S
sparrow
Guest
Thanks everyone:
Okay its over.
It went GREAT..and it was a disaster, all in the same race. That's Ironman eh? Here in a nutshell:
I had an awesome swim. I went out a little faster but settled in nicely. It felt pretty long but I used the time to zone out and prepare myself for my bike plan. It was much harder going out than in due to the current. I was one of the first few out of the water in my age group at 28 minutes (on my watch). Swim was 1.2 miles, or 2000 in a pool.
I had an okay transition. I was wet and sticky and it was hard to get on my gloves and shirt but I didn't rush, kept my cool and it was no big thing. I was out at 35 minutes on my watch.
The bike was fantastically hard, but beautiful. The hills never ended it was one after another and these weren't bike trail baby hills, they were monsters. There were a FEW flat sections and it was so nice to hit those because they were ALL with a tailwind
I prayed and sang and thanked God for NOT giving me a flat the whole way. What occurred was awesome. The course isn't really that great as far as road conditions. There are a lot of bumps, gravel, uneven parts. People were getting flats left and right. I was personally RIGHT behind three different people in the race that got a flat RIGHT in front of me. It was like they took the bullet for me! I was happy on the bike. I was just so happy to not be changing a flat! I finished the bike in 3:05 hours and on my bike odometer I had 61 miles-that course was longer than it should have been-I asked other bicyclists too and they had the same figure. I had an excellent hydration/nutrition system that I'd NEVER executed before but I thought it was intelligent! I started with luna gummies since I knew I'd be coherent enough to get them out of the bag and I could nurse them a while while I found my groove. I drank water and nuun (mostly nuun) between eating. I ate every 45 min on the dot. I had a baby red potato next and that was a FANTASTIC idea. My stomach settled instantly. Then I had a gu, then another potato, then another gu. Altogether between water and NUUN I drank 80oz and on the bike I ate 500 cals which is actually good for me.
Transition from the bike went well. I wasn't dizzy or spacy or anything. I'd had 2 advil around mile 40 for my back which worked like magic and I had 2 Tums at about mile 50 to calm my stomach down (it was getting really hot). I jogged outta there (after using 30 sec to pee!) and my legs were already there, I was happy!
I got some water at an early aid station and then it hit-that bike to run drag. MAN I was going really slug slow and my core muscles were SCREAMING. my LEGS were fine, but my core was on fire and I couldn't stand up straight very well. I had very labored breathing. At the first aid station I had to stop and get a grip. I felt like I was having an asthma attack and it was making me anxious that I honestly couldn't get enough air. That started my settled stomach back up churning again. I got water there. I ran to mile 2 and felt the same way. The run had a lot of hills on it that I'd not trained for and by now the temp was HOT-I'd find out how hot later. The third aid station I threw up. There was little warning and actually I just thought I was going to burp but out came gu and potatoes. NASTY. I got the chills, grabbed water refusing to succumb to the increasing heat. I started walk/running at this point. I got to mile 4 and threw up again. I realized I wasn't going to make it without continuing to dehydrate with my puking. Grudgingly I asked them if I could sit in their shady chairs a little while to cool down. I figured my core temp was just up and I needed just a few minutes to chill. They sprayed water on me, I downed a few cups of water, put ice in my sports bra-and threw up. They told me not to leave ( do these people know ironman contenders??!) but I said I had to try one more mile to be sure of my deepest fears, so I walk/ran to mile 5 and had to fold. Too much throwing up, chills and not enough liquid. I actually wasn't even sweating anymore. On the way back in the "rescue car" I found out the temp had climbed to 97! I said "WAIT no, its supposed to be 83 today!" he was like "yeah you never know around here the weather had a mind of its own" I felt violated.
I thought I'd be a baby and cry about my defeat in the car, or when I saw my husband at the start but I actually felt proud. I felt proud of my swim and bike that I stayed in good standing for. Proud of the nutrition/hydration that actually went WELL on the bike. Proud that I was participating in something larger than myself. Proud that I gave it my best shot-and well, there wasn't anything I could do about how my body responded even under all the controlled conditions I gave it. I just couldn't control the weather. I ultimately felt proud that I knew when to quit. I had stopped at the boarderline. The puking wouldn't have stopped and I would have gone down hill quickly. As it stands right now my stomach is upset-but I could get down lunch. I feel very dehydrated, but I'm keeping all liquids down, my heart rate is still up and I'm still very hot, but I can totally function
SO I didn't get the finishers metal. I didn't get the glory of the finish. I didn't get to feel what a TRUE ironWOMAN feels and I'm not one; but I'm proud of the journey. It was a real priviledge to participate
Okay its over.
