And the Rest of the Story

Weeks ago, right after MightyMan (maybe, even, actually before), a few training buds were asking me if I was doing any of the Richmond races in November (marathon, half, 8K).

My answer was a resounding, "maybe" (for the half marathon). Notice, the race is still not listed on my 2008 calendar.

With the unplanned events of MightyMan finishing up my planned race season, I was ready to jump into off-season. Not so much to skip training, but to have the right to just do what I wanted to do. So, while I didn't specifically train for this half, I tried to keep up with a few longer weekend runs.

Just in case I would feel like doing the half.

Like on a gorgeous Richmond fall day - those cool, crisp days where I can almost enjoy running.

I heard myself saying quite often, "I have no desire to do another race this season in the rain."

So I waited. About a week ago, I checked the 10 day weather forecast. Race day looked great - and I found myself at the computer signing up.

I swear the very next day the forecast changed to "showers possible," then "showers likely," then "rain," building up to the day before the race with "rain, thunderstorms and heavy wind."

Exactly what I didn't want. Feeling obligated to run a race that would be a challenge to enjoy.

Two days before the race, I was swimming with TRIgirl MW. She and I discussed our ambivalence about doing the half in lousy weather and agreed to touch base race day. Race eve, I went to the expo with TRIgirl BL. She was fighting a horrible cold and wasn't sure about racing either. But we both picked up our race packets and enjoyed a yummy pre-race meal.

Again, just in case.

That night, I begrudgingly prepared all my race day gear.

I even went to bed early, only to be woken up around 1:00 am with Buttercup shaking and panting.

Soon thereafter, the mother of all thunderstorms started to pass through, pounding the house with torrential downpours and big claps of thunder - for hours. Around 4:00 am, it started to ease up and I fell back asleep for another hour or so, thinking there was no way I'd be racing if a similar storm was to follow.

My alarm went off at 5:45, but I was tired and procrastinated getting out of bed for another 10 minutes. I took the dogs outside - the rain had dwindled down to just a light drizzle.

But, boy, was it warm and humid.

I checked my email. TRIgirl BL said she was in.

So, I figured I'd be upset if I raced and it started pouring, but I'd be more upset if I skipped the race and it turned out to be nice. I grabbed my stuff and headed downtown. I found TRIgirl MW - and we ran into a few other TRIgirls and friends racing, but I never caught up with TRIgirl BL before the race.

The race started. TRIgirl MW and I were soon discussing how warm it was - and how much we were sweating after just a half mile.

I really appreciated TRIgirl MW's company. We'd chat occasionally to keep our minds off the humidity, but I also enjoyed running together quietly as the miles ticked by.

Around miles 5-7, we wove through TRIgirls SS and KB's pretty northside neighborhood. They, along with TRIgirls SK and SD, were manning the race course - and cheering everyone on. Seeing them was wonderful - though I had to laugh when TRIgirl KB's initial response after hugging me was "Wow, you are sweaty!"

Soon after, TRIgirl MW and I lost track of each other. I tried to pick up my pace a little, but also felt the need to hit more aid stations as I felt like I was losing too much water and salt. I kicked myself for not packing endurolytes with my race gear earlier that morning when noticing the warmer temperatures.

The sun came out around mile 11 - which normally would have been great, except it just created oppressive steam conditions for the last couple of miles. I finally hit the last half mile - which was almost entirely down hill (sweet!). I heard Guppy AS call my name and gave him a high five as I tried to kick into "my version" of a sprint (lol) to the finish line.

Though not my best pace compared to a couple of recent training runs, I was still happy to end up with a PR - of about 6 minutes. My race time was 2:13:14 and included a small negative split for the second half of the run.

I caught up with a few other TRIgirls at the finish, including TRIgirl BL and her hubby - who struggled to race fighting horrible colds. TRIgirl MW and I compared notes on the last few miles - and we ran into TRIgirl DJM - who crossed the finish line looking very strong.

For the rest of the day, I tracked friends, fellow Guppies, TRIgirls and coworkers who were racing the marathon - especially excited for the first timers.

And on Sunday, I woke up to lovely, cool fall weather. (Grumble, grumble)

Congrats to all who race this weekend!

Ugh

There is more to the story, but since the ending is unknown at the moment, please stay tuned...

The Best Flip Turn Drill Ever

Monday Guppies...

Quick aside - Ironwoman Canada had the crazy idea to move me to the faster lane this past Monday. This has happened a few times when some of the speedier guppies do not show up. I actually kind of like it because I much prefer to be the last person in the lane than having to lead. Though my favorite scenario is when TRIgirl BL comes - and I am able to fall in behind her in our normal lane. Or on the very rare occasion when Coach B takes pity on me...

Anyway, moving on to something much more interesting - Monday's flip turn drill.

We'd just finished a slew of one arm, breathe away and sprint sets when Ironwoman Canada plopped water dumbbells at the end of each lane. All sorts of crazy ideas started going through my head - as new equipment usually signals some type of torturous challenge.

Like swimming with sneakers on and shirts tied around your waist. (Or in my case, expending huge amounts of effort to float in place with sneakers on and shirts tied around your waist.)

We were told to grab a weight for each hand as Ironwoman Canada explained the drill. We were to kick with the weights in front of us till reaching the half way point of the lane, flip, letting the weights keep our arms up, then return to the starting point kicking on our backs.

The first attempts for most of us were a comedy of errors.

And then we all started to get it. For the first time, I was able to experience what it should naturally feel like to complete a flip turn, with my arms in the correct position to streamline on my back before rotating to swim.

And the drill not only became the best flip turn lesson ever - but also kind of fun.

So much so, I was sad to see the water weights go.