So the 70.3 Ironman in Austin was on November 8th and it was hard, it was long, but crossing that finish line under the cutoff was AWESOME! So after Austin I had some muscle soreness for maybe a day but I was really fatigued.
I would do most of my training runs, I think I skipped 2 runs in 2 weeks, and strength train but that was it. No biking and no swimming. No matter how much sleep I got, I was still tired, I had no energy and my temper was volatile.
Now the Route 66 Half was 2 weeks after Austin. My trainer would ask what my goal was for the 66 and all I can say was; I don't know, but in my head was I thinking to just get it over with because I'm ready to be done. I am tired, really tired to my cells tired. I finally decide I am just going to run by feel and not look at the watch for heart rate, distance, pace or elapsed time. My goal is to finish the race and hopefully find my mojo or love of running/racing back.
The only saving grace for the Route to keep me from dreading it was the chance to meet Abbie and Gina from the Inner Circle group, to reconnect with my friends Michelle & Heather that I met at my first Half in OKC and a chance to cheer on some first time marathoners & experienced runners from Life Time Run.
On the Saturday the 21st, I get up and do a shakeout run of 25 minutes easy with 3 pickups. It feels harder than I think it should and my right foot hurts afterward, Great! So I clean up, have some breakfast and go to the race expo to meet Abbie & Gina.
Abbie is already in the packet pickup line, so I find the back of the line and patiently wait. The line moves quickly which is good but the line is getting longer. Abbie gets her packet and goes to the jacket pickup. As I am getting my bib, Gina is getting in line to get her packet. Finally we all get our packets, jackets and can talk together.
We talk for a while as we wander the expo booths and look at running gear. We talk races, training runs, goals for the race and the upcoming holiday. Of course we take the obligatory picture at the Expo and then say goodbye to Abbie. Abbie has family pics to have made and a family dinner.
Gina and I go to a restaurant for a late lunch/early dinner. We chat some more over dinner, wine & coffee. Gina and Abbie are great and I am so happy I got to meet with them!
At the expo I had picked up my friend Heather's race packet, so now I am going to meet the Heather's. I met both of them at OKC last year, this year Heather L is doing the half but Heather D is doing her first Full! I visit with them for a bit and we make plans to meet in the morning.
At the house, I lay out my flat runner, have some dinner, hot bath and bed at 8 pm. I did not sleep well because my foot is still hurting, so finally I take some Motrin and get some rest.
I get up at 5:30 am, let the dog out; brew the coffee, bathroom, dog in, breakfast, more coffee, and get dressed. As I am getting ready, I contemplate not racing. My foot still hurts, I am still tired and I just feel blah, but I go because well I said I would and I'm not getting a DNS. The starting line is just over a mile from the house, which is just a short warm up.
I find the Heather's for a pre-race pic that we dedicate to Mona, our other OKC friend who is unable to run today. Check my drop bag and find my way to corral B. Unfortunately I was not able to find Gina and Abbie before the race.
In my corral, I see some of my Life Time Run peeps; Rana and Gary. We talk and move about to keep warm, it is a balmy 27 degrees, as we wait for the race start. Usually I am nervous/excited before a race start but not today. I am not envisioning a perfectly run race or PR's or anything for that matter. Just waiting to start moving forward so my corral can start.
Finally the confetti cannon goes off... and we walk forward, and we walk forward some more and finally we cross the start line in a slow trot because of the sea of runners congesting the roadways.
The first mile is a downhill, then a left turn, then a bigger downhill but of course what goes down must go up. I pass by a male peeing behind a column for the overpass. Really!
I find my pace that seems comfortable for the beginning of the race. I watch other runners as the go by because they are going out to fast. They are not saving anything for the hills that are up ahead. I think about the course, trying to see if I remember the turns from last year. We pass through the first water station and I run on by. 2 miles done only 11 more to go.
We enter the neighborhoods that I do my training runs in all the time. I nod to the spectators and thank the policemen that are guarding us from the traffic. I am running easy, I don't think I am running any harder than I do on a training run but I am not looking at my watch.
As I come out of the hills and onto Peoria I think about Gina and Abbie, what do they think of T-town and the Route 66. It is a flat section of the course with lots of spectators and loud music. It gives me a lift and my pace probably picked up at that point because crowds and music always helps. From there it is over to Riverside for a bit, not as long as last year because of the construction. Then back into the hills of the neighborhoods.
At mile 9 at the water station I walk through and drink some water. I pick up the run as soon as I finish the water and I start thinking maybe I should pick up the pace and then my foot tells me it hurts still, so I just maintain.
Back on to Riverside for an out and back, then up the a highway ramp as we start making our way back across downtown Tulsa. Pass the Cox business center then over to Boulder Avenue to 6th street which is where the marathoner's split off from the Half's. I am so happy at this point that I did not sign up for the Full. All I can think is poor runner's!
Down under the overpass then back up, right turn, then left turn, then right turn and I can see the Finish line, it is way up there but I can see it. Of course I start picking up the pace and picking off runner's one at a time. I hear my name and there is Nate and Cecilia cheering for me. I pick it up again, and again and again and get out of my way Half fanatic people right before the finish line walking hand in hand. I will spare you the curse words I was thinking as I try to get around them to cross the Finish Line!
Woohoo 2:29:13. Not a PR but for running the entire race easy and on autopilot it will work. For completing a race successfully with no GI issues, Hallelujah!
After I get through the finisher's shoot with some snacks, I make my way over to where I seen Nate and Cecilia. I put on some warm clothes over my run clothes and precede to cheer in the runner's all of them.
I cheer in the female winner of the marathon, along with the second and third. I cheer on my friend Michelle. She joins me and we cheer on the 4 hour Half marathon runner's along with the marathoner's. I see Nicole, Gary, Patrick, Gina, Abbie, Nikki, and the other Heather. I run with Heather around the corner and a bit up the straight until she sees the finish line. I miss a few come through as we go to find Heather at the finish shoot. The Heather's have to check out of their hotel.
We take some pics and say our goodbyes and I start my walk back to the house. I ponder the race day and my performance and I am okay with it. It was my 2nd best half, by finish time but my most consistent pace. I do believe that cheering everyone in was probably the best part of the day!
Live Epic!
Michelle
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Monday, November 30, 2015
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Austin Ironman 70.3
In January I contemplated signing up for the Boulder 70.3 with Brook and Brenda, but thankfully it sold out while I was thinking on it. I did sign up for the Boulder Sprint Ironman but I couldn't stop that voice in my head saying "but what if we did the Half Ironman". Damn voices!
So in April I registered for the Austin Ironman 70.3. Of course, then the voice changes to "what the hell were you thinking"and "you can't do that"! The voice in your head is a fickle wench. So when I registered for Austin, I did not read all the fine print. I read Lake Decker 1.2 mile swim and 56 mile Bike ride through the rolling hills of Texas and the only run course than finishes in an indoor arena. Cool!
What you need to know is that when I signed up, I could not swim the 25 meter pool without being out of breath clinging to the edge of the pool with my heart racing and gasping for air. I had not rode my bike over 25 miles. I was also newly recovered from a running injury to my right hip. So of course by November 8th, I will be ready to do 70.3. Lost my dang mind.
So I go to Boulder for the Ironman Sprint, and this is what I learned: my wetsuit does not fit, I am not ready to do an open water swim of 10 feet let alone 1.2 miles with 2000 of my new best friends, I and my undercarriage do not like the bike, I got passed on the flats of the bike course by an overweight, short, bald, old guy, and there are hard cut-off times for each section of the 70.3. Crap!
