2012 Gulf Coast 70.3 Race Report: The Perfect Storm

I wasn't sure if I was going to write a race report after this 70.3, for one main reason... it's the first time I Did Not Finish (DNF). But I am so proud of myself for what I Did Finish that I decided to journal it. You see for me there were so many variables leading up to this race, I really didn't know what to expect. I wanted this race to be special. I had trained over the past five months during the most emotional time of my life. My training wasn't good, but it was the best I could do with what I had to give it. I had hoped that it would be enough to get me through, but I knew it might not be pretty. I wanted to complete it for me, to represent that I had persevered over the past year and was still able to maintain a hobby that has come to mean so much to me.

I made a choice to pull out after the bike leg. No excuses, I just had to make a decision and I did. I didn't get my medal or the glory of finishing with my friends, but I am more proud of my performance in this race than in others for one main reason: I did persevere.

If you have been a reader of my blog, it is no secret that I have not had a good history over the past few years with swimming. I spent the past two years just trying to learn how to not panic, and gradually I was able to increase my distance and endurance. Last year I accomplished a huge goal of completing a 70.3 "officially" and I felt I conquered the swim portion. Or so I thought. Until I was faced with the swim portion of this race.

As seems to be the norm, the day before the race the water was perfectly calm and clear, without a breaker or wave. In the early morning of race day I snuck out onto the balcony of the condo to rest and listen to the ever increasing sound of the crashing waves coming onto the shore. I knew that it was going to be a challenging swim, but I had no idea just how challenging it would be.

When I swim in open water, everything is compared to the open water swim portion of the New Orleans 70.3 of 2010. That was a washing machine swim, filled with backstroke, kayaks, and swallowing lake water. It was horrible. It was nothing in comparison to the challenge that awaited me today.

The reason why I am not deflated by my DNF is because I faced the challenge head on, and I didn't back down. I seeded myself in the front of my wave, a little to the right of center, and did my best to be aggressive running into the crashing 3-5 foot breakers at the start. I knew the course from last year, and figured that once I got to the first buoy the waters would calm and it would become more manageable. Oh how I was wrong. I fought my way to the buoy, holding my line against the flailing arms and feet of my competition. I knew I wasn't the fastest, and my goal was to just stay calm and find my rhythm. I tried to breathe every third stroke, but I found that I was being tossed around by the waves. Surely the pounding would stop by the second buoy. I reverted to breathing every stroke, but made sure I didn't hyperventilate because I knew it was going to be a long swim if I had to do it like this.

About this time my hands felt like they were pulling through wood chips in the water. Every stroke I was being bombarded by thousands of nibbling fish. I would clasp my hand into a fist at times to see if I could catch them, and I did. I tried to ignore them, but they stayed with me the entire swim. I wondered if swimming without my wetsuit had been a good idea, as I think they thought of me as lunch. I had a fleeting thought that if I was in the middle of their feeding frenzy then there might be something larger out there waiting to feed on them. I tried to block it out.

The swells just kept getting larger and came quickly one after another, and by the time I would reach the top of the crest to sight, my vision would be obscured by the fog in my goggles and I would lose the buoy. Down into the base of the wave again and the next thing I knew I was pushed off course with a pile of other swimmers. I was convinced at one point that the swim had been cancelled for the remaining waves, as all I saw were swim caps of my own color...and usually I am passed by deeper waves of athletes early on in the race.

I figured that once I made the 900 yards out and turned to go horizontal 200 yds things would get easier. I was wrong. The waves came crashing in at an angle and seemed to be growing by the minute. I would see a kayak occasionally out of the corner of my eye, but never once considered waving for it. I just kept pushing to find the next buoy.

Eventually I made the turn for the last 900 leading to the shore. Again I hoped that the waves would be with me, bringing me home, but I prepared myself for the inevitability that they were going to take me sideways instead. It became so hard to sight that eventually I stopped looking for the buoys and just used the top of the condominium to help me get to the beach. The final hundred yards was brutal. The waves crashed over our heads and the undertow would pull us back out. I stayed swimming while I watched those that stopped to run through the water get pulled farther down the beach.

I never panicked, even when I took in a stomach full of salt water. I stayed swimming, freestyle, throughout the race. I got tossed around, and pulled off course, but I stuck with it. I maintained my composure even when I started to tire, and I knew that I was capable of finishing. I never doubted it. That's why I am proud. To see just how far I've come in only three years was encouraging. This was my redemption swim. Not last years success in relatively calm water. But facing this, my worst fear, head on. This was my win.

