Syracuse 70.3 Race Report by Angela Nardella

Nov 10, 2011

So as some of you may know I was actually supposed to do the Steelhead 70.3 race in August. Unfortunately I ended up being on heavy duty meds including puffers so I had to pull out from that race. On the way home from Michigan I was looking into races in September that might work out. Luckily I found one, Syracuse.

Because I had already spent quite a bit on Steelhead, I decided that I'd do Syracuse as inexpensive as possible which meant a 5am wake up call on Saturday to be on the road for 6am. The drive to Syracuse took about 5 hours when you factor in the border and bathroom/coffee/food stops, so before I knew it I was at the host hotel for race check in.

Check in process was smooth other then them being out of women's shirts so I ended up with a mens. But that isn't a big deal to me. What is funny about the shirt is that there is a typo - they say 1.2mile swim, 56mile bike and 13.1mile swim. Anyways - after spending some money on race gear (YAY for clearance priced items from last year) My sister and I head out to the race site for bike check in. Since we got there a bit early we ended up visiting a little bakery that had a sign out from "Racers carb up with cupcakes" I decided that was something I wanted to do. So glad we did the shop was cute and the cupcakes were AWESOME! Then we still had time so I decided to drive the bike course. I'm not so sure that was a good idea.

The first 12miles were almost exclusively an uphill climb. Starting with a hill similar to the one in Norval, and then you get to the top of that and make a right - onto Sweet Rd. Let me tell you there is nothing "Sweet" about that road. Think the stretch from Cheltenham to Old Base on Creditview, and extend it...for 10 MILES!!!!! At this point I'm starting to freak out big time and even though there is only one nasty hill left at the 21mile mark before a flat/downhill second half it's really making me worry. Anyway - finished the bike course drive - glad I didn't drive the run...more on that later.

Bike check in went smoothly - there were plenty of volunteers ensuring only athletes got into transition and then off for a quick swim in a beautifully calm lake.

RACE DAY:

Wake up call 3:45 (UGH) after not sleeping much because of stress/nerves an early wake up call so that we could get breakfast done and out the door by 4:30. There is a one lane road leading into Jamesville Beach Park so I wanted to make sure we got there good and early to avoid the rush of people coming in. Went to get body marked and set up transition in the dark (and COLD) and then back to the car to warm up and rest a bit.

Around 6:15 we got up and headed back to transition so I could make last minute checks, get the wetsuit on etc and be ready to race. On the walk back to transition though my nerves got the best of me and my breakfast decided to make a reappearance. GREAT...there goes my nutrition plan...oh well. Back to transition - grabbed wetsuit, cap and goggles and off to the swim start we went.

At this point it was about 6 degrees (brrr...) outside, the water was actually a balmy 16 degrees so I ended up putting my feet in the water to keep them warm. The wetsuit did the trick for the rest of me. Oddly enough with my swimming background it was almost like the minute my feet hit the water I went from nervous wreck panic mode to completely relaxed and excited mode - EXCELLENT. Before I knew it my wave was being herded through the swim start and back into the water. And then off goes the cannon and my 70.3 journey has officially begun.

The swim was uneventful, it was one loop - the water was PERFECT swimming temperature and smooth as glass. I got out with the lead girls pretty early and had nice clear water until we started to catch the wave ahead of us just before the red bouy signalling a right turn. It was pretty hard to screw up this swim, they had yellow bouys on the way out, red bouys signalling a turn, and orange bouys on the way back to shore. Once we caught the wave ahead of us it became a game of dodging bodies but before I knew it I was exiting the water (5th in my AG) and off to transition (my sister cheering me on every step of the way).

They had wetsuit strippers at Syracuse, it was my first encounter with them and it was awesome. I vote for wetsuit strippers at all races!!!! Then a short run up to transition. I decided to take my wet tri top off and put on a dry bike jersey as well as arm warmers and knee warmers. I figured that the extra time in transition would be worth the warmth on the bike. It was a good call. So off to the bike - which for me is the most nervewracking part of any tri.

Those hills I talked about earlier - well what looked pretty tough on the drive felt WAY worse on the bike. I didn't get my speed over 15k/hr until the top of Sweet Rd. But there were plenty of people cheering along that section and eventually I was on a nice long downhill which gave me a chance to rest my legs a bit. The hill at 21miles - oh dear that was a nasty one. I got about 2/3 of the way up and was moving so slow that I decided instead of falling over I'd get off and walk the rest of the way up. Being my first 70.3 I didn't want it ended early because of something stupid. Got to the top of the hill and after that was able to enjoy the rest of the ride because there was nothing left that had me getting out of my big chain ring. There were 3 aid stations on the bike, all well stocked, I took water at the last one and filled my aero bottle like a pro - I was impressed with myself on that one  Then before I knew in back into transition (my sister still screaming away) I later found out she was taking pics the whole time and posting them on facebook as I raced. What an awesome support crew! Anyways into transition!

At this point it's warmed up to about 22 degrees and so off come the knee and arm warmers, on go the running shoes and out of transition I go!

Last year's run was flat/downhill mostly but apparently this year they changed the route so that it was a two loop run and much more hilly. Yep that is exactly true! My plan was to run to the aid stations and I started that off pretty well. Hit the first mile mark pretty quick and then made the turn to start loop one. And as it turns out climb one...oh dear... Walked about half way up that one then back onto my running plan. Did pretty well with it and the run was going by really quick (or it felt that way). The all of a sudden looming ahead of me is a monster of a hill. It was a slightly longer/steeper version of the 27k hill at ATB...and joy of all joys - I get to do it twice today!!! Well that was a walker for sure - but at least while I was walking I was passing people who were attempting to run. Then back to running again once I hit the top of the hill. I definitely walked more during the second half of the run but I was still quite pleased with the run split given how challenging the course was. There were plenty of people on the course cheering us on and it really was quite amazing, the volunteers and aid stations were well stocked with everything I could have asked for. And since around 12k the thought of another gel wasn't sitting to well with me I was glad for the fruit they had at the aid stations and even the defizzed coke turned out to be a good call. Before I knew it I was done 2 loops and heading back to the park where SURPRISE - short out and back section before we hit the finish line. But then all of a sudden there it was - the finish line right in front of me. I have to say that was one heck of a relief. I was done - 70.3 miles in the books.

Total time was 6:43 which was well under the 7+ I was expecting because of the hills and of course the month of missed training when I was sick. So needless to say I was very happy with my results. Lot's to work on for next years race...and I'm really looking forward to it! The post race food was AWESOME!!! And I was lucky enough to get an awesome post race massage as well. Oh and the other thing I forgot to mention - nicest porta potties EVER. Not only did they smell good but they had colour coordinated flowers AND pics of triathletes racing as well and carpet mats on the floor. Haha worth the trip for the porta potties alone! All in all a FANTASTIC experience and I'd highly recommend the race for anyone doing an iron distance later in the summer as it's been moved to June 24 for next year.