TrishM's IMLP 2017 Race Report
IMLP 2017 Race Report
When I signed up with my workout hubbies last year my goal was to beat my younger self on this tough course, hoping a new whip (the Ventum One) and this goal would get my mojo flowing and help with focus over the winter. Sad to say that wasn’t the case. While I did some epic shit this year (Al’s BadAssed Camp, Boone Bike Camp) I didn’t have as much bike volume and consistency as last year. My run was doing well until a knee issue cropped up, so I was limited there to three runs a week . The swim is usually my best sport of the three in my ag, and I swam, but not as much as I should/could have. Patrick convinced me to let my time goals fly, and IMLP camp convinced me he was right. I was slower than I expected on the bike, my happy place. The swim was fair. The run was ok, but my knee was a concern. I was a little deflated after that, but all ears to get the most out of myself. Partrick did his thing and got me as ready as I could be in the time we had left.
I went into race week pretty calm. Probably because I had NO FIRM GOALS, other than to be faster than younger me in transitions. I wrote my race plan after reading some in the forums. I *thought* I posted it, but alas I did not. Doh! We hosted family from out of town and had a party the Saturday before leaving. I did my last swim RR and while running to dump my swim buoy off and run my property (transition practice) I found a critter hole and went down hard. Only I could fall in a swim work out!!! I bruised my right big toe pretty good…to my mid foot. Ok, time to taper the run hard! No worries! Tuesday came and we drove to Kingston ON to break up the long drive. Had a nice night out on the water. Wednesday got us checked into the house just 10 houses from transition, groceries bought and a nice 30’ swim. Thursday we got checked in, rode the run course and swam again. Team dinner at 6 pm. which was great! Dave enjoyed meeting a lot of the people he hears me chatter about live and in person! Friday was swim, EN 4 Keys, expo for speed laces and bags. We had a big group dinner at Generations of all in our house racers and families. Oh, and Bob met his IM pro crush Andy Potts and got a photo with him! He was thrilled, and Andy was very gracious. Saturday we dropped every thing off and walked transitions. My bag was 3 hooks in, 3rd rack from the far left I decided if my row was crowded I’d run the outside. Looked again at the mount line and ins and outs of transitions. Wrapped up all nutrition (not eating or drinking off course) and made bottles. Early dinner in with crew and to bed by 9. I was the most organized and relaxed of any of my IM’s to date!
Race Morning: up at 3:45, breakfast of Oatmeal, protein powder, syrup, banana and coffee. Preload to hyper hydrate before swim. Potty and suit up, Walked to transition at 4:45. Nutrition on bike (screwed up here. Made a bottle with all powder for NBS and bottle of water to top off ventum bottle…put water bottle in FIRST and a lot less of nutrition concentrate than needed) and realized I forgot the EXTRA rear cage NBS bottle. CRAP! Good news is we were so close it wasn’t really a problem. Pumped tires, glasses rubber banded to bar, computer on and calibrated and out. Walked back, grabbed bottle for rear cage and got in and out in no time. We all put our wetsuits on at the house up to our waist which was a great idea.
Swim: estimated 1:20, Actual 1:13:10
Went out with 1:10-1:20 group mid to front. Swam hard the first 200-300 yards just like I do in my lake and felt good. About 500 yards in I got kicked HARD in the chin…I bit my tongue in two places and it still isn’t healed. Not fun. Second major impact was rounding the second turn buoy lap one. This time punch to the right eye that made me lift my head and swear. At this point, I tried very hard to have clear water. Lap two I was on the cable more, but still very cautious avoiding the beat downs. Made it out and was happy with my time.
T1: goal-sub 9:00 Actual 7:38
Got stripped and ran to transition racks. Grabbed my bag and since only one person was in the row started running down it. The guy was still in his wetsuit. DOH. A volunteer was helping him out of it and somehow I made it around him. Got in the tent, toweled off a bit, sunblock, butt butter, helmet, put on shoes and headed out to bike. Yelled my #, but had to get my own bike. Got to mount line and hopped on. Saw Coach P and that was a boost.
