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| My mom and kids FREEZING before the race start. I would have called them to tell them not to come, but there was no cell service! |
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| Getting all the gear together before heading out to race!! I was stressing over what to wear as I didn't realize I needed to pack my winter gear! |
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| Who dresses in clothes like this at a triathlon! It was freezing! |
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| Me and my sweet daughter after the race. |
Let me preface this with Boise 70.3 was
one of my two A races this year. I wanted to smash my time from last
year. When an announcement came out a couple months ago that 100
slots were being allocated at Boise for Worlds I thought in the back
of my mind...maybe...maybe if I put together a solid race I could
qualify. I have worked really hard the past several months following
all my training exactly. I had put in good miles, had a good taper,
and felt great going into this race. My coaches had put together a
great race plan for me.
The week leading up to the race I
obsessively watched the weather. Throughout the week it kept getting
worse, but I had no idea what was to come! We drove up to Boise on
Thursday as I like to get to the race, get checked in, and have a day
to just relax. As I checked in, the race anticipation filled the
air. I learned the water temperature would be 60..much better then
the chilly 53 last year. Friday morning we drove up to Lucky Peak
Reservoir to take a quick spin on the bike and get it checked in. I
met up with Coach and we hit the road for a quick bike ride with a
couple other athletes. I got my bike checked in and ensured it was
covered nicely with garbage bags due to the forecast. I learned at
bike check in that the swim may possibly be cancelled due to a wind
advisory. The weather was forecasting for 30-45 MPH wind gusts from
12-2...right at race start. Perfect timing Mother Nature!! I had
this slight hope that maybe the weather wasn't right.
That evening I called Coach and
discussed what my new strategy would be and then called Colleen and
got all her great wind advice. She is a pro in wind after Leadman
and Ironman St. George! I knew that she would have great positive
vibes and suggestions to send my way! I am so glad I called her and
she provided me with some great information. I knew I just needed to
come to terms with the fact that this 70.3 was not going to be what I
planned it to be. It was time to adapt.
Race morning we awoke to rain, rain,
and more cold rain! It was cold outside! I have to admit I was very
grumpy about it. This was MY race! This was what I had worked so
hard for...and it was freezing!! We drove down to T2 and dropped off
our run gear. I couldn't believe how cold it was. I didn't know
what I was possibly going to do if it didn't warm up. Who would have
thought I would need to bring my winter gear to a June triathlon!
My stepdad and I headed up to the
reservoir and I found my coaches sitting in their car at the bottom
of the reservoir. We decided to sit too. It was pouring rain! It
was either sit in the car and be warm or walk up to transition and
freeze! I started to restrategize my clothing plan. Coach had
scissors in her car so I cut a slit in some arm warmers so it would
come down over my hands during the bike. An hour, (so unlike me), we
strolled up slowly to the start line in 3 layers of clothes and
garbage bags over us. I had to basically undress out of all my warm
clothes to get body marked and I went into transition. As I got to
my bike the announcer came on to let us know due to “hypothermic”
conditions and “shifty, gusty strong winds” the bike would be cut
to 15 miles. FIFTEEN MILES! Are you kidding me? The gal next to me
said, “I guess we are basically doing a half marathon.” Here I
was hoping if they cancelled anything it would be the swim...and now
I was only biking 15 miles. I needed all the miles on the bike to
catch up to the really fast swimmers!
Time to adapt and walk to the start
line. I dropped off my morning clothes bag, but kept on my Altra
shoes. I like my Altras and I really liked them keeping my feet
warm. I was 40 minutes from starting and the rain was not letting
up. Luckily, as I was just stand around shivering I looked over and
Dave Warden was next to me. He and his wife kindly shared their
umbrellas with me. At this point I was having serious doubts about
doing this race. It was sleeting..yes, nearly snowing....around 43
degrees and I was going to jump in a lake that was choppy. It wasn't
sounding very fun! Thank goodness for peer pressure! I looked
around at all these athletes that were going to get in....I couldn't
turn around now. My wave came quickly and I had to ditch my
Altras...somebody ended up with my shoes. I just couldn't stand the
thought of standing barefoot in such freezing conditions! As I walked
down to the lake I thought...when I get this finishers medal that is
going to mean the world to me in these conditions! I was all about
just getting to the run without hypothermia!
As the horn went off I started
swimming. I love the start of a swim...kicking, thrashing, fighting
for space! Love it! About half way through my calves started
cramping. I have never had this happen before, but figured that it
was from how cold I had been. The water was choppy and I was cold!
But the last portion of the swim I saw a small patch of blue sky.
Could it be...no rain?? I got out of the water in 39 minutes...my
watch said I swam 1.3 (not sure if the swim was long). But, I cut 3
minutes off last year..YES!
As I ran up into transition my hands
hurt. I couldn't get my fingers to do what I wanted them to do. I
knew I needed to get on some warm gear for the ride into town. From
my T1 time it looks like I sat and had a party! But, I was trying to
get on my arm warmers, vest, socks, and shoes. My fingers were
struggling! I finally got my stuff together and headed out on the
bike. With only a 15 mile bike I wasn't sure if I should kill it on
the bike or save my legs for the run. I decided to bike like I would
have in a typical 56 miles and save my legs for the run. I moved a
good speed passing a lot of people and averaging 23 MPH. The roads
were wet, it was a little cold, but I was loving the bike! I rolled
into T2 and as quickly as I could fumbled my run gear on. My feet
were frozen!!
For 2 miles of the run I could not feel
my feet but my focus was on my pace. I knew that I was going to lay
it all out on the course. I had to take full advantage of every mile
to try to catch up to those fast swimmers. I ran my guts out. My
coaches were at the turnaround and Coach ran with me giving me a pep
talk. His voice rang through my mind the entire last loop. I am so
lucky to be surrounded by such supportive, wonderful friends, family,
and athletes. I was SO appreciative of all of you. I thought of
your words of encouragement during the run. I thought of my trail
runs, my speed workouts, and just pounded the pavement. Run time was
1:31!
I crossed the finish line with nothing
left. It is funny how in a few hours we can go from thinking if we
cross the finish line we will feel like a champion due to conditions
to feeling we completed a great race when we cross the finish to
feeling deflated after learning results.
I came in 8th in my age
group and ended up missing worlds by 1 slot and by one minute! I had
myself a pity party that night. I know that if I would have had
those bike miles I could have had a slot! I know that if the weather
would have been better I would have had a slot! But, I can either be
deflated, or I can look at the positive and become stronger for my
next race. I choose the latter. I choose to take this experience
and use it for future races! I know I can race in anything after
Saturday! I know I can have a strong half marathon in a 70.3 race.
I know that I can swim through choppy water! I know that I can
continue to work hard, race hard, and love this sport we call
triathlon!
A special thanks to our awesome
sponsors: TriEdge, Kestrel, Flexr, HEAD.
Gear used:
Nutrition: Gu, Flexr Bottles
Swim: HEAD goggles
Bike: Kestrel...LOVE this bike!
Wheels: Zipp 404
Shoes: Saucony Kinvara
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