Everything's Bigger and Hotter in Texas

As I had expected when i first started this blog, I have trouble finding time to write. But I'd much rather be busy and actually have things to write about rather than blogging all the time about nothing!

I just got back from an awesome adventure in Dallas, TX for an Elite Development Race. Being my first time in Texas I wasn't really sure what to expect. I had heard it was hot, humid and lots of bugs. I was excited to meet other members of the collegiate recruitment program, but also hesitant with the fear that I'd be outclassed.

The Trip to Dallas

My journey began with a flight out of Idaho Falls. It was also my first time being in the IF airport. They were perplexed at what to do with my massive bike box and whether it would fit on the plane. I found it curious that it had only 2 gates, but also had 2 escalators. The security did not open until 45 minutes before the flight 1:14pm flight. After going through security, I was pacing back and forth. I could not sit still. I had the pre-race jitters a few days early. I went to the bathroom. Came back out and sat down, looked at my phone a few dozen times to see much time had passed in a matter of four minutes. Got up to fill my water bottle and sat back down checking my watch. Out of the corner of my eye I introduced myself to a girl wearing Bucknell garb shortly after she unloaded the plane I was about to board in IF. She had just finished her Junior year at Bucknell and was headed to yellowstone for a family vacation. Silly as it may seem, I always get excited upon meeting fellow Bucknellians.

Upon arrival in Denver, I set out for my usual long layover journey, walking every length of the airport to stretch out the legs. Having barely started, I ran into Barb Lindquist, and joined her in getting food for later at itza a wrap. Subsequently, Barb sat down to do some work on the computer and i took off for a little 20 min jog through the airport. I hadn't gotten in my run that morning, and decided to get the juices flowing just enough to keep the legs fresh, but not enough to break me into one of my usual drenching sweats. While the scenery of an airport does not even begin to compare with the landscapes of Jackson, I have to say that people watching is very entertaining, especially in fast forward clips as you run by.

After cleaning up in the bathroom, I returned to where I had left Barb and my things. The flight had been delayed an hour and Barb was hard at work, so I wandered down to the closest book shop and began browsing. After thumbing through quite a few selections, I found a treat that would last me beyond a few pages, Letters to My Daughter, by Maya Angelou. I had read I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, for analysis in Developmental Psyche and fell in love with Angelou's prose, poetry and strength as a female figure who had overcome tremendous trials in her lifetime, and not only survived, but THRIVED!

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style” 
― Maya Angelou

 Her Letters to My Daughter was even more inspiring than what I had hoped and I highly suggest everyone read it, regardless of your gender. I didn't get to finish the whole book, but decided that I would purchase the book as soon as I got home, as I wanted to be sure I had enough cash to last me the trip.

I saw that Barb's colleague, Jonothan Hall, had joined us. Barb had informed me that Jonothan had been the World Champion in Duathlon, on the pro cycling circuit, and was currently high performance director for USAT. Barb introduced me and I was immediately overtaken by a sense of humility and joy in the presence of these two incredible athletes. After some brief introductions, I listened on as Jono and Barb discussed the business aspect of triathlon, and developing elite triathletes. What body type and skills are dead give-aways of the potential to be great triathletes? Body type, musculature, running style, agility. As I listened on, I began to feel a bit intimidated and pondered whether I fit these terms for the fast track to success. I started to feel a twinge of anxiety build, but quickly reminded myself that these things did not matter. I race because I love it, and the size of my heart, passion and determination can outweigh those factors. I repeated my swim team's motto from Junior and Senior Year, "Love what you do." I relaxed and thanked God for the wonderful opportunity to be sitting next to two World Champions. I remembered that my faith in God and sharing his love with those whom I meet was my most important mission anywhere I went and in anything I do.

