Wildflower 1/2. That is one tough race. Unfortunately it was a tough race for all the wrong reasons. I haven’t had a race like this for a while but I genuinely wanted to quit and I had to muster up all my mental energy just to finish the darn thing.
It’s been a tough month since the highs of Oceanside 70.3.
It all started from falling off my mountain bike AGAIN, about 2 weeks before Oceanside! I broke a rib and thought here we go…what a great start to the season. However, after some bio-laser therapy (thanks Jane!), I was up and going after only 5 days. Of course I decided to do a mountain bike race and in protecting my broken rib, I managed to hit my knee very very hard when sliding through some sand. No big deal I thought. It’s just a bruise! Well let me tell you, a bruised patella is THE most painful thing.
In the week leading up to Oceanside, the knee did not heal, in fact it got worse. I figured how bad can it get from the race? I’ve trained hard for this, so lets give it a shot. The race went great, but the knee was agony the whole time. In fact, after the race, I actually wondered if I was going to be able to get up on stage to get my award! How embarrassing would that have been?
Needless to say that walking was a challenge for the next few days. I was in total despair. With all the publicity I was getting from this race, I felt the pressure fall down on my shoulders. What’s your next race? When can I train with you? Wanna come out on the bike tomorrow? Ahhhhhhh!
And so for the next 3 weeks I couldn’t bike or run. I really had to delve into my emotional well and get some perspective. I focused on what I love about this sport and why it’s important to me. I focused on gratefulness at being given the work ethic and talent and for having the opportunities in my life to realize them.
In reading the blog of my TT team member Dan Hugo (about his illness/fatigue), I could completely relate. When something like triathlon is so integral to your being, it’s incredibly difficult when you can’t experience the daily highs of the endorphins or the mind body connection journey that takes place every day…several times a day. I guess all you can do is focus on the positives. What can I learn about myself from this experience? How can I grow from it? It sounds sort of cheesy but it does work!
So an x-ray, an MRI and several therapy sessions later, I was able to get back on the saddle so to speak.
After 1 week of good training, I hit Vegas Xterra West Cup. I was so euphoric to be back in action, I believe that carried me through the race. However, Wildflower was a different kettle of fish. I tried to keep positive but I had nothing there.
The thing is…those girls out there were strong. Super strong. I hate to give excuses cos that’s not me. Those gals were just better than me on the day and there was nothing I could do about it. And Julie Dibens…no comment. She is a top chick with major talent. I had the pleasure of sharing a cabin with her and yes folks, she really is that nice!!!
Now that my knee is a good solid 95% better, I’m gonna be back on full training. Let’s hope my head catches up with my body at the same rate!!
So Wildflower…don’t think I’ll be back any time soon!!!!
