Peasantman v3: paying it forward edition.

First off: THIS RIDE.
Garmin data: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/308340136

I don't know what it is, but there is something about this weekend that makes me feel like a superhero.

I first attended this weekend in 2011 as a participant, and 2012 as a volunteer. I returned this year again with volunteer status. This weekend is the best way I know of to give back to a great organization that gave me a fantastic first experience at this sport. And I leave this weekend every year falling in love with the sport over and over again. It's magical.

I arrived Friday night after a long day at work including the annual work 5k (yet another PR: 25:18 by my watch) and a meeting with my boss's boss's boss. We stayed off site this year in a great house which worked out really well. Woke up to a 6:00 alarm, ate some breakfast, and headed out for the Kinetic ride with High Cloud and the MoCo Mafia. I forgot my multiple copies of the cue sheet back at the house, and I thought for sure my day was done for before it even started. But that was hardly the case. Allison and Kara had extras, and the start of the ride was delayed by 30 mins to accomodate those stuck in traffic. (Yes, at 7a on a Saturday. Welcome to DC!) I took off with the lead group because my goal was to NOT get dropped. And the first 15-20 mi of this course was so flipping fast. I even had his majesty Tuan sucking on MY wheels for a while. It is still a great (and novel) feeling to be riding with the pack so far into the ride. We stopped at a rest stop at mile 30 and I bet I had the most ridiculous grin on my face. New DCTri kit, nutrition was on, I was feeling top of the world. (For the record, nutrition success= peanut butter crackers, early and often, and accelerade.) The feeling lasted for the entire remainder of the 56mi course- to the point where we got to the last turn, and I found out I had been pulling 7-8 people for the last 15 miles. I was getting compliments on how steady my pacing was, and how I had helped people who weren't sure they were going to make it. I consider this paying it forward for Sarah hauling my ass in at the same spot last year.

My overall time was about 30 minutes faster than the similar 56 mi course last year. And I got back in time to do a quick 15min brick run with Pinky.

The next challenge was a swim clinic in the 63 deg lake. Though cold, everything felt fine! It was kind of an ice bath after the long ride. Except, on lap 3 of 3, my feet were so cold and frozen it hurt to kick. I will be investing in booties soon! Because if that was my only weak spot in cold water, then I consider myself in good shape.

I also got to meet my mentee for NTP. (Yes, I am a mentor now. I feel wholly unequipped as I'm still learning all this stuff myself!) He's in great shape for his race in June. And since he's an experienced marathoner, I got to learn some things from him too.

The rest of the weekend involved a delicious bbq (helps to buddy up to the grill men to get your tasty items grilled faster!), campfire, getting to know my housemates- NTP classmates and some new friends who it turns out, after a few games of 6 degrees of..., were at the same wedding of a mutual friend a few years ago. Small world! And an early but satisfying bedtime to get ready for super volunteer day on Sunday.

After a stint at the packet pickup table - WETSUIT STRIPPING. Holy crap, what a fun job. And considering the air was 45-50 degrees, and the water not much warmer, the racers were so appreciative of us. I would not want to remove a wetsuit with frozen fingers and toes!

Unfortunately, I am not the superhero I think I am, as I strained my back lifting some cases of soda for the bbq after, forcing me to make an early exit for the weekend. Super bummed. But still, overall, I know there are some great people out there willing to help whether I ask for it or not. Grateful to Jen H for the advil, Katie for the blanket and offering to drive my car all the way back to DC, and Brianne for the cupcake! And the good news is, I am so good at managing this recurring issue now that I already feel like I'm on the way to recovery. Just to be safe, I am visiting the PT associated with the FTM program tomorrow. Come on, you know that if I'm running upwards of 20 mi a week through October for FTM I am going to need a PT again at some point anyway. I'm feeling optimistic even though I know this back issue will have me down for a little while. But I bounce back. I always do.

WHY do I not take pictures on these weekends? Fail.