Race Report, Part II: Challenge Atlantic City Triathlon Half 2015

Part II of my Challenge Atlantic City​ 2015 Half race report. It's crazy long, but hey it was a crazy long race!  If you missed Part I, click here.

Overall, it was a day filled with challenges, for everyone, but an experience I enjoyed.

Early to rise for a 6:05 start.  Traffic volume was crazy high at 5:00, so we had a 15-minute delay getting into and parked at Bader Field.  I was thankful to have AWD as we were spotted at the end of a very wet field and already seeing some cars getting stuck in the growing mud.  We passed over paved areas unused for parking, but we saw post-race that they filled that with cars as well.  The storm from Saturday turned many parts of the field into a small ponds and mudholes.

Quickly over to transition, worried that we only had 20 minutes to set up.  Almost ready, with five minutes to spare, we heard an announcement they were delaying the start fifteen minutes due to the slow parking process.

It was foggy and sprinkling, but over 70 degF.  The water temperatures was announced as 74 degF, and many loudly rejoiced to pull on wetsuits.  I went without, feeling comfortable from the practice swim.  We gathered by the water and the RD announced more delay waiting for a final okay from the water safety team.  It was a mixed response as the fog was starting to break up and blue skies were peeking through.  I’d guess the total delay was thirty minutes and the Half men started filing in for a time trial start, three or four jumping in at a time.  The water level was three feet higher than Saturday due to recent high tide.  The start went quickly, with all men in the water in five minutes.  Then the rest of the Half racers!

We swam against the current to start the long rectangular course. I didn’t notice the current too much as I started to find my rhythm.  The 74 degF water felt refreshing but not cold, even sans wetsuit.  Some passed me; I passed others.  It never felt too crowded with the TT start.  The channel is narrow, so although there never seemed to be enough site buoys (it always feels that way from water level!), I could easily navigate between the banks and towards the bridge. Very quick around Turns 1 and 2, then down the long back stretch.  As we approached the third turn buoy, I could sense the stronger current and tried to tack upstream to not overshoot the fourth buoy.  This worked well for me, but not for the dozen or so other swimmers that suddenly were all up in my space!  Hello!  Now we turned into the current and it was significant.  The water was also choppier in this more open section and I got several face-fulls of salty water.  Coughing and sputtering, I changed my stroke to get higher in the water to sight, breathe and pass several struggling on this final section.  Costly effort, but necessary.  When we reached the dock, the volunteers tried to pull me up the ramp until I cried, “STOP!” as my right calf knotted up.  Breathe.  Ow.  Breathe.  Okay, finally up.  I apologized to the volunteer and explained, “leg cramp!” as I limped off the dock.

So glad that was over!

And then the glorious sight of the back end of a firetruck with a fresh water shower.  I took full advantage to wash out my nose, mouth, kit... so long NJ nasty water!

My stomach was queasy in T1.  I guess the unplanned “electrolyte loading” will do that.  I toweled off my arms, spray tri-slide on my wrists and pulled on a bolero to cover my shoulders, neck and arms.  A lovely volunteer came over to help me.  I also opted for socks and road shoes.  Not hurried; I wanted to be ready for a three-hour bike ride.  It was still misting and cloudy.

The bike exit from Bader field was sandy and wet, but the CAC crew laid down long carpeted mats.  It felt a little like biking on shifty soil but was over quickly.  Onto the roads.  Lots of people with flats; six in the first four miles.  I saw several more along the course, losing count after twenty.  Not surprising after the storm.

The clouds started to burn off and it was blue skies and sun!   A light breeze turned into a finishing tailwind for the last six miles or so.  Very scenic ride.  A few spots of heavy traffic, but mostly quiet country.  Flat, with some false flats.  Big-ring time-trialing for 58 miles.  Yup, the course was long, but that happens.  We had a mix of dedicated bike lanes, wide shoulders and quiet country roads that could use some re-surfacing.  I found the course well-marked, with one aid station we passed at about 15 and again at 42 miles or so.  I grabbed a bottle of water each time.  It was never crowded.  The one course oddity was a detour of a busy intersection by way of a WaWa Food Mart parking lot.  It seemed suddenly narrow and twisty, but negotiable.

This bike course was a mix of locked-in TT and many turns.  I’m always disappointed at how much opportunity triathletes miss by lacking cornering and bike-handling skills.  I passed many; got passed by two ladies, including a teammate on a relay team, and two men.  The course includes two miles on the AC Expressway, both out and back, so I enjoyed rolling at 29 mph through a toll booth with the wind at my backside!  Good little ride.

