First let me say this is a great run. From the course to the people, it is an all around pleasant event.
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| Getting ready. |
The event is held in the middle of no where. Well, actually it is held in Jay, Florida, on a dirt road leading to William's lake. The course has few turns, some shady areas, and ends lake front- this year we had to end before the "normal" lake shore due to recent flooding making the course a 5.55.
The trail is mostly red sand, which is more course and compact than lighter sand in the area. There are spots of loose sand and some asphalt chunks, both you have to watch out for your footing while running though.
This is a small race in number of participants- I think some don't share about this race because they like the course to themselves. The aid stations are lightly manned but ready for runners and walkers as they pass, ready with COLD water too!!!! The stations are often manned by families with kids excited to hand runners water. One thing was true of every stop- there was a smiling face and a few words of encouragement.
I felt good during this run for the start. I am a slow starter (and let's face it a slow finisher too), so the day quickly heated up. As we are still in the beginning of the "living on the sun" season we had not been running in heat and humidity for very long which took its toll on me. By mile 4.5 I was starting to have symptoms of a migraine, those symptoms quickly turned into the real thing. Knowing the finish line was near made no difference when my stomach finally gave up and for the first time during a race I found myself throwing up on the sidelines. The nice thing about a small race, run at my pace, is no one is around to watch you when your body sends you violently into the weeds. I would like to say I threw up and kept on running but that's not what happened. I thew up, yes; then I made attempts to run again. I was able to bring myself up to a consistent jog by the time I rounded the last corner. Every grain of sand my shoe touched was being felt has a piercing dart to my right temple. Still there it was the finish line. The cheering finishers, the little flags, and the man holding my finish card! I wanted to be done, even though I knew I would not be done in front of the woman I had been targeting for the past mile and a half. But I was finished.
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| AWESOME Awards!!! |
A few cool things about this race: 1) at the finish you get a card, you take the card to the table, the nice ladies at the table write down your name and put your card in an envelope, if you are the first three names on the outside of the envelope then you placed, for small races it is a great and accurate system (they also had a person at the finish line noting bib numbers and times); 2) after you turn in your card there is a VERY nice lady handing out ice cold rags (and she has lots of them); 3) there is plenty of snacks and drinks; 4) awesome awards; 5) have I mentioned the nice people.
Patrick had a great run. He was 2nd in his age group. This has become one of his favorite runs.
I was 3rd in my age group.
I also want to give recognition to Jennifer, Patrick's sister, for her AMAZING efforts on this run. She pushed a double stroller on sand for 5.5 miles (even the fast guys said there was no way). Jenn was the only stroller pushing mom out there (we think the ones from last year learned their lesson) and she did it is a good time too-- even having a sprint finish!!!
During the kids fun run Jenn and Patrick ran with Carson and Nolan. Both boys had great runs. Nolan had a 5 minute pace for half a mile!!!
We are all hoping to come back again next year for this race.
Last year I completed my first 25K swim. While this should have been a 15.5 miles it ended up closer to 17 miles due to being pushed out into the Bay. So it was with the desire to come back to prove a point that once the Bridge Swim opened I signed up and raised the bar a little. For the 2014 version of this race I was determined to complete the 25K and the 5K the following day. It was crazy, why with the memory of 10 hours in the water still fresh in my mind would I desire to do it again in a year. A year of this race looming! But I signed up for back to back swims for 2014 (and Patrick agreed to complete the 10K Bridge Swim) and here we are days after the swim events.
As I began training for this event I picked up hours and laps in the pool, hopeful to get some open water swims in before the big day. Open water swims would not happen this year, in fact the finally opportunity for an open water swim was canceled due to weather conditions. Prior to that due to cold weather, rip currents, and waves we were unable to get in any open water swims. Instead we settled for the pool- laps after laps after laps. Patrick worked up to five miles in the pool and I hit just under eight. This was going to have to do, as pool swimming is boring, tedious, and will make you go crazy beyond four hours!
With training done to the extent able we were facing race day.
