Race Report: VINEMAN FULL 2014

(Huge thanks to the very talented and kind Jeff Kapic and Larry Rosa for the wonderful pictures of this unforgettable day!)

I had heard so many great things about this race that it was definitely on my bucket list! And I figured this was a good year to give it a try. I can still only afford to go to races that are within (reasonable) driving distance and this is one of them! Since it's more reasonably priced than Ironman brand events, I was able to talk a few friends into it as well. All of which, unfortunately, had to bail except for Karen. That said, I was rather close to bailing out myself. 

Training over in Germany hadn't gone nearly as well as I would've liked. I had two great races, Luxembourg 70.3 and Kraichgau 70.3, but then things went downhill for various reasons. In the end, I just decided that our short time with family was more important than ideal training for my upcoming races. Yes, I consider 5 weeks every other year 'short'. And so does the Borst clan back home, so while this wasn't the most professional decision, it was the only right one. It made me nervous but I simply chose not to put a lot of pressure on myself. And, seeing how I am just getting (back) into the long distance stuff after only two previous 140.6 races (after Roth in 2007 and HITS Lake Havasu Full in 2013), I didn't feel much outside pressure either. There are two more Ironman planned for this year, so this would be a good tune-up race to see where I am at. NO EXCUSES - GAME ON! 

The days leading up to the race were a bit chaotic. The kids and I flew from Frankfurt to Vegas on Wednesday. Karl met us in Vegas, we spent a night in a hotel, and then he took the kids on a camping trip and from there to see his family in Utah. Karen picked me up in Vegas and I spent a few days at home in Flagstaff getting ready to race and trying to refrain from last-minute-panic-training. I had one really good long ride over the weekend that was probably too close to race day but somewhat put my mind at ease and proved that I was in decent shape. 

Pre-riding and falling in love with the bike course!

Then Karen and I (also known as Thelma and Louise) took off on our Vineman adventure! I am pretty picky when it comes to whom I want to go on long road trips with and who I want to have around before a big race. Karen is at the top of my list for both. I just love that girl! Her brother came up from the Bay Area to support his little sister which made race day logistics so much easier! Thank you, Fred! 

T1 adjacent to the Russian River on race morning

Race Morning

Highlight - Having Karen with me! I love having a good friend racing with me. One like Karen that I am totally comfortable being quiet, nervous, crazy, calm, excited, and goofy with! You go through a LOT of emotions on race morning, that's for sure! It was also shaping up to be a HOT day which means a warm morning with no fog or marine layer and you know how much I love those!  

Meh - Not a fan of the logistics of a race with two separate transitions. And all of the STUFF that a race of this length requires. I like it simple but I have yet to nail simplicity when racing 140.6 miles. 

Swimming up and then down the Russian river. Twice. 

The Swim 

Highlight - Being in a group! I was so thrilled to find myself surrounded by a few others that seemed to be going at a good pace that I decided to stick with them no matter what. I was also fairly certain that Whitney Garcia (past winner and course record holder) was in our little group. I have no idea how I knew because I had never met her before but I trusted my gut feeling and it was right. She ended up taking a better line to the finish but I was right on her heels going into T1. One other girl was a ahead of us, so we were 2nd and 3rd out of the water. 

Meh - The water level. It was super low. So low that we could've easily walked at least half of the swim. At the far end of the two loop course, my hands kept pulling the gravel at the bottom of the river. It wasn't too big of an issue but certainly didn't make for a fast swim. Water temperature was perfect though! 

Ready to get out of the water and onto my bike! 

T1 was pleasantly uneventful and I managed to get out on my bike ahead of Whitney. It didn't last long though for her to catch me again. But I was determined not to let her out of my sight. I knew just enough about her to feel confident that I could bike with her. 

The Bike 

Highlights - The course itself! I am in love with its hills and vineyards and gorgeous countryside! It's a bit quiet out there as spectators are scarce and the roads are rather rough but, honestly, I had a blast! During the first loop, I mostly rode behind Whitney (legally, of course). I tried to go in front a few times but she didn't seem to like that and passed me right back each time. Well then, I figured, go right ahead. I am just fine back here. I don't have a lot of experience with riding 112 miles and running a marathon afterwards, so I figured I would just follow her lead. Until special needs where she stopped and I didn't. I rode in the lead for the second loop and was hoping to open up a bit of a gap knowing Whitney is a very strong runner. Overall the entire bike was a highlight and I was feeling fairly strong. Yay for salty balls and Osmo hydration as it was getting hot out there! 

Meh - Well, no matter how you look at it, 112 miles in the saddle is going to get a bit uncomfortable at some point. But that's about all! I was happy to get off my bike but also a bit apprehensive about that marathon. 

Coming into T2 in the lead hearing my name over the loud speaker is always fun. Not something that happens very often at big races! Apparently, I had about a 5-minute lead which I wasn't going to give up without a fight. So ready or not, here I run! 

The Run 

Highlights - My lead biker! She was the best. I know that we can't talk to them and they need to keep their distance but we managed to have quite a bit of fun anyway - on the first of three loops at least - and I was so glad she was there for me! 

Still having fun! 

And eventually Karen and I found each other again. We cheered and smiled and hollered. That's the beauty of a multi-loop course. I don't mind crowded aid stations, I love company out there! The more, the better. The camaraderie out on the run course is one of my favorite things about this sport! 

Pushing through some rough patches. 

Meh - And then the going got tough. It always does at some point. For me that point came after 2 laps. Whitney was catching me slowly but surely and I was suffering some bad stomach issues. 3 bathroom stops later and I had lost my lead. By now it wasn't really a fight between Whitney and me anymore, it was only a fight between my body and my mind/heart. With my Coeur kit comes an extra dose of heart and courage and I really needed it today! I stayed tough and finished in 2nd place with nothing left in the tank. 

Karen - super star extraordinaire - absolutely rocked her first 140.6 race! She won her age group by a HUGE margin and I am just so proud of her and thrilled to have experienced it first-hand! I have so much respect and love for that speedy lady! 

A HUGE thank you to the Vineman team for putting on an excellent race. You guys certainly exceeded my expectations and I am planning on coming back next year to do this all over again! I highly recommend this race to any and all of you! 

And also Thank You to my fantastic sponsors:

Coeur Sports - The BEST in women's athletic wear

 T3 Triathlon - My FAVORITE triathlon shop

Fuji Bikes - In LOVE with my Norcom Straight

Zoot Shoes - My shoes of choice since 2008

Cobb Saddles - Most COMFORTABLE saddle ever

Osmo Nutrition - Hydration at its BEST

Tifosi Sunglasses - I wear them every single day!