One of the perks to living in the Adirondacks during the summer is that there are beautiful mountains that surround Keene Valley as it is known as the "Home of the High Peaks." The problem with this is that I have had real trouble getting into hiking. I want to like it. I really do. I just don't know if I do. Let me give you some background. I grew up hiking with my father and then in high school decided that I didn't like it and then after high school started again but after taking up triathlon, I wanted to like it but wasn't convinced. At one point in my memory I even dreamed of becoming a 46er like my dad. But, every time we planned a hike post college, I would say yes and then go to bed the night before dreading the morning. I would wake up in the morning hoping for it to be raining as that meant we were not going to go. I would be almost at the verge of tears as we were getting ready and at the trail head even though I tried to seem confident and cool. I am not a crier so this was significant to me. As we would climb the mountain I would hate every minute and my body hated it more. My feet would hurt and I would end up with blisters every hike. I can actually pinpoint when I decided that hiking may not be my thing but still went along for some of the hikes because I felt it was expected of me - it was on Giant Mountain. We had successfully gone up the mountain, a fairly difficult assent, and were on the way back down when I got to a very steep section of wet rock and fell down a significant portion of this rock. I ended up with pebbles embedded in my skin and "road rash". My mom had to help me to get the littlest rocks out as I couldn't see them. I have since tried to convince myself that since Joe and my dad love to hike, then I should as well. I even had my Vasques retired and got a new pair of Asolo boots. Three years ago my dad, Joe, and myself decided to go for a hike on Dix mountain. I cried up to the pond and finally told them that I was going back and I didn't want to do this. My dad convinced me that we should go a little further and I agreed but quickly figured out that I didn't want to do this. This was supposed to be a 13 to 15 mile hike and I "chickened out" fairly quickly. I made the decision that I didn't like hiking and that that was ok because it isn't like I am sedentary and don't do anything in the Adirondacks. I have swam in more lakes here than most, I have ridden my bike countless miles around the area, and I have had some of my best runs here. I have since kept trying to like it though as so many people really enjoy it and it seems like it should be a lot of fun. I went on two hikes last year, one up Blueberry Mountain with Joe and Mount Joe with my Mom, Dad, Joe, Lila, and Kaelah. Both of those were good but again I wasn't completely sold.
So, that brings me to today. It was a gorgeous day in Keene Valley - low 80's/high 70's with a breeze and not a lot of humidity. I had told Joe that I would go for a hike with him if I got to choose the mountain. I read through the high peaks guide book and picked Hurricane Mountain. I didn't remember ever being on it before, it was only 2.6 miles up, and it had a fire tower on top. It read as if it was going to be fairly easy. Joe has decided to approach my hiking in a very good way. (What a loving husband I have) We don't get up early for a hike anymore, we don't do the really big ones, we had a really good breakfast, we took our time before leaving for the hike, Joe packed the backpack and since he knows that some of my problems with hiking is that I dread carrying a backpack since it causes me so much pain and discomfort he doesn't make me carry one. I got ready and when I was ready to leave, we left. We started the hike and I started making lists in my head about what I like about hiking and what I don't. For 1 hour 31 minutes up the mountain, a lot of things came into my head.
Cons:
1. Labored breathing - I am an athlete but when I go out on a run, my breathing settles in and my perceived exertion doesn't feel like I am working so hard the entire time. Not with hiking. Because you are going up the entire time (or what seems like a long time) you never get into that rhythm and I feel like I am in the worst shape. This is the feeling that kills me as I work so hard to be in good shape and I am in the best shape of my life right now.
2. The lack of talking. I like to talk when I am going up the mountain but those who I generally hike with are not real talkers so I end up with lots of time to think!!! This is why I have a list of things that I like and don't like.
3. Feeling unstable. I can't stand the feeling that I can't guarantee that my footing is good the entire time and that scares me.
4. Hearing my knee make funny noises. As a person with anklosing spondylitis I have some joint issues but it is generally handled with exercise and I don't ever complain about it. Only when I am hiking and going up stairs does my knee make cracking noises and it reminds me (as Joe put it) that "You are broken."
