Ironman 70.3 Boulder

It's been a while since I posted but that doesn't mean I haven't been busy with training and racing.  This past Saturday, I had an amazing time completing the Ironman 70.3 Boulder.  It was a beautiful race through this Colorado town and the perfect setting for my first 70.3.

I was a little nervous in the week leading up to the race (cutting back my workouts as part of my taper didn't help) -- but by Wednesday or Thursday I started to calm down.  I still had no idea how I would fare at this distance.  Even running a marathon, I am usually on a course only around 3 hours.  Doubling that time was entirely new territory for me.  Add in the possible effects of altitude and I had some reason to be nervous.  But I knew that one way or another I would finish.

We flew to Denver late Thursday afternoon and made the 40 minute drive to Boulder.  Our flight was a little delayed getting there, so we didn't have much chance to explore Boulder that day.  However, Friday morning I was up and ready to see some of the town.  I went for a run along the Boulder Creek Path, as much to calm my nerves as anything.  It was a great path for runners and bikers with the mountains serving as the backdrop.

Boulder Creek Path

After my run, I made my way to the Ironman Village at the Boulder Reservoir to check in, attend an Athlete Briefing, get my bike checked in and shop for merchandise (of course).  I accomplished all of that in about 2 hours.

Ready for the experience

Boulder Reservoir - the picture doesn't adequately capture it

Bike is checked in!

We spent the rest of the day exploring Boulder before I had my pasta dinner and went to bed.  I had to be up early the next morning.

Saturday was the big day.  I was up before 4:30 and left the hotel around 5.  I got to the reservoir in plenty of time and walked to the transition area to set up my stuff.  I was very lucky to have one empty space to the right of my bike and two empty spaces to the left, so I had a lot more room for things than most people.

Before I knew it, it was time to put on the wetsuit and walk to the beach for the start.  I got in the water to get everything wet and it felt great.  The official water temperature was 76.1.  If it was 76.2 or higher, it wouldn't have been a wetsuit legal race.  I was very happy to be able to wear my wetsuit (as I'm sure many others were too).  They started people by their expected swim finish time.  Every 5 seconds, 5 people would get in the water.  It moved pretty quickly, and soon I was in the water and starting the first leg of the race.

I felt good on the swim - strong and comfortable.  I didn't push the pace but I was very happy with my time.  We swam out away from the beach, made two right turns and then swam back to the transition area.  It was well marked and I didn't have trouble sighting or swimming fairly straight. 

Once I was out of the water, they had wetsuit peelers help you get out of your wetsuit.  I got back to my bike and put on my shoes and helmet.  As I left the transition area, volunteers slathered sunscreen on my arms and legs (I would be a burnt mess if they hadn't).

56 miles on the bike is long.  The bike isn't my strongest area but I got through it.  I was actually pretty proud of how I did.  I took nutrition at regular intervals on the bike (GU chews) and had bottles of water or Gatorade Endurance handed to me as I rode by the volunteers at the 3 aid stations.  These weren't skills I had practiced before since I primarily train indoors on Zwift, but I mastered them on Saturday and will definitely use them in future races.

I tried to enjoy as much of the scenery as I could.  The mountains and views were gorgeous.  We passed several horse farms and I loved seeing the horses out in the fields.  I didn't think the bike course was too difficult, although there were a couple stretches along a highway where we were on the shoulder of the road.  I just kept to the right as much as possible away from traffic and didn't attempt to pass -- that was for the more open roads without cars. 

Love the mountains as a backdrop (and you can still see the sunscreen on my leg!)

Enjoying the ride

I knew once I got through the ride, I would be able to pull off the run.  I had read lots of stories about people bonking on the run -- either cramping up or running out of energy or having the altitude affect them.  Once I started running, though, I felt pretty good and had none of those issues affect me.  I was so happy to have my new running visor to keep the sun out of my face (I'll definitely be running with that in the future!).  There wasn't much shade on the two loop run course around the reservoir but there were more than enough aid stations.  They were at least every mile and offered water, Gatorade Endurance, pretzels, cookies, GU, Red Bull, Coke and ice.  They probably had more things but I didn't really stop to explore.  I listened to my body and took whatever I thought I needed -- usually water or Gatorade and some ice to put down my shirt.  Twice in the second half I took Coke which I have never done before.  Luckily it settled well.  It was cold and tasted great in that moment.  I passed so many people on the run and didn't get passed by anyone which doesn't totally surprise me given my background.

Still smiling with only a few miles to go!

There were bigger crowds of people cheering as we got closer to the finish line.  I saw Mike cheering me on and taking video toward the end of the race and it gave me a final burst of energy as I made the final turn and saw the finish line ahead.  It is such an incredible feeling crossing the finish line at any endurance event, and this was no exception.  My official finish time to swim 1.2 miles, bike 56 miles and run 13.1 miles was 5:39:28 and I couldn't be happier with that.  My biggest goal was just to finish under 6 hours, and I more than accomplished that!

In the home stretch....

...arms in the air....

...and I did it!

I can't say enough positive things about the race.  The volunteers were amazing.  It was well run and well organized.  It's in a beautiful city that is one of the endurance training meccas of the country.  I am so fortunate that I was able to complete this race as my first Ironman 70.3.  Now that I've done one, will there be more 70.3 races in my future?  ABSOLUTELY!!!

I'm an Ironman 70.3 Finisher!