DSQ – Not the Greatest Feeling

The short story is that my swim was slow (24:50) and the top two ladies were fast (20:10).  The bike course was short, 8 x 5K loops (8min laps); by the time I got out on the bike course the top ladies were working together really well and ready to start their second lap while I started my first.  ITU rules are if you get lapped on the bike you are DSQ.  Unlucky for me that on the start of my 3^rd lap my seat fell down (that’s a problem) and at the end of that lap the top two girls had overtaken me.  Even without the bike malfunction I don’t know how long I could have held them off.  I passed a few girls on the bike, but the next girl, Rakel, was keeping a steady distance in front of me.  By looking at the race stats, she caught a few Guatemala girls and probably pulled them to keep ahead.  Last year half the pack had been lapped!

After going for a cool down run I watched the rest of the race: really amazing racers out there.  Alex said that he was really proud of me for handling the DSQ like I did: not getting upset, but taking the DSQ as a motivator for hard and consistent training.  My sister nailed it when she said, “Ok, so now you know you have to work that much harder on the swim…I’m glad you got the experience though you had to figure that out somehow.”

Yes, there are a few things I learned about training and racing and a few more things Alex and I learned about traveling!

1) Never fly US Airways with a bike ($200 extra each way!)

2) Sign up for race courses that suit me (longer bike loops or hills)

3) Call very early to book a homestay (save $)

4) Make friends with locals (experience the area)

5) You don't have to park in the valet Park n' Fly (there are 2 lots)

Alex and I really did have a grrrREAT adventure!  Here are some pictures from Buffalo!

Military Ships

That's what I call 'Powered by Bison'

Our B&B hosts from Oma's Guest Haus hooking us up with VIP passes to their favorite Blues bar for live music from Ronnie Baker Brooks

Alex and I at Niagara Falls

Amazing family from Toronto came to watch the race...but hanging out afterwards made it worth it to come to the race :)  Thanks Auntie Annelies and Uncle Justin!

                                                           

Complete ITU results HERE.