Oceanside 70.3 Triathlon

After my LONG (as in distance - Houston marathon) detour from my journey, I returned to the plan......and found myself in Oceanside, CA

My journey was never intended to be such a long road, but the more I dabbled in the sport, the more it got its hooks in me, and the more I found myself taking just one more step on my journey.........next stop May 17th, Woodlands of Texas (my first full 140.3 ironman) - and suddenly you find yourself doing things you thought were completely impossible.

First things first.  Can you go to So. Cal. and NOT stop at an ocean-side pier for some fish and chips?  The answer is no (also had to get me a couple pounds of smoked salmon after the race, that is another must do).

 

So. Cal. has it figured out though.......playgrounds literally right n the beach.  We went down to check out the race venue, and ended up staying all day as the kids played on the playground and beach and in the ocean all day.......what a set-up!  Well done Oceanside, well done.

 

 Seriously, could I actually type anything to describe their joy better than the picture depicts up above?  They loved every minute of that playground/beach set-up.

Sam did awesome in her big race too.  Sometimes Ironman races have an Ironkids race the day before, and Sam loves racing in those......really, she likes the medal at the end, but who doesn't? :)

 

 She did great.  Alayna was going to join her, but after all the fun on the playground/beach, Alayna had already crashed for the night in the stroller......and we do not wake sleeping toddlers. :)

There is something that just seems so right about this picture.  Pre-race T1 bike rack.  Just seems to catch the moment of every tri morning before the cannons go off, and all that anxiety and anticipation starts to slowly become realized.

My support crew is the best. Sam giving me some pre-race advice and strategy tips, while trying to figure out how much money was spent on "all those bikes." :)

About those bikes.  Big shout out to Endurance House in Oceanside, CA.  I shipped my bike from TX to CA for the race, and didn't bring any bike equipment except a spare tire kit.  Picked my bike up and my gears were all messed up, and my left crankarm was loose and about to fall off.  I know it happened during transport because I had literally rode my bike to the shop to drop it off the day of transport, and it was running smooth.

Endurance House took time to look at my bike the afternoon the day before the race, and got me all worked out and in tip top shape for race day.  The bike ran smooth.  Great shop, great people, great service...even to an out of towner they may never see again (although if I am ever in the area, I'll go buy something there everytime). 

Pre-race family pic ops.  Jamie is awesome.  Getting up early, and bringing all the kids.  It's good to see them, and get to a good quiet motivational mind set, before all hell breaks lose during the open water swim.

Luckily the swim start also had a play ground area right on the beach, which helped Jamie entertain so early in the morning.

The transfer of gear has occurred.  The mornings are always a little bit cooler, and Sam likes stealing all my pre-race clothes and putting them on as I take them off.

Swim: 40:21

You know, my swim time is not really improving.  But that is mainly do to me trying to get ready for the full IM in May.  All my swimming sessions are for endurance and yardage, and not really time.

The swim went fairly well.  I positioned at the front outer edge again, to stay away from the free for all at the start.....which worked well.  The problem with that strategy is that if you are not careful, you could end up swimming a lot further than everyone else as you are out on the edge on all the turns (kinda like a race track.  Starting in lane 8 is not horribly bad, if it is just for a straight away, and then you cut to lane 1 at the first turn, not ideal, but not all that bad.  The problem is if you stay out in lane 8 for the whole race, then that's bad.).

I was doing great until I ran into the notorious zig-zag swimmer.  Guy couldn't sight worth......well, he had difficulty let's leave it at that.  Hard to get around those guys as you usually get bumped or smacked by them a couple times before getting by and clear of them.  Seriously, the buoys are huge florescent colors.......gigantic.

T1 6:41 went slow.

Remember in my past posts about how much I like the wet suit rippers?  Every race I've done, they've been there, and I didn't even think twice this time.......but alas, no rippers.  Well, although it didn't go terribly bad....my appreciation for them has only grown more fond.  They are awesome. :)

Bike 2:50

Bike was awesome.  Love biking.  The first part of the bike was pretty flat, and slightly down hill, with the coastline and ocean off our left-hand side for probably about 20-25 miles.  The views were amazing.  The whole ride was in and out of Camp Pendleton (a marine military base), which was pretty cool to see, and probably not a sight most people ever get to see, since it is usually closed to the public (but they open it for the 70.3 race each year).  Some of the marines were out cheering and lending their support......what I do (racing and just my general work) is so incredibly not important compared to what they do for us.  I appreciated their support that day, but more so their life of service for me, for us.

