Stephanie's IMMT race report
IMMT Race Report
The road to IMMT got pretty rocky a week before. I heard a clanking sound coming from the rear of my bike during my last long bike ride and subsequently, took my bike to the mechanics that following Monday…just 6 days before the race. The mechanic concluded that my rear 404 Zipp wheel’s bearings needed to be replaced. Given that the bearings needed to be ordered, shipped overnight, and installed in a few short days, I opted to rent wheels for the day. I rented 808’s and arranged to pick them up at the venue where the mechanic could switch my cassette over and adjust my gears. Murphy’s Law prevailed two days before the race when I received an e-mail saying that their was a staffing issue and a mechanic would not be there after all to switch the cassette. I was out of luck! But my luck changed dramatically when I realized that our hotel ( Hotel Mont Tremblant) was situated next to a bike shop. When we arrived in MT, I picked up the wheels and headed straight for the shop! The mechanics there were busy, but regardless, they were incredibly helpful and worked on my bike. I was all set for the race.
The night before, my nerves were shot. I hadn’t really felt strong mentally despite feeling strong physically. I followed the intermediate ironman training plan so I had the confidence that I would be able to finish the race, but those thoughts of: “ You are 50 years old, why the hell are you dragging your family to Canada so you can torture yourself and spend money on arm warmers, tube extenders and last minute shit?” I had other thoughts and all of them were self-defeating. I knew that my biggest obstacle was my own thinking so I decided to lie to myself and pretend that I was an ironman ninja! I am happy to report that self-deceit seemed to do the trick. I slept better than I have ever slept the night before a competition.
The morning of the race:
I awoke at 4:oo am, took my thyroid meds and waited 45 minutes to eat. I ate a bagel, a banana, and a coffee for breakfast and drank a Gatorade. I felt pretty good mentally. My husband dropped me off at the race at about 5:30am. I was thrilled to see ENers : Kristen and Val! I looked for Lizette but could not see her.
SWIM: 1:48 ( a turtle could have gone faster)
As the swim start neared, I ate a Chomp and drank more Gatorade. I also turned my bike Garmin on.
The cannons signaled the beginning of the day and my heart was racing in anticipation and excitement. When my wave started at 7:00am, I was smiling and confident, The duration of the swim training had me feeling confident that I would be fine. I struggled more than I thought though despite the fact that I had consistently clocked 1:30 during training. I felt like I was swimming in molasses the entire way up. My sighting was good, but the pack did not seem to thin out. I was continuously being kicked and swatted throughout the first half of the swim. On the return, the pack finally thinned out, but I was having difficulty sighting because of the choppy water. A few times I came up for a breath of air only to get a mouth of water. I also was fighting panic. I thought of Coach Patrick’s saying “ Stay in the box” which helped. My feet and hands were numb. I have severe Reynaud’s, which is a circulation issue. Your brain tells your body in order to maintain a core body temp that it will shut off circulation to the extremities in order to keep the core temp nice and toasty. The result for me in that 65-degree weather was neon numb hands and feet. NOT PRETTY! As I was nearing the last few buoys, I felt someone push my head back. It freaked me out. I stopped swimming. Apparently, I was within inches of swimming into a wooden deck far to the left of the swim exit. Note to self: sighting in choppy waters should be more frequent!!!
T1: 13:41
My numb hands and feet made it very difficult to have a fast transition. I once again thought of Coach P’s saying: “ Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.” I am grateful for that quote because I did not make any mistakes in my transition. My main goal was to heat up my core. I brought a biking thermal layer and put it on under my EN biking top then put on sleeveless rain gear. The thermal long sleeve layer and thin wool socks seemed to save my entire day. I felt good immediately. My hands were warming up…my feet were still numb but I figured that they would come to life eventually ( I finally felt them on mile 5 of the run!!!!).
