This was my first race of the season. Last year, I traveled to Atlanta to get some early open water swimming training. This year I decided to complete an early race instead. I was nervous because the race would be my first time in open water this year.
We arrived the day before the race. I wanted to ride the bike course. While I had been training all of off-season on trainer I had not had a chance to ride outside due to the crazy Chicago weather. I rode half of the course, because I ran out of time and did not want to miss the race course overview and practice swim. I was so happy to be riding outside. I rode about 6 miles of the course I made all of the turns minus going to the turn-around.
I made it back in time to grab my wet suit, and walk over to the course talk. After the talk, we had a chance to do a practice swim. The temperature was 68 degrees. I was nervous, but the water felt good. The temperature in Terri Haute had dropped highs were in the 50s and the lows were in the high 40s. The temperature was 56 at the time of the practice swim. The race director was awesome. He said he would swim with anyone who was nervous and he would be willing to give us tips. I started with him, but I was surprisingly calm so I just kept swimming. I was sighting without stopping. In all my races last year I stopped and treaded water to sight. I looked over my numbers from last year and my slowest time was 4:00 min/100 yards because I stopped so much. Don’t get me wrong I am still not a fast swimmer. I could not see the orange buoy where we were supposed to turn was so I used the yellow sighting buoys. I even used someone yellow swim cap that I thought was a buoy. I made the first turn, then I saw the next orange buoy. I kept swimming. After the second orange buoy, I made a turn to head back to the end. The buoys were set up in a triangle configuration. I could not see the last buoy, but there was a green building by the exit point and I used it. I made it back and I did not stop other than talking to a few people – race director and the women with the yellow cap that I thought was a buoy.
Race Day
Transition set up was at 6:00am. I always like to get there early so I can get an end spot. One, it is easier to find my bike, and there is always more room. I set up my items in order. It was cold 45 degrees so my plan was to dry off, but on my dry triathlete top, and then my triathlete jacket so I would not be cold on bike. So I had a towel, my top/jacket, shoes and had socks with baby powder in them. Powder help with the smell. I had my helmet and glasses on the handle bars. I then set up everything for the run. I had my visor, shoes, with elastic laces, race belt with number, dates, and collapsible water bottle for run.
I then went back to car, and took a power nap, after body marking. My race was scheduled to start at 9 . Around eight I walked to swim start to see the Olympic start and to see the two people from my triathlon group start. I had put on my wet suit to keep warm. I only had my triathlon shorts, and sports bra on under wet suit. Again, I wanted to keep my post swim clothes dry. They allowed us to warm up for the swim. My first thought was not to warm up, because I did the practice swim the day before. Then I thought let me actually warm up and tough out the few minutes of cold after the warm up. They made us get out of the water after the warm up. Only the elite athletes were allowed to stay in. So I get in and did some bobs. I tried to swim freestyle but I could not keep my face in the water. The contrast from cold to 68 water I guess was the problem. I just kept bobbing and trying to swim freestyle. I eventually got over the shock and my heart rate calmed down. It was then time to get out of the water. We lined up by our estimated swim time. I went by what I swam during the practice. Before getting in we all walked over the mat and gave them our race number. I water through the shallow muck. They I started swimming. My mantra for the day was” God is Awesome “it went with my three stokes. Three strokes breath, three more strokes sight. I kept that pattern. I did stop once. I saw a lady just treading. I asked was she okay then I went back to my routine. I passed the yellow buoy. There was space between the swimmers that helped me stay calm. I saw the orange buoy, I turned right. I kept going. I saw the orange buoy. I thought “Yes, I got this”. I kept my routine. I made it to the second orange buoy. I had gone out a little too far on the practice swim. 820 yards was the distance and I had 970 yards on my Garmin. So I made sure to veer right. I could see the green building and the last sighting yellow buoy. I saw one swimmer to my left. I stopped just to make sure he was not swimming in to me. I saw that the end was near. I kept swimming until my hand could touch the ground. I ran up the stairs. The wet suit strippers helped me get out of my suit. I then ran to transition area.
Swim Goal– 19 minutes
Swim Time–23:41 minutes
Transition 1
I only had my sport bra top, so I could put on my dry triathlete top and jacket on to warm up. This was after I made sure I dried off. I then put my sock on. I then put my cycling shoes and my helmet, and glasses. I then rushed to the mount line. My transition I knew would be longer, but it was longer than I liked .
