I'm not done with this season yet.
At first I started looking at Rev3 Cedar Point. Then I remembered Redman. 12 weeks away, familiar course, lots of friend support.
12 weeks away. Can I recover and change the course of my training in that time? I'm certain about the latter, less certain about the former.
But registration is closed until Sunday. I have until then to evaluate the schedule, overlay it with the 50 trail race I wanted to do, talk to DH, and get really honest with myself.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Ironman Coeur d'Alene: Recovery with Belief
You may or may not have noticed that the run segment did not have a mantra word. Particularly in the last miles, that run was mindless, I didn't even have a song in my head. It was just ................ nothing.
Post race I was still moving around and was able to retrieve Frea and the gear bags. I met up with some Spec-Taters, got back to the house for a shower, went back to the finish line, helped others get bikes, cheered in the final taters....and went home to bed.
Something was missing.
IMWI had that first-time feeling, a magic that can't be replicated. I was excited, bouncing, bubbling, so happy it spilled over into everything.
IMCdA had a good feeling, I overcame true fears and weaknesses, I worked through difficulties, and I kept going. I'm impressed that I was able to do 14hrs considering how the day started out. I never had a moment of "oh I want to quit". I never thought too much about what 14 means compared to IMWI's 13:42. I took IMCdA as it's own individual race without comparison.
So it's not that I'm upset or saddened over the non-PR time. But I am thinking that this wasn't my race. I can do better. But the problem with Ironman is that that it takes months to get to another race if you can find one still open that fits the schedule.
The Monday after the race my esophagus and tummy were pained and unwilling to work with me on eating. My throat ached, likely from the dry air, breathing, and stomach contents that visited a few times. To my surprise, I was able to walk and didn't have any particular soreness or pain. I was just tired to the core. I've felt this way before, and I knew I'd get better.
The Tuesday after we were up very early to fly home. Still feeling physically OK but mentally wiped, I started adding up the weeks leading up to the race and the race itself.
I came into the race very tired. A review of my training log showed pretty constant fatigue since TripleT. My training plan was never adjusted, I skipped a few workouts to try to recover but it didn't suffice as true recovery. So my taper was messed up. The fog of training didn't start to clear until Saturday before the race, and it certainly wasn't cleared by race morning.
I came into the race with a bank of "moderate", "steady", and LSD training. One fartlek run only. A few indoor rides with some "uptempo" segments. And only LSD swimming, as I was on my own in that training.
I came into the race with a solid bike nutrition plan, but less so on the run. I knew I tolerated gels, but I didn't get to practice it in the weeks leading up to the race. Sure, I had the long runs. But they don't simulate that feeling you get after a long bike ride.
And speaking of long bike rides, I did the same route--over and over and over. Same route, same pace, same outcome. The saying "you race as you train"? Yeah, I just lived it.
So what am I driving at here?
I believe I can do better. I believe that I can work on what went wrong and improve the next time. I believe I can go well under 13hrs.
Post race I was still moving around and was able to retrieve Frea and the gear bags. I met up with some Spec-Taters, got back to the house for a shower, went back to the finish line, helped others get bikes, cheered in the final taters....and went home to bed.
Something was missing.
IMWI had that first-time feeling, a magic that can't be replicated. I was excited, bouncing, bubbling, so happy it spilled over into everything.
IMCdA had a good feeling, I overcame true fears and weaknesses, I worked through difficulties, and I kept going. I'm impressed that I was able to do 14hrs considering how the day started out. I never had a moment of "oh I want to quit". I never thought too much about what 14 means compared to IMWI's 13:42. I took IMCdA as it's own individual race without comparison.
So it's not that I'm upset or saddened over the non-PR time. But I am thinking that this wasn't my race. I can do better. But the problem with Ironman is that that it takes months to get to another race if you can find one still open that fits the schedule.
The Monday after the race my esophagus and tummy were pained and unwilling to work with me on eating. My throat ached, likely from the dry air, breathing, and stomach contents that visited a few times. To my surprise, I was able to walk and didn't have any particular soreness or pain. I was just tired to the core. I've felt this way before, and I knew I'd get better.
The Tuesday after we were up very early to fly home. Still feeling physically OK but mentally wiped, I started adding up the weeks leading up to the race and the race itself.
