Born Again Athlete:

Ironman Coeur D'Alene 2009

I didn't do this race, but went up to volunteer and support my T3 teammates (50+ of them!)

    This is the way to do the race - volunteer in medical tent and receive an ALL ACCESS, baby, badge. I felt like a VIP at a rock concert.

 

I volunteered in the T1 tent because Lizbeth helped me so much last year. It was very rewarding. The swim was really rough, and CdA is always cold, so the volunteers' help was even more needed - ever try to put on a sports bra when you're wet and cold? It was crazy chaotic and pretty fun! Lots of naked bodies made me realize women of all shapes and sizes do this.

It was amazing to see the pros come in. They do their T1 in probably a minute, don't change their clothes, don't put on extra suncreen or shoes (shoes are on the bike). In general, you don't help them in the change tent because they have their own routine down, and besides I didn't want to make anyone lose by being too slow assisting them!

I spent most of mid-day cheering teammates on, as well as Stacy and Kathleen. It was fun and I have to say that CdA is very spectator friendly. It was fun hanging out with Yvonne, Chris, Maggie, Nancy and Rhonda. Some of my teammates are really fast; some of them have a lot of heart. It was a hard day - water was choppy, the sun never really came out and it was windy on the bike,  weather was cold and during the run, it started getting colder, windier and started to rain.

At 3 pm I went to the medical tent. It was great experience, but not particularly a pleasant one. I've seen the great side of Ironman, now I've seen the ugly side - basically what athletes do to themselves and endure through, maxing out their bodies' capacity in less than ideal conditions. We saw mainly hypothermia, but also some dehydration. I think weather extremes mess up how your body absorbs nutrition. I think you need to eat more, too (someone correct me if I'm wrong). Your body is trying to burn calories, just to warm you up, while you are using those calories to run. So it's something to think about in the cold. I was glad to help a few teammates in the tent, but didn't see too many T3ers, thank god.

I got to see the end, which was great. Franciso Pantano won and it was exciting to see him cross the finish line, 8:32

 

To my friend Stacy, I was so happy to see you come out of the swim and unhappy that you did not get to continue on the bike. I hope you had a memorable time nonetheless.

To my friend Erin, I think you were the strongest person out there, pushing through despite having a tough day. There were so many times you could have quit, and most people would have, but you did not. It doesn't matter what your time was - you finished!

.......still.....

as much as I enjoyed volunteering and cheering -

        I'd rather be racing! (to be continued....)

Off to Couer d'Alene, not to race, but to volunteer and cheer multiple friends and teammates. It's a little bittersweet, but I made a deliberate decision not to do this race, and I'm glad I did so. It'll be interesting to see the IM race from the spectator side.

Give cheers to Stacy, my crazy ultra buddy who is racing.

I love bacon.

Colin Hay formerly of 80's band Men at Work and Chris McCormack, Ironman World Champion, vaguely look the same.  Must be an Australian thing.

Agree? Disagree?

Errm

I ran 7 miles and it felt HARD. How did I ever run 13 miles, 18 miles, much less 26.2?? I remember when 15 miles was my favorite distance. My swimming came back very quickly (like in 2 weeks); my cycling is almost back to peak; but running....ugh.

By the way, that neutrogena Sports sunscreen DOES NOT WORK! It's supposed to be SPF 70 and I wore it this afternoon, and ran only 90 minutes, of which 30 minutes was after sunset and still have a nice farmers tan. Boo.

I am trying to find some old Milli Vanilli songs, but they don't sell them on Itunes. I'll have to find them in some used record shop.

Eeep. I bonked at track practice today.

It didn't help that it was 94 degrees either.
My pulse was really high even in warm up (170+)! and my legs felt like lead.
I realized what I had eaten today was 1 egg, a protein shake and a chicken breast.
Remind me not to do low-carb on workout days.
Although remind me that it's not an excuse to eat Oreos all night long!

Hmmm...I talk about food alot on my TRI blog.

Danskin Triathlon, or Triathlons are Fun! Part Deux

Always race wearing a feather boa. I didn't win any awards, but shoulda won best dressed.

This was a great day and race from start to finish. Lizbeth raced it with me.

The course is the same (close) as Couples, so I can compare times.

Swim: was good. I got kicked in the face for the first time! I'm surprised it hasn't happened to me until today. It managed to knock my goggles half-off my face (remember to put goggles under the swim cap.) Since it is a beginner race, there were a lot of women breast stroking, which makes it harder because you get kicked more. I'm so used to being the slowest with lots of water around me, so it was difficult because the course got congested with so many newbie swimmers.

Bike was fabulous. I am lovin' my bike again. The first time I biked the Decker lake course, I thought the hills were really hard. Now, I love this course. I feel bad for beginners, because it is difficult course, especially if you're on a mountain bike! A lot of women had to get off and walk the hills.

Run: yes, in T2, I put on the blue feather boa. No, it wasn't too hot.  Environmentally, it wasn't so great because I kept dropping blue feathers everywhere. Lizbeth said she knew she was behind me because she kept seeing blue feathers on the run course. I had a great run. I didn't walk at all, but I wish my heartrate didn't get so high.

To compare times:
                   Swim                                Bike                         Run
Last year   25:50 or 3:14 per 100          av. 15.5 mph             39:27 or 12:44 min/mile
This year   22:07 or 2:45 per 100          av. 18.1 mph             35:19 or 11:23 min/mile

I came in 64th/326 in my age group, so I'm happy with that.

So, a year training in Austin with T3 has really improved me!

Post-race burger and onion rings at Phil's. These onion rings are addictive. My new crack. Phil's is right next to an Amy's Ice Cream, so a dangerous place to go:
I'm about to say something blasphemous here, but I'm really not impressed with Amy's ice cream.

Anyway, good day and I'm tired.

 

I don't wanna go to track practice

I don't wanna go to track practice.

I don't wanna go to track practice.

Oh hell, I'll go to track practice. [this is the general mindset and self-talk I go through for every workout. Just in case you thought I was just really motivated or something.]

I want some cookies too.

On Impulsivity

I'm not an impulsive person. In fact, I'm the opposite of impulsive (cautious? anal retentive? OCPD definitely), but triathlon stuff makes me more impulsive. I signed up for a coupla races on impulse. I'm crazee.