Race Day!

This year was not my year to be an Ironman. It was a hard fought battle, but turned out not to be my day.

The Swim
Ironically, the swim turned out to be the easiest part of the day. The swim! The swim that had foiled two other triathlon finishes. The segment that had always struck the most fear in my heart was dispatched the most successfully.

Bea and I in line at the swim start.

Bea and I had originally intended to line up close to the front of the swim line to give us as much time as possible to complete it. However, we ran into a couple of ladies that had done it previously and their war stories of being too close to the front and literally being swam over by the 50-minute swimmers had us rethinking where we should be in line. I don't mind being bumped a little, but if someone swam over me completely, it would be difficult for me to recover from that. 

The swim start was very quickly and efficiently executed. After waiting about an hour in line, it was suddenly my turn to jump into the water. My nerves weren't raging out of control, but I was nervous, and even as I surfaced, I decided I needed to come back and hang on the dock for a few seconds. The official started to say something to me...probably "get out of the way," but once he saw that others were able to jump over me, he didn't say anything else. I let my nerves calm down, and then I took off.

The water had been measured at 84 degrees, so no wetsuits were allowed, as expected. It felt cool and refreshing. The swim was crowded, but I just kept my head down and did my thing. I soon got into my rhythm and felt pretty good.

When I got close to the end of Towhead Island, people started converging and the area was very congested. I managed to get a facefull of water and came up sputtering. Since I don't tread water well, I had a panicky moment, and was wheezing. Some guy behind me saw my distress and stopped to ask if I was okay, and then held me up until the support crew could throw me a floatation pillow. Another reason, I LOVE the triathlon community in general!

I managed to get over to the canoe and held on for  a few (or a lot of) minutes until I got my breath back. It also gave me an opportunity to pee :-). I was then able to start up again and continue the swim. As I was swimming along, I noticed that a kayak seemed to be following me. I finally understood that was veering off course and righted myself. Leave it to me to get lost on a course that was basically a straight line.

Courtesy of the IMLV Facebook page.

The morning was beautiful. After we made the turn around the island, the three bridges came into sight. I can't believe so many speak so harshly of swimming in the Ohio River, as I thought it was beautiful. The sun was shining and the sky was a clear blue.  I had thought that we had to go under all three bridges, so was pleasantly surprised when I suddenly saw the red turn buoy much sooner than I expected.

I heard Leslie call my name as I ran out of the swim finish. I screamed! I saw Liz, my coach. I screamed! When I was out on the bike course, I got a little emotional. I had just finished an Ironman swim! Only a year ago, I DNFed on a 400-meter swim in a lake that was like glass, and I had just completed 2.4 miles. An added bonus was that in spite of my moments of hanging on the boats and docks and going off course a bit, I still managed to complete it in under 1:48! After my Kansas 70.3 debacle, I was afraid I wouldn't make the swim time limit of 2:20. Wow, I've come a long way, baby!

The Bike
Sadly, the bike course proved to be the beginning of the end. I went out conservatively and felt pretty darn good for the first 30 miles. My bike split was a little over 18 mph, a little higher than I intended, but I knew I had not pounded it. My legs felt relatively fresh after my two week taper, and I had taken a couple of Gu gels by that point. However, around mile 30, I started getting a nagging headache that felt a little like a dehydration headache in spite of the fluids I had been downing. I continued to drink and take in more salt.

Wasn't smiling very long.
(Bike proof from Finisherpix)

At 45, I was feeling like I usually did around 80 on my training rides. Not a good sign. I had gotten about a third of the way on the first lap of the loop, which was a bit hillier than I had expected. I found that when I stood up to get up the steeper hills, both quads were crampy...not full blown cramps but definitely on the edge. Another bad sign. I upped my salt intake.