5. The noises in the woods. I don't like the idea that I could get attacked in the woods without me seeing it coming (I know, this probably won't happen but there are a lot of random noises in the woods.)
6. The sweating. I am an athlete. I should not mind sweating but for some reason in the woods while you are hiking you sweat even more. Whether it be because there is little breeze or the humidity, I don't know but I was pouring sweat.
7. My mind. I usually can get out my frustrations on a good bike, swim, or run but in hiking all I think about is how much I am not enjoying it. I don't know why. I remember when I first started running and I was not in very good shape and I hated every minute of it but once I got in shape, it was the one thing that I really long to do. Maybe I just need to get into better hiking shape!!
8. Coming down the mountain. I am petrified of loosing my footing. See #3
9. My feet hurt - no matter what, I end up with blisters and sore feet.
10. The idea that if I hurt myself when I am out hiking I will be really pissed off that I did something stupid doing something that I can't say that I love and I can't compete in my next triathlon, marathon, running event which are truly things that I love doing.
Pros:
1. The view. We had the most amazing view from the top today. I could see Vermont and Lake Champlain. It was awesome!!!
2. Doing something that my dad and Joe enjoy. I love being with Joe and my family. I love hiking with my nieces. I want to do things that they want to do because sometimes they do things that I love to do.
3. The exercise. It is different and it is good exercise. Maybe it will help with my running hills.
4. Did I mention the view.
5. Getting muddy. It is fantastic to be able to get dirty sometimes. I love it.
Overall, today was a good day. Much harder than I expected but I didn't hate it and I didn't dread it so that is a good thing. The views were just spectacular. I enjoyed sitting near the fire tower and looking out to this amazing view of so many different mountains. I got muddy. I love it when I have to go in the river after working out in order to get clean. My legs didn't hurt today. This is a sign that I am in great shape but my breathing was still pretty bad. So, I was thinking that I may allow for more hiking this summer. Maybe even once a week but it has to be on my terms and I think that one of those terms is that I won't do anything that requires more than 2 hours to get up. Maybe I will be in better shape for the marathon this fall if I do more mountain climbing. Lets give it one more try. I do own these hiking boots that I haven't worn too many times.
I am excited to have finished the 2009, 2010, and 2014 Lake Placid Ironman, 2016 Ironman Mont Tremblant, the New Jersey Marathon, Rock n Roll Arizona and San Antonio Marathons, ING NYC Marathon, Mohawk Hudson Marathon, and the Vermont City Marathon. I have also run lots of other running races and several 70.3 races. I love racing and triathlons. This is a blog about training and racing!
About Me
- Kelly
- I am a biology teacher by day but a crazy triathlete and runner at all other times.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Boilermaker 2008
This is the race that Joe and I look forward to every year. This race is probably one of the best I have ever been a part of. It has so much crowd support that it is impossible not to have a smile on your face the entire 9.3 miles. I love this race. Joe and I left Keene Valley on Saturday morning to go to packet pick-up and meet with Erich, Mimi, and Jimmy. The trip out was good. I slept most of the way. We passed the Hinkley Reservoir and I decided that next year I am bringing my bathing suit and wetsuit and swimming there on the way to Utica. Next year it will be the week before the Ironman so I will want to get in a swim that weekend too.
The packet pick-up and expo is always fun. There are lots of people, you get a pint glass, and get to look at all different races that come out to promote their race. I didn't find a really good shirt this year so my pint glass is the only thing I have to remember the race. We ran into old friends and chatted and had a great time just wandering around. Joe and I went to eat after that and then Erich, Mimi, and Jimmy came to the hotel to get the race lowdown as this would be their first Boilermaker attempt. After they left to go to their final resting place of the evening, Joe and I went out to have dinner and get ice cream. Joe hadn't been feeling well all week and was slightly optimistic that he would feel better in time to run the race. After dinner though, Joe did not feel well at all and his dreams of running the race this year were halted.