Bike: 7:12
Heading out to Montee Ryan, I remembered to keep my heart rate down and to take in fluids and food. I can’t eat gels or other endurance type food. My stomach has never tolerated them so like last year, I made mini banana bread loaves. I ate my first mini loaf and ½ a bottle of Gatorade within 10 minutes of being on the bike. Once I was on 117, I started to pick up some speed. My favorite moment of the entire day happened on 117. I saw Lizette. We rode for quite some time, sharing some encouragement and laughs.
As I approached Lac Superior, I tackled each ascent in little chunks and kept a watchful eye on my positioning on the saddle as well as my heart rate. Just as Coach P said, I was able to pass lots of people on the flats and the descents- most of whom had gotten off their saddle grinding their gears and elevating their heart rate to pass me. The second loop was a bit faster until I hit the headwinds on 117. For miles the headwinds and crosswinds just pummeled me. The crosswinds I could handle, but I was praying that the headwinds would dissipate as soon as I went through the turnaround spot. I stopped at two port potties during loop 2. The second was at the turnaround and there was a line 3 deep. I opted to gamble and wait for an opening spot. It never came. Whoever was in there must have been redecorating. after 8 minutes, I high tailed it back on my bike without letting Mother Nature speak.
The ride on 117 heading back to Montee Ryan was fantastic. I forced myself to drink another bottle of Gatorade and a Snickers bar. It was getting hot so I knew I had to stop at another port a potty to ditch the thermal layers. I sighted the Port a potty on 117 . Mission accomplished. Back on the bike I continued to push harder than I had on loop one. I was excited when I approached Lac Superior for the second time because it signaled one step closer to the run start. I ate a chomp packet and ate some pumpkin seeds before approaching the hills. I drank my 3rd bottle of Gatorade ( That was all I drank on the bike: You can’t fix stupid!). Well into the toughest climbs, the heavens opened up and spilled its contents on me. I was drenched and cold again. Fortunately, the rain stopped in enough time for me to go aero on the thrilling descents .
T2: 5:57
I changed my under layers, put my dry socks, sneakers, race number and race belt on. I did not have any Gatorade so my fuel belt was full of Chomps and Snickers. But I already knew that I wouldn’t be able to eat anything sweet or I would have GI issues.
Run: 5:31:45
I was pretty surprised that my legs were able to churn out a 10:03 mile avg the first 10 miles. I slowed to an 11:49 avg by mile 13. For several months I have been plagued with an IT band injury. For some beautiful act of mercy, the I T BAND GODS had mercy on me race day. I was however not so fortunate in the nutrition department: I was unable to eat. I did drink broth, water, and coke when I thought I could tolerate it. Occasionally, I forced myself to eat some pretzels but basically that was it for me on the run. By mile 19 I had had enough and started walking. I resumed running at mile 23 and didn’t stop until I crossed the finish line.
Total time: 14:51
I was thrilled to see ENers there. I loved being a member of a pain community who support and learn from each other. I got faster my second time around and I am pretty sure it is because of the encouragement and expertise of Endurance Nation. Thank you.
Lessons learned:
1. Get serious about nutrition options months before the event so you can try them out
2. You are only as strong as your next thought
3. Transitions need to be practiced before the race
Comments
solid showing despite the issues.
sorry I didn't meet you. or remember meeting you.
would you recommend the hotel? on the run course near the lake out there in the old village? problems getting to start in the morning? seems like a nice alternative to the action of the ski villarge.
what iron is up next for you?
I enjoyed your RR. I am pretty sure I met you on the run. I struggled through my second IM with nutrition issues and a clumsy slow swim, bike and run.
I got light headed on the run and begged an aide station for solid food. Liquids were improving my condition. At mile 17 they offered a chicken salad sandwich on pita bread. I woofed it down, then grabbed the second one and then walked and eventually ran with it until mile 25! I am a former high school athlete (basketball), and I am so slow. Being on the EN team is so humbling for me.
Best in future races.
Frank
Way to get it done and it was awesome seeing you looking really strong out on the course. 10 min miles for the first half of the run course is really impressive! Some day I'll get there with my run. Congrats on a great race!
Stephanie, it was great to see you! Great report! You are courageous. God bless.