LP2017-Race Recap
A little delayed on posting because I came down with bronchitis this past week....drat those airport germs..:P
So nice to see so many of you at LP! Just a short recap of my race. IM#15
Race Week-totally a blast enjoying the Village of Lake Placid. Kept away from crowds which settles my mind. Went to top of ski lifts and kept nutrition mostly in check. Stayed at Hampton right at swim start. Highly recommend. Had all packing list pre-printed. All gear bags ready by Thursday. I love registration and the LP folks really made it smooth & easy...all except the backpacks being in a different place....but hey...i get marketing/sales goals.
Three goals in mind for this race:
1. Swim smooth & calm adding in tweak to stroke.
2. Have courage on descents aka don't freak out!!
3. Walk as much of marathon as I could safely but be ok if I can't/pull out of race.
Race Morning-rocked! They say never do "firsts" at a race well these were great firsts:
1. Got to transition early 4:25 and was in and out in 10 min. no crowd. able to go back to room, chill, and avoid drama. My husband thought the wrong women woke up beside him....i'm rarely early!!!
2. 30 mins of light yoga/stretching pre-race. not stressful at all. great warm-up.
3. Ate mini-breakfast at 3:45 AND 6:15....nutrition I was determined to stay on top of...last summer I got behind the eight ball a couple of times on this.... Coach P said eat when i felt good at beginning of run...but I did this in the morning too because it felt right and felt good (but never overloaded tummy). Used that all day to fuel. It works!!
Swim- Goal 1:40 Actual 1:28
My swim has been a bit unpredictable these last couple of years but I've been working these last few months on stroke and form. Still have a long way to go. Felt amazing about this swim as I was implementing a tweak to my stroke with the position of my hand as I pull through the stroke & finish. First time to use a sleeveless wetsuit in a race. Enjoyed the feel immensely and could tell I was a more relaxed position. From the get-go was able to get into a smooth 3-stroke bilateral breathing pattern. I never allowed myself to "work" to hard. I could feel HR in check throughout. Was amazed how few times I needed to look up even not being on the chord/line thingy. Didn't freak out on the turns. Thank you for telling us in 4Keys that those turns are busy and tight. Helped me tremendously stay alert and confident. Kept saying to myself stay smooth and don't try to make anything happen. 2nd loop just stayed as steady as possible. Never swam too hard. Crazy pleasant start to the day!!
Bike-Goal 8:30 Actual 7:13
This leg of the race was giving me actually the most anxiety. I had totally freaked out on descents at CdL in 2014. I got a flat 6 miles into my practice ride on Friday so wasn't able to do the descent to Keene beforehand. Also because of my ankle I was nervous about climbing since I wasnt suppose to get out of the saddle. ALSO, I've only been able to ride on my trainer at home for safety reasons. I honestly thought I was going to just be lucky to make cut-offs. With all this churning in my head....I took off for what was one of the most beautiful and doable rides of an IM. I was thrilled.
I'm not a fast cyclist but going to cycling camp helped tremendously. I mentally had it Sunday. Weird serendipitous thing happened as I was coming out of that first climb out of town....my gearing mechanism stripped out leaving me totally in the small ring. Again....mentally I felt pretty cool about it. I was like hmmmm....glad I'm not stuck in the big ring. haha!! that thought would stay with me ALL DAY and SUCKED!! I spun out so many times but just kept a smile on my face thanking the bike Gods it wasn't the other way around. I think it actually saved me from overdoing-it and maintaining some sense of control and patience.
First decent into Keene....what can I say.....I was finding all kinds of new courage. Got down in my position, weight forward and into my pedals, relaxed and had a crazy good (for me) first decent topping out at close to 43...ok, another first!! It ws definitely part exciting part terrifying. My turning with courage was so good! I'm a little heavier than I usually am on race day so that probably helped (hard to admit).
