Saturday was our last day of camp. It is so strange how quickly the last few days flew by. After the first 2 days of camp, I kept wondering – if I am this tired today, how am I going to get through the rest of the week? However, before I knew it the end of the week had arrived.
Saturday was a solid day. In the morning we did swim relays, which were a fun way to build some team spirit and force everyone to swim hard, even if only for a short while. After the relays was the big event of the day – riding the ironman lanzarote race course. I started the morning with the faster group. I stuck with them for a while (though Tara dropped us all like a hot potato 
. As we entered the series of descents into La Santa and La Fumara, I fell back as Karen and Jo got aero and flew into the winds. I decided the chase wasn’t worth it that early in the day, so I pushed at tempo power and forged ahead on my own in hopes of catching my mom.
I honestly haven’t seen much of my mom this week and I was really hoping to spend at least part of the day riding the island with her — a perfect way to end our grand adventure. We met up at the lunch stop and ventured on together, seeing Alicia and Wendy at various points during the remainder of the ride.
Although this may not be of the epic mindset, the ride Saturday was exactly what I needed. It was the type of ride that keeps me riding my bike day after day. I was not in a great place mentally on Friday: I was upset at myself for not being able to keep pace with the others; I was frustrated that I was wheezing all day long. I wanted more of all those things that only come with hard work and constant vigilance – more speed, stronger lungs, higher pain tolerance… I just couldn’t tell my brain to shut up and ride…
So when the last day of camp rolled around, I decided that I wanted to enjoy my last ride out on Lanza. I have spent so much time this week pushing myself until I couldn’t see straight, I hadn’t really seen much of the island. So for the last day of camp, I wanted to enjoy the views, the climbs, and the good company. Thus, my ride on Saturday, though not completed at epic intensity, was how I wanted to close this chapter of one of the many wonderful adventures I’ve had with my mom.
I am currently sitting in the airport at JFK, reflecting on the ups and downs of the week. It is odd to me how the memories of pain and strife have already started to fade, whereas those of triumph and success shine more brightly. Entering this week, I had many goals for myself, which all revolved around the upcoming road cycling racing series in Ohio. After the cold winter of riding indoors, I wanted to increase my endurance and capacity to recover during a ride from multiple hard efforts. I am also on a continual campaign to learn my body better and be able to know how hard I can push for QOM or TT sessions without ending completely knackered. I am happy with how hard I pushed throughout the camp and think that I achieved many of these goals. I felt strong on several of the TT’s through the week and am proud of finishing the rides in such challenging conditions (and adding more mileage to many).
Throughout the week I was attempting to make up for not running by adding extra swim workouts. Somewhat surprisingly, I rediscovered my passion for swimming this week. Up to this point I have been swimming once a week as an off day or recovery workout. I swam on a team back I elementary and middle school, but lost my excitement about the sport somewhere along the way. However, as i racked up the meters in the pool, I increasingly enjoyed the rhythm of the stroke and the movement through the water. Who knows, if I can figure out how to get my knees and legs to struggle through a run with a shred of grace, perhaps my mom will make a triathlete of me yet!
Though tired and sore now (the thought of lugging my bike box into my car makes me want to cry!), I am excited for the upcoming racing season. Among many lessons I learned this week, one was that my mom is always right – she has told me many times that I am only limited in what I can do by my own imagination. This week was a true demonstration of the saying. Thanks for letting me tag along for another great adventure mom, no matter how old I get, you continually open my mind up to new adventures and experiences. Because of you, I know to always reach for the stars.
Here’s to an epic week. It was inspiring to have the opportunity to train alongside such an amazing group of athletes. I really appreciate all of the patient encouragement and advice from everyone. Special thanks to our leaders, Tara and Jo, it was an honor to attempt to hold your back wheels this week!!!