in just under 17min,
(significantly later than I had hoped), ran through transition, mounted my bike
and I was off. Thankfully still keeping what food I had on board in my stomach.
The bike course was beautiful. Winding along the Clark Fork
River, through East Missoula and all the way to Bonner. I wasn’t too far behind
but I just didn’t have the Getty-up to push my way up the pack during the short
12-mile bike course. Since I knew this wasn’t my race, I settled into a
comfortable pace and enjoyed the beautiful day.
Next up the run. Almost done you keep telling yourself, only
3 more miles. Yeah…if only. This run course may be only 3 miles, but it has a
killer hill right before the turn around. Once I hit the turnaround, and was on
the home stretch everything started cramping, I felt as if I would throw up or
pass out. Not sure which would be worse. The elite men began passing me and it
gave me the last bit of umph to push it out to the finish line.
What a feeling, crossing the finish line. I don’t care how
many races you have done, how long it took you, the feeling of crossing the
finish line in any race is euphoric.
Finishing among men and women who are pro’s in the sport and
the camaraderie of the athletic community all watching. What a feeling I almost
forgot I was still fighting a nasty bug. Don’t worry I soon remembered!
I had friends cheering me on and Josh at the finish line to
great me. What a feeling. I knew it wasn’t the race I as hoping for, but all
things considered I was glad to have had the opportunity to race and I was
proud of myself for what I had completed.
Everyone has a bad race now and again, and I’m a firm
believer that we learn more for the bad days than from the good ones.
It was a great day all around, just bad timing on my immune
system.
Thanks for all the support Hammer Nutrition and my family. I
wouldn’t be where I am without you.
Here’s to the next adventure:
Nursing
School Finals….Then
Next race: Icebreaker 3mile 4/27/14 – Great Falls MT
Spring
Meadow Triathlon 7/6/14- Helena MT
