Well the end of my 2019 triathlon season did not end the way I would have liked. My goal for the year was to do 3 half irons and get a PB on each one. Oceanside was a tough course, and even though I did not get a PB, given the day and the course, I was very happy with my times. I was extremely happy with my times in Muncie. That was a tough tough day, but I pushed through and missed my goal by a mere 43 seconds. But the third race was a different story.
DNS
Which in race lingo is Did Not Start. Work over the summer was pretty brutal. We were working 7 days a week upward of 10-12 hours a day. This left little time for training. I was going to race and just take it easy, but after an email from my coach, we decided it was not worth the potential injury.
4 or 5 years ago the idea of a DNS would have enraged me. But as I've grown as an athlete, I am now on the side on quality over quantity. I am ok with my DNS. It was the smart and right thing to do.
And (most importantly) it gave me the opportunity to cheer on those racing, including my wife and a friend that I introduced to to the sport.
Jennifer was racing the sprint distance (0.75k swim, 20k bike, 5k run). It would be her first official triathlon. Stuart was doing his first half iron distance. After being inspired by me (his words, not mine), he raced a sprint distance then an olympic distance the following year. Stuart and I made a deal that I would get him hooked on triathlon and he would get me hooked on cyclocross. More on that later.
After a dark and rainy drive, Jen, Amy (Stuart's girlfriend), Stuart, and I arrived at Cultus Lake. After getting their race packets, I helped them prep their gear.
Stuart, having already done 2 triathlons went to work setting up his transition area. Luckily, Jen's transition area was close to the fence. This way, I could help her setup.
After they were all setup, we had some time to hide from the rain in the warm car.
Soon it was time to get Stuart ready for the swim. Here are Stuart's pre-swim thoughts:
"Before the swim I was nervous. I had never swam in open water before last weekend, let alone in a race. About 20 mins before the race start time I was advised to warm up, so I swam a little in the dock area. I was expecting the water to be cold especially at 7:30 AM in early September. Turns out it wasn't that cold. It must of been the wet suit (which I picked up from a friend for $50). I saw everyone starting to gather around the starting area well before we were supposed to be there. My excitement and anxiety was building!!! I decided to join them. I walked through the start timing gate and headed into the water walking over rocks, pebbles and sand....... GAME ON."
Amy, Jen, and I cheered as we watched the half iron distance race start. Amy went off onto the docks to watch Stuart on the swim course while I helped Jen prepare for her swim.
After her warm up, she became very nervous. It was becoming real for her.
"I was looking forward to the swim being over, but was worried that I wouldn’t make the 30 minute cutoff."
She made her way out into the water and then it was go time.
After Jen was underway, I made my way over to the swim exit and met up with Amy. We cheered on the athletes exiting the water as we waited for Stuart.
Soon after, Stuart came out of the water. He took one look at me and said, "I hate you."
I told him he wouldn't hate me at the end.
Here are Stuart's thoughts post swim:
"Right After the swim on route to the transition area I was relived that 1/3 of the race was done. Yes the shortest part but the part I was most nervous about. I must admit that I should of trained more in open water with fellow athletes to get used to sighting or swimming next to people. bumping into each other and the CLASSIC feet in my face. I was very luck to only have this encounter at the start before everyone bolted to the first buoy.
I wasn't expecting it to be so draining, when I did the first 400m I was thinking 'WOW, this is going to burn up matches I don't have.' I only trained in a pool, so to only have to swim 25/50/135m to reach the other side and push off really does help. So having to swim the full 2 KM with out stopping was a first. Rookie mistake noted.
Another thing was swimming in a pool to swimming in open water it is very easy to go off track. Sighting correctly is so important. Thank god it was calm out there otherwise I might of ended up on the other side of the lake.
The swim was over before I knew it to be honest. On the second loop there was a big group in front of me getting further and further away so I thought I was last. I wasn't, it was all in my head. All I kept thinking was don't blow up just stay steady. It also didn't help that on my first lap I swam a little off course due to lack of sighting. I fixed that problem by letting someone else pass me and stuck to their feet so they spotted and I focused on my technique and the race at hand. I did spot a little but found I kept losing speed.
