Boise 70.3

I know it's been a while since my last post, but thankfully Michelle has been kind enough to remind me of that fact on an almost daily basis.  Thanks dear!  Rest assured, I do have a good excuse for my lack of blogging recently.  It's called laziness!  Ever since IMSG I haven't been able to drag myself out of the bed before 7AM.  Don't know why, I haven't lost any motivation, maybe my body is just needing a short break.  That being said, I did manage to compete in a 70.3 event about a month after IMSG, and thankfully I hadn't lost too much of my fitness.

My race season has been pretty successful.  I've been lucky enough to set a PR in every distance I've attempted this year, mostly because of the IRONMAN training I'm sure, but it's not been without a lot of pre-race drama.  That seems to be my theme this year.  Build up to the race week, have some drama, have a good race day.   Guess it's a good distraction!

Boise was not going to come and go without something.  I knew it, just didn't know what it would be.  So as I had mentioned before I was having a hard time getting up and going in my prep for this race.  The week before the race I started to gain some momentum, and then it happened.  I got sick!  I mean really sick!!  Not to over dramatize it, but I almost died!  Now Michelle will be the first to tell you that I'm a huge baby when I get sick.  "Fetch me this, bring me that.  Yes, I do need a back rub!"  I know, it's pretty pathetic.  Anyway, this thing just totally crushed me.  I was in bed for a day and a half and couldn't move.  I was running a fever of 103, sweating like crazy, but also had goose bumps and my teeth were chattering.  The only other symptom was a really sore throat.  As I started to feel a little bit better I called my mom and described the hell I was going through.  She mentioned the dreaded word I hadn't heard in probably 20 years.  Strep!  Nah, couldn't be.  Only kids get strep, right?  I finally decided to go to the Dr. just to rule it out.  Sure enough, that's exactly what it was, and I hated it.  Thankfully, Michelle and the kids did not get it!  After a couple of days on the antibiotics I was back to normal.

Back to normal until I found out I had a business trip to Reno the following Wednesday and Thursday, just before we were to leave for Boise on Friday AM.  Not to worry, I'll get home at 8:00 on Thursday night, get a good nights sleep and we'd be on our way!  Ha!  If only things were that easy.  The business meeting went off without a hitch, got to the airport with plenty of time to spare before my 5:00 flight home.  After boarding the plane and chilling for about 30 min, the Captain finally tells us there is a mechanical issue and we all need to deplane.  Not to worry, it'll be a small fix and we'll be on our way!  Ha again!  After waiting another 45 minutes I start to panic a bit.  Not too many flights leaving Reno heading to SLC after about 6:00, ugh!  After much begging I was able to secure one of the last seats on the last flight into SLC for the day.  By the time I got home it was after 10:00 and I was totally exhausted.  Safe and sound, but my race was not going to be pretty. 

We had the good fortune of carpooling with Rory (Swim Bike Run - The Life of a Triathlete) and Courtney up to Boise.  These kids (they're still in their twenties so I call them kids) are hilarious, and made the drive go by way fast. We got to the hotel (it was straight out of the 70's, but clean and very close to check-in and the finish line) and head to the race checkin.  While wandering around I heard someone mention the water temp was going to 53 degrees.  Whoa, that's not what I was expecting.  Thankfully, it was only a half-IM and not a full.  Got the bikes checked in and had the traditional Cafe Rio prerace meal, and it was time to relax.  The race didn't start until noon the next morning, so we were really relaxed that night.

We woke up the next morning and headed over to the race site.  Michelle and Courtney drove us up to the swim, so it was nice not to have to ride the bus.  The race didn't start until noon, and with 53 degree water temps it was a good thing.  Can't imagine swimming in that cold water and then jumping straight on a bike at 7 AM.  The only disadvantage to the late start was it was HOT setting up transition.  I was sweating like I'd been sitting in the sauna, and then had to put on a wetsuit.  Yikes.


Setting up tranisition



Rory and I chatting with some hot babes before the swim start.

Swim

I actually felt pretty good about the swim for once.  I know I'm not fast and probably never will be, but I'm showing some improvements so I'm happy.  I started in the 3rd age group wave, so it wasn't too congested.  At one point I swam right into a group of what seemed like 10 ladies that were forming a wall.  What in the world?  How do you manage to have social hour in the middle of a swim?  I felt bad, but didn't want to try to go around them, so I waited for just the right moment and went right over the top.  I don't think anybody got too beat up, but it's never fun to do that.  Especially when it's a group of older women...sorry grandma.  Had it been men I wouldn't have thought twice about it, and may have even added a couple of punches and kicks for good measure!  LOL!  Of course I'm kidding. Or am I?  Total time was around 34 minutes.  My goal was to swim close to 30 minutes, so I missed that; however, I did cut two minutes off of my time from last year.  Slowly but surely I'm getting better.