I woke up at 5:30 am on race day, got changed and ready and took off alone for the race. It was actually raining!!! I got really excited as I run really well in the rain. As I was waiting for the start though, the rain subsided and it got a little warmer out. It was by far the best race conditions in the past 5 years. I am also in arguably better shape than I had been for any of the other years. The race started and I waited for about 7 minutes until I got to cross the starting line but then the fun began. The international mile, the sign that said "My wife is already at the 5K finish drinking beer!", the Utica residents happy and loud, the road side bands playing fun music, the DJ's out with their vans playing music, the lama and goat at the Utica zoo, the leprechaun giving out luck as you finished the last .5 miles of the race, and the fantastic volunteers at the aid stations. Kelly's Popsicle Stand was handing out ice pops and because I was out there having a lot of fun this year, I had a banana Popsicle when I went past. This race is phenomenal. I even tried with great success these new Power-bar gummy things which were great. The ice stations were very helpful in keeping me cool. I ran it in a 1:40.24 which I think may be a PR. Last year was probably my best Boilermaker experience though as Joe and I both wore T-shirts that said "Just Married and this is our honeymoon." People liked to comment on those shirts and we left for Jamaica the next day. This year was a close second though although my Joey wasn't there waiting for me at the end as he has been every other year.
I spent the next 40 minutes after the race having a sno-cone, drinking half of a beer, getting my lunch and eating the potato chips, having a vitamin water, and looking for Erich, Mimi, and Jimmy. Found them all and talked for a while. The morning was a success and the beginning of my marathon training . Rock N Roll San Antonio here I come!!!
Next up: Signing up for 2009 Ironman Lake Placid on Monday, July 21. Mini tri later that evening, and then Race the Train in August.
The packet pick-up and expo is always fun. There are lots of people, you get a pint glass, and get to look at all different races that come out to promote their race. I didn't find a really good shirt this year so my pint glass is the only thing I have to remember the race. We ran into old friends and chatted and had a great time just wandering around. Joe and I went to eat after that and then Erich, Mimi, and Jimmy came to the hotel to get the race lowdown as this would be their first Boilermaker attempt. After they left to go to their final resting place of the evening, Joe and I went out to have dinner and get ice cream. Joe hadn't been feeling well all week and was slightly optimistic that he would feel better in time to run the race. After dinner though, Joe did not feel well at all and his dreams of running the race this year were halted.
I woke up at 5:30 am on race day, got changed and ready and took off alone for the race. It was actually raining!!! I got really excited as I run really well in the rain. As I was waiting for the start though, the rain subsided and it got a little warmer out. It was by far the best race conditions in the past 5 years. I am also in arguably better shape than I had been for any of the other years. The race started and I waited for about 7 minutes until I got to cross the starting line but then the fun began. The international mile, the sign that said "My wife is already at the 5K finish drinking beer!", the Utica residents happy and loud, the road side bands playing fun music, the DJ's out with their vans playing music, the lama and goat at the Utica zoo, the leprechaun giving out luck as you finished the last .5 miles of the race, and the fantastic volunteers at the aid stations. Kelly's Popsicle Stand was handing out ice pops and because I was out there having a lot of fun this year, I had a banana Popsicle when I went past. This race is phenomenal. I even tried with great success these new Power-bar gummy things which were great. The ice stations were very helpful in keeping me cool. I ran it in a 1:40.24 which I think may be a PR. Last year was probably my best Boilermaker experience though as Joe and I both wore T-shirts that said "Just Married and this is our honeymoon." People liked to comment on those shirts and we left for Jamaica the next day. This year was a close second though although my Joey wasn't there waiting for me at the end as he has been every other year.
I spent the next 40 minutes after the race having a sno-cone, drinking half of a beer, getting my lunch and eating the potato chips, having a vitamin water, and looking for Erich, Mimi, and Jimmy. Found them all and talked for a while. The morning was a success and the beginning of my marathon training . Rock N Roll San Antonio here I come!!!