Goal—5 minutes
Transition time—7:58 minutes
Cycling
Cycling is usually the best of the disciples although I have been running longer. The race was only the second time I had been on my bike due to Chicago crazy winter/spring weather. I did not feel in great bike shape, but it was fun to be outside riding. I like hills—rolling. Yes, I think it is because I so love descents. Well, the race started with a few hills. I had my power meter and was anazlying my efforts on the climb, descents, and when the headwinds hit me. Around mile 10 my back started bothering me. My back had never hurt before on a ride. Outside of when my saddle height was off after a cycling trip last year. I tried to do some stretches especially on descents but it did not go away. I just keep spinning. I made it to the turn around. Early in the ride I had a packet of almond butter. I also had one bottle of water with Ultima. I figured I would get a tailwind but it did not feel like it was much. I made it to the last hills and descent and was almost back to transition.
Cycling Goal– 43 minutes
Cycling Time—46:03 minutes
Transition 2
I run to my area. I quickly racked my bike, took off my shoes, and helmet. I grabbed my shoes, visor, water bottle. I was in a rush and left my dates.
Goal—5 minutes
Transition Time—5 minutes
Run
I then started my run. I walked the first two minutes to get my legs back. I continued running interval 5/1—run five minutes walk 1 minute. I was feeling good until the trail part of the run. I walked most of the trail then I got back to my usual intervals.
Running Goal—42 minutes
Running time— 41:41 minutes
Overall Time Goal 1:54 minutes
Actual Time 2:04:23
I would highly recommend Thunder in the Valley Triathlon. It is a nice small race that is well supported. It is great to get some early open water swim in especially in Mid-West. Only part I didn’t like was the trail part of the run.
After I finished the race, and was walking back to my car, I saw a man running toward the finish line. I thought he was just tired, and tried to give him some motivation. He collapsed, and I was first person to see him. I yelled out to call 911. Others came to help. First, he was breathing then he stopped and we had to do CPR. Praise God he resumed breathing and was able to walk to stretcher for the ambulance. Although I am a doctor I have never had to perform CPR on a real person. That was the scariest part of the day.
My plan was to run the Flying Pigs Marathon, but my training got off schedule due to the flu followed by a sinus infection, and a minor ski injury. I had planned an early marathon for the purpose of preparing for my Iron Man race in October. I decided to downgrade to the half because I did not want to risk getting injured
I arrived on Friday, and went straight to expo. The expo was nice, nothing special. I manage to get another race belt, because I left mine at home. The race was Sunday we met at Brown stadium the home of the Cincinnati Bengals. I love football so I looked for someone I knew on the walls, and I did.-Cris Collinsworth. It was so nice to use a real bathroom versus a porta potty at the stadium. I took full advantage and went about three times. Then it was time to head to my corral. I was looking for a few people, but there were so many people there, I could not find anyone.
It was go time. I started my regular intervals. Run five minutes, and walk one minute. I was moving alone. No knee pain, no foot pain. We ran across a couple of bridges I thought okay not too bad. I was told that the race was hilly, and from looking at the elevation chart I knew there would be hills, but I thought this was not so bad. I just wish my one minute walk would time right at the bridges. That did not happen. I kept moving. The crowd support was so awesome. I had on a Super Girl outfit. As I ran past all of the cheer stations I heard “Go Super Girl” it made me smile and it was great motivation to keep moving and stay strong. I got to mile five, and there was a mountainous hill. It was at the start of my five-minute run interval. I say to myself “You can do this, and I started to climb. I ran and I ran, but there was no end to the mountain. I asked some of the runners next to me had they completed this race, before and when would this hill “ mountain” end. She said we were almost to the flat area, but another one was coming. I said thank you but right now don’t care about the next one I just need the flat now. My legs were over the climbing so I started to walk.
When I got to the flat I ran and tried to make up for the extra walking. Then the next hill came. I started walking again. It was also never ending. My intervals were off. So, my plan was to walk fast on the hills, and run on the flats. That was the plan but my pace was slower than I liked. I said that is okay this is not my A race. I am going to finish, and I don’t hurt. My goal then was to have fun. I stopped and took pictures, hi-fived kids along the road. I took in all the crowd cheers. I even saw one of my favorite superheroes Captain America.
