Pre Race and Swim recapped here.
After the long run from the water, I grabbed my transition bag, headed into the changing tent, and ran to a seat closest to the exit. There was only a handful of other women in the tent, but a volunteer didn't help me right away. No big deal, I knew what I wanted and needed. I stripped off the shorts I swam in, pulled on my tri shorts (debated for weeks about bike vs. tri shorts, glad with the decision I made. I decided to change in T1 bc it was cold at the start and I didn't want to be in all wet clothes at the start of the bike.) This is when I volunteer came up and started to help. She put my race belt and and helped pull on my arm warmers. I didn't feel like I was rushing, but I definitely wanted to get out onto the bike. I put socks on and had decided to run to the bike holding my shoes and put my bike shoes on at the rack. I thanked the volunteer and headed out.
I got almost to the exit of the tents (the change tents were located in the middle of a much larger tent), and realized SHIT, I forgot ride glide! I didn't even hesitate to turn around and start yelling for my bag back - no WAY was I riding the first loop of the bike with no ride glide! Thankfully, the volunteer was still stuffing my stuff in my bag and I was able to generously apply and finally be off for real. I caught a quick glimpse of Dan at the fence, grabbed my bike and was off.
T1 6:29
You will notice I do not mention anything about damn sunscreen. I made a point to get these cute little spray sunscreens bc I didn't want to deal with the volunteers slathering me with gloved hands, and I promptly forgot. I definitely got some sunburn on my shoulders on the bike, but I was lucky the temps were pretty moderate - it could have been much much worse and I made a point to apply in T2.
BIKE
6:24:00 24/AG, 109/female
(3:10 first loop, 3:14 second loop)
17.5 mph
Right away on the bike, I was still worried about my lip. I was trying my best to ignore it, but it still REALLY HURT.
I knew my some friends and family would be waiting at the very beginning of the bike course, so I waved and smiled and settled into my plan - SUPER FREAKING EASY RIDING. I cannot even explain what it feels like to be a somewhat-better-than-average swimmer and a moderately-average-female biker during a mass-start Ironman. With waves starts in shorter triathlons, yes you get passed, but it was nothing like this. If you look at the results, I was passed by about 800 people on the bike. That is 1/3 of the total racers. I do not think I passed A SINGLE person on the bike in the first loop. NOT ONE. Luckily, I was very prepared for this, and I didn't really let it get me down. I was actually riding a bit harder in sections than I expected I would - there were some pretty fast downhills in the first 18 miles, and even though I had planned to not use my big ring AT ALL the first 50ish miles, I just couldn't help it. Jon passed me somewhere at this point, we yelled hi, and he looked strong and we wished each other luck. I kept the focus on staying within myself at all times. I wasn't wearing a HR monitor, and had no bike computer - I rode totally based on feel and think it worked out perfectly for me. I didn't freak out when I sat up and spun up the hills in my easiest 11x28 gear - I didn't really have any clue just how slow I was going.
One thing that did shock me was the PACKS of people flying by. Men, women, all ages. Once we got out on to 117, there were signs that we were supposed to be riding in the right lane - not on the shoulder. But the packs were so thick that I felt unsafe riding where I was supposed to be. This only happened a few times, but it was always just a bit more disheartening when a woman was tucked in there. But I knew I wasn't 'racing' - drafting bothered me less in this race than any race before. What DID bother me, however, was when someone (always a male) would pass my on the right/inside. We had MORE than enough space on the road. And this never happened when it was congested to my left. There was never any reason for it, and it's just plain dangerous. The signs clearly indicated we were supposed to be riding in the lane of traffic, not on the shoulder, and it happened over and over again, mostly during the 1st loop.
