Grand Rapids Triathlon!

Great local race today in Grand Rapids! The Grand Rapids Triathlon crew did a great job hosting the 3rd Annual GR Tri! Great crowd, very supportive. It was a fun day filled with friends and family. It is fun to race locally and connect with friends. I loved it. The race went well for me. I was victorious at defending my title of the sprint race so that was great. :) I came in calm and focused today ready to try out a couple mental strategies. I was happy with how I felt, but the swim was hard to jump into cold turkey without my normal warm up as I couldn't warm up in the water. I just had to get into it as best as I could. I didn't feel any sort of groove until the very end! I enjoyed the bike today. I felt solid and stuck to my targets. This was my second race on my Specialized Shiv and again, I loved it! I feel so comfortable on this bike! I was able to use just the "bladder" that fits inside the frame as my water source today since the race was shorter than my usual. Makes for even more aero advantage! I also got my new Rudy Project Wingspan time trial helmet and it was awesome. It is so light...so it was like it wasn't even on. I like that-comfortable and light so I don't even notice it! Anyway, I was ready to go for it on the run and it felt good...hard, but good! I was so happy since my last race in Kansas didn't feel like me at all. The run was such a struggle so it was great to come back focused and fierce. I realized I needed some sprucing up on my mental cues so I was glad to accomplish that. Also, it was wonderful coming across the finish line not dealing with the mental burden of an injury! Yay! I have been able to get some really solid training in and that is exciting. I am just getting started for the races so I look forward to my next 2 Olympic distances in June.

Ross raced the Olympic distance today and he toughed out a challenging day today. It is so inspiring to hear how he works through challenges of not feeling well in a race. He's tough and I learn a lot from him! He is just getting back into the racing so he is on his way to fine tuning to get to his peak later this season. It was inspiring to see/hear about all the people who were out there racing for their first time or trying new distances for an added challenge! Also, my brother-in-law, Chad, did his first triathlon back after having a major hip surgery last year--so fun to have him back! (He is my age and had hip surgery--that's not normal is it?) ;) He rocked it today without even being able to race the run. I know that was a big accomplishment for him today.

Thanks to all who supported and cheered! Great event!!