IMLP2013 Race Report Part 1 - The Days Before...

Last Wednesday, Randy and I made the very familiar trip up to Lake Placid, NY for the Ironman.   We rented a house for a week to share with other friends who would be racing with us.  There were five couples staying in a gorgeous Adirondack house with six of us racing.  After getting settled in on Wednesday with one of the other couples, Jen and Gerry (Jen was racing, Gerry was our race-week photographer - thank you, Gerry!), we enjoyed a nice dinner out and waited for the rest of our crew to arrive on Thursday. 

Once we were all in town, we went to the athlete check-in, which had moved from the high school to the new conference center.  As usual, the process was very smooth - get your number, fill out the waivers, get weighed, get your bags and swim cap and numbers, goodies, and timing chip.  This is a well-oiled machine and the volunteers and other race officials take very good care of us athletes.  Matt (racing Ironman #13 - seriously, dude?) graciously offered to snag me a second poster for my classroom - thank you, Matt!

After checking in, we were told to go to the merchandise tent to pick up our way-cool Ironman backpacks, then we went down to Mirror Lake to get in a swim.  This is one of my favorite parts of Ironman week.  Everyone is milling around the beach area and swimming the course.  Mirror Lake is right in the heart of Lake Placid and is just beautiful.  The water was clear, cool (about 72 degrees), and just right for a swim.  I didn't wear my wetsuit for this swim, but was planning on wearing it for the race.  I hate wearing a wetsuit, but I know it offers an advantage, so I deal with it for races.  Later that evening, Keith (also racing) and Gretchen (who volunteered and whose husband, Dan, was racing) made us a yummy dinner.

On Friday, after doing a short run and visiting the expo, we got our bikes prepped.  Let me tell you, we don't mess around here!  There is careful trimming and placement of the race numbers to be as clean and neat and professional-looking as possible.  Back when they still used paper race numbers, it would take Randy and Matt a good hour to get them on their bikes just right. 

Despite our fastidiousness, it is very important to remember when doing an Ironman is that it is just a race.  It can get difficult, no doubt about it, and it is a very important day to all of the athletes (including me), but in the great big scheme of things, it is still just a race.  So, to keep myself grounded and focused on race day, I added something special to my bike.  In an earlier blog post, I wrote about keeping perspective as friends of mine were battling their 5-year-old daughter's cancer (click here to read that post).  One of our colleagues made bracelets as a fund-raiser for the family.  That bracelet was to come along on my 112-mile ride on Sunday.

Here are some other pictures of my beauty...

 

 

That evening, we went to the Athletes Dinner.  This year, the dinner was moved to the Herb Brooks Arena.  We sat on the (covered) ice, where the 1980 Miracle on Ice occurred - very cool!  This year, the dinner had an Olympics focus, which was a nice change.  Andy Potts (last years' winner and current IM babe) lit an Olympic-style torch for the race, which ended up at the finish line (also very cool).  The food was good and the company was great.  Then it was time to go back to the house and get some sleep.

Saturday was the day the anxiety started to kick in.  All the gear bags were packed.  We did one last spin on the bikes to check things out.  My legs were feeling good and I was getting excited about what the next day would bring.  Then, it was time to bring everything to the transition area in the Olympic oval.  I dropped off my gear bags (taped shut in case of rainy weather) and my bike (with a bag over the rear wheel and drivetrain in case of rainy weather).

We all headed back to the house for an early dinner of spaghetti and meatballs.  Randy's parents were able to join us for dinner too!  After we ate, we had a great time putting on our race numbers.  There were would be no waiting around in the bodymarking lines in the morning!  Randy and I decided to surprise our friends with race tattoos for the big day.  We spent the next half hour putting them on our legs and arms and feeling pretty proud of ourselves and how awesome we all looked!

Yes, we also have an Ironman flag!  I love how Dan's head is below the rest of ours even though he is a foot and a half taller than I am!

Time to settle in for the night and hopefully sleep until that 3:30 alarm...

It should be stated that these days leading up to the race are what it's all about.  So many things can happen on race day, but spending time with good friends who share your passion and can make you laugh despite your jumping nerves is what makes this fun.

HITS Half-Iron

Yesterday, Randy and I (and our friend Keith) raced the HITS half-iron triathlon in Hague, NY.