What did I do well? I swam 2 KM in 41 Minuets. Take that as you will but I am happy with that for my first time. I 100% need to work on more open water swimming in and out of a wet suit. Sighting and distance. "
The swim was over before I knew it to be honest. On the second loop there was a big group in front of me getting further and further away so I thought I was last. I wasn't, it was all in my head. All I kept thinking was don't blow up just stay steady. It also didn't help that on my first lap I swam a little off course due to lack of sighting. I fixed that problem by letting someone else pass me and stuck to their feet so they spotted and I focused on my technique and the race at hand. I did spot a little but found I kept losing speed.
What did I do well? I swam 2 KM in 41 Minuets. Take that as you will but I am happy with that for my first time. I 100% need to work on more open water swimming in and out of a wet suit. Sighting and distance. "
Stuart was now off on the bike.
"The bike is my favorite part of the Tri events. It was raining, windy, and cold so I wasn't overly keen on doing 90 KM but hey I want that medal and bragging rights. Getting out of the swim and to transition I was struggling to get my wet suit off that I ended up just throwing everything on the ground in the rain. What I was most worried about on the bike was slipping out on the corners due to the rain and gravely areas."
"The bike is my favorite part of the Tri events. It was raining, windy, and cold so I wasn't overly keen on doing 90 KM but hey I want that medal and bragging rights. Getting out of the swim and to transition I was struggling to get my wet suit off that I ended up just throwing everything on the ground in the rain. What I was most worried about on the bike was slipping out on the corners due to the rain and gravely areas."
Once Stuart was off on the bike, Amy and I went back down to the swim exit to look for Jen.
I saw someone struggling with their wetsuit as they came out of the water, but didn't think it was Jen. Turns out its was. She had made it well under the cutoff.
"I was SO HAPPY it was over. I was shocked that I actually did it and that I wasn’t the last person out of the water. I was not expecting to panic during the swim. There were a few times where I had trouble breathing and I couldn’t calm myself down. My husband told me that this could happen but I didn’t think it would happen to me. When I rounded the first buoy and saw how far the second one was, I was nervous knowing I was so far away from land. I kept thinking, what if I need help or sink, would anyone notice? My poor husband might keep waiting for me to reach land and I would be at the bottom of the river.
I did my best to keep positive and kept reminding myself that the race will be more enjoyable after the swim. I just gotta get through this first. I definitely need to train in swimming in order to feel more comfortable in the water. I need to learn to regulate my breath during the swim and to breath out of my mouth. Also, I need to learn how to slow down and keep consistent strokes."
I did my best to keep positive and kept reminding myself that the race will be more enjoyable after the swim. I just gotta get through this first. I definitely need to train in swimming in order to feel more comfortable in the water. I need to learn to regulate my breath during the swim and to breath out of my mouth. Also, I need to learn how to slow down and keep consistent strokes."
I ran up to T1 with Jen and sprinted in the pouring rain to meet her at her transition spot to help her.
After T1, Jen was off on the bike.
"I was excited for the bike, especially knowing the swim was over! I like riding my bike and was not too worried because I rode the route the week before, knowing what to expect (how many hills there were)."
After some time waiting in the rain, Amy and I made our way to the Bike In section. We cheered on other athletes as we waited for Jen.
Jen came through the Bike In section with a big smile on her face. I cheered her on holding a homemade sign, like she had done for me so many times before.
"After the bike, I felt great. I dreaded the hills but I got through them without having to walk. I did go a bit too fast at the beginning of the bike as I got really excited, but after my legs warmed up, I felt better
The bike was exactly what I expected. Well, I wasn’t expecting the downpour of rain. That made me nervous going down the hills at a fast rate, but I did it!
I loved the bike and liked that I was prepared for it. I definitely need to strengthen my legs by going to spin classes to improve going up hills. I felt that I navigated my gears well throughout the bike ride."
I then sprinted, leaping over puddles, to meet Jen back at her transition. For T2, Jen knew what to do and did not need as much help from me.
