Jerome and I set out last Thursday at the crack of dawn with the kids...we were heading East to Philly and ultimately to Maryland to race Eagleman 70.3. THIS is my all time favorite race! It is a 1.2 mile swim in the Choptank River, 56 mile ride and 13.1 miles of running. This course is windy, hotter than hell and flat. I LOVE THIS COURSE...except that the joke was on me /us as we live in Chicago - wearing full winter gear until just recently!
Jerome and I have done this race...since 2004. I missed 2008 due to racing the ITU World Triathlon Championships in Vancouver....otherwise, I have done it every year. And, every year but last year I had won my AG and qualified for Kona. No pressure.
However, I do not go to Eagleman with any expectations. Year after year it is hard and the conditions and pacing and fitness have to be SPOT ON to do well here.
The race morning dawned and it was humid. I will not make excuses but it was going to be a tough day. I came out of the water in 3rd place and passed the 2nd girl in the transition area.
Onto to the bike..I LOVE my NEW HOT PINK GRAMMO bike and I had several spectators yell, "LOVE THE PINK BIKE!".....I rode well and held onto 2nd place until mile 48 or so. Then, I just got so HOT. I was drinking but everything was coming back up. I was over-heating and once you get to that point, it can be a slippery slope. I drank all I could....but I was SO SO SO HOT. I finished the bike in a slow time for me: 2:37, which is 21.5 mph...but the wheels were coming off.
I flew off the bike and put my running shoes on and headed out in 95+ F degree heat to run 13.1 miles. It was OVERWHELMING because I felt so horrible. I wanted to DNF SO SO bad. But, that is the easy way out and I have never DNFd in 16 years, and I was not going to start. Medically I was "ok" - I was just slow and it was humbling to be passed when your mind wants to GO but the body will not.
I did end up finishing - far from 1st place..but it was a huge accomplishment against the elements that day for me!
Next up: Twin Lake Sprint Triathlon here locally - next Sunday the 26th of June! Can't wait to get out there and hammer in a short race!