I'm not even going to address the bike leg other than to say I am proud that I persevered. It was hard for me, as I expected it would be, and I gimped back to transition to ride it out in the medical tent. I had to make some tough choices on that bike, and I know I made the right ones.

It was a pleasure to be able to see my birds race well. This was not my day, but I am determined to be able to perform to my potential later in the season. For now, I will accept what I have accomplished and be grateful that I was able to see the positives in a tough race.

As usual, there is always something to learn.

Running On Empty

COOg taking a leg from Polly in Rouge Orleans

I am trying to re-engage with my inner runner. You know, the one that was supposed to be there naturally from birth? Somewhere between last Spring and Now my love for running got lost in the deep woods of life and has been having difficulty finding it's way back towards the light of day.

Never having considered myself a runner, there was a time not too long ago when I truly enjoyed getting out for a long run to clear my mind. Once I had trained my body past the wheezing and leg aches of the first few miles I learned to find the zen and to anticipate the endorphins that always came along farther down the road. I went from heavy pounding elephant steps to light gazelle footwork  (at least in my mind) and I could run a moderate pace, keep a conversation with a friend, and maintain a heart rate that didn't warrant a trip to the ER. And then life reared its ugly head and detoured me for a bit and my run bit the dust. I'm trying to get it back.

Rouge Orleans was probably not the best place to start the process. Yes, of course I had been building back my run prior to the race, but my confidence was faltering and my body played right into it. I managed the first two legs of my five assigned legs of the 126.2 mile relay well. I kept a good pace on the rough gravel path and was pleased with my run. But by the time I hit the third leg I was starting to battle a de-conditioned body that mile by mile was falling apart on me. A touch of asthma after one leg, some disturbing GI issues that persisted throughout, and finally a painful knee hobbled me by the end. I finished my portion, albeit in an ugly fashion, and it did nothing to help build any confidence in my run. I was just glad it ended and I was still able to move, even if it was in an embarrassing fashion. It was unfortunate because I had a great team, but I just didn't enjoy the misery this year. It did reinforce one thing for me. I need to rebuild my run, and soon.

Fast forward two weeks to Mardi Gras Mambo, a popular local 10k race. I decided to sign up at the last minute since my training plan had me doing a long run that day anyway. I had been working on my run since Rouge Orleans, but still struggling with it.  I am really slow this season and it has been very demoralizing after having worked so hard the past two years to improve. I feel I am almost back to starting over and I swore I would never let that happen. It is so easy to lose the conditioning, but mentally it is so hard to keep the training up when life gets hard.

As the Mambo began, I wanted to keep pace with my fellow FitBirds, but when I realized that by running their pace I would never make it past a few miles, I forced myself to fall back and just run my own race against myself. I did well following my coach's race plan. Each mile had a different agenda whether it be to "take it easy", focus on breathing or cadence, or to build my speed. I was pleased that I made it to the end without stopping and had a pace that was better than that which I had held in training.

This weekend I run in the New Orleans Rock n Roll Half Marathon. I'm looking forward to it because there will be a huge group of friends running along with me, but I am slightly fearful of the outcome. This is the third year I have run it, and the last two I was pleased with my performance and got faster each time. This year I feel the pressure to better my time, but know that I am nowhere near the weight or shape that I was in two years ago. It is hard to set a goal that is slower than where I had hoped to be this year. I still struggle with "expectations" for myself and I tend to see myself where I would like to be, not where I currently am.

I have to remind myself that I am basically starting over. This is a training race and I am using this to get stronger and to get ready for my "A" race in the spring. I am going to have to be okay with whatever I manage to achieve on Sunday. I'd love it if I could pull out some miraculous pace that blows away my performance from last year, but let's be real... it would really have to be a miracle.

"I can do this and I will do this, it just may hurt a bit more than usual. Pain is temporary." These are the thoughts going through my mind as I approach this weekend. This is one more opportunity to work on my mental toughness. To learn to endure. To learn to persevere. To not quit.

So if you run past me during this race, give me a slap on my ass, throw me a Gu and a kind word, and be ready to hand me an ice cold beer and carry me to the ice dip for my legs at the finish!

I will see you there!

