Alicia Chase’s 2018 IMLP Race Report
Full disclosure time: I was having hip pain in my “good” hip (I had a labral tear repair and FAI surgery on my “bad” hip about 7 yrs ago) for about 6 weeks prior to IMLP. It came and went for a couple of weeks before Syracuse 70.3, I had no issues during that race and had a very good run. The pain came back to stay about three weeks before IMLP. After a couple of visits to my chiropractor, we decided on an x-ray and MRI to rule out a stress fracture. A week before the race, I learned that I have a labral tear in this hip, and a large “ball of something” (I’m assuming a pocket of fluid) in the hip joint. I called Patrick, and we decided I’d do the race and just take the run as it comes, but if I felt like I may be doing more damage to the hip, I’d either walk or DNF. So, that was my mindset going into the race. No one else, other than my husband, knew. I was so disappointed, I just didn’t want to talk about it.
Pre-race: I’m glad I didn’t bail. It was so great to meet so many of my fellow ENers and to have the distraction of all the team “stuff.” You guys are all awesome, I’m so happy I got to share this race with you. My husband and I stayed at the Crowne Plaza and they do a pasta buffet for the racers the night before. We decided to do that for dinner, and both chose the marinara sauce, thinking it would be the safest option. Wrong! If it had just been me, I would’ve assumed that I had a nervous stomach, but we both had noisy, gurgly guts all night, and got very little sleep. Not food poisoning or anything like that, just some kind of herb or seasoning we’re not used to and didn’t react well to. Lesson learned.
Swim: I don’t like to put my wetsuit on too early, mostly because I always have to use the port-o-pot as soon as I do. I planned to line up with the 1:30-1:40 group, and went to join the start corrals about 6:20. Ironman had the fencing set up differently this year, and it created such a narrow bottleneck at the end of the line, there was no way I could get to my start group. I decided to just be chill about it—can’t control it, so put it aside—and my time starts when I cross the mat. The problem was, a lot of fast swimmers who were also in the port-o-pot line or doing a warmup swim got caught with me behind the 2 hr+ swimmers and were freaking out about it. I could see how this was going to go, so I calmly walked in the water and swam as wide as I could (which was hard, it seemed that the kayakers had us pinched in very close to the buoys). I had very little contact, had to do very little sighting—I breathe both sides and between the kayaks and the swimmers on the cable—I didn’t need to sight. I got on the cable for almost all of the second loop, and had a very calm and relaxing swim, which for me, is very, very good. Swim time was 1:36:04. Exactly what I predicted, and no more than I had any right to expect, given the amount of swim training that I did.
T1: I knew this was an area I could improve. Spent a lot of time visiualizing this, and took about a minute off last year, 9:36. I wavered as to whether I should wear my vest and sleeves. The volunteer helping me commented that my hands were very cold (!), which I thought was odd. But, I get hypothermic very easily in cold water, so maybe...and she suggested I wear them. Good advice, I was glad I took it.
Bike: Well, it was hard, what can I say. The wind and rain and hail on the top of Cascade made for an interesting first 20 miles. I’m a decent cyclist and a confident descender. I had asked for advice in GroupMe about swapping my front Zipp 404 for the 202. (I’m a lightweight and can get blown around on the bike). So glad I did. No issues with the wind, other than one strong gust on the second loop that pushed me sideways kind of scarily. and worried that I’d be the witch in the Wizard of Oz, pedaling my bike up in the air! Watched my power numbers, stuck to the plan, didn’t worry about what other people were doing...except that, after seeing two people dump their bikes on the Haselton turnaround, I decided to clip out one foot and make sure I got around that upright. I just put my head down and rode like it was my job. Finished in 6:55:16. I live nearby and rode the course often, and I really believe that wind cost me 10 minutes.
T2: Another faster time, 5:24.
