Boulder Half Ironman, August 7, 2011

The great thing about the Boulder half is all the transitions are at the reservoir.  It is very convenient to set up your transitions for the race!  Also there are great bike lanes around Boulder.  The  race turned out better than I thought, considering the anxiety I had about my experience of crashing before the full ironman in St. George, and flatting during the race in St George...My hips were feeling tight and legs a little tired, even though I had been tapering for a few weeks.  My hopes of performing well aslo increased my anxiety.

Race morning I woke up at 4 am to eat my pb, honey and banana sandwich.  Then I was off to find a good place in transition,  to set up my bike.  We were set off in waves, so I started about an hour after the pros.  Trying to remain calm, I watched the beautiful scenery, and  warmed up in the Boulder Reservoir.  The water was the warmest water I have swam in this season.  The gun went off, for my age group, and we were off...Swimming in open water is weird for me, because I have a hard time knowing how far I am into the race.  Near the end of the swim I started to heat up in my full length wet suit.  Also sometimes, my hips hurt in open water.  This open water swim they only ached a few times.  The hip pain was relieved by kicking less.  I think training with paddles helped out my swim.  Turns out I had a PR swim 32:56.

The bike was fast with only a few false flat sections....The first loop, my bike seat was very uncomfortable.  I saw two athletes in my age group pass me on the first loop, which was a little discouraging, but I knew I was biking fast for me.  So I just raced my race.  I realized I had only had one gu and a honey stinger waffle for the first loop, so I started taking in more nutrition.  The second loop, I felt like I was in the zone.  Ended up with a PR bike 2:33.

On the run, I saw another athlete in my age group pass my and I stuck with her until the first hill.  Hills are not my strength.  But my friend Jen always tells me think, "I rock at hills"..The run was on rolling hills on mostly dirt, which was nice for the joints.  Felt pretty solid for most of the run.  The last mile  it was really windy and made a feeble attempt to draft off a male runner.  My Run 1:41, 2 minutes slower than the Boise half..

Went to the med tent again with high respiratory rate.  Ended up getting an IV, the nurse had to poke me four times.  After a few liters I felt renewed.  I knew there were at least three athletes who beat me.  Missed the awards ceremony, but as soon as I was through at the medical tent went over and found I came in 4th in my age group.  Luckily there were four slots for my age group for the World Championships!  I was eighth overall.   World Championships here I come.

I was thrilled to be under 5 hours, for my second time. (My first time under 5 hours was this year in Boise)  My total time 4:52:25....So now I am training for the world championships in Vegas on September 11.  I did the Silverman last year, and know how challenging the course is with wind and hills...I am excited to be racing with so many awesome athletes...Thanks to all my friends, family and the support of my coach Wes Johnson.