Back in Action - 25th Anniversary Wildflower Triathlons

Wildflower is where it all started for me.
In 1999 I participated in my first triathlon, the Wildflower Olympic distance event. Like so many newbies I was wide-eyed and in awe of the hard bodies, fancy gear and the athletic prowess of so many athletes. Also, like many new triathletes, I crossed the finish line saying,
"I know I can go faster, I know I can improve."

8 years later, that sentiment has not changed.

This year, a week out from the race, I had a medical procedure for my back performed.
The mission was to go out, do the race and see how the back would hold up. Oddly, on Friday, the day before the race my neck locked up. I was out doing a spin with Phil and at some point, my whole neck stiffened up painfully. I could not turn my head right, left, forward or backwards without severe limitation and pain. Needless to say, this was a bit disconcerting! As soon as we returned to the cabin, I changed clothes and motored down to the expo where the massage tent was located. Enrico of Therapeutic Reposturing worked on my upper body and helped to reduce the stiffness and regain some movement. Unfortuneatly, that alone would not be enough.

Later in the evening, I connected with pro pal Alexis (Waddel) and she reccommended seeing her dad for an adjustment. (Les, a long time triathlete, is a Chiropractor in Monterey). Late Friday night, after a long drive to Lake San Antonio, Les came over to the cabin and set me straight, so to speak. My neck adjusted so loudly I think you could hear it in San Francisco. What a relief.
Thanks, Les!

That night, not unlike other major races, I slept rather poorly. Most of the time my brain was spinning with thoughts of not being able to race due to the neck. Really, it seemed silly to be worried about a neck issue, with so many CAF athletes competing this weekend. They are so amazing. I didn't want to fret about a stiff neck, but easily more said than done. Race morning, I figured I would know in the first 100 yards whether I could turn my head to breathe or not. On the way to the start, I ran into Les, his wife Noelle and Alexis's sister Erin. Very quickly Les adjusted my neck again as I sat on the ground near the ramp to the start. Again, whew, what a relief.

I felt a lot more confident that I would be able to do the swim, albeit perhaps slower than usual.
When the start horn went off, the white water started and I quickly got into a groove. Though the neck was sore and stiff I had enough mobility to turn to the left and breathe - enough to get the job done. I was so thankful to be out there and being part of the event. I exited the water a bit dizzy, something that hasn't happened in a long while. Once I got my feet under me, it was on my way to transition.

In transition, I caught a glimpse of my watch and it was clear the swim was slower than expected. That can be very discouraging, but I am used to being a bit 'positionally challenged' after the swim. No matter, on to the bike! I quickly ran to the bike exit and was off on the newly dubbed "Time Bandit," my Blue T14.

Phil and I talked about a strategy for going after the fastest bike split. Kuota had upped the prime for the fastest bike split to $418.23 to celebrate Norman Stadler's Kona bike split in'06.
I knew that if I put it all together I could pull off the bike split...but it would mean completely wasting myself to do so. With athletes like Becky Lavelle (eventual winner), Kate Major and so many other strong cyclists in the field, it would mean a monumental effort and I mean monumental! Basically I figured I would need to ride a 2:35 and figured out what time splits I would have to hit where. Of course, having recently had the cortisone injections, there was a huge unknown with how I would feel. Ulitimately Phil and I decided that if I wasn't feeling completely on in the first 15 miles, then it wasn't going to happen and to ride within myself.
Well, easy to say, it wasn't going to happen - not that day. (Congrats to Becky, who not only scored the outright win, but rode a 2:37 to score the bike prime).

Very early it was clear that wind was going to be a constant companion for everyone on the bike course. I was really glad to have so much wind experience this season, but feared for the safety of everyone tackling the course that day. It is scary enough to have wind howling in your ears head-on, but hitting the bike descents and switchback after Nasty Grade and feeling the wind grab hold of the carbon wheels can be unnerving. I was lucky, there wasn't a lot of bike traffic around me. The later age group waves would have both the wind AND lots of other athletes to contend with, a recipe for scary situations, to be sure.

I finished the bike with a slightly faster split than '06, but not strong enough to bring me within striking distance of the top 10 (at least not without a great run!). I was very happy that my back did not flare up horribly- the first time in 4 years! This meant I could actually get off my bike and run. Thank God.

I suspect my experience was really similar to most folks. The first 5-6 miles were pretty rough. 3 or 4 girls went by me pretty quickly as I chugged up the hills. Eventually I got into a groove and felt like I was running steady. I passed by Malaika Homo (you go girl!) around mile 6 and then started picking up the pace through the final 7 miles.

On the dog leg between miles 9-12, I spied Andy Baldwin (ABC's Bachelor) running in the opposite direction. I've had a crush on Andy since he lived in the Bay Area years ago while at USF med school. I secretly hoped he might catch up so I could talk with him! Then I realized, I better get back to racing.

I ultimately crossed the line in 5:13 and change, in 18th place. This race was about so much more than place and time, it represents to me the beginning of what I hope and pray will be a new phase in my career. It was the first race since '03 that I didn't feel like my back held me from my potential. (Hopefully, now it will be about training!)
Today I went to my first physical therapy session at Active Care in San Francisco. I can't not begin to tell you how excited I am. I worked with Coleman and his team of therapists well over 2 hours. I am weak, weak, weak in a number of areas. The cool thing is that I learned so much more about what I need to do to protect my back, to strengthen my body and to achieve a form that has eluded me with the disc degeneration issues. I will be returning again this week for what is the beginning of a series of sessions. We are pulling me out of some races, in favor of getting this body strong, lean and mean for my big races of 2007. Stay tuned!

Thanks to Blue Competition Cycles, Oomph!, Jung & Jung Chiropractic, Pro Gold, Optic Nerve, Blue Seventy, Powerbar, Profile Design and all of my sponsors and supporters - I could not do it without you! Congratulations to Chris Legh, Kate Major & Alexis Wadell (you go girl!) on your finishes. Big congrats to Erin Wadell on your Olympic race! You guys rock!

Next - announcements of new sponsor partnerships in the works!
:-) Rachel