Brenda's First IM Report
I was debating. Should I write a race report. I'm not sure I have anything valuable to say, but 7 days after the event, I think I would like to share my journey and IM experience.
I came to triathlon after 8 years of being a duathlete, not because I did not want to learn how to swim, but because I was afraid of swimming, but I was getting bored with duathlons. I love the HIM distance and there are only a handful of them in my surrounding area, so something had to give....so a triathlete I became. Being married to an 8x IM finisher naturally people would ask....so when are you doing an IM? I figured that I would pick a milestone BDay to do my first, so when I turn 50 was my answer. Nuff said...move on.
Well, not really. A few years ago, while coaching for a local triathlon club I met a couple (Natalie and Brent Pilon) and we became quick friends and training buddies. They realized that the local club was not going to give them the guidance that they needed to race an IM, so they joined EN. Last year IMLP was to be their first IM. So, how does all of this bring me to my IM? Well, we went up to LP last year for the training camp. I had been to the camp the year before and really enjoyed myself, but I did half of what everyone else was doing because I was an HIM athlete and I fully intended on doing that at this camp, but Natalie had other plans for me. She asked if I would consider riding the full 112 miles with her the first day of the camp. After a small protest I said yes. After we completed that distance, we did 56 miles + 1.2mile swim on Day 2, and 13.1 mile run on Day 3. That gave me the confidence to think that maybe, just maybe I could participate in an IM, so IMWI was chosen and when the day came to sign up, we sat our our computers at my house and signed up.....BUT there was one thing that everyone had to agree on. I wanted to train and race the event without very little people knowing. This was part social experiment and fear of failure.
I have to say....I love training more than I do racing, so training always goes well for me. I am very disciplined and rarely miss any workouts, so the lead up to the race was uneventful.
RACE WEEK
Tuesday Steve left with our bikes. Mary Larson (angel) let Steve bunk at her house until we arrived on Wed. Me and the Pilons flew in on Wed. We stayed at a cottage on Lake Kagonga. This was a good choice. We were able to totally chill.
Days leading up to race we kept a low profile and stuck to what Coach Rich said we should do. We drove and rode the portions of thecourse that were suggested by Coach Rich in the webinar, as we were unable to come to the training camp.
and then we went to the Team Dinner which was awesome.
Good food, good company and great team mates, especially Joe Matchette, who agreed to lend me his Garmin 800 because my Garmin 500 decided not to power up at all that day when I went to charge it. Sure am glad I checked it before I went. You are a life saver Joe
Friday, met team for swim at 8am. Water was warm, but a bit choppy and had a current on the way back, not unlike the swim on Race Day. Nothing I have not swam in before. I may not be a fast swimmer, but I have become very comfortable in all conditions, so if this is what was to be on race day, then so be it.
Checked out the transition area after the swim, where we ran into to Scott Carty and his bro Daniel. Headed over to the Four Keys talk together with the Carty's and Rachal Hawe, who I quickly bonded with as all three of us were doing our first IM. We listened intently to everything the coaches said. We did not want to miss a word, especially from Coach Rich who knew the course like the back of his hand.They did an amazing job on the presentation. There was a great turn out.
By this time it was lunch time, but we needed to register, so we did that and then so we found a great Italian place that had Gluten Free options and enjoyed an nice relaxing lunch. After lunch we headed down to the Bike Shop to pick up some supplies, followed by a little nap by the water and then onto the athlete dinner.
Gotta say that I wished it had more. Food was terrible and show was wah wah, but the time spent with team mates was awesome, so well worth the time.
Saturday was a low key day. Packed bags, nutrition (self fuel on the ride) bike and dropped off then came back to cottage and chillaxed. May have been a nap in there somewhere. I think I od'd on Cooking Shows. We do not get that channel at home.
Saturday night and every night leading up to the race I slept well. If I felt my mind thinking about the race I would say "clear your mind, clear your mind" and that is what would happen. We all woke up at 2am for our shakes and then went back to bed to wake up again at 4:15am (I think). I had oatmeal, banana and water for breakfast. Mixed up some Gatorade and left the house at 5am. Had no problem finding parking. Headed to special needs and ran into Scott and Daniel Carty and their wives. Dropped of bags, potty break, into transition. Body marked, pumped tires, filled bottle holders, and bento box and got out of there. Met up with Pilons and then parted ways to head down to water. Saw Joe Matchette and Sam Ritter. Got reassuring hugs and then headed down Coach Rich's Top Secret route to the water....the stairs. Down in two seconds. Stopped at bottom of stairs for Team EN hugs and well wishes and team pic.
