Baby, Take a Bow

 And that's a wrap on the 2021 tri season.  Post St. George, I took a month off to play unstructured, and now, at the end of October, I'm focusing on running - its the perfect temperature to do so, and with a very bike focused season, its my way of playing in the "off" season!  I've also sprinkled in a little bit of biking, a once a week swim, some much needed lifting and core - and a few fun "what the hell" things like Mountain biking (dear god I am horrible at it, but it was fun!) a little hip hop dancing (same) and even a some legit yoga.  

  I'm also signed up for a half marathon next month - I realized that in my quest to get better on the bike, I haven't done one single running race this year at all.  Sure, I'm a triathlete, but I love running, so we had to fix that.   

Off season is weird. After Worlds, I fell into the predictable funk of  "Ok, what's next?".  I knew this was going to happen, it does every year.  Most triathletes remedy the situation by signing up for another race, which I almost did (North Carolina 70.3) but was talked out of it by cooler heads.  I then made a ton of fun plans with said activities above, some of which happened, some of which fell through. Work sucked me in and life got complicated on so many levels.  Ugh.  Predictable, predictable, predictable.  This was compounded by the fact that my last race - my "A race" according to my coach (I disagree with this - it was never an A race in terms of time goals, but apparently, an A race can have more than one meaning, so we will go with it) - was totally not what I wanted. if I'm honest.  Worlds was definitely an experience, but with the weather catastrophe, it really wasn't the race I was hoping for.  Which is totally ok, but it left me at loose ends.  

With quite a few things, it turns out.  I'm happy to report that I'm finally emerging from my yearly October funk (I didn't even realize this was a thing, to be honest, but when I look at the past two years, October has been just horrible for some of the reasons above - I'm actually really glad I deferred my October half marathon, as it probably would have sucked).  And as we exit October, the fun of November begins - where I lay out all of my 2022 hopes and dreams.  I've already gotten a start on this in the past week and there are some really big things coming.  Big Scary things if you will - and just like in 2019, I am so amped to tackle them, but with the benefit of being just a little older and wiser.  Right.  What was I thinking??

But before we move on to 2022, we have to put a wrap on 2021.  2021, while on paper not that impressive (maybe?) was really a big year for me.  It wasn't a year full of big sexy PR's like 2019 - even though I managed a PR in the Sprint, Olympic and Half Ironman distance by small margins - but it was 100% a stepping stone to 2022 in terms of skill and growth.

The huge factor is the year was undoubtedly the bike. Going into the year, I had definitely ditched the trainer for outdoor riding when I could, and gotten to where I wasn't a total liability riding outside.  But it was still touch and go.  During the year (okay, most of it in one week) I learned how to ride in aero, shift into the small ring without freaking out, take a bottle hand off, eat on the bike, ride one handed, and even flying dismount.  I know.  What the hell happened?  I have no idea how to explain it.  But this led to giant PR's on the bike - I shaved 12 minutes off of my 70.3 bike split, and in several local races, I won the bike segment.  Unreal.  

This level of confidence on the bike is something I can't wait to build in 2022 - I have goals and room for growth in several areas and I can't wait to tackle them.  It's gonna be great.  But 2021 was a big year for the bike - in my 15 years as a triathlete I have never ridden in aero.  Ever.  I still can't believe how much differently I feel about it, and its awesome.

While my run slightly suffered for work on the bike, I brought it back mid season and managed to place reasonably well on the run segment for my later season races.  I plan to focus on that during the off season and bring it back strong in 2022!  Post season I have finally found my zoomy legs and putting the two together in 2022 is the main goal.

In terms of races, looking back, I'm freaking amped about the season.  I hadn't thought about it until someone pointed it out to me, but every single local race I did - I placed overall in.  WHAT.  Yep.  All jokes aside about the podium, I technically hit it for every local race, finishing with the top women, and I even freaking WON a race this year.  You guys.  That's so beyond anything I can even imagine, I'm still looking around to make sure that's real.  It is.  And for my two Ironman branded races - one I qualified for World's and one WAS World's.  And while I didn't have the race I wanted there (hell, no one did) I still finished in the top half of the women's race.  Ya know, of the "best women" in the world.  (I know they didn't all go.  but it was a qualifier race!).

