Best in the West Race Recap

It has been a week since I completed the Best in the West 70.3 Triathlon and here is my reflection on the trip and the race.

The race was in Sweet Home, Oregon, which is about 45 miles East of Corvallis.   We flew into Portland and then drove to Sweet Home for the race.  Flying meant transporting my bike was not going to be as easy as putting my bike on a car rack.  So I borrowed a bike travel case from a friend and quickly learned how to tear down my bike (wheels, pedals, seat, and handle bars were all removed from the frame).  I took lots of pictures so I could make sure I could get it all back together again in Sweet Home.  Luckily I had no issues tearing down or putting it back together.  

Friday was spent driving to Sweet Home, picking up the race packet and t-shirt and then putting my bike together.  We ended up getting a rotisserie chicken from Safeway and some microwaveable vegetables for dinner.  (Fine dining, I know).  

Erika and I pre-race

Race day we woke up, ate breakfast and quickly headed off to the race.  (Trying to ignore the fact that our sink in our motel room was backed up with nasty water, ugh).  At the transition area we got marked with our race numbers and age on our legs and arms.   Then we hung our bikes and got perfectly situated for the various transitions.  It was so cold in the morning. Our wetsuits helped keep us warm as we prepared.  Our toes were numb and every step on the beach was like shards of glass digging into our feet.   I jumped in the lake, to get use to the temperature and found out very quickly it was warmer in the lake than out of the lake.   

Ladies wave getting ready for the start

Its officially time to start the race.  All of us ladies stepped into the water and bobbed around until the mounted posse fired the shot gun, or when that failed, the race announcer yelled "BANG!"   And we were off.   I was definitely off and doing my own thing.  After about 200 yards it was clear I had completely veered off path.  The good news was that no one was around me  except the safety team on a jet ski telling me to change my direction.   Okay, so I got back on track heading toward the turn-around buoy, but continued to very frequently veer off track and needed to be guided in the correct direction. 

Me completing the swim

By the time I was half way done with the swim, I was having conversations with kayakers about how my right arm was stronger than my left and that I need to spot more frequently.  Unfortunately my goggles were not behaving, so even if I attempted spotting I would not be able to see where I was going.  I finally tore them off and just swam with my eyes closed, opening them every few strokes to make sure I was on track.   Supposedly I was not the last one out of the water, but I did get back to the transition area and my bike was the lone bike hanging.  That did make it easy to find.  (Always need to look on the bright side).  

Out for a Ride

I changed out of my wetsuit and into my biking gear.   There was a restroom in the transition area, so I quickly made a pit stop and then I was out on the open rode for 56 miles. It was an out and back course with gorgeous scenery, which translates into 2600 ft of elevation gain. I was far enough behind the group that I pretty much didn’t see anyone until about mile 20 when they were all making their return.  The entire bike course my legs just didn’t want to cooperate and pedal.  I knew I was slow but I just couldn’t push it  any harder. The sun was shining down strong (about 87 degrees) and I was over it. I finished the bike course with one person left behind me.  I was ready to be done.  But I knew Erika (she did amazing for her first ever 70.3, finished in under 7 hrs!!!!)  was already out on the run course, Duane was there supporting me, and my mom and Aunt were driving in from Portland to watch me cross the finish line.  That being said, I must continue.  13.1 more miles to go.  Luckily most of the run course was in the shade.

Starting my 2nd Loop

I started the run mentally and physically fatigued.  The run course was a 2 loop clover leaf course with lots of rolling hills.  I decided I would run the down hills, and do some combo of run-walk the rest of the course.   By the  time I got out on the run the course, the first finishers had completed the race.  At mile 6 of the run course I got a lot of comments, "we’re almost there", " We got this".  Unfortunately, they were almost there completing their second lap, while I was halfway there, having to go out again for my second loop.  The second loop was easier, I knew what to expect.  By the time I started my second loop there were very few of us out there.  The volunteers at all the water/aid stops were amazing all the way to the end.  I ended up being the 2nd to last participant to cross the finish line.   (Had I  slowed down my pace, the volunteers would have celebrated with me through the finish line, however, I was just too fast, lol).  Who needs volunteers, when I had my Mom and Aunt, who made me an awesome sign (first race, that anyone has made me my own sign), my husband, and Erika all cheering me on as I crossed the finish.  

Crossing the Finish Line

Overall, I was slower in every sport since my first 70.3 fun in 2013.  Swim was right about an hour,   the bike was 4:35 and my run was 3:16 (still under Disney timing requirements).  I did improve on my transition times with a total of about 8 minutes.  There was 158 people who started,  6 did not finish, and I ended up in 150th place with a time of 9hrs and 26 seconds.  