I had my timex set to beep every 15 minutes to remind me that I need to keep on my calories, as well as to give me a general sense of how much time had passed (although trying to do the math, plus the course being marked in km, made it really confusing to figure out where/when/what was going on). So time was passing pretty quickly, but for the first 90 minutes, all I could think about was how bad I had to pee. I knew peeing on the bike wasn't going to happen - when I steady stream of people are constantly passing you, stage fright becomes a real issue. So at the top of Conception Hill, about mile 27?, I finally stopped. Luckily there was no line, and based on my watch, I was probably in and out in less than 60 seconds. But it made me feel new again and I FINALLY started to actually enjoy what I was doing. Going through St. Jovite was awesome, packed with people, but the course was still really crowded with people trying to pass during sections that were quite narrow.
You go back through town about Mile 43ish, and I was able to spot my family and was feeling good and happy. I knew the tougher section of climbing was coming, but I was on top of my calories and was excited to ride smart through the hills. But DAMMIT I had to pee again.
I sat up, spun up the hills and watched as other took off flying. I can honestly say, riding the Diabolical Double back in June was the BEST thing I could have done. Yes, these hills were steep, but they lasted seconds compared to the climbs in Deep Creek and that made me smile, and I knew I was OK.
My coached had warned me that this section is what will make or break most people's run - ride too hard on Loop 1, spike your heart rate, and your day will turn out very differently. So I was patient and I listened. I heard bikes making some damn strange noises, saw more than a few people with dropped chains, and almost run into a lady who had gotten off her bike and was still standing in the middle of the course (I yelled sorry and felt really bad!). I looked forward to the turn around, as everyone coming back was screaming down the hills and it looked like FUN!!!
I also knew special needs was coming up, and I was looking forward to my coke and to stop and pee (again!). I made the turn into special needs, was so excited to go to the bathroom, and I realized there were not porta-potties near the special needs stop (or at least, I didn't see any) - there were across the street! You had to stop at special needs (where I restocked three bottles, took a HUGE gulp of coke, applied some more ride glide and sadly passed on my Snickers), get back on the bike, ride sorta of through the transition area, over the timing mat, around a corner, and then had to stop AGAIN to go to the bathroom.
It was sort of frustrating, but I was happy with how I was feeling, there was no line, so I was in and out again in about 1 minute. While I was peeing, I looked at my watch, did some math and realized I had ridden the first loop in about 3:10-3:20 (I didn't know how long T1 was), and I actually had no emotional response to it at all. I didn't have any clue or goal related to my bike time, but I knew I was riding smart and was excited to get back on the bike and finish up Loop 2.
I went back through the circle, saw my family and teammates, ran into and chatted with an old teammate who just happens to now be the CEO of Ironman, Andrew, and had a few laughs. He was out there racing like everyone else, and it was really nice to chat. We said our good lucks and he took off into the distance.
Somewhere in this section, the winds picked up, I had an espresso Gu, and it was the best thing I tasted all day. I was getting really blown around going north on 117 and realized my wrists and traps were aching from gripping the aerobars so tightly. I tried to relax and find a comfortable cadence. I was definitely pushing a bit harder than Loop 1, but still felt strong and focused. A teammate flew by at this point and I got a little demoralized, but I tried to just focus on getting to the turn around. After the turnaround, the wind was in your face, and it was STRONG. The teammate who had gone by didn't seem to be pulling ahead too much, so I focused on keeping my cadence up, not fighting the wind, and pacing off her - about 50m up. We fell in with a little group of about 5 who all were riding (legally) the same speed, and I was feeling better and better. And BAM! I have to pee, AGAIN!! I decided I would stop again at the same aid station at the top of the climb on 117S, again no line, but I lost my little group. However, I got back on the bike feeling rejuvenated and started to really push the pace, and by the time we got back to St. Jovite, I had caught and passed this little group. Back on Montee Ryan, I just wanted to get back into town and see my family again, then I just wanted to get back to hills bc this time I felt GREAT, was excited to attack, and was so close to being done.