JT Thompson was offering to carrying morning clothing bags to the drop off, but I still wanted to keep mine, but this proved to be a bit stressful, because when we got to the water I had to do a potty stop and by the time I got out they were announcing that we should be getting into the water. Steve took my bag and got it to where it should go. We then headed into the water. I realized I had my flip flops on so I left them at the table to pick up on my way out. Once in the water I moved to the location that Coach R recommended and asked some people what they thought they would swim, and I was in the right location. Steve stayed with me, because he knows that the swim is the thing that scares me the most. As more and more people started to come into the water the more nervous I got and the further I moved back and then I uttered the words "I don't want to do this. I am getting out". Steve came over to me, wrapped his arms around me and said "you can do this, no you are not. Just relax" I took a couple of deep breaths and the gun went off. Steve said have a good race and we parted ways.
The swim was rough. It was the most contact that I have ever had in a race, but I did not panic, and I kept moving forward. I did have to pee like a race horse half way through, but could not relax enough to make it happen, so I just kept moving forward until I could hear Mike Rileys voice and got out of the water. I quickly found a stripper, and made my way up the helix. Felt good coming into transition. Stole an athletes port a potta (which i thought might bring me made karma for the day) but in all fairness, he did not look like he had to go as bad as I did.
I had predicted that I would swim between 1hr30 to 1hr 140. Came out of the water in 1hr37 and change.
T1 - just under 10min
Bike ride was uneventful, well at least for me. I stuck to the plan that Coach R had told us to do. I hydrate every 10 minutes and fuel/stalk myself every 30min. I had my watch set to beep to remind me. Very helpful. That was a tip from Jason Baldimor. I saw two crashes at aid stations which I stayed clear of (self fueled athlete) and one at the bottom of one of the hills.
I had predicted a 6:45 to 7:00 bike and I came in at 6:50. I was stiff in the legs when I got off, but all in all feeling good.
T2 - just over 5 minutes I believe.
Run was awesome. I met up with Scott's bro almost immediately and we ran together for a bit. I did not have a garmin, so I based my pace on feel. Rachal Hawe and I played tag the whole run, which was fun. I trained for this run in the hills of the Gatineaus, so the flats felt very comfortable. I had Coach R in my head all day and that was reinforced everytime I saw him on State street. I listened to him before and I listened to him then. It was so great to see so many EN peeps on the course. Saw my hubby just before the stadium and got a hug and kiss. Not much to report on the run. It went really soomthly. I ran aid stations to aid stations and all the hills (even on the second loop). I had predicted a 5 hour marathon and I came in at 4:35.
Hubby had predicted that I would complete the race in 13:30 and I came across the line in 13:19:45.
Thanks goes out to some many people on making my IM a success. My husband who believes in my abilities more than I do, The Pilons for their friendship and encouragement, my EN Sleeper Cell peeps (Nicole Delaney, Naomi Gilker, Brent Eritou, Trevor McLean, Mike McMahon), The Coaches and all my EN Team Mates. Your love was felt and greatly appreciated (Woody, Tim, John, Jess etc....)Special thanks goes out to Mary Larson (for housing hubby), JT Thompson for his amazing cheering and sherpa duties, Joe Matchette for the big ass hug and lending us the garmin, Sam Ritter for being my catcher at the finish line and taking really good care of me and Rachal Hawse for helping with my Race Director duties. I hope I have not missed anyone.
This was an amazing experience, and although I am not planning on doing and IM next year (HIM's for this girl) I am not ruling out doing another IM, as long as I have this amazing team to train with.
Thanks for reading.
Comments
Due to family events, I was only able to make a surgical strike of spectating on race day, driving in from Chicago just in time for the swim and having to leave by early afternoon. I probably spent as much time driving as spectating, but I was not going to miss IMWI. I am bummed I did not get to hang out and cheer all day for everyone, but I made sure to yell extra hard when I saw you running down the parking deck to your bike in T1. Thanks for everything you do for the team, Brenda. Glad you had a great year of preparing and a great race. Congratulations!
The swim start is the worst part, but Man I love the feeling of getting out of the water having gotten it done...
so happy for you to have crossed that finish line..
Congrats on such a well executed FIRST Ironman!
Congratulations, and great execution on your day.
I really enjoyed meeting you guys and hope to race with you again. Any chance you will come down next fall for IMChoo??