Race Report: Eagleman 70.3 5th place
Last weekend I placed 5th at the Ironman Eagleman 70.3 Triathlon in Cambridge, Maryland. I am happy with my race as a starting point for my season. The race was shortened (the 1.2 mile swim was removed) due to bad weather. Knowing this would likely change the outcome of the race, I controlled what I could and made sure I did my best to be a great duathlete! It makes me kind of sad (and all of my swim friends were sad, too), that I didn’t actually get to swim. But, I also know that the hours and hours of swim practice are in part why I was able to bike and run as well as I did.
We picked numbers out of a hat to determine the starting positions for the time trial start. I went first with Katie Morales 45 seconds behind me. According to my sisters, I did not attack the beginning of the course. I honestly just was afraid of going out too hard. About 10 miles or so into the bike, Katie caught me. I stayed behind her through driving rain and wind for about 75 minutes. She put in an extra 20 watts over a causeway (I know because she told me!) and stayed aero. I actually went into an easier gear and had to sit up because of the wind. Thanks Katie for teaching me what to do for next time. After that, I struggled to catch back up. Then, about 2 miles from the bike finish at a busy intersection, I missed a turn. I stopped turned around went the other way, then realize that wasn’t the right way! Anyway, I got back on track and by that time had lost a minute or so. Costly mistake.
Based on my 10k race the week before, my realistic goal for the race was to run between 1:27-1:29 after a 56 mile bike ride. Having only one brick workout in training so far this year (which was my Jerseyman race 😳) I wasn’t quite sure how my legs would do. I also wasn’t sure I would have my watch for splits… but … Thank you to @garmin for overnighting me a new charger for my Fenix 5S (my nephew thinks it’s his and “charged it”). I was able to run with my watch and get my run splits and my heart rate data. I went out very slowly. I was a bit too conservative and in hindsight not confident enough in myself to go any faster. I asked my coach (@athletefood who has run some very fast times) on the drive to Maryland, so how do you run a 1:22 half marathon? And she said, the key is to go out controlled and build. Turns out, I followed her advice to a T. But, next time I’ll just need to drop my paces a bit! That first 7:14 mile cost me $500. But, I’m really proud of the way I ran the last 5k and actually felt strong and in control the entire race. It is encouraging for my ironman racing and I’m excited to see what I can do with some proper training. I am definitely not happy with the 1:30.x but I got exactly what I put in and am grateful for that feeling of finishing strong. PS the middle miles of the run were into what people have said were 15mph winds and it was raining. But, there were favorable running conditions in terms of temperature which probably cancels out the headwind!
Despite not fulfilling my podium goals, I loved this race experience. I got to travel down with Bec and my niece Amy. My mom and sister Sarah and nieces Nora and Nellie came to watch. I got to race with my training partner Glenn. I participated in the pro panel and met so many other triathletes. Also, the time trial start gave my competitors and I a chance to meet each other. There were some fantastic women in that group and I’m happy I know them other than just a name in a results list.
Thank you to my sponsors for your support. Another bonk free race thanks to Xrcel every 45 minutes. I also debuted my new race kit from Wyn Republic. I think just putting it on and feeling great made me go fast. And, just think what would have happened if I got to swim in my Dare2Tri wetsuit! Also, many thanks to Carolyn Mazur at Fusion Physical Therapy in NYC. She fixed my little Achilles injury so I could run pain free. Biggest thanks to my people…family in attendance, watching online, angels above giving me strength as I biked through the Eastern Shore AND all of the cheers I heard along the way - especially in that last mile. If you have read this and you were at the pro panel and can comment below what my favorite food is….I will send you a gift!
#runningdata#garminambassador @garminfitness#runningsplits #halfironman #runner#halfmarathon #beatyesterday
