tuesday night time trials: week two

05/24/2013
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Holy @#$%… that was COLD.

Wearing just a SOAS kit and arm warmers – the forecast wasn’t supposed to be rainy + 52 degrees! – I was a bit under dressed for week two of Tuesday Night Time Trials. And, as Nick and I drove to Medina, I was kicking myself for not having him bring warmer gear from home (I brought my gear to work, and we met on the way, so I didn’t have to backtrack across MSP).

After signing in and picking up my race number, I bolted back to the car to stay warm – and crossed my fingers the rain would stop by the 7p start.

It didn’t.

I was thisclose to bailing and whined a lot to Nick about the weather (I’m three for four on rainy races in 2013… I hope it doesn’t become the norm this season!), but after seeing everyone else warming up, my competitive side got the best of me. So, I sucked it up, threw on some arm warmers and socks and pedaled off on an uneventful seven-mile warm-up.

Once moving, it actually wasn’t too bad. Cold, yes, but tolerable enough to race for 30 minutes.

During the 10 minutes I waited in line to start after my warm-up, I did two things: 1) shivered uncontrollably; and, 2) told myself that I would just enjoy the 11-mile ride.

But, no matter how many times I tell myself to just ride (or run) and not race, it never happens. Two minutes in, my heart rate hovering around 150, I decided to ride the best and fastest I could in the dreary conditions. Besides, the faster I biked, the faster I would be done and back in a warm car with heated seats.

The race itself was fairly uneventful. The rain continued, the road was slick. My socks were soaked, my toes were numb. And, while one girl passed me – gah! – I caught the guy in front of me, which was fun. It even seemed a tiny bit easier than week one, though according to my heart rate data, it was about the same (week one: average 155 + max 168; week two: average 153 + max 167). Maybe I’m just getting more comfortable with the uncomfortable!

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Photos courtesy of Twin Cities Spoke. (Note to self: Waterproof mascara!)

official results | 30:51.274, 21.4 mph average, 1st AG, 5th women’s open class.

Given the weather, I was surprised my time was seven seconds faster than week one. It’s gotta be the sweet race wheels friend Jon Vick loaned me 🙂

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13 Comments

  • Reply Mary Dysart 05/24/2013 at 7:39 pm

    Hmmm, what’s wrong with this last picture. Nick weren’t you suppose to give Erin your jacket?? I guess he figured no sense both of you being wet 😉

    • Reply erin 06/04/2013 at 11:59 am

      To be fair, he did let me wear it before the race 🙂

  • Reply Danielle @ I Eat Therefore I Run 05/25/2013 at 2:19 am

    Love the new logo and the photo of you post race on your own is very cute. I also agree with getting comfortable with uncomfortable, it’s the only way we can get faster!

    • Reply erin 06/04/2013 at 12:00 pm

      Thanks, Danielle! My sister is pretty talented 🙂

      Exactly! Pushing your limits is the only way to get faster! Happy running!

  • Reply Carrisa 05/25/2013 at 7:46 am

    All these rainy races will just make you mentally and physically stronger! Love those SOAS kits!

    • Reply erin 06/04/2013 at 12:01 pm

      My thoughts exactly!

      Aren’t they great?! Best kits around 🙂

  • Reply Hyedi Cribben Nelson 05/25/2013 at 8:13 am

    Yay! Congrats on an amazing (and cold) finish 🙂

    And I know I already told you this — but I love the logo!

    • Reply erin 06/04/2013 at 12:01 pm

      Thanks so much, Hyedi! 🙂

  • Reply Courtney 05/25/2013 at 2:11 pm

    way to stay strong and race hard! Like the new logo for your blog! ps u & nick = the cutest ever

    • Reply erin 06/04/2013 at 12:02 pm

      I was tempted to call it a night before it even started, but glad I stuck it out and raced 🙂 Thanks, Courtney!

  • Reply Sharlene Klegstad 05/25/2013 at 11:01 pm

    You amaze me! WOW!

    • Reply erin 06/04/2013 at 12:02 pm

      Thanks, Mom! xo.

  • Reply ironman canada | week 16 | sweet sweat 05/28/2013 at 10:25 pm

    […] Tuesday Night Time Trials week two! Cold and rainy, but seven seconds faster than week one. Must be the […]

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