Clearwater World's 70.3 Race report by Carol Dee (2009)

Ken and I got to Florida a week early so that I would have a week to acclimatize (ha!)

1)  The Swim prep:
On our way down, we kept hearing more & more about 'Hurricane Ida" in the Gulf.  It was going to miss Clearwater, right?
Our Condo- great ! excellent location, and the right price!  Beautiful views of both the Gulf and the Bay, and within a 7  minute walk to the start.
Only problem:  the wind sounded like a freight train was coming through.  Kept me awake all night .
On Monday I saw swimcaps out amongst the whitecaps,  so I mustered up my courage and headed off to the beach with Ken (my lifeguard) despite the yellow warning flag.
The waves were pretty high, but I had a blast!  The following day,  the waves were even higher -only a couple of swimmers out there,  and I saw a huge black fish with a dorsal fin, 
obviously curious about the wet-suited swimmers.... And I WENT IN ANYWAY!  It was  a dolphin,  but still...!  I was loving the salt water and feeling very confident  but there was a
very strong current and I got very disoriented from the waves. Finally,  The day I was waiting for .. the Gatorade/Lifesport swim clinic. 
Well, It was Freezing  and the wind was just howling!   We could barely hear the instructors and the waves were HUGE.. They had the red No Swimming flags up,  but of course, the
Triathletes were too hardcore for that,  and we all piled into the surf.  After spending about 15 minutes being tossed around in the Giant Washing Machine,  most of us got out shaking our head. 
They then cancelled the Friday swim.................So,  I was a little anxious

2)    The bike prep:
Have you every showed up to a formal evening in a pair of cut-offs?
Driven a tractor in a Formula One race?
Well if you had, maybe you'd have an idea what its like to show up to Clearwater without the pointy helmet , the Zipp/ Dish wheels and more than 10% body fat.
And everyone was at least 6'4 - like giant insects. 

3)    The run prep:
Luckily I spent 3 days in the car on the way down with my foot in a bucket of ice.  My toe and ankle finally had a chance to rest.  I did a couple of runs,  but
tried not to push my luck... I thought shopping was probably the best exercise.

The Event!
Due to the conditions,  they moved the race from the Gulf to the Bay, where the water was like glass! Beautiful.
The biggest problems were that a) we were not allowed to swim in the Bay prior to race day and b) we were NOT allowed to warm up/ get in the water at all  on race day!! 
A "time-trial start" off a dock , except that it was just "GO GO GO!!!!"  everyone piling in and flailing about. 
I admit to throwing up in the water,  just to get even with those swimming over top of me.  It was very hard to get into a rythym. 
My favorite moment:  About 500m out I looked over and saw a guy standing up.  Yay,  a sandbar!  I jumped to my feet and started running along.  
After that I settled down and enjoyed the swim.   To exit, we were all funnelled toward a narrow dock next to the Pirate Ship  - Imagine several hundred very competitive athletes 'taking turns' !!
By then I had been pummelled into submission.  Nancy Black would Not have been impressed... but I didn't want to risk bodily harm 10 feet from shore,  so I waited my turn,
several times.

On the Bike!  I had my own personal assistant to help me put my shoes on the right feet!  This race is SOOOO well-organized.  Its like the Real Ironman!
I just flew out of there.  No Hills - Never got out of the big ring. Saw many - some serious (Joanna Zeigler) crashes. 
Lots of Zipp Heads changing tires... tried not to smirk.  It was quite an experience.  Everyone who did not pass me on the swim now proceded to pass me on the bike!  
I got to see just about everybody in the race!  How cool is that?  Made a few friends,  and received a lot of much appreciated encouragement 
COuld not believe that i was maintaining 30kmph pretty steadily all the way along. Very proud of myself - because it hurt!
My only disappoinment:  How can the (very few) athletes following the rules compete with Peletons of cyclists drafting?!  It was ridiculous -and No One in the penalty tents!
 I admit to trying to draft myself but almost wiped out when the guy ahead of me clipped a cone.... so I just kept grinding away.  (thank God for the computrainer sessions - it was exactly
the same - No coasting at all!!)  I ate my bars and a gel and drank my CarboPro (learned that lesson),  but  I ran out of water.  THe water station was on the left (Hello?  Passing on Your Left??)  and
I couldn't reach the water because of the guys flying by me.  I never saw the other water station....

So I had some difficulties on the run.  My legs felt great,  but everytime I slowed down I felt like I was going to pass out.  Once off the bike I realized it was very hot. 
I couldn't figure out if I was dehydrated or overhydrated - that's how well my brain was working.  I said Hi to Sister Madonna  - and I think I talked to God for a while .
I was again really impressed with the thoughtfulness of so many of the other athletes.  Some recognized me from Timberman! 
On my final lap I really had some doubts that I would finish.  I was very afraid I was going to faint, as this has been a problem for me in the past.
On the bright side:  My toe was not hurting  (Looked like a big purple grape the next day tho'!)  And of course,  was never so happy to see a finish line...
and a medical tent so I could get some blood back to the brain.

THis was an amazing experience that would have been even more meaningful if I had been able to share it with my friends.  I was very jealous of all the groups of athletes who
obviously trained together - and competed together (yeah...in their little pelotons).  I was so lucky to have gotten the spot, but Misery and Joy love company, and there's lots of both in a 70.3. 
It was wonderful to see fellow Ducks Nancy R and Donna waiting for me at the airport! 
So that's the story of Carol's Big Adventure.
And I took the next week off!