Last Ultraman Day Two

Day 2

A New PR-  so I am breaking all the rules and records with the new bike!!!   I got a new PR.   I still was not in first today.  Amber Monforte killed the bike course with a 7:57 or something crazy.   

This morning it was cold but not too bad.  There has often been rain on the downhill but not today.   I used to start out in full clothing but the past few years I have chosen to just wear a jacket so that I don’t have to stop for too long after the downhill.  Some people are talented enough to take their jacket off on the bike but not me.   This year I cut a jacket up and put some velcro  on it so that I could just rip it off.    It was cut down the back and arms so really easy to take off.    I tore mine off and in the same time Hillary Biscay took her jacket off the normal way.  

All the crews are at the bottom of the mountain waiting for us to hand off our clothing.  I did not see mine so I rode with my holding my jacket for a while…not long.   I tossed it to another crew.  They are probably wondering what happened to the jacket.     They are probably staring at it now thinking I am a big dork or wondering what I threw them.   It worked for me and I will most likely use it again….if I get it back.

Amber, Hilary and I were together until after the crew handoff.  Amber started hammering shortly after that.   I figured Hilary was going to try to hang  but didn’t.    I decided to take off but still wanted to ride my own pace.    There was hills and on each hill I would stand up  “Shanna Style “ and fly up it.    At least it felt like I was flying up it.    We entered a place where the crew is forbidden to go called the red road.   Amber came out first and then I was not far behind.   

Hilo was next and I hit every darn red light there was except the first one.    I looked back and Hillary caught me.    Hillary is such a class act and it was nice seeing her and her crew.  Her crew caught her at one of the lights and gave her some red bull.  She was nice enough to offer me some.   Her crew was also asking me if I needed anything.   We rode close together through Hilo.   I am sure she would have been fine but there are some areas that are confusing.  

After Hilo it was time to get busy again.   I got a nice pace and did my own thing.  I felt good and the bike felt good.    I did have a flat.   I don’t think it held me back any.  I am not sure how long it was flat.    I usually never air up my tires but Johnny does.  When he does I feel like I can feel  every bump.   I was feeling every bump.   I saw my crew and asked them if it was flat and it was.   Did I stop?  I was in the middle of a hill so I rode out of the saddle to the top before changing over.   I was on the road again in no time. 

We passed  an announcer at 112 miles that old me my time…..it was a 5:28.   That is a PR for me.   I was so surprised.  I was also disappointed that I still had 50 miles left.   I was 11 minutes back from Amber according to him.  

The last part of the race sucks.   The climb into Wiamea seems to take forever.   It always makes me crazy but I made it.   There was a climb over the Kohala mountains into Hawi.   I crossed the line with a 8:22 total time for the day.   Amber was a 7:57.  Hillary was not far after me with a 8:28.   I am still in third but I did move up.

It is one hell of a race!!!  I have had a personal best on the swim and bike.   I did it on a new bike. Most everyone I know told me not to do this but it seems to be working out.  Tonight I had a hamburger and feel pretty good.   Tomorrow is  the hardest day.  Running is so painful!!!