Last year David Piper, Sue Owen and I did Heartbreak Ridge Half Marathon and the next day we did the Malibu Sprint Triathlon. That was challenging.
Somewhere after that – in a moment of great ideas, someone came up with the idea of – why not do the Malibu races back to back? Seemed reasonable. I like the Nautica Races - they are very well supported and set up. Check it out: Nautica Malibu Triathlon
So this year, Piper and I registered for both – booked a hotel in Calabassas so we could get a good night sleep Friday and Sat and not have to drive far to the race in the morning.
Individual Race Reports coming - very soon!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Bill's Auburn Duathlon Report Part 1
Thought I would post my husband's Auburn race report. Tells the story from a different angle.
After my stellar 16th place age group finish in the short course duathlon national championships at Richmond, I was looking forward to a race which suited me a bit better; the long course duathlon national championships. I'm much more an endurance animal than a raw speed animal.
A word of explanation; under USAT rules, short course duathlon is the Olympic or international distance (with no drafting), and tends to favor (really) fast runners. The format for short course this year was a 10k run, a 40k bike leg, and a final 5k run to end it off. The long course is very similar to a half-Ironman race, and was run concurrently with the half-Ironman race at Auburn. The distances were a 3k run, 56-mile bike, and a half-marathon.
I had entertained some (apparently imaginary) thoughts that I might be competitive at the short-course distance. While the outcome wasn't horrible (there was only about 3 minutes separating 7th place from 16th), it wasn't great. The good news is that I got the last roll-down spot for Team USA at the short-course world championships later this year, which Lynda and I will both be attending.
As regards to this race, it lived up to its billing as World's Toughest (actually tough-tough-tough), but my (unofficial) time of 5:48 for the half-iron distance was good enough for 2nd place in the national championship for my age group (55-59 years). I ended up about 4 minutes short of winning. So, I was pretty happy. I not only scored my first national-level podium, I also scored $750 in contingency money from Hammer Nutrition in exchange for wearing their kit while finishing second in an age-group national championship (with, I hasten to add, my PTC hat firmly clamped upon my head).
As regards the course itself, you may have heard some description or talk about it before. My race started with a brisk 3k run, taking a little over 13 minutes, before going to the bike. This footrace was about half on paved road, and about half on mildly-rutted single track. I treated it as a warm-up.
The bike course was designed to sap the strength from your legs with about 6,000 feet of climbing over the 56 miles. For the most part, there wasn't much in the way of any long or sustained climbs; overall the course gained about 2,000 feet of altitude over the first 35 miles, and gave back about 1,000 over the last 21 miles. Yep – it ended up about 1,000 feet higher than it started. The course was mostly a climb, followed by a descent, followed by a higher climb, etc. The roads were mostly lightly-trafficked, a good thing since they weren't closed. Some of them were also rough (ouch). Some of the climbs were steep; there were a couple of 12%ers in there.
This was followed by the run leg, which takes my vote as the most miserable, difficult half-marathon I have EVER run by a wide margin. It wasn't so much that it gained and lost a lot of altitude over 13.1 miles (roughly 2,600 feet, according to the race web site), but it was because much of this distance was on a wide variety of crummy surfaces. I ran not-inconsiderable distances on loose sand, loose gravel, and horrible deeply rutted rocky single-track, some of which was almost impassable due to erosion; some of which was very steep, and some of which was sloping down to, and bordered by, steep drop offs. Some of the steep descent sections slowed me to a walk simply for safety purposes.
So – the course was tough. You've heard that already.
So ends my first race in Auburn. It was tough, but rewarding. It's possible that, had I done everything right (and not crashed three weeks before the race, missing an important week of training), I might have done better. But, as mentioned before, I'm happy with my first national championship podium and the financial rewards (thanks, Hammer!).
Now, I really have something to train for next year.
Auburn Long Course Duathlon
National Championships
National Championships
After my stellar 16th place age group finish in the short course duathlon national championships at Richmond, I was looking forward to a race which suited me a bit better; the long course duathlon national championships. I'm much more an endurance animal than a raw speed animal.
A word of explanation; under USAT rules, short course duathlon is the Olympic or international distance (with no drafting), and tends to favor (really) fast runners. The format for short course this year was a 10k run, a 40k bike leg, and a final 5k run to end it off. The long course is very similar to a half-Ironman race, and was run concurrently with the half-Ironman race at Auburn. The distances were a 3k run, 56-mile bike, and a half-marathon.
