2013 IMAZ Race Report-Danielle Santucci
What happens when you complete an IM the week before Thanksgiving? Answer: you go home with the good intention of typing out (the written draft) and posting your race report. But what really happens is you are swamped with holiday guests, preparation, entertaining and chaos leaving you barely any time to sleep let alone type. This is long overdue. Thanks for reading 
IMAZ Race Recap
I had no expectations (except to finish) coming into this race. I mean c'mon it was my first one and it would have been highly arrogant and naive of me to say "yeah, I'm going to place in the top 20% of my AG and finish in under 12hours" when I had absolutely no idea what an IM day takes mentally let alone what it feels like physically. The fact that those 2 things happened is as much a surprise to me as it may be to others. So here is my story and how the day unfolded for this newbie Ironman.
Arrived in Tempe at 8:30pm Thursday evening November 14, 2013. Was tired from a long day of travel and last minute kid stuff before leaving VA. Got to hotel, checked in and went straight to bed.
Friday morning we arrived at registration around 9:30am. Got signed in and headed over to the 4 Keys talk with Coach Rich. Biggest take away from the 4 keys that stuck in my head was, "ride the bike you should, not the bike you could." Picked up bike and bag from TBT and went back to the hotel. Instead of riding some of the course, I chose to take the bike for a short spin around the hotel to make sure everything was running smoothly. When all things were good to go, I parked the bike, threw on the running shoes and went out for an easy jog. I just wanted to keep the legs loose and more importantly distract me from Sunday as my nerves were quite high. It felt really good to run, but the dry air and cotton mouth was a bit of a stressor (nothing I could do about that now). After my run, I got all my bags sorted out and packed. I didn't want to stress about them before bed, so I just got them done and out of the way prior to dinner. Opted against attending the IM dinner at the last minute and chose to go to Whole Foods for dinner as well as pick up the items I would be eating for dinner on Saturday night. Thursday night was late with the time difference so by 9pm I was wiped out.
Saturday: After sleeping a good 9 hours, we got up and headed over to the hotel buffet for a big breakfast. We stayed at the Marriott at the Buttes hotel and it was fantastic. The distance to the race is about 6 miles and the breakfast buffet they serve every morning is top notch, Highly recommend this hotel . For breakfast, I had a cup of black coffee, glass of OJ, 2 pieces of toast and an omelet (with spinach, mushrooms, red onion and goat cheese)-this is considered a large breakfast for me, my typical breakfast is 2 scrambled eggs and a cup of sliced strawberries with coffee. Left for the practice swim and bike/bag drop off getting there around 9:30am. Decided to check bike/bags into transition first to get it out of the way. Was so glad I did, because initially the line into transition looked long, but it was nothing compared to the line I saw after the swim. Got bike racked and bags dropped off and headed over to the practice swim. Jumped in and immediately thought that the water was perfect. The water temp may have been perfect, but the water quality was something else. It had a funny smell and the visibility was awful…definitely not the kind of water you want to accidentally ingest 
. On the way back to the hotel, I picked up some sandwiches for lunch. They were the biggest sandwiches I have ever seen and was only able to eat 1/2 of it for lunch. Stored the other half in the hotel fridge and thought "this could be a good late night snack after the race". So glad I saved that other sandwich half, because dinner that night from Whole foods turned out to be not so good. Had the other half of my sandwich, a glass of milk and chocolate chip cookie (a pre race ritually I have had for years). Before heading off to an early bed, I made up my 4 bottles of Perform and stuck them in the fridge. Slept on and off until the alarm went off at 3am. My on and off sleep was many bathroom trips…Friday and Saturday combined I had a total of 10 20oz water bottles filled with a Nuun/water mix.
