Race Report: the long version: 10.2.11: Mightyman Half
We each have a few moments in our life that we will always have burned into our memories. Some stick out more than others. My wedding day, my kids' births, falling through the bay ice as a child, the fuchsia one piece sleeveless romper with white cappezios I wore the first day of 6th grade... you know, things like that.... So here is the story of my first 70.3.
Race 'day' really started for me a day before the race. After watching Tanya, Mike and Bob race the Sprint distance Saturday morning, I was ordered by Coach Bob to stay off my feet. Most of the afternoon and evening was spent sitting around watching tv, reading and listening to music with a few cat naps thrown in there for good measure. I was still very nervous and as the day and evening wore on I became increasingly cranky. I'm sure Bob knew all of this and made sure they were out for most of the afternoon and night. They went to lunch, came back to relax a bit and were off again (thank goodness) for dinner and to watch the Yankee game. Seriously, after you spend a certain amount of time with two guys you aren't related to, everything they say sounds like white noise. I kid. I kid. They were lovely company. I was asleep before 10pm.
Race morning...
Race day started at 4:20am. Total coincidence. I was no longer nervous at this point. Kate the Great reminded me that I was doing this for fun which is very easy to forget leading up to any race, let alone something as long as half iron distance. The previous night Tara called all the way from Kona (rock it girl!) to offer words of encouragement. She asked me to promise her to smile for every part of the race. Even the swim, I asked. Yes, even the swim, she said. So, holding on to Kate and Tara's words, and knowing that I had done everything I could do (minus a few swims here and there... don't tell Bob) to prepare, I went into the day with a peaceful resolve. Smile and have fun. Seemed easy enough. Thank you Kate and Tara for your simple reminders.
When we got to transition at 5a it was still pitch black. Stars in the sky and not too cold. Perfect conditions. I was so happy to see Tanya there when we arrived! She got up early just to see me start the race!! I wasn't expecting to see her and I was overwhelmed by her doing that for me. Bob asked casually at one point if I was going to put my things in garbage bags. Garbage bags?! Was he nuts? The stars were almost blinding they were so bright.
Before I knew it, 6:15a, and it was time to gather on the lawn for race day briefing and the start of the race. It seemed like the second we stepped on the lawn, the weather changed. Dark clouds were gathering and was that a rain drop I just felt? I pictured soggy sneakers and rain drenched riding shoes waiting for me at the end of the swim as I started literally getting cold feet from the damp grass... heavy sigh. It was exactly at this moment that I glanced to my left and saw him. Whether he was put there by divine intervention to shake me from my mood, I'll never know, but standing not two feet from me was another athlete with his wet suit on inside out. I locked onto that bright blue inside out wet suit and just let it's awesomeness spill over me. I'm sure he still beat me on the swim and maybe he borrowed the wet suit from his wife and wore it inside out because it had flowers on it. Who knows and really who cares. I wasn't judging him at all, but it was exactly what I needed at the exact right moment, so thank you inside out wetsuit guy for purposely, or accidentally, putting it on inside out. Off to the water...
Swim
The swim start for the half had all the women going out in one wave. At this point I was a little nervous. The only open water swim I did since Nationals in August ended early due to the case of the dizzies, but the water was very calm, and I knew if I could make it to the first buoy with no issues, I would be fine. There's the horn and away we all go. First buoy, check. I was going to be fine.
Usually the swim portion of the race is a full contact sport, but everyone was keeping it classy out there. I only got bumped a few times and never bumped into anyone else. A few buoys before the first turn, the water got fairly choppy, but I had already decided I was going to be fine so I didn't let it affect me. When I swam out of the first turn, I had no idea where the rest of the buoys were. I stopped a few times to try to spot them, but my goggles were too fogged out. I kept on swimming with the pack I was in and trusted them to know where we were going. (insert sarcastic 'no sense of direction joke' here)
OMG, I hit the yellow buoy! The yellow buoy, I learned from the race briefing, meant I was almost done. I looked in front of me and there was the ramp for the swim exit! I was out of the water... If you were wondering if I was smiling in the water, I was. Especially when I saw the man side stroking next to me while I was swimming front crawl. Really? I mean, come on. Can you at least not be keeping up with me?
As I entered T1, I stayed nice and relaxed. Bob told me not to rush like I was racing a sprint, but to take my time and make sure I had everything I needed for the 3 plus hour ride. Even though most of the bikes were still racked in transition, I was sure I was the very last person out of the water. What can I say, I was still a little disoriented from the water and didn't make the connection till Mike and Bob clued me in after the race.