I had entertained some (apparently imaginary) thoughts that I might be competitive at the short-course distance. While the outcome wasn't horrible (there was only about 3 minutes separating 7th place from 16th), it wasn't great. The good news is that I got the last roll-down spot for Team USA at the short-course world championships later this year, which Lynda and I will both be attending.
As regards to this race, it lived up to its billing as World's Toughest (actually tough-tough-tough), but my (unofficial) time of 5:48 for the half-iron distance was good enough for 2nd place in the national championship for my age group (55-59 years). I ended up about 4 minutes short of winning. So, I was pretty happy. I not only scored my first national-level podium, I also scored $750 in contingency money from Hammer Nutrition in exchange for wearing their kit while finishing second in an age-group national championship (with, I hasten to add, my PTC hat firmly clamped upon my head).
As regards the course itself, you may have heard some description or talk about it before. My race started with a brisk 3k run, taking a little over 13 minutes, before going to the bike. This footrace was about half on paved road, and about half on mildly-rutted single track. I treated it as a warm-up.
The bike course was designed to sap the strength from your legs with about 6,000 feet of climbing over the 56 miles. For the most part, there wasn't much in the way of any long or sustained climbs; overall the course gained about 2,000 feet of altitude over the first 35 miles, and gave back about 1,000 over the last 21 miles. Yep – it ended up about 1,000 feet higher than it started. The course was mostly a climb, followed by a descent, followed by a higher climb, etc. The roads were mostly lightly-trafficked, a good thing since they weren't closed. Some of them were also rough (ouch). Some of the climbs were steep; there were a couple of 12%ers in there.
This was followed by the run leg, which takes my vote as the most miserable, difficult half-marathon I have EVER run by a wide margin. It wasn't so much that it gained and lost a lot of altitude over 13.1 miles (roughly 2,600 feet, according to the race web site), but it was because much of this distance was on a wide variety of crummy surfaces. I ran not-inconsiderable distances on loose sand, loose gravel, and horrible deeply rutted rocky single-track, some of which was almost impassable due to erosion; some of which was very steep, and some of which was sloping down to, and bordered by, steep drop offs. Some of the steep descent sections slowed me to a walk simply for safety purposes.
So – the course was tough. You've heard that already.
So ends my first race in Auburn. It was tough, but rewarding. It's possible that, had I done everything right (and not crashed three weeks before the race, missing an important week of training), I might have done better. But, as mentioned before, I'm happy with my first national championship podium and the financial rewards (thanks, Hammer!).
Now, I really have something to train for next year.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Auburn Triathlon - Part 2
Before I let you know about the race here are some terms used:
The swim started at 6:35 AM for me. The water was about 74 degrees – perfect swim water and the lake was calm.
So about 4 hours and 15 minutes into the “DAY OFF” here in Auburn – I completed the ride. There was nothing particularly grueling on the ride – just a bunch of climbing in the rolling hills of Auburn and beyond.
Off the bike and onto the run. NO – this was NOT a road course with nice FLAT payment where one can run until the cows come home and just worry about getting ‘er done!
This was... start off with a flat, narrow, rock filled trail for 1.5 miles. But, that was OK. Then come out of the woods and go up a hill, on payment, and into a neighborhood and back around a school with yet more off road. Then go back and go down the hill and get onto some god-forsaken road that goes to a dead end, somewhere…but I see people coming back up so it means ALL downhill…………..to nowhere, only to come back up. After coming back up – I hit mile 5.
But – that was OK.
Then we run to the start-finish line and get to turn around about 50 yards from the finish and do it again. Did the narrow trail run with rocks – again – and came out of that and I think it was 7 miles.
I was doing more walking than I wanted to – I was hot – my legs were like lead – no matter if I walked or ran - EVERYTHING hurt ......and I had to go to the bathroom --- but that was OK – I was on the second loop! Life was just a hair above dismal!
After almost face planting on one of the trails – I found the bathroom! – life was good – then started up the hill to the school again. I should say WALKED up the hill to the school.
Then came back down and there was this special little loop – 1. 2 miles that we got to do to get the run to the full 13.1 distance. The loop started out in open fields – nice dirt – heard rustling in the grass – looked over and a deer was pacing me (that was a JOKE!)
