After Buffalo, I wasn't feeling great and my body was beat up, but Thursday last week I started feeling good during training sessions, so I decided to race again. I was excited for Myrtle Beach, SC because I heard it was a great venue, I had never been to the state before, and my dad flew in to keep me company and be my support crew. Even better, my body was feeling great the few days leading into the race. All in all, I was anticipating another solid race since Buffalo had gone well. However, as we all know, racing doesn't always go how you hoped it would.
Unfortunately, yesterday was one of those days. At the first buoy during the swim, I got tangled in the buoy chain and literally couldn't escape. I saw the pack swimming away from me, finally muscled my way out of the hole, and continued fighting to get back. I have been swimming since I was two years old, and I actually was scared of drowning for the first time in my life. It wasn't just the aggression around the first buoy, but the fact that the physical barrier was holding me under. I wasted a lot of energy trying to get loose, and losing the group changes everything.
Coming out of the water I hustled, had a good t1, rode the first two laps solo on top of my shoes, and eventually got caught by a group of 2. We worked pretty well together but a group of 4 or 5 caught us with 3.5 laps to go. With all of us together, we actually made up some time on the front pack, but it wasn't much, so heading into t2 we still were down 2:30.
On the run, I felt okay, but nothing like Buffalo. I had some side stitches but I kept fighting, determined to get to the finish line. It is unfortunate when situations happen like being caught in the swim buoy, because it doesn't matter how much you have prepared, or how fit you are, it is out of your hands.
Similar to the situation I experienced yesterday, the crash in Buffalo could have affected me as well. Fortunately, I was able to weave around the crash and stay upright. Every race there will be factors you can't control, so it is just about dealing with them, learning from them, and continuing to fight your way to the finish line. Now, if I get tangled in a buoy again, I will be able to handle it better!
It would have been nice to end the season on a better note, but I am glad I went down to Myrtle Beach to show my commitment to racing. It is tough to travel at this time of the year with school, but every race is so valuable, not for the result you get, but for the learning experience.
I may race in Phoenix in a few weeks at the Amica finale, a sprint non draft event, just for fun! 2011 has been a big transition year, and I am happy to be healthy, both physically and mentally, and pleased with the progression I have made over the past six months. It has been a slow process, and required a lot of patience, but I know I am headed in the right direction.
All for now,
Jess
