Kickin' some Texass!
So this past weekend I ventured down to Houston with about 70 folks that I didn't know... I think I came home knowing more about them than I should have...
Driving to Houston sucks pretty bad although thanks to Trish Field it was bearable.
The race would have been the perfect setting for me if only I had managed to keep my training up throughout the last part of the summer. It was hot, short, and flat... all the components that help me race well.
The swim was longer than the advertised 800 (closer to 1000) but I felt pretty good during the swim regardless. The only real problem was that my timing chip had somehow managed to make its way down over my heal so I chose not to kick during the race instead of fixing the problem. As someone who is all legs when it comes to swimming, this probably wasn't the best idea.
The bike started out incredible. I was averaging 25mph but I had this nagging feeling that the second half wasn't going to be quite so smooth. It wasn't. There was a decent headwind that slowed me down more than I had originally thought. I ended up with an average of 20.6mph for the entire bike course. Damn.
The run felt horrible. I don't think I ever quite got my legs back underneath me. I know that I was slouching during the whole damn thing. I couldn't stand up straight. I couldn't pick up my knees. I just plain couldn't pick up the pace. Being a flat course, I had hoped for an average mile pace around 7:15 but could only manage 8:00 on Sunday. Somewhat disappointing but not too bad.
I managed 2nd place in my age group. But I think the real highlight of my race came yesterday when I looked at the results and saw that I was the second fastest in T1 and the fastest in T2. Transitions have really improved since last year and I'm actually making up some decent time.
As disappointing as some things were in Houston, I would have to say that it was a great experience overall. I met some really great people who I believe will actually give me a reason to enjoy Columbia. I might even begin calling it home... who knows.
Driving to Houston sucks pretty bad although thanks to Trish Field it was bearable.
The race would have been the perfect setting for me if only I had managed to keep my training up throughout the last part of the summer. It was hot, short, and flat... all the components that help me race well.
The swim was longer than the advertised 800 (closer to 1000) but I felt pretty good during the swim regardless. The only real problem was that my timing chip had somehow managed to make its way down over my heal so I chose not to kick during the race instead of fixing the problem. As someone who is all legs when it comes to swimming, this probably wasn't the best idea.
The bike started out incredible. I was averaging 25mph but I had this nagging feeling that the second half wasn't going to be quite so smooth. It wasn't. There was a decent headwind that slowed me down more than I had originally thought. I ended up with an average of 20.6mph for the entire bike course. Damn.
The run felt horrible. I don't think I ever quite got my legs back underneath me. I know that I was slouching during the whole damn thing. I couldn't stand up straight. I couldn't pick up my knees. I just plain couldn't pick up the pace. Being a flat course, I had hoped for an average mile pace around 7:15 but could only manage 8:00 on Sunday. Somewhat disappointing but not too bad.
I managed 2nd place in my age group. But I think the real highlight of my race came yesterday when I looked at the results and saw that I was the second fastest in T1 and the fastest in T2. Transitions have really improved since last year and I'm actually making up some decent time.
As disappointing as some things were in Houston, I would have to say that it was a great experience overall. I met some really great people who I believe will actually give me a reason to enjoy Columbia. I might even begin calling it home... who knows.
posted by Nikki Reed Difani at 7:20 AM
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