Hi ladies!
I'm back from my trip. Had a good time but I was NOT prepared for the heat and how it affected me (and a lot of other folks) today. The weather got into the upper 90's today, which I was not acclimated to. It usually takes me a couple weeks to get used to riding in the heat. Well, didn't have that luxury this time. Anyway, I suffered in it. When the hills and heat started, which was right away, I got this "icy" feeling all over my body, and it stayed until the turnaround part of the ride. At both aid stations, water was offered and I grabbed a bottle each time and dumped it over my head, which helped immensely. I saw lots of other people having a tough time too. Oh yes, the other thing...I rode a few miles more than I should have as I missed the turnaround point. They changed the course this year but I didn't know it and oh well... After that I started feeling better and was able to push harder and the icy feeling left. I think I just wasn't acclimated to the heat. My partner and I got 2nd place out of 3 all female teams. Not sure of the splits yet as they haven't been posted. I did get a $45 gift certificate to Sports Basement, a hat, T-shirt and water bottle. I am soooooo glad that I didn't ride the 1/2 Ironman distance. Really glad. Enjoyed spending time with my teammate Leigh (past Ironman competitor) and chatting about lots of stuff. She is DONE with doing extreme training. She has gotten into health stuff and feels that trying to eat healthy and doing the extreme events is kind of like being an alcoholic and a vegetarian at the same time. She feels now that the Ironman and tough events are really bad for your body. Hmmmm... she did this for about 6 years. Full time training. She's kind of out there too, like she told me she doesn't let them write a number on her arm because she doesn't want the toxins from the ink pen on her skin, doesn't think microwaves are safe, other stuff. Who knows. I think that everything in moderation is the way. Yep, I could eat a lot better, I could train a lot harder, but would I be happy? No, I don't think so. Anyway, just thought I'd let you all know I was thinking of you, and Wendy, wish you could have blown COLD air on my instead of HOT!!! Last year's event was fun. This one was tough!!! I've ridden in hot weather lots of times on organized rides, but I think the difference was that this was a race as opposed to just an organized ride and you push yourself more, even though you know that if you'd just slow down or stop it would feel better.
Lindy and Stacy, I think I saw you girls out there pointing me in the wrong direction. Or maybe I was delirious.
Gotta go, want to make a cup of coffee and hit some golf balls in the front yard. I'll get to personals tomorrow.
Thanks again, everyone for all the good wishes. Probably helped me to finish this race.
Jeanette
. Thoughts??????