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.
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