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Losing control: Cannonman Half-Iron Triathlon Race Report

August 23rd, 2010

I am neurotic about being prepared and having my gear organized. Perhaps you remember the pictures of my gear for Lake Placid, all carefully laid out and prepared. Or, maybe, you remember me writing about the packing lists I check and re-check to keep track of all of my gear.

Apparently, I took a break from that approach for the Cannonman half-iron distance triathlon, which was held on August 22, 2010 at the Shawnee State Park, in Schellsburg, PA.

I assure you, this break from the uber-Type A approach to racing was not freely chosen. There were several forces at work, conspiring to make my day more—hmmm, shall we say eventful?

A portion of the bike course.

John and I had signed up for this race as a “fun” race, as a let’s shake out the post-IMLP blues race.  Yet, it started to feel like it wouldn’t be much fun. The level of control I usually like to have over my surroundings started to unravel.

I started my usual angst over the downhill portions of the bike course about a week or so ago. In some sort of twisted logic, I think agonizing over the downhills is how I prepare for them. Based on the elevation profile, it didn’t seem like this race would have any long descents, like Lake Placid. But, there were two shorter descents that had a 6% grade average, just enough that trucks should use low gear. Ooooh, my not favorite. To add to my altitude angst, the weather was calling for 60% chance of thunderstorms. Of course it was. Why not? Some rain will really increase the “fun factor” to the level of root canal. My fun race was becoming a bit daunting. Well, no sense losing sleep over it: can’t control the weather, can I?

Well, let’s fast forward to race morning, shall we? After spending the night wide awake (so much for the “not losing sleep” cliche), listening to rain drops pummel our tent for several hours, I was not exactly keen to do the race. In fact, I had contemplated scratching. But, that would be quitting. Can’t do that. Better to race 30 mph down a winding hill in the pouring rain than quit.

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Regular life

August 10th, 2010

After months and months of preparation for my first Ironman in Lake Placid, it seems that I failed to prepare for one thing: the post-Ironman blues. I had read about feeling depressed or sad after completing endurance events, such as an Ironman, but I was in denial that such a state of mind would creep into my consciousness.

Pre-race, I thought: Depressed?! Are you kidding? I’ll be so pumped to have my “regular” life back.

Guess what? Turns out that “regular life” has changed, and I am sad, irritable, edgy, unfocused, and  listless. I find myself recalling fondly, nostalgically even, those six hour bike rides that set my butt on fire with chafing and saddle sores. I long for the nervous energy that motivated me through grueling workouts and pushed me to the starting line of Ironman Lake Placid. I miss the electric vibe of athletes and spectators anxiously awaiting for the day to unfold. Just watch the video to get a sense of the electricity that is in the air at the finish line – it’s unbelievable! (This video captures the final minutes at the finish line. All finishers must cross the line in 17 hours from the start, or midnight.)

Regular life has become long bike rides and runs. It’s 4,000 yard swims. It’s biofreeze and foam rollers. It KT Tape and blisters. Its body glide and chafing in areas I forgot to apply body glide. It’s lycra tights and running shoes. It’s gel packets and Accelerade. It’s going to bed as the sun sets and waking up before the sun rises. It’s sneaking naps in the afternoon after eating a large salad filled with vegetable goodness. It’s plates and plates of food followed by another plate of food. It’s watching video after video of Ironman races on YouTube, and weeping with joy for what a fantastic experience it was.

In short, regular life is endurance sport life.

The first week after the Ironman, though, I didn’t realize this funk was coming at all. I was radiant with the post-Ironman glow, and woke each morning with a smile on my face (despite all of the late nights  and, ahem, adult beverages during those first few days following the race). I was content to do my recovery workouts, enjoying just 40 minutes on the bike here, and 20 minutes in the pool there. I didn’t even run for 7 days! I thought, Ah, how nice to workout for an hour and then be on with my day.

Now, I think, Hmmmm, not so much. So, it’s back to training for us, in preparation for the Vermont 50 mile ultramarathon on September 26. My first 50 miler, John’s second. Despite the new goal, the blues persist.

So, I did want any normal triathlete would do: Today, I signed us up for another race – the Cannonman Half Iron Triathlon in Schellsburg, PA. This race is a small affair; so far only 107 people are entered for the Sunday, August 22nd event. But, it seems like just what I need for some fun. I’m not looking to make a certain time, or to place in my age group – I’m just looking to soak up some multisport energy and fun for the day.

Is this too soon after a full Ironman? Maybe so, but at least it’s back to regular life.

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Ironman Lake Placid: Running to the Finish

July 31st, 2010

Running out by the ski jumps

The run course begins along Main Street, among thousands of people, cheering, ringing cow bells, shouting words of encouragement, and drinking lots of beer, which I could smell on the breath of some of the spectators. That is how close they get to you on the run course.

A group of spectators held up a sign that read, “Free Beer!” I wonder if anyone took them up on that. One woman commented to me, “You are looking strong! Have some beer!”

