Ruston Race Recap

XTERRA Eureka Springs is only 2 weeks away. Am I ready? Probably not. Am I excited? Not really.

I say that not trying to sound negative or down, just speaking the truth, and the truth being that I am scared to death. Not at the race itself, because XT ES is one of the hardest XTERRAs on the circuit, but at the outcome.

I suppose I should update you on my last race and then you might realize why I'm a little hesitant to be excited over this one.

XTERRA Gator Terra (Ruston) is an awesome race, fantastic course, fun and fast. My training hadn't been going according to plan, my pre-ride sucked, and I wasn't feeling great going into race day. I tried to play it off like it was not a big deal and that a good night of sleep would be the cure-all to dead legs and a winded system. Boy was I wrong.

Ruston was the biggest debacle of my entire racing career. My swim was about the only good thing out of that day. 2nd female out of the water. I'm super happy with that, I was passing people left and right, got in and out of T1 fairly quickly, but as soon as I got on that bike my legs were toast. All I could do was to hang on for the rest of the race.

I got passed by countless people, started crying in the middle of the course, have never cursed the sport of triathlon more, and have never in my life been so close to quitting. There were so many times that I would stop and look out between the trees and realize that I could easily turn around right there. Thankfully I didn't because in my mind looking back, Ruston was a major learning experience.

I tried taking in Gu on the bike, which made me sick. By the time I made it back to T2 I was so far off my goal time it wasn't even worth looking at my watch anymore. As soon as I transitioned to the run I started cramping. Not just little cramps that work themselves out, full blown whole leg cramps. I walked most of the run, embarrassed and angry. I got passed and ultimately beat by a girl who had never ridden a MTB, didn't run, and couldn't swim more than 800m. I have never felt so deflated.

As I ran through the finish-line I was met with friends and congratulatory remarks, but I couldn't help but be thoroughly and utterly mad. I was 34 minutes slower than the previous year, which in my mind is pathetic. Now granted you can take into account a lot of factors here (school, injuries, training time, etc.) but to me they mean nothing. I should have gone out and performed the way that I know I am capable of performing.

So no I am not excited about racing in two weeks, but I will get over that. If it in turn will make me into a better racer in the long run, so be it.

On a happier note, last weekend I got go to the Kansas City 5i50 triathlon. Talk about fun! We must have had 25 people racing. What a great group to be apart of. Now if you are thinking that I am dabbling in road racing get your mind out of the gutter ha, I was only there as a cheerleader and support. I loved running around cheering for everyone and taking pictures. Getting up at 5 am is a little crazy but all in the name of sport. What a great day it was!