Holy WOW! Rev3 Williamsburg was awesome! I am very glad that I chose to race only the Olympic distance after having done Raleigh 70.3 a mere three weeks ago. The huge difference between Ironman Raleigh and Rev3 Williamsburg was the feel of the atmosphere. Rev3 has an age group team and as many of you have already read in previous posts +Tara Martine is on this team and she was an amazing hostess with the mostest! I think she made it a point to introduce me to every team member there and now I think I have gained at least ten new Facebook friends and Twitter followers. Loving the craziness vibe Team Rev3 has!!
Lauren Goss!! aka @lauren_goss
I got there a little late, but made it in time for the Friday expo festivities. (Yes, there was an ample amount of Beet Juice being drunk.) A major highlight of the expo, aside from meeting a ton of badass Rev3'ers, was meeting pro triathlete Lauren Goss. She was super cool and took time to pose with The Sarge and me. Tara informed me the evening before the race that the best finish line photo gets a free race entry. I was tempted to make a "Lauren Goss, Will you Marry Me" sign to carry across the finish line, but that did come to fruition. (Probably for the best.)
Friday Night/Saturday (The Calm before the Storm)
Kool and the Gang
So we stayed at the Days Inn that was a mere quarter mile from T2. It was a dump, but close to the race site. Friday night started with a massive cluster at Carraba's, a killer Glow Run sponsored by Rev3 and then turned into awesome when The Flints showed up (Kool and Nadine are a travelling party.) We visited one of Tara's old stomping grounds and found an old soccer team picture of her on the wall. We then took the party back to the Days Inn and hung out for a while. Tara rightfully went to sleep. Saturday we woke up went to check out the swim. It was beautiful! There was a bit of a current, but otherwise I was feeling comfortable in the water. (Unfortunately, this same sensation did not occur on race day.) After swimming, we met up with the Flints and Kurt's folks at the Williamsburg Winery. A bachelorette party was tasting wine and Kool decided that I should serenade the bachelorette. (Who am I to let Kool down?) I obliged. Before hitting up the winery, Tara and I rode the run course on our bikes and discovered that there was a massive hill with switchbacks at the turnaround. Really?!?!? A hill in Williamsburg!!!
That evening we went to Olive Garden. (Hey, gotta CTFU before a race!) I was very happy that my mother, grandparents, aunt and uncle were able to join me for dinner. Granddad paid for dinner and we caught up on life. I haven't seen them in a while and we got to discuss all the changes that have occurred since graduating from High Point University. Mom and Aunt Becky said that they wanted to come to part of the race. (They wound up making the run portion and it was so cool to see them at the finish!) While at Olive Garden I got to meet Tara's Coach, Sharon who is now officially known as "The Coach"! She came to race the Olympic and guide Tara to what would be a procard performance!
The Coach, Ed and I in close quarters
Bonkbreakers for Breakfast!
Free Advice from "The Coach"
Race Day!
The Morning
It was raining and we were all just SUPER EXCITED to walk to T2 to set up in the rain. After setting up my Hoka One One Bondi Bs in T2 we loaded up on to a yellow school bus for the trek to the James River beach site. I adjusted T1 at the site and got some air in the tires and then the long wait for my wave began. I had some tunes going in my ear trying to focus myself on the task that lie ahead. (I was playing some Eminmen mixed with Wagon Wheel, yes quite the combination, but I had to have some downhome NC tunes in the ear.) Sean English, the Rev3 man on the mic was providing constant updates and trying to keep the mood light.
The Swim
The pros went off and wound up sprinting to the first buoy. A few were trying to dolphin dive, but to no avail. I watched all the half waves go and then it was my turn to rock out. The horn went off and I did high knees and a few dolphin dives. My heart rate was through the roof at this point and I was trying to get things under control. I began to swim and breathe every other breath just as instructed by Kurt. I honestly felt as if I was swimming backwards! The beautiful conditions of yesterday were gone. I simply was going buoy to buoy trying to survive. After about 35 minutes, I emerged from the water with a fierce determination! I sprinted nearly a half mile to T2 through the fields. (And grad a Gatorade on my way.) I fumbled to get my shoes and helmet on and stuffed my swim gear in the swim bag.
