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.

2 days to go

I did a loosening up run and swim today. All felt good. I feel ready. While I was running today, I was thinking about what I would think about on Sunday to get me through the day, weather and all. Here is a list of what I came up with:
1. When Carissa, Zach, Cooper, Lila, Kaelah, and Sierra (my nieces and nephews) get older, they may look at what Joe and I have accomplished and feel that if we could do that, then they can do anything they put their hearts and minds into. And maybe, just maybe, they will want to do it as well.
2. What my friend Kim said to me the night before my first marathon (and the thought that helped me through both of my marathons: Picturing Al running after me wearing a pink boa and a pink undergarment. HeHeHe!!
3. Not hitting any cows, bears, or having deer run into me.
4. This is a stepping stone to Ironman Lake Placid 2009 - Here I come!
5. How excited and proud I am of myself for working so hard and going after what I never dreamed possible.
6. My parents and Alynn will be expecting me back at some point
7. Joey will be waiting for me at the finish line.
8. Kim being one of my biggest cheerleaders. I know that Kim understands and appreciates all that goes into training and enjoys hearing of my progress. I can't wait for Ironman because Kim will be there and be the one that helps me push through the pain and emotions and get me through to the end. Alynn and my parents will be cheering me on that day. They are fantastic as well.
9. How many of my friends, family, and coworkers who will not be there but are thinking of me and wishing me luck while I am out there for 8 hours whether they understand or not.
10. How pround of me my dad, mom, and husband will be.

2 days until the big day. I am so excited! With all of the support I have, it has to be a good day. 70.3 here I come!

Almost time

The day is almost here. I am so excited. I finally had a mental breakthrough yesterday while looking at the Tupper Lake Tinman website. Because of my fueling issues, I was worried about the bike and run. I was reading about the support at the aid stations on the bike and got really excited. They have oranges, bananas, and pretzels at the aid stations. This is fantastic news. I am so excited. I CAN DO THIS!!! I CAN DO THIS!!!

Now, the weather report leaves less to be desired (rain showers, thunderstorms, and 70's) but I have PRed in the rain and it won't be too hot which is always a concern for me.

At this point, I am happy. I am excited. I am thrilled to be attempting to accomplish something that I never thought I could ever do but now I feel confident that I can do it.

3 days!!

Relief

Today was a day of rest and relaxation. I had a pre-race massage. Yippee! It was very much needed. The massage therapist hit the knots under my shoulder blades really well. She also did a great job on my IT bands and piraformis muscles. I was so tight before I went in there and after felt a lot better even though I felt a little beat up. I then went out with my husband and my friend Amy for dinner and a beer at the Pump Station. I am hopeful that the massage will speed my recovery this week and put me in a good place on race day!!! Dinner, the beer, and the company was good too and helped allow me to forget about my worries concerning the race day ahead.

Weekend update

The weekend started well. I left work on Friday and went to the pool. I swam my fastest swim of the season. I was very happy about this even though it was a shorter swim.
Saturday, Joe and I did the Great Adirondack Trail Run. It is about 3.5 miles long and went up and over Baxter Mountain in Keene Valley. I went out with the idea that I wanted to make sure I did not hurt myself since Tupper Lake is next weekend. The trail was rocky and had lots of roots which I am not good on. I did the race in 46 minutes. Not too bad. I realized while I was out there that I was in great triathlon shape but not in good trail running shape. Joe won the race (his 3rd win). It was a lot of fun but there is a reason I don't do trail runs very often as I am not very good at them and not very good on my feet. I had a nice nap that afternoon and slept well that night.
Sunday morning looked ominous. It had been raining most of the night. It looked like it was going to rain all day long and that was what the weather people had predicted. I got up, ate breakfast with my three nieces and my parents and then got ready for a bike ride. I wanted to try my Infinit nutrition today to be sure it didn't effect my stomach. The only problem was that it calls for 2 scoops in 20 ounces of water but it didn't come with a scoop and it didn't say how much a scoop was. This was not good for me as I don't have a clue how many calories I actually took in while on the bike. I set out on the bike with a long sleeve shirt and pants because it was cool outside. I had some issues getting into my speedplays at the beginning. I also realized that my legs were sore from all of that uphill and downhill from yesterday's race. Within 10 minutes of starting the ride, the really dark clouds parted and sun came out. I was very hot. I tried to get my shoes out and struggled with the pedals but finally got out and stopped to take off my long sleeves. I kept going UP the Elizabethtown hill. It was very difficult. At the top of the first hill I had to stop again (again struggled to get out of my pedals) and take off my pants. The next 10 or so miles went ok and then I hit the WALL. I just couldn't get my legs to do anything. It sucked!!! The wind was bad and there was a constant, slight uphill. My legs just wouldn't work. I think that the leg problems weren't just from the road and wind but also from fatigue from the mountain race. When I finally hit Rt 73, my legs finally started to work up the hills. The hills on 73 were much easier than I remember from last year. I finished the ride and gladly got off of the bike. I hope this doesn't say anything about my race next weekend.
No swim this weekend though as the weather just wasn't very cooperative with rain on and off. I did get to plant my garden on Sunday though even though it was nice, then rainy, then hot. Lila, Joe, and my mom were big helps in planting. I can't wait to have my veggies from my garden later in the summer.
This week will be a VERY easy week. I have to swim tomorrow and then I go to get a pre-race massage - YIPPIE!!! I am so excited. We leave for the race on Friday. I just have to keep reminding myself that I am ready. I have done all of my training and now I just have to trust my body to respond correctly.