For purposes of this post, just make up the half marathon part of the half IM to get the race posted.
The day - started with sweet wishes - got in the truck to take off, Sylvie had put color messages for me:
Hoo Ra, your can do it. I know you can
I love you Brent
Think calm, think strong, you can do it, I love you
Now that is the way to start a race day.
Driving in Provo is a mess, took the wrong exit, had to circle around. Picke a good transistion spot and got er ready. Very nice chit chat, talked to a STG spinning buddy, Sahylon from STG doing the race, alwyas great to see her, she is doing the Texas IM in May. Talked to another spin buddy from the Murray Rec Center, Mary, she was there to support her neice, Mary would later become my wetsuit stripper. Talked to May Jo, former race director for the Pine Valley 15 miler. I was looking for Devine (Rachel) finally spotted her just before the race director annouced I was the oldest person in the race, I stood up and took a bow, got a cheer or two. Spent the next hour talking to Devine about the race, she was way nervous, she did great. A race like this with all the potential danger things can get to you, drowding, crashing on the bike.
The waves were annouced, Devine was in the wave 3 minutes behind me, she kicked my butt in the swim, could I catch her on the bike? After my STG IM experience, trying to swim in 4 foot waves, I was worried about the swim. The water was great, rolled over and did back stroke for a few mimites. a couple of times. One note before I go on, Keena is the best and niciest Tri coach in the world, she came over and gave me a hug before the race and said good luck. I managed to stay in contact with some some women swimmers who passed me, keyed off them, worked out well, make it through the swim, don't yet know the splits and transistion times. As I got out on the boat ramp, Mary (spinning buddy) was now my wetsuit stripper, she did a great fast job, thanked her and scurried to the bike. Keena was watching all her students, she quickly said, Brent, you will make it up on the bike, I have riode with her several times, great athlete, doing Kona and qualified for nationals, she walks the walk.
It is always somewhat hectic getting your wits back aftert he swim and get on the bike, had a pretty good transistion and beat two the women swimmers out of transistion who were ahead of me on the swim. The bike ride went real well until about mile 10 when a girl crashed going over a new cement rise, she must have not hit it straight on or did no see it, she was down with big rashes, don't know if she continued on. (Everyone's worry, bike crashes). Rode real hard the first 28 miles, passed about 3 dozen bikers. As we approached the turnaround point, a male biker had biffed it off the sied of the road, I would guess trying to miss a pot hole. Down the road, two ladies fell over trying to turnaround, they should have clipped out. I will fast forwards, a guy had a blackout and went straight over the curb and rolled into a field. Remarkable, he got up and carried is bike off. The second half of the bike was windy and hot, I could tell riders were getten beaten down, passed another dozen bikers or so and had a lady pass me. I will blame the lady passing based on my front tire going down, must have hit something, kept going the last 6 miles hoping it would not go completely flat, made it. The bike did not feel as fast as last year with the wind and the tire issue, but ok with the ride. I did not catch Devine, she rode a very good ride, she is money on race day, pround of her. It will be interesting to see who had the best bike time, I know she kicked by butt on the swim and run.
Transisiton fromt he bike to run was pretty good, as I entered the run course, Keena gave me more words of encouragement. Now, I wore my STG IM Tri top, wow, I got so many positive comments and discussions with other runners about the STG IM, it was fun. Those who have never done a Tri, athletes are so darn friendly, keep it up, good job, etc. Something about Tris, just more chatter and positive chatter, love it.
The run proceeded well, ran and speed walked, and had a good posiive attitude, had no issues, exept the knee, not running on an SF as I did last year. About 4 of us hit the finishing chute closely together, had enough get up and go to beat all of them accross the line.
The awards show, found Devine, heard all about her race,great great job on her first Half IM, I mean great job. She took first in the Athena and got a kool medal and flexed for the crowd. I took second in the 60 and over division, not hard to do, only two in the division. The the same announcer was giving out the awards, I said, what do I get for being the oldest in the race, got a swag bag with gus, etc., about 25 bucks with of stuff, kool.
Some years ago, me and Sylive ran the Disney world marathon, a guy ran is first marathon and wore the medal on the airplane. I was so happy with the day, wore both mdeals at the same time, clanging like wind chimes as I walked, it irritated a couple of people, one lady made fun of me, just clanged them more, it was funny, I need my short lived minute of personal glory, soon took them off at the truck, it was funny, I can now see how little kids feel when they get their first award, I like my second child hood.
IN closing, Devine said, a half IM is harder than a marathon, I would agree, it is like hitting the wall at the 20 mile mark and still having a half marathon to go when you get off the bike and start the run. Don't know if I want the wear the moniker as the oldest in the race, what has happened to the old farts? Get yor butts out their and train.
Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out
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