East Cobb Triathlon Race Report

I really feel like this race report is necessary because when I was doing my research I could not find any reports for this race.  So I'll do my best to be detailed for the East Cobb Triathlon of August 6, 2016.

The race started at 7:30am and transition opens at 6:30am so of course I got there at 6:00am.  There were a few cars with bikes on them so I new that I was at the right place.  The swim is a pool swim in a 50 metre pool that took place at Mountain View Aquatic Center.  I wasn't sure where to park so I just went to the pool. Then a kind man told me they were about to close the parking lot to cars in order to set up for the race.  He advised me that if I didn't want to be stuck at the pool until after 1pm I should move my car.  So advice tip #1, park at the Kroger a bit further down on Gordy Parkway.  It is a less than 5 minute walk back to transition.  So I dropped my stuff off under a tree, parked my car and walked my car back to transition.  Transition is in the parking lot of the Aquatic Center.  It didn't have assigned spots like other races I've been in so I picked a spot and racked my bike and waited to check in.

I checked in right at 6:30am.  I had to find my own name on the list while the girl got my T-shirt.  The shirts were bright florescent green with the above logo.  They are in a technical material and I'm pretty sure I will wear it on my runs.  After check in came body marking.  #20 on each arm, my age on my right leg, a happy face on my left leg (always) my estimated swim time on my right hand and 4/3 on my left - that was to tell me I had to do 4 loops on the bike and 3 for the run to make the Olympic distance of 1000m swim, 24.8 mile (40K) bike, 10K run.

Transition set up for #20 Ready to Go

I like getting to races early because I don't have to rush.  So I spent the hour setting up my transition, making new friends, hydrating, playing Pokemon GO (the aquacenter was a PokeStop - how convenient).  And before I knew it I had to go into the pool to start the swim.  I got deck side and there was a man yelling.  When you yell in a pool you get LOTS of echo so even though I was close, I had trouble hearing him.  What I did catch was "organize yourselves" and "1 lap in each lane for 1000m (10 lane - 50m pool...simple math).  Then people started milling around checking hands for swim times.  This took a shocking amount of time.  But I found my group with similar times and mixed myself in.  I was in the back of the pack but this is not surprising.  I am usually in the back of the pack.  I am not a fantastic swimmer, cyclist or runner but I train hard and do my best.  If that ends up being dead last then I am OK with that.  Back of the pack is my wheel house.

The swim started with the first swimmer and already the problems started.  Swimmer #1, who was supposed to be the fastest, was certainly not the fastest.  He had estimated his time at 15 minutes but was a slow swimmer.  Then I realized why.  He was going up lane 1, back lane 2, up lane 3 and so forth.  So simple math says that is 500m, not 1000m.  The marshal stopped him at lane 2 and told him his mistake.  Dude nodded but kept doing it.  Anyway, they launched the swimmers every 25m and I was in the pool about 10 minutes after the start.  I started strong, kept my eye on the time but soon caught the swimmer ahead of me.  She kindly let me pass at one end and I kept going.  Then I caught another and passed him easily in the lane.  I even caught  3rd one that let me pass at the lane's end.  But apparently quite a few swimmers did what the first swimmer  did...or selectively did that.  As I got out of the pool I was quickly passed by a man going to transition.  The girl behind me told me he had cheated and just decided to go under the lane marker mid lane to get in front of her.  That is frustrating for me because he'll get a faster swim time than I did but I swam all 1000m.

Into transition, loaded up for the bike and was off.  I felt like I took a LONG time in transition but I think I always feel like that.  Out of the "Bike OUT' arch and mounted and prepared for 24.4 miles.  The advertisement for the race said the bike route was set up so only right turns, except for the Bike In which was a left - that was helpful.  The bike was on a mix of closed roads, partially closed roads (as in one lane is blocked for the cyclists and one open for cars) and open roads with no lanes for the cyclists. The bike was HILLY (see the elevation profile below).  I had biked Silk Sheets to prepare but I was really pushing myself on this bike.  I kept close eye on my splits and my times and then I got to the hill.

