2013 Vineman 70.3 Race Report

A week ago, I did my first half Ironman®, Vineman 70.3. I'm struggling to come up with what to say in this race report. The problem is, I really didn't race it. At no time during the whole day, did I push. Just the distance was enough of a challenge. How can I write a race report if I didn't race?

Last year, I wasn't ready to do a half marathon run after the swim and bike. So, I did the Aquabike. Best decision. This introduced me to the swim, bike, and spectacle that is Vineman without having to do the run. But this year, I was ready.

Vineman 70.3 starts at Johnson's Beach which is on the Russian River in Guerville. The swim is an out and back course that starts at the seasonal dam and goes about .65 miles upstream past numerous cabins with docks along the waters edge.

 

I got to T1 early and found a great spot right next to a sign. I was determined NOT to lose my spot when I came back from the swim this year. Set up went quickly and I double checked that I could find my bike from the swim timing mat. Lots of time to hang around watching the pros and the early waves take off.

Finally. Time to put the wetsuit on and get in the water. Waves went off every 6 minutes. I lined up in line with the sight buoys and a couple people back. 30 seconds. 15 seconds. Horn!

Typical. Every one jumped ahead as soon as the horn went. That's me where the arrow is and everyone is already off the screen. My plan was to just go steady and use the swim as my warm up. There was a LOT of contact all the way through the swim. I don't mind the hands on the toes but, you grab my leg and hold on, you're going to get kicked -- and not so gently. As I reached the turnaround, the wave behind had caught up and there was a mass of people trying to turnaround in extremely shallow conditions. After the turnaround, there was about 10 feet that was impossible to swim. Swimming meant raking your hand across rocks. Everyone had to walk. Then, it became an effort of dodging previous waves or my women in my wave that tired out. Finally, I made it to the ramp. This year, I lined up straight on to avoid the huge rocks -- really wasn't that less rock.

Swim: 42:06 (PR)

Once I found my legs, I quickly ran to my transition spot and ripped off my wetsuit. Shoes on. Glasses on. Helmet on. Grabbed the bike and out of T1.

T1: 4:36 (better than last year!)

After a quick run up the hill, I was on the bike and headed out on a nice 5 mile stretch that is perfect for getting settled in. Eat a little. Drink a little. Do a couple quick spin ups just to wake up the legs and then it's a quick down and a very rude short steep hill that requires you to get out of the saddle - 286 watts - ouch! From there, it's about 40 minutes of rolling hills. Coach's words kept going through my head -- How is what you are doing going to help the run? I kept the up hills easy. I rested on the down hills if necessary but, other wise kept the speed up.

Once out of the rollers, I tried to keep the watts with in range yet, I wanted to leave lots in the tank for the run. I passed some of the people that had gone out too fast. There were a few people I saw in the distance that I was able to slowly real in. Eventually, the ride was done and I entered T2.

Bike: 3:33:13 (*sigh* slower than last year)


I had an easy to spot spot in T2. My rack was at the first large tree and all the way back on the cement. I quickly racked my bike and almost started out with my helmet. Took an extra second to add some spray on sunscreen.

T2: 4:24 (forgot to get out of my shoes while still on the bike -- la la brain)

So now the dreaded run.

It was easy to write up my race plan for the swim and the bike. I struggled with the run. It took some hints from coach to get in the right frame of mind. I realized that I wanted to do Vineman not because I'm some fast, young, speedster. Just like the Morgan Hill Half Marathon (HILLY), I wanted to do Vineman because it is a challenge. So what if it's hard. What can I do to rise to the challenge? Just go do what I need to.

As usual, I felt great right off the bike. My plan was to go easy on the run and walk any hills I needed. The first 2-3 miles weren't bad and there was a lot more shade than I had anticipated. Following the plan, I took water and ice at each aide station. And then the first hill which I power walked. And then another hill, power walked that too. About this time, I started leap frogging a middle aged man. We would encourage each other as we passed.

Just after I power walked the biggest hill (around mile 4), I began to have a few negative thoughts. By my calculations, I wasn't going to meet my sub 7 hour goal. All this power walking was just too slow. But my race plan came back to me -- What can I do to rise to the challenge? It didn't matter if I didn't hit sub 7. Just keep moving.

The hills and leap frogging went on until mile 6 which took us into a winery. They had a lovely mister that I took full advantage of and out of the winery for some more road running. I walked a portion of mile 8, regrouped, and then... the miles started ticking down. The man passed me on the last hill of the course. I passed him on the down hill and kept going. The last 2-3 miles are relatively flat so, I ran... and ran... and ran. All of the racers encouraged each other. The spectators were great. And then, I was running into the high school. It seemed like the finish line was at the other end of the school but, I made it. And I finished strong.

Run: 2:34:53

As I crossed the finish line, I did a quick calculation (8:11 - 1 hour = 7:11) and was a little disappointed that I hadn't made sub 7. But, I just did my first half Ironman®!!!!

The finish shoot dumps you right into the food and knowing I couldn't take the food out of the area, I ate enough to quickly recharge so I could hurry up and leave. I met up with a friend, Johanne, who had just finished and chatted a bit. But, I really just wanted to go find Grumpy and get on the road home. As I was leaving, I saw Leap Frog Man and we congratulated each other.

On the drive home, I checked my official on-line results and to my delight - I HAD GONE SUB 7! My wave took off 1:12 after the pros!

Overall: 6:59:12

This week, every one wants to know if a full Ironman® is next. And I still say, it is not currently on my bucket list. I have enjoyed all of the training for this HIM and look forward to doing another.

Thank you to Elizabeth Waterstraat, my coach, for not giving up on me. I look forward to you turning up the heat.

Thanks to dear friends  - Dorothy, Susan, James, Mark, Scott, and Janice - for keeping the love of my life company while I chase dreams.

Thanks to Barbara and Molly for getting me off the sofa so many years ago.

Last but not least, thanks to Grumpy for all the sacrificing you've done while I go challenge myself.