IM AZ 2012 Race Report
This race (IM #5, #2 at AZ) was truly an experiment, culminating a year following a new training plan (EN), with a new race fueling plan (CoreDiet), riding/training with power for the first time ever (Quarq), testing my legs (and courage) in bike racing, all in between commuting to the city for a new job! I've been doing this tri stuff 15+ years, but am always learning and trying new things. I'd say my experiment was a success ... almost 20' PR! Yeah... I'm an EN believer!!
I arrived into town on Thursday, went right to the expo for check-in, re-uniting with my bike (after its mani/pedi with SAGMonkey - an absolutely incredible bike concierge service) and the obligatory M-dot shopping. My only blip of the weekend occurred that night and well into the next day - let's just say Monti's chilean sea bass did not agree with me. ... BUT, I absolutely LOVED meeting all the EN crew! Hindsight, the un-planned total rest day on Friday was a blessing in disguise!
Race day was a typical gorgeous Arizona fall day - crystal blue skies with temps reaching the mid-70s, and very little wind. Even Tempe Town lake seemed not as dark and cold as 2 years prior. The swim was the typical rough as heck IM swim. A few times when I felt like I had some room, I'd sight, and it would usually be because I was swimming towards the wall of the lake... oops! When I reached T1, I looked at my watch - 35 minutes!! - oops again... I tried to do some math to figure out total time, but I was off, so I never did know my total elapsed race time all day.
On to the bike, which I was nervous about. I had a break-through barely sub-6 hour bike in 2010 in AZ, and of course, wanted to see that again. But, I wanted to ride the watts, per EN pacing, and more so aim for an overall improved time. So, I basically rode with my eyes glued to the power meter, keeping it really controlled the first loop, especially up the Beeline. I never knew how fast I was riding, only my %FTP. I just rode the same effort for the whole ride, which meant I was being passed going up the Beeline, and I was doing the passing going down the Beeline. The 112 miles really flew by, watching my power meter, and drinking / eating religiously every 10 minutes, reminded by my alarm. (Can't believe it's taken me so many years to implement that trick!) I did notice a lot of bike crashes and very poor bike handling at this race; think it was a bigger start crowd than usual, and maybe my newly honed bike skills from bike racing made me hyper-sensitive. When I hopped off the bike and finally looked at my time - 5:44 - I was ecstatic!
On to the run, which was where I really wanted to improve my race... and where I still need some work. I can't figure this out, but it is SOOOO hard for me to run slow off the bike! I think it's the combo of being relieved to be finally off the bike, plus all the incredible crowds at T2, that cause my legs to churn at what truly feels quite comfy and slow, but in reality is probably a minute faster per mile than I should be running. So, I ran my standard IM marathon - start off at sub 9 minute miles and end at 10+ minute miles, with a few 11+ minute potty stop miles. One of these days, I'm going to negative split that dang run!!!
All in all, though, I was very, very happy with my race - 11:35 (1:21 swim / 5:44 bike / 4:20 run), ending up just off the podium at AG6. Congrats to all the other EN teammates out there that day; it was so much fun hanging and racing with you!!
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Comments
A 20' PR for someone with your years of experience ... that must feel great. I hear you about the value of EN training and race strategy. I'd say you've still got some opportunity to improve on that.
Outstanding Julie! Congrats on the AG6 and the 20' PR!!!! I have the same issue with pacing in the first miles of the run. I got myself a gps watch this year, and its made all the difference: like the power meter, I just do what it tells me, its made me much more consistent. So great to meet you, hope we race together again!
Just looked a little more closely at your results on Ironman.com. What an incredibly consistant race! Swim, bike and run were all right up there in your age group. Find 30 minutes on the run and your off to Kona! Of course, you could just hold your pace, age up and you'd be 2nd
big congrats. nice to be out there with you. podium next time.