July 5th was the Patriot half. Here is how the day went:
I was up at 440 in the morning and feeling pretty good. My legs were OK, but definetly not great.
After driving in circles for a little while, we made it to the site. Perfect weather for a race - slight drizzle and overcast. That sounds sarcastic, but it really is ideal. That way it isn't too hot.
After setting up my bike and transition area, I went for a 15 minute run. Legs were feeling pretty good and stomache is fine. The muscles are warm and it is time to get in the water to do a warm up swim. The water is a little gross, but not to bad. (sort of slimey) I swim for around 5 minutes and then end up talking more then swimming. I always do this.
The race is about to begin - I am in the 6th wave out of 7. Perfect. I love to start towards the back. That way you can be the chaser as opposed the chasee. My wave walks into the water. I try and pick the most direct spot to the first buoy. Its almost time. A little anxious as the 10 second count goes, but feeling ok.
GO!!! Arms and bodies everywhere. I am trying something new this race, I am breathing every other stroke rather then every third. More oxygen that way, but I will have to sight better. As the first buoy approaches I feel a little anxious, but still swimming fine. I always think I am farther back from the leader then I really am.
Basically all I am thinking is breath,stroke,stroke, breathe, stroke, stroke, breath sight. Yes for the entire swim, that is what I am thinking. I make it to the halfway point and I have caught other swimmers from not only the wave that started 5 minutes in front me, but 10 minutes as well. Feeling good and push it a little harder. Final stretch.. I am cruising now and catching guys from my wave that started to hard.
I run out of the water and see Tony and Kate. Feels great to see them! Sneak a peak at the watch, 38 minutes!! 5 minutes faster then my last race at this distance!!I take a look around the transition area and there are quite a few bikes still on the rack, so I know I did an alright job on the swim. Strip the wetsuit, grab my bike and helmet and I am off.
I hop on the bike and clip into one of my peddles. As soon as I put some force down to clip into the other one, someone complety cuts in front of me. The other peddle slams into my shin and it immediatly swells. I take a peak for blood, but nothing yet. Normally this would absolutely kill, but with my adrenalin pumping it only kinda hurts. I push out of the way and I am off.
Cruising out on the road I feel good. I drink some water and start to spin at a high cadence to wake up the legs. I climb the first hill and then drop into the aero position. I pick up the pace. Check the HR, 165. The course is progressive rollers and I continue to hammer up and down. I check to see how far I have gone, but my bike computer got screwed up when the peddle hit me. Annoying. I am thinking I am around 3 miles in and have 55 more to go.
I am rapidly passing people and feeling strong. I need to continue to hydrate and eat while on the bike. I broke up an energy bar last night and have the pieces stuck to my bike for easier consumption. It is ok for bar standards, but still hard to choke down.
As I am flying down a hill I hit a pretty good size pot hole. "Please don't flat, please don't flat", is all I could think. No hissing, so I am in the clear. The best part, I hit the pot hard enough to do something to my computer. It is now working!!
I am roughly 3/4 done on the first loop and I decide to step it up again. My knees are tight, but I feel so strong. I contiusly pass people with bikes that cost more then $5000. I am loving this! (It would be nice to have their wheelsett like theres though) The aero wheels give them such and advantage. I climb the hills and pass a bunch of people just to have them whiz by me on the decsend. Oh well, I am saving my pennies and some day.
I make it to the first pass where all the spectators are. Kate and Tony are there, so I give them a smile and a hang loose sign. I am going really fast now and decide to keep motoring on.
The rest of the bike was pretty straight forward. Push hard, keep hydrated and begin to think about the run. My knees seemed a little tight, but it is a 58 mile ride and I am averaging a slice under 21mmph.
Coming back on the bike and into transition I have my feet out of my shoes and hop off the bike. There doesn't seem to be anyone around from age group, just people I caught from earlier waves. I run in, throw my bike on the rack, put on my shoes, visor and race number and I am off.
Heading out on the run I see Kate and Tony. I shoot them a big smile and take a look at my watch. If I run an average 1/2 marathon, I will finish close to 5hrs!! I run with a high foot cadence to wake up the run muscles. Not a lot of runners around, so I know I am doing well.
At mile 1- I just ran an 8 minute mile. A little slow, but I intend on running negative splits. My left knee is starting to feel warm, and between my quad and hamstring on my right leg is starting to feel tight. Every step hotter and tighter, hotter and tighter. I am at mile 2 and I just ran anothe 8 minute mile, but I feel like I pushed it really hard. My HR is low, but my legs are burning.
Another step, pain increases. I am at mile 3 and I am shaking my head because I can't believe this is happening. I refuse to walk, but I am getting slower and slower. People are passing me every other minute.
Mile 4. 36 minutes into my run. I have taken an emotional defeat, I am walking through the water station. All the people I passed on the bike, are now returning the favor. Crushing. My knees feel like they have a knife cutting in with every step. My hamstring and ITB burn. My lower back is so tigh I am leaning slightly forward. I am physically defeated.
For some reason all I can think of is Roman times. When your body failed in the Collisium, you died. I try to use this as motivation, but nothing will work. I am running for a few minutes then walking.
I am right around 7 miles and have stopped at every water station to hydrate. I thank the volunteers for their support with a smile. I am in so much pain, but smile to show them my appreciation. The races would not happen if it wasn't for these people.
I continue to run and walk until two of my teammates catch up with me. They offer me elctrolytes and kind of run with me. I thank them and ask them to please go on without me. Very kind of them to run with me, but it would only make it that much worse for me. I ask Dave to tell Kate, I am fine, but having issues.
It is to the point where I know I would never quit, but my body is begging me to. I stop jogging around mile 10 and lay down on the ground to do what is called the pigeon stretch. It relieves the tension when I am down, but the minute I stand I constrict again. So many people have offered me electrolytes, asked me if I am ok and told me to dig deep. Such an amazing sport.
I hit the ninth mile and it hurts just as much to run as to walk. So the way I look at it, if I run, it would be over that much sooner. I press on and stop going to aid stations. I am actually starting to catch up with a group of runners. The competitive nature in me has kept me going and this small accomplishment makes me feel a little better.
As I come into the finish, I see that I have run a 2:10 half marathon. Half an hour longer then an average run. I see Tony and Kate, smile while gritting my teeth and finish the race.
Of all the races I have done, I am the proudest of this one. I have never wanted to stop and quit something more in my life, but I refused to do so. I now know the potential I have and will use this as a learning experience. This is why I love this sport and everything it has taught me.
