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| Pre swim at Highline Lake |
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| Out on the run |
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| I love seeing my kids at the finish line! |
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| Always happy when you get to the finish! |
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| Number two woman! |
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| Overall female awards |
As I started planning my 2013 race
season I decided I wanted to do more long distance races because I
love the challenge of them! When HITS announced their new race in
Grand Junction for this year I was so excited because it was close to
home and I had heard great reviews about their races. The course
looked a lot like where we live and the average temperature was in
the range of what I like to race in. So I decided I would sign up.
My good friend, Laura, also signed up which would make for a super
fun race weekend!! Her sister was so generous to let my family stay
at her home with Laura's family. So not only was I excited for race
weekend, but so were my kids! They literally played ALL weekend!
The week before the race I really took
advantage of my taper by resting and focusing on how I was going to
deal with the last miles of the race. In prior half distances I have
always fallen apart mentally and I was determined to get it figured
out through mental strength and nutrition. I can run a great half
marathon and I knew I just needed to find a way to deal with my head
to run a great half in an 70.3 distance.
We arrived in Grand Junction late
Thursday night and decided Friday would be a day of race preparation.
We packed a lunch for our families and we all set out to the venue
of the race. Highline State Park is a very family friendly location.
It has a couple small beaches for kids to play on, several picnic
tables, and a playground. The kids were very entertained while I got
in a short open water swim and bike ride. The unfortunate part was
my garmin decided to completely seize up and I had a momentary panic
attack. We all know how much we rely on that dang piece of equipment
and I had no idea how I would race without it!!! The dang piece tells
me race time for nutrition, heartrate, speed...all those details that
are SO important in a long distance race. Luckily, after plugging it
into the charger it decided to work again. Nothing like a little
panic the day before the race! Laura and I had decided to not drive
the bike course as it seemed to be pretty uneventful from looking at
the profile, but as we sat in the race meeting and heard people
talking about “all the hills” we decided we better go check it
out. So we checked into the race, checked in our bikes and went out
onto the course. It is funny what people think “hills” are. It
made me feel really lucky to live where we do. We are so used to
rolling hills and big climbs in the canyons I feel we can go race
anywhere and be OK. The course was going to be full of rolling hills
and false flats with a little wind...just how I like it! The night
before the race I got a call from Coach to discuss the race. I
really love talking to Coach before an A race!
Race morning was pretty uneventful. We
arrived at transition just over an hour before the race and got
everything set up. HITS is honestly such a friendly race. The race
director, Mark, is everywhere! Checking on athletes, ensuring
everyone has what they need, and he was found all over the venue
during the race cheering on athletes. The transition space was
unusually big, which I loved...I was just unsure what to do with all
my space!! I had a stool, a sweet slot holder for my bike, and loads
of room for my bag and transition mat. Everyone was so friendly and
helpful in transition. It was true triathlon spirit in the
transition area that morning.
I was a little nervous about the swim
start..all half and full athletes would start together. I have never
started a race with men and with so many people...and I know how
aggressive the guys can be I was really hoping I wouldn't get
plummeted in the water. Laura and I got into the water just a couple
minutes before race start and situated ourselves where we felt would
be a smart, yet safe spot. The horn went off at seven promptly and I
took off hoping to not get smashed! The first 700 yards or so was
pretty chaotic. I think I probably swallowed a couple cups of water
among all the choppy water we were creating (it had been glass before
the race, but we were creating a bit of choppiness). It wasn't until
I was about half way through the swim that I felt I could get into a
rhythm and find my own space. I was feeling great in the water and
felt strong. Side note...we learned the day before that they
wouldn't have wetsuit strippers, but if we could find someone they
could strip the suit for us. I asked James if he would be at the
swim exit and if he was willing to be the wetsuit stripper...I was
very grateful for that he was there and willing. Every second
counts! I had told him if I had the swim of my life I would come out
at 36 minutes...but gave him the range of 36-39. When I came out and
looked at my watch I had to look at the distance to make sure I
didn't miss a buoy...I had come out in 33:59...swim of my LIFE! I
was SO excited! James was right where he said he would be and
quickly stripped of my suit. Can I just add I love seeing familiar
faces on the course. I was so happy running into transition. I
grabbed my bike and committed to myself that I would not let the swim
go to waste. (Swim: 33:59)
The bike was a slight downhill for the
first 7 miles which was great to get the heart rate under control.