The Bike
As I began to pedal off, traffic had been stopped for us and some guy yells at us as we charge forward in disdain. Sorry, dude we're racing and bringing major cashflow into your local economy, I think you can wait a few minutes. I tried to keep things under control. I would cheer people on as I passed them. We were on a wide greenway that had some wicked turns. There might have been an aid station on the bike, but to be honest I cannot remember. I had recently been refit on my bike at the Greensboro Trek Store to see if it would help would some achilles issues I had been having, so this was really the first time I had ridden it with the new fit. (I DO NOT ADVISE YOU DO THIS!!) I felt a bit more aero and the legs were responding well. I began to play a game of cat and mouse with another cyclists until I dropped him on the last hill. We had a laugh about it as I was passing him. There was a man who was in his late fifties hammering away from me towards the final miles. The big surprise for me was that I got to mile 18 and thought, "Damn! I almost done!" I was still in a 70.3 mentality. I went 1.5 mph faster than in Raleigh. I arrived at T2 and fumbled to get the Hokas on and walked out trying to get my Forerunner on my arm so that I could keep track of my pace. Well, the strap broke and I wound up having to carry it in my hand.
The Run
Hoka One One Bondi Bs are AWESOME! I was booking it on the run averaging 6:45s for the first three miles! As stated in a previous posted, I felt like Tigger! The dreaded hill climb came and I went up, up and away. I was moving surprisingly well. There was one more major climb before the end and I caught a guy who dropped me on the bike. BUT wait, near disaster! As I am climbing the last hill (and just noticed that my mom and aunt were cheering me on) I begin to cramp in my right hamstring. I do the classic grab and try to keep things moving. The cramp subsides enough and I start to push it up the hill. Today was going to be a good day... NO PAIN! I finally make it to the finishing chute and remember what Tara said about the photos. I try to moonwalk into the chute, but the hamstrings and calves had other plans. I cross the line and hear Sean call my name. The day was done! I saw Mom and Becky and NORMATECH recovery boots. What up, Rev3?!?!? This was awesome! Ironman didn't have these wonderful recovery gems!
The Wait
Tara crushing the finish!
My day was done, but Tara was still on course. I saw her come for the first loop and she looked all right. I waited with Mom and Becky and was explaining tactics and what possibly was going through Tara's mind. (She was currently in fourth position.) We waited and waited and Tara emerged again. She was hurting. It did not look good. She was twenty-five seconds back from the third place female. It was time for TriGuy powers to activate! My legs were done, but my friend, my coach, my adopted sister was in need of some encouragement. I walked down the hill and passed Kool and the gang. Tara managed to move into third place, but only by a few seconds. As she came up the final hill I started to run with her. I began cheering her on and encouraging her. I was giving her time splits to how far back the other girl was. I began saying, "This is just Gallimore Dairy back home!" (A rather hellacious hilly road!) I would not let Tara quit or settle into a pace a procard was at stake! Tara came through the finishing chute with me yelling at her the whole way! She took 3rd place amateur female and qualified for the procard.
Thank You's and Developments
Thanks to the Martines and Lampells for coming to the race and supporting our crazy habit. Thanks to Becky and Mom coming to cheer us on race day. Huge Thanks to Team Rev3 for making me feel incredibly welcome and like part of the Team on my first Rev3 race.
The Palladium Funner Runners are progressing well. I am so proud that some of the Runners have progressed to be able to run three miles without stopping to walk. We had a great time with guest speaker Michael Vance giving a shoe talk. I hope you all enjoy this recovery week. We are going to hit it even more "Funner"after the fourth!
Now, a major bomb was dropped at Carraba's. Kurt has been accepted into the Wilmington Fire Department. He and Tara will be moving to Wilmington in a week! This is a quick turnaround. I will miss them greatly. They have become family to me. We have had many adventures on the roads and trails of the Triad. I hope that LaHa and Chipotle will be able to handle them leaving because many tales of training have been told at these places as we refueled from epic runs and rides. So, to my Brother Kurt and Sister Tara, I am sad that you are leaving, but know that there are still new stories on the horizon!
