The Ironman Journey Part 8 – Phase V complete: Respect the Taper!
Phase V was the final phase, the Taper also known as the Active Recovery, a whole four weeks! I am always told to remember to respect the taper and I managed to keep that drilled in my brain over the last few weeks, I have to follow my schedule which means, no extra. I might have added in an extra muscle conditioning class in the first few weeks, but I knew to keep it to the plan the last two weeks.
In this phase, I realized something I didn’t realize in the competitive stage. I think I was so busy being in motion, that it wasn’t until the moment I was given a rest that I noticed all the work I had put in. Sleeping in came easy. Actually, waking up became difficult. I was shocked seeing as I moved from the Midwest to the West Coast and so when I would wake up at 8am that was really like Chicago’s 10am so when I would sleep in until 10am- that was like NOON, I don’t know when I slept in until noon without the help of alcohol making me hungover..
I managed to do a good job with the sleep, 7 to 8 hours most nights. I drinking in moderation have come more naturally in San Francisco, but I do admit, until the last week, I was still enjoying wine. Also, since moving to San Francisco, I started drinking coffee regularly. I decided in my last week to cut out the coffee, and most caffeine in hopes that any caffeine consumed at the Ironman would actually do its job.
Then there is the whole hunger thing and as always noted- the weight gain. Since I’m technically homeless, I don’t have access to a scale, and that’s probably a good thing. The Taper has made me feel like a sloth, and worse, I might not have been hungry in the competitive stage because I was too busy to notice, but in the taper stage, the hunger pains came back full force and I probably fell into sweets more than I should have. I figured I would just feed the hunger, and after the ironman comes working from Ground Zero. (Note- at weigh in for ironman it is confirmed, 8 lbs gained since the start of training).
What is Ground Zero? That is that what I am calling life after the Ironman. I have been told how much the Ironman itself will take everything out of me, which means you have to rebuild thereafter. And at my Ground Zero comes the focus of shorter workouts, higher intensity, and interval work. Julie, my dear roomy is all about the shorter workouts, higher intensity and interval work, and she just so happens to be a newly trained personal trainer- eager to kick my butt! So, every time I feel the pants be annoyingly tight, I just tell myself, ground zero is just around the corner.
Back to the last phase…Respect the Taper! As I started to rest, I also started to regain energy, and realize that all the work I put in over the earlier 33 weeks really paid off. Though it is all about endurance training, when you take out the endurance, the shorter workouts become stronger and faster!
I managed to bike out in Half Moon Bay with one of my new bike friends, and went and completed 65 miles on a double paradise loop with another one of my new bike friends. After the 65 mile bike, I had a 6 mile run. This 6 mile run might have been the fastest I’ve run 6 miles at 48 minutes.
My final longer workout weekend was a mile swim on Saturday and a double brick of 10/2 on Sunday. Because of the ability to swim and bike out in Healdsburg by Tommy’s on Sunday, I put the two workouts together (technically it’s not overdoing it- I rested on Saturday). This was a great end to the training. The swim was a lot of fun, didn’t feel like a full mile, and was the first time in open water since I moved to San Francisco (no wetsuit though- so awesome!). After that swim, I got on my bike and managed to complete the 10 miles in 33 minutes, which included a decent amount of climbing. It was sunny and hot on the run, but it was just two miles and at a comfortable pace I completed it in just less than 16 minutes. I told myself, anything I did in the first 10/2 I had to do just as well or better on the 2nd. The Bike I ended up completing 30 seconds slower; however I also modified the bike and included a very large climb so I found that acceptable. Though it took work, I managed to complete the run in 15:30. Any other workouts of the week were just play- and I knew I was ready for the Ironman.
So beyond training, this is the time when people put in their two cents. Everyone means well, but I have learned to pick and choose what I listen to- though I have to admit the stuff I don’t want to listen to gives me high anxiety to hear (which is exactly why I can’t listen to it).
THE MOST IMPORTANT PART of Phase 5 Training: What I have learned about my racing is this: My happy zone is training, but you turn training into racing and I tense up. I tend to have morbid/negative thoughts like, what if I get a flat and can’t get it changed, what if someone on the swim hits me and I lose my goggles..what if the most ridiculous thing happens and I don’t finish- I know it’s ridiculous- but this is what happens when I think about racing.
I was given the most real insight to my racing less than a week before the race. I need to be relaxed.
Carlos- Julie’s friend told me professional athletes play their sports relaxed and that’s why they can play so well. So, I continue to work on reducing the tension and anxiety when I think of the ironman. I close my eyes and think about all my favorite training moments. Then I also think of the positive support I’ve been given- it’s just about finishing- pay no attention to the time. Be happy with making it to the start, be happy with the journey! I picture someone who makes me happy, telling me this and I’m a little calmer. .I have to go back to phase III – What makes you happy? And take those moments with me to the Victory Lap! Nutrition is important, pacing is important, technique is important, but none of that matters if I’m tense.
And now- in just a few days I can hear the words. “Tara Kreuser, YOU, are an Ironman” My last few nights are high anxiety, my hunger level remains high, and my stomach is going crazy.
…To Be Continued…with the Victory Lap Report!
Friday, September 9, 2011
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Ironman- The Journey- Part 7 (PICTURES TO FOLLOW)
Ironman- The Journey- Part 7 - Phase IIII Complete: If You Are Gonna Jump…then Jump Far!
I’m a little behind schedule with this write-up as recovery week has passed already by a week. But Phase 4 has come and gone. Part of me wonders where did it go, part of me think it’s supposed to be harder and I did something wrong and I’m not prepared for the ironman. But I have stared at my training schedule and rechecked it to see I somehow I missed workouts, and I didn’t. I’m not discounting how much time ironman consumes of your life, I think I had a few reasons for not realizing the intensity. 1) Up until June, I had added a lot more running miles, so the increase in how much time I put into training wasn’t as significant for the ‘normal’ person. I mean yes, 16 hours in one week is a lot more than my 10 hours a week, but the majority of that is on the weekend. 2) I had a big life event go on during the competitive phase, so it provided a sense of balance- it just meant everything was intensified and my adrenaline must have gotten me through it.
Natasha Beddingfield has a song that defines me in Phase 4. The first verse and part of her chorus is this:I got a short attention span, can’t sit around couch potato land, I wanna do all kinds of stuff, talking about it’s not enough. I want to go to the extreme, I wanna stretch my limousine, I wanna take it way off road, go where I’m not supposed to go. (Life is music play it louder) If you are gonna jump then jump far fly like a sky diver.So where to begin? I guess a little more detail of my move.
About a year ago I decided I wanted to leave the Midwest. I Love my friends, I Love my family, but it’s just one of those things I wanted to do. I decided San Francisco was where I wanted to be, and I made it happen. Phase 4 started and I didn’t have a job yet, but I had a timeline. I would move out of my place when my lease was up in June, live with friends who had offered it up in July, and leave Chicago in August. So this means on top of ironman training I had to: Move out of a place, be homeless for a bit, wrap up my current job so I don’t leave others with a mess to pick up, find a job across the country and then move across the country. Got it :)
Oh- to keep with tracking weight gain- this phase was a little special, I was so busy- I was very bad at my nutrition- as in I probably didn’t eat like a normal ironman. I probably should have had more food, but luckily, I haven’t gained weight this phase- I’m pretty content at this point.Phase 4, the competitive phase – the toughest phase, the one I was told would take away all my energy and I’d never be any more exhausted than in this phase- started on June 20th.
Week One: Knowing I was moving soon, I decided to spend a night with my parents. So I completed my 50 mile ride by mapping out a ride from their house, through part of Racine, almost to Lake Geneva and then to Waukesha and back to their house. It was a pleasant ride for the most part, a few climbs and then flat parts. I then made my way back to Chicago so I could get a swim in. Sunday was gay pride parade day. My Madison friends were having a party for it at Nancy’s and well; they are probably the number one neglected groups of my friends. So, I figured I would go to the party that started at noon. So I first had to wake up at 5am to get a triple brick in of 15mile bikes and 30 minutes running. All went well and I managed to be to the party by 1:00ish. Did I imbibe on a few cocktails? Yes. I have yet to sacrifice alcohol for the ironman; I’ve just learned a sense of balance which is difficult for someone who is a Badger. Badgers tend to only know Binge- you know “if you are going to jump, then jump far, if you are going to drink, then drink lots!”
Week Two: The 4th of July Weekend. During the last week, I managed to move out of my place. With a going away barbeque my last night with Nancy, Jim, Alison and Keri – it was a blast even if the next day Alison and I struggled on the bike ride. I then moved in with Jen and Jess. Jen Jess and I planned to go up to their family’s’ lake house for the weekend. I told Jen I had to get my workouts in and she told me how perfect it would be up there. So Saturday Jen kayaked next to me as I swam, and then took the moped and went the whole 45 miles. It was pretty fun doing it that way; she would moped ahead and then guides me through the intersections. The next day, my long run was real hot and horrible- more walking than I would like.
Week Three: Well I guess you can’t do it all sometimes- I got sick. REAL sick. A fever, sweats, dehydrated and missing a day of work and my throat was so swollen I couldn’t talk for awhile. This put a damper on training. I missed quite a bit during the week, which was an intense week. I managed to recover enough by the weekend but the 80 mile bike was cut short to 72 miles when it was weak and I got a flat tire. One I couldn’t change, it broke my lever and the outer tube also had a hole so I called Emily up (as i knew she was on the course) and she drove me to get the flat fixed at a shop (that’s where i lost 8 miles). Once I finished that ride, I had to drive straight to MN as my niece’s baptism was the next day. Sunday I managed to find the energy to go swim and run after the baptism.
Week Four: I spent the week in Minnesota with my brother’s family. This week was modified a bit, not sacrificing big workouts, but cut out the extra stuff so it was a modified taper. Monday I still had a 20 mile run, which i was still dehydrated and cotton mouth all day before running it. It was hot, and it was horrible, but I kept thinking “this is what you have to do, you have to be miserable and not have the best run, but you have to fight the mental game to get to the end, because this is what the ironman is all about” I ended up running an extra mile since I got lost in my brother’s neighborhood (seriously the most confusing place alive...Greendale, Wisconsin’s neighborhood streets come 2nd). When it came to the weekend, it was the Racine Half Ironman. You can read all about that in my previous write up.
Week Five: I’m coming down to the final weeks of living in Chicago. I managed to put longer workouts on the mornings and still have celebrating in the evenings. My boss was out of town so I had to wrap up my portfolio and take care of his which had lots going on with it. Efficiency was key- to get everything needed done at work, workouts, and socially. That weekend was a little easier of a weekend. Emily and I went for a 2.5 mile swim on Saturday, which got cut short due to the city opening the sewage into the lake, and bacteria levels were too high to be swimming in. I have to say this- I think the risk of dying from bacteria in Lake Michigan is higher than the risk of me being eaten by a shark in the Pacific- maybe I’m wrong- I hope I’m not. :) I ended up going out a little too hard on Saturday night, where I had to exchange Sunday and Monday rest days, so the Sunday 4 hour workout got moved to Monday night after work.
Week Six: My last week living in Chicago. Wednesday was my last day of work, and I managed to move my weekend workouts to Thursday and Friday. This was also the peak week of workouts with about 20 hours of working out. It didn’t seem too bad? But I also didn’t have work for 4 days, and 2 were focused on working out and 2 were on moving. My feet were killing after the 27 miles run on old shoes within 2 days (and 60 miles biking and 2 miles swimming). Friday I drove back to my Parent’s place and had a family night with them then Saturday I went for a swim and well...I moved to San Francisco. Sunday was my rest day but i happened to walk a good 6 miles all around San Francisco.
Week Seven: Living in San Francisco. So, I left Alejandro in Wisconsin as I have1 month before the ironman and decided it would be okay not to ride him in that time. Moving to San Fran - you learn how to ride hills. I made it through the week (no ocean swimming yet), bought a new bike, Alexander, and then signed up for the Marin Century Ride (106 miles, 7,000 feet of climbing) that Saturday. Training required a 7 hour ride, I ended up riding for 8.5 hours. Now, I have learned that my speed is not the same in San Fran than what it is in Chicago, but its soooo beautiful and Alexander is so great, it doesn’t bother me too much. I had to bike to the start (my car had not yet arrived), which was a headache as the bike directions were not that clear and it was about 24 miles which took almost 2 hours with getting lost. I made a few new friends on the ride which was my goal as I needed new biking friends. It’s interesting because i think the majority of my new friends have some sort of tie to the Midwest. This ride might just be the best thing for my mental game on the 2nd loop of the Madison Ironman bike portion. Marshall’s Wall might just be comparable to doing the 3 bad climbs at the end of the loop in Madison..2 times around! After a long swim on Sunday- I had reached the end of the competitive stage and kind of wondered when I would start working hard.
Recovery week was bliss as I continue to adjust to San Francisco. In the moment, I don’t think all my hard work was noticed, but since living in San Francisco, I have been getting my 8 hours of sleep, I have been drinking lots of coffee, and I have been struggling when the alarm goes off- this is kind of new to me. My recovery weekend included lots of sleep including sleeping in until 10am on Sunday! I think all this has something to do with competitive stage. J - or at least I hope it did because that means I’m almost near ready for the Victory lap: THE IRONMAN!
My jumping far here doesn’t apply to the Ironman Training in general, it applies to life. To maintain a sense of balance in my life, I added not just the obstacle of life and work with ironman training, but I added the element of moving and starting a new job. When I looked at the long term picture a few months ago, I was scared to how it would work out. But I broke it down, week by week, day by day and I made it through. I’m not all the way there, but man; it feels good to be in the Taper portion of training.
If you don’t know my living situation in San Fran, it’s all temporary until October-ish when Julie and I will sign a longer term lease. After the ironman and after we have found a place to live and I’m settled in my new job- I don’t know what I’m going to do. As much as I love the ironman training, I am taking a year off of ironmen so I can focus on my new life in San Fran (but there will be marathons and stories ;)).
I’m a little behind schedule with this write-up as recovery week has passed already by a week. But Phase 4 has come and gone. Part of me wonders where did it go, part of me think it’s supposed to be harder and I did something wrong and I’m not prepared for the ironman. But I have stared at my training schedule and rechecked it to see I somehow I missed workouts, and I didn’t. I’m not discounting how much time ironman consumes of your life, I think I had a few reasons for not realizing the intensity. 1) Up until June, I had added a lot more running miles, so the increase in how much time I put into training wasn’t as significant for the ‘normal’ person. I mean yes, 16 hours in one week is a lot more than my 10 hours a week, but the majority of that is on the weekend. 2) I had a big life event go on during the competitive phase, so it provided a sense of balance- it just meant everything was intensified and my adrenaline must have gotten me through it.
Natasha Beddingfield has a song that defines me in Phase 4. The first verse and part of her chorus is this:I got a short attention span, can’t sit around couch potato land, I wanna do all kinds of stuff, talking about it’s not enough. I want to go to the extreme, I wanna stretch my limousine, I wanna take it way off road, go where I’m not supposed to go. (Life is music play it louder) If you are gonna jump then jump far fly like a sky diver.So where to begin? I guess a little more detail of my move.
