After a series of less than stellar races, I finally regained my form with a win at the Boulder Peak triathlon. In June, I started working with new coaches, Terry Kerrigan and Dr. Phil Skiba. They overhauled my training program with an emphasis on very specific wattage training on the bike and more consistent high level running.

The Des Moines and Edmonton World Cup races did not fare well. I suffered from extreme heat exhaustion in Des Moines, eventually resulting in collapse and needing medical assistance. A combination of pushing too hard on the bike and a lack of heat acclimation doomed me on the run (and ended my mission for a non-DNF season). Recovering from such an event is never easy, so when the gun went off in Edmonton and I felt sluggish, I was not surprised. Another lackluster race left me with too few points to qualify for the Beijing World Cup in September, the first US Olympic Trials race. So, my quest for Beijing 2008 will continue next year with the Honolulu Olympic Trials in May and a shot at redemption in Des Moines in June for the final Olympic qualifying race.

After the two World Cup races it was time to put in three weeks of run focused training with the Boulder Peak race wrapping up the block. While I have enjoyed most of the new workouts, the super high wattage bike sessions have been a killer, even harder than some of the track workouts. The dividends of those workouts have been immediately apparent, though, as my tempo efforts on the bike have been steadily improving. Putting in more miles on the run has also paid off, as I have finally found my rhythm. A special thanks to my husband, Mark, for accompanying me on several of my long runs on his bike. It has been really hot here and many of my runs have been in 95 degree heat. Without his carrying the extra water, many of my runs would have ended prematurely with me jumping into the cool water of Boulder Creek! Believe me, when hundreds of people are splashing around in there, it is mighty tempting.

The last time I raced the Boulder Peak triathlon was in 1999 when I lived in Baltimore. Racing at altitude is always difficult, but coming from sea level to race at altitude is a terrible idea. I suffered severely in that race and vowed to never return to Boulder. Little did I know that I would move here and love it. In my attempt to reduce the amount of travel, I decided my next two races would be at home. So, I toed the line at the Boulder Peak hoping to unleash a strong performance. Terry gave me a very precise plan for the bike portion; I rode accordingly and felt great. I even hit 52.8 mph on the backside of Olde Stage. All of the hot weather runs paid off, because the 95 degree heat on race day did not hamper my run. In fact, I turned in a faster 10K than any of the World Cup races earlier in the year. Racing at home is great. I got to sleep in my own bed, ride to the race start, did not have to pack the bike after the race (that always sucks, especially packing wet clothes and shoes – very smelly later), and the support of the crowd was extremely helpful.

Up next is the 5430 Long Course triathlon.

Race hard, have fun.

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