St. Croix 70.3

Ahhhh, St. Croix. It has to be one of my favorite places in the world and is by far my favorite race.

But I had mixed emotions heading down there this year. I had a crappy race leading into it which told me my fitness sucked and my head wasn't in it, I've been dealing with stupid injuries that kept me from running, and I've been traveling every weekend since I came home from Florida. I just wanted a break from it all.

I thought about going down there and just doing the sprint, or not going down there at all. But then I snapped out of it, sucked it up, and decided to take on the Beast. After all, it's St. Croix. Why the hell wouldn't I go down there?!

So we arrive, and it's just beautiful! The airport served up Cruzan Rum punch as a welcome gift to start the trip off right. I booked a sweet hotel with a loft and ocean views... this was the break I needed.

I was so much more nonchalant about the race this time around. I didn't care how good I did, I didn't drive the course (I remember well enough the torture of the Beast), and I told myself if I had to limp on the run I'm calling it quits. I was just there to have a good time and try to enjoy racing again.

By race day I was feeling great. I got in some ocean swims, rode on the course, and even went for a 10 minute run. I felt strong and was eager for race day!

SWIM: The water was calm and clear race morning. They say the swim is a triangle, but I don't see it. Last year it took me 40 minutes because the chop and convoluted shape of the course; you look up to spot and see buoys everywhere (and I'm sure the fact that I'm not the most brilliant swimmer was a factor). Anyways, I felt good and actually stayed somewhat on course. 35 minutes later I was out of the water.

BIKE: My rides earlier in the week have felt just OK, nothing special. My front derailer hates me and always gives me problems (until I take it to the shop, then it works fine). But on race day, I felt great and everything worked perfectly.

I tried not to push too hard because I was terrified of what loomed ahead at mile 20. Last year I rode up the Beast with a 12-25 cassette. I was seated the entire time because I was too nervous to stand thinking I would flip over backwards, and I nearly threw up a lung before the first switchback. I love the hills and hammering climbs, but I did not want to go through that again!

At mile 15 I geared down to prepare and for the climb. My heart rate sky rocketed just thinking about it. Then I realized I suck at this whole high cadence thing as packs of people flew by, so I geared back up and hammered to the mile 20 marker.

THE BEAST: I can't describe the feeling of making that turn out of the rain forest and coming face to face with more of a wall than a road. People ahead are seemingly standing still, most walking their bikes, some falling over, everyone swerving all over the place to get that extra ounce of momentum. I was already geared way down (and yes, I put a 12-27 on), so I dropped my head and started to climb.

I don't understand why I pass people when I climb. I was in my smallest gear and if I pedaled any slower I was sure I would tump. So along came my next obstacle: passing on the Beast. Draft and blocking rules don't apply here, people are literally all over the place fighting for air. To make matters more exciting, only one side of the road is repaved, the other pretty nasty. I dropped my head and counted my pedal strokes; 20 seated, 20 standing, 30 seated, 30 standing... I felt like I was in Frogger, trying to make it up without hitting any of the crazy riders! I would yell that I was coming up on the right (because we ride on the left there), but they didn't care. One dude was even walking his bike up in the middle of the road!! Seriously?!

This year I was much more prepared for the climb. My lungs never went into the weird spasm they did last year, but man the riders I got stuck climbing next too were 100 times worse! I have no idea how long it took to climb that damn thing, but somehow I made it.

OK... BACK TO THE BIKE:
Woohoo! Made it over the Beast! Now it was time to squeeze my brakes so hard on the descent that both hands cramped. The course is super technical, and that's definitely where I lost time. I think I would take corners faster if I actually dismounted and looked both ways first!! It was sad that everyone I passed climbing up flew right back by me on the switchbacks going down.

The course is beautiful and perfectly suited for me (sans the sharp turns). It's really windy, yet never at your back, and it's super hilly. If I knew how to corner without being such a girl I might actually do OK. I got off the bike in fourth and felt like I could've ridden another whole loop!

RUN:
It was hot... really hot, and humid, and sunny. I had no idea how I would feel on the run, so I started out really conservative. I didn't try to hit any paces, I just wanted to keep on running and enjoy the moment. I made it into the Bucaneer for the 2 mile loop. It's so pretty back there. We run on packed trails and overlook the ocean, I saw a snorkeler (yes, I was in full on enjoy-the-moment mode). I made it back to transition for the half way point of the run. I felt great, had no pain, and realized no one had passed me. So I picked it up a bit and tried to start picking off the girls ahead. I was too afraid to stop and walk because that's when I had been cramping up, so I just kept shuffling along.

I finished in 5:41, 16 minutes faster than last year! I placed third in my AG, and was the 20th amateur female. I didn't get any slots, which I really wasn't banking on, but I did trip up the stairs in front of everyone at the awards ceremony! AND, the best news is... I didn't get sick afterwards!! I really don't feel like I pushed myself too hard at this race which may have something to do with it.

Now I'm back at home and ready to get at it!! I had sooo much fun out there and it was just what I needed to get my head right. I'm in town for the entire month, I've got a strong program, and a renewed sense of determination.

It's time to start training!