Subaru Vancouver Intl Sprint

It was an interesting day, that's for sure. Because of my last 6+ weeks of post-pericarditis and FEAR of being really messed, I honestly was aiming for a 1:45-1:50 race.

We got there nice and early, did a partial set-up of transition before being booted out as the 1/2IM swimmers came through. We were going to Rock the Hoff and wear our Team Baywatch jackets but it was too warm already. Next time. ;-)

Swim: the water was very warm, 18degC, so I opted for my 2mm SpeedTube and my tri top - yep - no neoprene on the upper body. It was comfy enough that's for sure, probably could have used the 5mm SpeedTube with equal success but might have been warmer than I like. That was also my first open water swim since, oh, that time Khai and I swam at Sasamat about 2 yrs ago? Yeah, seriously, how bad is that eh? ;-) It felt comfy enough, the old habits came back pretty quickly, sighting was easy but lots of drunken mules out there - no one to follow only folks to kick and push off you as they swim in zigzags around you. Super fast transition due to tube only, then onto bike.

While happy that the gazillion potholes on the Spanish Banks road were filled, I cannot wait for the city to repave that stretch. Tres bumpy. Did the climb up to UBC OK, felt pretty good actually. Passed a bunch, got passed by some more, back and forth, you know how it goes. My biggest pet peeve was the lack of riding etiquette out there. Lots of blocking, drafting, attempts ot pass on the right, but the one that cheesed me the most was the chick doing the 1/2IM (I know your # BTW in case you are reading) who had her obviously kick-ass roadie BF who was not racing out riding with her almost the entire time. WTF?!? Even worse was the fact that he would help block other riders (like me) in the narrow sections, so I couldn't even pass his GF. Moral dilemma too: trying NOT to draft off this guy, who was clearly blocking, was difficult. I still believe it's not right to draft - even if that person is not a competitor. It took until the descent on NW Marine to get past them. Very frustrating.

Finished the ride, feeling pretty good, quick T2, then started the run relatively easy. After North Shore where I felt terrible during the run, I just wanted to feel comfortable. Started feeling pretty decent actually, so I picked up the pace a bit. Turned to make the hill up 4th Avenue, and just past the aid station, I suddenly got that spaced out feeling, like when you get lightheaded and think you might faint. At the same time, my entire left upper body went numb. I stopped dead in my tracks, noticeable enough to get quite a few "are you OK?"s as people ran past me. I didn't know what to say to them, but I appreciate their concern. Good to know that if I had passed out, someone would have done something. I just started walking, tried shaking out my arm, and tried not to panic. I tried to start running again, still felt funny with my LH side chest area all numb, but hoped it would go away. Figured I'd have to get to the finish area anyways, so I might as well just keep going. It eased, particularly on the next downhill, so I kept on, but definitely didn't push it, even walking the next hill.

By the time I hit the flats with about 1k to go, I felt OK actually, enough to finish with a decent enough 1:39. What strikes me as ironic is that my AG's #2, 3, and 4 all passed me on that run. Bah. Next time. But guess it's back to the doctors - that numbness was pretty odd. I have had a lot of stomach cramping lately - which I think is due to my synthroid dosage being upped - but funny enough my stomach didn't give me any grief at all today during the race. Seems the bod is trying to tell me something.... but what, I dunno - yet.

The last few weeks I have been trying to get in a lot of runs and short rides, and I think it helped a lot. At least for confidence if nothing else. I will try to swim twice this week (on the days I have to drive, try and go to New Brighton at lunch), to give my legs a break. I'll ride in Thurs and Fri as I don't have to drive those days. I'd like to get in two runs if possible next week, as the following week I fly to Houston, Tx for work (Tues thru late Fri). Not really looking forward to Houston, but I will try to get in some treadmill runs while there, maybe even find an outdoor pool. Will be hot and disgusting if nothing else. Ugh.

AP