IM Race Report Part II: The Bike

continued from Part I…

I am finally out of the water. For once, I felt like I was able to swim my own pace, after the initial 500 yards where everyone is trying to survive. Yeap: lot’s of elbows, kicks, scratches, but nothing I had not experienced before. Coming out of the water is always a wonderful feeling. Swim portion is now over.

I hopped on my bike, after a speedy transition. This year, my coach had a brand new race strategy for me: we did not talk about goal time or goal position. After 3 unsuccessful IM races, I knew I was able to race better. I had a series of bad luck and bad experiences which took a toll on my self-confidence. I knew I was better than that. Therefore, she had a new race strategy for me. I would race the way I had trained and worked so hard for all Summer. No time cut-off, no racing other girls, just concentrating on what my body was able to achieve. My only goal was to race smart, execute the race I had trained for, and leave it all out on the race course. Ok then! Easy to say Coach!

I therefore started the bike quite conservatively. The first few miles in town are quite chaotic anyways. It gets crowded with antsy triathletes, happy to be biking. I took my time, settled into my own rhythm, but I must admit that it took me about 15 miles before my legs started to feel snappy.

I got a new coach this year. First time I am coached by a woman, a “no-none-sense” type of gal who tells it the way it is. I trusted her. I did much more intensity training, less volume. I felt fit going into the race, yet my body felt so different than my previous 8 IM, I did not know what to make out of it. Again, I trusted her and trusted my body. I was about to find out today, one way or the other!!!

I managed to stay steady throughout the entire bike ride, concentrating on my nutrition plan, anticipating corners, passing people. No woman passed me. I was happy with that, even though I had absolutely no idea which position I was in. I finished the bike in a record time for me and I was happy. My friends and future team members of It Ain’t Us were there to welcome me back! Always nice to see familiar and cheering, smiling faces! I got into the changing tent…and I was basically alone! I therefore had the “luxury” of having 2 volunteers helping me change and get ready for the run.

I was doing well and did exactly what I was told to do: race smart, stay steady and be strong. Now I was about to find out if I could hold on for the run portion.

…to be continued…

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