Firmman Half Iron Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Our swimmer, MAtriMom, Laura, did this section and will report on it in her race report. She made the time goal she set and looked great both before the swim start and waving to me at the swim exit!

We did awesome here...Sue took of the chip from Laura and put it on me. When we saw Laura I took my bike off the rack, so we were speedy here.

Nothing

As I hadn't warmed up on the bike or ridden optional ride yesterday not sure how I'd feel, but felt good from the get go. I had been on my feet a lot Friday and legs felt tired. My legs felt crampy still so I started taking endurolytes from start..I hoped to take one about every 30 minutes but not having watch/bike computer did some estimating figuring better to go heavy on the beginning as I wouldn't be able to catch up if got super crampy. I was trying to stay in a good place mentally as I was a bit concerned about hills at mile 16, but tried to focus on the moment.

Passed a bunch of folks right away men & women which always makes me feel great. After the lollipop went by transtion to see Sue cheering me on and heard Laura yell as well.

Lots of uphill to get onto route 1, we crossed over to far left and a SUV came scary close to me as I cut in front of them as directed by volunteers but they didn't seem to get idea to stop. On route 1...zoom it was great all aero and fly along....very fun but a bit scary to be riding next to cars going 55-65mph and having to go into the right lane at exit/entrance ramps but quickly I was used to it.

By mile 10 (they were marked in cool red/white/blue stars every 10 miles) felt good..in the groove and fast. Even the long uphills on route 1 I was riding strong and passed some folks going up. I started to get a little anxious about the hills, and worked on positive self talk..you are strong, you can do it, you have trained for this....turned at mile 16 ready for the hills..first 4 miles were what appeared the hardest when driving. It wasn't bad and I was happily surprised with myself as my hill climbing has improved a ton since Mooseman. I was passing lots of the U40 women here as some struggled. I saw the race leaders coming back which was fun as I know some of them...and Pat from Bike Barn even recognized me and shouted encoruagement...very cool! I was good at picking right gears so any downhills I used the momentum to ride the next uphill well and often could stay in the big ring in front on the uphills which was cool. A couple places were tough...had to get in easiest gear but kept cadence in the 70+ range and did okay. Legs seem to recovery faster from tough climbs which I found sweet.

After cresting top of hill, thought cool gets easier but there is a section with steep uphills much like Devil Hill at Mooseman, but first one kept in big gear in front with speed from downhill. Next uphill hurt a bit as there was no hill before to gain some speed and I think it was here Aaron first passed me with some encouraging words about 15 seconds later Rob passed me with a big old grin on his face....I was thinking Cranberry repeat.

At bottle exchange #1 at mile 22, I had 3 endurolytes and probably about 30 oz of full Gatorade with Nuuns. Legs still crampy but not bad...maybe getting better.

Strange observation...I said thank you to all the police and waved or thanked the volunteers and I didn't hear one other triathlete do that. I would wave at all the spectators which makes racing fun and they cheer louder for you when you engage with them. Also when I passed folks I would say stuff and maybe out of 25 times others said something back like twice. Strange..

I think when I race, I position myself a bit different on my bike. My bum hurt a bit...if I focused and pushed butt back on my saddle and rotated my hips I was comfortable, but other times when I didn't...ouch...maybe I should use my other saddle Terry for longer races...hmmm

After turn to go back up over the hill, Tom passed me and we said hi. This part of the course as was all the hilly part was beautiful and shady but in spots the roads were horrible with potholes and the like. I thought a bit about the future in this hilly part...need to work hard at strength training in off season to get stronger on the hills and lose that last 15-20 pounds so going up is easier. But excited to see what the future holds for me on the bike as I love riding and racing on the bike!

Climbed well and finally got to the downside of the hill almost done with the section..here I heard Glen cheering me on as he entered the hilly section...mile 32 out and back on route 1. Was able to ride fast and aero and pass many women and some guys mostly 50+ along here...started to pick up the pace here as best I could. It was a good place and I relected on how fun it was to race with all these athletes and be one too.

