Loveland Lake to Lake Race Re-Cap

There are days in your life as a coach and an athlete when you wonder if toeing the start line is your best choice.  Are you properly prepared?  Will racing be a positive deposit in my training and overall focus for the year?  Are there barriers that I expect to encounter?  

I signed up for the Loveland Lake to Lake Olympic Distance race pretty early in the year.  The decision was made that it was going to be a TTT Team Race and that parents, family members and coaches were encouraged to participate so I jumped on board.  I had not done an Olympic distance before so decided to take on that distance as a new challenge.  

My training was not race specific but overall I felt that my base training had me ready for the distance and I was excited to challenge myself and test my ability and try to push my speed out of my comfort zone.  I ended up having the opportunity to race the IRONMAN Boulder 70.3 two weeks prior to this race so with that addition my training stayed status quo and the focus of the Lake to Lake became a fun day with good training deposits.  

As race week arrived and the emails from the race started coming in, I started to research the race a bit to learn the course and try to establish expectations.  That’s when the nerves started to set in.  I came to realize that there was a decent amount of climbing in the bike -   something that I had not focused any attention on - and started to worry if a decent ride was possible.  There was talk of an 8% grade and plenty of climbing in between.  I talked to several people - all of whom had done the course before and received mixed responses.  Some said it was a great course and that speed was possible, others said extremely challenging both in terrain and speed.  I arrived at packet pickup Friday and decided to drive the course so I would have a visual in my mind of what to expect.  It turned out that a huge thunderstorm moved through as I was driving.  It seemed as though the course climbed and climbed and that there would be little opportunity to recover.  I decided instead of worry about it to shift my mind-set - accept my training where it is knowing my limitations that I expect and not let the bike ruin my race.  Ultimately I would love to have a 2 hour bike finish but it may be longer if I can’t get my average speed up.  I looked over the map a few more times and accepted it for what it was.  

Race morning arrived.  I was fortunate to stay with friends in Ft Collins so the early wake-up wasn’t quite as early.  I arrived at the race just before 5.  I settled into transition, visited with friends and team members and headed to the swim start.  I spent a bit of time acclimating to the water and met my wave to head out.  

Here are the goals that I had set -

1640 yds Swim - 32:00

30 Mile Bike - 2:00

10K Run - 1:10

TOTAL 3:42

SWIM - 1.5K (watch reading 1859 yards) - 36:20 course time

The swim start went off without a hitch.  I started to have issues with water in my goggles and stopped to tread a few time in attempts to fix the issue.  (Looking back now - it appears to be an issue a lot lately so may be time to address that!)  Spotting was a challenge between the sun and the now choppy water and how far away the buoys were.  I found that once a buoy was sighted it sometimes turned out to be the opposite side of the rectangle - and based on the flow of swimmers around me - it seemed others were having similar problems.  I pressed on focused on the caps around me and trying to keep up or get to the next one in front and worked my way through the course.  

I arrived at shore - my watch time 34:14 - note course time - that was due to the timing mat being at the end of the .25+ mile run to the transition area!  I was fortunate to find a nice man who helped unjam my wetsuit zipper and was in for a pretty decent.  Time for the bike.  

BIKE - 30 M - 1:38:37

A deep breath and take it one pedal at a time.  There were several men that passed as we were getting started.  They were riding aggressively.  I tried hard to focus and stay settled.  Two women passed in full race gear - race wheels - aero helmets - the works.  Next thing I knew I was passing several of these people as they were on the side changing flats.  I continued on.  Nancy M. passed me about Mile 8 shouting some encouraging words as she passed - she continued on to take 1st in her age group!  My watch alerts every 5 miles - I don’t pay attention to it much in between.  My first few splits were within a range that I like to see and I had gained a bit of ground that I hoped would be enough to make up for the time lost climbing.  I continued to ride.  I was passing people pretty consistently but being passed too so hard to judge if I was gaining or maintaining ground.  The hills and climbs were as expected but there seemed to be really good and fast recoveries between them.  I made it up the steep climb to Horseshoe Reservoir and thought there is one more big climb right?  That wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought.  Turned out that was the climb.  I had made a mental note of a landmark to mark the end of the climb and the return to town and the rollers into the finish and there it was.  Candy G. had told me there were 5 rollers on the return road.  I started to count them - realized I lost count - but knew it was either done or one more at that point!  Approaching the bike finish I was feeling good, legs good, nutrition seemed ok although I hadn’t had much and it had been a good fun ride.  I not only made it through but had beat my planned time by 22 minutes!!