Next up: Signing up for 2009 Ironman Lake Placid on Monday, July 21. Mini tri later that evening, and then Race the Train in August.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
1st Mini Triathlon of the Season
After being lazy for a week, I came back to the High Peaks Cyclery's Mini Triathlon series that are held every Monday night during the summer at Mirror Lake. This was my first mini-tri of the season. I wasn't sure what to expect as I had been lazy last week and all I really wanted to do was have fun. Boy did I!!! I was expecting to go out and take it easy but once I started, I felt great and just kept pushing. Here is the race overview:
Swim - 400 yards - 9:37.94
T1 - 1:35.23
Bike - 12.5 miles - 45:21.61
T2- 1:10:42
Run - 3 miles - 30:32.93
Total time: 1:28.18
I PRed!!! My fastest time up until yesterday was a 1:30. The swim felt short and fast even though it isn't my best swim ever. The bike I pushed on the whole time and averaged around 16 mph which is great for me. The hills even felt easy on the bike yesterday. The run felt slow. I just didn't have much left. Plus, I knew I had to run a 32 min 3 miles in order to PR. I had a great day.
Today, who knows what I will do. Make chicken noodle soup for my husband who is not feeling well. The weather is nasty out (hot and humid) so today may be an off day and then back into it tomorrow. I do have to do an hour run on Thursday. That is my only set workout of the week.
Swim - 400 yards - 9:37.94
T1 - 1:35.23
Bike - 12.5 miles - 45:21.61
T2- 1:10:42
Run - 3 miles - 30:32.93
Total time: 1:28.18
I PRed!!! My fastest time up until yesterday was a 1:30. The swim felt short and fast even though it isn't my best swim ever. The bike I pushed on the whole time and averaged around 16 mph which is great for me. The hills even felt easy on the bike yesterday. The run felt slow. I just didn't have much left. Plus, I knew I had to run a 32 min 3 miles in order to PR. I had a great day.
Today, who knows what I will do. Make chicken noodle soup for my husband who is not feeling well. The weather is nasty out (hot and humid) so today may be an off day and then back into it tomorrow. I do have to do an hour run on Thursday. That is my only set workout of the week.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Happy, Fat, and Lazy
It has been a week since the Tinman. I have done very little in the past week. It has been really hard to get myself motivated to do anything this week. I got out for a bike ride on the 4th and just didn't feel like going very far and my legs just felt tired. I went for an easy swim on Saturday and basically played in the water for the entire time. I haven't been sore from the race but tired and a little bit under the weather. Hopefully this will end soon.
In the 10 weeks before the Tinman, I stopped eating desserts, candy, ice cream, etc. I have spent the past 7 days eating cake, cookies, ice cream after dinner every night. I have to stop that now. So, starting today, I am going back to my old habits. It is better for my stomach that way. I may go for the next few weeks leading up to training for the marathon to ice cream once a week though - ice cream is good!!!
Tonight will be my first real workout since Tinman, Mini-triathlon in Lake Placid. Next on the agenda is the Utica Boilermaker on Sunday, July 13th, which could be great as we have a group of people who are going to run it this year instead of just me and Joe. After that is Ironman weekend where I am working registration and an aide station and then signing up for next years Ironman!!! Then, Race the Train in August. Then in November, my third marathon - Rock N Roll San Antonio!!!
I will give a race report on the mini-tri later this week. Hopefully, I will break out of my slump soon.
Overall though, the summer is really nice!!! I have been reading a lot. I finished Lipstick Jungle right before we left and then I read Nights in Rodanthe which was a good, easy read. I am currently reading The Secret Lives of Overachievers. It is an interesting analysis of high achieving students and their families. It is good for me to read as I teach these kids in my AP class. I frolicked in the water with Lila, Kaelah, and Sierra yesterday which was a ball as Lila likes to race you down the river now and Kaelah loves being in the water. Sierra is tentative in the water but loves to play as long as she doesn't get water in her face. Joe and I have had fantastic meals at the Great Range, Lake Placid Pub and Brewery, and Cedar Run. The fireworks at the Ausable club were very nice this year. The weather has also been fantastic.