Back into T2 and again took time to apply sunscreen, change socks and tie my shoes (no speed laces this time) and also say “hey” to teammates relaxing post-relay and AB.

We exited onto a section of tarmac, out Bader Field and across held traffic to run down Albany Avenue to the Boardwalk. The police did a great job with this section and hundreds of thrilled drivers!  Once on the Boardwalk the sun begin it’s two-hour beat down.  I had planned run-walk intervals but found the aid station spacing was inconsistent, so I pretty much stopped at every aid station to control my body temperature with ice and water, and my interval plan was tossed.  All the aid stations were very cheerfully staffed and met my needs.

I ended up using a public bathroom around mile 5 when I realized, and confirmed by volunteers, that no portable toilets were provided (due to the presence of public toilets).

Most of the first half of the run I enjoyed cheering for other runners and started to see my teammates and clubmates along the way.  Everyone was really spread out and the South end of the Boardwalk is more residential and less crowded. Plenty of folks out for their own Sunday morning runs.  Heading North for the next turnaround I passed the lively finish line, hearing names called as they grabbed their medals, and I still had over 10K to go!

As the run wore on, I wore down, cheering less and trying to find some motivation to just keep running.  The Boardwalk was easier on the legs, but I got a bit tired of dodging oblivious tourists along the middle sections.  Three more turn-arounds and finally into the finish, grinning like a fool!

I got my medal, ice-water towel (thank you!!) and bottle of water and immediately found my husband and friends to high-five and hug.  Post-race food was nearby (a local food truck), as well as the finisher shirt pick-up.  After eating and cheering for more folks at the finish, we got the shuttle bus back to Bader Field, making more new friends and sharing tales.

Following the usual routine of retrieving everything, hanging the wet stuff, showering and resting, we walked back to the Boardwalk to enjoy dinner with friends.  The last three hours of the night, a small group of us joined some official race volunteers and staff to cheer for Full distance runners on the Boardwalk.  Some truly gutsy folks out there on that lonely course! The final finisher crossed the line  at 23:50 and we were all treated to the laser light show at Boardwalk Hall.

The final weekend event was a breakfast buffet at Bally’s and Full awards ceremony on Monday morning.  The Friday dinner was more impressive, but this was still a lovely touch to enjoy as part of a race entry and close the event.  The race team was clearly tired but hosted us with smiles!

I met my weekend goals to enjoy the race, even the unmotivated parts of the run (sigh).  I knocked off over 28 minutes from my last Half two years back, improving everywhere, except for slower transitions and despite an extra two miles biked.  It felt good; bring on the next adventure!

MULTISPORT TEAM X Seeks YOU

It's that time of year again.  Mixed up with the start of college football season, kids headed to school, and the sudden realization that the days are shorter, it's time to match athletes with teams and brands and fill the rosters with age-groupers.  Yup, it's amateur athlete team application time!

2014 was my first season in this interesting world as a member of Revolution3's Age Group team.  I'm always learning more about how to manage the role, keep my life balanced, and this is critical - how to increase my value to the team.  Being sponsored is about so much more than getting "free" stuff.  Here's a few things I've figured out so far...

Different teams have different purposes, but in general you will be a billboard for the team brand and its sponsors.  Teams are often populated and structured to promote their values or purpose.  Elite teams (and developmental teams for younger athletes) promote performance, and that team name or brand wants to be associated with success.  The balance of remaining teams, such as my own Rev3, are extensions of the brand marketing needs, and team members are often referred to as Brand Ambassadors, valued for their ability to reach target customers.

Typical applications request your racing history and results, non-athletic pursuits, profession, and experience with the brand(s).  Social media exposure and mastery has grown in importance.  You are often invited to provide a narrative about your goals, your brand passion and how a slot on the team helps the team (and you, but really, it's more about the team).  Be mindful of application requirements and deadlines!

If your application makes the first cut, get ready for an interview with the team manager.  The process is akin to a job application and interview, but your pictures might include more lycra.

Requirements vary widely.  However, you will often be required to wear branded apparel when training and particularly when racing, and regularly promote the brand and sponsors.  Elite, performance and developmental teams are more about dedication to training and success at races. Are you committed to crushing PRs and the competition?  Brand ambassadors are more likely to be required to volunteer additional time and energy to marketing.  Are you ready market this brand?

Some sponsors have well-established programs, like PowerBar's Team Elite, that makes your requirements very clear.  PowerBar partners with Rev3, but is also a single-brand sponsorship.

