I don’t think my two 70.3 experiences this year could be more different. One was a pretty epic fail and the other was a pretty solid success. Story of my life? Hoping I can end that trend…
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| Pre-swim... checking out how people are getting past the sandbar |
Swims: I have that bad mentality… “my swim is my swim”. But, it’s true. It is. I swim in no man’s land because I’m not fast enough to keep up with the lead girls, but am not so far back that I’m in the bigger clump. Secretly (or publicly since I am broadcasting it now) I kind of like it there. Trying to stay on someone’s feet stresses me out a little and I have recently stopped freaking out in open water, so my comfort in my own little world is fine with me. It is a goal of mine to get to the point where I could stick with people and maybe push myself a little more in the water. I did try to sight a lot less at Racine (awesome tip from the TrainingBible course talk… not sure why those things aren’t as obvious as they seem J).
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| scoping out who "looks fast" |
As for my races: Kansas was SO choppy and had buoys on the left… It sucked. Racine was fabulously calm with buoys on the right… it rocked. 7th AG vs. 5th AG… I basically came out the same in both places, but swam 7 minutes faster in Racine.
Bikes. I love me a nice rolling hill (actual rolling hills… not those BS hills that Kansas claims are “rolling”) / mostly flat bike course. I hate the response I get when people see my bikes times on tougher courses that have actual hills… “but, you should be good at hills?”. Awesome. Insight into why I SHOULD, but AM NOT would be welcome along with those comments [end rant].
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| staying focused on the bike :) |
So, Racine was like a solid 45 minutes faster than Kansas. Difficulty level the of course, comfort with my new bike fit, 404’s instead of 808’s on a day with much less wind all contributed to the differences. At Kansas, I rented 808’s and it was crazy windy. Given my mediocre bike handling skills and a pretty new fit… I hated almost the entire bike ride. I reverted to the comfort of 404’s at Racine and the wind was much less extreme. I was able to really get into a rhythm at Racine, hold my power in my goal range and just feel good the whole time. I managed to move up on the bike, which normally doesn't happen for me and come out not too far behind the lead girl.
Anyways… I don’t think I should have THAT big of a difference in my performances, so that is obviously a huge goal for me to figure out. Especially before I return to Vegas where it will be hot, hilly and windy…. oh man.
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| Excited to see the VisionQuest cheering section on the run! |
Runs. Kansas to Racine is a testament to the importance of hydration and nutrition more than anything. Also, perhaps a testament to some slight gains with toughening up. The elusive awesome run I had at Steelhead last year has yet to be recreated. I have no idea how I did that and when I might possibly get myself to run that fast again.
Halfway through the run at Kansas I cramped like crazy, was slowed to a slog / walk… and was basically in survival mode. Racine went much smoother. I went out too fast and slowed more than I would have liked at the end, but overall wasn’t TOO far off my goal pace / time. No cramping (though I did come close) and think I did a pretty good job keeping myself cool (lots of ICE) and running through sprinklers (my feet were less than thrilled with that choice). The top girl passed me at mile 12… MILE 12!! But, she was solid and I… was not… She ran smarter (I passed her at mile one when I was delusionally running sub 7 minute pace? umm, that was not the plan. Though I do dream about being that fast J).
Nutrition
Racine
2.5 bottles perform on bike, 3 salt tables, 1 pack shot blocks
Water, perform and a little coke on run. 2 gu’s. Forgot salt.
Kansas
2 bottles perform, 1 water, 1.5 packs shot blocks
Water, perform and coke on run. 1 gu. 2 of someone’s salt tabs when I was looking all pitiful walking up the hill clutching my quad.
VisionQuest Coaching and TrainingBible Coaching both had a HUGE presence at the race. The cheering section from VQ was the greatest thing ever. I got so energized coming out on the run and at the turn around. VQ Project blue also had some pretty solid performances… for ladies I believe 4 of us were in the top 10 amateurs, top 20 overall females.
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| Awards! 2nd F25-29, 10th OA female |
I secured my Vegas slot (barely!). 1 slot for F25-29’s and a lucky me snatched that slot when #1 didn’t take it. Now, to accomplish improving my time / experience at Vegas. It is going to be killer, but at least I know what I’m getting myself into and can work on being as ready as possible. I got myself a fancy coach now, through TrainingBible Coaching - Scott Iott… so, I can have confidence in what I’m doing and how I’m preparing and tapering. So far so good! Excited (and nervous) to see how Vegas goes this year!