The whole first loop I was like...this is the most gorgeous course EVER and at one time remember thinking how many more "breaks" i was getting with the downhill and that back flat section...like little times to rest/recover. Took it super cautious 35-40 like you said and then into town. Everything you said in 4Keys spot on. My favorite thing you said that I used during the bike was "find places to find an extra gear". I loved that and kept using in on the back half of the loops with what gearing I had. Most folks after a hill would slow over the top. I found a few extra gears!! It was awesome. Around mile 90 I started feeling my ankle whisper to me and i kinda was wishing I had a spare lower gear but I made it. only thing that slowed me down were my two potty breaks....I promise I TRIED peeing on the bike. ugh just couldn't. my stop in special needs TOTALLY too long because of line at porta-potty. My other pee stop i just stopped by the side of the road and sat down. worked in 1/10 of the time. Nutrition on the bike was great! I eat a bite of banana at most aid stations along with my on-bike gus. Had a few goodies in special needs (goldfish & chocolate chip cookie). Took my Hammer/sportslegs supplements on schedule. No cramping or tummy discomfort the whole day. I think the weather being cooler probably also helped this!!
Probably could save time not slowing every aid station and not ever waiting in line if possible for a port-o-potty. Need to work to turning downhill and in tight quarters.
"Run"/Marathon (Goal time none....walk safely as able):
Due to an ankle injury I knew running the marathon was out of the question. Had totally prepared myself for either not doing any of the marathon or just walking some and taking a DNF. I was ok with either. I have a huge fall and early 2018 schedule and did not want to risk reinjury. Things just happened to come together that I felt like I could start to marathon...walking.
When I got off the bike I had banked and extra 1 1/2 hrs, was feeling good (enough) so I decided to get a move on the marathon walk. Never has there been a moment where I had to just keep my head down and in my box. It was so tough passing you and Mariah walking down that hill. I wanted to cry. But I made a joke and kept at it. At mile 7 I wanted to stop. Had to just dig deep mentally. The rest of the way was just patience and thinking of my "two" one things....my best friend from college had passed away this summer. She was just getting back to the gym, remarried, had 2 older kids. She would message me questions about fitness and triathlon and we both motivated each other even though I was in Mississippi and she in Michigan. She wouldn't let me quit. Then there was also a little girl back home home with special needs who I'd see at the pool. Due to a prenatal stroke she had limited use of one side of her body. She was practicing her 100 yd swim at the pool the day I did my last long swim. That sight was indelibly imprinted on my heart. She did her first kids triathlon just a few weeks ago. These girls gave me motivation to keep going. So my two things: seize the day (Jenny) and what is my excuse for not trying my best within my means (Adelynne) rocked me through IM #15. My sweet husband walked me up the hill into town. The crowd support the last 2 miles undeniably awesome. Seeing both you Patricks at the finish a sight for sore eyes. Discipline (not running, going slow, using boot) & preparation (tons of elliptical workouts/practice walking in boot) gave me the tools to finish safely. Recovery is going really well!!
I just wanted to say again thank you to all of you who said hello and new folks I got to meet (more of you I need to meet soon). There are all kind of athletes. EN has accepted me where i am, with the race goals that I have, the life that I lead, and the time I can put in to the sport. I love the team feel....especially at race time. I'm not data driven (but moreso now than a few years ago), I'm not time driven (although I do make some goals), and I've not had the time to post to forums as much lately (gonna get back to it!!). But I do love and appreciate the team and team concept. I love that I am a smarter athlete than can execute within my means. I love it that I have more confidence and more love for this sport than ever!! And love the vision and direction that EN is moving! Thanks to ALL of you who make becoming a smarter more confident athlete possible....especial our Coaches Patrick (and yes...I learned a ton from Rich!!), Mariah, Brenda and all of you....THANK YOU!!
