What a fun weekend!

Saturday was an all-women’s sprint triathlon here in Atlanta. A few weeks ago I had called the race director, Chuck Dunlop, asking if he needed a “last place finisher” for his race. This is something I have always done for RD Jim Rainey for his all-women’s race in August and I consider it an honor to get to bring all the women in, ensuring no one finishes last (but me). I think races like this are intended to focus on the spirit of the race, to get people off the couch, and motivate people (women) to be better than they were before; to do more than they thought they could.

It was awesome. I loved looping around the women and getting to spend some brief minutes with each of them to encourage them to keep going. Among them, I met a woman named Meredith who had conquered cancer, a women who just survived a divorce and lost 70lbs, and a women who had just given birth 6 months earlier to her first baby. Talk about being an inspiration! I felt humbled. All of the dozens of women were so kind to me, and so appreciative that I was running with them —- but the honor was mine. Truly. It’s easy to do things that are ‘easy’. But to each of these women, their struggle out there on that course reflected bigger things. I always think these races help to show people that they can do more than they think they can. As I ran the last women in, crossing behind them, I felt thrilled for them, and grateful to have been able to help them on this journey, if even in a tiny way.
These are the ways that I feel I am best able to give back to the sport, to give back to people. I hope I did this.

The only negative part of my day was the pain I was in with my back. Normally my back doesn’t hurt when running, but this day it did. I think I hid it pretty well … I wanted the attention on the women and not on my injuries. Though I definitely took a beating, it was worth it and I would go through it again in a second to help any one of the women I met that day.

That night my crazy friend Dana recruited me to be a chaperon for her friend, Sterling’s, 14-year old son’s birthday party. I thought it was ironic that I was asked to be a rule enforcer at this thing. Wasn’t I always the one in trouble growing up?? There were 50+ teenagers running around the spacious mansion and pool grounds, so Dana, Sterling and I had our hands full making certain all activity was appropriate. I couldn’t help laughing at myself – when did I become the ADULT?

This morning I woke up intending to ride a few hours with some friends. I am continuing to try to add exercise in to my daily routine to see what happens. With the tornado warnings and storm reports today, we decided to ride indoors, so I went to ATS and rode with Andy and Tony while we watched, “Superbad”. Man, what a movie.

I rode for about 2 hours and though I was not producing any respectable power with watts, I got off the bike without the normal pain I feel. It was a little tight but it really want not bad at all. I have no explanation for this given the pain I felt yesterday, or why this ride day felt ok when riding is normally what hurts the most… but I’ll take the good day!

I plan to try to get in a 10-hour training week this week to see what happens…

I refuse to let myself get too excited just because of one good day, but I’m interested to see what my body can handle.

Cheers!

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