Around mile 9 we finally got to the downhill. It was steep, I tried to pick up the pace, but my quadriceps were bothering me. I kept moving. I was happy because I was running my first love in my fitness journey. It had been a long time since I had completed a solo running race. I would highly recommend Flying Pigs, but it is a challenging course. Also the fact that I had some of my Fast Chix crew there made it even more special. It would not be idea race for a PR. I would race it again though. I would just do more hill training
The wind chill was 10 degrees. There were gale wind forces of 37-40 mph. Ten minutes into the run I felt like the wind was going to push me over. I then made a turn to go run a hill, ant the wind actually gave me some momentum and I screamed yes. Running had not been fun lately, and I actually wrote a book about it “Running Is Cheaper Than Therapy” I could blame it on the cold, but I have pushed through cold, rain, and snow and I always got it in. Since I have been doing triathlons I have so many workout running and strength training are using the first to be missed weeks I can’t fit it all in. Also I now run on Sunday and that used to be my rest day. “Sundays are for football and Jesus” Well, now I add swimming and running. My rest day is now Monday or Friday and sometimes I swim on my rest day-the life of a triathlete. Don’t get me wrong, overall I enjoy it. The worse is getting out of bed early in the morning. So I am training for an Iron Man and I have to get serious again about my running.
So I asked for help with my issue, something that is hard for me to do. I got tons of advice from one of my groups-Fast Chix. I realized than one of my major problem was I was allot slower than my usually pace now. Not that I was anywhere close to qualifying for Boston (Boston is the elite race for everyday runners). My goal at that time was then to get faster. I have a need for speed. So running and seeing my pace, actually discouraged me. I had and have to change my mindset. I began a process of changing my mindset. It is hard. I thought about the times I could not run before and after my knee surgery. I thought about the time I could not run when I have to have a procedure because my plantar fasciitis would not go away. I thought about the other times other “minor” my injuries caused me to be sidelined. I thought about the my first marathon when I ran injured and could not bend my knee past mile but I walked/limped to the finish line. I thought about the breeze that seems to help blow my cares away when I am running. I thought of my friends, team mates who never miss a work out. They may not always be the fastest, but they put in work and they see results.
My long Sunday run the week before was in the snow. When I left home it was only a few flakes, but on the way back it was covered with snow. I have been listening ” Can’t Hurt Me” By David Goggins” The book has challenges so one was do things you don’t like to do. I said yes this long snow run on a Sunday was it. I ran my slow 10 miles and felt amazing after I got home. I thought of all of thee above. I thought of my half Iron Man when I was hot and hurting and how I had to keep moving to finish on time. I thought this is the mind set that I have to have when I complete my Iron Man this is my mental training to callous my mind.
Well that takes me back to my 12 mile run last Sunday when the wind chill was 10, with the gale winds. Not to mention that I needed a bathroom, and city of Chicago locks all the public ones on the lake from in the winter. Let’s just say I found a way. To all my friends training, running, or working hard on something that can be challenging please hang in there. Change you mind, you can do anything. My verse/motto/mantra ” With God Nothing Shall Be Impossible” but remember “Faith without Works Is Dead”
2018 is coming to an end too fast actually. I have too much to do today. It was a awesome year overall. God has truly blessed me. It didn’t come without sadness. I lost my dear friends , BA soror, Spec, FAMU classmate Angela Bledsoe. I also lost another classmate Aisha Fraser a friend, soror and FAMU classmate as well. Both were due to domestic violence, a few weeks following their death an active shooter killed a physician his former fiancée at one of my hospitals along with a pharmacy resident, and a police officer. My heart still aches over this senseless tragedy and I am praying and seeking ways to help stop this epidemic that I did not know was so widespread and how many people it touched.
My 2018 started with one of my loves skiing in Canada, then Japan. On the way to Japan I got to see two of my running family get married, and saw my team win their first SuperBowl. I went on an epic cycling trip in Arizona where I was literally cussing as I was climbing the first day. I had no idea what I had signed up for. It made me a better cyclist, and my the end of the trip I was loving it. Climbing part of Mount Lemmon was the highlight of the trip. I was so scared when we started but realized it was not bad at all and the descent was fun, but just a little scary. After my cycling trip I flew to our annual National Brotherhood of Skiers (NBS) trip. I was blessed to ski and race. I won first place in intermediate division. I have a need for speed.
