Ironman Arizona - 2017 - Ann Sloan
Happy 7th Ironman Day!!!! Pretty much my favorite words!!!
The April day decided to join these two in the journey to 2017 Ironman Arizona. Anyone who knows me knows it's an easy sell to get me to sign up for a race. But I already had another race on my schedule....Ironman Lake Placid! July 23, 2017
Little behind on writing that one.....maybe I'll do a quick one for that after I have finished this one as the LP was pretty darn special!!
AND NOW AZ 
Last year I had a coach for Arizona as I was worried about training coming of a stress fracture. I only cared about killing the bike – everything else was secondary. Goal met.
This year my goal was do better on all aspects and be balanced in all disciples but still kill the bike! Goals Met - PR on swim, PR on T1, close to a Bike PR, close to Run PR...and Got a Nice overall PR! HAPPY.
This is my first year of doing 2 Ironman Races - I attempted in 2013 - Whistler then Tahoe where I DNF'd. (that was a dumb idea). If AZ was like LP or Whistler, I probable would still be a 1 a year gal. 
The numbers -
SWIM:
In October I bought a VASA ERG and I am very happy with the purchase! https://vasatrainer.com/
While my initial 'plan' was to swim more times per week on the VASA and do a pool swim each week - I think in my mind I wanted to do the basic to be able to see if I just did a minimum how would that work.
My Pre-Race Day setting of expectations:
1) I did not 'swim' more than two times per week.
2) I did no interval work on the vasa - really was putting in just the yards and feel.
3) vasa swim yards are prob a bit high as i took breaks which added a few yards as the wheel continues to spin.
4) I took a month off from the pool which is a risk as you lose the feel of the 'water'.
5) still on Damper Door #0 !! - this is like swimming with current....so lots of 'growth' opportunity here which in turn will most likely help with speed.
you can check the VASA thread for my numbers.
SWIM RESULTS: 1:29:19
Lined up in the 1:30 line. Felt awesome in water. No anxiety. The sun was brightly shining right into our eyes going out. I had mirrored goggles which helped..I think. There was a bit of touching/bounding off folks. Nothing too terrible.
Lake Placid I used a tempo trainer set to 2:10. The buoys for that swim were set pretty consistent at 100 yards - in AZ not so much. I still used the TT on AZ to bring me back to focus. So every 2:10 - was a reminder of keep moving, where's the buoys, there's the land...etc. Made the turn around and headed back home. Don't remember any issues on the way back. Made the turn in to the stairs to get out. Attempted to look at my watch, but couldn't see it totally clear but seemed like it was 1:29.....AWESOME - finally broke the 1:30 barrier for me….Super Stoked!!! (IM Choo doesn’t count from my PR perspective since it's down hill.
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