Bike Map and Elevation Profile (1375ft gain)

Or should I say THE HILL.  THE HILL started at mile 5 ended at mile 7.5 of loop 1 and it was a climb.  I nailed it the first time and I felt strong.  Then a girl passed me and said "we have to do that 4 times" and I think it set in in that I had to do that 4 TIMES!  Ugh!  I looped around and finished loop 1 and felt strong.  I started loop 2 and right before THE HILL is a great down hill where you can rest for the big one ahead.  There is a sharp right turn on that downhill and a police man stepped in front of a car that disobeyed him (The car wanted to turn left into my lane where I was turning right - cop said NO, guy didn't it anyway).  If that cop didn't do that for me, that car would have 100% hit me.  I am thankful that policeman was so brave to step in front of the car for me.  Then THE HILL for time 2...and 3...and 4.  About loop 3 I realized that we were pacing for more than a 24 mile bike.  It ended up being almost 27 miles and that played with my head mentally too. Up the hill on time 3 I saw 2 cyclists up ahead getting their bikes loaded on to a truck, I guess there was a crash or they decided to take a DNF.  I hope everyone is OK.  FINALLY it was time to go to the BIKE IN.  I was exhausted.  It was starting to get very hot and I started to really dread the run.  As I was coming down the last stretch before the BIKE IN, I saw a cyclist sitting on the road, he was shaking his head telling the marshal "I can't do it".  Such a shame when you train for something but it just becomes too much.  I knew then that no mater how bad my run was going to be, I was going to finish.  In to transition and there was a bike that had took over my transition spot.  Right there among all my stuff was another bike.  Did that other athlete use my towel too?  Did they use my nice cold water out of my cooler?  I am going to assume they just lost their own transition spot and borrowed mine.  But I then had to scramble to figure out what to do with my bike.  After what felt like 45 minutes I was out on the run.

We had to run up the ramps for a bridge that takes us over the main road and then on to residential roads for the 3 loop run.  The first water station was at mile 0.3 so I took some water and dumped some on my head and I was off.  After mile 1 I realized the run was going to be tough.  I went hard for the bike and the heat had set in and I was tired.  I remembered that one guy on the bike shaking his head saying "I can't do it" but I was going to finish.  So my run was no run at all.  Maybe a shuffle?  But about mile 1.5 I was in desperate need of water.  That water station I passed at mile 0.3 was the ONLY water station.  I was going to loop it 2 more times but I didn't need it at mile 2.3.  I really needed it now.  Though the hills (elevation profile below) of the residential area the sun was really beating down.

Run Map and Elevation Profile (218ft gain)

I thought about quitting a lot.  I thought about shorting the distance (I could do 5 miles instead and still be proud of myself right....no I would hate myself...keep going).  Passed the water station at mile 2.3 and took as much as I could for my 2nd loop.  The pack was starting to thin now but this is my wheel house remember?  I'm usually at the back of the pack but I try hard.  Up an down the hills trying to hold on.  Water station at mile 4.3 and by mile 5, knowing that I didn't have any more water stations was really taxing mentally.  This is when I thought really seriously about quitting.  But I dug deep and shuffled along.  I was going MUCH slower than my best but I was in 'just finish' mode and I didn't care that I was one of the last one the course.  I was going to finish.  Rounded mile 6 and pushed to the finish.  I finished and doubled over (not collapsing thankfully) while the lady put the medal on me and asked me where I got my shoes.  What?  My shoes?  I should be asking you where the bloody water was on the course.  But I stumbled out "I got them on Amazon.com" and walked off.  I went back to my transition spot, got lots of water, my frozen towel (such a good idea), found a spot under a tree and rested.  Other racers talked to me, we laughed and high-fived our congratulations with each other and I remembered that is why I like to do this.  It is the feeling I get when I am done and the people I meet.  I may be last, the marshals may be off the course and the crews are taking down the course, but I'll finish and I'll meet some great people along the way.  I also race for those people that I pass, those people that I used to be - that look at you and think "I'd like to do that one day" or "that looks like a lot of fun" because in the end it is fun.

So - to sum up.  Here are my "Great Things", my "Work ons" and my Tips

Great Things
- The course is beautiful.  Except for Monster Hill on the bike most of the course is rolling.  But honestly, even that hill is on a pretty part of the course.
- Great coverage by police and signage so you don't get lost.
- Lots of space in transition, no one seemed cramped.
- Chiropractor available after the race for all your sore spots.
- Fantastic support from the marshals, volunteers, police.
- Challenging run - not a fast and flat but you will test your limits.

