Today, was the first time (since the monster gear incident) that I actually believed I could NOT handle this triathlon thing.
I started out at Harbins Park for a brick. 28 mile bike, plus a run off the bike of four miles. I had my cycling route mapped out, zipped up in a plastic bag and stuffed in my sports bra. The weather was beautiful, and I was zooming down a hill. Then, ooooops. Radio nowhere. I apparently had missed my turn and ended up somewhere wrong. But I actually knew where I was: also known as the seventh circle of cycling hell.
I looped and looped, ended up crawling up hill after hill. I was going up one hill at FOUR mph. Yes, FOUR. I think I was almost rolling backwards. I completely bonked around mile 20, and it was all I could do to get back to the park. I hit the park at mile twenty-six, and knowing I still had two more miles on the schedule, I went one mile past the park and doubled-back. 28 miles. Whew. I felt like death when I strapped on my sneakers for the run.
I almost forgot to take off my helmet (again). Locked the car and everything. Helmet still on. Unlock car. Remove helmet. Throw helmet in backseat, and think to self: what in the hell.
Then, I took off at the speedy pace of what could have only been a 14 minute mile (at best). I managed about 1.5 miles and then I ended up sitting down on a bench, and I don’t remember actually stopping or sitting down. Then I got cold. I knew that wasn’t a good sign, so I just walked/jogged back to the car – so I only ended up with 2.6 miles on my run.
And a crappy 2.6 miles at that.
Maybe I could have finished, but I was completely out of it. Out of it to the point that I felt out of body, so I just threw in the towel. I think it was pure bonk.
Tomorrow is another day. I am disappointed, but I really don’t think I had any gas left in that tank. Oh, well. That’s life. Er, that’s triathlon.
Today starts the four week countdown to St. Anthony’s. Hope you all have a great week!
Hang in there Mere. In a whacky way, it's refreshing to know that I am not alone in the GPS-was-made-for-me department. Anyways, the bike tour obviously worked your legs more than you'd planned to, so maybe it was for the best. Everything happens for a reason.
p.s. the Lionel Richie flyer = HYSTERICAL!
Ok, first off I just have to say that the fact that you were having an 'out of it' training session and STILL managed to run 2.6 miles is AMAZING! Everyone has off days, and you should be proud of yourself for not just giving up after the ride. We live and learn and this whole triathlon thing is trial and error, so that's why we practice 🙂
Thank you guys! I think my big lesson was learning to fuel up… I mean, really – did I expect to survive that kind of workout with only water and a gummy something beforehand? Stupid stupid stupid… 🙂
Oh Gosh, yeah! Last week I had an hour run scheduled and was in such a hurry to get out the door while it was still light out, that I completely forgot to eat anything and found myself struggling at mile 4 with hunger pains…not good! I don't know why we expect our bodies to perform their best without proper fuel!