Following ski season I continued my triathlete training. I made a special trip to Atlanta to start open water swimming early. I also got a chance to see my FAMUly and share my story and sell some of my books” Running Is Cheaper Than Therapy”. I starting cycle criterium and road racing thanks to Dwayne one of my Major Taylor family members. It is scary but so much fun. I have so much more to learn and improve on but I can’t wait for next season. I also completed my first century with my Major Taylor Family.
I spend time in Palm Springs and FAMU’s homecoming with my linesisters as we celebrating 25 years in Delta Sigma Theta. I attended the Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremony and saw B Dawkins as well as other football greats get inducted. Other check off of my football boxes was done. I also completed four open water triathlons by the grace of God as the open water scared me every race. Thanks to some angels- kayak people and Joy Miles in Chicago who kept me calm and told me to keep moving. I completed two sprints, one Olympic, and an Ironman 70.3 ( half Ironman). The summer of 2017 I could not really swim, so my goals were a reach, but I made it . Thanks to my coaches, crew, friends, and my Godson who made me stop saying one day and just doing it.
Well, maybe I should say I fall down, but I get up. I don’t know where I got my adventurous spirit. Maybe it is my Dad. When I was a little girl I was so shy. I used to be scared to raise my hand in class. Well fast forward to present day. I have a need for speed. I may not always get it, but I have the need. I love things that cause me to pause and become a little nervous, but give me the high adrenaline rush in the process. Cycling especially criterium races do that for me, chasing the guys on a one of our morning rides, and skiing gives me ultra-adrenaline rush
A couple of weeks ago I traveled to Jackson Hole for the first trip of the ski season. I was told that is was a challenging mountain. There was a large group going for part of the week. I had the whole week off so I went early. I don’t usually ski alone, especially new mountains. I decided to take some lessons. There is always room for improvement, so I take at least one lesson per season. I was looking on Jackson Hole site I saw they had a race camp. I thought, yes I can start early so I can get faster. I race for my ski club at our National Ski Summit. My goal is to always get faster, but safely get faster. I can’t afford injuries as I have to train for my other hobbies.
I took one group lesson the day before race camp to warm up and see the mountain. I signed up for a group lesson, but I was the only person. The blessings of early season trip. We skied the whole mountain. We skied some easy bumps, got into a little powder, some nice groomed terrain, and a few ice patches. He wore me out, that and the run I did the day prior.
Race camp started the next day most of the group was from Minnesota. They come to Jackson Hole every year for this camp, so they knew each other. They also raced every week. One person in the group even taught ski racing at a high school. I at first was intimidated. After meeting them and skiing some runs. I realized they had people of varied levels. There was one other person who had just started skiing in Jan but he skies five days a week so he was good. I realized that I was not the amongst all experts which calmed me.
We skied gates, and then free skied. They made videos us in the morning, and again in the evening. We did drills, it was so much fun. The first day I was skiing over some icy terrain and leaned back and fell I was going fast about thirty miles per hour. I hit the ground hard, and the hit my hip. It was okay. I made a mental note slow down in that area. I had fell the day before in some bumps, but it was soft. One of my friends always used to say if you don’t fall you aren’t skiing hard. Well I guess I skied hard that week. At the end of the day we reviewed all the video and the instructors gave us feedback. I could tell the difference from the morning to the afternoon gates. I was not just make turns around the gates. I learned more about strategy, the goal is not just to go fast. Same thing that I had to learning about bike criterium races. It is all about strategy
Well day #2 while free skinning I skied over a bump. I was going fast. I was actually airborn for a second. I screamed “whoo” when I was in the air. When I landed I got a little scared and leaned back and down I went again. Okay third fall in three day. This was unusually I don’t fall that much and usually not a hard fall. I kept skiing gates and free skiing. I was enjoying the feeling of gates. I felt I was getting faster and more confident. Maybe I was too confident after skiing the gates that were set up in our planned actually race site. I was flying doing hill. I made a turn to go the lift and not sure what happed but I fell forward. I hit my chest, and I think my head. I don’t remember hitting it, but one of the instructor noted a dent in my helmet after the fall. After I fell I had to stop and catch my breath. I felt like the wind had been knocked out of me, and my head hurt. I went chest forward, my leg were splayed open with skies on. One of the guys in my camp, asked if I wanted him to take my skies off. I sad please no. While it may be easier to get up without them. It is hard to put on. I got myself together my. Swung my legs together and got myself up. I skied to the lift. My instructor started asking me concussion questions, and again commented on the dent on my helmet. He told me I could not ski any more gates. I reluctantly said okay watched all the other ski gates and made it down. Right before I got to the mountain base I noted my left knee was huring when I was turning. I thought I pray it goes away. I put up my skies and head to our condo.
