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Date/Location: |
June 6, 2021 – Herald, CA |
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Distances: |
Swim 1.5K – Bike 40K – Run 10K |
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Time: |
2:41:05 (26:45-1:22:27-51:53) |
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Place: |
4th, W45-49 (12th Female OA) |
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Teammates: |
Dana Haldeman, Keith Hansen |
Last race before Ironman Coeur d'Alene! Troy and Ariel are home today attending a baptism at church in support of one of our Bible Study kiddos. Anna is driving me to this race to support and get some more driving practice. We have a quiet drive to the twin towers (retired nuclear towers).
Anna is a great help getting my stuff unloaded and me registered . I am able to do a little cycling to warm up. When I get to transition, it's already pretty full but I find a pretty good spot. It's fun to see familiar faces again!
I get down to the water and meet up with Anna. We pray together and then I jump in the water for a warm up.
It's almost time to go! As I'm treading water, I see Dana Haldeman. I tell her "have a great race!". I know she'll be a top contender today!
SWIM
Ready, set, go! It's a bit of a crowded start. I'm a bit concerned about getting hit in the head but it all smooths out. I get into a good rhythm going out to the first buoy.
At the buoy, I turn and head right into the sun. For a bit I follow the swimmers in front of me until I can see a guide buoy. I hit 500 yards in under 9 mins. Great!
I continue the long stretch to the next buoy. Just before I get there I hit another 500 under 9 min! I also see the first swimmer from the wave behind me pass me like a rocket!
I make it to the final buoy. Another swimmer from the wave behind goes by and I get on his feet. It's a nice ride to the beach! I get out and get my wetsuit off. I can see Anna has been recruited to help with taking tags from swimmers. I think she sees me but not sure. I appreciate her willingness to help!
As I run into transition I see Dave Campbell wandering around which is odd because he should already be out on the bike. I ask him what's going on and he says his bike was damaged by another athlete on accident and cannot be ridden. I encourage him to run at least for a good workout but at the moment the wind seems to be taken out of the sails. I tell him to hang in there and then I get on my bike.
BIKE
The first few miles in the park
I get my bearings. The speed bumps
throw me off a bit. I realized I
stopped my watch in transition instead of hitting the lap button. Bummer! I get it started
again. Fortunately I started my
bike Garmin so I will have the info I need. But I soon realize that I failed to get
the settings just right when I recently changed some things. I don't have average mph visible so I have to look at my watch which is now behind. Oh well, will get that
fixed for IM!
I finally get out on the open road and settle into my aerobars. The road is bumpy the first 5 miles. I am getting passed by a bunch of men and a few women too. It's humbling to say the least. I have to remember that this is for God's Glory, not mine!
Soon the pavement gets smoother and much more comfortable. I am catching some riders now from the previous waves. I see the top riders flying back. I look for Dana but don't see her. It's really hard to recognize people today for some reason.
I make it to the turn around. As I head back, I pass a guy. He latches on to me and drafts for a bit. I try not to get mad but do try to look back to make a point. Soon a woman passes me and he latches on to her. Oh dear!
I start to gain back on the girl. She's dropped the guy now. As I pass him, I pass fast so that he doesn't latch on. I soon pass her and tell her good job.
I'm a little uncomfortable because I need to go. I decide I'll do a quick bathroom break right before transition. Despite it all, I feel like I'm finishing quite strong.
Back into the park I can see the top guys running out to the halfway point of the run. These guys are so fast!
I stick with the plan and pull over to use the bathroom. I probably lose 3 to 4 minutes. I enter the course where I left. I dismount and rack my bike. Time to run!
RUN
Anna cheers me on as I leave
transition. I really hope to
maintain sub-9 min pace.
Heading out I feel good surprisingly! The course has no shade and is mostly dirt road/trail. It's warm but not a hot day fortunately! I do have a small towel to put around my neck that I wet going out. I also am carrying a water bottle.
Mile 1 is 8:38. Wow, that's great! I wonder if I can maintain.
I'm catching up to runners who passed me on the bike. I encourage as I pass. I feel great and am having fun! Mile 2 is 8:27! Thanks God!
I get water at the aid station and head out to road for the out and back. At the turn around I see a gal coming towards me fast! Mile 3 is 8:15.
The girl passes me and I'm motivated to pick it up. I wonder if she's in my age group. She pulls away.
For the next few miles we run along the trail by the water's edge. It is very winding and the footing is not always even.
Mile 4 is 8:36. I can tell another runner is catching me which gets me focused again and gets my pace going faster. I tell the guy he can pass at any time but he says he's good at the moment. It just helps keep me pushing. There are some other runners ahead I hope I can catch.
Finally the trail ends and I'm back the dirt road. The guy passes me and I tell him good job. I pick it up and try to stay with him. Mile 5 is 8:18! Wow Lord, I am amazed!
I see a familiar racer ahead walking. I offer him some Clif Bloks but he thanks me and tells me it's a calf injury that has creeped up. The guy has pulled away but I push hard to close the gap. This push helps me to pass a few more runners. There is a older woman ahead of me that I might be able to pass. Mile 6 is 8:15! I could sprint all out and possibly pass her but I let her cross the line first.
Anna is there waiting for
me. I can see Dana on the podium
as they announce the top women of the day. She's second. Glad to see her do
well. And our old friend Kathy
Winkler is on the top of the podium. Cool!