A quick transition and feeling energized to start the run.  

RUN - 10K - 1:00:12

I settled into the run and decided to listen to my body as I progressed.  I wanted to push some as this is a shorter distance than I am usually running off the bike in a race but also didn’t want to run out of fuel and energy.  An out and back course so I turned my focus into seeking out people that I knew.  Ran into Ian M. from the Teens team - not who I expected - his comment - “Hey Coach, I think I took a wrong turn!”  - a few extra miles builds character Ian!  I continued on.  Focused on keeping my body cool as I passed through aid stations and focused on running and trying to maintain my pace.  Settled in with a girl for a few miles who liked my pace - we talked a bit and continued on.  Reached the turn around and headed back toward the finish.  Still trying to stay cool and make sure I had enough in me to finish strong.  Saw Joan on the course - she seemed to be having a great day and also ended up first in her age group!  Saw Candy and approached the finish.  I had joked with Bob in the days leading up to the race and again on race morning that he wasn’t allowed to leave me after they all finished the sprint race.  He said they would be done over an hour before me and that there were no guarantees.  I set my expectation on a quiet finish.  As I rounded the last corner approaching the finish, Bob was there to greet me on the course and not only Bob but the whole Teens group including parents and family.  He said since I am here you have to sprint to the finish - so I took off - getting high fives from everyone as I passed them.  It was really cool!  

Finish time 3:19:28 - 8th Place in my age group.  My highest finish to date.  I was extremely excited about my day and how it all came together.  And it was so fun to share it with so many people that I knew.  It definitely keeps you energized knowing that you may run into friends on the course.  

On the opposite end of town, my daughter Abby was racing her longest Tri distance to date at the TriBella Super Sprint.  It was extremely hard not to be there to watch her but I thought about her a lot throughout my race and hoped that she had as much fun as I did.  As soon as I finished I went to collect my phone to get an update from her.  She had finished ahead of goal time and taken 1st in her age group!!  It was fun to talk to her as I drove home and hear her re-cap and share mine with her!  

It is so fun to reflect on the past few years and how triathlon has evolved into such a big part of our lives.  So many friends and such an awesome community that supports you every step of the way.  Onto the next event.  One Day...One Step!

IRONMAN Boulder 70.3 Race RE-CAP

After wavering  too long when entry was open to pull the trigger prior to the race selling out and trying in many ways to gain entry to IRONMAN 70.3 Boulder, on May 10, 2016 at 5 a.m. I opened my email and quickly showed it to Mike; I received news that I had been granted an awesome opportunity. Thanks to Braden and Alison Todd with Glassmith2 and an essay (of sorts) that I submitted, I was selected to receive an entry to the race.  On May 19, 2016 my entry was confirmed by IRONMAN and it was official.  I would be participating in the 70.3 in just 23 days!

The official news sparked a wave of emotions.  I was excited to return to the race that was my first 70.3.  A race that connected me with so many friends before, during and after - and provided so many new connections who have impacted my life and my journey in some way since.   The next emotion was fear - holy cow - I am doing a 70.3 in 23 days!  Do I have enough training?  Will I be ready? Do I have all of the gear that I need?  Will I be ready?  