Recovery from Raleigh 70.3 has been going all right. The legs have almost come around completely, but I have been having some achilles issues. That has probably been the most frustrating experience, but on the other hand I did set a new PR in the Tour de Kale 5K running in the Brooks Pure Cadence. Most of ya'll know that I am a HUGE fan of the Brooks Pure Connects, but with the calves revolting lately I thought just a touch more cushion might be a needed. Well, these bad boys can fly just as well without absolutely killing my calves. I think that I might be swapping in and out between Cadence and Connect. The Pure Flow are just a bit too wide for my feet.
I also will continue to use my Pure Flows for shorter distances, but like I said, deciding to jump into this fun Glow in the Dark 5K in the middle of a recovery/build up period to Rev3 Williamsburg I needed more cushion. I finished the race in 19:18 chip and clock time! I was about two tenths of a mile from the finish and could see the clock at 18:36 and thought to myself, "I just can't go any harder!" (The first mile out was 5:43 which coincidentally is my fastest mile, EVER!) So I ran my pace and still PR'd. (My last PR was a little less than a year ago and it was 19:29! Come on, 18:and change has to be around the corner. As I fell off the lead pack, another runner stayed with me. Funny thing is, he sprinted past me
at the finish, was in my age group and took first in the 30-39 age group by ONE SECOND!! Guess I need to work on the sprint, or as +AbsoluteFitness NC Ron Kennedy says, "You're fast, but not quick." Fast being sustained over a duration of time, while quick being able to have explosive short bursts of speed. Think Usain Bolt and Mark Cavendish as being quick and Fabian Cancellara and Ryan Hall as being fast. (I could use a football analogy, but that would just not fit in with the Endurance theme of the blog!)
So quick he has time to make phone calls!
So, after wrapping up the school year, attending my last meeting as a District Director for NCAE and trying to recover I have been pretty lazy this week. Well, lazy if you consider applying for assistant principal positions and creating class lists for the GCS Summer Arts Institute. But, it has been nice to simply sit in my chair for long periods at a time and catch up on TV. (Remember, recovery! Anything to help the achilles heal and by anything, I mean anything even if it means experimenting with new shoes other than the Brooks Pure Project line.) Yes, yes sirs and ma'am's I am running in the weirdest, yet coolest show I've ever tried! The Hoka One One Bondi-B. Hoka One One calls themselves "The Ultra Running Company". The shoes are 4mm heel drop, but that is where they COMPLETELY differ from a minimalist shoe. The shoes actually has maximum cushioning. When you run in the shoes you kind of feel like Tigger.
Now that's cushioning!
After the 5K, I ran the Sunday Pancake Run with Michael Vance and Jeremy (I can't spell his last name) for 7 miles. These shoes completely flew downhills and had amazing spring on the uphills and flats. Seriously, Tigger, folks! I then used them again at the Pub Run and again I felt like I was running on clouds. These are some rocking shoes. Now, I did have some minor achilles pain in these shoes, but having taken a break from my Zero Drop and lightly cushioned shoes the pain wasn't excruciating. I might even use these in Williamsburg, well these or the Cadences. (Oh no, I'll need Tri-Laces for a faster transition.... #triathleteproblems feel free to use this hashtag.)
I leave for Williamsburg in a day and need to fold clothes and pack; two things I detest doing, but such if the life of destination races. (Once again, #triathleteproblems). Until then, I'll apply for more AP positions and ready myself for SAI immersion weeks. Anyone out there reading this send good thoughts as I go through the job hunt process, it is full of a lot of WAITING! I suppose while I wait, I'll swim in Belews Lake and continue to enjoy the awesome friendships created through training. And speaking of training, I am having a BLAST coaching the Palladium Funner Runners! An awesome group of people who are Funner Running there way to Asheville, NC Citizen-Times Race weekend! (Don't forget to register Funner Runners!) So, I'll leave you with this short video that describe how I feel when running in the Hoka One One Bondi-B. Time to drink my greens with some Cacoa (or Cocoa!)
It seems like a ton of things have happened since I last blogged! I really meant to blog after Race the Bar, but things sort of got a little crazy. (In my life, NEVER!) But, I'm back and in full recovery mode.
