An epic adventure detailing my life, my racing and my training. This contains insanely long race reports, random thoughs and some irritating rants.
Picture of the Day
December 30, 2008
As if...
As if I didn't already know that I had to get sick of being lazy to look forward to working out.
As if I didn't already know that my dogs stink when in small spaces for long times.
As if I didn't know that I do, too.
As if I didn't know the great feeling of walking into my own house after being gone for a week and saying "Aaaaah" and meaning it.
As if I didn't already know that running again is going to hurt.
As if I didn't already know how thankful I am for the group of people that I'm involved with in that local club.
As if I didn't already know that they're totally going to kick my butt over the next season - and enjoy every minute of it.
As if I didn't already know that I miss the kayak, and missed the opportunity to kayak, and that pisses me off.
As if I didn't already know that I'm missing my bike, warm weather and already missing my parents and the lack of obligations that comes with me being at their house......
I definitely know those things today, sitting at my desk at work, wishing I could go play.
December 18, 2008
Sore Throats & Early Mornings
I think I'm waddling through what many people call the Post-Ironman blues. I'm just kind of feeling listless and restless. I want to workout, but am having a hard time drumming up the energy to do so. In my defense, work has been killing me. But I'm still just having motivation issues. I think about 2009 and am totally stoked about the schedule I've got mapped out thus far, but it's just not really making me get my ass off the couch.
I have, however, gotten up before 4:10am twice this week, gotten less than 6 hours of sleep twice, and been in bed at 7:30p once. So it's clearly not the typical week. The weekend holds the potential of skiing, bowling, dates, sushi, sleeping, cleaning and either getting sick or getting better.....I just have to make it through tomorrow's workday first.....maybe I can find a workout in there, too.
Marathon's in May....I can't schlep for too much longer.
December 15, 2008
Evaluating 2008
Epic. My season far exceeded any thoughts I had at the beginning of the year. I didn't plan on doing an IM-distance. I thought maybe Muncie, just to see "what if" at distance. I don't think I planned on doing much, really, and that's sad to me as I look back.
-What one word comes to mind when you think about your 2009 season?
Refinement. I came and I saw and I participated, but now I'd like to see if I can further explore some of the potential in the arenas I discovered this year. Like running, who knew I could enjoy it? Or the long-distance stuff. It becomes less about pushing your absolute pain threshhold and more about putting the investment in to ensure that your pain threshhold itself is already way up there - so you feel less pain in the long-term. I'd like to get my ass out of T2 on my own without shame pushing me.
-Did you race any new distance this year or try any new type of racing or sport?
Silverman - a category of it's own. Does it count as a new type of racing or an entirely new sport? Hail-dodging? Wind-fighting? Also got the first two HIM's in the books as well - Great Illini and Muncie.
-What was your greatest thrill or joy this year from training or racing?
Learning that I can overcome. I can keep running, and I can learn to enjoy running (kind of). I can do anything I put my mind to. The lightning, the thunder, hell even the hail...I can keep going. My biggest joy is that I can do it and still enjoy it...seeing the forest for the trees or whatnot. My greatest thrill had to be screaming down a Nevada hill at 45mph with water whipping off the rear wheel and the breathtaking scenery whizzing by (at top volume) and catching some decent air on the pavement buckles. Or zipping along the glass-smooth road at Muncie in the summer rain (pouring rain) and re-discovering what a sweet sound the rain on the cornfields make, or that it sizzles when it hits the high-voltage power lines. Getting closer to God on those days and appreciating the beauty of my chosen sport and celebrating my abilities.
Also: learning to race in my 2nd HIM. Learning that the risk/reward is only valuable when you push outside that comfort zone in running. It always feels good to cross the finish line but it feels even better knowing you have nothing more in the tank, you have nothing more to give and that you actually raced to outrun someone - and it actually friggin worked (whether she knew it or not).
-What was your biggest disappointment this year from training or racing?
Continually finding (being followed) by bad weather. Also see: greatest thrill/joy.
-What was your favorite race in 2008?
Silverman. An accomplishment, a day and a story that no one can ever undo or take away. Overcoming, enduring and living in the moment to enjoy the rainbow (literally) at the end of the storm at the top of the hill.
December 13, 2008
Today's lesson...
A vegetable, a water bottle, a treadmill and the threat of a marathon in May...hells bells kids, it must be close to January....time to get off my ass....right after these holiday parties.
Just thought I'd officially put that down on record somewhere.
December 4, 2008
Drumsticks & Dashing...
Not really, it wasn't too awful with the exception of mile 3, but there were some lessons learned that day.
-Don't run "easy" with LaCrosse. It's not easy. Her "easy" isn't my "easy".