A Mighty Transformation

There is a genuine talent, a form of art-science, that very few people have mastered. It takes precision, patience, and an eye for detail. It takes an understanding of angles, physics, and aerodynamics ~ as well as an understanding of the goals and needs of an individual cyclist. To do this well one must be a problem solver and have a good understanding of anatomy and kinesiology. So what am I writing about? I am writing about the art of a professional bike fitting.

I have had my road bike for about three years. I obtained it new, but purchased it from a store that specialized in mountain bikes. At the time I didn't think that mattered. Looking back, I wish I had done more research. I love my bike, but what I haven't loved is the way it has fit me for the past three years. Upon purchase I was given a "fitting", but really what that entailed was a 5-10 minute seat and handle bar adjustment and a quick session on how to change the gears. I didn't know better, and I really didn't know what I wanted when I bought my first bike. My only desire was to have a pretty bike to ride that I wouldn't want to replace in six months. I decided upon a full carbon bike mostly because it sounded cool and I felt that if I spent good money on a frame I could always upgrade the components later on. I chose a road bike because I didn't know at the time how much I would love triathlon, and I thought it would be more versatile. I'm not sure what I would do if I could do it over, or if I was asked to give a newbie advice on purchasing a bike. No one starting out has any idea how addictive the sport is... or how expensive it is. Looking back, I think it was still a good idea to get a road bike (even though my next bike will definitely be a tri bike). I didn't go wrong in the bike I chose. Where I went wrong was never having it professionally fit to me.

Since the early days of riding I have been plagued with shoulder pain, neck pain, one-sided crotch pain, and the occasional back issue. Initially I passed it off as the normal aches and pains of getting used to riding, being out of shape, and poor technique. I'm not saying that all of that didn't contribute to my problem, but I knew that my bike just didn't feel right under me. Short on cash and with so many "things" I felt I needed to purchase just to function in the sport, I didn't feel I was ready to spend the money on something that to me at the time seemed like having a pair of slacks altered. One of those chances to spend money on something that was more frivolous than necessary. So instead I improvised. I added my own aerobars and I replaced my saddle. I made some adjustments to my seat height. I called upon friends and mentors to give me recommendations, and through all of this I did manage to get some improvement in my comfort.

This season I have taken a new approach to training. It's my third year doing triathlons. I'm still relatively new, but experienced enough to start using my brain. I'm trying to be smarter about things. I'm trying to listen to my body. After I injured my shoulder a few months ago (in a completely non-sports-related activity) I am more aware of my body position and technique in all three disciplines. When I feel my shoulder twinge, I think hard about what I'm doing and how I'm doing it. I have plans for some long races over the next two years and I really want to avoid injury. This past week after having just gotten a cortisone shot in my shoulder and starting to feel better, I found that again I irritated my shoulder with a light two hour ride. I decided it was time to do something about it. I got some recommendations from my coach and teammates and picked up the phone to call Mark Miller (337.981.7686) at Precision Bikes in Lafayette, LA for a fitting.
In about an hour he was able to assess my position, modify my bike, correct the cleats on my shoes, and make me not only more comfortable but more aerodynamic. I immediately felt an improvement in my position and less stress on my shoulder, neck, and back. I am still waiting to try out my bike on a long ride, but if my initial reaction is accurate, I think I am on the way to riding with much less discomfort. I also feel like my new position will maximize my efficiency on the bike and make me faster.

Pre-Fitting

This picture was taken before the fitting began. Notice how far forward I am on the bike, how my shoulders almost touch my ears, my neck is missing, and all my weight is being pushed back into my shoulder joints from my elbows. I'm upright with a big curve in my back, and my legs are in a poor position to give me much power. What did this position do for me? It gave me awful cramping spasms in my right shoulder and neck and throughout my shoulder blades. After long rides my low back would be miserable and my nether-regions would be chaffed on one side.

Now look at my position post-fitting. My elbows are almost at 90 degrees to my shoulders. I actually have a neck now and my shoulders aren't going up to my ears. The angle of my back is flatter and lower. My knee is in a position to give me power unlike in the first picture. So what adjustments did Mark have to make to do this? Well for one, he replaced my seat post with one that brought me more forward (now I will be selling my full carbon 31.5 diameter post if anyone is interested). He also made adjustments to the front bars and added a few components to adjust their height and position. A few minor changes to my cleats, aerobars, and forearm pads and his work was done. For now. I will return in about 200 miles to see if we can make me a little lower to make me more aerodynamic.

