1st 4:06:56
Swim 5th 22:02
Bike 1st 2:20:45
Run 1st 1:20:46
What a way to finish off my US season. I picked Augusta, Georgia because I wanted to meet my 'Dream Team' youth tri squad, whom I was appointed team Captain last year. Set up by Harvey and coach Kim a year ago, they have established triathlon squads in Atlanta, Athens and Augusta for kids under 18. I flew into Atlanta Friday afternoon and Harvey picked me up and drove me to Athens for a little training session and Q&A with the kids followed by photo's and autograph signing. We had a great time as I shared stories with the kids and met all the parents. The following morning Harvey and I went for a spin around beautiful Athens before Kelly and Marcus (parents of some Dream Team kids and also triathletes themselves) drove me to Augusta where the three of us checked in for the Augusta 70.3. They then dropped me off at Tony and Kristen's house who would be my Homestay hosts for the night. Tony would also compete and we enjoyed a little jog together Friday evening. Everything went so smoothly with Harvey's meticulous planning.
Race morning, 3500 competitors, the largest IM 70.3. As we were treading water on the start line, instead of sculling on our stomachs we were constantly pushing ourselves back. We're swimming downstream, point to point. Not that I noticed the extra push as I was swimming but I did notice I exited the water quite a bit quicker. The time I saved in the water, I think was added to the extra long run to T1. I didn't mind this at all because I'd definitely got the blood back into my legs by the time I'd reached my bike. Harvey was at the mount line and informed me I was two minutes down on the leaders.
The bike course was nice - flat and fast at the start, rolling hills through the middle and then flat and fast to finish. I took one wrong turn as the official seemed to be pointing for a sharp left. I was on the wrong side of the road but managed to bush bash my way across the grassy ditch dividing the road. I'd taken the lead at 38km. With a few corners and switchbacks I could see Emma-Kate holding on. At 65km she went past and took a turn. But slowed up about 10km down the road for a hill and then aid station. I decided to take the lead back and remained in the lead right into T2 with Emma-Kate only a few seconds back. We had made a pretty large gap to the rest of the field so unless something seriously went wrong it looked like 1st and 2nd had been decided.
The bike course was nice - flat and fast at the start, rolling hills through the middle and then flat and fast to finish. I took one wrong turn as the official seemed to be pointing for a sharp left. I was on the wrong side of the road but managed to bush bash my way across the grassy ditch dividing the road. I'd taken the lead at 38km. With a few corners and switchbacks I could see Emma-Kate holding on. At 65km she went past and took a turn. But slowed up about 10km down the road for a hill and then aid station. I decided to take the lead back and remained in the lead right into T2 with Emma-Kate only a few seconds back. We had made a pretty large gap to the rest of the field so unless something seriously went wrong it looked like 1st and 2nd had been decided.
I racked my bike and not so quickly put my socks and shoes on, grabbed my gel and visor and made my way out of T2. Another super long run transition gave me some time to get my watch working to give me some mile splits along the way. Out on the run course Harvey popped up again and told me I had a 30second lead. Then again a couple of miles down the road he tells me I'm a couple of minutes up. By half way I had about a 5minute lead. The run course was pretty cool. Some might think boring but I liked it. It was two laps and each lap snaked up and down the local streets. There were specters everywhere including Harvey and the Dream Team crew. At one point on each lap Harvey had organized the whole street practically to sing and cheer for me all at the same time "Go House!". I couldn't resist waving as a huge smile covered my face.
At 5 1/2 mile however I was a little worried. I started to get the urge to use the bathroom. By 7 mile I was getting pretty desperate. My lead cyclist was just up ahead, occasionally looking around to make sure I was still there. Approaching 7 1/2 mile I spotted some porta loo's. I bolted off course and straight into one. Did my business and and jumped back into the race. My lead cyclist had stopped around the corner, obviously thinking "where'd she go?". I put on a little surge to catch her and apologized. We shared a little laugh before I got back to focussing on winning the race.
At 5 1/2 mile however I was a little worried. I started to get the urge to use the bathroom. By 7 mile I was getting pretty desperate. My lead cyclist was just up ahead, occasionally looking around to make sure I was still there. Approaching 7 1/2 mile I spotted some porta loo's. I bolted off course and straight into one. Did my business and and jumped back into the race. My lead cyclist had stopped around the corner, obviously thinking "where'd she go?". I put on a little surge to catch her and apologized. We shared a little laugh before I got back to focussing on winning the race.
I felt pretty good on the run. I felt like I was totally in control for the first time this US season. That was exciting. I had enough time up my sleeve to back off the pace a little, have a pit stop and give Harvey and team a good wave and smile. Coming down the finish chute I tried to give every little kid (and adult) a high five before grabbing that winners banner and thrusting it up over my head.
After my race I sat on the back of Harvey's truck watching the rest of the competitors run past on their way to completing their race. When Marcus and Kelly ran past we jumped up and gave them a good yell. Marcus was funny as he ran past. Harvey was running along next to him giving him his placing but all he kept yelling back was "how'd Mel go?, did she win?". Both Marcus and Kelly raced amazingly . Kelly secured her spot for Vegas and Marcus broke 5hrs setting a new personal best. Tony also set a record, knocking over half an hour off of his last years time.
It was an amazing day and weekend! And such an awesome way to wrap up my US season. Next stop - KONA! To watch Jared, my husband compete in his third ever triathlon and second full IM.
Thanks to race organizers, sponsors and volunteers for putting on yet again another supperb race. And a huge thank you to Harvey, Julie & family for sharing their home with me and organizing such a wonderful weekend. Tony, Kristen & family for welcoming me into their home and Kelly & Marcus for the fun road trip to Augusta. Also the entire Dream Team for their continual support.
After my race I sat on the back of Harvey's truck watching the rest of the competitors run past on their way to completing their race. When Marcus and Kelly ran past we jumped up and gave them a good yell. Marcus was funny as he ran past. Harvey was running along next to him giving him his placing but all he kept yelling back was "how'd Mel go?, did she win?". Both Marcus and Kelly raced amazingly . Kelly secured her spot for Vegas and Marcus broke 5hrs setting a new personal best. Tony also set a record, knocking over half an hour off of his last years time.
It was an amazing day and weekend! And such an awesome way to wrap up my US season. Next stop - KONA! To watch Jared, my husband compete in his third ever triathlon and second full IM.
Thanks to race organizers, sponsors and volunteers for putting on yet again another supperb race. And a huge thank you to Harvey, Julie & family for sharing their home with me and organizing such a wonderful weekend. Tony, Kristen & family for welcoming me into their home and Kelly & Marcus for the fun road trip to Augusta. Also the entire Dream Team for their continual support.
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