-Don't run in the cold. I don't care what you hardcore runners say, it was freaking cold. Anything below 45 makes my lungs unhappy.
-If there's ever a question, wear the Gaiter, or the balaclava, or something to put over your nose and mouth. If you're thinking about it, it won't hurt you. If you turn into a running sauna, that's ok too. No one ever dies from heat exhaustion when it's 45 degrees outside.
-Taking the gloves off is a bad idea. I don't care if my fingers are getting sweaty, it's not a good thing to expend energy on. I spent 4.5 miles taking them off and putting them right back on. Just push up your sleeves a bit.
-If a walker lines up in the 7 minute corral, they deserve to be elbowed, tripped, kicked in the ankles, and whatever else comes their way. If it's a 7-minute runner with a stroller running a 7 pace, they deserve a pat on the back.
-Proposals at athletic events are cool. I need to see if I can arrange one of those, only without the marriage part.
-Running 4.5 miles in the morning is a great way to start Thanksgiving. Re-emphasizes the good fortune that we all have to be together and be Thankful for our abilities, even if it is frigging cold.
..and it makes the turkey taste better. (Unless you ran faster than you've ever run before - a whopping 8:53 pace - at which point it's roughly 2:30p before eating sounds good. Shut up asses, I know it's slow.)
I'm planning on Dashing again next year....if it's warmer.
December 1, 2008
Ruh Roh....
But the nail is turning dark - they say that's the first sign. I'm pretty sure it's inevitable. Drat.
at least it's winter...
November 25, 2008
It's over...it's finally over.
My impressions of this race distance aren’t exactly what I had expected. I do not think I’ll be attempting another iron-distance for a couple years. I’m sitting here, a week later, with some decent pain still in my legs and feet. I know that I can and most likely will do it again, but do not feel the need to rush into anything. I have proven that I am capable and that is enough for me. I have, however, developed what I hope is a long relationship with running. I’m going to leave here shortly and go to the gym and attempt my first run since Silverman. I don’t think it’ll really go well – I’m still not even great at walking yet. I enjoyed the zone I was able to get to during the race while I was running. Just letting the world go and doing what needed to be done, I’m hoping I can get there again soon. I’ve even mentioned the possibility of running a marathon in the spring. Hell, I’ve already done it once, right?!
What got me through the low times during Silverman was the thought of my parents, my friends and everyone else encouraging me and thinking of me. I couldn’t have done it without the huge amount of support I had.
I wound up with the third-fastest time in my age group – but since #1 was the first woman overall and #2 was the first Nevada woman (great times Tracy and Beck!), I rolled up and wound up winning the age group. I’m not sure that I’m comfortable even claiming that, but I finished. I had the fourth fastest swim time and wound up with a 12:38/mi. run pace. I rode my bike through hail, thunder, stinging rain and horrendous winds with mechanical issues (in the desert, where it doesn’t rain, did I mention that?). I ran into the cold, dark night and kept pushing through my pain to the finish line. I could not have asked for a better day.
And now, it’s all the beer, cheeseburgers, pizza and ice cream that I want for another 6 hours (One week). Mother of God, this is the longest race report ever written. But what else could really be expected from me to describe such an epic day?
And it's only a marathon....
About ¾ through the first lap (course is 2 13.1 mi loops) I walked/ran for a bit with a really nice guy who was also giving it his first shot – first full, first marathon….we bonded for a few minutes. He was a really happy guy with a FANTASTIC attitude. I needed him for a few minutes, that’s for sure. A few miles later we both kind of realized that my running pace was a bit faster than his and I realized that me running any slower was starting to hurt more and him running faster was starting to hurt him. So we cut loose – he did finish though, and I’m proud to have shuffled along with him for awhile! I ran into Gar the first time around there and he was still having some calorie issues. He was looking better, though, and I was feeling good about both of us at that point.
It’s about then that you start chugging down this hill that’s like, 2 miles long or something. I hadn’t noticed quite how long the bleeping thing was on the way up, but it felt much better going the opposite way, that’s for sure! Finished out that loop and got to Special Needs – picked up my blessed long sleeve shirt and ditched the short sleeve (that was rubbing holes in my arms – TOTALLY forgot to body glide up before running…crap!) My good old, dependable Drumstick Dash shirt (acquired on a short run back in early spring after it was abandoned in a thicket – I let it suffer for a couple of days before rescue - it's not stealing!) and I, my little compression shorts, Capri tights, calf sleeves and visor with the newly acquired glow headband and off into the night I went. I didn’t realize how many of the half people I was still running with on that first loop, but wow did it get lonely really quick on the second.
