So far in 2015 I have competed in 3 Ironman 70.3 events. I started off in Monterrey, MX, then to New Orleans, LA, and finally I just got home from St. Croix, VI.

 

My first race in Monterrey resulted in a very disappointing DNF. I woke up sick with a cold the morning after arriving. I wanted to try and race atleast so I stayed positive and got to the start line. I had a great swim, a very slow T1 and an even slower first lap of the bike. It was clear I shouldn't be racing so I decided to end my race half way through the bike. This was my first time DNF-ing (besides once when I flatted in an ITU race). I felt like a loser and I was embarrassed. I had high expectations for this race because my training was going so well. This is one reason that triathlon as a profession is stressful. Half the battle is getting to the line healthy. You can be the fittest and most prepared athlete in the world but if you are sick or injured on race day then there goes your opportunity.

 

The second race was 4 weeks later in New Orleans. My preparation leading up to the race was once again pretty consistent and I was eager to race after being sick in Mexico.  I had a good swim again coming out in the lead with another woman, I led off the bike, and was running in first until mile 9 on the run. I felt pretty terrible getting off of the bike and from T2 I knew it was going to be a death march. I was passed by 3 women in the last 4miles and ended the day in 4th place. The race was another disappointment. My run is what I consider my strength and I had no idea why I was so bad. I came back to Boulder and immediately consulted with Dave (my coach) and Robert Kunz at First Endurance. Together, they came up with a new nutrition plan for my next race in St. Croix. I also worked with Dave and changed my bike position so that I use my glutes more when cycling.

 

Last weekend I raced in St. Croix. Upon arrival I decided regardless of the race result the trip was worth it solely because of how beautiful the island is. Drew and I stayed with a woman who had hosted people for over 15 years. It was very interesting hearing about the history of the race and all of the legendary triathletes who had raced there. St. Croix is also a unique race because the entire island shuts down for the event and the people crowd the course cheering. It is AWESOME.  I am fortunate enough to train with a lot of athletes who have done the race before. Everyone said to start slow because the heat and humidity really blow up the race on the run. I had another good swim coming out of the water in the lead with Amanda Stevens. We rode most of the bike together and came into T2 together. The bike course was extremely hot, hilly and windy so I was unsure of how my legs would feel. Check out the hill known as "The Beast":

"Twenty-one miles into the bike, The Beast is a 600-foot climb in a stretch of highway 7/10 of a mile long with an average grade of 14 percent and a maximum grade of 21percent."

My new bike position felt good and my energy seemed fine with the new nutrition plan so I was hoping to have a steady run. I started off at a pace I knew I could maintain and held that pace throughout the entire 13.1 miles. St. Croix is a race where you are just pacing yourself to get to the line without blowing up. The course is hard and slow. My steady effort on the day got me to the finish line in first place. It was a great relief after having a rough start to the year.

 

 

 

I am fortunate enough to have a great team of people and sponsors surrounding me during the highs and lows of racing. Hopefully the year will continue to be a high from here and I can use the lessons I learned for future races. Next I will be heading to Escape from Alcatraz and I am really looking forward to a shorter race!

 

Thank you to Sheba Turk for the opportunity to talk about the sport of triathlon before IRONMAN 70.3 New Orleans!

I teamed up with fellow athletes Julie Dibens and Rachel Joyce along with another local triathlete Sandy Morrissey to put on a ride for girls 10 and under. The goal is to promote getting outside and on bicycles. We had a great time interacting with the girls and finishing the day off with cookies from a local bakery, Kim and Jakes. We hope to spread this idea to other communities.

 

Read the full article at

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Read the full article online: 

blog.saltstick.com/2015/02/lauren-goss-is-saltstick-sponsored.html

 

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from www.lasvegasmultisport.org/#!lauren-goss---triathlete/  

 

 

Read the full press release at HOKA One One.