My first Du is now in the books. I felt good about it. On sat, the day before the Du, had done a hard Road Race and TT totaling 60 miles of riding for the day. I have been sick all week and nursing a strained back so I knew this weekend was going to be though. Saturday was tougher than I had thought mentally and physically. After a year of having faulty functioning cycling computer I was finally able to get a hold of a Garmin 305!! I was SOOO happy to finally have a good working piece of equipment. In the first 4 miles of the race I attacked and it FELL OFF MY BIKE!!!! After the race I went back to get it and ended up collecting pieces across the road....
Then in the TT my heart rate monitor clock time was off and I missed my start. They said they had an extra spot and help me for a couple mins. I figured they would just pencil me in for that start time... NOPE. with 4 mins added on a 7 mile TT I was last place.
Tomorrow was going to be a new day.. if only I could sleep. My 4 am wake up call was going to be early enough but I couldn't sleep and just got up at 3 instead. Shannon and I rode together and were ahead of schedule, however on getting there the parking lots were all full and the packet pick up was over loaded (only two people handing out packets that were NOT pre-packed). We scrambled to get through the line, get our bikes racked and get back to the car to get our stuff. My warm up consisted of jogging to the car to change and jumping in place on the line. Shannon took off with a couple of girls.
My plan was to pace the first 5K, Hammer on the bike, and really run a hard final 5k. First run I was feeling good and was picking people off left and right. I was at a comfy 21 or 22 min pace (not sure yet on actual split). On the bike I felt GREAT- sooo much better than the day before. The course really suited me long gradual rollers. I caught quite a few girls and boys here. Then the final run... oh no.
Finishing the bike I was feeling great. I thought at this point I had really paced myself perfect. But as soon as my feet hit the ground my legs left like lead. It look me the whole first mile to get some of my form back but I could not get any speed. Saw I would not catch anyone but that I had another girl on my heels. I tried to re-group my self but in the final 200 she passed me.
I overall time was 1:37:XX. I won my age group and was 7th overall. I was only 8 mins behind Shannon who was racing on fresh legs. For the end of a long weekend. I am happy!!! The first place winner was the Short Course National AND World Champion!!!!!!!!!!! WHATTT!!!!!??? Glad its over. When is the next one? :)
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