Everyone Can Tri: 2015

Forgive the ridiculously long delay in sharing my race report. Truth be told, this whole journey often opens doors inside that are far easier and more comfortable when left closed. Each time I started to write...I couldn't seem to pull it together. Sorta like that IMLT 2014 race report; ya know...the one that didn't happen. So here it is. Hopefully amusing, but always sincere.

St. George is a phenomenal host.

First and foremost, I need to say that as my little family drove away from St. George, there were four huge smiles on our faces. Those smiles wouldn't be there if it weren't for my wife, Adrianne. She's shown support that I've never really known before. We had a great little getaway, and although the race itself sort of laughed at me...I couldn't be happier. Ironman St. George 70.3 is an absolute must do race. I actually think I might want to do it again.

My favorite time of day on race day. Always beautiful.

Swim:

Goal - Under 40 minutes

PR - 38:48

Actual 38:30

The swim felt OK. Not great, but comfortable. I actually was in such a different place, emotionally, that I just swam. I didn't think about the bike, but really enjoyed the morning; the water; the other racers. I found that it was pretty congested and I never really did find a rhythm because I was either being passed by someone or running into someone from three waves up who was swimming perpendicular with the course. Man...for some I think they swam 1.5 miles, not 1.2 Ultimately I did OK. When I rounded the little island and could site the finish line I went far far to the right and just cruised in knowing that I had a long day ahead. Beautiful, crisp, and clean. Swim done.

T1: They had a "Clean Transition" set up? Nothing on the ground. It was awesome! I just put my stuff in a bag and headed off! Probably my best transition ever.

Bike:

Goal - Don't blow up. 3:45 would be OK. 3:30 would be a good day for me.

PR - 3:28.41

Actual - 3:33.58

This was a really pretty course. It made the suffering tolerable. I decided that for this race I'd ride my road bike instead of my... Wait... I rode the only bike I own: my ten year old Felt F3. Its often a better bike than I am rider. I put a compact up front and a 12/32 in the back for Lake Tahoe last year and knew that St. George would destroy my legs if I'd gone back to standard gearing, so I left it alone. Mechanically, this old gal worked perfectly throughout the whole bike leg. The big climb out of Snow Canyon was as hard as people warned me that it was going to be. I think it started at 41 miles in. To me it's one of those climbs that doesn't matter if it's at the beginning or the end. It's just gonna hurt. It wasn't as long as I though, but it was steep. That climb was the only time of the day that got pretty dark for me. You know the dark when you say, "Why the F#@K do I do this? This is stupid." But I bounced back and finished last 10 miles or so really strong. I was actually really happy comin' into T2. I knew that I did a better job with nutrition throughout the bike leg and I could feel it in my energy and attitude. When I later discovered that I was 5 minutes off of my PR, but on a much tougher course, I was pretty happy with that. Again...smilin'.

T2 - Clean and Simple

T2: Another clean transition. Nothing lightening fast, but just smooth and easy. Hit the lou on the way out which made me think I must have taken on enough fluids on the bike. I think all is good heading out for the run.

Run:

Goal - Don't Walk; 2:30 would even do.

PR - 2:33.15

Actual - 3:00.59

I was in great spirits coming out of T2: Cautiously optimistic. I had just put in my best, most consistent bike performance ever. Now I could enjoy the run. All those hours in the trails above our new Southern California home would make this course easier to bear. It wouldn't be easy, but it would be easier. Before those thoughts could finish developing in my mind...BOOM! STOP! My left quad completely locked up. I'd never ever felt even a twinge of cramps in my quads before so I had no idea what was happening. I'd take 1 step; perfect. The next step; ouch. Next one...AHHHHHH! DONE! I wasn't even close to being able to walk. I did big stretches. BIG stretches. Then one little baby step. Locked up again. I just stood there thinking, "This can't be it. Can it? My kids and my wife are 3 miles away waiting for 'Daddy' to come by! Really? DNF? I'm gonna DNF?"

After about 5 minutes of drinking, eating, stretching, praying...I could slowly walk. 10 steps, maybe 20...then stretch. A slow walk turned into a stronger walk. I threw in a little shuffle, then walk, then jog, then cramp. Lather, rinse, repeat. It was a funny game I was playing with myself. I thought I had it sorted out about the 3 mile mark, just in time to see my boys and my wife. They deserved to see Daddy running. It wasn't graceful, but I was running. 4 mile mark, right turn...then UP UP UP UP! I actually laughed out loud. The road went up so steeply I couldn't believe it was part of the course. then I remember seeing Rachel Joyce and Miranda Carfrae from my bike. They were really suffering up this part of the run. Oh MAN this course is for real! I saw 150 people or so just walking ahead of me. As the road continued its course up the hill, my quads were not happy one little bit. I walked like an invalid for several hundred yards but finally made it to the top. "OK Blasquez...you did it. Let's consider this the start of the run, OK?!?!?!?!?" I started a slow jog, just rounding a wide curve and cresting the top of the climb. To my delight, there was an aid station at the top. Ice, water, a sip of flat coke, then down the other side of the hill. Yes, that's right. Down. The second the grade went down I felt exactly the way I did at the beginning of the run; completely locked up. Each step I took down the hill just locked up my quad again. I tried walking backward. I tried walking sideways. I even laughed to another racer (also tied in knots on the side of the road) telling him that I was "crabby" because I was actually walking sideways like a crab. The day pretty much stayed just like that for most of the run. By the time I had things sorted out I was 2 hours and 15 minutes into the run with 4 miles to go. That part was memorable. I reminded myself to remember where I was and how fortunate I was to be doing it. I was 4 miles away from finishing what's been a pretty tough trip.

I had struggled with 10 or so other runners for the past half hour. Now I was running though. I must have passed 30 people in the last half mile. Running down the shoot I saw my kids and my wife for the 4th time throughout the day! The clock went out the window and I ran to the edge of the mat for a couple heart felt hugs and sweaty kisses.

I have to sincerely thank ROKA wetsuits, Felt Bicycles, and Brooks Running for keeping me going. All three products worked perfectly. I've come to expect nothing else from each of them. My 2015 Ironman 70.3 North American Pro Championships St. George was not fast...but I'm really, really happy...and it's in the books. Unforgettable.

A few snapshots

Two days before we left for St. George I couldn't turn my head from one side to the other; neck & back spasms. Found a magician who did some voodoo! I learned what "cupping" is. Heck...I think it worked!?!?!?!?

The boys love the travel element. Always something new. Jeffrey (7, on the right) just asked. "Daddy....are there Ironmans in France? I want to go!

Jeffrey and Michael happy to finally be in Utah!

Left to Right: Brad Stegge (MaccaX) 6:31
Bryan McNabb 5:33
Jeff Geiskopf 5:37
Glen McCauley 6:12
Ryan Borrowman (MaccaX) 5:31
Andy Blasquez (MaccaX) 7:23