Post - 2013 Edmonton ITU Paratriathlon International Event

Man, where do I begin!? Was quite a weekend in Edmonton AB. This race was definitely a tougher race then the UBC triathlon that I competed in, in March. The swim was in open water (which I find more challenging than pools), the bike route wasn't hilly so to speak, but it had a really good climb that you had to do on your way out, which was 4 times, and the run was flat (thank god because I had JUST gotten my running leg two weeks before of this was the portion of the race I was least confident about.

Splits

Swim 00:16:16
T1 00:06:59
Bike 00:55:28
T2 00:04:13
Run 000:42:24

Time 02:05:19

So overall I took 13 minutes off of my PR, which is great, but my goal was so come in under 2 hrs which would have meant taking 19 minutes off of my PR. Shy by about 5-6 minutes. So as elated as I am that I did do well on a tougher course, I still am feeling unsatisfied and even more that ever determined to do it faster. WAY FASTER.

My energy level has definitely not been up to par the last 8 or so weeks and this was definitely proven this weekend, I didn't have the extra "umph" to really push it the way I know I can when I am feeling my best. Fatigue aside, I need to work on a few mane things:

• Open water swimming (my time slows by about 2-3 full minutes in open water, not good. I had only done one open water swim before this race so I know that improving this with practise and hard work is totally doable)
• Transition time (this is where fatigue hit me big time at this race) the moment I stopped I was just dying, I had my transition set up perfectly but I wasn't utilising it efficiently. I also need to figure out something with my cycling leg and cleat clip in, mounting the bike is slow for me so I need to problem solve a way to do this WAY faster.
• Cycling hills & power, I actually didn't do bad after my first lap, but my first lap was horrible. My head wasn't in the game and I was really struggling with fatigue after getting out of the water, my fatigue had my focus off and I was changing gears like an idiot or not changing gears at all. Must strengthen hill climbs, cycling leg fitting great though.
• Running, I have to say that even though this was the discipline that I was least confident about I actually surprised myself. I was able to keep a pretty steady pace. (I did about 70/30 running/walking) I have only had this running leg ready for the last 2 weeks, that's 2 weeks of training. Not ideal, but the fact that this leg was made so perfectly and fits me so well really helped me push through the run. I'm really eager to see what kind of times I can do on in with more training.....and how how FURTHER I can run too :) 

All in all another wonderful day in my life. I am proud and am already setting goals for training (starting back tomorrow, two days off is MORE than enough for me!) and my future races. I'm even more dedication to my dream of making it to the 2016 Rio Paralympics. Its been a amazing first season as a triathlete and I have learnt so much and am eager to learn more.

I did promise my husband that I would be taking the rest of this season off of competing and just focus on my training and what not (have more time for him and weekend summer getaways).... but today I already found myself browsing upcoming races LOL I guess we'll see!

One thing I definitely need to remind myself:

STRIVE FOR PROGRESS NOT PERFECTION.

But I still plan on aiming as high as possible ;)

There is definitely no better feeling than being tewarded when you've worked inctedibly hard for something. Blood, sweat, tears, passion & dedication to my goals every single day - My babies from the event:

Gold Medal for First Place female TRI 2 

& 

National Champion female TRI 2

 

Will post more pics from the event soon! 

K

Pre - 2013 Edmonton ITU Paratriathlon International Event

(Forgive my spelling errors as I'm blogging from iPhone in my hotel room)

Deep breaths. 

It's been a interesting ride to say the very least to this day today. I'm laying in my hotel bed at the Sutton Place in downtown Edmonton, Alberta. It took me just about 14 hours to drive here over 2 days, (yes I could have flown but I have a ton of gear & actually enjoy long drives alone to clear my head.... Maybe not quite THIS long next time though lol). 

Steve had a busy week so he'll be flying in tomorrow night, him & I will take a couple days together after the event to drive home. My dad will also be here (filling in as my handler), along with Dave (my prosthetist), and a few of my uncles and aunts who live in Alberta.  I'm so thankful they're here to support me :)

As I lay in bed I can't help but think a billion and one thoughts. Some positive, some negative, some realistic, ALL full of emotion. My eyes are welling up with tears just writing this... Fuck I'll call it what it is, I'm just plain old bawling my eyes out. I'm not sad, but I'm a lot of other things.... excited, nervous, grateful... I'm having trouble finding the words to explain it. 

A year ago I got this crazy idea (really kind of out of no where) that doing a triathlon would be fun. Swim, bike, run. At that point I hadn't reeeeeally done any of the 3 disciplines since I lost my leg in 2004. I just knew I missed sport & competition and knew I was up for a challenge. I had attained a grant (from CAF) & sponsorship (from Barber Prosthetics) & had a basic running prosthesis (thanks to Dave & his tech Darryl who have put in SO much time building it for me & then went on to completely re build it & also build me custom cycling leg & a gym leg, needless to say I'm incredibly grateful). Had no bike (& hadn't ridden a bike in over 7 years). Hadn't swam (other than when we were boating) in probably closer to 10 years. My athletic foundation was there but it was old & possibly had a few cracks... Not to mention doing all of the above missing one leg was going to make it all a little "different" than before anyways. Regardless, in my mind & in my heart I was already committed, so I set out to find someone who knew triathlon & could maybe help me. Happenstance or what have you, I found that person in my coach Meyrick Jones (I'm sure if you've read my blog before you've heard me babbling about him before). The guy has taught me to utilize my running leg, taught me how to ride a bike & got me back into the water as a competent & confident swimmer. No big deal right? ;) I've trained countless hours with him & on my own. Let me just emphasize that a really good coach isn't just going to shape you up physically, he's got to keep your head in the game, so to speak, too. 

So here I am waiting for my big race in just 2 sleeps. Although I have a billion thoughts running through my head & some are doubt related, I've been trained well enough to know that I'm as ready as I can be for this. Of course, more time on the new running leg would have been ideal (it's only been 2 weeks) & possibly more time swimming in open water (I mainly train in the pool & this race is in a lake), I've also been dealingwith some   un-sports-related fatigue that has changed the intensity of my training as well but mostly it's all mental. I know I am capable of doing ALL 3 disciplines. I know because I trained for it. Every bruise, blister, tear, sweat & drop of blood is proof of that. When I get out there on Saturday & it's go time, the only thoughts I'm going to let myself think are I CAN & I WILL. I have the skills & a plan to finish this race better than I finished my last. Whatever doubt I have is getting a swift kick right the fuck out! There is no room for it. So with that, I'm signing off, excited & hopeful for a great race & a new PR :)