Went to Austin, TX. this past weekend. Lovely city. Well, it USED to be. Back when I was a kid, my momma used to take my sister and I to Zilker Park. Austin was just considered more of a "town" back then. Now, it's a full on city with big ole expressways and an international airport. Heck, Oklahoma City's airport isn't even international! Austin IS a beautiful place, but the traffic sucks, and there are just way too many people; you really can't find peace anywhere. I took a gander on the Mopac Trails where I ran a bit for a few days prior to my Motorola Austin Marathon debut back in 1995, and those trails are special to me I guess because I won that race AND set the course record (It was like 2:40 and some change). It was my first and only marathon win. When I ran my 2:34:20 at Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, MN. a few months later I placed 2nd by a mere 9 seconds. NINE seconds over 26.2 mi. Ouch. I HATED seeing that Russian finish ahead of me... I had chased her for so long but came up short. ANYway, the bike races this past weekend were on Sat. and Sun. and were about 40 miles a piece. They were kinda hilly, and there was quite a wind blowin' on Sunday. The temps. and humidity were in the where's-the-nearest-pool range. My legs were extremely fatigued after coming off a hard week leading up to my duathlon in early April. I'm doing what they call "crash" weeks right now where I'm doing some really intense training on back to back days. Plus, I'm running harder and longer each week albeit still only every other day. This on its own is tough for my legs because although they get a rest day every other day, then never really get used to the pounding, so it really takes alot out of me each time I run. So, I confided in my teammates about my dead legs because I honestly didn't know how I would be able to perform. I didn't feel good, and I was honest about that. Helene noticed that I was having trouble, but I tried to conceal it. I was already a marked woman, and I didn't need people knowing that I was feeling poopy. I managed to hang in there and get 2nd after attacking hard about 400m. from the finish. I just wasn't strong enough to hold off my chaser, though, and the finish was a little power hill which I didn't do very well on. The second day I was in a break of four, and again I felt like I had a huge target on my back. I'm getting used to that, though, so it doesn't really bother me anymore. It's a huge sign of respect, and I'm flattered by it, but it also makes it especially challenging for me to try to do anything during a race, and right now I don't have the punch that I need to get away quickly and sustain it long enough to blow everyone apart because they all work together to keep me in check. Very smart of them, I guess. Anyway, though, I lead the group out from about 300m. out, and one girl came around me at the end. She's a very good sprinter, but I still wish I could have been strong enough to hold her off and to punch it up that finishing power hill. Well, so I've been the darn bride's maid for 3 races now. I wanna be the bride, dammit! LOL!! My teammates both rode very well, and I want to congratulate them on their learning process. They are coming along... I love their desire, their passion, and their determination. THAT'S why I enjoy racing with them. It was nice seeing some people I used to race with on the pro circuit, and I encouraged the women I raced with. I hope to see them high up there in the results I read. I won't race bikes again until after Powerman Alabama. Cheers, Andrea "RAT"

---

posted by: Andreas (reply)
post date: 03.15.06 (8:08 am)

Congrats on your races! Looking forward to seeing how you do at PM Al!
No need to be a brides maid, Ill marry you;)

---

posted by: ratkovic (reply)
post date: 04.01.06 (3:54 pm)

Reply to: cuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuute!

Your Name:


Your Comment: