Steph Stevens IMB and IMWI race report
This will NOT be a traditional race report……
This year, I raced IM Boulder followed by IM Wisconsin, five weeks apart. After last year, I had little confidence in myself or my abilities, so I really wanted to overcome those demons in my head. Last year, I attempted IM Lake Placid followed by IM Boulder, one week apart. That turned out to be a disaster. I had had some medical issues develop over the first half of the year and I knew that I was becoming anemic, but I checked my hemoglobin prior to leaving for LP, it was 9 and I knew I just needed to be careful. The race took a lot out of me, but I finished and was determined to do the same thing the next week in Boulder. I ended up DNF-ing on the swim, was rescued from the water and had a hemoglobin of 6 on medical evaluation. The fall was spent trying to get my health back in order, including three surgeries and ending with a hysterectomy for Christmas (which, by the way, I highly recommend….just saying…..).
I didn’t get post-op clearance to run until last February, and my first month of training was spent trying to wrap my head around making the training happen. I was also dealing with a divorce, my husband/ex husband losing his job, and some huge work projects outside of my usual incredibly busy job. But, I actually FELT healthy, something I had not really experienced for a long time.
Overarching goal: finish both IMs
Swim (goal – not to panic, IMB = 1:23, IMWI = 1:25)
Goal accomplished! My goal was to stay in my box, and I was able to do exactly that. Boulder is a rolling start and Wisconsin is a mass start. I was able to stay closer to the buoy line in Boulder with the rolling start. In Wisconsin, I found myself very wide to avoid the crowds. I actually was siting off of the kayaks and paddleboarders (and they MOVE!) because I was having a hard time seeing the buoys. I think I swam an extra million yards as a result. But, I never had the feeling of panic that I often have in the water.
Bike (goal – do a bike that I could run off of, IMB = 6:15, IMWI = 7:17)
Goal not met in Boulder, goal mostly met in Wisconsin. I know the course in Boulder very well. I have ridden it so many times. I know that the ride up Nelson sucks, when I can push it and when I can fly through a downhill, and that the railroad tracks by Mary’s Market are treacherous (I lost my last nutrition bottle there and had no nutrition for the last hour or so of the bike). I really never had a good FTP test over the prior two months, so I was really kinda trying to figure it out on the fly. Not recommended. When I went to Wisconsin, I knew that it would be a harder bike and was more prepared to “take it easy”. Although, nothing about that ride felt easy. I did stay upright on my bike up Barlow when about 2/3 of the people around me were walking up that hill. I had about a 10-15 min break in the first half of the ride when I stopped to take care of a girl that went off the side of the road and flipped her bike. She had a gash on her head and I stayed with her, evaluated for more serious injuries, and kept her talking while waiting for the paramedics. I was so very glad to get off my bike at the end of that ride.
Run (goal – run aid station to aid station, IMB = 5:43, IMWI = 5:22)
Goal not at all met in Boulder, mostly met in Wisconsin. I really like both of these run courses. Boulder is littered with people that I know on the course racing, volunteering, or cheering from the sidelines. I hit a wall about half way through that run and really did not want to finish. I think I mostly walked a few miles, drank a ton, got some encouragement from others, and was able to gut it out. The finish line was AMAZING for me with so many people there to support me. I was so happy to finish there after my DNF one year earlier. The Wisconsin run course is a whole lotta fun. So many people! Even the parts of the run without many people (the dirt path by the lake) was a dirt path by a lake!! That was my happy zone. I could feel the blisters forming and the plantar fasciitis flare up, but I kept running. Even the last few miles when the pain moved to my right knee, I was able to keep going. It wasn’t fast, but it was pretty steady. The finish line was great, the volunteers were right there, and then I found Rick Shea in the athlete food area who made sure I could eat and took me to get my bags.
Overall IMB = 13:36 (21st in age group), IMWI = 14:20 (71st in age group)
I am so pleased to have finished both of these races. I am especially glad to be able to participate in this sport and to have the EN coaches and team on my side. I am hoping my personal life settles down a bit and that I can actually have an outseason this year. It is all a game, and one I am happy to participate in!!
Comments
Steph - Congrat's! Quite the accomplishment(s), 2 IM's, especially considering all you have been thru!
You executed both races smartly. I saw you quite a bit in boulder on both the bike & run course, and you always looked strong & confident. In Wisconsin, you always had a smile when others (me) were stuck in the zone of perseverance and unable to exhibit emotion.
Congrats on a tough year, I know your training wasn't optimal, but you slayed the demons & got back on the horse... Now, that you've got a lot of life stuff behind you, I'd love to see what you can bring to LP next year with a better training block encumbered by less distractions!
I was thinking the same others below mentioned, resilience an perseverance defined. Picking yourself up after so many tough falls, coming back stronger and getting it done, for me = Ironman.....just Damn!
Sincere congratulations completing a tough course and moving it across that finish line with style!
SS
Congrats on getting back your health, surviving and thriving in one of life's most challenging times and being a compassionate racer staying with that woman who crashed. So glad to say I know you!
Recover hard, and I'm looking forward to seeing you in CO and at IMLP!!!
Congrats on finishing both races so close together. I've tried to do two IMs that close together and it is really, really hard. Well done after a very tough year...Life threw a lot at you in a short time span.
I happened to see you at both Boulder (I volunteered at a run aid station) and at Madison (just cheering EN people) and you strong when I saw you. Again, congrats.