Race the Bar 8K on Walker St. was an amazing local event with free beer at the end. As I tell one of the Race Directors Andrew Egbert, every race is really race the bar! We went out fast with a 5:55 mile according to my Garmin. Yes, we were flying. The course itself is quite rolling one would say. More like straight up hellacious hills! Going out that fast took its toll on many of us and the lead group began to dissipate as it simply became survival mode. I finished the race in 33:26, a better time than last year and still maintained 1st place in my age group! One more pint glass and I'll have a full set. I am looking forward to Natty's 10K! Keep up the great work Setup Events and E3!
Do I really want to do this?!?!?
Ironman Raleigh 70.3, baby! What an awesome event! I have never done an Ironman run event and all I can say is that I WILL be going back to this race! Before I even get into the race itself, the volunteers, the people on course and the expo were simply outstanding and extraordinary. It was almost as if the entire city of Raleigh and surrounding suburbs came out to support us as we suffered through the day. Each aid station had a different theme and there were so many cowbells that you simply couldn't quit even when the body said, "Please, why are you putting me through this hell!" This a HUGE thank you to the people of Raleigh and the Ironman staff. It is always great when you can do a race that is almost in your backyard. I hope that Ironman seeks out more venues here in the Land of the Pine. (Hint, Hint.. Asheville!)
The Expo
Brian and I at the Expo
An enormous thanks to my friend, Brian Lewis, for convincing me to sign up for this race! It all started back in January when he said, "Buddy, we're doing this!" He was an awesome host in his hometown of Raleigh and was a great brother in suffering throughout the race and the many hours of training. Brian, let's do it again!
Aussie Dan with the Bonk Breaker goodness!
Honestly, was one of the largest Expos that I have ever attended, but in the same note there were way more familiar faces. You all know that I love the Off 'n Running Pub Run group and that event has brought in reps from many different endurance companies. It was great to see the 2XU rep as I walked in after check-in and it was also great to see speedster Aussie, Dan Matena cutting up the Bonk Breakers. (I think he may have even padded my bag with a few of these delicious, nutritious treats for the long bike). It is always good to see friendly faces when you are sort of freaking out underneath the cool exterior. Believe me, you are always asking yourself before a race, "Did I train enough? Did I eat right?" Seeing these faces help take away the stressors.
The Night Before
My buddy, Eli, and I at the Chocolate Factory.
I was fortunate to stay with my cousins the night before the race. My cousins, Jess and Rob and their awesome son, aka my buddy, Eli had dinner with my Aunt Diane at this cool vegan restaurant The Fiction Kitchen. The cornbread and snap peas were delicious and the farmer's market plate was full of delicious veggies; all good before the long day ahead. After filling out stomachs with veggie goodness, we went to The Videri Chocolate Factory. Let's pause, yes, Jess and I both don't do dairy, but dark chocolate without milk, BRING IT ON! This place makes their own chocolate!!! It was incredible. Now I knew I was ready for the long day ahead.
We got home from our evening out and read Eli a bedtime story and then I knew it was time to get my mind set to prepare for the early morning. Usually, I pack my tribag and leave it in transition, but this was a point-to-point race and Ironman provided bags to affix your race number to for every single transition. (Yet, another reason I was blown away by the support!) I prepped my bottles, had a chat with Jess and Rob and then it was off to bed for a 3:00am alarm. The buses began to roll to Lake Jordan at 4:00am and it was a 45 minute drive from downtown Raleigh to the swim start.
The Morning
Alarm went off at 3:00am and I was in the shower. Sunscreen applied, BodyGlide applied. (Sorry, +Tara Martine I totally forgot my Trislide!) I grabbed my transition bags and was out the door, BonkBreaker breakfast in hand. I met up with my friend Roni Shoemaker and her husband and we grabbed a quick cup of coffee at Starbucks before getting on the bus. I got on the bus and realized something immediately... I had forgotten my water bottles!!! I thought and said several colorful words. I quickly got off the bus and Roni took my transition bags for me and placed them by my bike when she got to the swim start. I was totally freaking out! I texted Jess and called her about this predicament. There was no way I was going to make it back to there house and catch the last bus. It is here where her husband Rob becomes SUPER ROB! I sat on the side of South St. in Raleigh and waited for him to drop off the water bottles. I checked Facebook and Twitter to pass the time and not beat myself down for making such a rookie mistake. (Hey, it was my first Ironman event!) He rolled up to the side of the road and dropped off the bottles and rolled off into the morning mist like a Super Hero who had just saved the day. THANKS AGAIN ROB!!!