RACE DAY:
Woke at 3am, took my thyroid meds and strapped on my timing chip. Around 3:30am I had my 280cal protein shake along with my daily mix of vitamins. Around 4am I brewed a cup of coffee and drank that while I prepared my bento box. Just before heading out the door,I had a 1/2 sesame bagel with Justin's almond/honey butter. Out the door and on our way. Checked into transition with my morning bag filled with my TYR Hurricane wetsuit, AS Kaiman goggles, earplugs, 2 swim caps, bento box (filled with margarita and black cherry cliff blocks and S!Caps), sleeve of cliff blocks, water bottle, 3 bottles of premixed Preform for the bike (1 to fill Aerobottle, 2 disposable for bottle cages), 1 bottle of Perform to sip in the am, aquaphor and Body Glide. Borrowed a pump from a super friendly lady who had raced IMAZ last year as well. She was very excited for me and couldn't have been any sweeter answering all of my last minute questions. Tires pumped, bottles racked, bento box attached. Transition 1 was ready to roll. Went over to the morning bag drop off, slipped on my wetsuit to my waist and sat down to reflect on what I was here. In all of the chaos of the morning with all of the people nervously chatting away, I was quiet, at peace with a very overwhelming sense of calm. Soon this calm would be over.
6:45am rolled around and I found myself standing in a group of the very people I would be making this journey with over the next 12 hours. A smile came to my face and as I smiled I made eye contact with a woman who looked terrified. I smiled and she smiled back…we both were doing this and there was a comfort in knowing that we were all in this together.
SWIM: The women pros were off and it was about to be showtime for the rest of us. Got to the dock and saw a few people making their way on the ledge under the bridge. At the time, I thought it was a good idea so I followed suit. About 4 minutes before the cannon, I jumped in and tried to position myself between the buoys and the wall about 20 yds from the front (in hind sight I wish I would have gone right to the front-I swam OVER a lot of folks). Cannon went off and chaos ensued. Arms, legs and waves were all over the place. Upon sighting I saw people completely stopped and treading water. Was a bit annoyed by this, but just put my head down and got into "my box". After getting my goggles knocked off 2 times and getting a big gulp of the water, I decided it was time to move somewhere else. The next time I sighted, I saw a pocket closer to the buoy so head down I went for it. The swim toward the turn around was challenging, but once I reached the turnaround and was on my way back it opened up and finally I was able to swim my race. Got out of the swim and checked the Garmin…1:14, slower than I would have liked, but content with the time for my first IM. Wetsuit stripped, grabbed T1 bag and entered tent.
T1: It was nice and warm in there and being so cold from the morning air hitting my now wet body, I was happy I changed in there. Bike shorts on (over tri shorts), extra DZNuts, arm warmers, socks, shoes, helmet, sunglasses and 1/2 Cliffbar on way out of tent. Quick sunscreen, grabbed bike and was gone. Time: 8:34
BIKE: Once on the bike the shivering began. The air temperature was comfortable, but I just could not get warm. Deep, slow deliberate breaths. I needed to calm myself as my shivering was making it very hard to control my bike. HR was in the low 100s and I needed to get to a speed where I was going relatively easy while keeping the HR at or under 120. I started to drink immediately from my aerobottle and continued to do so every 10 minutes thereafter. At the 30 minute mark I ate 3 Margarita cliff blocks and would alternate 3 Margarita and 3 Black Cherry (2x caffeine) every 30 minutes. On the top of each hour I would take 1 SCap. I only had one 20oz bottle of Perform in my aerobottle at a time so that I could keep track of exactly how much Perform I would take over the course of the bike. Goal was 1 bottle per hour so when I took an SCap on the top of the hour I filled my aerobottle at the same time. HR goals were 120 or less for the first hour and a steady 125-130 for the remainder of the ride. Yikes, did a lot of people pass me on that first loop. Feeling like a turtle, I just kept my head down and focused on my nutrition and HR. After the first loop (just under 2 hours) I popped off the bike for my first much needed port potty break. Feeling fantastic, I saddled up ready to