I am so eager to get out and ride to feel the difference. I know I will have new aches and pains for a while as I adjust to this new position, but I think it will be a positive change. Just looking at the before and after pictures I feel like strain will be reduced on my body and I will be a more effective cyclist.

Why am I posting all of this? Well, I have been training with many of you for the past three years, and most of us started from the same place. I figure if this makes a big difference for me, then the rest of you may want to consider it at some point too.

See you at the split. But watch out. I just may be passing you soon.

The Gratitude List

A wise owl recently imparted some words of wisdom to me while on a long run. It was during a discussion of future plans, goals, and dreams for the coming year that she reminded me that we so often become focused on what we hope to do better, faster, and bigger each new year ~ whether it be in regards to triathlon or in our personal lives ~ that we forget to acknowledge what we have already accomplished and we rarely take the time to appreciate that which we have worked for. Our culture seems to push us to always want more, and for those of us that are hard-wired to overachieve, we sometimes forget to reflect on where we started and who and what along the way helped us to get to where we are.

With this being the last day of the year 2011 I decided to express my gratitude to those people, experiences, and moments that have helped shape me this past year. I write so much about bucket lists, future goals, and dreams that I sometimes forget to acknowledge the here and now. This is that moment.

2011 has been the most difficult year of my 41 year life. It would be easy to focus on the negative right now. I recently have experienced a tremendous loss with the sudden and unexpected illness and death of my father. I have been caring for a mother who is grieving and suffering from one medical complication after another. I lost faith in the belief that all people in my "inner circle" were of strong character, and for the first time in my life began to doubt my own judgement in regards to friendships. I've struggled with loneliness, grief, and relationships. Tonight I am putting 2011 to rest.

There are moments and experiences in life that we know shape us into who we are and into who we want to be. When I think back on 2011 I can think of many, but have chosen to list a few that are especially meaningful to me:

• Accomplishing my goal of an official 70.3 finish and doing it alone, without cheerleaders, as my final journey with a battle that raged in my brain for two years.
• Participating in the Falcons Youth Triathlon Camp as Camp Director and being part of an incredible experience for all of our athletes. It reminded me why I love this sport and the people who give of their time to help others.
• This is the year I gained confidence in swimming. Not only have I learned to control my fear of the water, I have turned my limiter into my strength, and have learned to love what for 40 years I despised.
• Chicken Shwarma MENSA Meetings (aka World Domination Meetings) with Lizard. These are lunches where for a short while the world stands still and everything falls into place.
• Being at my father's bedside as he passed from this world ~ the hardest thing I have ever done, but a moment I am eternally grateful for. A moment that has shaped me was standing alone at his funeral and expressing my thoughts and feelings about him one last time, and as I struggled with my words looking into a sea of friends who were there to support me.

As far as the people of this past year that I am grateful for, there are too many to list, but there are a handful that I want to publicly acknowledge. There are so many more who are listed in my heart.

• My husband Hill ~ this coming year will be our 20th anniversary. We have had a challenging year in so many ways, but you have stood by me in my times of need. You accept me for who I am, good and bad. You allow me to challenge myself in ways you might not understand and you adjust to let me do things you know are important to me. I love you and I know we can continue to work together to set a good example for our kids.
• My children Chase, Justin, and Ashlen ~ my littlest yet often biggest supporters. Your eagerness to experience life is contagious. You constantly remind me to appreciate the small things and to live every day to the fullest.
• My dear friend since childhood, Fae ~ you are my rock and are always just a phone call away. I love that no matter how separate our lives may seem, in an instant you are there when I need you. You know everything about me yet still love me as a sister. You make me laugh when all I want to do is cry, you hold me up when I am down, and you kick me in the ass when I need a shove forward. I'll always be there for you friend.
• My Coach, my CEO, and my friend Anne ~ You've taken a beating from me lately and yet you haven't run away. You are a source of comfort and direction for me, and help me to better myself in so many ways. With so many hats that we wear, ours is a complex friendship, but one that I think will stand the test of time. I am grateful for your support, guidance, and patience. You have helped me to accomplish things I never thought possible and I know you see potential in me that I don't see. Thank you for being someone I know I can trust.
• My Big-Sis Lizard ~ You are a wise and gentle soul. You are a natural teacher, a life counselor, and a mentor. You have taken me under your wing and helped me through a difficult year. Whenever life gives me lemons, you help me make lemonade. I cherish our lunches and your friendship.
• My FitBirds ~ You all have no idea how much you mean to me. You all in your own way have shown me support, have encouraged me, have helped me stand tall, and have pushed me to push myself. You motivate me and inspire me. You make me laugh hard, and you always offer a shoulder when needed. Your outpouring of support these past few months in particular has meant the world to me. Whether you've helped to outfit me, flat iron my hair, apply my makeup, or keep me from drowning, you are always there in your own ways. I look forward to many more adventures.
• My long lost cousin Jill ~ Life has strange twists and turns and this twist I never saw coming. I am so glad we have re-connected. You have helped to shape my life since I was a child, and I am so glad to be entering the next phase of my life with you by my side. Love you cuz.