Just trying to get back to the banners…keep running.The volunteer staff was thinned down a little bit, the course traffic had thinned out a lot, it was dark and getting cold and I was starting to hurt again. I just kind of retreated into my head and was depending on my usual tricks and jokes. “Just what makes that ant..think he can move that rubber tree plant….an ant..can’t..move a rubber tree plant…..but he’s got…HIGH HOPES!” Rinse and repeat as necessary, and don’t forget the arm motions…the innocent bystanders may think you’re crazy, but damn them it’s been a long day and the song keeps working. (I started singing the song about 20 miles into the bike ride…sometimes all you need is a slogan.)
There comes a point in the marathon where I think everyone just kind of gets delirious. All the fast people were long gone (probably already home and clean), the only ones still out there are the folks like you, the ones having a really rough day or the ones that are plugging along at their own speed. Either way, no one really feels great and everyone pretty much stops talking to each other. You start saying something to just about everyone that passes, but they’re quiet and much less intelligible than the comments were earlier. It’s now “good job” or “we’re almost there” or “keep chuggin” or something along those lines…but it’s said on a wheeze, or almost a whisper. But you know they’re still saying it too, and we’re all on the same course, and somehow that helps everyone keep going.
(Gar coming through halfway, example of how desolate and lonely it was getting...) I started seeing many more people with the space blankets wrapped around them or tucked into their shirts. Let me tell you – they make some noise! I would drive myself crazy with all that crinkling, but if it helps then go for it. I still wasn’t getting super cold (but was wearing some layers) and was getting closer to home. About mile 18 (or something like ¾ up that long-ass bastard hill) I ran out of the last “uphill” energy I had left in my body. I had, back at the beginning of the loop, decided that uphill walking was ok – well, any walking was really ok – and that I would just maintain running whenever possible. Quite frankly, I was impressed as hell that I still had the ability to run at all. I dropped a gel somewhere around 21-22 (the last one I was going to take and the one I really wanted) and was heartbroken. I couldn’t bend over to get it!! I started to try and realized with a giggle that I would face plant and I didn’t want to ruin the Drumstick Dash shirt with blood and I was NOT going to hospital because I fell over trying to get a gel that I had dropped when I had 6 others in my little pack still. Sorry Frank, I littered, maybe someone else was able to use it?!?!
Charging down the damn hill again, finding my run cadence and feeling surprisingly good (getting closer to the finish apparently does that to a person), passed a chick that had passed me a couple times during the uphills and we had a good laugh. Maybe there are benefits to not being the skinny chick and maybe I can find an “all downhill” race. I’d be unbeatable! (The natives, starting to get restless and cold....so was I - still running..)
My run nutrition was pretty much in line with what was planned on the bike, around 200 calories. I was shooting to pop salt tabs whenever needed, eat a gel an hour and carrying 20 oz of concentrated Gu2o, hoping to drink about 6 – 10 oz mixed with aid station water per hour as well. I had another bottle of drink to pick up at Special Needs to refill my fuel belt. I didn’t really manage myself to that plan though, and while I was consuming gels fairly on schedule I opted to leave the concentrate at Special Needs. Thus, I went the whole distance on 20 oz of concentrate, which should have been about 40 oz of fluid plus water. I think I was confusing the aid station volunteers when I kept saying I was fine and didn’t need anything. I felt pretty good though, and am not sure my stomach would have tolerated much more.
I'm just going to sit here and have a bit of a cry...ok?
This was clearly the lowest point of the whole thing for me. My body hurt, my mind hurt from being alone for so long and it was starting to get dark-ish. I had made the cutoff in plenty of time (it was around 2:30, cutoff was 5p) but I just was having major doubts. I kept thinking about all the people that were thinking of me and everyone that’s helped me and I knew I couldn’t give up – I had to at least try. So a gel later, some stretching, some tears, some whining and a little bit of water and off I went….to run further than I’ve ever run before, after biking further than I’ve ever biked with more climbing than I’ve ever climbed…..easy, right? I had the slowest T2 time of anyone in the race (which doesn’t make me happy) but I managed to fight off some pretty big demons. T2 – 18:44
How to Bike Up Many Hills...
There are some fairly decent rollers through the first section which would be GREAT for my riding style if I hadn’t been holding on for dear life and on my brakes almost the whole time. It was somewhere during this time that I started crying for the first time. I wasn’t quite sure if I had really signed up for all that, and not sure that I could endure it for over 100 miles. It was around then that I also made the decision that if it didn’t let up by 40 – 50 miles; I wasn’t going to make it. I was going to give up. I started thinking about all of the training and how Mom once voiced to me that they thought that if I had to quit this one I might not ever try one again and how when I first asked him if he thought I could do it Dad had answered no without much thought. Low point #1 and only about 30 minutes into the bike…fantastic.
