It's been a solid 2 weeks since crossing my last finish line & I've had plenty of time to dissect, analyze, and judge every aspect of the race. The moments after crossing the line are always filled with crazy amounts of endorphins & then the inevitable "what ifs" set in.
On paper, I didn't have a "good day." In fact I've had countless people apologize to me because they assumed I wasn't happy with the result. As much as I appreciate the thoughtfulness, there was nothing anyone else could have done. I felt the energy of my tribe all day, but it was just me out there on the race course and the result is 100% my own to claim. And in the end, it's not all about the podium.
My poster goal going into Chattanooga 70.3 was to qualify for 70.3 Worlds. And in this race that required at least a top 4 AG finish because there were 3 slots and only one slot rolled down. My 7th AG finish didn't cut it on the day. Apparently I was not the only one with the bright idea to race in Chattanooga with the hopes of returning in the fall to compete on the world stage!
Despite not getting on the podium or claiming a slot to 70.3 Worlds, I raced my heart out and had my best race to date. On my highlight reel:
+ the down river swim! a current assisted swim to start the morning was a blast!
+ beautiful rolling country roads! very different from climbing and descending UT canyons #georgiamemories
+ trying to hold steady power on a said rolling country roads #harderthanitseems
+ then throwing out the need to watch power and racing my own race, feeling it rather than anticipating it
+ a PR 70.3 bike split! #boom
+ drinking RedBull while running out of transition and successfully getting it all over my face #sohotrightnow
+ a consistent run from start to finish despite my legs feeling a little stiffer than normal off the bike
+ continuing to race MY race despite the burn! I didn't know if I'd be able to hold on, but proved to myself once again that I do not shy away when things get hard
+ just 45 seconds separated me and 10th place so racing my race was worth it
+ finishing with the same run split as CdA 70.3 2016 on a faster bike split and double the run course elevation gain #progress
+ FASTEST TRANSITIONS IN MY AGE GROUP #winning
+ not a thunderstorm in sight on race day! despite a gnarly storm the night before and the weather report threatening all week #thankyoumothernature
Although I didn't get to race the full 70.3 distance thanks to a shortened swim, I had a blast & I am so proud of the race I put together! 69.9 miles of humidity coated sweat & smiles.
My soul goal is always.always.always to be all in. To put my best on the course.
If my best on the day gets me to my poster goal then that's a sweet victory.
If my best is not good enough for my poster goal, then I live to race another day!
Poster goals are there for a reason: something to chase with all our might. But a soul goal lives inside, where the truth is. Both fuel the fire, only one sustains the fire when all else falls away.
I finished Chattanooga 70.3 with no regrets, just a fire burning even brighter for the next start line in 20 days! #letsdothis
XO.
V