As the end of the year approached I found myself struggling. My expectations for the holidays have been low. I have been ready for this year to just end. These past few days in particular have been hard. Today was a good day. Why? Because it was simple. It was a "back to the basics" kind of day. It was filled with the things I love ~ exercise, friends, laughs, entertainment, and... the hope of good things to come.

Thanks to everyone who has been a part of my life. 

You all have shaped me in some way. I am grateful to you all.

Happy New Year and Welcome 2012!

Bucket List Revival

We've been down this road before. The "make life meaningful" blog, the "don't take things for granted" posts, the "set goals for yourself" ideas. It's nearing the end of December, this year has been a *bitch*, and it's time to make some progress on things I want to do in my life. This brings me to the update of my Bucket List.

I've made some progress on my list since my Revisiting of The Bucket List  post in May of 2010. I am now able to check off a Half-Marathon and an "official" 70.3 distance Half-Ironman. But I have other dreams besides triathlon related items. This year I am editing my list, making my goals more specific and attainable, and less global. My plan now is to check off at least 2 items a year on my list. Enough talking, it's time for action.

This year's focus? Adventure. I plan to (1) sky-dive as a birthday present to myself while in Virginia this summer.  I plan to (2) get my first passport and travel outside of the country (albeit not very far away) to Canada to broaden my horizons and I plan to (3) work towards my 2013 Bucket List item of completing a full Ironman by completing two 70.3 distance races this year as part of my training.

So, now (drum roll)... the unveiling of Bucket List 2012:

Items that have already been achieved are listed in blue. Some items from the past have been rejected as Bucket List items. Items in red are planned for this year. New items are in green.

1. Write and publish a book.
2. Remain happily married to the same man (ongoing).
3. Have children (took a while and did it a different way, but same outcome... headache)
4. Skydive.
5. Obtain the rank of Black Belt in a martial art.
6. Officially complete a Half-Ironman.
7. Officially complete a Full-Ironman.
8. Go to Kona and watch the Ironman Championship.
9. Go camping alone for a weekend.
10. Get a cool tattoo I design myself to symbolize #7.
11. Own a black Jeep Wrangler that I can put my road bike on the back of!
12. Own a convertible.
13. Run a half-marathon.
14. Run a full marathon.
15. Sail a boat around an island.
16. Make a significant, life-changing difference in someone's life.
17. Ride a horse on a tropical beach at sunset.
18. Go on a mission trip in a foreign country.
19. Swim with dolphins.
20. Go to a Joan Jett concert.
21. Converse in adequate Spanish in a foreign country in order to be understood and to understand conversation.
22. Travel outside of the U.S. (in particular: Canada, Italy, Caribbean, Belize)
23. Open my own business (and build it enough to financially cover my hobby expenses)
24. Find my biological family.
25. Climb a mountain and watch the sunset with friends.
26. Rock climb and rappel a moderate size cliff.
27. Go snow-skiing on real powder snow.
28. Hike part of the Appalachian Trail.
29. Snorkel around a tropical island.
30. Scuba dive on vacation.
31. Save someone's life; respond to an emergency situation.
32. Watch a baby being born (got to watch my daughter's birth).

Life is short and as this year has taught me can be very difficult. There are so many pleasures that God has awaiting me in the world it is a shame to not work to experience as many of them as I can. I hope that by participating in these activities and by achieving my goals that I will gain self-esteem, confidence, and learn to rely on myself for affirmation of my abilities and become less emotionally dependent on others. I pray that 2012 brings me good health, peace of mind, focus, sanity, and the ability to achieve what I have set out to do.