Then the run through the field morphed into the rock trail from hell that was about 6 inches wide with steep drops off. In more or less words…………this was not a run at this point – it was a lesson in survival!
But that was OK – because when I came out of the woods I only had 3.1 agonizing miles to somehow manage to get through. We have all been on training runs – 3.1 mile even after a brick is pretty doable.
I thought before the race – 50 minutes on the swim – 4 hours on the bike – 2.30 on the run.
As the day deteriorated.................................
– and I looked at my watch – I was at mile 4 and my watch was around 6 plus hours, I started to “rethink” what I could do. And the “rethinking’ gave me much opportunity to get my mind off how shelled I was and how I was starting to look at a time that was even greater than my first half ironman – 9 half ironmans ago!
OK – I finally had a time I thought I could do – come in UNDER 8 hours. I was about a mile from the finish – yes there was a big hill in the way – but my watch said I had 18 minutes to do it in.
That should say ALL you need to know about what was happening in my race.
18 minutes. One mile.
Finished – approx 8:04 O U C H !!!!!
Came in second in my age group – got a plaque and a medal.
So, do you want to know what I think about the Worlds Toughest Half?
I got my butt kicked today.
I WILL come back and beat this course. AND…..I will be bringing my friends!
You can not end a race getting your butt kicked – if you do then you need to come back and return the flow!
So the above is my story....................will look forward to next year when it is just not me, Bill, Luis and Neil who have braved this race and lived to tell about it!
And for those of you who have done it before -- at least you will know what we will all be needing to train for!
- T1 - transition 1 - this is where you come out of the water, get on your bike soaking wet and ride for 56 miles
- T-2 - transition 2 - you get done with your ride and come into the transition area, rack the bike, get your running shoes on and take off for a half marathon on tired legs
The swim started at 6:35 AM for me. The water was about 74 degrees – perfect swim water and the lake was calm.
So about 4 hours and 15 minutes into the “DAY OFF” here in Auburn – I completed the ride. There was nothing particularly grueling on the ride – just a bunch of climbing in the rolling hills of Auburn and beyond.
Off the bike and onto the run. NO – this was NOT a road course with nice FLAT payment where one can run until the cows come home and just worry about getting ‘er done!
This was... start off with a flat, narrow, rock filled trail for 1.5 miles. But, that was OK. Then come out of the woods and go up a hill, on payment, and into a neighborhood and back around a school with yet more off road. Then go back and go down the hill and get onto some god-forsaken road that goes to a dead end, somewhere…but I see people coming back up so it means ALL downhill…………..to nowhere, only to come back up. After coming back up – I hit mile 5.
But – that was OK.
Then we run to the start-finish line and get to turn around about 50 yards from the finish and do it again. Did the narrow trail run with rocks – again – and came out of that and I think it was 7 miles.
I was doing more walking than I wanted to – I was hot – my legs were like lead – no matter if I walked or ran - EVERYTHING hurt ......and I had to go to the bathroom --- but that was OK – I was on the second loop! Life was just a hair above dismal!
After almost face planting on one of the trails – I found the bathroom! – life was good – then started up the hill to the school again. I should say WALKED up the hill to the school.
Then came back down and there was this special little loop – 1. 2 miles that we got to do to get the run to the full 13.1 distance. The loop started out in open fields – nice dirt – heard rustling in the grass – looked over and a deer was pacing me (that was a JOKE!)
Then the run through the field morphed into the rock trail from hell that was about 6 inches wide with steep drops off. In more or less words…………this was not a run at this point – it was a lesson in survival!
But that was OK – because when I came out of the woods I only had 3.1 agonizing miles to somehow manage to get through. We have all been on training runs – 3.1 mile even after a brick is pretty doable.
I thought before the race – 50 minutes on the swim – 4 hours on the bike – 2.30 on the run.
As the day deteriorated.................................
– and I looked at my watch – I was at mile 4 and my watch was around 6 plus hours, I started to “rethink” what I could do. And the “rethinking’ gave me much opportunity to get my mind off how shelled I was and how I was starting to look at a time that was even greater than my first half ironman – 9 half ironmans ago!
OK – I finally had a time I thought I could do – come in UNDER 8 hours. I was about a mile from the finish – yes there was a big hill in the way – but my watch said I had 18 minutes to do it in.
That should say ALL you need to know about what was happening in my race.
18 minutes. One mile.
Finished – approx 8:04 O U C H !!!!!