2016 Best in the West Finisher

Duane was a trooper,  he drove us to race start and supported us the entire day cheering us on and taking pictures during our journey.  He was able to take a few breaks resting in the car and watching the Godfather trilogy.  Its a long day even for the spectators.  Maybe even requires some training :)   

Now that this race is in the books, would I do this again? We will see.  But already looking at potential 2017 race ideas.  :)

How Awesome are my Mom and Aunt?!?!?

Taper Time!

It's officially less than 2 weeks until Race Day.  What's done is done.  What I trained is what I trained.   Cram session is over and its time to enter Taper Town.  

As per my previous post, August got a little hectic and I did not get all the training in I had hoped to get in.   In prep for open water swimming (getting use to my wetsuit, no walls or lines to guide me and people people everywhere) I participated in the Naple's Island Swim (1.3 miles).  It did state if you wore your wetsuit you would be DQ'ed for any results.  But part of the purpose was to get use to my wet suit, and who am I kidding, there's no way I'm placing.  Squeezing myself into the wetsuit is another story.  But the short part is, it took me way more time then I allotted.  By the time I got it on, the race had started and all the swimmers were off in the distance.  I ran to the start and jumped in without making sure the wetsuit was properly zipped up.   I spent the first half of the swim trying to figure out where to turn for the canal's entrance.  While I was in the canal, I noticed my wetsuit was rubbing on my neck.   By the time I completed the swim, I had rubbed my neck raw from my wetsuit. (Nothing like going into second shift for work, looking like I had a hickey on my neck).  The good news is I did eventually pass 2 swimmers, so I did not finish last :)  

The following weekend, I participated in an "olympic" distance triathlon.  That weekend, I learned I have a lot more training needed, one problem, I don't have any more time.  The water temperature was about 80 degrees, so I opted not to wear a wet suit for the swim.  The swim was 3 laps around the reservoir.   Every lap a new wave was just beginning, so swimmers swimmers everywhere.  The ride wasn't too bad, but it was also only 20 mile ride versus the normal 24.8 miles.   The run was another story.  It was a "trail" run, in desert like conditions (dirt path in the middle of no where, with no trees for shade).  No music, warm weather, allows my mind to run crazy with negative thoughts.  Its safe to say this was my slowest 10k in years.   

This last weekend, after freaking out about my Olympic triathlon experience. I decided no cheating this weekend.  On Saturday, Erika and I head out for a long ride.  The bike course in the race is 56 miles with 2500 ft of elevation gain.  So we took to the hill's of PV.  Around mile 30, she got a flat. And we attempted to change it, but failed.   The new tube was pinched with tire and caused a new hole.   No more spare tubes, and no more CO2 cartridges, it was time to call the SAG wagon.  Duane came and picked up Ericka, while I continued on my bike ride.  In the end I got 46 miles with 2733 ft of elevation gain.   Wasn't fast, but got it done.  Then on Sunday, went for a super slow 12 mile run.  I was able to continue running, but my legs just felt like bricks.  No matter how hard I tried I just couldn't move them any faster.  I finished out the weekend with a 40 minute swim.    (Talk about a last minute cram session).  

Training moving forward will include shorter distances, and allowing my body to recover from the training.  Looking forward to having my Mom, Duane and Erika (I'm assuming she will finish before me) cheering me on at the finish line.

6 Weeks out Update

Wow,  just 6 weeks out, so how am I feeling about the race?  Not great.  

The Swim -  I can do the distance,  just slow.  Not expecting to get much faster due to my horrible technique.  Motivational Motto for the swim comes from Dory of Finding Nemo, "Just keep swimming"

Swim Predictor:  Barb's race I was about 48 minutes,  for this race I think I will be right around that time as well.

The Bike - I think I dread this the most.   I feel least prepared in this area.   I ended up doing a flat 47 mile ride on the San Gabriel River Trail... and it scared me for the race.  The first 23 miles were great, no issues.  But the last 23 miles were rough.  My legs were dead, and there was a strong head wind.  I felt like I was going 0 mph.   I dealt with mental head games the entire trip back to the car. To be fair it was hot with minimal shade and I rode at the peak time of the day (early afternoon). Hoping race day will be cooler, minimal wind with lots of shade. 

Bike Predictor:  Barb's race I was right at the 4 hr mark.  This time I think I'm going to be slower by about a half hour.  I'm just not riding as strong as I was 3 years ago.  

The Run -  After running a marathon this year, I would have thought this would have been easy peasy.  However, I'm not a natural runner.  I have to work hard to run at a 11-12 minute per mile pace.  All of my long runs, have been the day after my long ride.    So my runs have gotten even slower than my marathon pace since my legs are dead from the day before.     I did 9 miles this morning and I finished it with a 13 minute mile pace. Definitely frustrating, but I will just keep training trying to improve.  Thats about all I can do.  