After the swim...heading to T1

Bike

The Boise bike route is pretty challenging, but I think it's really fair.  It's relatively flat; however, does have some good hills that sting the legs.  I wanted to push it hard, but not too hard that I was drained for the run like last year.  We got lucky this year as there was barely any wind unlike the tornado we biked in last year.  I'm not a very competitive person (as you may know by now), so I was really surprised to find myself pushing really hard at the start of the bike.  HAHA!  In all seriousness, I was hammering way too hard and was out of breath after only a few minutes.  Was I just going to hard, or was I out of shape already?  I had no idea, but decided to back it down a notch and save some energy.  After about 20 miles though, I was feeling awesome and decided to pick it up again.  At about that same time I realized I was riding basically alone.  (Since I started in the early wave, there were very few people in front of me and I had managed to pass a bunch of them.  Of course they were all 60 year old men and women, and yes I did feel good about passing them, so just leave me alone about it, okay?)  It wasn't as easy riding at the front of the pack as I thought it would be.  I usually try to pick people in front of me to chase down, but there wasn't anybody at this point, and the people who were in front of me were much faster than I.   I just settled into a solid pace and hope to maintain it through the finish.  I will say, by about mile 50 I was really ready to get off the bike.  I never felt that way in IMSG, but in Boise I couldn't get off the bike soon enough.  Still not sure why, but before I knew it I was rolling into T2.  Total time was right about 2:30.  Right on my goal.

Leaving T2

Run

The run is a two loop course and is completely flat and shaded for many of the miles.  I wanted to run 1:30 or below, but as I trudged through the first few miles I didn't think I had a chance to run that fast.  My stomach was not cooperating at all.  I never felt like I needed to stop, but it just didn't feel right.  I haven't been racing with a watch, so I didn't have any idea what pace I was maintaining, but it didn't feel fast at all.  I was still at the front of the pack, so I didn't have anyone around to try to pace myself with.  I just decided to settle in to a comfortable pace and try to run the whole thing.  On the first loop I had the aid stations virtually to myself.  I had my pick of everything and anything from the volunteers, but the only thing I wanted was some Coke!  I got Coke at every aid station and then tried to alternate between Perform (like Gatorade) and water at every other aid station.  By the time I started the 2nd loop I was feeling much better and my pace picked up considerably.  I still didn't think I was going very fast, but it felt good to let the legs loose for a bit.  I was shocked when I saw my final run time of 1:30 (right at my goal).  I didn't think I'd run anywhere near that fast, so I was really happy.

Out of T2 and then on the course

As I crossed the finish line I felt great, but I was STARVING.  I gave Michelle a gross/sweaty hug and then headed for the food line.   On my way over I saw Spencer Woolston...a total triathlete stud who happened to win the 30-34 age group.  We grabbed a quick picture...still cracking up about this one, and then I got some food.  I think I ate all of the food by the way, so I'm sure I won't be invited back to the race next year, and apologies to anyone who started after me.  If you didn't get a burger or any pizza let me know and I'll hook you up.

Spencer Woolston (who may have eaten more post-race food than I)

It was fun racing with a lot of good people (Rory, Bart, Dave, Gary, Lance, and others) and everyone did great out there.  Boise is just a cool place to race!  Second only to St. George of course!  We had a great time hanging out with Rory and Courtney and we're definitely coming back next year. The only stipulation is next year all four of us (Michelle and Courtney included) will be racing ;).  As Bart Scott would say..."Can't Wait!"

Gary and Bart

Oh yeah, before I forget, the spectators were awesome too.  Although I'm not sure about these dudes...I think Michelle was a little more impressed than I.

If you didn't chuckle as you ran past these spectators you are not human

Must be some sour gum

Celebrating after the race at PF Changs

Until next time, Tri Hard!

NEVER AGAIN!

I always say that.  NEVER AGAIN!  I wonder why Justin always looks at me funny and says "you always say that."  I must forget how difficult marathons are.  It's kind of like labor.  I remember feeling like that when we had our first child.  Then during labor the second time.. I said "hey, the pains not too bad" and Justin said "I don't think you remember how bad it hurts."  Of course (for the record) he was right.  Right about labor and marathons.  So I am leaving those life events to him.  He will look so cute pregnant!

Ogden was my final marathon.  It was my eighth one and boy o' boy it hurt.  Lets start from the beginning...

Our friends-cousins-once removed-from anotha motha, Paul and Cindy, were gracious enough to let us stay at their beautiful condo in Eden.  Eden is absolutely breathtaking.  I guess that's why they named it Eden?  It is situated half-way up the Ogden Canyon next to Pineview Reservoir.  Snow Basin is nearby and their are pine trees everywhere you look.  i know Ogden is known as a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and it always ranks high on "The Best Places to Live" list.  It is also home to the Dew Tour (snowboarding competition) and the Xterra Championship race. 

We made it a Racation and brought the kiddos with us.  Since it was Justin's turn for kid duty (he still owes me 7 hours) we thought it would be fun to all be together.  After picking up my bib number, shirt and goodie bag we of course hit Cafe Rio' for our pre-race meal.  Maybe it is not a good thing to have beans before a race.  We have always done this though and it was Justin's birthday so I just couldn't say no.  After we downed our burritos we drove up the canyon to Eden.  The mile markers were already out along with the portapotties.  The course "looked"  fabulous..fast and easy, right?  I kept thinking...this course is all downhill..BQ for sure!

