Luray Triathlon Race Report

The Luray Double (sprint + international distance races in the same weekend) quickly became a favorite of mine after my experience and success in the 2011 races.  With Ironman on the schedule I had to forego Luray in 2012, but I knew it would make the race schedule in 2013.  The Luray Double consists of completing the International distance race on Saturday morning followed by the Sprint distance race on Sunday morning.

FRIDAY
I was lucky enough to be able to adjust my work schedule to be done by 3:00 on Friday.  After couple snafu's and a crazy metro trip I met up with Adam and we battled some traffic on our way to Luray.  I've become quite stubborn about my pre-race meal and if I have the means to have my usual, then I'll make sure I get it.  Thursday evening I prepared pasta and veggies and packed it up in some Tupperware to take along on our trip.  As we rolled into town we went straight to packet pick-up and the grocery store to get some small necessities ( a pot to heat our pasta on our camp stove).  Once at Lake Arrowhead park we scoured the camping area, apparently since the 2011 races camping has become much more popular!  We were able to find some lakefront property, with no one else near us (quiet!).  The tent went up, air mattress inflated, and we soon started heating up our pasta.  Best idea ever, dinner was easy, peaceful, tasty, and we got to watch the sunset over Lake Arrowhead as we ate.  Great pre-race night.  After dinner I got my #'s on my bike/helmet/race belt, sorted out my nutrition, and got ready for bed.  Camping this year was a bit more sophisticated with a queen sized air mattress, blankets, pillows, etc.

SATURDAY PRE-RACE
I woke up to the alarm at 6am and headed over to the car to get my breakfast ready.  Honeynut Chex with sliced banana (I know crazy, but I think Special K Red Berries was causing a stomach issue...).  Camping at the race site is pretty much the best, I walked over racked my bike and set up transition with no problem.  Returned my bag and extra stuff to our car and used the restroom before collecting my timing chip and getting into my wetsuit.

LURAY INTERNATIONAL DISTANCE RACE RECAP

The Swim - 1500m - 31:36 (14th AG)
I was appreciative of the fact that I was in the 2nd wave - starting at 8:04 am.  It's so nice to have a few races every season where I'm not starting 2 hours after the 1st wave (M-dot).  I tried a bit of a new tactic once in the water before our wave went off.  I usually line myself up front and center - why do I do this?  Because I'm not a great swimmer and I need to start as close to the front as possible to get the time benefit.  WRONG.  I've become a better swimmer, but I'm still no where close to the best in my wave, so I started in the 2nd row of athletes = AMAZING.  I didn't get swam over once.  I was able to draft almost immediately and sight a little less.  I don't think this hurt my time at all.  My wave was not very physical, especially for the size of it.  The Luray swim course is odd, kind of like and M (but with a flat top added), but I love it.  The next buoy is never super far away and there's pretty much always other athletes near you.  As I made the last turn toward the beach I was passing a guy who had started in the wave ahead of me.  As I passed him he stroked and pushed my head down into the water - I have no doubt this was intentional.  Most times when when you take a stroke and you hit someone you move your arm, shorten your stroke, find space, etc.  This man did this not once, but twice - palmed my head and dunked me, awesome (but I'm still kicking your butt dude and now I'll just pass you faster! Thanks for the motivation.)  I felt strong the entire swim.  My Garmin Data actually comes out to 1.01 miles, so I swam a bit far.  Overall, I'm happy with my swim - at least I'm consistently in the 29-31 minute ranger.  Now to get to the 27-28 minute range....

T1 - 1:56 (1st AG)
Yes, I enjoy the fact that I'm fast in transition.  I know I lack speed in the swim so I can't let the swimmers put anymore time into me during transition.  It was quite simple - run across the beach, up the stairs, through transition, get into bike shoes, helmet, sunglasses, grab bike, and roll out!