Work ons - I hate to criticize without offering suggestions on how to make it better.
- We shouldn't organize ourselves for the swim.  List each athlete in an excel spreadsheet with their estimated swim times, sort by swim time/last name and BOOM you have your bib numbers and race order.  Swimmer bib 1 will go first because his swim time is faster and alphabetically first too.
- MORE WATER STATIONS on the run.  It got brutal out there.  One lady came in after me told me they  had pulled the water stations and she had to do 2 loops with NO WATER - that is unacceptable and dangerous in the Georgia August heat.
- Maybe assign transition spots?  I've done races that did not have assigned ones and never got my spot stolen.  But this time I did and it bothered me.
- Open roads for the bikes are tough because you have to navigate around cars making stupid mistakes.  Like not passing, or passing TOO close to you, or rolling down their windows to yell at you things like "get on the side walk" or "Pay attention".  Cars like to forget that they HAVE to yield to a cyclist on the road.

TIPS
- Park at the Kroger, lots of people were trapped there until the race was complete after 1pm.
- Bring lots of water and even a little run carry bottle.  It is HOT on that run.
- Be patient with the swimmers starting to get organized in the swim.  It shouldn't be hard organize ourselves but it took forever.
- Hill train, for both running and biking.  Do bricks with both hilly legs.
- Embrace the suck. That MONSTER hill is tough and if you need to get off your bike and walk it, do it.  You won't be the only one.  But don't quit.
- Don't quit.  There were many times I wanted to quit on this race.  But stay tough the feeling at the end is great.
- Talk to lots of people, athletes at these races are the best part about racing.  And they can offer their own tips for the next one.
- Sign up for the next one, you'll get hooked, but do your research. I got stuck in my head a little bit because things were not going as planned simply because I was naive.
- Have fun, that's why you are there right?

Russell Forrest 10K Run - Alexander City, Alabama

When Running Partner and I were planning our last race together (she is moving to Wisconsin), we wanted to do a 10K because we had just run our Callaway Half Marathon and were in prime condition for a 10K (did we even need to train?!?!...actually yes).  So in seachring for various races, I came across the Russell Forrest Run.   I liked that the race was advertised as a break from the traditional road run.  The website says the route is constructed of soft, sand-like, clay, and gavel trails through a wooded area.  It also says that it is more forgiving than a road race.  Which, after our half marathon, I was really looking forward to.



So the race, obviously, was on February 27, 2016 in Alexander City, AL.  I had driven over from Georgia on Friday night and booked a room at the recommended Hampton Inn on Elkahatchee Road. The organizers of the race recommended this hotel for it's proximity to the race.  What I love about the Hampton Inns are the breakfasts in the early morning.  It is a great way to start a race morning with hot oatmeal, yogurt, fruit, and hard boiled eggs...yum.

Race Day - Up at 5:30am to get to the breakfast area early.  Running Partner and I stayed at the same hotel so we were able to eat breakfast together. We sat and ate and met a few other runners who were also running that day...two 5Kers and a 10Ker.  They were a fun group and got us really excited about the race.  Running Partner and I left at about 6:30am and started the drive to the race site.

6:45am.  The great thing about the Hampton Inn is that it was only 12 miles to the race start.  Which sounds like a long way but it was a straight shot down country roads.  It was a nice drive to the race start on the early Saturday morning.  Running Partner and I parked the car and went up to the clubhouse to get our packets.  The volunteers were fantastic, there was no wait, and the shirts were amazing.  Very nice technical material, long sleeve shirts.  They were grey with this logo:

7:00am After a bit of waiting and talking to the awesome runners waiting to launch, the race started via cannon blast.  We went through the chute and started a very nice descent along a paved bike path.  We went past some stables and saw some great horses grazing in the pastures.  We then went on to clay/loose/sandy trail-like paths about 1.5 car widths across and the hills started.  They started as rolling but got steeper as the race wore on.  I think the problem for me was that it was unexpected.  I didn't do my research before the race so the hills were a bit of a surprise. However, the scenery was stunning through beautiful wooded areas.  The map and elevation profile are below but I can't say enough wonderful things about this race.  I LOVE the volunteers.  They all kept shouting out the times as we ran by which was really helpful, they were so encouraging and very positive.  The only thing I wish they had more of was water.  There was only one aid station at mile 3 which, again, was unexpected so I was really thirsty and really wanted some liquids but it was my fault for not doing research.  