I woke up in the middle of the night with my left knee hurting. It hurt when my other leg touches it. I was like oh no we were supposed to race that day. I thought maybe I will go and do a test run to see how my knee felt. I then got up and it hurt to walk. I decided to take an L and not race. My silly behind would have been skiing hard in those gates and hurt something. It turned out that it is not serious injury. It is a bruise, feels stable and no joint line involvement. Joint line pain would make me think of meniscus. I eased off and plan to get back to running this week again. Again I have to train for the other hobbies. Also have to mead before the next ski trip.
Don’t’ stop, won’t stop
As one of my ski/tri friends says, it takes a team to do this crazy stuff.
Fast forward to the last couple of weeks before Augusta. I was doing my final training for Augusta, and Lake (Ocean) Michigan was not cooperating. The plan was to complete a swim race called Big Shoulder. It is a 1.5 swim “race”. The goal was if I could comfortable swim 1.5 miles in Lake Michigan I would be fine in the Savannah River. Well, there was a National Service alert the leading to the day of Big Shoulder. There were waves from 7 to 10 feet. I decided not to do the race as Augusta 70.3 would be nowhere near those conditions. The race was canceled anyway, but I missed the chance do swim my 1.5 miles. My last few swims in the lake were choppy. One day I literally felt sea sick due to the choppy waves. My last swim was slow 3:15 min per 100/yards. I was disappointed and that was for about 800 or 900 yards. I was thinking that would be cutting it close. I worried my coach, he said my last swim was good that if I kept going I would be fine. That my time was a reflection of my stops too. I said okay.
Arrived in Augusta, and my plan Thursday was to swim and then drive the bike course. A sign was located at swim entrance that stated no swimming until race day.
I thought oh no, I needed to swim to calm my nerves. There was an organized swim the following day so I just changed my plans and tried to stay calm.
I drove the course, it did not seem too bad in the car. There did seem to be allot of turns, although I was not worried about it. Friday morning, I got up to run for 30 minutes, then headed to check in. I said to myself wow this is for real. I met a couple of people in line from Florida. One had completed a few full Ironman races. One was a virgin like me. I got all my stuff, checked out the merchandise. I was paranoid about buying anything until I completed the race. I did buy a shirt with all the athletes names on it. I figured that would not jinx me. Athletes briefing was next. All the run/bike instructions were reviewed, they announced the water temperature- 78 degrees. In order for the race to be wet-suit legal it needed to be 76. Wet-suit optional was what it would most likely be on race day. It was highly unlikely that it was going to drop. The problem would be that it would be the very last wave if I decided for wet suit option It would cause dehydration and the key to making it on Sunday was to be well hydrated.
The pre-race organized swim was next on the agenda. I used my swim skin, it does not give as much buoyancy as wet suit, but is helps with gliding and I feel like I swim better with it. There were two options for swimming 700 yards or 1.2 miles. There were only two exits. They had support kayaks out, but I still swam with my swim buoy. I got in and I was calm. The water felt good. I started swimming and saying my mantras. I had several the best one that I struck with that swim was just Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. I did not see the first exit, and was feeling good. So, I just kept going. Stroke, stroke, stroke and breathe. There was debris in the river, but I just kept stroking though it. Forward movement was the goal. I saw what I thought was the end. I thought yes, but it was not. I just kept swimming but I started to think, where is the end. Stoke, stroke, stroke breathe. Finally, I see the end. There was a dock. I grabbed it, and stopped my watch. I could not get out. The person in from of me, helped me out. I looked at my Garmin and it read 50 min. I said praise God that was the fastest 1.2 miles I had ever swam. I thought yes, I can do this thing. I texted my coach and said I know I was supposed to only swim 30min, but I swam 1.2 miles in 50 minutes. He said strong work. He told me to only bike and run on Saturday that I was good with the swim.
