Racing in the Rain: Genine's 2012 Mooseman Race Report

Mooseman.  My favorite race of the year.  Our “hometown” race, my favorite swim in beautiful, clear Newfound Lake and a house full of friends & family joining us for the race.  It doesn’t get any better than that for me!  Especially with many people (Adam, Debbie and Denise) racing their first olympic or 70.3 triathlon! Exciting!

We drove up to the farm on Wednesday.  It was nice to have Ruth join us and Milo was happy to have a backseat co-pilot for the trip.  A little front door key “mishap” had us back in the car (adding another 2hours to the trip) driving to Matt’s brother’s house to borrow his key for the house.  But the good part to this was that we were able to see Ryan and Tammy (who we were not otherwise) and enjoy dinner at one of our favorite Chinese restaurants in the area.  We finally made it back to the farm (and actually in the house!) around 10:00pm.

Thursday was the typical flurry of activity.  Grocery shopping, cookie baking, meal prep, getting guest beds made, etc.  We also got in a practice swim. The water was unseasonably warm and very comfortable. Newfound never disappoints.   Adam arrived late Thursday night after dropping Denise off at her hotel in Gilford.

We didn’t set an alarm for Friday, figuring everyone could use whatever extra sleep they could get.   After breakfast, Adam went to pick up Denise and we met at the lake for packet pick-up & another quick swim.  Adam was thankful to have the practice time in the water.  This was going to be his first olympic distance triathlon (He had raced only 1 sprint tri 2 weeks prior to this) and I know he was feeling some nerves and apprehension.  After the swim, Matt, Adam, Denise and I went for a quick 20-30min easy ride while Ruth stayed at the beach.  She was enjoying the freedom of swimming in Matt’s sleeveless wetsuit top. 

Genine, Denise and Ruth at Friday's practice swim.

Matt and Adam getting ready to test the water.

The C5 relay team arrived Friday evening, as did Matt’s brother, Eric and nephew, Evan.  The house was filled with food, family, friends and laughter.  All of the things that made Judy smile…for that my heart was happy.

After enjoying 2 beautiful days of sunshine and warm temps, Saturday’s race morning arrived with relentless rain and temps in the low 50’s.  Even though the dismal weather gave everyone all sorts of excuses to complain, not once did I hear a negative comment.  It was time to put on our game faces and get ready to race!  Because of the cold & rain, I was a bit wishy-washy on what I was going to need to wear on the bike and run.  I decided that I would tough it out and left my long sleeve gear in my bag, set up my transition and covered everything in plastic in a futile attempt to keep things somewhat dry. Ha! As if that were possible!

Setting up transition in the rain.

This was the first race that I decided to be confident enough to start in the front row (but far right) for the swim.  Since my wave start was small enough, it worked out just fine.  The swim went well.  I somehow managed to spot Adam out there shortly after the turn buoy.  He was backstroking, but I was relieved that he was cruising along through his least favorite part of the day.  I was hoping to finally break the 30min mark on my swim, but finished in 30:45.  Still a 2 second PR for this course, so I’ll take it!

I was cold coming out of the water, but figured I would warm up on the bike.  That did not happen.  I only proceeded to get colder.  The rain was unforgiving.  My hands lost feeling and became so numb I could barely move the shifters.  I was shivering and my quads were cramping from the cold.  I could not feel my feet.  I trusted that they were still in my shoes as I moved the pedals around.  At times the rain was pelting my face so hard it felt like needles stinging my cheeks & eyes.  I had my glasses on, but rode with them down my nose most of the time as they were fogging over.  Yet somehow, despite all of these crazy conditions, I found myself smiling.  I was loving this moment!  I was gritty, soaked to the bone, shivering and LOVING IT! Many of my Inten-Sati mantras flowed thru my brain as they always do when racing, but what I kept saying most to myself was, “This temporary suffering is NOTHING compared to what Nathan, Judy, Dan, Katie, Aunt Kay, and Mike went thru.  I CAN do this!  I WILL do this!  For them and for all of the other people who can’t be out here riding a bike in this crazy, wonderful rain!”

I finished the bike in 1:35:49.  About 3+ minutes slower than my best time, but I was very cautious on the wet roads, so I wasn’t surprised.  I came in to T2 cold & confused about what to wear & take with me on the run. By that time, nothing in transition was dry, so I put my wet, muddy feet into my run shoes, grabbed my hat & left my glasses there. I started to leave transition, but turned around to dig thru my bag for my long sleeve shirt & grab my Fuel Belt palm bottle.  Then I decided to leave them there.  Then I came back to get them.  Then I decided to leave them there.  Then I came back to get them… for a THIRD TIME! Oh man!  I think my brain was frozen!  I could not make a decision to save my life.  Where was Ruth with her video camera? This was worth recording! Even I started to laugh at myself as I finally started out on the run course…with my long sleeves and palm bottle!

My run, while not any faster, felt much better than previous years.  The only time I walked was going up the hill out of the turn around. And since I had my palm bottle, I did not stop at any aid stations.  My legs felt strong, just need to get them to feel speedier!  Run time 1:02:30.

As I made the final turn in the finishing chute, I saw Matt, Ruth and Denise cheering for me.  What a great support crew they were! It was awesome!  I jumped my way over some giant mud puddles and across the finish line! Wahoo! 

 

 

The muddy finish!

Despite some backstroking and a minor bike crash, Adam made it to the run and was home free!  I saw passed him as he was heading out at mile 2, thankful to have his feet on the ground!  He finished his first Olympic tri in 3:40:55.  The race conditions were not for the faint of heart, but he toughed it out! Way to go, Adam!!

 

Adam happy to be done! Big Congrats!!

 

The C5 relay team all posted PR times in their respective legs of the race!  Awesome job, ladies!!

After the race, we relaxed back at the house.  Matt made a fire in the wood stove (aaahhh…. warmth!) while everyone cleaned up, shared our favorite stories of the day and ate cookies.

Sunday morning was still rainy for the 70.3 race, but it cleared up after the swim so that Ed and Denise were only cold instead of cold and wet.  Matt and I had a grand time spectating, cheering, taking photos and a little pro-spotting on my part!

By Sunday night, Matt and I were back to just the two of us, as everyone had to start their travels back home.  As we sat at the kitchen table recalling the weekend’s events and reviewing photos, my heart filled with joy.  Over the past 5 years, our Mooseman journey has brought some many wonderful people and experiences into our lives.  With the support of these amazing people, we have raised awareness and money to make a difference in the lives of children fighting cancer.  I can only hope that Nathan, Judy and Dan are proud.  Because in the end, it is not about me or my stats, it is about them and honoring their lives.  Lives that were well lived.  Souls that are still loved.

With a grateful heart, I say, “Thank You” to all of our Moosemen and women!  I am already looking forward to 2013!