Barb's Race - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

My wave had 2 divisions in it, basically a sh-tload of women with one goal..swim and get the heck out! The horn sounded and it was a massive washing machine, reminded me of the Ironman Arizona start. I was hit so many time and had a problem finding water to swim in, every stroke I grabbed either a foot or a wetsuit.

It was a mass of people for quite a while, probably until the second bridge or beyond. My stroke felt good and the rip in the leg of my wetsuit was not a big deal. I was just getting frustrated with the lack of space. Did my usual thing, sang random songs in my head. At some point I looked up and noticed so many people just walking in the middle of the course. The water is usually not very deep, but this year I think it's more shallow than usual.

I got to the turn and looked at my watch. I had gotten kicked and my watch was in time mode rather than chron, changed the mode and saw 22 minutes.....I told myself to be out of the water in 40 minutes. I stood up and did a few dolphin dives and kept swimming. I was passing people! This NEVER happens in the water!

Time seemed to go by fast as I passed under the bridges. I was so thankful that I was only doing the half and did not have to turn around to go back out for another loop. Finally got to the swim exit and Eric yells out "39 minutes!" woohoo....Half Ironman swim PR!



Probably start a bit more in the front, there were a ton of people that I just could not get around.

As you get out of the water there is a guy yelling that the timing mat is slippery and in that moment the women in front of me goes down. So I did what anyone else would do....I simply ran around her. Sorry lady, but this is a race and I need to get my azz out of T1 ASAP!

Found a stripper and he had my wetsuit off in no time. There were too many people walking to their bikes, no sense of urgency....geez! I was shocked at how many bikes were still racked! Found my bike and was glad I packed a hand towel to wipe all of the dirt off of my feet. I took some extra time cleaning my feet off, but worth it to avoid having gravel in my bike shoes. I had my ghetto arm-warmers there but was so excited about my swim, I wanted to get out on the bike and left them behind.

Nothing, the extra few seconds to wipe my feet is time well spent.

Got out of T1 and walked my bike up the hill, lots of people did and the ones that tried to ride up were not set in the right gear and struggled. On my way out I was just smiling as I looked down at my watch and saw that I had only been racing for 45 minutes and was already on my bike :)

I passed a lot people, but stayed in my comfort zone. Throughout my ride I refer to myself as "Cadel" as in Cadel Evans, lol. Replayed my race mantra in my head "ride YOUR race". My legs felt great and although it was overcast I was not feeling cold. Around mile 3, as I reach for my water bottle I squeeze water over my sunglasses, uggg and yell out to myself "dumbazz"! Tried to wipe them as best as I could on my wet shirt, lovely combination, so I was not very successful.

I rode at a good pace with a huge smile on my face. My goal was to enjoy the day and just be thankful that I possess the ability to be out there racing. I hit the first aid station within an hour. When I saw that, I thought "I can be off this bike within 4 hours of racing" and that became my goal.

As I passed people I would compliment them "nice bike" or "love that color jersey" or simply yell out "on your left!". I would work the down-hills, gotta take free speed whenever possible. I got a little bored with all the women, I usually like to score they guys butts or legs when racing. (Hey we all have our motivation) Barb's race is all women but with the Full Vineman and Aqua-bike races going on there are men on the course as well. To push myself a bit more I said to myself, "let's go chase the boys!"

I ate my shot blocks and drank my water, only had 1 Enduralyte. I also ate bananas from the aid stations. At one station the banana was unpeeled, I yelled to the volunteer "sweet! you rock!" She laughed and yelled down the road "you're welcome!"

I was in the zone on this ride because I don't remember much other than being thankful I only had to ride 1 loop :) At the Jimtown store I look at my watch and tell myself, "be off the bike in hour." I'm riding smooth, pushing myself and reminding myself that I need to run a half-marathon after this.

I hit one of the mini-hills on the way to Chalk Hill and drop my friggin chain! UGGG!!!! It got stuck in the cog an I can't get it out! People are passing me..and I'm frustrated! So I went all Jersey-shore on my bike and cursed it out! Finally I get it free and my hands are covered in bike-grease. It takes me about 5 minutes or so to get it free, pisser!

