IMChoo RR#2 - Amy Ferguson
Decided to do my final race rehearsal up on the IMChoo course. Woke up at 4am and drove 2 hours to meet up with fellow EN'er Jim Hogan and another athlete. We parked at the top of the loop to stage special needs and set out at 7:30am. It was 75 degrees and cloudy but very humid. After being shamed by Coach R during camp, I updated my aero bottle from the old school Profile Design to the latest version. I must admit, I like it a lot. I carry water in that, a 3hr concentrated Infinit bottle in the back and an extra water bottle on the down tube. I like this set up because it is simple with the least amount of moving parts as possible. I have my Garmin set to cue me with an alarm at every 15 minutes and I take my drinks then. Infinit followed by water. I also take in water in between the fuel sips. I will fill my aero bottle with water from the aid stations on the fly during the race. Based up the two RR, it will need to be filled about every 30 miles.
The first 30 miles of the first loop I was very achey in my lower back and hips. This has happened to me before. The fix is to stop and stand or stand and stretch on the bike but dang it's the last thing you want to do when you are rehearsing or racing!! I'll be having a few massage session to work on the glutes and hips before the race. Stopped at the "Pigeon Toe Grill" to pee and kiss the statue of the Indian, Chief Pigeon Toe. Felt much better in the hips and back after that stop and never ached again. Some of the steeper hills did make my quads bark but I think that is just from fatigue. We kept hearing the coaches words, "you will not be rested for this" in our heads and that brought us some comfort!
Stopped at the cars briefly to reload on fuel/water and lube after completing the first loop. Then off we went again, stopping at the gas station to pee at the four way stop after the rollers. No stops after that, though it was tempting to stop and check out the party that had broken out at the Pigeon Toe Grill on the second time by.
The weather was mixed clouds/sun/a little mist. The one thing different we did experience that we didn't have at camp was wind. It was a stiff wind blowing south east which made the "fast" section on Hog Jowl not so fast. That was a bummer and I hope it doesn't happen on race day. I decided to race with my 404 rims with tubeless tires, carrying fix a flat and an extra tire strapped to the back of my bottle holder. It wraps up pretty small. I got blown around a few times with those rims on and could definitely feel a little more squirrely on the descents but a few more outings around the hills at home should reacquaint me with them.
No issues with fueling. Felt a little full/gassy a couple of times but I just backed off the amount I took in during the next feeding and it seemed to work.
I did a little out and back on 193 to get to the 6 hours, then hopped in the car and drove over the river and parked at the foot of the Market Street bridge. Man downtown was hopping! There must have been a thousand people gathered and waiting to tour the U Boat that they brought in that is sitting right at the swim exit. It's pretty cool. Not sure it will be there for our race. There was also a live band performing at Coolidge Park right adjacent to the Market Street Pedestrian bridge. Lot's of energy to be had. I suspect it will be like that on race day too! Anyway, took in a Huma gel, as these are the only gels that don't upset my tummy and a salt tab before the run, since it had been about 30 minutes between when I got off the bike and started the run. The sun came out and it was 80 degrees. I took an 8oz bottle of water with me and started off on the North Shore loop. Starting the brick right away on the Barton incline was not fun. Felt like I was shuffling but my paces were where they should be. Started to collect my legs after a mile and just plugged along. That loop is a bear. I drank every 10 minutes and probably should have had more. The sun came out and it became pretty hot back in the neighborhood. The climb back up Barton wanted to claim me but I did not give into any walk breaks. That will not likely be the case during race day 
There was a good breeze coming down the front side of Barton and I felt recovered quickly between that and the descent. Finished up on the Market Street Pedestrian Bridge feeling good but really glad to be done. No muscle or soft tissue aches. Only a very hot spot that looks like the start of a blister but no fluid on my big toe. The same thing happened on my other toe a few weeks ago. May have to pack a gel cover or some tape in my T2 bag which sucks because I wanted to be lightning fast in T2.
Overall, despite the 2 hour drive home in wet clothes and sleepy eyes, it was a great day!
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