Season Opener- Oceanside 70.3

Last weekend marked the first time of me racing in California. I have always wanted to race Oceanside 70.3, and this year it fit well into my schedule so I decided to throw myself in the ring and race one of the strongest 70.3 fields ever. Plus, I'd have the chance to meet some of my new sponsors as well.

Pre- riding the course. Love this bike.

My prep leading into Oceanside was good, as good as you can get with riding the trainer and doing brick runs in the snow. My swims were coming along, my bike fitness was good for this time of year, I felt that I had a good run base with good mileage and some speed sprinkled in over the winter months. Trying to stay realistic with my first half since last August and first race of the year, I just wanted to get a good starting point to my fitness and most importantly, get a race under my belt before St. George 70.3 in May. I had missed a few training weekends due to family trips, but that's life, and I wasn't going to stress about that.

Women Pros lining up at the start

Brandon and I arrived late Thursday night in Oceanside and were greeted by our wonderful home stay family. The next day was spent doing some short pre race efforts, driving the bike course and checking out the water, and the usual pro meeting. (I have never seen a room this packed, had to be close to 100 pros.) I tried my best to stay hydrated and fueled but the day was so jam packed, it was easy to forget those important little details. After a good filling dinner prepared by our home stay, we were off to bed.

This race would also give me the chance to test out all my new equipment, and I mean almost everything. I received my BMC TM01 on Tuesday and took it for 2 rides pre race (luckily, this bike fits me like a glove!), along with my new HED race wheels, wore my new Zoot wetsuit only once in the pool, had a new kit and new shoes to run in. I tried not to think about this, as it could have been a little overwhelming!

The gun went off and I got pummeled at the start of the swim, but was able to find a smooth spot and get going in a good rhythm right away. It was one of the more enjoyable swims I have had in awhile, thanks in big part to a comfortable fitting wetsuit that allowed my chest to expand to get enough air in. I  didn't realize how much of a difference a good fitting wetsuit can make until I started swimming in Zoot. Besides getting a few grabs on my feet ( I was pulling a small train), the swim was pretty uneventful and I was happy to exit the water to the screams of spectators and athletes alike.

Onto the bike I knew from driving the course the day prior that this leg was anything but flat. I settled in to a good position right away and chipped away, trying to control my effort, yet trying to bridge the gaps to the girls up ahead. I passed a few of them early on but most of the ride was spent riding solo. The back stretch of the course on Camp Pendleton proved to be pretty tough- headwinds and hills, with a few pretty significant climbs that had me wishing for an extra gear. I had a hard time taking nutrition as I just wasn't feeling "hungry" at all. My hydration was good, a sip every few minutes, but I certainly should have known to force myself to eat more, as all I got down were two powergels the entire ride. Back to T2 proved to be a series of twisty turns and sharp corners, but I made it back in one piece, taking note of the sun that was now out in full force.

Great shot, thanks Shay Johnson/ TriLounge. 

Since the transition racks weren't marked for this race, I had a tricky time trying to find a spot to rack my bike near my transition bag. After squeezing in and slipping on my Zoot Ultra TT's, I set out for the 13.1mi run, the part of the race that should be my forte, my chance to catch people. Just like getting into T2, exiting T2 was a series of twisty turns to get into the flow of traffic on the relatively narrow run course. I fell in right behind the leading men as they were finishing up their first lap. The run course was much more challenging than advertised I thought, or maybe it was just my perceived effort in a depleted state. As I got going, I immediately felt off. I was getting pretty hot and used every aid station to ingest as many fluids as possible. I got a glimpse of the women ahead and they looked good. Nobody seemed to be slowing and no one looked like they were struggling with the temps.

