A week ago I ran a marathon in Minnesota. This weekend my first triathlon, Tri the Boat in Steamboat Springs.
With Ironman only 6 weeks away, using this race to figure out the logistics of competing 3 sports same day. Felt a bit intimidated at sign-in. Boulder & Steamboat Springs are both athlete meccas, attractive for altitude training & the arid climate – sunshine, no humidity. I waited behind a trim zero-body-fat group, picked up my race packet & intently listened to instructions – where to park, where to leave my bike, starting time, transition area…becoming a quick study of everything Triathlon.
Sunday morning came early, an hour drive from my hotel in Kremmling. Parked, carried the bike over my shoulder (like the true triathletes) & headed to transition slot 169 – my home for the day.
Pulled & tugged at my XTERRA wetsuit – crazy tight fit – but eventually managed success, zipped up ready to go. Lined up on the shore of Stagecoach Reservoir. Have never done this before – super nervous.
Air horn sounds & in we go. Sub-60 degree water, C-O-L-D. Panic, can’t breathe. Up for air every stroke. And unlike my gym pool, open water is murky – and deep.
Two strokes right, rollover, two strokes left – ok, moving. Steady swimming, no longer swallowing water.
BUMP – I strike a small boat outside of boundaries. They point the way – my goggles useless — scratched, dingy for months now. In a pool, no big deal. In open water, can’t see a thing – pulling them on my forehead to catch a glimpse of other swimmers.
BUMP – now it’s a kayak on the other side. Ridiculous.
I continue zigzagging my way across Stagecoach – back n forth, back n forth ‘til 2 kayakers guide my return home. I hear them talking: I think he’s disorientated. I tell them I’m fine – just can’t see. They say I’ve swam full Ironman distance – yeah, that far off course. I stumble onto shore and spew breakfast just past waterline.
I look at rows of empty bike racks – only 2 of us left…then the lady behind me quits. Ugh – dead last 🙁
Sun beating down, I start the 56 mile bike ride – almost 3,000 feet elevation change.
No other human around. That was the worst of it – the solitude.
Stopped at both bike aid stations but kept at it. Last 2 stations already closed – but I finished. I reached transition & slipped on my Hokas. Asked directions from a volunteer & started the half marathon run.
Was pulled at the first aid station – too far back, time limitation. Argh; it is what it is.
Hottest day of the year in Steamboat, I finished both the swim & the bike. Not a complete fail, but gotta figure this out.
Beyond exhausted, I stop an hour later & rent a room. Sun burnt and sleep deprived, I down a ginger ale, shower & set my alarm for 4 a.m. – back to work tomorrow: Monday, start of the work week.
As prep for Ironman, Ash chided me into participating in Bike to Work Day.
Sunny day biking towards the Flatirons – beautiful ride, why we live there. My morning ride ended with a flat rear ride — blown valve…so in actuality I celebrated National Walk your Bike to Work Day 🙁
All in all inspired me to bike to or from work every day this week — including my first Tri day. Biked to Colorado Athletic Club in Boulder, swam 50 laps, then ran home after work 10 minutes uphill, in blowing wind, rain & later sunshine.
Adding National Bike to Work to my calendar again next year. New tradition!
Good to see so many people outside & greening up the Planet.
Bike to Work Day: Boulder turns out on two wheels
Social Media RoundUp
Cammy Bike to work day is so much fun
Robin It was my first too! I biked with Rob to his work and then biked back home to work! Sorry about the flat
Kimberly Lol you do have a job!! With all your adventures with hiking in foreign lands, I had no clue what you did now! Lol sorry you had a flat though!
Ashton Step 2..learning how to fix a flat! We got this
Joyce You look like you are all in one piece. love you!
Just 3 weeks back, I thought I’d knock off marathon #8 in Minneapolis but fate stepped in & I needed a June make-up race.
Late Friday nite flight, picked up my rental at Enterprise, then headed 2 ½ hours north to Duluth — tomorrow’s race destination: Grandma’s Marathon. Easy drive; powered by Sirius Radio I listened to Country Classics – yep, the super twangy stuff from the 1950’s & ‘60’s 🙂 20 minutes outside of Duluth, heavy fog rolled in. Pulled off momentarily, then realized it wasn’t dissipating anytime soon so dropped my speed to 35, hovered in the right lane & stayed über alert to other motorists and wildlife.
Located a safe stop to catch some zzz’s (no hotel this trip), then woke to my iPhone alarm 4 hours later.
Fog, accompanied by mist & temps in the low 50’s. Surprisingly cold for June. Boarded a race bus which ferried me & fellow racers to the Start Line in Two Harbors, northeast of Duluth. Waited ‘til the last possible moment to shed the jacket & drop-off my gear bag – sooo late [that] I was blocked from joining my race wave, relegated to joining the 5:30 pacers.
Didn’t reach the official start until 6 minutes after the gun sounded, trudged thru a pack of runners, resulting in a super slow 11 minute first mile. Music cranked up, I started to work my way around folks. At mile 3 I passed the 4:30 pace team & at mile 6, I put the 4 hour pacers behind me. Now the trick – run my race, stay loose, don’t panic.
For a guy who struggles to run in heat, this was my day. Caught a glimpse of Lake Superior thru the fog & drafted closely behind a fast-footed runner with crazy long hair. I matched him on hills (which better suits my Colorado training), then fell back on the long stretches. Goal: stay close for a half marathon – revised goal, I’m drafting thru mile 15.
Reached down for water & just like that, he was gone. Thankfully, still felt strong. No grabbing water again ‘til mile 19, then again at mile 21. Felt the burn at mile 23 & punked another 11 minute shuffle.
Water, I need water. Or air, maybe I can’t breathe. Stopped at the mile 24 aid station & turned my head to see the 4 hour pace team pounding behind me. Where did they come from? I am NOT giving up on my first sub-4 with only 2+ miles to go.
Crowds lined the final mile thru downtown Duluth to Canal Park. I reached deep & ran. Pulled out my buds & let crowd energy breathe blood back into my legs. I’m blowing hard now. I can hear the race announcer, I’ve got to be close.
Almost 4 minutes under my marathon goal – boo-yah, first sub-4 marathon.
(Race Time) From Grandma’s Marathon sponsor, Verizon Wireless: K R Haga has crossed the Finish in 3:56:38
Slipped to the ground & was done. Couldn’t stop shivering, finished in the medic tent. Super low sodium but high hemoglobin numbers. Released 30 minutes later. Thanks Colorado for my high hemoglobin – high altitude living does a body good.
sub-4 – FINALLY!