I replied, laughing, “Not sure I’ll keep looking strong if I drink that!”

During the first three miles, I felt great, and was keeping an 8:45 min/mile pace, with a zone 2 heart rate. I thought to myself, “Wow! If I can keep this up, I’ll come in right around 13 hours.”  I was excited. While my coach thought I could do a 12:30 Ironman, my slow performance on the bike had already made that a near impossibility for the day. All along, however, I had thought I would do a 14 hour Ironman—that seemed realistic for my first time. I was well on track for that goal.

Despite the fact that I was feeling good, a voice in the back of my head cautioned, “Heart rate is okay, but isn’t this pace a little fast for the first 5k of the marathon?” So, I purposefully slowed a bit. My average pace went from about an 8:45 to an 8:53.

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Ironman Lake Placid 2010: The Bike & T2

July 29th, 2010

So far, so good...

Once clipped in, I had no choice but to go down…

…the hill, that is. As you come out of the transition area on the bike, there is a sharp almost 180-degree turn that takes you down a hill. After that, you head down a sharp but short descent on a street that is in motion, with hundreds and hundreds of people, screaming their heads off.

I tried my best to enjoy this part, but I was nervous. It was raining, I was surrounded by hundreds of other athletes, and it all seemed just a bit chaotic. As with the swim, I grabbed control of my thoughts.

You are in control of this bike.

Listen to these spectators: they are cheering for you!

You got this girl.

This is going to be EPIC!

I concentrated on my breathing, and used the first 8 or 9 miles, which is mostly climbing, to mentally prepare myself for the Keene descent.

I popped into the small ring to stay conservative in this opening section. With your adrenaline pumping, and feeling fresh so early in the race, it’s easy to overdo this part. I wasn’t going to make that mistake. Steady, steady, steady.

Within a half of an hour, I was approaching the first aid station, where my sister-in-law Tracy was a volunteer. I looked forward to seeing her. As I passed the Cascade Inn, I saw her holding out a water bottle. I smiled big and waved.

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Ironman Lake Placid 2010: The Swim & T1

July 28th, 2010

At precisely 7:00 a.m., the cannon went off to signal the start of Ironman Lake Placid for over 2,700 age group athletes. I looked at Carrie, one of the athletes I was talking with prior to the start, and said, “Oh, is that us?”

She laughed and said, “Yup, that’s us!”

...hit it, hit it

I was in no hurry to start. My plan was to wait one minute before starting. So, I walked along the banks to the start line of the swim. (I had been standing about 50 yards from the official start line.) I looked ahead as the washing machine of thousands of bodies jerked and tumbled and kicked and punched its way toward the buoy line. As I approached the hanging flags that indicated the starting line of the race, I put my face into the water and…

1…2…3…breathe.

I started the swim.

My first few strokes were relaxed and easy. The water, usually crystal clear, was full of particulates from all of the bodies that had been there just moments before.  About 100 yards from the start, the water cleared, and then it hit me, Whoa! I’m doing an Ironman swim… Maybe I should pick up the pace?

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Ironman Lake Placid: The Morning of the Race

July 27th, 2010

Basking in the post-first Ironman glow, just a mere two days after the race, it is hard for me to remember any other day in my life that was more amazing, more inspirational, more powerful than the day I had on Sunday.

All's calm...For now

It started at 4:00 a.m., to the sounds of the Rocky theme (what else?) as the alarm clock on my cell phone went off.

I looked out of our hotel window. The sun wasn’t up yet, and the sky was dark.

John asked, “Is it raining?”

I smiled. “Nope.” Morning showers were forecasted, but they hadn’t started yet.

I immediately set to readying my gear. The day before, I wrote a list of what I needed to do in the morning so I wasn’t wandering around wondering what to do next—and more importantly to avoid forgetting something.

First thing on the list: eat. I drank 260 calories of perpetuum, then ate a white flour bagel (easy to digest, low fiber) that was also 260 calories. I find it very difficult to eat breakfast on race mornings due to my nerves, so I like to drink as much of my calories as possible. But, a little bit of solid food also helps to settle my stomach.  Of course, I had to have some coffee as well. I have practiced this fueling regimen during training and prep races–so I knew it worked.

After fueling, I dressed and got my swim gear together. By 4:55 a.m., John and I were ready to head over to the transition area to pump our bike tires, get body marked, drop off our special needs bags and get INTO THE WATER! As we headed out of the hotel, my heart rate monitor read 91 bpm. Normally, my resting heart rate is 43 bpm. Nervous much?

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Ironman Eve

July 24th, 2010

A few days ago, John, his parents and I sat by Mirror Lake, relaxing and soaking up the vibe. It was a beautiful day, cool, partly cloudy, light winds. Swimmers dotted the course. Dogs frolicked along the lake shore. I sucked up the relaxed vibe, and realized that on Sunday morning (tomorrow morning!) it will be quite a different scene.