I came into the race very tired. A review of my training log showed pretty constant fatigue since TripleT. My training plan was never adjusted, I skipped a few workouts to try to recover but it didn't suffice as true recovery. So my taper was messed up. The fog of training didn't start to clear until Saturday before the race, and it certainly wasn't cleared by race morning.
I came into the race with a bank of "moderate", "steady", and LSD training. One fartlek run only. A few indoor rides with some "uptempo" segments. And only LSD swimming, as I was on my own in that training.
I came into the race with a solid bike nutrition plan, but less so on the run. I knew I tolerated gels, but I didn't get to practice it in the weeks leading up to the race. Sure, I had the long runs. But they don't simulate that feeling you get after a long bike ride.
And speaking of long bike rides, I did the same route--over and over and over. Same route, same pace, same outcome. The saying "you race as you train"? Yeah, I just lived it.
So what am I driving at here?
I believe I can do better. I believe that I can work on what went wrong and improve the next time. I believe I can go well under 13hrs.
Monday, June 25, 2012
IMCDA by the numbers
| BIB: | 434 |
| Division: | F35-39 |
| Age: | 37 |
| Swim: | 1:40:43 |
| Bike: | 6:59:58 |
| Run: | 4:45:48 |
| Overall: | 14:05:27 |
| Split Name | Distance | Split Time | Race Time | Pace | Div. Rank | Overall Rank | Gender Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 mi | 1.2 mi | 43:58 | 43:58 | 2:16/100m | |||
| 2.4 mi | 1.2 mi | 56:45 | 1:40:43 | 2:56/100m | |||
| Total | 2.4 mi | 1:40:43 | 1:40:43 | 5:12/100m | 101 | 2024 | 504 |
| Split Name | Distance | Split Time | Race Time | Pace | Div. Rank | Overall Rank | Gender Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 112 mi | 6:59:58 | 9:14:33 | 16.00 mi/h | 83 | 1839 | 401 |
| Split Name | Distance | Split Time | Race Time | Pace | Div. Rank | Overall Rank | Gender Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.6 mi | 6.6 mi | 1:04:46 | 10:24:25 | 9:48/mi | |||
| 13.4 mi | 6.8 mi | 1:10:11 | 11:34:36 | 10:19/mi | |||
| 19.5 mi | 6.1 mi | 1:15:19 | 12:49:55 | 12:20/mi | |||
| 26.2 mi | 6.7 mi | 1:15:32 | 14:05:27 | 11:16/mi | |||
| Total | 26.2 mi | 4:45:48 | 14:05:27 | 10:54/mi | 67 | 1423 | 293 |
| T1: SWIM-TO-BIKE | 33:52 |
| T2: BIKE-TO-RUN | 5:06 |
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Ironman Coeur d'Alene Race Report: Running...
RUN: 26.2 miles in 4:45.48
The first mile felt great, and I remember thinking at first that all my patience on the bike would actually pay off. I had to slow myself down a little, and started watching the HR to make sure it didn't get higher than 140. This was all well and good through the first 4 miles.
In the first aid station I stopped for the bathroom, took a gel, and some water. The gel didn't sit well, but I knew it would absorb. The next gel at 4 miles didn't set well either, and I wasn't as certain my stomach would keep it. So I switched over to Perform drink instead, this worked in IMWI, and it worked here.
The first lap (to the 6.55 mile turn around) was perfect, and done in 1:05. I was passing a lot of walkers, but keeping to my plan of an easy pace and walking each aid station. The first 2 miles of the run weaved through town with cheering and music, the last 4 miles were along the lake and much quieter.
The second lap I didn't eat anything but a few Gu Chomps, and those didn't go down well at all. I ended up spitting the rest out. More water, more Perform. More water, more Perform. The quiet of the back part of the course was a buzz kill, but I knew town would come back soon enough. And speaking of BUZZ, I had my bee costume in special needs!! I was looking forward to it!!
I was able to see my Tater group on the out-n-back course, and I was looking forward to each one. Just knowing they were out there--both on the course, as volunteers, and as spec-Taters--was a great feeling. It also kept me moving, I didn't want them to see me walking :)
At special needs my volunteer started grabbing stuff from my bag, starting with the bee hat. "Are you wearing this?" HELL YEAH! He laughed. Then he grabbed the dress. "Are you wearing this too?". SHIT YEAH!! I didn't come all this way to not have some fun!! By this time I think I had surprised him a bit, and I'd drawn a crowd interested in the costume. I also grabbed my zip-lock bag, then took off.