I knew there were some hills on the back half of this race course, and had been forewarned in my research.....and knew where they were mileage wise.  After coming up a shorter hill (not one of the main talked about hills), there was a guy at the top, talking to a Marine volunteer about how he had trained for "that" hill.  I started to laugh a little inside, knowing "that" was not the hill.  As I rode by, I heard the Marine say, "You are in trouble if you think that was "a" hill!"  Might of laughed out loud a little.

There were hills.  Over the summer I was lucky enough to have a chance to be able to ride over the Teton Pass, Pine Creek Pass, and the Alpine Pass.....all substantially bigger than any of the hills I was sure I'd see.  And they were, all bigger, and steeper.  But that mind set did not give enough respect for the hills California rolled out during this 70.3 course.

I recently got a new Garmin bike computer, and have been using it on my local rides around Houston, Texas.  I set my Garmin to auto shut off, if I dropped below 10mph.  If I'm not going 10mph, I must be stopped at a light, slowing for stop signs, or just starting or finishing.  Well, I didn't even think about the auto shut off until I was about half way up the first big hill.  Everyone was crawling, some were even walking their bikes up.  I was making small talk with some of the riders about how Houston only had little man-made hills........just then my Garmin beeped.  It had auto shut off.  My computer thought I had stopped! LOL!  I told everyone, "Ah man, I'm going so slow, my computer thinks I quit."  Everyone got a pretty good chuckle, which we all needed, as the hill ate us up.

All in all, the bike went well.  Pretty happy with that time for that course.

T2 3:36

Pretty slow......that's because I couldn't find my number to rack my bike.  I was lost.  Luckily Jamie and the kids had come with me the day before to drop my run stuff off, and they were yelling at me as to where my bike should be racked,  Pretty comical.

Run 2:04

Some days you just know it's not going to happen the way you planned.  Felt great off the bike.  Fueled like I wanted to, and was set to have a good run.  For the first mile I felt great, right where I wanted to be.  LOL! (for 1 lousy mile)

Not that I completely fell apart, but I could feel my legs twitching...quads and hams, but nothing serious, but way too early to get that feeling.  That stuff usually happens later in the run.  So from that point it was maxing what I could do, without aggravating anything that could completely shut me down.  Held to 8:30min/mi for awhile (wanted to be closer to 8:00), then slowly got ate up by the sun, slow rolling hills, and the steep ramps they had on the course.  I finished with a 9:30min/mi pace, which is not were I wanted to be, but was shocked it wasn't closer to 11:00min/mi.....because that is what they felt like at the end.

Did I mention Jamie brought reinforcements this time?

My support crew was second to none.  Dad and Janice were in town, Nate and Brittany and their son Noah (even baby Eli came) live there, Gail and Andy and their two daughters Summer and Dawna were there, and Jill and Eric and their son Ryan and daughter Erika were there too.  It was pretty fun having them around and seeing them throughout the run.

Ok.  In all honesty, we were all there for Nate and Brittany's new baby Eli's baby blessing on Sunday the day after my race......but hey, they still made time to come cheer me on during the run too.  Jill is working on putting together the distances for a half ironman (olympic is her next distance, but I keep trying to put the bug in her ear for a half), and when she gets there, I'll be there. :)

 

Some of the crew post race.  Jamie appreciated the help, and I appreciated the familiar faces throughout those 2 hours.

Is any race complete without a medal?  Hey.  Sammy got one, so I had to go get one too.  The feeling of finishing is awesome, the feeling of finishing with so much family around is unforgettable......more people to share the moment with.

Official Stats from the Race 

Now, I'm only missing one medal from my collection, before it's complete.