Despite our relaxation, I am seriously excited. I mean really ants-in-my-pants excited. The actions of the last several days have made this experience very real—we are going to do this.

Okay, yes, I knew we were doing the Ironman before. But, checking in makes the race a bona fide actuality. (You’d think the $575 Ironman Corporation charged to my credit card 12 months ago would do that, but not so much.) As we entered the check-in area, the sign that read “Athletes Only” gave me a chill. That’s us…

Upon checking in, we received our race bibs, gear bags, race stickers (for bike & gear bags), timing chip (an electronic device you wear on your ankle, which captures your time splits throughout the day), commemorative poster and an ironman bag. Yup, our participation is imminent.

In addition to picking up our race necessities, we met up with a variety of awesome triathletes—from Fireman Ironman Training Camp (Helloooo Charlotte!!), from Twitter (@alexgonzaelz, @jskells314, @ironmanlongrunr), and others that we met along the way. By far, one of the coolest aspects of races (running or triathlon) is the people. I absolutely love to meet and chat with people. We keep our ears open because some of the best tricks are those we have learned from veteran athletes. While each athlete ultimately has to made his/her own decision about racing and training strategy, taking advice from knowledgeable others is a key part of racing and training effectively. Everyone you meet is a teacher.

Today: after an easy workout just to keep the blood flowing, we’ll check in our bikes & gear, I’ll check in with the Janus Charity Challenge to report on the donations I’ve received thus far, and then it time for rest, rest, rest.

With less than a day to go until the race begins, I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported us throughout this journey. Your words of encouragement and your donations to the Iron Scholarship have continued to inspire and motivate John and I do keep going through the many challenges that we’ve faced during training.

On Twitter a few days ago, Doug (@ironmanlongrunr http://twitter.com/IronmanLongRunr ) tweeted, “Sunday is just a celebration of the completion of months of training. I will have a blast!” That’s my plan exactly.

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Defining moments

July 16th, 2010

Yesterday, my husband John and I attended a funeral for a close friend’s mother. I did not know Bill’s mother Gloria personally, but in listening to all that was said during and after the service, it is clear that her presence on this earth touched many people, and their lives are the better for it. I am sad for my friend’s loss; having lost my father 11 years ago, I know how deeply that pain cuts. The wound never heals.

Just as people were about to leave the service, Bill approached the podium.

“I’d like to ask everyone to hold up a minute. I want to say something,” he started. “I thought about taking the easy way out, and staying in my seat. But, I knew I’d regret forever not saying something about my mother at her funeral.”

He shared several stories and spoke of the invaluable and irreplaceable presence his mother had in his life. The air was electric. We were a part of a genuine and tender moment. I have no doubt that Bill’s words brought comfort to those in the room–and to himself.

During the luncheon following the burial, John said to Bill, “That was one of those defining moments of character, where you really know what someone is about. It was really special.”

Life offers us few of those defining moments–or perhaps we don’t take advantage of them often enough. So, it is special to be a part of that instant when a person seizes an opportunity, does what feels right, and in so doing inspires others to do the same. I am so proud to have a friend like that.

While triathlon and endurance sport is far from the serious occasion that is a funeral, Bill’s actions reminded me that in the face of adversity, in the face of challenge, we must move toward it. Sure, we can avoid challenging moments, just as easily as Bill could have stayed in his seat. Just as easily as any of us can quit in the progress toward our goals when the obstacles seem unpleasant, difficult or even insurmountable.

But, if we choose to avoid those challenges, how will we ever experience those raw moments when we come into our selves, and define our character?

In 9 days, I will move toward the challenge that is Ironman. In 9 days, I hope to define my moment.

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14 days

July 11th, 2010

On July 27th, 2009, John and I stood in line for several hours to sign up for Lake Placid Ironman 2010. After we entered the Lake Placid High School gymnasium, it took only a few minutes to sign up for the event. It has taken us 12 months to prepare ourselves mentally, physically, and emotionally. In 14 days, we will do this.

So, what makes someone want to go 140.6 miles in under 17 hours? Well, there are about 3,000 registered to participate in Ironman Lake Placid, and I imagine that amounts to about 3,000 answers to that question. I can only speak for myself. I’m doing Ironman because:

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Let’s Celebrate: Vermont Training Camp

July 6th, 2010

I spent last Thursday, July 1st, getting various last minute items (gels, accelerade, spare tires, etc.), and then packing those items and more. The car was packed, with the exception of the bikes, which simply needed to be put on the rooftop racks. So, within moments of John’s arrival home from work, we (including Bella) were in the car and on our way.

Bella likes to cuddle up with all the stuff in the back of the car. As a rule, she *hates* car rides, but she likes to get away. So, the car ride is a necessary evil for her.

We were headed to John’s family’s vacation home in West Halifax, VT, where we had married 10 years ago to the day. Isn’t it just oh-so-romantic to return there for our anniversary? Well, I guess it would have been if that was the reason we were going to Vermont. It wasn’t.
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