And to my readers, again, I ask you... what's on your Bucket List?

Desperately Searching for Mo...

He's gone. I've been looking everywhere. I'm about to put an ad in the lost and found section of The Advocate. I've seen glimpses of Mo, but as soon as I reach out to catch him he flies away, brushing the tips of my fingers just long enough to remind me how good it is to have him with me. It is making me really sad that I can't get him back and I don't know what to do about it. I have about one month before he absolutely has to be contained and in my possession or I fear that I may never see him again.

I've been searching all over. I've ridden through the woods with my mountain bike, I've run to the top of a "mountain", I've swum in a familiar river thinking he may have returned there to roost. I've tried to borrow other people's Mo but it's just not the same as having my own.

I've been reading the internet for tips on getting him back. It's not helping. Instead, I find I throw myself into bowls of ice cream,  frozen mugs of Michelob Ultra, and bags of salt n vinegar chips to cope with his absence. I talk to a counselor, I take anti-depressants, I pray, but yet he won't come back.

I've made big plans for 2012 and I won't be able to achieve them without his help. I really really want him along this coming year.

Please, can someone help me to find my Mo? There will be a huge reward to the one who does.

The Adventures of Larry, Mo, And Curly

Susan "Larry" Hayden, COOg (Curly) Pearson, and Koko "Mo" Menson

This weekend was spent with some new traveling companions: "Larry" Hayden and "Mo" Menson. With my newly acquired nickname "Curly", we combined to form the Three Stooges, a kick ass mountain biking, trail running, food inhaling, and car key losing entity. Whether we thought of ourselves as the Three Amigos or the Three Stooges, one thing was for sure - we got along great and we chalked up another adventure for the books.

The plan was simple enough for the weekend: participate in a 6 hour "Just For Fun" mountain biking relay at Oak Mountain State Park, Alabama on Saturday and then on Sunday morning either do a 10K trail run (Larry and Mo's choice) or a Duathlon (me). But as usually happens with simple plans, they become complicated when Murphy and his Laws intervene.

All seemed well as we entered the Mothership around 2:30 Friday afternoon. The gear and bikes were loaded according to value (Larry's of course being tucked away gingerly on the inside) and orientation to the Mothership was provided free of charge. The strange grinding noises were explained away as the engine was started up and the antenna tried desperately to extend. The possessed radio was channeled so the sporadic full volume blast of music wouldn't frighten me away. Rules of the road were established and the dire consequences were given to the riders if the driver of The Mothership was pressured to partake in the ingestion of any lactose based foods. This was followed by emergency instructions on how to lower the (sometimes) automatic windows.

Eager to set out, we rushed out of Larry's driveway to sit on College Drive for 45 minutes before finally making it to the interstate. The trip up was relatively uneventful ~ gas (not lactose induced), frequent potty stops, Arby's, conversation, and six hours later... hotel check in. Larry drove and, as I frequently noticed, spent quite a bit of time testing out the rough treads on the edges of the pavement. I thought that it must be her attempt to get me acclimated to the uneven and annoying terrain we would be experiencing over the next few days.

Since Mo had graciously provided us the room, I decided she deserved a bed to herself so I bunked in with Larry. It was an early to bed, early to rise plan. Unfortunately my roommates chose to rise much earlier than I did. I eventually joined them downstairs at the hotel buffet and gorged on eggs, sausage, muffins, and I even hid a few bagels for a snack later during the day.

Holly, Debbie, Dave's daughter, Koko-Mo

The race was being held in a beautiful state park and from what I could gather was well attended. Mountain bikers are earthy and there were some pretty scruffy guys and few women there. Our event was a 6 hour relay and we discussed the order in which we would ride. Mo wanted to follow me (basing her decision to ride on whether I returned from my 8.5 mile loop in one or in many pieces). In turn, I decided to use the same strategy and requested that Larry lead the expedition as she was a seasoned mountain biker.

THANK GOD we chose that order. Larry took off with the mass of riders (which I thought was pretty impressive until she told me that Leadville had like 1500 cyclists starting at once, not just 50).

