XTERRA Southeast Championships: June 8 2008
Start time: 9:30am
Air Temp 101
Heat Index 110
Water Temp 82
Gu Temp: too hot to open.
Swim: Water was warmer than bath warm water. My neck was in muscle spasms (if its not one thing its another, but in this case its everything: the spasms ran from the left butt to the left side of the neck). I was stiff. real stiff, but made the 2 loops of a mile. out of the water, put the bike shoes on right away...they were hot.
Bike: 5 miles in, the lower back is in spasms, the power was not there. The trail was super fun in spots. I took the downhills FAST... the uphills were excrutiating. The lower back is screaming on every hill, and the power reader keeps to the left. 2 women in my age group pass me...augh. I cleared "blood rock" and my friends were impressed as they dismounted. Bama's Blood Rock is a section on the 18 mile bike split identical to PA's French Creek's "On the Rocks". Its downhill... and really, I flippin loved it.. I had a surge of adrenaline while and after doing that section....thanks to the Yeti! even passed one of those women that passed me.... but then she caught up to me.... on an uphill. go figure.
Run: My plan was to take the first couple of miles easy, bring the Tiger Gatorade along for the run, hydrate & fuel well before I tackle the 7 hill climb totalling 1800 ft of vertical. reluctantly, I hiked every hill...and really didn't run until I hit the road for the last 1/2 mile of the run.
Finish time was 3:15...only shaved 5mins off my time from last yr. I did the best I could given that my back has been in spasms for a week now... especially on the bike. still in spasms.... I placed 5th out of 8 women in my age group. There are tough athletes in my division, and I am glad I got to race among them. I really can't wait to have my game back....I know I am capable of much more than what I gave at this race. Hoping to get my muscles back and ready for Richmond this coming weekend.
