2012 Amica 19.7 Newport Triathlon

This was another GREAT triathlon put on by Amica Insurance & Eident Sports and held in the beautiful setting of Newport Rhode Island. It consisted of a half mile ocean swim, beautiful 16.1 mile bike ride and 3.1 mile run. The courses went through the beautiful neighborhoods of Middletown and Portsmouth as well as the gorgeous coastline. The race had a nice turnout of professional triathletes to compete for the $10,000 purse prize. Some of the pros traveled to this race from as far away as Colorado. The race site was just BEAUTIFUL and very inviting for spectators and athletes. The sponsor tables, T2 and finish line where all set up right by the finish and next to the amazing beach. The parking was right next to this area and this made it very easy for spectators to watch and easy for us athletes to pack up our gear at the end of it. Race morning was awesome. The weather was nice and cool and the atmosphere in transition was exciting. There were hundreds of athletes setting up their transition areas and getting warmed up and set to compete in the race. This triathlon had two transition areas so I first set up my T2 spot leaving my run shoes, number belt and visor at it. I then biked over to the T1 transition area and swim start. I racked my bike and set up my bike shoes and helmet and then started to study the transition area to make sure I knew where I was entering it from the swim finish and then where I would be exiting it to start the bike. The pro rack was placed right by the bike start and closest to the exit of transition. I remember being very nervous because I really wanted to place well and win some prize money. The atmosphere among the pro women was friendly. We talked a bit about some of our past races, the course and wished each other good luck. The race director gave the final race meeting and had everyone lined up on the beach by their waves. I was in the first wave with all the other pros and my nerves where very high. I knew the women I was competing against all had great resumes and they would be tough competition. The horn sounded and we dove into the ocean. I knew this was going to be a FAST swim and it was which is always the case when I’m racing in a pro wave. I pushed it hard and tried to stay with the leaders. I came out of the water as the 2nd pro female and ahead of some of the pro men. I had a pretty good transition and headed out onto the bike course. The bike course was gorgeous and consisted of several turns and rolling hills. The course was extremely well marked and because I drove it twice the day prior I felt somewhat comfortable with knowing it. The beginning of the bike course consisted of a key hole with a turnaround point out along the coast. It was only about 1 mile into the course but this allowed me to know what place I was in and how far in front of me the other pro female Brianna Blanchard was. I saw Brianna and I pushed it hard on the bike and caught up to her and then passed her. She stayed with me and even passed me back but then I passed her again and eventually pulled ahead of her by 30ish seconds. I entered T2 knowing I would need a very good run in order to win the race and this had me nervous. I had only been back to running for a week and well I knew the run is not my strong area. As I was leaving T2 I could see Brianna entering it. I knew she was a good runner and had a feeling she would be catching me. I told myself just push it, do your best and don’t give up. Sure enough Brianna caught me and passed me within the first mile. The run course was an out and back 5K. I knew the run course was mostly all up-hill for the first 1.5 miles and then mostly all downhill on the way back. I pushed myself and tried to stay as close as I could to Brianna. I kept her in my sight and ended up crossing the finish line in 2nd place and a little less than a minute behind her. Congratulations to Brianna for the win. She pushed me hard and it was fun racing against her. I was very happy with my finish and look forward to racing in many more of the Amica 19.7 races in the future. This was a very professionally run triathlon that was inviting for all athletes from beginners to professionals. I loved the beautiful setting of Newport, RI and really enjoyed the entire course. Usually when there are 2 transitions we have to go back to T1 and get everything ourselves but this was not the case here. The race director had all of the gear from all the athletes trucked over to the finish line so none of us would have to go back and pick up our stuff at the end of the race. We were able to enjoy the post race entertainment and get our gear right by the finish and right next to where we parked so this made packing up our vehicles easy. The post race awards and food was great. We had choices of breakfast sandwiches, bagels, fruit salad, oj, coffee, water, and sports drinks. The announcer did a fantastic job keeping the spectators updated on how the athletes were doing as they were out on the course as well as giving the names of them as they crossed the finish line. My family really enjoyed this. The venue was very inviting for spectators allowing them to view the majority of the race from the beautiful finish line right next to T2 and next to all the sponsor tables. This triathlon also allowed dogs which I love because my dog loves to go to all of my races and sometimes other events don’t allow them. I highly recommend this race to all athletes. It’s truly a beautiful and inviting setting to race at or to watch one race at. Please check it out at: http://www.amicaraceseries.com/newport/ and www.eidentsports.com