Ironman USA Lake Placid - TriathlonFull Ironman

OW! Well that was interesting. Decided to start somewhat in the middle of the LP swim start area. I was probably 150 feet back behind the start line, 50 feet off the bouy line and had very few people around me so I'm thinking "good plan, shouldn't be to rough here". I'm not sure if I've ever been more wrong in my life. Gun goes off and within 20 seconds I'm on top of 20 people and 20 more are on top of me - all 200+ lbs, all kicking and swinging like this is a prize fight! Mind you, I run about 120 so... let's just say I lost. :) After the first club arm to the back of the head, I started shortening my stroke and protecting my face. Finally found some open stoke area only to be broadsided by yet another 200 pounder who was a little lost and heading perpendicular to the rest of the field. I sat up, let him go ahead of me and felt 3 arms climbing up my back. . Did get into a rhythm but really didn't go more than 20 to 30 strokes without having a colision of some sort. 3/4 of the way up the course, the lake narrows so all the "wide guys" start diving in and it gets a little congested. Finally coming up to the fist bouy and here come the "wide guys" again. AGH! But I kept it real wide and did pretty good, went to make the turn back towards the start line and big daddy and his brother decide they just want to keep swimming in that direction (mind you, we are already a good 10 meters past the bouy). So I sit up, let them go by and start yelling "This way guys!" . Just before I put my head in the water, I see the brother look at me, get a look of "oh crap" and make the turn. (I figure that was my good deed for the day). Stayed to the outside all the way back to shore and found the toes of a guy that had to run 250. Stayed with him until he slowly tailed off apparently targeting one of the kayakers. Kept myself about 10 meters off the bouy line and started focusing on stroke. Breathing was ok for that first lap but did tire a little due to the extra work to get through the maylay. Touched down on sand and both calves seized and let go (thank goodness!). Flexing feet wildly trying to prevent a full-on, double calf cramp session. Came out of the water and saw 44 min and change (seriously? Wow - even with that mess I can't beleive I was that slow) didn't let it rattle me though. Lots of day to go. No worries. Just get back in the water and focus on your stroke. As we are wading back in I hear the guy next to me say "Holy crap. It is pouring". Funny thing is, I hadn't even noticed :) Head back out and finally find some open water. Probably should be trying to draft more but am so much happier when I can have some room and focus on stroke, so I keep it wide and enjoy the open water. Second lap was much more uneventful, other than the kayaker about 5 meters off the bouy for the first turn. I'm just swimming along about 10 meters off the bouy line, see the first turn coming up and no one real close to my left so start angling in. For some reason, I decided to take one more sighting stroke and 5 ft in front of me is a huge orange kayak litterally perpendicular to the direction of swimming - and we haven't reached the turn bouy yet. I see the guy ahead of me try to go around the back of the kayaker and club arm the kayak. So I turn 80 degrees and shoot to go around the front, only to see the kayaker take a forward stroke with his paddle (seriously?) Dude was obviously caught off guard and in the wrong place. So I do a couple breast strokes around him, take 5 more strokes and make the turn around the bouy. (whew). Then it was a relatively uncongested swim to the beach. Focused on stroke, breathing was good. Remembered to kick a little for the last 200m hoping to prevent a complete calf meltdown when I touched sand again. Small twinge but nothing major. Look up and see 1:12 on the clock. (What?!? Frantically trying to do math in my head and not able to figure out how the heck that happened.) Flop down and wetsuit ripper desuits me with one good yank! COOL! Start of running and am SO happy to be headed for my bike. See Dirk who gives me a HOOT as I'm running through these barriers with people hanging over them and cheering at the top of their lungs. (Really? Am I really doing this and are they really cheering for me?) Somehow I became a celebrity overnight and didn't even know it :)

What would you do differently?:

I'm not sure. I might go wider but closer to the start line.

