Kinetic Half Race Report

   Decided to have M be the guest blogger today after her amazing race this past weekend at the Kinetic Half.
1.2m swim/56m bike/13.1m run



Pre-Race

     The day began at 3:45 when the alarm went off.  Next, was a shower, banana, some OJ, and out the door.  My assistant (Jeff) had everything in the car.  I think he was more excited than myself.  I just kept thinking, "What am I doing?"

The car ride was in the dark to Lake Anna.  We arrived at 5:15 and not to many people were there yet.  We got in line to pick up the packet, got marked, and hung out for a while.  I then got my transition area stuff together and went for a short swim in the lake to warm up.  It was then that the nerves were gearing up.  

   At 7AM the first wave of racers were off.  (In HIM races, usually the waves are by age, etc.)  I was in the Novice wave and it was the last wave to leave at 7:18.  While waiting, Jeff was kind enough to put his arms around me and begin my day with a prayer of why we race and who we do it for.  I tried to keep this focus throughout the race.  Hoping someone would see my jersey and think about God or hopefully notice my kindness and support and want to know more about this man.

Early morning swim course

Pre-swim

Getting Ready

Swim

   They blew the horn and I was off.  On Jeff's advice, I hung back and let some racers go.  I did not want to get kicked etc.  I went off to the left and found my place in the pack and put my head down and off I went.  I just kept telling myself that I was in the pool and it was just another workout.  The water was clear and that was a good thing.  I couldn't see the markers, but kept checking to see if there were racers near me so I knew I was in the right place.  One arm in front of another, kick a little, and breathe, breathe.  I started to just count.  One stroke, two stroke, breath and so one.  Then it became, make it to the first marker and turn.  Then make it to the second marker and turn.  Third marker, home free.  

   The mind games you play on yourself are endless.  We all play different ones.  I usually just keep counting.  Made it to the beach and off to transition.  Swim time on my watch was 44 minutes. Feeling pretty good because that was better than I expected.  Many were in transition chatting, sitting down etc.  It was pretty relaxed.  I just kept thinking I did not want to miss the cut offs.  So I tried to be fast, off with the wetsuit, on with the bike helmet, gloves and then start riding.

T1

Off on the bike

Bike

      I went up the hill and the bike began.  In my head, I decided to drink every 5 miles and goo every 15 miles.  There were mile markers every 5 miles.  Jeff had put aero bars on my bike and they did the trick.  I used them most of the race except on the hills.  The miles ticked on.  I rode past a church that had on its message board "Pray for our military"  When I saw this I spent probably 15-20 minutes doing just that.   I also spent many times praying and thinking this pain is nothing to what the military do for us or what Jesus did for us.  "I can do this", I said.  It gave me peace.  And soon the miles got larger.  There was one point, about 30 miles, that I started to write a story in my head about what I was seeing.  This family lives here, they have this many kids, etc.  My mom later told my Dad did this all the time in the car on long trips to keep us entertained.  

    OK, I was doing good on the bike and was thinking I may make it under 6 hours 30 minutes.  Originally, I thought I may not make the 8 hr cut off.  There was one point that guys on triathlon bikes with their aero helmets zoomed by me.  I thought, are they that slow of swimmers that they were behind me?  After about the 20th one passed me, I realized they were lapping  me.  This bike course was a lollipop.  Out, then make a circle once, then make the circle twice, then head back.  Therefore, they were on their second lap.  I did end up passing back and forth with one racer and that made the time pass.  

     The last mile on the bike and I began to think about the run.  Could I do it?  I made it back on the bike in 3 hours and 15 minutes.  I was at a total of 4 hours 10 minutes. Feeling good and thinking that 6 hr 30 minute goal might be attainable.  I would soon lose that dream.

Out to run, almost done

Run

      The run begins up a not so steep but long hill.  It is like they are trying to beat you when you are down, tired and exhausted.  I felt good and was naive to the pain because this was my first race. I settled in to a little more than a 10 minute pace.  OK, this is good.  I was getting bored, no electronics allowed at this race and they are serious!!.  I made it up the 1 mile hill and out a flat area for about 1.5 miles and then a turn around back up a hill for another 1.5 miles.  Then, a down hill for a little and yes, past the finish line you have to remember you need to do this loop 2 more times.  

