HIM - Barb's Race Report 7/31

[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. 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!

[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.

You know, one can never have too many bikes.

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.
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. 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. 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. 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.

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