Friday afternoon, Randy and I drove up to Hague to pick up our race packet, attend the last 20 minutes of an hour long athletes meeting, and drop off our bikes.  There were only about 160 people racing the half.  They also had about 40 people doing a full iron-distance on the same day.  Each athlete had a little stool to sit on and plenty of room for their transition area.

After doing what we needed to do in Hague, we drove the bike course to my parents place on Loon Lake in Chestertown and went out to dinner with them - always so nice to do!

We got up a little before 4:00 the next morning and got ourselves together.  Instead of using numbers for bodymarking, the race gave us tattoos - very cool.  It had been raining and storming all week, so it was questionable about what weather to expect.  But, for the moment, it was dry and around 70 degrees.  We were able to park right across from the transition area.  No rushing around.  Once we got ourselves all situated and zipped into our wetsuits, we got into the water.  Lake George is such a beautiful lake and up where we were, the water was clear and refreshing.

It was a mass start (with only 200 people, that's easy to handle!) and a counterclockwise loop.  I learned very quickly that sighting the buoys was going to be difficult.  It was cloudy and the buoys were a dark red color, making them challenging to find.  But, I followed the crowd.  I figure that if there are people to the left and right of me, then I can't be too far off course!  Of course, that wasn't the case at the end.  After rounding the last big buoy, I aimed for the beach (with all the other people around me).  Apparently, there was a small buoy that we were supposed to go around, which I never saw.  I don't think I was too far off the course and no one in the large group I was in seemed to see it either.  I came out of the water in 35:01.  I'm pretty happy with that.

I got my wetsuit peeled off (best volunteers ever!) and ran into transition.  Randy was right behind me and Keith was right behind him!  My transition was okay.  It wasn't fast (about 3 minutes), but I managed to get myself settled for the beginning of this bike course.

Ahhh....the bike course.  The 56-mile course has over 3000 feet of climbing (more than the 56 mile loop for Lake Placid Ironman).  1300 feet are in the first five miles.  Upon leaving transition, the course immediately turns onto Route 8, otherwise known as Granite Mountain Road.   Up the mountain we went.  My goal was to keep in in small gears and keep the heart rate down.  I knew it would be slow.  It took me about 35 minutes.  Of course, after that, we got a great downhill on the other side of the mountain.  It was wide open and not very technical, so I could get some decent speed.  And the views of the mountains were amazing!  After that, the course is rolling with one last climb near the turnaround.  My mom and dad came out to watch us go by too, which was fun.  Coming back wasn't so bad, until we had to go up the mountain again.  The last five mile, of course, were all downhill.  I felt great on the bike course, despite a slow time.  If I disregard the first climb, I averaged about 17+ mph, but my overall time was 3:36, which was much slower than I was hoping for.  My computer said I went 58 miles and apparently others thought the course was long as well.  Slower than I wanted, but still strong considering the difficulty of the course

My second transition was fine, about 1:40.  Then, I headed out on the run.

I thought the bike course was tough.  The run course was downright mean!  There were constant hills.  I knew it was hilly (after all, we were in the Adirondacks), but I didn't expect not having any flat sections.  None.  However, I seemed to be moving right along at a 10:00 pace.  Until about mile 9.  That's when my body was just getting tired of the hills.  Plus, it was getting hot and sunny.  I ended up walking some of the steeper parts.  My pace got a bit slower then, but I never felt terrible.  I ended up with a 2:16.  Not too bad.

Overall, this was one of my slowest races at this distance (6:33 and I'm normally closer to 6 hours), but I think it was one of the most challenging courses I've ever done.  I'm generally happy with the experience, but I think it may be time to look for a flatter course!

This was also the friendliest race I've ever done.  The race director and transition area coordinator treated us as if we were old friends and the volunteers were great.  The athletes were just as friendly, cheering one another on and giving shout-outs to familiar tri clubs.  The course was hard, which makes it questionable as to whether I'd want to do it again, but the experience was great!

Ironman and Teaching

Four years ago, I was elected president of my local teachers' union.  I was cleaning out some of my old stuff and I found this speech I gave about Ironman and teaching.  I thought this would be a good place to share...

I’ve completed two Ironman races.  When people hear that, they usually ask, “Why?”  But no answer I give ever satisfies the curiosity of someone outside of the world of triathlon.  When someone asks me why I teach, it feels the same way.  Any answer I provide sounds like a cliché.