Dallas

Arriving in Dallas, my mind immediately swept to my bike and the anticipation of seeing it appear at baggage claim. I had a nagging fear that it would be lost in transition somewhere and cause a nightmare. As I searched for my flight's baggage claim, an airport personnel peeped an "Excuse Me." and rolled a large black case by me. Slowly it registered: huge black box, blue straps, lots of stickers. "Wait!" I ran after the baggage man dodging other travelers waiting for their baggage. I finally reached him as he stopped in front of the baggage claim office where other bags were stored. "That's mine! Thank you!" A huge sense of relief swept over me. I wheeled my oversized bag to the curb and got a taxi to the hotel.

Dallas was everything I had expected. A poorly planned, sprawling, city in the middle of a desert. sky scrapers lined the horizon in the distance and unfinished overpasses and roads led to nowhere. There was more road then there were buildings or things to get to. But the excitement of being in a new state and on my way to a new life adventure drowned out the environmental planner in me. I made conversation with the cabbie and explained to him what a triathlon was. I was here, all by myself, to race!

I texted Johanna and got our room info. In the room, I called my mom and hurriedly unpacked my bike to see how it survived the trip. There were gouges in the paint job on the frame. I got angry and frustrated at my bike and resolutely short with my mother. She reminded me to look at the bright side of things. Thank God my bike is only aluminum, otherwise it might have been destroyed. This was a learning lesson in packing my bike case. Thank God for lessons, and for moms.

The hotel was the epicenter for the race. Our room overlooked Lake Carolyn, which was already dotted with sighting buoys for the race. I calmed down, assembled my bike, said Hi to my roommate upon her return from dinner, and went to bed.

Rehearsal Day

Friday was a solo walk to The Corner Bakery down the street for a scrumptious omelet. Nine in the morning and I was already sweating. I went back to the hotel room and gathered my bike, swim suit, and transition gear. We had a Collegiate Recruitment Program pre-race clinic. I was excited and nervous as I rolled into the lobby with my bike and equipment. As I approached the doors juggling my equipment, I spotted Shelby and Sheila. I had met Shelby at the swim pool in Jackson, and Sheila was one of my college teammate's little sister. Some relief swept over me! After greeting eachother we found our way to the transition area for our clinic. After introductions of all the athletes and coaches we practiced putting our helmets on, running to our bikes, putting our helmets on, mounting, and dismounting. All Critical elements to a draft legal race, where every second in transition matters. I still felt a little wobbly and unsure on the mounts, but a bit more prepared than others in my group.

We split up into groups: ladies and gents, Pros and Development and went out for a ride practicing pace lining and drafting. It was invigorating to feel part of a team again and be out on a bike with people of my own age and discipline. After two loops of the course, we headed to the water side for the swim. We practiced sighting, deep water starts and swim exits. The stairs made the exit a bit tricky, but fun all the same.

After washing up, I enjoyed a great lunch at the bakery with Shelby, Sheila, and Sam. We shared our swimming backgrounds and talked about how we had gotten involved in triathlon. Sam, being the veteran and Pro, he graciously answered our million questions about draft legal racing and his career. Lunch was followed up by packet pick-up and 10 minute massages at the free massage booth. I hadn't realized how tight my calves were until the masseuse was digging into them. I returned to my room and propped my legs up before the pre-race meeting. After the meeting, a group of us headed out to dinner and carb load at the italian cafe down the street, which had amazing rolls and lasagna!

Back at the hotel, my bags were packed. I propped up the legs and watched some TV before calling it a night.

Race Day

Woke up at 5am with race day jitters, and had to tell someone so I texted a few friends who were probably cursing me for texting them so early on a Saturday morning. The room was freezing, so I enjoyed a bagel and peanut-butter under the covers before I got going. Brush the teeth. Pull up the hair. Do last minute checks on the bike, the race bag, and take off for the racer's lounge to drop gear and go for a little spin and run. After a few times rounding the turns in the parking lot and getting some out of the saddle sprints, it was the entry into transition area. I unclipped my helmet handing it to an official, bike propped between the legs just as they showed in the videos the night before. Numbers: check, helmet: good, shoes on the bike, running shoes by the basket. Glasses inside the helmet hanging off the handle bars of the bike. Barb came by to remind me to get in the right ring and do a last minute look-over. I was ready to go!