Back on my bike, time to play "catch-up", so I say "move your azz Cadel, time to re-pass these people!" Off I go and I even pass people on the Chalk Hill climb. Just like last year I hear a cowbell on the climb and I knew the person ringing the bell was not at the top, total mindf-ck last year. Sure enough, she is not at the top. I crest Chalk Hill and get ready for the sweet down-hill, I think I hit about 37 MPH. Wohoo!

I look at my watch and see that I have been racing for 3.5 hours and know I can be off my bike within 4 hours. I know the climb is done, so I work the course like a cheap wh0re, lol! I make the last turn and see that I am in under the my 4 hour goal! I had come out of the water 197 and moved up to 86 places to 111!

Not drop my chain! I ride this course a ton and have never dropped my chain on that climb! Pisser. Had that not happened I probably would have PRed my Half-Iron bike time.

T2 was pretty long, not to mention people on the Aquabike who were blocking my way! I find my rack and I'm thrilled to see that the racks are pretty empty! I grab my stuff and sit down and wipe my feet and start to tape them in hope of preventing blisters. I guess rock tape doesn't like to stick to sweaty feet, as the tape folded in on itself, ugg!

I only brought 2 larger pieces of tape to use on the balls of my feet. So i decided with only 1 piece left to use it on the right foot since it's the worse of the 2, not to mention it has a crack in the skin.

With my feet taped I head out and see the Trimore group on my way out! They are all cheering and my body was feeling great!

Bring more tape.

Coming out of T2, i feel really good and I'm excited! My plan is to run in between the aid stations. My plan is working well until about mile 3 and my back starts to cramp! WTF!!! I NEVER have back problems on the run. So I revise my plan to walking the uphills as well as the aid stations. At mile 4 I use the porta-potty, my first time since the swim.

After mile 4 my left shoulder starts to cramp. Every time I swing it forward, pain shoots down my back, once again another thing I have never experienced. I guess it goes back to my usual race day motto "you never know what race day will throw at you".

Now I start to walk more, but the simple act of just lifting my feet is painful, uggg....I look at my watch and know that PR is not possible feeling this bad. I drink and eat bananas and grapes at the aid stations. I watch the lead males for the full and I'm amazed at how good they look and the ease of their stride.

I see Michelene on my way back and we high 5. I make it to the turn around and seeing everyone cheering lifts my spirits but not the way my body feels. I tell myself "only 5 miles left" and I pass the first aid station on my way out, my knee starts to throb. UGG, I'm pissed and in pain and just want to cry. I try to run, but it feels like my feet will give out from under me. As women pass me I look at their calf and hate those that are in my age group, so many of them I passed on the bike once or twice and now I have nothing to give other than just 1 foot in front of the other.

Finally I hit the crowd of people on the way back to the finish, I smile at the sign that reads "Smile if you peed on your bike". I yell to her, "great sign, but I didn't".

Finally the finish line is in my sites and I slap hands as I run down the chute. I cross the finish line and see Ingred, my friend Andrew's wife there. I smile and hug her, almost cried seeing a friendly face.

Let's face it, my run training has sucked. Longest run was 10 miles about 2 months ago. I didn't put the work in to have a successful run, not to mention that this is a tough run course. No PR, but still a finish!

My friend Ann had come up to see me finish and she yelled to me when I got my medal! Was thrilled to see her!

Grabbed some food and chatted with my friends. Then hung with Ann for a bit and watch those racing the full vineman.


Lack of run training. I figured the run would be less then fun, but I didn't think it would turn out as miserable as it did.


I am so glad that I was able to drop down to the HIM from the full distance. Training this year has been very difficult, between work schedule and just overall burn-out from racing 3 fulls in 2010. I train and race for the love of the sport, to spend time with amazing friends and to take advantage of the having the ability to swim/bike/run.

Barb's was far from a PR for me, but it did something for me beyond adding another finisher's medal to my collection....it brought a smile to my face and the joy back for me!