Beach2Battlship Race Report....Race Day!!

Below is a very detailed account of my first iron distance triathlon. The race was Beach2Battleship in Wilmington, North Carolina and took place on October 29, 2011.

Pre-Race
After tossing and turning for a good while, I finally managed to snag a few hours of sleep before my alarm went off at 4:15.  I had no trouble getting out of bed because it was freakin' race day!! I did, however, have trouble eating breakfast. Who wants to eat something at 4 in the morning for crying out loud? I managed to choke down a sweet potato with almond butter and an egg. Sounds disgusting, but it's actually quite a tasty combination. I mixed a bottle of EFS grape flavor to sip on the rest of the morning. Oh, I also popped 4 Extreme Endurance capsules and a salt cap.

I paced around (quietly) for about an hour and then woke up Mark for a ride to T1. He drove me the 3/4 of a mile to T1 and dropped me off with my pre-race and swim to bike gear bags. With a kiss for good luck, I was on my own.

Bikes lined up at T1 in the early pre-race hours

I checked in my swim to bike gear bag and then went to my bike to make sure all was well. Thankfully, my sexy beast had survived the night just fine, although he claimed to be a bit lonely. I filled my aero bottle and one bottle on my down tube with water and a single Nuun tab each. I also put a gel flask filled with 4 GU Chocolate Outrage gels slightly diluted on my top tube. I patted his seat, which I had covered with a plastic bag in case it rained over night, and told him I'd see him in a bit and caught the trolly to the swim start.

The swim start was quite a ways down the beach from T1, so they were transporting athletes and  not allowing any other cars down there. It was still an hour or so until the race start, so I sat on the curb in the semi-darkness by myself. Everyone else was doing pretty much the same thing. You could taste the tension in the air. I went to the bathroom 3 times just for something to do. It was about 50 degrees and cloudy;  I was chilly, wearing just my swimsuit under a pair of warm-up pants and a sweatshirt. I continued to sip on my EFS and count the minutes. Finally, at about t-minus 30 minutes, I figured it was time for one last pee and to finally don my wetsuit.  I also took the EFS Pre-Race I had mixed. I began to change and noticed that the guy right next to me was Glenn, from the Beginner Triathlete forum swim group two days before. Even though we barely knew each other, I think we both found some relief and comfort in a familiar face. Glenn helped me zip up my wet suit while we discussed the finer points of bike attire selection for the day. We handed our (now post-race) bags to volunteers and made our way to the beach. I was shivering, both from cold and nerves. And then I heard a familiar whistle and turned to see Mark and Pete! They had ridden the condo bikes to the swim start to see me off. It was so great to see them. 

The Swim Start

Waiting...

The start of the race was slightly delayed until the Coast Guard was satisfied there was enough sunlight to see 750 navy swim caps in the water. They finally called for all swimmers to enter the coral. Kisses and hugs to Pete and Mark and I was in the mix.

Here goes nothing....

Swim Leg
And then the gun went off and I was in the water, doing my first ironman!! The water felt great. It was about 70 degrees, so wasn't at all uncomfortable. I had a surprisingly easy time finding space in the water and I managed to avoid any major combat. I found my rhythm quickly, which was the good news. The bad news was I suddenly really had to go to the bathroom. What in the hell was I suppose to do though? I was in the ocean in a wetsuit for crying out loud!  Oh yeah, did I mention that the current was SCREAMING? It was an extremely high incoming tide, so everyone enjoyed a bit of a push along the way.Before I knew it, I saw the flags and dock marking the finish. Volunteers helped me up the wooden ladder and I made my way over to a bench where a lovely lady helped me strip my wetsuit.
Swim time: 00:56:58 (remember...there was a current)
Link to Garmin GPS file of swim leg

Drew with support tee

T1
On the way to T1, which was about 400 yards away, there was a series of shower heads to rinse off the salt water.  I skipped the hot water tent off to the side because I wasn't at all cold. On my way across the street to T1, I caught sight of my family for the first time. They were all there....Mark, Pete, Patty, Mark2, Jessie and Drew. THey were screaming and jumping around, but the best surprise was that they had had t-shirts made that said Go Bree #85. It nearly made me burst into tears.

