HIM - Barb's Race Report 7/31

[Veronica]

Cool goodie bag, I like getting cloth grocery bags at races. When CA grocery stores go bagless I'll be all set. :D This was the tenth anniversary of the race and my third attempt. They gave us socks and a really nice running shirt, plus various food bits, and samples of body lotions. The finisher's medal is blue glass.

The Swim - a little slower than I had hoped at 41:26, roughly four minutes slower than last year. But since I've only been swimming when I race, to be expected. 149/372 Overall

The Bike - was awesome! You really can buy speed! I was about 16 minutes faster than last year and I'm convinced it's all because of the new bike. The Cervelo accelerates so well downhill. I was coasting at 28 mph and passing people who were pedaling. This course has a lot of rollers and the bike really holds its speed well. I was so fast on the bike that Thom was not ready to take my picture when I got to him on the course. I waved vigorously and got his attention, so he still got a pretty good photo. I'll post it later. I had been hoping to finish in less than 3:20. Official time was 3:18.39 for an average speed of 16.96 mph. Last year I averaged 15.68. I've only ridden about 750 miles this year, so that's not bad. I'm really thrilled with how well the bike went. I think that if I work at it, I can get that time down to 3 hours on this course. 140/372 Overall

The Run - sucked! I had the slowest half marathon EVER! I am so not trained for running. I gave it all I had though, since as soon as I crossed the finish line I started having dry heaves. They couldn't even put the finisher's medal on me, but had to hand it to me. I'm glad Thom didn't get any pictures of that. :eek: 329/372 Overall

Final Place: 42/71 AG, 255/372 Overall

Recovery - I slept in my Zoot compression tights. I woke up a few times because they got too tight over the bunion on my right foot and my little toe on left foot. I discovered that if you roll the material so that you have a double layer, it gets REALLY tight. My quads felt bruised and hurt just to touch them right after the race and yesterday. That's gone now. I had a session with my trainer this morning. That was fun as today was a leg day. We took it kind of easy though. So far I don't seem to be having having of the issues I had after the Tarantula Run last October. That bodes well for me actually focusing on improving my run over the winter. If I can just stay injury free, I can be solidly mid pack next year.:rolleyes:


Veronica

[GLC1968]

Awesome, V!

Congrats on a great bike improvement. I'm pleased to see that you CAN buy speed...because I think that's my next step, too! And kudos for giving it your all on the run even if your speed wasn't what you'd hoped. That takes spirit!

My off-season will be all about the run. Wanna join me? ;)

Great job on completing a great race once again! :)

[OakLeaf]

W00t! Way to go V, and way to improve! :D

[Bike Chick]

Way to go Veronica! Just finishing a HIM is a great accomplishment. How awesome.

I'm starting to shop for a TT bike. Don't know if I'm gonna buy one yet but I'm looking and its encouraging to hear that it makes a difference. Which Cervelo do you have?

[Veronica]

I got the S3 - not a time trial bike.


Veronica

[Bike Chick]

Sorry. My mistake. I meant tri-bike. S3 is sweet!

[aka_kim]

Like!!! :D

[Veronica]

http://www.tandemhearts.com/coppermine/albums/barbs-race-2010/br-2010-1.jpg
About 22 miles into the bike course, zooming and having a blast! :D

http://www.tandemhearts.com/coppermine/albums/barbs-race-2010/br-2010-2.jpg
Heading into T2, glad to be done with the bike, but dreading the run.

http://www.tandemhearts.com/coppermine/albums/barbs-race-2010/br-2010-3.jpg
First lap - still feeling okay.


Veronica

[maillotpois]

Hey - good job!

[Pika]

You Look great- and fast!! Nice job on the whole race !!

[snapdragen]

Veronica,

It's not that the bike is faster....it's the magic red shoes!! :D:D

Good job!

[Tri Girl]

Congrats, V!!!

You did exceptionally well, considering you're only swimming in races and have only biked 750 miles this year. WOW!:eek:
You're a super stud- and the pictures are amazing (as always).

Congrats, superstar!!!

[colby]

Those pictures are awesome! :D

That bike improvement is huge! I have to say riding my tri bike has really made me want a road bike that rides that nice, reading your report doesn't help. ;) Sounds like we'll be starting a running for non-runners club this fall for all of us who lose it on the run. :p

All in all, a great race! Congratulations.

[Veronica]

I have to say riding my tri bike has really made me want a road bike that rides that nice, reading your report doesn't help. ;)

I'm really glad I went the race road bike route. I'd worry about never getting comfortable enough to really fly on the curvy downhills the way I do now. I'm sure I'd be faster on the straight, flat parts with a TT bike, but I'd miss the "wheee!!!!!" factor. :D

You know, one can never have too many bikes. :p

Veronica

[roadie gal]

Great race report. Congrats on doing so well!

