My $275 DNF

Most my training, although I only plan to do sprints this year with a couple sprinkled International distances, meets or exceeds International distance training. Just training for sprint distances at this point in my short lived but consistent tri-life is just too short. I really enjoy the independent disciplines! This comes in handy when weekends like this come along.

This weekend was to be my first without Maddie as a direct result of the split. I had been off and on looking at doing the Tri-America race in Clermont but had pretty much decided against it until Saturday. Saturday I felt pretty much out of my mind with thoughts of what my baby is doing without me. I spent what felt like most my day in prayer. I've spent days without her before in fact she was just in Michigan with my family a week ago but this time its different. This time its not because she's going to see family but rather because her time is being taken from me. Not as a result of something I did but through the selfish actions of another and this was causing great bitterness in my heart. I pray so hard and ask that anyone that wishes to pray for me that they pray for peace and to teach me patience and FORGIVENESS.

I thought what better way to get my mind off these things than to head out to Clermont on Sunday and go do an International distance race on the same course I did my first Ironman back in October. Racing to me even though Im only a MOPer is a great adrenaline rush and a great way to burn off the steam. So I signed up. After signing up I felt great I could picture the bike and run course in my mind I've been on it so many times during training for the Great Floridian I know it like the back of my hand. That's not to say Im fast that's only to say its familiar and comfortable and has great nostalgic value for me.

Stupid Daylight Saving Time I had talked to my grandparents about it Saturday we had a long discussion about whether or not it should be permanent etc. As Im sure people do every time these changes come about. I STILL FORGOT TO CHANGE MY CLOCK! I was up at 4:15 got my Zone bar got some coffee. I figure I'll give the old folks an extra 15 minutes to sleep. I get the bike on the car get my gear in the car chase Jack down the street (I gotta get a fence) get my teeth brushed head for my email and about the time my computer boots I look at the clock and realize Im an hour off! We rush around like chickens with our heads cut off and get out the door and down 95 only to find there is a 6 car pile up on I-4 ON A SUNDAY MORNING at 5(now 6) AM!? Of course. Have to take an unfamiliar alternate route. Now Im really late. Finally get to within 12 miles of Clermont and going 71 in a 55 I get stopped its 7:47 ... I tell the cop "Im really sorry Im running late Im racing in Clermont at 8 this morning" Cop: "License and registration .... Yeah you're racing down this road TOO! I'll be right back." Now 7:57 $180 ticket. Mr. Sommer needs to start greasing the wheels of justice over there and get us some slack (Just kidding I know Im a terrible terrible law breaker ... $180 worth anyway). I finally get to the race pick up chip etc and a gentleman I will forever humbly refer to as the "Transition-Nazi" fights me on entry to transition because Im late. Rightly so, it's not his fault Im running late he has a job to do, the guy was yelling at me. I say rightly so but in the back of my mind Im thinking I paid $95 to be here you can let me rack my bike. Im sorry Im late its my fault Im an idiot. Please let me in. Set up a makeshift transition. Get my wetsuit on. Get over to the water and find out IM IN THE FOURTH WAVE. I had 15 minutes!

Swim Had a decent swim. Same familiar iodine colored water I couldn't help but keep thinking back to October. I know its lame but it felt great. It felt normal for a change. Im not sure what my time is in all the chaos I forgot to start my watch. I really dislike wetsuit swims I find they tire my shoulders. May look into sleeveless.

Bike Ahhhh the bike my favorite. Im cruising along feeling strong raring to go. I pass about 15+ people in the first 3 miles (just means Im a terrible swimmer). Down the road I haven't seen since the marathon in October where I consumed so much chicken broth. I swear just being on that road I could taste the broth. Up to Jalarmy I start the climb and POP. Chain snapped. D-N-F.

I asked a cop at the bottom of the hill to call race support to pick me up ....15 minutes and nobody. I ask him to call my grandmother .... wonderful cell phone technology straight to voice mail. So I start walking it back. I would have made Leonard Zinn and McGuyver proud I found some bread ties on the side of the road and linked my chain together. I couldn't believe it sort of worked! It was only good for a few hundred feet before they would break or let loose and I would have to repeat the whole procedure. Finally giving up I walked and thought I could get really frustrated and angry right now the way my weekend has gone but the best I can do is say Praise God. Praise God for my daughter. For giving me the opportunity to participate in these things and for showing me what it means to give praise and love in ALL THINGS. No matter the circumstance. No temper tantrums. No thrown pieces. Just a bad weekend that's all. I walked about 2 miles before I finally flagged down a Good Samaritan and got a ride back to waterfront park.

My foot This could be a little foreshadowing but I've been having a little pain off and on this week over the top of my left foot and today the thing is swollen...sprain maybe? I don't remember any particular moment I would have hurt it but somethin aint right.

St. Augustine is about a half hour north of my home. We went on Saturday. Its one of my favorite places to go wander around even if its touristy and becomes more and more a rip-off every time I go I still really enjoy the atmosphere and checking out the art etc.. I typically love taking pictures when Im there but there were just too many people and I was feeling uninspired will post what I got.