Run: Went really well until it didn’t. I seemed to be running just fine when I left transition. Saw Coach Patrick on the downhill—I did have some funky knee pain on the bike, probably just from having to pedal so hard for so long. He suggested pain relievers. I had Advil in my RaceSaver bag. At the first aid station, I took one, along with a salt tab and Tums, then tucked all those items in my pocket and filled the bag with ice. The turnaround on River Road seemed to come up so fast, I was thrilled. Still running when I got back to town, I did the first loop in around 2:16. Saw Patrick again on the downhill and we were positively giddy with the fact that I was still running and felt good. I told him I’d just keep going as long as I could, which turned out to be about 3 more miles. Once I turned on River Road, I started experiencing muscle spasms running down my leg, and my leg would buckle slightly. I tried a run/walk for another mile, but my leg just wasn’t having it. I knew I either had to walk or end up in a face-plant. So, I walked. Walking hurts. By the time you’re walking, walking hurts as much as running. I just stayed as focused and positive as I could. Some of my students who are on our school’s cross-country team were volunteering at Run Station #4 on River Road. Not only did I look forward to seeing them, but no way would I quit with them watching me. I got it done, that’s all I can say. About an hour slower than if I could’ve run the whole thing. But I finished upright, happy, gut feeling ok, and an Ironman once again. Can’t ask for more than that. Run was 5:26:17. Total time: 14:12:36.
Epilogue: I had a contrast MRI two days after Ironman to diagnose the “big ball of something.” Haven’t heard anything yet, but have an appt on August 2nd at Lake Placid Sports Medicine. I was planning to run a marathon in October. For now, that’s on hold, I can defer until next year. Haven’t signed up for anything else, and I won’t until I get the hip sorted. Crossing my fingers that it can be treated with PT and maybe an injection or two. We’ll see...
Pre-race: I’m glad I didn’t bail. It was so great to meet so many of my fellow ENers and to have the distraction of all the team “stuff.” You guys are all awesome, I’m so happy I got to share this race with you. My husband and I stayed at the Crowne Plaza and they do a pasta buffet for the racers the night before. We decided to do that for dinner, and both chose the marinara sauce, thinking it would be the safest option. Wrong! If it had just been me, I would’ve assumed that I had a nervous stomach, but we both had noisy, gurgly guts all night, and got very little sleep. Not food poisoning or anything like that, just some kind of herb or seasoning we’re not used to and didn’t react well to. Lesson learned.
Swim: I don’t like to put my wetsuit on too early, mostly because I always have to use the port-o-pot as soon as I do. I planned to line up with the 1:30-1:40 group, and went to join the start corrals about 6:20. Ironman had the fencing set up differently this year, and it created such a narrow bottleneck at the end of the line, there was no way I could get to my start group. I decided to just be chill about it—can’t control it, so put it aside—and my time starts when I cross the mat. The problem was, a lot of fast swimmers who were also in the port-o-pot line or doing a warmup swim got caught with me behind the 2 hr+ swimmers and were freaking out about it. I could see how this was going to go, so I calmly walked in the water and swam as wide as I could (which was hard, it seemed that the kayakers had us pinched in very close to the buoys). I had very little contact, had to do very little sighting—I breathe both sides and between the kayaks and the swimmers on the cable—I didn’t need to sight. I got on the cable for almost all of the second loop, and had a very calm and relaxing swim, which for me, is very, very good. Swim time was 1:36:04. Exactly what I predicted, and no more than I had any right to expect, given the amount of swim training that I did.
T1: I knew this was an area I could improve. Spent a lot of time visiualizing this, and took about a minute off last year, 9:36. I wavered as to whether I should wear my vest and sleeves. The volunteer helping me commented that my hands were very cold (!), which I thought was odd. But, I get hypothermic very easily in cold water, so maybe...and she suggested I wear them. Good advice, I was glad I took it.
Bike: Well, it was hard, what can I say. The wind and rain and hail on the top of Cascade made for an interesting first 20 miles. I’m a decent cyclist and a confident descender. I had asked for advice in GroupMe about swapping my front Zipp 404 for the 202. (I’m a lightweight and can get blown around on the bike). So glad I did. No issues with the wind, other than one strong gust on the second loop that pushed me sideways kind of scarily. and worried that I’d be the witch in the Wizard of Oz, pedaling my bike up in the air! Watched my power numbers, stuck to the plan, didn’t worry about what other people were doing...except that, after seeing two people dump their bikes on the Haselton turnaround, I decided to clip out one foot and make sure I got around that upright. I just put my head down and rode like it was my job. Finished in 6:55:16. I live nearby and rode the course often, and I really believe that wind cost me 10 minutes.
T2: Another faster time, 5:24.
