I started out WAY TO FAST on the run!!! Very accidentally, I found myself in the front pack at the start, and by the time I realized I really needed to slow down, the trail became narrow and I was desperately trying to keep up with people in front so the people behind me wouldn't get PO'd or step on my shoes. I finally found a place to get over to the side so a couple of guys could pass me. I had to slide over a few times to let guys pass throughout the race. Pretty soon into the course we came to the first creek crossing ('crik' as we Hoosiers like to say!). Now, my history with creeks and gracefully leaping over them is not good. As soon as I saw it I was a bit nervous. It was much wider and deeper than the race directors let on. I ended up with a wet left foot. I thought the volunteer on the other side was there to help us up so I reached for his hand. I think I surprised him! He was way off to the side and out of reach the 2nd time I came through! About 1/3 into the run I realized that I was so flippin' HOT! I should not have worn that extra jacket. I was MISERABLE HOT! I finally pulled the sleeves off and tied it around my waist. About 3/4 into the run I realized that "Gee, Kameron, you still have a 6 mile bike and then another 2 mile run ahead of you. You better pace yourself a bit missy!" I was running like I was in a 5K. Dummy...

Not started out so darn fast, not worn the jacket, learn how to leap over creeks, paced myself better for a multi-sport event.
Oh yeah, trained in snowshoes!

This went pretty well really. I got the snowshoes off easily and tried to set them up so they would be easy to put on when I got back. Then I threw off my ear warmer, pulled up my balaclava, put my helmet on, threw on my 2nd jacket, put on my wool mittens over my running gloves, grabbed my bike and I was off!



I felt that I was taking a little more time than I wanted to, but I also stopped somewhere in my transition to take a long drink of water, which was very necessary.
Not put on the wool mittens right away, and not pulled the balaclava over my mouth yet.

I really felt pretty good throughout the bike portion. I think I can tell that I'm getting stronger. That's not to say I wasn't kind of dying! I was huffing and puffing most of the way, but my legs felt stronger.
I got passed by a few people, of course. But I actually passed a guy, so I was happy with that! The roads were wet, but I never felt out of control. We passed through one neighborhood where the streets hadn't been plowed or salted recently, so that slowed things down a good bit. I got confident enough where I felt OK pushing it downhill, but I was over-careful on turns. Traffic was minimal.
At the beginning I was very hot - left over from the first 2 mile run. So pretty quickly into it I pulled off my mittens and stuffed them in my pockets, and pulled my face warmer down under my chin.
About 2/3 of the way through I was cold again, so redid everything. Got wool stuck between my teeth pulling my mittens on! blecchh!!
I don't have cages on my mtn. bike pedals so my feet slipped once or twice. Not too bad, though.

Pretty pleased overall, but I shouldn't have bundled up right away.

This transition went smoothly. Threw off helmet and balaclava and got snowshoes back on quickly. As I was taking a big drink of water I heard someone yell "Kameron!" It was hubby and the kids! They got there just in time!
Waving at the family got me distracted enough that I forgot where I was supposed to exit and run off to. A quick yell of "which way?!?!?" and I had enough people pointing me in the right direction!

Remember where to run next!

Once I took off and the excitement of seeing my family died off (about 10 seconds) I realized how uncooperative my legs wanted to be. I was miserable. It was all I could do to put one foot in front of the other. I never stopped to walk, though!! But by golly I wanted to. I wanted to turn back around to the transition area and call it a day. The initial transition weariness wore off after a few minutes, but I was just so tired. And my feet were really starting to hurt in the snowshoes. Something underneath the balls of my feet was cutting into my foot. I cleared the first creek passing like an old pro! I was very proud of that. I regained a bit of energy for a little bit, but it just seemed like there was one uphill after another. The downhills were breaks for my legs. The snowshoes were great for the hills, though! You could never run up and down snow covered hills as easily in running shoes. I saw very few competitors on this portion of the race. I just imagined they were all behind me and that I better hurry up cuz they were going to catch me any second! That's how I made it through. You know something else crazy my mind tends to do to get me through times like this when I'm torturing myself is that I have a word in my head and I end up making up a little song that spells out that word and I just keep repeating it... I know I'm a freak. on the bike it was the name of a street I passed. I can't remember what it was on the run.

Oh, just train more. Not just in snowshoes, but I've definitely lost a lot of my running conditioning. Run more hills too!

Rested my head on Rob's shoulder...

Oh yeah, I was third female finisher (but, out of 5 females total!) All day I thought only 4 females participated, so I was happy when I saw a 5th on the results. I can't believe that few girls participated! I came home with a very girlie piece of hardware too - a snowflake suncatcher. I actually like it a lot and hope the guys have wives they can give theirs too!


Do I need to say it again? :)


A little surprised at how few people turned out for the events. But I think there was a freezaroo race at Powder Mills today so that may have cut into the participation. It was a good course. I really enjoy trail running. I need to do more of it!