The Bike - 41k - 1:17:44 (2nd AG)
It was a gorgeous day.  Sun was shining, roads were dry, and I was on my bike!  I didn't feel as great as I usually do.  I felt lethargic and slow.  I spun my legs up and settled in.  The very first part of the course is uphill.  I was able to pass some fellow athletes in transition and in the first couple miles of the bike.  I've been working on hills - a lot this year - and I've been getting better at them.  I've also become well acquainted with my small ring and the benefits it offers.  I rode the 1st loop of this 2 loop course almost entirely in the small

ring.  Once starting the 2nd loop I dropped into the big ring and pushed it.  My 2nd loop was super crowded compared to the 1st where I felt like I was basically alone.  I passed some friend and fellow athletes as I grinded through the wonderful false flats.  I was soon headed straight through and back toward the park while almost everyone else seemed to be starting there 2nd loop.  It was a somewhat lonely ride toward the one big climb.  Once I started climbing I saw Adam and he promptly ran up the hill alongside me.  It felt good to be rolling into transition.  As I made the turn into the park I took my feet out of my shoes and did a moving dismount as I headed into T2.

T2 - 0:58(2nd AG)
Ok, somone got me by a few seconds, bummer, but I'm happy with my time.  Helmet off, run shoes on, Gu's stuffed in shorts, and race belt with visor in hand.  I headed out of transition and onto the run!

The Run - 10k - 48:49 (5th AG)
The 1st mile of this run is downhill.  It's easy to get carried away and run a bit fast.  The 2nd mile is slightly rolling and the 3rd mile is all uphill (it's a double out and back 10k course).  It was great to see so many familiar faces both racing and cheering.  Ignite, Kgo, and Adam, and fellow DCTCers were everywhere.  I have a bad habit of not looking at my Garmin during races.  I will start using it during the run.  It helps me a

lot during my training runs - therefore I should let it help me in races.  The 3rd and 6th mile on this course were tough.  When I got off the bike I was running in 2nd in my age group.  I was passed around mile 4.5 by the eventual 2nd place finisher and passed just after mile 5 by the eventual 3rd place finisher.  I'm most disappointed in this, though my run was the best I've had all season at this distance so I'll celebrate that.  On a tough course nonetheless!

Overall Result: 2:41:00 - 4th AG, 14th Female

POST RACE
I got a bit of food in me and got out of my running shoes.  The weather was great there were plenty of DC Tri and other people to cheer in and hang out with.  We got to see a ton of friends stand atop the podium and collect their hardware.  It was every bit as great as I remember it from 2011.  I look forward to being back in 2014 (though maybe not for the double...I have quite a big race in July ;) )

SATURDAY AFTERNOON
We originally had big ideas of going to The Caverns, tubing the Shenendoah, hiking, etc.  Honestly we didn't do too much.  We went for an awesome swim in Lake Arrowhead, got cleaned up and headed into town for a bit.  We picked up my race packet for Sunday's race (it'll be nice when they figure out how the combine the 2 - so double participants don't have to get 2 sets of #'s and bags and everything else).  We also got some chicken to add to our pasta and some dessert form a local bake sale.  We headed back to our campsite and had a very similar evening to the one before.  Since we were eating dinner a bit earlier we sat near the bonfire area and chowed down - once again delicious!  We relaxed on the our blanket as the sun went down over the lake before preparing my #'s for Sunday and heading too bed.


SUNDAY PRE-RACE
I didn't wake up to the 6am alarm - I had been up, tossing and turning most of the night.  Very unusual for me, as the past few times Adam and I have camped I've slept like a baby.  Not this time.  I was excited to race, but  man my energy was just not there.  I had the same breakfast, went through almost the same routine at the previous day got my myself situated.  I thought I was just exhausted from the Saturday's race and the camping so I didn't say anything.  Admitting I was tired and exhausted would make it real.  It was overcast and rainy, and a great day for a Sprint Triathlon!

LURAY SPRINT TRIATHLON RACE RECAP

The Swim - 750m - 16:03 (9th AG)
This swim was a bit more physical than the day before but still managable.  I wasn't able to find feet early and the feet  I found towards the end led me a bit astray!  Garmin record .54 miles of swimming...whoops...about a 10th of a mile too far.  Lesson learned...do my own sighting.  Swim straight and my swim times will get better, faster!

T1 - 2:01 (1st AG)
I didn't get a bike rack toward the middle aisle of the transition area so it took me a couple seconds longer to get to and from my stuff.  Same routine as the day before.  Helmet, sunglasses, shoes, grab bike and roll out!