Well, that is enough of an update for now. I will post again later this week. Hope everyone is enjoying their summer as much as I am.
In the 10 weeks before the Tinman, I stopped eating desserts, candy, ice cream, etc. I have spent the past 7 days eating cake, cookies, ice cream after dinner every night. I have to stop that now. So, starting today, I am going back to my old habits. It is better for my stomach that way. I may go for the next few weeks leading up to training for the marathon to ice cream once a week though - ice cream is good!!!
Tonight will be my first real workout since Tinman, Mini-triathlon in Lake Placid. Next on the agenda is the Utica Boilermaker on Sunday, July 13th, which could be great as we have a group of people who are going to run it this year instead of just me and Joe. After that is Ironman weekend where I am working registration and an aide station and then signing up for next years Ironman!!! Then, Race the Train in August. Then in November, my third marathon - Rock N Roll San Antonio!!!
I will give a race report on the mini-tri later this week. Hopefully, I will break out of my slump soon.
Overall though, the summer is really nice!!! I have been reading a lot. I finished Lipstick Jungle right before we left and then I read Nights in Rodanthe which was a good, easy read. I am currently reading The Secret Lives of Overachievers. It is an interesting analysis of high achieving students and their families. It is good for me to read as I teach these kids in my AP class. I frolicked in the water with Lila, Kaelah, and Sierra yesterday which was a ball as Lila likes to race you down the river now and Kaelah loves being in the water. Sierra is tentative in the water but loves to play as long as she doesn't get water in her face. Joe and I have had fantastic meals at the Great Range, Lake Placid Pub and Brewery, and Cedar Run. The fireworks at the Ausable club were very nice this year. The weather has also been fantastic.
Well, that is enough of an update for now. I will post again later this week. Hope everyone is enjoying their summer as much as I am.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Tinman Recap
I can't believe it is over. What a wonderful day! Let's just get down to details.
The day began with an interesting weather forecast: showers and thunderstorms with highs in the 70's. There were clouds but no rain when we got to the site. We assembled our bikes, picked up our chips, hit the porta poties, got body marked, and were ready to go to transition. I went to get into the transition area and the volunteer yelled at me that I couldn't go in without my bike number on my bike. As I was already a little uneasy as I had 70.3 miles ahead of me, I was a little thrown by this angry woman. I still don't understand why people who are angry, volunteer. Your job is to help and make me feel like I am being eased into a crazy day not to make me more nervous. I went to the side and put on my number and then went back into line and into transition. Set up of my transition zone went really well except that I forgot my sunglasses in the car. So, I set out to find my dad and get into the car. That went easily and I left transition with plenty of time and feeling confident about the day ahead. The obligatory pictures of me and Joe before the race were fairly painless even though we look a little weary of what was to follow.
Getting ready for the swim start, I put on my wetsuit without much issues and help from my mom and Alynn. I said goodbye to my parents, Melinda, Alynn, and Melinda's parents and went into my start section with Joe. The good thing about this race was that Joe and I were starting in the same wave so we got to stand together waiting for the sprinters to go off and then it was our turn. While we were waiting in the water, I figured out where I wanted to be in the start and just kept thinking how I just needed to get out of the water and then I would be fine. I am a decent swimmer but it is really different in open water in a race situation. I have gotten hit too many times to make this a fun experience. The siren went off, and my day began. I was in the back of my wave to avoid people and when I looked up to sight for the next buoy, there was a boat in my way. I was thinking "Great, I am off course already" but I wasn't. There was a person on that kayak, that person was Joe. From what I now know Joe got hit and swallowed a lot of water and got to the boat so he could burp and readjust his goggles and then took off. I said hi and asked if he was ok and then went on with my swim. (Is that bad that his wife didn't wait for him?? Oh, well, I think he would have left me, it is a race after all.) I got tossed around a little while I was out there. I felt slow. I got a little disoriented. I started sighting the wrong buoy and the official wanted me to go back and do part of the loop again. I didn't though. This volunteer told him that I was just sighting incorrectly and I had done the loop and the official and her got into an argument but instead of waiting to see what the outcome was, I just kept swimming. Oh, well. The cloud cover allowed for no sun glare which was great for sighting the rest of the way in to the beach. I got out of the water in about 51 minutes. I was aiming for between 50 and 1 hour so this was great.