Once we were settled at the condo the kids and I surprised Justin with a box of cupcakes and sang "Happy Birthday" to their old man.  After Ty licked the frosting off half the cupcakes we decided it was time for bed.  A 4 o' clock alarm was set to go off soon.

I woke up feeling pretty good, fresh and excited to race.  Justin and the pajama laden kids dropped me off at the start (which I felt so guilty about).  We pulled in between two buses and I snuck into the swarm of runners.  We never break any rules in races but we just couldn't make sense of driving to the bottom of the canyon so I could load onto a bus.  Anyways, to my surprise it was not too cold at the race start.  I had layered myself with 3 shirts, snow hat, gloves and space blanket.  I used the space blanket to sit on and invited other fellow runners to join me by the camp fire.  We started singing "Kum buy ya, my Lord...Kum buy ya." and roasting marshmallows.  It was so much fun.  Kidding.  We did have an hour and a half before the gun went off so it was nice to relax, get cozy and share some conversation.  I found my friend Callie in line for the portapotties and slipped in line with her (another rule broken).  After wishing her and another friend Dina luck I headed back to my camp fire to get ready. I ate a Cliff bar, finished off a Powerade, stripped down to my running apparel and headed for the starting line.

There was no wind, rain and the temperature was perfect!  The first 7 miles were downhill so it was easy to "sandbag" some time.  I tried to remain conservative but I was getting passed like I was standing still.  I was averaging an 8 minute per mile pace.  My goal was to stay around 8.30 but going downhill is hard to hold back.  I was feeling great up through mile 8.  The course was so beautiful.  It was like looking at a landscape calender around every turn. 

Miles 8-13 were pretty flat and maybe even a slight bit uphill.  There was definitely a climb at mile 14 as you approached the damn.  I was still making good time even after visiting every bathroom.  I kept alternating powerade and water and even took in half a Cliff shot.  The volunteers were amazing.  This race was so well organized.  I did get passed by the 3.30 pace team and felt a little down about it but that's ok, I'm still in the game.  I was starting to feel a little thirsty...never a good sign.  I also felt like I had to use the bathroom but nothing was happening.  It was like my body decided to shut-down and not process anything I was ingesting.  I've had this same thing happen to me numerous times.  You would think I would know better and have nutrition nailed by now but for some reason I don't! My mind began playing with me and I was beginning to think negative thoughts.  Then the 3.45 pace team passed me.  I
tried to hang with them but my legs would not respond!  I can still make under 4..right?  Please!
With my quads toast, belly sloshing and negative thoughts swarming in my head I decided that once I saw Justin and the kids around mile 20 I would call it quits.  I imagined myself sitting in the car with my feet up drinking a coke.  I saw them at mile 23 (at the bottom of the canyon) and it was like he already knew how I was feeling.  Deja Vu...I guess.  I told him I was hurting and he just said "you're pretty much done, just head it on in. You can do it."  He's so calm and together all the time.  Here I was pretty much dying right in front of him, my insides are going to fall out and he just smiles and gives me a hug and pushes me on.  I guess sometimes we need people to do that for us.  They know us better than we know ourselves and what we are capable of. We need a little push once in a while. So I was off to the finish.  I don't know how I did it but I did.  I was crawling at a 10 minute mile pace and getting passed by tons of runners.  I will be dead last, I'm sure of it. This is not fun. NEVER AGAIN! Then here comes the 4.00 pace team, surely I will be able to hang with them.  Just finish, just finish, please let me finish this race and under 4 hours!


Ahhh....time to quit or time to learn how to wear compression socks.



One last kick down the home stretch.



Brittany and I ALIVE!

 I knew deep down that I could and would finish this race.  That thing on my shoulders is pretty powerful.  Although I kept thinking of all the negative things happening in my life and all the doors that have been closing, rejection, hurt, sorrow... poor me, poor me.  Never again!  Then after I finished in 4.01, I found my healthy, happy family, got my ice cold coke, a massage from Justin and met up with my good friend Brittany (whom runs at least 5 marathons a year). I felt ok again. Yeah, I was hurting during those final miles and I wanted to give up, throw in the towel.  Life is so much easier that way.  Why put yourself out there, take a chance or risk falling on your face.  It hurts too bad.  Why not take the easy road?

One of my favorite quotes:  "You can live a life of discipline or a life of regret."  I knew that I wasn't a quitter and no matter how bad life 'hurts" it is much better to hurt with passion than regret.  So this I say to you 2 days post-marathon; you can do it, get out there!  As much as I like to be on the sidelines cheering on my favorite people, I love being in the game...even if it means I might get hurt or end up disappointed.

R.I.P- "NEVER AGAIN"

Hello life and maybe the SoJo marathon...


Michelle