As she ran out of T2, I ran down to the swim start to meet her on the first part of her run.
"I was surprisingly excited for the run as it was the last third of the race. I just wanted to keep moving forward.
The run was flat which I really liked. Of course I can improve my run. I feel that with more practice, I can cut my run time quite a bit.
After the run, I felt really good. I didn’t feel as tired as I thought I would. I felt like my body was exhausted but my mind wanted me to keep going."
I debated going out onto the run course to see Jen, but knew she only had 1 lap. I wanted to be at the finish for her so I hung out there and waited.
Soon I heard Amy yelling, "Jen! Jen!" My phone was ready and caught the smile on Jen's face as she crossed.
I was so proud of Jen and how hard she hard worked that day. The weather was less than ideal but she pushed through and had so much to be proud of.
"Mental toughness was extremely important. As someone who didn’t train as much as I should have for this race, I knew that I had to be mentally tough to get through it. My goal was to just finish and not worry about the times. The weather didn’t really bother me surprisingly. I knew the race was going to be tough either way so I just said fuck it, I’ll do the best I can in this situation.
Two weeks ago, I kept thinking how I shouldn’t do the race: that I didn’t train enough and that I wasn’t ready. I was scared to mention this to my husband who had just bought me a brand new wet suit for my race. As we got closer to race day and my husband kept giving me tips and tricks for race day, I realized that I had to do the race, there was no backing out.
The main reason that I signed up for the race was because I wanted to work towards something and to prove that I could do it. I watch my husband at these races as well as so many people of all sizes. Every time I’m spectating I think about how I could do what they are doing. These people are inspiring. They are so brave and are pushing their limits to reach their goals. I always felt that I should prove to myself that I, too, can do it."
After Jen got some food and some warm, dry clothes, she had a well deserved nap in the car.
Soon after, Amy and I made our way back to the Bike In to cheer Stuart as he came in.
"After the bike was done I was reveled. I was cold, wet and tired. I kept to what I knew I could do on a 90 KM bike ride. On my race bike I use a power meter which with my Element Cycling computer I can see speed, power, distance ECT. I knew that If my FTP was 245 I could easily hold 200/220 for three hours which on the flats was around 30/32 KM. So with all that I was hoping to get a sub 3 hr bike ride it was 3:00:57 so close.
I was cold, wet and tired by the end of the bike. But I was fueled up and still had plenty in the tank for a half marathon.
I think I managed my food and water intake very well, I had three bananas (one at the start, middle and about 75 KM). I also had some chocolate and peanut butter bars (they were supper soft and edible, a quick slash of water and they are gone).
I guess Aero bars are a thing. I should train with them and use them in a race and see if they make a difference. Around the 55-75 KM mark when you are alone and the furthest away from dismount line really gets in your head about not getting a flat and staying upright."
Now Stuart was off on his run. I went back to the car and tried to have a nap but could not sleep. I grabbed my umbrella and started walking the run course, cheering on anyone I saw.
Since the half iron run course was basically 3 out and backs, I kept seeing the same runners over and over again. All of them were very appreciative of me being out there.
"Before the run I had to go take a leak. I had been holding it in for a while and just knew that if I started running I would have to go take another swim or something. My thoughts were, I have to do a 21 KM run!!! What the hell man? I have only every ran 15 KM max before. I tried running more but I just ended up going to fast and not managing to make it to a longer distance. Plus....... I get bored and I miss my bike. AND it is 21 KM!! Can I just ride it? It is still raining? Oh not to mention as I started the announcer says we should see the Half Iron man finisher coming through the finish line in 20 mins. I am starting the run and they are finishing? FML! But this is the last leg and I want that Medal!"
"I was not expecting a hill at the beginning. If I had to do that loop 4 times I was of quit right there and then.
Having people cheer for you helps you. when it is raining, it is cold. but everyone is there for the same reason. "You got this", "You are amazing" "You are nearly there" It hits close to home at that point.
My third lap was my hardest. Cramping, tired, and it was still raining. I just wanted to walk, I was running with another first time half IM and I said to him "I am not stopping until you stop, and you aren't stopping till I stop.... and we aren't stopping till we get to that finish line" He really did help me through the run."