What do you do at a California post race?  Beach of course.  San Clemente beach to be exact.  Hung out there a couple hours just taking in the scene, and enjoying the beach and company.  Cousins are awesome.

Come on.  Is this not a classic pic of Summer.  She owns babies.  Putty in her hands.  Even our crazy, full of energy kids.

A walk with Grandpa and Grandma Janice.  On San Clemente beach, where all the older kids grew up playing and hanging out.  Crazy how things seem to always come full circle......over and over and over again.

The real reason everyone was in town.  Eli's baby blessing.  What a great Sunday it was with family all around.  Nate did a great job.  Nate and Brittany did an awesome job hosting everyone. And if you can't tell......Alayna was super excited - the whole time.

What is a trip to So. Cal. and not taking in Disneyland?  We don't know, and we don't want to find out.  Sam and Alayna loved it, and danced and messed around all day in both parks.....witness picture two, they just fed off each other....bunch of posers.  Peyton slept through most of it.

It was really nice and relaxing, non stressful, get off our legs type of activity Jamie and I needed after the race weekend...........well.......Sam and A loved it, so mission accomplished.

.

Houston Chevron Marathon

Detour from my journey.......ok, a "long" detour

along my journey.

So........I decided to figure out just how far 26.2 miles really is.

“Your body will argue that there is no justifiable reason to continue. Your only recourse is to call on your spirit, which fortunately functions independently of logic.” - Tim Noakes

My logic was sound.  Run a marathon to get a feel for the distance before having to go that full distance at the end of Ironman Texas (http://www.ironman.com/triathlon/events/americas/ironman/texas.aspx#axzz2r64oGyKQ).  But then my "Holiday" genes kicked in, and it slowly turned from "run it and get a feel for it" to "throw everything you have at it".

26.2 miles is really far.  Admittedly, my conditioning for this distance was lacking severely.  After all, I was only going to "get a feel" for this distance originally.

Pre Race

Everything went smoothly.  Got up at 4:00 AM and got a ride down to Houston after my sister in-law told me in no uncertain terms that she was not waking up at 4/4:30 to be at the Houston Convention Center at 5:00 AM (I think the terms she used was "Hell, to the NO").  She's pretty awesome.

Drove down with a buddy of mine from work who is a marathon guru.  He's ran a lot.  No, even more than the number you are thinking of.  No, even more than the new number you are thinking of.  At least now, you are kinda close to his actual number of marathons ran.  Since this was my first marathon, it was good getting a couple pre-race pointers (bag check, corral layout, insider tips, etc).

(obviously this is a post race picture)

After using the above group's secret bathrooms (which was life saving), we headed out to the starting corrals.  I should mention I only know two guys in the picture above.  It is really of their running group, but since I tagged along with my buddy, they let me sit in for the picture. :)

Once in the starting corrals, we waited a few minutes before the National Anthem, which is how every sporting event, everywhere should start........truly amazing the sacrifices that are made for our country.

My running buddy gave me a tip to bring a "throw away" long sleeve t-shirt to keep warm while waiting in the corral before the start of the race..........he is an alumni of UT (Texas), so guess what shirt I brought as a "throw away" shirt?  Yep. :)

There is one strong advantage for triathlon pre races compared to marathon pre races.  Even though I use the restroom several times before both pre races, I always have pre start, right before the gun gitters, and usually have to go one more time........all I'm saying, is that when competing in a triathlon, that is not a problem in the least.  Yep.

Miles 1 - 20

These miles went great.  Felt great, felt strong.  Didn't go out too fast, held a steady pace (about 8:00 min/miles).  Took my GUs and first salt tablets as planned.........mile 8 GU pack, mile 10 salt tablets, mile 13 GU again, and mile 20 should have been salt tablets again.  You wouldn't believe how many times I went over that in my head.  Over and over and over.

But as I hit mile 20 (which mind you is the furthest I've actually ever ran), I felt great.  In fact, I distinctly remember thinking in my mind, "I only have 6 miles left, that's just a 10K, I've got this, I'm going to crush my goal time."  Thus, I decided to hold off on my salt pills a little longer.  Idiot.

