WORLD DUATHLON CHAMPIONSHIPS- SEPT 25, 2011 GIJON, SPAIN
10k run, 40k bike, 5k run
So the day finally comes to venture to Spain for worlds. Lots of emotions as I get on the plane and think of what the hell I am doing. I am so excited yet so nervous, and actually kinda can't wait til the whole darn thing is over!! One of the biggest things is getting my bike there and in one piece, so we took a direct flight from JFK to Madrid and rented a car to drive the 5 hours to Gijon. Which is beautiful and right on the beach! And the time is 6 hours ahead of us, so the first few days were really rough.
We arrived on Wednesday afternoon and searched for food, which if you don't know they don't eat dinner til way late, like 8 pm!! So right then I knew eating was going to be an issue. And sleeping seemed to be an issue as well.
Thursday arrives and Team USA has a group run planned, which I was happy because I really wanted to get on the course. As we start the course, it was flat but then we went through a section of cobblestones, if you have ever run on cobblestones, you know it is not easy. So I am thinking yuk, especially when the legs are tired,, I could fall on my friggin face!! Oh well. The first run is 4 laps of this, fairly flat with .5 mile of cobbles. The second run is 2 laps of this. Thursday afternoon I take on the bike course. It is absolutely beautiful. But it does start out with a 3 mile climb. Really a climb. But of course there is the downhill, which was great but with a couple sharp s turns. The bike is 2 laps, so 6 miles of climbing!! But I am excited, there is about 1 mile straight shot right on the beach road. After I finish riding the course, I already felt my legs! But Friday was another to ride and run the course, and I took full advantage. Trying to really get a feel for the ups, downs, and cobbles. I wanted to know the course as well as possible.
Being on TEAM USA is a great experience, lots of camaraderie, great photos. The event has opening and closing ceremonies which were super and advertised the area where we were.
Race day arrives and I venture down to transition for my 10:40 start (which still is only 4:40am in the US). I think I feel pretty good, but the past days hasn't brought much sleep and my eating and digestive system were way out of wack. My wave had 85 women and then there was one more wave of 120 women. As we start, I try not to go out to fast for this first 10k 'cause these chicks are FAST!! But after 2 laps my stomach started aching and I had to slow. I make it through this terrible feeling with not such a great run, but jump on the bike. Feeling better and happy to ride, I pound out the 2 laps. During which, I happened to watch lots of illegal drafting, I found this super annoying. And of course as the ITU guy comes by they spread out and then jump on my wheel!! Finally I got rid of them. And slide into transition and start my second run feeling much better than the first run.
I finished 5th in my age group, which I was happy for even with my achin belly. These are some amazing women of the world to be racing against. I am so happy and thankful to have had this opportunity. So much thanks to Bikeway for assisting me with my bike and to my great fiance/Sherpa for lugging all my shit around.
til next seasonCheers
Erica Ruge
No comments:
Post a Comment