Fog Lifted.

Pre-Head-Banging. FIRED UP!

I think it’s funny that my last post was titled “T.G.I.Don’t.Know.”

I DIDN’T know a lot of anything after the race. I was totally out of it.  So the verdict is that I had some sort of concussion, as evidenced by my complete cluelessness as to how I ended up on the side of the road.  It’s scary to think of what could happen without a helmet, if falling on a turn (at low speeds) turned me into a rambling mess.  I have been told I’m thick headed, which, when combined with a good helmet, may not be such a bad thing. 

So my little email from my blackberry in the med tent was before I totally had it together (obviously).  I don’t really remember calling Danny but I do remember crying for a long time.  After I calmed my butt down, I realized what happened.   My previously ominous post, mentioning my concern for a crowded course, was spot-on, but it wasn’t the cause of the crash.   This was a very different course to race, because it consisted of 4 x 12mi loops.  Consider so many athletes (pros and amateurs all racing different speeds) stuffed into 12 miles with 4 tight u-turns per loop, and there doesn’t leave much space for each athlete.  As a result, I was definitely over-paced and out of my typical wattage range, but I was just trying like hell to move up and keep a clean race. There were some really strong age group men, and the only way to avoid a drafting penalty was to either drop back, or push harder and go past them.  I chose option #2.  The swim was incredibly hard, long, choppy, and into the current and waves the first 1800m— all the athletes were slower, and I was wayyyy slow.  So I had some catching up to do.  And I was doing it!  By the end of the 3rd loop, I was on pace to bike a sub-2:08, which would’ve been with the top girls on the bike.  But — COULDA WOULDA SHOULDA, right?   I made the tight u-turn and one of those reflector bumpy things in the road got in my way (WHO PUT THAT THERE?!) . . . and that was all she wrote. 

Next thing I know I was howling on the side of the road, crying hysterically, and just repeating, “But I came so far!! I want to race!!”   … yet completely confused as to how I ended up there.  (Not a good way to convince them to let you back on your bike.)

The funny thing is that I am very careful on the bike. I had never had a crash or a DNF, and I attribute that partly to the fact that I am so careful (but mostly lucky— it’s bound to happen).  I’m not upset anymore; I’m just grateful that it wasn’t worse. I have friends who have been VERY badly injured in bike wrecks (Mikey, Matt, Pam…) and I am just walking away with some good bruises and road rash, all of which will heal. Thanks so much for all the nice words/notes on Facebook and email… I was really feelin’ the love.  I mean that.  The big picture is a GOOD one, and I’m feeling nothing but gratitude at this point– no longer disappointment.

A big part of that is because I have met some great people here and we have had an awesome few days exploring Perth and other areas of Western Australia.  Over the next couple days  I’ll post more photos. Stay tuned for wine tasting, kangaroo chasing, and delish pad thai on a completely deserted beach. 

Before the race: Adam Jensen, Head Banger, Becky Witinok-Huber, & Jim Lubinski.

On a mission, but headed for asphalt.

Med tent: race over.

Team USA’s Tim O’donnell was crowned the 2009 Long Distance World Champ — big congrats to this former military officer on a wicked fast race. Well done, Sir!

World Champ Tim!