The bee costume was a hit. Other runners smiled, spectaters cheered, and I felt an energy come back to me. Running through the streets hearing "GO BUMBLEBEE!!", IronBee, KillerBee, Float like a butterfly sting like a bee, BeeLine to the finishline...I heard it all. I loved it! One runner commented on my popularity. I hit the turnout with arms out and buzzing, clocking that mile at 8:55!! Slow down, bee!!
Mile 14... then soon enough we were out of town again and the first uphill was just around the corner. On the first lap, I jogged up slowly. At some point I knew I'd be walking and here is where it started. Somewhere around mile 17 I started walking longer through the aid stations, then I started walking between them on the uphills. Uphill is followed by downhill, then I think another uphill. The final turnaround was at the bottom of a small hill. I didn't want to walk between aid stations, but I did.
The breakdown was mental. My body was tired but capable of still running slowly. But my mind broke first. I knew I needed to eat. I full well knew it. I was still carrying my special needs goodie bag with Sport Beans, Clif Blocks, and caffeinated gels. But none of it sounded good. Nothing sounded good. Not water, not Perform, not ice, and most certainly not food. The pretzels and chips and cookies the volunteers offered looked like a vat of dry, throat clogging foods. The bananas, oranges, and grapes looked warm (I'm sure they weren't, it just looked that way). The gu chomps I already tried and spit out. The mere smell of the chicken broth turned my stomach and left me feeling gaggy. Oh yeah, I had every excuse.
In the end, I didn't eat. So in the end, I couldn't run. Simple as that. I was still taking water and Perform, and it sat OK. Sitting here now I'm sure I could have tolerated food, especially a stupid caffeinated gel.
Mental. In the end, my mind cracked. I could have forced down a gel. I'm sure of it. Sure of it now.
Eventually in the final 6 miles the sun set and once again I was cold. Spectators in the neighborhoods were packing up their parties, I'm guessing to keep the noise down? My goal of a PR came and went. My next goal was a sub-14. That too came and went. At some point back in the turning parts of the course in town, a spectator said only 11 blocks left. And I didn't care.
11 blocks. When I missed the sub-14 goal I really lost momentum. But then I realized TG would be at the finish! With that, I started jogging again and then made the final turn to the finish. The last blocks were a downhill gala of spectators, high-5's, music, lights, cheering...and buzzing :) I buzzed in and didn't even take note of the time. I didn't even stop my Garmin or watch. TG found me and that's all I cared about. I was so thankful to be done and share the moment with her.
TB, CB, CM, and CP were just ahead of me--I could see them talking together but I didn't catch up to them. I bypassed the food spread and headed out the chute. A quick review of systems--no major pains, no injuries, no blisters, only a minor raw spot where the safety pin on my timing chip rubbed my ankle. My toes had hurt off and on during the run but nothing too bad. In the end, it was pretty amazing! But frustrating--all the more proof that the breakdown was mental. Physically I was fine. Mentally I'd cracked.
The first mile felt great, and I remember thinking at first that all my patience on the bike would actually pay off. I had to slow myself down a little, and started watching the HR to make sure it didn't get higher than 140. This was all well and good through the first 4 miles.
In the first aid station I stopped for the bathroom, took a gel, and some water. The gel didn't sit well, but I knew it would absorb. The next gel at 4 miles didn't set well either, and I wasn't as certain my stomach would keep it. So I switched over to Perform drink instead, this worked in IMWI, and it worked here.
The first lap (to the 6.55 mile turn around) was perfect, and done in 1:05. I was passing a lot of walkers, but keeping to my plan of an easy pace and walking each aid station. The first 2 miles of the run weaved through town with cheering and music, the last 4 miles were along the lake and much quieter.
The second lap I didn't eat anything but a few Gu Chomps, and those didn't go down well at all. I ended up spitting the rest out. More water, more Perform. More water, more Perform. The quiet of the back part of the course was a buzz kill, but I knew town would come back soon enough. And speaking of BUZZ, I had my bee costume in special needs!! I was looking forward to it!!
I was able to see my Tater group on the out-n-back course, and I was looking forward to each one. Just knowing they were out there--both on the course, as volunteers, and as spec-Taters--was a great feeling. It also kept me moving, I didn't want them to see me walking :)
At special needs my volunteer started grabbing stuff from my bag, starting with the bee hat. "Are you wearing this?" HELL YEAH! He laughed. Then he grabbed the dress. "Are you wearing this too?". SHIT YEAH!! I didn't come all this way to not have some fun!! By this time I think I had surprised him a bit, and I'd drawn a crowd interested in the costume. I also grabbed my zip-lock bag, then took off.
