HITS Grand Junction 140.6

Grand Junction, Colorado - Iron distance #3.  

Pre-race 

The week leading into the race, I had the stomach flu.  Bad timing!!!!  Feeling drained from that, I debated whether to switch to the half distance.  Finally, at packet pick up on Friday afternoon, I decided to go for the full distance.  With that decision, I knew I had to go into the race with zero expectations and throw out all my time goals.  My new goal was just to survive to the finish line.  I questioned if I had enough energy to even complete the distance, but I wanted to give it a shot.

We arrived at the race site in the morning at 6 a.m. to set up transition.  I thought the transition area was great!  Each racer had a slot for their bike, a stool, and a little "cubby" for their gear.   Usually you are crammed next to other races trying to squeeze all of your stuff into a little area.  There was plenty of room! After setting up transition, we headed down to the water. 

Assigned a spot next to Chris.  Sweet!!!

SLTC / BAM representing!

The Swim - Highland Lake - 2.4 miles - 2 loops.  The swim start was at 7 a.m. after  pre-race instruction and a prayer.   Stepping in the water, the lake felt a lot colder than it had the previous day.  But the water always seems to feel cold at first and then normally I warm up pretty quick.   All the half and full distance athletes started at the same time in one big mass start.  I really didn't mind the mass start.  What's a few more elbows, kicks, and people swimming over and into each other - it's all part of the swim start fun!  Plus there were a LOT more people competing in the half distance and far fewer in the full.  At least for the first loop, I would have a large group to follow and help search out the buoys.

After the countdown, I took the plunge into the water -it took my breath away!  No big deal!  Just the initial shock of colder water.  It took me longer than I would have liked to get my breathing under control and finally I found a rhythm where I could breathe every 3rd stroke.  My feet were cold and getting numb and I didn't feel like my body was warming up.  All things considering the first loop wasn't too bad.  Once I finished the first loop, I got out of the water, rounded the cone, and before I headed out for my 2nd lap I shouted to Chad that I didn't think I had enough pee to keep me warm. :)  The 2nd loop, wasn't as great as the first.  For some reason, my body just didn't warm up.  I felt my muscles in my arms and legs tense up and my swim stroke was rigid and I felt like I was barely moving.  Rounding one of the buoys I looked to my side and this guy popped his head out the water and turned to me and said, "I can't feel my face!"  Just the way he said it made me laugh.  I wasn't the only one freezing my butt off!  I knew by the time I got to the run later on in the day, I would be wishing I was back in the cold water.  Just keep swimming!!!  I finally made it out of the water.  My feet felt like rocks and my body was shaking, which made for a not so graceful fall going up the steps on the beach.  Kind of embarrassing, but looking back it was probably funny to watch.  Chad stripped off my wetsuit and then I put on his jacket since I couldn't stop shaking and headed to transition.  I kept his jacket on for awhile on the bike until I warmed up.  So aerodynamic!!  Again, providing comic relief for all those who were watching.

The bike - 2 loops - 112 miles.  The bike course had 2 out and back sections.  The first section was mostly rolling hills.  The second section was a long slight incline going out and then you came back to the bike start to repeat it all over again.  The inclines and hills weren't anything difficult, it was the changing wind that added a bit of a challenge. 

Into my first loop, around mile 30, I already felt like my "energy tank" was nearing empty.  I had started the race not at full strength and with being sick I didn't know when it would catch up to me.  Well, it caught up to me sooner than I thought.  What to do?!   Keep fueling - keep pedaling and hope for the
best.  I was a little bummed.  I liked the bike course and wanted to push a faster pace, but had to just be grateful that I was still moving forward.  I saw Chad a few times out on the bike course.  He shouted out updates on my friends that were running the Ogden marathon.  They were on their own race journey and I loved to hear how they were doing.  It gave my mind something else to focus on.  I managed to complete both loops of the bike and at that point I was pretty much in survival mode.

The run - 2 loops - 26.2 miles.  The run had a few good hills, but the majority of it was a gentle roll or flat.   The run consisted of dirt and paved roads, which I didn't mind the variation.  Heading out onto the run, my stomach did not feel good at all. 

It was pretty warm - around 82 degrees and not a lot of shade.  My body started to rebel by mile 2 and that is when I started throwing up everything that I attempted to eat or drink.  Even though I couldn't keep anything down, I kept eating and drinking at every aid station (which were well stocked).  I have been at the point in races where I have felt like I was running on fumes, but I was even beyond that point.  I really don't know how I managed to put one foot in front of the other.  I would walk, run, puke, eat and drink and then repeat the cycle all over.  I managed to pass 2 women just before completing my first loop. I so desperately wanted to be done.

As I circled the cone to head out for my second loop, the race director told me that I was the lead female.  I had to press forward.  It was the weirdest feeling.  With the exception of my stomach muscles (which ached), my body wasn't sore, but my mind and body felt completely drained.  Being a smaller race, there wasn't the energy of several racers or spectators on the course to draw from.
That drive to keep going forward had to come from within.
Step by step, I was chipping away the miles to the finish line.  With 2 miles left, I felt really dizzy and sat down on the side of the road.  I knew I had quite the distance on the ladies behind me and wanted to make sure I survived to the finish.  I finally dragged my body off the ground and inched towards the finish.  I was so relieved to see the finish line and my family and friends cheering me in.  It gave me a little boost to dance through the finish line. 1st overall female - 12:53:30.  My slowest time in an Iron distance tri - but I was just grateful to have survived!  For winning, I was hooked up with a wetsuit and sunglasses - pretty sweet!  This was the 2nd year for the HITS Grand Junction race.  I thought that the event was well organized and the venue was great! I hope that it grows into something bigger.

