Racine 70.3

July 17th, 2016. Another half Ironman. I knew what to expect this time. I had my wetsuit. I had my baby. Also, I had finally received a proper bike fit! And bike shoes! With clip in pedals and everything! It was almost as if I was becoming a real triathlete. What was this madness!

I was with a group and we arrived the Saturday before the race to get checked in. The weather was idyllic. Sunny, only a light breeze off the lake, and all was right with the world. Not too warm, not too cool, and we were pumped! The weather kept predicting storms, but what was this? There clearly weren't going to be storms. The weather was perfect!

Oh over-confidence in things we can't control--how nice to see you again! The storms rolled in. And did they ever roll in! The swim was scheduled to start at 0700. Just as the front reached Racine. Thunder, lightening, winds, clouds, hail. No!!! At first, the race director just postponed the swim start. And then it was cancelled all together. Then we were still going to do just the bike and run. Then it got later and later and later. So the bike got shortened. By the time the weather cleared, the decision had been made to do a 30 mile bike ride followed by the half marathon. Even more no! Not only did they take away my strongest leg, but then they shortened by second strongest leg! The worst had happened! The group I was with couldn't decide what to do. Should we stay and use it as a brick? Should we go and then still need to train later that day? Ultimately, we decided that we had paid the money, we had traveled all that way, and we needed the training, regardless. They were all training for Ironman Wisconsin and I had the Chicago Triathlon and Arizona 70.3 later on my agenda. So we saddled up.

It was a rolling start from transition. Each rack of bikes ran to the edge and transition, mounted, and then tried to rocket up a hill. More than slightly dangerous. And nerve-wracking, considering this was my first race with clip ins. But I didn't fall! Miracle of miracles! Two of my friends had started well before me, and I knew I was the strongest cyclist among us, so I threw down the hammer. Caught them in a matter of minutes. The competitive nature is real. I bumped (super bumpy course!) my way back to transition in 1:35.50. I guess that was good? It wasn't the full 56, and it wasn't an Olympic distance race, so I just kinda went with it. This was just a training brick anyway.

The run. I had already done a full marathon this year. A half? That was nothing! Except that it was almost 1130 by the time I started the run and the sun, which was ridiculously absent in the morning, made it presence known. It was so hot, and it was so humid. And I was over it. The day had already not gone to plan and I was just not feeling it. But I knew I needed to finish it. I knew I wanted to beat my previous half marathon times. Still doing the run walk training, still just one foot in front of the other. But the knee pain? Almost entirely gone. For the whole run. The legs weren't thrilled, but they weren't furious with me either. Sprinted my way across the finish line with a time of 2:28.10. Over 15 minutes dropped! It's like this training thing really works!! I was ready for Chicago, and I was more than ready for Arizona.

Star Wars onsie for the win!