On Saturday, I woke up dawned my suit, packed up my wetsuit, waters, nutrition, and other miscellaneous gear. Patrick packed up the kayak and other support items for our friend, Cheryl, as she would be my water support. You see when swimming 25K you are required to supply your own kayaker to follow you around for the day and make sure you don't die. This was Cheryl's second year so I knew I would survive! On our way to the start line we actually drive over the bridge, seeing and evaluating the water. On this morning the waters were calm (they would also be cold). Five of us were racing that day, 3 men and 2 women. The racers talked, stared at the water, aided our support team, and overall just tried to take deep breaths, at least that's what I was doing. Cheryl was in good spirits, given that I had made her get up before the sun, I was nervous, Patrick was trying to manage and organize all of us.
We stood through the safety meeting and then lined up on the water's edge for the start. Once given the "go" we all walked out into the water. No seriously, a slow swimmer march through the water until it was above waist high. You see when you have 15 miles of swimming ahead of you don't rush the water like you would in a triathlon. On this day we would respect the calm waters. We would slowly slip into the waters trying to disguise ourselves as sea life, in hopes the waters will remain calm and not see us as a threat. About 20 yards in we took our dive into the water one at a time. Him, then me, then him, then him, then her (she was slightly delayed I would later find out due to kayaker issues).
Upon making it out of the protected marina I began to edge up and pass the only swimmer ahead of me. During my time spotting I watched his green kayaker slip further and further out of my view. I also watched the swimmer with the yellow kayaker follow beside me, then slink back. Then the realization can to me, "I am in the front. what if I don't know where we are going?" All those speeches about not just following the runner in front of you on a trail run came to mind. I wasn't worried about me, just worried about those behind me. (One fun fact in this area the waters get shallow. I stood up at one point after brushing the bottom. Both Cheryl and I simply laughed.)
I rounded the first buoy, out from the point where a large home loomed. As I made this turn we were in more open water, meaning the wind and tides began to take their affect. I watched as house after house drifted by, it is amazing what you can see at water level. This was also where I hit a patch of seagrass- never fun. I made it to the second buoy, this would be a u-turn point and we would one by one follow back towards the point and towards he bridge now. As we turned I asked Cheryl for the location of each kayak color. she quickly identified them for me and we set back out. This time as I saw each color pass- yellow, red, green- they were not drifting off behind me, they were fighting to get in front of me. I had now lead out this first leg of the race. Upon nearing the point buoy the yellow kayaker came pass. I knew he was a strong swimmer so I had only pride rushing through my mind, as I had held him off for this long. Before reaching the mouth of the marina the red kayak would come pass me as well. In my mind again I was okay. I was having a good swim and I knew it. And let's be honest I knew at this moment that while these guys may be passing me the other woman was behind me still trying to catch up.
Before passing under the bridge the water turned to glass. I watched the water off my arms drip on the water's glass top. The sun was high now so it looked like crystal's dropping in to the water. When I would spot forward I could see my hand break the surface. It was so surreal, I had never been in the water for this swim and it be so calm. This calm would end upon moving to the other side of the bridge. It was a different world over there. One of current, chop, and darkness. Again this year we were pushed out in to the Bay, although not so far. We had to make a swim back in to the final buoy. Upon reaching it Cheryl and I made a plan to stay up towards the shore. As I found out from another swimmer we should have stayed even closer in order to have avoided more of the current. But we made this final turn still third of five. Now it was time to push even harder. I was here at the final leg of this race; here in the spot where last year the shark was spotted; here where the next hours would make the difference in being able to call this a good swim. The bridge grew larger and larger. I was overjoyed to be under the darkness of the bridge, while a scary place this place was nearly the end. From here I saw no other kayaks, I didn't know where they were, I didn't care. I flung my arms one after the other. The sail boats now grew larger and then passed. Cheryl who had supported and protected me through out this day was now all smiles, telling me to just keep going. I looked up to see the beach, the tent, the flag, and a pair of orange board shorts. Cheryl pushed out in front of me. Arm over arm. The sand below me grew closer, but I was not going to walk out as I had walked in, I no longer needed to be disguised, the water was free to know that I was an imposter who had conquered. I pushed my arms closer and closer to my body. I was in about a foot of water, unsure if my legs were ready to stand. In this moment I could hear Patrick (the orange board shorts), I could hear Cheryl, and a few others cheering. In ten steps I was across the finish line. 7:41:14!!! I shook the hand of the man who was in front of me- the only one in front of me. It turns out the red kayak did not take the shoreline back, instead they got pushed out to the bay a little more than me, giving me an opportunity to pass. following my finish would be the red kayak, the green, and then what had started as the blue but was not red 2. I was over joyed at me accomplishment, going from the last finisher the year before to the second this year was pure joy. I hugged my support- Cheryl first as she had been on the water with me; then Patrick as he has always been on this journey with me.
