Ironman 70.3 RACE REPORT

Firstly, it doesn't rain that much in Las Vegas. In fact, a local said it rains maybe 5-6 times a year (i am talking real rain not wimpy sprinkles). Well, it rained probably 3 of the 5 days while I was in Henderson this last week. WHAT? flash floods! Woo woo!

We flew into Vegas on a Thursday, just in time to hit around 105 degrees for the next few days. I got really nervous the 2nd hot day, even though I was expecting hot weather. Everything was a lot more surreal....the fact that I was racing in a WORLD championship, people from 50 different countries representing, some of the fastest people, the toughest half ironman in the US, and wait...I am here? How did that happen?  Well, I kind of got lucky...I got a roll down slot, which meant I did not get 1st or 2nd in my age group to grab the slots to Worlds.  Instead, the 2nd place girl wasn't there to take the slot and I just happen to be walking by the tend that announced my name. Thanks to Mike, who paid for my entry fee (don't worry I paid him back) because I had no wallet (and no plans/goals/thoughts of even making this), I was going to the world champs.

                                              the view from the hotel.........and a turtle spitting

Logistics: A PAIN IN THE ASS. I'm not the biggest fan of different start and finishes...that means two transition areas, which means lots of moving shit around, driving, etc. Our hotel was a mile from T1/swim start, which was nice...but like 20ish min drive to T2.

Pre-Race: I did a short run and bike before the race to work out any kinks from traveling/make sure my bike was working.  I opted out of the "practice swim" because well...I hadn't swam in 2 weeks so why bother to start now. The banquet/athlete dinner was awesome....i went from nervous to more excited/pumped up.

                                     PRE riding...yes the views were awesome. desert mountains!

                                                              in front of transition 1

Swim: I had to wait a few hours after transition closed till my age group went off.  It was raining........wasn't prepared for this much rain, so I was actually COLD waiting around. Who would have thought? Not me. I was kind of glad in a way that it was raining and not blistering hot yet.  Anyways, the swim felt decent. The water, on the other hand, was seriously POOP. You could not even see your elbow through the brown water. Every once in a while I smelled something gross too. It was kind of a maze trying to pass all the older folks that went off in front of us, but nothing too eventful...just the usual whack in the head a few times.  I am quite surprised I still managed to get 9th out of 74 girls in my age group. I swam 8 times this entire year....MINIMAL TRAINING YES! still got it, kids. Oh, my time was like 30 min. That seemed slow, but apparently everyone else went slow too.

T1: felt like i was running a tough mudder. Plus, we had to run our bikes up a big hill, what? cyclocross training.

Bike:  Still raining. Well, so much for that sunscreen and arm coolers in the bike bag (they really should have been in my run bag...damn triathlon logistics). Lets just say the bike was always up or down. The scenery was gorgeous...when I could see because of the rain. I felt very good...all that biking seemed to pay off. Then, at mile 40 something...I flatted. CRAP. I had never flatted in a race before. The adrenaline and a nice volunteer named Jimmy...must have just given some magical fix your flat super fast power. I did, however, frost bite my fingers from the Co2. Oh well...it worked so I was happy. In fact, my last 19 mile split was actually faster than my others with the flat fix. I must have had some angry watts (and a chain that didn't work that well but in the crank it out gears). My time was just over 3 hours...not too bad for a tough course.  I'm thankful to join an awesome community of cyclists this year to kick my ass on the road, yet still put up with the fact I do a few Triathlons. :) Bikes have never been more fun!

T2: NO SUNSCREEN VOLUNTEERS?? NOOOOOO

Run: This was brutal. The rain stopped, the sun came out, and the sun's friend humidity poked some fun too. I had no sunscreen and no arm coolers.  I walked the aid stations, but only craved water and ice to throw down my back.  This was probably not a good idea, considering I was covered in salt by the last lap (this was a hilly 3 loop course). You had to run by the finish twice before you actually got to finish. OUCH! By the last lap, i struggled with the up hills a lot more.  I ended up meeting some cool people/talking more (a few from australia, a 65 year old lady, a lady who had bad mechanical problems, someone without a leg). I was over the time thing and just wanted to finish/not be in the med tent. And that I did.

Overall time was 5:54. Not my best, not my worst. But all things considering, I was happy. I mean, it's a world championship...it's supposed to be hard.

Plus, the medal was gigantuous. seriously.

I am surprisingly not that sore. I am very sunburnt..........VERY. I also caught a cold, which is no surprise. I don't really ever get sick, except after Ironman events. That's what happens when you work your body so hard, your immune system says NOPE.

Thanks friends/family for being so supportive.  I'm lucky to have many new and old ones believe in me!  Bc if you knew me in college, I was a walking health/injury mess. I've had enough people through the years tell me the things I cannot or will never be able do....well screw that. Anything is possible. World champs, CHECK!

What's next? Cyclocross! I get to ride fast in the dirt with friends.................and train for a trail marathon on the side.  ha...ha. did you expect anything less?

Also, 9/11...may we never forget.....