The bee costume was a hit. Other runners smiled, spectaters cheered, and I felt an energy come back to me. Running through the streets hearing "GO BUMBLEBEE!!", IronBee, KillerBee, Float like a butterfly sting like a bee, BeeLine to the finishline...I heard it all. I loved it! One runner commented on my popularity. I hit the turnout with arms out and buzzing, clocking that mile at 8:55!! Slow down, bee!!
Mile 14... then soon enough we were out of town again and the first uphill was just around the corner. On the first lap, I jogged up slowly. At some point I knew I'd be walking and here is where it started. Somewhere around mile 17 I started walking longer through the aid stations, then I started walking between them on the uphills. Uphill is followed by downhill, then I think another uphill. The final turnaround was at the bottom of a small hill. I didn't want to walk between aid stations, but I did.
The breakdown was mental. My body was tired but capable of still running slowly. But my mind broke first. I knew I needed to eat. I full well knew it. I was still carrying my special needs goodie bag with Sport Beans, Clif Blocks, and caffeinated gels. But none of it sounded good. Nothing sounded good. Not water, not Perform, not ice, and most certainly not food. The pretzels and chips and cookies the volunteers offered looked like a vat of dry, throat clogging foods. The bananas, oranges, and grapes looked warm (I'm sure they weren't, it just looked that way). The gu chomps I already tried and spit out. The mere smell of the chicken broth turned my stomach and left me feeling gaggy. Oh yeah, I had every excuse.
In the end, I didn't eat. So in the end, I couldn't run. Simple as that. I was still taking water and Perform, and it sat OK. Sitting here now I'm sure I could have tolerated food, especially a stupid caffeinated gel.
Mental. In the end, my mind cracked. I could have forced down a gel. I'm sure of it. Sure of it now.
Eventually in the final 6 miles the sun set and once again I was cold. Spectators in the neighborhoods were packing up their parties, I'm guessing to keep the noise down? My goal of a PR came and went. My next goal was a sub-14. That too came and went. At some point back in the turning parts of the course in town, a spectator said only 11 blocks left. And I didn't care.
11 blocks. When I missed the sub-14 goal I really lost momentum. But then I realized TG would be at the finish! With that, I started jogging again and then made the final turn to the finish. The last blocks were a downhill gala of spectators, high-5's, music, lights, cheering...and buzzing :) I buzzed in and didn't even take note of the time. I didn't even stop my Garmin or watch. TG found me and that's all I cared about. I was so thankful to be done and share the moment with her.
TB, CB, CM, and CP were just ahead of me--I could see them talking together but I didn't catch up to them. I bypassed the food spread and headed out the chute. A quick review of systems--no major pains, no injuries, no blisters, only a minor raw spot where the safety pin on my timing chip rubbed my ankle. My toes had hurt off and on during the run but nothing too bad. In the end, it was pretty amazing! But frustrating--all the more proof that the breakdown was mental. Physically I was fine. Mentally I'd cracked.
Ironman Coeur d'Alene Race Report: T2
T2: about 5 minutes.
The shortest segment gets the shortest write-up! I handed off the bike (after telling her how good she was!), took off the bike shoes, jogged to the changing tent, saw NPK!, changed for the run, ran out the wrong tent door, ran back through the tent, exited the correct door, and took off to the run!!
The shortest segment gets the shortest write-up! I handed off the bike (after telling her how good she was!), took off the bike shoes, jogged to the changing tent, saw NPK!, changed for the run, ran out the wrong tent door, ran back through the tent, exited the correct door, and took off to the run!!
Ironman Coeur d'Alene Race Report: Biking with Patience
BIKE 112 miles in 6:59.58 16mph
CP's final advice to me this morning was to be smart on the bike so I can kill the run. After the swim, any plan of killing anything was out the door. Change of plans, and all on the fly. It worked, but took a lot of my second IMWI matra word: Patience.
