Redman 70.3 Act III: The Run

Welcome to Act III of my Redman 70.3 story!  I just finished was was likely the best bike ride of my life and now we pick up with the final act of the story, the run.  If you missed the swim or the bike you can hit those links and catch up.

Run 2:53:54  - 13:17 avg pace
I rolled into transition and took a few minutes (okay, nearly 7 minutes) to make sure that I had all that I would need for the run, to apply a ton of sunscreen, and to hit the restroom.  I still had that "burpy" feeling from the bike and knew that it could create extra challenges on the run.  The run course was two loops and I had heard that it would be unshaded and lonely in places.  I haven't mentioned what a break that we caught with the weather - almost no wind which made for a calm swim (thank. goodness.) and fast bike, and while it was still warm, it was much cooler than it could have been in late September.  I'm thinking it was in the lower 80s, which is really a blessing.  I walked for the first minute or two, just to let everything settle and to get oriented to the run.

Spotting "my people" for the 1st time on the run (Photo: Baha)

I got a huge boost as I passed by our cheer zone.  My people!!  Mr K ran alongside me for a second so that he could get the scoop on the swim.  Poor guy had been worried!  I could tell from very early on that this was going to be quite the challenge and my main focus became forward progress.  I tried to not let my mind think about how many miles were in front of me, rather I attempted to focus on the present.  My pace was slow and I was running with the occasional walk break.  I was happy to spot Stude early in the run and had no idea how much he was killing this race (I was not surprised...but he had a huge day!).

I focused on getting from aide station to aide station, which couldn't have been much more than a mile apart.  Again, the volunteers were incredible, many of them athletes themselves as this race is put on by the local tri club.  The aide stations looked a little like what you might see at a trail race - gummy bears, fruit, salt tabs, Coke, cookies, ice.  Oh and the sponges....I can't even tell you how many cold sponges that I took from the hands of volunteers that day.

Found 6 of these sponges in my kit after the race

I thought that I hydrated okay on the bike, but now I am not so sure.  I remember feeling thirsty for much of the run and that is a sure sign that it is too late.  And that "burpy" feeling....blech.  I tried some Coke thinking that it might help, but I think that it just made it worse for a bit.  I gave myself permission to walk when I needed to, as long as I kept moving forward.  I usually love running alone, but I was starting to wish that I had a buddy to talk to during this run.  It was a bit lonely and I could have used a distraction.  I crossed paths with Alicia as I was coming in from the first loop and she was headed out for her second.  Her friendly, smiling face was just what I needed to see.

I knew that my people were waiting for me at our cheer zone and I focused on getting back to them. It is amazing how things like that will keep you moving on a hard day. I got to see them on the way to the turn around and then again on my way back out.  They made me smile and laugh and I was so thankful that they were there.  One more loop, MK, just move those feet for one more loop.

The second loop was slower than the first by seven minutes.  Not the negative splits that I typically like to maintain, but what are you gonna do?  By this time, I felt like I was walking more than running and I made deals with myself (run this quarter mile and then you can walk the rest of it).  By the return trip of the second lap I'd settled into a pattern of running a tenth of a mile and walking a tenth of a mile.  At this point, I was really hoping that I would make it in under 3:00 and not so sure that I would.  I saw Alicia at the back of the loop and we agreed that this was a pretty stupid thing that we were doing.

There is incredible optimism when you know that you are covering ground for the last time and I started to tell the volunteers at the aide stations that this would be the last time I saw them.   They were so uplifting and kind and they made me smile when smiling was difficult.  I passed a guy who was 78 years old and I told him how awesome he was.  He called back "you are awesome-er!" No way, dude.  I sincerely hope that I am still doing crazy stuff like triathlons when I am that age. Huge respect!

It would have been a tough day without these folks (Photo: TPG)

Mr K approached on a bike (where did he find a bike?) when I was just about a mile out.  I'm pretty sure that I told him this was the worst idea ever and he kept on encouraging me to finish strong.  I walked a little bit more and then broke out in a run as I approached our cheer zone and the finish line. Just as I did I felt a big blister on my pinkie toe, thank goodness that didn't happen until the finish chute.  Note to self: take the time to put on your trusty toe socks in transition.

Forced smile much?

It always amazes me how I can find just a little bit more when I see a finish line - what is up with that?!  I hit the finishers chute, heard them call my name, and crossed the finish line.  I. Was. Finished.  7:28:03 - a solid day's work.

So many thoughts and so many emotions come with this one.  I try not to have any expectations for myself the first time I attempt a distance.  Finishing is the only goal, no matter how long it takes.  I'm still processing this one and I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't a little bit disappointed in my time...but time is just a number and there is so much more to this race than that.  I'm still pretty amazed that I even did it, heck I'm pretty amazed that I even attempted it.  My first triathlon ever was just six months ago in March - it is not my style to jump into something so quickly.  Remember, this is the girl who ran 25 half marathons before her first marathon.  I'm still pretty amazed that somehow I survived that swim and that I did not freak the heck out.  I'm pretty proud of myself for keeping a level head in the water and working through the newly presented challenge.  Honestly, I'm not even sure how I did it!  I'm beside myself happy that I rode my bike so strongly and that I didn't have to get off to refill or stretch.  It really was my strongest ride ever. The run was tough, but I'm happy that I was able to keep moving forward and that I never let my brain take me to any dark places.  It would have been easy out there with the sun and the heat and all of the walking that I was doing.

Yep, I'll be processing this one for a long time to come.  I enjoyed the training for this race so much that sometimes I can hardly believe that it is over.  While the day seemed long at times, it went by like a blur.  There are so many things that I wish I could take another shot at, I learned so much!  I can't wait to try this distance again, and I would do it tomorrow if I could.  But for now, I'm going to keep letting it all sink in and I'm going to keep smiling when I see that 70.3 sticker on my car.  I'm going to wear my finisher's shirt weekly, I'm going to wish for that first cool day so I can wear my new jacket.  I'm going to keep learning and growing, and I'm going to keep on dreaming big.