Longhorn Ironman 70.3 - final race of the season

Barton Springs Pool

Pre-Race Adventures
As I sat on the airplane on my way to Austin, Texas three days before my final race of the season, I thought to my self, “what on earth am I doing flying to Austin to swim, bike and run?” Lugging my bike box, racking up grossly overpriced excess baggage fees, navigating my way through a new city in a rental vehicle and sleeping on thin hotel sheets seemed a far cry from what I really felt like doing which was to stay home in the comforts of my routine and well-defined schedule. It took mere minutes to flip my cynical and ponderous attitude on its head upon my arrival into the Austin airport and experience the welcoming openness of this great city, home of the Texas Longhorns and USA capital of live music.

Just two days before leaving for Austin, my travel partner and Professional Triathlete, Sara Gross, bowed out of coming due to a flu bug that wasn’t letting up. Sara is going on to race Ironman Arizona in a few weeks time so she felt no need to drain herself in the Longhorn experience. While I missed her company for the travel, I settled into nomadic mode and explored the town with vigor.

Day One was an unplanned excursion day as I attempted to get oriented and familiar with the landscape and climate. My first stop was Jack & Adams Cycles, a local’s shop for triathlon gear, nutrition products, and great service. Just around the corner were two more enormous cycling and triathlon stores nestled in between “Austin Java” and funky bistros. I was encouraged to explore the famous quarter mile spring fed Barton Springs Pool in Zilker Park a quick mile away from Jack & Adams (on Barton Spring Avenue). My eyes deceived me when I rode up to this enormous quasi-canal-like-pool with Lifeguard chairs and distance markers. Apparently, this was the training pond for local triathletes and long-distance swimmers. Next visit, I’ll be sure to go for a 4-lap splash just to say I swam a mile in Barton Springs Pool.

After a short run along the Barton Town Trail, also popular route to the svelte and fit, young and old neighborhood prancing along with their dogs or comrades, I GPS’ed my way to Luedecke Arena and Walter E. Long Lake for race registration and a tour of the transition site. Longhorn Ironman is organized by EndorFUN (Race Director, Keith Jordan). This company is now the event organizers for three more 70.3’s – Timberman, Mooseman, and Lone Star. After experiencing the organization of EndorFUN, the preparatory information, and coordination of logistics, along with the fact that the 70.3 (half Ironman distance) is a distance I am embracing as my main focus, I hope to schedule more of EndorFUN races into my season. As I said to Keith Jordan, his recruitment of enthusiastic volunteer support, the unmistakable course markings, the offering of quality event merchandise, a seamless transition set up, and the race-day spirit should be the model for other race coordinators.

One Day Before Race:
Saturday involved a refreshing swim, smooth ride, and short jaunt from T1 (transition one) where I was in fine company of at least 1,000 athletes doing the similar yet slightly personalized routine. I kept to myself and reveled in eavesdropping on in-depth conversations about race day nutrition, pacing protocols, “lack of training” and declarations of doubt and fear, all the while justifying their presence with sentiments of encouragement and grounding inspiration.

The Pro Meeting was efficient and informative. The USAT Officials assured us there would be at least four motorbikes accompanying us all day to ensure fair riding for everyone. This was a relief since they were MIA - missing-in-action - in Augusta, a short month earlier.

By noon, the race day preparations were a rap. Amit Bhutani, my almost-homestay-local-triathlete-recoverying-from-shoulder-surgery-race-day-volunteer-facebook- expert-new-friend and overly hospitable generous soul and I toured the Expo prior to my navigating (albeit poorly) back to my dinky hotel room to rest and rejuvenate.

Dinner both Friday and Saturday night consisted of a football size baked sweet potato and a Texas grain fed 6oz filet mignon. The tank was topped up and race day would simply require a focused mind clear of any thought and judgment coupled with a rhythmic stroke, silky slipstream, and gazelle-like steps.

Race Day:
All 2500+ athletes along with equal number of supporters and volunteers were crowding into transition as early as 5:00 a.m. The Pro’s wave was at 7:30 a.m. with 4-minute intervals to follow by age group. Some sorry souls only started at 8:40 a.m. yet had to have their bikes set up, morning clothes dropped off and be cleared out of the transition barricades at 7:15 a.m. This meant many of them were standing around in a wetsuit for well over an hour waiting for their long anticipated wave start. Some people ask me why I choose to race professionally; an early start is definitely one of the reasons.

My “staging” area was dialed within 5 minutes. Check, check…bike racked, shoes in pedals, helmet, race belt and sunglasses resting on bars, gels and electrolytes secured to frame, bottles in cages, and odometer set to zero…check, check. With wavering confidence that my bike would remain unhampered or that my tires would mysteriously deflate, I committed to the next phase of pre-race preparations – put on swim cap, goggles, wetsuit, loosen up and narrow the minds eye prior to plunging in for a warm up.

Swim:
With 30 seconds to the start gun, the Pro field had drifted well over 30 meters ahead of the start buoys, with 10 seconds to go, we were uncontrollable and in full propulsion. Much to my amazement, I had a powerful no nonsense start and stuck close to the splashing and commotion of the main pack. My swim starts are an area of weakness yet I have been training to improve my explosive power “out of the gates.” Maybe it paid off? Let’s just pretend it did.