You have 1 hour and 10 minutes to complete the swim. If you go over that time, they take your timing chip and you get a DNF. You have 5 hours and 30 minutes to finish the bike course, if not, you guessed it, a DNF. You have a total of 8 hours and 30 minutes to finish the entire event or DNF. That is what I learned in Boulder in June, less than 5 months from my event. I can't swim, I suck at the bike and I have no legs to run on after I'm done with the bike. I am screwed.
As soon as I get back to Oklahoma, I find a swim coach! Coach Janet has been doing triathlons since the 90's and was a competitive swimmer in school. Thank you Jesus! Day 1 she watches me swim and says no more swimming, just drills for body positioning. 3 weeks later I got to graduate to a very slow freestyle. 3 weeks after that I got to move to a little speed work on my freestyle. Then it was working on form, speed, and endurance. We did do 3 OWS in the wetsuit and worked on sighting. What a blessing to have found her.
Now I would like to tell you I did a lot of biking when I got back to Oklahoma but that would be a lie. I was deep into marathon training because after all that was my "A" goal. I ran 4 days a week, swam 2-3 days a week and biked 2 times a week for a total of 2.5 hours a week on the bike. I will focus on the bike after Medtronic. Great plan. Ha!
O
After Medtronic marathon I did start riding on Sunday's with TAT, which is Tulsa Area Triathlete and those guys, especially Scott, were so helpful and encouraging. I rode once a week with Janet and once a week by myself. What you should know is Medtronic and Ironman were only 4 weeks apart. Plenty of time, Right? Now of course I continued running because well, I like running.
2 weeks before Austin I did a ride with TAT for 38 miles with 1800 feet of elevation gain and followed that with a 1.5 hour run. Which helped my confidence. 12 days before Austin I banged out 2100 in the pool, so at least I know I can do the distance. 10 days before Austin I did a 45 mile ride, my longest one. Took the bike for a tune up and new tire. I got one more ride in after the tune up and before Austin. Hopefully I am ready.
On Friday the 6th I drove to my sisters house in Decatur, TX and stayed the night. On Saturday, I got up and went for a shakeout run, which helped the nerves some. Packed up and got on the road to Austin. About a 3.5 hour drive in a misty rain which gave me plenty of time to let the nerves go into overdrive. On the drive down I-35 every few miles on digital signs over the highway displays the following message and I quote "Turn around don't drown". It's a sign but is it a sign, an omen or prophecy, I don't know so I just keep going.
I get to the expo, get my packet but miss the athlete briefing. So I ask a bajillion questions of the super nice guy at the information table. I browse the Ironman store offerings but buy nothing because what if I DNF. The tech shirt we get for participating is bright orange for girls and grey for guys, no matter how much I beg or plead they will not let me have the grey shirt. I hate orange. I'm a Sooner fan don't they get that, I guess not, the ********!
Now there are 2 separate transition areas. How do I set up my towel for that? It is supposed to be cool tomorrow which equals to cold and wet for the first part of the bike. Do I take a long sleeve shirt for the bike, try to dry off, or just tough it out. I know Kia, 55 is bikini weather but to us warm climate girls it is cold! These are the questions that consume me as I pack my 3 bags for tomorrow's race day.
After dinner, I do some shopping for breakfast food, bike snacks and last minute forgotten items then it is back to the hotel. I lay out everything for tomorrow and anything I don't need gets packed back to the car because I am checking out in the morning. Time for bed at 8 pm. I toss. I turn. I go to the bathroom. Back to bed, I toss, I turn and I finally find sleep about 3 hours before the alarm goes off.
0400 am wake up, get up, make coffee, bathroom, dresss, drink coffee and eat breakfast snack. Drink more coffee and double check the 3 gear bags for drop off. White is the morning bag for essentials before and after the event. Blue is the bike bag for T1 with helmet, gloves, socks, cycle shoes, long sleeve shirt, towel, sunscreen and shades. Red is the run bag for T2 with running shoes, visor and sport beans. Here I thought a drop bag for a marathon was too much.
After I get to the Expo, I drop the run bag off at T2 then board the shuttle to T1 to drop off bike bag and set up T1. When it is time to shed the jacket and shoes and put on the wetsuit I will give morning/white bag to the truck people. Suppposedly when I finish the day all of my bags, bike and gear will be at the Expo Arena after I run across the finish line.
My nerves are in overdrive now to the point I am nausous. The announcer keeps giving us a count down to when transition will be closed. 30 minutes, 20 miniutes, 15 minutes, 10 minutes, and 5 minutes. I put on the wetsuit, tie up morning/white bag and give it to the truck people and make my way to the water.
The water is choppy with waves from the 10-20 mph winds. I start walking into the water and it is warmer than the air temperature. I do some warm up laps and realize the water is really rough. Breath Michelle. Me and only 3 other people are warming up in the water which I thought was strange. Finally they call for the first wave to get in that water and chase everyone else out because there is not a separate area to warm up in. Oh Boy, it is cold on the shore.
I find my wave of light blue caps and wait in line. I talk to a few ladies who have done a lot of half and full Ironman's. They are doctors and 1 is in Tulsa, such a small world. Soon enough our group is in the water waiting for the start horn. I say a prayer and as I finish the horn blows and here we go. I start out wide and left because the buoys are on our right. I'm trying to keep out of the trample zone. Soon I find myself right beside the buoy line with not to much traffic. I guess everybody decided to go wide left.
The buoys are spaced a 100 meters apart. On the way out we are swimming against the waves on a diagonal. I am sighting just to the next buoy. Pull, turn pull turn breathe, pull, turn pull turn breathe, sight and repeat. Now one guy is swimming fast fast fast till the buoy then he hangs on it for a few gasping for air then swims fast fast fast to the next buoy. I really don't care how Oh boy wants to swim his race but I do care that everytime he swims fast fast fast he runs into my side. About the third time and the third apology I have lost my patience. I may have or may not have called him an asshole and put some distance between us, thankfully I did not feel him beating my side again. Now the Kayak people have whistled at a bunch of people and yelled at a bunch more "swimmer swimmer hey swimmer you are going the wrong way", everytime I look up and it is not me. Woot Woot sighting drills paid off!
We make the first turn and the waves are coming across our sides but it is much easier than swimming into the waves. Unfortunately this is the shortest leg of the swim course. Another turn takes us back towards the shore. The waves are kind of behind but on a slant so the waves are actually pushing us off course. It is a constant struggle to stay near the buoy line. The waves seem bigger and the water is rougher. My shoulders are feeling the effects of the beating from the water. I never swim hard enough to get out of breath but the arms and shoulders are tired and I am ready to get out of the water. I can see the beach and people getting out of the water but the beach does not seem to be getting any closer. Finally my feet reach the ground and I try to run, hobble, waddle out of the water but I am having a lot of difficulty. Thankfully some nice lady volunteers grab my hand and help me to shore because the sandy/muddy lake bottom is sucking my feet down and hindering my ability to walk. Swim Time 56:37.
Out of the water, run up the hill while trying to unzip and pull down the neck of the wetsuit to my waist then I reach the strippers. Got to love strippers. Drop to by my butt on the muddy tarp they pull the suit off and give me a hand up and it is off to T1 dripping wet, freezing and mud on my trisuit so it looks like I crapped my pants. Lovely!
In T1, find my bike, dry off as much as possible, pull on a long sleeve shirt, helmet, glasses, gloves and grab my cleats and bike. I have to carry the bike and cleats to the asphalt because T1 is a muddy mess. If I put on the cleats in Transition they will clog up with mud and I will not be able to clip in. I carry my bike becasue there are stickers and people were getting flat tires. So out on the asphalt a nice male spectator holds my bike while I struggle into socks and shoes with wet feet. T1 is a very fast transition time of 9:15!!!
