Yesterday was to be the IRONMAN TEXAS 2020 race. I wasn’t going to participate; I was going to volunteer at the swim exit. I was excited to see teammates participate. COVID-19 has meant everything is cancelled. People are dying; the economy is crashing; and I’ve been under a stay-at-home order since mid-March. Crazy times and not certain why all this is happening.
Yesterday was the 2-year anniversary of becoming an IRONMAN. I had planned a race a month for most of 2020. Now I wonder if I will even get to do one or two and with everything happening around me, I know it’s just going to take a long time.
But yesterday rather than mourning what was lost, I participated in a Virtual Duathlon with my Tri Team; Valhalla + Valkyrie Racing. I assisted in planning the event. It’s funny how doing something to help other people feels so much better than just helping yourself. While none of us were “together” doing this race, everyone is posting their pictures and results on our team Facebook page and it is SO MUCH FUN to see people forgetting about the pandemic for a little while and using their training and challenging themselves. Coronavirus does not kill our spirit for the things we love!!!!
David came with me as I went to Carl Barton and did my Olympic ride for this duathlon. I’ve been working super hard to improve my bike and day by day, little by little, I have been improving. So I decided to push as hard as I could yesterday. As I was moving down FM 1485 at 22 mph, I was reflecting on how 2 years earlier while training for IMTX2018, I was riding 12 or 13 mph. I was scared. I wasn’t in aero yet. I really wasn’t enjoying myself – LOL. And yesterday I was perfectly comfortable and LOVED being outside and riding. LOVE LOVE LOVE……… So while I do love to race, I reminded myself how very lucky I was to be outside on a beautiful day, doing something I love, with the man I love out there with me as my sherpa. The end result: highest 60 minute power ride ever (137 watts ; that’s 9 points higher than any previous ride) and 18.9 avg mph – fastest ride ever. For over 2 years, I’ve been working on “making my weakness my strength”. I know I still have a long way to go, but I have come so far thanks to hard work, believing in myself and my amazing coach Jana Richtrova taking the time to patiently teach me what I need to know.
So I don’t know when I will get to step up to a start line again. But I know I will and I know that when I do, I will be ready to do my best. I am continuing to train every day and will take this time to get stronger and mentally tough. And continue to have fun!!!!
ironcheryl2018 