At the beginning of an Ironman race, there are over 2000 athletes wading in the water.  The tension in the air is thick.  Everyone is at least a little bit anxious.  Will I make it to the finish line?  What if I panic during the swim?  What will I do if I get a flat tire?  What if I get sick along the way?  What if I don’t make the time cutoff?

The beginning of the school year feels a little bit like the beginning of an Ironman.  What will my class be like?  Will I inspire my students?  What if I have a student with special needs?  What if I have a disagreement with a parent?  What if I don’t make it to the end of the year?

At precisely 7am, the cannon goes off and the athletes begin their Ironman journey.  Arms are flailing, people are pushing and pulling each other, and some feel like they’re drowning.

At precisely 7:39am, the bell rings.  Students fill the halls, pushing their way to lockers and classrooms.  Teachers are passing out books and memorizing names.  Guidance counselors are adjusting schedules and looking for “phantom students.”  We all feel like we’re drowning.

Once we get through the chaos of the swim, it’s on to a 112-mile bike ride.  I know what you’re thinking – “112 miles?  Who would be crazy enough to do that?”  Now think of all those people out there that say, “A classroom full of children?  180 days a year?  Who would be crazy enough to do that?”  But, the athletes settle in.  Of course, those 112 miles are not always the smoothest and they are rarely flat.  One of the worst feelings is when you are riding along, feeling good, then you hear and feel the “thump, thump, thump” of a flat tire.  So, you break your rhythm, pull over, and hop off the bike.  If you are well-prepared and well-practiced, you can get that flat fixed pretty quickly and pick up where you left off.  The flat tire hasn’t kept you out of the race – it only slowed you down a bit. 

You and your students settle in as well.  You get into a rhythm and just when you think everything is going smoothly, “thump, thump, thump.”  Our flat tires often come in the form of a student’s failure.  So, what do we do?  We teach those students how to deal with the disappointment, but we also teach them that all it did was slow us down.  That one test grade hasn’t kept us out of the race. 

We are off the bikes and onto the run – a full 26.2 miles.  This is where the true test of wills begins and the real doubt starts to creep in.  Did I eat enough on the bike?  Did I drink enough?  Did I drink too much?  How will I ever find it in my legs to run a marathon?  What did I get myself into?  Will I make it to the finish line before midnight? 

The end of the year is like an Ironman run.  Did I do enough for my students?  Are they prepared for the next grade level?  Will they be able to graduate?  What did I get myself into? Will I finish the curriculum before the Regents?

It is important to note that no one would become an Ironman without the support and encouragement of the volunteers and spectators along the course.  They want each and every athlete to reach his or her goal and they will do everything they can to help.  All you have to do is ask.  Spectators stand for hours and hours, sometimes in the pouring rain, to support the athletes, celebrate their little victories, encourage them during their disappointments, and cheer them across the finish line.  People even come out of their homes to offer more food at the aid stations.  The best part of human nature is on full display and it carries you to the finish line.

As teachers, we also have a support system built right in – each other.  Our colleagues are there to offer us their help and support throughout the entire year.  And remember, asking for help is not a sign of weakness.  Together, we celebrate our little victories and encourage each other during our disappointments.  Sometimes teachers even bring in treats from home, and sometimes that plate of cookies in the teachers’ room is the little bit extra that you needed to get through the day. 

So, when someone asks you why you teach, tell them about that day’s little victory and then tell them about the big celebration when you and your students cross the finish line.

I am lion...hear me roar!!!

Okay, that title is not quite how I see myself, but I thought it was fitting.

This morning was the Saratoga Lions Club duathlon.  For the past few years, I have volunteered to be the course marshal.  I got to ride on a motorcycle (wheee!) and yell at people who were drafting.  I was feared.

This year, I decided to race.  I'm pretty sure I was no longer feared, but I must say that I had a great race.

Before the race started, I ran into an old high school friend, Cortney, who was racing.  It was so great to see her and her parents (her dad is my favorite former music teacher).  Cortney is doing her first Ironman this fall and just finished her first marathon.  We ran the first 5K together.  The run is two loops, which I thought would be annoying for a 5K, but it was kind of cool.  You get to see everyone and mentally it felt shorter since you were never more than a half mile from the transition area.  I must admit that it helped.  I'm sure I would not have pushed myself if I had been on my own!  Of course, my sister Lisa was just in front of us and I didn't want to let her out of my sight! I clocked a 24:07 which is a new 5K PR for me (by one second!).