Run Predictor:  Barb's race I was super slow after the swim and bike and ended up at a 13:50 mile pace.   I'm hoping to push through and be a little faster,  under a 13 minute pace.   But who knows how I will feel after 5 hrs of exercise. 

Upcoming Shakeout races:   I will be participating in a 1 mile swim in 2 weeks, followed by an olympic distance triathlon the weekend later.   Both of these will be experiences to help gage where I am at for the Big Event. 

So overall, I'm attempting to stick to the training plans, however due to hectic work schedule the month of August, I'm having to improvise my training plan to make sure I'm prepared.   I'm hoping to get a few more long rides and long runs in before taper time starts.   

Just Add Motivation

Wow,  So I have officially completed week 4 of my training plan.  These first few weeks have been a motivational struggle.   I knew it was going to be a rough start due to a week of shift work, followed by a week of vacation.   

I did a pretty decent job, sticking with the plan for the week I supported shift work.  However vacation was a whole different story.  We drove up to Sunriver Oregon for a family reunion.  While I was there, my training consisted of 2.5 mile run to starbucks,  walk until my starbucks cup is empty and then finish the rest of the distance running back to the house and a 9 mile single gear beach cruiser ride with my parents.  



Saturday was the Pacific Crest Long Course, and I got to see the 1st place female cross finish line in just 4 hrs 46 min and 37 seconds.  I'm thinking my time in September will be almost doubled that.    Jumping into the fun, I decided to sign up for 10k, while my mom and sister in law signed up for the 5k.   Overall, I was a little disappointed in my 10k time, but finished with a time, close to what I was expecting.    On Monday instead of running, Duane and I decided to go hiking.  Then Tuesday and Wednesday were spent sitting in the car heading home.    

I spent the the rest of this week trying to get back on track with the training plan.   The training plan, lists the activity by time and not by distance.  So for my longer distance days, I'm up to 1 hr swim, 2:15 hrs of biking, and 1:20 of running.   Which roughly correlates to (1.4 miles of swimming, 30 miles of biking, and 7 miles of  running).  I can definitely tell I'm out of biking shape.  I think that is the area I'm going to really need to focus and push myself on.   As for swimming, I'm already at the distance; I have horrible technique and don't see myself getting any faster. Just need to focus on the form and attempting to be more efficient.   Running should be easier, but right now I'm really struggling with motivation.

10 more weeks to go.  Hoping to find my spark in these upcoming training weeks.    

Swim, Bike, Run... Oh My!!! Let's do this again!

So... if you remember my last post from August 2013, it was a wrap of Barb's Race 70.3.  I had mentioned that it was one of my best race experiences of my life and that I wanted to do it again the following year.    Unfortunately, my triathlon-self had to take a back seat to my work-self.

Now, over 2.5 years later, I'm ready to attempt another 70.3 race.  I was bummed to find that the Vineman Race series (Barb's Race) was bought out by Ironman and they felt Barb's Race was not one they wanted to keep.   So unfortunately I don't get to do the same race, but instead I get to broaden my race resume with a different 70.3.   

So what are my requirements when it comes to picking out a 70.3 race.

1.  Fresh Water Swim (No Salt Water, No Open Ocean)
2.  Low Altitude (I have no desire to attempt an open water swim in Denver)
3.  A race that seems like it would be fun

So what race did I end up with...  Best in the West 70.3 Triathlon (http://www.bestinthewesttriathlon.com/half-ironman/) in Sweet Home, Oregon (about 45 minutes from Corvallis).  Its a small triathlon.  Turns out last year only 107 people finished the Half Ironman.   That means less people in the water kicking me in the face.  Always a bonus.   But it could also mean a lonely time on the bike and run course.     

The bike course is a scenic 56 mile bike ride.   Another word for Scenic, could be described as hilly.  Or at least in my opinion hilly (2638 ft of elevation gain).  Barb's race was about 1800 ft.   Its going to require a lot of training up in the PV hills.   

The run is another 2 loop run, which can get boring.  But it also means I will be able to see and cheer on my buddy who is also doing the race with me.   She's a little speed demon and will probably be ahead of me the entire race.   But at least our path will cross a few times on the run to give each other some motivation.  The Post Race celebration includes a barbecue feast.   Which I'm sure I will barely eat since never feel great after 8 hrs of exercise. 

So I hope to use this blog to hold me accountable for my training.   Its easy to get distracted with life.  And I  am hoping this will keep me focused.   September 11 is right around the corned.  I better get my butt in gear.