I am disappointed. I can’t help it. I worked too hard to be happy with 4th. My training has been going so well. I don’t feel this result properly reflects my fitness right now. Everyone tells me I am too hard on myself, but I can't be content with below-par performances, when I know I can do better. Harsh but fair.
Kristian raced a half in Washington State on Saturday, and won the race outright. His best result ever. This was very exciting news as we have been doing the same training. I had a really good feeling about Muskoka, and I was really excited and more nervous than usual, I think too nervous. I usually sleep really well pre-race; this time I got less than 5 hours. I really thought this was going to be my day.
It’s Tuesday now, and although my initial feeling of disappointment is still there I am starting to pick out the positives. And there are always positives.
Positives• Swim felt easy and controlled. Coulda and shoulda gone harder.
• It was my first race without a heart rate monitor and it felt good.
• My stomach felt fantastic, and my nutrition was perfect apart from allowing for only 2.5 hours on the bike rather than the 2.47 that it took me.
• I felt tired on the bike, but I think lack of sleep and lack of tapering rather than lack of fitness.
• I rode aggressively in wet conditions, and didn’t let the rain bother me. Post Roth I had a fear of being in conditions like that again. Thankfully Muskoka was wet but not cold.
• Run legs felt strong. I tapped along at a higher cadence, and I if the girls ahead weren’t so far gone I think I could have stepped it up.
• I won some money!
• I got to race in a beautiful location, go to Ontario for the first time, and made some new friends.
• I got the most beautiful and unique trophy I have ever won. Designed and made by local artist Paul Fogerty, this one is going straight to the pool room☺
Negatives• I got too nervous before the race and didn’t dissipate it. Which caused me to have a bad nights sleep.
• I was not ready for the start of the swim, I wasn’t in position or expecting the gun to go off when it did.
• I didn’t give myself enough of a taper to race well here.
• I should have had the juice in my legs to go with the girls that passed me.
• I should have been motivated enough by personal achievement to go harder on the run, despite the lack of possibility of gaining places.
• I think I race better when Kristian is there to calm me down, so I can voice my fears and he can tell me to shut up!
A big bunch of excuses? But if I don’t evaluate and look at what went right as well as what went wrong then I can’t move on. And I am moving on.
I’ve got to thank everyone that helped me this trip. I was totally reliant on other peoples generosity - to drive me from Toronto airport to Huntsville- thank you Katherine Knight and Alasdair, to put me up in Huntsville- The Gibson’s, to take me back to Toronto, put me up for the night and drop me off at the airport the following day- a big thank you to Steve Fleck and Paolina Allan, and Mike for driving my bike box!
And lastly thanks to Mitch and Janet Fraser for putting on the most well organised event I have ever taken part in. No joke it was clockwork.
Today I am off to the Big Island to finish off my preparation and to work on the tan☺ Life is really not that bad.
Charlotte
We have arrived!
The drive out of the airport.
Lava Java, waiting for my brekky, and catching up with facebook:)
This great mural is usually hidden by the Expo.
A Lizzy Lizard
Outside the front door of our condo.
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