But it was worth it.   Of course the trip was for the race, but it was still a great experience. Here are a few shots from our collective cameras of the rest of our time in Western Australia.

Hoping Ben remembers to STAY LEFT!

Jun, Jim, and I jumped into Ben’s smurf-like rental car (it was blue, too), and headed towards the beautiful area around Margaret River, a popular wine-making region with gorgeous beaches and just gorgeous everything.

Sorry I got in the way of your scenery pic, J!

We tasted some vino and tried to be classy. “Try” being the operative word.  My remnants of bloody road rash and the guys’ “post-race-pimp-limp” didn’t help our attempts at looking refined. But we tried.

Wine Snob Ben: you're so busted! You're supposed to hold it by the STEM!

Then we were driving down the road and someone yelled, “Hey- stop! Roos in the field!“   I swear, you’d think we saw unicorns.

We climbed out and ran into the field to see this awesome sight:

That's what I call vertical oscillation. Coach Matt would have a field day with this one.

Yes, he chased them. Who has the higher VO2?

We found some kickin’ Thai carry-out and found nice seating for four on this gorgeous, empty beach.

I love Jun!

Jim and Ben decided to swim out to this rock. Being the martyr, I stayed back to take pictures.

So what’s next?

I had qualified to race Clearwater (70.3 World Champs) this year and was still holding out hope to be able to race it.  I got in the pool last weekend, and promptly got out after about 10min of dizzy dizzy swimming.  I guess my noggin’ just wasn’t ready. It’s ok– base training is here for me and I’m totally ok with it.  It’s been an awesome year.

Some new friends sent me this picture from race day.  I love this photo (not because I look so glam — don’t hate me because I’m beautiful), because it pretty much says how I felt on race day — and every time I’m racing on my bike.  I was having an ABSOLUTE BLAST on the bike!   That’s what this is all about.  Let’s face it–  the longer we do this stuff, the more likely that *crap* is gonna happen.  I have several friends who have had some tough challenges in recent races, whether it’s a bad ref call, a DNF, a mechanical, a health-related issue, or just not the desired result.  I guess the challenges just help us appreciate the HIGHS. I am so glad I have this photo to remind me of why I love doing this crazy sport and how much fun racing is.  It makes all the hard work worth it.

Can’t wait for 2010!

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!

———-
I crashed at mile 36. I am so upset. It is freaking bizarre but I don’t remember racing. I don’t remember how it happened. I don’t remember this morning before the race. But I did somehow remember to stop my garmin: 261watts for 36mi. Not bad huh Matt? I’m so mad. Nasty swim by myself so I had to bust ass.
I busted my ass alright.
I am so upset. But I’m ok. Don’t worry mom. I just feel disappointed. Very.
Love you guys.
Amy

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

The flight was long (I think all of Monday was just sucked into a black hole) and I have no idea how many time zones I crossed, but I’m pretty sure we were fed a meal in each one of them (and I am not one to turn away a good meal…)  Other than the culinary delights mid-flight, the other bright spot was the beautiful Emirates Airlines flight attendants’ uniforms. Is this the coolest thing you’ve ever seen or what? She looks like a Middle Eastern I Dream of Genie.   I couldn’t help but think this would make a killer Halloween costume. She posed for my camera (after asking me to email it to her for her Facebook page– I love it!) but alas, wouldn’t give up the goods for my Arabic Princess Costume Aspirations. 

I really got lucky with my homestay— Peter is a local triathlete and is just the coolest guy. He’s been very accommodating and totally helpful.  I also met a great family from NJ on the first flight over here, and we’ve been BFFs ever since, spending most days together and doing various day trips to see the  sights.

Here are a couple shots of biking around gorgeous Rottnest Island.  No cars, just bikes here.  It served as a penal colony for Aboriginals. I would give you more info but I was too busy looking at quokkas (rat-like marsupials) to pay attention to the tour.  So much about this island reminded me of living on Galapagos, hence my big-ol’ smile.  Brought back a great feeling. 

My ever-astute mom, who is not distracted by beautiful beaches, immediately pointed out the unsavory name given to the island. She’s right… it was named by a Dutch explorer and evolved from what we would say “Rat’s Nest,” due to the rodent-looking locals running all over this otherwise perfect little chunk of island off the coast of Perth.  As a result of the Dutchman’s untrained eye, he incorrectly labeled these poor little marsupials.  Yes, they are pouch animals (like kangaroos), and keep their little Joeys in their pouches. So, not rats, but the name stuck. 