About a year ago I decided I wanted to leave the Midwest. I Love my friends, I Love my family, but it’s just one of those things I wanted to do. I decided San Francisco was where I wanted to be, and I made it happen. Phase 4 started and I didn’t have a job yet, but I had a timeline. I would move out of my place when my lease was up in June, live with friends who had offered it up in July, and leave Chicago in August. So this means on top of ironman training I had to: Move out of a place, be homeless for a bit, wrap up my current job so I don’t leave others with a mess to pick up, find a job across the country and then move across the country. Got it :)
Oh- to keep with tracking weight gain- this phase was a little special, I was so busy- I was very bad at my nutrition- as in I probably didn’t eat like a normal ironman. I probably should have had more food, but luckily, I haven’t gained weight this phase- I’m pretty content at this point.Phase 4, the competitive phase – the toughest phase, the one I was told would take away all my energy and I’d never be any more exhausted than in this phase- started on June 20th.
Week One: Knowing I was moving soon, I decided to spend a night with my parents. So I completed my 50 mile ride by mapping out a ride from their house, through part of Racine, almost to Lake Geneva and then to Waukesha and back to their house. It was a pleasant ride for the most part, a few climbs and then flat parts. I then made my way back to Chicago so I could get a swim in. Sunday was gay pride parade day. My Madison friends were having a party for it at Nancy’s and well; they are probably the number one neglected groups of my friends. So, I figured I would go to the party that started at noon. So I first had to wake up at 5am to get a triple brick in of 15mile bikes and 30 minutes running. All went well and I managed to be to the party by 1:00ish. Did I imbibe on a few cocktails? Yes. I have yet to sacrifice alcohol for the ironman; I’ve just learned a sense of balance which is difficult for someone who is a Badger. Badgers tend to only know Binge- you know “if you are going to jump, then jump far, if you are going to drink, then drink lots!”
Week Two: The 4th of July Weekend. During the last week, I managed to move out of my place. With a going away barbeque my last night with Nancy, Jim, Alison and Keri – it was a blast even if the next day Alison and I struggled on the bike ride. I then moved in with Jen and Jess. Jen Jess and I planned to go up to their family’s’ lake house for the weekend. I told Jen I had to get my workouts in and she told me how perfect it would be up there. So Saturday Jen kayaked next to me as I swam, and then took the moped and went the whole 45 miles. It was pretty fun doing it that way; she would moped ahead and then guides me through the intersections. The next day, my long run was real hot and horrible- more walking than I would like.
Week Three: Well I guess you can’t do it all sometimes- I got sick. REAL sick. A fever, sweats, dehydrated and missing a day of work and my throat was so swollen I couldn’t talk for awhile. This put a damper on training. I missed quite a bit during the week, which was an intense week. I managed to recover enough by the weekend but the 80 mile bike was cut short to 72 miles when it was weak and I got a flat tire. One I couldn’t change, it broke my lever and the outer tube also had a hole so I called Emily up (as i knew she was on the course) and she drove me to get the flat fixed at a shop (that’s where i lost 8 miles). Once I finished that ride, I had to drive straight to MN as my niece’s baptism was the next day. Sunday I managed to find the energy to go swim and run after the baptism.
Week Four: I spent the week in Minnesota with my brother’s family. This week was modified a bit, not sacrificing big workouts, but cut out the extra stuff so it was a modified taper. Monday I still had a 20 mile run, which i was still dehydrated and cotton mouth all day before running it. It was hot, and it was horrible, but I kept thinking “this is what you have to do, you have to be miserable and not have the best run, but you have to fight the mental game to get to the end, because this is what the ironman is all about” I ended up running an extra mile since I got lost in my brother’s neighborhood (seriously the most confusing place alive...Greendale, Wisconsin’s neighborhood streets come 2nd). When it came to the weekend, it was the Racine Half Ironman. You can read all about that in my previous write up.
Week Five: I’m coming down to the final weeks of living in Chicago. I managed to put longer workouts on the mornings and still have celebrating in the evenings. My boss was out of town so I had to wrap up my portfolio and take care of his which had lots going on with it. Efficiency was key- to get everything needed done at work, workouts, and socially. That weekend was a little easier of a weekend. Emily and I went for a 2.5 mile swim on Saturday, which got cut short due to the city opening the sewage into the lake, and bacteria levels were too high to be swimming in. I have to say this- I think the risk of dying from bacteria in Lake Michigan is higher than the risk of me being eaten by a shark in the Pacific- maybe I’m wrong- I hope I’m not. :) I ended up going out a little too hard on Saturday night, where I had to exchange Sunday and Monday rest days, so the Sunday 4 hour workout got moved to Monday night after work.
Week Six: My last week living in Chicago. Wednesday was my last day of work, and I managed to move my weekend workouts to Thursday and Friday. This was also the peak week of workouts with about 20 hours of working out. It didn’t seem too bad? But I also didn’t have work for 4 days, and 2 were focused on working out and 2 were on moving. My feet were killing after the 27 miles run on old shoes within 2 days (and 60 miles biking and 2 miles swimming). Friday I drove back to my Parent’s place and had a family night with them then Saturday I went for a swim and well...I moved to San Francisco. Sunday was my rest day but i happened to walk a good 6 miles all around San Francisco.
Week Seven: Living in San Francisco. So, I left Alejandro in Wisconsin as I have1 month before the ironman and decided it would be okay not to ride him in that time. Moving to San Fran - you learn how to ride hills. I made it through the week (no ocean swimming yet), bought a new bike, Alexander, and then signed up for the Marin Century Ride (106 miles, 7,000 feet of climbing) that Saturday. Training required a 7 hour ride, I ended up riding for 8.5 hours. Now, I have learned that my speed is not the same in San Fran than what it is in Chicago, but its soooo beautiful and Alexander is so great, it doesn’t bother me too much. I had to bike to the start (my car had not yet arrived), which was a headache as the bike directions were not that clear and it was about 24 miles which took almost 2 hours with getting lost. I made a few new friends on the ride which was my goal as I needed new biking friends. It’s interesting because i think the majority of my new friends have some sort of tie to the Midwest. This ride might just be the best thing for my mental game on the 2nd loop of the Madison Ironman bike portion. Marshall’s Wall might just be comparable to doing the 3 bad climbs at the end of the loop in Madison..2 times around! After a long swim on Sunday- I had reached the end of the competitive stage and kind of wondered when I would start working hard.
Recovery week was bliss as I continue to adjust to San Francisco. In the moment, I don’t think all my hard work was noticed, but since living in San Francisco, I have been getting my 8 hours of sleep, I have been drinking lots of coffee, and I have been struggling when the alarm goes off- this is kind of new to me. My recovery weekend included lots of sleep including sleeping in until 10am on Sunday! I think all this has something to do with competitive stage. J - or at least I hope it did because that means I’m almost near ready for the Victory lap: THE IRONMAN!
My jumping far here doesn’t apply to the Ironman Training in general, it applies to life. To maintain a sense of balance in my life, I added not just the obstacle of life and work with ironman training, but I added the element of moving and starting a new job. When I looked at the long term picture a few months ago, I was scared to how it would work out. But I broke it down, week by week, day by day and I made it through. I’m not all the way there, but man; it feels good to be in the Taper portion of training.
If you don’t know my living situation in San Fran, it’s all temporary until October-ish when Julie and I will sign a longer term lease. After the ironman and after we have found a place to live and I’m settled in my new job- I don’t know what I’m going to do. As much as I love the ironman training, I am taking a year off of ironmen so I can focus on my new life in San Fran (but there will be marathons and stories ;)).
Friday, July 22, 2011
Sultri, Blistri-ing, tripical...just plain hot as hell
Sultri, Blistri-ing, tripical...just plain hot as hellRacine Half Ironman
5:57:29Swim 42:54 (1.2 miles)
T1: 4:09
This was a return visit to the Racine Half Ironman. At one point I was told it would be a good checkpoint to see if I’ve improved since last year as now I’m training for a longer distance. I did want to see improvement but I also knew that I didn’t allow for a taper because this wasn’t THE race of my year; it was only training.
As I was out racing, I realized I would have to just focus on the current race and not try to compare to the year before; it was a lot hotter this year (ending in a heat index of 100+ degrees), and there was a head wind that seemed to affect me in 3 directions as the side wind also pushed against me. It wasn’t incredibly strong, but it was still enough to make me work harder for the 56 mile bike.
I spent the entire week before the half-ironman in Minnesota with my brother’s family. Prior to this weekend, I’ve always just had one water bottle and I switch out at aid stations if needed, but last year, the one water bottle was sufficient. I’ve been given lots of grief over this, training for the Ironman and all, and then I got real sick two weeks ago, and the whole week leading up to the half ironman, I was struggling with hydration. The Saturday before the Half Ironman, Veronica and I went out to do 2 loops of the Madison Ironman course and I was going through water like crazy. Then on Monday, I had a 20 mile run and carried water with me as it was super hot and humid out. Over the course of 20 miles I went through 40 oz of Gatorade and 1 soda and was still not satisfied during the race. When I wasn’t working out, I was total cotton mouth. So, I decided it was about time to get more water bottle cages. I’m not sure I like what I bought as I swear the thing doubles Alejandro’s weight- but I didn’t have many options so I just went with it.
My parents once again were the world’s greatest spectators. When it comes to the Racine Ironman, my dad is involved in every race weekend aspect. My Uncle and Dad dock their boat at the harbor right there, so he’s very familiar with getting there (to this day, I probably couldn’t drive it on my own without gps). So, we went to the expo, once I picked up my race information, we checked in my bike. The process went quick and I said good night to Alejandro.
My Parents, Veronica, Daryl and I did our traditional eve of the half ironman dinner at the Olive Garden. When I got home, I wanted to kind of re-situate my current life in a car situation (Which hasn’t been announced in a blog yet- maybe I need a special one just for it- but I’m moving at the end of the month- to San Francisco). Once I was done with that, I went to bed, but I turned on the TV and got sucked into a Hallmark movie. I think I fell asleep around 11pm. The alarm went off at 4:15 am, and I think I rolled out of bed at 4:30 and we left the house by 5:00.
My dad drove me to the start and waited around while I set up transition. Backtrack to last week. I got a flat and it was an outer tube flat as well as inner tube flat, so I had to get the whole tire changed. They ended up putting the extender back on (which I really didn’t want). Well, this makes it impossible for me to get air in that back tire. So without an easy fix, the back tire wasn’t blown up all the way. I decided since it was a hot day, it was probably not the worst thing.
I saw Anne and her husband, and then my dad and I hung out in the shade for awhile. It was only 6:30am but it was already hot. I was in a new age group this year (as by the end of the year I will be 30…craziness!), so I didn’t start with Veronica. My wave started at 8:05 which was a little later than the previous year.
Veronica, Daryl, Deanna and I hung out in the water waiting for our waves to start. Once it came time, I was off. The water felt great and it was clear. You could see in front of you, which was a change from the Triple T. I felt like I was going slow but did my best not to get discouraged. I tried to remind myself, I passed people as much as people passed me, but whenever I’m in the water, I always feel like I’m the last out. On the final few hundred meters of the swim, I noticed every breath and moment out of the water felt humid. I thought to myself ‘this is going to be one long day!” I got out of the water and it turns out, I actually improved by a minute! I saw Anne when I got out of the water, and I was looking for my dad in his red shirt. Turns out, while he was waiting for me to start, he went and bought himself an “Ironman Support Crew” T-Shirt. If anyone is deserving of that shirt, it’s him. So I waved to him and went on my way.
Because of the Triple T- I think Transitions have gotten easier for me. I wiped off and got on the bike (with my dad watching me from the side lines). I got on the bike, and this year I was ready for mounting on the hill- and was on an easy gear. I quickly got on the bike- waved once again to my dad, and went on my way. I started off at a fast and easy pace, but then we turned and hit wind. It wasn’t a strong gust, but it was enough of a head wind to make me have to work harder. I was thankful for my extra water cages and swapped out water already at the first aid station. My nutrition was a bit off this year because the night before the race, I realized my favorite food on the bike- had melted together and I couldn’t eat it. So I just had lots of gus and my anti-fatigue pills. I popped2 anti-fatigue pills every 40 minutes and gued every hour. I made sure I drank water ever 12 minutes, if not more when needed. The head wind was also a side wind and I was looking forward to the turn around to get pushed. I didn’t make any friends on the bike like I did last year – and was wishing Simon was there. Once you get past the first 20 miles, you get the fun stretch with the rolling hills. As the first 20 miles took me almost 1hr 10 minutes, I tried to pick up speed on the 2nd 20 miles. I managed the 2nd in about 1hr and 03 minutes- but that still wasn’t good enough.
I decided I needed to not look at the time, and make my spectators on the bike my check points. I first saw my dad around mile 18 as planned- I waved and continued on. Then on my way back, I knew my mom would be joining him around mile 40. I went by and didn’t see them, but saw his car in the parking lot- I figured he might be in it waiting for my mom to arrive- so I turned and waved real big to the car- it turns out- my parents were actually right there- so they thought I was waving to them. There is a part of the course where the bikers see the runners. As I was approaching the end of my bike, I saw Daryl on the Run. He was already at mile 5. I was very happy for my dismount and focused on dismounting gracefully, I missed my parents cheering.
In transition, I grabbed my Gatorade which was so hot I swear it should have been boiling. I pocketed a gu, and I went on my way. I was feeling pretty good, but I was hot. I realized I needed to start working on getting my body temperature down. My focus of the run is always – just look at the quarter of the run you have ahead of you. At each water station, I grabbed a coke, a water, a powerade and ice- provided they had all this there. Everytime I grabbed ice, I would put the ice in my sports bra for cooling of the body and I would put 2 cubes in my visor on my temples. This seemed to cool me down enough to keep going. I was hydrating so much, I never touched my gu.
I made a friend, Jeremy, on the run at mile marker 3. However, I was walking through the water stops and he continued to run through them so I lost him at the turn around. Then I made friends with another man, David. He had a rough day of racing, with 2 flat tires. We were talking about how we don’t train with a group, we do our own thing, which has been on my mind a lot lately- almost everyone racing these long distances belong to some sort of group- Vision Quest, Well Fit, Chicago Endurance Sports- you name it, people belong to it. My team might not be a training group- but they provide me my heart and soul: Team DetermiNation. As stated in many blogs before- my friends in that group – inspire me. They are my training family. Veronica and I were in Racine, but Alison and Michelle and Andy were with us in spirit –miles north doing the Door County Half Ironman. (With that said- below is the link to my fundraising site for this year- I have been focused on Ironman Training and my move where I haven’t been focused on my fundraising- if you can donate, click on the link at the end of this.
David and I ran for a few miles together but I lost him around the turn around for loop two. At the same time, I saw my parents. I stopped and hugged them, and actually took a pedialite ice pop from them (which I learned later - that’s actually against the rules- I’m such a rule follower I feel bad I broke this rule- but have justified it with the fact that at least once- they were out of ice at a water stop- so on this hot and humid day- if the race people couldn’t provide for me something to keep me from over-heating- they gave me no choice but to grab from my parents).
