Mt Rose 2009

A couple of months ago I went on a hike to the top of Mt Rose. This was both an absolutely beautiful hike and a very challenging one. I dragged my roommate Ashlyn along with me, little did she know the elevation gain or that it was 10miles round trip! However, in the end we had a great time! Here are some photos of the trip!

Which way?

The trail

Scenic Route

Loving life!

Despite two falls she keeps on going!

Top of Mt Rose

A waterfall on the trail!

Cold and windy up here- Making our way to the very top!

Me and Ashlyn at the top!

Taking a break inside the stone wall of protection from the wind!

The view from the top!

-bailey

Big Kahuna 70.3 2009

Ok so I know I have been slacking a little on writing updates about my life and races! From now on Im going to try and update at least once a month- we will see how that goes! :) Anyway, to bring you up to date Im going to give a quick overview of my 2009 race schedule!

On October 25, 2009 I participated in the Big Kahuna Half Ironman. It was a challenging yet rewarding race. I woke up race morning ready to rock it! I had prepared and trained with Lisa Smith- Batchen. I felt good and was ready for the long day ahead of me! However, when I got to the race start, I knew there were going to be some logistical issues. I huge fog storm rolled in, and after pushing the start back over an hour, the race director had to cancel the swim. This was a total blow to me. I was so stoked for a Half Ironman, but I sucked it up and did the race anyway.

Getting ready!

Before the cancelled swim

Due to the canceled swim we started the race in waves from the beach to transition zone where we mounted our bikes. The course was mainly flat, with a few uphills. It was a beautiful, foggy day along HWY 1. The fog was still over the ocean, and it rolled inland as we rode. I remember not being able to see the tops of some of the hills! (not necessarily a bad thing!) For the first 20miles I felt great!

Getting into position on the bike!

However at the turn around point- about mile 28, I had some issues. I started to get severe cramping in my quads. I had no idea where it came from- low seat? not enough salt? When I got to the turn around I was really suffering. That's when I heard someone yell "Go Bailey!" I was sure it was family or friends, however when I looked around I saw no one. I felt as if it was the Gods telling me to harden up and quit whining about the pain. I listened, and finished the bike course.

Once in transition I threw off my bike gear and put on my running shoes! The cramping in my legs had intensified, so I was reduced a run/walk for most of the Half Marathon. I increased my salt intake, thinking that may have been the cause.. It helped a little but not much. There were a lot of people around me for most of the run. They seemed to be struggling as much as me... All I could think about was finishing, and that the Big Kahuna Gods were cheering me on. I decided that there was no point in thinking about how much I hurt. So instead I concentrated on how beautiful it was. I thought about what I was doing, and how amazing it is that hardly 1% of the population will ever do I Half Marathon! I decided to think about all the good, that the day had brought, and it was these good thoughts that carried me to the end! I finished with a time of 6:42:37, sprinting the last quarter mile, which was on sand!

Loving the run!

After I finished I found out that I had one 1st place in my age group! I got a sweet Tiki God Totem along with my awesome turtle finisher medal. I would totally do this race again. Even though the swim was a bust, overall I had a great day! It is a great feeling to know that you just went out and gave everything you had. If you dont push your limits, how will you ever know how far you can go? This race taught me that even though you may be in pain- there is always a bright side to look upon.. :)

First place- Women 19 and under!

My Tiki God/Medal

-bailey

Badwater Ultramarathon 2009

Ok so I know I have been slacking a little on writing updates about my life and races! From now on Im going to try and update at least once a month- we will see how that goes! :) Anyway, to bring you up to date Im going to give a quick overview of my 2009 race schedule!

In July I was Crew Chief for my mom in her first attempt at Badwater Ultramarathon. Badwater is a 135mile non stop run from Badwater, Death Valley, the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere to Mt. Whitney at nearly 8,300’. The race goes over three mountain ranges and has 13000' of vertical ascent.

