Let me preface this by noting that I registered for this race
late last year, before I even completed my first 70.3 in Oceanside. The assumption was that I was going to
"like" the first one so much that I would be excited to head to
Kansas a few months after. I am sure
glad it worked out that way! LOL...
The site for IM 70.3 Kansas was definitely not like
Oceanside. I knew going into it that
there could be heat, humidity, and wind.
I just didn't know what to expect at the actual site - Clinton Lake - on
the outskirts of Lawrence. Growing up a
city girl, I didn't camp, do the "lake" thing, bugs, etc. So ya.
There's that. We arrived just as
athlete check-in was opening on Friday.
We pulled into Clinton Park and headed to Ironman Village. All of the tents were in a high grassy area,
with areas of mud since weather had come through. I said to Jon, "This is definitely not
as 'glamorous' as Oceanside." We
both laughed. There was a group of local
women volunteering in the check-in tent, sweet as can be from bib pickup to
getting my backpack and tech tee. After
a little shopping and some photos, it was time to get to work getting the
layout of the land since it was a two-transition set up. We checked out the lake as well, then took
off to relax the rest of the day in Lawrence.
On Saturday, we came back for the early athlete briefing, where I also
had the chance to meet pro TJ Tollakson, someone I have respected in the sport
for quite some time. He had previous
experience on the course, so he was very helpful!
RACE MORNING
As usual, I didn't sleep well the night before the race. I woke up at 3:45, got ready, ate my
breakfast of whole-wheat bagel (I didn't have my Van's gluten-free waffles due
to the road trip) with peanut butter, bit of honey, and almonds, then we loaded
up the car and drove to the lake. Our
hotel was only about 15-minute drive to the site, which was perfect! We had a great parking spot, too (always a
plus when some walking is involved). I
set up my shoes and other run gear in T2, then walked down with other athletes
to T1. It was a beautiful morning! Aside from the humidity, the temperature was
perfect, and the water was 75.9 degrees - WETSUIT LEGAL!! Happy dance, I say. The race director announced it that
morning. Prior to Sunday morning, we had
no idea IF it was even going to be wetsuit legal. The lake had been at 78 before two inches of
rain came in early Saturday and cooled it down some. THANK YOU wetsuit gods! HA. I
made pals in T1 with an athlete named Tiffany from Nebraska who was doing her first
70.3...we ended up hanging together through the swim corral until we entered
the lake. I also had the chance to meet
one of my Betty teammates and wish her luck!
Just about 30 minutes before my wave start, I had my Honey Stinger
vanilla waffle, and I was ready!
THE SWIM
Upon entering the water, it felt amazing. It was relatively calm and warm. The horn sounded and off we went. No nerves, just spent a few minutes getting
into a good, solid pace. I felt great
since I had warmed up my shoulders, arms, and worked on my stroke out of the
water as we got closer to the lake while in my wave corral.
I would say the first half of the 1.2 miles was smoother than heading
back in after the turnaround. Suddenly
there were drunk swimmers.
Everywhere. I was in my happy
straight swimming mode surrounded by them.
A few of them were in white caps - my swim wave. They would run into me, then stop, which then
stopped me; they would realize they slowed down, then start sprinting
diagonally and repeat the running into people process. I remember saying something like, "Is
this for real?" after a few incidents.
I wanted to PR the swim so badly!
Finally, I was passing the last buoy.
I headed up the ramp, looked at my watch, and smiled. I had a PR from Oceanside, even with the
drunk folks on the course. PHEW!!
THE BIKE
T1 was amazingly smooth. I
cut my time dramatically! We had a small
roller to climb out of transition to get started. My front brake was rubbing and slowing me
down, so I pulled over for a minute to straighten that out! We exited the park and out onto the country
roads around Lawrence. The weather was
unbelievable for Kansas in early summer.
It was overcast with temperatures in the 70s. Thank goodness! The course was hilly, common geography of
eastern Kansas. It was green and
gorgeous. There were portions that were
out and back, so athletes would cheer each other on in typical Midwest
fashion. I had a few athletes roll up
from behind, telling me they liked my Betty kit and pink helmet! On my way back in, probably around mile 45, a
cardinal was on my side and flew in front of me (yes, Illinois State nostalgia
- Go Redbirds!) and it kinda made my ride that much better. I saw Jon as I came into T2 - smiling and
waving as I stopped! PR on the
bike! WOOT!! My nutrition and hydration had been dialed in
yet again - three Bonk Breaker bites - peanut butter and jelly, four Salt Stick
tablets, and plenty of water!
Such happy moments on the bike!
THE RUN
Getting hydration and cheers from a Betty teammate!
IN THE END
So, for the results as follows:
1.2-mile swim - 44:30
56-mile bike - 3:30.31
13.1-mile run - 2:24
TOTAL - 6:45, a 70.3 PR of 18 minutes! YAY!!!