As I was approaching my 2nd loop they announced the heat index was 99 degrees and rising. Around the 7.5 mile aid station- I actually saw one of the volunteers on the side of the road vomiting- apparently the heat was even too much for people not in the race. I ran into Jeremy again around mile 9. We ended up sticking together for almost the entire rest of the race. We didn’t always talk, but we knew we were keeping each other going. I would stop at the waters and catch up- and I probably had it in me to go faster, but I enjoyed the company. I already knew I wasn’t PRing and with the heat, I decided there was no need to push it more. My parents were at the finish line as I crossed – just under 6 hours. (and when we got to the car- the temp read 100 degrees!).
While I didn’t PR, I’m happy with my time. I do think I’m improving and I’m on my way to being successful at the ironman. I finished feeling strong, like I could have gone longer and further even in that heat. My run this year ended up slower than last year, but it felt stronger and I ran a lot more (just walking the waters and one big hill). After I cooled off and rested some, I went back outside. The temps had dropped about 15 degrees at that point, but it was unbearably hot and humid. The shower I had just taken wore off and I was sweating within minutes of being outside. At that point, I couldn’t believe I had just completed a half ironman in that heat.
T1: 4:09
Bike 2:59:14 (56 miles)
T2: 2:33
Run 2:08:39 (13.1 miles)
This was a return visit to the Racine Half Ironman. At one point I was told it would be a good checkpoint to see if I’ve improved since last year as now I’m training for a longer distance. I did want to see improvement but I also knew that I didn’t allow for a taper because this wasn’t THE race of my year; it was only training.
As I was out racing, I realized I would have to just focus on the current race and not try to compare to the year before; it was a lot hotter this year (ending in a heat index of 100+ degrees), and there was a head wind that seemed to affect me in 3 directions as the side wind also pushed against me. It wasn’t incredibly strong, but it was still enough to make me work harder for the 56 mile bike.
I spent the entire week before the half-ironman in Minnesota with my brother’s family. Prior to this weekend, I’ve always just had one water bottle and I switch out at aid stations if needed, but last year, the one water bottle was sufficient. I’ve been given lots of grief over this, training for the Ironman and all, and then I got real sick two weeks ago, and the whole week leading up to the half ironman, I was struggling with hydration. The Saturday before the Half Ironman, Veronica and I went out to do 2 loops of the Madison Ironman course and I was going through water like crazy. Then on Monday, I had a 20 mile run and carried water with me as it was super hot and humid out. Over the course of 20 miles I went through 40 oz of Gatorade and 1 soda and was still not satisfied during the race. When I wasn’t working out, I was total cotton mouth. So, I decided it was about time to get more water bottle cages. I’m not sure I like what I bought as I swear the thing doubles Alejandro’s weight- but I didn’t have many options so I just went with it.
My parents once again were the world’s greatest spectators. When it comes to the Racine Ironman, my dad is involved in every race weekend aspect. My Uncle and Dad dock their boat at the harbor right there, so he’s very familiar with getting there (to this day, I probably couldn’t drive it on my own without gps). So, we went to the expo, once I picked up my race information, we checked in my bike. The process went quick and I said good night to Alejandro.
My Parents, Veronica, Daryl and I did our traditional eve of the half ironman dinner at the Olive Garden. When I got home, I wanted to kind of re-situate my current life in a car situation (Which hasn’t been announced in a blog yet- maybe I need a special one just for it- but I’m moving at the end of the month- to San Francisco). Once I was done with that, I went to bed, but I turned on the TV and got sucked into a Hallmark movie. I think I fell asleep around 11pm. The alarm went off at 4:15 am, and I think I rolled out of bed at 4:30 and we left the house by 5:00.
My dad drove me to the start and waited around while I set up transition. Backtrack to last week. I got a flat and it was an outer tube flat as well as inner tube flat, so I had to get the whole tire changed. They ended up putting the extender back on (which I really didn’t want). Well, this makes it impossible for me to get air in that back tire. So without an easy fix, the back tire wasn’t blown up all the way. I decided since it was a hot day, it was probably not the worst thing.
I saw Anne and her husband, and then my dad and I hung out in the shade for awhile. It was only 6:30am but it was already hot. I was in a new age group this year (as by the end of the year I will be 30…craziness!), so I didn’t start with Veronica. My wave started at 8:05 which was a little later than the previous year.
Veronica, Daryl, Deanna and I hung out in the water waiting for our waves to start. Once it came time, I was off. The water felt great and it was clear. You could see in front of you, which was a change from the Triple T. I felt like I was going slow but did my best not to get discouraged. I tried to remind myself, I passed people as much as people passed me, but whenever I’m in the water, I always feel like I’m the last out. On the final few hundred meters of the swim, I noticed every breath and moment out of the water felt humid. I thought to myself ‘this is going to be one long day!” I got out of the water and it turns out, I actually improved by a minute! I saw Anne when I got out of the water, and I was looking for my dad in his red shirt. Turns out, while he was waiting for me to start, he went and bought himself an “Ironman Support Crew” T-Shirt. If anyone is deserving of that shirt, it’s him. So I waved to him and went on my way.
Because of the Triple T- I think Transitions have gotten easier for me. I wiped off and got on the bike (with my dad watching me from the side lines). I got on the bike, and this year I was ready for mounting on the hill- and was on an easy gear. I quickly got on the bike- waved once again to my dad, and went on my way. I started off at a fast and easy pace, but then we turned and hit wind. It wasn’t a strong gust, but it was enough of a head wind to make me have to work harder. I was thankful for my extra water cages and swapped out water already at the first aid station. My nutrition was a bit off this year because the night before the race, I realized my favorite food on the bike- had melted together and I couldn’t eat it. So I just had lots of gus and my anti-fatigue pills. I popped2 anti-fatigue pills every 40 minutes and gued every hour. I made sure I drank water ever 12 minutes, if not more when needed. The head wind was also a side wind and I was looking forward to the turn around to get pushed. I didn’t make any friends on the bike like I did last year – and was wishing Simon was there. Once you get past the first 20 miles, you get the fun stretch with the rolling hills. As the first 20 miles took me almost 1hr 10 minutes, I tried to pick up speed on the 2nd 20 miles. I managed the 2nd in about 1hr and 03 minutes- but that still wasn’t good enough.
I decided I needed to not look at the time, and make my spectators on the bike my check points. I first saw my dad around mile 18 as planned- I waved and continued on. Then on my way back, I knew my mom would be joining him around mile 40. I went by and didn’t see them, but saw his car in the parking lot- I figured he might be in it waiting for my mom to arrive- so I turned and waved real big to the car- it turns out- my parents were actually right there- so they thought I was waving to them. There is a part of the course where the bikers see the runners. As I was approaching the end of my bike, I saw Daryl on the Run. He was already at mile 5. I was very happy for my dismount and focused on dismounting gracefully, I missed my parents cheering.
In transition, I grabbed my Gatorade which was so hot I swear it should have been boiling. I pocketed a gu, and I went on my way. I was feeling pretty good, but I was hot. I realized I needed to start working on getting my body temperature down. My focus of the run is always – just look at the quarter of the run you have ahead of you. At each water station, I grabbed a coke, a water, a powerade and ice- provided they had all this there. Everytime I grabbed ice, I would put the ice in my sports bra for cooling of the body and I would put 2 cubes in my visor on my temples. This seemed to cool me down enough to keep going. I was hydrating so much, I never touched my gu.
I made a friend, Jeremy, on the run at mile marker 3. However, I was walking through the water stops and he continued to run through them so I lost him at the turn around. Then I made friends with another man, David. He had a rough day of racing, with 2 flat tires. We were talking about how we don’t train with a group, we do our own thing, which has been on my mind a lot lately- almost everyone racing these long distances belong to some sort of group- Vision Quest, Well Fit, Chicago Endurance Sports- you name it, people belong to it. My team might not be a training group- but they provide me my heart and soul: Team DetermiNation. As stated in many blogs before- my friends in that group – inspire me. They are my training family. Veronica and I were in Racine, but Alison and Michelle and Andy were with us in spirit –miles north doing the Door County Half Ironman. (With that said- below is the link to my fundraising site for this year- I have been focused on Ironman Training and my move where I haven’t been focused on my fundraising- if you can donate, click on the link at the end of this.
David and I ran for a few miles together but I lost him around the turn around for loop two. At the same time, I saw my parents. I stopped and hugged them, and actually took a pedialite ice pop from them (which I learned later - that’s actually against the rules- I’m such a rule follower I feel bad I broke this rule- but have justified it with the fact that at least once- they were out of ice at a water stop- so on this hot and humid day- if the race people couldn’t provide for me something to keep me from over-heating- they gave me no choice but to grab from my parents).
As I was approaching my 2nd loop they announced the heat index was 99 degrees and rising. Around the 7.5 mile aid station- I actually saw one of the volunteers on the side of the road vomiting- apparently the heat was even too much for people not in the race. I ran into Jeremy again around mile 9. We ended up sticking together for almost the entire rest of the race. We didn’t always talk, but we knew we were keeping each other going. I would stop at the waters and catch up- and I probably had it in me to go faster, but I enjoyed the company. I already knew I wasn’t PRing and with the heat, I decided there was no need to push it more. My parents were at the finish line as I crossed – just under 6 hours. (and when we got to the car- the temp read 100 degrees!).
While I didn’t PR, I’m happy with my time. I do think I’m improving and I’m on my way to being successful at the ironman. I finished feeling strong, like I could have gone longer and further even in that heat. My run this year ended up slower than last year, but it felt stronger and I ran a lot more (just walking the waters and one big hill). After I cooled off and rested some, I went back outside. The temps had dropped about 15 degrees at that point, but it was unbearably hot and humid. The shower I had just taken wore off and I was sweating within minutes of being outside. At that point, I couldn’t believe I had just completed a half ironman in that heat.
I'm raising money for ACS!!! Check out my site- and donate!!!
http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/DetermiNation/DNFY11IL?px=4909726&pg=personal&fr_id=35207
Friday, June 17, 2011
Ironman- The Journey- Part 6 - Phase III Complete: What makes you happy?
Ironman- The Journey- Part 6 - Phase III Complete: What makes you happy?Phase III was the Endurance Phase. Looking ahead, I think the next phase is really about endurance- or endurance on top of endurance and no recovery. BUT let's talk about this phase. Since I always start the updates off with weight gain, I'll continue with that. It still is on the incline but I'm paying close attention. Up until this past week (recovery) I was getting in the swing of really only eating things for the purpose of fuel. It's not about the enjoyment of food right now, it's about what will make me recover the fastest and keep my energy level up and not be extra junk that will lead to bad weight gain. This seems logical to do- but I love food so usually there's always added pleasure food :)
This phase was kind of the kick off of Triathlon season in Chicago. I might have been training since January, but the fun starts when you can get outside. I've also met alot more triathletes via the races.
I really am the happeist and just in my zone- with my people - when I'm racing or riding in groups with others. The past 4 weeks of training would be categorized as my favorite weekend training thus far. The main point of discussions in this write up: The Triple T, Bike The Drive, Udder Century and a trip to Madison.
I thought the triple T would be some sort of peak- but it seems like every weekend, the same endorphins are released and I'm around people who get it- so I just continue to ride on the high! Details of Triple T are in that novel of a write up posted just before this one. Some serious great take-aways for training that the Triple T brought to me was 1) Hill Preparation 2) Working the transitions 3) Working through race start anxiety 4) reducing the junk or better organizing the junk that goes into transition.
The weekend after the Triple T- Veronica and I decided we would have a relaxed weekend of training. A weekend where we didn't have to spend time to travel to bike, a weekend where we would avoid hills, and a weekend where we wouldn't go fast. Bike the Drive was on Sunday, which if you don't know what that is, on a Sunday from 5:30am until 9:30? am Chicago closes down Lakeshore drive and it becomes filled with bikes- Biking the drive. This is an event that
brings all sorts of people. Rarely do you have people like V and I, who use it for training, because it's not a place to be serious. You have your families and mountain bikes and just other normal people- but people who do 20 miles of it, and that's a great feat for them. The day was foggy to the point it was almost like a mist. Rain was on its way, and Veronica and I didn't start until about 7am. We had to get in 60 miles that day. With the wetness of the fog, and it being in the 50s, I pretty much froze. This probably wasn't the most enjoyable ride, and we only managed to get in about 50 miles. I decided I was done with the cold, and I went to finish off at the gym (which the 60 miles was followed by a 3 mile run). I thawed out and warmed up on the last 10 miles, and the run was great! I felt so accomplished as I also had a 15 mile run the day before (which wasn't so great). That feeling- of accomplishment- makes me content.The following weekend, I signed up for the Udder Century with Jeff and his f
riends. This had a 75 mile option (or really 78?). That fit my training for that week, so that's what we did. The Udder Century is in McHenry County. People can either ride 26, 50, 62?, 75 or 100 miles and it's just one loop. It was a relatively flat course and we averaged somewhere around 20 mph. I met another girl - Torrey- who did the Triple T. And got to see Melody and Steve at the rest stops. Triple T made me happy, and at this point I realized that even the training rides can make me really happy- these are my people- this is my thing! It got to be real hot by the time we were done with the ride so the run was a bit daunting. It, like many runs since the Triple T- was weak.The last weekend before recovery, Jeff and I made plans to go up to Madison. He actually ended up having another obligation in Chicago on Saturday, but he, being such a great friend, still joined for one loop- the first loop I've ever completed of the Wisconsin Ironman course. We started real early. Maria was going to be there with a group of friends a little later, so I hoped I could get with them on the second loop. It had rained over the night and it was cloudy and the ground was wet when we started. As we made our climb to mount horeb, it started to mist a bit. Jeff was letting me set the pace to enjoy the scenery and well- since I had a 2nd loop to complete, he didn't want to burn me out. We got to Mount Horeb and then he took the lead. He picked up the cadence (which is the way to get through the Madison Ironman), and we picked up the pace. The 2nd half of that loop has 3 hills that are known to be bad. They were not pleasant but luckily they didn't compare to the Triple T courses.
The whole ride was like a great tour, Jeff was pointing out different events that have occured during the Ironman races him and his friends have completed. This included the story of 2004 when a farmer herded his cattle across the street from one side of his land to another- midst the ironman! Jeff had to stop and wait for them to cross. This is something that doesn't suprise me with what I've heard about the Farmers around there. They do NOT like the bikers that come to train and race the ironman. It brings too much traffic, so I'm sure this guy purposely chose the middle of the ironman to move his cattle.
With 5 miles left, I knew we were cutting it close to my ability to hop onto Maria's group. We picked up the pace and flew. When we got back into Verona, we were on a bit of a decline, and we laughed as we were speeding in a 25 mph zone. We got to the cars just as Maria's group was unloading their bikes. So I said goodbye to Jeff and started loop 2 with Maria's group.
Now, if you know Maria- you know she's quite the athlete. Last year she was one of the last out of the swim at the Ironman, but then passed many on the bike and more on the run, and finished something like 23rd in her age division 11 1/2 hrs. This means- she's one hell of a biker (and runner). I was nervous to join her group, and kind of told her not to worry if she lost me. However, I managed (with additional work at some points) to stay with them! We definitely were going faster than Jeff and I started, but it was comfortable- I find that sometimes with higher cadence to make you go faster, it's easier. Every now and then I'd draft off Maria to keep up or give myself a break, but all in all, I did all my own work to keep up. Around the 20 mile point of the loop, Maria's friends all wanted to do an additional 5 miles of horribly hilly. I feared if i did it- that would be the point I would lose them. I only know my way around the loop- not the extra credit- so I decided to continue the path knowing, if i got a flat or something went wrong, they would be just behind me somewhere. I finished the 80 miles in 4:26 with the first loop at 2:19 and the 2nd at 2:07. This is super amazing and wonderful- i didn't expect to ever have my first time on Madison be like this. And just being - once again- with my people - just makes me so happy!
