Vineman - The Race (very late update)

Ok, I know it was more than one month ago, so I won't make any excuses. The short version is, the race went really well, I finished, had a great time, and can't wait for my next big challenge. If you have a few minutes read on for the whole story!

Vineman 2006 – My First half ironman!!!!
Mid May Kara, Renee and I started training on our own for our first half ironman. We had just finished Wildflower, so we were in good shape, but still it seemed like we would never be ready for this big a race. Well, 10 weeks later, here we are, ready and excited for the 1.2 mile swim, 57.5 mile bike, and 13.1 mile run! We drove up to Santa Rosa on Fri evening to get settled in and prepared for the big race on Sun morning. Saturday we went to the swim course, took a quick dip, then went to the finish area to get our packet of goodies. We set up our transition areas, went to the orientation to go over the course and the rules, and then went for our carbo loading dinner. We were all trying to stay calm and positive, but you could tell we were a bit nervous. Tonight we are 4 amateur triathletes, after tomorrow we will be half ironmen!!!

Sun morning we headed down to the start, ready and excited for the race. It was a little cloudy and cool, perfect for a very long race. Renee and I set up our area together, gave our last “good luck” to each other and headed into the water. It was my first water start, and it was deep enough in that area that I couldn’t even stand. It was a little weird, but when the whistle blew we were off!!! The swim went very well, I felt relaxed and good the whole way. It was a bit slower then I hoped, but when I ran out, I felt ready to get on the bike. As I headed to my transisition area, there was Renee, we had come out of the water at the same time. So we quickly dried off, changed, packed our bag (they pick them up and take to finish), then headed off on the bike!

The first half of the bike went well. I was able to keep my pace up and stick to my eating schedule. It was also nice to have Renee with me, we would pass each other every few minutes to say hi and see how it was going. At the halfway point we both had to stop and go to the bathroom (clearly I am drinking enough). The second half did not go as well. I struggled to keep up on my nutrition. I got to the point where I could not eat another shot block, they were making me sick to my stomach. I tried the pretzels but that made me feel bad too. So I gave up and stuck to my electrolyte drink. While I still enjoyed the fabulous scenery riding through the wineries, I definitely struggled the last 10 miles of the bike, I just needed more nutrition but my stomach couldn’t take it. I was so happy to get to that transition area, I have never been so happy to get off my bike.

I had to go to the bathroom again, which made my transition too long, but I headed out on the run, feeling positive, my stomach a bit better, and excited that I was 2/3 of the way done, only 13 miles to go. The first half again went very well. I was able to eat again, I was feeling strong, and my pace was ahead of target. I looked at my watch once, twice, I couldn’t believe it. Originally my only goal was to break 8 hours, at this pace I may be able to break 7 hours!!! I saw Kara and Bruce along the way and the “Way to go” really helped! Still the second half of this leg found me struggling with energy again. I was eating as many honey stingers as I could, but I think the lack of nutrition on the bike was catching up with me. It had been a long day and I just wanted to be done. My pace slowed a bit, but I was able to hang on until the end, NO WALKING!!! When I saw that finish line I have never been so happy. So in I ran, big smile on my face, a little more spring in my step, and crossed the line! I couldn’t quite hang on for under 7 hours, but at 7:08 my time was almost an hour better than I had hoped for. The feeling at the finish was the most incredible ever. Apparently the “finish high” correlates to the distance. I felt so great, proud of myself, and Kara and Renee, and all we had accomplished that day.

Swim – 0:49
Bike – 3:50
Run – 2:14
Total – 7:08