The first 15 or so miles were on an in-town out-n-back. Riding through town was a thrill, it felt like a real bike race with spectators, crowds, signs, fencing, turns, and more. I'm glad this section came first, it buoyed my spirits. I focused on eating in this section, also on getting warm. By the end of the 15 miles, before we headed out on the highway, the sun peeked out and I started to feel better. I paused to take off the arm warmers and vest, stuffing them in my back pockets. It made for an uncomfy jersey, but it was better than shivering.
The next 40 miles were an out-n-back on two lanes of a closed highway. There were some no-pass zones, long hills, and headwinds. Still feeling sick to my stomach, I started to focus on eating. It turns out I had swallowed a lot of air in the swim, leaving me to expel the air--I'll just say that I used both means of doing so, but only after checking behind me to be sure no one was there :) Once that was taken care of, I thought I'd feel better, but not yet. Once or twice more my nutrition came back up. The first 35 miles of the ride was awful--keeping my heart rate low on hills with headwind, with a burpy tummy and gas cramps, and when the sun went behind the clouds again I started shivering again. It wasn't pleasant.
But I was rolling along and passing people. I passed a lot of people in fact! Pretty much the only ones passing me were the pro's and fast AG'ers on their second loop. I started seeing other Taters coming back, and this help my mood quite a bit. I was worrying about other Taters not making it to the bike. I was in a good mood, considering, but frustrated. I knew I was capable of riding so much faster...But I kept telling myself: be Patient, be Patient, it will come back, it will...
I hit the turn-around and put my arm warmers back on. The ride back trended down hill and had a tailwind, but I still needed the extra clothes. Did I really bring arm coolers to this race? Yes!!
The way back into town was FAST. Relatively fast anyway. But it was along this stretch somewhere around miles 40-45 that I finally started to feel better. It helped that my HR was lower, some time had passed, and my effort was minimized on the down hills. This moment inspired my bike segment song: I can feel it; coming back again; like a rolling thunder chasing the wind...
I could feel it! I could do this! But I was so far behind on nutrition! Hydration was OK, but nutrition was lagging. I can do this! I passed the half-way point, hit the Lap button the Garmin, and headed back into town to start round 2. Buoyed again by the crowds, I thought I'd be able to negative split the second bike lap. Ever since I started feeling better, I started doing the race math...I lost 30 mins here, I can gain 30 mins there, I can save time here...mental mumblings that made no sense really. My pre-race predictions for expected time were thrown out the window after T1. I can't compare IMCdA to IMWI and expect it to all come out the same.
I had to let all the expectations go and just get smart and ride to be ready to run. This is hard to do. So hard. All the weeks and months of planning, all the PR's and improvements in pace, all the expectations and hopes and dreams of a 12:something Ironman. I had to let it all go. I had to maintain Patience.
The ride through town passed runners already on the run course. If I was going to run at all in a few hours, I had to be Patient NOW and save myself on the bike.
My stop at Special Needs was fast. I had only a small zip-lock back with Sport Beans, my favorite gel flavors, and chamois butter in it. I shoved it in the last jersey pocket I had and rode off. I needed a bathroom, and I needed to eat. At the next aid station I found both. My fingers weren't working so I had trouble getting my snacks out of my pocket, but after some fumbling I succeeded. In the porta-potty I went to put on chamois butter but couldn't get my fingers to work again--I'd put the bag back in my pocket and couldn't get it out. But I noticed that I wasn't the only rider using the potty to add more cream, and that others had left mostly full packets of cream sitting near the toilet. In a flash of brilliance combined with disgust, I squeezed out enough cream from the left over packs for me to use. Did I really just admit to doing that?
Off to lap 2, passing some dancers jammin to Lady Gaga's Bad Romance. Add that to the songlist!
Lap 2 didn't go as planned. I stayed positive and strong. I didn't let the hills and headwinds get to me. My feet never hurt, but my butt and neck were starting to. But I couldn't get the fire lit under me to really ride any faster. This was probably a good thing--any faster and I would have burned up and ruined the run. But my hopes of having a negative split bike turned into "just finish under 7hrs" goal. I accepted this and kept moving. I was eating and drinking OK, and transitioned to just water and a caffeinated gel at about 104 miles to go. Am I ready to run!? Time to find out!
BIKE SUMMARY
The first 35 miles of the bike was a salvage operation. It took some time to shake off the negative feelings of the swim as well as the sickness from it. I'm happy that I stayed patient, made new plans and goals, and accepted what had happened the implications of it all. Oh it was most certainly all on my mind--rumbling around in a dance of mixed numbers, mis-calculations, and bad math. But it didn't get to me.