Came in second in my age group – got a plaque and a medal.
So, do you want to know what I think about the Worlds Toughest Half?
I got my butt kicked today.
I WILL come back and beat this course. AND…..I will be bringing my friends!
You can not end a race getting your butt kicked – if you do then you need to come back and return the flow!
So the above is my story....................will look forward to next year when it is just not me, Bill, Luis and Neil who have braved this race and lived to tell about it!
And for those of you who have done it before -- at least you will know what we will all be needing to train for!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Auburn Triathlon - World's Toughest Half
I ended up doing this race because Bill, my husband, wanted to do the Long Course Duathlon (basically Half Iron with 3K run put where the swim would be)
I know “others” had said it was hard. Really hard. But I have also done St Croix 3 times and St Croix is suppose to be the hardest half “Ironman”
This race was a USA Triathlon race. You can visit their website at Auburn Triathlon.
The 1.2-mile swim is in Folsom Lake at Rattlesnake Bar Park.
The bike was suppose to be 6,000 ft of climbing with the last 10 miles of down hill... Hey – after Dr. Susan Owen got us to do the King of the Mountain series,
So – what is 56 miles and 6,000 feet of climbing……..almost…….a DAY OFF!
Before going into the “disaster” aka the “run” (more on this in a bit) -- I will admit that I did have some concerns. In January I fractured my foot – so when the Oceanside half Ironman came along, I had run 2 hours in 2 months – but that was OK and the half marathon part of the Half Ironman in Oceanside was doable.
Then in April I started easing back into running. About 3 weeks ago, May 7th, the pavement had a rather harsh encounter with both of my knees (don’t ask – I have already been ridiculed to the very depths of the sea for being so dumb...that’s OK – it was well deserved!)
So, I go into this race with tons of bike fitness – 100 mile ride last Saturday (which I treated like a race rehearsal) – 25 miles on the Tour of Glendale with Pasadena Tri Club and the next day an 8 mile run to JPL.
UGH…..yeah, I am not entirely stupid………..I was pretty sure that my recovery time was on the bleeding edge of being sufficient for this race.
I know “others” had said it was hard. Really hard. But I have also done St Croix 3 times and St Croix is suppose to be the hardest half “Ironman”
This race was a USA Triathlon race. You can visit their website at Auburn Triathlon.
The 1.2-mile swim is in Folsom Lake at Rattlesnake Bar Park.
The bike was suppose to be 6,000 ft of climbing with the last 10 miles of down hill... Hey – after Dr. Susan Owen got us to do the King of the Mountain series,
- Mullholland: 4-11-09…… 100 miles – 12,000 ft of climbing
- Breathless Agony: 5-2-09….114 miles – 12,000 ft of climbing (in the first 74 miles)
- Heartbreak Hundred: 5-23-09…..– 100 miles – only 8500 feet of climbing
- Day 1 - 80 mile ride to Long Beach
- Day 2 - 50 miles of hills followed by a mile swim in the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center *immediately* after you get off the bike
- Day 3 - 9.5 mile run from the Rose Bowl beyond JPL in the hills
So – what is 56 miles and 6,000 feet of climbing……..almost…….a DAY OFF!
Before going into the “disaster” aka the “run” (more on this in a bit) -- I will admit that I did have some concerns. In January I fractured my foot – so when the Oceanside half Ironman came along, I had run 2 hours in 2 months – but that was OK and the half marathon part of the Half Ironman in Oceanside was doable.
Then in April I started easing back into running. About 3 weeks ago, May 7th, the pavement had a rather harsh encounter with both of my knees (don’t ask – I have already been ridiculed to the very depths of the sea for being so dumb...that’s OK – it was well deserved!)
So, I go into this race with tons of bike fitness – 100 mile ride last Saturday (which I treated like a race rehearsal) – 25 miles on the Tour of Glendale with Pasadena Tri Club and the next day an 8 mile run to JPL.
UGH…..yeah, I am not entirely stupid………..I was pretty sure that my recovery time was on the bleeding edge of being sufficient for this race.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Duathlon Nationals - Richmond, VA Race Report
The race was a 10K - followed by 38K Bike - then a 5 K run
This was the USAT Duathlon Nationals. If you made the top 12 in your age group you would qualify for the "Worlds" at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Sept.
I have never done a duathlon. I fractured my foot at the end of Jan and I just started running 2 weeks before Oceanside. As of this race, I have spent 1 run doing speed work so I was not sure how I was going to do.
