Ironman 70.3 Santa Cruz - Triathlon

This was a beach start and I didn't warm-up, a.k.a. pee my wetsuit....this turns into an issue later in my race. Yes everyone pees their wetsuit, it's like a Pavlovian response....the moment you are zipped up, you have the urge to pee. So if you ever at a triathlon and see a bunch of triathletes standing waist-deep in the water looking out into the horizon, it looks like they are contemplating the day, but they are just "warming-up" their wetsuit.

Finally we start and I head into the water, this was my first ocean swim tri. The water temp wasn't too cold and I just tried to keep thoughts of sharks or anything that may want to have a bite of me. Forgot that I needed to pee and just swam. Realized what a great job I did of getting my wetsuit on, was the most comfortable I've even been in it! Really focused on getting out the wrinkles, high in the crotch and armpits! Go ME!

The water looked calm from the beach, but was a bit choppy. I couldn't see the first bouy, I kept following the feet in front on my and just looking at the rescue kayaks. At one point I saw a jet-ski taking 4 people back to the beach! I said to myself "you did not come hear to get jet-ski ride!"

Typically I breathe every 4th stroke, but with the chop, I realized quickly that it was making me seasick, so I started breathing every 2 strokes which worked much better. Finally got to the first turn and was feeling good, didn't looks at my watch, what's the point, I'm not fast and looking at my time isn't going to change that, lol!

Not too much contact on this swim, but one guy in a wave behind me, dunked me! I almost punched him in the head! I know the swim is a full contact sport, but it's the ocean, there's plenty of room for everyone!

Got the turn for shore and thought there would be a nice push, but I didn't feel it. Must be a breakfast place along the pier because I smelled bacon! I'm swallowing salt water thinking of bacon. Got my hands in kelp a few times which freaked me out, but tried to remain calm when I saw what it was.

Finally time to get out of the water, good because I've been thinking about my bike. I just get bored swimming.

45 minutes, not my best 1.2 mile swim, but also my first ocean swim. My ass didn't get chewed off by a shark, so great swim!

Take a warm-up pee in the water

Once you are out of the water it's a few blocks of running to transition. I ran it barefoot, which was a little painful but probably about the same as struggling to put sneakers on coming out of the water.

Took my time drying and getting the sand off of my feet before getting into cycling shoes. As i was bending down to get my towel, this huge line of spit trickled down onto my towel. I yelled out "gross!" and just laughed to myself. Maybe it was snot, who knows....what can I say this sport is gross.The prettiest part of the day was my pink nails :)

Decided not to go with the arm-warmers and just headed out of T1. No problem getting on the bike.

Overall this was a fast T1 than I expected, wasn't sure how the run out of the water would go with my tender feet.

Lots of people passed me on the bike, I kept thinking about riding my own race and Dan in the bunny suit :) I took Mags (my road bike) vs Sparty (my tri bike). Basically this is a great course for a tri bike, but I had been riding Mags more in training. After seeing how poorly so many people handled their tri-bikes, I was glad to have Mags with me for the day.

From the first mile my body was sore; hips, knees and calves. I kept moving forward thinking it was just from being wet/cold from the swim and I Needed to warm-up. I had this feeling the entire ride! I kept reminding myself that if my body feels this bad now, what could it feel like on the run!? My mind went to that self-doubt place. Reminded myself to "suck it", you can do this, go chase your rabbit, but don't blow up!

Hit the major climb on the race and got to the top much faster than I had in my practice ride, or at least it seemed that way. Passed a few people on the way down.

Most the ride is false flats or little climbs. I kept passing this one guy on the climbs and he would pass me on the descents. He said "sorry, but you can crush me on the climb but I have weight and gravity on my side" Got a chuckle out of that one.

At some point Dan and my friend Eric see me while they are riding back, was nice to hear my name and lift my spirits. Thanks guys!

Best sign on the ride was something like "be glad you don't have diarrhea"! AWESOME sign! Finally hit the turn-around and kept doing Ironman math, trying to be off the bike in 3:15. I knew I could but started to hold myself back a bit as my body still felt tight everywhere and really didn't want to walk the entire half marathon.

On the way back I feel hunger kick in and I look down and notice I haven't eaten much. I think I was so worried about the way my body felt, and the need to pee, I didn't think about nutrition. Ate a few PowerChews and had been eating half a banana at the aid stations. With my typical stomach issues I just listen to my body rather than set a specific about of calories to eat while on the bike.

Almost the entire ride I also needed to pee, but when I would pass the porta-shitters I worried if I stopped, I might not be able to start again! Tried to pee while on the bike, but couldn't make it happen.

On the way back saw a bunch of emergency vehicles and 2 race vehicles head out. Said a quiet prayer that everyone was ok. There were a bunch of people with flats as well, but race support seemed pretty good.