After this swim I was feeling good. It was the night that got me. I knew I had another race awaiting me at sunrise. In the night my shoulders and back tightened. But I was going to do these 3 miles.
Patrick and I set up the kayak on the finish side of the bridge. Patrick would be swimming the longer distance of there and back. I caught a ride to the shorter distance side. Upon waiting I stretched, focused, and questioned the barge parking at "shark wharf". The race director was over on our side after setting off the 10K swimmers. Now I knew Patrick was in the water. He was out there. Headed towards me. The 5K swimmers entered the water, one by one down a ladder onto the mucky sandy bottom. We walked through the chest high water to the start line. I now wished I had worn my wetsuit. Oh well, it was too late now.
And we were off. I felt slow. The bridge crept by, light post by light post. All I wanted to do was finish. After the bridge hump I noticed the change in the current, tides were shifting. The water began to become cool, then cold. Since my hands were numbing, my teeth chattering, and I don't recall feeling in my feet, I was pretty sure I was on the brink of hypothermia. The only choice was to push on. The marina was there ahead of me. All I could do was to push on. As I entered the marina one more time I copied my maneuver from the day before, willing my arms up and over one stroke at a time. The sand again became familiar and close. I stood in the last few feet, sooner than I had planned. Again within a few steps I was over the finish line. Now I wanted to go back out, back to Patrick. But I needed to get warm.
I grabbed a few things from the Jeep, including a sweatshirt, forgetting sunscreen, and headed back out into the bay.
As I was heading out passing other swimmers, offering one of them support and water, I noticed another barge coming up. One of the jetskiers told me there was one racer back and that he may be pulled if he didn't make it past the bridge hump in time. I kayaked faster. the barge past between me and the swimmer who was at the pontoon boat. After the barge passed I hurried faster to the swimmer. Patrick was in the water. The pontoon riders informed me that since the barge had passed Patrick would be able to swim on. And that he did. Patrick pushed out the remained of his swim. About 300 yards shy of the marina Patrick was joined in the water by 2 dolphins. As many of you are now thinking, "How cool!" I was actually thinking, "was that for sure 2 dolphins?" It was. The popped up about ten feet to my right as Patrick was to my left. As quickly as I saw them pop up on my side they popped up ten feet to the other side of Patrick. Patrick would later talk about seeing something swim under him, but figuring it was his shadow. He also heard them, closer than just their clicking in the distance. Patrick pushed out the last of the distance strong against the current. Upon entering the marina Patrick was cheered on from not only me, but the pontooners, the sailors, and the shore bystanders. Patrick pushed into the shallow waters, standing at about knee high. He took first in his age group and had a good overall time for the distance.
After this weekend Patrick has informed me, he is glad for his achievement and he is no longer wishing to swim extended distance. I on the other hand am interested in the possibility of a 30K.
(Oh, but Patrick may be swimming another long swim next year in Charleston.)
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| Just Keep SWIMMING!! |
We have great people in our lives.
Patrick and I race a good bit- I know you missed that notice. One of the great things about racing is the support we have and have had along the way. Some of our supporters are family, some are other racers, some are people who just shake their head and smile at us. But all of them I am thankful for in our lives. They all support, encourage, and love us.
The Bridge swim weekend is a great reminder of how much support we have in our lives. For the past 2 years a very dear friend has taken to the waters as my kayak support during a 25K swim. She has endured waves, tides, sun, and hour upon hours of paddling. she looks after me as I swim; offering me water and nutrition along the way, watching out for buoys, making sure I don't drift into the Bay, and of course making sure I don't get eaten by SHARKS!! It is beyond appreciation!
