Saturday, 2Chili and I took part in a duathlon, and I can’t even get into how crazy this race really was. When we pulled up, it was raining cats and dogs, and we really debated whether or not we were going to stay. We had both wanted to do this race to finish the multisport season, but perhaps we pushed the date envelope a little too far – it is officially winter in the Northwest.
The race was so poorly organized and marked that we couldn’t initially even figure out where to sign in. But, we managed to find the sign in table, and while I was getting things sorted out (they had lost our registration…no surprise now seeing as to how the race was run), 2Chili moved the car and parked front and center. When I came back to the car with our numbers and relayed the sign in story, we really talked about leaving. But, we were front and center, and the race organizer had just made a huge deal about how cool our bikes were – if we left, it would be completely rude.
So, in an effort to make light of the downpour, the poor organization, and, our potential wasted day, 2Chili said, “Well, if we stay, we might as well win.”
It sounds like a flippant comment, but it really wasn’t. There were only about 20 people at this race, and we really stood a good chance. So, we suited up as best we could to prepare for 42 degrees and raining, and waited for the start.
The long and short of it is that it rained, and rained and rained. We ran one mile, biked 10, and ran another mile, and, we were soaked to the bone (just like everyone else). But, somehow, when you get into race mode, conditions don’t really matter and race brain takes over. It was so bad we both took off our glasses because they wouldn’t stay unfogged – going 20+ mph on a bike with no glasses in the rain is well…not pleasant.
In the end, 2Chili ended up 2nd overall, just shy of the “win” in “We might as well win,” as he had horrible calf cramping during the second run. He came off the bike first, and was well on his way before the cramping, which is not unusual for him. I had even put a Nuun tablet in his water bottle in a bit of pre-planning, but, the road grime made the bottles disgusting and neither of us drank much.
I got on the bike somewhere towards the back of the pack but came off in third place, and surrendered one spot to finish 4th overall, first woman.
Here’s a shot of the absolutely filthy bikes when we were done, though you really can’t tell how dirty they truly are. It took some effort today to get them back to clean. This was 2Chili’s first race on his fancy Focus, which, I have been in formed, hauls the mail.
It’s back to home improving now, and we spent today doing more framing. I know, I know, it seems like we’re always framing. I went from hauling bikes on the roof yesterday to hauling a load of 2x4s today. Thank goodness for the roof rack – it really comes in handy!
Next week we’re off to Enumclaw for a cross race. 2Chili is racing, but I am not. It is muddy season – I’m likely done with cross. Time for an offseason!
Nice job. Get some rest!!!’
Nice job. Now get some rest.