The Week 21 Thread: How's everyone doing post-race? (except Mancona, who we still need to get ready
Hi Crew!
Recovery is important, too? Right? So, how's everyone doing with that?
(I'm also not quite ready to be done training with you all. We've had a fantastic twelve weeks. This race and this summer wouldn't have been the same without all of you.)
Mancona, how goes it? Recovered from Iron spectating?
I'm home, sitting in my apartment with my feet up. I just came back from the cool breakfast place I usually walk by on the train to work, and look at people with envy, as they enjoy delicious omelettes. I just had a giant breakfast of an eggs with salsa rojo and chard, a giant plate of fruit, a slice of toast, grapefruit juice, and coffee. While weating my new Mdot top. Yeah, Mr. Mdot may be tattooed on my soul now, but the rest of the world can know it is there now.
Race report on its way, once I have a few more hours to let thoughts gel. I look forward to reading all of yours, too!
Comments
Matt keep training hard for Kona because you know "we will be watching!"
Anyhoo, I've been composing my RR since Sunday. So should get it "on paper" tonight.
Can't wait to hear about everyone's day! Kate, you are right---that race weekend was really off the charts. How crazy fun and amazing!
Jim Hansen is starting a new job today!
Today is Tuesday and I have been vegitating in front of the computer for oh prolly 3 hours!! Yikes I just can't get enough of all the pics, stories, fb stuff...the list is endless!! You are right Beth what a great weekend, great race, super special EN sherpas out there all day long with the racers. don't want the feeling to end...quite yet. Still somewhat sore today, but not too bad. Jumped right back into "work" so to speak....laundry, kiddies last minute Oh mom I need help with homework...groceries, driving kiddos to school..swim practice tonight and yep..welcome back to real life.....but no I say, please let me dream awhile longer
@Kate-so fun to meet u this past weeknd..fun to put a personality with a picture!!
@Kitima-thanks for the encouragment on the run coure...between u, Michele, Nemo and Gina...the mojo was flowing! Want to hear something funny...your DH Kevin...was a lot taller than I expected
He was cheering everyone on as well...was he @ mile 18 in a speedo?
@Beth-u passed me on the run and u never looked back!!!
@Matt-great to meet u on the course several times!! Oh and u were right after all---NO SNAKES IN LAKE MONONA AFTER ALL
First off, thank you to all of you. It was very motivating and inspiring to watch each of you race. Whether you had an awesome performance, something went wrong and you pushed through, or something out of your control ended your day... every one of you did an awesome job making the best of the cards you were dealt. I do not always make the best of situations and it was so powerfull to see each of you do this.
I can honestly say I was significantly more sore/tired after spectating/training this weekend then racing last year. It was a blast hanging out with everyone and destorying myself on the bike course on Saturday. This specating stuff is hard work, good thing Theresa is good at it because I suck at it.
Work and life are a little crazy this week, so I this morning was the only time I could fit in my last 2.5 hour run. I was not looking forward to it because of how exhausted I was, but I got up (at 4:15) and made the most of it.
I did it exactly as written with 60' @ EP, 60' @EP/MP, 30' @MP. The first 3 miles were pretty rough but the legs came around and I nailed it. Entered up averaging 5:56 for the last 6 miles. Total run was 23 miles in 2:30:51, my best training run ever! Even more importantly I took down 80 oz of water during the run with no issues and only lost 2 lbs, the fact that it was 65 out might have something to do with that though. My stomach is continuing to get better at taking in the fuilds while running.
Thank you for getting me fired up so I could crush my last long run! Of course, the fact that I am racing Coach Rich in a year helped as well!
First things first, it was a fantastic weekend and I'm both grateful and impressed by everyone who came out to both race and spectate. As for the race itself, I ran the emotional gamut from euphoric to miserable and walking on several occasions, but it made a tremendous difference every time I ran into another EN member out there.
I'm back at work today as well, just wearing my compression socks but wishing I had tights. I actually feel halfway decent physically, but stairs and stiffness are still big problems of course. One peculiar thing I've noticed after big races that I definitely experienced after this race was that my mouth and throat have hurt eating for the last 2 days. It's like the roof of my mouth, then my throat itself, mostly just when I tried to eat, but today I woke up with a sore throat like I'm getting sick. It's been a heck of a time trying to concentrate at work, the experiences of this weekend keep flooding back to me, but for now I'll keep it short (for me at least), race report will hopefully be in the works soon.
Side note anyone have strong thoughts for or against post-race massages?
