BSLT 2009-Round 2

Last year I gave up on triathlons. After 2 races and 1 DNF. I was going back to racing duathlons because that is what I enjoyed and what I was good at. It is funny how even though you think you know what is best for you, the universe might know a little more.

The plan was to race duathlons this year-go to Nationals in VA and then Worlds in NC. I got bronchitis and a sinus infection before my first race. That changed everything. I reworked my race schedule and it included all triathlons-no duathlon. And first on the list-Buffalo Springs-a hard half ironman in Lubbock, Texas. If I was going to do triathlons again, I needed to go back there. I needed a second chance on this course.

Jeff and I headed out and arrived in Texas Friday morning. We arrived to 90+ heat and blue skies. We were both hoping for the same conditions on race day. But again, the universe would say something else. My training this spring has been solid. I have been working with Jeff and was confident about my training going into the race. I also went into the race with the expectation to try my best...no number based

expectations.

The morning of race day came too soon. Partly because the people who were staying above us at the hotel did not go to bed until 3am. By the time I feel asleep I had slept a grand total on 90 minutes. Ugh! Jeff and I got ready and were out the door by 5am. We arrived at the race site, only to sit in the car for about 20 min as we waited to park. If there is any downfall to this race, it is the parking. Other then that, the race is a blast!

Body marked, transition set up, and wetsuit on. I was ready to race. I was more nervous about the swim then in previous times. I had not swum in my wetsuit or open water in 10 months. I just did not want to freak out. I did not want to be that person. All the women in white caps line up ankle deep and water. 3-2-1-we are off. The swim ended up being decent. I passed quite a few people and found some feet to swim on and who was good at sighting. At exited the swim and looked at my watch. 34 min. WHAT? I was hoping for 31 and change. The rumor is the swim was 150-200 m long, so I guess that would put me at my original goal. I am learning that the swim is the most inaccurate part of triathlons and not to put to much weight in it. Reality is if I was 2-3 min slower, so was everyone else.

I got stripped of my wetsuit and grabed my bike, helmet and nutrition. My T1 was slower then other, but I wanted to make sure I had everything and that it was secure. I would hate to lose my flask of gel somewhere at the beginning of the ride. I start off up the first of 7 big hills. On the second climb, I see Amber. Her I ROCK suit is my goal. Don't let her get to far ahead. I know Amber is good biker (she won the CO State TT for Cat 4 this year) so keeping her in my sight would be a good thing. At mile 15 or so, my bike computer went out and it was the best thing that could have happened. I did not fixate on the mph, but rather rode my own race. The headwinds where so hard. And every now and then, I would catch a cross wind and shake on my bike. Luckily, I got off the last steep hill before it really started to rain. It had been sprinkling on and off during the bike, but the last 20 miles were WET. Passing people gave me a face full of water. Puddles started to form everywhere. I don't know what is harder: 90+ heat and full sun or 80 degrees with wind and rain. Both times at BSLT I have experienced the later.

I climbed up the last hill and got ready to run.

Only 13.1 more miles. My legs felt good. SO much better then last year. My nutrition was better as well-which I am sure has something to do with the fact that I remained strong throughout the bike. My mistake of the race was this: I left my flats out during the bike instead of placing them in a plastic bag. By the time I racked my bike and got my shoes on they were soaked. My

feet paid the price.

The first three miles felt slow, but there were all under 7.30. I passed a women in my age group up the 1st hill on course. There was another woman hanging with me, but she was grunting and swearing up the first hill..not good. I regained my 7.30 pace at the top of the hill and pulled away from her. Down other hill and up another. The hills on this course are hard, but I think the "energy lab" section is harder. I always forget how long it is to the turn around once you get on this section. I kept looking and looking for it as I ran up the false flat.

I am gaining on some women and none have passed me. Good sign. I keep my pace steady...my goal is to get to mile 10 and then try to push the last 5K.

I finally get there. I start to drink coke. I just want to be done. I come up on a girl who I thought was in the age group below me. I run with her for about a mile and then she drops back at mile 11. 2 more miles. I try to pick it up, but I can't go faster then 7.30 right now. Why can't the finish line be at mile 11?

Jeff rolls up on me at mile 12. There is a women 300 meters in front of me. He encourages me to go pass her. I don't think I can. I am almost sure I can't. But I try. I pass her with about 800 meters to go. She looks over at me. Ask me what age group I am in. I tell her, " Not yours". She doesn't try to go with me as I pass her. I can see the clock at mile 13-only 0.1 to go. It says 5.29. I started 30 min behind the pros so that would be I have the chance of breaking 5 hours. I move ahead and finish in 4.59.44. That put me 3rd for my age group and 6th or 7th overall.

At the awards ceremony I found out there where 2 Kona slots for my age group. The 1st place girl was not taking her. I would be offered one. There was no doubt what my answer would be when the asked , "Jenni, do you want to go to Kona?". I politely said "No Thanks". Then I was asked, "Jenni, do you want to go to Clearwater?". Again, I said no. Where do I want to go? Home.

I was pleased with the day. I made some big improvements, made some mistakes, and learned a great deal. I am not ready to dive into an Ironman. This was only my 2nd try at this distance. I feel I need to experience more of the 70.3 distance, make more mistakes, and learn from them. My time will come to go to Kona...it just was not on Sunday.

Rock On

JK

Big Thanks to all the people who support me: Jeff, my friends and family, Specialized, TriBuys.com, MaxMuscle Boulder, SKINS, Descente, Powerbar, Nineteen Wetsuits, and Boulder Running Company.