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Honestly, last year I didn't think I was going to be racing.  After my bike incident (I call it an incident and not an accident because I fell in my driveway, very embarassing!) in July, I had increasing pain in my right hip.  I was finishing races crying with pain, but trying desperately to avoid hip surgery #2.  But eventually I couldn't walk without pain, so it was time for surgery.  I didn't think I would be able to race again.  I won't go in to all the depressing details, all the days full of doubt and wondering what I would do, because the result was (obviously!!) very good!  I can't thank my amazing surgeon, the one and only Dr. Michael Shingles at MSU Sports Medicine, enough!  He is incredible and the surgery could not have gone better!  I also have to say a huge thank you to the Oak Park YMCA triathlon team for volunteering to bring me meals when I was on crutches and couldn't cook.  Delicious meals! My husband and I are forever grateful!

Okay, enough sappy talk!  Back the Hawk Island!  Although I don't typically compete in many local races anymore, Hawk Island seemed like the perfect choice.  It was in my backyard, it was a week before my draft legal race and, best of all, I would be able to race with all my favorite local triathletes!  Too bad the weather didn't cooperate!!  It was COLD and WET!  As race day drew closer, the weather forecast did not improve.  But I was committed, I wanted to knock off that rust!  I woke up on race morning to a soft drizzle, but I couldn't stop smiling during my warm up run because I was looking forward to getting back into race mode for the first time since last September.   

After setting up my transition area in the rain, I rode my bike back to my car where my trainer was waiting.  I set up under my tailgate to try to stay dry!  I decided to race with my road bike to get ready for my ITU race and the wet conditions were certainly challenging my handling skills!  After a 20 minute warm up, I went back to transition to make sure everything was in place and to grab my wetsuit.  I had wanted to race without the wetsuit, but it was way too cold!  After waiting for the Olympic athletes to go, it was time to get ready to race!  I decided to pass on my usual swim warm up because I didn't want to come out of the water and get more chilled in the 40-something degree weather.  The elite men went and then it was time to line up!  I picked a spot in the front and to the right, visualizing that first buoy.  I was happy to line up with so many Oak Park ladies!  Then it was time to GO!  

I sprinted to the first buoy and made a quick and close turn, then picked a good line to the next buoy which seemed clear.  I pushed my pace to the next buoy, but the turn was a little more busier and I took a foot to the face from an Olympic athlete.  I shook that off quickly and headed to the swim exit.  Running to transition was a little painful on the cold ground!  My mind was a little numbed and I almost missed my transition spot, but then I found it.  I took some extra time to pull on a headband, arm warmers and gloves before grabbing my bike.  Oddly, my mount came very naturally!  I typically struggle a bit with my flying mount, but it just flowed easily today.  I quickly pushed my pace, sprinting with my feet on top of my shoes and getting up to speed before slipping my feet in.  The bike wasn't as cold as I had worried, but it was wet and windy.  At the top of an overpass, I saw a man with some serious road rash on his shoulder.  I decided to take my turns cautiously, especially since wet brakes don't stop very well on carbon wheels!  Happily, I made it through the bike without any crashes!  

I dreaded the dismount because my feet were completely numb, but the line was approaching and I had to jump off my bike.  OUCH!  Complete and total stumps for feet!  I struggle to pull on my racing flats, I couldn't feel my feet at all to wiggle them into my shoes.  I set out on the run and knew it was going to be rough.  Since I had no feeling in my feet, I focused on good form and running out of the bucket!  I kept my upper body nice and tall, but with a forward lean.  I also focused on high heels for a nice quick turnover.  Before long, I could hear someone behind me.  I wondered who it was, but appreciated the push to my pace.  I found out that it was Aaron Bales from the Lansing Triathlon Team!  Aaron kept me from slacking on my pace for the remainder of the run and I definitely needed the encouragement!  Finally, with some feeling sneaking back into my feet, the finish line came into view.  The cheers from the Oak Park team and the crowd warmed my heart and brought a big smile to my face!  

It is so much fun to race local!  I love seeing the Oak Park Triathlon Team out there in force and can't say thank you to them enough for everything they do and all the support they have given me.  And how amazing they were to step up and fill in as volunteers wherever they were needed.  I know there were many who pitched in and thank you to Rebecca Ceru for keeping us safe in the water!  It is always great to see the Lansing Triathlon Team as well and their new members!  And it is a rare opportunity to be able to race with others triathletes sponsored by Bikeworks in DeWitt, I definitely couldn't bike that fast without Tyler keeping my bike in tip-top shape!  Congrats to all the Oakies, LTT members and Bikeworks athletes who finishing and did so amazingly well in such difficult conditions!  Everything from here on out is gravy :)

Next up for me is a quick trip to Dallas for the PlayTri ITU Festival!  Then the following weekend is the Olympic distance at the Grand Rapids Triathlon.  I look forward to seeing many local athletes at that race again!  And thank you Craig Tait for the pictures!!