The Headwaters Half Iron was a really great event at a great venue. Hats off to Aubrey Curtis and Tony from Fleet Feet in Bozeman for putting on the first half iron in Montana. With a little promotion this race has the potential to become really popular. It could really put the little town of Three Forks on the map and maybe like 24 hours of Rapelje contribute to its economy. I heard something about a great breakfast at the hotel??? I have to admit I wasn't so sure about swimming in the pond, but it was really clean and clear. The bike was more challenging than I had anticipated with a pretty much false flat and a few really big grinds all the way to the turn around. And the run was hot, hot, hot. The straight 2.5 mile pavement section was definite suffering, but also the most gratifying because that is what all the training is all about.
I have read a few race reports on the mens race, but I haven't read anything about the womens so I am going to report on how it all went down. From my perspective anyway.
This was my A race and I had trained hard to peak for it. However, I got sick a week before the race and wasn't able to taper properly. Actually I was on the fence about racing all the way until Friday before. So I wasn't sure how I would feel. Did my rest go to fighting infection or rebuilding muscles? You all know the thoughts that go through your mind.
So race day. Up early with an early 730am race start. The transition was pretty casual with only 35 people. I think Aubrey knew everybody by name. It was nice with only a few racks you didn't have to get there to early to ensure a good transition location. They were all good.
Ok to the race. We were off on the swim. Two laps counterclockwise around the pond. I came out right next to Art Thompsen. My time was slower than my goal, but thats okay I was pretty sure I couldn't beat that goal.
At the transition I glanced around and saw the one bike I was worried about gone. Crap, that lady is ahead of me already. Threw on my new pink aero helmet got my food and ran out of the transition area (with my bike of course).
Erik was directing traffic at the first turn and told me she had 5 minutes on me. I tried to settle into the bike at a fast pace but something I could maintain. I had 56miles to get my 5 minutes back. I was almost to the turn around when I saw her. Sweet, I was closing in. Going back was fast and fun. Over the speed limit in Logan. I remembered reading Mel's (from Team Delphine) first race report when she did that and even laughed a little. I could never see my competitor though and at the end of the bike kind of conceded to 2nd. I am not a fast runner and that would be a hard catch. I had already made two goals though. Possibly a fastest bike split and higher than average speed than I needed for my overall goal time. Some cushion from that damn swim.
I transitioned and was out on the first 2.5 mile straighaway. The other girls I was assuming were still pretty far behind me. Then I could see her. Far away, but I could see her. I thought, maybe I can catch her. At the first aid station she was closer and she kept getting closer. As we ran through downtown Three Forks I passed her. She was a strong strong triathlete and I thank her so much for being my rabbit. Good luck in your racing!! The next 7 miles I had to contain myself and focus on finishing. A lot can happen in 7 miles especially in that heat. At the finish my time was 5:17:30. 1st female and I think 5th overall. My strong competitor came in just behind me and Becky Hochstein from the Bozeman Tritons finished 3rd.
Other Bozeman women that competed were Brenna Boyd, Liz Layne, and Mariska MacKenzie. They all finished really strong. Good job to all of you.
Winning this race was just icing on the cake. If I went to a big 70.3 trademark race I wouldn't even place in an age group category. The important thing for me in this race was that I set goals and was able to meet them and then some. I followed a training plan that allowed me to actually "peak" for this race and accomplish my goals. But, I think the mind is really powerful and if you can really believe something you can achieve it. Maybe the next race I can get under 5 hours??!!
Finally, I just have to share a few quotes that I keep in mind when traing and racing.
"Never just go through the motions" Jason Lezak (Thanks Art)
"Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off your goals" I think I found this from Linsey Corbin, not sure where she got it.
"Pain is weakness leaving the body" Not sure where I got this.
Thanks for reading -Julie
