Wow! Wow! Wow! Is all I can say about my race. It was incredible. It was incredibly hilly, hot, breathtaking,beautiful and challenging. Who would of thought you could find all that in Las Vegas. I had wanted to race St Croix this year but could not make it work with our schedules.I found this race in Las Vegas. It was the 1st year for the 1/2 IM distance. The race itself has been around for 5 years. Check out www.bbsctri.com for more on there races.
The swim took place is Lake Mead. It was beautiful but so cold. The water had to be below 60 degrees. After the initial freeze I was pretty good to go. They sent all of IM athletes together.I was hopping to find some bubbles to hook on to. No such luck. There was a guy around me the whole time but he kept swimming off course. I kept looking around thinking of how beautiful it was,every time I took a breath I saw mountains. The water seemed to get colder to me, which at times made it hard to breath. With my lack of swim training,(yes I know I have pool just not enough hours in the day). I was hoping for a decent swim, between 30-35 minutes. I got out of the water in around 32 minutes, so I was happy. I kept telling myself all through transition that I was warm. I had difficulty getting my helmet strap snapped. My hands were shaking which made it extra fun. Scott was right beside my bike in transition cheering me on. The transition was very long and all up hill.I carried my shoes,running was interesting with frozen feet. It was turning in to beautiful sunny day. I was ready to ride for the 1st this year outside! Off I went, and the hills started right away. It was up and down the whole way. It was absolutely beautiful there were many time you got different views of the Las Vegas Strip, Lake Las Vegas and Lake Mead. It is one of the most challenging bike courses I have ever done. I loved every minute of it. The wind was around 20-30 miles per hour.It seemed to always be in our faces. I had no computer on my bike, I had not viewed the course prior to riding in, even on the website. This forced me to ride steady and to be in the moment. My HR was elevated at times, I told myself many times to back it off. Save it for the run. I finally got feeling back in my feet around mile 25. My nutrition, hydration and salt intake were all good. I took water every time I could and poured a bunch on me, the temperature climbed quickly throughout the bike and I knew it was going to be a warm run. From mile 50-53 it was uphill to a turnaround back to transition. This is where my hurting started, and I had a few moments where I wondered I had I given up too much. I literally coasted back to transition I was flying it was all down hill.
I began to get my head together and prepared myself for the run. I was excited to run. I had not previewed the course, so I was interested to see what kind of trail running there would be. Scott had been all over the bike course cheering and encouraging me. Always reminding me to stay with in myself.
The run: We headed out toward the swim start on sand and rock. Then took a hard right uphill for about 1/2 mile to hit the trails. I kept thinking the 1st aid station should be coming. I could really feel the heat. It was at least 80+ degrees at start of the run. I had my fuel belt and realized I need to start drinking right away. I could not wait for water. So I started sipping my carbo pro/ cliff shot.I downed one 6 oz bottle by the time I got to the 1st aid station at 1.5 miles. I drank water and and poured water over my head and all over me at every aid station. Mile 2ish, was a nice big downhill to another aid station and from there on I filled my fuel belt bottle at every aid station. I drained each time. I also drank additional water while I was at station. So every 10 minutes I was taking in 10-12 oz water. It saved me big time. When I started the run there were people still on the course for Olympic race all walking because of the heat. By mile 3 I had a caught a woman that passed in transition. From 3.5 to 5 it was up hill in sand rock. At times I laughed out loud at the terrain. It was very difficult but I was enjoying myself. I saw Scott at 3.5ish which was a big surprise. I did not think he was going to be on the run course. So that was a big lift. I was determined to stay steady, stick to my plan, and just run. For some reason my HR monitor went on the fritz at mile 1 of the run. I was going totally on feel and RPE. The climbs up on the trail was amazing you could see all of Lake Mead. It reminded me a great deal of how Kona looks as you ride up to Hawi. They ran us through 4 enormous tunnels that were so dark inside you had to take glasses off to keep your footing. I kept telling my self to get to turn around. The wind picked up even more on the run, there looked to be small sand storms at times on the trails. I had a nice coat of dirt/dust all over me. As I made turnaround I was excited at how good I felt. I kept drinking,eating and running. Back through the cool tunnels and then somewhere around mile 9 I got see Scott again. He ran me back down one to mile 10 and said he would see me at the finish. I could not believe I had 3 miles to run. I kept drinking right up till the last aid station.I sucked that dry too.
I felt strong all day. I never looked at my watch again after the swim till I could see the finish line.When I saw my time I was amazed I had been out there that long. I though I could be at least 45 min faster on a decent day. As I crossed the line and realized what a great day I had for myself, I was estatic and I had a blast. It was great to be back out there. It was truly refreshing and motivating in many ways. I would go back and do this in heartbeat. It made me realize there are many great races out there to try.
It was such a great surprise of a day. I continue to learn as I race and the biggest obstacle I have had has always been my head. My thoughts have many times gotten the best of me. That is something that I have been diligently working on this season. My hope is to pass on to you what I have been studying, applying and successfully doing not only in my training, and racing but in everyday life as well. Big thanks to Lisa for that!
Big thanks to the following:
Thanks to my husband Scott for his unbelievable support. You bring out the best in me.
Thanks to my son for inspiring me and for keeping it real.
Thanks to my coach and friend Eric Hodska for once again having me very prepared. I have really enjoyed the changes we have made to my training, and can feel the differences.
