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!