River Cities Triathlon Race Report - The Race to Ironman Begins

This weekend was so much fun!  A friend of mine has spoken so highly of the River Cities Triathlon since she first completed it a few years ago that I knew this one would be on my 'must do' list.  I'm so glad I got to do it this year!

We got to Shreveport around 4pm and checked in with the race at Sportspectrum - a really cool fitness apparel store.  While waiting in line for my race packet I walked straight past a table set up for a raffle drawing with triathlete Jenn Sommermann, an ovarian cancer survivor who is racing around the country to raise money for the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF). 

I had read Jenn's story a few months back and written her an email telling her about losing my mother and grandmother to this horrible disease.  I also let her know how grateful I was for her efforts and that whenever I got to meet her I wanted to give her two hugs, one for my mom and one for my grandmother.  So needless to say, I was thrilled to see her.  After I grabbed my packet I walked over to the table and introduced myself.  Jenn was so gracious and immediately gave me the biggest hug I've had in a long time.  Let's just say I lost it...cried my eyes out.  I felt so embarrassed, but the first thing that popped into my head when she hugged me was "I'm hugging a survivor!"  She was so sweet and encouraging in MY efforts to raise money.  I could barely even get out the words to thank her in person - but I did manage to give her the TWO hugs I promised her I would.  Here's a picture of us (once I wiped the mascara off my face - Ha!):

Please check out her blog and help her if you can:  http://www.jennsommermann.blogspot.com/

Now I had to focus on race day.  That means a mandatory pasta dinner, setting up all of my gear so it's ready to go in the morning, and attempting to get a good night's sleep.

The next morning we were up at 5:00am.  Time to get dressed, load up all of the gear and the bike and get to transition.  I love getting to transition early...thankfully so do most of the other triathletes I know!  It's nice to get there with plenty of time to set up, go to the bathroom 7 or 8 times!, and people watch before the nerves set in.

Ready to roll!  Go Team Hope!

My wave started around 8:40.  We all stepped into the water, the cannon went off and the race was on.  The 800m swim was nice once I could get out of the crowds and find a line to the next buoys.  There was a small current that made it a bit of a struggle to stay straight, but it was a quick swim and in a little less than 20 minutes I was done and on my way to the bike.

I headed out on the bike (my worst of the three disciplines) and just tried to find a rhythm and not count the number of times I was passed.  The course was a big 18 mile loop of rolling hills around the lake and was pretty shaded from the extreme August heat.  It was a really nice bike ride - challenging, but not killer, with some really great scenery.

Getting ready for the bike ride!

18 mile ride done!  Now it's time to RUN!

I got off the bike in 1:05:52...which I'm pretty happy with.  That's about 16.6mph average on rolling hills and 100 degree temperatures.  I'll take it.

Next up, my favorite part, the run!!  I love to run, especially in the heat.  I felt good for the whole 3.1 miles and worked hard to keep cool.  I really thought my pace was much faster than a 9:18/mile, but I'm still happy with the 28:49 run finish.  My total race time was 2:00:09. 

Crossing the finish line!

You really have to consider the heat in races like this.  It's amazing how much faster race times are all around in cooler/drier conditions.  Racing and exercising, in general, in extreme temperatures really takes a lot more out of you.  I consider any work out in that kind of weather a success if I don't end up puking my brains out in the end.  So this race is an absolute success in my book!

When we reached the car in the parking lot the temperature outside was 108 degrees!!  That officially makes this the hottest race I've ever competed in!

River Cities was a great start to my fundraising efforts for the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.  Even though I didn't raise any money for this race in particular, I consider it the beginning to the ramp up races for my Ironman on May 19, 2012.  Soon I'll have some more information about my plans for the Ironman, but please keep following me and stay tuned for all Miles for Mitzie events so you can find a place that you can help too.

Stay tuned...