My form stayed good, my equipment was flawless, and thankfully my feet didn't BURN like they did at IMWI. Overall, aside from the lack of speed and fire, I think I did OK on the bike. But just OK.
In the end I calculated 40-500 calories I didn't take in on the bike. I had only 1000 calories of InfinIT, 2 powerbars, two gels, and the sport beans. In total I ate about 1800 calories after 7 hours, or about 250 per hour. My goal was 300/hour. In the days after the race, I thought I had eaten way too little on the bike, but in the end only 50/hour--that's not too bad! But it doesn't take into consideration all the energy lost warming up after the swim, that set me back. But I can't eat back what I lost by eating more than I can absorb. So in the end, my bike nutrition wasn't as bad as I thought it was!
CP's final advice to me this morning was to be smart on the bike so I can kill the run. After the swim, any plan of killing anything was out the door. Change of plans, and all on the fly. It worked, but took a lot of my second IMWI matra word: Patience.
The first 15 or so miles were on an in-town out-n-back. Riding through town was a thrill, it felt like a real bike race with spectators, crowds, signs, fencing, turns, and more. I'm glad this section came first, it buoyed my spirits. I focused on eating in this section, also on getting warm. By the end of the 15 miles, before we headed out on the highway, the sun peeked out and I started to feel better. I paused to take off the arm warmers and vest, stuffing them in my back pockets. It made for an uncomfy jersey, but it was better than shivering.
The next 40 miles were an out-n-back on two lanes of a closed highway. There were some no-pass zones, long hills, and headwinds. Still feeling sick to my stomach, I started to focus on eating. It turns out I had swallowed a lot of air in the swim, leaving me to expel the air--I'll just say that I used both means of doing so, but only after checking behind me to be sure no one was there :) Once that was taken care of, I thought I'd feel better, but not yet. Once or twice more my nutrition came back up. The first 35 miles of the ride was awful--keeping my heart rate low on hills with headwind, with a burpy tummy and gas cramps, and when the sun went behind the clouds again I started shivering again. It wasn't pleasant.
But I was rolling along and passing people. I passed a lot of people in fact! Pretty much the only ones passing me were the pro's and fast AG'ers on their second loop. I started seeing other Taters coming back, and this help my mood quite a bit. I was worrying about other Taters not making it to the bike. I was in a good mood, considering, but frustrated. I knew I was capable of riding so much faster...But I kept telling myself: be Patient, be Patient, it will come back, it will...
I hit the turn-around and put my arm warmers back on. The ride back trended down hill and had a tailwind, but I still needed the extra clothes. Did I really bring arm coolers to this race? Yes!!
The way back into town was FAST. Relatively fast anyway. But it was along this stretch somewhere around miles 40-45 that I finally started to feel better. It helped that my HR was lower, some time had passed, and my effort was minimized on the down hills. This moment inspired my bike segment song: I can feel it; coming back again; like a rolling thunder chasing the wind...
I could feel it! I could do this! But I was so far behind on nutrition! Hydration was OK, but nutrition was lagging. I can do this! I passed the half-way point, hit the Lap button the Garmin, and headed back into town to start round 2. Buoyed again by the crowds, I thought I'd be able to negative split the second bike lap. Ever since I started feeling better, I started doing the race math...I lost 30 mins here, I can gain 30 mins there, I can save time here...mental mumblings that made no sense really. My pre-race predictions for expected time were thrown out the window after T1. I can't compare IMCdA to IMWI and expect it to all come out the same.
I had to let all the expectations go and just get smart and ride to be ready to run. This is hard to do. So hard. All the weeks and months of planning, all the PR's and improvements in pace, all the expectations and hopes and dreams of a 12:something Ironman. I had to let it all go. I had to maintain Patience.
The ride through town passed runners already on the run course. If I was going to run at all in a few hours, I had to be Patient NOW and save myself on the bike.
My stop at Special Needs was fast. I had only a small zip-lock back with Sport Beans, my favorite gel flavors, and chamois butter in it. I shoved it in the last jersey pocket I had and rode off. I needed a bathroom, and I needed to eat. At the next aid station I found both. My fingers weren't working so I had trouble getting my snacks out of my pocket, but after some fumbling I succeeded. In the porta-potty I went to put on chamois butter but couldn't get my fingers to work again--I'd put the bag back in my pocket and couldn't get it out. But I noticed that I wasn't the only rider using the potty to add more cream, and that others had left mostly full packets of cream sitting near the toilet. In a flash of brilliance combined with disgust, I squeezed out enough cream from the left over packs for me to use. Did I really just admit to doing that?