The swim course was marked with 10 foot red buoys in triangular formation. The course was unmistakable and if feeling strong, anyone could have had a good swim. Without relinquishing any effort, I successfully swam through a few packs before the final turn. With 750 meters remaining, I caught Terra Castro and stayed on her feet for the rest of the swim. A thick bed of weeds welcomed us back to shore. Time: 27:53. Followed by a steep grassy run up to the bikes, there was no time to contemplate life since I was determined to improve my transitions shift into bike mode as fast as I could. Time: 2:01 (well within the top pros).

Bike:
Once onto the bike, I put my head down and focused solely on the road ahead of me. The roads were a buffet of chip seal, cracked asphalt, and smooth pavement. There was opportunity to stay aero and fast yet the undulating hills allowed for diversity and an out of the saddle stretch. The pace was painful, the effort required solid focus, and double the calories I had planned for. Every time the sensation of “pain” or “discomfort” entered my conscious mind, I would self negotiate to acknowledge yet ignore the distress until after the race. Once through the finish line, I would give all the time and attention necessary to restore my body to homeostasis. This little bargain seemed to put the unnecessary at bay. With increasing frequency, I found myself pulling this ruse out for the last 10 miles of the ride and most of the 13-mile run.

With the exception of passing two other girls and being past by Kate Bevilaqua, nodding to the odd motorbike or photographer, and rolling through four aid stations, my two and a half hours were spent in my own company and the voice of a steady unrelenting mind. The course meandered through the rural roads of Austin’s farm country and formed an odd figure eight that never intersected. While I was not “magic on wheels,” I was motivated to dig for the strength I knew I had. I remembered thinking “I may as well kill myself trying before giving into the effort.” Kate and I pulled into T2 (transition two) side by side. Time: 2:28:51.

T2
In keeping with my “quick transition” goal, I didn’t even tie my laces up on my runners. I bolted out and stopped to tighten them once I ran over the timing mat. Time: 2:41 (the fastest time was only 20 seconds faster).

Run:
The party was on the 3-loop hilly run course. Runners were treated to live music, a sprinkling of cheerleaders, 18-themed aid stations (being one week prior to Halloween, there were no shortage of outrageous costume-clad volunteers), some grassy paths, some trail but mainly roads and ice cold towels every 3.5 miles. The heat and humidity was escalating and if I glimpsed down, I could see the salt crystals forming on the roundest part of cheeks. While likely not the salt from my cheeks, I knew this mineral would be a major ingredient in my post-race snack.

If nothing else, my focus was on maintaining a quick foot cadence, relaxing my shoulders and hands, and keeping tight angle in my elbows. Training with quicker steps has been a major theme of my practice runs for the past few months - counting and recounting my steps for 60 seconds, aiming for over 180. My highest cadence thus far, with great effort, had been 200 steps in one minute. I would be more than pleased with 184-188 steps per minute for race day. This would ensure efficiency and a speedier time than my 1:33 split in Augusta.

The level of discomfort was at an all-time high for most of the run. For the second and third loop, the age-group divisions poured onto the course. It was wonderful to have the company and share the effort with inspiring athletes. Given the distance of 70.3 miles and the time of approximately 4.5 hours, I was tapping into any and all fitness available. Gatorade, gels, water, and salt were guzzled at regular intervals. With about 200 meters to go, I was passed by another pro who found some great sprint in her step to finish a near 10 seconds up from me. I do recall trying to challenge the pass but surrendered when a greater effort resulted in the exact same speed. The Longhorn Finish line was inside the Arena with cheering crowds in the bleachers. Final Time: 4:29. A Personal Best at this distance. 9th Place Female Pro.

Nothing beats ending a season with nothing left other than motivation for a strong recovery and rejuvenation for next year. The Half Ironman distance has opened up a new level of enthusiasm for my racing career. When coupled with attending stupendously organized and spirited events, it makes the adventure much more satisfying.

Amit & Rad
My new friend Amit and his wife, Rad, collected me from my hotel that evening for a wonderful outing to a casual brewery serving over 100 imported and local ales. They wanted to take me somewhere more “interesting” and authentic than this place but I couldn’t have been happier right where we were. Since Austin is my new favorite destination, I’ll be returning to explore a few more hidden treasures. Amit and I engaged in the pros and cons of Facebook-ing. I was the cynic and he was the opportunist. Our debate found a happy middle ground on the pervasiveness of a Global Village as a result of Facebook, and now Twitter; yet authentic socialization will always require in person grassroots connections and relationships. I think Rad sat somewhere in between but agreed slight more with my perspective ☻

Home
Back in Vancouver. No routine. No “training”. Yoga, work, friends, movies, late night outings, and reading fiction.
Always welcoming the experience of others and keen interest to challenge the body and soul. Yoga has become a wonderful tool to reconnect with many overlooked aspects of the self. We have a new studio here in Vancouver that could easily be coined a sanctuary. If not curled up reading, find me at YYoga Flow.

Send me your news, goals, or tribulations. Better yet, lets get together in person to share adventures!

Christine