The 3 mile run that followed went well, and then the following day my 15 mile run was the first run where i felt like, since the Triple T- I got my running legs back. I think part of what helped that was the confidence booster and the regained excitement for what's to come at the finish line of training.
If there is one down side to training it would be this: I am a people pleaser. I do have a stubborn side which you can say I get that from my Grandfather- it's a Greek thing- but if you give me the choice, I am an accomodating person (stubborn side of me says if you don't give me a choice- then I'll most likely rebel!). I usually will go wherever and do whatever with my friends, but because of training, I'm having to be a bit selfish. This is difficult for me as I hate disappointing my friends when I can't make something work because i"m too exhausted or too hungry or because I don't want to change my training schedule because I feel I'm benefitng most with how i have my schedule set up. I appreciate those friends who have been understanding of my schedule, that I'm not able to just do what they want to do when they want to do it. I have to listen to the hunger pains and can't wait for dinner at X time, and I can't run with some of my friends I usually run/bike/swim with because I can't make my schedule work to that way.
Even with this downside of coming to terms that I have to accomodate to myself before others, when people ask me "How is training going?" My response is (with a big smile) 'I LOVE IT!"
And when people look at me with a confused look as to why I do this and why I WANT to do it? My response is "Because, it makes me happy!"
Monday, May 23, 2011
TRIple T
TRIple T
4 races, 3 days Breakdown and times to follow below.
The title of this might seem original, but let me tell you, there is nothing ordinary about the Triple T!
Who, What, When, Where and Why? Are questions that need to be answered in this blog because the American Triple T is an Adventure Race that only those who do it, fully understand the last question of Why.
It all started back in December with a facebook post from Daryl mentioning the American Triple T and thinking it would be a great training race for the Ironman. So, I believe I was drinking wine one night, getting ready to go to a Christmas Party when signed up. Daryl mentioned that Portsmouth, Ohio is known for its hills, but I never read the website to fully understand the brutality of this race. Even if I did, I might not have taken them as seriously as they were, because a lot of times races exaggerate on the description.
Prior to doing the Triple T, I knew Veronica, Daryl and JP were also going to be out there. Along the way, I met a bunch of other great people, including Jeff (Columbus OH), Jami (Dallas TX), Dave (Michigan), Sarah (Cincinnati, OH), Jen (Indiana), Ken (Wisconsin) and the 51 year old lady from Geneva, I don't remember her name though, and many from Chicago- Veronica and Daryl's Friends, who train with Vision Quest. Everyone out there were wonderful people. They all were there for the fun of it and ready for anything.
So what is the Triple T? It's a 3 day Adventure Race Series with 4 races: Super Sprint, 2 Olympic and a Half Ironman. Now, this could have been 4 write ups, but I'm doing it all together and will break it down in detail for each race. So warning, this is long! I will also provide course descriptions, and statistics and my Triple T rendition of Rihanna’s S&M song.
The final two summary questions I will answer before jumping into the details. Where: Portsmouth, OH- Shawnee State Park and vicinity (Starting at Turkey Creek Lake) and When? May 20, 21 AND 22nd, 2011.
My original plan was to take a half day on Thursday and drive out there in the late afternoon. It's a 6+ hour drive, BUT with being on vacation a week before, and just other office politics- I had way too much work to get done so I worked a full day on Thursday, and left at 3am on Friday morning. I could have waited till 6am to leave and still make it in time for the first race, but I wanted some wiggle room for getting lost. It was kind of good for that, because my GPS at first wasn't finding Shawnee Park. I put in the hotel and as I got close I tried to use the website directions, but as I was also on a conference call for work and was not fully prepared for the questions on the call, I was concentrating on that rather than my direction, and ended up adding an hour to my trip. BUT- I made it.
I also forgot my helmet, but since JP waited until 6am to leave, he and his wife, Jen, picked up my helmet on their way out (Thanks to Laura for getting out of bed to retrieve it from my place).
I didn't really get a lunch, and I realized that, but I was drinking protein shakes and water and eating trail mix- and I was hoping that would suffice- after all, Friday was just a super sprint.
So here is the mass broken down:
RACE 1: SUPER SPRINT
Friday at 5:00pm
250 meter swim, 5 mile bike, 1 mile run (easy right?)
Description: The American Triple T- Ohio starts everything off with the SUPER SPRINT, a smack-in-the-face for those not quite ready for the brutal hills of Shawnee Forest - literally a wake-up call for all participants in the American Triple T Ohio. This short race will be the first opportunity for participants to see what they are truly in for. The swim starts off in time-trial format with participants going off every 1-3 seconds on a spectator friendly 250 meter triangle swim course off the main beach at Turkey Creek Lake. Participants will then mount their bike for a 5 mile bike course that will feature a half mile plus clump up to the Mohican Resort and back. After completing this challgenging 5 mile course, participants will take on a relatively flat 1 mile run that turns around at the base of Lamp Black run.
There was nothing easy on this race. With the swim being so short, I (and others) decided not to waste my time with a wetsuit. In and out in 5ish minutes! The water temp was something like 56 degrees. I knew what the hyperventilating would be like and to use my yoga breathing. It took me about half of the swim to get my face in the water.
Then the bike… it was so great to mount Alejandro. Really, with our ‘wonderful’ weather, Alejandro and I have only had 1 ride together; everything else has been at the gym. The climb the description mentions was a total slap in the face; I was huffing and puffing and on my easy gears. We kept climbing and climbing and then turned around. JP told me I could get up to 40mph on the down, but I was a little scared for the curves so I braked the down. I was going fast but not that fast.
Then the run: When they say relatively flat- that does not mean it was flat. It just means it was flat compared to what we would face for the rest of the weekend. I was also huffing and puffing on that and was thankful for the turn around and down to coast into the finish. Though I wasn't pushing it at an all our sprint pace anywhere on this sprint (because this was just a warm up for the rest of the weekend), I never seemed to be able to catch my breath. JP had done this last year and he said, it's okay, don't worry about the rest of the weekend, he felt like crap after the super sprint last year too.
Now, the scary part, but maybe it helped me be conscious about my nutrition: The migraine. As we were walking back to the car to head to the hotel my vision started to go- the way it does right before a post race migraine (depletion of
electrolyte). Words on signs and people’s shirts became difficult to read and I went into a daze. Sometime after the vision goes, you get the headache part. Maybe I shouldn't have driven to the hotel but I was following Veronica and Daryl’s tail so I had something to concentrate on. I made it to the hotel, and though we had food after the race, provided by the race, I decided to order some pasta and breadsticks from Pizza Hut (you really didn't have a choice of where you ate out there). While I waited for that, I snacked on the stuff I brought with me: Hummus and Carrots, Trail Mix and Celery and Peanut butter and drank a ton of Gatorade, water and Pedialyte. Pizza Hut's delivery service was horrible, it took almost 2 hours to get to me (and they were a half a mile down the road- I didn’t want to drive to pick up because of how I was feeling) I was ready to be sleeping at that moment, so I pretty much inhaled part of what I ordered and put the rest away for later.
I woke up the next morning with part of the migraine still there, which made me fearful for everything ahead.
RACE #2: Olympic AM
Saturday at 7:30am
1500 meter swim, 40k bike, 6.55 mile run
Description: The 1500 meter swim starts off in time-trial format with participants going off every 1-3 seconds on a two lap counter clockwise rectangle swim course along the shoreline of Turkey Creek Lake. Participants will then mount their bike for a challenging 40 k bike course that will challenge all ability levels. Participants will take the Thompson Hill- an 18% grade climb that you soon won't forget. After completing this challenging bike course participants will take on Lamp Black Run- a trial that you will get to know very well by the end of the weekend. Featuring a dirt and packed gravel surface, this trail humbles all.
We get to Shawnee Park, and I'm downing Gatorade and Pediatlyte. My nerves are high because all I can think about is completing the rest of the weekend with the migraine. I made Race #2s priority goal to finish feeling better than I started (migraine wise). I wasn't really telling anyone
about the Migraine (Alison and Heather both got mention of it in a text. Heather probably got my actual freak-out of worrying about that. I told Veronica before we started...just in case something happened to me on the race but otherwise, I was trying to make it a non-issue).
As we start on the swim I was a little more confident with having my wetsuit (which btw- the time trial thing- is really cool, I had my starting partner all weekend long, I never got her name, but she was experienced in the Triple T). The temps increased 1 whole degree from the day before, and it still took me until the first buoy to catch my breath. The second lap was stronger, and I was even relaxed enough to pee in my wetsuit (which I laugh that I share this because it might be TMI for some, but in the triathlon world- it's just normal). I actually do gauge how relaxed I am on the swim with my ability to pee while swimming - next time you are swimming in open water- try it ;)
As I eased onto my bike ride, I realized that even when you think you are going flat, you really aren't. I was confused sometimes at my speed, but with more time out on these races, I realized, anytime I was going less than 15mph, it was because I was on some sort of incline. Prior to starting the race, we were warned of a 180 turn down a hill and just in general were warned of the downs (because after slow climbs, you just want to go down fast). Around mile 7 we hit Thompson Hill. I was on my lowest gear and barely moving up. I saw one person have to get off their bike because of chain issues, but the rest of us slowly made it up that horrid climb. After that climb came fun down. Then, the down they warned us about, was so steep before the 180 turn that my hands were hurting from breaking so hard (this would be a recurring theme). There was also some loose gravel just at that 180 turn, but a cop or someone was at the bottom kind of telling you exactly where to steer. I think this is where I lost my guardian angel (a gift from Alison before my first half ironman). I heard something clink to the ground but my bike seemed to be fine, I later noticed i no longer had my guardian angel. Which, unfortunately, was a pin so I’m wondering if I was a horrible person and someone got a flat from my guardian angel? The next few miles were kind of myself reflection time. I enjoyed the rolls and some flat (even though it was bumpy). I kept thinking I’m here because I love this, and I do really love this. I’m a people pleaser, but racing especially this kind of racing, is my selfish time, I do it for me. Not many get the opportunity to experience what I'm experiencing- how lucky am I?
We then made a turn onto the smooth new blacktop, which I recognized as the road to the finish (and would become quite familiar with it). One more climb- which I would get to know very well (I forget the name of it- we will call it the Niles Climb as you enter into Niles partway up). Following that final climb was a good 2+ miles down back to the part entrance. So, no matter how horrible that climb was, you always had 2 miles of some relief (which usually was all but 4 minutes and 15 seconds for the 2 miles).
Now time for the run. Mind you, you need to remember that we have another Olympic in just a few hours and then a half ironman the next day. So, I tried to remember to take the run easy. The first 2 miles felt so long, it was another trick where if you were feeling it, and breathing heavy- it was because you were going up. I walked a few of the climbs, and then around 2.5 we got some relief with a down. I'm kind of experienced on the down and able to take them gracefully, so I passed people along the way. At the turn around, I knew I had some up to tackle, some of it pretty steep, so I ran until I hit the steep, and then walked. As I made it to the top for a good 2 miles down to the finish, is when I made my first friend: Jeff. Jeff is from Columbus Ohio, he knew people out there but traveled alone so I just told him where we were located and hanging out and he could stop by if he wanted. After the 2nd race, he said he had to go back to Columbus (2 hour drive) to get some work done. I thought that sounded miserable as he had to be back by 6am the next day. Throughout the race I would see him again and it was just great to have another friend to communicate with on the course.
After the run it was time for an ice bath- in the creek, where everyone hung out after races. I hung out with the Chicago Vision Quest crew and we all kind of laughed at the obvious points of struggle on the race course- because it's not that a single person out there is weak- it's just the course was just insanely difficult it kicked everyone's butts. 20 minutes of icing, a quick wipe down and change into a sundress for the next 4 hours to lay outside in the shade (I attempted the sun but that didn't work too well). My migraine was gone! I had followed a great nutrition 
plan as I raced, and it was gone! Mind you, I then had to pee about every 15 minutes between the two races! Luckily we were right by the porta potties and between races, a gross septic tank thing game and cleaned out the porta potties (it's the little things).
We just tried to move as little as possible and take in as much fluids as possible before race #3.
RACE 3: Olympic PM
Saturday 4:00pm
40k bike, 1500 meter swim, 6.55 mi run
Description: This uniquely formatted triathlon starts with the bike first, starting in a time-trial format, this challenging 40k course will take participants on the longest climb of the weekend- Blue Creek Pass. This course is an out and back which provides an opportunity for everyone to see the mutual suffering from your fellow competitors. The return trip on the bike does not offer any relief from the hills as you will take on as many climbs as on the way out. After completing this challenging bike course, participants will take on a 1500 meter swim on a 2-lap counter clockwise rectangle swim course along the shoreline of Turkey Creek Lake. After completing the swim (which will cause many to wonder if they can do the run), participants will return to Lamp Black Run for another 6.55 mile run.
Waiting for the Bike start was a bit long and horrible - getting the adrenaline going once again. They are pretty lax, so we didn't go off in exact order, but my partner and I stuck together. As we took off, we went in the direction that's usually our return (which was still our return, we had to first do it in the opposite direction...and then some). There was a headwind to add to the challenge (which i don't think ever turned into a tail wind). The out and back was a little annoying when the road was still open to cars and the cars just didn't know what to do/how to pass so they kind of added in the mix - slowly moving with bikes. When we went down the longest climb part, I knew it was going to be rough. The climb was nearly 2 miles long, which I was able to look at my watch when it clicked on 1 mile- it took 9 minutes and 30 seconds for 1 mile (on the bike!). I thought we were going to have to do this again on the half ironman course, so I actually almost started to tear up at one point because I didn't think my quads could take it again. My arms also killed because I was doing a lot of pulling for extra power on the rotation of my legs. I ran into a guy who I didn't like up until now. He had a light red beard so was easy to recognize every time he climbed over me in the swim. I just find it rude that he would climb over me every swim- like really dude? You can't go around me and you did on both first two races? He was nice on the bike, so I decided not to hold a grudge anymore (he did climb over me again in the swim).
The swim was interesting, I lubed my legs to get the wet suit on and I got it on very fast...Until I realized it was on backwards, and of course from there I struggled. This is where i got my wonderful neck kiss- as the volunteer who closed me in did not do a good job and I chaffed at the neck the entire swim. In the first lap, I pulled more than kicked but actually started to feel great as we were nearing the 2nd lap. It was like an ice bath after the bike, and a quick cool down before we ran (though the temps in the water got up to 60...I sometimes thought I should have gone without a wetsuit this time). As I got out of the water to run around and start my 2nd lap, I went fast and a cramp hit- then I realized many were falling down as they approached the 2nd lap- screaming in pain of cramps. The race director was standing there instructing everyone to move very slowly- no quick movements as they get back in the water. I looked at him and laughed and said "this is cruel!" ...and I kept laughing as I took on my 2nd loop without my legs. People started to have to get pulled out of the water- or at least stop with lifeguard assistance to let the cramps pass. I just powered through without my legs- only moving them as a way to stretch them.