Feeling the heat

I finished my first lap not knowing any splits since I saw no mile markers on course. Brandon told me I looked great, if only he knew how I felt, ha. I was getting some goose bumps at this point and felt like pulling over, rather than trotting on. Engine fail. It took a lot of inner self talk to get that run done, and I managed to get passed by two other women less than a mile to go- I simply had nothing. My thoughts from certain goals quickly turned to survival and crossing the line. I finished 19th, not a place I am particularly proud of, but under the circumstances I can't complain. I wanted a chance to test myself early season, and I got to do that against some of the best in the sport. I know what I need to do before my next big race, the US Pro Champs at St. George next month. It's a race I can't wait for; it holds a special place in my heart. Until then I hope to get some good weather in Boulder to take the TM01 on some journeys up in the mountains. The bare trees and brown grass around here remind me that it's still early and that the year ahead is long. The next four weeks will be head down and nose to the grind stone, as I prepare for St. George.

Big thanks to my better half for coming along on this trip, our home stay family who went out of their way to show us around and make us feel comfortable,  BMC for getting me on a TM01 for my first race; I can't wait to unleash on this bike this season. Thanks to HED wheels for allowing me to go even faster, next up, start riding that disc! Thanks to ZOOT for outfitting me in some hot and functional gear, Rudy Project for the head and eye protection, and Powerbar for my training and race nutrition. Special Thanks to Candice at XLAB for having some bottle cages ready for me to put on the new bike. And to all those cheering for me near and far, thanks! I appreciate it so much. Here's to great things to come this season, thanks for the test drive, Oceanside!

San Diego Skyline post race

Training/ Racing/ Sponsor Update

With just one week to go until my first race of the year,  it seems like time kind of flew by since my last blog post after IMAZ. Since then I've had some good down time, ramped up my training again (but kept the lid on it so far, long season ahead!) and even got in a few running races, which I love to do in the offseason as they are great workouts and help to whip my running into shape. I signed up for a local race series consisting of a 5k, 10k and half marathon, spread out over three months- Dec, Jan and Feb. I  placed 5th in the 5k just three weeks post IMAZ, 2nd in a very hilly 10k, and managed a win at the half just two weeks later. Races at altitude hurt a lot, but I tell myself it will make sea level racing a bit easier :)

I have also worked hard to establish my sponsorship support and this year I am beyond excited to have the support of the following companies so far:

BMC- I will be riding BMC bikes this season and my race bike will be the TM01. I can't wait to get on this super fast race machine and take my bike leg to the next level.






HED- I finally have some race wheels! HED wheels is supporting me this year with the HED Jet 6 and 9 as well as a disc. I have never ridden a disc before and cannot wait to reap the rewards of going super aero!

ZOOT- Happy to say that I have Zoot's support in terms of wetsuit, apparel and shoes for this season. They are an original triathlon specific company and everything they make is designed with this in mind.   One of the oldest running tri brands out there- proud to be part of the Tribe!



POWERBAR- I am once again lucky to be part of Team Elite and use the largest variety of sports nutrition available. Look for Powerbar's new Energy Blends, all natural and so yummy!

RUDY PROJECT- Since turning pro in 2009, Rudy Project has been supporting me with helmets and sunglasses. Their designs and technology just keep improving and I will be riding in their gear again this year.


All I need to do is train hard and race fast! I am beyond thankful for the support from these companies. Speaking of racing, I have a tentative schedule up on the website (www.ulibromme.com) and will be kicking off my season next weekend at Oceanside 70.3. I have never raced in CA so this will be a great season opener, especially since the field will be stacked. I  plan on going back to St. George and racing the US Pro Champs there (70.3 this year) in May. My first Ironman of the year will be IM Coeur d'Alene in June- a race that has been on my radar for the past few years. My mom will be joining me there, she will race her second full IM. I also plan on returning to Mont Tremblant in August, which is the US Pro Championship for IM this year. It's my favorite IM on the circuit and I can't wait to be back! The goal is Vegas and Kona, so depending on how the points stand, my schedule might get adjusted later in the year.

Here is to a successful and injury- free 2013! Train hard, but train smart and race happy!