We relaxed with Debbie E. and a few others until the expected time of Larry's return. Jeff came in first and said the course was tough at first and that there would be a little hiking with our bikes required to make it up some of the hills. J-Boy came in next and said it was the worst trail he had ever ridden, even worse than Columbine. I readied myself for Larry to come around the bend. When she arrived, I grabbed my bike and waited for the exchange of the timing chip. Instead I got a head shake "no" and a "I'm not letting you guys go on that course." Apparently, what had been billed as a trail appropriate for all abilities was really an expert level course full of steep cliffs, rocks, loose dirt, and extreme climbs and drops. Although Larry was feeling guilty about shutting us down, I was grateful for her making a decision that might just save my life and body. This is the race trail, including Blood Rock:

In exchange for the loss of our six hour ride, we elected to ride some of the other trails in the park. We chose the Lake Trail with the Rattlesnake extension loop. It wasn't long before I earned another new nickname. I am now the "Queen of Over-Compensation". So I rode a little tense. Rigid even. Big deal. My little corrective movements while riding got a tad exaggerated as I tried to stay upright on my bike on the trail. In my defense, there were trees and roots and jagged rocks everywhere! And hills! Who knew that what we have in Louisiana are really not hills?

It didn't take five or ten minutes before I had my first hard fall. I'm going to blame it on my new clipless pedals. Now the second and third falls had something to do with my desire to take a well-needed rest in a bed of thick fall leaves.  Shortly there after, I felt that when my cleat got stuck in my right pedal it was a good opportunity to rest on my side again for a little while.

Queen of Over-Correction and Mo

At this point it was apparent I was amusing my riding partners, as Larry insisted she wanted to carry my iPhone so she could catch me on video the next time I fell. Koko-Mo somehow was managing to stay upright and was surprisingly fast on the hills.

Once I got my foot unstuck from my pedal, I rode clipless on one side for a while. When I thought I heard the jingle of my cleat flying off  and hitting a rock, Larry graciously helped me look in the leaves for it. We gave up after about 5 minutes of searching. I found it later stuck in my pedal. Patient as always, Larry turned into McGyver and fixed me up while Mo checked out the scenery.

The course was a blast but challenged my skills and my lack of fitness. There were fast downhills, big logs that had to be jumped at full speed, and sharp rocky turns. Larry was a great teacher and I learned to ride "smooth like butter", to read the trail, and to shift ALL of my gears. She forced me to slow down as I tend to be a wee bit fearless...dangerously so.

Repair Larry

Sorry Mo we're hurrying...

At one point the trail presented a wooden bridge that once on it, giving the choice of a beginner level "out" or a more technical challenge of an even narrower bridge. By the time I came upon it my teammates had left me in their dust and failed to tell me to go to the left on the easier route. Flying out of control at full speed I Hail Mary-ed it through the obstacle. Success!! I laughed so hard when I got over the bridge I almost fell off my bike again.

My final full speed out of control descent landed me in the middle of a paved park road luckily absent of oncoming traffic. I was whipped but exhilarated. We returned to the start of the race in time to meet up with our remaining Baton Rouge friends who were still riding the Course From Hell. Debbie had gotten her fill of expert riding and was up for a laugh and agreed to ride with us. My second loop was better but I still ended up on my ass a few times. This time even Mo bit it and took a boulder straight on her kneecap (but in her defense it was her only fall of the day). This is some of the trail we rode:

After a full day of riding (12 miles for Mo and I, and like 20 for Larry) our appetites were ravenous and we wanted protein. What kind of restaurant says "MEAT. HERE." more than one with a pig over it's door?

We ate. And ate. Baskets of cheese muffins. Ribs, pulled pork, chicken, potato salad, green salad, beer and Firefly. And then we went and bought more food at CVS. And then we stopped for cupcakes. It was a Food Festivus.

And then it happened. I became the CHOSEN ONE. The DD. The Captain of the Mothership. She purred when I started her. She responded to my touch. It was like we were meant to be together. We had an understanding. There would be no forgetting her keys on my end. No running her over those rutty grooves on the side of the highway. No ill words about her short-comings. No handicapped parking spots for her.

Day Two:

I have softball sized lumps and bruises on my right buttock down to my knee. Mo has ice packs on half her body. And Larry... well she has a smug "look at these amateurs" grin on her face.

Today is going to be the real test. The "Can we HTFU" test. Mo wants to PR a 10k she has been looking forward to all year. I want to survive my first real off road duathlon. Larry? Well, she wants to win the whole thing.