We came into transition about 20 seconds behind my sister.  Now, I am most definitely not known for my fast transitions, but I can't figure out what was taking Lisa so long.  As I was running out with my bike, I think she was still taking off her running shoes.  I lost sight of Cortney too.

The bike course is a lollipop with three loops.  My plan was to hammer the bike and see what happens.  Since I don't ever really hammer the bike, I knew I would have enough for the next run.  But, I worked hard and felt great.  I was able to spin up the hills and I passed many people and only got passed by about five men.  My bike time, which includes my super fast (ha!) first transition, is officially 1:02:12.  Unfortunately, I didn't remember to reset my bike computer before heading out.  I think I was still basking in my Lake Placid ride from last week.

Back in transition, I had to sit down to change my shoes.  I think it was just easier and faster than trying to change standing up.  Off to run #2...

Hmmm....  I had no one to pace me this time around.  But, I had the Garmin, so I could keep an eye on the pace.  I really didn't know how to attack this run other than to just keep going.  I managed to maintain an 8:16 pace with my last mile at 7:50 (fastest running mile of the day for me).  My second 5K, which includes my second transition, is 26:31, for an overall time of 1:52:49.

I was fifth in my age group (who are these seriously fast women???), but I'll take it.  Next year, I'll have them all trembling in fear...

Thank you to the Lions Club (including my mom and dad) for putting on another spectacular event!  It was so well run and everyone is so friendly and helpful!

The Big Training Weekend

Every year, Randy and I spend a weekend in Lake Placid with some of our triathlon friends for a big training weekend.  This year was no exception.

Friday night, Randy loaded the bikes into the Black Pearl (our awesome Ford Flex named for the Pirates of the Caribbean ship).  We packed all our gear and food and clothes and got up early Saturday morning to make the trip up to the Adirondack High Peaks.  Of course, we were sure to stop at our favorite rest area just before getting off the highway.

Upon our arrival, there was the usual busy-ness of getting ready and deciding what to wear.  If you are wearing too much, you'll be sweating on the climbs (which are everywhere) and if you don't have enough, you'll be freezing on the descent into Keene.  At the last minute, I took off the knee warmers, but decided to keep the arm warmers.  Once we were all ready (all except Jen, who was smart to get up there Friday night and start an hour earlier), we rolled out of town.

My plan was to keep it easy for the first loop.  In fact, I have some rules - always do one gear easier than I think I can do and do not use the big chain ring until I get to the Cascades (about two miles before the big descent).  Our friend Dan rode with me and I was feeling pretty good.  At about mile 40, we stopped for water, but noticed that our usual pit stop was closed!  We've always stopped at Wilson farms to refill the bottles.  It's funny how things like that can throw you off a little.  This weekend, and this bike course, are like a tradition for us (hence the necessary stop at the rest area on the highway).  But, we found another place to fill up.  This place had more beer than water, but they were really friendly and we went back out.

If you've ever been to Lake Placid and Whiteface Mountain, you would know how crappy the roads usually are.  For ten years, we've been dodging potholes and torn pavement as we ride the long 12 miles uphill from Wilmington to LP.  But, the sadness (?) from the loss of our beloved Wilson Farms quickly turned to pure joy at the sight of a newly paved highway!  Not that the ride is any easier, but it is far more comfortable!

After the first loop, I was delighted by my time of 3:25.  I had no idea what to expect, so I was just hoping that I didn't put too much out there on the first loop only to struggle through the second.  As we rolled out of town again (after refilling the bottles and food bags), I was starting to push some bigger gears.  Of course, Randy took off and there was no way I was going to try to keep up with him, but I really felt good.  All the while, I was hoping that the good feeling would last.  It was starting to get warm and there are parts of that course that are in the open sun for long stretches.  I rode most of the second loop alone, which was okay (good mental training) and I even passed some people.  I handled the climbs well (over 5000 feet of climbing) and when I finished, I saw that I had a total time of 6:49!  That meant that I had an even split, which is very cool.  Even better, that was five minutes faster than my race in 2006!

I will admit that I'm feeling pretty good about that.  I have a time goal for IM this year, and I'm starting to feel like it is reachable.

Last night was the best part of the weekend, though.  Eating good food and hanging with friends, sharing stories of the day's ride and past rides and races is what the sport is all about.

