Oceanside 70.3 Race Report
This was my first time traveling for a race, and I decided I definitely need to start making my lists and getting things in order several days before.
This race was a "everything new on race day" experience. I had a lot of new equipment (tri bike, quarq, wetsuit, shoes, infinit) that I did not have a lot of experience with, but decided this was the time to try them out as this race was really a gauge for me at where my winter fitness was as I get ready for CDA.
I met up with my college roommate for this race, and we had a great 2 days together trying to hydrate and rest up (and fix some mechanical problems on our bikes).
Race morning, I got up at 2am for oatmeal and a smoothie. Thought I would have trouble going back to sleep, but I really didn't. At 5am, I had a smoothie and was out the door. I got my stuff set up in transition, figured out the swim in/bike out transition, and stared at the cold water.
I got a new wetsuit this year as my old one had some holes, but I think I weighed a few pounds less when I bought it. It took me a bit to get the thing on and zipped up. I haven't been in open water at all since last August, so getting in the water, feeling the cold, and the extra tight wetsuit gave me some initial anxiety. I was in the middle of the pack and after the gun went off, I really was pushed all around. Someone behind me kept grabbing my ankle and pulling it and I really started to panic. I even thought about pulling out of the race. So instead, I moved way off to the right edge, took some deep breaths and then started to get into my stroke really slowly. By the time I got to the jetty with the swells, I was feeling much better. Got out of the water in 43 minutes, had hoped to be closer to 40 min, but was happy all the same.
The first part of the bike was great. I had a three hour infinit bottle, and I watched closely to make sure I was taking in what I had planned. We hit the hills and that was TOUGH, then the headwinds, and I was discouraged. I had hoped to be around 3:00 to 3:15 on the bike, but I was really closer to 3:40. I was watching my power, but I haven't done an FTP test outdoors and I actually may have been able to go a little harder on the flats (could NOT keep my watts down low enough on the hills). But I finished the bike physically feeling good and had kept to the plan.
The run was great. I have always fallen apart on the run, and that was the thing I really hoped to change with the EN plan. The first two miles were still too fast, even though I felt like I was practically walking. It was hard to slow down those legs even more. After the first two miles, I got into a rhythm and had very even splits. It was good to see Rich on the race course promising me a beer (but I really just wanted a Diet Coke). The last mile I kicked it in and probably could have kicked it a little earlier.
So, my run was a full 14 min better than the last HIM I did, although overall my time was definitely NOT a PR. Very happy about that part.
Took me awhile to find my friend afterwards. She had a great time, but did not drink hardly at all and ended up in the medical tent for 1.5 hours getting IV fluids. So, by the time we got to the Brewery for the EN meet-up, everyone had had their fill and gone home. Sad to have missed everyone there, but so happy to get a little EN love on the course.
Overall, I think this was a good prep for me for CDA - my first IM. I think the biggest thing I need to work on is my biking strength (and more practice in open water!).
Comments
Good luck with CdA!
Stephanie...I'm not sure if I saw you on the run or not as I was kinda out-of-it
I'm wondering if you were in the med tent with your friend, while I was in there with my wife after the race!