My ITs do not hurt as bad as they have in the past so I hope it doesn't take 3 mos to recover from! I also have done some post race analysis and posted my report. I don't think I need to worry about swim technique anymore. I am taking up some sort of fighting moves so that next swim as my son told me, he played football 7 - 12 th grade, I just kick them back! not sure why my goggles didn't work after using them all summer., but next swim, I am swimming with a 2nd pair stowed somewhere in my wetsuit. mine leaked horribly, never happened in pract swims. I actually swam back to the shore before the gun to adjust them all over again... and then swam out, they were fine and then they weren't. but like I said I got jostled quite a bit. did I tell you I actually came out of the waterafter being punched inthe goggles and audibly said "Crap!"... not like me but I was getting mad. so not sure why I am dogging myself out with swim sets! instead I am going to work on upper body and next swim, I am going in to fight. remind me of this at TX
speaking of fighting, did i tell you this? okay we were waiting on lower level, very peaceful and we just walked out to beach level but I had to use bathroom and so I walked up one level... and went to female bathroom only to discover 5 guys in our line!!! and being the mother of 4 sons and unabashed about speaking up for female rights... I said "guys, you need to use your own bathroom!" and one guy said to me "are you kidding?" and I said NO!... he whined "but we have a long line!" and I said "yes, all the time us females wait in lines, at concerts and etc" and I stared at him.... he said "well, I am not leaving this line but you can go ahead of me.. and me and Heather went on in. of course afterwards we were laughing, I should have known then, that I needed to stay aggressive!
so 1. not going to worry about swim but will focus on blocking! I think it will be right arm stroke, left arm stroke and then a jab to the right and a jab to the left, kick normal and then a breastroke kick!
2. Going back to the docs to work on this fatigue. I have read some of your race reports and you said you felt awesome on the bike. I did not. at mile 40, I felt like mile 80. iron was on low side as I entered this IM and my thyroid checked out okay with fam doc but will call for an endocrinologist because as I think of it my internal map was way messed up my whole time in Madison. I couldn't get my sense of direction driving and had a hard time mentally visualing the swim course and other. I am normally very good.
3. I could tell by my "get r done" focus that I was off compared to previous Ironmans where I see the crowd the first loop but maybe not the 2nd. I had that tunnel vision, that you normally get miles 18 - 26, pretty much my whole race. you know that I am hurting but I am pressing on. I didn't even notice the ford Motivation thingie, never saw it.
4. not sure why my ITs flare up but at least I got to mile 18 whereas last year was mile 8, and 2008 was mile 23, KY it didn't happen. so now knowing this, I am happy that I spent time in training, power walking and will continue with this strategy.
5. As far as the bike? well continuing to learn about power and actually with TX being a flat, windy course actually think I will fare better. I was comfy as best as possible riding for endless hours on my bike so my bike fit I felt was good. but also people tell me I have looked aero so don't need to redo that. my right foot still burned though and still hurts now.
oh, another funny inthe beginning of my ride, a blonde local chick and I would leapfrog, I would be slow going up but fast on the down and she would charge up ahead and recover on the down... at one point she passed me and yells to me in a broad WI ascent "keep your speed steady, SHEESH!".. not used to such harshness from another athlete (never in previous IMs).. I sweetly said back to her "do what you need to do, I am keeping my POWER steady!".. I don't see her the rest of the day....... until mile 18! now I am hurting with IT but I do a power walk and get in front of her and she paces off me for the next 7 miles, actually talking, literally about me behind my back! she says to her friends "I don't think she can hear us, I don't think she is paying attention!"
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My only complaint post race is I got a nasty headcold. Don't know exactly when (suspect on the way out to Wisconsin). However I am going through tissues and keeping Leigh up all night with the coughing
But yeah back to the grind. Will work on race report today or tomorrow. Thanks again for all the support (speedo and otherwise) everyone.
-Dave
Arrived back home yesterday afternoon. I have the usual post IM soreness, plus a very beat up Achilles tendon. Thank goodness no work until tomorrow!!
What an UNBELIEVABLE weekend!! I am still trying to process all of it. There simply was not enough time to see everyone, but I am so grateful for the minutes I spent with each.
HAving some coffee, first load of laundry is in. My body is really tired, but my heart is SUPER full!!
Dave, I'm officially sick today as well. Had been feeling the onset for a day or two, but same thing, head cold. I'm ok with it though, my body put up with me all season and managed not to get sick when I needed it most, so I'm sure I'm due for some downtime. Only real bummer is that I'm too swamped at work to miss any more time, so will just slug through this one.
Peeps,
Just starting to get everything back in motion (including my life, and laundry
). While I enjoy my last day of vacation, and compose the world's longest race report ever, I thought i'd drop in a line to thank everybody or making a magical weekend. it was awesome meeting you all, and in case i did not get a chance to congratulate you at the finish line cos i was there a bit late (ikes), CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
look forward to the next one
Recover well.
My head is just swimming with everything from the weekend! Wonderful memories override all the bad--yet tinged with bittersweet for me. That's OK, I will live to fight another day.
I too have joined the ranks of the sick. Sunday morning I felt like I was "coming down with something." I just could NOT go there, so I put it out of my mind. By Tuesday I woke up feeling just awful--sore throat, ear ache, stuffy nose. I am still sick today, and feel lousy. Like Dave, I think this started earlier in the week, and now I just let myself give in.
All in all, feel pretty good. Totally miss Madison and all of you! boo with this whole back to work thing.
Recovery, uh, yeah. I packed last night to do a morning swim before work today but it didn't happen. Maybe tomorrow. I have a massage scheduled for Thursday.