You look fantastic! Go V!

[GLC1968]

Excellent photos, once again!

[Veronica]

Excellent photos, once again!

Big camera, not sure what he was using for a lens and the crop tool is my friend! He takes a lot of shots of other racers while he's waiting for me to show, so he can perfect what he wants.

He didn't take any swim photos because it was overcast at the start. He left as soon as I went into the water for my start, so he could get out on the course. The first road we ride on is kinda tiny, so he had to take a longer route out. Yeah... it is open to traffic but... they encourage spectators to stay off of it. It's got the really great "whee!!!!! " hill on it though. :D The other times I've done the race, he's missed me on the bike course, so it was cool to see him out there this time.

Veronica

[OakLeaf]

Great pics! You look wonderful. And strong! :D

[colby]

I'm really glad I went the race road bike route. I'd worry about never getting comfortable enough to really fly on the curvy downhills the way I do now. I'm sure I'd be faster on the straight, flat parts with a TT bike, but I'd miss the "wheee!!!!!" factor. :D

You know, one can never have too many bikes. :p

Veronica

I really love that we're a forum full of enablers. ;)

[kacie tri-ing]

Nice work! Thanks for the RR!

[Bike Chick]

I'm really glad I went the race road bike route. I'd worry about never getting comfortable enough to really fly on the curvy downhills the way I do now. I'm sure I'd be faster on the straight, flat parts with a TT bike, but I'd miss the "wheee!!!!!" factor. :D
Veronica

Never underestimate the "wheee!!!" factor! It's certainly a rush.

Awesome pics, Veronica.

[taxmuffin]

Great race report and great pictures!

I have to ask (since I am considering the race for next year) -- how bad/hilly is the bike course? I am very much a hill wuss, so I am trying to figure out whether I can hack it for this race.

[Veronica]

The bike portion is pretty flat with only 2 sustained climbs - Canyon Rd and Chalk Hill. Neither are very long, 2.5 miles or so, maybe 5% average grade. I never found myself wishing for a smaller gear. :D Total elevation gain for the bike was 2,461 spread out over 56 miles.

The run is much hillier with 931 feet of total elevation gain over the 13 miles. There are three good sized hills on the run and the rest of the course is very rolly. On the second lap you only go half way out, but you go half way up the second big hill.

It's very well organized. I'll keep doing it until I get sick of doing tris. :D If I ever decide to do a full IM, it will most likely be the one I do since it's the same course, just doubled.

Veronica

[rocknrollgirl]

Great Job!!! Congrats on a strong finish.

Any other plans for the season ( or is it too soon to ask?)

[Veronica]

Any other plans for the season ( or is it too soon to ask?)

Probably not going to do any more races this season. I've been having issues with my quad since October and about two weeks before this last race, it seemed to resolve itself. I constantly felt like I had a giant charly horse just above my right knee. It was always there, sleeping, sitting, working out... it was there, just a big knot in my muscle. Some days it was bad enough that I couldn't run or ride. Other days, I could ignore it and carry on. But it was always there. It was pretty manageable until I did the World's Toughest Half in May. But then it came back in full force like it was in October. I had to bail on some rides and running was a joke.


Then boom! July 9, it was gone. I know that it was that day, because that was when I declared myself a running bad azz as I climbed up a steep hill and I was just gaga that I had been running pain free.

Anyway... now that it's gone, I want to really focus on getting a decent run. I want a sub sixty minute 10K gosh darn it. :D So, that's what I'm going to be working towards. Back in October I did a 10K with 1,000 feet of elevation gain (and descent... that's what torched my leg!) and that was 71 minutes with about six weeks of serious training. So I think a sub 60 minute on more reasonable terrain is possible. Especially since I'm giving myself until January, when I'll start training for a Half.

In May I want to do The Avenue of the Giants Half. I haven't set a goal yet. I'd like to do sub 2:15 on that. But we'll see. Gotta stay healthy.

Mostly, I'm sick of having a decent swim and bike and sucking at the run. Now that I'm healthy, and I hope I can stay that way, I want to put my time and energy into what really matters.

That was kinda long winded. :rolleyes:

Veronica

[rocknrollgirl]

Not long winded, that makes perfect sense. You will get there. I am living proof that nonrunners can improve.

Keep us posted on your progress.

[Dogmama]

V - congrats! Great pictures too! I LOVE your bike! I'm thinking seriously about getting another. As you said - you can never have too many bikes.

[tribogota]

GREAT PICTURES!!!

After running that run last year, I swore I would never run 20k again!
so, the mere fact that you have done it so many years in a row, well
IS AWESOME