I arrived to Miami Thursday afternoon after an interesting shuttle ride from the airport. Let’s say I’ll be catching a taxi to the airport tomorrow! I was starving and ate about 3 meals between 5pm and bed time, then tossed and turned til 12am. Next morning I worked out where to ride around downtown Miami and over towards Key Biscayne (island) and how to get to a small public pool about 2km from the hotel- and it was a 25m!!!!! Spoilt!
Jess Meyers, another pro woman, arrived that arvy and I’d offered to share a room with her as I had two beds for just me. I briefly met her the weekend prior where she took out the Austin 70.3, lovely and very interesting girl and I really enjoyed her company…and her recoverypump boots! We went for a little run in the arvy followed by a nice Italian dinner. Next morning consisted of the same thing ride/ run then I went for a swim and we did the registering/ briefing formalities before dinner and ed. The weather was shaping up to be fairly ordinary for race day with heavy showers Saturday afternoon and evening. At least it would cool the temp down.
Race morning we got up at 4:10am as we both liked to eat 3hours before the races- this however meant we were sitting around for an hour and half before heading to transition. Oh well, I had recently acquired True Blood season 4 so I had plenty to keep me occupied. We headed down to transition at 6:10am and the rain started about 15minutes later. Setting up in a saturated transition wasn’t fun and there was no sight of the sun, therefore no sight of the race starting on time at 7:10am. I must admit, my nerves were minimal for this race. I think a combination of not so great results, accumulated fatigue and little confidence didn’t have me in disarray at the start line. I noticed two small holes in my speed suit as we stood on the dock before we started. We jumped off the dock into a dark bay. The men we off about 10minutes late and we followed 2minutes later. I had a great start, in amongst a lot of girls and still with them at the first turning buoy. Then I felt a big rip down my front and realised that my speed suit had completely ripped down the front. Do I stop and tear the rest of it off or keep going? I forgot about it and pushed on. The second half of the swim was where it got hard. Feeling like I was wearing a big drag suit and then having the current pushing me sideways wasn’t what I classify as fun. Still I got out of the water in under 30mins, which was ok considering. Onto the bike and hitting the rain I am a bit of a wuss when it comes to wet roads. I took the first 10km pretty cautiously as there were many narrow roads and multiple turns. Once out onto the open road, I thought I was riding ok, until I got passed and then turned at half way and felt like I was pedalling backwards. Coming off the bike in 10th was not what I had hoped. I managed to hold off 11th until the 4mile mark by which time 12th was way back and 9th was a long way ahead. Finished the day in 11th, which was a little disappointing as I was hoping for at least a top 10 finish. Big congrats to Jess for a very decent 4th place after winning last weekend. If she had another mile or two she would have made podium!
I headed over to south beach last night for my last two nights in the USA. I would have attempted to go out last night but 3 races in 4 weeks have caught up to me and once again it was pouring, so after dinner and some more True Blood I crashed. My bike won’t be put back together until I arrive home, and probably won’t be ridden til next week!
So I will start the long trip home tomorrow. I have had a great 4 weeks with some great experiences, gotten to know some incredible people (the Pak’s , the Brooks’ and Jess) and had some good racing practice. I came away on this trip with fitness to gain and after this year it was great to just be out there racing again. I have definitely hardened my legs up to racing again this past month. I just need my body to now regain the fitness and strength I used to once have. When I get home I will be moving to Lennox Heads, NSW. This is to start with a new coach and try something different. I want to thank Cameron Watt for coaching me the past 2 years. I wouldn’t have converted to long course if it wasn’t for him pushing me and realising this is where my triathlon career could actually work. I don’t know how he’s managed to put up with a lot of my ‘sports psychology’ issues but I cannot repay him for his tolerance, encouragement and guidance.
On another note a great man and athlete I have known for the past 4years, legendary Brian Barr lost his short battle with cancer yesterday. Barrie, Alexandra Headlands won’t be the same without you walking your dogs up and down the strip. You have given me some invaluable advice and guidance over the years in regards to health, balance, training and racing. You were an icon of the sunshine coast and won’t ever be forgotten. I’m sure you’ll be winning that race in the sky buddy.
But for now, I think a bit of time off racing is required until I get settled in my new life and routine. At this stage Canberra 70.3 will probably be next, and then who knows what in 2012.
Rachie xo
