New Orleans 70.3 race recap 2016

I know a lot of people may disagree and thats ok....

Was new orleans 70.3 challenging yes. But was it unexpected - NO....

I have done this race in the past and it was all I expected it to be....Slightly more challenging yes....But not really.

To me (not a strong swimmer) I have always thought that swimming in that cement box was harder...the wind caused it to take it up a notch. I was kicked, scratched, and had a panic attack.
Yes, ME.....

I have done many races and they still make me nervous.
My watch was kicked and I lost my data.....yes it almost killed me...I love my numbers...but i regrouped and said it didn't matter.....kept swimming....then i had a panic attack because everytime I would breathe I was being nailed with waves.... I looked to the side and saw a scene out of walking dead..people looked like they were climbing the walls to get out of the water...

nola.com photo credit

phew I told myself calm down and you will be fine. You have swam in much worse and its all in your head...wow it worked.....then i got kicked in the face...now i had trouble breathing bc i had a bloody nose. I got pulled by the jets passing and told there are alligators in here and you can't continue while bleeding. I asked them to give me a minute and i would hold pressure. phew it stopped gushing....I pushed on....finally thru much trial and error stayed on path to get out of the swim...

To me it was very similar to last time but just a tad worse due to conditions....but i knew it would not be easy.

as I am going to transition my friend told me to wipe my face bc i looked dirty. while some was dirt. some was still blood. i chuckled bc i knew the rest of the day would be hard but doable.

yes dirt, gas, and blood on my face....and honestly i love it! 

Now the bike.....you knew there would be wind going out...and easier coming back. again all doable.
keep your HR and cadence in check. Again this was very similar to last time. Just a little worse.
The aggravating but not hard part was that when you turned around it still had a nice cross wind. Was it scary - hell yes- but if it was easy i don't think many would want to do it...

finally made it to the turn around. what is this cross wind....lol

the run....
last time it was a point to point. this time it was an out and back.
the out gave you time to relax and get your hr in line after the bike. you didnt really feel as much wind as you think you would. it was nice. but at the half way point oh man....it was strong...
it made it feel like you were running at an incline on the flats and the bridges actually seemed easier bc it was blocking the wind.

hats turned around backwards so they didn't fly away

all in all i think new orleans was a great fun race.
thru experience i have decided you don't really get perfect weather.
learn to embrace the challenges that are thrown at you and you will be ready always. don't just train on good days. get out and feel it all. trust in yourself and your training. and most importantly don't quit yourself....

most of the race reports i read...either tried til they couldn't make it (totally understandable) or gave up. those people have to live with their decisions.....

don't expect an easy perfect day and you will always be ready. know that you are strong and the mental game will help you more then you think. we put all the time in training physical. you need to trust your ability and not let your mind make you think otherwise.

Team Betty 2016
#doepicshit

nantahala hilly half marathon bryson city

This race was the 2/4 weeks in a row of racing....

Long drive up to Cherokee North Carolina

going back and forth from triathlons to trail running can really push your nerves. Trail running is laid back. Triathlon is strict. Trail running changes frequently and people roll with it. Well this race was not any different.

Drove up to Cherokee and stopped at waterfalls along the way. Waterfall hiking is my favorite past time.

Mingo Falls

Soco Falls

I had prepared based on the reports on the website about the race. The cut off changed several times. I went in prepared to work, thinking I had a 3 hour cut off. Reports were that the race was not quite a 13.1 distance, more like 11.5.....well just don't think about stuff like that. It is better to tell your self more then less....

Race morning was chilly 45 degrees. At the start line the course direction changed for the third time and the cutoff was now back to 4 hours.....phew....now i can take pictures and enjoy the mountains.

single track to the falls

running down the railroad tracks

waterfall during first few miles

creek crossing after leaving the waterfall

trails constantly going up!

we made it to the summit!! finally

post race with my beer tickets

I really enjoyed this race but it taught me don't over think things. Be ready but not over think it. Just run and have fun. I loved the burn my legs felts, I loved the beauty of my surroundings. I really enjoyed how nice everyone was. Unfortunately this is the last year they will be doing this race as it is retired. I am very lucky and happy that I was able to fit this in my schedule and enjoy all it had to offer.