The day continually got worse. I dumped the Isis Infinit drink I was trying (I know, I know...nothing new on race day, but they had Ironman Perform sports drink on the course, and I never was able to find it here in town to try, so something new was going to happen anyway). Even though, I never thought it got very hot, the day was warm and I wasn't able to take in much nutrition. All they had at the aid stations that was real food were bananas. I tried to take one when I could. I didn't care for the taste of the Ironman Perform, but tried to drink it anyway.

I continued to get more nauseous and crampy, and then got the bike bonk sleepies. I was stopping at each of the aid stations to down another bottle of icy cold water, but I couldn't get anything else down. I pulled off the road at one point, thinking if I could throw up, I might feel better.  I wasn't able to vomit, but I laid in the grass for a while anyway.

I moved on to the next aid station and did throw up three times in a portapotty there. However, I couldn't shake the headache or the cramps or the nausea. I couldn't drink any more Ironman Perform or eat solid food. I did try to choke down another couple of Gu packs.

At the 103 mile aid station, I was so thirsty for more water, I stopped again. Immediately, my left quad seized up in a near incapacitating cramp. A wonderful volunteer helped me off the bike and put ice on my knotted thigh. I don't know how long I was there. I only had nine miles left to go. I could get in! However, I stopped one more time two miles out from transition because I thought I was going to pass out.

The Run
By the time I finally did make to transition, I really thought I was done. I was so sick. I handed off my bike and picked up my clothes bag and shuffled around to the women's changing tent. I collapsed in the grass in the shade. A volunteer brought me some water which I took gratefully. I immediately threw it up. They brought me some cola, which helped, but the sugary aftertaste set my stomach to heaving again. They offered to take me to the medical tent, but I wasn't sure if that would mean I was done with the race, and in spite of my sickness, I wasn't sure I was done. Eventually, I got changed and back out on the run course. It was about 5:30 pm, meaning I had about six hours to complete the marathon. My stomach was feeling better, thanks to the ice a volunteer had given me to chew on.

Our wonderful sherpas decorated the streets
of the run course. 

I later learned that my bike split was 8:00:04 (not too bad considering how much I laid on the ground during that ride) and I'd spent 36 minutes in transition. I did still had a fighting chance to finish, if I could just keep walk/trotting along at a sub-14 minute pace. My legs did feel pretty good, though the running was painful in my stomach sphincter area.

It just wasn't to be. My nausea resurfaced, and I couldn't take in any more nutrition aside from ice water. Mary had slipped me some ibuprofen, which actually did take care of the lingering headache and Jenny found a couple of Pepto Bismal tablets she threw over her shoulder at me. Those didn't help. My average pace was inching up. I knew that without being able to get some calories in, I wouldn't be able to keep it up enough to make the time frame...and I really didn't want to get to mile 24 only to be told too bad, so sad.

I made it to the turn around for the second lap and went to the special needs area for the run to turn in my chip. I threw up again...and again...and a third time.  I was going to be taken to the medical area for an IV. I threw up three more times in the ambulance on the way. I really believe that I made the right decision to stop when I did, but there is still a tiny wonder if I could have made it in.

Another triathlon DNF. My biggest fear, not finishing, had come to fruition. So close, yet so far. There were so many things that was frustrating about this, but I think the biggest one was I was ready for this race from a fitness perspective. I had done the work and my body was ready. To be taken down because of nutrition issues was a bitter pill.

All the coaches preach nutrition, and I took it all in. But, my training rides were all so different. I couldn't figure out what worked for me as one ride I wouldn't be able to eat anything solid, the next I could handle real food. I thought I would be okay with Gu and sports drink and salt, as long as I remembered to take it in often enough. That proved to not work out so well.

The cramping was also new. It happened on my last long training ride, but I thought it was an anomaly. Now, I wonder if was because I switched to salt with caffeine.

Nutrition is going to be a hard thing to figure out since it is difficult to simulate the conditions consistently.  Ah, well... every tri has been a unique and interesting learning experience. I admit that maybe I didn't have any business attempting an Ironman with only one successful 70.3 under my belt...and only nine successful races to my credit. I suppose there is no failure with no attempts, but there is also no success.