I saw Stuart a few times before heading to the finish line. By that time, Jen was awake and there to cheer on Stuart as well.
We saw him in the distance and ran to the finish line. Amy went out to run the last bit with him.
Then he was across and his first half iron distance triathlon was in the bag!
"I usually run with a watch to tell me what speed I am doing but I didn't charge it and it was dead when I got to the race. So no info and all I have is how I am feeling and that is it.
I didn't stop running and kept pushing to get to the finish line.
Running with someone and making a point of running at a conversational pace to get to the finish line helped me at that point in the race. I knew I could go faster but I would of ended up hurting my self and maybe not finish.
At the end about 300 meters from the finish my girlfriend joined me and ran with me. I was so tired the rain had stopped by the point and I had this feeling of accomplishment I felt that I just wanted to shred a tear. I just was so happy I did it. I waited at the end for a fellow Athlete who I had been running with to give him a High 5 and go fuck yeah man we did it. "
Stuart was out in the rain for over 6 hours. Not only a great physical achievement, but an outstanding mental one given the weather.
"Oh man. I was expecting to get wet during the swim. I got wet in all three legs of the race. The hardest part of the race was around 60-80km into the bike where I was alone, short on food. The wind is a head wind to which I swear it was never a tail wind. I also knew that if I had a flat right there I would of just been so pissed off and beat. Yes I would of fixed the flat but I wouldn't have pushed as hard afterwards. That didn't happen and as soon as I got to the dismount line and heard Amy and Joe cheering I realized YES, you got this and got my fighting spirit back. I also got more food, water, gels, and pushed onward to the run.
It is easy to say it was wet cold and windy Bla Bla Bla..... Everyone who was there that day whether they were competing or not was there going through it all. If they can do it so can I. That is what helped and pushed me to get to the finish line.
During the swim it was 'I don't want to be last' and 'I want to have people around me when I am swimming.' On the bike it was 'Stay up right, power through and stay within your limits.' On the run it was talking to Dan, having the cheering squad, and seeing the finish line in sight.
I wanted to do a half iron distance to push my limits. Where are my limits? Can I even do it? Am I a quitter? I wanted to find out.
I love hearing about people who keep pushing for better PB's and seek out new races where they find themselves out of their comfort zone. I want to be like them.
I want to do another Half Iron for sure. I now know what it takes to do one. I know what the distance is now. I also know how it feels when you approach the finish line knowing you just finished a HALF IRON MAN."
Needless to say, both Jen and Stuart had an amazing day. I am so very proud of both of them. They now know what it feels like to push through something challenging and what it feels like when you work so hard for something, achieve it, and have a medal to show for it.
Earlier in this post, I mentioned the deal Stuart and I made. Well Stuart has done a sprint, an olympic, and now a half iron distance triathlon. Time for me to live up to my end of the deal.
A few weeks ago, Stuart invited me to a cyclocross clinic and I went. Cyclocross is a form of bicycle racing that consist of many laps of a short course featuring pavement, wooded trails, grass, steep hills and obstacles requiring the rider to quickly dismount, carry the bike while navigating the obstruction and remount.
Going into the clinic, I felt confident in my bike handling skills, but not to confident about the mounting and dismounting. Turns out, I took to the mounting/dismounting pretty quickly and that I need some work on my bike handling skills. I learned this hard way when I went down pretty hard on a 180 degree turn.
My first cyclocross race is September 28th, 2019. Needless to say there will be a race report on that.
Thanks for taking time to read about Jen and Stuart's experiences on their races. Although I did not race, I still had a great time supporting them and the other athletes.
Work has slowed down and I now have time to start ramping my training back up. Some big things are coming in November, so stay tuned!
After some time waiting in the rain, Amy and I made our way to the Bike In section. We cheered on other athletes as we waited for Jen.
Jen came through the Bike In section with a big smile on her face. I cheered her on holding a homemade sign, like she had done for me so many times before.