So as the rain poured down, I kept riding. I also kept getting colder, wetter and more miserable. About 12 miles in the course turns – the only turn in the first 90 miles with the exception of the turnaround – and then the wind is behind you (or at least that’s what they tell you, it’s not really behind you at all, more like just off your right butt cheek). It’s also downhill around about 2 miles and there’s a bridge on a curve – and you’re still in the desert where it doesn’t rain. The wind reached it’s full potential, I was about to wear out my brakes, I was basically bawling and about then I started praying out loud. To anyone else I might have looked a bit crazy, and I probably shouldn’t use that tone with God, but it was getting me through what needed to be done.
I’m not entirely sure at what point the wind died down but I started to relax a little bit and feel a little more secure on the bike. I kept telling myself to just pedal and relax and I think I was going up a long, long hill. I passed 30 miles and was feeling decent again. It was freezing-ass cold and I was no longer feeling my legs, feet, fingers or arms (which could have contributed to the decent-feeling-ness) but I was making it up the hills and cruising right along. At some point in training I had figured out that I wanted to shoot for a 14mph average speed – that would get me to the cutoff in plenty of time. There was a lot of time where I was way below that speed, but I was evening it out on the downhills.
Watch out for those Japanese Tourist-like parents! They fly by you at Mach 3, then simultaneously pop out of all 4 car doors and start snapping pictures and screaming. They’ll get you coming and going….
Gar’s parents showed up fairly early on and we hop-scotched for awhile. (Apparently I go downhill a bit quick to get a decent picture, but they made me smile a couple times and it helped.) I figured that Gar was right on my tail and about to pass me at any moment – which was expected – so I just kept riding along. Somewhere around 40 miles in, the sun came out about the time I got to the top of a massive hill (which also signified the end of the smooth pavement). I spent the next few minutes blasting along at an alarming speed and having the time of my life – getting all sorts of odd stares from the guys coming the other way and I even caught some air a couple of times off of the bumps in the road. If ever riding in Bloomington on those sketchy roads for a couple years with Anna racing downhill has paid off – it was right then.
I had started to notice, however, a really annoying habit my bike had picked up. I kept dropping my chain anytime I shifted into my big ring. I did figure out how to shift and get it back on the fly – a trick I’ve been trying to learn for years – but I was starting to get damn angry. About a mile from the turnaround I couldn’t get it to pop back on and wound up completely locking up my gears – sending me skidding into the gravel on the side of the road to dislodge the bleeping thing (and there were plenty of bleeps…believe me). Got to the turnaround and things were starting to ache a bit in my hips and knees and then I was over halfway and – of course - uphill. Only a few miles to a PB&J and some fresh bottles. Also a chance to stand on my legs for a minute. Saw Gar coming flying down the hill and yelled at him that I needed help at Special Needs. Not sure if he heard me, but it made me feel ok.
My knees were starting to ache a bit and I had been battling a massive cramp in my left hip for about 30 miles at that point, not good signs but I decided to just kind of stick to the plan and keep spinning along. My parents disappeared again somewhere around mile 60 or so to not be seen again until transition – they got hungry. Gar had been ahead of me for part of the first hill, then dropped back and continued his own struggles.
I was trying to keep things under control with the heart rate and my knees and stretch my hip whenever possible – nothing too strenuous, I had switched into survival mode. I played cat and mouse for the rest of the bike ride with this hilarious chick with a beautiful accent – she totally rocked the uphills and I would go screaming by on the downhills. That made it a bit more entertaining. The wind showed back up as we got closer to the lake and I hit another low point and struggled for awhile. Shed some more tears, cussed a bit more, wished my parents hadn’t disappeared and just wanted to be off of my bike. Was again struggling with whether or not I could finish and what the hell had made us decide to do this to begin with. It’s really hard to imagine the enormity of the whole thing at that point – you can’t really get past the little things that hurt. It helped to look out at the scenery and breathe. I was paying my dues and still surviving. (Taken just prior to the parental disappearing act, I believe while they drove by blaring Britney Spears….thanks kids.)
I finally made the turn off of that damned road and onto the bike path – that’s at about mile 90 - 92. I knew that meant the dreaded “Three Sisters” was just ahead of me. Three fairly short but super-steep hills (18% grade) back-to-back that sap the life out of just about everyone. I wasn’t too worried about the Sisters, I had the gearing ready for steep and knew I could do it (thank you Hilly Hundred!). I also knew that these were followed by about 4 miles of “false flat”…where it looks flat but it’s really not, you’re headed up a slight hill and these just tend to drain whatever energy you have left. I pounded up the Sisters – some quality climbing and actual pushing out of the saddle actually felt good and was just cruising up the path in my own little world – I tend to do fairly well at false flats, something about just zoning out and pedaling tends to work well with me. I knew most of the major climbing was done – but so was the fantastic scenery, now it was into suburbia.