Transition was painless and fast. I was ready to get out on the bike.
The bike was great. I rocked that course. I had some pedal issues initially and thought I was going to have to bike the entire 56 miles without my left foot clipped into my speedplays. I almost cried. The worst thing that could happen is to have a mechanical problem and not be able to ride. I finally got in and vowed never to get out until the end. The first 15 miles were all hills which meant that the last 15 miles were all hills but the 26 miles that weren't hills were great. The volunteers were fantastic. I had a great time out there. The people were really nice too. I was so happy that the bike wasn't too hard today as the bike is not necessarily my strong part of the race. I did happen to get a drafting penalty though. I was disappointed that out of all of the people out there drafting, I was the one who got it even though I wasn't drafting. If I had known I would have gotten that penalty, I would have tried to draft. So, I came back in smiling to my family and Alynn and was happy that the bike went so well. My goal was under 4hours and I actually biked it in 3 hours 57 minutes. This is fantastic!!!
Transition again went smoothly. I talked to my mom, dad, and Alynn while I was getting ready. I forgot to take off my bike shorts though. I left quickly and knowing that I am 2/3rds of the way done!!
I started the run and realized I should have used the porta-potties before I left. My legs just didn't feel fantastic and I needed to find some real estate to pee. I got to an area that was protected enough for me to use the "facilities" and realized that I hadn't taken my bike shorts off. So, after I peed in the woods, I took my bike shorts off and left them next to a utility pole so that I could get them later. I left there feeling relieved and ready to run. The run went really well. At this point, the sun had come out and it was really hot. I kept putting water over my head to cool down but I knew I was burning. The volunteers at the aid stations were fantastic again. I had PRed in the half marathon two weeks ago in a 2hour 23 min so I was ready for this distance. I wanted to cover it in under 3 hours today. After having power walked some of the bigger hills and walking through the aid stations to get the nutrition that I needed. I ran a 2hour 41 minute half. I was so excited about this.
So, in the end. I finished in 7 hours 36 minutes (7 hours 40 minutes with the drafting penalty). I am so excited about the Ironman. Two days later, other than looking like a lobster, I feel great and excited. I accomplished something I didn't know that I could do and can't wait to train for more of these events. What an amazing experience this was. I am so happy that I could have accomplished this with the help of all of the volunteers, friends, and family members. I am so glad that my husband, Joe, is so supportive because he did this as well and understands the training that goes into it and doesn't feel neglected by me while we are doing this.
Joe did really well too. See www.sullysjourney.blogspot.com to see his race recap. Also, look below for some really great pictures. (Thanks Alynn and Dad!!)
Next up though, San Antonio Marathon in November. So, now you get to read about the trials and tribulations of marathon training.
The day began with an interesting weather forecast: showers and thunderstorms with highs in the 70's. There were clouds but no rain when we got to the site. We assembled our bikes, picked up our chips, hit the porta poties, got body marked, and were ready to go to transition. I went to get into the transition area and the volunteer yelled at me that I couldn't go in without my bike number on my bike. As I was already a little uneasy as I had 70.3 miles ahead of me, I was a little thrown by this angry woman. I still don't understand why people who are angry, volunteer. Your job is to help and make me feel like I am being eased into a crazy day not to make me more nervous. I went to the side and put on my number and then went back into line and into transition. Set up of my transition zone went really well except that I forgot my sunglasses in the car. So, I set out to find my dad and get into the car. That went easily and I left transition with plenty of time and feeling confident about the day ahead. The obligatory pictures of me and Joe before the race were fairly painless even though we look a little weary of what was to follow.
