TrishM's IMCHOO Race Report
IMCHOO 2015 Race Report:
Short Version. Personal Worst IM, with a personal worst IM run, but a vertical finish
Long Version: A very bumpy year leading into the race which interrupted my training starting way back in 11/14 with a strained achilles and then rolled ankle (preventing a proper start to the RDP) and followed up with lots of stress from April through July for various family reasons. I pulled off a decent 70.3 in Muncie, went to IMCHOO camp in mid August (reality check on bike/run fitness!!!) and worked hard till early September with some success and a bit more family stress. Had a bloated belly the night before the race, but it seemed it was relieved by the time I went to bed.
Run aid to aid. That was my overreaching goal for the race and it was not met.
Swim: Goal estimate was 1:10-1:12 with the reduced flow of the river and swim skin.
Actual: 1:01:21
14th AG
HR beginning: 159, end 132, avg 141- my hr monitor died just before the race and I picked up the newest garmin model. Have no idea what the numbers mean since its the first race with it. Obviously hr was high (and emotions as always for me) just as started race. Swam an even split (checked my garmin at the end of the yellow buoys) and was rock steady, in my box and only got mauled by one wetsuit dude. Not too bad.
TP link http://tpks.ws/dQYv
T1: Goal-8:00 Actual 8:21
Ran well on the concrete and jogged/hiked up the squishy hill, grabbed my bag and went into the tent. It was DARK! Should have gone to exit area, but was directed to sit and did. Dried off a bit, lubed up, calf sleeves on (difficult!) arm coolers on, sunblock and headed to bike with shoes attached. Trotted to mount, saw the fabulous Mariah and mounted safely off to the side.
Bike: Goal estimates based on Best Bike Split, CHOO camp and training post camp: 6:20-6:45.
Estimated ftp is 205, weight 149
Planned to ride 125-130NP for first 20 miles, then 140NP to finish/ IF .68
Actual: 6:15:48
21st AG
AVG P 118, NP 127 AVG HR 136 AVG Cadence 88 IF .62 VI 1.08
TP link http://tpks.ws/g7HBJ
First 4 miles were spent trying to get my power meter to sync up with garmin 500. In transition in the am it sensed multiple power meters and I guess it never calibrated correctly. I rushed out to meet the group as I was the only one doing shoes on the bike and holding them up already. Next time I will take time in transition to mate it properly.
The course was very congested on loop one and not much better on loop two. I let myself get a bit frustrated by the cluster and may have went a little too hard in the first 30 miles (just as instructed not too!) trying to get past riders in the middle of the road, slower riders etc. LOTS of dudes riding the middle and not getting over. LOTS of dudes re-passing because a chicka passed them. NOT A LOT of communication from other riders. Very unsafe. I get slingshotting and I do it, but I announce I am passing. I was paying attention to how the quads felt as well as my power/hr metrics. All felt/were in line. I had to pee and couldn’t do in on the fly about 2.5 hours in (super bummed about that since I had once in training finally this season) so pulled over. It was a quick stop and I refueled the bta bottle as well. Just keep riding as steady as possible after those first 25 or so. Saw my hubby and a few friends cheering on the course which was a great boost. Steve R came up to me around Jackson farm and we had a nice chat and gushed about loving Miss Brenda to him! (so sick about his accident!!!) I focused on spinning up and staying on top of pedals on the downs as Rich and Patrick coached. Saw lots of mashers out there. There were a few spots where cars were on the course and you had to drop power/speed to be safe. Was told I pulled several guys the last section while out on the run. Gut issues started about hour 4-5. I took the tums I had in my bento and it seemed to dissipate. Had no issue finishing the ride. There was a second pee stop at around 4:30 ish. So, off the bike about 5’ total. I ate/drank the same as I always do. First two bottles perform, half power bar an hour starting at 30’ till 4:30 feed which is when I switch to clif blocks with caffeine. Salt tab on the top of the hour. No idea why today the gut went bad. Only thing may be the early miles that were a little hot. Overall my NP, IF, TSS, AVG HR were all similar to other IM efforts. except last year at IMMT where my NP and IF were higher due to the terrain. Overall, pleased about bike time since I rode so much slower at camp, but we all know the truth. No such thing as a good bike followed by a crap run!!!
T2: Goal-3:00 Actual 5:06
Flying dismount, trot to bag, trot to tent. Ground was wet and had no towel to wipe grit off. Ironically, I had 2toms powder in my shoes, and a wipe for my feet (the most I’ve ever done to prevent blisters) and fortunately brought it in my go bag, but SHOULD have applied it in the tent. I wiped my feet as best as I could, pulled on the socks, shoes, wiped my face and started out.
