Philadelphia Triathlon - Nicky Samuels
30 June 2010
Travel began at 7.30am from Boulder Colorado. We drove to North Boulder to collect Tom Davidson (NZL U23) and then off to Denver airport. I had a nice 3 hour flight to get to Philly. Then walked to find Tom as he was on a different flight arriving an hour later. It hit me as soon as I stepped outside that this race is going to be a hot humid one.
This was the first race I have ever been with a home stay (I wanted to to help me save some money) and we weren’t sure where to meet him, so we stood outside in the sun for 30minutes and then a car pulled up and took one look at us with our compression socks on and bike bags and knew who we were. So we completed our first mission in Philly.... finding our hosts.
The person who invited us was actually the son of lovely family, and between the five children we managed to meet four and kick two out of their own bedrooms! We were welcomed with arms open and a lovely family dinner. After unpacking our bikes, chatting and eating it was time for bed, which was very welcome. The next morning we set off to find the local swimming pool (only 5min ride from our house we were staying at) and then stumbled across the bike course after that. It was very hot and humid and we possibly rode a little long considering but at least we got to go on 2/3rd of the course prior to the race the next day. Later that day we went to briefing and sat again in the sweltering heat for 30mins going through the rules, getting our race packs etc. We topped that heat training off with a light 30min jog. I had on my programme a longer one, but we rode a little extra earlier and with the heat pounding down I thought it was best I cut it short in preparation for the next day.
Race day! And a 6.55am start. That is 4.55am in Boulder time! So yes needless to say it was not a sleep filled night! I set my alarm for 3.20am as I knew I had to get some food into me 3.5hours before race start! Remembering the time difference makes that 1.20am... so it was very hard getting the food in but meant that I would be able to perform to my best ability. I remember John Hellemans always telling me that sleep the night before a race was over-rated, well here I was praying he was right! Back up to bed for 40mins after eating and then time to get ready for the race!
We left our house at 5.20am and rode to the course (15mins from our home stay). When we got there we set up as usual and then 10minutes later we got the “everyone listen up quiet please this is the race organiser and I have something important to say” call. This was a terrible moment, we knew about it the day earlier but didn’t want to believe it was true, we thought there had to be some miscommunication but no it was correct a man was missing still from the sprint race the day earlier, he never came out of the water. There were search and rescue teams out all day yesterday and nothing was found. So today the search continued and our thoughts were with the family and friends of this missing person. With the search continuing today, the race was forced to become a duathlon. As soon as most triathletes here that word “DUATHON” you can just feel your stomach sink, oh no! Well that’s what mine did. I actually thought and spoke with my husband about it the night before and we both thought that could happen but to hear it is another thing, but under the circumstances it was definitely understood and not questioned.
So to the race start we took our swim caps to determine which wave we started in deposited them in a box and lined up. The PRO men and women started together so I was able to pick off the odd male in the run and work off them. One girl started very fast and I was instantly concerned but she came back to me after 1/3 of the run and then fell right off the pace so I was happy to lead the first 5km run and leave transition in plenty of time and relaxed getting on the bike. I enjoyed the first lap of the bike but found the second a lot harder as the heat got to me. I wasn’t too sure of the course where the hills went up or down but it was luckily well marked. I got passed just before the second lap began by Jenna Shoemaker. I didn’t know she was such a good rider, but I kept her insight, which was harder in the second lap when we came across all the age group athletes on the course, and had to weave in and out of them!
I came off the bike about 20seconds down, caught some time up in transition but then lost it on the first 1km. I knew I had to start conservatively if I wanted to win, and I did want to win, I needed to win for myself and of course for the financial security! So I stayed about 10seconds behind her for the first 3km or so and then slowly picked up time. On the grass section I ran past her and was surprised she stayed on my shoulder for so long. Finally I broke away and was on my own. I opened the gap a bit more with each km and then just hung in there to what seemed like a finish line that would never come. The second half of the 10km was the hardest, in the heat and humidity as there was no shade just open tarmac. I don’t think I have sweated so much in a race before, it was incredible. But in saying that I am happy with my performance as usually in the heat I just melt and become very sluggish so the heat in Boulder must be helping!
I went to prize giving and received a giant check. My first ever and I will post the photo on my website when I get back to Boulder, but it was a great feeling and to come away with some money was even more exciting (for those who don’t know my husband and I are currently finalising building plans so to have plans in concrete and the thought of having a house when I return is a great feeling).
Now I stay one more night here, again with an early rise to get to the airport. But it is an important night to mingle with my host family, and thank them as I do really appreciate them opening their home to both Tom and I. I go back to Boulder for 11.5 days and then on the plane to Paris! So again I have 3 easy days to recover and settle into altitude again. I then have a couple of key sessions and I am ready to leave and begin my European campaign. Stay tuned, take care, and thanks for your support, Nicky.
Nicky Samuels
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