Getting ready for the swim start, I put on my wetsuit without much issues and help from my mom and Alynn. I said goodbye to my parents, Melinda, Alynn, and Melinda's parents and went into my start section with Joe. The good thing about this race was that Joe and I were starting in the same wave so we got to stand together waiting for the sprinters to go off and then it was our turn. While we were waiting in the water, I figured out where I wanted to be in the start and just kept thinking how I just needed to get out of the water and then I would be fine. I am a decent swimmer but it is really different in open water in a race situation. I have gotten hit too many times to make this a fun experience. The siren went off, and my day began. I was in the back of my wave to avoid people and when I looked up to sight for the next buoy, there was a boat in my way. I was thinking "Great, I am off course already" but I wasn't. There was a person on that kayak, that person was Joe. From what I now know Joe got hit and swallowed a lot of water and got to the boat so he could burp and readjust his goggles and then took off. I said hi and asked if he was ok and then went on with my swim. (Is that bad that his wife didn't wait for him?? Oh, well, I think he would have left me, it is a race after all.) I got tossed around a little while I was out there. I felt slow. I got a little disoriented. I started sighting the wrong buoy and the official wanted me to go back and do part of the loop again. I didn't though. This volunteer told him that I was just sighting incorrectly and I had done the loop and the official and her got into an argument but instead of waiting to see what the outcome was, I just kept swimming. Oh, well. The cloud cover allowed for no sun glare which was great for sighting the rest of the way in to the beach. I got out of the water in about 51 minutes. I was aiming for between 50 and 1 hour so this was great.
Transition was painless and fast. I was ready to get out on the bike.
The bike was great. I rocked that course. I had some pedal issues initially and thought I was going to have to bike the entire 56 miles without my left foot clipped into my speedplays. I almost cried. The worst thing that could happen is to have a mechanical problem and not be able to ride. I finally got in and vowed never to get out until the end. The first 15 miles were all hills which meant that the last 15 miles were all hills but the 26 miles that weren't hills were great. The volunteers were fantastic. I had a great time out there. The people were really nice too. I was so happy that the bike wasn't too hard today as the bike is not necessarily my strong part of the race. I did happen to get a drafting penalty though. I was disappointed that out of all of the people out there drafting, I was the one who got it even though I wasn't drafting. If I had known I would have gotten that penalty, I would have tried to draft. So, I came back in smiling to my family and Alynn and was happy that the bike went so well. My goal was under 4hours and I actually biked it in 3 hours 57 minutes. This is fantastic!!!
Transition again went smoothly. I talked to my mom, dad, and Alynn while I was getting ready. I forgot to take off my bike shorts though. I left quickly and knowing that I am 2/3rds of the way done!!
I started the run and realized I should have used the porta-potties before I left. My legs just didn't feel fantastic and I needed to find some real estate to pee. I got to an area that was protected enough for me to use the "facilities" and realized that I hadn't taken my bike shorts off. So, after I peed in the woods, I took my bike shorts off and left them next to a utility pole so that I could get them later. I left there feeling relieved and ready to run. The run went really well. At this point, the sun had come out and it was really hot. I kept putting water over my head to cool down but I knew I was burning. The volunteers at the aid stations were fantastic again. I had PRed in the half marathon two weeks ago in a 2hour 23 min so I was ready for this distance. I wanted to cover it in under 3 hours today. After having power walked some of the bigger hills and walking through the aid stations to get the nutrition that I needed. I ran a 2hour 41 minute half. I was so excited about this.
So, in the end. I finished in 7 hours 36 minutes (7 hours 40 minutes with the drafting penalty). I am so excited about the Ironman. Two days later, other than looking like a lobster, I feel great and excited. I accomplished something I didn't know that I could do and can't wait to train for more of these events. What an amazing experience this was. I am so happy that I could have accomplished this with the help of all of the volunteers, friends, and family members. I am so glad that my husband, Joe, is so supportive because he did this as well and understands the training that goes into it and doesn't feel neglected by me while we are doing this.
Joe did really well too. See www.sullysjourney.blogspot.com to see his race recap. Also, look below for some really great pictures. (Thanks Alynn and Dad!!)
Next up though, San Antonio Marathon in November. So, now you get to read about the trials and tribulations of marathon training.
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