Uli

IMAZ Recap- A Day Of Pain And Pride

Over the last few days I've been trying to come to grips with my race this past Sunday. There are so many more questions and emotions running through your head when a race does not go well. It's almost like a grieving period, but luckily I am nearing the end and am ready to put this chapter behind me.

I went into the race full of hope and excitement for one last hurrah of 2012. My training had been going  fine, uninterrupted with plenty of rest and no races between Mont Tremblant in August and IMAZ in November. (That might have been a mistake, as I now realize that racing is what helps me get in race shape, so perhaps a half thrown in would have better prepped me for the full after such a long break) Even though my bike didn't arrive with me on my flight, I wasn't overly worried and it came with the next flight, only slightly delaying my bed time. My parents were in town as well, making IMAZ their first full Ironman. Unfortunately my step dad was dealing with a pretty bad cold, but he stayed positive as usual, and soldiered right through to the finish line on Sunday. I also had my number one race support/ tech support Brandon by my side, taking away any potential headaches with my bike etc. I felt like it was going to be a great day out there. In addition, I knew potential sponsors were watching and I did not want to disappoint.

Having done the race the past 3 years, I knew the course inside out and didn't think I'd get all that nervous. But I still only managed 90min of sleep or so the night before, not ideal. Got to transition with plenty of time to take care of every little thing and got a warm up jog in as well. Putting on my wetsuit, it felt a little tight but I figured it would give once in the water. Before the sun was even up, the pros were ordered to jump 3 ft down into the dark and cold abyss that is Tempe Town lake, treading water for another 10min or so before our gun went off. (men and women got a separate start this year, 5 min apart) I had made sure to get some short efforts in to keep the blood moving and my HR up. The start of the swim was a bit chaotic as I had a woman to the left and right of me sandwiching me in the middle. As usual, it got taken out fast and even though I tried my hardest to keep up and match their speed, I was quickly dropped as I struggled to find my breath and felt my body seizing up from the all out sprint. I resigned to my own pace. Nonetheless I was breathing so hard, I felt like the kayaks 20ft away could hear my every breath. After the turn-around at 1.2mi, I was swimming into a slight current with no one else around and my breathing became so labored that I started producing phlegm and had to clear my throat several times. I could tell I was slowing, putting in so much effort just to get air in.

Age groupers, who started 10min behind us, starting passing me. Lots of them. What was going on? Was I going that bad? I tried to stay on some of their feet, but they just pulled right past me like fish in a school, leaving me behind as I struggled to keep any sense of race pace going. As I finally made it to the swim exit, I looked at my watch and saw 1.09. Could not believe it. Almost 10min slower than I swam 2 years ago. Trying not to dwell on it, I made my way into the changing tent and out on the bike course, hoping to have put the worst behind me.

Focus on the bike course. Love that Wingspan!

With my slow swim and age groupers already well mixed in, I spent most of my ride trying to escape numerous packs and avoiding crashes. The 3x out and back course was packed, more so than any other year I've raced it. I looked for my parents but never saw them, wondered how they were doing. I didn't feel hungry or any sense of appetite, so I had to force most of my nutrition down, and ended up taking in less than I normally do. But I felt good, steady energy the entire ride. A few coughs in the beginning from my irritated lungs (due to the excessively hard breathing) but otherwise no issues. I saw a few of the other pro women, and knew I was well back. But my strength was still ahead. I was looking forward to getting off my bike and on that run course to try and reverse some damage. Bike time was 5:09, slower than my goal but still a PR.

