Leadman EPIC 125k

When I decided to sign up for this race I was well aware of the tough course and thought to myself that this would be a great way to do a test drive for IMSG in May. I even convinced Brandon to do the race with me (He just happened to win his AG, ahem), even if we both briefly swore off triathlon after finishing :)

exiting an insane swim.

2.5k SWIM: I closely followed the forecast for Henderson/ Boulder City, NV all week. The winds grew increasingly strong each day and some forecasts predicted gusts of up to 70mph or more. Needless to say, I was somewhat worried. ( I get super freaked out by wind on the bike.) But it is what it is, and since it was called Leadman Epic, the race organizers did not cancel the swim just because it was blowing waves across the lake before we even got in. At 10 a.m., I entered Lake Mead along with the other 10 pro women, wearing an extra cap to prevent brain freeze (The water was cold.) The gun went off and it was my chance to see how my swim training as of late would pay off. I lost all but one pair of feet I managed to stay on, and found myself swimming in no mans land yet again, only this time it felt like someone turned on the waves in the wave pool. Each time I tried to lift my head to sight or even take a breath, I'd take a nice gulp of water and nearly choke/ gag on it, compose myself by breast stroking, and then try again. Obviously, it would not be the day for a new swim PR, not even close. I struggled back to shore, hoping not to face plant upon exiting the swim, due to potential sea sickness. The exit ramp was uphill into the transition, which was uphill, which lead into the start of the bike course; uphill :) I saw only my bike left in transition, so I knew I had some work cut out for me. With no idea of how far ahead everyone else was, I headed up the road to start the bike.

About to start the craziest ride ever

 69mi BIKE: It was 10:45 by now and things were heating up on the blacktop roads. The various brush at the side of the road was starting to sway, letting me know the furnace of the desert was turning on. I made the choice not to go with my race wheels (404ish's) and rather stay on my slightly less aero training wheels. I did opt for my Aero helmet and before I was even 10mi into the race, my head was baking like a potato. The neat thing about this race was that it all took place in the park. I had no idea how big Lake Mead National Rec Area is. It's huuge! Nevertheless, roads were open to traffic, which included mostly big trucks with boat trailers, SUV's, and the occasional smaller Sedan. I had a few near run ins I'd have to write a different blog about...

Anyways, I caught up to Sam at mi 10 and slowly moved up through the field, riding into 5th place after the turnaround. I traded places with Christine a few times, passing her on the uphills, while she booked it past me on the downhills. Speaking of downhills, I should mention the wind. There was not one spot during the bike leg where you could relax. It was always either a head or cross wind or, my favorite, an unpredictable swirly wind which could strike from any direction and change direction while it was hitting you. On more than one occasion, I was hit by the swirly winds on a descent, can we say sketchy?! These winds were not just winds, they were the strongest gusts I have ever experienced while on a bike. Kona, ppffff, nothing... I heard the gusts were up to 60mph in places and I believe it. Sustained winds probably averaged in the 30s. In addition, the heat was almost unbearable to me. It felt like an oven. With the temps in the mid 90s for the day (hot even for Vegas this time of year), it was easily over 100 out on the bike course. I grabbed as much fluids as I could at the aid stations, but unfortunately in this heat, there were not enough. I suffered the most on the bike while heading back to transition, the last 10mi of the course. The hot, hot wind was blowing so hard that I was riding downhill in my small chain ring, going max speeds of 10mph. I was starting to feel like a wilted desert flower, with my veins running out of liquid and needing replacement asap. I very quickly became weak and a little disoriented, while trying to stay the course and not getting blown into the road. Bouts of nausea hit and didn't go away. Those last 10mi felt like they took 40min, maybe they did. It was torture.

Tebowing for a volunteer in T2 while most likely telling her I need water.

 8.1mi "RUN": When I stumbled back into transition I had barely enough energy to whisper for water! I was told I'd get it upon exiting T2. I quickly switched to running shoes and grabbed a boiling hand held drink I had put in my bag (I was so desperate, I drank the whole thing.) and managed two sips of water on the way out. The run started straight uphill out of transition, no mercy. Although glad to be off the bike and onto the run, I had nothing and the insane wind continued, pushing me backwards, instead of forward. In a matter of minutes I was reduced to a walk. I made a deal with myself to walk the aid stations, which thankfully appeared every mile, get as much in me and on me as I could, and then hopefully regain some strength to shuffle on. Did I mention the run was all uphill? The elevation gain was 1200 ft and with a dehydrated, nauseous feeling body, all I could do to move forward, was put my head down and shuffle on as best as I could. I caught up to Emily and moved myself into 4th place, but I knew there were fast runners behind me, who were probably going faster than me on this day.

My salt deposits heading out of T2.

The run course to me was just "evil". Not only did we deal with the climbing, but the 40mph head and cross winds made it almost impossible to move forward in some spots. I was dizzy and disoriented, which is not a good thing when the course leads up the back side of a mountain with sharp drop offs. The aid stations were my saviors. The volunteers were great and so helpful. They walked with me to get me to take in all I could, handed me as much as I needed and encouraged me to go on as I whispered to them about how hot I felt. Who knew 8 lousy miles could hurt this much?? I neared the last mile, which includes the longest climb up to the finish, when Charisa ran past me like a gazelle. I was in awe of her focus and energy this late in the race, kudos to her. All I could do was look on and try not to throw up as I shuffled/ walked myself one step at a time. At one point I realized I was going no faster trying to shuffle than I was walking, so I decided to walk most of the last mile in, as I was hanging by a thread. I came into the finish chute and the barriers were flat on the ground, due to the damaging winds that would have otherwise tossed them all around. I managed to cross the line in 5th for the women, on a less than stellar day.

If I look like I'm standing still, it's because I practically am. Absolutely nothing left heading down the home stretch

Two days post race I am still having mixed feelings about my performance, but I am proud of finishing, even if I came away with some heat exhaustion. (the last two days have been rough...) I had to finish this, my last race was my first professional DNF (IMAZ) and I promised myself that would not happen again. It was also my first race of the year, first race to test my knee, so I am confident that this will help me become stronger for IMSG in a month's time. I came away with the 3rd fastest bike time of the day by just a few seconds, on training wheels, in the insane wind that still has my hands sore from holding my bars so tight :) My run and swim were slightly less impressive but I got some good feedback on what I need to work on still, and that is really all I can ask for from an early season race in such extreme conditions. Hopefully my sunburn is gone before I start my next race. (btw, anyone know of a good non chemical sunscreen that works well? Mine apparently didn't do the job in the oven of Vegas.)

The amazingly huge checks :)

 I can't yet say if I'll be back for this race, but to everyone who finished this on Saturday, give yourself a pat on the back. This to me was as hard as any hard IM I have ever done. Thanks to Rudy Project for outfitting me in some sweet sunglasses and helmet and Powerbar for my fuel, and the folks of Leadman EPIC / Lifetime Fitness for putting on such a crazy race that I won't soon forget!

Thanks for reading. Train safe and race smart :)

*photo credits- Sally Weil :)