Ironman bought Timberman in 2013, killed it, and brought it back to life this year. A race just over an hour from where I live? Sign me up! It was two weeks after Boulder 70.3, but I nailed my Boulder recovery (Thank Coach Julie!) and went into it with nothing to lose except for some altitude.
This race was a stark contrast from Boulder. First, it was women’s pro only, and with a smaller field overall (Maine 70.3 a week later had a lot to do with that), it had a grassroots feel. I was psyched to race with fellow JD Crew ladies Lisa Becharas and Rinny. We sat together at the pro meeting, and laughed at jokes Rinny was cracking, one of which was to refer to Maurtengels as martinis.
In the middle of doing race prep, my amazing friend Rachel, owner of Montclair Bread Company, brought me a bag full of baked goods! I most definitely had a croissant-muffin thing and some rosemary sourdough on the spot. She was competing in a long-deferred first half ironman and ended up doing amazing!
Race Morning
In previous years, the swim was in Lake Winnepesaukee and was always wetsuit legal, but we swam in the neighboring lake that was not wetsuit legal. The cannon went off, and I lost feet quickly. I was pretty miffed about my swim, which shows on my face coming out of the water.
The bike leg was a tale of two courses: the first 30 miles were a flat out and back with an extension at the entry of a race track. My power was just okay for the first 30 miles, and not once didnI consider riding home (not enough snacks and didn’t have any money on me, hah!) I knew I’d have a chance to push it in miles 30-50. We made a right turn and entered the portal to a rollercoaster, with sustained climbs, punchy climbs, and some blind turns at speed. I rode near threshold up the climbs in my smallest gear, remembering my mental performance coach, Shannon Mulcahy’s words that “it’s okay to feel uncomfortable.”
After a long descent into transition, I traded shoes and went to boogy on the run. The course had long climbs with grades as consistent as mine in middle school. It allowed me to keep a good rhythm I got into in the first flat two miles.
It was great to hear the familiar voices of Alyssa Godesky and Colin on the run course! I kept ticking away 6:20s on the descents and 6:40s on the inclines, taking a gel every 2-3 miles. I saw Lisa at an out-and-back with 2 miles to go, but I had to run about 6 flat pace to catch her. I ended up running a PR of 1:26:01 with an elevation gain of 500 feet and placed 7th woman overall in 4:36.
Shortly after finishing, it started to sprinkle, enough that I got cold because body temperature is hard to maintain post-race. We walked back to the van, and just after I finish showering at the van, the rain turned more steady. Hurricane Henri was on his way! We grabbed some food and learned awards were cancelled. Even though I wouldn’t get a ceremony, I was thrilled to earn my first paycheck from Ironman in over 3 years. Only a few of these a week and I can quit my day job!
Next up: Augusta 70.3 on August 26th. A downcurrent swim is calling my name!