I headed back to swim start and grabbed my stuff and headed to the Black Triathlete (BTA) Meet and Greet. It was great to see some family faces, and meet some new triathletes.
Saturday I woke up and the plan was to ride for thirty minutes, and then run twenty minutes. Ten o’clock was bike check in, and I had planned to finish around 9:30am then drop off my bike. The ride started great although my legs were a little sore. I said would ride a few miles of the race course. I ride for 15 minutes but get caught by a train. There were others riding in front of me waiting for the train. They knew a bypass route so I rode with them They were from Florida also. One had done the race a few times. He loved the race, and told me strong work as I told him it was my first 70.3. We rode and got back on the planned course and get caught by yet another train. It was over my 20minutes so I was just try to head back to my car. I finally made it back and ended up doing 30min. I then started my run– 15min out and 15min back. It was nice decent pace for me run. Following the run, I grabbed my bike, and got in line for bike in transition around 9:50am. I thought get there early so I can get a key spot, not knowing that we had assigned spots.
I headed back to hotel and got my bag all ready for race day. Everything but my final water bottles. My hotel did not have a refrigerator so I bought a cooler so I could keep my water, Gatorade and some food items cold. That was one bad think about my hotel Ramada Inn.
Dinner was my traditional pre-race food Pad Thai noodles. It worked from my marathons, so I figured would be good for this race. I headed to bed about 8:30pm.
Race Day
I woke up at 3:30AM got dressed, and ate a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I was unable to have my usually pre-Triathlon breakfast … as no freezer to keep my Sweet Earth vegetarian breakfast wrap. I then drunk a bottle of scratch. I had to force myself to eat. I was not hungry. I grabbed my bag, some other nutrition/fluids as my race would not start until around 9 am. I drove to the Marriott hotel. They had shuttles that transported athletes from the Marriott to the transition area. There was a parking lot for $7.00 and free parking on the street by the Marriott. I got in line for the shuttle, there was only one person waiting. It was 4:30 AM, and the shuttles started running about 4:45AM. I met another person from Florida who had done the race last year. I got to the transition and set up my items. I put air in my tires. I was told the heat would cause them to expand and pop, so I let most of the air out them when I dropped off my bike the day prior. I changed my set up after my first three races, after looking at some videos. I put my helmet and my cycling glasses on the handle bars. My transition mat was set up first with some space for my swim items. I then had a towel with some water if I need to wash off my feet. Then I had my cycling shoes with my socks in them. I had already put some baby powder in them to help with smell from the moisture that could result. I then had all my nutrition set up as dictated by my race plan. I had placed them in bags and had them set up in the order then I would consume them. I had an extra bag with base salt, pickle juice, and some lip gloss. I then had my run items outs. I had my shoes, visor, and race belt, and another pair of glasses. I secured a gel, and a package of block to my race belt with safety pin. I then secured a honey stinger chews to my frame so I could quickly eat while running out of transition. I then caught the shuttle to swim start.
While I was setting up in the transition area, I talked to an athlete that had done the race in the past. She mentioned that Ramada was the idea place to stay, because it was right at the swim start, and that some of her friends had even taken a nap after setting up at transition. I thought why not I could use a nap, and get rid of my transition bag. My bag was so big and transition was tight.
So, I went back to my hotel although and took an hour nap from 6am to 7am. I then walked over to swim start, and dropped off my items at bag drop. The swim start was seeded on your estimated time. I originally wanted to swim with the hour group, but someone said I should go a few minutes before the optional wet suit wave as they might swim over me. I decided to go with the 45 to 50 group. I met so many people in line. Many newbie, virgins like me and some experienced athletes. I even met a random person from Chicago. She thought I was cute, because I had eyeliner on before the race. I told her I liked to be cute. It makes me feel better, and I figured I as a result would race better.
