Mighty Hampton — Sept 2009
Saturday the family and I went out to Southampton to pick up the race packet. It went quick without a hitch. Spent the evening eating pasta and went to be early. I told you BORING.
Sunday EARLY morning I got up at 3:15AM I was determined NOT to be late this year. I was on the road, in the dark by 4:15AM. I made it to the race site in Sag Harbor (one of the first) at 5:30AM. It was chilly and dark but the tri community was beginning to buzz and as usual people were excited and having lots of fun even though it was pre-dawn. I found myself chatting with my rack neighbors. They were two guys from NYC that came out to do the race. Both were worried about the swim but looking forward to the bike. I told them to "Say hi as you pass me on the bike. I'm gonna destroy you on the swim but my bike skills are more endurance this year than speed since I am training for the 1/2 in Montauk." They said they would and I laughed since it was still dark out and I couldn't make out their faces let alone what color their bikes were!
I was in the first wave, Elites and Athena's. Normally I would get to the front of the pack for the swim but since these are the people who make their living on Triathlon I figured I'd be wise to head to the back. Good choice. The Elites swam off and left me eating their wakes! The swim was a little rough. The wind picked up and there were some decent waves (for Noyak Bay). I was wearing my new goggles which were working out terrific until one big wave smacked me in the face and dislodged the suction on my goggles. The left eye began to fill with water. I tipped it to empty it and I must have loosened the strap because shortly after the right started to fill. Damn. It was annoying but not race threatening. I stopped and tread for a bit corrected the problem and started swimming again.
I had a good rhythm four strokes, spot, breathe. That rhythm puts me into a pseudo hypnotic state that makes it possible for me to banish the JAWS fears I have swimming in open water. Every time I go to the beach I think, "There are sharks in here, it's the Atlantic Ocean".
I think that EVERY SINGLE TIME I get in the water! And I go in almost everyday in the summer! I swear my parents should have been brought up on child abuse charges for allowing me to watch that movie on TV circa 1980. I still have mild panic attacks. I do however feel safer swimming in a large group... I guess it's the school fish mentality. — side note: I seriously need therapy.
I am swimming having fun until... I get a calf cramp! "HOLY CRAP THAT HURTS"
I spend the final 500 yards with my legs crossed cause that is the only way the pain isn't excruciating! I see the swim exit ramp.
I say to myself, "F-this I'm sprinting." I dig down and pass a few guys at the end. As I stand the pain in my leg disappears. Thank god cause that would have made the race unbearable. I run out and see my time 33min, MAN I wanted to beat 30min.
I run out and quickly see my bike. Since I was so early I have a sweet end-spot right next to the exit. No long clipitty-clop bike shoe run for me! Wetsuit off, helmet on, shoes on and go. I'm riding down CR60 and I'm feeling winded. "WTF? It's a flat, I'm in pseudo great shape, what's going on?"
As I make the turn right onto Noyak and head up hill it's getting worse. It was a really weird feeling. It wasn't like I ran hard and was sucking wind. It was like I was holding my breath and had a panicky feeling once the air started going in. "Is this exercise induced asthma?" Not cool.
I have to purposely think about my breathing "air goes in, air goes out" I am worried I'll start to hyperventilate. I guess I was taking shallow breaths cause the mindful breathing works. phew.
Just as I start getting it together a guy rides by and is like "Are you ok?"
I say "I'm fine, just slow." but then I think "Was I turning blue? Was I making weird noises?" Now I'm all self conscious. — side note: Yep, major therapy.
I am feeling better getting passed all over the place but I'm ok with it. I'm saving it for the run. Right before a major turn west one of the guys from the rack passes he says, "Hey is that you? You? Blue girls is that you?"
I'm thinking yes... who the hell are you? Then it dawns on me pre-dawn NYC dude.
"Hey, what's up!!! See you at the finish!!!!" That was cool.
I start heading up Great Hill. Don't let the name fool you. IT'S A FREAKING MOUNTAIN!!! or as close to a mountain you can find on Long Island. OK it's a hill. I really need to do some riding upstate cause my hill work is really kinda pathetic. But I rock it. For the one and only reason I rode, up and down, up and down, up and down, the hills off river road ALL summer. They are short but steep. It did the trick I was passing people on the hill. nice.
Next bunch of turns I am having a blast. Riding fast big round leg circles. I'm staying mid lane. I know, I know, you are supposed to stay right unless you are passing but HELLO I had three flats last year not doing that again eff the zipps pass on the right you get a flat. See there's one now, oh look there is another. Notice me, big blue, no flats here—suckas learn the course. Man, that wasn't nice. I almost fall. Ok karma. Next guy that has a flat I'll ask if they need help. Damn why such an immediate slapback. My mom used to say it was my guardian angel punishing me for my bad actions. T-H-E-R-A-P-Y spells therapy, you got it? Cause I need it.
As I come down the sweet hill back to CR60 I am riding SUPAfast. I have a need for speed. I FREAKING LOVE IT!!! 40mph on a one inch tire —pshaw— give me something scary. I am passing people all over the place. All I keep thinking is WOOOOOO I AM AN ADRENALINE JUNKIE!!!! Man I wish I had a parachute strapped to my back and I was going over a cliff. I wonder if my life insurance would pay out for death by bicycle base jumping? I may need to add a rider.
I come into transition and get on my shoes. I stand and wow, no jello legs. That is new. I stop at the porto cause, well, I'm a blond but I'm not an idiot.
I head off on my run. I feel good. 6.2 miles to go. I am not stressed at all. I'll run 11-12mm and be very, very, happy. People are passing me, but I don't care. I am not even remotely close to last so I'm completely cool. Heck, I'm even smiling. I've done this run a bunch of times. It's getting hot but I have a gel if I need it and there are plenty of water stops. I run down to the ferry make the left. I'm heading home 3.1 to go. I feel good. Real good. I suck my gel drink an energy drink... I get a little cocky... I pick up the pace just a skotoch. BIG MISTAKE. I turn the corner. I am in full sun and running hard then I get it the usual I'm about to have a baby pain. WHOA. Slow down. Where the hell did that come from?
I'm jogging slower, my hip-flexor says, "oh we're done? Stop."
AGAGAGAGAAAAAHGHHHHHH. WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!!!!???? I stop to stretch I have right around one mile to go. This is so lame! I walk a bit loosen it up it seems to respond favorably and I start jogging like a 85 year old woman. So it really should be called shuffling. I shuffle down the road I can practically hear the creaking. I have absolutely no idea what happened but the pain stops. Just stops. I'm completely fine. I run hard to the finish. I beat out two dudes that were trying hard to pass me. (I go to the Dr. and she says it sounds like I had a hip spasm and I should lose more weight.) Thanks Dr. Obvious.
All in all, the race was really fun. I used it as a training day for Montauk. I'll write that one when I feel like reliving that hot mess of a race. ugh.
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