Jenn’s IMC RR: 11:35:56 - A Lot of Mojo and a Couple Epiphanies!
Hola EN Peeps!
Below is a poorly formatted hack straight from my blog @ ;http://jennifermaeedwards.blogspot.com/ . I'd very much appreciate your insight... I'm on the hunt for about 40' to be in KQ range!
Thanks!
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SWIM: 1:05:55
And, we’re off… I guess! I’d lined up faaarrrrr left and up front per Ann F’s good advice. There wasn’t a cannon that we could hear but as the folks to our right started diving those of us at the end of the line followed suit creating a cascading wave of released nervous energy. Right off the bat I could tell that I’d have a MUCH better swim than the infamous Eggbeater Swim of 2011.
My goal for the first leg was to swim strong but controlled, and, most importantly, avoid the chaos I’d experienced last year. I couldn’t really swim hard with all the bodies around me but I wasn’t being kicked, swum over, swallowing water or getting panicky and I considered that a huge success. I hit the first turn buoy feeling antsy to get swimming, but I knew it would be difficult on the second and shortest leg. During that leg everyone had just come together for the first turn buoy and would be doing so again for the second so I bided my time and swam in the space available without trying to push the issue. I rounded the second turn buoy and picked up a little mojo with a great view of our boat with Mark and Ann S plus a couple of rescue swimmers marshaling the race. I certainly didn’t need them but it was AWESOME to see them out there!
Thankfully on the third leg I found a little more open water and started to pass a few folks. I considered it a good sign that I’d paced myself well. From my splits I can see that that last long leg was my fastest so I’m pleased with the pacing of my effort. Easy as pie, right? Nope. As we approached shore about 200 yards out… whammo! I was kicked hard in the face by someone who had inexplicably started doing breast stroke. And That.Made.Me.MAD. There is NO reason for someone that can swim this speed to be doing the breast stroke at this point. There are two gigantic flags marking the swim exit and hundreds of people around you going the exact same direction… it’s just not that complicated! My right front tooth bled a little, the right side of my nose hurt a LOT and my eye socket felt like it would have a permanent goggle print but mostly I was PISSED. After a moment of contemplating exactly how to strangle someone in an Ironman swim and make it look like an accident I decided I wasn’t going to let Captain Dumb Ass ruin what looked to be a perfectly respectable swim. I settled for a few swear words and swam harder than ever to shore. I did LOTS of passing. Officially I was a few seconds slower than 2010 but 2.5’ faster than 2011 and had a helluva a lot more fun!
Epiphanies: Line up far left and always be ready for Captain Dumb Ass to break out the breast stroke!
Garmin File: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/215625677
*** That's me on the left - Smartest move of the day! ***
T1: 3:13
My first transition was super speedy thanks friends Heidi S and Laurie M. They volunteered ALL DAY but at that moment I considered them my personal volunteers and boy did they deliver! Helmet, shoes, sunglasses and BOOM - off I went!
BIKE: 5:43:20
After being spit safely out of the tornado that was T1 I was safely off on the bike. Having ridden the course according to the Endurance Nation protocol three times (the 2011 race and two rehearsals) I was confident in my execution. Mentally I broke the bike up into segments: Out to Osoyoos which was relatively flat and fast, the Richter Pass climb, the rollers known as the Seven Bitches, the hot and rough out-and-back, the Yellow Lake climb and finally the decent! All and all each segment went as planned. I felt great early on as expected but, also as expected, I started to get mentally and physically fatigued as I finished up the out-and-back. I was actually glad to approach the Yellow Lake climb just because I knew it meant I was almost done. There was plenty of Endurance Nation mojo exchanged as I enjoyed seeing Ann F and Teri C on the course. And lucky me - at the tippy tippy top of Yellow Lake more mojo awaited with Mark and Ann S rockin’ the cowbells. Mojoriffic! Then zoom down the hill I went!
In retrospect I think the most notable thing about the bike was simply that there wasn’t anything really notable. I never got off the bike and I stayed locked into my aero bars on all but the steepest climbs. I had a concentrated bottle of Infinit for nutrition which meant I didn’t have to get anything other than water at aid stations and I didn’t even need the special needs stop. I ended up with a 5’ PR with an almost identical effort to the 2011 race – sweet!
Epiphanies: Keep it simple, stupid.
Garmin File: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/215641847
*** Zoom! ***
T2: 6:08
Ahhhh, after a quick potty break (in a port-a-potty, even!) I was back into the arms of personal volunteers Heidi S. and Laurie M. Honestly I didn’t really feel like running a marathon but to hear that you look great from two friends at that point is about the BEST feeling ever. Thanks guys! I didn’t even care if it was true or not - once they were done with me I felt like a million bucks! I even believed I could run a marathon!