Then the rolling hills started. The farm roads were so beautiful and
I was in my happy place taking my nutrition exactly as I had planned
and calculated. I passed the first female at 18 miles and knew I was
in third place at that point. I also knew there would probably be 11
miles that was going to be into a headwind and slightly uphill. When
I got to that point I just buckled down and pedaled. I was grateful
for all those windy days I have biked in the last month. As I got to
about 2 miles to the turn around I saw girl number 2. I passed her
and knew now I was in 2nd place. I don't think she girl liked that I
passed her because we played leap frog for about 10 miles. I kept
glancing at my garmin to ensure I was still racing my race and not
racing her race. Then I decided I was right where I needed to be and
maybe I could bike tire her legs the last 12 miles. I came into
transition about 30 seconds in front of her. (Bike average
21.8MPH...bike ended up being 1.07 miles long)
I gathered what I needed for the run
and ensured I had all nutrition...I was not going to screw up my
nutrition on this race. I headed out learning the leading female was
10 minutes in front of me and third place was right on my heels. I
kept glance of my watch the first 2 miles to ensure I didn't go out
to fast and glanced back every so often to make sure 3rd place wasn't
catching up to me. My goal was to run smart. I knew that miles 2-6.5
going out was a slight uphill, what I didn't consider was that it was
going to be straight into that same dang wind! It was windy! But, I
kept my mind focused and kept dialed in on my nutrition. The run
course ended up being fun (I was tired, but it was fun). Everyone
was encouraging those around them and yelling supportive things. I
don't know how many times I was told I was number 2. It is always so
nice to hear words of encouragement and I enjoyed encouraging others.
It really kept my mind busy. Miles 8-10 were rough but I was not
going to stop, I was not going to loose my 2nd place slot. There was
a man in front of me that I just focused on keeping up with between
those rough miles. He glanced back and told me that if I beat him
his friends were going to give him crap! He was great to talk to for
a few minutes and then at mile 11 we hit those two miles of uphill.
I knew that if I kept consistent I would keep my spot. I had pretty
much ignored my garmin on the run and just ran off feel because I
didn't want to blow up. I knew if I just ran consistent I wouldn't be
caught. As I approached the finish line I grabbed my kids and we ran
in together....they LOVE that about my races. (Run average
7:38...ended up being 13.4 miles!).When I crossed the finish Kim
Boldt yelled 4:59. My main goal for this year was to do a 5 hour
70.3. I was so excited...I had held it together and had the race I
knew I was capable of!! It was so nice to see so many familiar faces
at the finish line...thanks CK Elite! I ended up four minutes behind
the lead woman.
I quickly found the girl who had won
and she was so friendly and I learned she was a pro...Heather
Gullnick. I was so impressed with her!
I honestly could not have asked for a
better day. I feel like when we race these distances there are so
many things that can go wrong that when everything goes right we need
to savor the moment. I love the challenge of this sport and I am so
happy that all the stars aligned for me at this race! I am still
doing the happy dance!
A huge thanks to my husband who
supports me in my training as well as coming to these crazy events. I
honestly could not do this without his support. Thanks to Heath and
Mahogani Thurston. Their advice and training helped me reach my goal
and I am so grateful for them!! A shout out to the TriEdge Womens
Team and my dear friend Laura! A huge thanks to all of our sponsors:
Kestrel, TriEdge, HEAD, Gu, Flexr, and Switch. Thanks for
everything!
If you are considering doing a HITS
race....DO IT! They are great!
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