Race Report World Championship 70.3 Las Vegas
Well I dont have fancy numbers more of a story. I have been so severely injured that I could really not train much at all. I didn't want to miss out on the experiece so I went to the race fully expecting not to finish in time (but I had hope I would have a miracle). It is also my first race without a wetsuit in fresh water and I never had much of a chance to even train without using a buoy between my knees due to my knee injury. So the fact that I finished the water "in time" about an hour, which is a LONG time to be swimming for a half ironman.
The run to T1 was quite far and I was really wiped out. Got on my bike and actually fell right when I started due to a clipping in problem. Now for the HARD ride. I swear it was 56 miles of hills, or 40 miles and then false flats (rising). The last 10 miles were brutal for me, I have never had the kind of leg cramps on a bike before, like knife sharp, the thing is I did all the right things nutrition wise so can't figure out. Due to the fact that I can't use my left knee, I cant come out of the saddle so had to sit the entire time and mostly pedaled with my right leg. So my bike time was at least an hour longer than Taiwan and longer than Kona. Then disaster. I wasn't expecting someone to grab my bike at the finish line, he thought I was clipped out but I was still clipped in so I crashed hard on my head (dented my helmet) and cut up pretty good. They made me stay in Medical tent for about 25 mins. but I was determined to get out there and try to finish. The lady MD was so nice to me, she said "You make me proud to be a woman", meaning she couldnt believe I was going to go out there and still try....are you kidding??? As a side note, this same thing happened to another guy and he ended up breaking his ankle and going to the hospital and not even being able to run.
OK, so now I am on the run and I am 4-5 miles into it, limping, gimping, not able to put weight on my knee and my family basically begged me to stop, they couldn't stand to see the pain on my face. My ortho doctor made me promise this would be my last race (running anyway). So I had tears running down my face as I walked off the course. I "could" have finished, but I would have missed the deadline and I would have just hurt myself even more.
At the end, picking up all my stuff the lady doctor found me and walked me over to the race director and told him my story and he actually gave me a finisher medal. He said I had "earned it" and although some of you may see this as wrong, he actually insisted I take it and was very apologietic about the volunteer incident. I have to say this was the fittest group of people I have ever seen. I of course never passed anyone but probably 100 or more people shouted out "you go girl" or "hang in there" it was really inspiring and I felt honored to have "earned" my way into this race. Of course it is not even close to the race I wanted. But if not for EN I wouldn't have placed in Tawain and would have never had the experience of a life time. I have a heavy heart that will heal and need to count my blessings as I have many. I have some pics and will try to post them but I never seem to get that part figured out. So that's my LAST race report unless I get a miracle knee that works out and I can do some short TRI's , I can't face not ever doing them again. A passion I have had for 40 years. I turned 58 yesterday (day after race) and just might get my new knee and see if it allows me a chance. A huge thank you to EN, especially Coach Patrick but all my peeps who have been there for me. Happy Training to all!!
Comments
Good luck with the bionic knee, folks come back and do amazing things after knee replacement.