Yikes! It’s been about 10 months since my last entry. In fairness to myself, I’ve been working like crazy finishing a more important writing project - my dissertation! Since my last entry, I successfully completed my 150 page, 40,000 word dissertation and graduated with my Ph.D in Exercise Physiology. So yes, I’m a doctor…but not the kind who helps people haha.
But enough about that boring stuff! I know you’re here for the triathlon/cinnamon roll stuff 😅
A couple of weeks ago, I got the opportunity to take a trip to Australia for the ITU Triathlon Age Group World Championships. The trip was a bit of a last minute decision for me…I didn’t even have a flight or hotel booked until about one week before I left! Thankfully, USA Triathlon was able to get me registered at the eleventh hour.
Well, three triathlons down, one 5th place and two 2nd place overall finishes. Not really what I had in mind for the beginning of my triathlon season. Some people might see this as pretty good, but I went slower this year in both the 2nd place races than I did last year (5 and 8 minutes, respectively).
In between adventures with my dad and friends was the real reason I made the trip to Colorado in the first place: the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Annual Meeting. While the meetings and presentations are exciting for me, they don't make great reading material for you! :P So I'll get to the really important stuff...cinnamon rolls and running!
Well, I made it back to Boston to try and earn some redemption from my race last year. For those of you who want to know how last year's race went, click here. The ultra-short version, I had my worst marathon ever, missed my goal time by 25 minutes, and was defeated by the beast of Boston.
But this year would be different. This year I would redeem myself…or would I?
Triathlon has been pretty good to me. This time, it took me to the beautiful island of Cozumel, Mexico for the International Triathlon Union (ITU) Age Group World Championships.
Now you all remember what happened the week before the USAT Age Group National Championship, right? If not, let me refresh your memory with a nice little picture.
I'm back, Boston! No not to tackle the marathon course again, but for the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Annual Meeting. The meeting rotates locations around the US and this year it just happened to be in Boston where I was just a month ago. This is a meeting I attend every year to present my research and rub elbows with influential people in the exercise science world. It also gives me a chance to catch up with friends from other schools and try out lots of local (and delicious!) food :) There is also a 5k "fun" run on the last full day of the conference so I was looking forward to that too!
I had some lofty goals which included finishing in a time of 2:25:00 (avg. pace 5:32/mile)
I was coming off an injury that forced me to take almost 5 weeks off from running outside with just 6 weeks to go before the marathon
It was hot (71) and windy (10+ mph headwind)
I was CRUISING through the first 10k (avg. pace 5:32) and felt fan-freaking-tastic!
Everything fell apart right around the halfway point and I was just in survival mode after that, but I did NOT walk
Going slow did have it's perks. I got to enjoy the atmosphere and experience of THE BOSTON MARATHON!
Bostonian's have funny accents (you know you can pronounce the 'r' in words, right?!)
I had so many people who texted, called, posted, and everything else that it was beyond humbling and I am so thankful for all of you!
I finished in a time of 2:50:02 and missed my goal time by 25 minutes. This was my slowest marathon by 10 minutes since I started running marathons 3 years ago
I am nowhere near satisfied with this effort and I will be back to Boston for redemption