On the way to T1

I crossed under the arch, as volunteers called my number and found my gear bag. I knew my transition time would be long because I was making a complete time, so I ignored my watch and just got to work at drying off and redressing. The tent was full of women who were a buzz. It was a great energy. Trouble was, my need to use the bathroom was reaching a quite urgent state. I got as dressed as was respectable and then rushed out to the only john in the transition area. Occupied with someone waiting. I looked at the guy waiting and told him I was nearing the danger zone. He must have realized how serious I was because he let me go in front of him. Whew. OK, that was done. Much better now. Back to the tent to finish getting dressed. It was quite cloudy and while not raining it was really damp. I opted to wear my Orca tri short and tri top, a regular bike jersey, arm warmers and compression socks. I left my rain jacket behind based on the promise of clearing and sun forecasted. In my jersey pockets, I put a second gel flask, 4 stinger waffles, a tube of nuun, a tube of salt tabs and a bagel with almond butter cut into fourths. I threw all my wet gear into my bag and handed it off to a volunteer and then made my way to my bike. Crap! Half was there and I realized I had no sunglasses. Back to my bag, which was thankfully still available. Finally at my bike and saw my family again.

111.9 miles to go

Waving to the family at T1

Waves and smiles and then I was off.
T1: 00:13:16 
(I know, ridiculously long, but I knew it would be.)








