IRONMAN 70.3 AUGUSTA RACE REPORT

The race in Augusta is one of my favorite 70.3 races, as well as it is for another thirty four hundred people. I like this triathlon because the first year I did it I had a good race, I also like it because it is only driving distance from Clermont, the town where I currently live and train. And of course because the swim in Augusta is in the river with the current. 

Unusually for myself I wasn't very nervous before the start, mostly because the race season is coming to the end and I've gained some confidence through the year. 
Before the start I've had enough time for a good warm up and I even was able to do my regular pre race yoga routine 

Swim: It wasn't the large group of girls at the start, but not too small either, so I hoped I'll be able to find my little pack for the swim.... that didn't happened, and I ended up pulling someone else instead. 
T1: I got through T1 with no mistakes, until the very end. I was already getting close to the "bike mount" line and I heard some clicking noise at the front part of my bike. That was my bib number hanging on the aerobar :-(. I forgot to put it on. I had to stop completely and put the number where it belongs. 
Bike: I started the bike on the 9th position and felt pretty strong during the first part of the ride. Even though the weather wasn't hot, I tried to stay hydrated and stick to my nutrition plan. Second half of the bike segment I still felt strong, but also was able to pick up my cadence. Couple miles before coming into T2 I passed the third girl and was able to gain another 30" on her.
Run: Two girls ahead of me had gained several minutes on me and it was hard to catch them, my goal for the day was to hold my podium position. But seams like  Ann Cleaver, the girl I passed before T2 wanted to get it back. I couldn't get my run together into the first couple miles, and it was 30 sec, then 20 sec between us. Only after around 3 miles Into the run I finally broke the rope and started to gain the gap again, 30 sec, 40 ... And I kept pushing the pace, thanks to my boyfriend. I think he wanted to be sure that I secure my spot and I did. I finished the race 3rd with improving my time in all three disciplines and with 4h20 min 15 sec total time. 
I wouldn't be able to do it without my sponsors: Timex, QR, Shimano, Challenge tires, BlueSeventy; my support crew: Epic Cycles and TriStars and of course my coach: Alec Rukosuev