Boise 70.3

I had a hard time getting excited about Boise. I think it was a combination of it being in Boise...because that doesn't sound exciting...and general mom stress. Getting the kids ready for school this year was really heavy and it was really wearing me down. I was hoping to get to enjoy the weekend with Jeremy and my mom and that it would be enough.

Flying with McKenzie's support

Race check-in complete

Run course recon and bike check

Bike check in

I didn't give myself a lot of time before the race, so it felt like race morning came really quickly. The shuttle ride up to Lucky Peak reservoir started at 3:00. Holy smokes. Jeremy and my mom had brought bikes so they biked up in the dark to be with me in transition before the race. It's such a comfort to me knowing that people are there and cheering me on. It's easy to get in my head and I like seeing familiar faces.  I was worried about the swim because it can get a little choppy out there. It was as bad as I feared. At our farthest point out I felt like I was in a washing machine. The pack I thought I had completely broke apart and it was every woman for themselves. It's a good thing I didn't see my split until after the race because it was my slowest swim ever.

Unfortunately it was also one of my worst bikes ever. About five miles in I knew my power just wasn't going to be there. I was about 30 watts lower than I was at Happy Valley. Women were just passing me like crazy and I knew I was really far back. I hated almost every second of the ride. And while I enjoy sagebrush (up to a point), I really needed something more inspiring out there to keep me going. Thank goodness Jeremy and my mom were able to pop in around mile 20. That helped a lot.

I was just so embarrassed after my ride that I didn't know what to expect on my run. Still chasing that sub 1:30. This was a very straight forward run course and it was even in the shade. I thought surely I could redeem myself. I just didn't feel it out there on the run either. 

I was able to pass a couple other women who were also having a back day out there and ultimately ended up placing 19th. I felt a little bit better talking to all the other ladies at the finish line and learning that they all had an awful day out there too. The energy was just not there for any of us. 

Swim 31:59, T1 2:27, Bike 2:28:39, T2 1:46, Run 1:32:27, Overall 4:37:19

One of the best surprises of the weekend was seeing Rachel at the finish line with her kids. We were able to go out to dinner with her after the race and it was just so nice to catch up with her. 

I think my favorite part of the whole weekend was when we went back up to the lake to float by the beach. We bought huge floaties from Smith's and really did just float on the lake. I think I almost fell asleep out there on my new floating cactus. 

Big thanks to my support crew for being there every step of the way, even on a rough day.