Chatty 70.3, Third times a charm

The Chattanooga Bridge is a tough part of the run

Chattanooga, TN and I have a love-hate relationship. Great food, friends, Quintana Roo Headquarters and overall just fun little town. Yet, the race has gotten me every year. This was my third attempt at racing Chattanooga and I came into the race with low expectations, but knowing what was to come. I felt fully prepared to tackle the demons that usually get me. For those who dont know, Chattanooga is known for its hills, heat and humidity. They even have a "Kona-nooga" aid station, and it has lived up to hype every year. This year was *Cue*, the first weekend it was 90 degrees all year. No one was acclimated, and in a weird way I was actually kind of excited for it. It was like a battle of who could last the longest. Who could perform in the elements.

Moms first trip to Chattanooga

This years sherpa was my Mom and she hasnt come to a race in a while. She prefers the short distance races but she has come to learn that the half-iron distance isnt so bad after all. We made the 9 hr treck straight-thru friday morning and arrived at our Homestay House, the Lawyers, who have become like family over the last 3 years, right around dinner time. We were pretty exhausted when we arrived, so I sent a couple emails, did some Normatec-ing, and hit the bed early.

Gertie, The terrorist cat. She wasnt as bad this year :)

Saturday was the normal pre-race festivities. Morning shake out workouts, a quick goggle test, pancakes, and the pro-check in/ meeting. This year, Pros are required to check our bikes in along with the AG athletes, so I made sure to do it right when it opened so we could get out of the heat and home as soon as possible. The rest of day was pretty boring, and just alot of eating/drinking. I also made sure to "pre-load" with PH tabs and Nuun, to make sure my body was ready to handle the heat...I  have to admit, I think it worked....

Getting all the bags and gear ready the night before.

Race Morning! I always have nerves on race morning but I have learned to control them a bit better with each race that I have done. I tell the athletes I coach that its "OK" to have butterflies. It simply means you care and want to do your best. I have learned to embrace the butterflies, and let them let me fly instead. I find a few moments of silence, smiling, and a couple deep breaths really help right before the gun goes off. Its worth a try if you also are prone to the race morning jitters.

My mom caught the bus with me over to the swim start. Since the swim is a mile "up-stream", they have shuttles to take you there. We lined up over by the pro start and just sat for about 30 mins to rest before the race. The water temperature was 72, and the pro cut-off is 71.5, so this was a non wetsuit swim for the pros, which is always fine by me. This year I ordered the Zone 3 sleeveless swim-skin. I have the full sleeve suit but opted to give the sleeveless a try because of some mobility in my arms issues in the past. It felt great and fit perfect. There was 39 female pros signed up for this race so I knew it would be a fast start. Its GREAT when this many girls show up. The more the better in terms of racing. As a pro, it can often be lonely when your out there in the front, so the more girls within reach makes everyone faster. We all can work together to bring out the best of each other.

Running up the Hill to Transition. Ironically, smiling.

I stupidly lined up in the wrong spot for the swim start, so my normal swim suffered a bit. 3x racing here and I actually am pretty mad I messed that part up. Still, out of the water in 27 mins and off to get my Quintana Roo PR6.  The transition is a rather long run, and up a ramp that really makes you question about what your going to do. But stay calm and carry on they say .... While we were swimming, the race directors made an executive decision based on how "slow" we swam up stream to let the age groupers just dive in and go down. It sucks that races have to keep coming to this, but I guess safety is always a concern. This time they atleast gave a big enough gap between the start of the age group race that the age group men never really bothered me unlike two years ago.

Feet are out! Getting ready for a dismount!

Heading out onto the bike, I was in a group of about 5 girls. It was nice to have an "eye on the prize". I told myself I didnt need to ride anything crazy, but to keep the other girls in sight and that would set me up for a good day. I really wanted to run well off the bike and I was concerned about the heat so I knew I had to stay on top of my nutrition, as well as not do anything stupid. Around mile 15, I started to catch up to my "eye on the prize", and eventually passed them. A few others followed and we played cat and mouse the rest of the day. It helped me stay focus and I was able to ride about 10 watts less than last year and come off with the same bike split. I knew I paced myself well because I could tell I was not dehydrated like in years past and my power was not fading like it usually does at the end of this ride. Lets go run...

Running Strong. I use a gel flask for my run nutrition.

A quick dismount (or rather a slow one...as 5 age group men zoomed by me and then crashed accordingly on the mount line 😵). I got my shoes on quick and out the door. The beginning of a 70.3 run is always tough...and it should be! Your racing! In Chattanooga, you do a quick out and back where you can see lots of spectators 2x, and then quickly start to go up the first of a few hills. It plays with you because it hurts. But I just told myself, it should hurt and thats ok! Embrace it. My watch buzzed and I was clicking along at 650-7 min/pace and I was surprised at the pace that was coming off. There was lots of girls near me and I was either clicking away at them or holding them  off, and it kept me engaged and focused. It was really heating up so I never missed an aid station. Ice and sponges, liquid, and fuel. Every, single, station. Around mile 4, I felt my caffeine gels starting to kick in and I knew I would make it. Mile 5 marks the "biggest" hill and my goal became to just not stop and keep running up it. Before you knew it I was onto lap 2, and heading toward the finish line.

Finish line feels! T-5 mins start back time.

Success! I finally got the race I knew I could get, trained for, and was capable of. I was super impressed with myself after looking over the splits, but also with my competitors. This is what racing is truly about--giving all you have and whatever you have on the day that you are given.

Turns out I was only a few seconds off my 70.3 PR, and on a much harder course and day. Ill take that as a major accomplishment and it just fuels me for more.

Thanks to all my friends and family, Coach Matt, and the best sponsors around! Zone 3, Quintana Roo, M3, Klean Athlete, SBR Sborts, Matt Hanson Racing, DC Tri Elite team. Catch me next at CDA 70.3, and then racing the double at Musselman.