So I have had a pretty mixed start to 2011, so much has happened in just a few short weeks. This sport sure has its ups and its downs.
I raced Whangamata on the 3rd, which had some major positives and some major negatives. The race plan was purely just to "blow out the cobwebs" in the coach's words and to see how much I have improved from last year.
With no taper and some pretty solid sessions leading into the race, I had no idea how I would go.
I had a 30sec lead out of the swim and onto the bike I felt ok. Coming off the bike I had held my lead over some pretty strong cyclists and that is about where the positives stopped. On the bike I had a nagging feeling in the back of my mind that the legs didn't feel quite right.. the run is where the fun started. The first km was great I felt good and my turnover was quick, then the pain started, then the pins and needles and then the numbness... which left me with two options crawl the last lap to the finish or pull out. I chose the latter as I like my knees with skin on them.
It was not much fun having to pull out of a race, but it brought to attention a pretty major issue with my legs.
So at the moment I am just trying to be patient as I am booked in for tests next week which will tell me what's going on and where to go from here!

Some other good news is that I have now learned the importance of listening to your body, it took a pretty strong message though as I am currently battling a virus... in a way it is quite good to have a bit of a break as I have been training well and I always love a good movie marathon.