Map

Elevation - 400ft elevation gain

Post Race - After the race, which for us was PR with the elevation gain, the terrain, and the different running environment, we walked a short way (sadly mostly up hill) back to the stables that we passed on the way out.  We went up to a barn and climbed up the stairs to the post party.  BEST post race party!  Great music, loved being in the barn, lots of cold beer, cold Gatorade and water, sweet potato soup and huge helpings of grits and with a topping bar including bacon, cheese and other wonderful things to put on the grits.  We got our plates and actually headed outside into the sun.  It turned from a little chilly AM to a gorgeous day.  We sat outside, talked to other runners, ate our food rewards, and enjoyed the live music.  It was a great way to end our last race together.  Eventually we walked up the hill and met her family.  They played on the park equipment, went to the Blacksmith shop and the Nature Cabin (lots of great stuff for the kids) and then we went to Catherine's Market.  Lots of wonderful goodies in the Market so definitely go and check that out after the race if you are not full with all the post race yummies.

I know I've said this before, but this may be my favourite race!  Certainly worth the trip to Alexander City.  The organization made this great video.  You'll see a tall girl in a white jacket stretching her legs about 30 seconds in, that's ME.

Callaway Gardens Half Marathon Race Report

I am a huge fan of race reports.  Mostly because before every race I do a search for "______ Race Report" and see what I can learn from the reports, what to expect, and what to watch for.  Honestly, there are some crappy race reports out there!  So here is my race report for the Callaway Gardens Half Marathon on January 30, 2016. 

Tri Columbus GA had taken over this event.  This was the first year that they were responsible for the entire event.  So HUGE shout out to Tri Columbus for a well organized event

Saturday January 30 at 7:15am I arrived at Callaway Gardens and parked my car.  Generally Callaway Gardens will send you a little card in the mail with directions to the event, scheduled times, and this also is used as your parking pass.  Tri Columbus did not do this so I was worried that there would be confusion with parking and entrance.  There wasn't!  I came equipped with my race confirmation just in case they asked but they didn't.  The volunteers were pleasant and helped me park my car.  It was a tick chilly so I left my running leggings on and went into the pavilion.  There was a full marathon and a 5K running that day as well and the lines were a little longer than I had hoped for.  But I waited patiently and got my turn.  I retrieved my bib, my race packet and shirt and walked over to a bench.  The pavilion is very large and has lots of room for roaming about and stretching.  The T-shirts were nice and soft and I will certainly be wearing the shirts again.  The 5K runners were supposed to launch at 8am and the full and half runners would launch at 8:10am.  However, this was changed so that the 5K runners would not be in the way.  So the full and halfers launched at 8:10am and the 5Ks went 10 minutes later. 

The  Course

The Elevation 

The course, again, is beautiful.  You run through trails, fields, golf course, along rivers and lakes, through forests.  It is just a visually stunning course.  Certainly one of the best courses I have run. But as you can see, the elevation between miles 5-8 are no joke.  What you can also see is the last 3 miles are on a steady incline.  I slowed WAY down as I took the mile 5-8 hills a little too vigorously and didn't save enough energy for the incline at the end. 

Over all, a fantastic race.  Well run, well stocked aid-stations (GU, pretzels, bananas, RedBull, Coke, Water - of course, Gatorade, chips) and fabulous volunteers.  The aid stations were every 1.5 miles or so, which is perfect for me as that is about the time I will get tired.  And special shout out to bib #647.  I saw you on the course and you looked beautiful.  I don't know your name but keep being amazing!  I hope you stick with running, you inspired me!