RUN: 4:37:21
Off I went to run a on to the run. This transition is the part that’s really uncomfortable, right? Well for whatever reason I felt pretty darn good right away. Huh. Well, not gonna complain but I didn’t go too crazy either and I used my heart rate to keep me honest. I broke the run into 26 1-mile increments and just kept on truckin’. I was using concentrated Infinit for the run and it was working great. Mojo was all around me! I got the best mojo of all in the form of a hug from Mark at mile three. That was followed by even more mojo on the course from Teri C, Ann, F, Al T, Steve S and Jane H rockin’ the biggest smile evah!!! I was also pleased that I wasn’t peeing my way through the course - a huge improvement over previous races. I averaged about a 10:00 minute mile to the turnaround and was on track and happy to be headed to the finish line, just 13.1 short miles away!
My goal for the second half of the marathon was to minimize how much I slowed down. In my previous two races I’d been able to continue to run but the differential in pace between the first half and the second half was dramatic. My pace slowed, but just to a 10:30 or 11:00. By mile 20 I was thinking it was time to pick up the pace. This is where I was gonna let ‘er rip and my HR was going to go up. I was sure I’d be working “so hard”, in fact that I skipped the Infinit scheduled for mile 21 and 24. I was gonna really be flying! Except hmmmm… my pace slowed further and my heart rate showed I wasn’t really working that hard at all. Well hrumph! My legs sure were hurting but by objective measures, I certainly wasn’t moving along as perceived. The silver lining is that with each passing mile it became CRYSTAL clear what it really means to “race” an Ironman. I get that I’ll need to be able to go to a VERY dark place to push the pace at the end. My relatively lowish heart rate showed me I have capacity, I just need to rally the legs!
I picked up more mojo from Mark, Laurie and Heidi at mile 23. At this point I knew if I could grab another gear and run 10:00 minute miles that an 11:30:xx finish was possible. So, for the first time ever, I didn’t stop for hugs - I settled for blowing kisses and lots of smiles. Heidi ran with me for a bit and was a great distraction for what is one of the crappiest miles of the entire race. The rally to a 10:00 minute mile didn’t happen but I came into the finish thoroughly pleased with my race. I even had a smile on my face for Mark, Laurie and Heidi who had zipped down from mile 23 to see me finish. The marathon ended up being a 35’ PR over 2011. Yeah baby, YEAH!!!
Epiphanies: Racing the second half of an Ironman marathon is gonna REALLY hurt. Embrace the suck. And don’t skip your nutrition, you aren’t going that hard!
Garmin File: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/215625686
*** At mile 25.5. Didn't feel great here, truthfully but glad to almost be done! ***
FINISH: 11:35:56
Seeing 11:30-something as I crossed the finish line was AMAZING. I grabbed the tape and then, presto-change-o, I was in the arms of Ann S! How did that happen? As I found out, she’d segued from her swim course volunteerism to catching finishers and had arranged to catch moi! How awesome is that! Thanks Ann! She and her fellow catcher took great care of me, made sure I got some food and then handed me off to Mark, Heidi and Laurie who were ready to scoop me up and whisk me away to celebrate my 45' PR with a burger and ice cream!
*** Woo Hoo! ***
EPILOUGE
I’m really, really pleased with this race. I know some of my run improvement can be attributed to relatively favorable conditions. The temps last year approached 100 degrees, and this year it was “only” 90ish but I’m going take every bit of the PR and OWN it! The fuzzy idea that I may someday be able to qualify for Kona is coming into focus. I only need to find about 40 more minutes to be close. I think about 15’ of those could be found on the bike and the balance on the run. Lighter, faster stronger will be the mantra for 2013! I've retained perspective, however, and vowed to not define myself by the goal of qualifying, but simply to “Be All I Can Be” and let the chips fall where they may.
After thirty years Ironman Canada as we have known it has come to a close. The city of Penticton has partnered with the “Challenge” brand to host future races. This means the race will be run the same course but doesn’t offer Kona qualification. The “new” Ironman Canada venue will be announced in October. Until then, I’m keeping my options open. I may race the Challenge race in Penticton, the new Ironman Canada somewhere else, something completely different or some other crazy combination!
With that, I’m off to "Be All I Can Be"! Many, many, thanks to the cowbellers, both virtual and in person. And thanks, of course to Mark who makes it all possible and FUN!
P.S.
I tried to keep the geek factor to a minimum but rest assured I’m still data to the max! Below is a snapshot of my three Ironman Canada races for my Endurance Nation (or otherwise data-obsessed) brethren.
Comments
I look forward to seeing what you do next year. If you are up in the Okanagan next August, let me know!
Wow! Ninja Skills on Execution!! You had a amazing race! x2 with Ann those 40 min will come. I'm guessing 40/60 split from the bike and run. If you get your FTP up to 230-240 thats likely 20min on the bike right there. WTG!