tackle loop 2. This time I noticed I was able to pick it up yet remain consistent with my HR. I was feeling really good and passing a boat load of guys and gals decked out in all their fancy equipment. This made the confidence level skyrocket. Finished up 2nd loop, stopped once again at the token porta potty. Still feeling amazing, I started loop 3. This is where I began to notice the biggest difference in the EN approach vs the others. So many people riding up on their handle bars, coasting, etc. I was still chugging along with the same effort comfortably in aero. I didn't need anything in special needs nor did I feel like I had to adjust, stretch, stop or anything. What surprised me the most was my ability to hold aero for the entire ride (only getting out around the corners and for bathroom breaks). There were a lot of people hurting by the 3rd loop. In the back of my mind I kept thinking, "I feel too good, am I going too easy, should I be pushing more?" Came through bike finish and noticed sub 6 hour bike split….holy cow and I feel awesome to boot! Nothing hurt, not the legs, butt, back, shoulders…nothing. Hmmm, could I have pushed harder and had a better time? Time: 5:55
T2: Handed the bike off, grabbed bag and back into the tent. Lost the bike shorts, socks and helmet. Slipped on a new pair clean socks (ahh), Hokas and EN visor. Applied Aquaphor to chafe areas, clipped on race belt (with 3 gels) and out of the tent I went. Quick lube of sunscreen to arms and face. Time: 4:09
Run: My nemesis. Here is where it all happens…this is where this IM is going to start for me. I have always prided myself as being a good runner, yet 2013 has been my most difficult running year. For some reason, I just could not put out the same level of running that I have in the past and have been stricken with a number of minor (yet annoying) running nuisances (achilles primarily). Given this, I was most concerned going into the day about the run. The body was either going to cooperate or not and if not it was going to be a very very long run. Started the jog to the first aid station. Noticed my pace was really quick at an 8:30 pace. Whoa, slow down girl you have a long way to go. What I could not get over was how fresh my legs felt. In both of my RR leading up to this race, my legs were anything but fresh in the 6 mile run following the 6hr bike. I just wasn't feeling the typical bike to run legs Ive felt so often during the many HIM races I had completed. Once again the mind went to "did I go too easy on the bike?" Can't think of that right now, slow down and try to keep your HR in the 130s and pace somewhere around 10min miles. Next aid station came, went to the bathroom, got 1/2 cup perform and 1/2 cup water, walked 30 seconds and then took off again. Continued with this routine for the first 6 miles. At mile 6, hit the bathroom again and on top for the perform/water mix I had my first gel. The aid stations were coming quickly and I felt really good. Between miles 6-8 I told myself I would eat gels at miles 6, 12 and 18. After that I would consume whatever I needed to get me to the finish. On top of the perform/water mix at each station and the gels I also continued to take an SCap on the top of every hour. Things were going great, I felt really good. At mile 12 is when things started to happen. I took a gel with water and went to the bathroom. This time though, in the bathroom I felt uneasy in the stomach. Not thinking too much about it I started running again to the next aid station. I decided to try coke at mile 13 to see if it would settle the belly a bit. From mile 13-19 I abandoned the plan to consume perform/water and gels and went directly to alternating coke and water every other station. It seemed to be working well. Up until mile 13, I was running very comfortably. Nothing hurt, HR was steady (130-135), breathing good, smile on the face, all good stuff. After the coke at mile 13 I decided, since I was feeling strong physically, it was time to pick it up. I told myself to run a pace that didn't push my HR past 145. Wasn't really looking at pace anymore, just focused on HR. I felt amazing and I started to notice how many people I was passing…such an awesome feeling! Kept reminding myself "ok, that line is going to come and I need to remember what I am going to say to myself to keep me going." That line never came. I never got to the dark place. I never had to mentally be strong for my body…my body was just doing what it was suppose to do.