Our family members have gotten up at 3am to go to race start lines, just to hang around for 6 hours for us to get to the finish line. Our family often asks about events, how we are doing with training, and if we are okay, in general. Some of our family even race with us!
Our friends are both racers and non-racers, but they all are supportive the same.
We also have the joy of being a part of a local Tri Club, who offer support through out the year. While we are not always "super" active in club bike rides or get-togethers, we do gain a good bit of support from club members (and hopefully give support too). It is nice to have people of all levels and specialties around you. We may all do it differently but we are a support system amongst others who know what it is like to hit the wall and still have to push forward!!!
I am thankful for all the people in our lives and the ways they support us through training, events, and LIFE!!!
This weekend Patrick and I raced the Gulf Coast Triathlon in Panama City Beach. This was our first year to race GCT and our first time racing in PCB. It was also the first time int he race's 32 year history for them to cancel the swim, more about to come.
We stayed at the race hotel, Boardwalk Beach Resort Hotel. The hotel, while having been "renovated" was a 70/80's throwback. The bedding was pure beach wear circa 1970! The bathroom was the size of a small closet; one of those step sideways and back before attempting to close the bathroom door, otherwise you would certainly get a toe ripped off. But retro decor and bathroom planning aside the room was a pleasant resting place for two nights.
Packet pick up was quick and painless. Afterwards we went for a short bike ride to get loose after the car ride over. The head winds were strong but we were told by several "multi-race attendees" that while there would be a head wind the following day it would calm down. My bike was still making a clicking in the left pedal so we stopped at the bike mechanic and within 30 minutes he had it fixed up for me. No more vibration but he did let me know some new parts would need to be considered in the near future. We checked our bikes in, grabbing premo spots (more on my "great" spot later). I was set up near a parking curb on the inside portion of the rack. This would give me some extra set up space for the race. Patrick's spot was a little slice of paradise. He racked near the grass on the inside of the rack. He was curb side to a grassy area with a few palm trees in case there was a need for shade from the sun. He also had a pergola with benches in the event he needed to take a short nap between events (no worries, he didn't stay in T1 or T2 for that long).
On race morning it was off to body marking and into transition. We got things set up in our sections. This was the first time I noticed them- ANTS! I felt like all was safe as I moved my things slightly out of their space. As I was setting up I also had the joy of listening to a group of women racked behind me begin to argue. One of the more experienced athletes was upset over another athlete who racked after her "messing" up the racking system. Now instead of the bikes going every other in direction, there were two bikes facing the same direction- which was clearly unacceptable to the one particular athlete. When a third woman tried to help out in settling the situation she was told that she was not being spoken to- yes really this is what the ladies were doing prior to racing. So I finished my set up as they got a USAT official involved, and I headed over to the guys side to hang out with a little less drama.
Once everything was set and we still believed there would be a swim, we wetsuited up and headed for the beach. Daybreak was beginning to show the true conditions of the waters. The race officials were making several attempts to save the swim portion of the race. First they delayed. Second, they moved the swim start to the swim finish in order to hope that moving with the current would make the swim safer and more manageable. However, after struggling with getting kayaks out for safety and with waves four foot high and with under toes moving swiftly, the swim was called. The swim now would be about a 100 yard run through the soft beach sand and up to the transition area. While others were thrilled with the cancellation of the swim; I was not so happy. I knew the rough waters would have slowed some competitors, giving me a few extra minutes. That's the race mind thoughts. The logical human side of me agrees with the cancellation as no time gained by anyone is worth potential harm to another.
With the official word of the swim being canceled we all stripped off our wetsuits, bundled them up, and prepared for our jaunt up the beach to transition.
Upon entering transition I put on my biking shorts, sunglasses, helmet, and shoes. It was honestly not pretty. I felt disorganized, lost, and out of sorts. With not having the swim portion of the race I felt lost in the transition area; my muscles were not ready; my mind was behind in processing the events of the day without the 30 minutes staring at the gulf bottom.