It went GREAT..and it was a disaster, all in the same race. That's Ironman eh? Here in a nutshell:
I had an awesome swim. I went out a little faster but settled in nicely. It felt pretty long but I used the time to zone out and prepare myself for my bike plan. It was much harder going out than in due to the current. I was one of the first few out of the water in my age group at 28 minutes (on my watch). Swim was 1.2 miles, or 2000 in a pool.
I had an okay transition. I was wet and sticky and it was hard to get on my gloves and shirt but I didn't rush, kept my cool and it was no big thing. I was out at 35 minutes on my watch.
The bike was fantastically hard, but beautiful. The hills never ended it was one after another and these weren't bike trail baby hills, they were monsters. There were a FEW flat sections and it was so nice to hit those because they were ALL with a tailwind
I prayed and sang and thanked God for NOT giving me a flat the whole way. What occurred was awesome. The course isn't really that great as far as road conditions. There are a lot of bumps, gravel, uneven parts. People were getting flats left and right. I was personally RIGHT behind three different people in the race that got a flat RIGHT in front of me. It was like they took the bullet for me! I was happy on the bike. I was just so happy to not be changing a flat! I finished the bike in 3:05 hours and on my bike odometer I had 61 miles-that course was longer than it should have been-I asked other bicyclists too and they had the same figure. I had an excellent hydration/nutrition system that I'd NEVER executed before but I thought it was intelligent! I started with luna gummies since I knew I'd be coherent enough to get them out of the bag and I could nurse them a while while I found my groove. I drank water and nuun (mostly nuun) between eating. I ate every 45 min on the dot. I had a baby red potato next and that was a FANTASTIC idea. My stomach settled instantly. Then I had a gu, then another potato, then another gu. Altogether between water and NUUN I drank 80oz and on the bike I ate 500 cals which is actually good for me.Transition from the bike went well. I wasn't dizzy or spacy or anything. I'd had 2 advil around mile 40 for my back which worked like magic and I had 2 Tums at about mile 50 to calm my stomach down (it was getting really hot). I jogged outta there (after using 30 sec to pee!) and my legs were already there, I was happy!
I got some water at an early aid station and then it hit-that bike to run drag. MAN I was going really slug slow and my core muscles were SCREAMING. my LEGS were fine, but my core was on fire and I couldn't stand up straight very well. I had very labored breathing. At the first aid station I had to stop and get a grip. I felt like I was having an asthma attack and it was making me anxious that I honestly couldn't get enough air. That started my settled stomach back up churning again. I got water there. I ran to mile 2 and felt the same way. The run had a lot of hills on it that I'd not trained for and by now the temp was HOT-I'd find out how hot later. The third aid station I threw up. There was little warning and actually I just thought I was going to burp but out came gu and potatoes. NASTY. I got the chills, grabbed water refusing to succumb to the increasing heat. I started walk/running at this point. I got to mile 4 and threw up again. I realized I wasn't going to make it without continuing to dehydrate with my puking. Grudgingly I asked them if I could sit in their shady chairs a little while to cool down. I figured my core temp was just up and I needed just a few minutes to chill. They sprayed water on me, I downed a few cups of water, put ice in my sports bra-and threw up. They told me not to leave ( do these people know ironman contenders??!) but I said I had to try one more mile to be sure of my deepest fears, so I walk/ran to mile 5 and had to fold. Too much throwing up, chills and not enough liquid. I actually wasn't even sweating anymore. On the way back in the "rescue car" I found out the temp had climbed to 97! I said "WAIT no, its supposed to be 83 today!" he was like "yeah you never know around here the weather had a mind of its own" I felt violated.
I thought I'd be a baby and cry about my defeat in the car, or when I saw my husband at the start but I actually felt proud. I felt proud of my swim and bike that I stayed in good standing for. Proud of the nutrition/hydration that actually went WELL on the bike. Proud that I was participating in something larger than myself. Proud that I gave it my best shot-and well, there wasn't anything I could do about how my body responded even under all the controlled conditions I gave it. I just couldn't control the weather. I ultimately felt proud that I knew when to quit. I had stopped at the boarderline. The puking wouldn't have stopped and I would have gone down hill quickly. As it stands right now my stomach is upset-but I could get down lunch. I feel very dehydrated, but I'm keeping all liquids down, my heart rate is still up and I'm still very hot, but I can totally function
SO I didn't get the finishers metal. I didn't get the glory of the finish. I didn't get to feel what a TRUE ironWOMAN feels and I'm not one; but I'm proud of the journey. It was a real priviledge to participate
Sparrow, let me be the first on this forum to say, You are an IronWoman!@
You're tough and you were prepared. You could have and would have done this under more manageable conditoins.