I decided that I would embrace the opportunity and take it one day and one step at a time!  The coach in me said it will be a good opportunity to see where my training is and where I need to focus my attention moving forward to IRONMAN CHOO in September.  The coach in me also said there is not enough time to make adjustments to my training to impact race day so continue on the original plan and understand that there may be challenges as a result of where my training is right now.  

When race numbers were released I did not have a number and had been informed by Ashlie N. that I would receive my number at check-in due to my late entry.  Also learned that I would not be listed on any of the printed items as my entry was too late for printing cut-off.  Guess I save money on race day gear ;).  

I checked and re-checked my gear, my new TeamEdith(charity I am racing IM CHOO on behalf of Edith Sanford Foundation) kit arrived just in time, made sure my bike was set to go (thanks Grayson B.) and headed to Boulder on Friday around noon.  I stopped to pick up Susan M. (my race day support, hostess and dear friend) and we were off to athlete check-in.  We arrived to Boulder Res.  The temperature read 91 on my car.  Going to be a hot one.  We stopped along the way to the check-in tent to say hi and meet many friends.  At the athlete tent I proceeded to the AWA table and learned that I was number 2500.  In looking around I realized that 2500 was the last number - all of the lines ended at 2500.  Pretty exciting!  I gathered the rest of my items and attended the athlete briefing. I had the opportunity to meet Alison and Braden thanking them for the opportunity to be here and sharing my excitement for the race.  We then headed to drop my bike and scope out transition.  My rack was definitely buried in there and the path to the exit was a bit complicated.  Things to ponder.  

Once my bike was safely stored, we headed out.  Dripping sweat.  Time to continue to hydrate, take a break from the heat and rest up.  My hostess prepared an awesome pre-race meal and my electrolyte cocktail, we walked the dogs and headed to bed.  

I set my alarm for 3:30 but found myself awake before then.  Up and ready, first layer of sunscreen applied and we were out the door.  I was hopeful to get a parking spot close to transition so I could rest in my car for a while.  My hope was granted.  Directly next to transition - even with my bike and ability to be in and out of my car all morning.  When transition opened, I went in and got my things together.  I returned to my bike a few times to check and re-check, walked to the bike mount to determine my course, visited with several friends and then headed back to my car to wait for a bit.  

At 7:00 I put my wetsuit on gathered my breakfast, my water and headed to the swim beach.  Ran into many friends on the beach and enjoyed visiting as the race began.  I was wave 18 so had over an hour from race start until my start.  Fun to watch the race-day excitement.  

This year the race featured a new swim course, a new bike course, a new run course and a new transition location and set-up.  So apples to apples comparison from last year is a bit difficult.  Comparisons provided are from my three 70.3 races to date.  

SWIM:  1.2 Miles - 42:30 (70.3 PR (45:31, 56:00))

I headed into the water for the 8:15 start time.  Funny that I knew several people in the wave but didn’t see any of them as we prepared to start.  I positioned myself a bit differently than normal and decided to see how I would fare in the pack.  I was able to find space fairly quickly - there was some swimming and knocking but nothing too major.  I redirected my course a bit to swim around congestion but all in all was able to move forward with little issue.  As we rounded the first red buoy the course became a bit more congested.  There were different colored caps which meant that we had caught up to some of the groups in front as well as the fast swimmers from the wave behind coming through.  I continued to focus on a clear line of water and continued to press.  Overall swim felt great, a couple drinks of the lovely water as waves came through but no issues.  

T1:  6:53 (slowest T1 for me for 70.3 (5:07, 4:29))

I worked my way through the maze and arrived at my bike.  I struggled a bit to get the last bit of my wetsuit off and got ready for the ride.  I drank about a half bottle of water with electrolytes before heading out and stopped at the sunscreen station.  I headed up the hill to the mount line and was off.  

