Dottie Catlin IMAZ 2012 Race Report. PR of 45', including PRing ALL legs!
Dottie Catlin-IMAZ 2012 Race Report: 11:57:05, 45’ PR, including PRing ALL legs
What a way to end the season. “All I want for Christmas is a sub-12 Ironman...”
Well, I got it!
A little background: three sport div. 1 college athlete. Strong, thick, talented athletically. Was always just as fast as the skinny girls, often known as the deceptive one. So, when I transitioned to triathlon, I knew I’d get away somewhat with a strong, athletic background and talent. I knew I’d start MOP after gaining a lot of weight after 3 pregnancies, but knew I could easily break into top 3rd of AG with some focus in training. And, that’s what led me to a team and plan, and eventually Team EN. All I really wanted to do was “lose the pregnancy weight” and “feel fit again”, and of course, “to have a great race”, which turned into races pretty quickly.
I immediately dropped about 20lbs when I did the OS starting in Jan. 11. I completed IMFL and finished 12:42, then IMLP for 12:56. Even though a slower time at IMLP I knew I had increased my fitness by about a half hour, since most people add about 45 mins to their IMLP as compared to IMFL. So, for IMAZ I knew I could do about 12:15, but I wanted sub 12. Between IMFL ’11 and IMLP ‘12 and IMAZ ’12 I did not lose any weight at all, but I gained muscle and definition. My swim improved a lot and I worked my butt off on the bike. I worked hard on my run too, but in the end didn’t shave too much time off the marathon. Before I dive into IMAZ ’12, I already know for the future, that in order to really be good at this sport I need to drop the real weight. Go beyond the pregnancy weight loss/back to my typical thick, yet strong self, and get to that lean and powerful body composition. I now know it is impossible for me to lose weight while training. I don’t know why some women have such a hard time, but I certainly do. I feel lethargic and weak. So, before I ramp up again with another race in sight, my focus will be on losing the 20 and then coming back to build. The good news is, in training, I also don’t gain weight. My focus on this will bring me my ultimate results that I crave in triathlon.
OK, but let’s not delve into the future just yet.
IMAZ ended up being a perfect day for me at the fitness that I went in with at this time in my life. I pretty much met every single goal that I set out for myself.
-I wanted to PR every leg of the race and I did.
-I wanted to go sub 12 and I did.
-I wanted to go sub 6 on the bike and I did.
-I wanted to sub 11mi/avg on run and I did.
-I wanted to increase my position in my AG and I did. 34th at IMFL, 35th at IMLP & 23rd here at IMAZ.
-I wanted to be nauseous at the finish, but not in the med tent. That happened.
-I wanted to feel the edge and not be happy, yet focused and connected to “my zone”. Yes, this happened.
-I didn’t want to look happy & rested in my photos. I wanted to look focused and as if I was working! I didn’t make a conscious effort to NOT smile when I saw a photographer, but I didn’t want to waste any energy or time on smiling for the crowd. My head was down, cap over my eyes and focused. I remembered Chrissie’s coach telling her not to smile in Kona ’11. “Don’t waste any energy” he said. That’s what I wanted to do, and looking now at my pics I only have a few smiling ones. Ha, I had to smile for some, for I love this sport!! ?
For this race I flew out on Wed evening from work and picked up my bike from Tribike Transport on Thursday. Easy peasy. Julie (wife) and our best friend flew out Thursday evening and we decided not to bring the three kids. Easy peasy. Of course I missed them, but I really could relax, which was amazing (and felt weird!). Registered on Thursday and Team EN Dinner Thursday night (always so fun). Biked Friday and put together gear bags. Then, went to WTC Dinner/mtg. This is always inspirational for me. Saturday morning went to Four Keys, checked into hotel & dropped off bike & T bags. So happy to meet Rich. Loved the Four Keys, and two things would stay in my head for race day.
- Your racing self owes it to your training self to perform from Mile 18 on. Your training self has put in a ton of work. Show your training self your best racing effort on race day.
- Know your one thing for that time as well.
Saturday big lunch and light dinner and bed by 9. Same routine and food as IMFL & IMLP. I felt so calm. There were so many signs leading up to this race. I just felt so good and that luck was on my side. I found pennies on the side of the road, or things people would say to me. I never once doubted that I could go sub-12. In fact after IMLP I said to myself I want to sub 12 IMAZ, so I picked the Advanced plan b/c that is for sub-12 athletes. I never thought that I wouldn’t be. People say Ironman is 10% physical and 90% mental. Well, ya definitely have to be physically ready but I do believe in positive reinforcement and confidence, and how that affects performance. I definitely never doubted myself, and I think that was KEY on race day.
But, as I went to bed and lay there for a bit I said to myself. OK, you can do this. But, let’s think about execution one more time. Focus with me here. How is this going to play out.