I don't think you realize how potentially grave your medical condition was. Absence of sweating is a symptom of heat stroke. By all means, discontinuing the race was the prudent thing to do and if a medical officer knew your conditions, I am sure he would have discontinued you at that point.
Did your T1 take 7 minutes? That is a very long time.
You're tough and you were prepared. You could have and would have done this under more manageable conditoins.
I don't think you realize how potentially grave your medical condition was. Absence of sweating is a symptom of heat stroke. By all means, discontinuing the race was the prudent thing to do and if a medical officer knew your conditions, I am sure he would have discontinued you at that point.
Did your T1 take 7 minutes? That is a very long time.
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70.3 is a loooooong way
I know you are aching inside, and I know you are dissapoined, and I also know you have "grace" about you.
you need a HUG!
here take 2
YOU introduced me to this disease we so affectionately call "ironman" don't forget that.
OH, and don't forget you gave an injured skydiver "athletic purpose."
SO, take a few days, lick your wounds, reach down inside, praise your Jesus, and get back here.... we have some really sucky swimmers that need you.
Keep on and stay firm! don't punk out..... an endurance event is an endurance event, and an athlete is an athlete.... and YOU ARE AN ELITE in my book!
FF
I know you are aching inside, and I know you are dissapoined, and I also know you have "grace" about you.
you need a HUG!
here take 2 YOU introduced me to this disease we so affectionately call "ironman" don't forget that.
OH, and don't forget you gave an injured skydiver "athletic purpose."
SO, take a few days, lick your wounds, reach down inside, praise your Jesus, and get back here.... we have some really sucky swimmers that need you.
Keep on and stay firm! don't punk out..... an endurance event is an endurance event, and an athlete is an athlete.... and YOU ARE AN ELITE in my book!
FF
S
sparrow
Guest
yeah I don't know the official times yet but I was still in the water getting out of it at 28 minutes. I don't know where the chip activated to finish the swim time so it will show later, for sure. The length of time came from running up the beach and through a pretty long transition area to my bike. It took 3 minutes just to get my shirt and gloves on because I was so wet and sandy. then once I had my bike I had to go back to where the swim finished to loop around the fence to the walkway (where I again went back towards where my bike was racked) to mount the bike. It was like being in one of those loopty things at an amusement park while waiting in line-back and forth. It all took a while.
(((((HUGS)))))Okay.... so the nurse in me was reading faster to make sure you stopped before you succumbed to heat exhaustion! Let's jsut say I was racking up your symptoms and was ready to stop your race lol. I just want to say congratulations! I know your goal was to finish, but I am just impressed with how well you did especially in that heat. Great job!
S
sparrow
Guest
Bib Name City, State Age Gen AG OA FO
876 Katie Caudill Elk Grove, CA 31 F -- -- --
Swim 00:29:14.4 T1 00:03:55.8 Bike 03:06:06.9 T2 00:03:42.1 Run -- Finish --
SO here are the official times. I looked myself up in the Aquabike division. I almost actually switched to doing that back in June when I hurt my ankle and wasn't sure about recovery. Out of all the women with THIS time I would have finished 12th. If I had actually done that event I think I could have gotten top 10 easily knowing there would be no run at the end. That's a LITTLE bit of redemption. ugh. I'm still very happy with all the times, even transition wasn't too bad. I got an email back from the race director (I'd emailed about the extra long course) he confirmed it was a 62 mile course and that most halfs are not exact. OMG, thats REALLY not exact! lol. So I averaged 20mph! NO KIDDING. It had to be some of those great downhill rides that I was getting about 40mph and practically levitating. ha. G8r I'm not sure where I got the 7 min T1 time. I guess I read my watch wrong or something. Good thing! It DID feel like a really long transition but I guess it was okay.