Out on the bike, I am cold, it is Windy, my legs are not complying with my commands. I am really doubting my want to for this 56 mile bike ride. Right out of T1 is the first climb, it is not a big climb just a gradual incline staight into the wind. Oh Yay! The first 20 miles is an ongoing debate with myself in general about: why am I doing this, why did I think this was a good idea, who does the dumb shit, & why didn't someone tell me back in April about those TX hills. Until mile 20 I was fairly certain I was just going to pull over and wait for the sag wagon. The constant hills and wind either in your face or coming from the side were just too much, I don't know why it could not be a tailwind. Then after some nuts, water, a Cliff bar and as Aspire drink, I realize I only have 36 miles left and I could do that. Funny how a runner's mind works even in a tri!
As the miles spin by the route takes us by farmhouses, rural schools, farmlands, horses, cows, longhorns, over rolling hills, lush valleys, and through small towns. We pass spectators cheering in the small towns with the local volunteer fire department controlling traffic. Families in front of their farmhouses watching us pass by and giving us encouragement. The volunteers at the aid stations hand us water, Gatorade, cliff bars, gels and encouraging smiles. The policemen at intersections with stoic demeanors' keep us safe and tell us good job. Thank the volunteers and tell them they are awesome because they help us do what we do. If you get an opportunity volunteer at a race any race and give back.
Triathlon's are different than marathons because everyone is unplugged. Electronics outside of your sports watch, cadence, power meter or bike computer are not allowed. No cell phones, mp3 players, iPod or ear buds allowed as a result, people talk to one another. I know right, a foreign concept. We comment on the ride, the route, the hills, the wind, a cool trisuit, a sweet bike or even my pink tires. Yes we are competing in a race against each other but right now we are on a lone section of road on a long ride and placing will be figured out at the finish line. It is going to be a long day and really, isn't that the goal, to strive for a better version of ourselves.
Before long the watch says 5 miles to go before T2. I am ready to get off the bike. Surely the last 5 miles of this route will be easier that the last 51. Ha Ha! It is 5 miles of long gradual inclines back to the expo. Long gradual incline, turn right, more long gradual climb, turn left to a steep hill and turn right, hill, turn right, hill into T2 and don't forget all that wind. Well played Texas well played. Bike Time 4:06:44.
Off at the mount line to run/hobble while pushing the bike to my transition area. I find my bag, park the bike, trade out cleats for shoes, helmet for visor, leave the gloves and put on the race bib belt. Swallow some water and have some sport beans. Use the Porta-facility and run out of T2 in a blazing time of 6:57.
Now the Swim was a 1.2 mile 1 loop course, the bike was a 56 mile loop but the run is a 4 mile loop repeated 3 times. Really? My favorite part of this event, the run, is a loop on repeat have I mentioned I don't care for loops or out and backs. That just sucks! So out of transition it starts with a real subtle incline, turn right for a subtle downhill, turn left onto the county road for a steep downhill, then the lull of a short valley, to a steep uphill that flattens and then gradually climbs across sand, dirt, mud, grass, to broken asphalt by the lake to the turn back the way we came. So we can repeat it again and again. Each time you get back to the T1 area you have to pass by the right turn to the finish shoot and keep left to go for loop 2 and loop 3.
It is hot and now there is no breeze or wind to be found. My right side hurts and my right piriformis is getting tight. I run until my side starts to hurt really bad and then I walk until it eases up. My right leg doesn't care for this method it seems to prefer just running but my right foot just wants to sit the hell down and take a load off. My side hurts and I don't know if it is just a side stitch or if I need to use the facilities. Everyone is using a run/walk method. So much for rocking this portion!
Evidently triathletes are different in their course aid offerings. The choices are: water, Gatorade endurance formula, Red Bull, Coke, pretzels, chips, granola, and gels. I tried a coke, it was hot and terrible. After that I stuck to water and an occasional watered down Gatorade with a couple of pretzels.
On loop one, I pass by a guy walking on a blade prosthesis, his entire right leg up to the femoral head is amputated. Now I feel like an ass for indulging in my pity party of one. Remember Michelle, we are blessed to be able! So I try to suck it up and finish the best I can for that day. On loop 2, I pass a guy bent over on the side of the trail. I ask if he is ok and he says he is and he looks ok, just tired, so I continue on. Later on the beginning of loop 3, a man passes me and he is running badly, his breathing is worse and he looks terrible. If he was in my hospital I would call a code. Unfortunately I did not see him again, hopefully, that was his last loop and he finished. I have my doubts.
Back in T2 while parking the bike, a woman was asking me if we met the cutoff time and I told her yes, because if we had not, they would have taken our timing chip. Now out on the run course, we have been taking turns passing each other in our run/walk madness. As we make our way back to the arena on our last loop, she asks me if we will make the cutoff. I tell her yes, it will be close but yes, I will make that cutoff. She tells me that is all she wants is to make the cutoff and receive a time. You have to admire that. She didn't say a finisher's medal or a t-shirt or a hat but she wanted a finish time. I thought that we were in the same age group but as I passed her the last time I realized she was in a different age group that had started in the water before me, which means she is even closer to the 8.5 hour cutoff time. She crossed the line behind me hopefully she received her finish time unfortunately, I do not know for certain.
Finally, I am back at the arena, and I get to take the right turn in to the finisher shoot. It circles the long side of the arena and then turns into a straight away inside and across the arena to cross the finish line. I pick up the pace as I make that right turn, I pick it up again as I get to the straight and pass 2 walkers, as I glance ahead and see the finish line I kick it across with my arms up and wide!!! I stumble to a stop and tell the medics that I am ok. I walk forward some more and they put a medal around my neck. I walk forward some more and they give me a 70.3 hat and remove my timing chip. I made it! I Finished under the cutoff time! I got my Official time of 8:21:33
Live Epic!
Michelle
So in April I registered for the Austin Ironman 70.3. Of course, then the voice changes to "what the hell were you thinking"and "you can't do that"! The voice in your head is a fickle wench. So when I registered for Austin, I did not read all the fine print. I read Lake Decker 1.2 mile swim and 56 mile Bike ride through the rolling hills of Texas and the only run course than finishes in an indoor arena. Cool!
What you need to know is that when I signed up, I could not swim the 25 meter pool without being out of breath clinging to the edge of the pool with my heart racing and gasping for air. I had not rode my bike over 25 miles. I was also newly recovered from a running injury to my right hip. So of course by November 8th, I will be ready to do 70.3. Lost my dang mind.
So I go to Boulder for the Ironman Sprint, and this is what I learned: my wetsuit does not fit, I am not ready to do an open water swim of 10 feet let alone 1.2 miles with 2000 of my new best friends, I and my undercarriage do not like the bike, I got passed on the flats of the bike course by an overweight, short, bald, old guy, and there are hard cut-off times for each section of the 70.3. Crap!
You have 1 hour and 10 minutes to complete the swim. If you go over that time, they take your timing chip and you get a DNF. You have 5 hours and 30 minutes to finish the bike course, if not, you guessed it, a DNF. You have a total of 8 hours and 30 minutes to finish the entire event or DNF. That is what I learned in Boulder in June, less than 5 months from my event. I can't swim, I suck at the bike and I have no legs to run on after I'm done with the bike. I am screwed.
