Syracuse 70.3 Race Report

Well, I completed my "A" race of the season!! I am elated and a little dissapointed all in one. I really wanted to execute my run, but failed to do so. SO, here I am wondering what I could've done better. I know this is just the stepping stone in more to come and I certainly can improve, which makes me elated.

I have been reconsidering doing a Full Ironman next year and really focusing on nutrition and race day strategies and really nailing it before moving up. Im not 100% convinced I should do this but leaning toward it.

Onto the Race Details...

Saturday Afternoon was packet pickup at the Holiday Inn. I was surprised at how well organized it was and how fast I moved through all the check points. They had a great surplus of SYR IM goods. I really wanted everything but settled to get something to wear AFTER I finished the race. The only thing I did pick up was some toe warmers as I knew It would be a cold bike the next day.

See My Shirt? It says it all!! :)

I wasn't too pleased with the schwag bag...come on for $250 race entry fee there could've been more than the bag, a shirt and a water bottle. That was it!

I then hopped into the car and made my way to Jamesville Beach for the racking. I was so excited as my boyfriend was also doing the race with me!!

 I also took advantage of the lifeguards and swam the course only to have them tell me I had to turn back halfway because on time..Oh well. I got my self into the FRIDGED 62 degree water.

Some of my fellow Tri Buddies and Me getting into the water

Yes it was COLD!!

Onto Race Morning....

I Packed everything I needed, mixed all my water bottles the night before and was in bed by 7pm. I woke up at 4am, made my pre race breakfast of Bagel, egg, cheese and my smoothie and we were out the door by 4:30 am. Im so glad we got there around 5am as the traffic was getting backed up.

I got my body marked and we were into transition to set-up our area. I noticed I didn't have my Zoot Compression socks..No big deal, THen I noticed I forgot my helmet. I made Andy go back to the car to look for it. When he came back with a Blue Giro helmet, I knew he didn't find mine. I started crying. Saying I don't want to do the race. He started laughing and I cried harder. I don't know why I was so Emotional.
Thank YOU so much to Syracuse Bicycle for loaning me a Helmet!! It wasn't mine but it did the trick. I also lost my sunglasses as I was running back and forth trying to get a helmet, but I ended up finding them.

I got into the water before my swim wave and it was still Frigid of course. We had to start the race 15 min late as the Buses shuttling people from the hotel were caught in the traffic jam. Needless to say they still managed to get us all in the water pretty fast!!

Swim- I felt ok until the turn around. I went way wide and finally spotted the next buoy way to my right. I tried to speed myself up at this point only to find a bunch of people treading water in front of me. I ended up getting hit by and arm or a leg, I ended up with a little water in my goggles but kept on going. When I saw the exit I kicked a little to get my legs going.  TIME 39:21  (2:04 pace) SLOW

T1- Looking at my watch I was ok with the swim but wanted it to be a little faster. There were people to strip your wetsuit but I opted out of this as I am a clutz and probably would've tripped and fell or did something wrong. The transition was long, I think a good 1/4 mile long. I found my bike without any trouble as I was on the end of the rack. I was wobbling trying to get my wetsuit off but managed. I got my armwarmers on and Shoes and was off. My Aero drink was spilling everywhere that I slowed down a bit in transition TIME 4:31

BIKE- Ok My plan was to take it easy on the first 12 miles then go a little faster after this...I did it!! I started cramping in my inner thigh around mile 40. I don't know if it was nutrition or I was cold. I did take in 48 oz of Perpetuem, 24 oz water, 3 gels, 3 enduralytes. I don't think it was enough for me though. This was a hilly course with 2700 feet of elevation gain with just as much decent. Some of the pros did the course in 2:08!! Crazy! Time 3:12:22 Ave 17.47

Right after the 20% grade hill!! Still Smiling!!

T2- I was off the bike feeling good!! Grabbed some chamois butter, rubbed iton my feet, put my socks on was a little tipsy as I couldn't feel my feet, but made it out without my legs feeling like lead! Time 2:24

RUN- This is where it went bad, very bad. I was so pumped and feeling so good that I did the first 4 miles around a 8:30 pace..BIG mistake. At mile 4 I started to feel my hamstrings giving me trouble. I decided to stop and just drink my Heed at that point. Im ok I told myself I can finish this. The run was NOT a downhill course. It was full of rollers. And Erie Blvd in Syracuse was Never ending!! I like turns and twists and when you dont have that it seems so long of a course. I saw many friends on the side of the road cheering me on which was soooo awesome!! It kept me going! Mile 4-10 I just focused on one foot in front of the other. Mile 10-13 were my hardest. I think I walked most of it. Looking back I should've started slower.. and gradually build into my run but I just kept on cramping to the point my toes were curling every step I took. I definately didn't take enough in and It cost me. TIME 2:26:56 11:12 pace

See...Im shuffling!!

OVERALL TIME....6:25:34... I'll Take it!!