This was an absolutely amazing experience. It was incredible to see how far you could push the human body, and what it could accomplish. My mom is a very strong woman, and it was extraordinary to see what she went through to complete the race. She is truly an inspiration to me and everyone else. My mom crossed the finish line after 131 miles (shortened due to a fire) and 45:09 hours of running. She pushed her body and got to that belt buckle.. which is what its all about right?! :)

I was honored to be my moms Crew Chief. This was an extremely important job and it meant so much that my mom chose me to have it. We also had an amazing crew consisting of Jimmy Gabany, Georganna Quarles, Brendan Brosnahan, and John Vigil. The crew worked harder than any crew out there. We had a great time and a lot of laughs. They worked incredibly hard and everything to get my mom to the finish line all while wearing a smile..well most of the time :)

Anyway, I had an amazing time at Badwater. There were laughs, tears, pain, more laughs, and so on! It was just an incredible journey and I was so glad that I got to experience it. Below are some of the photos taken of the race- enjoy!

Ps. We had a videographer on the crew with us! Justin Yurkanin documented this incredible journey! check it out at: http://www.jyurkanin.com/video/badwater. It is an amazing video and really shows what both the crew and runner go through during Badwater!

The crew before the race!

Crew Chief!

Badwater Basin

Race Morning

Jimmy pacing my mom in the HEAT!

100 Mile Mark!

Crossing the 100 Mile Mark!

Crossing the finish line!

We made it!

Group Hug!

My mom, her coach Lisa Smith-Batchen, and me!

Official Badwater Finisher!

The Crew!

-bailey

Oceanside 70.3

It has been quite a while since I did this race! It has been even longer since I have posted anything. However, I have wanted to write about this race even since I did it, and I have finally found the time to write, so here it goes- Enjoy!

Ok.. So before Oceanside 70.3 I was new to this whole "training" concept. For those of you who know me, you know that back then I trained sporadically. And by sporadically I mean a bike ride here, a few long swims, and maybe a couple of runs! However, a few months before this race I put together a schedule, and followed it (mostly)- and what do you know? It paid off!

My time goal for the race was under 8 hours. The cut off time was 8 hours. My finish time was 7hours 12min and 17sec!! This race was by far the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. It was also the most amazing thing I have ever done. I loved the race, and even though I wanted to die at parts, I enjoyed every minute of it.

April 12th started off with a wake up call at 4:00AM... which is ALWAYS too early! Me and my crew got up, threw our clothes on and were off! Shortly there after we arrived at the race parking area. We parked and I then mounted my bike for a 2mile ride to the start. Although this was a short ride through the dark, it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

My best friend, Nate, who had finished the race last year told me that this little ride through the dark was one of the greatest experiences of the whole race. He told me to concentrate on my race and put all worries and fears out of my head. I had bad butterflies in my stomach the whole car ride down, but the moment I jumped on my bike they all went away. I rode through the dark- having no clue which way to go, I simply followed the road closest to the beach. I saw one rider, and then two, and before I knew I was swarmed by riders left and right. No words were exchanged, no sounds were made. It was as if we were all there together and knew what each other was thinking- and there was nothing that needed to be said.


When I got to the transition zone I was amazed at how absolutely huge it was! After a 15min search for my bike rack, I set up my transition area and got into my wetsuit. I then waited for an hour for my start- anxiously watching the men and women before me enter the water. When my turn finally came- I jumped in the freezing water and swam out to the start. The water was frigid and I felt as if we had to wait forever for the blow horn to sound. Everyone looked absolutely freaked out so I yelled, "Alright ladies I want a clean race! No eye gouging, no face punching, and no head kicking!" (I got this from Nate) That seamed to ease the tension and before I knew it the race had begun..