Bike Leg
Now on the bike, I realized that I had mistakenly pushed the lap button on my watch twice, so I was counting most of T1 in my bike time. It wan't a big deal, but it meant that I wasn't sure what my actual bike leg was as I was going along. My nutrition plan was to wait 15 to 30 minutes before I started taking in any calories and then my watch would alert me every 15 minutes to take ~1/3 of a gel and once an hour take real food (i.e. one honey stinger waffle). I sipped on my Nuun water as needed. The first miles of the course were through busy streets, but were well marked and manned with lots of cops and volunteers. Soon we actually made our way onto Interstate 140. It seemed kind of weird, but they had given us a whole lane to ourselves. It was actually kind of nice because the road surface was great and we really didn't have to worry about traffic. So, while the course was fine and I was feeling strong, the weather was not being very forgiving. There was a pretty significant head wind and the fog and chill remained. I tried to remain positive by telling myself that it would clear off and I would get a chance to warm-up and dry out. The wind was another story, but I reassured myself with the fact that every other racer was facing the same conditions.
My plan for the bike was to keep my heart rate below 135. I stuck to that plan quite well, with a few exceptions. When the wind came up, I forced myself to accept the significant slow down in MPH to keep my heart rate low. The weather was definitely not ideal, but I think being from Alaska and training in similar weather gave me a significant advantage over many of the other people out there. There were a lot of people who were really suffering. One gal past me and was visibly shivering. In order to remain positive, I would say to myself "it sure would be nice if the sun would come out" instead of cursing the cold, soggy conditions. While I remained relatively comfortable overall, my hands and feet did eventually become numb.
There were aid stations every 15 miles or so. At each, I would ditch the water bottle in my down tube and grab a new one. I would use the new water to refill my aero bottle, to which I added a new Nuun tablet as needed. I had stacked different flavors of Nuun in my tube, so I was always in for a big surprise! Grape or banana or tri berry...it was anybody's guess! For those of you that don't know, at the bike aid stations you do not dismount, rather you slow down enough to grab a bottle from a volunteer who kind of jogs along side of you. At one of the middle aid stations, I missed two bottles because of non-functioning fingers. The poor girls handing out the bottles were panicked! They screamed to the last volunteer "WATER! WATER! She needs WATER!" Fortunately I was successful in my last attempt. I think that the girls were actually much more relieved than I was!  I stopped all calories within about 20 minutes of the end of the bike to settle my stomach in anticipation of the run.
I was clearly doing well with my fluid intake because I stopped three (or was it four) times to pee along the way. I didn't bother with the johns at the aid stations but I also opted not to pull the old peeing on the bike trick. Although it might have warmed things up for a bit. At my first pee stop, I did notice that I had failed to remove the plastic bag from my bike seat and had been riding with it on for 35 or 40 miles. Oh yeah, I'm a pro.
When I hit the special needs aid station, I blew on by. All that I had in my bag was extra nutrition and I wasn't lacking. It looked like a lot of people were stopping though. I'm guessing it had a lot to do with the weather.
I can't be sure when it was or at what mile, but suddenly I realized it wasn't so cold anymore and that the sun was actually trying to come out. It was the beginning of a good trend and I slowly began to warm up and dry out. But the wind remained. Someone later told me there gusts of up to 30.
Around mile 75, the course changed direction enough that the headwind became a tailwind. It was a lovely way to ride back to Wilmington and T2 at the Battleship. Sun and winds at my back. I was flying and passing a lot of folks. I think I averaged over 22 MPH for the last 40 miles of the ride. It was having a blast and, at least to me, the 75 miles of headwind were worth it.
As the miles added up, my back was getting sore and my mind was starting to drift towards thoughts of the marathon that was waiting for me. I hadn't seen my family along the route. I knew from the beginning that it was a long shot that they would be able to make their way somewhere along the course. It was kind of good not knowing. There was always a little part of me wondering if they would be around the next corner, but I was never disappointed when they weren't there.
I wish I could describe what it's like to ride 112 miles and the thoughts that go through your head. It's a lot of nonsense really and I'm afraid most of you would be disappointed to learn that it's really just a lot of jumble thoughts about what I saw along the way, how my body was feeling, how much time I had left until the next gel or food.  But every once in a while I would smile and remind myself where I was and what I was doing. What your body goes through it hard to describe as well. One minutes you are focused on a particular pain or niggle and then suddenly you realize that what you were focused on doesn't hurt anymore and you can't remember when it stopped.
I finally saw the bridge marking the route to the Battleship and my running shoes.
Bike time: 6:32:41
Link to Garmin GPS file
T2
I don't have any pics of me coming into T2 because my family hadn't arrived yet! Again, I wasn't upset because the reason was I had finished the bike leg faster than they thought I would. Pulling into T2, I hopped off at the dismount line. A volunteer grabbed my bike and told me he would take care of it. Another volunteer handed me my gear bag and I ran into the changing tent. I sat down and took stock. I felt pretty good. My legs were definitely fatigued and my lower back was sore, but overall I was pleased with how the bike had gone and how I felt about the 26.2 ahead of me. I put a fresh pair of compression socks and took off my bike jersey. I left my arm warmers on because the wind was still whipping even though the sun was out. I replaced my helmet with a visor and grabbed my two gel flasks. The flasks had been filled with 4 GUs each along with 4 salt caps and diluted with water.  I shoved everything back in the bag and left it behind in the changing tent as I went out to finish this thing!
T2 time: 00:05:50 (again a little long, but not too bad)

Po and Drew playing at the condo during the bike leg.

