Race 2/4 Des Moines, Iowa

Well, that's 2/2 with a 23rd placing. This one went a bit better, swim still has a lot to be desired, going back to the drawing board on that one! I was, again, a little farther back than I would have liked out of the water, putting me in a small chase group on the bike. Again, only a few were willing to do any work, we picked up stragglers and then dropped them and some others in our group, it finally shrank to about 6 girls. It was hot, I was hot, I tried to stay hydrated/fuelled but I could sense I was in a bit of trouble...when you start to get dizzy on your bike, it's not a good sign! Onto the run, I was in rough shape, I stuck with Kerry Lang (GBR), well really, I made myself stay with her because I was really woozy--at one point the course went right and my body kept going left! It was not by any means a blistering run (well, maybe just for my poor feet!)!

Unfortunately, I let the heat get the better of me on the day and I finished in 23rd spot. It was a good effort on the bike and a mentally strong run (just not very fast!) considering the state I was in! After the finish it was straight to the ice bath, a quick change, cycle to the hotel, a cold shower, packed the bike and gear, drive to the airport. Land in Calgary at 11:59pm, Richard there to pick me up. Sleep in own bed, wash clothes, repack, have dinner with Richard, head back to the airport, fly to Europe--2 more tries for a better race.

Now, I am sitting in the lounge in London, waiting for my flight to Amsterdam. Races 3a/b are this week. First is the Team relay in Holten on Thursday followed by European Championships on Sunday! Should be fun!!
Lisa

Hot Hot Heat & Water!

The water and present fairy stopped by my room today!! They Hy-Vee gang does a great job with this race, the athletes are given the royal treatment! The only problem is, Maddy and I will never get through all this water before Saturday!

All the goodies inside the bag...everything from cookies to sunglasses to deodorant....
Race day is getting closer...good thing, cause Maddy has been antsy the last couple days! It's going to be a HOT one, they are calling for 33 degrees + humidity (92F) with the water being a swampy 29 degrees (84F)....maybe I will get through all that water after all!

A swim in the swamp tomorrow and a little spin and then one more sleep till race day!!!!

Till my next update....
Lisa

Lisa & Maddy's Excelllent Adventures: Iowa

So Maddy (my bike) and I made it to Des Moines Iowa yesterday. Man is it HOT here! The last couple days have been scorchers! Here are a few pics of our adventures in Iowa.

Maddy was a little lazy today and still hadn't put herself together...well she got part way through and decided to quit....

After I landed, and got thoroughly sweaty just pushing my luggage to the rental car, I went in search of a pool for a swim. Here is what I found....hmmm...how was I going to swim through all these people....

Hopefully no one cannonballs me when I do my laps (see kid mid-air)...this pool was almost the same temperature as outside, and a little cloudy after all the kids got out of the pool!

Then today, I scoped out the course and went for a run. They were busy setting up the transition, pontoon and grandstand! It's going to look amazing come race day!

The swim pontoon:

The humidex today was 109 degrees....my sweaty arm post run at 9am...

I finished the day off with a swim with South African athlete Henrik DeVilliers (at the YMCA this time) and then a relaxing massage. Good news, not sure where my swim went on Sunday, but it was back in full force today!!

Fun times in Des Moines, Iowa! Tomorrow Maddy and I are going for a spin & run--hopefully before it gets too hot and then hitting the lake.

Lisa