Big Dog Jingle 5K Race Review

This was my 2nd year running the Jingle 5K with running partner.  I LOVE this race.  First, the location is spectacular.  The route runs right along the river.  Secondly the Christmas spirit is fantastic and Big Dog provides little bells to put on your shoes to help you jingle your way through the 5K.  Thirdly the people.  The organizers are amazing, the volunteers are so FUN, the runners are supportive and wonderful.  It is just such a fun race.

The course itself is seen in the map below.  There is a little jaunt through Columbus, Georgia until you get right on the river.  The course is well marked and people are helping you not to get lost as the river trail has numerous tangents and you don't want to mistakenly take one and end up at a water treatment plant.  There are not any aid stations/water stations along the course so if you  need water, make sure you bring some with you.  Water is, however, provided at the end of the race.

The course is relatively flat but Big Dog tends to do something that I both love and hate.  They tend to end their runs on a hill.  Now I love it because it is a great feeling running up that hill, cresting it and seeing the finish line.  I hate it because you are tired by that point (especially their longer races) and you just want to be finished, not to run up a hill.  However. if you can make the push and run up the whole hill, you'll feel amazing.  The entire run is only a 108ft elevation gain so pretty flat overall.
If you want a great run full of Christmas spirit, the Jingle 5K from Big Dog in Columbus, GA is a great way to start of the holiday season.

Elevation profile 

Callaway Gardens Twilight 10K Race Review

This race is important to me, nay, nostalgic.  When I decided to start taking running seriously this was the race that I set as my 'BIG' goal.  The girl that struggled to run a mile set her sights on a 10K.  It seemed impossible but 2 years ago I did it.  I have run this race ever since.  This year it was on November 7 and in previous years it has been a dice roll on the weather.  The first year was nice and I ran in shorts, second year I ran in a jacket and my ears got cold.  This year it was back in shorts, but  big hat to keep the rain drops off.

This race is a 'twilight' 10K (starting at 4pm) and the course winds though the Callaway Gardens Fantasy of Lights course.  Now the actual course is massive, but this run takes runners through only a part of it, but the parts you run through are truly magical. 

Arrival - Packet Pickup

This race only offers race day packet pickup.  I was aware of this so I know to arrive early.  This  helped me beat the line-ups and not feel stressed or rushed.  The race fee was only $30 and for that the packet included parking for the event (otherwise it would have been an additional $9), a T-shirt that has been a very annoying bright green or yellow and a heavy screen print of the logo, coupons, deodorant, and snacks.  Honestly, the snacks are worth the race fee.  After packet pickup Callaway Gardens offers runners water, Gatorade, granola bars, cookies, and bananas.  So while waiting for the race to start, runners can fuel up on variety of treats.

My race partner was also with me.  She has 2 young kids and there were lots of playgrounds, giant checker games, shuffle board, and other great things to occupy young minds.  About 20 minutes before the race start Callaway Gardens plays "T'was the night before Christmas' and lights up a nativity scene.  A great way to start the night.

 

At about 10 minutes until race start, Running Partner and I begin our walk to the start line.  This is a short walk along the water's edge to the start line through a wooded area by the parking lot.  My first time there I was confused, but just follow other runners and you'll find the way.  We got to the start line, stretched and waited for the gun.  There were some brief announcements and then we were off.  The clock started at 4pm but they launched us a few minutes after, which slowed some PR times down, but not mine, I'm slow anyway.

The Course

One reason I keep coming back to this race is the beautiful course.  It is advertised that it is 'fast and flat' but expect some hilly areas.  There are aid stations offered every 1.5 miles.  The first 2 or so miles of the course are flat and then you can expect rolling hills (see course elevation below).

By itself the course is stunning, through wooded areas, along lakes, over bridges, through meadows and around some stunning scenery.  THEN this course adds their holiday lights and it is a truly spectacular race. 

 

 

The course is, again, advertised as 'fast and flat' but I would honestly more describe this course has 'rolling hills'.  I think if my expectations were different, I would have enjoyed this course better the first time around.  However, this was my third time and I really enjoyed it.  I expected the rolling hills and loved the additional challenge of a 135ft elevation gain.  Not terribly hilly, but not 'flat' either.  The course wraps around a picturesque lake but there are lots of wooded areas and meadows to enjoy.  The course is not closed to vehicle traffic that is full of people also enjoying the lights so one should always be aware of who or what is coming up behind in a blind spot. 