Water bottles in hand, earphones in, I quickly make my way to another bus. I was a bit down that I wasn't going to be able to ride with my friend Roni and her crew, but fuel is just a TINY bit more important in these events. I get on the bus and low and behold my friend from the Rev 3 Tri Team Rachel is sitting there and shouts out my name. Once again, a friendly face. This will not be the only time Rachel makes an appearance in this epic journey. I find my seat, plug in and close my eyes while we make our way to Lake Jordan. (Yep, I played some Wagon Wheel because it just seemed right!)
We get to the lake and as promised, Roni placed my bags by my bike. Sweet relief! I set up transition and wait in line for the restrooms many times. (One thing about triathlon is most of the first part is simply waiting for the restroom A LOT!) Time passes, I talk to Rachel while in line and it is time to make my way down to the swim.
The Swim
There was a collective cheer when the race announcer announced that the swim would be wetsuit legal. As for me, no wet suit. I think the one spot they found the water temperature to be low enough for wetsuits was around the second turn. I made my way to the red caps and listened to the various inspirational stories of people who were about to go off into the swim. There was a lot of collective noise chatter and joke cracking as we all were trying to calm our nerves for the upcoming 1.2 mile swim. Finally, zero hour had arrived. The horn went off and I was head down, streamline in the water... the is until water began leaking into my goggles. I had to stop a few times and adjust the goggles and flip my contacts back into my eyes. It was extremely aggravating! I began to simply breath into it and find the joy of the moment. Hey, I was getting to do something I loved! Contacts secure, and goggles fixed I started to slog my way through the swim. Freestyle, breaststroke, freestyle breaststroke. It is so much easier in the pool. There was an enormous amount of support in the water and I was tempted to grab onto a kayak every now and then, but forward I moved. I was being swum over, around and under. But, forward I moved (with a bit of side to side). After what seemed like an eternity, I made it to the finish! Out of the water, a little disoriented and straight to the restroom I went! I took my sweet time in transition eating some oranges, putting on my compression sleeves, shoes and helmet. I walked to the bike mount, got some sunscreen put on and was off.
The Bike
The huge fear about this course was that it was nearly 2000ft of climbing. I fumbled with my Garmin so I could gauge my speed and after resetting the bugger while on the bike, it finally got reception. (This was nearly 3 miles into the bike!) I got my legs spinning at a comfortable rate and began to monitor my nutrition. According to my Garmin, I was cruising around 23-25mph. I didn't try to slow down because I checked my gearing and I was in a fairly easy gear. The whole goal was to spin and keep the legs as fresh as possible for the run. While on the bike, there were three other athletes that began an unintentional game of cat and mouse. We began passing each other on the hills, flats and downhills for the majority of the bike. After a while it became a joke between us and we would wave and laugh as we saw each other. As I sped down the roads, I would cheer riders as they passed me and I passed them. It was great! Not only that, but there were virtually people at almost every mile with signage and cowbells cheering us on. What great energy! There were amazing aid stations every ten miles, but the Pirate aid station takes the cake! Their great "Grab some Waarrrgh-ter!" was too funny! This bike course has to be the best course I have ever done, by far! The only major issue was the last six miles as we would climb our way into downtown Raleigh. The sun was beating down at this point and the last aid station was about ten miles away. It was the last time I had grabbed water to douse myself with so that I might stay just a little bit cooler.
I got off the bike felt like I crawled to my transition spot. Let me state here that I "gingerly" got off the bike hoping that I wasn't going to cramp up! Yes, I took on my BonkBreakers, Gatorade, plain old water and NUUN, but 56 miles is still 56 miles. I am happy to report that I averaged over 20mph! But, back to transition. As I fumbled to put on my shoes, race belt and Rev3 visor one of the staffers came over to see if I was all right. I stated that I was just trying to loosen up a bit. I walked my way out of transition, splashed some water on myself, got sunscreen reapplied (how cool that these folks even thought of sunscreen for the athletes!) and walked uphill for the first part of the run.