As soon as I get back to Oklahoma, I find a swim coach! Coach Janet has been doing triathlons since the 90's and was a competitive swimmer in school. Thank you Jesus! Day 1 she watches me swim and says no more swimming, just drills for body positioning. 3 weeks later I got to graduate to a very slow freestyle. 3 weeks after that I got to move to a little speed work on my freestyle. Then it was working on form, speed, and endurance. We did do 3 OWS in the wetsuit and worked on sighting. What a blessing to have found her.
Now I would like to tell you I did a lot of biking when I got back to Oklahoma but that would be a lie. I was deep into marathon training because after all that was my "A" goal. I ran 4 days a week, swam 2-3 days a week and biked 2 times a week for a total of 2.5 hours a week on the bike. I will focus on the bike after Medtronic. Great plan. Ha!
O
After Medtronic marathon I did start riding on Sunday's with TAT, which is Tulsa Area Triathlete and those guys, especially Scott, were so helpful and encouraging. I rode once a week with Janet and once a week by myself. What you should know is Medtronic and Ironman were only 4 weeks apart. Plenty of time, Right? Now of course I continued running because well, I like running.
2 weeks before Austin I did a ride with TAT for 38 miles with 1800 feet of elevation gain and followed that with a 1.5 hour run. Which helped my confidence. 12 days before Austin I banged out 2100 in the pool, so at least I know I can do the distance. 10 days before Austin I did a 45 mile ride, my longest one. Took the bike for a tune up and new tire. I got one more ride in after the tune up and before Austin. Hopefully I am ready.
On Friday the 6th I drove to my sisters house in Decatur, TX and stayed the night. On Saturday, I got up and went for a shakeout run, which helped the nerves some. Packed up and got on the road to Austin. About a 3.5 hour drive in a misty rain which gave me plenty of time to let the nerves go into overdrive. On the drive down I-35 every few miles on digital signs over the highway displays the following message and I quote "Turn around don't drown". It's a sign but is it a sign, an omen or prophecy, I don't know so I just keep going.
I get to the expo, get my packet but miss the athlete briefing. So I ask a bajillion questions of the super nice guy at the information table. I browse the Ironman store offerings but buy nothing because what if I DNF. The tech shirt we get for participating is bright orange for girls and grey for guys, no matter how much I beg or plead they will not let me have the grey shirt. I hate orange. I'm a Sooner fan don't they get that, I guess not, the ********!
Now there are 2 separate transition areas. How do I set up my towel for that? It is supposed to be cool tomorrow which equals to cold and wet for the first part of the bike. Do I take a long sleeve shirt for the bike, try to dry off, or just tough it out. I know Kia, 55 is bikini weather but to us warm climate girls it is cold! These are the questions that consume me as I pack my 3 bags for tomorrow's race day.
After dinner, I do some shopping for breakfast food, bike snacks and last minute forgotten items then it is back to the hotel. I lay out everything for tomorrow and anything I don't need gets packed back to the car because I am checking out in the morning. Time for bed at 8 pm. I toss. I turn. I go to the bathroom. Back to bed, I toss, I turn and I finally find sleep about 3 hours before the alarm goes off.
0400 am wake up, get up, make coffee, bathroom, dresss, drink coffee and eat breakfast snack. Drink more coffee and double check the 3 gear bags for drop off. White is the morning bag for essentials before and after the event. Blue is the bike bag for T1 with helmet, gloves, socks, cycle shoes, long sleeve shirt, towel, sunscreen and shades. Red is the run bag for T2 with running shoes, visor and sport beans. Here I thought a drop bag for a marathon was too much.
After I get to the Expo, I drop the run bag off at T2 then board the shuttle to T1 to drop off bike bag and set up T1. When it is time to shed the jacket and shoes and put on the wetsuit I will give morning/white bag to the truck people. Suppposedly when I finish the day all of my bags, bike and gear will be at the Expo Arena after I run across the finish line.
My nerves are in overdrive now to the point I am nausous. The announcer keeps giving us a count down to when transition will be closed. 30 minutes, 20 miniutes, 15 minutes, 10 minutes, and 5 minutes. I put on the wetsuit, tie up morning/white bag and give it to the truck people and make my way to the water.
The water is choppy with waves from the 10-20 mph winds. I start walking into the water and it is warmer than the air temperature. I do some warm up laps and realize the water is really rough. Breath Michelle. Me and only 3 other people are warming up in the water which I thought was strange. Finally they call for the first wave to get in that water and chase everyone else out because there is not a separate area to warm up in. Oh Boy, it is cold on the shore.
I find my wave of light blue caps and wait in line. I talk to a few ladies who have done a lot of half and full Ironman's. They are doctors and 1 is in Tulsa, such a small world. Soon enough our group is in the water waiting for the start horn. I say a prayer and as I finish the horn blows and here we go. I start out wide and left because the buoys are on our right. I'm trying to keep out of the trample zone. Soon I find myself right beside the buoy line with not to much traffic. I guess everybody decided to go wide left.
The buoys are spaced a 100 meters apart. On the way out we are swimming against the waves on a diagonal. I am sighting just to the next buoy. Pull, turn pull turn breathe, pull, turn pull turn breathe, sight and repeat. Now one guy is swimming fast fast fast till the buoy then he hangs on it for a few gasping for air then swims fast fast fast to the next buoy. I really don't care how Oh boy wants to swim his race but I do care that everytime he swims fast fast fast he runs into my side. About the third time and the third apology I have lost my patience. I may have or may not have called him an asshole and put some distance between us, thankfully I did not feel him beating my side again. Now the Kayak people have whistled at a bunch of people and yelled at a bunch more "swimmer swimmer hey swimmer you are going the wrong way", everytime I look up and it is not me. Woot Woot sighting drills paid off!
We make the first turn and the waves are coming across our sides but it is much easier than swimming into the waves. Unfortunately this is the shortest leg of the swim course. Another turn takes us back towards the shore. The waves are kind of behind but on a slant so the waves are actually pushing us off course. It is a constant struggle to stay near the buoy line. The waves seem bigger and the water is rougher. My shoulders are feeling the effects of the beating from the water. I never swim hard enough to get out of breath but the arms and shoulders are tired and I am ready to get out of the water. I can see the beach and people getting out of the water but the beach does not seem to be getting any closer. Finally my feet reach the ground and I try to run, hobble, waddle out of the water but I am having a lot of difficulty. Thankfully some nice lady volunteers grab my hand and help me to shore because the sandy/muddy lake bottom is sucking my feet down and hindering my ability to walk. Swim Time 56:37.
Out of the water, run up the hill while trying to unzip and pull down the neck of the wetsuit to my waist then I reach the strippers. Got to love strippers. Drop to by my butt on the muddy tarp they pull the suit off and give me a hand up and it is off to T1 dripping wet, freezing and mud on my trisuit so it looks like I crapped my pants. Lovely!
In T1, find my bike, dry off as much as possible, pull on a long sleeve shirt, helmet, glasses, gloves and grab my cleats and bike. I have to carry the bike and cleats to the asphalt because T1 is a muddy mess. If I put on the cleats in Transition they will clog up with mud and I will not be able to clip in. I carry my bike becasue there are stickers and people were getting flat tires. So out on the asphalt a nice male spectator holds my bike while I struggle into socks and shoes with wet feet. T1 is a very fast transition time of 9:15!!!