Well... let's just say that I didn't want to ruin my day by forgetting something in transition so I didn't dawdle but I didn't go as fast as possible either. Volunteers all helping others so got my own bags which was fine, I knew right where they were. (Volunteer standing near by did say "You want the top one" as I grabbed aimlessly for both of them - didn't quite have all of my faculties yet from the swim - THANK YOU for that much needed help!) Ran past the port o potties and noticed they were unoccupied. NICE. Took advantage to purge the gallons of fluid I had smartly taken on over the past 3 days. No volunteers again so left to fumble through my bags in the dark tent on my own. No worries. Did my thing and saw volunteer right next to me putting on someones arm warmers (oh yeah, where are my arm warmers?) See her get finished and ask if she could do the same for me. She had them on me in like 3 seconds. (Darn, girl, you are good!) Out the door I go and almost get taken out by a guy in an aero helmet rounding the corner. (Hello!) Feel all my nutrition bouncing around in my jersey so am running with both hands on my back (it had to have looked pretty funny) Finally get to the bikes and find mine, run it out in to the middle row and there are people everywhere! MAYHEM! HA. Like lemmings, we slowly make our way out to the mount line where there are 20 people struggling to get on their bikes while 20 more run into the back of them. I sneak by and run around 30 feet past them... and feel my nutrition go flying about 2 feet away in the road! Crap. So here I am stuck next to the barriers, a sea of humanity - now clipped in - flying past me, spectators yelling "just go" and thinking to myself "I need that. Don't panic". So I lean my bike against the barrier, a spectator grabs it and with a perfectly timed, death defying, lunge and leap, grab my nutrition and get back out of the way before the next wave of speed-hungry athletes come rushing past me. Whew. Spectator claps me on the back, says good job, I mount and off I go.

Figure out a better way to hold down my nutrition and think of ways to simplify that transition. Way to many pieces and parts in that T1 bag.

Ok. This is where the race got really fun. :) So we take a bunch of downhill S-Turns out of town and there are people EVERYWHERE cheering like crazy! It was pretty amazing. I think I hear my dad yelling my name and going nuts as I round one of the last corners before heading out of town (that was really nice). Keeping with the EN plan, I'm working for consistent heart rate - no peaks, no valleys - (mental note - there is no such thing as a good bike split and a bad run) so as I start spinning out of town, the WORLD is blowing by me. Seriously. There are so many people at this point, there is no way NOT to be within 1 bike length of about 20 people. The comment comes out that they don't really worry about the drafting until the Keene descent or after and now I can see why! So I'm keeping with the plan and I feel really good. Have a hard time containing myself at times but remember looking myself in the mirror earlier this morning and saying "YOU are NOT going to ruin my day today. We are sticking with the plan no matter what happens." and hold strong. But here is the funny part, just like the EN guys said, as soon as we come up over the top of the hill, me and my consistent effort go BLOWING by everyone around me as they sit up and recover from their extra effort up the hill. I mean I'm pedaling pretty hard on the downhills keeping my heart rate in the zone, and they are all sitting up not pedaling. I question myself for a second and think "No. You are doing it right. Don't bail on the plan". So the first Keene descent was a little wet so held back a little but for being lil ole me, I was passing so many people. It was alot of fun. :) Come to the turn down in Keene and lots of volunteers and supporters cheering us on. So much fun! The flats out to Ausable Falls were nice. Great section to settle into aero and just keep a nice consistent effort - again doing the opposite of everyone else but I'm feeling great. Little head wind pops up but no worries. Staying in aero made a big difference. I sing when I ride so I'm just doing my tunes until I get out to the old turn out of Jay... now I'm looking for people I know. Spot Rob on the way back and almost fall off my bike cheering him on as we speed past each other. Spot Sara going up to Wilmington. We trades comments on how loverly the swim was, give a big HOOT for encouragement and on we go. Nutition plan is working well (100 cal bars every 45 min, alternating perform and water, and grabbing a banana or two every other stop, last feeding before run - a gel) Climb up Papa Bear and I see my family! I spot them first and am waving my arms while climbing the last 100 ft of the hill and SMILING the whole time. People are laughing as they finally spot me and we smack hands. (By the way that climb is LINED with people just cheering you on. SO COOL. SO HELPFUL!) The tunes are coming out of me louder now (I got a feeling... that tonight's gonna be a good night...) as people either smile and shake their head or look at me like I have two. I don't care. I'm less than a mile away from halfway through the bike! Start heading into town and the crowd gets bigger and louder. I feel good and can't think of anything I need from special needs so I just ride on by. I hear the Ithaca guys yell my name as I round the corner past Mirror lake and up the hill. Tons of people all yelling encouragement. We are flying down main street - both lanes blocked - only competitors allowed between the barriers - make the turn past the Olympic center and fly up the hill (I got a feeling..). And I look down only to see my heartrate 20 BPMs over what my max was supposed to be. DOH. Got a little caught up there. Calm it down and hmmm. I really could use a rest stop. So heading out of town, I see two port o pots on the side of the road. Start heading for them as two wide eyed spectators standing near them get ready to make a dive for it. I smile and say I just need a potty break as the panic slowly leaves their faces. Wonderfully sweet woman comes running and offers to hold my bike. (Again, NICE!) 30 seconds later, I'm off again with a whole new perspective on life. (mental note - stop at port o potties when you need them. Makes the rest of the race ALOT more pleasant.) Some people are passing me heading out of town this time but not nearly as many and I've gone by a couple whose backs are bobbing and they are working really hard (Humm... maybe this whole plan is working) Keene descent was dry this time... WOOOOHOOOO! I'm sorry but that is just TOO much fun. Let out an audible WHOOP at the bottom, wipe the tears from my eyes and exchange "THAT WAS AWESOMEs" with the two guys that I passed who apparently followed me down the rest of the way. Mind you I was not going nearly as fast as I'm sure many people were going but MAN it was still fun!!! Keep plugging along, keeping heart rate where it needs to be and now a few people are starting to come back to me that passed me early on. Again a fun trip up Papa Bear. I am literally steering directly for my father, 15 ft away from him, waving my arms frantically and yelling his name. He still doesn't see me until I am 2 ft away and stick out a hand for a high five. His face LIGHTS UP and he scrambles to smack my hand with his. Almost start to tear up. (Knock it off... long way to go.. I got a feeling...) Fly through town again and pass my bike off to Mike - he gives me a high five and I head for T2. (2 down baby, 1 to go!)