As soon as I started my run out of T2,  I steered directly into the first porta potty I saw, as I have yet to master going on the bike. Feeling much better after that, I tried to get into a good rhythm. A girl who had left T2 right behind me, was now ahead as I stopped to go to the bathroom. I kept my focus on reeling her back in. Then I felt it coming on, a pain like someone was twisting a knife in my side, a very familiar pain. (have dealt with this before, but never during a race) I had managed to irritate/ pop out a rib on my left side/ upper back that was now causing such intense pain that it stopped me in my tracks. I tried to breathe through it but the pain was so intense it took my breath away. The downhills were the worst. I had no choice but to walk. And think. Thoughts started rolling through my head- should I stop and drop out? Can't possibly do 26mi in his pain. Ironman is hard enough as it is. No, can't drop out, could never live with myself. Wait for mom and pace her to her first IM finish? Wasn't sure where she was in the race. I tried picking up my pace and run but whenever I exceeded jog pace and went for more than a few steps, my breathing was cut off like someone was punching me in my stomach. In addition, something wasn't sitting right in my gut and for the first time in a race I also experienced some real GI problems, with plenty more porta john visits.

Right after I found mom! You'd think we were related...

Then the tears started rolling. How could this all have happened? I had been in great shape, trained diligently and made sure to get a good taper. I had done well in my other two IMs this year and given myself enough time to recover and train again after my last one. But Ironman racing is tough and there are just no guarantees. We've all seen the greats suffer and get defeated while in the best shape of their lives. I tried to remind myself that this wasn't the end of the world, but man did it suck to be forced to walk. When I finally saw Brandon after lap one, he needed no explanation, he knew. I briefly contemplated ending my day, but being the good boyfriend that he is, he didn't let me. Instead, he told me my mom was just a few minutes up ahead on her first lap of the run, and I could catch her. This was all the carrot I needed to get going and stop feeling defeated. I needed to be a role model for her, how much pain was she in? This was her first ever IM!

Unsure of what to feel, but crossing another IM finish line

It took me until close to the end of lap 2 to catch her and once I did, I felt a huge amount of relief of having found a piece of my family out on the course and quickly filled her in on my day. She seemed to be going great and I asked if she wanted to run with me for a bit. We ended up jogging (all my rib would allow me to do) and walking the aid stations together. Every once in awhile I'd get ahead or she'd get ahead, depending on who was feeling better. Eventually I pulled ahead, with the intense pain having subsided and turned into a dull ache all over my upper back/ rib area. At least I could jog continuously, although with rather labored breathing. I felt numb and emotionless, having let go of my goals for the day, simply surviving the day. At long last I made it to the finish line, where Brandon was there to greet me. Not the finish I had dreamed of, but a finish nonetheless. Considering my pace on the run and my slowest ever marathon, I had minimal soreness and felt remarkably good. Finished just under 10:30.

Here comes Ironmom!

Less than 2 hrs later my mom crossed the line, just 10min off from a Kona spot and securing third place in her AG. She sure made the family name proud. And Mark finished in a respectable sub 14 hrs with a serious cold that easily added on an hour overall. Next time guys, next time! I am so very proud and still can't believe they are both Ironmen! After watching so many of my races they finally got to feel what it's like to be in the race, and I'd like to suspect that they are hooked.

It was a different kind of experience to be in the very back of the pro race, humbling to be getting lapped and not being able to do anything about it. But it's these humbling experiences that teach us more about racing than a great performance. Like Linsey told me post race- it's an experience in the bank to draw on next time around. There were some incredible performances out there, both Linsey and Meredith having super races, always inspiring.

I had a good year, may not have ended it great, but its all part of racing.   Here's to 2013 and new limits achieved. Never give up and never stop believing in yourself! (sounds cheesy but it's what will get you through a less than perfect day!) Maybe I picked up something viral the days before the race, who knows. I will be getting my breathing issue checked by a specialist and hopefully get to the bottom of why my swims are slowing and my efforts keep increasing. No one should have to pop a rib out from trying to breathe so hard while swimming :)


To my supporters and sponsors this season, Powerbar, RockTape, TriggerPoint, and Rudy Project (thank you Chris for getting that new slick TT helmet out to me just in time!), thank you for your support and belief in me. I will be back, and stronger than before! Thanks to friends and family who play such a big role in this sport, providing reassurance on tough days and good ones alike. Thanks for reading and see you all next season.