Amber, Chris, and Jeff

Jeff racing the half distance - PR, oh ya! 

Chris racing the full distance - an amazingly fast swim and bike split!  You are AWESOME Chris!

118th Boston Marathon

Hancock Sports and Fitness Expo 

Adidas banner

BOSTON!!!!  Chad and I flew in late Saturday night into Boston, so we headed over to the expo on Sunday morning to pick up my bib#.  Bib #s and wave/corral assignments are based on your submitted qualifying time.  With my qualifying time from the St Geroge marathon (2:58:36), I was assigned to wave 1, corral 4, bib #3865.  The previous 2 years in Boston I started in the 2nd wave, so I was excited to move up a wave this year.  Woot, woot!  Adidas hands out posters every year at the expo that include each racer's name on it.  Since they added 9,000 more runners this year (36,000 total), I was wondering how they would fit everyone's name on one poster.  Problem solved . . . .make 2 posters! Adidas also had large banners to sign and leave messages of support on.  After the expo, we ventured down the street to the finish line area to take some pictures. 

Memorial to the victims

Later on Sunday afternoon, those runners from Utah who could make it, gathered for a picture in the finish line area.  It was so sweet to be part of this group! :)

Utah runners!!!

Monday - race morning!

My Hokinton outfit!

After my traditional 2 hours of sleep, I got up at 5 a.m. to get ready to go.  I don't even know why I set my alarm.  I am always awake hours before it even goes off.   I just get so excited, nervous, and anxious about racing that I can never shut my mind off.  My body is used to racing on little sleep and I usually don't feel the effects of lack of sleep until after the race.  It's the Boston Marathon - who can sleep!?

 In order to get to the start in Hopkinton, athletes are loaded on school buses at Boston Commons.  Bus loading for wave 1 was 6:15 a.m. - 6:50 a.m.  Chad and I took the "T" from our hotel down to Boston Commons. I have always been impressed with Boston's
race organization.  Everything runs smoothly and efficiently.  Bus loading was quick and I was off to Hopkinton, only a 45 minute bus ride away!  This year as part of safety measures, athletes were not allowed to bring bags with them to the athlete's village in Hopkinton. The only gear bags allowed had to be checked and turned in at Boston Commons before boarding the buses. That meant, whatever you wore to stay warm at Hopkinton was donated to Goodwill.  I just loved some of the clothing people were wearing.  Two of my favorites were sported by guys, one wearing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle pajama pants and the other a pink sweater with big snowflakes.  The buses drop you off at Hopkinton High/Middle school.  The athlete's village is set up on a field outside the high school.   Time went by pretty quick at the athlete's village.  The buzz and excitement from the huge crowd of runners was brought still as there was a moment of silence for the victims of last year. 

At 9:10 a.m. wave 1, corrals 4-6 were allowed to leave the village to head to the starting corrals about .7 miles away.   It is a nice little walk down to the starting line to stretch out the legs.  As I entered into my designated starting corral,  I looked around and realized there were only a small handful of girls and I was surrounded mostly by guys.  I started to get a little nervous, thinking that I better keep pace or all these fast runners were going to stampede right over me.  At that moment, I knew I would probably go out too fast.  Just before 10 a.m. they played the National Anthem and then four National Guard helicopters flew over.  The elite men were announced and then at 10 a.m. we were off!  It was a little warmer than I thought it would be.  Not miserably hot, but uncomfortably warm.   And yes, I went out a little faster than I should have, but it was fun to run a quick pace the first 10k (42:20 - 6:52 min/mile).   I knew that I had to slow my pace or else I would suffer the second half of the course, so I did and came in at the halfway mark at 1:31:50.  From the moment I started, I wanted to soak in the Boston experience.  The crowds at Boston are aMAzing and this year even more so! There is so much support and encouragement.  Running this course you feel like a rock star!  There were points in the race where the crowds were chanting "U.S.A" and "Boston Strong!"  It was pretty sweet.   I made sure to give high 5's to the people holding out their hands especially all the little kids.  The spectators go above and beyond.  They hand out orange slices, bananas, otter pops, ice, licorice, etc.  They cheer and push you along the course.  I loved the different posters as well.  A few of my favorite ones - "Run like someone called you a jogger!"  "Runners are our Heroes!"  "We Own That Finish Line!" 

                                                                     Mile 22

In the second half of the marathon come the Newton hills - little speed bumps that slow your pace.  After reaching the top of Heartbreak Hill, the last of the Newton hills, I could start feeling it in my legs, but knew there were only 5 miles left!  It was like a countdown to Boylston Street.  Mile by mile the anticipation, energy, and excitement grew.  And then that final turn down Boylston where you can see the finish line in the distance.   Running the final stretch towards the finish line there wasn't a feeling of fear, but of empowerment.  As the crowds screamed and cheered,  I thought of those affected by the tragic events of last year. 
Listening to the crowds and their enthusiasm and spirit, it was as if they brought sense of healing and strength.  As each runner crossed the finish line it was if it emphasized the sentiment from the crowd -  Boston is strong and resilient - our spirits cannot be broken!   As I passed the finish line and through the finish area, several volunteers were thanking the runners for coming to run the Boston marathon this year.   Thank you Boston for an incredible experience!

Overall:  5,480/31,931   Gender:  651/14,356   Division (18-39): 552/6,979

3:15:55 (14 minutes shaved off last year's time)

Double dose of Core Power for recovery

                                         

Warmth Retention Cape!!!

I had no clue Chad was recording this.  We were waiting

for our hotel shuttle and well I just have to say that being in post

run euphoria AND wearing a cape just makes you want to sing! 

Oh and I know I can't sing, but it usually doesn't stop me :)