It's all about the journey

9/30/15        It is all about the journey.

I just completed my second ½ Ironman race.  I was never going to do another one, funny how things turn out.

Last year I was so strong in my training and racing.  This year it seems like it’s just managing one issue after another.  I’m not complaining, it’s just a different mindset.  So far no injuries and that’s really the goal besides enjoy the heck out of the journey.

I went up to Augusta, GA last weekend for the 70.3 Ironman.  I went up with friends that I don’t get to see very often.  I met them swimming, biking and running.  You see a lot of the same people so you get to know them.  I love that.  Generally triathletes are pretty great people, very supportive and friendly.  It’s one of the main reasons I do triathlons.  I drove up with my friend Krissi and caravanned with Carl & Larry.  I met Carl through Krissi and ocean swims.  It’s the first time I really met Larry.

Larry was like a brother from another mother, we were very much alike.  We had a great time driving up, I didn’t know it could be as much fun as it was.  8 Hours went by fast.  We met up with some other friends for dinner; again people I know but rarely get to hang out with.  What fun to get to know everyone.  They are all very good athletes but are also there to have fun.  For me that’s what it’s all about, the race is a side effect.  From the moment I left to drive up until I got home it was just non-stop fun.

It’s a great race.  I think it’s the largest 70.3 in the United States if not the world.  3500 signed up, 2700 actually competed.  Its well-run and a really fun course.  It’s a beautiful area; you get to swim in the river, with the current.  I think someone said they threw a can in and it made it to the exit in 40 minutes can’t go wrong with that.  I loved the swim.

It’s an odd start, you go out on the dock and you can start in the water (if you hang on to the dock because of the current) or start from on top of the dock.  By the time my wave got onto the dock, I immediately hopped in the water to acclimate.  It was a little chilly but I didn’t think it was too bad, I don’t remember the actual temperature but high 60’s or low 70’s.  Most everyone had wetsuits on which is great for buoyancy but can feel very restrictive which is not always good at the start of the race.

So I jump in the water, get my face wet, get water down my suit, bit of a shock but I’ve been in colder and didn’t think it was too bad.  I don’t like to be cold and I don’t like cold water.  I had 15 seconds from the time I jumped in to when our wave started, very little time.  I heard the gun and off I went.  I was on the right closest to shore and from the minute I started I didn’t see anyone else in my wave.  Usually I’m kind of in the mix of things because I’m an ok swimmer but not the fastest.  I decided I wasn’t waiting around I was going!

I always look for people to draft and I did see a couple of girls ahead of me with the same color cap but I was pretty much on my own.  I did catch one girl and she stayed beside me much of the way but I finally passed her the last ¼ mile.  We caught up with the last wave and lots of other back markers from previous waves.

That’s a whole other issue, trying to pass slower swimmers and really just being aware of them so you don’t run into them.  Made it to the Swim Out with the other girl right on my heels.  I loved the swim, 4^th in my age group.  I like in water start much better than running into the water.

Also first time I used the wetsuit strippers.  Brilliant!!!   They rock!  Got to my bike and discovered I was on top of a red anthill.  Yikes!  There were red ants everywhere in my gear and shoes.  I had to take extra time to try and get the red ants out of my shoes and helmet.

Finally, I get on the bike and off I go.  We drove the bike course the day before, which I’ve never done at a race.  I’ll bike it but when it comes to driving it, it seems too long, which is so funny.  It’s a beautiful course.  It’s one big loop thru South Carolina.  We cross the river and it’s a lot of rolling hills, horses and just beautiful green country.  It did help that I’d just seen the course the day before.  I knew where I was and more or less what to expect.  My friends Krissi and Carl passed me at some point.  Always fun to see my friends on the bike and they are really good on the bike.

It’s challenging for a flatlander but down hills are super fun!  We did have a headwind on some of the uphill climbs but such is life.  I enjoyed it even if my legs didn’t.  For some reason I couldn’t get into the right gear for the climbs.  Didn’t think far enough ahead until the last 20 miles.  Finished the bike and into transition and more red ants.

Once again took extra time to get the ants out of my shoes and hat.  Then to the Port-A-Potty to pee, boy did that feel good.  I hate to take the time but it was a must.  I spent way too much time in both my transitions but not the end of the world.  Off to the run!  Saw my friend Steve as I was running out.  Met him when he first started doing triathlons.  He’s come a long way.  Now it’s time to get my mental game into the run, which is the hardest thing for me.  The run, not the mental game.

The weather has been perfect all day, overcast and just a minor amount of misting on the bike.  My toes were cold on the swim and the bike but nothing major.  It was a bit warmer on the run but at no time was I overheated.  I forgot to leave my sunglasses in transition so ran the whole way carrying them.  The run course goes thru the downtown area and lots of people were out to cheer us on.  That always makes the run so fun.  I knew my run wasn’t going to break any records for me so I find ways to pass the time and enjoy it.  I talk to people, I look around and sightsee, I daydream and try and keep my run form where it should be.  I'm pretty sure I had an ant or two in my shoe biting my foot but I wasn't going to stop.  I can't believe they were alive, how did they not get flattened while I was running!  Darn those red ants!   Let’s not forget the miracle salt licks we learned about yesterday.  I can’t believe I forgot to mention that.

What’s the number one rule on race day?  Never do anything new that you haven’t tried in training.  So what do we do?  Try Base Salt licks because the rep was so compelling at a seminar we attended the day before.  We figured what could it hurt and according to the rep it will cure upset stomach, fatigue and every thing else.  On the bike it’s one lick every 5 miles and on the run it’s one lick every mile.  So funny, at least 3 or 4 of my friends were doing it too.

I have to say it’s the best my stomach has felt in a triathlon.  Not bloated or burping or anything.  I think the Base Salt licks and the Carbo Pro had something to do with it.  Got thru the run ok until just after mile 10.  It’s less than 3 miles!  My legs were tightening up so that slowed me down for the last few miles.  I was ready for it to be done.  A lot of it’s mental too, if you get it in your mind that you are almost done then your body says ok, shutting down now.  Finished, finally, just 4 minutes longer than my first Half Ironman. 

Had some yummy pizza and a massage from two girls at once!!!  Can’t beat that.  Cleaned up, went to dinner, waited way to long to eat.  So tired too.  I should have eaten sooner but I get distracted talking with everyone there, it’s so fun!  The weekend went by so fast.  I can’t believe I did a second Half Ironman.  My husband reminded me when I did the first one, he was making signs of congratulations for me to see when I got home, I cried crossing the finish line, it was a huge deal for me.  This time it was just a training race.

Not trying to minimize the effort but I had done one before and now I’ve been training for a full do putting in longer runs and bikes so just not as big a deal.  It’s so funny how your perspective changes.  I still remember my first time I ran 5 miles.  It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.  What a huge effort hat was.  Now look at me J

Larry emailed that he has done 9 ½ Ironman and this was the most fun, start to finish.  It’s the journey and the company.  It’s accomplishing things you never thought you could.  It’s the support of your friends, making new friends and seeing people overcome unimaginable things.  Everyone has a story.  I always say that this sport is so life affirming.  I wish I were better at putting these feelings into words because it’s priceless.  I also say the actual races are filled with lots of friends you didn’t even know you had.  I know people think I am a crazy person.  Every triathlete I know gets what I’m saying, I wish I could bottle this feeling or knowledge and be able to give it to others.

There isn’t anything you can’t accomplish if you don’t let you mind hold you back.  6 weeks to the the full Ironman Florida.  I can do this!