Out on the bike, I am cold, it is Windy, my legs are not complying with my commands. I am really doubting my want to for this 56 mile bike ride. Right out of T1 is the first climb, it is not a big climb just a gradual incline staight into the wind. Oh Yay! The first 20 miles is an ongoing debate with myself in general about: why am I doing this, why did I think this was a good idea, who does the dumb shit, & why didn't someone tell me back in April about those TX hills. Until mile 20 I was fairly certain I was just going to pull over and wait for the sag wagon. The constant hills and wind either in your face or coming from the side were just too much, I don't know why it could not be a tailwind. Then after some nuts, water, a Cliff bar and as Aspire drink, I realize I only have 36 miles left and I could do that. Funny how a runner's mind works even in a tri!
As the miles spin by the route takes us by farmhouses, rural schools, farmlands, horses, cows, longhorns, over rolling hills, lush valleys, and through small towns. We pass spectators cheering in the small towns with the local volunteer fire department controlling traffic. Families in front of their farmhouses watching us pass by and giving us encouragement. The volunteers at the aid stations hand us water, Gatorade, cliff bars, gels and encouraging smiles. The policemen at intersections with stoic demeanors' keep us safe and tell us good job. Thank the volunteers and tell them they are awesome because they help us do what we do. If you get an opportunity volunteer at a race any race and give back.
Triathlon's are different than marathons because everyone is unplugged. Electronics outside of your sports watch, cadence, power meter or bike computer are not allowed. No cell phones, mp3 players, iPod or ear buds allowed as a result, people talk to one another. I know right, a foreign concept. We comment on the ride, the route, the hills, the wind, a cool trisuit, a sweet bike or even my pink tires. Yes we are competing in a race against each other but right now we are on a lone section of road on a long ride and placing will be figured out at the finish line. It is going to be a long day and really, isn't that the goal, to strive for a better version of ourselves.
Before long the watch says 5 miles to go before T2. I am ready to get off the bike. Surely the last 5 miles of this route will be easier that the last 51. Ha Ha! It is 5 miles of long gradual inclines back to the expo. Long gradual incline, turn right, more long gradual climb, turn left to a steep hill and turn right, hill, turn right, hill into T2 and don't forget all that wind. Well played Texas well played. Bike Time 4:06:44.
Off at the mount line to run/hobble while pushing the bike to my transition area. I find my bag, park the bike, trade out cleats for shoes, helmet for visor, leave the gloves and put on the race bib belt. Swallow some water and have some sport beans. Use the Porta-facility and run out of T2 in a blazing time of 6:57.
Now the Swim was a 1.2 mile 1 loop course, the bike was a 56 mile loop but the run is a 4 mile loop repeated 3 times. Really? My favorite part of this event, the run, is a loop on repeat have I mentioned I don't care for loops or out and backs. That just sucks! So out of transition it starts with a real subtle incline, turn right for a subtle downhill, turn left onto the county road for a steep downhill, then the lull of a short valley, to a steep uphill that flattens and then gradually climbs across sand, dirt, mud, grass, to broken asphalt by the lake to the turn back the way we came. So we can repeat it again and again. Each time you get back to the T1 area you have to pass by the right turn to the finish shoot and keep left to go for loop 2 and loop 3.
It is hot and now there is no breeze or wind to be found. My right side hurts and my right piriformis is getting tight. I run until my side starts to hurt really bad and then I walk until it eases up. My right leg doesn't care for this method it seems to prefer just running but my right foot just wants to sit the hell down and take a load off. My side hurts and I don't know if it is just a side stitch or if I need to use the facilities. Everyone is using a run/walk method. So much for rocking this portion!
Evidently triathletes are different in their course aid offerings. The choices are: water, Gatorade endurance formula, Red Bull, Coke, pretzels, chips, granola, and gels. I tried a coke, it was hot and terrible. After that I stuck to water and an occasional watered down Gatorade with a couple of pretzels.
On loop one, I pass by a guy walking on a blade prosthesis, his entire right leg up to the femoral head is amputated. Now I feel like an ass for indulging in my pity party of one. Remember Michelle, we are blessed to be able! So I try to suck it up and finish the best I can for that day. On loop 2, I pass a guy bent over on the side of the trail. I ask if he is ok and he says he is and he looks ok, just tired, so I continue on. Later on the beginning of loop 3, a man passes me and he is running badly, his breathing is worse and he looks terrible. If he was in my hospital I would call a code. Unfortunately I did not see him again, hopefully, that was his last loop and he finished. I have my doubts.
Back in T2 while parking the bike, a woman was asking me if we met the cutoff time and I told her yes, because if we had not, they would have taken our timing chip. Now out on the run course, we have been taking turns passing each other in our run/walk madness. As we make our way back to the arena on our last loop, she asks me if we will make the cutoff. I tell her yes, it will be close but yes, I will make that cutoff. She tells me that is all she wants is to make the cutoff and receive a time. You have to admire that. She didn't say a finisher's medal or a t-shirt or a hat but she wanted a finish time. I thought that we were in the same age group but as I passed her the last time I realized she was in a different age group that had started in the water before me, which means she is even closer to the 8.5 hour cutoff time. She crossed the line behind me hopefully she received her finish time unfortunately, I do not know for certain.
Finally, I am back at the arena, and I get to take the right turn in to the finisher shoot. It circles the long side of the arena and then turns into a straight away inside and across the arena to cross the finish line. I pick up the pace as I make that right turn, I pick it up again as I get to the straight and pass 2 walkers, as I glance ahead and see the finish line I kick it across with my arms up and wide!!! I stumble to a stop and tell the medics that I am ok. I walk forward some more and they put a medal around my neck. I walk forward some more and they give me a 70.3 hat and remove my timing chip. I made it! I Finished under the cutoff time! I got my Official time of 8:21:33
Live Epic!
Michelle
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Twin Cities Medtronic Marathon Madness
In December of 2014, I met with Nate to plan goals for 2015, we decided on: an "A" goal for spring was a sub 2:20 half, an "A" goal for Fall was a sub 5:00 marathon and a "B" goal was to complete a 70.3 Ironman. Ah the dreams and plans we make must amuse our maker.
In February, I injured my hip the first week of Half training. So I did not get to train at all. I ran the Half at the Kentucky Derby with some Sole sisters; Trena, Haewon, Magda, Jackie, Araminta, Beth & her family. I was able to complete the Half it wasn't a PR by no means. Without training, still recovering from injury and some GI upset I took my 2:41 time and was disappointed but happy I was able to run.
I signed up for Twin Cities in March while I was in Denver for work after having a Sole sister dinner with Brook, Malene & Mandi. Funny how races get signed up for after talks/meetings with Brook. I looked over the course profile, I read the reviews and I checked into the weather averages for October. I mean I am from a warm climate I did not want to run a marathon in a blizzard. I registered that night and texted the run coach Nate, "Here we go!"
I ran by time and heart rate. I did not run a 16 miler, or a 18 miler & not a 20 miler. I ran 40 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes and a max of 190 minutes all the while keeping my heart rate under 135. Which is hard when it is 100 degrees or more during summer training in Oklahoma. I ran 400's, 200's, hill repeats, threshold & tempo runs. I lifted, swam and biked. I dropped some weight and worked on my nutrition. As the training days were checked off the calendar my anticipation, nerves, anxiety and excitement grew.
October 2nd arrived and I flew to Minnesota for the big Sole sister meet up. On Friday night when I got to the house, Brook, LeAnn, Trena and Joyce were already there. As the night progressed and into the next day more sisters and some husbands arrived.
On Saturday we all went to cheer for some sisters running the 10K, then to packet pickup, and later to the running store to get Melani (no pants) Pratt some running pants and Trena some pot pants. Before dinner we had Brook' s Sole Sister special session, sorry no details can be given because it is classified! Dinner was grilled burgers and chicken with the fixings and good company. Soon everyone was saying goodnight. Race day would come early, so off to bed to either toss and turn or dream of PR's.
