WARNING: This could be long.
You all know how nervous I was. That finally subsided on friday morning. I woke up feeling great and excited. We packed up and headed to the race early afternoon- arriving at campsite around 4pm. They had already started packet-pick up on friday and as we drove by it to get to our campsite I decided that I was going to prolong that as long as possible. I knew once I picked up my packet and race information the nerves would come back. And these nerves would be the real deal. So, I pretended it was just a fun camping weekend with my family and friends. Like Heather said, a bunch of our multisport friends came over to race & cheer us on. One our two campsites we had 3 campers and about 6 tents by the end of Saturday.
The next morning (Sat) we had to do a little swim, bike, run. 15 min of each. It was brutely hot but we did it early and it felt good. We picked up our packet next. I love to get the whole experience so Heather, Dad & I went through the process together (of course), shopped a little, took pictures, got a delicious smoothie, etc. That was all fun so I was still excited. The day passed by SO quickly. We ordered italian take out so we wouldn't have to fight long going out to eat. It was perfect. I started getting nervous and anxious BIG TIME that evening. I felt unorganized and stressed. We decided to sleep all the kids in our camper and I slept in mom & dad's camper with my other teammates :). I didn't get to bed until 10pm.... STRESSFUL!
RACE MORNING!!! Up at 4:30am! Forced a bagel, applesauce and some coffee down. Packed a pb&j sandwich and got everything ready. My stomach felt like it was race morning- AWFUL! We had already racked our bike stuff (there were two transitions) so we ran our transition 2 stuff down and headed to the lake. We had to be out of transition about 45 minutes before our swim start. So, plenty of time to stand around and be nervous! Thankfully, heather & i started in the same swim wave so we were together till the gun went off.
Off we went. The first 1/2 of the swim felt fantastic. Until I followed this red cap off course... back on course I go and keep on swimming. The way back was a little brutal- sun in face and red caps (wave behind us catching up- guys 20-24) catching us and swimming on top of us and sometimes knocking us (heather got knocked really hard in the ear). I thought I was WAY behind Heather at this point. Out of the water only to hear a TON of cheering from my family & friends. 43 minutes. I couldn't beleive I swam it that quickly.
A minute into transition (or less) and Heather comes and smacks me on the butt! I hurry up and leave T1 so I will be ahead of her. I knew she'd catch me quickly (she's a great biker) on the bike so I hammered it. The miles were going smoothly. I am usually very happy on race day- and this was no different. I was having a great time- making up songs, chatting with people, cheering for people and just kickin' it. Mile 26 we turn around and I see her! I yell to her "I've been waiting for you!!!". hee, hee. She catches me in another mile and we go back and forth for the next 20-25 miles. Having a blast! The course wasn't easy but it sure didn't feel anything like it had 3 weeks earlier when we came to "test" ride it. Heather lost me on the last few miles.
She was still in transition (and it really is amazing that our transition spots were so close- 2000 racers) but left quickly when I got there. More cheering from my fabulous family. I saw her on the 1 mile turn around and then again at mile 3 water station. She had to stop for the bathroom so I caught up to her. We both made a pact that we wouldn't hold back for each other. We would each race our race. But it ended up we pulled each other at the exact times we needed to and ran the rest of the 10 miles together. We were told by a few racers that we had "way too much energy". We got a high from cheering others on, joking with others and just having fun. It is the reason why I love to race. And seeing our family & friends at the CMC corner was the highlight of our run. And we finished a fabulous run- and experience- hand in hand through the finish line.
What a perfect day.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Race Report
I can't believe its taken me so long to write this out. Pictures take more time for me to upload, so this post may not have many pictures.
This race was simply amazing!! It was fun and fabulous! I enjoyed every minute (6 hours and 50 minutes)! I am ready to do this again, my family still needs more time to recover, but I'm doing another 70.3 race.
Since Heidi & I are in the same age group (30-34) we began the swim together. I was able to see Heidi's yellow jersey just ahead of me for the swim. Wasn't able to catch her, but felt good knowing where she was. I tapped her butt running by her transition spot. She thought I was ahead of her. She left on the bike a couple minutes ahead of me and it took me 26 miles to finally catch her. SHE WAS FLYING! Our coach & friend Amy texted us on Saturday with advice. She told us that the bike should never feel hard, but don't mess around either. So every so often I asked myself "is this hard? nope" Okay, keep up this pace. As you know, we had ridden this course 3 weeks prior to race day and I could not believe how different I felt on race day! Amazing what happens when you let your legs & body taper for race day. Once I finally caught Heidi we rode together until the last 6 miles, when I pulled ahead. We joked & sang songs. We made up silly words and encouraged other cyclist. I enjoyed each mile.