OK, now your mind is racing.  Those hills aren't bad on a  normal day but today is a different story.  I pass the crowds, wave to Jeff and head up that first hill AGAIN!!!   I am getting slower.  There is really no one at my pace, remember we are all at different parts of our laps.  I keep going.  I see the mile markers for 5 miles then see the mile markers for 10 for my next loop.  It is demoralizing.  Seriously, can this not be my mile 10?  I never thought the run would be this hard.  I run.  That second hill in that second loop about killed me.  I prayed, I thought of songs in my head.  The legs got heavy, heavier and well I was nearly walking but not yet.  I looked ahead at the runners.  Some had R's on their legs.  (Most of us have our age on our leg, the R means they are part of a relay team.  Someone swam, someone else biked and this person was running.)   I saw 2 of these individuals and they were walkng.  How could they be walking, they only have to run, right???  I talked to one of them and they stated what I was thinking, these hills are KILLER.  So, I gave in and  walked.  Once you walk  for what you tell yourself will be a minute, becomes two and so on.  When you begin to run again, it is so hard to get your pace back.  It just wasn't working.  Going on the downhill towards my third loop I heard a man say come on FCA (Fellowhip of Christian Athletes).  We began to talk and run slowly together discussing why where here. He said read the back of my leg, and on it in permanent marker read, "what was I thinking, why am I here today?"  Funny.  We continue on.  He went ahead.   The whole time in the run, I told people good job way to go etc.  Everyone was dying.  I would say the people I saw left on the course about 70% were walking at some point.  OK, pass the finish line AGAIN.  This would be the last time before I would actually finish.  Jeff was there and ran along with me.  He knew I was struggling.  I walked through the water station, got some oranges and began slowly running up that hill.  

At this point, I talked a little with a man having trouble like myself.  We ran together for a while and then he began walking.  I kept telling myself that this is the last loop and my new goal was under 6 hrs 45 minutes.  Could I do it?  That last 3 miles were slow, long and hilly.  I just kept looking at my watch as each minute ticked on and on.  Just put one foot in front of another is what I kept thinking.  Finally, I saw the last downhill and off I went to the finish.  Wow, it was over.  That run seemed endless.  

Why did I think that would be easy?  

Finish Line (No pics of actual finish, batteries dead)

Post-Race

     I saw Jeff and then went to get my pizza and a soda.  I stretched a little and enjoyed every bite.  We then decided to go check the official results and then retrieve my stuff from transition and head home.  As we did, they were still announcing winners.  They announced, "next the novice division" and announced the men.  Jeff stated, there were some really fast first timers.  They went on to the women, " In third place......, in second from Charlottesville, Va--I looked at Jeff and said who was here from Cville??  Then they announced my name.  How crazy was that?  But let us be real.  There were first timers that were faster than me, they just did not register as a novice.  You pick what you want to register as when you sign up for the race.  Let's call this one lucky for me.  I got the title, but reality is, I was just happy to be there and finish.  

    Overall, a great day.  The weather was perfection.  Many thought the bike course was really hilly.  I, not so much, but I am from Chville where there are hills everywhere I turn when I train.  The run was harder than I ever expected and those hills seemed like mountains.  Most everyone I spoke to during the race agreed about those hills. 

   I was so happy that Jeff was there and he was so supportive and encouraging.  I could not have done this without him or my kids or even without my parents (they came to watch the kiddos for me to do the race.)  I cannot thank them all enough.  

    To anyone out there thinking this is impossible, it isn't.  Everyday, you go out and do something and everyday it gets easier.  I have decided some of it is all in your head.  My suggestion is to try it and have fun with it.  If you can find a friend to train with, it makes it even better.  I had my husband which made it awesome. The day goes to the glory of God and his strength that got me through.  

   On a funny note, my grandmother (82) came to visit with my parents.  When she arrived on Friday, she said, " Your Dad told me all that you are doing.  That is a little much don't you think?"  I agreed but that I enjoyed it.  She then added, "I don't think this is true, but your Dad told me you actually have to pay to do this?, That cannot be true."  Yes, grandma, it is true!!!  All of us paid to do it.  She still thinks I am crazy.  

    As fathers day approaches. I thank my dad and all of his inspiration in running or walking, pretty much everyday of his life.  Take time to thank your dad.  Those moms need not be forgotten either.  My mom gets out there even when it hurts and does all she can.  To have parents that enjoy exercising together and being able to see that passion throughout my life, is what led me to do what I do.  

    The race was great, but it is the other things in my life that make it worth while.  I try and remember that I must put as much effort in to those areas as I do anything else.  I attempt to put God first, then my husband, kids, family, then my interests in that order.  Sometimes, it is a struggle.  I just keep thinking for something to be an accomplishment you have to work on it, just as I worked to prepare for this race.  

   Hope you each keep working to reach your finish line.  Whatever it is, God will help you see it through if you let him.  He gave us the training manual, we just need to take the time to read it and actually follow it.