Then came the run. Somehow my legs semi regained capacity to run (though I walked from the water to transition- I saw too many people falling over!). This time on the run, I met Sarah. We ran together for a bit, but she powered on through - I let her be my carrot and I kept her in site all the way to the finish. She then became another person I would see on the course and communicate with. Once I finished the run, I grabbed a Gatorade and muscle milk and went straight for the ice bath for 20 more minutes. After Veronica finished, her, Daryl and I ended up getting a quick massage. My massage therapist scolded me for not getting enough massages and emphasized how important it is to add it to my ironman training- at least once a month! Alrighty then!
We didn't get back to the hotel until 8:30ish? Where I then unpacked and repacked and tried to get situated to check out, I showered and I scarfed down my leftover pizza hut AND 2 hot pockets AND more pedialyte, water and Gatorade. I think I got a whole 5 hours of sleep that night….maybe.
By now, I could feel and see the lactic acid bubbling through my legs.
RACE #4: Half Ironman
Sunday 7am
1.2 mile swim, 55.5 mile bike, 13.1 mile run
Sunday morning arrives and participants must now summon enough strength to take on what is easily the toughest half ironman course known to man. You will experience what participants refer to as the "Triple T Shuffle", similar to the Ironman shuffle but worse! This will be a day you won't soon forget. It starts off with a 2-lap 1.2 mile swim on a counter clockwise rectangle swim course along the shoreline of Turkey Creek. Next up is a scenic but challenging 2-lap 55.5 mile bike course. The squiggly lines on the map are not from an over caffeinated graphic designer, moreover these are actual 'Alps like’ switch backs, although significantly shorter than the real thing. These switchbacks provide breathtaking views of the 60,000 acre Shawnee Forest like no other. After finishing the bike course, participants will again head out on to Lamp Black Run- this time for two laps.
The Half Ironman. We made our way once again to Shawnee Forest/Park. This morning, we were all a little more nervous. We had little sleep, many miles logged, and not feeling great. Everything including my lungs hurt, but I was ready. It’s just one mile at a time. …or in the water, one buoy at a time, whatever it took to get to that finish. I tried to remind myself about how we all laughed at ourselves at different points of the races, how we were all here to have a good time, that’s what this is about. Some don’t get it, but I was in my world- we get each other.
Prior to starting, the announcer mentioned there are 4 category 1 hills on the bike course. Now I still don’t know exactly what that means but I think it’s specific to the region and climbs are ranked. Googling it either always talks about the tour de France or something about how hard a car had to work – what gear to shift into to get up a mountain. It has something to do with the % grade incline and the length of the climb. Just know, Cat 1 is bad, and we had 2 loops so it was 8 Cat 1s! I know exactly where those suckers were too and I wished I had issues with short term memory so I could forget about them as we made our second loop.
They also gave us a cut off time of 10:30 for the first loop. That means if you swam in an hour from the start you would have to average 10mph on the bike to make that – which almost seems easy if it didn’t consist of 4 cat 1s per loop and you didn’t have to slow so much on the downs for risk of killing yourself (which okay really…let’s face it most didn’t get in until about 15-20 minutes after 7am..Or 7:05 since we started late, according to my Garmin).
So, off we started with the swim. At this point, because it’s the same water, just a different distance, I was pretty relaxed in the swim. I made my first loop, then the 2nd. On the 2nd, I made it my goal to pee. For two reasons: 1) To get to that relax mode I mentioned 2) Because it was going to be a long time before I get to go again. On my 2nd loop, at first I felt a little dizzy, I also had to stop twice as I got water in my goggles, but all in all I was enjoying the swim and my goal was a success.
Once I got out of the water I made my way to the Transition. Not really running, just kind of walking. I made my way out to the Bike and started that long journey. Now, there is one part of the race I haven’t mentioned yet and that was- they let outsiders into the half ironman! About 80 additional racers joined us. I call them the “Freshies” ….these people had fresh legs. And I’m not saying it was an easy thing to just do the half ironman, but after working your butt off two days prior, you have this sense of superiority. Two Freshies actually tried to start drafting off a Vision Quest guy). I got so angry, I almost yelled at them, but luckily the VQ was too fast for the freshies to handle so they latched onto someone slower.
*Side note- the Freshies were told they should encourage us- because we were tired and amazing- I think only one Freshie cheered me on as they passed.
We made our way over a climb, it wasn’t that long but it was kind of steep, and my legs felt it. I was hoping it was a cat 1, but I soon learned it wasn’t. I ran into Sarah as we were on a gradual climb. I asked her if we were climbing because I was hurting and couldn’t go faster, and we decided we must have been (which yes, we were). Then came a Cat 1- The worst of them all. I wish I counted the number of times we switched back or watched how long it took to climb and I could probably check on my watch, but just know this- it was brutal. I wondered how this wasn’t longer than the one we did on the PM Olympic Triple T. I actually passed a few people though which made me feel great, and when it came time for the down, those people had no fear and passed me again. The down was just like the up- switchbacks, so you just had to take those curves easily. My hands once again were hurting from breaking.
We continued on the path and I’m pretty sure we were doing a lot of the First Olympic distance backwards. I can’t be certain though. We then made our way past Thompson Hill. At this time, I waved to the hill and I said “so good to see and not have to do you” That’s about the same time I met Dave. I don’t think he appreciated all my complaints about the category 1s. BUT, he kept me company on the next 2 category 1 climbs which made them a little bearable. He told me he was doing Lake Placid in July and hoped he would be recovered in time.
We then made a turn that brought us back to the smooth blacktop which meant we just had to climb the Niles Climb (the 4th Cat1) and then it was downhill until the turn around. We had done this same downhill 2 other times, and I was comfortable with it. My fastest mile was on the down on the first loop of the half ironman. I clicked in 1 mile at 1minute and 57 seconds. You can do the math there.
I made the turn around somewhere just before 10am, which meant I was cutting it close. I started my 2nd loop, and felt like I regained some energy. I was moving what I thought to be fast but, the problem here was, I knew kind of when and where to expect hell, and the anticipation kind of killed me. The first climb on the loop seemed worse than the first time, and this time I got passed instead of passing others (freshie!), but I was a little braver on the downside.
It started to get sparse and I had no more people to chat with. I would get passed every now and then, but it was usually a freshie (they didn’t have our cool jerseys so you knew who they were). One girl told me I was awesome, the others would just pass without saying a thing. And then, I was taking the down before the turn to go by Thompson Hill. As I took this down, I finally hit the 40mph JP told me I should be able to hit on that first down of the first day. Since it was my 2nd loop, I had less fear. BUT at the same time a bee flew into my jersey- and I got stung. Not once, not twice, but according to the welts, 3 times. At the bottom of the hill there was a cop navigating to tell us to turn. I was kind of screaming and I stopped and was like- “a bee is in my shirt get it out- and I lifted my arms and then my shirt and begged him to inspect to make sure it was gone. He said he saw no bee- but I am not making this up. It happened. It hurt, I slowed down and decided maybe this was good- it would refocus some of the pain to the stings. …at first it did, then we hit another Cat 1 climb, and I was all alone. FYI- best way to take away the pain of a bee sting (or 3) is to inflict other pain on yourself.
…and then I hit another Cat 1. I counted the bike in 5ths…so every 11 miles I could feel accomplished. I had 1/5th left. And I tried to remember Saturday and how I realized I was exactly where I needed to be and this is my thing. BUT I was also looking forward to dismounting my bike. We made the final turn, and one more climb. Another Freshie passed me, and then I hit my knee really hard on my elbow pads on my bike. You see, Alejandro is not made for the climbing he did this weekend- he needs a cousin to help me climb. So- it’s not his fault when I have 2 big bruises on my knee, of which one has left a bump.
I was ready to dismount and was so happy for that. It was time for the run, which I took more nutrition and I walked on out of the transition to start running. I saw Veronica which I’m pretty sure I told her I was so ready to be done, then I saw JP’s wife, Jen. She was cheering me on and I was just not in a pleasant mood- then I noticed how nice her tan was getting (which was what she was doing while JP was racing) – and I turned back around (already passed her) – just to comment on it. It was my attempt to get back to my happy place.
The run was more like a shuffle and there was lots of walking. I was just so over all the climbing. Every person I passed did not have a smile on their face. The mood seemed to shift. People were hot (the temps climbed to the 90s), people were tired, people were ready to break. I kept leap frogging on the path with Geneva. I hoped she wasn’t annoyed, because she was a slow and steady jog, and I was walk the up and run the downs, so I made a little conversation with her. She didn’t talk much when I attempted to talk to her, so I just figured I’d leave her be. Then, around 2.5 miles I met a guy from Madison, Ken. He’s like Tony, happy friendly and talkative. He talked to me to keep me going- which he doesn’t know this, but he played an integral part to getting me to the finish. My talking, smiling and joking all came back. When he left me, I then met Jami. She and I took on the rest of the race together. We took it easy until just before there 4 mile marker then we ran it to the turn around. At this point Daryl was done and cheering with Veronica and JP was still on course and Jen made her way to the shade to continue to cheer- as it got too hot to even spectate.
4 races, 3 days Breakdown and times to follow below.
The title of this might seem original, but let me tell you, there is nothing ordinary about the Triple T!
Who, What, When, Where and Why? Are questions that need to be answered in this blog because the American Triple T is an Adventure Race that only those who do it, fully understand the last question of Why.
It all started back in December with a facebook post from Daryl mentioning the American Triple T and thinking it would be a great training race for the Ironman. So, I believe I was drinking wine one night, getting ready to go to a Christmas Party when signed up. Daryl mentioned that Portsmouth, Ohio is known for its hills, but I never read the website to fully understand the brutality of this race. Even if I did, I might not have taken them as seriously as they were, because a lot of times races exaggerate on the description.
Prior to doing the Triple T, I knew Veronica, Daryl and JP were also going to be out there. Along the way, I met a bunch of other great people, including Jeff (Columbus OH), Jami (Dallas TX), Dave (Michigan), Sarah (Cincinnati, OH), Jen (Indiana), Ken (Wisconsin) and the 51 year old lady from Geneva, I don't remember her name though, and many from Chicago- Veronica and Daryl's Friends, who train with Vision Quest. Everyone out there were wonderful people. They all were there for the fun of it and ready for anything.So what is the Triple T? It's a 3 day Adventure Race Series with 4 races: Super Sprint, 2 Olympic and a Half Ironman. Now, this could have been 4 write ups, but I'm doing it all together and will break it down in detail for each race. So warning, this is long! I will also provide course descriptions, and statistics and my Triple T rendition of Rihanna’s S&M song.
The final two summary questions I will answer before jumping into the details. Where: Portsmouth, OH- Shawnee State Park and vicinity (Starting at Turkey Creek Lake) and When? May 20, 21 AND 22nd, 2011.
My original plan was to take a half day on Thursday and drive out there in the late afternoon. It's a 6+ hour drive, BUT with being on vacation a week before, and just other office politics- I had way too much work to get done so I worked a full day on Thursday, and left at 3am on Friday morning. I could have waited till 6am to leave and still make it in time for the first race, but I wanted some wiggle room for getting lost. It was kind of good for that, because my GPS at first wasn't finding Shawnee Park. I put in the hotel and as I got close I tried to use the website directions, but as I was also on a conference call for work and was not fully prepared for the questions on the call, I was concentrating on that rather than my direction, and ended up adding an hour to my trip. BUT- I made it.
I also forgot my helmet, but since JP waited until 6am to leave, he and his wife, Jen, picked up my helmet on their way out (Thanks to Laura for getting out of bed to retrieve it from my place).
I didn't really get a lunch, and I realized that, but I was drinking protein shakes and water and eating trail mix- and I was hoping that would suffice- after all, Friday was just a super sprint.
So here is the mass broken down:
RACE 1: SUPER SPRINT
Friday at 5:00pm
250 meter swim, 5 mile bike, 1 mile run (easy right?)
Description: The American Triple T- Ohio starts everything off with the SUPER SPRINT, a smack-in-the-face for those not quite ready for the brutal hills of Shawnee Forest - literally a wake-up call for all participants in the American Triple T Ohio. This short race will be the first opportunity for participants to see what they are truly in for. The swim starts off in time-trial format with participants going off every 1-3 seconds on a spectator friendly 250 meter triangle swim course off the main beach at Turkey Creek Lake. Participants will then mount their bike for a 5 mile bike course that will feature a half mile plus clump up to the Mohican Resort and back. After completing this challgenging 5 mile course, participants will take on a relatively flat 1 mile run that turns around at the base of Lamp Black run.
There was nothing easy on this race. With the swim being so short, I (and others) decided not to waste my time with a wetsuit. In and out in 5ish minutes! The water temp was something like 56 degrees. I knew what the hyperventilating would be like and to use my yoga breathing. It took me about half of the swim to get my face in the water.
Then the bike… it was so great to mount Alejandro. Really, with our ‘wonderful’ weather, Alejandro and I have only had 1 ride together; everything else has been at the gym. The climb the description mentions was a total slap in the face; I was huffing and puffing and on my easy gears. We kept climbing and climbing and then turned around. JP told me I could get up to 40mph on the down, but I was a little scared for the curves so I braked the down. I was going fast but not that fast.
Then the run: When they say relatively flat- that does not mean it was flat. It just means it was flat compared to what we would face for the rest of the weekend. I was also huffing and puffing on that and was thankful for the turn around and down to coast into the finish. Though I wasn't pushing it at an all our sprint pace anywhere on this sprint (because this was just a warm up for the rest of the weekend), I never seemed to be able to catch my breath. JP had done this last year and he said, it's okay, don't worry about the rest of the weekend, he felt like crap after the super sprint last year too.
Now, the scary part, but maybe it helped me be conscious about my nutrition: The migraine. As we were walking back to the car to head to the hotel my vision started to go- the way it does right before a post race migraine (depletion of
electrolyte). Words on signs and people’s shirts became difficult to read and I went into a daze. Sometime after the vision goes, you get the headache part. Maybe I shouldn't have driven to the hotel but I was following Veronica and Daryl’s tail so I had something to concentrate on. I made it to the hotel, and though we had food after the race, provided by the race, I decided to order some pasta and breadsticks from Pizza Hut (you really didn't have a choice of where you ate out there). While I waited for that, I snacked on the stuff I brought with me: Hummus and Carrots, Trail Mix and Celery and Peanut butter and drank a ton of Gatorade, water and Pedialyte. Pizza Hut's delivery service was horrible, it took almost 2 hours to get to me (and they were a half a mile down the road- I didn’t want to drive to pick up because of how I was feeling) I was ready to be sleeping at that moment, so I pretty much inhaled part of what I ordered and put the rest away for later.I woke up the next morning with part of the migraine still there, which made me fearful for everything ahead.
RACE #2: Olympic AM
Saturday at 7:30am
1500 meter swim, 40k bike, 6.55 mile run
Description: The 1500 meter swim starts off in time-trial format with participants going off every 1-3 seconds on a two lap counter clockwise rectangle swim course along the shoreline of Turkey Creek Lake. Participants will then mount their bike for a challenging 40 k bike course that will challenge all ability levels. Participants will take the Thompson Hill- an 18% grade climb that you soon won't forget. After completing this challenging bike course participants will take on Lamp Black Run- a trial that you will get to know very well by the end of the weekend. Featuring a dirt and packed gravel surface, this trail humbles all.