"After the bike, I felt great. I dreaded the hills but I got through them without having to walk. I did go a bit too fast at the beginning of the bike as I got really excited, but after my legs warmed up, I felt better
The bike was exactly what I expected. Well, I wasn’t expecting the downpour of rain. That made me nervous going down the hills at a fast rate, but I did it!
I loved the bike and liked that I was prepared for it. I definitely need to strengthen my legs by going to spin classes to improve going up hills. I felt that I navigated my gears well throughout the bike ride."
As she ran out of T2, I ran down to the swim start to meet her on the first part of her run.
"I was surprisingly excited for the run as it was the last third of the race. I just wanted to keep moving forward.
The run was flat which I really liked. Of course I can improve my run. I feel that with more practice, I can cut my run time quite a bit.
After the run, I felt really good. I didn’t feel as tired as I thought I would. I felt like my body was exhausted but my mind wanted me to keep going."
I debated going out onto the run course to see Jen, but knew she only had 1 lap. I wanted to be at the finish for her so I hung out there and waited.
Soon I heard Amy yelling, "Jen! Jen!" My phone was ready and caught the smile on Jen's face as she crossed.
I was so proud of Jen and how hard she hard worked that day. The weather was less than ideal but she pushed through and had so much to be proud of.
"Mental toughness was extremely important. As someone who didn’t train as much as I should have for this race, I knew that I had to be mentally tough to get through it. My goal was to just finish and not worry about the times. The weather didn’t really bother me surprisingly. I knew the race was going to be tough either way so I just said fuck it, I’ll do the best I can in this situation.
Two weeks ago, I kept thinking how I shouldn’t do the race: that I didn’t train enough and that I wasn’t ready. I was scared to mention this to my husband who had just bought me a brand new wet suit for my race. As we got closer to race day and my husband kept giving me tips and tricks for race day, I realized that I had to do the race, there was no backing out.
The main reason that I signed up for the race was because I wanted to work towards something and to prove that I could do it. I watch my husband at these races as well as so many people of all sizes. Every time I’m spectating I think about how I could do what they are doing. These people are inspiring. They are so brave and are pushing their limits to reach their goals. I always felt that I should prove to myself that I, too, can do it."
After Jen got some food and some warm, dry clothes, she had a well deserved nap in the car.
Soon after, Amy and I made our way back to the Bike In to cheer Stuart as he came in.
"After the bike was done I was reveled. I was cold, wet and tired. I kept to what I knew I could do on a 90 KM bike ride. On my race bike I use a power meter which with my Element Cycling computer I can see speed, power, distance ECT. I knew that If my FTP was 245 I could easily hold 200/220 for three hours which on the flats was around 30/32 KM. So with all that I was hoping to get a sub 3 hr bike ride it was 3:00:57 so close.
I was cold, wet and tired by the end of the bike. But I was fueled up and still had plenty in the tank for a half marathon.
I think I managed my food and water intake very well, I had three bananas (one at the start, middle and about 75 KM). I also had some chocolate and peanut butter bars (they were supper soft and edible, a quick slash of water and they are gone).
I guess Aero bars are a thing. I should train with them and use them in a race and see if they make a difference. Around the 55-75 KM mark when you are alone and the furthest away from dismount line really gets in your head about not getting a flat and staying upright."
Now Stuart was off on his run. I went back to the car and tried to have a nap but could not sleep. I grabbed my umbrella and started walking the run course, cheering on anyone I saw.
Since the half iron run course was basically 3 out and backs, I kept seeing the same runners over and over again. All of them were very appreciative of me being out there.
"Before the run I had to go take a leak. I had been holding it in for a while and just knew that if I started running I would have to go take another swim or something. My thoughts were, I have to do a 21 KM run!!! What the hell man? I have only every ran 15 KM max before. I tried running more but I just ended up going to fast and not managing to make it to a longer distance. Plus....... I get bored and I miss my bike. AND it is 21 KM!! Can I just ride it? It is still raining? Oh not to mention as I started the announcer says we should see the Half Iron man finisher coming through the finish line in 20 mins. I am starting the run and they are finishing? FML! But this is the last leg and I want that Medal!"
