TrishM's IMWI Race Report
It's a long one...I type as much as I talk. You have been warned! 
Race Goal-Overall goal was to NOT WALK THE ENTIRE BACK HALF OF THE MARATHON! like last year at IMCHOO
Goal met. Secondary Goals: Swim-1:12-1:17, Bike-6:15-6:35, Run-4:45-4:55.
Actual:
Swim 1:12:20-1:52m/100
T1 9:40
Bike: 6:36:09-16.9 mph, 295 TSS, NP 134, AVG P 120 AVG HR 141 VI 1.15
T2 6:47
Run: 5:18:06 12:08’s- avg HR 141, Max HR 162
Taper: Just like last year I had a higher RPE and HR for runs in taper. I had a stress test earlier in the year to rule out any issues from a very elevated/erratic hr on a training day in April and was told I had a prolapsed valve but that it wasn’t an issue. Dehydration would make the “flutter” I feel on runs worse. So while I was bummed, I wasn’t concerned. While traveling to the race I read a report on FB of a friend in her 60’s who just completed her first OLY (her daughter raced with us!) the Sunday before and actually had a heart attack while racing. She felt off from the start of the swim and continued on. Her main message was STOP if you KNOW something is wrong! She was lucky, no permanent damage! So post Roka swim a few of us went for a 20’ run. HR was jacked again. I tried to drink more to be more hydrated. Mentally though, it was not exactly a confidence booster!
I also had issues with my stomach the couple days before the race including the night before. I was taking digestive enzymes in the days leading to the race to help with any issues. I ate gluten free pasta at hotel with water per Rich’s advice (had tried the Jamba juice for RR and had cramps so went back to bland diet) but my stomach was cramping during dinner. 
Drank some flat coke back in the room, had tums which seemed to help with the bloat. I read my race plan, then lights out. I had a naked juice protein smoothie, coffee, single serving box of cheerios for breakfast. Half banana at race site, gel prior to swim as planned. Stomach seemed about the norm on race morning. I always leave a sticky note on the mirror for race day before bed. This year it said “Gratitude for the Opportunity! Race Happy!”
We gathered at 5:30 to drop bags, head to transition (awesome being racked with the EN crew!) and then meet the MI crew inside the Terrace. Of course, I was late to the team pic (darn it!) but got in on the team cheer! Met back up with the MI crew, one last hug all around and into the drink.
Swim: 1:12:20 7th ag
I met up with Taylor (her Mom was the one who had the heart attack!) on the left of the ski ramp in some open space and it was great starting the day with her. The swim was a bit of a scrum, but no surprise about that. I’d been feeling really good swimming of late, but just felt ok during the race. I got kicked, punched in the chest, chin and eye and cut on my hand by a gals fingernail. Just your every day IM swim. I didn’t feel as beat up as IMAZ in 13, so that was good. I just kept sighting and looking for clear water when I hit a log jam. My best swimming must have been on the short leg in where the current and chop seemed to push a lot of folks toward shore. I had clear water the whole way in. I *thought* I had started the watch in triathlon mode, but nope, so no hr for this swim. Saw on the clock 1:12:xx and was happy with that, especially since I felt flat while swimming.
T1: 9:40
I never walked the helix prior to the race to know how many loops, but dang, that was longer than I wanted it to be! I *jogged* it but my hr still seemed pretty high! Again, no data due to not starting the watch. My volunteer in the change area unrolled my sleeves for me (I planned to just pop them on and mess with them on the bike) but she re rolled while I was shoving my envelope in my top (worked great!) Over and drying off a bit. I put thin socks on (thanks Scott!!!) got my helmet on, grabbed the shoes and started the jog to the bike. Put my shoes on as the volunteer got Fiona, started the 520 and figured out the 920 as I needed it on the bike and run, then mounted on the left after the line.