Miles 21 - 23

 This is when I ran into my awesome support crew (Jamie, Sam, Alayna, Peyton, Mike, and Gayla - Jamie's parents).  They also were cheering for "Deesh" who was running the half marathon (she did awesome). A much needed pick me up, and fortunately before I completely fell apart.

I started to slow down a little, could feel the pace escaping me, so I put my salt tablets and a GU in right around mile 22.  Too late.  When I hit mile 23, I remember thinking, "You're in trouble, you have a whole 5K left, and this aint looking good."  I couldn't believe how quick I went from feeling "great" to "you're in trouble".  I've done a few half Ironmans before, and have had some issues cramping, and with fatigue, but they came on gradually........this time it seemed to go from "yeah, I'm a little tired and fatigued" to "Uh oh" in abut half a mile.

The frustrating part is that your lungs, heart, and mind are all fine.  Each of them feel as though they could go on forever, but your legs just seize up, start cramping, and you can't get them to do exactly what you want them to do.  You just manage the pain and fatigue through stride cadence and try not to aggravate anything from completely cramping up.  Extremely frustrating.

Mile 24 and 25

 These were some dark miles.  We have a reference in our family about the "bear" coming to get you during running events.  Usually it is used by us when referring to the last 100 meters of a 400 meter run, or the last 200 meters of an 800 meter run.  But it always refers to that moment when you just feel completely exhausted, and the going has gotten real tough, but you have to push through and carry on to the end........even if you have to carry the bear on your back to the finish line.

Well the bear I encountered was not this guy:

No, no........he looked a lot more like this! Scary mofo (can anyone name the movie?).

Mile 26

 By this time my nutrition and salt pills were flowing through my system, and my cadence management had alleviated the potential cramping......still had sore legs, but was able to pick up my pace and finish the last mile relatively strong.  And that finish line, was a great sight, and had quite the atmosphere around it (http://results.chronotrack.com/event/results/event/event-7064?lc=en)..........it was pretty neat to take in.

Post Race
(total time 3 hours 43 minutes about 8:33 min/mile pace)

Medals of course.......for those who could stand.  Deesh (Michelle, Jamie's sister with whom I was going to stay until she found out what time I wanted to arrive at the marathon) and me.  She ran the half marathon and did great!  Even with IT band issues leading up to the race week, she still crushed it!

 I am starting to hear rumblings of another possible marathon, with some unlikely characters, which would be really awesome..........stay tuned!  ;)

Oilman Texas 70.3 Triathlon

 

Well, the journey may never end.....

No.  Really. And somehow, someway there is something that is rejuvenating about it.

Pre-Race Hugs and Well Wishes

 

 

Swim 39:51 (actually about 2 minutes slower than my last half in Galveston)

 

 Even though the swim was slower - I felt pretty comfortable with how it started and the way my body responded throughout the swim.  Why do I mention "the way my body responded" during the swim?  Great question.  But for that, one has to go back to my fist and only sprint triathlon I did..........in Rigby Idaho.  It was more of a last second decision, that my brother Brian found as our family reunion in Idaho was coming to an end.  So myself, older sister (but not by much, wink) Jill, niece Kelli, and nephew Derek decided to participate.

Everyone did great, and it was a blast.......but the swim nearly killed me, no really, the water temp was 60 degrees and being short notice we had no wetsuits...............I am sure I looked like this at some point.

Needless to say, I have now done countless hours of research on one's body response when swimming in colder than usual water.....seriously hours.  And thus, with that in the back of my mind, my swim went well.

T1 - 4 minutes 16 second (about 2 minutes faster than Galveston)

 

So what I lost in the swim, I got right back in the first transition......have I mentioned how much I love the wet suit rippers??  It'd probably take me another 5 minutes if I had to do it by myself.......I know, I know, pros don't use the rippers - I am not a pro, and I love those volunteers! :)

Bike 2:56 (2 minutes slower than Galveston)

 

The bike course.  LOL! oh, the bike course.

