IRONMAN 70.3 Superfrog California | 2019
“Energy flows where attention goes.
Guard your mind. Protect your energy”
I participated in this triathlon because of my experience at the 2019 IRONMAN Mont-Tremblant, my second full IRONMAN. During that race, I encountered severe nutrition-related issues and spent an hour in the medical tent with low blood pressure. Despite this, I persevered and walked the marathon with support and assistance of paramedics, eventually crossing the finish line.
Reflecting on the disappointment of my previous race, where the outcome didn't reflect the immense effort I'd invested, I felt compelled to initiate action. The experience was disheartening, as if countless hours of dedication had been wasted. To overcome this disappointment and regain my sense of accomplishment, I decided that I would sign up for IRONMAN Super Frog 70.3.
Additionally, the support of my sponsors motivated me to push my limits and take on this challenge.
I was aware of the personal risks involved and the less-than-ideal conditions, but something inside me said it was worth it. These two events were only four weeks apart, and I had to compromise a lot to make it happen. As always I commented on this idea with my coach, Coach Mark, who always with my Team Athletic Mentors supported my crazy decisions, and I'm so grateful. This was the last triathlon (Sept. 2019) before the Pandemic Covid-19 shutdown.
The race featured only age group categories, and we were able to self-select our swim start position based on estimated swim time. I opted for the first wave.
The swim itself was a challenging 1.2 miles in the ocean. The course consisted of two loops, with a 100-meter run on loose sand between them. Transitioning from swimming to running in the sand and then back into the water was particularly demanding. The water was “wetsuit legal”, I was comfortable in my Aquaman Wetsuit and Taymory Tri-Suit.
During transition or T1, as I was removing my wet suit, I found myself next to another athlete who also made the overall podium. I jokingly told her, "Take it easy if you're in my age group," LOL then I immediately thought, "Okay, Raquel, time to focus!"
“Tough times are a blessing in disguise, it always reveals the true color of the people around us”
The bike course was a 4-loop, 56-mile route that was mostly flat with some wind. At one point, I heard some coaches yelling that I was a few minutes behind the lead women. My power output was dropping in the last two loops. However, I stayed focused on my nutrition and breathing, hoping to maintain energy for a strong run.
This triathlon was particularly special due to the challenging half marathon course, which included significant beach running, the 13.1-mile run reflects the beach running that Navy Seals do in training where close to 9 miles of the run is in the sand.
“Always do the right thing even if no-one is watching.”
On the third loop, I started to feel slow and thirsty. I made sure to hydrate at every aid station, taking multiple drinks while still moving. Learning from past experiences, I prioritized maintaining forward momentum, even at a slower pace.
As I approached the finish line, I was surprised by the enthusiastic crowd. I hadn't realized I was in the front of the pack. It was a wonderful experience. In addition to finishing in the top 3 overall and first in my category, I also qualified for the 2021 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships in Taupo, New Zealand.