Saturday I had my first foray into the ITU racing format at the USAT Elite National Championships in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  Contrary to popular belief, Tuscaloosa is a cool town.  True to popular belief, swimming in the Black Warrior River is a little gross.

The race started out really well.  I dove off the pontoon and was right in the mix for the first 100m or so.  It was my first pontoon start and I had been really worried about goggle issues, but all my practice starts this past week paid off and I was totally fine.  I clung on to the back of the second pack and was really pumped to be where I was.  I hung on for a little bit (maybe another 150m) but then popped off the back and too far off to catch a draft.  I had a girl on my feet (!) and kept trying to surge up to latch onto the pack again, but couldn’t do it.  I knew it would make or break the race and I kept trying, digging really deep 2, 3, 4, probably 5 times, but never quite made it to the almost-free-ride-zone.  All the surging zapped me, and soon the girl on my feet pulled around me and I couldn’t even catch her draft.  So I went the remaining 800m alone.

I'm in the middle, you can see my black suit. This is shortly after the start. Conquer fear of diving with goggles on: check.

All alone. =(

The current made this especially tricky, as it was very hard to round the buoys.  I had to sight upstream to  line up with the buoy straight ahead.  Though everyone swam much slower than normal, it was less of an issue for the stronger swimmers and contributed to the really wide gap between me, all the way in the back, and everyone else.  I was last out of the water by quite a ways…probably over a minute.

I hauled on the run up to transition and tried to get out fast on the bike in hopes that someone was straggling.  The first lap of the bike felt awful and I was down about the swim, but the second lap I got my head into it and started to think that I could make it to the run.  Michelle and Beth were at the top of the first climb and they pumped me up everytime I went around.  When their support wore off Sonja and Tyler were at the bottom of the second climb and they carried me around until I saw them again on my return trip.  Bethany and her family were near transition and I could hear them yelling too.  I put some good laps together and noticed that the chase pack of 6 was holding about the same pace as I was all on my own.  That got me more excited and I thought I was in the clear!  I caught one girl and rode with her briefly before continuing on my own.  Then it happened.  2 packs combined at the front of the race, creating a pack of 6.  I felt like I was being chased by a freight train.  They were coming fast, but I only had a mile to go before I would be safe, they would be done with the bike and I would continue on my 6th lap, free.  I thought I could make it.  I whizzed through the 180′ turn, knowing packs move slower through those, but it wasn’t enough.  Just as I was about to pass by Sonja and Tyler they gobbled me up.  The official came on the motorcycle and took my chip.

It was nice having Sonja and Tyler right there, I didn’t even have a chance to sulk or get down, they made me feel like a champ — thanks so much for being there (literally).

As much as I was disappointed to not have finished the race, I’m really not down about it.  I think it’s mainly because I gave everything I had, and really don’t have any regrets.  I can’t think “I should have gone with that pack” because I honestly tried as hard as I could to, and couldn’t do it.  There was no mental blockage, I was just totally spent.  It’s left me really excited to work on my swim over the winter, and even more excited to race in a few weeks at Pacific Grove.  I’m not that far off, I know I can get there.  At this race last year I watched the women’s pro start with Sean and he said, “Next year that’ll be you.” and I thought he was insane.  But I got to the start.  Next year I’ll get to the finish.

Annnd…the highlight of the day, a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO BETHANY!!!!  5th place OVERALL yesterday morning, she’s got her pro card!!! =)

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