Starting out with a 10K was interesting. I got smoked by most of the woman I started with.......The first 2 waves were men over 55 and woman over 55.
I was OK with that - I just needed to find my pace and run my race. At about mile 3, I passed a bunch of ladies that went out a little too fast................................ oops.
About a 1/2 mile from the end of the 10K, one of the girls that I had passed at mile 3 and had been using me for a pacing partner, decides she is now going to pass me. Y-E-A-H, that did not go over well with me and I used my cadence drills Strauss trained me on to pick up the pace and then a slight down hill to really pick up the pace -- I could hear her fall back - then I passed one other lady in my AG about 500 feet from the finish.
There was 1 turn around and I counted the women ahead of me -- there was 16 - so when I came in - I was 15th of the group.
Got on the bike. Legs felt like lead. That was LESS than pleasant!
About mile 2 - the girl that was pacing me - passed me.............UGH! But then she made a wrong turn and went off the course to who knows where ...............S W E E T !
About 4 miles into the ride - I am thinking - how am I going to finish this race??? I was dead.......!
OK - what has my coach, Rich Strauss, taught me? I need to do something because "dead" is just not what I wanted to deal with.
Rich has a video called 4 Keys - plus he gave a talk on these in Oceanside. One of the keys is race "in the box" -- don't deal with anything else than what is happening. This puts the race in a compartment and you deal with what needs to be fixed NOW and do not worry about mile 10 or 20 or the end of the race.
That worked --- took some Gu - took some endurolytes and within about 10 minutes I was good to go for the rest of the bike. I really paid attention to taking some Gu and drink every 25 minutes. Before I got off the bike I took half an Espresso Gu. The bike course was a little hilly in some spots --- but that was fine with me!
I was told that the 2nd run was a bit----! Especially after you have already run a 10K.
Got off the bike - got on to the run - did not feel that bad until about mile 2. I walked the aid station and then finished the race! It was an up hill finish -- that hurt!
I came in 9th out of 21 in my age group - total Time 2:49:40
10K 54:52 38K bike 1:24:54 3 K Run 27:05
This was a fun race. It was tough.
Yes I would do a duathlon again -- they are good training for Triathlons.
Lynda
This was the USAT Duathlon Nationals. If you made the top 12 in your age group you would qualify for the "Worlds" at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Sept.
I have never done a duathlon. I fractured my foot at the end of Jan and I just started running 2 weeks before Oceanside. As of this race, I have spent 1 run doing speed work so I was not sure how I was going to do.
Starting out with a 10K was interesting. I got smoked by most of the woman I started with.......The first 2 waves were men over 55 and woman over 55.
I was OK with that - I just needed to find my pace and run my race. At about mile 3, I passed a bunch of ladies that went out a little too fast................................ oops.
About a 1/2 mile from the end of the 10K, one of the girls that I had passed at mile 3 and had been using me for a pacing partner, decides she is now going to pass me. Y-E-A-H, that did not go over well with me and I used my cadence drills Strauss trained me on to pick up the pace and then a slight down hill to really pick up the pace -- I could hear her fall back - then I passed one other lady in my AG about 500 feet from the finish.
There was 1 turn around and I counted the women ahead of me -- there was 16 - so when I came in - I was 15th of the group.
Got on the bike. Legs felt like lead. That was LESS than pleasant!
About mile 2 - the girl that was pacing me - passed me.............UGH! But then she made a wrong turn and went off the course to who knows where ...............S W E E T !
About 4 miles into the ride - I am thinking - how am I going to finish this race??? I was dead.......!
OK - what has my coach, Rich Strauss, taught me? I need to do something because "dead" is just not what I wanted to deal with.
Rich has a video called 4 Keys - plus he gave a talk on these in Oceanside. One of the keys is race "in the box" -- don't deal with anything else than what is happening. This puts the race in a compartment and you deal with what needs to be fixed NOW and do not worry about mile 10 or 20 or the end of the race.
That worked --- took some Gu - took some endurolytes and within about 10 minutes I was good to go for the rest of the bike. I really paid attention to taking some Gu and drink every 25 minutes. Before I got off the bike I took half an Espresso Gu. The bike course was a little hilly in some spots --- but that was fine with me!
I was told that the 2nd run was a bit----! Especially after you have already run a 10K.