The line may have never come for me, but something DID and it happened at mile 19. I entered the porta potty at aid station 19 and the stomach declared very loud and clear "it is time to revolt!" Oh crap (literally), what now? I have 7 miles to go and now you decide to be an issue? A new plan needed to happen and quick…7 miles, is 7 miles. "Ok, Danielle here is what you are going to do…run 1 mile to the next aid station, get a cup of ice water, wet the mouth and spit, drink a sip and use the bathroom." And that is what I did for the last 7 miles (mile 25-26 being the most difficult). Like staying in aero on the bike, I was so happy that even during those last 7 miles of constantly needing to use the bathroom, I RAN between those aid stations. It may not have been fast, but I did not allow myself to walk…my body was strong and I was not going to let my stomach's revolt sabotage the body's strength and the work I had done to get here. Time: 4:23
Finish: After 11+ hours of swimming, biking and running I turned the corner and was coming up the chute. I looked at the time clock….11:46!!! I can not believe I feel this good,strong after doing 140.6 miles in less than 12 hours. This is simply the most fantastic feeling, moment Ive ever had (aside from the birth of my 4 kids)! The volunteers asked me how I was feeling and my response "aside from really needing to go to the bathroom, I feel amazing and don't ever want this feeling to end!" I wasn't hungry, thirsty, in pain or tired…I was euphoric. We left the chaos and headed back to the hotel shortly after the pictures. I felt good, but desperately wanted to take a shower. Showered, clean clothes and with feet up my bathroom issues continued through the night. I was unable to eat or drink anything without a trip to the loo shortly after. Didn't eat until the next morning when my stomach was right again. Would love to figure this one out so it doesn't happen again. Also would love to get some feedback on my effort (especially on the bike). Hardly being sore or stiff the next day makes me think I didn't "race" IMAZ, I just kind of did it. Typical for 1st IM? Thoughts?
Finally, I could not have been any more impressed with how well this race was organized. From packet pick up to the finish line, the whole experience for me was top notch. The volunteers were simply amazing, the spectators were so motivational, the weather and conditions were ideal. If all races were like this I would do 3 a year . Thank you team EN for the plan, execution model and confidence you gave this 40 year old stay at home mom…now IRONMAN! Cant wait until IMMT 2014!!!
Comments
Danielle....congratulations. You are an Ironman!!! Well done. You raced steady and smart like a veteran, not like a first-timer. I knew you were ready for a good race when we briefly talked Sat afternoon in the parking garage. I could see it in your eyes.
In terms of your tummy issue, my only suggestion is that you may want to try fewer forms of nutrition during the race. it seems like you had lot of different stuff. Maybe just find 1 or 2 things, try them out on you training, and stick with them in the race. For example, for me, I use primarily Infinit for the entire race, both bike and run. I put a bagel in my BSN bag & will add in 2 or 3 pieces of banana from bike aid stations when I feel hungry, but it is just Infinit and water on the run. I stay away from the run aid station buffett. I practice this on all my training runs and rides, especially the race rehersal. This combination works for me. I've never had any stomach problems (fingers crossed) in my 3 IMs following this plan.
Again, congrats. I look forward to racing with you in 2014 @ IMMT. See you in Quebec.
As for going harder on the bike I may not be the best to offer feedback as I have N=1 for IM bike at the same race with you. I think the real answer would be quite obvious if you had a power meter. I had an active search agent looking for me on Craigslist and picked one up for a good price several weeks before IMAZ. I love having power and it gives you that feedback as I found my HR didn't vary all that much between one zone to the next but the power meter gives you an exact number to shoot for. Minus the power meter it probably comes from your own experience in how you feel, certainly hindsight said you could go harder. Whether you could have gone faster it certainly sounds like you rode smart based on your write up with an even split among the 3 loops.
As for the nutrition I think everyone is different and those weeks leading up to the race and the key race rehearsals are your best odds at reducing game day tummy trouble but I'm sure you did all that. For me, I did the Core Diet Applesauce breakfast and no coffee or caffeing until my first gel I consumed on the bike. It did the trick for me and I stuck to on course nutrition, mostly liquid, throughout the day.
Again, awesome first IM! I'm sure your kids are proud of their IRONMOM
@Rachel, thanks for the feedback as well. Yes, I trained with this nutrition, but as you mentioned I never went over 6 miles with this nutrition in me. It may have in fact been the problem and I will try and work with other forms of nutrition in 2014.