Reporting on Vineman

Hello,

On Sunday, I raced the Vineman triathlon in the wine country of California. When it comes to racing, some days you end up racing for first, and other days it means you are racing for 8th. I went to Vineman to race for first, but ultimately I am racing to prepare for Kona.

Before heading to California, I was fortunate to spend a few days with my great coach, Lance Watson, in British Columbia. I was able to race a sprint triathlon on Sunday in beautiful Vancouver before heading to Vicotria to train with the Lifesport squad. Lance and I sat down to discuss my strategy for the next few months to make sure that I am able to get to Kona prepared to have my best Ironman race possible. I am going to be doing 3 races over the next 6 weeks (Vineman 70.3, Calgary 70.3, Lake Stevens 70.3) with the goal in mind to perfect my Kona race-day strategy. This means mentally, physically, nutritionally, & mechanically preparing to treat myself on race day how I want to feel during Ironman Hawaii.

I went into Sundays race feeling mentally and physically great, and ready to rumble! It seemed like within 12 hours of the race every curveball I could have been thrown was thrown my direction. That great night of sleep you need before the race? I slept 3 hours. GI distress? Wby not. The swimming I have been diligently working on? My swim start was embarrassing. Onto the bike – and I couldn’t shift into the big ring. Perfect. My salt tablets? Dropped them on the bumpy road. My gel flask full of tasty Clif shot? Wouldn’t dispense. I am a firm believer in things happening for a reason, and I kept rationalizing that my race day wasn’t going to plan to see how I would handle the elements. After stopping for nearly 5 minutes to fix my bike about mile 30 – I hopped back on my speedy Scott Plasma and no joke, I thought of Robert Frost. "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-- I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference."

I knew at that point in the race I could go one of two ways – complete the race in a sub par performance and have weeks full of regret and disappointment. Or, turn my day around and get after it, have a remarkable run and take some risks. What did I have to loose? At that point I was in 15th place – when I really wanted to be in first. I put my head down and got the job done as best as I could on the run getting myself up into 4th place with the days fastest run split – 1 hour 21 minutes. Thank you, Saucony! I treated the run just how I will treat it in Kona… not giving up once and running each section of the course as best as possible filled with heart and desire. A year ago, I would have easily given up, jogged it in and called it an average day. I came away with much greater satisfaction from the race knowing I pushed the envelope, and ultimately persevered through some tough elements (it was over 100F when we finished the hilly run course) to salvage a day where I was thrown curveballs the first half of my race.

A few thank you’s: to Coach Lance for Camp Canada and the endless support, Chris McCrary for completing all of my taper workouts with me and hosting me in California, and to Chris Lieto – a true class act in this sport – for all of his help, and of course - Chris Corbin, my husband, who has this amazing never-ending belief in me. I have a great support network lined up as I prepare for Kona and I am truly grateful for all of your help.

Up next is a few days rest, a massive training weekend sandwiched around triathlon Jeff's wedding in Ryegate, Montana (population 250) where the wedding will double the population of the town. Let's do it up Montana style! Over and out.