Way to Go 70.3ers!!!

[Tiana]

You guys rocked it yesterday through really tough conditions - especially that wind. So proud of you guys - very, very inspiring. ;)

Now that baseball's done at camp T-Rex I hope to get out there and do a little more training with you guys. Great JOB!!

BTW - Sue, you put on a great cheering station. Thanks for the invite and if I'm ever not racing - I'm hanging out with you guys (buncha crazies LOV'N IT)!!!

[Katy]

Thanks to all the Boise Tri members out cheering us on. I really didn't think I was going to finish but when I heard my name being yelled and all the people cheering, I got the extra umph I needed. Congrats to all the participants as well. It was definitely the toughest race I've ever done. If that was my first one I think I'd be scared to ever do another!

[viola8]

Thank you all so much for the cheering yesterday. I really appreciated it. If you stuck around to the bitter end (which is when I finished!) and noticed the kids running around with handbells, that's my handbell choir from the Cathedral of the Rockies.

Here is my race report, in the form of a haiku

Windy conditions
Pummel bikers to and fro
This needs more cowbell

Have fun at Raul's this afternoon!

[CammiePatch]

Ok, here's my story. Had a great swim, no backstroking, all crawl. Got out of the water feeling great like I hadn't really worked at all. Started down the hill on my bike feeling great, going fast (I love big downhills), but after about 20 miles I was feeling terrible. Stomach hurt, light headed.... drank lot of water so didn't think it was dehydration.... just wasn't enjoying it. Wind was amazing, about 30 to 40 mph headwind for the first half, and about 80 degrees (gusting to 33 knots at the airport, add 15% to get the mph equivalent). At the bike turn around I rode past the cones a few feet, wanted to take a quick break. Felt awful, so I laid down on the road, and fell asleep. I've never taken a nap during a race before. After awhile (10 minutes maybe, not sure) I got up on my bike and headed off. Still felt awful, and wanted another nap. Sometimes working out hard makes me really sleepy so I thought that was the problem. I stopped on the side of the road, but didn't lie down because no one was around me at the moment, and didn't want anyone to think I crashed. Paramedics came by and took my blood pressure, they said it was 70. I thought that a second number was required, but they said that was the top number. So, off to the hospital I went. After some blood tests, an EKG, and a liter of fluid I feel great and wish I could finish. Not sure why the bike was so tough for me today, I had ridden that course many times with no problem. I was even kinda looking forward to the run.
My electrolites were fine, and I had drank about 20 oz. on the bike portion so far and didn't feel like I could drink much more. Amazing the dehydrating effect of the wind, and what an impact it can have on effort.
I'm planning on going back out as soon as I get a chance and doing the whole course again. I just can't believe it got the best of me before I even got to the run, since the swim was great and the bike is my strongest area.

[Jilligan]

sounds about perfect for me - swim, bike, sleep! Congrats on getting to the starting line, it was great cheering everyone on. Have a great recovery!

[Harold]

Hey Cammie,

Thanks for the report and to know that you are OK. Been around for a while but never heard of anyone taking a nap on the bike course, you must have been pushing the limits; as for the blood pressure:confused:!

Looking forward to seeing you out there. Rest easy this week.

[Doc Rob]

Since I couldn't race this year my instinct was to go away and get as far away from the race as possible. Instead I quit pouting and decided to stick around and support my teamates/friends.

Got a late start to T1 for the swim so had to TT it from downtown. Did it in 35min on a single speed cruiser towing bike trailer and about 60lbs of kid and gear. Nice little workout. Drank a 12oz coors light on the walk up the hill. It was a little warm and maybe not the best choice for a fast paced hill climb:eek:.


Watched most of the waves go and got a few good photos of some of our mates leaving T1. Next off to lucky 13 for you guessed it pizza and beer.
Watched the pros come by on the bike then off to meet up with the Aero's/BYTRI crazies.

This being my first spectator experience for a 70.3 it turned out to be a great experience. I learned a number of things:

1. The people that follow us and cheer us on deserve a lot more thanks then I think I ever have given. I never knew hard it was to try to be at the right place at the right time to see people.

2. In a race 5 hrs can seem to fly by. It seems a bit longer when your not racing. Its much harder to stand around in the sun and drink beer all day than I thought it would be. Though I must say that Tom and the Tometts made it look easy.

3. Most of the people that came by on the run looked hot and tired. Not sure why. Except for Danimal of course, you are just SICK! Nice race!!!!