 

Course Elevation Map

The race ends at the same spot as the start and then it is a short walk back to the pavilion where the snacks are.  It was nice to have fresh fruit, cookies and Gatorade after the race.  All in all, I really recommend this race.  This was the last year of the "Twilight 10K fitness series".  Next year Callaway Gardens will team up with Tri Columbus to do this race in December.  I do hope that it is a twilight run and on the same course.  If so, I'll certainly be back for a 4th year.

Things I wish I had known:

* Race day packet pickup can be busy. I usually stress before a race so knowing I had to line up and get my packet then go back to my car, drop off the bags, then walk to the race start was helpful.
* Very little spectator support on the course.  The spectators are really only at the start/finish line and no where on the course, unless they pass you in a car as they also enjoy the lights.
* The weather.  It can vary from sun to chilly weather to rain.  November in Georgia can be difficult weather to predict.  Keep checking the conditions before the race day.
* Parking is $9 if you are not running the race, but you get to enjoy the lights while the runners are on the course.
* To not forget to enjoy the lights.  I struggle often with the mental aspect of running and I frequently forget to enjoy the surroundings. 
* The small walk from the pavilion where the packet pickup to the start line.  My first time I was confused about why all the runners were leaving.  It unnerved me a little but just followed along and found the start line.

Lost Sight

Training for 4 half marathons in 6 months, to some is an easy feat as you just have to maintain your level of fitness instead of building up to the distance.  To me, it became an un-enjoyable task - like work almost.  In training for these races I got too caught up in training for the distances and the time.  I was too focused on mile splits, race times, and the finish times I had simply lost sight of WHO was doing the races.

And the funny thing is...I didn't realize it until I saw this picture from Swim Bike Mom.  Me, the girl who struggled to run to a gas station, who used to cry when she couldn't run past than the stop sign, the girl whose husband WALKED behind her while she ran to motivate her, the girl who was inspired at a HalfIron race to do more, to be better, to work harder.  THAT is the girl that did 4 half marathons in 6 months.

I'm not fast.  I'm not a good runner.  I'm not going to win any races, turn any heads, or make any teams.  But I am strong.  I am dedicated.  I am up and out the door consistently at 3:30am getting my morning run on.  I work hard,

Maybe I'm a 12 min/mile runner.  Maybe that is me.  Why am I not happy with that?

I should be.  I need to be.  So I decided to go back to the basics.  I decided to go back to running shorter, more fun distances because that is when I was enjoying running.  I am no longer going to focus on the races or the times.  I'm going to focus on me and what accomplishments I am doing.

For example.  On Wednesday I ran just under 3 miles.  I used to think that was out of my reach.  Now it's considered my 'short run'.  I wasn't fast.  In fact I was slower than I had been in the past.  But you know what?  I ran the WHOLE thing (save having to stop at a stop light for a turning truck).  And you know what else?  I enjoyed it!

So cheers to you!  Cheers to you getting up and doing your morning run.  To you and your cold weather gear that you're getting out of the closet in anticipation for the winter.  For having the strength and dedication to keep running when you aren't fast, you aren't elite, you aren't winning any races - but you do it anyway!  YOU are amazing.  YOU are strong.  YOU are inspiring.

Augusta Ironman 70.3 Race Review

All my training, and subsequently over training, led up to this point.  The Augusta 70.3 Ironman.  The event was held on September 27, 2015 in Augusta, Georgia.  I drove up Friday night after classes finished.  My teammate would arrive on Saturday morning.

Pre-Race Day

Up early on Saturday morning and made my way downtown to the river.  I checked out the people milling around and they said that the river was not 'open' yet.  I was not sure what that meant but a few minutes later a gentleman was calling out that the river had become open.  So I meandered back to my car, put on my BlueSeventy wet suit and walked down to the dock.  The dock is a floating dock that is brought in for the race.  I put my ear plugs in, gross Savannah River water gave me an ear infection last year, and eased my way in.  The water was cold but the wet suit helped.  I went out about 0.2 miles and turned around to go back in.  Most of the swimmers seemed to be going the distance.  I did not want to make it the 1.2 miles point to point only to have to walk back, sans shoes, to my car.  Fighting the current back to the dock was not enjoyable but I also noted that the current was not as strong as I had remembered.