Here's to some rest & recover then...yep....reloading for the backend of the season into 2018...:)
Steph
So nice to see so many of you at LP! Just a short recap of my race. IM#15
Race Week-totally a blast enjoying the Village of Lake Placid. Kept away from crowds which settles my mind. Went to top of ski lifts and kept nutrition mostly in check. Stayed at Hampton right at swim start. Highly recommend. Had all packing list pre-printed. All gear bags ready by Thursday. I love registration and the LP folks really made it smooth & easy...all except the backpacks being in a different place....but hey...i get marketing/sales goals.
Three goals in mind for this race:
1. Swim smooth & calm adding in tweak to stroke.
2. Have courage on descents aka don't freak out!!
3. Walk as much of marathon as I could safely but be ok if I can't/pull out of race.
Race Morning-rocked! They say never do "firsts" at a race well these were great firsts:
1. Got to transition early 4:25 and was in and out in 10 min. no crowd. able to go back to room, chill, and avoid drama. My husband thought the wrong women woke up beside him....i'm rarely early!!!
2. 30 mins of light yoga/stretching pre-race. not stressful at all. great warm-up.
3. Ate mini-breakfast at 3:45 AND 6:15....nutrition I was determined to stay on top of...last summer I got behind the eight ball a couple of times on this.... Coach P said eat when i felt good at beginning of run...but I did this in the morning too because it felt right and felt good (but never overloaded tummy). Used that all day to fuel. It works!!
Swim- Goal 1:40 Actual 1:28
My swim has been a bit unpredictable these last couple of years but I've been working these last few months on stroke and form. Still have a long way to go. Felt amazing about this swim as I was implementing a tweak to my stroke with the position of my hand as I pull through the stroke & finish. First time to use a sleeveless wetsuit in a race. Enjoyed the feel immensely and could tell I was a more relaxed position. From the get-go was able to get into a smooth 3-stroke bilateral breathing pattern. I never allowed myself to "work" to hard. I could feel HR in check throughout. Was amazed how few times I needed to look up even not being on the chord/line thingy. Didn't freak out on the turns. Thank you for telling us in 4Keys that those turns are busy and tight. Helped me tremendously stay alert and confident. Kept saying to myself stay smooth and don't try to make anything happen. 2nd loop just stayed as steady as possible. Never swam too hard. Crazy pleasant start to the day!!
Bike-Goal 8:30 Actual 7:13
This leg of the race was giving me actually the most anxiety. I had totally freaked out on descents at CdL in 2014. I got a flat 6 miles into my practice ride on Friday so wasn't able to do the descent to Keene beforehand. Also because of my ankle I was nervous about climbing since I wasnt suppose to get out of the saddle. ALSO, I've only been able to ride on my trainer at home for safety reasons. I honestly thought I was going to just be lucky to make cut-offs. With all this churning in my head....I took off for what was one of the most beautiful and doable rides of an IM. I was thrilled.
I'm not a fast cyclist but going to cycling camp helped tremendously. I mentally had it Sunday. Weird serendipitous thing happened as I was coming out of that first climb out of town....my gearing mechanism stripped out leaving me totally in the small ring. Again....mentally I felt pretty cool about it. I was like hmmmm....glad I'm not stuck in the big ring. haha!! that thought would stay with me ALL DAY and SUCKED!! I spun out so many times but just kept a smile on my face thanking the bike Gods it wasn't the other way around. I think it actually saved me from overdoing-it and maintaining some sense of control and patience.
First decent into Keene....what can I say.....I was finding all kinds of new courage. Got down in my position, weight forward and into my pedals, relaxed and had a crazy good (for me) first decent topping out at close to 43...ok, another first!! It ws definitely part exciting part terrifying. My turning with courage was so good! I'm a little heavier than I usually am on race day so that probably helped (hard to admit).