I just wonder if I'll have the time and perseverance to try this again.

Checked In!

My denial cannot continue much longer. In less than 32 hours, I will be in the water for IM Louisville. Bea and I checked in today and picked up our packets. We walked around the Ironman Village (Shameless Commerce section of Ironman), but I refrained from buying anything. Do not want to jinx anything!

At the mandatory athlete's meeting, my nerves started up again... So many rules... so much to remember... eek! Nutrition, hydration, drafting, blocking, illegal passing, littering. Oh, and 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 run. It seems that I'll be pretty busy Sunday.

Yikes!

Saturday, we packed up and took the bikes for a short spin to the Great Lawn where transition was set up. Not many had checked in when we got t here, so the racks were still pretty empty. The volunteers were absolutely fabulous. One of the gals there, showed us the changing tents, where our drop bags would be and where the bike in/out and run out areas were. I am starting to get excited.

In Louisville!

Bea and I made it into Louisville tonight and we are so excited about this adventure we are about to partake. Woo hoo!

"Taper" is NOT a Four-Letter Word

But, it should be. Criminy.

Taper...those 2-3 weeks prior to the Big Event when we drastically reduce our training volume allowing our bodies to rejuvenate. This time is also know for the taper crazies that most of us are beset with. Suddenly, with more free time on our hands, our minds take advantage by playing all kinds of tricks.

Intellectually, I know I need the rest. Even physically, my body has been giving me strong signals that it is TIRED. But, emotionally, I feel almost guilty at taking more than one rest day a week. In the back of my mind, this niggling doubt that I should be doing more constantly battles with my need for rest. I'm crabby and anxious and am tired of thinking about the race. I especially don't want to TALK about the race...at least with anyone not doing it.

I know that my anxiety and irritability stems from the terror that I won't finish this race. Intellectually, there is really little likelihood that I will not see the finish line. But, again those pesky emotions pipe up. There's so many ways to screw this thing up.

It's kind of funny how my fears have changed as I've traversed this journey. At first, it was the swim. Could I overcome my issues with open water to be able to do the swim at all? Yes! The difference in comfort level in those conditions is like night and day. I don't think that is going to be a problem, unless something unusual happens. Then, after the Kansas 70.3 debacle, I was worried about swimming fast enough to make the cutoff. However, I've swam the distance twice, once in open water and once in a pool in well under two hours. So, again, unless something unusual happens, I should be ok with the swim. Ironically, I've now come to believe that the swim will be the easiest part of the day.

Then, as I've trained in this gawd-awful summer heat, I was most worried about the heat. I just couldn't imagine running a marathon after going 112 miles in triple-digit heat. However, we might...just MIGHT...dodge a bullet there. The weather has been glorious. If it will hold for one more week...!

Now, I'm most worried about screwing up the bike segment, either by going too fast or messing up my nutrition (or both). My last long ride was HORRIBLE. 115 miles and it wasn't even that hot. I was cramping at the end (which I've never had issues with in the past) and the thought of running 26 steps much less 26 miles off the bike would have had me in tears. I haven't really been able to shake off that ride. (Yes, I know that it was the second 100+ ride in less than a week. Yes, I know it was the third week of three big build weeks. Yes, I know my body was at its highest fatigue level.) In spite of those hard facts, my emotional response is still fear.

Ironically, my long run the next day was the best one since I started training for IM. This is the weirdest damn sport.

So, if I can get through taper without killing anyone and come out the other end with any friends left, I'll consider myself fortunate. I did my last long-er bike ride today (30 miles). My legs weren't tired for the first time in forever, but I still felt sluggish. I downed a GU at the turnaround and felt much stronger on the way back (again...note to self on nutrition!).

The race is 8 days away...!