4. Most of the people that I saw laying in the road after the finish looked
hot and tired. Again not sure why.

5. #3 & #4 made me wonder again why I do this sport. Then I rembered.
Its the challenge, its the satisfaction in the accomplishment, its doing something that some people aren't able to do. and last but maybe most of all its the people that I get to do it with.

We are so fortunate to have such a great group of athletes that are such great people. Harold, that takes such pride in his team. The great coaches that are really there to coach. And the neat people they have brought together who support each other with true passion. I watched the Aero/BYTRI group cheer non stop for hours. Seeing the reactions of each of the racers was really cool. Tom and the Tometts are really a special group that deserve a lot of thanks for all the energy they put out and the noise they can generate. Was fun to see, though I did stay on the other side of the street for a little friendly smack talk. Plus I forgot my cow bell so I would have felt out of place. I know the athletes are sore from the race, but some of the cow bellers have to be feeling it as well after ringing non stop for hours. Do you guys train for that?

All in all it was a great day! Good friends, cold beer and a great race.
Congrats everyone!

(will post all my pictures as soon as my wife shows me how:))

[Chris F]

Thanks for the "spectator report"! I agree, it's harder to watch a race than it is to race one. You'll have to train and go all out for full IM spectating in 2011.

My favorite part of the entire race was going under that arch. The support and encouragement you guys provided was awesome! With my ankle injury, doing the run/ walk combination was just darn long and kinda boring, and that really lifted my spirits and made me keep with it. Knowing you guys would all be there made it worth it, thank you so much!

[Rachel]

The swim was wonderful! Aside from getting socked by another gal around the 2nd turn buoy, the swim went smoothly. I remember thinking "this is going to be a fabulous day"!

As soon as I headed out of T1 and was nearly blown off my bike heading down Hwy 21, I knew it would be a tough ride. Heart rate was at 165 and never dropped below 160 the entire ride. After 20 miles of fighting the heart rate, I knew it was a lost cause and decided just to ride to T2, knowing it would likely effect my run. It did.

8th St. Cheering Crew: thanks so much for being out there! Despite checking out mentally and deciding I was going to drop out after the first loop, it was you all who kept me going. One foot in front of the other. Aid station to aid station. Two sponges - one under each shoulder strap, ice down shirt, coke, more ice. Repeat. Sorry I never smiled or acknowledged your presence out there. I was in my own little private hell. I could hear you though, and that's what counts!

I guess it's by having these bad days that we look forward to the good ones all the more.

I'm so happy to know that it was a good experience for so many of you!

Congrats to all!

[kbunning]

I ditto all the comments about the cheering section! I was feeling so bad on the run, but running through that crazed crowd got me pumped up to keep going!

Having the coaches there made all the difference. Great advice and encouragement. Raul reminding me about little quick steps (and making me accidentally dump coke over my head). Tom and his gang going nuts on the curb! It was awesome.

Remembering those mile intervals we did all spring got me through it. It's only another mile to the next aid station ... one more mile ... one more mile ...just four laps around that track ... four more laps ...

My dad and sister came from Wyoming to watch and I was so worried they would get bored, but they absolutely loved it. They took the shuttle up to T1 and back downtown and said it couldn't have been easier getting around. I'm committed to coming back next year, in part, because my family wants to make it an annual event! Yea, they're a little crazy too...

So thanks to everyone for getting me hooked on tri's. I'm an addict :)

I'm going to miss you all so much, but I look forward to seeing everyone next year!

Check out my blog if you'd like to read a more detailed race report and some funny stories about what happened along the way ...

http://kb-beginnertriathlete.blogspot.com/

Best to everyone!
Kim:D

[RichJ]

Congrats to all the 70.3ers!!!! What an awesome event – This was my first "real" triathlon besides the spring sprint - I was blown away! (I can now say that I have raced uphill against the wind both ways) J It was so cool seeing all the athletes representing the tri club – and a huge thanks to all those who cheered us along the way! It really was a huge help. This is truly an incredible sport, and I am so glad to be a part of the tri club. It has been the great people that have made all the difference in the world. Thanks to all of you! I can’t wait to give it a try again!:D

[MaryW]

My thanks as well to all the AWESOME spectator support and Harold, it was so awesome to see you on the run encouraging everyone. What a day, I just had to shake my head and laugh with the crazy wind on the bike!!!! Even with all the elements it was a great race and I can't wait until next year:)