Liberty HIM Race Report
Good morning nation,
First HIM of season went well, despite cold temps and rain! So, got up around 4:30 ish. Ate some banana bread, oatmeal and drank down a bottle of perpetuem + heed. Got stuff together and was out the door by 5:10 am. I tried to ignore the weather and not let it get me down because I had a feeling it was going to be a "weather issue " race, which it was, but more about that later. Arrived at race site by 5:45 and was glad to have on a long sleeve shirt, two jackets and pants! I absolutely hate being cold....oh boy was I in for it today!
Shery W. showed up before the swim start, nice to see a friend in the crowd...she took some great photos! So, wave 5 went off at 7:40 ish....water was around 68, nice compard to air temp. Had a good swim, 39:35. T1 took me 2:53...not too bad, but can go faster. I was debating whether to put on extra clothes or not because I knew getting on the shirt I brought would be hard to get on quickly soaking wet...so opted not too...bad, bad mistake! Froze for 3:17 hours....lesson learned.
Now for the bike....I have been riding this course all during training, trying to hit .80, trying to ride steady on the hills (the course is very hilly, always up and down), but I was never able to make .80 or even come close. So, Coach P advised me to try to hit .76 and just keep my nose on the computer, focus and ride steady. I was a little nervous about being able to do this because I had not proved that I could....well......I DID IT! Even better....IACTUALLY RODE .80, VI=1.06 (previous rides were 1.20!!) Np=107! So, yay, im pleased with the bike results. That is the best, steady ride I have had on that course this year!
T2 was 4:24....wayyyy tooo loooong!!! But, I cut myself some slack on that one because my fingers were cold and it took me awhile to get them working to get my stuff off and then back on. But, eventually got running...boy the best feeling ever!! So glad to be off the bike and running to warm up. Threw on a shirt, that also felt like heaven : 
It started to rain on the run, but that was ok. Had a good run, my best HIM run ever!! Even though my time was not a pr for HIM (this was my 5th), it was a hard course and I feel I accomplised what I set out to do: ride steady up and over the hills and have a good run. And I feel I did that! Thanks for reading and all the encourgement on the way. Oh and the best part, the HOT SHOWER!!
Comments
Great Job! And way to handle the bike part its nice to hear all the hard work pay off.
Congrats on a successful day!!
Patrick
woo hoo! nice job! and special congrats on hitting your target pace on the ride, awesome!
how funny that our conditions were polar opposites! I would have taken yours in a heartbeat! I had to set my shower temp for frigid bc the sunburn on my shoulders was so painful!
Great Job Kathy! Nice on staying steady, Oh I'm sure that shower felt great
Hey Terry, I just noticed that you are from Grand Forks. wow small world, I went to UND and lived there for roughly 10 years. We moved to Mnpls in 96. We really liked living there, but better paying job came our way and had to say goodbye. We still visit from time to time and have good friends there. I wouldn't mind training there now, lots of flat roads
Haha Becky, I was thinking the same thing....would have taken the heat in a heartbeat! I must have stayed in the "hot" shower at least an hour! Feels good to be done doesn't it
Thanks everyone! Proud to be a part of this great group of peeps! Race on everyone
Thanks Coach P...yeah it kind felt how winning must feel.....dang good
Glad to read your race was successful. It was a highlight of my race (besides crossing the finish line) to see you on the run! I also struggled with the cold... wish I had pants for pre-race. I swear it was 10 degrees cooler at the race site compared to my front steps.
Sorry I did not see you finish... I changed into dry clothes, put my stuff away, grabbed some food and came back to the finish line but did not see Sheryl. I look forward to being able to say more than "hi".
David,
I was looking for you in transition, but thought you prolly had a jacket on over the EN shirt, so no luck there. It was a boost to see you on the run course! Even if you were coming in and I was just going out!! Hey, no worries about not being at the finish...Sheryl was there with bells and whistles :
She posted some good pics of us and the race on fb...check em out! You are doing IMWI, right? I know you are prolly way faster on the bike than me, but if you ever want to ride this summer ( and it would be ok with DW : 
let me know and maybe you and I and possibly Sheryl, could meet for a long ride. I'm sure there will be plenty to choose from. 