Road were a mess with stuff including metal peices all over...saw about 15 people with flat tires over the course...really bad as I've never seen so many flats. Made it to the turn around didn't need any more fluids as I had enough to finish. I was getting close to the go as hard as I could place and wondered how much I had left in the tank and how I had paced myself.

My excitement of getting the the homestretch quickly changed to wondering why it was so difficult. It was the strong headwinds that made it tough going. I passed Tom here. At turn spot to U of R I knew it was about 10 miles to go and could go all out as best I could. It was tough though.. very heavy breathing going up hills but not as much on flats or downhill. Here they had very few volunteers on exit/entrance ramps which made me feel a bit unsafe but going the other direction each exit/entrance was manned with volunteers. One SUV passed going 65 about 12 inches from me....yikes!

It was interesting to be riding with the same folks for many many miles at different sections of the course. I'd pass then they pass then back and forth. Mostly it was guys they'd pass me on the uphills and I'd catch them on flats/downhills.

I did feel a little odd that I was only doing the bike portion at times like I wasn't worthy or tough enough to do the whole thing...but I did what was good for me in my plan of developmen. It was more social doing a relay and fun in a different way..felt less pressure or competitive.

Only 1 more exit and back to T2....kick it up as much as I could...flew down the windy road by the school and my legs felt tired going up the easy hill....more downhills make a left fast and hit something felt almost like I'd fall over, but didn't....there is transtion....off bike, cross mat and see Sue yelling for me....very cool!

Drank 75 oz full Gatorade with Nuuns & took on bike 5 or 6 endurolytes..probably about 15-18 oz short of what I should have taken on bike.

My back had been acting up for the last 4 weeks and thankfully felt completely normal racing...best day really in over 4 weeks.

If I had raced the whole thing...would have placed 2nd in bike split in both Athena and in my AG depending on how I registered...hmmm...that is encouragaing. I'm almost 45, but strange in a race with about 700 racers I was the 11th oldest women racing...I guess us older women don't do long races as much.

I measured course when I drove it and it was long...others had 56.5-57 on their bike computers and others 56..not sure what is right. If course was exactly 56, I would have averaged just under 18 mph.



Not worry about hills, I can do them!

We were fast here as well. Sue took off my chip put it on and off she went!

PTinVA, Sue did the run and you can read her race report to learn more. She did have some significant leg cramping issues the last few miles and the worst from mile 12 on....we have hills here not like VA. Very proud of how she toughed it out to the finish. Sue ran her second faster 1/2 when not feeling super..awesome job out there today!

Walked around a bit, drank water..it was weird to be done when most everyone was still racing. At first no food was out. I did get a massage which rocked and she really worked on my calves and I think it made a huge difference. I ate some fruit and food when avaliable. Then waited for Sue to finish and watched other BTers finish...Aaron, May, Pam, Rob, Sue ...cheered others on.


I wish I was able to push harder...the headwinds for the last 18 miles made it difficult.

Reality check...did my first tri just about 2 years ago...my average bike speed 12 mph...last year best I did was 16.99 on a super flat spint....about 18 on a HIM is cool! I had hoped to go a few minutes faster but given the hills & headwind...very pleased with how I did. I wonder if I was doing the whole HIM how my pacing would change? I think I really have one race speed...go as fast as I can within my pacing plan. Next year I will find out when I do one on my own!

It was great to race with Laura and Sue..it was an honor to be out there today with you two...special ladies!

Race highlights:
1. I had fun..most important thing of the day!
2. For me I was fast
3. Felt strong on the hills
4. I put my toes in the HIM distance, gained some experience that will help me as I prepare to do my first HIM.
5. Mentally I was strong, upbeat and positive.

Limited by ability to perform? I could always be stronger & lose some weight..being younger might help but I can't do anything about that...first two I'm working on.


Best Firm race I've done...fun Race Director....lots of good volunteers. Suggestions...porta potties on bike and on run beyond mile 1...don't give out Heed on bike course telling everyone it is Gatorade. Real Gatorade would have been wonderful on bike/run course. Would do a relay again but not have this be my A race of the season.