We get to Shawnee Park, and I'm downing Gatorade and Pediatlyte. My nerves are high because all I can think about is completing the rest of the weekend with the migraine. I made Race #2s priority goal to finish feeling better than I started (migraine wise). I wasn't really telling anyone
about the Migraine (Alison and Heather both got mention of it in a text. Heather probably got my actual freak-out of worrying about that. I told Veronica before we started...just in case something happened to me on the race but otherwise, I was trying to make it a non-issue).As we start on the swim I was a little more confident with having my wetsuit (which btw- the time trial thing- is really cool, I had my starting partner all weekend long, I never got her name, but she was experienced in the Triple T). The temps increased 1 whole degree from the day before, and it still took me until the first buoy to catch my breath. The second lap was stronger, and I was even relaxed enough to pee in my wetsuit (which I laugh that I share this because it might be TMI for some, but in the triathlon world- it's just normal). I actually do gauge how relaxed I am on the swim with my ability to pee while swimming - next time you are swimming in open water- try it ;)
As I eased onto my bike ride, I realized that even when you think you are going flat, you really aren't. I was confused sometimes at my speed, but with more time out on these races, I realized, anytime I was going less than 15mph, it was because I was on some sort of incline. Prior to starting the race, we were warned of a 180 turn down a hill and just in general were warned of the downs (because after slow climbs, you just want to go down fast). Around mile 7 we hit Thompson Hill. I was on my lowest gear and barely moving up. I saw one person have to get off their bike because of chain issues, but the rest of us slowly made it up that horrid climb. After that climb came fun down. Then, the down they warned us about, was so steep before the 180 turn that my hands were hurting from breaking so hard (this would be a recurring theme). There was also some loose gravel just at that 180 turn, but a cop or someone was at the bottom kind of telling you exactly where to steer. I think this is where I lost my guardian angel (a gift from Alison before my first half ironman). I heard something clink to the ground but my bike seemed to be fine, I later noticed i no longer had my guardian angel. Which, unfortunately, was a pin so I’m wondering if I was a horrible person and someone got a flat from my guardian angel? The next few miles were kind of myself reflection time. I enjoyed the rolls and some flat (even though it was bumpy). I kept thinking I’m here because I love this, and I do really love this. I’m a people pleaser, but racing especially this kind of racing, is my selfish time, I do it for me. Not many get the opportunity to experience what I'm experiencing- how lucky am I?
We then made a turn onto the smooth new blacktop, which I recognized as the road to the finish (and would become quite familiar with it). One more climb- which I would get to know very well (I forget the name of it- we will call it the Niles Climb as you enter into Niles partway up). Following that final climb was a good 2+ miles down back to the part entrance. So, no matter how horrible that climb was, you always had 2 miles of some relief (which usually was all but 4 minutes and 15 seconds for the 2 miles).
Now time for the run. Mind you, you need to remember that we have another Olympic in just a few hours and then a half ironman the next day. So, I tried to remember to take the run easy. The first 2 miles felt so long, it was another trick where if you were feeling it, and breathing heavy- it was because you were going up. I walked a few of the climbs, and then around 2.5 we got some relief with a down. I'm kind of experienced on the down and able to take them gracefully, so I passed people along the way. At the turn around, I knew I had some up to tackle, some of it pretty steep, so I ran until I hit the steep, and then walked. As I made it to the top for a good 2 miles down to the finish, is when I made my first friend: Jeff. Jeff is from Columbus Ohio, he knew people out there but traveled alone so I just told him where we were located and hanging out and he could stop by if he wanted. After the 2nd race, he said he had to go back to Columbus (2 hour drive) to get some work done. I thought that sounded miserable as he had to be back by 6am the next day. Throughout the race I would see him again and it was just great to have another friend to communicate with on the course.
After the run it was time for an ice bath- in the creek, where everyone hung out after races. I hung out with the Chicago Vision Quest crew and we all kind of laughed at the obvious points of struggle on the race course- because it's not that a single person out there is weak- it's just the course was just insanely difficult it kicked everyone's butts. 20 minutes of icing, a quick wipe down and change into a sundress for the next 4 hours to lay outside in the shade (I attempted the sun but that didn't work too well). My migraine was gone! I had followed a great nutrition 
plan as I raced, and it was gone! Mind you, I then had to pee about every 15 minutes between the two races! Luckily we were right by the porta potties and between races, a gross septic tank thing game and cleaned out the porta potties (it's the little things).We just tried to move as little as possible and take in as much fluids as possible before race #3.
RACE 3: Olympic PM
Saturday 4:00pm
40k bike, 1500 meter swim, 6.55 mi run
Description: This uniquely formatted triathlon starts with the bike first, starting in a time-trial format, this challenging 40k course will take participants on the longest climb of the weekend- Blue Creek Pass. This course is an out and back which provides an opportunity for everyone to see the mutual suffering from your fellow competitors. The return trip on the bike does not offer any relief from the hills as you will take on as many climbs as on the way out. After completing this challenging bike course, participants will take on a 1500 meter swim on a 2-lap counter clockwise rectangle swim course along the shoreline of Turkey Creek Lake. After completing the swim (which will cause many to wonder if they can do the run), participants will return to Lamp Black Run for another 6.55 mile run.
Waiting for the Bike start was a bit long and horrible - getting the adrenaline going once again. They are pretty lax, so we didn't go off in exact order, but my partner and I stuck together. As we took off, we went in the direction that's usually our return (which was still our return, we had to first do it in the opposite direction...and then some). There was a headwind to add to the challenge (which i don't think ever turned into a tail wind). The out and back was a little annoying when the road was still open to cars and the cars just didn't know what to do/how to pass so they kind of added in the mix - slowly moving with bikes. When we went down the longest climb part, I knew it was going to be rough. The climb was nearly 2 miles long, which I was able to look at my watch when it clicked on 1 mile- it took 9 minutes and 30 seconds for 1 mile (on the bike!). I thought we were going to have to do this again on the half ironman course, so I actually almost started to tear up at one point because I didn't think my quads could take it again. My arms also killed because I was doing a lot of pulling for extra power on the rotation of my legs. I ran into a guy who I didn't like up until now. He had a light red beard so was easy to recognize every time he climbed over me in the swim. I just find it rude that he would climb over me every swim- like really dude? You can't go around me and you did on both first two races? He was nice on the bike, so I decided not to hold a grudge anymore (he did climb over me again in the swim).
The swim was interesting, I lubed my legs to get the wet suit on and I got it on very fast...Until I realized it was on backwards, and of course from there I struggled. This is where i got my wonderful neck kiss- as the volunteer who closed me in did not do a good job and I chaffed at the neck the entire swim. In the first lap, I pulled more than kicked but actually started to feel great as we were nearing the 2nd lap. It was like an ice bath after the bike, and a quick cool down before we ran (though the temps in the water got up to 60...I sometimes thought I should have gone without a wetsuit this time). As I got out of the water to run around and start my 2nd lap, I went fast and a cramp hit- then I realized many were falling down as they approached the 2nd lap- screaming in pain of cramps. The race director was standing there instructing everyone to move very slowly- no quick movements as they get back in the water. I looked at him and laughed and said "this is cruel!" ...and I kept laughing as I took on my 2nd loop without my legs. People started to have to get pulled out of the water- or at least stop with lifeguard assistance to let the cramps pass. I just powered through without my legs- only moving them as a way to stretch them.
Then came the run. Somehow my legs semi regained capacity to run (though I walked from the water to transition- I saw too many people falling over!). This time on the run, I met Sarah. We ran together for a bit, but she powered on through - I let her be my carrot and I kept her in site all the way to the finish. She then became another person I would see on the course and communicate with. Once I finished the run, I grabbed a Gatorade and muscle milk and went straight for the ice bath for 20 more minutes. After Veronica finished, her, Daryl and I ended up getting a quick massage. My massage therapist scolded me for not getting enough massages and emphasized how important it is to add it to my ironman training- at least once a month! Alrighty then!
We didn't get back to the hotel until 8:30ish? Where I then unpacked and repacked and tried to get situated to check out, I showered and I scarfed down my leftover pizza hut AND 2 hot pockets AND more pedialyte, water and Gatorade. I think I got a whole 5 hours of sleep that night….maybe.
By now, I could feel and see the lactic acid bubbling through my legs.
RACE #4: Half IronmanSunday 7am
1.2 mile swim, 55.5 mile bike, 13.1 mile run
Sunday morning arrives and participants must now summon enough strength to take on what is easily the toughest half ironman course known to man. You will experience what participants refer to as the "Triple T Shuffle", similar to the Ironman shuffle but worse! This will be a day you won't soon forget. It starts off with a 2-lap 1.2 mile swim on a counter clockwise rectangle swim course along the shoreline of Turkey Creek. Next up is a scenic but challenging 2-lap 55.5 mile bike course. The squiggly lines on the map are not from an over caffeinated graphic designer, moreover these are actual 'Alps like’ switch backs, although significantly shorter than the real thing. These switchbacks provide breathtaking views of the 60,000 acre Shawnee Forest like no other. After finishing the bike course, participants will again head out on to Lamp Black Run- this time for two laps.
The Half Ironman. We made our way once again to Shawnee Forest/Park. This morning, we were all a little more nervous. We had little sleep, many miles logged, and not feeling great. Everything including my lungs hurt, but I was ready. It’s just one mile at a time. …or in the water, one buoy at a time, whatever it took to get to that finish. I tried to remind myself about how we all laughed at ourselves at different points of the races, how we were all here to have a good time, that’s what this is about. Some don’t get it, but I was in my world- we get each other.
Prior to starting, the announcer mentioned there are 4 category 1 hills on the bike course. Now I still don’t know exactly what that means but I think it’s specific to the region and climbs are ranked. Googling it either always talks about the tour de France or something about how hard a car had to work – what gear to shift into to get up a mountain. It has something to do with the % grade incline and the length of the climb. Just know, Cat 1 is bad, and we had 2 loops so it was 8 Cat 1s! I know exactly where those suckers were too and I wished I had issues with short term memory so I could forget about them as we made our second loop.
They also gave us a cut off time of 10:30 for the first loop. That means if you swam in an hour from the start you would have to average 10mph on the bike to make that – which almost seems easy if it didn’t consist of 4 cat 1s per loop and you didn’t have to slow so much on the downs for risk of killing yourself (which okay really…let’s face it most didn’t get in until about 15-20 minutes after 7am..Or 7:05 since we started late, according to my Garmin).
So, off we started with the swim. At this point, because it’s the same water, just a different distance, I was pretty relaxed in the swim. I made my first loop, then the 2nd. On the 2nd, I made it my goal to pee. For two reasons: 1) To get to that relax mode I mentioned 2) Because it was going to be a long time before I get to go again. On my 2nd loop, at first I felt a little dizzy, I also had to stop twice as I got water in my goggles, but all in all I was enjoying the swim and my goal was a success.
Once I got out of the water I made my way to the Transition. Not really running, just kind of walking. I made my way out to the Bike and started that long journey. Now, there is one part of the race I haven’t mentioned yet and that was- they let outsiders into the half ironman! About 80 additional racers joined us. I call them the “Freshies” ….these people had fresh legs. And I’m not saying it was an easy thing to just do the half ironman, but after working your butt off two days prior, you have this sense of superiority. Two Freshies actually tried to start drafting off a Vision Quest guy). I got so angry, I almost yelled at them, but luckily the VQ was too fast for the freshies to handle so they latched onto someone slower.
*Side note- the Freshies were told they should encourage us- because we were tired and amazing- I think only one Freshie cheered me on as they passed.
We made our way over a climb, it wasn’t that long but it was kind of steep, and my legs felt it. I was hoping it was a cat 1, but I soon learned it wasn’t. I ran into Sarah as we were on a gradual climb. I asked her if we were climbing because I was hurting and couldn’t go faster, and we decided we must have been (which yes, we were). Then came a Cat 1- The worst of them all. I wish I counted the number of times we switched back or watched how long it took to climb and I could probably check on my watch, but just know this- it was brutal. I wondered how this wasn’t longer than the one we did on the PM Olympic Triple T. I actually passed a few people though which made me feel great, and when it came time for the down, those people had no fear and passed me again. The down was just like the up- switchbacks, so you just had to take those curves easily. My hands once again were hurting from breaking.
We continued on the path and I’m pretty sure we were doing a lot of the First Olympic distance backwards. I can’t be certain though. We then made our way past Thompson Hill. At this time, I waved to the hill and I said “so good to see and not have to do you” That’s about the same time I met Dave. I don’t think he appreciated all my complaints about the category 1s. BUT, he kept me company on the next 2 category 1 climbs which made them a little bearable. He told me he was doing Lake Placid in July and hoped he would be recovered in time.
We then made a turn that brought us back to the smooth blacktop which meant we just had to climb the Niles Climb (the 4th Cat1) and then it was downhill until the turn around. We had done this same downhill 2 other times, and I was comfortable with it. My fastest mile was on the down on the first loop of the half ironman. I clicked in 1 mile at 1minute and 57 seconds. You can do the math there.
I made the turn around somewhere just before 10am, which meant I was cutting it close. I started my 2nd loop, and felt like I regained some energy. I was moving what I thought to be fast but, the problem here was, I knew kind of when and where to expect hell, and the anticipation kind of killed me. The first climb on the loop seemed worse than the first time, and this time I got passed instead of passing others (freshie!), but I was a little braver on the downside.
It started to get sparse and I had no more people to chat with. I would get passed every now and then, but it was usually a freshie (they didn’t have our cool jerseys so you knew who they were). One girl told me I was awesome, the others would just pass without saying a thing. And then, I was taking the down before the turn to go by Thompson Hill. As I took this down, I finally hit the 40mph JP told me I should be able to hit on that first down of the first day. Since it was my 2nd loop, I had less fear. BUT at the same time a bee flew into my jersey- and I got stung. Not once, not twice, but according to the welts, 3 times. At the bottom of the hill there was a cop navigating to tell us to turn. I was kind of screaming and I stopped and was like- “a bee is in my shirt get it out- and I lifted my arms and then my shirt and begged him to inspect to make sure it was gone. He said he saw no bee- but I am not making this up. It happened. It hurt, I slowed down and decided maybe this was good- it would refocus some of the pain to the stings. …at first it did, then we hit another Cat 1 climb, and I was all alone. FYI- best way to take away the pain of a bee sting (or 3) is to inflict other pain on yourself.
…and then I hit another Cat 1. I counted the bike in 5ths…so every 11 miles I could feel accomplished. I had 1/5th left. And I tried to remember Saturday and how I realized I was exactly where I needed to be and this is my thing. BUT I was also looking forward to dismounting my bike. We made the final turn, and one more climb. Another Freshie passed me, and then I hit my knee really hard on my elbow pads on my bike. You see, Alejandro is not made for the climbing he did this weekend- he needs a cousin to help me climb. So- it’s not his fault when I have 2 big bruises on my knee, of which one has left a bump.