Out of the water, stripped the wet suit and headed out for a quick run.  I wanted to check out the streets we would be running on in the morning and also stretch out the legs from the long car ride that previous evening.  Lots of runners out there made me feel inadequate.  You know me, Ms. Low Confidence so when I see someone whizzing by me all I can think of is "oh, I am SO out of my league" but everyone I talked to was very supportive and encouraging.

My cycling partner arrived at 1pm and we headed right out for the Marriott Convention Center where the expo was being held.  We parked on the side streets which allowed for free 2 hour parking.  Try and stay away from the deck near the Convention Center because they charge for parking.  The expo was really well organized.  We had our ID checked and right into the Athlete Check-in.  Went up to the relay table, which was all the way in the back corner...frustrating because we felt like the red headed step child.  They put our wrists bands on us, went through the emergency contact packet with us, we signed the waiver, got our bibs and bathing caps, and went into the IronMan store. I LOVE that place.  Always check out the sale section.  I got an IM water bottle, a Finisher T-Shirt, and a wicked lanyard for $13.  Other parts of the expo included the regular stuff like the masseurs, clothing, nutrition, equipment, and expert advice.  I would recommend going to the expo later on a Saturday because all the crowds had dissipated by then.  We then headed back to the hotel, the Hampton Inn on Gordon St for a nap before dinner.

When deciding what to do for dinner, stay away from downtown Augusta.  Everything is jammed packed with Athletes and you'll be waiting forEVER trying to get a table.  We already knew this so we found a little place called Villa Europa that was lovely.  It specialized in German and Italian food but there is some American fare on there as well.  It was not crowded, the servers were amazing, and there was no wait.  It was less than 5 miles from the hotel so that was lovely too.  Then back to the Hampton Inn for an early night.

Race Day 

Alarm off at 5am.  The Hampton Inn offers a free breakfast so we headed down there for eggs, sausage, waffles, juice, coffee, home fries, fruit, and pastries.  I know a lot of athletes prefer to stay closer to the swim start, but the Hampton Inn is about 6 miles from the swim start and a GREAT place to stay.  Anyway, out the door by 6:15am to make the way to the Convention Center.  Leave lots of time to get down there because the roads start closing around 6am and it can be difficult to navigate around all the road blocks.  Convention Center parking was $7 but boarded the athlete bus right at 7am and headed transition to set up our area and to get body marked.

The relay group is all the way to the right of the picture above.  Sometimes, depending on how many athletes are there, we are around the corner of that grey building, but this year we were just at the end of the regular athletes.  We got body marked (3339 on each arm, age on the leg - but I substituted the relay designation "R" on my leg for a happy face), set up our area and I boarded the bus for the swim start.  There are shuttles that run to the swim start from transition but they cut off around 7:15am.  I flagged down a bus and asked nicely if they could take me, thankfully they said yes.

I was at the swim start by 7:45am.  I missed the first wave, the anthem and the flag but made it in time for the second wave.  People sat on the grass watching the waves launch, listening the announcer hype up the crowd, crack jokes, and play music.  It was a lot of fun waiting at the swim start for my wave.  Wave 27, the relay wave, was to launch at 9:10am, the last wave of the day.  I learned that there were not any professionals racing this event.  For the largest IM in North America I was surprised to learn this.  The relayers lined up at about 9am and worked our way to the front, on to the dock by 9:05am.  In the water by 9:08am.  We were not allowed to tread water, we had to sit on the dock or hold on to the dock in some fashion.  At exactly 9:10am the horn sounded and we were off.

