And then, the sun comes out.

Saturday, I raced the Pedal Dynamics Green Valley TT. It was cold. It was rainy. It was just plain gross. Most of my teammates were saving their legs for Vance Creek, so it was just Kat Meckle and me representing the cat 4 tomatoes.

It was really nice to see my bike racing friends and reconnect after not racing for a few weeks. But, I learned something recently. People actually read this thing. And it was clear to others after my last post that I was tired and a bit down-and-out.

Finishing the Pedal Dynamics TT

My performance on Saturday didn't help matters. While I still had a couple-minute improvement over last year's performance, I finished out of the top 10 and missed my target time by 6 seconds. It wasn't an awful finish by any means, but I wasn't thrilled.

Apparently, it was nothing that a few mozzarella sticks at Red Robin can't fix. 

I woke up at 4:45 am to get ready to race the Mt. Rainier Long Course duathlon. Rusty from at least 7 months since my last multisport event, I was a bit of a train wreck. I spent all winter using my race belt as a way to attach my blinking light to myself for early morning runs in the dark. I have NO idea where it is. I also had no idea what to wear for a race-start temperature of 43 degrees .... I packed everything—much like I do for a bike race. 3 pairs of gloves, tri knickers (yes, they exist!), tri shorts, leg warmers, arm armers, etc.

When we arrived in Enumclaw, I went into super-observation mode, which actually didn't help that much. I saw people in tri shorts, shimmels and arm warmers on one end of the spectrum, and full pants, jackets, gloves and hats on the other. As I unpacked in transition, I wore running shoes, glasses, arm warmers, short-sleeved base layer, tri knickers and full-fingered running gloves. In transition, I left a long-sleeved cycling jersey, tt helmet and bike shoes. I really felt like I was missing a bunch of stuff since I was wearing everything I needed for the run.

Start of the run. I'm in there somewhere.

At the start line, I tucked myself near the back, just like I would at a swim start, out of fear of being trampled. It was smart—I was 93rd of 115 on the first run. They weren't kidding that fast runners come out for this event—only two people ran mile splits longer than 10 minutes. My hope for doing well at this race dwindled at mile 1.

Parade wave to the camera.

Run 1—43:40.1 (5.12 miles at an 8:34 pace) - Last place in my division.

At transition, I decided to forgo the jersey I brought, so I put on my shoes, helmet and left. I think it was my fastest transition ever—58.2 seconds.

Okay, I felt much better when I got on my bike. I started to pull ahead of people, one-by-one, pretty quickly. I passed Cycle U teammate Chris fairly early on lap 1 and traded words of encouragement. The first climb up Mud Mountain was fine. I got into a nice slow-and-steady rhythm. I was slightly annoyed when a man passed me on the right (you are always supposed to pass on the left.) Not to worry, I passed that same man, never to see him again about a minute into the straightaway after the climb. I also passed quite a few people who were during the short course who were walking their bikes up the mountain. I had all sorts of thoughts run through my head as I saw them. Like, how nice it would be to join them, even though they were wearing tennis shoes and riding mountain bikes and I was on a super nice tt bike with an aero helmet.

I was glad that I had previewed the course the weekend prior because I was a lot less timid on the descent. Ever since my crash on Hollywood Hill this past winter, I have been a wimp when it comes to fast riding down hills. I think I may be getting over it, which is great. It didn't take long for my bruises to heal from that crash, but my brain is still recovering.

Just about to climb Mud Mountain.

Lap 2. I got stuck in a little bit of car traffic but was able to get back on a pretty good pace once I was away from the fairgrounds. As I started up the mountain the second time, I felt like I was in trouble. My legs were on fire. I was thinking I went too hard the first time around. Then, I remembered that this is supposed to hurt. That I had practiced suffering for months now. Also, because the race is small, I was in no man's land and couldn't tell if I was doing well or really poorly.

God bless the photographer! I got near the top of the mountain climb and she says to me, 'You're the 11th or 12th woman right now.' Seriously? I'm not getting massacred? I'm actually doing pretty well? It was the boost I needed and I tried to keep the bike pace high.

Bike—1:37:33.1 (28.88 miles at an 17:7 pace) -3rd place in my division.

When I got to transition, I had fellow Cycle U tri folks cheering for me, including Coach Tom. I was a bit frazzled and was yelling about what direction I was supposed to go. I'm sure they thought I was crazy and they'd be mostly right. But, this transition was now my fastest transition ever—44.4 seconds.

Done!

I headed out for the 2nd run in a bit of a panic. I have always been passed by runner after runner at this point in every race. I was so happy to hear that I was maybe 11th or 12th and I didn't want to lose my position. I ran as fast as I could muster. I felt like a weak water buffalo being hunted by a pack of lions. Paranoid, I kept looking behind me. I could hear feet. Luckily, when I turned around, it was a man. Phew! I kept running, turning the muddy corners of the fairgrounds, past the stables and finally down the grassy finish chute! No female passed me on the second run! I finished in whatever place I was in at the end of the bike.

Run 2—31:12.3 (3.82 miles at an 8:13 pace) - Second to last place in my division.

Final Time—2:54:08.1 - 3rd place in my division, women 20-29!

Wow! I was in disbelief. When Kevin told me, I was almost hesitant to believe him. I didn't want to get my hopes up. Who am I kidding!?! After being 'pack filler' for so long—okay, my whole life, I was so excited. I was going to get a medal!! I couldn't wait for the award ceremony. The two other girls who placed were ridiculously faster than me, but I didn't care. No one was going to spoil this moment for me. I gladly accepted my 'bronze' medal and smiled big for pictures.

1, 2 and 3!

I was in a fantastic mood all day that has carried me through the beginning of the work week. I wore my medal while enjoying a post-race meal with my Cycle U teammates, talking and laughing about all of the race shenanigans. I wore my medal under my sweatshirt to a birthday party later in the day. I wore my medal into the office the next day. It is now pinned to my cubicle wall with all my other medals.

In related news, yesterday marked 2 months away from race day! Last night's track workout included 3x1.5 mile repeats. I was able to do them all at an under 8-minute mile pace. When I first started training, I couldn't even do a 400 at that pace. I've come a long way indeed.