Using Instagram to capture and promote the PowerBar love! #PBTE

Benefits vary.  Yes, there is some "free" stuff.  Truth be told, some items are "free" in that you don't transact money, but instead you regularly provide payment in hours.  Time will be spent on social media posts, blogging, volunteering, traveling, speaking, etc.  Expect some personal investment for clothing, travel, race entries, etc, and while many sponsored items are available at discounted prices, little is actually "free."

Other benefits are less tangible, but should be the primary reasons to join.  Team comraderie stands out, especially when racing alongside your teammates!  But on those dark evenings following a disappointing training session or in the midst of personal turmoil, teammates can be wonderful for support and recovery!  Strive to really understand all the benefits when you interview or talk to current team members.

It's all about a simple value proposition.  Any branded team or athlete should return more value than invested.  If you can figure out how to deliver the value, you'll have a sponsor for life.  It's not always so easy to monetize your input, but many teams have mechanisms to evaluate this.  Remember, the brands represent a business that must remain profitable so that you have a name to wear on your kit!

One of the hidden "costs" is that you may have to publicly dissociate from competing brands, or end other agreements altogether.  Teams often partner with multiple sponsors.  Some you will be happy to support, while others may directly complete with your go-to running shoe or nutrition plan.  You are often still okay to maintain these brands, but going public could jeopardize your team membership.  This can be tricky if your local Club, your coach, your team and you have different sponsors - the best approach is to be transparent and proactive, discussing those relationships with each party.  There may be tough choices, but deal with this early and with great clarity around expectations.

Hanging out post-race with local Rocky Top Multisport Club mates, yet still representing our brand teams.

Still want to be on a sponsored team?

Good!  Do your research.  Talk to existing team members.  Learn about the personality of the team; do you fit?  Learn about the company and its people, products, services and values.

My first weekend with my new 2014 Rev3 team... yes, make sure you are a fit, or it might be a long season!

Like a job interview, know what the team is looking for.  If they seek brand ambassadors, demonstrate your ability to market widely and quickly, often through social media, blogging or possibly via job like coaching.  If they seek elite racers, demonstrate a history of improvement and success, along with dedication to winning.

No matter the team focus, desirable team members must also be perceived as genuine, truthful, ethical, and let's be honest here, THEY REPRESENT (and can connect with) THE TARGET CONSUMER.

This can all be tricky to manage, but the benefits are often worth the sacrifice.  Friends.  Contacts.  Knowledge of the industry.  Access to products and information before they are available to the rest of the world.  Learning or practicing new skills.

Bottom line: Don't fake it just to get "on the team."  It will be work, but it should not feel like work, and you don't want to be removed, or worse, financially responsible for not meeting your obligations.  It should be fun and provide mutual benefit.

And lastly, you never know if you are "team material" until you apply.  Check out your favorite brands and see what opportunities await.  I'm happy I did!  Good luck!

Team Rev3 and friends at the 2014 USAT AG National Championships.  Love this bunch!

Victory Lap: Ready for 2014 USAT AGNC

Yes, that's a mouthful - USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships.  And that's where I'll be next weekend.  This will be my second year, having raced in 2013, also in Milwaukee.  One last tough brick today and I'll be focused on getting quality sleep this week as my last preparation to race.

If you're unfamiliar with the AGNC, it is our sport's annual championship for the Olympic distance, delivered by the governing body USAT.  To participate, one must qualify.  There are many opportunities to qualify, given that many small local races are USAT-sanctioned with good Race Directors that submit the results quickly.  So, not everyone who qualifies takes part in AGNC, but those who do have a chance to race for spots on Team USA for next year's ITU World Championship race.

Up to 18 athletes per age group get slots for Team USA, and the roll-down stops at 25th place. In my 35-39 Female age group last year, I needed to be better than 2:20:00 or so to be top 25, so my 2:50:22 wasn't quite enough!  In fact, I placed 139 out of 158.  Humbling for sure.

Showing off my medal, received from the Champion herself Chrissie Wellington. It was a delight to see her smile at the finish line, along with that of Chris and my parents.

Doesn't mean I did not belong there last year.  My 2014 race goal is 2:40:00 (a PR) with a stretch goal of 2:35:00, which is probably just out of reach, but I will go for it anyway.  No, that likely won't be a Team USA qualifier, either, but again, it doesn't mean I don't belong.

The USAT AGNC is a victory lap.  Team USA slots aside, it's a chance to celebrate our sport, our accomplishments, our friends and teammates, and our blessed lives.  We also get to see what fast really looks like!  Beyond humbling, it was inspiring!  Driving home from Milwaukee last year, I decided my goal was a return trip in 2014 and do the best I could that day.