I was struggling again and getting more and more sick of my bike and this bike path is literally in the middle of nowhere, not really much scenery, no other people, just the occasional turn and bump. I still have no idea where this part of it is on the map, all I know is that it would be cool to have nearby to train on, but that it sucks majorly to ride on from mile 93 – 100. Between the hills, my hips, the weather (it was now drizzly again and a bit windy and just getting cold), my knees and my arms hurting I just spent most of the next 5 – 6 miles crying and suffering. But I kept pedaling, knowing that quitting out there wasn’t an option, some animal would be the first to find my carcass.
When we were looking over the maps in the days prior, Gar mentioned that at about mile 105, there was a nice, long downhill that started and that’d be a good point to start spinning out the legs, flushing them and getting ready for the run. I don’t know if that’s quite what I accomplished, but I know I rocketed down the downhill and didn’t pedal for a long time. I don’t know if flushing them out was even applicable at that point – I was just trying to get myself back into a positive mindset and trying to keep “on task”. I just plowed through the last miles wanting off my bike and wanting to be done.
I rolled into transition and had a hard time standing up, left hip and right knee were just angry and I was a mess. My right Achilles was also really pissed, which is actually a nagging injury that’s shown up a few times on long rides. I’m sure it’s related to the repeated motion of pedaling and can maybe be fixed by positioning. Most of the rest was just wimpy aches and in my head. I was surprised that my hamstring – another nagging injury for most of the summer/fall – wasn’t really angry at all. (Thanks Vern!) It had threatened a couple of times but never really started hurting like I’m used to.
My nutrition plan for the bike was to try to take a gel in the first little while on the bike and then start taking them about every hour. I wanted to go through a full bottle about every hour and take a salt tab every hour or so as well. That would put me around 200 – 225 calories an hour, depending on if I nibbled any of the Chewy bar I also had in the bento. I had one regular mixed bottle on the bike when I left transition, the aero bottle filled and a 3x concentrate bottle to mix out of. At special needs I picked up another concentrate bottle, had an extra “regular” bottle and refilled the Gu selection. I upped the salt intake from time-to-time as I felt a little crampy or wimpy, but I’m fairly sure I managed to stay somewhat on schedule. I left the “normal” bottle at Special Needs since I hadn’t touched the original one. I had managed to go through almost 4 bottles at that point though, so I did need to pick up the concentrate. As far as the nutrition goes, I felt pretty good at the end of the bike ride and don’t know that I would do anything differently. I probably missed at least one gel and wasn’t quite on time with the bottles, but again I felt pretty good – 112 miles considered. Most of my pain was aches and just related to how long I had been pedaling that bleeping bike.
They took my bike from me and I’m fairly sure I mentioned that I didn’t want to see the bastard for a long time. (Needless to say with a marathon ahead of me, that wasn’t a problem!) I was handed my transition bag and hobbled into the tent to decide if I could take on the third leg of this insanity. The bike ride humbled me completely and taught me the value of grit. I’m not sure that I could accomplish that on any other day by itself, let alone after that swim and before that run. There’s a reason this course is deemed the “hardest out there”. I felt every foot of the 9500 climbing. Bike Time: 7:40
Wouldn't it figure the longest part of the race has the longest part of the write-up??
Transition - the Blessed Tent of Salvation
It was then that my little angels entered my life – someone asked if I needed help and next thing I knew I had 4 pairs of hands on my pulling various parts of my wetsuit down my body – sweet, blessed, fresh air – and telling me to lay down. No problemo – but isn’t this an odd place for my nap? They grab my wetsuit and start yanking and pulling while I laugh hysterically and next thing I know I’m laying on the hideous yellow carpet (which Frank CLEARLY got on sale in mass quantities) half naked. I don’t know if they handed me my wetsuit or not – but I definitely like those people!
Into the blessed change tent of salvation and as close to the heater as I can get….some really nice and very funny lady comes over and starts helping me – she put my arm warmers on for me just like Mom used to do with my girly tights!!! A little chamois cream for the bits (and the Nice Lady grabs a towel for me to wipe the “extra” off my fingers – she’s a doll) and I’m out the other side of the tent headed toward my bike.
How to swim Uphill....
The first part of the swim was met with the expected chaos – caught a quick kick to the right temple and an elbow to the ribs but nothing major. Was able to plow around a couple of people (including Gar apparently) and headed straight to the buoy. I noticed during my warm-up that they were a bit crooked and just focused swimming straight toward the yellow turn buoy – good strategy. I was in pretty open water with really no one around – big crowd off to the left following the buoy line.