Christian told me that if I rode the bike smart, I would start passing people around mile 90, and just like that it was true. I was cruising up the hills and riding the rollers and loving the bike more at mile 102 than I did at mile 40. I again fell into a little group that rode back into town together, all ready to be done with the ride, and I was so happy. I glanced at my watch, and rolled into transition at 2:30pm exactly. I knew I had swam exactly an hour, had ridden about 6:30, was really close to even or negative splitting my ride, and was ready to RUN!
Thinking back to this ride, I don't think I would do a single thing differently. Yes, I would love the ~5 minutes back from peeing/stopping, but over the course of 140.6 miles, I could care less about those minutes. I had fun the entire time, was only really low for a few miles because of the wind, and am happy and satisfied with my training, fitness and execution of this ride. Again, my goal of the day was to RUN, and the effort and approach on this bike ride set up the next 4 hours and 19 minutes of my day.
Bike Nutrition
6x200 calories bottles (3x200 cals of Hydra C5, 3x 200 cals Carbo+Pro with Nuun).
About 2.5 Honey Stinger Waffles
1 Espresso Gu
1 large bite of Banana (which looked good but I think I spit out at about mile 95)
Water gulps almost at every aid station
TOTAL ~1700 calories/~260 per hour.
After the long run from the water, I grabbed my transition bag, headed into the changing tent, and ran to a seat closest to the exit. There was only a handful of other women in the tent, but a volunteer didn't help me right away. No big deal, I knew what I wanted and needed. I stripped off the shorts I swam in, pulled on my tri shorts (debated for weeks about bike vs. tri shorts, glad with the decision I made. I decided to change in T1 bc it was cold at the start and I didn't want to be in all wet clothes at the start of the bike.) This is when I volunteer came up and started to help. She put my race belt and and helped pull on my arm warmers. I didn't feel like I was rushing, but I definitely wanted to get out onto the bike. I put socks on and had decided to run to the bike holding my shoes and put my bike shoes on at the rack. I thanked the volunteer and headed out.
I got almost to the exit of the tents (the change tents were located in the middle of a much larger tent), and realized SHIT, I forgot ride glide! I didn't even hesitate to turn around and start yelling for my bag back - no WAY was I riding the first loop of the bike with no ride glide! Thankfully, the volunteer was still stuffing my stuff in my bag and I was able to generously apply and finally be off for real. I caught a quick glimpse of Dan at the fence, grabbed my bike and was off.
 |
| Ouuuuuch my damn lip. |
You will notice I do not mention anything about damn sunscreen. I made a point to get these cute little spray sunscreens bc I didn't want to deal with the volunteers slathering me with gloved hands, and I promptly forgot. I definitely got some sunburn on my shoulders on the bike, but I was lucky the temps were pretty moderate - it could have been much much worse and I made a point to apply in T2.
BIKE
6:24:00 24/AG, 109/female
(3:10 first loop, 3:14 second loop)
17.5 mph
Right away on the bike, I was still worried about my lip. I was trying my best to ignore it, but it still REALLY HURT.
 |
| First time through 'hot corner' (I think) |
One thing that did shock me was the PACKS of people flying by. Men, women, all ages. Once we got out on to 117, there were signs that we were supposed to be riding in the right lane - not on the shoulder. But the packs were so thick that I felt unsafe riding where I was supposed to be. This only happened a few times, but it was always just a bit more disheartening when a woman was tucked in there. But I knew I wasn't 'racing' - drafting bothered me less in this race than any race before. What DID bother me, however, was when someone (always a male) would pass my on the right/inside. We had MORE than enough space on the road. And this never happened when it was congested to my left. There was never any reason for it, and it's just plain dangerous. The signs clearly indicated we were supposed to be riding in the lane of traffic, not on the shoulder, and it happened over and over again, mostly during the 1st loop.