Bike: Estimated 6:45, Actual 7:01:55
FTP 206 AVG Power 127, NP 138 (goal NP 140) IF .67 TSS 307
Started to eat and drink quickly as planned. Thats when I figured out I screwed up the NBS concentrate (Crappity crap! I’ve had gut issues in almost ALL my long course races and had hoped this would be the year to solve it) I got to my power goal probably too early. The course was really crowded as it always is for someone who swims my time. I did the best I could to not draft (impossible at times) and stay in my np watts. I had four stops on the bike. One to check my front wheel which had given me an issue just before leaving home, two separate stops to pee (still have not figured out how to go on the bike) one of which I had to WAIT, and one at special needs. About 10 minutes of NON riding time. BOOOO! My HR was higher loop one, as was my speed. I wanted to push harder to chase a time goal, but didn’t. I never felt shelled or was dying to get off the bike, so I think I did a pretty good job riding to my fitness even though BBS said I could ride a 6:35 and I felt like 6:45 was doable before the race. I did struggle to eat after smashing up my tongue in the swim,and I had issues with unclipping my right foot (apparently my bolts on my cleats became loose, I lost the bottom one completely and the top two were very loose!) but I just shoved my foot forward to keep as much power on the pedal as I could.
T2: goal: sub 5:00 Actual 4:18
Did my flying dismount that I practice every time I ride (cleat issue demanded this and so glad I always practice it!) handed off the bike, trotted to bag and hit the tent. Needed to lube between toes since this is where I blister and heeded Rob Sabo’s advice to lube EVERYTHING you think might blister. Socks, shoes and go bag, then left the tent.
Run: estimated sub 5:00:00 Actual 5:22:32
Was feeling good off the bike, doing my go bag stuff, trying to not run too fast out of town. First major error…shoved my NBS hydration flask in my castelli jersey pocket and didn’t tuck it down to secure it. It managed its way out before the first aid station. It was so loud in town, I didn’t hear it drop. 
At the first aid I took gatorade (have not used it at all this season because I HATE it) and water. Had a hard time running the 140 HR I wanted in the first 6 miles. This is I feel my second major error on the run. I was walking when my hr got too high but in the first miles I was trying to focus on my breathing, which was a new thought process for me. I was off (higher HR) a bit in the first rolling miles of loop one on River road. My tummy felt off, but I used tums and still focused on eating every 2 miles vs every 3 like I usually do. By the time I saw Coach P at Lisa G’s heading back into town, his advice was start coke. I did that till broth was available and kept up the tums. The nausea was being more and more determined as the run went on, and there were three stops in porta pots that were about 10’ total time. I’ve had MANY issues with my gut in my 8 IM races, but never like this. Al Truscott yelled to me not to give up on myself as I headed out on loop two. Those words stayed with me. While you wouldn’t think it based on my paces, I didn’t giveup on running the best I could, when I could. It sucked. I felt gross and awful, but I WOULD NOT give up on myself, even though the overreaching process goal of this race was to run aid to aid unless my HR was over 150. My watch died at 21.5 of the marathon, so yet another error on my part…must have left something on that should not have been and drained the battery. I finally made my way to the Olympic Oval and crossed the line hearing Mike Reilly call my name.
It was an awesome experience to be at another EN focus race and share the day with so many from the haus, my work out hubbies, and friends from my local tri family. It was awesome to see so many just killing it, cheering and being cheered on the run and when talking was done, high signs. My husband came this race and seeing him at the hot corner all day was such a boost, his loop two hug on the run pure magic! Bobby and Johnny left me the most awesome card in Run SN’s and made me cry! 
Coach P was a prince post race when I was so sick. Gotta love a guy who has no problem standing right next to you as you hang your head over a garbage can thinking you might hurl. And when we found my hubby with my dry clothes, he helped me get into my stuff to get warm cause I was going down hill fast! This was my first race I didn’t get to the finish line party because I was so ill feeling. Much work to do before aging up next year.
Overall, while I didn’t have a great day, I think I had about the day I trained for. The good news is the big toe and the knee issue I’d been dealing with didn’t show up on the run. I didn’t chafe or blister at all. I did beat my younger self in both transitions and (lord have mercy) by 50 seconds on the run! I have been mulling over what I will be doing/racing next season. When I get an idea or two, I’ll be looking for advise from the haus! Thanks to everyone who participated in the forums, went to camp and shared the day!
Comments
Very cool reading about your determination at the end of the run...the hardest part of a hard day & you gutted it out.
I hope you heal up soon.
I guess the fun part now is to figure out what to do next year!
Having got to know you, I continue to be amazed at all you actually get done with your family and Ironman! Makes some of us feel like slackers! :-)
I followed you via the tracker on race day and smiled a big one when you crossed over that finish line! Way to fight to end!
Congratulations TM!!
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