I love going to different countries and seeing various cultures- I just don’t like the actual travel there (especially by myself). I was meeting a group of American’s in Cartagena and everything was great after I found them, but the travel there was stressful at times. It started with a direct flight to Cartagena from Miami, which seems to just be an off shoot of South America since most people in the Airport spoke limited English. The actually flight was fine but trying to communicate with a taxi driver with a bike box was a bit difficult. Thankfully, he was able to get me to the correct address where I got to carry my bike box and bags up 4 flights of stairs! Once up though the apartment that we were renting close to the race sight was very nice. We each got our own bed, it had a kitchen, living room and 3 bathrooms- Sean Jefferson did a great job finding it!
We were able to do a short run, bike and swim on the race course the day before since the roads were closed off for an age group race. This worked out perfect since I don’t know how we would have ridden the bike course if traffic was allowed on the road with us! The swim was 2 laps, the bike was 7 laps and the run was 4 laps.
Race day came and we rode from the apartment down to the race site with no problems. I did my usual warm up and soon enough we were being called to line up for the start. The swim was an ocean swim and we started in about thigh deep water. The gun went off right as a wave was breaking in front of us! I was happy with my swim and was able to find some people to work with both laps. During the bike I was in a chase pack of 6-7 girls for the first half before we caught the leader and worked with her the rest of the race. I didn’t notice the heat too much until getting off to run! I knew it was really hot from the run the day before but this was a heat like I had never felt before- and I am born and raised in Florida! The entire run I was trying to keep my body temperature down by pouring water over my head at every aid station (6 per lap). As the run went on I felt the heat more and more and just kept thinking about the finish line and with every step I was getting closer to it. I was 3rd getting off the bike, moved into second during the first lap, but then back into 3rd at the end of the second lap. I tried to hang onto the girl when she passed me during the second lap but with the heat my legs had nothing.
Overall it was a great experience to get to race in Cartagena and I can’t thank my coach, Jennifer Hutchison, my family and my sponsors (especially Kiwami for sending my new racing suit over night!) for making this trip possible!
