Time for the Big Girl Pants

Things happen for a reason. Ironically I spent my last post raving about how excited I was to have Scott joining me at the Rev3 Cedar Point 70.3. Unfortunately things didn't end up working out as planned. One week out from the race my dearest Flex messed up his back so bad he was physically dragging his legs behind him. Fearing my dog would be permanently paralyzed and utilizing wheels for back legs, I asked Scott to stay home to help the little guy mend. It was a little traumatic to say the least. I'm sure my fellow pet lovers understand.

In the end, I jet setted off to Ohio sans race sherpa. Although my parents were there on race day, I was tasked with bike assembly for the first time alone. I called it operation "big girl pants". Don't get me wrong I travel alone a lot....but the thought of physically getting the bike to the airport...flying the bike safely to my destination and then fitting it into the rental car... and out of the car... and then putting it together correctly was....

.....

just a little daunting....

My double sized bike box did NOT help my cause. Luckily I pulled the damsel in distress card at the rental car place and at least scored a free upgrade to a full size SUV :)

In the end all worked out and Heidi and the pink hotness arrived safely in Sandusky, Ohio for race day.

My personal parazzi aka my mom made it just in time for race day. The race went off Sunday without a hitch. The water was calm and the skies were clear. It was a beautiful day for race day. I went out hard at the swim start knowing I wanted to try to stay with the amateur leaders. The swim start was a little rough with the 1-2 ft muck like quicksand we had to run to getting to the water. Despite my efforts to stay with the leaders I fell back some. The morning glare made it a little tough to sight and my full wetsuit felt like it was killing my shoulders. Upon water exit I glanced down at my watch.. 36 minutes... goal time 29-32.... uh oh. Not good.

As I headed off to the bike I was a little scared as I hadn't had time to drive the course before. And although I was told my many (northerners) that the course as flat, I had some doubts. Regardless I set off below my 163 bpm heart rate threshold for the first 28 miles. There were definitely some hills... some might call them rollers but definitely hills to this now flat lander. I passed a few girls in my AG and a few passed me. Nutrition was spot on. No mistakes there. After the half way point I picked it up a notch to my 165 bpm threshold and tried not to get too excited as I neared the finish.

Final bike time: 2:45

Right on track. Not going to complain given the hills :)

Off to the run... I kept telling myself... this is it... last big race of the season... no holding back...Starting out I felt good. My legs were pretty tight as I transitioned but my turnover and cadence were good. I started off at a solid 7 minute pace. I was picking off people left and right. I found out a few miles in that I was 3rd in my AG.

Yay! Despite my efforts to hold my pace... it felt like every mile just kept getting a little slower and slower until it was 9 min pace and then even 10 min pace the around 11-12 miles. My quads felt like they were being stabbed. At that point I just started feeling sort of well... content... one mile left .... 3rd in my age group.... this really hurts.... Right around that same time I was passed unexpectedly by another girl in my age group.

Feeling pretty bad at this point, I just repeated my mantra: "stay on her Heidi--just stay on her Heidi". You can't get beat in the last mile of a 70.3! And that is exactly what I did... With about 3/4 of a mile to go I just got this surge of energy. I was not about to throw in the towel that easy. Nope. I dropped the girl with ease and kicked it in the rest of the way.

As I proudly crossed carrying the American flag on 9/11, I couldn't help but think about my lil bro the marine and my naval aviator hubby. After all because of them- they made this day and pretty much every freedom we have possible. Thank you thank you!

Final run time... 1:54. Final time 5:19. A little off my 5 hour goal time but I'll take it!

Despite my time disappointment, I was the 10th amateur and 3rd in my age group. When all was said and done, Heidi put on her big girl pants and got a 20 minute PR. I guess you can't complain about only dropping 20 minutes at a time. Hopefully more good things to come! Thank you Rev3 for by far the most beautifully executed and organized race. Loved it :) Goodbye WTC. And of course thank you to Kim my coach for getting me through and of course for putting up with me :)