Run: Went really well until it didn’t. I seemed to be running just fine when I left transition. Saw Coach Patrick on the downhill—I did have some funky knee pain on the bike, probably just from having to pedal so hard for so long. He suggested pain relievers. I had Advil in my RaceSaver bag. At the first aid station, I took one, along with a salt tab and Tums, then tucked all those items in my pocket and filled the bag with ice. The turnaround on River Road seemed to come up so fast, I was thrilled. Still running when I got back to town, I did the first loop in around 2:16. Saw Patrick again on the downhill and we were positively giddy with the fact that I was still running and felt good. I told him I’d just keep going as long as I could, which turned out to be about 3 more miles. Once I turned on River Road, I started experiencing muscle spasms running down my leg, and my leg would buckle slightly. I tried a run/walk for another mile, but my leg just wasn’t having it. I knew I either had to walk or end up in a face-plant. So, I walked. Walking hurts. By the time you’re walking, walking hurts as much as running. I just stayed as focused and positive as I could. Some of my students who are on our school’s cross-country team were volunteering at Run Station #4 on River Road. Not only did I look forward to seeing them, but no way would I quit with them watching me. I got it done, that’s all I can say. About an hour slower than if I could’ve run the whole thing. But I finished upright, happy, gut feeling ok, and an Ironman once again. Can’t ask for more than that. Run was 5:26:17. Total time: 14:12:36.
Epilogue: I had a contrast MRI two days after Ironman to diagnose the “big ball of something.” Haven’t heard anything yet, but have an appt on August 2nd at Lake Placid Sports Medicine. I was planning to run a marathon in October. For now, that’s on hold, I can defer until next year. Haven’t signed up for anything else, and I won’t until I get the hip sorted. Crossing my fingers that it can be treated with PT and maybe an injection or two. We’ll see...
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Comments
its all relative
"I got it done, that’s all I can say. But I finished upright, happy, gut feeling ok, and an Ironman once again. Can’t ask for more than that."
Good Luck with that Labrum Tear and the pending diagnosis of the Big Ball?
I've walked 8+ miles in a few IMs, just to get to the end, and I've dropped out twice @ about mile 11. Between the two even though it takes so long and doesn't feel any better than running, I'll take the finish any day. Like you say, "But I finished upright, happy, gut feeling ok, and an Ironman once again." And in the end, it's the feeling happy that counts the most...
Soon we will have to plan some Fearless Ladies Zwift racing.
@Sheila Leard Biking doesn’t seem to hurt the hip, and I’m definitely planning to do more Zwift racing this winter. I did have a good bike at IMLP—very tough course and conditions, and I was 6th AG for the bike, so Zwift works. And @Al Truscott I don’t have any swim coaching options here, but I’m re-listening to the Tower26 podcasts and rededicating myself to improving my swim. I’m never going to KQ, but I need to have enough pride to not be the last one or two out of the water in my AG!
path back! Guessing patience will be tested being on the shelf for awhile
so hang in there! Eye on the prize!
Congratulations @Alicia Chase !
- Let it heal. This is the hardest part
- Work on Flexibility
- Strength the surrounding muscles - IOW, just getting a stronger abductor is only a first step. Something in your chain made you overuse that muscle. You need a good PT to help you understand all that, maybe even a gait analysis.
I am absolutely confident you will take the time and in-depth work you'll need to get back in the game. You are both a winner and a survivor - draw on those strengths.@Sheila Leard Not sure how one tears an abductor. From what I’m reading online, wear and tear over time will do it. My symptoms were classic. My opposite hip has never quite regained the strength and mobility it had before the surgery, and all of my leg issues since have been in my “good leg,” no doubt from compensating for those issues. I absolutely must maintain strength training and tissue mobility year-round. I think the RDP and run streak got me further this year than I’ve managed to get since the old injury, but it was a wake-up call that I’m not out of the woods. Yes, I can swim with a pull buoy, do upper body strength and core. I think I can even bike once the hematoma heals and I stay on flat roads (or the trainer) and keep the effort easy.
@Shaughn Simmons KMF, as @Sheila Leard said, got me through the day. I must have said that to myself 100 times. Thank you for that. @Al Truscott First PT session in two weeks, plus I’m re-reading Jay Dicharry’s book, “Anatomy for Runners,” and swearing at myself a lot for not internalizing and regularly practicing all of his recommendations!