It has become apparent with work and training etc that this
blog has somewhat taking a lapse.
I apologize to the readers.
I need to get back in the swing and on this fine Sunday afternoon
accompanied by a delicious Iron Hill pumpkin beer I begin to catch up.
First things first we tackle the “race report” for Challenge
Atlantic City 70.3. I put race
report in quotations because I do not plan to give a play-by-play style
report. I just want to give you
some highlights and how I felt along the way. So on we go.
The weeks leading up to AC 70.3 I was getting tired. I was training a lot. More than I was
typically used to but in my head, I was going further than I was used to. I vowed to be mindful of over training
this season so I purchased a plan from a coach. Unfortunately it was a “can plan” so I made the best of
it. The final week before the race
I was tapering down in beautiful South Carolina. This was quite possibly the best way to stay calm and
collected and unstressed leading in to a race, until the trip home. I came home Friday, race was
Sunday. AC is a short car ride for
me from home so coming home Friday was going to be fine. I would grab my car, bike etc and head
to AC. Well that was before my
flight was delayed a solid 6+ hours, thanks Spirit Airlines. Once I did get home I made the choice
not to leave until Saturday morning, thank god this was an option for me.
Upon Arrival on Saturday I met up with my buddy Brandon and
we did our shake out. After shake
out, we hit the expo, grabbed some stuff etc. It was all business as usual for us at this point. Him more than me but having someone
there who had been there before was super helpful. While on the bike it
started to drizzle, little did we know they were calling for hurricane like
conditions. Down pouring
rain, howling winds, the whole
bit. I was worried about my
bike but there was nothing I could do.
I filled my belly with food and hit the hay.
When I woke up I was a ball of nerves but luckily I don’t
have a race breakfast that is too hard to consume so I could get some nutrition
in me. We got to the start and I
checked the bike, all seemed good. It was go time, my VERY first 70.3.
Swim was the swim, I
need so work there and that is my goal this off season. I headed into T1 and I saw all these people ducking under the ribbon to get to their bikes. I figured well if they are ducking I am ducking. Go figure I duck and this guy starts yelling. Next thing I know he is in my face telling me he will DQ me and that he was going to talk to me team about me. I laughed at him, went back under the rope and then grabbed my bike and
was off. I didn't even pay him any mind because I knew it would spike my heart rate and getting me all worked up when I didn't need that. 15 minutes into the bike
I went to take in some nutrition.
Nothing came through my straw.
I could feel my heart rate immediately spike. What was going on.
I realized because I use powder nutrition some powder got stuck in the
straw. Ok no biggy. I figured it out and kept rolling. The bike on this course is beautiful and
I really enjoyed it. I made some
new friends and joked with some guys along the way. Overall I really enjoyed this leg.
On to the run and I left T2 feeling great. One of the guys I was on the bike with
all day Chris (read his blog here) gave me some props on the ride and then he
took off. As much as I wanted to
hang with him on the run I knew I couldn’t hold that pace. This is super important when it comes
to longer distance racing! The run
was a little touch and go. It’s just about 100% on the Atlantic City
Board Walk. It is scenic and fun but also
stressful because people can be inconsiderate. I was holding on great through mile 7-8. Then I hit a wall and went in to survival
mode. I think one of two
things happened or a mixture of both.
I did not fuel enough on the bike to store up for the run and or didn’t
drink enough on the run. Whatever
the case I was sucking down coke and chews like my life depended on it. Luckily because this course is on the
board walk I got to see Jamee, Brandon and Brandi multiple times and they kept
me going. I don't think I have heard Jamee scream this much before, ever! Also to the girl who
would give me a shoutout with every pass on the run course, thank you!
Coming down the finish chute it felt like I was on top of
the world, yes I just traveled 70.3 miles on my own, but it was more than
that. It was months of hard work
all wrapped into one moment. The
announcer gave me a super nice shoutout but unfortunately I could not hear
it. Either way many thanks! I wish
I could have taken in the finish chute a bit more but live and learn. I also probably should have gone for an
IV because I know that would have helped with how I felt, again more knowledge
for next time.
All in all this was a phenomenal first 70.3 for me and I
couldn’t have asked for a better support crew along the way. All of my readers and followers for
cheering me on along this journey.
My family and sponsors for enabling me to do what I love to do and most
importantly Brandon, Jamee and Brandi for your assistance through the whole
weekend. It was incredible and I
can’t thank you enough.
Next up for me is the Jersey State Olympic Distance
championship race.
Until then, all for now
Keep FSU and Do It For Yourself.
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