The alarm went off at 0445. Bathroom, dress, coffee, breakfast of banana, protein/UCAN shake and boiled eggs. Bathroom again and last minute check of race necessities. Load up in the car to go to downtown Minneapolis to catch the school buses to the start line. We give our drop bags to the helpful UPS people and walk our way to the corrals. It is a brisk cool morning at 40 degrees with a slight breeze. We find port-a-potty city and make use of them. Mosey back to the corral for the hour wait till the start of the race. I had good company with Kesha, Tammy, Erin, and Magda. We took pics, talked and just passed the time trying to stay warm.
The National Anthem plays and corral A takes off. Then corral B goes. Then finally corral C. Go time! I have lined up around the 5 pace group. I know to make my goal I need to average a 11:27 pace. The plan is to go easy the first 20-22 miles and if I feel "Good" then to go for it the last 4-6 miles. Stay around the pace group but if it feels too difficult then back off to what feels more comfortable for 5 hours.
The 5 pace group is doing some weird run for 14 minutes then walk for 1 minute. I keep them in sight but don't run with them. I slow myself down at least 3 times because I don't want to burn out before the end. I hate finishing weak.
The first 2 miles are all about finding a good pace. The next 3 miles are about settling into the run. The sides of the streets are lined shoulder to shoulder with spectators. Some guy near me, is named Fred, evidently it is real fun to cheer for Fred. I'm tired of hearing Go Fred! The course starts out by the Vikings new stadium that is being built and winds through downtown Minneapolis, into the residential areas along trails by 6 lakes over 1 river then past St Pauls's Catheldral and ends in front of the State Capital building of St Paul . The course is beautiful and I can not remember 1 section of it that didn't have spectators, kids, bands or someone cheering you on! 20,000 runners and 300,000 spectators it was just one huge block party 2 cities wide.
The next 5 miles is spent admiring the scenery, reading the spectator signs and high 5'ing little kids. 1 sign said "go harder" the next sign said "that's what she said!" Ha! Good one! I have an older man running near me from Canada who is more than a little annoying with his constant corny quips to spectators. I'm averaging 11:24's and I feel good. I'm breathing good, my heart rate is good, I'm working but not too hard.
At mile 11-12 I feel like I need to go to the port-a-potty. Just before mile 13, I get in line for the potty, use the facilities check my watch which says my average pace is now 11:40's. I'm not worried I can make that up easily. It is all good.
At mile 15 I'm fairly sure I'm not going to make it to the potty in time. My stomach hurts. I do make it. I say a prayer that my GI issue is over. I check the watch I'm still at average of 11:50 pace and I still think I can get back down to 11:27's.
Mile 18 I have to go again. I have not taken any nutrition in since before mile 15 because it makes the GI issue worse. I am praying for the distress to resolve and to be able to finish the race at least better than my first marathon. I know sub 5 is not possible now without a hair on fire pace to the finish and I don't have that in me. The distress is taking its toll, my energy level is low and I don't feel right.
Mile 21 is another potty stop. I am really feeling bad. I not only have the GI issue but now at mile 22 I am having some strange issue with my female parts while trying to run. I had started my period the day before but I have never had this problem before. Within a few seconds of running a tingling/prickly sensation radiates up my core and make me feel woosy or almost like vertigo. I am seriously thinking about going to a med tent and calling it. I feel terrible.
Miles 22-24 are a run/walk method just trying to get to the finish. Mile 25 I manage to pick it up some to at least a sub 13 pace. Mile 26 is back to 13 plus pace. My right piriformis is on fire tight. Up ahead I see St. Paul Cathedral and know it is downhill to the finish after the Cathedral. As soon as I pass the Cathedral, I start running. I start descending down the hill to the finish. I hear my name being called and I glance to the sidelines and see all my Sole Sisters cheering their heads off for me. All I can do is shake my head and pickup the pace. I am running full out just trying to get to the finish line before I fall down.
At the finish, as I slow to a stop to get the medal my legs kind of give out. I don't fall because medical girl grabs my arm and asks if I need help. I refuse and say I'm ok. She lets me go. I see Erin and congratulate her, its her first marathon, so proud of her. I get my shirt, water and salty chips.
I leave the Finish shoot and see Araminta, Trena and Brook. Here comes the tears. They congratulate me until they see how upset I am. Then it turns to comforting words. I tell them about the GI problems and Brook says "thank goodness because if it was because you were not trained enough I was going to kick your trainers a**". I tell the truth that I felt great and was on target until mile 13. I have to go again before we can make it to the vehicles for the 30 minute drive to the house.
At the house it is more bathroom time, a shower, more bathroom and then I finally make it downstairs for water. Everyone is encouraging me to eat but my whole system rebels at the thought of food. I grab a blanket and curl up on a couch and listen to everyones race day stories.
After a few hours I manage to nibble on some meat, cheese and crackers. Trena works on my piriformis and tries to loosen it up. After more stories of todays race or other races, people start mumbling about getting to bed. I am thankful to call it a night.
The next day is packing and getting to the airport. My GI system is still not happy but it is better. The right piriformis is terrible and now the quads are screaming their displeasure. It is going to be a long day of traveling.
I was down to my soul hurt over this race. I had such big goals for this race. I had a "B" and a "C" goal set for this race but I was focused on sub 5. I cried for 2 weeks, I wouldn't talk about it and I would not even think about writing this recap. Now I know I should be happy that even with all the potty stops I was just seconds slower than my first marathon time. That should tell me that the training was effective and if not for the GI issue I would have had a PR if not a sub 5, I would have at least had a PR. My mind knows this but my overachiever, pride filled ego is having a hard time accepting it.
I would never say the things I think about myself in failing to meet my goal to another runner who had this race experience. If I was talking to someone else who had this experience, I would say shake it off, you ran the best race you could under the circumstances given to you. So why do we beat ourselves up? I don't know for everyone else, but for me, I always expect more and better of myself. I don't give myself grace or a pardon.
The first day back home, I was already googling marathons because I wanted revenge or redemption. I was texting the trainers wanting to know how soon I could race again because I want my sub 5. I looked at one 3 weeks away but even I knew in my craziness that was too soon. I talked with Nate and Matt and decided on a January marathon.
Now with a months perspective, I am taking the good out of that race and finding what I can learn to better my experiences in the future. I will run another marathon in the New Year and I will go for a PR. Sub 5 would be awesome but I will take sub 5:30 because it is forward progress. I will try to be happy with my results and know I am blessed because I am able.
Live Epic!
Michelle
In February, I injured my hip the first week of Half training. So I did not get to train at all. I ran the Half at the Kentucky Derby with some Sole sisters; Trena, Haewon, Magda, Jackie, Araminta, Beth & her family. I was able to complete the Half it wasn't a PR by no means. Without training, still recovering from injury and some GI upset I took my 2:41 time and was disappointed but happy I was able to run.
I signed up for Twin Cities in March while I was in Denver for work after having a Sole sister dinner with Brook, Malene & Mandi. Funny how races get signed up for after talks/meetings with Brook. I looked over the course profile, I read the reviews and I checked into the weather averages for October. I mean I am from a warm climate I did not want to run a marathon in a blizzard. I registered that night and texted the run coach Nate, "Here we go!"
I ran by time and heart rate. I did not run a 16 miler, or a 18 miler & not a 20 miler. I ran 40 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes and a max of 190 minutes all the while keeping my heart rate under 135. Which is hard when it is 100 degrees or more during summer training in Oklahoma. I ran 400's, 200's, hill repeats, threshold & tempo runs. I lifted, swam and biked. I dropped some weight and worked on my nutrition. As the training days were checked off the calendar my anticipation, nerves, anxiety and excitement grew.