Being a MARSUPIAL, I like him better.

We also took a drive up to Yanchep National Park, about an hour north of Perth, to see the koalas and kangaroos. I couldn’t help but think of how silly we looked snapping pictures and squealing with delight at the sight of a kangaroo, which is probably as common as seeing a DEER back home.  I guess that’s the beauty of traveling— ignighting the senses and feeling excitement over the small stuff.  At any rate, I LOVED IT. 

PASSED OUT, DRUNK ON EUCALYPTIS LEAVES KOALA.

CARB-LOADING KOALA

I-WANNA-CHEW-HIS-FACE-OFF KOALA

Is that a joey in your pouch or are you just happy to see me?

ROUGH-HOUSIN' ROOS!

Me being all roo-like.

But let’s not forget why we’re here. 

THE RACE.  Yesterday I met the others on the U.S. pro team— all really cool and we had a great time at the country presentation dinner (and crushing that killer dinner).  I’m truly honored to have been selected for this team and will give it my very best.  I swam a bit in the Swan River, and am trying to deal with the fact that the race will likely NOT be wetsuit legal for pros now. (We’re a fraction of a degree too warm at this point… pray for a freeze tonight.)  The only thing I’d hate more than swimming 3k  . . . is swimming 3k without a wetsuit.  But as  they say here:  NO WORRIES, MATE.  

The bike course will be four loops to total 48 miles. I’m a bit concerned with the age group men behind us and the congestion of the course. This distance is definitely a race for the swimmers, and I NEED to open up and bike the hell out of that course– I really hope I can.  I have made some gains in my run lately and I can’t wait to get off the bike and see what I can do. There are some phenomenal athletes here and that truly motivates me, just knowing I’m a part of it.  

Thanks for checking in. There won’t be any online coverage for this race but we take off at what is 8pm Saturday night in Atlanta . . . so while you guys are livin’ it up back home, send me speedy vibes!  I’ll try to post a quick update post-race, but if you don’t hear from me, you can thank a bull shark.  Just sayin’. 

Travel was a big part of my life before triathlon. Now, if I can ever combine the two, I jump at it. It’s certainly not the same kind of adventure that I sought out before, but it’s still an adventure, albeit a different one.  I’m not sure what’s more painful: overnight Ecuadorian buses, or racing endurance events?  Strangely, I find them both gratifying in their own way.

A month or so ago I  applied to race on the U.S. Pro Team for ITU Long Distance Worlds in Perth, Australia. While I thought it’d be a long shot, I figured I’d have nothing to lose, and if I got it, well, it would pretty much be one of the coolest excuses that I’ve ever had to travel across the world for a race!

Last year I had to bail on Belgium after the hip injury, so getting to wear that uniform a year later is a wonderful turn of events.  I was VERY pleasantly surprised to get selected for this one.

Then, something funny happened.  While I’d like to say my focus was most definitely on the TRIATHLON, I have to admit that I was far more intrigued with the destination.  As a result, my “research” into the race was just shy of Kindergarten level.  The whole time I thought it was a half ironman distance race.  Nope.  It’s 2x olympic distance.  Let me spell it out for you:  3k swim, 48mile bike, 12.4 mile run.

THREE THOUSAND METER SWIM . . . with a SHORTER bike.   Not exactly how I would’ve designed it, but for some reason ITU didn’t consult with me prior to laying out the plans.  The nerve.

So it’s definitely a race that plays to the swimmers, but it will be fun to get out there and rip it up to the best of my ability.  I feel great on the bike and run and am so ready to race again.  I love that it’s a flat course, and did we forget that it’s AUSTRALIA?  I mean, who really cares about a few (thousand) extra meters to swim? 

I depart this weekend and the race is on Sunday, October 25th.  I plan to keep the bloggy alive and kickin’, and will post photos along the way, so stay tuned.  I am super stoked to be flying the pimped-out Emirates Airlines, with a layover in Dubai.  Nothing like a brief R&R in a rich oil nation’s airport.  It’s gotta be better than Lima, Peru, right?  (But we did have fun there, didn’t we, Bianca?!) I am trying to coerce my (Lebanese) mom into giving me a crash course in Arabic over the next 5 days, so that I can order my tabouli and grape leaves like a pro.

More to come.  Thanks for checking in.