Racine Race Report
This was my second time racing Racine and I was very excited because my EN training had me in much better shape than last year. I was thrilled watching the projected weather as the day approached and thought that I would be able to beat last year's time based on my training and the cooler weather. What I did not even think about was swimming in choppy water!
I saw the waves the morning of the race and was a bit concerned. It took me a little while to get used to the choppy water and, although I felt like I was exerting more effort, I was confident I would make it through. At the 1 mile marker, I started throwing up. I threw up 5 or 6 times and became really frightened that I would drown bc of my own vomit. It was actually really scary. I was waving my arms and screaming for help in between each hurl but no one on the paddle boards or the boats saw me or heard me. I really thought they were going to have to pull me out of the water. Since I couldn't get anyone's attention, I treaded water until I stopped throwing up and then swam to shore. My time was over 12 minutes slower than last year.
Of course, I kept going. I had a solid bike. I followed my power meter and only stood for one hill. In the beginning I let everyone pass me. By the end, I was passing everyone else. I finished my bike over 15 minutes faster than the previous year! with less effort I was thrilled.
My run just as planned. I was in my z1 zone and walked through the water stations. I was convinced that I would finish as planned. At mile 7.5 I started throwing up again. Lovely. I never throw up. I walked the last 5.5 miles and finished only 14 minutes slower than last year.
I think EN got me in the best racing shape of my life. I look at these races as life experiences and I just need to have more of them. My performance in the race was not what I had hoped, but I was relieved to finish and not to have drowned. The water incident did scare me and I worry about others who need help.
Comments
It was great to talk to you in transition at the end of the race. It was definitely scary to hear about your troubles on the swim, especially the part when you couldn't find someone quickly to get help. I remember feeling a little nauseated around mile 1 of the swim as well, but then nothing else happened to me. The waves were definitely choppy and I wonder if the movement in the water up, down, left, right, and every direction in between aggravated things even more. I am excited for you that you stuck to your game plan, and had a good race despite the challenges you encountered.
It is scary to think that you were calling for help and no one heard you or saw you. I am so glad that you were able to tread water and regain composure out there in light of all of that. You did OUTSTANDING!
Julia ... Way to go on the swim. That takes real determination to keep going when you are loosing your guts. You are tough!! I will say that it was a very hard swim, hardest swim I've ever had in a HIM.
Sorry I didn't meet you or see you at the finish. After fighting like you did, I would have wanted to give you a big heartfelt congrats!! I really like the way you re-grouped on the bike and rode a smartly paced bike split. Well done!
Thank you for your encouragement. I really appreciate it!
Thank you for your encouragement. I really appreciate it!
LOVE the Bruce quote!!!
Thank you so much for your encouragement. I really appreciate it!
Hi Julia,
Sorry about your swim! It was certainly a strange day and you're experience is similar to many others I talk to out there.