So here is what was so cool about the whole consistent, low heart rate thing - I don't even remember working on the climbs towards Wilmington. I can remember that being a bit tough on our training weekends and during the race it was a non-event for me. So kudos to the EN guys for giving me the confidence to do my thing and not get caught up in the race and everyone around me.

NOTHING!

I honestly don't remember much of T2. I think I was a little dazed and confused contemplating the 26.2 that was coming. I know I grabbed my bag (I think without issue) and as I ran past the Port o potties to the womens tent, there was one unoccupied. Again, NICE! I take advantage and head to the tent. (Ok maybe I should mention that I was VERY WELL HYDRATED and I am 8 hours into this day - so only two potty breaks isn't too shabby, all things considered.) I know a volunteer grabbed me and helped me get stuff off/on. She was great. While I was putting shoes on, she was coating me with a layer of sunscreen on my arms, shoulders and more importantly my neck in the back! I always forget that part and there she is slathering it on. YOU GO GIRL. Me and my fair complexion owe you BIG TIME. She sent me running and whisked my stuff away. And everything was in those bags when I got back later - those volunteers really are fantastic!

Nothing really that I can think of. I'm sure I could be faster if I prepped more and had less junk in my bag but this was my first one. Comfort was of utmost importance to me!

(I got a feeling...) This is where everything just CAME TOGETHER. This was the best part of the whole day! Traditionally I know, most people dread the run as you know the wall is coming and you are just waiting for it. I was somewhat dreading that too but said, "keep a smile on your face, stick with the plan and go as far as you can before you have to slow your pace." So sticking with the plan I jog the first 6 miles, keeping heart rate below my goal. I feel great. Taking only liquid nutrition at this point. Run to the spot at the water stop that has what you want, drink it and start running again (20 secs max). I'm spending my time looking at the people running towards me looking for people I know, looking at all the signs that family members made, and monitoring my heart rate. I see Patrick from EN around mile 5 and just about run across the road to praise him for making my day so fantastic. I feel great. Most people are running at this point, but some are walking and many do not look good. I haven't stopped smiling since I left town. This is actually enjoyable. (What the heck is going on? ) But I continue on with the plan, with a smile on my face, singing here and there - daisy dukes, bikinis on top... I see Sara headed out to the turn around and we give a couple hoots! Heading back into town and start to head up the hills. Allow heartrate to come up a little but not alot. Spectators/Volunteers looking at your bib the entire way and yelling your name "looking great Kelley. Keep it up girl. You look strong Kelley, Go for it!" It is truly amazing! See Rob and yell his name!!! And his face perks up, he gives a shout, throwing his arms in the air! (Good times) Continue to run all of the hills only walking during the water stops (oh and for a slight wardrobe malfunction). There is Mirjam!! She got a flat. Crap. Well at least she is on the run now and we give a couple more hoots - you go girl! See Mom and Joe coming up Main street - still with a huge smile on my face. Run across the road and give the double high five. Sweet! I feel like my running form has remained strong and I'm maintaining the 10 min pace that I had hoped to. I feel remarkably well. (What the heck is going on?) Hear Shane at the turn on Mirror Lake drive and hear the Ithaca guys again, saying my running looks good. (Maybe they are just being kind... :)) Stop at special needs to grab my cherry sports beans with caffeine (yum) - shove them in my pocket for