The Bike - 17 miles - 53:03 (1st AG)
Unlike Saturday the sun was long gone and the roads were soaked from the overnight and current rain.  It rained all morning on Sunday - with little reprieve.  Just like on Saturday I felt tired and it took me a while to feel good on the bike.  Oi, I didn't know what was wrong with me.  Spin the legs, get comfortable, and then push it.  I was able to do that and eventually pass most of my competitor's in my AG.  When I got to the big
climb back toward the park I expected to see Adam again, he hadn't made it out there, but our friend Joe was out there with his camera being an awesome fiance, sherpa, and fan!  Usually I love the bike, but I was actually loving the fact that I was about to be off the bike in the rain.

T2 - 0:57 (1st AG)
Simple, helmet off, run shoes on, gels in shorts, and race belt in hand.  Head out to the run course!

The Run - 5k - 24:43 (6th AG)
I should have run better.  I came off the bike running in 2nd in my AG, but I knew Jenny would not be far behind and that she'd probably close the gap quickly.  Close the gap she did, at mile 1 - and then she opened it back up.  One day, I'll run like her.  For now, I'll just chase her up and down hills.  This was 1 out and back of the run course from the day before.  I should have been able to run this faster, I know I am capable of faster, but it was tough, and I was still feeling exhausted.  I held on for the last couple miles and finish strong.

Overall - 1:36:45 - 3rd AG, 9th Female

FAST FORWARD 48 HOURS
Tuesday morning, I arrive at work.  I had noticed the night before a cut on my elbow that I got in a bike crash the weekend before wasn't looking to good. I had also noticed lump developing my right arm (same arm as wound) on Saturday evening. By Sunday night and Monday said lump was so painful I could not sleep and had trouble doing much manual therapy on my patients at work.   As I changed into my work clothes on Tuesday I noticed red swollen bumps down both legs, around my elbow wound, and on my side.  Oi, I'd seen these before! A few days after IM Louisville in 2012 I had the same symptoms.  This time I knew not to wait, I promptly got in to my doctor's office and relayed the story - fall, triathlons, camping, dirty elbow pads on bike, sweat, and tegaderm falling off.  Shortly after I was sent on my way with some new antibiotics and advice to take it easy for a day or two.  In short Staph Infections - 2, Holli - 0.

At least, I now have an explanation for the lethargy and crumminess I was feeling.  I don't think it was the camping or racing, it was this infection brewing and getting throughout my entire blood stream as my lymph node in my right armpit fought to keep it at bay and swelled and swelled and swelled!  Had this infection not been present I'm not sure my results would have been any different.  Odd my 2 episodes were 51 weeks apart, here's to hoping I never get another.

If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away...

I'd pack up my bike and go for the day :) Losing them wouldn't be so hard to take...

Two years ago, today, my life changed as drastically as one's life can change in an instant.  Not to much earlier in the summer I had been talking to my dad about triathlon.  My first 1/2 Ironman was on the horizon at the end of September, my first marathon at the end of October, I was getting ready for a big training weekend with DC Tri up at Deep Creek Lake, and I was considering upgrading to a triathlon bike.  He was

my biggest supporter, my guru if you will, enjoying his retirement and having time to do some bike and racing recon for me.  When I brought up Ironman and the crazy people I'd met that were going to do an Ironman and how I don't think I'd ever do one he patiently listened...in hindsight he probably knew all along I'd end up doing one.  A couple weeks later when I started realizing some of the training I was doing was near Ironman distance and I could possibly complete an Ironman he was completely supportive with positive encouragement, even tossing around the idea of spending Thanksgiving in Cozumel, so I could race Ironman Cozumel.

Holli Finneren, You are an Ironman.

As I was out for a long weekday ride of my own in DC my dad cycled home in Lake Orion, MI when a distracted driver struck him from behind.  I missed the training weekend as I spent time at home with family, friends, and loved ones grieving, remembering, painting a ghost bike, and trying to put the pieces together.  2 weeks later I spent a great weekend in Luray, VA with my brother - camping, racing, and getting back on the bike.  After winning my age group for the 1st time in Luray, I bought a tri-bike once back in DC, and signed up for the distance my dad knew I'd do all along...Ironman Louisville.  I spent the next year planning, training, and preparing for Ironman.  I met awesome people in Georgia and DC on the same journey, spending long hours on the bike and run, sharing the ups and downs, the pain and excitement.  Remembering along the way, thanks to Mary, to celebrate life.

