Chasing My Joy

My journey to becoming an Ultra Runner and Ironman

  • Home
  • About
  • Current Gear
  • Race Reports
  • Pregnancy//Baby
  • Travel
  • Bucket List
  • All In

June 28, 2011

Pacific Crest Half Ironman Race Report

Pacific Crest was the best supported race I have ever participated in. The volunteers were great and the course was the most beautiful I have ever seen. I had the best time, I would do it again this weekend if I could. Not everything went perfect but that’s to be expected, now I can focus on getting faster.

Sunriver really welcomes Pac Crest athletes. On Friday Cory and I headed down to athletes village to pick up our race packets.

Before heading up to T1 to drop off our bikes and swim in Wickiup reservoir. The water was a bit chilly but not to cold.

This race required a lot of prep because the bike is a point to point course so there are two transition zones. Also to cut down on traffic you have to take your bike to T1 the day before.

We then headed down to T2 to claim our transition spot. We waited until Saturday morning to set up the rest of our stuff.

With all the set up done we headed back to my parents house to pack the rest of our stuff in bags and eat a delicious carb heavy dinner compliments of my mom.

Saturday morning wake up call was fairly late compared to other races but we were up at 5 am drinking coffee, eating steel cut oats and hydrating. I packed a cliff bar to eat closer to start time. I ended up not eating it and wished that I had.

Mom and dad drove us to T2 so we could set out our running shoes, race belts, etc. before jumping on a nice tour bus to head up to Wickiup. About 25 minutes into the ride another participant came to the front of the bus to let the driver know that we were going the wrong way! I am so glad someone was paying attention, we finally got the driver headed the correct direction but a 40 minute bus ride took over an hour. Thank god there was a bathroom on the bus! We got to T1 later than I would have liked but I still had plenty of time to finish setting up my bike getting my wetsuit on and going for a very short warm up swim.

My wave started 1 minute after the elite athletes. I was grouped with all men and women 30-35, I was a little intimidated to start with the men so immediately after the elite athletes started I moved to the back inside of my group. They were serious about our 9:01 start time and I barely had time to get my face wet to make sure my goggles were still sealed before the horn sounded and we were off. I made sure to start off slow and steady, I am so glad that I did because I didn’t have any breathing problems and felt great. It was a little hard to spot for the first two sections because we were looking into the sun but after the second turn it was easier. I was constantly surrounded by lots of people and it was sometimes hard to keep a smooth rhythm. I never drafted off anyone, I think that is something I want to work on. I came out of the water at 46:34, slower than I would have liked and HUNGRY, I really should have eaten again before the race started. T1 was also slow, you have to bag up all your stuff so they can transport it back to Sunriver for you and I also took the time to put sunscreen on before leaving. T1 time was 3:44.

The bike portion is very difficult but beautiful. I would like to say that I enjoyed the scenery but I was in fairly intense pain from mile 4 to mile 58. My left knee had stabbing pain in it was well as a burning sensation in my IT band. I have never had pain like that on the bike, I have no idea why it happened, I thought about quitting many times and ended riding way slower than I know I could have. We also hit a huge head wind on the last 15 miles. I could barley walk my bike into transition my knee was hurting so bad. Bike time was 4:04:46, I had almost decided that I was going to quit at T2 and just move on knowing it wasn’t my day. I racked my bike and slowly put on my running shoes and downed 4 advil. At this point I decided I would at least get to my parents who were waiting for me at about mile 2.5 of the run, otherwise I don’t know how I would have let them know to come get me. T2 was 5:27 (yikes, you can tell I wasn’t thinking abut racing at this point).

I took off on the run and it hurt and my mood was super low. But with every step I took it hurt a little less, I don’t know if it was the advil or just different motion but by mile 1 I didn’t have any more pain and was feeling great. By the time I got to my parents at mile 2.5 I was sure that I could finish. I think this half marathon was my best ever, it may be the slowest one I have ever ran but I had the best time. I walked at every aid station and took fluids but ran the rest of the way. I talked to the other competitors and thanked every volunteer, in my head I was having party and everyone was invited. Around mile 9 I started getting the chills, I definitely wasn’t cold I think my body was just having a hard time regulating it’s temperature. Run time was 2:30, yes it was slow but I am happy with that time.

We saw my parents at mile 6 and then again at mile 13. When I turned the corner to run down the finish shoot I was emotional and overcome that I was actually finishing. I was proud and happy and floating on a runners high. Over all time was 7:30:33.

Thoughts after completing my first half ironman are that I loved it and can’t wait to do it again in September. I am going to spend more time in the saddle and work on speed, my goal is to finish in less than 7 hours next time.


Posted by bethcurtis 3 Comments
Filed Under: Race report

Comments

  1. J. L. says

    June 28, 2011 at 9:00 pm

    Yeah! Congrats on your first half ironman finish! I just finished my first one (Boise, great race) and like you, and excited to do another one.

