ESI Augusta Half-Ironman

Ben's friend, Adam, had decided not to participate in the Augusta half-ironman...so I had a thought...why don't I take his spot! Bright idea Kenzie, less than two weeks before the event. So time and time went by, me working like crazy to get ready for our conference with work and in the middle of everything I receive the email... Welcome to the August half-ironman!!!! I didn't know if I should be happy, scared, or just out of my mind...so why not all three! Last week flew by since I was at the conference, I really didn't have much time to think about it, nor time to get it any long runs or bike rides.

                               

So then Friday night rolled around and we are in the garage packing everything and I realized, this is actually going to happen. I had borrowed a wetsuit from my friend Nell, who told me ahead of time that it would be hard to get on and off. So as we are standing there, I thought it would probably be a good idea for me to try this on. Needless to say she was right...it took Ben and I both to get it on and off. We continued packing, bike stuff, running shoes, tri outfit, bike, goggles, running hat, socks, water bottles, gu's, watch, towel, wetsuit, bike shoes, helmet, anything and everything we could think to bring that we might need.

We woke up Saturday and dropped the girls off with my parents and headed to Ben's parent’s house in North Augusta. We went down to the bike store and get me some new tires; because I still don't know how to change a tire...I know I know...I promise I will learn. Then we headed down to the expo to pick up our packets. After waiting in a huge line we finally got everything. We took our bikes down with all the other thousands of bikes to look for our numbers to put our bikes down. I kept walking and walking and sure enough the last row right next to the port-a-johns was my wonderful spot, number 3224. I kissed my bike farewell and knew I would see it again a few short hours. The rest of the afternoon was filled with hydrating, carbs, and of course football.

Sunday morning came and I knew from looking outside it was going to be a hot day. We got up and I actually ate breakfast, which I don't ever do. I had two packets of oatmeal and a PowerAde. We had to leave the house by 6:00 in order to get our markings, the numbers on our arms and legs, and also have all of our stuff out at our transition spots. We headed down to our spots and put all of our stuff out and Ben gave my bike the "okay" one last time. Mr. Riddle thankfully came with us and helped us get from point to point. We had to then go back to where the swim start was going to be. Ben didn't start until 8:40 and I wasn't going to start until 9:04. We both help each other get our wetsuits on and the three of us parted and head our separate ways.

I watched Ben's group leave and then just waited until my turn. I lined up with all the other age group girls ranging from 18-24 and 25-29, needless to say a HUGE group. I soon found out that we were the last group besides for the relays. 9:00 rolls around and we head down to the beautiful Savannah River. Some girls stood there and thought about how cold it was going to be, well I just jumped right in and decided to get the show on the road. There were so many girls we were on top of each other. I have never been hit, kicked, etc...besides when ME sleeps with us. The water wasn't as cold as I thought it was going to be, but I was very thankful for Nell's wetsuit.

9:04 the horn went off and I knew there was no turning back. I have never been in the Savannah River besides tubing and I can't say that I will ever go back in it unless I do the ironman next year. There was sticks, weeds, and bushes and anything else you could think of as I swam down the river. I had stuff wrapped around my arms, in my goggles, and under my hat. I tried not to look down, but it was hard not to. The whole time I thought about that movie, "Minority Report", with Tom Cruz and how a dead body comes floating out from the water. I just kept waiting for that to happen, especially since we were the last group. Finally, I got away from the group and could actually get to where I could actually swim. When I came out of the water I clocked my time at 29 minutes and 1 second. As you can see, I was very ready to get out of the water and on my bike.

Since my bike was all the way in the back, I had to run all the way to the back to even get to my bike. Thankfully there were wetsuits stripers there to help me get my wetsuit off. Overall my transition time from the swim to the bike was about 4:09. I had to get my helmet on, sock, bike shoes, gu's, and bike and make my way back to the front where I could actually get on the bike.

Thankfully Ben took me on the bike course two weeks ago so I knew what to expect. The bike ride does have some good hills, but overall is a good course. I haven't been on my bike as much as I would have liked to, so I really didn't know what to expect. When Ben and I did it I averages about 16.5 and that was without running and swimming. I kept checking periodically on my watch to see what my average was. Several people kept passing me on the bike, but I just had to keep telling myself, “I’ll get you on the run". At about mile 40, everything started hurting. I had taken two gu's and a granola bar to help keep me going. But about then I just could not get comfortable on the bike. My back, neck, arms, and wrist just starting aching like crazy. I finally just pushed though and about throw my bike into the river when I finally got back to my spot. My time ended up being about 3 hours and 18 minutes on the bike which is around 16.7 miles per hour, so better than what I was hoping for.

I tried to run with my bike back to my spot...but I quickly figured out that wasn't going to happen. I couldn't hardly walk, let alone run. I had seen Mr. Riddle right before I entered the transition, so that gave me a boost of energy, plus I was so ready to put my running shoes on. Made it to my spot and put my running shoes on, my lucky pink Strictly Running hat, and took off like a bat out of HELL!!! I was so ready to pass everyone that had passed me on the bike.

I started off feeling great and in hope that I would see Ben as some point along the course. The running course is two loops so I knew he would be on his second loop. I got to mile 1...6:28 pace..."oh crap"...this isn't going to be good come mile 11, 12, 13. Finally I settled down into a pace and was passing people left and right....I have to admit it felt AWESOME!!! I never did see Ben, but Ms. Riddle, Mr. Riddle, and Baby Mason were there to cheer us on.

I finished the first loop and then started to get really dehydrated. I had only had one small water bottle on the bike and nothing else. I had to end up getting water at pretty much ever aid station. The weather was hot and humid, but raining a little. Finally I got back around the second loop and all I could think about was a cold beer and a diet coke. I came around the corner and saw the finish line.  I took off and give what little bit I had left, I wouldn't exactly call it a sprint...but there was one leg infront of the other so that's all thatmattered. I guessed my run time would be around 1:40 and it ended up being 1:38, which is about a 7:33 average pace.

My final time overall was 5 hours and 35 minutes. Ben finished in 5 hours and 30 minutes which is about 25 minutes better that last year.

 This was one my first lap, if you couldn't guess.

 Ben on his first lap.

 My seond lap...little slower.

It was a great feeling finishing a half-ironman. I have new respect for those who do FULL ironmans. When I finished I went straight to the beer tent, got a beer, and my diet coke.

I am so thankful to have Ben for preparing me for this event and for Ben's parents who are so supportive of us. We were even thankful for our little nephew who cheered for us. We missed not having the girls there with us, but another thanks for my parents for watching them all weekend. One day the whole Riddle family will be out there.

A few things I learned...

1. Nobody looks good in a wetsuit
2. Learn to love your bike
3. Bring on the RUN!
4. Look out for the Riddle family 2013!!!! (give Ben another week or so)