I was ready to dismount and was so happy for that. It was time for the run, which I took more nutrition and I walked on out of the transition to start running. I saw Veronica which I’m pretty sure I told her I was so ready to be done, then I saw JP’s wife, Jen. She was cheering me on and I was just not in a pleasant mood- then I noticed how nice her tan was getting (which was what she was doing while JP was racing) – and I turned back around (already passed her) – just to comment on it. It was my attempt to get back to my happy place.
The run was more like a shuffle and there was lots of walking. I was just so over all the climbing. Every person I passed did not have a smile on their face. The mood seemed to shift. People were hot (the temps climbed to the 90s), people were tired, people were ready to break. I kept leap frogging on the path with Geneva. I hoped she wasn’t annoyed, because she was a slow and steady jog, and I was walk the up and run the downs, so I made a little conversation with her. She didn’t talk much when I attempted to talk to her, so I just figured I’d leave her be. Then, around 2.5 miles I met a guy from Madison, Ken. He’s like Tony, happy friendly and talkative. He talked to me to keep me going- which he doesn’t know this, but he played an integral part to getting me to the finish. My talking, smiling and joking all came back. When he left me, I then met Jami. She and I took on the rest of the race together. We took it easy until just before there 4 mile marker then we ran it to the turn around. At this point Daryl was done and cheering with Veronica and JP was still on course and Jen made her way to the shade to continue to cheer- as it got too hot to even spectate.
Jami and I lost each other for a bit. I told her I’d find her on the down but I didn’t feel like running these ups right now. I then revisited with Geneva for a bit. I regained some strength, and on the down to the turn around, I caught back up with Jami. Jami and I then decided we would finish together. With the last .4 miles on the down and back on gravel, Jami picked up her pace. I asked what she was doing though I know what she was doing- she was kicking it! So…I kicked it with her AND…we finished together! 
It was such a great feeling to be done and to have accomplished the American Triple T.
Now- Results. I don’t look at my times as much as my placement to see how I compared to all these other hard core athletes. Did I pace myself right? Did I improve? The answer would be yes. I started off with race #289 which they assigned you by your last half ironman time (so look at that- a 5:45 half ranks me in the 72nd percentile! I think that’s telling of who completes the Triple T.
My results can be summarized as the following:
Super Sprint
Swim/Bike/Run
291 ; 31:15
06:38 /01:28 /13:50/ 01:13 /08:04
Olympic AM
Swim/Bike/Run
275 ;3:07:05
28:00 /03:04 /1:32:55 /02:13 /1:00:51
It was such a great feeling to be done and to have accomplished the American Triple T.Now- Results. I don’t look at my times as much as my placement to see how I compared to all these other hard core athletes. Did I pace myself right? Did I improve? The answer would be yes. I started off with race #289 which they assigned you by your last half ironman time (so look at that- a 5:45 half ranks me in the 72nd percentile! I think that’s telling of who completes the Triple T.
My results can be summarized as the following:
Super SprintSwim/Bike/Run
291 ; 31:15
06:38 /01:28 /13:50/ 01:13 /08:04
Olympic AM
Swim/Bike/Run
275 ;3:07:05
28:00 /03:04 /1:32:55 /02:13 /1:00:51
Olympic PM
Bike/Swim/Run
259 ; 3:19:30
1:31:50 /04:44 /33:08 /02:56 /1:06:50
Half Iron
Swim/Bike/Run
224; 7:12:24
40:46 /03:06 /3:50:02/02:23 /2:36:05
Lastly as this hasn’t been long enough, my theme song of this weekend- S&M by Rihanna. You have to admit it’s fitting and it didn’t take much changing to fit the triple T. A lot of words are repeated but here are the parts given one time- you can figure it out :)
Nah Nah Nah come on…
Feels so good being Mad
There’s no way I’m turning back, the pain is for pleasure cause nothing can measure.
Start and Stop 4 times, Ice cold baths in between, the affliction of the feeling leaves me wanting more.
Cuz I may be mad but I’m perfectly good at it, sweat in the air I don’t care bc I like the smell of it.
Sticks and Stone may break my bones but the Triple T excites me.
…I like it like it come on!...
S.S.S.& M.M.M. S.S.S.& M.M.M.
Oh I love the feeling you bring to me oh just bring it on, it’s exactly what I’ve been yearning for give it to me strong. My legs, back, arms and my lungs, make my body so ah ah ah- I like it like it!
Bike/Swim/Run
259 ; 3:19:30
1:31:50 /04:44 /33:08 /02:56 /1:06:50
Half Iron
Swim/Bike/Run
224; 7:12:24
40:46 /03:06 /3:50:02/02:23 /2:36:05
Lastly as this hasn’t been long enough, my theme song of this weekend- S&M by Rihanna. You have to admit it’s fitting and it didn’t take much changing to fit the triple T. A lot of words are repeated but here are the parts given one time- you can figure it out :)
Nah Nah Nah come on…
Feels so good being Mad
There’s no way I’m turning back, the pain is for pleasure cause nothing can measure.
Start and Stop 4 times, Ice cold baths in between, the affliction of the feeling leaves me wanting more.
Cuz I may be mad but I’m perfectly good at it, sweat in the air I don’t care bc I like the smell of it.
Sticks and Stone may break my bones but the Triple T excites me.
…I like it like it come on!...
S.S.S.& M.M.M. S.S.S.& M.M.M.
Oh I love the feeling you bring to me oh just bring it on, it’s exactly what I’ve been yearning for give it to me strong. My legs, back, arms and my lungs, make my body so ah ah ah- I like it like it!
Sunday, April 24, 2011
The Ironman Journey Part 5 – Phase II complete: The good and the bad… it’s all just training
The Ironman Journey Part 5 – Phase II complete: The good and the bad… it’s all just trainingPhase II was the Aerobic phase. Of course since I was also marathon training, there was no real build on the running miles, but there was on the bike, swim and bike/run bricks. The weight gain is still something I don’t like, but Jeff told me his trainer told him girls who ironman train gain weight, guys lose…so you just have to deal with it…keep an eye on it, but don't cry over a few pounds. Even with that, you better believe my annual no sweets over lent is being extended into May (and Julie is suffering through that with me- thanks Jules!).
The end of phase II & Recovery week landed on the same week as the Boston Marathon. I went ahead and manipulated the schedule so my recovery was Wednesday-Tuesday with the Marathon falling on the Monday, and then I had to bounce back from the marathon with Easter Weekend (which was supposed to be my recovery weekend) being previous weekend’s workouts of 3hr bike/6 mile run brick and 2500 meter swim.
I found classes at the Gold Coast gym I really like. Last phase, I started to go to the Wednesday morning weight training class with Tracy, and I love it so much, I’m hop
ing I can keep it in training even when the schedule doesn’t call for weight training. I’ve found Ann who teaches Tuesday night spin is a fun class to go to with good music and a good workout. I also like Saturday morning spin. That class has a bunch of dedicated spinners who go to the gym when it opens in the morning to claim a bike, leave to get errands done and then an hour and a half later they show up for class. I’ve also made a new friend at the gym, Heather who isn’t training for the Ironman but is dedicated going to the gym. We have the same taste in instructors and her cheerleading me and my goals is extremely motivating.I’ve become more and more tired as training goes on. 8 hours of sleep is a big requirement to make it through training. If I get less, I pay for it. I get a little sleepy in the afternoons at work. I started to up the diet code red mountain dew and red bull. And then, something happened- Coffee. Coffee and I have a history. I LOVE coffee and all coffee flavor things. In highschool Irisa and I used to make it half chocolate milk and half coffee- yum. Then… I went to college. In college, I would have coffee to study, but I couldn’t study. My fingers would swell up, my sinuses would get real bad and I’d get way too fidgety to concentrate on school work. I stopped coffee drinking early on my freshman year. I didn’t really realize it was the coffee doing it, but I had a hunch there was a connection. Sophomore year, I was at starbucks studying, and I decided to have one of those yummy coffee Christmas special drinks. When I sat down to study, it happened again. I had to stop studying until the coffee was out of my system, and that’s when I swore off coffee. I actually have a coffee maker but I think it only gets use when Becky's in town. Recently, I got curious if I still had the same allergic reaction. To date, I have had 3 skinny vanilla lattes and I am no longer negatively affected. So I have decided coffee will be added into my training. It might be a bad addition to training, but sometimes we need our guilty pleasures to get through. I take pride in my white teeth so I don’t plan on drinking too much- I must keep these pearly whites happy.
I decided to cut out a marathon this year; I’m not running one over memorial day weekend. This means I’m going to fall into the Ironman Training schedule with less additional running miles. I say less additional running miles just because I don’t think I can quit double digit weekend runs cold turkey. If it fits the weekly schedule and I feel like I haven’t run enough that week, I’ll still add more running miles, but I won’t require it.
The American Triple T is in 4 weeks. I am a little nervous because our weather still hasn’t allowed for outdoor rides. We have had a few days of opportunity but most of those I haven’t been in town. I’m really hoping for my 45 miler next weekend to be out in Barrington. Sheila tried to convince me riding indoor is like running on a treadmill. You can do it all training long and be fine with an outdoor race. I don’t think that necessarily holds true with biking, but I’m hoping I’ll actually be stronger on my bike after being stuck on bad spin bikes all winter long. Alejandro is great! So once I get back on him- we’ll rock the road.
Speaking of Alejandro. There is the whole changing tires thing. Cinderella got a flat at the end of last year when I was riding home from the Chicago Marathon. I’ve changed that tire twice and both times it has gone flat. Spending Alison’s Birthday evening with my Ironman Heroes and supe
r awesome biker Mark- I asked him to walk me through changing a tire and help me figure out what I was doing wrong. He told me to check the actual tire for holes…and oh sure enough...Cinderella needs new tires. The question is- do I love her enough to spend the money on her or do I sell her and get an upgrade on my road bike (or sell her and just have Alejandro?). I finally got the right tubes for Alejandro and sometime over winter, the front tire went flat. So, I went ahead and changed that one, and it was a success. That makes me feel a little better off – one step closer to being Ironman ready.I worry I’m actually getting weaker in the swim. I had completed the swim cooper test on Wednesday (the 2nd test of training). I still ranked in the hot damn category but was 75 meters shorter in the 12 minute testing period. Luckily I get redemption on Phase III day one. I hope it was just because it was so close to after a marathon, that I was tired. A guy I see at the pool every now and then even commented on my slower than usual swimming - embarassing. The pressure will on when I complete swim cooper Test #3. As the distance increases...It’s about time we can swim outside. Anything more than 2500 meters in the pool just isn’t fun.
I’ve enjoyed training. It might consume a lot of my life, but I have my training friends, and while most of the time I am serious and in the zone, I have my moments where I let the workout be social hour- you know to make sure I don’t burn out and keep on loving it.
….and the Journey Continues!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Take your passion and make it happen…What a Feeling!
Take your passion and make it happen…What a Feeling!
State 23 – Boston, Massachusetts (The Boston Marathon!)
3:49:18
I sometimes have difficulty picking out lyrics or a song name to fit the mood of a marathon. For Boston, I had issues narrowing it down. While running, my decision was made on: Unbreak My Heart (Heartbreak Hill). The title that won out fit the overall sentiment to running the Boston Marathon.
If you have followed my write ups you know I once upon a time never imagined Boston was within my reach. An 8:26 average marathon (or faster when you don’t run the tangent) was something I didn’t think I could hold. But then, I dropped below 4 hours by a significant amount. I was still in doubt that it was within my reach, like I didn’t want to try for it because I feared failure…just like the flash dance lyrics go “First when there’s nothing but a slow blowing dream, that your fear seems to hide deep inside your mind.” I was asked “How do you know what you can or can’t do if you don’t try?” And that’s when I thought, I need to just work for it to achieve it. I needed to stop fearing the failure of not getting it, and just go for it (even if it took many tries).
Boston is perceived to be an elitist race because of the qualifying times. It w
as never meant to be for people to run it and feel superior to others but it was supposed to just be an individual defining moment. It was the first organized marathon and as popularity to run it increased; race directors wanted to make sure it remained well organized and enjoyable to run. Rather than a lottery, they decided to make it a qualifying race. The higher the demand to run the race, the tougher the qualifying times have become. They don’t make the qualifying times faster because they think it’s too easy, they are just trying to control the number of entries (maybe there is some elitist with this, but not to the level that some take it). Once again, after 115 years (2011) with a record sell out period in less than 8 hours, they will be once again reducing the qualifying times. And once again, if I want it, I’ll have to work for it and figure out how to train, eat, recover and race to shave another 5+ minutes off my current PR.
So…the training and race experience itself.
Boston Marathon training was midst Ironman Training. I think I ran a few less 8 milers on the weekdays but thanks to my friend Jeff, I managed to train long runs at 8:30s and the 18 & 22 mile runs were in the Hilly Morton Arboretum. With my long runs being completed in an 8:30 average, on hills, in icy conditions, and with many layers weighing me down, I thought a P.R. could be possible.
Caitlin got me a great book on the Boston Marathon. This book told you how to race it because it might not seem daunting when you drive it/look at the elevation profile but how and when the hills hit, it will kill. I compared it to Pocatello, Idaho and decided it had less pounding down…so I should be fine. Umm….Ha.
When I got to Boston, I started getting excited. Being submersed in the Boston Marathon atmosphere made me so proud to run it. This wasn’t just crossing a state off the list, but as Hal Higden said (see the end of write up with some quotes), this is the holy event of Marathons.
Boston Marathon starts 26.2 miles outside of Boston in Hopinkton, MA. You are taken out there, and have to run back. Boston supplies school busses to drop you off and then spend 3 hours outside waiting for the race to start. This can be no fun when windy and cold, but you can find (pay for) other busses that stay put so you can sit on a heated bus and wait for the race to start. CARA has 2 busses, so you better believe I was on one of them.
There were lots of first time Boston Marathoners on my bus and we shared the same excitement and fears.
Now Alison always says big races like this are the victory lap. You work for it, and then you enjoy it. BUT deep within the enjoyment, I had set two goals within my plan. I planned to start with a slight warm up and fall into a fast pace, leaving room to slow down if needed at the end, which would result in a PR or crash & burn. So the two goals were 1) PR or 2) if crash & burn, just stay under a 3:50.
The thought process here is, how do you know if you have faster in you if you don’t try? BUT this technique goes against all experienced Boston Marathoners warnings. I just figured, I would try it out anyway. I have consistently stayed under 4 hours for the past few marathons (minus Vegas where I drank and ran) so I figured I would try to defy the experienced and if I failed, I would still fall within a decent time.
Around 9:30 am we left the bus to gear check and walk from Athlete Village to the start. By the time we got in the corals (I was Wave 2 Coral 8), the race started right away and we were off…. The Boston Marathon!
My throw away jacket was off in the first mile. Mile 1 was in Hopkinton and my split was 8:20. Miles 2-4 were in Ashland, with Harley bike spectators at the 2 mile marker. The crowd support came and went. Water started at mile 2 and was at every mile almost always staggered on both sides. The water volunteers knew what they were doing and water handoffs were seamless without slowing down. Miles 2, 3 & 4 splits were 8:02, 8:02 and 8:05 respectively. At this point, there was some flat road, but from miles 1-4 we started at 490 feet and ended at 180 feet.
