USAT AG Nationals

USAT Nationals has really been the focus of the whole year. I've wanted to do well at this race ever since I started racing six years ago. My very first experience with AG Nationals was in Kansas City, MO in 2005. This particular race was completely rained out, and I have to say I was almost relieved on that particular day. I was in no way prepared for the level of competition that year and honestly I think it might have really discouraged me. Just looking around at all the other racers I felt I was in way over my head. My next National race experience was Portland, Oregon in 2007 and 2008. I fared well placing 13th in 2007 and than 11th the following year, but it definitely wasn't satisfying enough for me. I wanted to place and bring back a medal.

    Race day morning I was excited and a bit nervous, but felt well prepared and ready to kick some butt. I was one of the last groups to go off, so that meant waiting and watching everyone else start their swim. It also meant we would be out there a full hour later in the heat of the day. The swim was a bit different with four turns to make and it made it crucial to swim a straight course in order to have a fast time. Unfortunately at the first corner it turned straight into the sun and I couldn't find the next corner buoy, and neither could the hundreds of people in front of me. Almost the whole field swam out way too far left and swam extra. This was a costly mistake that would later cost me.  SWIM TIME: 24:08
   On to the bike I was looking for revenge to make up lost ground. I paid close attention to how many in my age group I was catching. I believe I caught four girls and I assumed there were still a few ahead and maybe some gaining, so I kept the pace at a leg burning speed. I caught my friend Beth, who was in a prior wave, before the turn around and gave her a shout out of encouragement. After the turnaround two girls in my ag did catch me and it was a battle back and forth to keep them in sight and also put some time on them. I was able to drop the one in all black and put some time on her, but the girl with green socks stayed slightly ahead. BIKE TIME : 1:05:38

  Next up the run headed straight up a steep hill right out of transition and it was there that I passed the girl in green socks and didn't see her again. This was a steep and surprisingly long hill and it definitely took a minute or two to recover from afterwards. Around mile 3 I was surprised to see a girl from my age group catch up. I ran with her for a minute or two to try and challenge, but I couldn't hold on. Frustrated I tried to accept the fact that I was now definitely in second place and needed to keep on the pace if I had any chance at passing her back if she started to falter. The finish line was definitely a welcome sight today, but overall I felt pretty strong with the effort I put out.
RUN TIME: 39:51

OVERALL TIME: 2:11:56
AGE GROUP PLACE: 3rd

Beth and I the night before the race being silly.