Run Leg
Running across the timing mat to end my transition and start my run, I turned onto the road the led away from the Battleship and towards the first bridge. That is when I saw my family. They were hooting and hollering and were so surprised that I had not only beat them to transition, but was already heading out on the run. I smiled and laughed, as they cheered me on.  On that first bridge, the wind was so strong that my visor literally blew off of my head. When I stop to put it back on and adjust my shoelaces, my old friend Glenn ran by and we cheered each other on. It was great to see him again and to know he was doing well.
As I tried my find my running rhythm, my legs definitely felt heavy but I wasn't miserable. I vowed that I would just keep running and see how things unfolded.  The course was two loops of an out and back, so everything I faced, I faced four times. That was good in some cases, like the party atmosphere of the downtown streets in Wilmington and bad in others, like the two bridges I would have to cross 4 times each.
I tried not to think about how many miles were ahead, but just took each mile one at a time. There were aid stations every mile. They were manned by the most incredible volunteers ever!!  I was taking a slug of gel every minutes and water at each aid station. I wasn't enjoying the gel/salt mix much but I didn't know how to alter it, or rather I didn't have the energy to think of a good alternative.
The course went through downtown Wilmington, through a more industrial section and then through a lovely little park where the 6.55 mile turn around was located. I was reasonably happy with my time so far and just hoped I could hold it together. Nearing the turn around in the park I saw Glenn again. It was encouraging to see him again.
I was moving and felt like I was doing doing reasonably well, but I would always be a bit disappointed when I checked my watch and saw how slow I was actually moving. Then I remind myself that I wasn't going for a marathon PR, I was just trying to finish an ironman in under 14 hours.
At mile 10, I was surprised to see Pete! I was so, so great to see him. I stopped and hugged him and then kept chugging along.
I crossed each bridge for the second time to make my way back to the battleship and my special needs bag. I knew that some of the people running along side me were probably making that run for the last time, rather than than the first. That is a bit hard to swallow, but seeing the people running the other direction...starting their first trip over the trip put it in perspective.
I ran past my family going into transition and special needs. They were still full of energy and star cheering power!

Running into transition and the half way point of the marathon

In transition, I got rid of my empty gel flask and put on my long sleeve top. I knew the sun would be going down during the second loop and it would be cold again. The most important thing I grabbed was my little baggie of candy corn. Candy corn is one of my favorite treats, so I wanted a few for a moral boost during the second half of the marathon.

After the turn-around, showing off my candy corn goodies!

Getting some encouragement from Mark

Kisses and smiles from Baby Drew!!

It was good for my soul to see my loved ones again and I started the second 13.1 with a renewed enthusiasm. Unfortunately, my legs were not as strong as my mind, so while I was making forward progress, it was slower than ideal. My goal was to keep running no matter how slow.  Oh and here come those bridges again. What kept me going was that I knew Pete was waiting for me at mile 16 because he had said he would see me at the same point on my way back. Before reaching that point, I stopped at what was becoming my favorite aid station. There were a couple of sweet little girls with fairy wings working there and they always made me smile.
As promised, I saw Pete at mile 16. Again, it was great to see a friendly face. But what was really a fantastic surprise was that Jess and Drew had made their way over there as well. Drew was full of smiles for me and I kissed her little cheeks. I couldn't believe she had made it so much of the day. For the second time, I nearly started crying with emotion. I knew Jess would have to take Drew home, but Pete said he would see me at the finish and I said I know and kept running.
Somewhere between this point and mile 21, I really started to feel pretty crappy. My stomach was not happy.  My plan to walk the aid stations was turning into loitering the aid stations. Up to this point, I had thought I would be able to sneak in under 13 hours, but my pace was slowing considerably and I saw this slipping away from me.  I wanted to quit taking the gel, but nothing at the aid stations was any more appetizing. At the 21 mile aid station, I was nearing the bathroom danger zone again. The good news is there was a john available and I emerged from it a new woman. I felt so much better. I bailed on my gels and starting in on the chicken broth and coke. Never have two items tasted so good. I definitely had a new lease on life.
I started running, knowing that the end was not far. I also decided to quit looking at my watch in terms of a time goal and only out of curisosity. I knew 13 hours was not attainable now, so I just let it go and focus on finishing in a vertical position.
I started talking with folks as I came upon them at the aid stations or on the road. I met a lot of nice people, who were all to happy to chat and have a distraction.
At the aid station just before I was to cross the bridges for the last time, I asked the woman to make sure I looked alright for my finish photo. I think she got a kick out of that and she even fixed my hair a bit.
I didn't care how fast I was going because I could hear the band and see the lights at the finish line. I made a final pit stop at the last aid station and then slowly ran over the final bridge. It was the darkest and longest bridge EVER!  Every step hurt my tender feet and my whole body was begging me to just stop moving and yet my heart was soaring. At the same time, I was feeling so much empathy for those who were crossing the bridge in the opposite direction, still having to face a half marathon.
Over the bridge and onto flat ground, there were people every where. A lot of athletes were lined up to the take bus back to downtown and their cars. It was obvious from how "quick" I was moving and the smile on the my face that I was nearing the end. They whooped with congratulations. Turning the corner into transition, a volunteer called my number and said "there's a finisher's smile." I saw Mark, who was yelling and running and taking photos. Then he disappeared and I realized it was because I still had to wrap around a bit to reach the finish line. He was running ahead to be at the end. One more corner and I saw the finishing arch. It was all I could do to keep a smile on my face and not break down.
And then I was done. I was an ironwoman.
Run time: 5:24:19 (yeah, I blew up)
Link to Garmin GPS file
Total time: 13:13:02
I crossed the line and immediately starting crying. I got my finisher's medal and some poor kid wanted to take my timing chip. I told to go for it, but I could be of no help. He managed to get it off. Through the chute, I was handed a space blanket, which I wrapped around my shoulders and then rushed into the arms of my husband. I was balling at this point and hugged and kissed Pete and my mom. We were all crying. I think the first words I said to them were "I don't think I'll do that again for a while."