Got off the bike - got on to the run - did not feel that bad until about mile 2. I walked the aid station and then finished the race! It was an up hill finish -- that hurt!
I came in 9th out of 21 in my age group - total Time 2:49:40
10K 54:52 38K bike 1:24:54 3 K Run 27:05
This was a fun race. It was tough.
Yes I would do a duathlon again -- they are good training for Triathlons.
Lynda
Monday, May 4, 2009
Race Report – Oceanside 70.3 2009
I never wanted to do this race because I was told it was very cold. I hate cold. I had signed up for it a couple years ago and never went.
But this year...there were so many Pasadena Tri-Club guys that were going that there was no way I was not going to be part of the group.
The couple of days before the race were a bit cool – but race day looked to be good weather.
David Piper arrived at my room around 5:30am and we headed down to transition, about a 4 minute bike ride from the hotel. David was doing well despite the fact that bon Tuesday he had a 103 fever with bronchitis!
It was a bit chilly at 5:30am, but I had throw away flip flops, throw away socks and gloves – so once I got my wet suit on – the cold was not bad.
They did not do the usual get out of transition routine @ 6:30– which I thought was odd. We could have not been in such a rush to get out.
The swim was in the marina – it was an “in the water” start. There were no waves and the water was smooth with the exception of the turn around which was near the entry to the sea. The “in water” start was nice because it gave me 3 minutes to get oriented in the water before I started. The water was about 60 degrees but did not seem that cold. They were allowing us to wear booties...which I forgot in my room.
My swim was around 54 minutes – that is not a bad time for me.
Once in transition, I put on my short sleeve under armor, singlet and windbreaker and gloves. I was unwilling to be cold on the bike – and the only thing I took off were the gloves.
The bike course was beautiful. I felt great on the bike for the first 40 miles – then I do not know what happened…………could have been the lack of time on my tri bike before the race…..but, my ass hurt, my back hurt – I hurt…….. and was not having a pleasant time at all!
A note here – I fractured my foot at the end of January and could not run until 10 days before Oceanside – and then I had to take it easy. By the time I arrived in Oceanside I had done 4 runs, none of them more than 35 minutes.
Plus, in the month of March, I was out of town 3 weekends and Sundays are my “on my tri bike for 50 miles” day. So, going into Oceanside, I thought I would just use it as a practice day and not do the run.
But…..you know how it is when you get into race conditions. I already had a plan if my foot was killing me – cause I really did not want to DNF.
My bad time on my bike was due to lack of “time on the bike”. Although I had spent many hours on my road bike between Tour of CA and various club rides and the 3 day prelude to the Mullholland Challenge, the road bike position is very different than tri position.
Got done with the bike – got into transition and then had to take off ALL the extra clothes I had on – that took some time.
Started the run and I felt better than I had ever felt on a run???? That was odd – especially since I had not run in almost 2 months.
At about mile 2 there was a hill – I thought maybe I would take it easy and walk it – but decided not to. THANK GAWD for that --- because at the top of the hill was Rich Strauss, my coach, and I would have been MORTIFIED beyond belief if he saw me walking that hill!
As I went on – my foot was giving me no problems and things were going well.
Then came mile 8.
Rich had given a talk 2 days before the race and he talked about the 4 Keys. One of the 4 keys was to race in the “box” This means you only deal with what you need to at THAT point. This was VERY helpful to me because looking at another 5 miles was a bit overwhelming.
I took it one mile at a time. I knew I could make it to mile 9 and then 10 and then 11. I was walking the aid stations and I stopped and walked for 2 minutes on mile 12.
This gave the lady in my age group a chance to pass me and come in about 40 seconds ahead of me. But that was OK. For as not prepared for this race as I was – I was going to finish! I was blown out!!!!!
Total time: 06:53:15
Swim 53:05 T 1 7:30 Bike 3:25:55 T2 2:56 Run 2:22:51
And last but not least……………it was soooo much fun seeing other PTC friends on the course and then had a blast hanging out with Sue, Greg, Darrell, Lenny, Jesse, Jeff and Thom after the race in Darrell”s condo.
What a pleasant end to a great race!!!
And also want to mention – the weather was perfect. Sunny but not too warm with a nice breeze on the run!
It could not have been a better day!!!
Lynda
But this year...there were so many Pasadena Tri-Club guys that were going that there was no way I was not going to be part of the group.