Still feeling good and swimming straight, I was reminding myself not to follow the purple caps (relay swimmers) as their day was much shorter than mine. Then I made the turn for the long reach down to the turnaround. Immediately I noticed the water moving in a different direction and realized that I was going to need to spot more off the far buoys to save energy. I also know that spotting more equals swimming crooked for me, so I took a quick second to look at my line and figure out where I wanted to be. I managed to not veer too far either way over the course of that leg and realized I was gaining on the lead pack.
It seemed like the further down that leg we went the stronger the crosswind was moving – I started to think that was because of the way the land was shaped (read: big ass hill down toward the lake – does wind have gravity, too?) , once I got out of the water I realized that point in the swim was when all hell started breaking loose in the sky, but that’s later..more swimming first.
Pre Race....
Stepping off the shuttle onto the boat ramp I quickly realized that the temperature wasn’t nearly as cold as had been expected and I started peeling off layers. (Remember this, it becomes important later…) I filled the bento box on my way past the bike, dropped off the special needs bags, grabbed my shoes, socks, glasses and helmet out of the T1 bag and put those on the bike and just hung out for awhile. I was watching others get their stuff ready and noticed that the wind was gusting and swirling at a fairly decent clip. It was about that time I heard someone mention a 20mph sustained wind forecast. I have fairly good bike-handling skills on a normal day, but riding on borrowed 404’s in heavy winds could be another story. Ah well, no sense worrying, at least everyone has the same wind, right?
Hung around a bit, soaking in the moment (Holy shit…I’m really getting ready to do an Ironman…ohboyohboyohboy), then started the blur of getting in to the wetsuit and getting my dry clothes turned in and getting everything locked and loaded. Anyone that knows me and had witnessed it knows that the “Wetsuit Dance” is funnier than it should be. It involves much dancing, bending, stretching and “oomphing” – this day did not disappoint.
As I headed out into the water listening to everyone shiver I thought about how great it felt – I was actually getting ready to do this thing...The sun was looking like it was getting ready to peak over the hills, the wind didn’t feel too bad, the shoulders were feeling good and the stomach was calm. I was standing just a few people back in the water anticipating a good swim and being able to jump out in front. Got a good laugh out of Race Director Frank trying to get away from the air horn Dave Scott was aiming at him and then it was go time….
Check this out...
http://www.vimeo.com/2310667
Race Report....
AW
November 11, 2008
Surviving...
November 10, 2008
So....
Gar kind of fell apart too with stomach issues on the bike that bled over to the run that were started - again - with the damn wind and chaos of the swim.
I was, or so the parents say, the second woman out of the water in a 1:07. It'll be interesting to see what the "typical" time from today was and how many people canned the day after or during the swim.
Altogether, fantastic experience. More details coming.
November 9, 2008
Mid-Race
You are all such wonderful friends and I am so lucky. Thank you.
Again, if all goes well, I'm hoping to have accomplished this huge feat by about 8-ish local-time (11p EST). Whether I am actually done by then or not, I'm so thankful for the opportunity to even attempt this. Walking among the Challenged Athletes out here (Vets that have lost a limb or been otherwise gravely injured and have persevered and are competing here with the rest of us schmucks) it really puts things into perspective. How lucky we all are, how blessed and how amazed we should all be at the Master Plan. Thank You, for the opportunity, and thank the rest of you for the support.
November 8, 2008
Oh...
WAR EAGLE. (Anyone makes a crack and I break your toes....so they're suffering a bit right now, whatever....)
Wow....
November 7, 2008
Free Stuff
Girly Girl Tomboy...
November 6, 2008
Told you so....
The even better news: There's a Starbucks in the lobby.
November 5, 2008
Morning Workouts...
Busy night of packing, panicking and forgetting ahead. Fly out at the crack of dawn tomorrow. I'll have the computer with me so stay tuned. Here is where life starts getting interesting!
November 3, 2008
Taper Workout - Monday
3x10 min on the bike with increasing intensity - while watching Dancing with the Stars in the living room.
3x10 min run build to race pace - 5min easy, 2 min med, 2 min hard. 3.27 total mi. 9:08 pace. It's wimpy to the gazelles reading this, but it's flat out hauling ass for me. Bring on a marathon - I'm clearly ready!!! (insert hysterical laughter here)
Pasta....yay.