The bike
The ride portion of the course is two 23 mile loops and has a few out and backs. It's a mixture of flats and hills. I stuck to the plan Bob told me and didn't 'hammer' any portion. I rode efficiently and saved my pennies for the run. Other than my chain falling off on the first loop and a wicked wind on a few of the out and backs, the only 'issue' I had to deal with was having to go to the bathroom. Maybe a little too much hydrating leading up to the race... Bob said that if I had to pee on the bike, to just pee on the bike. Well, I tried to pee on the bike for about 40 minutes and it just wasn't going to happen. Oh, stop judging! I wouldn't have done it near any other riders and would have rinsed myself off with water. In any case, I had to stop and use the bathroom at the light house and it was the single best move I made all day. I went from miserable to happy in a matter of 5 minutes.
Highlight of my ride was when Mike, Bob and Liz found me on the course. If you have never had someone come find you while racing, I can't tell you how totally awesomely awesome it is... You're just riding along minding your own business and there are your friends! They are driving next to you and they are taking your picture! Score! I also spent some time chatting with a blue jacket lady. We talked about the weather, which actually cleared up quite nicely, and the impending run. At some point before t2 we parted ways only to see each other on the run...
I was in and out of T2 pretty quickly. I wasn't rushed at this point, but also didn't feel like taking the extra time to put on my compression socks which was part of my race plan. Those suckers are tight and a bear to get on. I grabbed a handful of Gu's, my visor and race belt and was off. I didn't really have any goal in my mind in terms of how fast I wanted to finish the bike leg in so I didn't even look at my garmin at this point. I was just happy I got through the 56 miles without getting a flat!
The run
My plan for the run was simple. In terms of nutrition, I would take a gel every 30 minutes, and for hydration, I would alternate water and PowerAde at the water stops. Thanks Kelly for the last minute nutrition consult! I would go out conservatively and pick it up the second of the two 6.5 mile loops. Mile one in the books. Seriously? I had to pee again. After a short pit stop behind some lovely abandoned barn on the side of the road, I was off again. Judgment free zone, please.
Right before 'murder hill' there is a little bump in the road. Almost like a speed bump on steroids. I mention that little devil hump in the road because I tripped a fell over it. Nothing major, just stung my hands and my pride a bit. I hit the hill picking tiny pebbles out of the palm of my hands... Enter the twinge in the left knee.
It started off gradual but by time I got to 'the pits' it was apparent that it wasn't going away. I suspected it was my IT Band and knew that if it was, it wasn't something that was going to 1. cause permanent damage and 2. stop me from finishing the race. I carried on, heeding the advice Dana (love you!) told me the previous week, and tried to 'take it out of my legs.' I concentrated on staying relaxed and using my core, hips and glutes to drive me forward. I was determined not to walk any of the run and I didn't. When I hit that 4/10.5 mile marker I gave it a 'high 5' and told it I would see it later and carried on. I also saw blue jacket lady from the bike. We high fived and I told her if I didn't see her on the next loop, I would see her at the finish.
On the turnaround I told my support crew of Liz (who totally rocks for making the drive out just to see me race), Mike and Bob about my knee and they could have cared less. "Looking good, Ang." "Keep it up." "Just take it easy and relax." I was still running and trying to smile so really I don't blame them. Looking back I am so happy for their lack of concern because I was totally on the brink of stopping. If I saw worry in any of their eyes, I may have just called it a day...
So off I was for my second loop. I can honestly say, not one single step of that second loop was comfortable, but I kept tell myself that my mind would always give up before my body. I was going to enjoy the rest of the race, damn it, and my knee would have to get on board with the race plan. I saw blue shirt lady again but she didn't look like she wanted to talk. She had pain in her eyes, as I am sure I did too, and I just told her she was doing great and I would see her at the finish.
I thanked every single volunteer on the course and told the crazy ladies with the whistles to give us 'more whistle.' Btw, whistles on the run, fun. When you hear it on the bike, it scares the crap out of you... Now cowbells? Always appropriate.
It was about mile 9.5 I caught up to gray shirt guy, but I just didn't have enough to pass him. I was literally right on his heels. Awkward. Always one to strike up a conversation (don't tell Bob), I told him that I wasn't trying to get all up in his business but I just happen to be running at the same pace as him. As it turns out, gray shirt guy saw me 'high 5' the mile 4 marker and was glad I caught up with him. We made it to the 10.5 mile marker together and I 'high 5'd' it again, which gray shirt guy loved. We talked a bit and he told me this was his second year doing the race. His goal this year was to finish under 7 hours and that it looked like we were on track. Way to go, gray shirt. I had him cracking up from some craziness I was saying and he told me that I reminded him of his wife's best friend. His wife is so lucky to have such an awesome best friend! He agreed.