The whole first loop I was like...this is the most gorgeous course EVER and at one time remember thinking how many more "breaks" i was getting with the downhill and that back flat section...like little times to rest/recover. Took it super cautious 35-40 like you said and then into town. Everything you said in 4Keys spot on. My favorite thing you said that I used during the bike was "find places to find an extra gear". I loved that and kept using in on the back half of the loops with what gearing I had. Most folks after a hill would slow over the top. I found a few extra gears!! It was awesome. Around mile 90 I started feeling my ankle whisper to me and i kinda was wishing I had a spare lower gear but I made it. only thing that slowed me down were my two potty breaks....I promise I TRIED peeing on the bike. ugh just couldn't. my stop in special needs TOTALLY too long because of line at porta-potty. My other pee stop i just stopped by the side of the road and sat down. worked in 1/10 of the time. Nutrition on the bike was great! I eat a bite of banana at most aid stations along with my on-bike gus. Had a few goodies in special needs (goldfish & chocolate chip cookie). Took my Hammer/sportslegs supplements on schedule. No cramping or tummy discomfort the whole day. I think the weather being cooler probably also helped this!!
Probably could save time not slowing every aid station and not ever waiting in line if possible for a port-o-potty. Need to work to turning downhill and in tight quarters.
"Run"/Marathon (Goal time none....walk safely as able):
Due to an ankle injury I knew running the marathon was out of the question. Had totally prepared myself for either not doing any of the marathon or just walking some and taking a DNF. I was ok with either. I have a huge fall and early 2018 schedule and did not want to risk reinjury. Things just happened to come together that I felt like I could start to marathon...walking.
When I got off the bike I had banked and extra 1 1/2 hrs, was feeling good (enough) so I decided to get a move on the marathon walk. Never has there been a moment where I had to just keep my head down and in my box. It was so tough passing you and Mariah walking down that hill. I wanted to cry. But I made a joke and kept at it. At mile 7 I wanted to stop. Had to just dig deep mentally. The rest of the way was just patience and thinking of my "two" one things....my best friend from college had passed away this summer. She was just getting back to the gym, remarried, had 2 older kids. She would message me questions about fitness and triathlon and we both motivated each other even though I was in Mississippi and she in Michigan. She wouldn't let me quit. Then there was also a little girl back home home with special needs who I'd see at the pool. Due to a prenatal stroke she had limited use of one side of her body. She was practicing her 100 yd swim at the pool the day I did my last long swim. That sight was indelibly imprinted on my heart. She did her first kids triathlon just a few weeks ago. These girls gave me motivation to keep going. So my two things: seize the day (Jenny) and what is my excuse for not trying my best within my means (Adelynne) rocked me through IM #15. My sweet husband walked me up the hill into town. The crowd support the last 2 miles undeniably awesome. Seeing both you Patricks at the finish a sight for sore eyes. Discipline (not running, going slow, using boot) & preparation (tons of elliptical workouts/practice walking in boot) gave me the tools to finish safely. Recovery is going really well!!
I just wanted to say again thank you to all of you who said hello and new folks I got to meet (more of you I need to meet soon). There are all kind of athletes. EN has accepted me where i am, with the race goals that I have, the life that I lead, and the time I can put in to the sport. I love the team feel....especially at race time. I'm not data driven (but moreso now than a few years ago), I'm not time driven (although I do make some goals), and I've not had the time to post to forums as much lately (gonna get back to it!!). But I do love and appreciate the team and team concept. I love that I am a smarter athlete than can execute within my means. I love it that I have more confidence and more love for this sport than ever!! And love the vision and direction that EN is moving! Thanks to ALL of you who make becoming a smarter more confident athlete possible....especial our Coaches Patrick (and yes...I learned a ton from Rich!!), Mariah, Brenda and all of you....THANK YOU!!
Here's to some rest & recover then...yep....reloading for the backend of the season into 2018...:)
Steph
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Comments
You had me at "IM#15"
That kind of experience can only equal success and looks like you showed that coming in well ahead of your goals for the swim and bike.
Thanks for reminding us how to adapt, adjust, move forward and do what it takes to cross that finish line!
SS