October 2nd arrived and I flew to Minnesota for the big Sole sister meet up. On Friday night when I got to the house, Brook, LeAnn, Trena and Joyce were already there. As the night progressed and into the next day more sisters and some husbands arrived.
On Saturday we all went to cheer for some sisters running the 10K, then to packet pickup, and later to the running store to get Melani (no pants) Pratt some running pants and Trena some pot pants. Before dinner we had Brook' s Sole Sister special session, sorry no details can be given because it is classified! Dinner was grilled burgers and chicken with the fixings and good company. Soon everyone was saying goodnight. Race day would come early, so off to bed to either toss and turn or dream of PR's.
The alarm went off at 0445. Bathroom, dress, coffee, breakfast of banana, protein/UCAN shake and boiled eggs. Bathroom again and last minute check of race necessities. Load up in the car to go to downtown Minneapolis to catch the school buses to the start line. We give our drop bags to the helpful UPS people and walk our way to the corrals. It is a brisk cool morning at 40 degrees with a slight breeze. We find port-a-potty city and make use of them. Mosey back to the corral for the hour wait till the start of the race. I had good company with Kesha, Tammy, Erin, and Magda. We took pics, talked and just passed the time trying to stay warm.
The National Anthem plays and corral A takes off. Then corral B goes. Then finally corral C. Go time! I have lined up around the 5 pace group. I know to make my goal I need to average a 11:27 pace. The plan is to go easy the first 20-22 miles and if I feel "Good" then to go for it the last 4-6 miles. Stay around the pace group but if it feels too difficult then back off to what feels more comfortable for 5 hours.
The 5 pace group is doing some weird run for 14 minutes then walk for 1 minute. I keep them in sight but don't run with them. I slow myself down at least 3 times because I don't want to burn out before the end. I hate finishing weak.
The first 2 miles are all about finding a good pace. The next 3 miles are about settling into the run. The sides of the streets are lined shoulder to shoulder with spectators. Some guy near me, is named Fred, evidently it is real fun to cheer for Fred. I'm tired of hearing Go Fred! The course starts out by the Vikings new stadium that is being built and winds through downtown Minneapolis, into the residential areas along trails by 6 lakes over 1 river then past St Pauls's Catheldral and ends in front of the State Capital building of St Paul . The course is beautiful and I can not remember 1 section of it that didn't have spectators, kids, bands or someone cheering you on! 20,000 runners and 300,000 spectators it was just one huge block party 2 cities wide.
The next 5 miles is spent admiring the scenery, reading the spectator signs and high 5'ing little kids. 1 sign said "go harder" the next sign said "that's what she said!" Ha! Good one! I have an older man running near me from Canada who is more than a little annoying with his constant corny quips to spectators. I'm averaging 11:24's and I feel good. I'm breathing good, my heart rate is good, I'm working but not too hard.
At mile 11-12 I feel like I need to go to the port-a-potty. Just before mile 13, I get in line for the potty, use the facilities check my watch which says my average pace is now 11:40's. I'm not worried I can make that up easily. It is all good.
At mile 15 I'm fairly sure I'm not going to make it to the potty in time. My stomach hurts. I do make it. I say a prayer that my GI issue is over. I check the watch I'm still at average of 11:50 pace and I still think I can get back down to 11:27's.
Mile 18 I have to go again. I have not taken any nutrition in since before mile 15 because it makes the GI issue worse. I am praying for the distress to resolve and to be able to finish the race at least better than my first marathon. I know sub 5 is not possible now without a hair on fire pace to the finish and I don't have that in me. The distress is taking its toll, my energy level is low and I don't feel right.
Mile 21 is another potty stop. I am really feeling bad. I not only have the GI issue but now at mile 22 I am having some strange issue with my female parts while trying to run. I had started my period the day before but I have never had this problem before. Within a few seconds of running a tingling/prickly sensation radiates up my core and make me feel woosy or almost like vertigo. I am seriously thinking about going to a med tent and calling it. I feel terrible.
Miles 22-24 are a run/walk method just trying to get to the finish. Mile 25 I manage to pick it up some to at least a sub 13 pace. Mile 26 is back to 13 plus pace. My right piriformis is on fire tight. Up ahead I see St. Paul Cathedral and know it is downhill to the finish after the Cathedral. As soon as I pass the Cathedral, I start running. I start descending down the hill to the finish. I hear my name being called and I glance to the sidelines and see all my Sole Sisters cheering their heads off for me. All I can do is shake my head and pickup the pace. I am running full out just trying to get to the finish line before I fall down.
At the finish, as I slow to a stop to get the medal my legs kind of give out. I don't fall because medical girl grabs my arm and asks if I need help. I refuse and say I'm ok. She lets me go. I see Erin and congratulate her, its her first marathon, so proud of her. I get my shirt, water and salty chips.
I leave the Finish shoot and see Araminta, Trena and Brook. Here comes the tears. They congratulate me until they see how upset I am. Then it turns to comforting words. I tell them about the GI problems and Brook says "thank goodness because if it was because you were not trained enough I was going to kick your trainers a**". I tell the truth that I felt great and was on target until mile 13. I have to go again before we can make it to the vehicles for the 30 minute drive to the house.
At the house it is more bathroom time, a shower, more bathroom and then I finally make it downstairs for water. Everyone is encouraging me to eat but my whole system rebels at the thought of food. I grab a blanket and curl up on a couch and listen to everyones race day stories.
After a few hours I manage to nibble on some meat, cheese and crackers. Trena works on my piriformis and tries to loosen it up. After more stories of todays race or other races, people start mumbling about getting to bed. I am thankful to call it a night.
The next day is packing and getting to the airport. My GI system is still not happy but it is better. The right piriformis is terrible and now the quads are screaming their displeasure. It is going to be a long day of traveling.
I was down to my soul hurt over this race. I had such big goals for this race. I had a "B" and a "C" goal set for this race but I was focused on sub 5. I cried for 2 weeks, I wouldn't talk about it and I would not even think about writing this recap. Now I know I should be happy that even with all the potty stops I was just seconds slower than my first marathon time. That should tell me that the training was effective and if not for the GI issue I would have had a PR if not a sub 5, I would have at least had a PR. My mind knows this but my overachiever, pride filled ego is having a hard time accepting it.
I would never say the things I think about myself in failing to meet my goal to another runner who had this race experience. If I was talking to someone else who had this experience, I would say shake it off, you ran the best race you could under the circumstances given to you. So why do we beat ourselves up? I don't know for everyone else, but for me, I always expect more and better of myself. I don't give myself grace or a pardon.
The first day back home, I was already googling marathons because I wanted revenge or redemption. I was texting the trainers wanting to know how soon I could race again because I want my sub 5. I looked at one 3 weeks away but even I knew in my craziness that was too soon. I talked with Nate and Matt and decided on a January marathon.
Now with a months perspective, I am taking the good out of that race and finding what I can learn to better my experiences in the future. I will run another marathon in the New Year and I will go for a PR. Sub 5 would be awesome but I will take sub 5:30 because it is forward progress. I will try to be happy with my results and know I am blessed because I am able.
Live Epic!
Michelle
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
The Q 5K Sub 30 or Die Trying!
