As I am recaping my adventures at Pumpkinman yesterday, I realize that I can now say I have successfully completed a half ironman! I don't know the statistics on this multisport event, but I am thinking it is a fairly small percentage of people who actually complete a half ironman in their lifetime. So, I am actually feeling a little proud right now :) There are a lot of things I know I will never be able to do, or am not capable of doing for one reason or another. But I have accomplished something that many people would never even attempt to do. The training for a half iron race is extensive and arduous. It is sometimes very lonely on the long bike rides and runs. In addition, it can be very dangerous! Road biking is very enjoyable sport, but I've found a lot of drivers either ignore you or practically run you over--not so much fun! Despite all of these challenges: time, energy, motivation, and safety, I completed my full training plan. It began in early February when I met with S2 and discussed my plans. He was certain I would be able to complete a half ironman with the right training and attitude. At that time, I was just excited to take on a new challenge and face the big 3-0 with defiance! I did not really know if I'd actually be able to finish a race or not. We talked about various races and decided on Pumpkinman because it is a bit more beginner friendly than a Mooseman or Timberman course. Believe me, Mooseman would not be an easy first half ironman! Pumpkinman was also going to be held in mid-September, so I would have to whole summer to focus on training.
In early March, after a fun winter break in Taos, I jumped right into my training plan. I was ultimately training for Pumpkinman but I had several events before that. I completed the Big Lake Half Marathon in May, Mooseman international distance triathlon in June, Black Fly international distance triathlon in July, and then the Timberman sprint triahtlon in August. There was never a dull moment in the months leading up to Pumpkinman. If you follow my blog, you read about how I nearly dropped out of Mooseman, failed to hit my PR at Black Fly, and then PRed at the Timberman sprint. Based on those races, I really did not know what would happen for Pumpkiman. I knew I had done my homework--the preparation piece was complete. I felt mentally focused, but that could change on race day. All I could do was take it all in and hope for the best. I knew there would be a lot of S2 athletes at the race, so that made me a little less aprehensive.
On Saturday before the race, Mark and I left early to check in at our hotel in Dover so we would be able to get registered for the race and eat early enough to digest. Our night before meal was Moe's subs (yummy!) and plenty of water. After an early dinner, we registered for the race, checked out the transition area (and hill for the Powderhouse Dash), and discussed plans for the next day. We did notice that trains went through Dover and hoped we would not get stuck behind those in the morning. Our plan was to get up at 4:30AM, go to Dunkin Donuts, and then get set up at the race transition area.
When the alarm went off at 4:30, I was excited, jittery, and a bit nervous. We got ready, packed up, and headed to Dunkin. Of course, as we were leaving Dunkin, we got stuck at a train stop--luckily, we had given ourselves enough time. But I was a bit wound up so I did get annoyed by the situation. Anyway, when we did arrive, I also realized I forgot my body glide--this was not a major problem, but it would cause slight discomfort later in the day.
Mark and I set up in our respective transition spaces and then squished into our wetsuits. We grabbed our goggles and swim caps (mine was orange, how appropriate for the Pumpkinman!) and made our way to the swim start. As we looked out at Knight's Pond, we really did not know what the race officials were going to do...it was completely covered in mist and fog. The night before had dipped in temperature but the pond was still quite warm. I liked the water temperature, but we would have to be able to see our course or it would not be safe. The announcer covered rules, course, etc. and then there was a tribute for the victim's off 9/11. There was even a military relay team for this event. It is important to note that I am able to participate in these kind of events because I have the freedom to do so. My freedom is certainly due to those who fight for our country. Thank you to the brave military men and women who enable me to enjoy those freedoms. After the announcements were taken care of, we just had to wait and see if the fog would burn off. Mark and I swam around in the water a bit to get acclimated and I was pleasantly surprised to not have any anxiety in the pond. I couldn't see the bottom (which I prefer) and it was nice and warm. I felt ready for the swim!