The whole event was very surreal. The moments both lasted forever and flew by. Overall, I'd say it was the fastest 13 hours of my life.  Reflecting on it now, I cannot help but get choked up all over again when I think about what I did and everyone who helped me along the way. I can remember when I first got into this sport of triathlon and saying over and over again that I would never do an ironman. The thought of it was too immense and here I am, with a legitimate claim to calling myself an ironman triathlete.
Even though ironman is not a team sport, no one can cross the finish line without help. Despite the pain and discomfort and the occasional dark moment, I never ever doubted that I would finish on the day. I owe that to all of those who were with me in spirit along the way. I absolutely would not have made it the 140.6 miles, let alone through the months of training, without the most incredible support system. The thousands of volunteers that committed 100% to helping the athletes on the day were incredible. I've never experience a better group of people. I don't know where the B2B folks found these people, they were pure gold. The organizers of this race really put on a first class event. I felt like a VIP all day.  Rikki Keen dialed in my nutrition and never got annoyed with my questions. My coach, Lisa Keller, outlined a plan tailor made for me. Her plan and advice build me up and kept me strong and confident through the whole day. Thank you so much, Lisa; you are a rock star. To my friends, who, even though they would roll their eyes and tell me I was nuts when we talked about the race and my training, I knew were behind me entirely. So many of you offered me words of encouragement before and on the day. Believe me when I say that I carried every word with me. Betsy and Heather were particularly brilliant in their support. I love you both. And of course, my beautiful, amazing, spectacular family. Where would I be without you all? Each of you traveled to be with me and see me race, a completely selfless act. You stuck it out all day in the wind, rain and cold, but only had smiles for me.  Your faces (and t-shirts!) on the race course gave me more inspiration and motivation that you will ever know. Mark, my husband, deserves the most thanks of all because he had to put up with me through the 15 hours training weeks, the anal retentiveness about getting my workouts in, the 9 hours bricks, the ice baths, the pick-up requests when I miscalculated my time or distance, the piles of water bottles in the dish washer, the extra loads of laundry and on and on. Most important, though, I thank Mark for never questioning why I do this sport and never doubting that I would finish. He was remarkable through all of race weekend. Thank you, my love...but I have some bad news, I will be doing this all again.

So, that's my race report. I'll follow this up in a day or two with an epilogue now that I've had a week or so to ruminate on the day. Thanks for reading!!