First, the section through the national forest was amazing - exactly one of the reasons I love cycling.  There are so many amazing things to see, roads to explore, and just moments to take in.  Now had the bike course completely been through the national forest, I probably would have got lost in the surroundings, and not paid much attention to the actual terrain.  Unfortunately, that section ended.  The scenery the rest of the way was great.......the terrain and wind, not so much.  Rolling hills........the whole way, which I was mentally prepared for, but what happened to the light to no wind forecast??  We had a strong head wind for about the last 25 miles-ish.......strong enough that some of the guys I passed were swearing.

Then in addition to the terrain and wind........somehow I missed the 40 mile marker.  I don't ride or run with a computer or watch, so the pacing and mental aspect of missing a mile marker had my mind spinning the whole time.  After awhile, I was praying the next mile marker I saw would be the 50 marker, and that I had just missed the 40.........because it had been a while since the 30 marker, and I was really thinking my body felt like it had about 5-10 miles left and not 18-20......fortunately the next marker was 50, but the anticipation of that marker wrecked havoc on my mental game.  Also, I nearly lost my last GU gel.......I had just ripped it open, and then I had to make a left, and then there was a train track to go over.....needless to say when it was all over, my GU gel package was empty, but the cooler weather had made the GU gel more of a solid than a liquid, so even though it was all over my hand..........yep, I was able to lick it completely clean.  Hey, you refuel on the bike, and I had already dropped my Cliff bar right at the beginning of the bike going over some bumps leaving the resort, couldn't waste any more fuel! :)

Also, I was trying to figure out how to ridicule my Saturday morning riding partner for signing up to do this half distance with me, and then backing out a couple weeks before race day........I have decided against it.  Two fold:  1.  The fact that I was only 2 minutes slower on this course than on the flat Galveston course is almost completely due to our early morning rides.  2.  It suffices me to say (and knowing him, this is probably worse than any taunting I could do), this bike course would have been his favorite ride he has ever done in Texas for sure.....absolutely amazing views with rolling hills, which he (not I) loves.

In comparing the two bike courses (Galveston to Conroe) the below pictures are accurate:

Galveston

Conroe

T2 2 minutes 30 seconds (about 1 minute faster than Galveston)

Quick change and refuel......only a half marathon to go! :)

Run 1:59 ( 10 minutes faster than Galveston)

 The run is where my main focus of improvement was on this race.  I was happy enough with the other two disciplines (although I thought my bike would be better in Conroe, but considering the conditions.....I'll just be happy with my ride).

In Galveston, the last 4 miles of the run, I completely cramped and crashed nutritional wise.  That wasn't going to happen this time......so I trained with and brought some salt tablets (this is in no wise to be used as professional advice, anything said in this blog is for entertainment value only, if you have serious questions about salt supplements, contact a nutritionist - Brian, does that cover me??).  Too bad for some reason in T2 I decided that popping one tablet was going to be just perfect for the 13.1 mile distance.......I tell you, fatigue sets in, and sometimes the choices yo make are not exactly the best.  So I left my salt tablets in the transition area...unbelievable.  So I am taking in all the Gatorade and gels I can, at everyone aid station, kicking myself for leaving my salt pills......when I see a clear plastic cup at one aid station, I almost blew it off, but I asked what was in it.......wouldn't you know it - salt capsules.  The fist time I have ever seen them offered on a course....oh, and um......yes, I'll have some please.  No cramping, some soreness, but a steady pace throughout, and a strong finish....a good run.

And of course, what is a race without your best fan support....I don't think Peyton has figured the cowbell out yet.....Alayna's got it down, and Sammy is living in her own notepad and drawing book world, which is a place I'd really like to visit, as she comes up with some pretty interesting things! :)

And of course Jamie, for enduring the day with the 3 kids running around crazy.

 

 

Finish 5:42 (10 minutes faster than Galveston)

The finish line is an experience that can never be explained, but an experience everyone should enjoy at least once......simply incredible.

Kids admiring the spoils of the race......well, really, Sammy just wanting to use her own camera for a picture, and Alayna faking like she is interesting, but really sneaking in some games on the iphone (kids these days). LOL! :)

Another medal, to remind me of the experience and journey....for the day that will inevitably come (as it does for everyone) in which my body will no longer allow me to continue......thankful for my health.