Swim
We had to walk out to a platform and jump in. I jumped in and sank and freaked out. My heart rate skyrocketed. I tried to stay calm and keep moving. My goal was forward progress no stopping. I started doing triple switch drills, and elementary back strokes. I still was a mess, but I kept moving. The route was a point to point route, and I passed by two bridges then down to dock. The buoys were on the left, except the last red one that was positioned on the right. I made it to the first bridge, but my mind was saying to me that I would not make it. I could not get a rhythm. I saw a kayak and the lady asked was I okay. I said yes, but I was not. I grabbed the kayak and had a come to Jesus moment. I continued to say my mantra “I am a great swimmer, I can do all thing through Christ who strengthens me, trust your training, trust your race plan, you got this. The kayak lady said if a bag of Doritos can float down the river in 40 minutes that I could. (There is a video with a bay of chips floating down the Savannah river). So I moved on, and I continued my mantras, and one of my favorites was just Jesus, Jesus, Jesus then I breathed. I started doing freestyle, but would break it up with an elementary back stroke. By the second bridge I was okay, my rhythm was down. I felt confident. I thought to myself I could not swim June of 2017, and now I am swimming down a river. I saw other people who had grabbed the kayak and thought I was not the only one. I did hit a few waves in the center, I thought I can do this. Lake “Ocean” Michigan prepared me for these little waves. I ran into some debris, but just keep stroking. We had plenty of space, when I was sighting I noticed more kayak then other swims. Every now and then I would see a person. I kept swimming at first there were yellow buoys. Then they were orange buoys. I thought praise God I made it to the orange buoys. I saw one swimmer’s feet, and I thought he or see needed to lean, that he or she was not horizontal. That person was moving though so I actually drafted off of the person. Usually people pass me and I don’t ever draft during a race. I kept up to the end. I saw the red buoy I turned and kept stroking until I got to the volunteers that were standing up. I assumed I could too. I then run, and try to stop my Garmin and realize it was not on and did not capture my swim
Goal pace—55 minutes
Actual time Swim– 52:56 minutes
T1
I ran to my bike strip off my skin suit. Quickly put on my bike gear. Stuffed my bags of nutrition in my back pockets. I then grabbed my honey stinger chews. Then I ran to the mount line.
Goal—8 min
Actual time –8:14
Bike
I saw a few friends from BTA who were cheering on as I passed by. I tried to pick up the pace. My legs were a little sore. I wondering was it because I kicked too much. I thought let me just get into a rhythm. So, I kept pedaling. My soreness improved, but I began having back pain. I thought that was unusually I hardly ever get back pain. When I do get back pain, it is toward the end of a century or longer not at the start of a ride. My goal was to average 15-17 miles. I started off good, first few miles I was averaging 16mph. I tried to listen to my coach and not use it all, so would have some left for the run. I was not liking my numbers though. I passed the first aid station. I had enough fuel and hydration. The course had allot of railroad tracks. They did the best to pad them. It also had allot of turns, and the hills. The worse hills were at between miles 20 and 45. There were not the rolling hills that I liked. I often say the best part of climbing is the descent. There were not many nice descents where I could coast and roll at 25 to 30mph. After the worse climbs, it leveled off. I screamed this is not right. I kept moving, and talking to a few people as I passed them or as I was passed. I made sure to eat and hydrate per my race plan. I even had pickle juice and I drank it just for preventative measures. I did not have time for cramp. I accidentally littered. My top went flying off my pickle juice bottle. There was no way to stop to retrieve it as it flew into the bushes. I thought thank God no officials were there. I stopped at the second aid station. I was almost out of water. I placed Ultima in my water, and grabbed a Gatorade for my second bottle. I ran into one of athletes I met from Florida. I stopped just long enough to fill my bottle and I pedaled on. I was so over the bike by then. I starting having side stitches that I only have ever experience running. They are so bad I started literally screaming. I keep pedaling but I had slowed down. I was glad no one was around because I would have scared them. Then I decided to sing, so people would not think I was crazy or scare people. I was in so much pain, and almost started crying. I wanted to quit, and I knew I had to get it together. I was close to 50 miles by then. Just keep pedaling I thought and stop worrying about the race time goal. The stitches went away but then I had bloated stomach pain. Something did not agree with my stomach. I thought I had not different fuel I had used on my training runs. I continued to drink although it seems like it my stomach hurt worse. I was so over the bike. I wanted to speed at the end because it was flat, but I did not have it in me. I finally make it back to transition. I thought praise God the dismount line. I see my Tri friend Natalie. She asked how I was and takes a pic I tell her like death, but smile.