Amazing stuff.  I'm so glad I'm good at patting myself on the back, but I never could have done this cool stuff without some pretty awesome support from my crew.  This year has been truly humbling with the support I've had from both new friends and those that have been my mainstays. You guys are amazing.  Beyond amazing.  There aren't even words.  But I'm gonna try.

To those that I met in the new adventures of 2021 - thank you for all of the fun!  Your energy is infectious and I can't wait to play in 2022.  Mike, you brought me into the fold of the RATs family (did I have a choice??) and I can't wait to work together in 2022.  I'll try not to suck.  To Laura, my twin, who also doesn't suck - thanks for the laughs!  And Jeff - once you put up with my bullshit during Cassadagaman, I knew you were a keeper.  I can't wait to do zoomies for our runs and make epic bad

decisions in 2022.  To Joe - even though I didn't recognize you at the Roc tri (SMH) I appreciate the bike tips and for the patience as you took this train wreck on her first mountain bike ride - looking forward to more laughs (at my expense probably)!  Blair - you crack me up and even though I'll never catch you, I'll do my best to try!  And to Sue, Kate, Jill, Mindy  and all the amazing bad ass women I met on the course this year - I love you guys.  You made it fun.  

To my mainstays and returning fellow bad decision makers - thanks for keeping it real.  Lindz, you are such a  unicorn and you make everything so darn fun, I cant wait to road trip with ya, girl.  Tally - its on in 2022.  Ill actually try this time.  Jeremy - I miss you, boo - I cant wait to hang out when you get back and tear up the course in 2022.  You are the best!  To Bruce, who I didn't get to race with this year, but always pushes me to be my very best and hands it to me straight up, even when I could use a little less truth - I appreciate the hell out of you.

To Ryan AKA the Outlaw - dude.  You came into my life at exactly the right time and have stayed right there exactly where and when I need you most.  You are the best fellow bad decision maker, bad choice encourager, and friend a girl could ask for.  From our success at a century to all of the races we did together this year, to our late night "data pulls", and every ridiculous stunt between, you make me laugh when I need it and push me to be my best.  Love ya dude.

To my Worlds road trippers - Marcus and Ken - you guys.  That was a trip I will never ever forget.  I have no idea how one does 4800 miles in 8 days in a RAV 4 with 3 people and 3 bikes but....it was amazing.  Both of you are so supportive and the best friends a girl could ask for.  It's funny how things from a decade ago come back and are just so much better than ever.  I can't wait for Road trip 2022 - I hear Iowa looks nice....

To my coach.  It's been such a wild ride since you took a chance on this crazy athlete in 2019...looking

back, the person I was is so much different than who I am now.  Even though there have been plenty of um, growing opportunities this year, I can't thank you enough for what you've done for me, both as an athlete and a person.  You not only rock as a coach and have helped me get to levels I never dreamed of, but you are a true friend through all of it and irreplaceable.  Who would have thought a random exchange at the Y would have changed my life so much....Thank you.  For everything.

To my family and family not by blood but family - you guys are just amazing.  Rob and Biz, you guys are such a wonderful cheerleaders (and task masters) to Mom!  Liz and John, thanks for all of your MP support and Ohh rah's.  "Miss" Kelly - what would I do without you helping critique my flying dismounts, calling me a Tigger, and watching my kiddos so Greg and I can play together!  As always - to my mom, who uses her Gramma duties judiciously so we can race and even though she doesn't really get this "crazy tri thing", supports my crazy.

And to my better half....I love you.  Without even looking at the fact that without you, I would never have even done a tri....your unending support of my dreams for not only multi sport but life are absolutely beyond anything I could have ever asked for.  You believe in me even when I don't, and do everything in your power to help me achieve my dreams.  The World Champ, Lucy Charles-Barclay, in her award speech, talked about her husband Reece and his support for her World's prep.  She explained how when she packed for St. George, she packed an "ok" blue dress for the awards ceremony in case she didn't win and a fabulous red dress in case she won.  Her husband, looking at the dresses, told her to leave the blue dress at home.  And she did.  And having you for a partner in life is the exact same way - you always have a firm belief in my ability to "wear the red dress".  I am so lucky to have you in every single way, and I love you!

To the rest of the wonderful people that have been there for me, I thank you.  I am so incredibly lucky to know such love and support!!

So, after that love fest - what's next?  November means prep for the upcoming season - stay tuned for the off season goals (as well as some new content for those just getting started!) and the ramp up for 2022 - there are some pretty big goals to crush!