Boulder 70.3 Race Report From Ann

-What did you learn?  I learned to start out more slowly on the swim to not get my heart rate up so high.  I learned how to use my watch in triathlon mode and my bike computer to do an outdoor ride.

-What worked well?  The run walk strategy for the run.  I got to the race really early and was on the first bus so I was able to get everything ready with plenty of time tomdo everything so I didn’t feel rushed,  I also put flip flops at the swim end to use to run to Mike bike and that was nice,

-What are you proud of?  I am proud that I get going on the swim and finished strong in the swim.  I’m proud of doing the run/ walk on the run and it went better than last years race and Ironman Texas,

-What didn’t go well?   Having stuggles on the swim when I started.  Getting my watch and bike computer to work the first part of the race.  Have some more to work on with my run pace and not walking up one of the hills towards the end.

-How well did you respond to things that weren’t in your control? (e.g., weather). I kept going on the swim when it was choppy.   On the run when it was windy I didn’t let it bother me since I was used to it in training.

-What are areas for growth?  Working on starting my swim out slower.  Work on climbing with my new bike fit.  Also work on gettin more in Aero with the new bike fit.  Work on getting my run faster and continue to work on enjoying running up the hills,

-What were your thoughts and feelings during the race?  When I was have stuggles with the swim I was hoping I could get it together and get into my grove like I did in training .  On the bike I was thinking how much better it felt and I was passing a lot of people going downhill and on the flats but that some would pass me on the hills,  on the run I felt my legs felt better when I started the run because of the bike fit.  The second loop of the run I had a harder time.  Maybe I needed to eat more calories.  My pace was slowing,

-What was or was not effective about your mental game?  I need to rember when I am struggling on the run to tap into the times I have felt good on the run in training.  On the swim I was trying to get myself mentally back into doing the race,  it took a while but eventually I did.  I am hoping I could get it together faster.

-How did your pre-race planning help or hinder you?  It helped to go through the race plan to think about all parts of the race and what I ant to do.  The ai re read it the night before so I could remember it for the race,

-What was your fueling and hydration strategy? Did it work?  I did what was in my race plan.  I could have tried to eat more on the run.  I should look at the carbs on what I eat and see if a I need to add more,

-What were the circumstances of the day (weather, terrain, competition, etc.)?  It was windy on the swim so it made the water choppy.  The bike had some wind so whenai was a tail wind it was awesome,  the run had some wind which part of it was good to help it. It be as hot,  it wasn’t as hot as other years but there was. I shade.

I don’t have stomach problems before in Boulder.  I was worried that the precision drink made my stomach have issues in Texas.  I tried so

Doing some things digpffterent from Texas and my stomach was fine,

Ann