I'm now in Lake Placid for my 2nd Ironman experience, this time as a sherpa for Adam.  The energy is awesome, the views and course are absolutely gorgeous and I couldn't think of a better group of people to be surrounded by then DC Tri or a better person to sherpa for.  So thank you, dad, for always believing in me, never having an ounce of doubt, and encouraging me to chase my dreams.  Without you, I wouldn't be here today, enjoying a perfect bike ride through Lake Placid, NY to celebrate life, fun, and crazy dreams.

"I DON'T WANT EASY, I WANT CRAZY."

Eagleman 70.3 Race Report

This race report is a bit delayed -- for no good reason.  This was my first Eagleman - notoriously hot and humid - but I kept the faith that the weather would be great, despite at the naysayers.  We left for Cambridge on Friday afternoon, in a torrential downpour.  We got to town without much issue and after settling into the rental house we decided to go on over to Packet Pickup and the Race Expo.

PACKET PICK-UP

After fording a small lake in the parking lot and running through the rain we made it inside.  It was a relatively simple process, similar to any other Ironman branded event.  Once making it through the labyrinth of waivers, swag, and race numbers we grabbed some new speed laces and saw the sign...Mirinda Carfrae appearance 4:30....perfect for us, because it was 4:15.  We hung out and we were lucky enough to meet Rinny, snap a few photos, and wish each other good luck on Sunday.  This was pretty much the highlight of all pre-race festivities :)

PRE-RACE SATURDAY

Could also be called tri-geek day.  Practice swim, short bike, clean bike, affix all race numbers, pack transition bag, rack bike, walk through transition (mudpit), lay out clothes for morning, review race plan, etc.....The day ended with a great pasta dinner with our housemates and a few friends from the DC area that
were also racing.  We lucked out in that the rain seemed to hold off on Saturday evening while we checked our bikes.  Our house was about a 15 minute walk from race start/finish/transition.  We really lucked out with the rental house.

SUNDAY: PRE-RACE

The biggest annoyance of Ironman 70.3 races is that my age group tends to be last or 2nd to last to start.  We had the honor of bringing up the rear this year at Eagleman.  That means I waited about 2 hours after the pros started.  I saw all my friends start, I had ample time to make multiple bathroom runs, lay down for a bit, and take my time getting the wetsuit on.  If I could have, I would have waited until most athletes started to seek out a port-o-potty.  I set off with a fellow athlete to stand in line, as we approached the ridiculously long lines we remembered seeing a lone potty farther up in the grassy field, as we walked that way we saw a 4 person line for the one potty--sweeeeet! we thought this will be quick - relatively speaking.  As we stood in line an older gentlemen exited and said, "It's pretty bad in there, it may not be suitable for you too"  (we were the only females in line).  A fellow housemate was the next in line he went in, and we soon began asking what had happened in there.  It turns out the port-o-potty had been tipped over and apparently flipped back upright.  You can imagine what it looked like on the inside.  When fellow housemate exited he said, "I would have rather $h!* myself!"   Wow, and with that I took off to stand in line to a decently clean potty.  That thing was gross! Who in the world flipped  it over and deemed it ok the use, oi.  The toilet paper was destroyed and every inch of the inside was covered, with you know what.

After figuring out the bathroom situation I sent off most of my friends and continued to wait another hour.  Luckily I had a couple friends started in the 2 waves before me, so I wasn't by myself in the waiting game.  I started getting my wetsuit on, staying hydrated, and getting some calories in before my race started.

