| Date/Location: | April 9th, 2022 – Lake Berryessa, CA |
| Distances: | Swim 1.2miles – Bike 56miles – Run 13.1miles |
| Time: | 6:32:13 (43:41-10:09-3:32:16-4:32-2:01:33) |
| Place: | 2nd of 2 age group, 4th of 18 overall |
| Teammates: | 70.3– FCA: Caryn Galeckas, Suzanne Hartley, Troy Soares; Sam Louie OLY – FCA: Anna Soares |
We are back at Lake Berryessa camping and racing after 3 years! The sleep last night was not so great but the company is wonderful: Caryn Galeckas, Suzanne Hartley and Team Soares. So glad it’s not raining today and not too cold outside. The water temp on the other hand is 63 degrees which will be tough. Troy and I pick up our registration packet and set up transition. There are not many racing today so the transition area feels very open. I have to run back to our campsite, which is close, three times to get all I need. This is the first tri of the season and it’s the first half and the first camping trip in a while. My brain is on overload!
Troy and I head down to the water and meet up with Caryn and Suzanne. We see Anna and Ariel trekking over from the campsite too. We all merge and get a great group photo! The swim course is a bit different. The race directors decided to do a 2 loop course for the half (4 for the full distance!) that has some swallow spots for the tentative swimmers.
SWIM
We watch Troy start his swim. Caryn, Suzanne and I head to the water. Even with booties on my feet, it’s hard to bear the cold. I wait until the countdown is nearly over to jump in and start swimming. I’m able to put my face in a go. It’s not that bad. I cannot see out of my goggles. I should have let Troy put in the defogger! I let some water into the goggles and now I can see great! The downside is that the water is irritating my eyes. I can bear it.
Thank you Lord! At the first buoy we turn and head into choppy water. It reminds me of Wildflower 2013. I remember how I sighted by just peeking my face out of the water. Even with that technique, my neck is getting sore! I do feel like I’m swimming strong. I let some water out of my goggles but eyes still hurt.
I make it back to the start and it’s back for one more loop. I’m noticing that my core is now feeling cold especially in the chop. My eyes are really mad so I let some more water out..but I just trying to ignore the discomfort. I follow another girl to the finish. I get out and I’m COLD! I opt to keep my wetsuit on as I run up to transition. I cross my arms over my body as I start to shiver. I hear the announcer and our friend Courtney Cardenas say I’m the 3rd woman out of the water. Cool!
Troy is in transition getting his sweater and leg warmers on. It is sunny and I know it will be warming up eventually so I opt to not do leg warmers. I struggle to get my wetsuit off. Troy notices I’m shivering and he is concerned and tries to help me get my wetsuit off. I tell him I’m ok. I try to get my bike jersey on but cannot get the backside down. I ask Troy to help. He heads out and I keep getting ready. Soon Caryn comes into transition. I put on my wool sweater little by little. Thank you Lord I brought it! I also put on my woolie beanie and long fingered gloves. As I head out I see Anna. I tell her I’m concerned about being cold and whether she thinks I need leg warmers. She says I’ll be fine. I say bye to Caryn and head out. I took over 10 minutes to leave transition!
BIKE
I am shivering as I head out. After a mile, I’m on the first climb. I look at my Garmin after what seems like many miles and I see less than 2 miles on my speedometer! Wow, this is going to be a long ride! The shivering is starting to improve. Thank you Lord for my sweater! I know I must look ridiculous but I really don’t mind. I get passed by about 3 riders or so. After Mile 5 I’m averaging 12.4 mph! Now it’s time to get to work and see if I can get over 15mph for the whole ride. I am hoping to do a 3:30 bike split if possible. My idea of going under 6 hours for the 70.3 seems too ambitious for today. If I can get 6:30, that would be great!
I see the first guy coming back in less than 10 miles in! Oh my goodness! He’s so fast…and way ahead of everyone else!
After about 13 miles I see Troy! He is smiling and looks strong. I smile back. I’m getting close to 15mph! Thank you God! A few miles further I’m at the turn around. There is one volunteer here directing traffic. I see a table of waters and gels. I would have to stop to grab water. I think I’m pretty good for now so opt not to stop.
As I head back, I see Caryn and then Suzanne. They look like they are riding strong!
I’m heading back from Pope Valley over to Lake Berryessa. I’m feeling warm! I’m also running low on water and I am in need of a bathroom break. I decide to try to take care of all 3 needs at once at the next Aid Station which is 10 miles away.
I fly down the last hill down to the lake. There is a parking area here and there is Anna and Ariel cheering! So great to see them. I smile and wave.
As I see guys cycling towards the finish, I’m guessing the top guy is already on the run! I’m almost to 16mph! Wow!
Soon I see Troy! He looks good and has taken off his wool sweater and has his sleeveless jersey on. That gives me confidence to ditch the sweater, beanie and gloves. I’m actually feeling hot. I’m now at 16mph!