Just before, 8am, the fog lifted enough for us to start the race and complete the whole swim. They had been talking about shortening it for visibility and I was really upset. I was there to complete a 70.3 race and I wanted to do the race in its entirety. Anyway, it cleared up and we were able to begin our swim. I felt strong and confident throughout the swim. I never worried about fish or drowning--I established a rhythm and stayed with it. The payoff--00:37:40.453 an 11th place age division swim.
I ran out of the water and jog/walked up the Powderhouse Hill Climb. I was not interested in winning this separate contest as it would have used up a ton of energy. I spent 00:04:52.604 in transition, which is awhile but I wanted to make sure I had everything ready for the bike--my goal was just to finish after all! Coming out of T1, I had a panic that I was not wearing my race belt. I turned around (just a few feet) to make sure I did not need the belt--I did not. I only needed it during the run, but I did not want to be DQed for something silly like that, so it was worth an extra minute or two.
The bike ride was honestly nothing special or exciting. It was a pretty course and it was fairly flat. Early in the ride, I passed Mark who had a flat tire. I was concerned for him, but I knew he'd make up the time and pass me once he fixed the tire--and he did :) In terms of the course makeup, I was happy it was flat because my small bike gear was acting up and I had great difficulty getting out of my big gear. That would have been a major problem if I had been on a hilly course, but I was able to adapt on this course. My chain did fall off when I shifted once; however, I was able to quickly get the chain back on (I was covered in grease though!) and continue with my ride. I worried that maybe I went too fast on the ride and would not save enough energy for my run. Final bike ride results were 03:23:58.265 with a 16.5 mph average. I was pleased with that!
My second transition was really slow because I had to use the bathroom, but I figured it was better than having to go out on the run course!!! My time in second transition was 00:06:23.364. I also really wished I had my body glide because I imagined running was going to cause some chafing--and it definitely did! Arghh, I will not forget that again.
And then there was the run. I knew it would be painful--I had been thinking about how painful it was going to be halfway through the bike ride. The first two miles were not too bad. I shuffled slowly along with the plan of doing that for the rest of the run. I made sure to drink plenty of water at the stops, took some salt tablets, and had plenty of GU shots. By mile 6, I was definitely questioning my sanity. Why would anyone do this?!!! Then I remembered how my coach said there would be highs and lows in the race. I needed to work through the lows. Since it was a loop course, I saw people finishing their second loop when I was still working on my first. That was a challenging thing to deal with. Mark and I passed each other twice and it was great to see him doing so well. I somehow slogged through the entire run. By mile 12, no one was around me (I knew a few were behind though), the sun was lower in the sky, and I heard crickets!!! At this point, I thought I must have taken four hours to finish the run. Luckily, that was just exhausted Laura thinking that. Once I passed the mile 12 sign, I said to myself, you will finish this race running (or jogging slowly) because you worked hard for this! And I did. I pushed my way up the last hill and then down the final grassy slope to the finish. My final run time was 02:41:33.642. This was not bad considering I had swum 1.2 miles and had biked 56 miles before the half marathon. I never walked--I jogged the whole 13.1 miles!
For the overall race time, I finished in 06:54:28.328. I am content with this time because my goal was just to finish and I did way more than that in the swim and the bike portions of the race. It was awesome to meet up with various team members after and have a yummy Thanksgiving style meal in the race tent with Mark. Pumpkinman was his THIRD half ironman and he had a very strong race despite the mechanical issue on his bike ride! I was so happy to be a part of another one of his accomplishments. We were able to share in the feelings of success yesterday :) Also, all the race volunteers were fantastic and the event really was organized and enoyable for all. I HIGHLY recommend this race for a first half ironman.
So, will I ever do one of these 70.3 half ironman races again? I'm not sure, but I definitely did gain a ton from this experience. For the moment, I plan on relaxing and looking ahead to yoga classes and snowshoe racing season. You may see the blog again next spring when I work towards a new goal. Stay tuned...