The "New Stuff" List
-Bike Fitting
-New Saddle
-New Cassette (gearing)
-New Cranks (pedal arms)
-AeroBottle
-Compression Socks (3 pair)
-Compression Sleeves (2 pair)
-Compression Tights (1 pair)
-Cycling shorts (2 pair)
-Tri Top (2)
-5 Cans Gu2o
-Appx. 6 boxes of Gu
-4 water bottles
-2 half-iron entry fees (Muncie and Great Illini)
-Silverman Entry Fee
-Plane Ticket to Vegas (b-day present)
-Hilly Hundred Registration
-New Running Shoes
This is just some of it....but the approximate cost for the above is little over $2k. I don't know that there's been much more "new"...so that's good. And of course I think it's worth it.
-Tri Shoes
November 2, 2008
Welcome, Silverman, to the ranks of one of the most demanding and most quality full distance races on the planet! I am very humbled that I have an opportunity to partake of this experience.
November 1, 2008
How to ruin a weekend....for four.
Went to the "Here Come the Mummies" concert last night at the Vogue. For the record, one of my favorite bands. Yes, they're a bit odd, but they're incredibly fun and I'm devoted. Not the smartest thing to do - go to a concert in a smoky bar and stand and jump around for a few hours. Whatever. Dressed comfortably, had good friends and a good time. Leaving the concert right afterward (around 12:45) I learned that someone had parked TOO CLOSE to my car - and hit the front bumper, cracking it. Called Dan and got IMPD number and called it in - first call to dispatch at 12:54. Since the car was still there (STILL THERE!!!) and I've listened to Dan discuss enough times how much more they can do when everything is still there I decided to wait and deal with it. Snapped a few photos with the camera since I had it. Waiting...waiting...waiting...saw a police car just around the corner and talked to the guy - said he had to wait for the tow truck for that car but if no one else had shown up by the time he was done he would help me. (Note: I specifically asked this guy if he could help me. He said he would if there wasn't anyone else. This becomes important later.) Cool. I describe the car and where we are and walk back. Tow truck comes and goes, still no cop. During this time I'm also trying to flag down any other passing cars (per instruction from Dan) with no success. I figure you know, it's Halloween, they've got bigger issues and I understand that. I go back around the corner since the tow's gone to see if the cop is done. Bastard is gone! Had to go out of his way to turn around and go the other way to avoid me. Shithead. So I continue the saga.....trying to flag down...calling Dan and whining...getting colder and colder...still standing outside (in scrubs, a tank top and a lab coat - I did have gloves though) and freezing. I called dispatch back and was told the standard "Someone's on their way..." a couple more times. (Turns out there was a robbery and someone shot during this time - so I do understand things being busy and slow...I really do.) I finally called Dan again at about 2:45 crying and pissed. An officer from another district arrives shortly and gets things rolling - no less than 30 seconds after the chick arrives back at her car insisting that she didn't back into my car and she even had someone watching her back up. Note: This does NOT change the fact that she was entirely parked on the yellow curb. The front foot and a half of my car was on yellow....but that's another story) So....crash report written, information taken, yada yada yada....we get on the road to home at about 3:45.
Turns out schmuck ass IMPD officer literally got on the radio to dispatch and said, "I'm not taking another report up here, get another officer down here to help," and went back to his own district. And...that was the second time last night he did that crap. So...I called and spoke with the supervisor (at 4:50a) and was assured that he would be spoken to (again) and that the dude is just a jackass and his behaviour was "unacceptable bullshit." I wasn't really going to push it much further than that and file a formal complaint, everyone is entitled to a bad day and I'm not really about getting people in trouble. Was feeling the same way about the chick and the bumper...i wouldn't be stupid enough if I hit a car to actually park in that same space, so maybe it wasn't her, or maybe she didn't know she hit me, the damage isn't really awful, yada yaday yada...I was then reminded that I am a bit of a softie and quick to forgive and that's not necessarily a good thing. I work hard for my car and I love it, it's new and someone damaged my property (and the officer believes that it WAS her that hit it). Likewise, if the scmuck did that crap to me, and someone else that same night, what's the likelihood that he does it all the time and hello - your badge says IMPD not SOUTH DISTRICT. I've never been a big fan of anyone saying "that's not my job" and maybe someone should stand up for the little guy and remind the prick of what his job really is - to help the public.
So I finally got to sleep at about 5:20a....and I was worried about jumping around for a couple of hours on my feet. Hmm...guess I didn't anticipate standing outside in the chilly weather on my feet for another 2.5 hours in addition to that, in the middle of the night. Needless to say my legs are a bit trashed, I didn't eat dinner, didn't have nearly enough water, stood jumping around in a smoky bar for a long time and was way too close to too many people. I've slept most of the day - completely cancelled my 1.5hr run (might spin out my legs here in a bit just to move some) and have tried to get my body rehydrated and back on track for tomorrow.