Finally getting close to town and see people running and passing the 8 mile mark for the run and wish I was already there! Also started dreaming of Coke as I saw them passing it out on the run course. Finally hit transition, woohoo, I can pee!

Pee before getting on the bike. Not much I can about how my body felt, was just an odd day i guess.

I took my time in T2. Blisters are always my nemesis on running, so I grabbed Vaseline and globbed it on my feet and in between my toes. Also threw on my deodorant, always nice to smell better this far into the race. I smiled thinking of my friend Amy as we both keep this in transition.

Got my shoes and socks on, threw Rolaids in my jersey in case my stomach got pissed off, but so far so good! Headed out of transition and to the porta-shitter!

Sat down...wow, I never realized how low the toilet is...thought I was going to fall in! Legs were not feeling the best, hovering was not on option. Normally this would disgust me to no end, but this "racing Abbie" not everyday Abbie, lol!

Nothing different, glad I took the time with Vaseline.

I was thrilled to be off of my bike! Goal was to run every mile and only walk the aid stations and up-hills.

I got to the first mile and the volunteer yelled Coke and I was happy that I yelled "yes" as if I had won the lottery! I said "you are my favorite person at this moment" I took a sip and if sex were caffeinated and carbonated, this would be it!
Drank some water and half a banana and started running once I had passed through the aid station.

My body didn't feel any worse than it did on the bike, and hips were not as tight. I was shuffling along in awe of so many people that run so fast off of the bike! I also hated everyone that was running back toward the finish line, turns out this makes me "bicthy racing Abbie" lol!

Thought I was running pretty well and continued to think of Dan the rabbit! Eventually Eric and Yoko pass me on their return, I didn't hate them though, was happy for them as they both seemed to be having great races.

I thought of those tracking me on line and raced toward them. I imagined their happiness each time my chip registered over a timing mat and heard their cheers in my mind. It was a very quiet course, they really need to have music at each aid station.

Around mile 6 I see this woman with massive boobs, and I wondered how she could be comfortable running with those not to mention potential back eyes! I see Dan before the turn-around and he tells me "pick it up, you have to catch me!" I'm excited for the turn-around, and finally I see the Tiki statue, I pick his nose as I go around him, I'm briefly entertained. On the way back I see my friend Ron and he is looked great, I know he will eventually catch me.

After mile 7 I see a woman with headphones on in an Oakland Tri Club kit, this is illegal in the tri world! I was so angry with her and I say to the guy next to me "what makes her think she is so special and above the rules?" He said "yes I hate her too!"

I continue to drink water and a bit of Gatorade on the run with bananas. My stomach and feet seem to be holding up! Yay, this NEVER happens! I finally catch up to Dan after mile 8, I told him so far my race strategy is working and I continue on.

I pass am amputee on her way out, this woman was such an inspiration!

Finally hit mile 10 and it's close on making the finish in under 7 hours. I'm hopeful and then my ankle starts to bother me and then I vomit in my mouth, gross I know! I'm thankful for not getting sick and walk a bit to keep things down. But I do get to see a whale breaching out of the ocean, that was something you don't see everyday on a half-ironman course!

My run becomes a sad shuffle. Around mile 11 Ron catches me. It lifts my mood to hear my name. I tell him "you have a great ass" and I grab it! He told me how much he appreciated the first time I did that the last time we raced.

Eventually make it down to the beach, ugh why does this have to finish running 1/4 mile on the beach!? Throughout the day people cheer "You are almost there" I despise this phrase, especially when I was on miles 1-12! Running along the shore was not bad on the packed sand, but the soft stuff, nightmare! One man standing a few hundred yards from the finish line and say "you are almost there" and i almost bite his head off like a praying mantis! Instead I say "I hate that phrase!"

Right before the final turn I see the Tri-More fitness team, hearing my name took away the pain of running in soft sand. I pick it up slight and turn the corner, hearing my name, of course he fumbles my last name, but I finish!

Missed my 7 hour goal and no PR, but it's another finish.

More run training

I really wanted to fall over my feet so bad in the sand, Finish line catchers were just handing out medals and really were not "catching". Stayed on my feet, got to the food tent. I wasn't hungry, just wanted another Coke. It was tough to bend over to the cooler, some amazing volunteer dug one out for me! I couldn't thank him enough! Got my pic taken and waited for Dan to come in!


SAND and I just need to work on speed


This is pretty good course and I think I can PR here, just need to get faster off of the bike.

Long distance tris are such a mind game. I tried to ficus on moving forward and racing toward those tracking me. It's mentally tough for me to finish a long race and not see a familiar face at the end, was glad to see a few people I knew along the way and toward the end. It really does lift my mood!!