I really need to use the restroom. There are several parks on the lakeside of the road with bathrooms. I hope to find something on this side but the chances are slim. I can wait to the turnaround but there might be a line at the one porta-potty. As I make a turn around a bend, I see porta-potties on my side of the road. Yay! I use the time to take off all my gear. As I get back on my bike, I’ve only lost .2mph of my average and it looks like only one rider has passed me!
At the turnaround I grab water and I’m all set! Thank you Jesus! I think I can make it under 3:30.
The ride back is harder than expected. What I thought would be a tailwind ends up being a headwind. And there is much more climbing than I expected. I watch my average drop down to 15.6. I’ll be really close to my 3:30 goal. I remain focused on the Lord and finishing. Though it’s physically hard, I feel mentally strong.
I make it back to the park entrance. Anna and Ariel are there cheering. It lifts my spirit! Down the bumpy road back to transition. Just a few minutes over 3:30. Not bad!
I get ready as soon as I can. I shed my gear and change my bike jersey to a race t-shirt. As I run to the porta-potty for a quick break, I hear Courtney telling me I better hurry up. I finally start to leave transition but am heading out the wrong way. Another racer tells me I have to exit out the back. I thank him for the help. Courtney asks if I got a flat out there (since I’ve taken a long time). I tell him no and give him a thumbs up.
RUN
Time to run! Two hilly loops! Help me Lord!
The girls cheer me on as I leave the park. They tell me I’m in 5th place. They tell me they will play their instruments for me when I come back. As I head out on the road, I can see the first woman coming back already. It won’t be long until she catches me.
I am running just over 9 min pace. It would be great to get under 9 min average by the end and make it under 2 hours. It has warmed up a lot out here. I have a small towel I put on my neck and plan to keep it wet.
It’s nice crossing the bridge where the river feeds into Lake Berryessa.
Mile 1 is 8:58. The road starts to climb up! Ugh!
The first aid station is manned by two energetic young guys. I stop to fill up my water. Between pouring water on myself and drinking, it’s going fast!
Mile 2 is 9:36. Pretty soon I see Troy heading back. He looks great. He tells me I’m in 3rd which contradicts what the girls said. No big deal, I’ll figure it out soon…here comes the second woman.
Mile 3 is 8:32. I see two more women before the first turn around which puts me in 5th. One girl I’m pretty sure I can catch but the other, a Team Sheeper athlete (my former club), I’m not sure.
There is one guy at the turn around and he’s working hard…and smiling and having fun!
On my way back I can see the top girl is still in route to catching me. I get a nice downhill stretch.
Mile 4 is 9:02. I start to climb again. Here comes Troy! Love to see his smile and get his encouragement! “Last lap for you Troy!”.
I’m not liking my towel. It’s uncomfortable now.
Mile 5 is 9:23. The top girl flies by and I cheer her on. She’ll easily make it under 6 hours. I hope to get a 6:30 today!
Mile 6 is 8:43. It’s nice and “flat” to the park entrance. I can hear the girls playing their instruments. So beautiful!
Just before the turnaround at the park entrance, I see Caryn running out. I ask her if she would like a squirt of water on her back. She says yes so I squirt the rest of my bottle on her. I know the heat is tough for Caryn and Suzanne so I plan on soaking them when I see them.
I see the girls and thank them for their wonderful music. It gets me pumped up. I get my bottle filled up and grab some chips and an orange slice. One more loop! I throw my towel by the girls as I run out.
Mile 7 is 9:10. I catch back up to Caryn and squirt her again. Here comes Troy! He’s almost done! I give him a high five.
I’m climbing up again. Boy this is tough!
Mile 8 is 9:58. I’m catching up to the fifth girl. I see the second girl coming back. Though I’ve gained on her a lot, she is still too far ahead.
Mile 9 is 9:02. I can see the 3rd girl coming back. I’ve also gained on her but don’t think it’s enough.
I pass Sam Louie and his girlfriend, Mandy, and dogs supporting him. I tell him good job as I pass.
I catch the fifth girl at the Aid Station at the turn around. I fill up my bottle and grab Coke and chips.
Mile 10 is 9:25. Just need to hang in there! The
Mile 11 is 9:34.
I see Caryn again and squirt water on her. A little further down I see Suzanne and squirt her too.
I get the last Coke from the guys at the other Aid Station. I make a note to self to tell racing staff at the finish that more Coke is needed.
Mile 12 is 9:31. Now things taper off and I can get moving. So close!!
Across the bridge for the last time! I pick up speed. I’m averaging just under 9:15 pace. I’ll be a bit over 6:30 but close again!
Into the park, the girls are there cheering me down to the finish.
Mile 13 is 8:58. I push with all I have. I see Troy on the other side of the finish. I cross and point/look to the sky. Thank you Jesus!
I run into Troy’s arms and feel so relieved to be done!
