Patriot Half - Race Report

This race report has been challenging to blog about.

Not because it was bad or good, or new or different, but because there are several loosely related significances about it. I can't really form a theme. Though if I had to pick one - it would be - how this race helped me prepare for IMFL. And, you know what, I think that is what it was supposed to do.

I took a vacation day on Friday. After working a couple of hours from home, I packed up the car and headed to Williamsburg. On the road, I spoke to TRIgirl DL, who was way too sick to race - we were going to miss her! First stop was packet pick-up, then onto the pre-race swim clinic. As I waited on the tiny beach for the session to begin, I ran into a few TRIgirls. The clinic itself was great - very helpful for newer swimmers - though not what I really wanted - which was an opportunity to check out the swim course. After practicing a few strokes in the shallow, mild current, with water quality that "just passed the USAT swim requirements," I ran into TRIgirls TD and M who were pitching a cool TRIgirl tent, then I headed off to meet TRIgirls CH and AM for a pre-race dinner at Chili's.

Before dinner, I had prepared for the next day's race, from equipment to nutrition to what I would be wearing. So, after the pre-race meal, I was able to crawl into bed and cross my fingers for sleep.

And unlike the night before Eagleman, I slept, probably a good 6-7 hours.

And unlike Eagleman, I woke up feeling like a significant training session awaited me - versus feeling sick and nervous. A funny list of "what we could do instead of racing" from TRIgirls CH and AM stuck under my door continued to lighten my mood - with big hearty belly laughs at the suggestions that ranged from shopping - to - well - uhm - things that would make this post R-rated.

And I ate more than before Eagleman. Two crustables, a mini bagel, 1/2 smoothie and one banana.

Then I met up with TRIgirls CH and AM to head off for the race. We cut the arrival to the site a little close, but when all was said and done, we were ready when the transition area closed. On the tiny beach before the swim start, I was waiting for the panic to set in, but it never really did. In the last wave, I headed into the murky James River - and then - we were off.

The water was shallow, so I tried a few dolphin dives. They were fun, but also increased my heart rate a bit - so I started swimming as soon as I could. The current was quiet. The first turn buoy came more quickly than I expected. I settled into a rhythm, practicing a few of my latest Guppy lesson form techniques. All was good until the last turn around. A couple of hundred meters past the buoy, I looked up and had no idea where I was in relation to the course. Coach G popped up around the same time - and we tried to figure it out. Between spotting swimmers and a few boats ahead, we thought we knew where to go. And we swam, and we swam. Until a volunteer on one of the boats called out to us and said "You are way off course - about 200 meters" in the opposite direction and upstream. We still couldn't really see where we were supposed to be, but Coach G and I swam and eventually found the exit. Together, we walked out of the water and up the long path to our bikes. It was great to have Coach G's company, through the confusing last swim leg to the bike start. But, I am guessing, we added about 1/4 mile to the swim. Which turned out to be about 43 minutes - and while not great for a 1.2 mile half IM swim (Eagleman was around 40), not at all bad for a 1.4-1.5 mile swim! (Why I didn't remove my swim cap on the 1/2 mile transition run, I don't know!)

Since this was a "training race" I did not rush the transitions - and my very long times can prove it. In T1, I tried to wipe my feet clean of all debris and headed off on the bike. My main goal was to really focus on getting calories into my body while not losing too much pace. The bike went well. I took in about 750 calories compared with the 300-400 at Eagleman. And, surprisingly, my pace was better, even given a couple of challenging Patriot hills. My Eagleman time for 56 miles was around 3:17, while my Patriot time for 58 miles (according to the race director and mile markers) was 3:16 (thank you, Patriot Sangria!). But, a few miles into the bike, my left foot started to feel uncomfortable - like a big blister forming on my big toe. I didn't really know what was going on. Toward the end of the bike, I knew I'd have to check out my foot. If there was a big raw blister, I'd have a tough decision to make. Finish the race or risk losing a few days/week of training time.

So, back in transition, I stripped off my shoes and socks. No blister, just some yellowish grooves in my foot. Nothing scary enough to make me stop racing. I tied my sneakers and headed out for the run. After the first mile or so, the foot discomfort disappeared. Also, surprisingly, my legs felt much stronger than they had when starting the run at Eagleman. The heat was quite a distraction. 91 degrees, full sun, heat index of 95. Coach G and TRIgirl SL passed me around mile 5 - and I was so grateful for their encouraging words. Soon thereafter, the course led into a few, much appreciated miles of shady patches. I ran into many TRIgirls and two Guppies during this stretch. And since this was a "training race," I even stopped a few times to see how folks were doing.

Like Eagleman, I walked the water stops. I tried flat Cola every 2-3 stops and think it helped. I alternated half a Gu with the Cola to take in calories. I dumped lots of water on my head. I packed my sports bra with ice and placed ice cubes in my hands when the heat was making me light headed. The miles passed by. Finally the finish was in sight. Wonderful TRIgirl sherpa cheers of encouragement were in earshot. God, I love these women.

I made it through the run, 3 minutes slower than Eagleman. Overall race time (not including some penalty I have not idea how I got) was about 9 minutes longer. Somewhat comparable considering the extra swim, bike and T1 time. Especially considering the heat. 6:49 without the penalty.

I finished the race feeling more hot than tired. A few TRIgirl sherpas confirmed by saying they noticed how much stronger my Patriot finish was than Eagleman. I still couldn't imagine doubling the half IM (two half IMs do not equal a whole), but recognized how much stronger and less tired my body felt after the Patriot from Eagleman. I peeled off my socks to see that several inch long gashes, similar to very deep paper cuts, had caused the foot problems and were starting to open up. I am guessing they occurred during the swim, after hitting some rocks before exiting the water. Nothing a few days of rest won't heal.

I watched several other TRIgirls cross the finish line - and was able to see TRIgirl LS receive her award for 1st place in her age group - with like a 5:30 time (amazing!). After a fabulous post race massage - TRIgirls CH, AM and I headed back to our hotel to get ready for a big post race dinner at Opus 9 (a decadent and fun meal that surpassed every hope we had for it while getting through the tough Patriot moments).

Today (Sunday), I woke to just a little soreness in my legs, further proof that my body is more trained for the longer distances ahead. TRIgirls CH, AM and I headed out to watch several TRIgirls rock the Patriot Sprint - and they did GREAT!

Another notch on the IMFL journey race belt. Things are continuing to come together as I do the best I can to hopefully cross that finish line in November.