Oh, thank heaven for 7-11 .... and for off season. These last few works work a-not kosher b-hard and c-not focused. I think mentally after Kona I was just done. I did not achieve my goal.. or was even close to it, and I think it took a bigger toll on me then I let on. Bummerinski. My training for Clearwater, therefore, was not cute. I did not want to be doing to workouts and it showed. Phillip was like WTF? but I just could not motivate myself.
My lack of motivation was clearly evident when I finally booked my flight/hotel for Florida about 4 days out from the races. WHOOPS. I guess I got what I deserved when I had to stay in the Best Western. That place was going to be my place of death, I thought. Thank god for double locked doors. Anyways, I got a little more pumped for the race when I met up with Chris and Kristen. Luckily they let me tag along with them for the majority of the trip.. or maybe Felipe just threatened Chris and made him.. who knows. I also was lucky enough to meet up with Kebby and Stephanie, the lovely ladies behind Soas Racing. They are freaking hilarious and are so stress free. My old roommate, Katie aka Trina, and I tarted our way through the expo, not knowing where anything is.. but we found it! We also made friends with someone who shared our sick sense of humor. Anyone who is not turned off by us talking about red swim caps being bad since our heads would be bleeding is OK in my book. Right.. ok..
So the night before the race I decide that I am actually motivated to race and that there is no pressure since I already qualified for this race. I've learned (the hard way) A LOT recently that things will not go my way just because I decide that I want them to. For example, there was not a great chance that I would break 5 hours when I had been training like shit since Kona. Just because I suddenly decided that I wanted to race, and race fast, didn't mean shit! Man, I hate learning this lesson!!!!! So maybe, just maybe, I can get my way if I put in the training and focus on this goal ...next season.
Alright. On to the actual race report:
Swim-
The water wasn't too cold, around 66 degrees. I was surprised by how choppy the water was since it looked flat. I didn't know if it was an in water start or beach start and was very confused when everyone in my wave ran into the water after the wave before us. I followed and then didn't get it when they all ran back out. Apparently it was a beach start. The buoys were drifting so it made for a zig zag of a swim which is why my swim was a little slower than usual (29:xx)
Bike-
Oh sweet jesus, I don't even want to get into the bike. 2 words come to mind: drafting and ch-ch-cheaters. Everyone knows that Clearwater is notorious for drafting, so I won't lay into it. Seriously, though, it was ridiculous. At least I can sleep at night knowing I raced an honest race. Contrary to the packs of 50-100 riders, I rode most of the race into the headwind by myself. I actually slowed down to look over my shoulder to see if I was going the right way since there was no one else around me. My bike split was a PR for me at 2:32.
Run-
I've told Pai (aka Phyllis aka Phillip aka Felipe) that my has been frustrating me soo much. Obviously, I have been running like a mofo heffer and it isn't making sense to me. There is no reason why I can run a 1:40 half mary but run over 2 hours in a HIM. Anyways, this little 2:10 run was not cute and not enjoyable. I will not be running that shit next season!!!!
ATL is on VH1 right now and I have no more interest in writing this race report. I am excited for the off season and will be focusing on strength conditioning.
OVER AND OUT
