This was an interesting day to say the least. I didn't know what to expect from the race. I wasn't even sure I'd be able to swim that far after surgery and just a couple swims in the lake. I had discussed plans from just doing the swim to trying to make it through and walking for 26 miles.
We woke up at 0430 and headed down to transition. It was odd not being nervous about time or where I would seed myself. I didn't even go to the bathroom successfully prior to race start. After pumping up my tires, we walked to the swim start. After about an hour wait, I was off to the water.
The air temp was 74 and the Ohio River was 84.6 degrees. Quite a change from last years Ironman Idaho event. I jumped off the dock at 7:20 something and was actually worried about that hurting. I remember pre-surgery jumping in the pool at the MAC and having that light up my leg and back. All was good and within a second, I re-surfaced and headed up river. I stayed in the current and even though I made it harder on myself, stayed clear of a lot of people. After the turn, I went out into the river to avoid contact there as well.
Normally a sub 1:10 swimmer, I would have been happy with under 1:20 since I didn't train much and all my swims since spring were in a wetsuit. I rolled in with a 1:17 and decided to give it a go on the bike.
After a moderate transition (about a minute longer than I would have liked) I was on my way. My plan was to stop at mile 38 in La Grange unless I felt stellar. the first part of the course is flat and I was cruising at about 21 mph average until the hills started. By mile 15, my back was starting to show signs of the swim trauma. At mile 17 I turned onto 1694 and couldn't carry any speed on the flat there. I knew I was done. I just didn't know if I could even hold out until 38.
From there it got worse with each mile and I knew I had to quit to save a possible medical emergency. The last thing I want now is another or more severe back surgery.
With my head down and severely embarrassed by being passed so much, I found my dad at about mile 40. I stopped, he loaded up my bike and we headed out.
I spent the rest of the day trying to distance myself from seeing too much racing. I love it so much but felt dejected not being able to compete.
The weather was just how I like it, sunny 94 and HOT. I am signing up for next year and EVERY year after that. This is my Kona place!!
I want to thank my father for putting up with me and for bringing me down here.
I want to thank my family, Trish and the boys for trying to understand why I am here.
I want to thank Jayne for implanting a thought in my mind about starting the race and how big a step that actually was exactly a month and a day after back surgery.
Last but certainly not least......CONGRATULATIONS to Trijimi athlete JODY CADY! She finished 1st in here age group at the Prairieview Olympic triathlon and had a great time.
Jodie, I've enjoyed working with you and you finished out the Tri season with a bang. One last running race and we will be looking at 2009.
Awesome!!!
Back to Michigan tomorrow and back to rehabilitation on Wednesday morning.
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