Me and Rita having a big time on the bike course!

For those headed to Milwaukee for the first time, prepare yourself for a first-class race experience.  The event definitely has a Championship feeling.  To have 3,700+ athletes on the same course is a feat on its own - and USAT did a fine job of keeping us spaced out and safe.  This does mean it takes about three hours to start everyone, but it's brilliant to have enough space to race, but enough competitors to challenge too.  The SWAG was excellent.  The venue was well laid out and there was ample space for spectators.  I don't know if we'll get mostly cloudy skies and a high of 74-degF again this year, but the forecast is shaping up to be pretty close to it!!

Look at that Finish Line! How can you not feel like a rock star?

I am excited this year.  My husband is racing AGNC his first time, plus several members from my local Knoxville RockyTop Multisport Club, a few more friends from near and far, and I expect to see lots of "R's" on course, with my Revolution3 Age Group Team out in strong numbers too.  We may even have family cheering us on!  All of that camaraderie and support is plenty enough to make for a great weekend.

Met via Facebook, Cortney Martin is a wonderful lady and wicked fast, having represented Team USA in Auckland and London. Plan to see her speeding by again this year! 

My parents did enjoy seeing me race, but Dad especially likes that Harley-Davidson is in Milwaukee too!

So, if you're out there with a deleted "Congratulations! You Qualified" email that you didn't take advantage of, I hope you get the chance again and go for it.  Everyone deserves to take a victory lap!

GOOD LUCK to all the USAT National Championship competitors!

2013: Another Level!

Inspired by my friends, teammates and fellow bloggers, I spent the morning reviewing 2013.  Pouring through the +Garmin data, +TrainingPeaks records, race reports and my very own "Race Numbers" spreadsheet (yes, still an engineer at heart) was pretty cool.  Lots of things to be happy about regarding the 2013 multisport season.

The best way I can sum it up... I took it to another level in 2013!  I trained less, yet accomplished more.

On 03 February, I completed my first coached workout.  Hiring a coach was a smart choice: I dedicate a lot of personal resources to my tri life and have non-tri priorities too, so letting a professional take over this part of my life was wise.  My +Carmichael Training Systems coach gets IT.  My workouts are tough, but there's not junk volume, no training for the sake of training!  And the results came.  The data proves it:

2012: 383 training hours and 3844 miles = 3 Age Group Podiums
2013: 261 hours and 2850 miles = 3 Overall Podiums (1-1st, 2-2nd) and 2 Age Group Podiums

July 2013:  2nd AG, Sprint distance, Music City Triathlon, Nashville, TN.

Race-wise, in 2012 I completed 7 triathlons including a 70.3, and in 2013, 7 triathlons and 2 duathlons, also including one 70.3.  Each season included a half marathon, a 2-mile open water swim, and few 5K or 10K races.  I even tried cyclocross in 2013!

2013 was a year of PRs for both pace (70.3, Olympic, 10K, half marathon) and distance (longest bike ride completed).  Sprints are hard to compare due to varying distances but I was just plain faster in 2013.  I rewarded myself with a new aero bike helmet after holding a 20.0 mph average in an Olympic distance race mid-season, and repeated it two more times!

The highlight of 2013 racing was participation in the USAT Age Group Nationals in August.  It was a wonderful event in Milwaukee, and I'm thrilled that I already earned the chance to return in 2014.

My awesome parents joined us in Milwaukee...

And they also supported the June 70.3 effort in Syracuse, along with my brother, sister-in-law and dear friend Frosty.

Racing with family and friends cheering is unparalleled.  I think they had as much fun as us.  Oh, and when I say "us" and "we," I'm referring to me and Burly, my favorite training partner!

Capping off the year was nomination to the most excellent Team Rev3!

I'm humbled and excited to be one of more than 60 amateur athletes representing a wonderful event company +REV3 Triathlon (REV3TRI).  2014 should be a fantastic year with them!

2013 also included several non-triathlon changes, including a new job and new house, so navigating the training and racing was not without its challenges.

I'm so very fortunate to have a strong support network of family, friends, coach, RockyTop MultiSport club mates, Provision teammates, Rev3 teammates, new sponsors and Burly.  Thank you.

As much as I enjoyed the next level that was 2013, I simply hope that sharing my activities inspired others to go out and live each day fully.  May 2014 bring more fun and inspiration.

It's time to get ready for a bike workout and get a glimpse of the next level.  Cheers!