Miles 5-7 were through Framingham. We had a small climb and then went back down a little more. Thoughts as I was running: 1) A T stop was in the middle of the woods how weird that it’s not an actual city but just kind of coming out from the dirt. 2) This was so scenic for being so close to Boston- Chicago would not have this beauty if you ran 26.2 miles from suburbs to get to the city center. My Splits were 8:08, 7:55 and 7:59 respectively.
Miles 8-11 were through Natick. At this point my legs were already feeling it. Down kills hams! I was thinking back to the book, “Run to Overcome” (By Meb Keflezighi). Either him or his coach said if it hurts, run faster. I thought, alright Meb, I’ll give it a try! In this section my splits were 7:57, 7:57, 7:58 and 8:11. Most of this part was either flat or small climbs which after the down, it felt great…kind of.
Miles 12-16 were in Wellesley where the guys get Kisses from the screaming girls. What did I love about Wellesley? The newly paved blacktop. The soreness was slightly mitigated with the wonderful road. As this was the race to enjoy, there as a news reporter so some of us decided to slow down and get right in camera shot waving our arms like crazy just to be on the news. We all laughed together and continued moving on.
I knew the hills were going to get worse just after the half way mark. I thought all I needed was to get through heartbreak hill. My splits for 12-16 were 7:57, 8:07, 8:07, 8:15 and 7:57 respectively. I had my parents to look for somewhere between 15.5 and 17. Around 15 the difficult climbs started to take place and there was a long climb up so I concentrated on finding my parents. The fact I had my parents to look for helped me get through that climb but I knew I was reaching a point where I would start to slow down.
Just before mile 17 I saw my parents and we exchanged cheers as I passed. I had told myself if they were in arms reach I’d make it an excuse to stop and hug them, but, as this was a popular area, they were standing on a rock or something behind the first layer of people and were out of reach. I was just so glad we saw each other.
Miles 17 – 20 were in Newtown. These were the rolling hills that kill leading up to heartbreak hill (which isn’t so bad on its own, but after the hill before it or I should say the entire course before it….ugh!). Even though the hills were helly, the course was alive! Spectators were filled with energy and you could tell I was not the only one running who felt pain. As I was slowly dying, my splits were 8:35, 8:56, 8:43 and 9:11 (which hurt a lot).
I was exhausted & knew heartbreak was coming up. I didn’t realize when I was on it at first, I knew I was going up but it wasn’t as bad as the previous hill. How did I know I was there? The chalk drawings: ‘Thump’ ‘Thump’ ‘Thump’ …my heart was beating and breaking as I was losing steam. Heartbreak was my first > 10 minute mile at 10:08.
We were in Brookline now, so mile 22 was time for down and the cheers from Boston College. I regained some energy, slapping hands with all the spectators, trying to use the slaps on the and to control the pounding back down another steep hill. This is when I had my last sub 9 minute mile split. It was an 8:58.
Mile 23 was when I started to shuffle and already full out count my steps. I also started to take a few steps of walking every now and then with some stops to try to stretch out the cramps. Part of me thought ‘how can you walk when you qualified for this?’ The other part of me thought – whatever- it’s the victory lap, enjoy it…it’s Boston!
Mile 23 was 9:56; 24: 9:16; 25: 10:04 and 26: 10:35 and the .2 (or .3?) 9:54.
A lot of this was downhill. By the time I got to the Boston University section, I was drained. Fenway Park and the Citgo sign was a blur and at the underpass with < 1 mile left, I stopped to stretch. I couldn’t run well and my walk was a limp with cramps moving from my calves to inner knee to quads. I knew I’d get to the finish, I just didn’t know how. I slowly made my way and finally turned on Boylston St. I could see the finish! Slowly but surely I made it (and I could official wear my gear). :)
I might have crashed and burned, but I still gave it a try, and now I at least know I can rock the faster pace if I can just learn to hold it for another 6 miles. Everyone has their own technique on how to tackle the marathon. I have no clue if I would have done better or worse if I would have kept all the splits above 8. If I ran the 2011 Boston Marathon all over again, I would do the exact same thing. Each race is different and not just because of the course, but because of those around you letting off energy, and most importantly it’s just about the day you are having – mentally and physically.
I love running even though it can be painful to push through final miles of a marathon. I love marathons and love working on achieving my 50 in 50 states goal. This is my thing and I always thought it’d be great to qualify for Boston, but not until I was actually there, did I realize how big of a deal it was. It was less than 40 years ago that women started running marathons….and that started here...in Boston….what a feeling to be part of the Holy Event of Marathons!
…..Recently I’ve been reading a lot of running books which I wanted to share some quotes from them.
“I know I ran well today, but it wasn’t my best. The pressure was on. The first time (at Boston) is a challenge and you get a feeling for it, but I’m excited about next time” ~Meb Keflezighi (Run to Overcome)
“It was once said ‘Personality is born out of pain’ If that’s accurate then we runners are quite the personable bunch of characters” ~ Bob Schwartz (I run, therefore I’m Nuts)
“New York, Chicago, London & Berlin are merely marathons. The Boston Marathon is a holy event in the sense that the Masters in golf and Wimbledon in Tennis are Holy Events” ~Hal Higdon
“In the long run, life is a collection of moments that matter, the ones that you will remember for the rest of your life. In April, your moment is in Boston, on Boylston Street, under the Finish Banner. The moment is yours, celebrate it from that moment on, you are a little more special. You are a Boston Finisher! Congratulations and Welcome to the Club” ~Raymond Britt (Legendary BM Course Guide)
State 23 – Boston, Massachusetts (The Boston Marathon!)
3:49:18
I sometimes have difficulty picking out lyrics or a song name to fit the mood of a marathon. For Boston, I had issues narrowing it down. While running, my decision was made on: Unbreak My Heart (Heartbreak Hill). The title that won out fit the overall sentiment to running the Boston Marathon.
If you have followed my write ups you know I once upon a time never imagined Boston was within my reach. An 8:26 average marathon (or faster when you don’t run the tangent) was something I didn’t think I could hold. But then, I dropped below 4 hours by a significant amount. I was still in doubt that it was within my reach, like I didn’t want to try for it because I feared failure…just like the flash dance lyrics go “First when there’s nothing but a slow blowing dream, that your fear seems to hide deep inside your mind.” I was asked “How do you know what you can or can’t do if you don’t try?” And that’s when I thought, I need to just work for it to achieve it. I needed to stop fearing the failure of not getting it, and just go for it (even if it took many tries).
Boston is perceived to be an elitist race because of the qualifying times. It w
as never meant to be for people to run it and feel superior to others but it was supposed to just be an individual defining moment. It was the first organized marathon and as popularity to run it increased; race directors wanted to make sure it remained well organized and enjoyable to run. Rather than a lottery, they decided to make it a qualifying race. The higher the demand to run the race, the tougher the qualifying times have become. They don’t make the qualifying times faster because they think it’s too easy, they are just trying to control the number of entries (maybe there is some elitist with this, but not to the level that some take it). Once again, after 115 years (2011) with a record sell out period in less than 8 hours, they will be once again reducing the qualifying times. And once again, if I want it, I’ll have to work for it and figure out how to train, eat, recover and race to shave another 5+ minutes off my current PR.So…the training and race experience itself.
Boston Marathon training was midst Ironman Training. I think I ran a few less 8 milers on the weekdays but thanks to my friend Jeff, I managed to train long runs at 8:30s and the 18 & 22 mile runs were in the Hilly Morton Arboretum. With my long runs being completed in an 8:30 average, on hills, in icy conditions, and with many layers weighing me down, I thought a P.R. could be possible.
Caitlin got me a great book on the Boston Marathon. This book told you how to race it because it might not seem daunting when you drive it/look at the elevation profile but how and when the hills hit, it will kill. I compared it to Pocatello, Idaho and decided it had less pounding down…so I should be fine. Umm….Ha.
When I got to Boston, I started getting excited. Being submersed in the Boston Marathon atmosphere made me so proud to run it. This wasn’t just crossing a state off the list, but as Hal Higden said (see the end of write up with some quotes), this is the holy event of Marathons.
Boston Marathon starts 26.2 miles outside of Boston in Hopinkton, MA. You are taken out there, and have to run back. Boston supplies school busses to drop you off and then spend 3 hours outside waiting for the race to start. This can be no fun when windy and cold, but you can find (pay for) other busses that stay put so you can sit on a heated bus and wait for the race to start. CARA has 2 busses, so you better believe I was on one of them.
There were lots of first time Boston Marathoners on my bus and we shared the same excitement and fears.
Now Alison always says big races like this are the victory lap. You work for it, and then you enjoy it. BUT deep within the enjoyment, I had set two goals within my plan. I planned to start with a slight warm up and fall into a fast pace, leaving room to slow down if needed at the end, which would result in a PR or crash & burn. So the two goals were 1) PR or 2) if crash & burn, just stay under a 3:50.
The thought process here is, how do you know if you have faster in you if you don’t try? BUT this technique goes against all experienced Boston Marathoners warnings. I just figured, I would try it out anyway. I have consistently stayed under 4 hours for the past few marathons (minus Vegas where I drank and ran) so I figured I would try to defy the experienced and if I failed, I would still fall within a decent time.
Around 9:30 am we left the bus to gear check and walk from Athlete Village to the start. By the time we got in the corals (I was Wave 2 Coral 8), the race started right away and we were off…. The Boston Marathon!
My throw away jacket was off in the first mile. Mile 1 was in Hopkinton and my split was 8:20. Miles 2-4 were in Ashland, with Harley bike spectators at the 2 mile marker. The crowd support came and went. Water started at mile 2 and was at every mile almost always staggered on both sides. The water volunteers knew what they were doing and water handoffs were seamless without slowing down. Miles 2, 3 & 4 splits were 8:02, 8:02 and 8:05 respectively. At this point, there was some flat road, but from miles 1-4 we started at 490 feet and ended at 180 feet.
Miles 5-7 were through Framingham. We had a small climb and then went back down a little more. Thoughts as I was running: 1) A T stop was in the middle of the woods how weird that it’s not an actual city but just kind of coming out from the dirt. 2) This was so scenic for being so close to Boston- Chicago would not have this beauty if you ran 26.2 miles from suburbs to get to the city center. My Splits were 8:08, 7:55 and 7:59 respectively.
Miles 8-11 were through Natick. At this point my legs were already feeling it. Down kills hams! I was thinking back to the book, “Run to Overcome” (By Meb Keflezighi). Either him or his coach said if it hurts, run faster. I thought, alright Meb, I’ll give it a try! In this section my splits were 7:57, 7:57, 7:58 and 8:11. Most of this part was either flat or small climbs which after the down, it felt great…kind of.
Miles 12-16 were in Wellesley where the guys get Kisses from the screaming girls. What did I love about Wellesley? The newly paved blacktop. The soreness was slightly mitigated with the wonderful road. As this was the race to enjoy, there as a news reporter so some of us decided to slow down and get right in camera shot waving our arms like crazy just to be on the news. We all laughed together and continued moving on.
I knew the hills were going to get worse just after the half way mark. I thought all I needed was to get through heartbreak hill. My splits for 12-16 were 7:57, 8:07, 8:07, 8:15 and 7:57 respectively. I had my parents to look for somewhere between 15.5 and 17. Around 15 the difficult climbs started to take place and there was a long climb up so I concentrated on finding my parents. The fact I had my parents to look for helped me get through that climb but I knew I was reaching a point where I would start to slow down.
Just before mile 17 I saw my parents and we exchanged cheers as I passed. I had told myself if they were in arms reach I’d make it an excuse to stop and hug them, but, as this was a popular area, they were standing on a rock or something behind the first layer of people and were out of reach. I was just so glad we saw each other.
Miles 17 – 20 were in Newtown. These were the rolling hills that kill leading up to heartbreak hill (which isn’t so bad on its own, but after the hill before it or I should say the entire course before it….ugh!). Even though the hills were helly, the course was alive! Spectators were filled with energy and you could tell I was not the only one running who felt pain. As I was slowly dying, my splits were 8:35, 8:56, 8:43 and 9:11 (which hurt a lot).
I was exhausted & knew heartbreak was coming up. I didn’t realize when I was on it at first, I knew I was going up but it wasn’t as bad as the previous hill. How did I know I was there? The chalk drawings: ‘Thump’ ‘Thump’ ‘Thump’ …my heart was beating and breaking as I was losing steam. Heartbreak was my first > 10 minute mile at 10:08.
We were in Brookline now, so mile 22 was time for down and the cheers from Boston College. I regained some energy, slapping hands with all the spectators, trying to use the slaps on the and to control the pounding back down another steep hill. This is when I had my last sub 9 minute mile split. It was an 8:58.
Mile 23 was when I started to shuffle and already full out count my steps. I also started to take a few steps of walking every now and then with some stops to try to stretch out the cramps. Part of me thought ‘how can you walk when you qualified for this?’ The other part of me thought – whatever- it’s the victory lap, enjoy it…it’s Boston!
Mile 23 was 9:56; 24: 9:16; 25: 10:04 and 26: 10:35 and the .2 (or .3?) 9:54.A lot of this was downhill. By the time I got to the Boston University section, I was drained. Fenway Park and the Citgo sign was a blur and at the underpass with < 1 mile left, I stopped to stretch. I couldn’t run well and my walk was a limp with cramps moving from my calves to inner knee to quads. I knew I’d get to the finish, I just didn’t know how. I slowly made my way and finally turned on Boylston St. I could see the finish! Slowly but surely I made it (and I could official wear my gear). :)
I might have crashed and burned, but I still gave it a try, and now I at least know I can rock the faster pace if I can just learn to hold it for another 6 miles. Everyone has their own technique on how to tackle the marathon. I have no clue if I would have done better or worse if I would have kept all the splits above 8. If I ran the 2011 Boston Marathon all over again, I would do the exact same thing. Each race is different and not just because of the course, but because of those around you letting off energy, and most importantly it’s just about the day you are having – mentally and physically.
I love running even though it can be painful to push through final miles of a marathon. I love marathons and love working on achieving my 50 in 50 states goal. This is my thing and I always thought it’d be great to qualify for Boston, but not until I was actually there, did I realize how big of a deal it was. It was less than 40 years ago that women started running marathons….and that started here...in Boston….what a feeling to be part of the Holy Event of Marathons!
…..Recently I’ve been reading a lot of running books which I wanted to share some quotes from them.
“I know I ran well today, but it wasn’t my best. The pressure was on. The first time (at Boston) is a challenge and you get a feeling for it, but I’m excited about next time” ~Meb Keflezighi (Run to Overcome)
“It was once said ‘Personality is born out of pain’ If that’s accurate then we runners are quite the personable bunch of characters” ~ Bob Schwartz (I run, therefore I’m Nuts)
“New York, Chicago, London & Berlin are merely marathons. The Boston Marathon is a holy event in the sense that the Masters in golf and Wimbledon in Tennis are Holy Events” ~Hal Higdon
“In the long run, life is a collection of moments that matter, the ones that you will remember for the rest of your life. In April, your moment is in Boston, on Boylston Street, under the Finish Banner. The moment is yours, celebrate it from that moment on, you are a little more special. You are a Boston Finisher! Congratulations and Welcome to the Club” ~Raymond Britt (Legendary BM Course Guide)
***Reminder: 2011 is a big year of racing for me with Boston and the Ironman. So I'm raising $11 per mile raced for ACS. To donate, go to:
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