The trail runners head out 30 minutes before I start my race. Mo looks strong, but it's early and she is still on the paved roads. Her knee and ankle hurt and she has a long way to go. I cheer her on. Larry was at the front of the pack and I never saw her pass by.

I set up transition and wait. When we start the 3.3 mile trail run I am ready. As usual I shoot out a bit too fast for my pace but there is comfort in staying with the group. When we leave the park road the trail starts off as rugged single track and it gradually begins to incline. It takes all my focus to not trip over roots and rocks as the leaves cover the obstacles. And then it begins. The steady stream of the longer distance trail runners coming up from behind merging into the shorter distance runners pace line, requiring me to stop, pull over, or speed up to get out of their way. Then the ridiculous climbs begin. The ones that are not runnable except for the most fit runners. The rest of us trudged up them, grabbing branches, resting on trees, and sucking wind. The downhills were break neck. It was way harder than I expected. I completely re-thought my desire, motivation, and plan to do the Half-Marathon Trail race in December. I'd like to be able to walk in January.

Transition

Finally the run came to an end and I made it back to transition where Larry was already waiting to cheer me on as I transitioned to my bike. I was so glad that the run was over for an instant I forgot how challenging the 11.7 miles of bike trails were going to be. The race course for the bike was practically the same course we rode twice the day before and this was a huge mental relief. At least I knew most of what to expect. It was hard to find my bike legs and I felt clumsy and awkward as I started to ride, but I held my focus and tried to remember what Larry had taught me about being smooth like butter. I spent a lot of time pulling over to let the good riders pass for fear they would run me off the trail never to be seen or heard from again. Luckily today I was able to pull over, not fall over. I was exhausted and my legs were shot from both Saturday's ride and the hard trail run. I thought I might just call it off after the first loop and not risk injury due to fear my fatigue and lack of bike skills was a recipe for disaster.

Eventually I made it back and dismounted to go over the mat in transition and then found myself back on my bike for the final loop. I decided to keep at it as it was about learning and improving my skills and completing the race not worrying about setting course records. I did make one really Epic Fail. I forgot completely about taking in nutrition on the bike. Oh, I packed it, I just forgot to take any in. I was white knuckling the handlebars so tightly I never thought to put anything of nutritious value in my mouth. I barely could get the tube from my Camelback in while I rode much less food. I paid for that about an hour after the race when I hit the "wall" hard. Big lesson learned.

I felt the last loop was much more successful than my first and am pretty sure I had a good negative split (my results weren't posted before we left). Since I was one of three riders I saw still out on the course I never had to pull over for that last loop. I enjoyed the ride, passed three riders (two of whom were men), worked on my technique, and allowed myself to absorb the experience. And then I returned to find that Larry had, in usual fashion, locked her keys in the Mothership.

It was truly a fun weekend. I learned a lot about Larry and Mo. I learned a lot about trail running and mountain biking. I met some great people and shared some challenging endeavors. In closing I want to make a few shout-outs:

"Larry" ~ thanks for the transport, team building, mentorship, and laughs. You my friend are a bit absent minded but have a heart of gold. Your wit makes me crack up. I will be your travel companion any time! And it's nice to know someone else can put down some food like me! And congrats on your 2nd Place Overall win on the 10K trail run! Impressive!! (and for the record she was only 16 seconds behind 1st place!)

"Koko-Mo" ~ your hard work this year is paying off both in your physical and mental strength. I'm so proud you toughed it out and pushed through your injuries to run hard. You have a brilliant business mind and I learned a lot just listening to you. Thanks for the room!

The Gang ~ thanks guys for taking me in as one of your own! Had a blast learning from you all. Holly you rock, thats all I can say. I'm so impressed with your skills. Jeff, don't ever tell me you run slow and then leave me in the dust. Rude. J-Boy, thanks for the pedals I am a master now! And I forgive you for tossing my favorite FitBird shirt out onto the road to be run over by cars. And for making us turn around to bring you a battery when we were almost home... Debbie, you crack me up and I would LOVE to ride with you anytime. Thank you for not laughing at me too hard.

I'm motivated to get better at mountain biking. I'm realistic in my need to make more obtainable goals for my trail running. I'm going to focus on speed and getting my shorter distances under control before I take on the Half-Marathon Trail run. Next off-road goal will be the Moonlight 6K.

Here we come to save the day...!!