Ironman 70.3 Rhode Island - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Although I was peeved at first that the start was at 6 am, thus requiring me to wake up at 330 am, I can see that it was probably a stroke of inspiration. When we arrived at T1, the sun was just beginning to come up, but you could hear the waves on the beach. The mood was excited, but sedated. No crazy music blaring (yet), spectators smiling and lounging on the beach, everybody (men and women) using the women's bathroom b/c for the first time in history, the men's line was longer than the women's!

After checking about 10 times that my sports bra wasn't see-through ( I am still not sure it wasn't, but the light was poor!) I did a warm up swim in the ocean. It was warmer than I expected, and more clear. I took my time, after checking my sports bra again!, and made my way to the swim start, where I realized my age-group was already lined up on the beach ready for the next heat!!!! I made my way to the front right hand side, the second row for the start.

The cannon went off and we all ran about 40-50 yards before diving in. I don't know about the other age groups, but the 30-39 yo females were VICIOUS! Elbows, grabbing, pushing, mauling, etc all occurred for the first 500 yards or so. Then it thinned out and I got into a groove, trying to avoid swallowing salt water, breathing mostly to the right. I kept an eye on the bouys, and made it to the turn-around. Coming back the waves started to pick up and crowding occurred again as I caught up to the previous waves. Still, it went well, and the shore slowly became more and more attainable. Finally it seemed that everyone was beginning to stand-up, so I did to. I ran up the beach, into T1, and down the wrong row to my bike.

For the very first time ever, I had someone help me remove my wetsuit, which for those who don't know, is like having a personal chauffeur at your beck and call (at least that is what I imagine)! It was awesome-- just lie down, and they pull that sticky, unforgiving, super-glued thing off of you! Like I mentioned before, I ran down the wrong row, which meant I had to go all the way to the end before I could get back to my bike. Oh well. As I transitioned I drank some gatorade/water mix, and dried my feet as well as possible, put on socks and shoes. I also put on my tri shirt, helmet, sunglasses and packed my wetsuit into the "bag" along with my goggles and cap (which I made sure to keep for prosperity's sake!). I ran my bike out of T1 and mounted with no problem.

I felt like I had a GREAT ride. Didn't break a sweat and passed many on nicer bikes than my rustic pieced together bike. I could see that I was more comfortable than many of those I passed, which was my goal. I figured my main issue with the race would be pacing, so I held back on the bike to give myself energy on the run. I felt my quads kick in about mile 30, and there was some burn, as well as low back discomfort. I combated that by standing up on hills more than I usually would, and even going out of aero here and there to change position.

I felt my nutrition and fluids were fine. I had Shot Blox right off the bat. Then one Gu. I took a power bar at the last aid station, and ate half of it. I wish I had had another power bar (something with protein) for the ride. Next time. I had two water bottle holders and a front aero bar water holder. I had water in front, water in one of the bottles and half gatorade/half water in the 3rd bottle. I took on one bottle of water during the race, and still had to pee during the race. I won't say how I solved that problem! I really concentrated on keeping hydrated.

Power bars on the ride.

As we entered T2 I saw the guys in front of me taking their feet out of the shoes, so I unstrapped my left shoe. But then I wasn't sure what to do, so I kept my foot in the shoe, and pedaled into the dismount area with one shoe secured, and the other not. I got off the bike and ran down the RIGHT row with one shoe secured, the other Not! Clearly I do not understand the whole taking the feet out of the shoe thing. I just worried about getting my socks dirty, so I kept them in the shoes!

Found my spot and bag, put the running shoes on, visor, tried to tidy up my transition area, then started joggin out.

Figure out what to do with my feet at the end of the bike!

I knew the run would be tough-- no matter if it was a challenging course (which it was!) or totally downhill. Running is my weakest event. In fact, a year ago, I couldn't say that I had ever run more than 3 miles in a row.

Anyhoo, the run starts off next to Providence Place Mall, takes a turn left at the GTech bldg, then OMFG!!!! There is Angell (aptly named) Street; 7% grade. Thank G*d for the aid station at the base-- sponges, gatorade, water, POWER BARS!!!! Took one for the road, and walked up the rest of WTF hill. Began running again at the top, through Thayers ave, and all the uber-cool Brown-undergrad gawkers. Keep on going up Angell to Wayland Square (great bookstore, cheese store, sushi house). Take a left and follow past my DREAM HOUSE for sale across from a children's play park. However, STALE air. Slight uphill grade makes this part of the course torture. Slog on and on to Blackstone Blvd. Have run this stretch of run, oh, maybe 100 times over the past 3 years. Yet still tough until the turn-around (OMG thank you thought it was the END of Blackstone by India Restaraunt as I thought orginally).

Nice breeze on the return, plus know that you are going to go DOWN Angell St and not up. Tried to pick up pace, keep 10 min miles. I know, not podium-worthy, but for me, good. Got to the turn-around-- AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH! Total Mind F&*k. There is the finish. The glory. People are finishing with glory. But not you. You have to turn back around and go back up WTF hill. I walk through all aid stations at this point. I pray that my bowels hold together (which they do, seeming to have forgot all natural functions for 24 hours) and do it all again. Between conversations with Phil (the guy who passes me, and I pass intermitantly on the course), God, and my children, I finally find myself on the last downhill descent towards the finish. I pass one of my friends on the course-- he states later I had the biggest grin on my face!

I am coming down the shoot towards the finish. I hear the announcer say "And here comes one of Providence's own, Kelly Powers!!!!" I cross the finish line and feel overcome with emotion. It is AWESOME!! My first 70.3


Not much. Sacrifice something to the gods to take 3 minutes off my mile pace?????!!!!

Walk around the capital for awhile; go home (0.5 miles away!) showers, then go to the mall and shop for a few minutes before realizing need to go home and sleep. Dinner out later with friends--


Tore my shoulder labrum in Feb-- limited my swim


Can't say much since my first 70.3. All I can say is that is was an AWESOME experience even though I know some of the infrastructure was rough. I can't wait to do my next HIM.