I'm heading to the gym tomorrow. My body is too energetic
Here are some pics. First is of me and my man before the race. Second and third are the finish and transition areas without people. Third is me and my man on our way home from Napa with a detour in San Fran Pier 39. Fun weekend-mostly
876 Katie Caudill Elk Grove, CA 31 F -- -- --
Swim 00:29:14.4 T1 00:03:55.8 Bike 03:06:06.9 T2 00:03:42.1 Run -- Finish --
SO here are the official times. I looked myself up in the Aquabike division. I almost actually switched to doing that back in June when I hurt my ankle and wasn't sure about recovery. Out of all the women with THIS time I would have finished 12th. If I had actually done that event I think I could have gotten top 10 easily knowing there would be no run at the end. That's a LITTLE bit of redemption. ugh. I'm still very happy with all the times, even transition wasn't too bad. I got an email back from the race director (I'd emailed about the extra long course) he confirmed it was a 62 mile course and that most halfs are not exact. OMG, thats REALLY not exact! lol. So I averaged 20mph! NO KIDDING. It had to be some of those great downhill rides that I was getting about 40mph and practically levitating. ha. G8r I'm not sure where I got the 7 min T1 time. I guess I read my watch wrong or something. Good thing! It DID feel like a really long transition but I guess it was okay.
I'm heading to the gym tomorrow. My body is too energetic
Here are some pics. First is of me and my man before the race. Second and third are the finish and transition areas without people. Third is me and my man on our way home from Napa with a detour in San Fran Pier 39. Fun weekend-mostly
Attachments
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S
sparrow
Guest
very very shocking. I knew most of the time I was over 21 on flats and of course downhills but I had no idea my average would stay high. Many hills I was staying at 17ish. CHALK HILL I was going 6mph, NO JOKE. That was a wicked hill that was over a mile up and a lot of people were off walking it. I almost fell over I was going so slow!
S
sparrow
Guest
Yeah I dropped a few pounds during all that training. I didn't even hold any water weight in my carb up, it was strange. I'm up a little NOW though, after that monster race. haha go figure. I feel very soft right now
Spin class-hills, wouldn't ya know
weights: 3x12 on everything
Superset
squats: 115
dead lifts: 65
DB chest press on stability ball 25
Superset
Bulgarian Split squats w/DB shoulder press 10
step ups (on bench)
abs-Leg raise (off bench) and hold static on last one for 20 sec
Spin class-hills, wouldn't ya know
weights: 3x12 on everything
Superset
squats: 115
dead lifts: 65
DB chest press on stability ball 25
Superset
Bulgarian Split squats w/DB shoulder press 10
step ups (on bench)
abs-Leg raise (off bench) and hold static on last one for 20 sec
S
sparrow
Guest
This is a lame week. I feel pretty lost and unmotivated in my whole life. Now that Ironman is over-and unaccomplished-I am in this limbo state of not having any real direction. I have LOTS to do. I'm a mother of 3 and a pastors wife, I'm never for lack of things to DO, its just hard to figure out-and I guess its hard to describe.
I'll continue this journal out of habit for now, but I really don't know what I'm doing here anymore. Here's to finding new goals...
3 mi run
20 min stairs
NROL for women (this should make Stingo happy) State 1, workout A:
2x15 on everything
superset-
Squats: 115
bi curls (we threw these in because we miss them!) 15
superset-
seated row 75
dude push ups
superset-
step ups 20lb
pose pikes on stability ball (I really love these)
Bottom line today-I'm a weakling again
I'll continue this journal out of habit for now, but I really don't know what I'm doing here anymore. Here's to finding new goals...
3 mi run
20 min stairs
NROL for women (this should make Stingo happy) State 1, workout A:
2x15 on everything
superset-
Squats: 115
bi curls (we threw these in because we miss them!) 15
superset-
seated row 75
dude push ups
superset-
step ups 20lb
pose pikes on stability ball (I really love these)
Bottom line today-I'm a weakling again
Hey now, what's all this negative vibe? Ok, so the ironman is over... for now... You know you can find another such race and train up for it again. To paraphrase Randy Pausch - the brick walls are there for a reason... to let you show just how badly you want something. Someone with your will and your resolve will rise to the occasion, once you get past your previous experiences. And if not, consider this:
Peter La Fleur: Uh, actually I decided to quit... Lance.
Lance Armstrong: Quit? You know, once I was thinking of quitting when I was diagnosed with brain, lung and testicular cancer all at the same time. But with the love and support of my friends and family, I got back on the bike and won the Tour de France five times in a row. But I'm sure you have a good reason to quit. So what are you dying of that's keeping you from the finals?
Peter La Fleur: Right now it feels a little bit like... shame.
Lance Armstrong: Well, I guess if a person never quit when the going got tough, they wouldn't have anything to regret for the rest of their life. Well good luck to you Peter. I'm sure this decision won't haunt you forever.
Peter La Fleur: Uh, actually I decided to quit... Lance.
Lance Armstrong: Quit? You know, once I was thinking of quitting when I was diagnosed with brain, lung and testicular cancer all at the same time. But with the love and support of my friends and family, I got back on the bike and won the Tour de France five times in a row. But I'm sure you have a good reason to quit. So what are you dying of that's keeping you from the finals?