And I woke up angry. This putz might have saved himself about 20 - 30 minutes (but did later learn that he was called back up to the Ripple at about the time I got to leave to take a crash report....karma's a bitch.) and in doing so effectively ruined 4 people's weekends. Noah had to be at work at 8a, Kate's kids were coming home at 8:30 and have a full schedule for the rest of the weekend, Nick intended to build a fence today. Not to mention that he put in jeopardy something that I've been working towards for months (if he can be selfish, I can too). Even if it doesn't go anywhere and nothing gets done, I'll be following up with the supervisor again this evening to find out how the conversation went and file a formal complaint. If it does nothing else, maybe he needs a "time out" to think about what the point of his damn job is.
So that's how one little guy ruined a weekend for at least four - and maybe someone else ruined a weekend (or insurance policy) for an unsuspecting girl who just happened to park in the wrong spot. In my selfishness - I'm sincerely hoping the weekend is all that's affected and I can stay healthy and get back on track with food, rest and the race will still be fine.
stupid broad ripple.
October 30, 2008
Holy Cow!
50 lb. Weight Limit - Checked Bags....yeah, right.
Speaking of "things you need"....if you ever consider an Ironman (or have ever listened to me whine about how much crap I've "neeeeeeeded" to acquire), here's part of the "official list" of things to launder, pack, ship, buy, steal or otherwise utilize on race day:
-Wetsuit
-Shorts to wear under wetsuit (for cycling)
-Sports bra/top to wear under wetsuit
-Goggles (cap is provided - so I saved $.80)
-Bike (singly THE most expensive thing - outside of my house and car - that I own)
-Race Wheels (borrowed from one very nice accomplice to insanity)
-AeroDrink Bottle (aerodynamic water bottle on my bars)
-4-5 other bottles (for bike and bags at various points on course - does not include bottles of water that will be obtained at "rest stops"
-Cycling socks
-Tri shoes (for bike)
-Sunglasses (please God don't let me forget the sunglasses)
-Jersey (to put on over sports bra/top - this IS a family event)
-Arm warmers (I'm not thinking it's going to be toasty at 8:30a)
-HELMET (even more important than the sunglasses)
-Running shoes
-Running socks (yes, I'll change. Yes, I'm special)
-Running shorts (you run 26 miles with padding on your butt and tell me how it feels)
-Running shirt (after 112 miles, I'm going to just want to be in different clothes, ok?)
-Visor (ditch the sunglasses, it'll get dark soon)
-Long-sleeve shirt (with dark comes cold)
-Compression Calf Sleeves - Leg warmers of the 80's have grown up. These are fairly tight (read: I'm lucky that blood still gets to my toes) sleeves that go from my knees down to my ankles. They help with a number of things - most notably helping me stay vertical for 26 miles. They're red, and they just look damn cool. (I have socks, too, but the sleeves allow me to wear cushier socks and still get the compression on my calves, shins and post-tibs)
-Body Glide (run 26 miles with my body and DON'T chafe w/o assistance....yeah, right)
-editor's note: this is NOT the tawdry lubricant you're all thinking of - that starts with "Astro". This is some scientifically engineered, deodorant-looking magical stuff that keeps things or parts of your body from rubbing holes in other parts of your body. I will be liberally coated in this stuff from my neck to my ankles (and many points in between) both at the beginning of the day and prior to running.
-Gu2o - (my energy drink of choice in powdered form. I will most likely have enough of this to power a small city throughout the day. At ~100 calories/16oz, and me shooting for about 20 oz/hr.....and 3 scoops/20 oz bottle...that's a lotta powder folks. Approximately 39 scoops worth over the course of the day...)
-Gu (my energy gel of choice - another calorie-efficient package that comes in a multitude of "yummy" flavors. So they're slightly less disgusting than eating cardboard. Again will be consuming 1/hr, I can plan on consuming around 13 or 14 of these. Tri Berry, Orange Burst, Vanilla Bean, Blueberry Pomagranate....)
-PBJ - my special needs go-to. The only time I like PB&J's is when I'm training, oddly enough. I'll have one ready for consumption halfway through the bike and again halfway through the run.
These are the big things that I'm hoping to remember. Believe me, there is more and I have plenty of time to forget to pack the vast majority of it between now and then.
As a triathlete, you have to accept very early on that you are OK with looking completely ridiculous for long periods of time and eating things that could also be used as super glue. (Gu is nothing less than permanent once in contact with another surface. I swear they use it on space shuttles...)
As I think about it, I have most of the above things and haven't really had to acquire most of them new for this particular race. It's a fairly standard list for most races (minus the PBJ and large quanities of Gu products). Stay tuned, the more entertaining list that might get written is what has been acquired new just for this endeavor. Let's just say I'm keeping a certain bike shop in business and there are marketing teams out there that I shall curse forever.