The couple of days before the race were a bit cool – but race day looked to be good weather.
David Piper arrived at my room around 5:30am and we headed down to transition, about a 4 minute bike ride from the hotel. David was doing well despite the fact that bon Tuesday he had a 103 fever with bronchitis!
It was a bit chilly at 5:30am, but I had throw away flip flops, throw away socks and gloves – so once I got my wet suit on – the cold was not bad.
They did not do the usual get out of transition routine @ 6:30– which I thought was odd. We could have not been in such a rush to get out.
The swim was in the marina – it was an “in the water” start. There were no waves and the water was smooth with the exception of the turn around which was near the entry to the sea. The “in water” start was nice because it gave me 3 minutes to get oriented in the water before I started. The water was about 60 degrees but did not seem that cold. They were allowing us to wear booties...which I forgot in my room.
My swim was around 54 minutes – that is not a bad time for me.
Once in transition, I put on my short sleeve under armor, singlet and windbreaker and gloves. I was unwilling to be cold on the bike – and the only thing I took off were the gloves.
The bike course was beautiful. I felt great on the bike for the first 40 miles – then I do not know what happened…………could have been the lack of time on my tri bike before the race…..but, my ass hurt, my back hurt – I hurt…….. and was not having a pleasant time at all!
A note here – I fractured my foot at the end of January and could not run until 10 days before Oceanside – and then I had to take it easy. By the time I arrived in Oceanside I had done 4 runs, none of them more than 35 minutes.
Plus, in the month of March, I was out of town 3 weekends and Sundays are my “on my tri bike for 50 miles” day. So, going into Oceanside, I thought I would just use it as a practice day and not do the run.
But…..you know how it is when you get into race conditions. I already had a plan if my foot was killing me – cause I really did not want to DNF.
My bad time on my bike was due to lack of “time on the bike”. Although I had spent many hours on my road bike between Tour of CA and various club rides and the 3 day prelude to the Mullholland Challenge, the road bike position is very different than tri position.
Got done with the bike – got into transition and then had to take off ALL the extra clothes I had on – that took some time.
Started the run and I felt better than I had ever felt on a run???? That was odd – especially since I had not run in almost 2 months.
At about mile 2 there was a hill – I thought maybe I would take it easy and walk it – but decided not to. THANK GAWD for that --- because at the top of the hill was Rich Strauss, my coach, and I would have been MORTIFIED beyond belief if he saw me walking that hill!
As I went on – my foot was giving me no problems and things were going well.
Then came mile 8.
Rich had given a talk 2 days before the race and he talked about the 4 Keys. One of the 4 keys was to race in the “box” This means you only deal with what you need to at THAT point. This was VERY helpful to me because looking at another 5 miles was a bit overwhelming.
I took it one mile at a time. I knew I could make it to mile 9 and then 10 and then 11. I was walking the aid stations and I stopped and walked for 2 minutes on mile 12.
This gave the lady in my age group a chance to pass me and come in about 40 seconds ahead of me. But that was OK. For as not prepared for this race as I was – I was going to finish! I was blown out!!!!!
Total time: 06:53:15
Swim 53:05 T 1 7:30 Bike 3:25:55 T2 2:56 Run 2:22:51
And last but not least……………it was soooo much fun seeing other PTC friends on the course and then had a blast hanging out with Sue, Greg, Darrell, Lenny, Jesse, Jeff and Thom after the race in Darrell”s condo.
What a pleasant end to a great race!!!
And also want to mention – the weather was perfect. Sunny but not too warm with a nice breeze on the run!
It could not have been a better day!!!
Lynda
Monday, April 27, 2009
What's Been Happening
Not much happens through the Holidays. No races...it is a 'rest' time for all of us.
Then added to that time off, I fractured my foot in January when I was out running...no running for me for weeks, months! It wasn't looking good for being in shape for my first Half Ironman for this season, Ironman 70.3 California in Oceanside on April 4, 2009.
As it got closer to the Oceanside date, I felt I would go anyway and use it as a practice race and not do the run. Well....Race report coming soon.
Then added to that time off, I fractured my foot in January when I was out running...no running for me for weeks, months! It wasn't looking good for being in shape for my first Half Ironman for this season, Ironman 70.3 California in Oceanside on April 4, 2009.
As it got closer to the Oceanside date, I felt I would go anyway and use it as a practice race and not do the run. Well....Race report coming soon.
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