Blue Lake - Alexis

[alexis]

While I don't have anything half as entertaining to say as some of the other recent reports, I still wanted to post a few words on Blue Lake ;)

This was my first Olympic and I'd highly recommend it as the course is very user-friendly and overall I thought it was organized really well.

I made JP drive me to the park EARLY because I wasn't able to pick up my packet the day before and was nervous about lines at registration. Of course, due to "union rules" we ended up waiting outside the gate for a good 45 mins... sorry JP! Once we got in everything was great and I even scored a nice end spot to rack my bike.

The markers for the swim looked WAY too far away and I was surrounded by the Beaver swim team before the start (not during, obviously, as I think I only touched their feet in the first 10 seconds.) Once I got started I realized it wasn't too bad and I sang that song "waking up in vegas" in my head the whole way, except I only know the chorus, but not even all those words, something about glitter and hangovers... anyway, got out in 31:18, a bit slower than I was hoping so next time I'll pick a faster song :cool:

Bike went really well and I was out and back in 1:09 - a PR! I was totally pumped and sprinting out of T2 when I gracefully tripped over myself and totally ate the grass (JP unfortanately missed this photo-op,) rolling my left ankle in the process :mad: It really stung for the first mile and a half but then subsided so I was able to finish the run strong and in 53:32.

Overall I was very very happy with how I felt and I ended up 14th in my age group in a total time of 2:38:52 :D Ankle's still a bit swollen so I'm typing this from my desk at work with my leg awkwardly on top of my printer under a bag of ice :p

btw I love all the smiley options on this thing lol

[jpharlow]

Awesome work babe! Glad you could have such a fabulous support team there with you too ;). I can personally attest that her ankle was the size of a golf ball after we started the journey back to Seattle. En route we HAD to stop at Cabella's to check it out. Unfortunately her ankle froze up so we pushed her through the store via a wheel chair, quite the scene. Thankfully it seems to be getting better. Again, great job on your first Olympic, very proud :)

[damonb]

Alexis,

Great job. I am especially impressed with the 1:09 bike split. Nice work!

Sorry to hear about the ankle, I had a similar thing happen to me last June while running on grass. Just keep the R.I.C.E. going (rest, ice, compression, elevation), and don't try to go out on it too soon. The ligaments need time to repair.

Awesome job on the race.

[benbiggles]

Good work Alexis. An awesome debut Olympic. I second Damon's comment re the bike split, you crushed it.

Now be cautious with that ankle!

[Cindybigglestone]

:):):) Well done Alexis...a great venue for a first time race! I love that you sing in the water too...when I do ocean swims I actually try and sing out load in hopes it will attract the attention of Dolphins :cool:

[chrisesposito]

:):):) Well done Alexis...a great venue for a first time race! I love that you sing in the water too...when I do ocean swims I actually try and sing out load in hopes it will attract the attention of Dolphins :cool:
I'd do the same, but I don't recall the words to the theme song for "Flipper" (a TV show old enough that you young'uns might not even be aware of it)

[alexis]

Alexis,

Great job. I am especially impressed with the 1:09 bike split. Nice work!

Sorry to hear about the ankle, I had a similar thing happen to me last June while running on grass. Just keep the R.I.C.E. going (rest, ice, compression, elevation), and don't try to go out on it too soon. The ligaments need time to repair.

Awesome job on the race.


Thanks Damon! and I've been meaning to congratulate you on Boise!! we were tracking you all day!