THE SWIM - 47:43 - 1.2 miles

After what seemed like forever, or 2 hours, my wave was entering the water!  This is when it hit me...oh my goodness we are the VERY last people.  That means if I have a REALLY bad swim I'm going to be in last place.  Anxiety built and I was freaking out more than usual at the start of the swim.  I had had some great OWS leading up to this race and was confident in my ability to go right around 39:00 for the swim.  Well, it just wasn't my day or my wave's day in the water.  We working against the strongest tide of the day and I started out not following but "plan".  I had gotten caught up listening to someone talk about the swim the day before and starting out hard and settling in...this is not usually my MOI but I gave it a try...I won't be doing
that again anytime soon.  I drafted the entire swim, at a good pace, and was feeling good about my effort know that I was moving faster following the feet I was on than I would be if I was working this hard on my own.  That being said, as I exited the water I was extremely disappointed with my swim time on my watch.  Did I accidentally start it 10 minutes early?  What happened?  I passed people from 2 waves before me during the swim, how could I have swam so poorly and still passed people that started 10 minutes before me?  For a moment I thought about ending my race before I even got on the bike.

T1 - 2:30

As we ran towards transition there was water table with ice cold water which was much needed after that long swim.  The run into transition wasn't to muddy.  My bike was racked pretty close to swim in, so I quickly finished pulling my wetsuit off and getting into my bike shoes, helmet, and sunglasses.  Exiting transition wasn't so simple...it was a complete mud pit!  I carried Mr.  up about 13 rows and then down the exit isle which appeared to have snagged more than a couple bike shoes off some peoples feet.

THE BIKE - 2:37:20 - 56 miles

I headed out on the bike hoping to make up some time I had lost during the swim.  The bike course starts out with a few turns and then opens up a bit more onto pancake flat roads.  The wind had picked up a bit by the time I was on the bike compared to my counterparts who were on the bike 2 hours earlier than me.  The course didn't seem too crowded and I was passing people constantly, unfortunately the majority of them just slower cyclists from earlier waves.  About 12 miles into the bike I started passing some other athletes from my age group, finally I'm making ups some time and catching people.  I was eating, drinking, taking salt pills, and having a good time.  I saw the aftermath of a wreck (could have been Meredith Kessler and age grouper wreck), a dead snake, some turtles, and a couple bald eagles.  I continued to catch fellow age groupers the entire time on the bike course and I was feeling good about the upcoming run.  This was a 56 mile bike course PR for me, though my goal was about 3 minutes faster than this, I'm happy with the bike split, as the wind was at it's strongest as I was coming back in.  I saw Adam at about mile 8 on the run while I was about 4 miles from bike finish.  Yay, that was exciting, but also a little frustrating.  He was 5 miles from being done, and I wasn't even off the bike yet, let alone running 13.1 miles.

T2 - 1:57

Oi, mud pit again!  I tried to carry Mr. over it but I was tired so Mr. got a little dirty.  Once back at my racking spot I took got my run gear on and headed back out for a fun 13.1.  I put my visor and race belt on as I exited transition.

THE RUN - 1:53:35 - 13.1 miles

I saw Adam again - right near mile 1 - his mile 12.  Yay, he was doing awesome!  He reminded me to settle down and find a pace I could keep the entire time.  This was good, because I came out a little too fast.  I settled into a rhythm of gel, salt, pills, and water every so often.  I was passing more people than were passing me and fellow racers were full of encouragement.  I was looking forward to a slip and slide and snow-cones on this run course - neither of which were really there.  The slip and slide was definitely not there and the "snow cone" were sugary syrup atop ice cubes at the turn around point.  I took one sip and wanted to vomit.  Oi, not cool!  It was warming up and I saw about 3 or 4 athletes stop in the middle of the round and grab there quads or calves as they were cramping up.  I didn't look at my watch really at all while I was running.  As I neared the last mile I picked up the pace and was delighted to see a good friend snapping pics in the middle of the road!  Even though she yelled at me to smile.  The finish line wasn't as populated as I'm sure it had been 2 hours before hand but it was still lined with a few spectators and I was definitely relieved to be done for the day!

FINISH TIME: 5:23:05 (13th AG)

I had a great time at this race, I'm pretty sure I'll do it again.  It wasn't a PR for me, but that the swim been a bit more in my favor it could have been.  Once I was able to see the results I felt better about my swim, and after reading up on the tides - high tide, low tide, and slack tide - I realized what a difference they could make.  I was 6 minutes behind the winners of my age group in the swim, for me, that's not bad.  It's all about minimizing how far behind I fall in the swim ;)