Bike: 6:36:09 13th ag VI 1.13, NP 136 ,AVG P 120, AVG HR 141 ,TSS 295
I made it safely down the helix (HURRAY!) and started the admin miles noting my hr, which was very high. No worries, its early. Launched my concentrated infinite nutrition bottle twice in maybe the first 3 miles which I stopped and retrieved! I did not do the first couple miles at camp and it was pretty sketchy. Also, as predicted, lots of fast dudes passing there due to less than stellar swim fitness. Not cool, but out of my control. Saw SS and we chatted a bit on the stick (awesome), rode as best as I could to drop hr (didn’t drop a ton) and rode the hills as we are taught. I waited to Valley to pick up my pace, but hr really wasn’t dropping. First day of camp it just didn’t drop so I went with it. After being stupid and climbing Barton (I was in the middle of the road and no clear spot to stop safely…dumb). My hr dropped to the mid 130’s, but that is still high for me. I don’t know when or where the gut went off, but as is the norm sadly, it did get yucky. I managed my belly with tums as best as I could. I also had for the first time this season, burning in my glutes out on the bike. I had tylenol but didn’t take it, it didn’t occur to me! Stopped at mile 50 to pee because I just couldn’t on the bike…and could not wait till special needs. Stopped at SN as well, got more tums and took a few sips of coke hoping it would settle the belly. I also grabbed my spare bottle of infinite so I could use that for the last half hour of riding instead of gatorade(I didn’t) The rest of the ride was about managing my gut and not getting soft on the second loop post mile 80. I was moderately successful there. I got to see Bobby, about mile 70 and he looked good. I also saw a few more of the MI crew and Rich and Mariah at Mt. Horab which was a great boost! I backed off the infinate as I didn’t really want to drink more and had taken the 6 hours worth, and chose to eat 100 c of clif blocks with water in the last half hour on the bike to help set up my run. I stopped “riding the bike” at about 110 and was very safe on the bike path back to T2 as well as the helix. I took my feet out and did the flying dismount as I do in training. Link below is my 520 which does not include my stops, just ride time.
T2: 6:47
There was an awesome surprise was waiting for me in the change room after grabbing my bag…Dr. Rachel Hawe! That was a huge boost!!! She took great care of me getting me my go bag, tums and race saver bag!!! I had to pull off the socks from biking (normally don’t ride with them) and then get my clean stuff on. Sorry you had to touch those socks Rachael!!! 
I trotted out and saw my MI teammate Terry who was spectating..he gave me a monster hug and intel that Bobby was just ahead of me. I hit the porta potty, did the go bag stuff, pitched my bag and got stepping.
Run: 5:18:06 16th ag
Well, the butt was not happy to be running. I saw Bobby up ahead of me and caught him pretty quickly. We stuck together to the lake path and walked when he needed to. He encouraged me to go ahead, but my gut and hr was still off and quite frankly, going slower here saved my run. Had I ignored my hr and pushed, I’m sure I would have walked a ton at the end of the day. I left Bobby when another teammate Michelle and I ran together on the path for a bit. As planned I walked up Barlow both trips, and another hill (yeah…a baby one) coming up tot the capitol. Somewhere in there I had the sense to take tylenol. That worked well and helped manage the pain in my glutes. I was able to take gels every 3 miles as planned starting at 4 through 15. I took water until I started with coke to help with the stomach early, and caffeine later. I got bio freeze at special needs and just rubbed it on my bum through the kit. I had friends working aid station #2 and got super big hugs from them! The crowds were fantastic. Seeing so many En’rs and local Michigan teammates/training partners out there was AWESOME! I saw Ian twice just CRUSHING it! I had my tri family out on the run cheering for me (my hubby didn’t come, but my extended tri family cheered like crazy!) Dr. Giraffe was all over smiling and cheering us! One of my favorite moments was running with Mariah holding her hand bitching! She was as she always is…positive, supportive and making you think…What is your one thing? Keep running! You got this! Look for Lindsey! It was great! I kept a watch on my hr, and distance. Every mile post 17 was a new to me since the last run past 18 was IMMT! Only a 10k…damn, the capitol looks FAR away. 4 miles, 5k, (ok..i stopped to pet a dog at 5k to go. I needed the puppy mojo!) coming up to town! Dr. Giraffe jumping and smiling!!! Saw Lindsey in there somewhere smiling wide, the college girls singing…just keep running! Finally!!! The shoot!!!! Picked it up and was smiling so wide at the finish because I was really really happy to be DONE!