Short little run to try and get the bowels moving and empty before the race. No luck... guess I would be racing with an extra pound on board ( I know... you didn't want to know this!). Swim warm up, freestyle, a few strokes butterfly, and practice an exit. It was to the porta-pot for the last stop and then lined up to recieve our race cap and time chip.

The Race

One by one they called out our names and one by one, I watched as my friends and competitors dove into the water and swam over to race start. My number was one of the last and I pushed my way between two girls at the start line. On the horn we were off. A battle of flailing arms and legs. 100 out there were still some non swimmers hanging on clobbering my lower body. The swimmers began to move forward, and as we hit the first turn buoy the pathway was pretty clear. There was a group or 5 or six girls in front of me, as I had expected. I put my head down and powered through doing everything in my capability to stay with these freaking fast swimmer girls whom I knew were sub 17 minute milers in college. Perhaps I was putting my head down too much and not keeping watch of buoys, as I felt myself begin to swerve back and forth on the course. I started sighting more often and making sure to stay on the girl in front of me.

Up the steps, out of the water, it felt good to have my feet back on the ground and I sprinted to transition. Glasses, helmet, bike... and I was out. There were about 5 or six girls out of transition 10-15 seconds ahead of me. I could easily make that up on the bike. Mount line, hop, hop, mount, slip. Try again as I looked up the road hoping I had not lost too much time. I put the hammer down and gunned for the girls in front of me clicking up into harder gears and pushing hard to keep my cadence up. Rounding the first turn around, I decided it was best to get my feet in, and I looked back in hopes that the two girls behind me would quickly be coming up for help. Eventually they pulled up and we took turns pulling and picking up the stragglers off the pack in front of us and eventually losing them. In my mind, I knew I could power through and pull ahead of this group, but I doubted whether I could sustain such power through the run if I tried to go solo. I decided to stay with the group and race it out in the run. T2 went smoothly and I was out on the run, cadence high, feeling good, but stinkin hot. Aid station water to dump over the head. Shelby and I ran side by side for a good mile, mile and a half. Every aid station, I was taking water cups to cool myself off and lost ground on her. Last aid station, miss the cup, miss the sponge. Oh well! Lets just finish this out. It was a long straight stretch home, and I could see one of the girls from that front bike pack reallly fading. "Go for her!" With a mile left, I was unsure that I would really be able to catch her, but it was motivation. You never know what can happen, or whose behind you. Coming down the finishing stretch, no numbers on the penalty box. I'm home free. There was a good sized crowd gathered and it felt good to get down that finishing stretch. I smiled as I crossed the finish and the other girls all congratulated me and eachother. There was a spirit of comraderie that I never had really experienced in my other sports. We waited for our other collegiate recruitment girls to finish and gathered our things from the transition area.

The rest of the day was spent making phone calls to mom and dad, watching the men's EDR race, getting lunch, and watching the Pros in the afternoon. It was so sweltering hot during the women's race, which went off at noon, that only 12 of the 27 finished. Others pulling themselves out or literally collapsing on the course due to heat exhaustion. The men's race was a little less dramatic (go figure), but more exciting to watch with its larger field and larger groups. It was cool to see others in the collegiate recruitment program racing the pro races. I was especially happy when my fellow Wyomingite (sort of) Sam finished in the top 20 of the men's pro field.

Sunday- Post Race Clinic

Sunday was probably the most valuable day of all, as we had a 6 hour clinic for the collegiate recruits. We did running and swimming drills, filming and analysis. There was so much information packed into that two hours, I felt like I was still analyzing it all on my flight home that evening.

Wow! What a great race and experience! I had an absolute blast getting to know the other recruitment program athletes and hope to get more opportunities like this in the future!