2011 New Orleans 70.3 Race Report (aka 69.1 Race Report)

It's a very simple relationship really. It's just taken me awhile to accept it. I am coming to terms with the fact that New Orleans 70.3 hates me... and I hate it. I don't mean to take any of its power away. It's a mighty beast of a race, and always seems to throw curve-balls, I just can't help but think it has it out for me personally.

The good news first? I finished officially! YAY! Main goal accomplished. The bad news is that I finished "officially" a 69.1 race, not a 70.3 race as the swim portion of the event was cancelled at the last minute due to strong winds and waves that were unsafe for the swimmers as well as the water support.

SO, now you know the gist of it. If you want the gory details read on. If not skim to the end and maybe by the time I finish typing this I will have decided what happens next, as I find blogging a very therapeutic way to deal with my race frustrations. This will likely be a long blog as I haven't gotten any posts out in 8 weeks and my head has a lot to say, so hold on...

The Final Days

I'm not sure even how to start this post. I am eight weeks behind on my entries, and so many things have happened during that time I am not sure how to go back, or even if I should. The "race" is in three days. It has all led up to this moment, and the last two months were so critical to it all. So what will I do about it? Well, for the sake of trying to save this seasons blog, I will hit the highlights and then after the race go back and recount the big events, and there were lots!

So my excuses for poor blogging are the following: the unexpected death of my mother-in-law, the Rouge Orleans Ultra-Marathon, numerous small running races, and the first triathlon of the season ~ OxBow. Oh, and then there is my "new" job (in addition to my regular job) - I am now the "Chief Operations Officer" for FitBird Fitness. SO, there has been limited time for blogging.

Training has been incredibly challenging and time consuming, but I feel very prepared for Sunday. I have had some good open water swim training sessions, and a few that I wish I could erase. I've been in the water with the suit, without the suit, in the calm, in the chop, in the fog, in the sunshine,... I think I've hit almost every scenario possible. I still have my struggles but I am confident that I can get my **** together and pull it out in the end.

I am confident this year, but hesitant to be over confident with public predictions about my performance. This year its personal. It's about me and my brain, and what I can do. Finishing officially is the ultimate goal. True time goals are close to the chest this year, and expectations are high, but guarded too.

Tonight the pre-race whirlwind begins. Last season I spent a lot of time blogging about it as I went. This year I'm going to experience it and blog later. I hope to not be "blogging" in my head on the run, and rather be focusing on what I am supposed to be accomplishing. God help us all if I have another blog written at the end of a long day. You may never hear from me again.

So, for those of you who have been patiently awaiting a posting, I am sorry for the delay and hope you understand my need for focus right now. I hope to be able to post a life-changing race report (for me) next week. I hope...