I'm working on my race report- hope to finish and publish tonight. My only regret from the weekend was that I didn't have enough time with some of you to just sit down and get more social time together. I'm absolutely in for a reunion HIM in 2011. Timberman would be great, but I'm also interested in doing a Rev3 too (kinda like giving some $$ to someone other than WTC for a change). Maybe we need to start another brainstorming thread on that idea! Oh- and of course the Chica's have to return to Madison as Sherpas in 2011 to give back to our pink speedo boys. We're already coming up with some ideas for making it a crazy and fun Mile 18 again behind the scenes :-)
Thanks for starting this thread Beth!
It's definitely been a rough couple of days, I'm not walking too well (RR to come once I'm less salty about my bike, but short story is that my bike again had major shifting mechanical issues and destroyed my knees. Not fun.). But, went to the sports doc Tuesday, got an x-ray and I don't have a stress fracture (which is what he originally thought). But, going to do some PT, and he found a little bit of an anomoly with my quad muscle, so it's good to find that all out now. I'm just looking forward to being able to walk again! Especially since fall is my favorite time to do outdoor lazy running.
That being said, it was great to see everyone out on the course, definitely helped me to keep pushing through and actually finish my first IM. It was an awesome vibe all weekend, and I'm totally looking forward to the next race so I can see everyone again! And I'm really looking forward to IMOO 2011 and hopefully giving back all the awesome support that was given this year!
That was weird. I just bonked at work. Seriously. I just solved it with a brat and root beer (the Berghoff is having Oktoberfest right outside my office. Well timed. Well timed.)
Why am I bonking if I haven't exercised and have been eating ridiculous food? Does my body need Ironman repair calories that much?
On massage -- Hell, yes, post-race massage. Mine's scheduled for tonight and I'm seeing the chiro at lunch.
Well said, Gina. Heart is definitely full after this one. Loving that everyone seems excited for the next tango with Mr. Mdot!
And I may need another brat.
Oh- and today's great comment from Joe was "what is this strange feeling? oh, I know, it's hunger! Haven't felt this way in over a week!". He gained 4 lbs eating with all of us last week!! Tooooooo funny!
I still haven't gotten to the pool. I keep packing a bag but then sleep in. The closest I've gotten to water was walking on the beach last night while Joe surfed!
Ditto that !! No pool till maybe, uhm, March.
Starting to feel that, OMG the race is over what will I do now?, feeling. I have nothing on the 2011 calendar!
Swam yesterday, felt great, did my 'walk' today with some stretching and am proud to report that I just walked down the stairs at speed without assistance!!!
Scratchy throat coming though, kids have been sick since the race, terrible head colds. I've tried to stay away but that's impossible, everyone needs a kiss goodnight!
When I woke up Monday, my tongue was white and my entire mouth hurt. It is now Thursday night and some foods still make my mouth burn like fire. The dehydration really ravaged things. I am no longer sore. I had a 2 hr massage last night and feel fantastic. But I sleep 8-10 hrs a night still. So I know exercise is not indicated.
I miss you all. And agree with Gina- my heart is full.
I'm still shocked on how great of a run I pulled off on Tuesday morning after the long weekend, but then the train hit me on Wednesday. I slept about 9 hours (long time for me) and was exhausted all day. My legs had nothing so it became a easy day. Thursdays FTT didn't go so great either with the first 30' about 5 watts over my last FTP, and then I went down hill quickly to come in at 2 watts lower. I'm ok wiht it though as it was inside and just proved that I can still hold my current FTP even with the cumulative fatigue.
My body is just starting to feel normal again and I did the 2nd RR swim this morning. 1:04:49 for 3850 SCM. about 30" slower than last time but I'll take it. I wanted to break 1:00 this year, but obviously I didn't want it bad enough as I didn't work hard enough at it.
RR#2 tomorrow then I start to taper and begin the heat acclimation!
Good luck with the RR tomorrow! Let us know how it goes. You've been with us all the way through IMoo and we aren't gonna let ya down now!
I'm starting to think ahead to next season though, I have no idea what races I am going to / want to do... and I'm already kind of looking forward to resuming training in the OS, how messed up that? Also, who is still wearing their athlete wrist band? I finally took mine off today, sad moment.
Swimming? Yeah, no. Not this week. But I am going to yoga tonight..
I caught myself looking at 1/2 mary plans and dreaming about a January race. My weird body wants to race! How long should I stand down before considering such tomfoolery?
Mancona, good luck with the race rehearsal! Ninja gear this time, too? You are getting so close! Can't wait to hear the report.
Oh- and next week I'm on a mission to hit up a yoga class at least 3 times! I gotta get back to doing something! I feel like a dough boy!
I've had some urges to jump on my mountain bike, but I've come home from work every night and passed out on the couch. There's this ginormous fruit and custard tart that I've been saving as my reward for this IM. I finally have my appetite back so I'm going to Wegman's to get it tomorrow. I shall eat the whole thing then pass out with the crumbs all over me. That is my plan for Saturday.
Trevor, I still have my blue wrist thingy on. It's going to stay on until it rots off. I'm still so stinkin' happy about the race I can't bear to take it off.
BTW, Do you guys just LURVE the finisher shirt?! Best Mdot/IM I've seen ever! Love the big wheel of cheese on the back.