Augusta 70.3 Race Report 2015
I was more excited and more nervous for this race than any race in awhile. I think it’s because it’s the first time this year I felt like I really Could do something breakthrough, and with that possibility that came with what felt like pressure. Pressure of the unknowns, of all the variables that could go wrong, etc. I think my best race this year was Alcatraz or FL 70.3, and those were good precisely because they were coupled with minimal expectations!
Since the mid year lull after CDA, I have been trying to focus on the little things. I have made myself a regular under Carrie’s care at Pro Performance Therapy trying to get my shoulder in the best position that I can (and even mostly do the exercises prescribed). I have been a semi-regular still at Georgia Sports Chiropractic and Georgia Sports Massage. I recently started working with a new coach. After referring others to Ilana for a few years and seeing their success, I even visited her myself and started to make a few changes.
With this little extra attention, the ship seemed righted, and all the signs were there for success. My running volume, though low, had a bit of speed mixed in and I was feeling strong. My bike numbers were back up, my swim was feeling good on days I was not exhausted. I started fighting a little bug about ten days out and ended up taking off a record number of days trying to get things right in the last week. Nothing major- just a bit of a high heart rate, low temp sort of thing that made activity feel just a touch too hard.
The days prior were very busy with all the activities surrounding racing and getting all my favorite athlete’s plans in order for race day. I really enjoy it and it takes the pressure and focus off me too. We had an awesome Atlanta Tri Club dinner the night prior and everyone was ready to go. There were a few stressful, last minute foibles that occurred but ultimately everyone who was planning on it successfully got on the start line with their equipment intact so that was a win!
Always love the Augusta swim so I was excited to get it going. I had fun hanging out beforehand with my fellow late starters. Tracking people who started a bit earlier it seemed that the current was about the same as always so I was happy about that.
Getting going though it felt a little slower and harder than I expected. Wasn’t sure what to make it of but I found some good feet and got a good draft most of the way so that was a plus. When I popped up I felt that my wetsuit came unzipped along the way so it was open catching a bit of water. I’m really glad I had some feet so it wasn’t more impactful. My time was only about a minute slower than usual but I wasn’t too happy with a start like that.
Plus there were a few girls I needed to be with or ahead of and I figured they were gone. Getting out on the bike, it felt a little bit windy but fine for the first 15. My legs felt a little weak so I immediately changed my screen to not show power because I knew it would about going on effort and getting as much ‘free speed’ as I could along the way and not about trying to hit numbers.
It was a little windy and lonely on the course. I passed a lot of people but there was no one around my speed. Either I was passing them quickly or a few guys from later waves passed me going really fast. Paul passed me at one point and I remember doing the math and thinking my input must not be amazing as he made up those 8′ pretty quick! At one point I passed Blake and he said that Alexandra passed him ten miles ago.
Up until that point I wasn’t sure about the swim piece and whether I had really been slower than expected. Thinking we would come out of the swim together, it made me realize that if she was that far ahead then I probably started to get behind on the swim and was continuing to fall back on the bike. I tried not to get discouraged and continued on the best I could.
Looking back at my numbers later, I really did get a lot of speed for the amount of effort that I was putting in. That’s really a testament to my bike, fit, and increased ability to get aero and stay there (thanks to Podium Multisport and my great fit on my IA!) OA I put in about 15 watts lower than in 2013 (but close to same speed) and I’m SO glad I didn’t see it at the time.
Jumping off the bike my body felt a little bit like it had done an IM bike so I was thankful I ‘only’ had to run 13 miles… and that it was flat terrain! I felt pretty good once I loosened up and figured I could put down a run close to my 2013 one. I wasn’t breathing hard but my muscles felt tight and sore so I started slowing down a little. I got a boost every time I passed the tent and was getting good splits from Carrie. I knew her info was coming straight from Sondra so it was valid! Near the beginning I heard I was in fourth and figured I had a shot at most as long as I didn’t slow down too much. After the first loop it gets complicated because everyone is mixed in together, but I got info that I could go for second.
It took me a long time to catch Alexandra and she was moving along really well. Really great race for her and I’m so glad she landed on the podium (so now she can’t retire as she threatened). Maybe next time she’ll wait for me on the swim ;). Ended up crossing the line in second and a few minutes slower than last time I did the race.
OA I had mixed feelings about my result. I was thrilled to place highly and qualify for Worlds however, I was bummed that I did not meet my time goals when my training inputs showed that it was possible. “All you can ask for is a chance” are the words that kept coming to mind.
You can’t control what the day gives you and I was thankful to have a mostly healthy body that gave me me a decent performance. I do think the little things that I have been working on will ultimately make a positive impact on my performance but today just wasn’t the day to see those improvements realized on the course.
I was thrilled to also share the podium with so many teammates. From Susie’s amazing 1st amateur, to Paul having the fastest bike split- period, to John’s massive PR and Alexandra’s intro to the WTC podium, that piece was pretty sweet. Also, was really proud of all the first-timers none of whom faltered- they all completed what they started!
The best part of the race was really everyone else. Just about everyone PR’d and had some sort of race day success. I was proud to see everyone do it, from those I coached to those I barely know. After the race it was all about getting to those Chattanooga updates, and it was a banner day over there too. The best part of being a part of such a wonderful club and team, and having your job be triathlon, is that you don’t get too wrapped up in your own selfish stuff and get to celebrate other’s successes. I will return to Augusta for a PR sometime soon (hopefully), and in the meantime I’m going to keep up with all the positive changes I’ve made along the way! #12weeksallin is not dead, it just needs a new number at the beginning!
