I reaquainted myself with Western Australia's SE hills-Blackwood Marathon(long story)

[crazycanuck]

Yesterday was a long but cool day. Thanks again for the butterflies & good vibes

Just an aside, a few months ago I was searching for an event to train for & to prove to myself that I had the power in my right leg back. Prior to entering the event with my team, I was unable to jump out of the saddle and hoped that the strength would be back by yesterday!

Anywho, one fine afternoon I received an email regarding a team searching for a cyclist for the Blackwood Marathon(http://www.mccays.com.au/theevent) on Oct 25th. I set myself a training goal of finding as many hills as possible & doing well. Hill rides were fine except that jumping out of the saddle thing wasn't there yet. THat was until a month ago & it magically appeared!! *phew* Moving on..

I was in a bit of a panic this week as I was only able to cycle once on Tuesday AM(team meet up at a restaurant). Tues night..I think i had a mild case of food poisoning...(owwwww), didn't get much sleep wed & just did a short walk on wed. (thurs swim) EEEEEE...

Saturday morning I dragged ian out of bed & drove 3hrs to Bridgetown.. due to logistics. (Next year, i'm sure this will all pan out a wee bit more logically!) We found the start of the cycle leg(not much to the road!!!) with ease & then mozied on to the canoe/kayak end/swim start to try and locate some of my team! Found our kayaker, runner & equestrian and breathed a sigh of relief! Wandered back to the cycle leg, set up my stuff.

O! Time's here & awaiting my equestrian to come in...Stood around wondering if it was best to cycle up the gravel path or leave it at the top of the hill and run up More standing around & didn't notice my right cleat had come loose for some reason.. Aha! Team 97's equestrian coming in. Congratulated her & ran up the hill. My heart rate was a bit high but it was soon to skyrocket!

The first 5km's or so of the cycle leg are uphill..straight up! I wanted to do the 20km leg in 50min (ok i'm slow ) and had to think if i was pushing too hard and then panicked as I wondered if i'd trained enough. I was thankful for being able to jump out of the saddle! Then again, i don't think it helped I kept pushing as hard as I could & attempted to breathe out long breaths. I just kept thinking i must beat the hill & the big dude in front of me on the upright bike! That thought went away & then heard a funny noise coming from my bike. GAGHGHGH..

I couldn't use my big chain ring as I thought i had a problem. Keep on moving & try and get my speed up was my main thought. Legs going as fast as they could and just hoping i'd meet my time. Aha! Almost at the end & we are at the trotting track. AGGHGH..will my bike get me through this sand on the trotting track. Mozying it in, I was at the end. WAHOOOEEYYY!!!

I made it in 53:31 but that included the run up the hill & the trotting track! Our team placed third in the Open women's category.

Next year..50min. I'll still run up the hill to catch my bike..
The strange noise..my pedal hitting my odometer sensor..

Some pics for you