Row Ride Run - Part 2

I have never had so much trouble getting into my clips as I did on Saturday.   All I can say is thank goodness I was at the end of the kayakers, because I would have run into someone trying to get clipped in if there had been someone to run into.  Other than that, I was pretty happy to be on the bike.  The race followed a good portion of the Trinona routes, but subbed the Garvin Heights climb with a long slog up Highway 43.   That's 5 miles uphill, if you are counting.  However, as a much smaller race, they didn't have the crossing at 61 closed, so I got to sit for the longest red light EVER.   Frustrating, but it did give me a chance to suck down some water.

The beginning of the battle with my shoes

Once the light changed (and I got clipped back in...), I was off.   This was my element, and I was feeling good.  Since I had come out of the water so late, I had lots and lots of folks to chase down and pass, which I did with great pleasure.   I had no idea how fast I was going, because I was wearing my Forerunner instead of using the Garmin 500, so other than a beep for each mile I had no idea how I was doing.  The ride was pretty fast all the way up to the turn  onto 43.  There, I slowed, but I was still passing folks.  Passing was a actually a bit interesting because 43 is not a quiet road, and despite a large shoulder I was frequently forced into the traffic lane to get around groups of people riding abreast.  

Turning off the highway was a marvel.  The road was recently resurfaced and smooth, with a gentle roll that lent itself to riding fast, which I did my best to do.   After the slow climb it felt like I was flying...then the road turned down.   You would think that would be a good thing, but I'm pretty much a chicken on descents  and this was a monster.   I hit 36 mph riding my brakes, and I was passed by folks doing somewhere near the speed of sound.   Once we were back on the flat, I re-passed most of them though.

The transition from ride to run was a bit rough.  The road leading to T2 was in very poor condition, so instead of cruising in and taking advantage of the hills I ended up having to slow down and go pretty cautiously.  On top of that, there was a hill up to the racks.  Larry told me one guy was forced to a complete stop by a vehicle on the road prior to the climb to T2.

I had passed that guy like three times, but he was braver than me on the potholes

After getting my shoes on and grabbing a water bottle, I was off.   Running while drinking is some sort of arcane art that I have not mastered, so I mostly spilled the water on myself, but by that point it felt pretty good regardless.   I had worn arm warmers for the ride which ended up being overkill, so I was a bit warm.  Larry and my friend were waiting to cheer me on at the start of the run, which was fantastic and highlighted the advantage of a unique nickname:  no wondering if folks are cheering for you or someone else.

Still riding the bike euphoria 

The run was obviously sort of cobbled together, and basically was an out and back with a few little offshoots to get the 5k distance.   Seeing as it's Winona, there was still a nasty climb in the midst of it.   I did my best, but my back was pretty shot by that point and I was just trying to hold on to the finish.   I managed to only get passed by a few people while out on the run, so I didn't lose too many spots, I think.

The finish was a bit mean, I have to say.  The ramp to the finish line came off the road and went up a little hill.  Well, little most of the time, but at the end of the run it felt like a mountain.   I did it though, and didn't walk (though that might have been faster).  

All in all, I am pretty pleased with the experience.  I got my first time jitters out of the way (hopefully), and even got to experience a bit of what I'm sure the melee of the swim start will be like.   I'm reassured that I'm not horrible on the bike, and know that I need to work on the run.  Honestly, at this point, the biggest hurdle I see is getting my back to play nice long enough for me to finish.  (Oh, and if you were curious, I was pretty much smack in the middle of the women.)