    Reply
  2. Julie says

    June 30, 2011 at 1:00 am

    HOORAY!!congrats on your first 1/2 IM!! Wasn’t the race beautiful?? And no horrible heat – we got so lucky!!

    We had very similar times! We just arrived back home and I’m trying to put a race report together in my head. Maybe I’ll just start with a vacation report first while I gather my thoughts on this race 😀

    Congrats again!!

    Reply
  3. Colleen says

    July 1, 2011 at 2:12 am

    WOOHOO!!! Congrats! 🙂 That’s super exciting! I love that you finished with such a high… so when’s the next???

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Meet Beth

Follow

Search

Instagram

runwithbeth

We can do so much better. Let’s unite around wha We can do so much better. Let’s unite around what matters ❤️
Another year visiting the ice castles in Dillion. Another year visiting the ice castles in Dillion. We had so much fun and it was a nice break from being stuck at home #1000hoursoutside #icecastles #icecastlesdillon
Working on our #1000hoursoutside Working on our #1000hoursoutside
One last family adventure for 2020. Garden of the One last family adventure for 2020. Garden of the Gods did not disappoint. Happy New Year everyone!!! ✨
My 2020 top nine.... not my favorite year by far b My 2020 top nine.... not my favorite year by far but still many shining moments to celebrate
- socially distant Santa 🎅 
-getting to cast a very important vote🗳 
- Camping in the summer 🏕 
- visiting the Grand Tetons 🏔 
- getting to see Yellowstone 🐻 
- enjoying the pool 🏝 
- Humphry coming home to us 🐶 
- Enjoying the little moments together 💗
- Ice castles pre Covid ❄️
Merry 2020 🎅 😷 ❤️ Merry 2020 🎅 😷 ❤️
Socially distant Santa 🎅 ➡️2019➡️2018 Socially distant Santa 🎅 

➡️2019➡️2018➡️2017➡️2016
No matter how many times I tell you I love you it No matter how many times I tell you I love you it will always ALWAYS be more than that ❤️ #mylove #myson #cannonmichael
We are back doing school from home and under quara We are back doing school from home and under quarantine because Cannon had close contact with someone at school who tested positive for Covid. Cannon is taking it all in stride with a smile on his face. I am so proud of this little ray of sunshine ☀️ Emmy is happy to have Cannon home but we are all missing our family and friends. Happy to report we got a negative Covid test 😆 #safeathome
Crying tears of joy, hope and relief today. I am h Crying tears of joy, hope and relief today. I am happy about Joe, I believe he is a good man with character and class, but Madam Vice President is what really makes my heart sing. ❤️ #bidenharris2020
I voted because her future depends on it 💗 keep I voted because her future depends on it 💗 keeping hope alive 🤞🤞🤞
Happy Halloween 🎃 2020 - Cinderella and a pump Happy Halloween 🎃 
2020 - Cinderella and a pumpkin 
2019 - Peter Pan and Tinker Bell
2018 - Wizard of Oz
2017 - Where the Wild Things Are 
2016 - Pumpkin ❤️
#vote like your life depends on it! Felt so good t #vote like your life depends on it! Felt so good to turn in my ballot today.
Finally a morning run not staring at my basement t Finally a morning run not staring at my basement treadmill. It’s not good to have so many fires burning across the west but it does make for some incredible sunrises 🌅 #nofilterneeded #run
Happy Friday everyone! I hope you all can find as Happy Friday everyone! I hope you all can find as much joy today as Emmy does 💗
There are many pictures I love of Cannon, but this There are many pictures I love of Cannon, but this captures his personality best ❤️ I love his silly and sweet soul. Happy #nationalsonsday to my boy. Love you to the moon and back.
Today is National Daughters Day and I just can’t Today is National Daughters Day and I just can’t believe I get to be this little lady’s mom. She is smart, sassy and sweet. I couldn’t love her more. Happy daughters day to@the girl who owns my heart #happynationaldaughtersday #nationaldaughtersday
We will never forget this trip, so grateful to get We will never forget this trip, so grateful to get to spend quality time with my favorite people ❤️ #Yellowstone #familyadventures
Yellowstone 💗 #Yellowstone #familyadventures Yellowstone 💗 #Yellowstone #familyadventures
Moose sighting on this first day of fall 🍁 #Yel Moose sighting on this first day of fall 🍁 #Yellowstone #firstdayoffall #lifeisgood
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Tag Cloud

50k Baby Baby Update Boston Bumpdate Cannon Disneyland Emerald Europe Family Favorites Friday Favorites Gear Goals Holidays Ironman Ironman Canada Ironman Training Life Marathon Marathon Training Monthly Update postpartum fitness pregnancy Project 366 race report Races recap Run run streak trail race trail running training Travel Ultra Ultra Training Ultramarathon Update updates Weekly Recap Weekly Rundown

Monthly Archives

  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • August 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • May 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • May 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010

Easy Instagram

Loading...

Instagram Slider

No images found!
Try some other hashtag or username

Theme by 17th Avenue · Powered by WordPress & Genesis