Freakin' Eurekan

This weekend was the 2nd annual Eurekan Mulisport Festival in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. This is a 3-day event that consists of a short sprint tri on Friday afternoon, a hilly century ride on Saturday and a 10K run on Sunday. In order to attain the title of "Eurekan," one had to complete all three events. A gang of the Red Ladies went down there last year and became the charter Eurekans. Many of the same group went down again to retain that title.

I was one that attended, but I didn't intend to defend the title. My training plan called for only 60 miles on the bike this weekend, so I opted to do the shorter 58 mile ride instead. I did do the tri as well, as I figured it would be good to go through the tri motions again since I hadn't raced since the end of June.

The tri consisted of a 300-yard swim, 7 mile bike and 2 mile run. This race feels much longer than the short distances would imply. The swim was easy and straight forward, but the bike was amazingly hilly for six miles. And, the run wound around a golf course, which felt much longer than two miles. I managed to finish 30 seconds faster than last year, which was a little disappointing, as I thought I was a lot stronger now than last year. I still placed in my age group (2nd), and amazingly enough, there were 13 old ladies competing (10-year age groups).

I started out on the bike ride, and it became apparent very quickly that my legs still felt shot. I debated turning around at the first SAG that was about 20 miles out. 56 miles were not really a big deal, but I recalled only too well what the last 20 miles of the course was like: two long and fairly steep climbs back to back, then a corkscrew uphill continuous climb all the way back into town. I just couldn't stomach it this year. I still felt so weary.

I turned around and added a little extra by exploring the "Scenic Outlook" route, which rounded out to 43 total miles. Oh, well. I got back to the hotel, packed up and stopped by my mom's on the way back to KC. Once there, I promptly took an hour and a half nap. Yes, I was tired!

I figure that weekend was the most expensive sprint tri ever since I had paid for the entire event ($130). The only thing I did was the tri, so factoring in hotel, gas and food, that tri averaged about $36/mile. It was good to swim in a pack of thrashing girls and spending time with the gals is always a great time, so it was worth it.

Next stop: Louisville. <gulp>

"Taper" Does Not Mean "Stop"

In spite of the fact that I know the above statement to be true, this week has been more of a week of "do as I say" rather than "do as I am supposed to do." Granted this first week of taper hasn't really seemed like much of a taper.

Monday, I was supposed to go to the pool just to loosen up my legs. I really did intend to, but, well...time got away and all of a sudden, it was time for me to go to bed (10:00 p.m.!). Tuesday morning speedwork was missed because I had a chiropractor appoint, but face it, I probably wouldn't have gone anyway, since it was ALL the way up at Roeland Park. (I was supposed to do 8 miles). Tuesday p.m. was a 4000 yard swim. Well, the swim didn't happen because I go to Lakewood on Wednesdays to do my long swim in an open water venue with no time limits. A good little triathlete would have moved the Wednesday planned workout to Tuesday, and gotten in her 2-hour brick, but with the mercury topping 103, I skipped that as well. Maybe I need two rest days in a row. I'm old!

So, here we are to Wednesday. I did schlep over to Lakewood. I did get in the water and followed Becky to the ends of the Lake. Eventually, I realized we were literally in the middle of the lake and my bearings were totally skewed. I figured I should start heading closer to a shore, so I started a beeline toward the one right in front of me. Once I got over to shallower water, I stopped to assess my surroundings and realized I still wasn't quite sure where we were. Everything looked different from that angle. However, I did see Becky swimming along many feet from me. As I was trying to get her attention, I suddenly felt something bite my toes. That, of course, had me screaming in conniptions. Still, Becky was deaf to my screams. Good thing I didn't think I was drowning.

At any other time, I would have just jumped back in the water and started swimming (the wrong way, as I would later come to realize), but a storm was rolling in, and I could see a few streaks of lightning that were too close for comfort. We needed to get out of the water. I scrambled up the bank, painfully, I might add as I had clambered over a 3-foot tall rock embankment. I was still worried about Becky, so I tried to get a vantage point where I could still see her. I then realized that I was on the wrong side of the lake. Damn.