This morning, we ran half the run course and I was again feeling pretty good.  I wasn't blazing fast, just trying to maintain my e-pace (10:30 miles).  My legs were (are) tired, but I didn't feel the need to walk.  And, my IT band was able to handle the downhills and the crowned roads.  At least during the race, I won't have to run on the side of the road (can't avoid those hills though).  Seems like surgery was a good move for me!

I must also give a shout out to my amazing husband and coach!  Without him, I don't know how this would be.  Thanks, babe!

And thank you to Ray for setting us up in the great house.  We missed you!

Of course, after the run, we visited the Lake Placid Brew Pub, where I scarfed down a mushroom and swiss burger...mmmmm.........

All in all, a great weekend of training with good friends and great weather!  I am starting to get excited for race day!  Bring it on!!

184 seconds in 10 years

In September 2003, I ran my first half marathon.  It was the Adirondack Half-Marathon in Schroon Lake, NY.  What a beautiful race!  I remember being a bit anxious about the distance, but I really enjoyed the race.  I finished in 2 hours, 21 seconds.  Really?  Twenty-one seconds?

After that, I did not race another half-marathon.  Until today.  It is ten years later (okay, nine and a half years) and I felt the same way I did before the Schroon Lake race.  Nervous, particularly about the distance.  But this time I was surprised by my anxiety.  After all, I had run half-marathons within a half-ironman triathlon.  I even "ran" the marathons in a full Ironman.  Why was I anxious?  I realized that I was hoping to go under that two hour mark and I was nervous that I wouldn't do it.  After all, I had just started building my running base again, coming off an injury and I am ten years older than that last race!  (Okay, nine and a half years older.)  Why so nervous?  Well, I really wanted to go under two hours.  I mean, I really wanted it!  I wanted to prove that, despite the running re-start and being nine and a half years older, I could get faster.

The race was the 50th running of the Caesar Rodney Half Marathon in Wilmington, Delaware.  It's close to where Randy grew up and he has done the race several times, usually with me cheering him on.  It's a great race and the atmosphere was very festive.

The race starts with a downhill.  Very dangerous to have a smoking first mile.  But, I didn't let it go to my head and decided that the extra 40 seconds for that mile would be banked for the uphills to come.  But, I felt great all the way through the first half.  My first four miles were under my goal pace of 9:00/mile.  Then the hills started.  The way the people around me were talking, you would have thought we were about the climb the Alps.  Truth be told, I didn't think the hills were that bad.  Either they weren't that bad, or I was so well prepared....  hills?  what hills?   I felt great.  I slowed a bit, but nothing that set me off my goal pace.  The race got flat(ish) again and ended with some nice downhills.  Again, nothing too steep...just enough to boost my pace again.  I always try to take advantage of that free speed!  The last four miles were about the same pace as my first four!

My finish time is officially 1:57:17 which means I was holding a pace of 8:57 per mile!  I am soooo happy with this result!  It makes me feel like I'm back to being a runner again and that my goals for Lake Placid are realistic.

Of course, I could not have done this without Randy.  As my coach, he has been great.  Clearly his plan for me is working!  As my husband, he is even greater.  Even though he is a little faster than I am (okay, a LOT faster), he always lets me know that he is proud of me.  Thank you, honey!

And, a shout out to our friend Keith.  He had an amazing race today, taking 7 minutes off of last years' time!  He was a great (and silent) running partner!

So, now I get a few days to recover.  I pushed it today and that was the plan.  But now I have to rest the legs to move on with my Lake Placid training...bring it!

Perpsective

So, I thought my haircut was important.  Boy, was I wrong!

There are days during training for an Ironman that you just want to quit.  There are times during a long ride that you wonder if you'll ever make it back home again.  There are moments during a sprint set that you think, "there is no way I can do this any longer...it's too hard."

What simple problems we Ironman athletes face.

Two weeks ago, a colleague and friend learned that his 5-year-old daughter has stage 3 cancer.  This kid is one of the toughest I've ever met.  I remember a few years ago watching her face plant on a concrete patio.  She got up - no tears - wiped her hands on her pants and said, "Brush it off!"  Hearing about everything that they are going through has put the hard sprints and the tiring long rides into perspective.  They have their own Ironman to get through and it will be infinitely more difficult than swimming, cycling, and running. 

So, whenever I start to feel like it's too hard, I think of my friends and their beautiful daughter.  If they can do that, I can do this.  It's the least I can do.  And when the going gets tough, the tough "brush it off."