Once again Heidi & I were in the transition area together before the run. We did not plan to race together and each of us agreed to have our OWN race! I ran out of T2 slightly ahead of Heidi, but just like the bike it wasn't long before we were together again. Neither of us waited for the other, but it was amazing & very special to complete most of this race with my sister & best friend. I felt really good on the run, which surprised me very much! We had never put all these distances together, so the run made me a little nervous. How would my legs feel. Would I have more energy to give? I struggle with heat & running and knew that would be a factor. But thankfully my body had just what I needed to get across the finish line. Our dad finished before us (He started about 20 minutes ahead). And when we rounded the last corner and could see the finish chute...there was dad. Cheering his heart out. We crossed the finish line together, holding hands! Gave each other a HUGE HUG that lasted a while. I was afraid if she let go, I'll fall down :) A memory that will forever be burned in my brain. I still feel like it was yesterday and sometimes it feels like a dream.
One side note: Our local triathlon club, CMC (Columbia Multi-sport Club) was in the house!! BIG TIME!! We raced with many fellow club member & friends, but many many club members drove 3 hours to spectate & cheer their hearts out. On the run we passed "CMC Corner" in the campground 4 times. It was HUGE motivation & encouragement for us to see our friends & family!
I am beyond blessed & thankful for my family who has supported me & trained with me along this journey. I would never be doing triathlons if it were not for my dad! He got all this madness started and I'm so thankful he did!!
do we look nervous? we are! about to begin the swim!
This race was simply amazing!! It was fun and fabulous! I enjoyed every minute (6 hours and 50 minutes)! I am ready to do this again, my family still needs more time to recover, but I'm doing another 70.3 race.
Since Heidi & I are in the same age group (30-34) we began the swim together. I was able to see Heidi's yellow jersey just ahead of me for the swim. Wasn't able to catch her, but felt good knowing where she was. I tapped her butt running by her transition spot. She thought I was ahead of her. She left on the bike a couple minutes ahead of me and it took me 26 miles to finally catch her. SHE WAS FLYING! Our coach & friend Amy texted us on Saturday with advice. She told us that the bike should never feel hard, but don't mess around either. So every so often I asked myself "is this hard? nope" Okay, keep up this pace. As you know, we had ridden this course 3 weeks prior to race day and I could not believe how different I felt on race day! Amazing what happens when you let your legs & body taper for race day. Once I finally caught Heidi we rode together until the last 6 miles, when I pulled ahead. We joked & sang songs. We made up silly words and encouraged other cyclist. I enjoyed each mile.
Once again Heidi & I were in the transition area together before the run. We did not plan to race together and each of us agreed to have our OWN race! I ran out of T2 slightly ahead of Heidi, but just like the bike it wasn't long before we were together again. Neither of us waited for the other, but it was amazing & very special to complete most of this race with my sister & best friend. I felt really good on the run, which surprised me very much! We had never put all these distances together, so the run made me a little nervous. How would my legs feel. Would I have more energy to give? I struggle with heat & running and knew that would be a factor. But thankfully my body had just what I needed to get across the finish line. Our dad finished before us (He started about 20 minutes ahead). And when we rounded the last corner and could see the finish chute...there was dad. Cheering his heart out. We crossed the finish line together, holding hands! Gave each other a HUGE HUG that lasted a while. I was afraid if she let go, I'll fall down :) A memory that will forever be burned in my brain. I still feel like it was yesterday and sometimes it feels like a dream.
One side note: Our local triathlon club, CMC (Columbia Multi-sport Club) was in the house!! BIG TIME!! We raced with many fellow club member & friends, but many many club members drove 3 hours to spectate & cheer their hearts out. On the run we passed "CMC Corner" in the campground 4 times. It was HUGE motivation & encouragement for us to see our friends & family!
do we look nervous? we are! about to begin the swim!
she was GOOFY & FUN ALL DAY LONG!
Love you Dad!
HUGS!
ice cold water!!
Monday, June 7, 2010
Email Letter
Below you will read a email/letter Heidi wrote to a group of AWESOME people we met back in October 2009 @ a leadership conference near Las Vegas. This class & group has forever changed my life for the better. And I wanted to share this letter with our blog.