Ultimately, I found my way back to the water and swam across, racing to beat any additional streaks of lightning. That was vewy, vewy scarwy. Or, could have been!

I think I managed about 2500 of my 4000, but I had extenuating circumstances!!! Hmmm...I guess I can blame anything that might not go exactly as planned on this week's training.

Taper Time

This was one serious weekend of workouts.

• 3900 meters in the pool Friday. If I had to do very many of these, in a pool, I think I would slit my wrists with a butter knife! OMG! The boredom that sets in before it's half done is mind boggling. The only thing that would have made it worse was if I'd done it in a short pool. The plus side was that I finished it in about 1:42 and the distance was slightly longer than my race distance. Hopefully, I will not have any extraneous issues during the swim and will easily make the 2:20 cutoff. 
• 115 mile bike ride Saturday. The temps were about 10 degrees cooler than my previous long rides, and we had a cloud cover for most of the ride. However, this ride was extremely hard. I had only gotten about 3 hours of sleep the night before (avocado attack!) and my body is weary. I didn't feel great for any of the ride, but the last 20 miles of this one had me whining big time in my head. For the first time, I started cramping a little--right quad, both feet. I thought I was taking a lot of salt, but obviously, I still don't have my nutrition down. When I finally pulled into the starting point, the first words out of my mouth were "I don't think I can do this." The thought of running 26 steps much less 26.2 miles made me feel like bursting into tears. I sat down on the curb, but found that my hips protested loudly if I did anything with my legs but leave them straight out in front of me, and I got a severe cramp in my abs. I was a mess, that even a cold soak in an epsom salt bath didn't resolve.
• 19 mile run today. This is the weirdest damn sport. I was truly dreading attempting this run in lieu of how I felt yesterday and last night. However, once I got going, I had my best run yet of my IM training. My legs felt strong and I was able to maintain my pace even on hills. Go figure. I had on my plan to run 22, but I stopped at my house at 19 to get more fluids, and that was the end of that. My coach had already given me permission to cut it shorter, based on my running background, I would have worried more if I was stopping short because I just couldn't finish it out. The morning was blissfully cool, though, which is always a big factor to me, but even so, it was nice to feel like I had my running legs back.

The bulk of my training is done.  I still don't know that I feel fully prepared, but again, I am going to have to let go and trust my training. I have put in the work. I have experience with endurance sports. I just need to be really conscious of taking in enough calories and to not go out too fast on the bike. The ride on Saturday was not exactly confidence-building. While I was running today, I realized that because my previous 100-miler was last Sunday, I've put in 240 miles in 7-days' time. I've also gotten little sleep last week on top of 8000 yards of swimming and 20 miles of running. Perhaps my performance on the bike was due to all these factors as well... I hope so! 112 miles is a damn long way.

Now, the taper "crazies" will set in. It's not an abrupt taper, so perhaps it won't feel as drastic as it can. I'm going back to my chiropractor next week and getting a sports massage the week after to try to get my body loose and aligned. Ready or not, the time is slipping by.

Yikes...I can't believe this thing that has been in the forefront of my mind for the past ten months is only three weeks away.  Yikes!

August 1

It's August 1st. It's Ironman month! This is my last big training week. 7800 water yards and 137 land miles separate me from taper (not counting a couple of sundry weekday workouts which may or may not get done...)

The bib numbers have been assigned and published. I am 675. For some reason, that number seems to be a substantial one. It is starting to get more and more real. This phantom thing that was so far out in the distance. This thing that I quit several times during my broiling century rides. This thing that I doubted my ability to do will soon be upon me.

I can't put my head around stringing these three activities together yet. All I can do is to trust in my training. I've done the work, and save totally screwing up my nutrition and bonking, or the heat completely taking me down, I should be able to do this thing. 

Trust.

Believe in myself.

Be ever grateful for the ability to try.