The swim takes you down 1.2 miles, with the current, along the water's edge.  On your left are the bouys, kayakers, and canoers helping you stay straight.  Before I knew it I was passed the second bridge and the bouys were starting to turn from yellow to orange.  However, it was about here that the fatigued set in.  I got stuck in my head and couldn't break out of it.  The sea grass was bad that day and kept getting caught in my hands.  I tried to stay as far left as possible because that is where the current is the fastest.  I had to breast stroke too many times for my liking but I attribute that to mental fatigue, not physical fatigue.  I knew I could have done this swim better.  I caught up to the wave ahead of me, and even the wave ahead of that (as we were bright pink caps and I saw some yellows and reds that I passed).  Finally the buoys started to change to red and I knew the end was in sight.  I swam for as long as I could (because running through water is slower than swimming through it) got up, had a nice man help unzip my wet suit and started to navigate the boat ramp.  It is a steep ramp that we get up and then circumnavigate the transition area before entering it.  I passed the wet suit strippers as we rounded the transition area but waved them off.  My foot hit the timing mat and I felt relief.  I was finished my swim.  I found my partner, transferred the timing chip to her and she was off on the 56 mile bike.  

Swim - 30:10.  Ranked 24/64 in division Overall rank 1206/2645 athletes.

I didn't do the bike portion of the race so I can only go over what my partner said.  She ran with the bike and ran through transition to the 'mount area'. She strapped in and started the 56 miles.  She said that the first part and the last part were flat, the rest of the tour through N. Georgia and S. Carolina was hilly.  She certainly felt those elevation gains.  She did say that the traffic was well away from the riders, the course was clearly marked.  She said that the course has 3 aid stations.  However, one aid station is on a hill which makes for transfers difficult.  Overall the course was an enjoyable mix of highway roads and off country roads.

Bike - 3:52:38.  Ranked 48/64 in division Overall rank 2367/2645 athletes

My partner came in and racked her bike, transferred the chip on to me and said "go kill this run".  I exited the same way I had come in to transition from the swim and out on to the roads.  The run is 13.1 miles around downtown Augusta.  It feels flat even though it lists a 180+ elevation gain.  I felt the first mile really fly by, but then I felt the fatigue.  I am an early morning runner, I think I needed to do more afternoon training to get my body used to that time of day.  Miles 2 - 4 were really tough for me.  Both mentally and physically.  However, around mile 4 I hooked up with another relayer that was running my pace.  So we ran together for a long while.  We would talk to other runners, share stories, laugh and I started to enjoy my race again.  I was not happy with my pace as I know I can do much faster but at least I was having fun again.  Mile 6 came and went and we saw the signs that said to go left for the 2nd loop or right for the finish.  I had never done a 2 loop course before but it was nice to start that second loop and see mile 1 pass by me and know I was well beyond that.  Lots of spectators cheered us through the streets, called out our team names, and some ran with us for a bit to encourage us along.  At mile 11 my running partner dropped off and I kept going.  I saw my teammate at mile 12 and she pushed me along to the finish.  It felt SO good to come down that chute and hear my team name called knowing I pushed us across the finish line.  As I passed my partner down the chute I could only tell her "we aren't last" which was our goal.

Run - 2:57:12.  Ranked 54/64 in division.  Overall rank 2328/2645

I stayed in the chute for a minute and got our hats and our medals.  I walked around, the athlete area where the food tents were and found the morning clothes bag.  It is not easy to find for newbies, it is behind a big wall that is not well marked.  I said 'goodbye' to my teammate as she was leaving for Atlanta but I was staying the night in Augusta.  The last thing I wanted to do was to drive home for 3 hours after a half marathon/1.2 mile swim.  Staying the night was the best decision I made.  Overall a great day.

Tips for the Augusta Half Ironman

- Try and stay a out of downtown as much as possible.  This goes for eating and staying.  Everything is packed with athletes downtown.
- Find a hotel that offers AM breakfast.  It is SO helpful to know you don't have to worry about that the morning of the race.
- Don't miss the athlete bus to transition, it is a LONG walk.
- The river is cold, wear a wet suit. Although doable without one, easier and more pleasurable with one.
- Train for hills on the bike.  Silk Sheets in the Atlanta area I hear is perfect.
- False flats on the run, it looks flat but as you can see by the run profile there are some hills.
- Abide by the rules, a relayer was penalized for having a mirror on his bike during the ride.
- Talk to people - at the swim start, on the run, in transition.  It makes the day so much more fun.
- Hit the expo later in the afternoon on Saturday, all the crowds will be gone by then.
- Stay the night after the race.  It is much more exhausting than I anticipated.
- Enjoy the day, you are doing something amazing.  Be proud, be thankful, be brave.