Bionic Barbie's Journey to Ironman CDA 2015

I Biked the Coast and Finished Strong

On Saturday, I competed in my first event since my hip surgery in March, and my second cycling only event ever.  I chose this event because it WASN'T a Race!  I feel like I have to merge slowly back into the game.  I had five different rides to pick from so I chose the half century (50 miles). What a better event than to cycle along the Southern Coast of California with 2500 other "friends."   To top it off, some people from Triathlon Connection was cycling in it as well.  It was a perfect decision.  

Friday evening at the expo (well if you can call if that - 3 booths) I picked up my race packet.  I had forgot a few essentials (a sports bra and socks).  While browsing the three booths, I saw the cutest bike jersey with a little chicken and the words "Tough Chik."  I had to have it!  I also forgot socks so I was in luck, they also had the cutest pink knee socks with skulls.  (I am proud to say I am now officially on Team Tough Chik but that is another story!) I also found a sports bra, thank goodness.

 These are the socks with my running shoes, HOKAS, I sported after I was finished.
LOVE THEM BOTH!

 Oceanside Pier - The Strand Friday Evening

A typical Southern California Sunset on Friday from my hotel.

This was also the first event that I ever engaged in without my Support Staff.  Hubby had to stay back due to work needed to be done at the Ranch.  So, needless to say, sleep was hard to come by.  Although I didn't have the typical race jitters, I was still restless and excited.  Dreams of overflowing porta potties, crashes and flat tires filled my head all night long. 

I was meeting the DiCarlos at the start line.  Being an early bird, I got to the venue at 6:20 am hoping to find coffee and see what gear I really needed to wear.  It was a beautiful morning,  57 degrees, clear skies and a bit breezy.

 Sunrise down at start line

 No coffee was found. :(  But I did unlayer, filled my bottles, pumped my tires and was ready to ride. Our wave started at 7:30 a.m.  It took a good 45 minutes to even get to the start line.  That was okay with me, I was enjoying the sunrise and the company.

 A few of the 2500 "friends" riding

 People I actually know.  Most of them anyway.  Caroline, Kandi, Robert, Tom and Jeanne

 Carolyn, her friend, Kandi and me at the start 

Finally, we were off!  It was exhilarating for me to be riding.   I was riding the Svelte Felt road bike.  She never fails me.  We have been together for three years and I can totally trust her to get me to the finish line.   The ride was a nice pace with some climbing.  It was the scenery that was breathtaking.  I rode by two campgrounds (that I hope to be camping at in the future with the family), endless views of the ocean, cute beach towns and lots of beautiful flowers.

 SAG Stop 1 (also stop 3) 13 miles into the ride we had to "undress"

Robert, Kandi, Me and Jeanne

Kandi, Carolyn and Me Sporting my new Tough Chik jersey

 On some riding trail. Cliffs were so pretty and so was the pole we picked to stop at
 Tom, Kandi and Jeanne

Riding the trail with Tom behind me and other cyclists. 

The only thing I didn't like about the ride is the fact of stopping at all the stop signs and red lights.  Riding up a hill and having to stop in the middle of it because of a red light is not fun.  It seems once you get your "mojo" red flashes and makes it stop.  We had to stop too, our friendly police officers were out in full force giving tickets to cyclists who didn't make the proper stops at lights and signs.  That was another BOO! I felt sorry for the cyclists who did get those $300 tickets.

We stopped at the last SAG and I felt AMAZING! Not only was I comfortable with drafting and riding with a big group, (I have always kept my distance from others while riding for fear of crashing and I never drafted), it was my third 50 miler in seven days.   My legs were not tired! I had so much adrenaline and energy I felt I could pound out the last 12 miles. We decided we would cross the finish line together for the picture, so we hit it hard until the last mile.  We cruised in towards the finish and I turned to Kandi and told her that I felt I could keep going maybe not another 50 but going.  Kandi, being always the optimist said, "You could finish 50, it might not be pretty but you could do it."   If I haven't said this I will now, "I love that woman Kandi, she is always so positive, encouraging, inspiring and always laughing."

Last SAG with Robert, Kandi, Me, Tom and Jeanne

I completed a total of 52.3 miles with elevation of 2,392 ft.  and finished STRONG!

The drive home wasn't even so bad with all the traffic because I felt AMAZING!  I even took a detour via Ortega Hwy to get this view.

Lake Elsinore

 I now can't wait to pick out the next event!  Just waiting for that surgery date for the shoulder than watch out!  You will never know when you will be seeing the #Swirlgirl and #Toughchik speeding by (well speeding at her speed).