The Run
WTF was I thinking!?!?!? It was hot, it was hilly and it was brutal! I began to question my whole purpose at this point. People began cheering for me by name if they saw my race bib or simply yelled, "Go Wisconsin!" based on the Rev3 visor I was wearing. Finally, I began to run and 15 minute miles slowly turned into 9:00 and 8:50. I finally caught up with a friendly face on the run course and ran up Hillsborough Street. Then out of nowhere, her husband, Coach Matt Clancy comes blazing down Hillsborough Street towards the finish! Way to go Coach Matt, you looked awesome! We stayed together for a bit and as I passed each aid station I heed the great MACCA's advice and grabbed ice to cool the body, water for inside and out and sometimes drank a little Coke. I began to actually go pretty well on the run and knew the streets because I had run them many times before NCAE Board meetings, but little did I know that monster hills awaited. We had to do a double loop in order to get the full 13.1 and this double loop was on the greenway that overpassed I-40. This greenway went up, up, up and away. The field was littered with walkers. I quickly blew up and became one of them. It was at this point where I don't really have much recollection of what happened. I went into survival mode. I shut everything out except the essentials. Breathing, check, legs moving, check, heart rate, check... keep moving forward. There was a man stationed at the split saying, "Second lap uphill, third down to paradise." I didn't quite follow his logic because even downhill felt up at this point. At some point, perhaps it was at the Rocky Balboa poster I began to regain focus. I started to run again, as well as quote Rocky's "Keep moving forward" speech.
The runners around me began to listen, laugh and join in with the diatribe. Rocky Balboa inspired us to keep our legs moving. Walk, run, walk, run.. keep moving forward. I reached the bridge and ran into a friendly face. It was Rachel. She was decimated, but determined to finish even if she had to crawl. We stopped for a second and chatted and then onward we both charged at our respective paces. Let's pause here because while we are moving forward at whatever pace, people are chanting, "You look great! Awesome job!" I simply had to laugh because I knew I looked like death burned over! But, thanks to these affirmations I kept moving. Once I emerged out of the hell that was the greenway and Meredith College hill, more friendly face, it was Jess, Rob and Eli!!! I was walking and Jess stepped out and gave me a high five and I fist bumped Eli. Once again, SUPER FAMILY!!! (A little while later Jess told me that Eli said, "I hope Cousin Andrew has a good race." He is the sweetest.) I entered Hillborough St. for the final miles and hit the bricks of the NC State campus. These bricks that I had pounded out many a frustration on. I told another racer to follow me and I would pace him to the end. Together we charged on, grabbing aid and cheering for those around us. Sometimes in silence, sometimes speaking out loud. We exchanged names and his was Mark Bledsoe, no relation to my Bledsoe relatives supposedly, but good ole Uncle Larry sent a familiar name to me in these final moments. (Who knows, maybe it was Larry running beside me in the final mile embodied in the embattled athlete. I'm not one for mysticism, but hey, any help is better than no help.) Together we forged our way back to the convention center. As we charged to the finish, shook hands the energy was electric! The course was carpeted, the announcer was calling out finishers' names and the crowd was throwing out high fives along the way. I pumped my fists beside me, looked at the clock and realized that day was done. 70.3 in 6:32... finished!
I started an hour after the pro start.
Thank you to all who made this journey possible. Now it is recovery time because Rev3 Williamsburg, my Christmas present is less than three weeks away. I have no idea how the pros recover so quickly! My legs were screaming and I could barely walk on Monday, but it is a great feeling knowing that you did something this amazing. I suppose the only downside is that some people around you realize what you accomplished and for some it is simply back to work. I, on the other hand, am thankful that I got to participate in the Inaugural Ironman Raleigh 70.3 and will definitely be returning!!
Quick annoucement....
High Point runners, sign up for the Funner Runner Group at Off 'n Running Palladium. Yours truly will be training you to race a 5K or half marathon as we Funner Run our way to Asheville!
Holy WOW! Rev3 Williamsburg was awesome! I am very glad that I chose to race only the Olympic distance after having done Raleigh 70.3 a mere three weeks ago. The huge difference between Ironman Raleigh and Rev3 Williamsburg was the feel of the atmosphere. Rev3 has an age group team and as many of you have already read in previous posts +Tara Martine is on this team and she was an amazing hostess with the mostest! I think she made it a point to introduce me to every team member there and now I think I have gained at least ten new Facebook friends and Twitter followers. Loving the craziness vibe Team Rev3 has!! 
