Ironman success!!

Well, gang, I did it.

Race morning

I actually did get a good night’s sleep only waking occasionally, and I woke up feeling excited and ready. I looked forward to the day with an “I get to do an Ironman today” feeling and it helped. We left the condo at 430 to make the trek into town and only needed to stop twice so I could double check that I had everything. I was chatty and enjoying my breakfast of eggs, toast and coffee. Joe dropped me off as close as he could to transition and we agreed to meet at the transition exit/entrance later. That was when the emotion started to hit me. Athletes everywhere were carrying their bags and chatting about the day ahead. The atmosphere was nervous, excited, happy, sad and every other emotion that you could associate with this day. First stop was dropping off the special needs bags then off to body marking. I got my number and then walked into transition.

I saw a familiar face from Sherwood Park and I borrowed her pump. I chatted with a girl whose bike was set up near mine. It was also her second time, her first being 2006, and we laughed about how we weren’t IronVirgins but it did feel that way a bit. I did see a lot of people I knew and I wished them well, and eventually I did see Carla we chatted, hugged and talked about nothing (I think) but we did comment on a couple of things. Firstly, the music in the first hour was 1960s easy listening and I don’t care what you say, I cannot get pumped for a race listening to “Stand By Me” and “Lollipop”. Secondly Steve King was on the intercom talking a lot about the journey of the day and all the hard work that was behind this one day. Yes we get it. Quiet please!! Eventually we were told to start making our way to the start so we got our wetsuits on and made our way over the timing mats. We separated a bit and I found her one last time for a good luck hug. I started crying and she said “be brave” I said the same thing to her and then left her to get into her own space. I stood on the beach and reflected on the training time and the last 7 years. I tried to find Joe and the friends I knew were here but I couldn’t. I relaxed myself. The day I worked hard for was here. The cannon went off. Race time.

The swim.

About 2600 close and personal friends.

I allowed myself a bit of time to get used to the lake before I started the swim, there was a bit of a shock as I got wet, but I started swimming and it felt good. I followed other people and sighted as best as I could although eventually I ended up veering to the left. I just kept thinking “reach, pull, reach pull” and had a long relaxed rhythm. Halfway to the first buoy the water got really choppy so I did my best to stay within a pack and let other people pave the way. I stayed relaxed and didn’t panic. One thing I will say about swimming with that many people is that it is chaos. Imaging running a race down a narrow path and everyone else is wearing an iPod. It is everyone for themselves. I stayed aware of others around me and did my best to not get punched or kicked and not to do the same to anyone else. It was actually enjoyable. I felt relaxed and strong and took it one buoy at a time. They were numbered and I thought they were every 100m so I used that to gauge my progress. I never looked at my watch so I didn’t have any idea how fast I was swimming, but I was surprised when after about buoy 22 I was at the last 5. I looked up and the shore was closer than I thought it should be. What a treat! I swam strong, started kicking the legs a bit more as my back was getting sore and stiff and made it to the shore. The time on the clock floored me. I had no idea I would come out of the water that fast. I was elated. I raised both arms in victory. That’s when I heard my name and it was Sara right at the exit. I smiled for the camera, and crossed the transition mat and hit my split.

1:35:24

Was not expecting to swim that fast. Can you tell I'm happy?

Transition 1

I love that there are wetsuit strippers that help. And if there is evidence that my body has changed since having kids, its that it took 2 of them to get it off me. Amazing volunteers the whole way. I was making my way to the tent and heard Steve announce that Sister Madonna was out of the water. A big cheer!!

I dried off got all my stuff on for the bike, sunscreened and found Freda. I was absolutely thrilled with my swim and the speed of my transition, I couldn’t stop smiling. Made it out, and again I hear my name. Sara, again with the camera at the mount line. Woohoo I’m off to bike!

5:51

Bike

Me on said climb. 

The first part of the bike is awesome. The streets are lined with people cheering for you. It’s awesome. I knew where to look for Joe but was surprised that Jenn and Maureen were at the first corner. Yipee!! I loved riding main street and loved that I saw Joe because I missed him at the swim start. I was feeling good, fast and relaxed. I was looking forward to the ride ahead. The first climb comes within the first 20km. Short and a bit steep but manageable. 

I rode it when I was in Penticton for the tri in July and it felt a lot easier today. Not sure if it was the race atmosphere or what but I got in a good gear and went up light and fast. I loved looking at the vineyards and orchards all the way to Osoyoos. There were a couple of little hills, but nothing too terrible yet. I knew it was warm, and that there was a tailwind, but I kept the gear strong and made the most of it. I took my liquids and salt in regular intervals and had fun. Richter’s came up before I knew it and I climbed my little heart out. I am not the best climber but I think I’m pretty good. I passed more people going up the hill than who passed me and that’s a victory. I was able to gain some speed during the false flats. I remember crossing a timing mat somewhere and thinking that someone was cheering for me. Three climbs up the hill then the long screaming downhill. The only issue I had was that there was a fair bit of car traffic and people were being cautious on the bike and using their brakes. I commend them for that, but it is challenging when you have a lot of speed and are trying to get around them in a safe manner. I enjoyed the descent. I have no idea what my maximum speed was but I did see 63km/h at one point. Ahead were the seven bytches and I did my best to work the downhills and gain as much momentum as I could for the uphill. There were a couple where I had so much speed that I was blasting people because I was still in that hard gear and powering through. The top wasn’t that far off. Then there were others that I had a spin easy because my approach was slower. It was all good. I was very happy when it was all done. I was tired and my legs were sore, so it was nice to have the flat part to the out and back.

