5430 Half Ironman Triathlon (Boulder)

5430 Half Ironman Triathlon, Boulder, CO
Date: July-03

Splits

Swim: 00:50:26

Bike: 4:30:00

Total Race Time: 8:40:57

5430 Half Ironman Triathlon - 2003 - Post Race Comments by Carla Thompson!

It was a beautiful day Sunday July 20th in Boulder, CO!! I managed to enjoy the radiant orange and red colors of the sunrise as I struggled to repair a flat tire while being driven to my race start! I had inflated my tires the night before, not realizing that a small thorn had penetrated my front tire, so I woke at 4:00am to a flat... hoping that wasn't a reflection of how the rest of my day would go! I was, however, happy that it occurred before the race and not during!

The Swim took place in the Boulder Reservoir. The lake temperature was warm enough to swim without a wetsuit, but I chose to wear mine anyway for the added buoyancy! :) There were approximately three-hundred and eighty seven people who signed up for this event... about 50 were scheduled to participate in the Duathlon, where you Run/Bike/Run, the rest of us did a "Mass Swim Start!

My goggles had a good seal, which makes any swimmer happy! So I felt confident as we headed out into the glaring sun. I breathe to my left and it was awkward for me to sight the huge florescent orange buoys that marked our race course as we swam two laps clockwise totaling 1.2 miles. There were lots of arms and feet flailing about... some people swam over me, and I swam over a few myself! The pack thinned out after the first 200 Meters... and before I knew it, I was finishing my first lap. -- As I exited the water after my second lap, I was pleased with my swim split... approximately 50 minutes, 26 seconds! One leg down, two to go!!

My bike leg was the leg that I was most concern about. Fifty-six miles of rolling terrain through the roads of Boulder. I wasn't sure how long it would take... my practice ride took almost five hours, but that included stopping and some conversation. I thought I might finish in four hours-thirty minutes during the race. So, that was my race day goal.

There were some last minute route changes for the bike leg... however it didn't change the initial downhill grade of the first quarter of the bike course. I enjoyed my top speed of thirty plus miles per hour during my decent, and I knew that I would have to climb those same hills on my return.

My race day nutrition plan included eating two bagels, and drinking two bottles of cytomax during my bike leg. The bagels for carb and calories, and the cytomax for general hydration and electrolytes. I knew it would be tough to eat and pedal, but I managed to get everything down before I finished mile thirty-five. The bagels seemed to work better than the Power Bars, however, I hope to find a more "High Tech" food for my next endurance event!

I finished the bike leg in just over four hours. I was proud of my finish and happy to feel like I had enough energy to head out for a Half Marathon Run of thirteen point one miles. But the sun was high in the sky and the temperature was HOT.... and at that time I had NO IDEA that it was actually over one-hundred degrees!!! So, I grabbed another bagel, and put on my "GU" belt and headed out for my final leg of the Half Ironman Triathlon.

Although my legs transitioned from biking to running rather well, I felt really light headed... and disoriented... "just keep moving" I thought... so as I rounded the bend... just out of the spectators sight, and my jog slowed to a walk. It seemed like FOREVER to pass the mile markers... I checked my mile split and it was well over seventeen minutes and there was no mile marker in sight. That was the first time during the race that I thought I might *not* be able to make it.

It took everything to just keep moving... and I was fortunate hear the kind words of another competitor who was on his second lap... he said, "Just be patient with yourself... you'll finish!" A sentimental tear formed as I took his words in... I knew he was right, but at that moment in time, I had no idea how I would get through the remaining twelve miles.

So, I trotted along... stopping at every aids station and drinking at least three glasses of water. I passed many who were walking or sitting getting medical attention for dehydration. It felt like I would never get there... but as I looked off into the distance, I thought I spotted someone I knew... your eyes play so many tricks on you, so I didn't really trust what I was seeing! But as I approached these two women, I realized that it was true... it was my Special Lady Linda and my Training Partner Lisa! They had come looking for me because I had taken so long... they met me at mile four! -- There were many people who had support during the run leg of the race. Spouses joined their partners on bicycles or just walking with baby strollers. So, it felt great to be greeted and escorted through miles four and five.

I choose to run mile six, the vanity sprint, on my own... that's where the trail looped back around where the finish line was, and where my friends and Triathlon Coach were waiting with huge signs of support! As I trotted by, they waved the signs and yelled! It was great to know that I was half way, and that they would be there for me when I returned!

In endurance events, they usually have time cut offs... that's when they plan to close down the aids stations. You can continue on to finish the distance, but you are not guaranteed race support. As I finished mile ten, I realized that I had missed the race cut off... but I only had 5K (three point one miles) to go... and I wanted to finish! I was met again by Linda and Lisa... then ran along side of me through mile twelve. My legs were starting to cramp... and luckily the clouds rolled in and provided some much needed shade. So, with a mile to go... I focused on the finish line... what was left of it.

I rounded the final bend, and I ran through the remaining parts of the Finishers Shoot! There were still a few race officials there that were breaking down the equipment. They all stopped to cheer me in. My friends were waving their signs and yelling, while Lisa and Linda ran behind me in effort to be there for my finish!

For me, it was an emotional moment... it was a moment similar to that of a graduation day... that point in time when the full impact of your accomplishment finally descends upon you and your eyes well with sentimental tears... and you're pleased with yourself, your efforts, and your personal success! So I stood there in tears of joy and personal accomplishment as the race official tore off the tag that would be used to log the finishers of this years 5430 Half Ironman Triathlon. I did it... Eight hours and fourty minutes!!

Thanks so much for your encouragement and support of my race efforts! Your kind words helped me through those "Sleepless Pre-Race Nights" and gave me the courage to face this Half Ironman Triathlon Challenge!!

I'll close my post-race recap, with a quote from John "The Penguin" Bingham, "The Miracle isn't that I finished. ...The miracle is that I had the courage to start." I challenge you to have the courage to start something that you've been wanting to accomplish!

Warmly, Carla Lynn, Future Ironman Finisher 2003!!!!

Big fun in the sun!!! Swim, Bike, Run!!! :::fist in the air!!:::