Race Season?

Well, not quite.  It has been a difficult summer when it comes to racing.  My body has not really cooperated but it has been a great learning experience and I'll take some small positives, move forward with a solid plan for fixing the issues long term.

A little over a month ago I had to pull out of the Wolfe Island 5k because I could barely stand up and walk.  My back had been bothering me on and off this summer and I tweaked it doing stuff around the house. 

Moving on to the CF Invitational in Gatineau PQ, I ended up with a DNF.  I came out of the two loop, 1500m, non-wetsuit swim in around 21:40 which was great for me (of note, swimming has actually gone pretty well).  On the 8 x 5k bike route, which had a number of turns making a square at one end prior to starting the next lap, I flatted and did a bit of damage to my wheel.  I was coming around the last turn about to start the 7th lap when I was trying to avoid a slower rider, it was either hit the brakes and crash or try to bunny-hop the curb.  I elected for the bunny-hop and it didn't go so well...I slammed the back wheel into the curb.  I thought I got away with it, but I blew the tire jumping back into the road.  Then there were some issues with the wheel, so a DNF was a result.

K-town tri last weekend was the straw that broke the camels back.  It started a little rough - a friend smashed his arm into my face, flipping a goggle lens.  A bit annoying but it comes with the starts.  The 2k swim went so so.  I couldn't keep with the group I normally swim with which was frustrating.  Towards the end, my lower back was starting to get tight and it would be a foreshadow of the day to come.  The 56.5k ride was terrible.  I could not push at all.  I could not stay in the aerobars due to my back and I could not go at any desirable speed.  Frustrating overall.  Getting off the bike was tough.  I had trouble getting my shoes on and could barely stand up.  I contemplating not going on the run but decided to push on.  I walked a lot of the 15k run to a very disappointing finish. 

In the end, I've now decided to take it easy for the rest of the season.  What I mean is that I will systematically look at what is causing problems and come up with a way ahead to solve the problem, learn from the experience, and plan for next season.  Coach Noa has been great and has provided a lot of support in what has been a very frustrating time. 

That's it for now.  On to the planning and diagnosing stage.  Until next time.  M