I did not know the course and where I bike at home is not flat. So, I really did not know exactly how fast I should go, or what. I just knew my power and percentages. I couldn’t say, “I should end up about xx on the bike” as I could in LP since I knew the course, but that was okay. What I did know and what I chose to focus on, was that I would have to make decisions all day long, and that I had to keep focused on the short-term goals, all the while keeping the end destination in site.
What did that mean? It meant that I had a very strong feeling that if I did this, it would be close.
The very last thing I did before going to bed was read Al’s race report from last year’s race. Never met the guy, but he inspires me. To me, Rich & Al are somewhat similar. A little bit badass and live in reality where things are what they are. Not a lot of fluff, and you live life by the facts. I could be so wrong in my little evaluation, but it is people like them that I aim to please. Tough love kind of people who believe in you, yet know exactly where you should be on race day. Around people like this it makes me feel like, -Put your race cap on and shut up. Get it done.- That’s the attitude I went in with for race
day.
Race Morning:
Exact same routine as IMFL & IMLP:
Nutella & sunbutter on white, Gatorade, coffee to poo & banana. Water & power gel ½ before swim start. Potty twice and good to go!
Swim: 1:07:27, 6th AG, PR of 1:44
Crowded, but ok. I lined up with the big boys and glad I did. Lots of drafting potential and success here.
IMFL & IMLP both were 1:09:xx. I made a decision to push it on the swim. I was never out of breath or anything, but I kept a sustained effort. When I came out and heard 1:07 I nearly freaked out. Holy shit, it’s working…I also missed a step and SLAMMED my left arch down on the edge of a metal stair. I was immediately worried that I’d have a contusion and it would affect my run, but no, that is not what we are going to focus on right now. So, I threw away the excitement of 1:07 and the pain of left arch, and went to my next task, T1.
T1: 4:22, PR of 1:11
In & out, but faster. Run to my bike and with my bike across that timing mat! Get across that line!
Bike: 5:56:59, 16th AG, PR of 37’
IF .68
Avg power 125
Cadence 80
My zone 1 is 135-144, zone 2 is 144-155
I followed EN protocol and JRA’d for the first 90’. I never pushed to 134 b/c I was already going 21 mph. After the 90’ I came up to 144+, and it was no problem at all. At the final turnaround I took the chance and risk and brought it home closer to the 155 end. Felt totally fine and was fresh on the run. In hindsight I know I can hold a 6hr split. No issues in aero or boredom, nutrition, etc. For next race I will be sure I hit my bottom zone 1 starting at beginning of bike split. I think I averaged about 90 when shoulda 134 in JRA phase. Woulda coulda—maybe 5-10’. Not something I hold on to. But, just noted when I make my re-entry to IM. Nutrition of 2 3-hr concentrated infinit, chased by water was perfect, as it was at IMFL & IMLP. 2 s-caps every hour on bike.
Thought bike course was boring, but it went by quickly. Messy, busy. Lots of accidents. I was happy to get back to T. Not a race I’d do again, but happy I did it!
T2: 1:45, PR of 1:33
Same as T1. In & out, but faster!!!
Run: 4:46:32, 23th AG, PR of 2:22
I’m not very good at starting slow and then picking it up and holding steady at a pace that is faster than those original first 6 miles. Although I love to run, I have no background in formal track or cross country, so do not consider myself a runner. I also just know that my big frame affects me most on the run out of all the legs. You carry around extra weight and you are going to be slower in comparison. Easier to be as fast as the skinny/fit girls on the swim & bike, not so easy on the run. But, all I cared about was staying steady. I knew I had sub-12 in the bag if I could just.hold.on. Although I’m not very good at picking up the pace, I know I’m pretty good at holding steady. I definitely felt confident enough in T2 to make that decision.
I liked the run course. Pretty good fans, but not at all compared to Placid and even Florida. I found people cheering for their people but not for anyone else, which was annoying, but whatever. Luckily I wasn’t relying on them!
I was happy to see Rich and EN families on the course. I loved seeing EN teammates too! Thought I would be the first EN chica in until Julie zoomed by me. What a mentor! You rock, J!!