These are the little things that got me through the run. I lost gray shirt mile marker buddy when we got out of the hills and hit the flats that would take us to the finish. There was no way my legs were going to move any faster than they were already going. I was so happy for gray shirt guy that he would crush his time from last year. "Less than a mile to go!" the volunteers cheered at me. I was almost there. My knee was on fire and I just wanted to get some ice on it at this point.
Turning the last corner I saw Liz, Mike and Bob. They were all smiles and cheering me on. I was so happy to be done with the f'in run! I mean, I was overcome by emotions at all I just accomplished. I crossed the finish line 6 hours 34 minutes after I started the swim. I did it. I accomplished a goal I set for myself even before I did my first sprint triathlon in June. Mightyman Half was in the books. I was limping, but I was limping proudly, still smiling, and I was truly overwhelmed with emotion.
After a few pictures were taken and a short stop at the medical tent... blood pressure 107/70, btw (I always rock that blood pressure test!) we sat waiting for the massage guy. Who doesn't love a free massage? Blue jacket lady found me. She wanted to thank me for helping her get through the race. She almost stopped a few times, but she remember what I said about seeing her at the finish line and just kept going. Queue me getting a little teary. Seriously? I actually helped someone finish? I was so happy for her that she didn't give up and gave myself a little mental hug for being part of what helped her finish. I done good.
Post race...
It's three days after the race and I feel surprisingly good. My IT Band is a little sore but I was able to do a light run on it today (don't tell Bob) and it was fine. I no longer free like I am hung-over and I have no major residual soreness. I do, however, feel completely lost without a structured schedule to follow. I have been following one since last March, thanks Kelly! and finished up my last two months before the half with a fully structured training peaks schedule, thanks Bob! Now I'm left to navigate things on my own again. It will take a bit of getting used to.... the bird has left the nest...
Post race thoughts....
A year ago I never even knew what a half ironman was... seriously, I didn't...
The people I have met throughout this process have been nothing less than amazing and have all helped me reach this goal. If it weren't for my 'tri family' I would have stopped long ago. Although you race by yourself, you train with other people and count on others to make it possible for you to train... it is because of them that I continue. I could list all of them here but it would go on forever...you all know who you are. You have watched my kids so I could train. You know what I look like at 5 am... in a wet suit... you have probably changed my tire. You probably know something about my bowel movement schedule and I probably know about yours... lol! ... It all means so much to me and I'm grateful to have you in my life.... I will however mention a few.
It would incomplete without mentioning my 'tri hubby' Mike here. We crossed paths at the Post Office 5k run last year and became fast friends. We ran the winter run series together and it was on those drives that the seeds of triathlon were first planted. He had already decided to do the Great South Bay tri in June and said I should think about it too. We navigated our way together on a shoe string budget. What were our poor asses doing in a rich man's sport? Team Shoe String Budget was born!!! We went on one of our first rides together at Heckshire and couldn't believe the size of that exit ramp hill! We were both sucking wind after that first ride....I believe it was 4 miles. 1000 other funny stories since then. I couldn't ask for a better tri partner in Mike... and Jeanette, his wife, for being THE BEST race day support person ever! She has saved my ass on numerous occasions in transition AND puts up with him on a full time basis, so God Bless her!
It would also be incomplete without mentioning Tara and Jackie. We stayed together in Montauk for the June Olly and it was quickly apparent I would be friends with them. They are funny, caring, silly and inspiring and they both kick ass! They look out for me and push me to go harder at the same time and I love them both.
The person that has helped me the most throughout this whole process has been Coach Bob. I have said it to him before and I'll say it again here... He is a lot of things.... funny, ridiculous, a jokester, often embarrassing in public (in a good way), but he is also generous, caring, smart and an amazing coach and friend. He taught me just about everything I know about swimming, biking, running and racing. He invited me into his world and provided me with all the tools I needed to be successful. He introduced me to people that I can now say I truly love and would go to the ends of the earth for... There are no words to express just what he has given me. Sometimes a simple 'thank you' says it all, so thank you, Bob.... and Super Gina... let's get drinks soon, girl!
... and of course, my totally awesome husband, and the love of my life, Rich... I'm truly one lucky beotch!