So my marathon training plan for Twin Cities calls for a 5K race to measure my progress. I signed up for a small local race on Active but when I didn't get any communication from the race officials I emailed to see about packet pickup & event information. Oh sorry that was canceled months ago. I asked how that was since I just signed up a week ago, no comment. That is a lost $50, normally I wouldn't mind since it's a charity but this bothered me since it was canceled months ago but up until a week before the race you could still register for the canceled race. So I had to hurry and find another race. Luckily I knew about The Q 5K as I ran it last year.
This race is every year put on by Fleet Feet in the downtown area of Tulsa. They call it the Q because you can do the 5K, Quarter Marathor or the Double which is the 5K then the Quarter. I did the Double last year and it was fun. This year I just did the 5K since we were measuring for my 5K time improvement. Last year my 5K time was 34:49.
I was nervous about this race all week. In January at the Commitment Day 5K I went sub 30 only to find out the course was short, so it doesn't count as sub 30. Can I do a sub 30 on a certified course. Also because it was a gauge as to how effective my training was and a predictor of how I might perform for the upcoming marathon. Nate & Matt the trainers were taking bets on guessing my time which was not helping my nerves at all. The night before I could only think what if I'm slower than my last 5K, or what if I don't meet the times they are guessing or worse what if I don't meet my own standard.
Race day dawns nice and early with coffee, protein shake, dog out, bathroom, dog in and then the dressing, changing shirts 3 times, gathering race gear and out the door. I get there in plenty of time to use port-a-potty, do some warm up drills and talk to some fellow life time run friends.
Behind the starting line I visit with friends, turn on my Garmin so it can locate GPS, my HR is elevated at a 100 just due to nervous energy. The countdown begins, the gun fires then the slow motion delay for the crowd to start moving.
Now my watch screens have been changed to accommodate my training plans. The automatic mile marker defaults have been turned off so it would show intervals better. So as I'm running all I can see it elapsed time & heart rate. Neither of which tells me where I am at on the race course. The race course has no mile markers. So when I get to the water stop I know I'm at the halfway mark. Yay!
My heart rate is in the 160's, I'm sweating a lot, I'm breathing hard. I have no idea of my pace and now idk how much further to go. So do I pick up the pace yet or is it to soon? Some fleet feet runners are behind me and one must be a triainer because he is telling the girl runner that we have .8 left to go. Woohoo
At this point we take a right turn uphill straight into a strong wind. It feels like a wind tunnel with it gusting between the high rise buildings. Really Fleet Feet this is the straightaway to the finish. I top the hill and there is the finish line about .4 miles away. I start picking up the pace and look for someone to pick off.
I love the run right before the finish. I want to run hard, pass as many people as possible and I want to finish strong. I pass a few ladies, then I pick off a guy. Now I'm about .25 away and it is sprint time. I'm mean that's a 400! It is go time! I pass 2 ladies and a man right before the finish! Gary from Lifetime is taking pics from the sidewalk I give a nod because that's all I can manage as I'm finishing hard! My heart rate is in the 180's I'm pretty sure my heart is going to bust and that's ok as long as I cross the finish mat first!
Finish line! Gun Time 29:57 Chip Time 29:48 PR from this same race last year 5:01! Sub 30 on a certified course YES
I would like to tell you I was ecstatically happy with this race but you know us type A personalities. I was very happy with my time! The only niggling thought was my heart rate being so high. I kept thinking that's a lot of exertion (heart rate) to be just under 30. I guess I wanted it be more aerobic and less anaerobic. That being said if my HR was lower I would have just run faster making the heart rate higher! It is a viscous circle. So I'm taking my PR and PB and laughing all the way home and holding it close to my heart!
After I finished I did circle back and cheer the runners across the finish line. If I'm not running I do like cheering and encouraging them in. Especially the ones at the back, that can't run continuously, that are carrying a lot of extra pounds. They did the same 3 miles I did at the same exertion for a longer time. I know because I remember being at the back of the pack.
One thing I did notice is some people that can don't finish hard. They stop or slow down right before the timing mats and walk across. Why? Why would you do that? You are not finished. Keep going! I don't get that! Oh well it's their time recorded for all of eternity.
Live Epic
Michelle
This race is every year put on by Fleet Feet in the downtown area of Tulsa. They call it the Q because you can do the 5K, Quarter Marathor or the Double which is the 5K then the Quarter. I did the Double last year and it was fun. This year I just did the 5K since we were measuring for my 5K time improvement. Last year my 5K time was 34:49.
I was nervous about this race all week. In January at the Commitment Day 5K I went sub 30 only to find out the course was short, so it doesn't count as sub 30. Can I do a sub 30 on a certified course. Also because it was a gauge as to how effective my training was and a predictor of how I might perform for the upcoming marathon. Nate & Matt the trainers were taking bets on guessing my time which was not helping my nerves at all. The night before I could only think what if I'm slower than my last 5K, or what if I don't meet the times they are guessing or worse what if I don't meet my own standard.
Race day dawns nice and early with coffee, protein shake, dog out, bathroom, dog in and then the dressing, changing shirts 3 times, gathering race gear and out the door. I get there in plenty of time to use port-a-potty, do some warm up drills and talk to some fellow life time run friends.
Behind the starting line I visit with friends, turn on my Garmin so it can locate GPS, my HR is elevated at a 100 just due to nervous energy. The countdown begins, the gun fires then the slow motion delay for the crowd to start moving.
Now my watch screens have been changed to accommodate my training plans. The automatic mile marker defaults have been turned off so it would show intervals better. So as I'm running all I can see it elapsed time & heart rate. Neither of which tells me where I am at on the race course. The race course has no mile markers. So when I get to the water stop I know I'm at the halfway mark. Yay!
My heart rate is in the 160's, I'm sweating a lot, I'm breathing hard. I have no idea of my pace and now idk how much further to go. So do I pick up the pace yet or is it to soon? Some fleet feet runners are behind me and one must be a triainer because he is telling the girl runner that we have .8 left to go. Woohoo
At this point we take a right turn uphill straight into a strong wind. It feels like a wind tunnel with it gusting between the high rise buildings. Really Fleet Feet this is the straightaway to the finish. I top the hill and there is the finish line about .4 miles away. I start picking up the pace and look for someone to pick off.
I love the run right before the finish. I want to run hard, pass as many people as possible and I want to finish strong. I pass a few ladies, then I pick off a guy. Now I'm about .25 away and it is sprint time. I'm mean that's a 400! It is go time! I pass 2 ladies and a man right before the finish! Gary from Lifetime is taking pics from the sidewalk I give a nod because that's all I can manage as I'm finishing hard! My heart rate is in the 180's I'm pretty sure my heart is going to bust and that's ok as long as I cross the finish mat first!
Finish line! Gun Time 29:57 Chip Time 29:48 PR from this same race last year 5:01! Sub 30 on a certified course YES
I would like to tell you I was ecstatically happy with this race but you know us type A personalities. I was very happy with my time! The only niggling thought was my heart rate being so high. I kept thinking that's a lot of exertion (heart rate) to be just under 30. I guess I wanted it be more aerobic and less anaerobic. That being said if my HR was lower I would have just run faster making the heart rate higher! It is a viscous circle. So I'm taking my PR and PB and laughing all the way home and holding it close to my heart!
After I finished I did circle back and cheer the runners across the finish line. If I'm not running I do like cheering and encouraging them in. Especially the ones at the back, that can't run continuously, that are carrying a lot of extra pounds. They did the same 3 miles I did at the same exertion for a longer time. I know because I remember being at the back of the pack.
One thing I did notice is some people that can don't finish hard. They stop or slow down right before the timing mats and walk across. Why? Why would you do that? You are not finished. Keep going! I don't get that! Oh well it's their time recorded for all of eternity.
Live Epic
Michelle
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