Swim 29:42
T1 3:06
Bike: 2:31:01 (22.25 mph)
T2: 2:30
Run 2:05:55 (9:36/mile)
Total Time: 5:12:14
Clearwater was an amazing learning experience, teaching me so much about myself, about racing, about my limits and also my ultimate goals in the sport. It was also a fabulous celebration and end to a wonderful season with teammates, coaches, friends and family.
The quick and dirty race plan was to swim with the top girls as long as I could, bike as hard as I could for the entire ride and see what happened on the run. I had nothing to lose- the race plan in my last 70.3 was to manage the race and secure a slot to the World Champs. There was nothing left to manage- this was it, now or never.
The swim was TOUGH - pretty strong current, choppy and blinding sunrise. I lost the lead pack almost right away, found some feet and swam 29:--. I think I was realistically in shape for a 26-27 swim, but the conditions were not ideal and I am happy and proud of my swim.
I biked like I have never biked before. With a 1080 and a disc generously borrowed from a teammate, I hung on to my aerobars, gritted my teeth and never let up. I am very proud of myself for riding as legally and safely as possible- the ride deserves a post of its own, but there were times were I was legitimately scared while being swallowed by packs of 50+ riders. I can say with all honesty that I biked my own race and after the first 10 miles, I do not recall anyone in my age group passed me riding solo. With no bike computer, I was left doing mental math and realized with 11 miles left, I was going to come into T2 at around 3:00-3:05 total race time. Yes, that equates to a 2:31 bike ride. I tried not to freak out and be confident in my fitness.
Unfortunately, my nutritional plan is based on a 2:45-3:00 HIM bike split, so 200-300 calories were left in my aero drink as I dismounted and threw my bike to a volunteer. This, plus a lack of water pre-race and during the bike, would come to haunt me.
The first 3 miles of the run were under control. Not quite as easy and effortless as I had hoped, but the pace was steady and I knew my sub-5 hour goal was not only in sight, but the potential for a much bigger PR was in my grasp. I had a Gu at Mile 3, popped 2 Excedrin, and the wheels fell off.
Mile 6.5ishI am not sure if it was the lack of water pre-race, the salt water ingested during a rough ocean swim, the lack of calories on the bike, the higher effort on the ride, or Excedrin on an already taxed system, (mostly like a combination of all of the above) but around mile 4, I started having bloating/cramping/pain my stomach like I have never felt before. It was not gastro-distress, I have experienced this before and a stop or two could have taken care of it. It was upper stomach, below my rib cage, and up my back. I was able to push through it for the next few miles, still holding on to 8:30ish pace until Mile 7, where I finally gave in and walked, and I let the pain take over.
I hobbled/walked/dry heaved the last 5 miles, slowly watching my time goal slip away, but knowing there was absolutely NOTHING I could do. I had started to take Coke at Mile 5, but the thought of taking the Gu that was in my hand made me gag. My only nutrition the entire run was a Gu at mile 3.
I crossed the finish line in 5:12, forced a smile on my face, and all I wanted to do was sit down. The smarter thing to do would have been to go straight to the med tent, as my insides continue to ache.
I am not dissapointed in my race. In fact, it was probably the best learning lesson I could have had, in so many ways. Biking outside of my comfort zone has showed me what is possible, and with more attention to the details and figuring out the nutrition at this higher effort, I am excited for what is in store.
For the next month, I will rest, recover, mull over my goals and take a long overdue work trip back to Zambia.
End of a long day and a wonderful season!