Peter La Fleur: Right now it feels a little bit like... shame.
Lance Armstrong: Well, I guess if a person never quit when the going got tough, they wouldn't have anything to regret for the rest of their life. Well good luck to you Peter. I'm sure this decision won't haunt you forever.
S
sparrow
Guest
haha, thats sweet (NOT FF's comment -the dialogue with Lance)
Well Stingo, the issue, and I realize I haven't voiced this outright much here, is that I'm not going to train for anything for a while, and I knew that going into the race. It was my final hoorah. I really wanted all my athletic goals wrapped up in one nice little package and based on how the previous months had gone this year I was fully prepared to bask in the glory of finishing this race in order to let it go. I accomplished all of my LAST years goals, this year. All but the beast (however the beast wasn't even on my radar last year at all).
I was borrowing the bike so that goes back. I'm homeschooling my kids this year so we can be more free to go on away trips with my husband for his work this year and not have to keep pulling them out. So I start that up in a week. I also realized how much time such training took away from my general LIFE. I needed to make the decision to let go and reshift priorites.
SO thats why its hitting harder than it proabably would if I could just target another date in the sping.
However, I think once ironman is in your blood its there for good. I won't stay dormant forever. I noted as the race went on that the strongest age groupers there were the 40-45ers. Plenty of them passed me on the run and many were in front of me on the bike. Its startling to think that by the time I hit that age group I'll have all teenagers and 1 probably moved out. I'll have plenty of time to train for something grand.
Anyway, I'm not AS mopey as my post sounded. Its hardest hitting at night. Its a regret-but I just couldn't do anything about the outcome, thats the suckiest part-the lack of control over something you want so bad.
-the dialogue with Lance)Well Stingo, the issue, and I realize I haven't voiced this outright much here, is that I'm not going to train for anything for a while, and I knew that going into the race. It was my final hoorah. I really wanted all my athletic goals wrapped up in one nice little package and based on how the previous months had gone this year I was fully prepared to bask in the glory of finishing this race in order to let it go. I accomplished all of my LAST years goals, this year. All but the beast (however the beast wasn't even on my radar last year at all).
I was borrowing the bike so that goes back. I'm homeschooling my kids this year so we can be more free to go on away trips with my husband for his work this year and not have to keep pulling them out. So I start that up in a week. I also realized how much time such training took away from my general LIFE. I needed to make the decision to let go and reshift priorites.
SO thats why its hitting harder than it proabably would if I could just target another date in the sping.
However, I think once ironman is in your blood its there for good. I won't stay dormant forever. I noted as the race went on that the strongest age groupers there were the 40-45ers. Plenty of them passed me on the run and many were in front of me on the bike. Its startling to think that by the time I hit that age group I'll have all teenagers and 1 probably moved out. I'll have plenty of time to train for something grand.
Anyway, I'm not AS mopey as my post sounded. Its hardest hitting at night. Its a regret-but I just couldn't do anything about the outcome, thats the suckiest part-the lack of control over something you want so bad.
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Pretty sure stingo just won the thread. Awesome.
P.S. Focus wuvs yoo, even when times are rough and sparrows are all, "Pooh pooh, poor me", like she's not a rockstar. I'm sort of like Jesus, actually.
... That was probably the wrong thing to say, hey. I better go before she gets back.
Edit: Ahhh, too late. Flee!
P.P.S. Imo, control, like time, is an illusion. Kbye.
P.S. Focus wuvs yoo, even when times are rough and sparrows are all, "Pooh pooh, poor me", like she's not a rockstar. I'm sort of like Jesus, actually.
... That was probably the wrong thing to say, hey. I better go before she gets back.
Edit: Ahhh, too late. Flee!
P.P.S. Imo, control, like time, is an illusion. Kbye.
ahhahahahaa
I deleted my post....
swaeeeee
it just said how awefully rude I felt Stingo's insensitive, BUT TRUE, post was.
hahahahahahaa
sheeesh,, this is sensitive ground,,, because I do know about the hour and hours and hours of training and thinking and and and and and,.....
oh hey!!!
what's that,,, they are claling me for dinner.
I deleted my post....
swaeeeee
it just said how awefully rude I felt Stingo's insensitive, BUT TRUE, post was.
hahahahahahaa
sheeesh,, this is sensitive ground,,, because I do know about the hour and hours and hours of training and thinking and and and and and,.....
oh hey!!!
what's that,,, they are claling me for dinner.