I had a great catcher, hung with Coach Rich for a few, took a selfie with him, and the Buchers found me and got me chocolate milk. I got cleaned up and went back to the finish line for the party. I never get tired of the power hour! Handsome John finished there this year, one of my Team Fraser buddies, and our own Lindsey. SO AWESOME!
I was initially disappointed as I had expected if the day went well to be sub 13 hours and post a top 10 bike split in my AG. Neither of those things happened. Upon reflection, considering my training especially on the run I am happy. I had my second best AG placing, and was pretty dang steady (albeit slower than I had hoped) on the run. I DID NOT WALK THE ENTIRE BACK HALF OF THE MARY! Process goal reached. I have some things to work on to beat my younger self at IMLP next year, and after a nice recovery, that is the focus.
Thanks as always to Rich and Patrick, Mariah and everyone who participates in the forums here in the Haus. I am more of an emotional racer vs a technical racer, and I learn SO MUCH from all of the bad assed athletes that share their knowledge and experience with us. LOVE THE EN TEAM!
Comments
TM,
Awesome race, perhaps even a better report. Big congrats! I'm a huge fan and can't wait for our next race/camp together. My only critique is that you really didn't need to explain to us that you are "more of an emotional racer vs a technical racer." We all pretty much figured that out when you mentioned that you stopped on the marathon to pet a dog.
Who the hell does that? Well, Trish does.
MR
Trish, I love your report - stream of consciousness about just what an IM feels like. Virtual hugs and smiles!
Never forget, when I was 60, I beat my 52 y/o self by 50 minutes (and my 51 y/o self by 1hr 25). No reason you can't do it, too.
Trish, really a pleasure getting to know you a bit during the IMWI experience. I love your Ironman attitude and your humor backed up by real work and true grit style. Mucho respect for you.
Our short bike chat on the race course was awesome! You caught me off guard for a moment when you asked me what KMF stood for.......
You and I had similar goals for the run leg of this race........Not walking the back half an IM is really an all-encompassing goal given you pretty much have to get everything else right to achieve that one!
Please come to IMMT next year to add to our insanity!
Congratulations IM!!!!!
SS
Trish, great race! Your race report is an excellent example of process vs outcome based execution. You focused on executing processes and troubleshooting issues as they came up rather than trying to meet arbitrary outcomes. The result was that you didn't walk the second half of the marathon. No doubt that if you had not backed off when you needed to and worked to fix problems rather than ignore them, you would have had a much different last 13 miles.
Good work!
Trish, your RR is inspiring and we should all remember your tenacity when we hit similar health challenges. I hope I get the same mental strength you demonstrated. PS. I might also include petting dogs in my next racing plan.
Keep racing happy and the results will follow.
I have to say after some reflection on my day, I really need to up my confidence level in my training to tow the line on race day. I am not one of the people who can pull a good race out of nowhere. I NEED the consistency and confidence it breeds. This is a lesson I've learned before and will heed this out season and into next year. I have learned a lot from reading everyones race posts and am stealing bits and pieces for the coming season. Thanks as always for sharing what you know team!!!
I have to say after some reflection on my day, I really need to up my confidence level in my training to tow the line on race day. I am not one of the people who can pull a good race out of nowhere. I NEED the consistency and confidence it breeds. This is a lesson I've learned before and will heed this out season and into next year. I have learned a lot from reading everyones race posts and am stealing bits and pieces for the coming season. Thanks as always for sharing what you know team!!!