I had my timex set to beep every 15 minutes to remind me that I need to keep on my calories, as well as to give me a general sense of how much time had passed (although trying to do the math, plus the course being marked in km, made it really confusing to figure out where/when/what was going on). So time was passing pretty quickly, but for the first 90 minutes, all I could think about was how bad I had to pee. I knew peeing on the bike wasn't going to happen - when I steady stream of people are constantly passing you, stage fright becomes a real issue. So at the top of Conception Hill, about mile 27?, I finally stopped. Luckily there was no line, and based on my watch, I was probably in and out in less than 60 seconds. But it made me feel new again and I FINALLY started to actually enjoy what I was doing. Going through St. Jovite was awesome, packed with people, but the course was still really crowded with people trying to pass during sections that were quite narrow.
You go back through town about Mile 43ish, and I was able to spot my family and was feeling good and happy. I knew the tougher section of climbing was coming, but I was on top of my calories and was excited to ride smart through the hills. But DAMMIT I had to pee again.
 |
| About Mile 43ish? |
My coached had warned me that this section is what will make or break most people's run - ride too hard on Loop 1, spike your heart rate, and your day will turn out very differently. So I was patient and I listened. I heard bikes making some damn strange noises, saw more than a few people with dropped chains, and almost run into a lady who had gotten off her bike and was still standing in the middle of the course (I yelled sorry and felt really bad!). I looked forward to the turn around, as everyone coming back was screaming down the hills and it looked like FUN!!!
I also knew special needs was coming up, and I was looking forward to my coke and to stop and pee (again!). I made the turn into special needs, was so excited to go to the bathroom, and I realized there were not porta-potties near the special needs stop (or at least, I didn't see any) - there were across the street! You had to stop at special needs (where I restocked three bottles, took a HUGE gulp of coke, applied some more ride glide and sadly passed on my Snickers), get back on the bike, ride sorta of through the transition area, over the timing mat, around a corner, and then had to stop AGAIN to go to the bathroom.
It was sort of frustrating, but I was happy with how I was feeling, there was no line, so I was in and out again in about 1 minute. While I was peeing, I looked at my watch, did some math and realized I had ridden the first loop in about 3:10-3:20 (I didn't know how long T1 was), and I actually had no emotional response to it at all. I didn't have any clue or goal related to my bike time, but I knew I was riding smart and was excited to get back on the bike and finish up Loop 2.
I went back through the circle, saw my family and teammates, ran into and chatted with an old teammate who just happens to now be the CEO of Ironman, Andrew, and had a few laughs. He was out there racing like everyone else, and it was really nice to chat. We said our good lucks and he took off into the distance.
 |
| Andrew recognizing my kit and saying hi! |
Christian told me that if I rode the bike smart, I would start passing people around mile 90, and just like that it was true. I was cruising up the hills and riding the rollers and loving the bike more at mile 102 than I did at mile 40. I again fell into a little group that rode back into town together, all ready to be done with the ride, and I was so happy. I glanced at my watch, and rolled into transition at 2:30pm exactly. I knew I had swam exactly an hour, had ridden about 6:30, was really close to even or negative splitting my ride, and was ready to RUN!
Thinking back to this ride, I don't think I would do a single thing differently. Yes, I would love the ~5 minutes back from peeing/stopping, but over the course of 140.6 miles, I could care less about those minutes. I had fun the entire time, was only really low for a few miles because of the wind, and am happy and satisfied with my training, fitness and execution of this ride. Again, my goal of the day was to RUN, and the effort and approach on this bike ride set up the next 4 hours and 19 minutes of my day.
Bike Nutrition
6x200 calories bottles (3x200 cals of Hydra C5, 3x 200 cals Carbo+Pro with Nuun).
About 2.5 Honey Stinger Waffles
1 Espresso Gu
1 large bite of Banana (which looked good but I think I spit out at about mile 95)
Water gulps almost at every aid station
TOTAL ~1700 calories/~260 per hour.
Well well, don't you just know all of the important people! ;)
ReplyDeleteAwesome job pacing the bike. Funny what your coach said.....that the hills on the last out and back could ruin your day.....I may or may not be a statistic in that category. Oops! ;)
Can't wait to read about your run. You kicked butt out there!