Off to lap 2, passing some dancers jammin to Lady Gaga's Bad Romance. Add that to the songlist!
Lap 2 didn't go as planned. I stayed positive and strong. I didn't let the hills and headwinds get to me. My feet never hurt, but my butt and neck were starting to. But I couldn't get the fire lit under me to really ride any faster. This was probably a good thing--any faster and I would have burned up and ruined the run. But my hopes of having a negative split bike turned into "just finish under 7hrs" goal. I accepted this and kept moving. I was eating and drinking OK, and transitioned to just water and a caffeinated gel at about 104 miles to go. Am I ready to run!? Time to find out!
BIKE SUMMARY
The first 35 miles of the bike was a salvage operation. It took some time to shake off the negative feelings of the swim as well as the sickness from it. I'm happy that I stayed patient, made new plans and goals, and accepted what had happened the implications of it all. Oh it was most certainly all on my mind--rumbling around in a dance of mixed numbers, mis-calculations, and bad math. But it didn't get to me.
My form stayed good, my equipment was flawless, and thankfully my feet didn't BURN like they did at IMWI. Overall, aside from the lack of speed and fire, I think I did OK on the bike. But just OK.
In the end I calculated 40-500 calories I didn't take in on the bike. I had only 1000 calories of InfinIT, 2 powerbars, two gels, and the sport beans. In total I ate about 1800 calories after 7 hours, or about 250 per hour. My goal was 300/hour. In the days after the race, I thought I had eaten way too little on the bike, but in the end only 50/hour--that's not too bad! But it doesn't take into consideration all the energy lost warming up after the swim, that set me back. But I can't eat back what I lost by eating more than I can absorb. So in the end, my bike nutrition wasn't as bad as I thought it was!
Ironman Coeur d'Alene Race Report: T1
T1: 33.52 minutes.
Once I stood up from the water I was pretty dizzy and weak. Disoriented, shaky, and shivering all over. It seemed as if I was shivering from my inner core. I couldn't feel coldness anymore, my skin was past that point. A volunteer quickly grabbed my arm and hauled me up the beach, directing me to another volunteer who also grabbed me (it might have been even 2 volunteers) and pulled me to the warming tent. I'd heard of these before the race and decided I didn't want to end up in one. But there was no choice here, I had no protest as I was brought in, seated in a plastic lawn chair, and wrapped in a scratchy gray wool blanket. My Bike Gear bag arrived at my feet. I checked my watch again, I didn't want to stay long. But I couldn't move!
I looked around and was reminded of a war zone medical tent. Athletes in various stages of cold surrounded me. I saw TH and was surprised, I knew she'd be way ahead of me. She looked fazed but awake--how long had she been here? She was dressed for the bike, so I figured she was OK. She left after 10-15? minutes for the ride. I wanted to follow so badly!
But was I OK? I just shivered...and shivered. Time passed so fast, the first 10-15 minutes just disappeared on me! The volunteers said we shouldn't leave until we stopped shivering. But there was a cut-off for T1--I think we had to be out of there by 2:30? And it was 1:55 into the race! I had time, but I had to focus.
Then to my surprise, JP came into the tent. She's one the strongest of our group, experienced and great attitude. If she was here--after me--something was going on out there. I gave her my chair and blanket. Her skin was ice cold, her eyes a blank look. I realized this is how I looked when I came in. I had to get out of here.
Once I stood up, my head came into warmer air (duh, heat rises) and it helped. I had to get out of here.
I'll be perfectly honest here--I don't remember when my wetsuit came off. I don't remember getting dressed for the bike. When did I take off my swimsuit? Put on my cycling clothes? In the warming tent? Or did I go to the changing tent? I think the warming tent, because I recall handing my gear-filled bag to a volunteer outside the warming tent, so I must have changed there. Right?
Once outside the warming tent, I started shivering again. I had on my windbreak vest and arm-warmers, and I knew I'd warm up on the bike a la Savageman. So I hit the bathroom, gingerly walked across the space to the bike, took Frea from a volunteer, and rolled out for the long ride ahead.
CP always said T2 was hell. This time it was T1.
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