At Mile 18 I tapped into my one thing and started talking to my racing self. I talked to myself the rest of the way. I did.not.let.myself.lose.focus. Keep on it one second or step at a time. Head down, very focused and serious. I wasn’t going to let this slip away!!! Three Ironmans for three kids. IMFL was for my baby, a complete love. She has like a grandmother’s persona at age two. So, she was my one thing at Florida and I finished due to the love of the sport and b/c IM makes me happy. For Placid it was going to be tougher on me b/c of the hills. My middle child is assertive, stubborn, strong-willed, pushes buttons. Placid was with her drive and determination. I had to work hard on that bike course and run course with the hills. IMAZ then, was for my first-a very talented athlete. He’s just good without trying and that’s how I wanted it to be. Of course I had to work, but I never let myself believe that. I just kept saying his name over and over starting at Mile 18 and I had Herb Brooks in my head, “You were born to be hockey players. You were born to be here, right now...” --Riggs, Riggs, Riggs, Riggs. Racing self, don’t let training self down. Riggs, Riggs, Riggs, Riggs. Racing self...and on and on. I do not ever remember having to reel myself back in, really, or losing focus for more than a second or two. I had Flat Stanley on me, which was for Riggs’s class. Lots of comments from spectators. Also, lots of comments re: EN. “What is this?” as he made a box with his hands. I said, “That’s my box! Only focus on what you can control!” Awesomeness. Pure awesomeness.
Nutrition was gel every half hour, s-caps every hour. Water at every aid station. Same routine-water on head, water split on cool sleeves, water in mouth. Wore the snap towel that keeps cool around my neck. Definitely recommend it! Was totally fine until mile 24 when I got all bubbly. Oh no! I’m so close. Chose a broth, chugged it, and a coke at last 2 stations. Oh! I chose to NOT walk the aid stations b/c I knew sub-12 would be close. I walked the last 2 stations (20 steps or so), but I watched my watch. I wasn’t going to lose this in the last 2 miles, dammit! Luckily my stomach responded well and I was fine bringing it in.
I forgot to start my watch at swim start, so even though I knew I went 1:07 and my bike split, I did not know my transitions, even if I knew they were fast. So, I just kept asking for the time. “What time is it!!!????” “What time is it?!!!!” I knew it was 6:56 when I came up to the chute, but when I rounded the corner and saw the clock at 11:56:xx it was for reals, man! A couple of arm pumps, a big huge, “Sub-12, Baby! F-yeah!” and I pointed to the clock and sprinted in.
Classy and rough, I know it!! But, man, did.it.feel.good!!!! At least I didn’t flex my muscles like I did at IMFL finish. It’s just so exciting. Things happen at the finish that a lady just doesn’t think about. Haha. I’m kidding, of course. My point is that the finish is just.so.emotional. I LOVE THAT FEELING!!!
And, once I stopped I felt nauseous. I like risks, but I am happily married & mom of 3 littles. I have no desire to race so hard that I end up in the med tent and possibly dying. It’s just not worth it to me. But, I did want to push that edge and know what nauseous feels like, to “leave it out on the course.” I gulped down a choco milk and was ok. Fun to see Rich & EN teammates at the finish!
After thoughts:
So, how do I feel right now?! PROUD. If I had only PR’ed the swim and not focused on the transitions, or hadn’t biked in fast to secure the sub-6, or walked the aid stations, I might not have gone sub-12. What I’m most proud of is that I kept my focus all day long, and made smart decisions (with a little side of risk) during the race. It was worth it! And, to be honest, after 3 IMs and 5 HIMs with EN, I’m also proud that my mind has literally been trained to take these actions without really thinking. I still scratch my head in amazement how I just always imagined myself being a 15 hr Ironman. EN just makes a person really able to race…and succeed (usually, & with luck on your side).
My favorite quote from college years from one of my coaches was this:
-Luck is where preparation meets opportunity-This could not have been more true at IMAZ for me. I have a 4 leaf clover tattoo, I pay attention to pennies on the ground and when ladybugs land on me, etc. But, luck happens when you are prepared, and go out and meet that challenge, indeed!
Looking forward to losing weight and coming back to beat my PR again, EN style, of course, and with special emphasis on a faster run and even stronger bike. 6th AG swim to 16th AG bike to 23rd AG at finish. If I was lean & mean I wouldn’t drop so many spots over the race, I know I wouldn’t.
Until then…
(If you didn’t see my dashboard post I am signing off from EN for an adventure in a different direction. I will be back, but I’m worried I might not get the benefit of reading the wonderful comments that come in response to race reports. If you are on FB please friend me up at dottiecatlin. I’m also at dotcatlin@gmail.com
I’ve loved my time with EN and meeting all of you. I will be back, there is no question. Until then I’ll live vicariously through you guys. Good luck with your 2013 seasons!!!!
Comments
Yeah, Dottie, you said it all in your report - achieving all of your goals, and knowing what your new ones are. Only thing I'll say is about body composition. I spent 30 years trying to get a build like a fullback. I was 5'10", weighed 154#, and never could gain any muscle, no matter how much time I spent in the weight room. I finally figured out after doing triathlon for a few years that maybe I should just take advantage of the body my mother (especially - she was the lean, intellectual one) and dad (he was the thick, but athletic one) gave me, and resign myself to being a runner.
You need to figure out what advantages *your* body gives you in our sport, and leverage those, rather than try to make yourself into something you're not designed to be.
What did Flat Stanley think of his adventure??