After what felt like 20 minutes I grabbed my bike and headed out, mounting my bike on the line. Heading out on the course was a blessing and a curse. We had a strong tail wind heading out, which we all knew would mean a strong head wind upon the return. The route down the main drag had great views of the beach and were not being traveled too much that time in the morning. After going up and over a bridge we entered into the land of pine trees. Lots and lots of pine trees. Oh, and CROSS WINDS! The crooswinds were such that in gusts we were leaning over as to not be pushed over. During this portion of the trek I was passed by trucks with boats and trucks with trailers full of palms trees. The traffic on the road was heavy at times and seemed to be heaviest at the time a few of us were needing to cross over traffic in order to make a left hand turn. It was clear this was our turn but it was not clear where or when we needed to start getting over. With appropriate hand signals we made our way to the turn lane and made our left to head down "Bob's" road. This road was less than peaceful. The pavement felt like riding through potholes. At the end we made a uturn and headed back to the main road. After being out there for some miles we turned right down "Bob's" Road 2! Here we encountered dump trucks headed to the local landfill; meaning lots of kicked up rocks and rattling metal passing by us. After another uturn we entered back out to the pine tree forest and headed back to the transition area. As I was headed back I was passed by an ambulance. I came up on the accident a few miles later. There were two ambulances there; however,it was difficult to tell if it was an incident of bike vs. bike or bike vs. car- both events occurred on the race course this day. With caution me and other riders passed by. I was glad in this moment that Patrick was behind me. Even though I may not be able to know if anything would happen to him as he made his way back, I took some comfort in knowing this was not him being loaded into the back of the ambulance and my heart sunk thinking of the family whose loved one was being loaded into the ambulance. I rode on trying to get out of my head. Facing winds the whole time the final turn turned us back into full on head winds- YAY!! It was a slow and steady return to transition. I continued to read my mantra on my arm, "I have; I can; I will." I wanted to read it till it was the only thing left in my brain. I wanted to make the pain in my hip go away. I wanted to make the pain in my back and ankle leave. I wanted to make the discomfort and frustration leave me with every exhale because I did not want to carry this weight on to the run course. After about 100 repeats I was there in transition.
A decently quick change from bike shoes to run shoes; after having to move the bike racked next to mine (again) in order to get my bike even on the rack. I sat down to pull on my knee braces, without knowing it I sat on the edge of an ant bed. Suddenly I was being bit by ants along the small of my back. I quickly jumped up, the fastest I had moved all day, I tried to wipe off the ants and splashed them with water. I grabbed my visor and run number and with a few final brushes to get off more ants I headed out on my run. Thankfully the ant bites seemed to stop after mile two. I made several attempts to convince my legs to go, Btu they were not happy or in agreement with forward motion. I met up with a local woman who seemed friendly. Turned out she wanted someone to talk with about her troubles. She graciously dropped back after about a mile. For the next 5 to 6 miles I passed and few people and was passed by a few people. Then the jockeying began with the old men. I have to say there is something comforting and entertaining about running with these older guys. They have great humor, enjoying the run no matter problems they may be experiencing. The miles ticked by slowly, jogging and walking, while grabbing ice cold sponges, water, and gatorade. I made it to the finish line in a time similar to the race a few week prior.
I was glad to be at the finish line. Now it was a waiting game. I always joke with Patrick that I wait at the finish line counting off the minutes to see who has bragging rights. But actually I stand there at the finish line waiting to see Patrick turn the corner; wanting to make sure he is safe and feeling as good as one can feel after that many miles. The nerves of waiting sometimes get to me; making my feeling like I could run back up the course faster than I ran down it. But then there he is; making my heart flutter with happiness.
After we were both finished we got out things, go some food, and then nursed our injuries.
All in all it was a decent race. I would have liked a swim, but safety first every time. I would have liked to have a little less wind, but training for 30 miles up hill will be helpful in the long run. I would have liked to not get bitten by ants, but that just lets me know I need to watch where I sit. I would have liked less heat, but the aid on the courses was great. Overall, even with having a rough race day I had an enjoyable race day.