Pictures of race day will be coming...sometime.....soon ;) We had an awesome race day full of smiles & laughing! And finished together!
_____________________________________________________
Hello LB2 friends!
I can remember back to the precise moment when I was up in front of all of you making a very serious commitment. I felt powerful, excited and on top of the world. I made a commitment to complete a 1/2 ironman with my sister in 2010. I will admit to you all that when I arrived back home (you see, heather had been thinking about this since our previous quarter triathlon distance and I had been very skeptical and non committal)- into reality- I realized the overwhelming challenge I had committed myself to and was unsure that I could do it. I had many excuses. One of the biggest values I get from Rapport is about commitment. So, I knew I was going to follow through.
Right before Christmas we met with our coach (and friend) to develop a plan. On January 13th we began the plan. Six days a week of training- for 5 months. Totals- 70,000+ yrds swimming, 1200+ miles of biking and 220+ miles of running. And I was still unsure that I was ready!! It has been a fun & tough journey.
I am so blessed to have a training partner that has been 100% positive through the whole experience and has encouraged me and motivated me in ways that she will never know. A husband that has been supportive and encouraging and taken the kids every step and long training day along the way. And many other family members that have made our crazy training schedule possible. Plus, a dad that has been training with us- and is doing the race with us!
Sunday is the day. Ready or not, here I come!
Hugs,
Heidi Crouch
Hello LB2 friends!
I can remember back to the precise moment when I was up in front of all of you making a very serious commitment. I felt powerful, excited and on top of the world. I made a commitment to complete a 1/2 ironman with my sister in 2010. I will admit to you all that when I arrived back home (you see, heather had been thinking about this since our previous quarter triathlon distance and I had been very skeptical and non committal)- into reality- I realized the overwhelming challenge I had committed myself to and was unsure that I could do it. I had many excuses. One of the biggest values I get from Rapport is about commitment. So, I knew I was going to follow through.
Right before Christmas we met with our coach (and friend) to develop a plan. On January 13th we began the plan. Six days a week of training- for 5 months. Totals- 70,000+ yrds swimming, 1200+ miles of biking and 220+ miles of running. And I was still unsure that I was ready!! It has been a fun & tough journey.
I am so blessed to have a training partner that has been 100% positive through the whole experience and has encouraged me and motivated me in ways that she will never know. A husband that has been supportive and encouraging and taken the kids every step and long training day along the way. And many other family members that have made our crazy training schedule possible. Plus, a dad that has been training with us- and is doing the race with us!
Sunday is the day. Ready or not, here I come!
Hugs,
Heidi Crouch
Thursday, June 3, 2010
What's Next?
When we began this journey to 70.3 in January we had big plans to do nothing all summer. Planned to take the summer off & get our lives back to normal (whatever that means, I'm not sure). As we've gotten closer to race day we have begun talking about what's next. We're still dreaming and exploring how to push maybe even farther.
We have even committed to doing Ragnar relay race in Tennessee with friends in November. Google it! Basically a team of 12 people running from Chattanooga to Nashville over 2 days. Round the clock running. I'm certain it will be very fun!
Also talking about training for a full marathon. We're convinced it would require fewer days of workouts, which is exciting!
So, we're still planning & dreaming. Stay tuned. It will be FUN, cause thats how we do training!
Re: Kansas 70.3....We're all driving over to Lawrence Kansas tomorrow. Camping all weekend and hanging out with lots and lots of friends from our local triathlon club (Columbia MultiSport Club). We will not be lonely on Sunday. There will be lots of friends & family racing & cheering us on! I am excited and ready to soak it all in!
BY: Heather
We have even committed to doing Ragnar relay race in Tennessee with friends in November. Google it! Basically a team of 12 people running from Chattanooga to Nashville over 2 days. Round the clock running. I'm certain it will be very fun!
Also talking about training for a full marathon. We're convinced it would require fewer days of workouts, which is exciting!
So, we're still planning & dreaming. Stay tuned. It will be FUN, cause thats how we do training!
Re: Kansas 70.3....We're all driving over to Lawrence Kansas tomorrow. Camping all weekend and hanging out with lots and lots of friends from our local triathlon club (Columbia MultiSport Club). We will not be lonely on Sunday. There will be lots of friends & family racing & cheering us on! I am excited and ready to soak it all in!
BY: Heather
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