Run: Goal-run aide to aide with a Fantasy Island time of 4:42:xx, same as IMMT last year, running by HR looking for 145-150 and paces somewhere from 10:47-11:10 based on walks at every aid and training on the course.
Actual: 6:24:17
43rd AG
AVG HR 118, MAX HR 145
14:40 pace
TP link http://tpks.ws/2EzB
I was very worried about my HR being too high as it had been about 10 beats high in my last several runs before the race. HA! No worries with that! My gut was off from the get go and my HR was in the 120’s while running. At camp I averaged 137 for the long run Sunday, and my usual IM runs are average 144-147. Not good. I walked the whole first aid station to attempt to relieve my belly but as soon as I started up again, pain. I took in coke at aid 2 and pretty much the rest of the run. I took an immodium I had brought from my bike bento and no relief. I had hopes of when the sun went down it would be better, and it was very slightly, but by then my blisters on my feet were HUGE, gross and painful! I stopped once around mile 7.5 to use the 2toms lube and should have taken the time to apply it to both feet, as I ended up stopping again to address the other foot a few miles up the road. I spent WAY too much time at SN’s changing socks and applying more 2toms. I grabbed my tums and finally toddled off. Bob and I met up somewhere in mile 14 I think, and by then it was a solid run/walk as best as I could stratagey. We tried several times to run again, the last being on the river walk. It was apparent neither of us would be running again till the finish line. So, we had ourselves a nice long hike to the finishing shoot, seeing lots of EN’rs and local friends and teammates along the way. I was pissed and Bob calmed me down. I shared my thoughts prerace that if he executed to his training potential and I had a deep kiss from the tri-gods and ALL went well we could be very close to one another in finish times. What my psychic self did NOT consider is we would be walking the back half of the marathon together and holding hands as we crossed! 
I am disappointed in my time and a PW, but NOT in having done the race. I knew it was not going to be the race I envisioned when I signed up last year and I adjusted my expectations accordingly. Life was just too nuts and quite frankly, training took a back seat as it should have. Mentally I think I quit in there somewhere (not happy about that at all!) and truthfully, I was looking forward to post season approaching the race more than the race! BUT, and this is a big BUT, I am so glad to have raced, shared all the training and fun with my teammates and play at this game called Triathlon. I feel so fortunate to have the tri family that I do who bring so much fun and friendship into my world. I am so excited to have been there to share the day with so many who had their first finish or pr’s on the course. My body does what I ask of it most days…and for that I am so grateful!!! IM is something special and always has lessons for me. This year is no different from that perspective!!! I’m looking forward to cheering and volunteering at IMFL in a few weeks, doing some fun stuff with the family and (probably not too long from now) starting to plan my attack on IMMOO 16.
Thanks for reading and any input you may have!
Comments
Trish -- Your intestinal fortitude won out over your intestinal issues. I'm not surprised at the former and sorry you experienced the latter. I'm also impressed with the honesty in your self analysis. But I'm most proud that my favorite EN camp girlfriend is still so determined to up her game. Keep reaching for your stars -- they're up there.
Congrats and rejoice in the fact that you finished, don't dwell on what only you think were your shortcomings for the day. We are all proud of you.
That's a dang good bike split for the IF and VI you had - you must have been very aero?
I wish I had some grand insight on the gut issues. All I know is I never get problems like that, and I attribute it to a purely liquid dinner the night before an IM; specifically, a high calorie Jamba Juice. Then a liquid breakfast. I also know that having a variety of calorie sources on race day seems to agree with me more than just slamming bottle after bottle of the same stuff. Finally, late in the run (I know your problems started much sooner), concentrated sugar - GU or Coke - does not sit well.
It also sounds like this was a year when your training self could not honor your (hoped for) racing self?
Sorry you didn't have the race you hoped for but good on you for persevering and getting it done!
How are the feet now?
Al, that is something to consider for pre race meal. I always feel yucky cutting off veggies and fruits (aka fiber) and eating a lot of carbs. That is not how I usually eat! I may adopt that protocol. As for my bike, thank you... It is pretty close to what I rode at IMAZ in 2013. Only I was able to run afterwards.
Coach Rich, the feet are recovered mostly. Wore some wedge boots and my toes were not happy about that the other night, so running the trails by my house may have to wait another week.
You are one tough chica! Sorry it wasn't the race you had envisioned, but every race offers learning opportunities. Nice job tapping your grit and getting to the finish line. There is always satisfaction in an IM finish. They are not easy, never given, and they are relatively rare. Live to fight another day, as I am sure you will. See you at IMWI next year if not before. GO BLUE!