TrishM's Steelhead 70.3 Race Report

Steelhead 70.3 Race Report

6:09:37

3/37 AG 55-59

Swim: 47:10 4/37 AG

http://tpks.ws/3SF6TZDIND7EJX3PNFCLJLMRLE

Super sloppy swim. Really difficult to sight buoys and probably had 2-3ft roller waves at the worst bit. LOTS of folks either got pulled in the swim or missed the cut off time. Sure didn't help that it was not WETSUIT legal, so swimming in skin vs wetsuit.  I swam a 36:33 at Mont Tremblant in June and was 16th AG.  Just goes to show how tough the swim was as I placed higher in AG at 10’ slower time. 

T1: 4:02 4/37 AG

Run through the sand (no carpet!) to transition and it is a LONG rectangle to bike mount. I was about 30" faster in 2013. No reason I can't do that again. Just need some more practice. Was really trying to be like @Mike Roberts

Bike: 2:48:52 3/37 AG

http://tpks.ws/FHKIO3NXUWWZWE6TNZZCCYN3XE

New course this year, but basically same elevation and rolling terrain.  Roads were in pretty good shape (harsh chip seal was minimal). Nailed all of my process goals. Goal watts, nutrition and sub 2:50 ride time.  I know time goals are a no no, but I knew with my improving bike fitness it was totally possible on a low wind day.  Got frustrated with some dudes who didn't like being passed by a girl, and 2 young women who were the same (and the 20 yo that was totally sucking the wheel of the first girl....grrrrrr) Overall, I probably could have had a better split if I didn't burn a few matches with all the jockeying for clear road. Made the smart  decision to eat more early on the bike (1/2 waffle vs 1/4) due to longer/ rougher than normal swim. Ended up eating 1 3/4 waffles vs 1 1/4, and drank 30oz of EFS PRO for 234c and 254 of waffles. Took 2 caff pills at 90'. Zero stomach issues. Win.

T2: 3:48 3/37 AG

Took the time to get all sand off my feet with the towel to prevent blisters later. Good move. Got all my stuff on and started out trotting to line. Not my fastest but decent

Run: 2:26:38 6/37 AG

http://tpks.ws/WLDO3XUZJROPNCKS5QK7HGDMX4

Goal was to watch hr all damn run to not get myself nauseated. Or blow up. Which in this heat (88 avg temp) meant walking a lot. My cap was 155 to walk. I wanted mid 140"s for first 3 then to pick it up a bit, then up to 160 for last 3. Didn't quite go like that, but I was better at walking than just running through early. Didn't really have the umpf to pick up the hr at the end either. I used my race saver bag all race and was never with out ice. I ate 200c of clif bloks throughout the run. I dropped my salt in the porta pot at mile 1.5ish but a nice woman shared some with me in a baggie. I gave her ice. I think that really helped me as I took a "lick" about 4 times in the race. I took in coke at mile 10 and beyond. Took 2 caff pills about mile 6.5 or 7? Should have taken them earlier, but forgot. Happy to say no gut issues at all. Woo Hoo! It was awesome to have Mariah from EN and Johnny and Sara out at the lollypop to cheer. Always a boost to have your people cheering! Saw Turby, Cath (Turby yelled at me to get running lol) Terese, Mike and Fast Fern on the run. Everyone but Turby was struggling in one way or another. Spent a couple minutes with Mike as he was locked up like a statue from cramps. Could not even walk. Gave him ice and my bio freeze. My right calf was a bit cranky on the second half of the run. Never full on cramp though, so grateful for that. Overall I met all my process goals for my second 13.1 mile run this year and since my foot injury last fall.  Mind the hr cap, don’t go out too hard, stay as cool as possible, and no stomach problems.  I averaged 11:11’s which is SOOOO much slower than my time here five years ago, an the ladies that came in first and second in my division, but it was the best pacing I could do with my fitness  and in the conditions of the race.  

I LOVE racing with Team EN!  It was so fun to meet Cheryl face to face after riding in Zwift and discording this winter.  Always good to meet new peeps and hug up old friends!  This is a "local" race as well, so it was great to race with my local tri family and lots of local tri peeps.  Mad props to @ma@"Mariah Bridges" for being there for us all, and Miss @Br@"Brenda Ross" for organizing our luncheon on Saturday. Sending healing mojo to @la@"Larry Peters" for his nightmare start (and end) of the day race morning injury.