Reality check that anything can happen. Traffic was backed up and we were unsure why, until ahead I could see an ambulance. Someone was being taken off the course on a body board and there was an upset woman in an SUV. We were instructed to go by slowly and I hoped that he was going to be ok. I was now at the out and back and started looking for familiar faces. I’m thinking that I just missed Carla (yay for her) but I did see some familiar faces. At special needs I did a big stretch as my back was really bothering me and refilled my drink with cold blue Gatorade. Nothing else appealed to me so I left it. I commented to another athlete that I was starting to feel tired and I hoped that I wasn’t the only one. She reassured me that I wasn’t. Off I went to tackle the last 60km. I knew there were a few tough climbs ahead, but best of all I knew that my family would be waiting for me along the course. I rounded a corner and saw a crowd and knew they were there. But first I hear my name right beside me. There’s Jenn and Maureen again. But in the distance I could see people in yellow shirts jumping up and down and waving. Joe, my mom, mother-in-law and my kids were all there. The women were wearing the “Go Colleen” shirts from 2005 and the kids were in “GO MOM GO”. It gave me the boost I needed and made me emotional. I choked on a couple of tears and did my best to power through. I spun up in an easy gear but by know it wasn’t feeling so easy. My legs were feeling tingly and my calves were cramping a bit. With my back being sore as well, I was hitting a low point (although the irony is I was climbing a hill!).  The headwind wasn’t helping but I did my best. I didn’t stop although I wanted to. As long as I kept moving I was getting closer to the finish line. I made it into the city and was greeted by cheers along the way. I first saw Carla on the run out, then Sara on the left then my family again on the right. It was so good to see them again. 

A nice little downhill into transition and I was done! I raised my arms in victory then gave Freda a pat before the volunteer took her away.

7:07:33

Transition 2

Ah…the jello slash rock legs. The worst my legs have felt ever after any training or race. I was so happy to get into transition and sit down and before I know it a volunteer had my bag dumped and was helping me out. I opted not to change as it was hot out and I wanted longer shorts. One thing I regretted not having was some Advil but I look up and I see some on a table. That bottle is now missing three. More sunscreen and I am off on the run.

6:44

Run

It didn’t take too long for my legs to loosen up but my feet were going numb and I realized that I didn’t make the proper sock choice. Ah well. Quick out and back and I see my friend Kelly, who says to me ”you are going to kill your time” I respond with an “I hope so”. The run in an Ironman can go any way and it is best to take it in bits and pieces and deal with the immediate rather than focus on long term. My plan was to worry about the moment and work as hard as I could. I love the out on main street. Like the bike, everyone is on both sides and cheering their asses off. I see my friends from home on the side and then a bit farther up is my family. I got really emotional. Joe is trying to hurry me along but I wanted to give everyone a hug and high five. It made my day that Cait wanted to run with me for a bit, so we did hand in hand and I think she would have run farther with me if Joe would have let her. I left them behind with my eyes all teared up. Sara and John were further up the road and they had signs. I loved the “go auntie” one he was holding.

Feeling fresh at the start.

I tried my best to only walk at aid stations but sometimes it was hard. So I walked with aggression for 50 steps and then would run again. Sometime I had to repeat that until I could get going. It was hot and I was tired and my back was still bothering me. I made use of everything at the aid stations: sponges, pop, water, fruit. If it looked good I took it. I modified my strategy. I rarely get the opportunity to run lakeside so I wanted to enjoy myself. I saw Carla on the run when I was about 3 miles from the turn around. We hugged and she asked me how I was doing. I gave the honest answer of “it all hurts” she said the same. I wished her a good finish. I followed my plan and made it to the turn around with a big hoot and holler and was happy to be on my way back. I did my best to encourage people coming the other way because it wasn’t that long ago that was me. I enjoyed this part. Talked with other athletes and high fived sister Madonna when I saw her (amazing!). Ten miles became seven then I was back within city limits and the single digit countdown of kilometers began. Dusk was gone and it was dark except for the streetlights. Supporters were still out, some the same ones I saw hours earlier. I stayed smiling and thanked them for their encouragement. The gradual uphill on mainstreet was feeling hard but I ran as much as I could then use the 50 step rule and start again. Then came the lovely down hill and I started to pick up some speed. More people were lining the streets cheering us in. I made the turn with one mile to go and it really started to hit me that I was going to finish the race. I see Jenn and Maureen again and stopped for a hug and a high five. 

Look at my time!

I may have yelled something about my race time. One more turn and then it’s the lakeshore out and back I hear my name and it’s Joe and my mom cheering me in on the left. I turn to go down lakeshore and Sara, Amanda and Allie are right there. I pick up more speed. I am less than a mile from finishing and I can’t stop smiling. I run this last part as hard as I can. I didn’t think that it was possible to hurt more but I do. I keep pushing on wards. Last timing mat and then it is the turn around to the finish. I can see the lights in the distance. I know the finish line is there. I can here Steve King announcing people in. In 4 minutes that’s going to be me. I can see the lights are closer and the crowd is loud.1 minute: finally the last 100m, friends to the left and family to the right and fans on both sides push me to the finish. I cross the line with arms raised. I’ve done it. I’m an Ironman again.

5:47:42

Finish time 14:43:04 (1:04:33 improvement)

Favourite photo of the day, naturally. I am now a two time finisher and a proud IronMom.