Goal time—3:10
Actual time—3:52:22
T2
I walked fast, I had no run in me not in my cycling shoes. My feet were actually hurting. Not bad but they hurt. I placed my bike on rack, threw off my helmet. Then grabbed my race belt with gel, and block, visor, and my shoes with elastic shoe string. I stopped by the porta potty. I walked out of transition to try to loosen up the legs.
Goal time —8 min
Actual time—5:27
Run
I then started to run. My stomach was better after finishing the bike. I thought I am tired and I really am not feeling this run. I run intervals so I just thought concentrate on running five minutes, and then you can rest one minutes. I told myself to not think about the whole 13.1 miles. My goal was to run five minutes. I started and my pace was my usual. I thougt great, just keep moving. I see some familiar faces on the run. People I knew, some of the people I passed and had passed me on the bike. I met a few people on the course. The crowd support was awesome. Everyone was cheering, the kids, the volunteers. People didn’t know my name they would try to pronounce it, call out my race number, or call me sunshine. They had rest stop about every mile. I stopped at all of them except the very last one. I needed the hydration. I also mixed the water with the Gatorade. I also had the coke/red bull combination. It gave me a boost. I kept moving and soon I was half way through the first loop. I ran pass my hotel and thought I could stop and just sleep, but kept going. The BTA crew was pass my hotel. They were cheering, yelling, and gave me so ice to cool myself. I kept running. I would slow and then speed up. I had my idea pace from my plan and just finish pace. I was successfully in maintaining something in between the two. I then her someone yell Major Taylor- the name of a African American cycling legend It is the name of my cycling club. A couple of my cycling friends had drove over two hours to come cheer me on. It warmed my heart. I waved and they took a couple of pictures. I then ran back by the BTA tent. Von from BTA yelled your coach says to speed up then she takes some pictures. I speed up for a few minutes. I still tried to keep a twelve minutes per mile pace, but no slower then 15 min per mile. I kept moving. I finished the first loop. I only have 6.6 miles left I thought. I got this. I had no idea what my time was or even if I made the swim cut off because my Garmin did not capture my swim. I kept running the worst case numbers in my head and I thought they I should be good. I just had to keep running. I started to slow down around mile 10. I was running a 16 min miles. I had to speed up. I passed my Major Taylor friends, and the BTA tent again. I saw the finish line and had a little over 1 mile to go. I keep running. I stopped at second to last aid station. My legs were so tired. I walk longer than I was supposed to after the station almost half a mile. I then start running. I ran by a officer who said I had 400 yards left. I thought about my speed work and how it was hard sometimes but I pushed to make it around the track. I ran, and ran. I hear people saying that the finish line was near. I actually stopped, and put some lip gloss on and fluffed out my hair. I had to look nice as I ran across the red carpet. I was told the video would be shown forever. I then got my strong running stride, and smile on my face. I saw the end in sight. They announced my name “ Ouida Brown from Chicago first 70.3” I made it. Yes, I finished but I had no idea if I made the cut off time. I see some of the BTA crew in the food area. I then see my Major Taylor crew and thank them again for coming. They say that they tracked me. I ask if I could see, and saw my time. I said praise him I made the cut off. I then looked at my swim time if was 52. I said praise him again. I felt like crap and my stomach was hurting. I felt like I could throw up so I did not hang out too long. I grabbed my bag. I turned on my phone and the first text was from my coach. Two pictures and “Way to Rock”. I guess Von from BTA was his spy.
Goal time—2:50
Run time– 3:03:59
Goal–7:11
Total time–8:02:55
Well I did it, and it was the hardest race I have ever completed. I have run nine marathons, but this was so much harder and longer. I did not meet my goal as formulated by my race plan but I finished before the cut off, I did not drown, or die so I made my ultimate goal. I recommend Augusta 70.3 especially for a first time 70.3 racer because the swim is great for beginners. The current, the support, the point to point swim made it idea. Sighting was easy all the buoys were on the left, except the last one on the right.
My first triathlon season was awesome. It was hard, no doubt. I had some major challenges along the way. The scariest thing was when I literally could barely see after swimming a mile in Lake Michigan. I figured if I could make it pass that and still race I can do anything. That and manage my fear of water, I have yet to totally get over it. It is a work in progress. Not in my wildest dream would I think that I would successfully complete the four races that I have completed. Looking forward to planning for my next season.
“With God Nothing Shall Be Impossible”
“Don’t ask if your dreams are crazy. Ask if they are crazy enough”