"I was not expecting a hill at the beginning. If I had to do that loop 4 times I was of quit right there and then.
Having people cheer for you helps you. when it is raining, it is cold. but everyone is there for the same reason. "You got this", "You are amazing" "You are nearly there" It hits close to home at that point.
My third lap was my hardest. Cramping, tired, and it was still raining. I just wanted to walk, I was running with another first time half IM and I said to him "I am not stopping until you stop, and you aren't stopping till I stop.... and we aren't stopping till we get to that finish line" He really did help me through the run."
I saw Stuart a few times before heading to the finish line. By that time, Jen was awake and there to cheer on Stuart as well.
We saw him in the distance and ran to the finish line. Amy went out to run the last bit with him.
Then he was across and his first half iron distance triathlon was in the bag!
I didn't stop running and kept pushing to get to the finish line.
Running with someone and making a point of running at a conversational pace to get to the finish line helped me at that point in the race. I knew I could go faster but I would of ended up hurting my self and maybe not finish.
At the end about 300 meters from the finish my girlfriend joined me and ran with me. I was so tired the rain had stopped by the point and I had this feeling of accomplishment I felt that I just wanted to shred a tear. I just was so happy I did it. I waited at the end for a fellow Athlete who I had been running with to give him a High 5 and go fuck yeah man we did it. "
Stuart was out in the rain for over 6 hours. Not only a great physical achievement, but an outstanding mental one given the weather.
"Oh man. I was expecting to get wet during the swim. I got wet in all three legs of the race. The hardest part of the race was around 60-80km into the bike where I was alone, short on food. The wind is a head wind to which I swear it was never a tail wind. I also knew that if I had a flat right there I would of just been so pissed off and beat. Yes I would of fixed the flat but I wouldn't have pushed as hard afterwards. That didn't happen and as soon as I got to the dismount line and heard Amy and Joe cheering I realized YES, you got this and got my fighting spirit back. I also got more food, water, gels, and pushed onward to the run.
It is easy to say it was wet cold and windy Bla Bla Bla..... Everyone who was there that day whether they were competing or not was there going through it all. If they can do it so can I. That is what helped and pushed me to get to the finish line.
During the swim it was 'I don't want to be last' and 'I want to have people around me when I am swimming.' On the bike it was 'Stay up right, power through and stay within your limits.' On the run it was talking to Dan, having the cheering squad, and seeing the finish line in sight.
I wanted to do a half iron distance to push my limits. Where are my limits? Can I even do it? Am I a quitter? I wanted to find out.
I love hearing about people who keep pushing for better PB's and seek out new races where they find themselves out of their comfort zone. I want to be like them.
I want to do another Half Iron for sure. I now know what it takes to do one. I know what the distance is now. I also know how it feels when you approach the finish line knowing you just finished a HALF IRON MAN."
Needless to say, both Jen and Stuart had an amazing day. I am so very proud of both of them. They now know what it feels like to push through something challenging and what it feels like when you work so hard for something, achieve it, and have a medal to show for it.
Earlier in this post, I mentioned the deal Stuart and I made. Well Stuart has done a sprint, an olympic, and now a half iron distance triathlon. Time for me to live up to my end of the deal.
A few weeks ago, Stuart invited me to a cyclocross clinic and I went. Cyclocross is a form of bicycle racing that consist of many laps of a short course featuring pavement, wooded trails, grass, steep hills and obstacles requiring the rider to quickly dismount, carry the bike while navigating the obstruction and remount.
Going into the clinic, I felt confident in my bike handling skills, but not to confident about the mounting and dismounting. Turns out, I took to the mounting/dismounting pretty quickly and that I need some work on my bike handling skills. I learned this hard way when I went down pretty hard on a 180 degree turn.
My first cyclocross race is September 28th, 2019. Needless to say there will be a race report on that.
Thanks for taking time to read about Jen and Stuart's experiences on their races. Although I did not race, I still had a great time supporting them and the other athletes.
Work has slowed down and I now have time to start ramping my training back up. Some big things are coming in November, so stay tuned!
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