The swim was what I was most looking forward to. I'm not sure why, but the swim felt really long- might have been because I hadn't swam that distance in awhile, or because I hadn't trained much in my wetsuit.. Whatever the reason- I was very tired in the water. I also swallowed A LOT of water, and let me tell you- it was disgusting! I gagged a couple times and thought I was going to heave! However, I held it together, and before I knew it I was out of the water and done with the 1.2 mile swim in 40:24! (My goal was under 40min)


The bike was what I was most nervous about. I hadn't ridden 56 miles in a very long time, and I had no idea how long I could hold the aero position! Before the race, I decided to borrow my friends Zipp 1080 front and disk rear wheels. I knew the wind could potentially have made that a bad decision- However, they helped me immensely! My only worry was that I would get a flat. (I refused to spend $80...)


The bike course was absolutely gorgeous! Previously, I had not ridden my bike for more than 40 miles. The first 30miles were relatively flat, and I took them easy, saving my energy for "the hill". The hill I had heard stories about, and that I feared knowing it was ahead.

I was riding with a very nice lady when I first saw this hill.. I think my exact words were "HOLY F****** S***!! WHAT THE F** IS THAT!!! F*** MY LIFE!!!" The lady next to me responded by cursing to herself! When we hit the hill I immediately dropped into my little chain ring- highest gear. I laughed the whole way up- just thinking what the hell did I get myself into, and why the hell I climbing this! A little old lady made my day when she yelled "OH F** THIS!!!" Before this hill we were relatively spread out. However, we were all grouped back together once we hit the hill!

There was one or two more hills that came after that. They were just as bad and I had to just curse and laugh the whole way up. By the time mile 40 came, I was back in my aero bars. I finished the ride with a time of 3:35:24. My legs felt like jello, and my "kooter" was KILLING me! However, I was ecstatic with that time and ready for the run..



Before I describe the run and the rest of the race. I must first explain my, what may be seen as reckless, decisions for the run. Before the race, I was given a free pair of Zoot shoes. I ran in them 2 days before the race and LOVED them. So, I decided to forget my regular running shoes and instead wear my new Zoot shoes with my Superfeet orthodic (Superfeet are very hard and scratchy.. I didn't realized this until mile 1). I also decided that since I have never worn socks in my sprint and Olympic triathlons, there was no need to start now! My friends told me I was absolutely crazy, and that it was an awful idea. As usual, I didn't listen, and race morning I quietly stuck my Zoot shoes in my bag!

I started the run and felt good, but tired. However, as soon as I hit the first of four quarter mile stretches through sand, I wanted to die. At the mile 1 marker I had to stop and stretch my shins. I had severe shin splints and sand was already rubbing my feet raw. This was just the start to my very painful 13.2 miles!

The run course was a two loop course, which mentally psyched my out! I ran as much as I could, then would stop and walk at every aid station- eating and drinking whatever they had.
Whoever said the run course was "pancake flat" was seriously mistaken.. At mile 2-3ish and again from 8-9ish- we had to climb a hill from hell that never ended!! I cursed up the whole thing, and that made me feel a little better.. :)

My friends were spread out along the course cheering for me! At times they would run along side me, and at other times they would yell at me to run faster! They were absolutely amazing, and seriously helped me mentally during this run.

I tried my hardest to run down the shoot to the finish (Though it may have looked more like a hobble due to the severe blisters I had), my friends were there cheering me in, and Lady Gaga's "Just Dance" playing in the background. My run time was 2:46:40, and I crossed the finish line at 7:12:17, hands in the air! I did it, I finished a Half Ironman! I had absolutely loved the race, the challenge, the suffering, and the feeling of completing. The moment after crossing that finish line I remember wishing that I could sign up for another one!


After a quick stop in the Medical Tent, I hobbled out of transition, only to be greeted by all my friends waiting for me. I would not have been able to finish with such a great time without them all on the course cheering for me, running next to me, and screaming at me to run faster! They are seriously amazing people, and the best friends I could ask for. I am very thankful to have them in my life!


Well, that's my story, hope you enjoyed!! My next Half Iron will be the Big Kahuna Triathlon, Oct. 25th 2009!!


-bailey