Tri Indy

After making the decision that racing at Nationals was not the best decision of the family, I decided to make Tri Indy (Oly distance) my big race for the summer. First full week back at work and working my extra Saturday at Riley...in retrospect, maybe not the best decision. But I persevered. and somehow, someway, PR'ed this course. With an awesome swim, even a more awesome bike, but a run that was harder then childbirth. Here's the breakdown:

The swim: 1500 meters in the canal  Pros: its smooth, not that wide, so pretty easy to swim straight, with the only outliers being to avoid the anchored gondolas and water fountains. The cons: the thick seaweed or whatever you drudge through. Regardless, it was a strong swim, no collisions with structures, (because this has happened). And my genius husband dressed my kids in brightly colored clothes, so I saw them literally every stroke of the way : ) Finished the swim in 24 minutes, 18th overall-and even though I swam for most of my life competitively,  being a butterflier, I have no idea if that time is even solid.

The bike: Two flat loops to the Velodrome and back. Pretty easy peasey really. The pros are is the course is pretty flat, and pretty fast (at times). The cops and race volunteers were phenomenal with traffic control. Pros: Mayor Ballard has not road this course, so road repairs in spots are in dire need. The race did the best job then could with railroad tracks and curbs, which was safe haven for water bottles to drop. Regardless, average a 20.8...I'll take it.

The run: I knew for me it would be struggle. Ever since my ridiculous Mini Marathon run in May, I fizzled. Parts of the run felt strong, parts were comparable to childbirth. Pros: Flat, predictable loops, with great fan base throughout the zoo/IUPUI campus. Cons: Other runners/walkers not part of the race along part of the path. I had low expectation for the run and was hoping to hold 7:45's, but ended up with 7:58's. Sadness, but my swim and bike made up for it.

Overall, great race. A PR of over a minute, 2nd overall female with a time of 2.28.4, and at 36 and my goat rodeo life, not terribly shappy. I have never been so physically and emotionally exhausted after a race ever...and when I finished, I cried. I cried because I was so happy I went that fast. I cried I was so happy it was the first race my kids came to in over a year. I cried because I was so happy my husband was there and so incredible. And finally...I cried because I hurt so bad and I couldn't feel my left leg.

But if it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you.