BIKE:  56 Miles - 2:59:49 (70.3 PR (3:05:49, 3:10:11))

The bike was fun!  Passed Kristina J. on the way out and received a big high 5.  It started out very fast and I was enjoying the speed.  There was some congestion and lots of positioning and passing in the first 18 miles.  I tried to focus on staying hydrated and eating so that I stayed on track for the day.  There was an accident on the course that happened practically right behind me about mile 8. I spent the next 32 miles contemplating what had happened.  I talked to a girl on the course who was there at the same time and we talked it through some.   Hoping the racer has a speedy recovery.  The back half of the course involved some new climbing - I don’t mind the climb but course became congested and that section of road was not closed so made passing difficult.  As we neared the end of the bike, the wind picked up and the heat was really starting to be a factor.  I had done my best to stay hydrated although did not eat as well as I’d hoped.  I had cooling sleeves on but was now struggling to keep them wet and cool.  I saw Susan as I approached transition and headed in to change.  

T2:  5:35 (6:33, 3:38)

I racked my bike, removed my bike gear.  Slipped on my running shoes.  Drank another bottle of water/electrolyte, grabbed my UCAN handheld bottle, stopped to be slathered in sunscreen and headed out.  I passed Joel Z as I was leaving and said a quick hi.  

RUN: 13.1 Miles - 2:40:28 (2:30:10, 2:50:58)

Fun to run through the athlete village looking for people that I knew.  Said hi to Braden and Alison as I passed the Glassmith2 tent and headed out through the field.  At that point I realized how hot I was.  I walked a bit and decided to walk to the first aid station at Mile 1.  At the aid station it was time to help my body with the heat.  This involved water over the head, on the cooling sleeves and ice down the shirt and shorts.  I drank some water and pressed on.  Each aid station looked pretty similar.  I stopped for a bathroom break at mile 3.  Fun to see Kristina J. out cheering on the course and grateful for all of the sprinklers that homeowners had along the way.  I did my best to get my UCAN bottle in before the halfway point knowing I was running directly passed my spot in transition and intending to drop the bottle.  I did grab a few sips of Coke on the course and an orange slice as I approached the halfway.  Coming back into the village I focused my attention on finding people that I knew again.   Suddenly I heard “Go Mom!”  I turned and saw Katelyn, Abby and Mike!  I had not expected to see them at the race and was so excited!  I said a quick hi and continued on - one more loop.  Passed Susan M. and Braden and Alison again.  The second loop was continued focus on hydration and cooling.  The storms started rolling in and I actually was chilled by the wind in a few places due to how wet I was!  I was running more than walking and moving along pretty well.  Talked to a few people along the way.  Saw Kristina and Carla T. in the crowd and made the final push for the finish.  I always get emotional as I approach and this time was no different.  Crossed and worked my way out to family and friends!

6:35:15 (6:33:10, 7:05:16)

Fun to share post race with Mike, Katelyn and Abby, Braden and Alison, Susan, Kitty, Michelle, Kathy and so many others.  We gathered my items from Transition and loaded up the car.  First stop Dunkin’ Donuts (no surprise for those that know me!).  Added benefit is Katelyn now has her permit so I had a driver to get me home!

Reflecting back, I am happy with my day.  I am grateful to my family that supports my adventures every day and so many friends and family both near and far embracing my journey.  I have talked it through with several people and am happy to see how much progress I have made in a year’s time.  Last year - the IM Boulder 70.3 was my “A” race.  All training focused on that.  This year my “A” race is IM CHOO in September.  With that in mind it was a good check to see where I am and where I need to focus my attention.  Bike - longest to date in training this season was 41 miles and not a tempo ride.  Definitely need to increase distance and focus on increased distance at speed.  Run - last 13.1 miles was part of my marathon in January.  Longer runs paired with continued skill runs moving forward. Swim - continue to press on - continue to focus on speed over increased distance.  I am lucky to have access to open water often and need to continue to take advantage of it.  And my transitions...hoping the two shorter distance races that I have in the next month will help to streamline that process.  One Day...One Step!