later and keep on pluggin. Hit the turn around and I am just feeling great. (Did I really just run 12 miles?) Hear the Ithaca guys shout encouragement and see Mom and Joe again just before the turn on main street. Give them a big hug and do a couple high knees, jumping around yelling "Can you believe I only have 13 miles to go" to which I hear Shane laugh and yell out "Kelley!" AND now we have some down hill!! Get a little caught up in that and heart rate goes up a little but I'm running 8:35s. Whoa killer. Slow it down. The wall is coming. Ok ok. So I'm back to 9:30s and my heart rate is where I need it. Both ankles start to act up a little (ut oh, here it comes.. 11 miles with stress fractures in my ankles) but it clears after the next water stop - must have been in my head. Start to get a little funny feeling around mile 16. Can't quite focus. Feel like I could just lay down and take a nap.. AH HA! SPORTS BEANS WITH CAFFEINE. (I just love it when a plan comes together). Eat about 6 of them with water at the next stop and start to come back around at mile 18. WAIT... MILE 18! The wall. Doh. It is here. But... I feel good. I'm still running and pretty much everyone else is walking. I mean almost EVERYONE is walking and I'm still doing my goal pace. (What is wrong with me?) Ok just keep going. Keep the heart rate where it needs to be, focus on form... And now... I'm recognizing MANY jerseys that went flying by me on the bike... and I run right past them. (Holy crap). Mile 20. 10K to go. I'm running below my goal pace AND my heartrate is below my goal heartrate (ie. I'm running faster than during the first 6 miles at the same heartrate - this can't be possible - shouldn't cardiac drift be kicking in here somewhere?). I start heading back up the hill into town, and I'm still running. Spectators are yelling my name cheering me on 'cause I'm running and smiling. I run up behind a guy who looks over and says "Oh! You are running! You are killing me!" And then shouts words of encouragement as I blow by. Mile 22. I am just floating on air. I see Mike - he came out to see how I was doing. He's a little shocked that I'm still running...up the hills. I tell him the plan is to keep the heartrate where it is until Mirror Lake drive and then give it all I got - if I HTFU a little here, I have a chance for a sub 13 IM. He runs ahead and I just keep my head down, smile on face, heartrate where it should be. Dump water over my head at the next stop and get ready for the hill up to Main street. I'm MOVING up the hill to main street and from no where I hear Mike yell my goal heartrate. (Oh yeah. Ooo. Heartrate is up there pretty good). No matter... keep going .. you are 2 miles to the finish. I see Steve's dad on Main street and give him a big smile as he yells my name! See Mom and Joe - "2 to go!" I yeall. I'm on Lake Placid Club drive now. Ok ... let's see what we can do here. Step it up a little and let the heartrate come up another 10 beats. Look down and I'm running 9:00s up Lake Placid Club Drive. (Seriously, what is wrong with me? Is this a dream?) At the turn around and now I know that I am so close... I can taste it. Tears start to form. NO. NOT YET. Cruising down Mirror Lake Drive, I see 8:09 pace (That can't be right...Garmin has to be running out of batteries....) Crowd is going wild and I'm grinning ear to ear. Holy dream come true. I see the cones, the arrows, the word "Finish" - and I'm still running like the wind. WOW. Make the turn into the oval and there is Dirk. Double high five to Dirk and the other volunteer running security as I run between them. There is just a sea of people all cheering for us. I can sort of hear them but I'm more in my head now. The past year of training, the doctors visits, the weeks off wondering if I'd still be ready, coming rushing over me as I round the corner and see the finish line. The tears start to come and I'm starting to hyperventilate. NO NOT YET! You need to get a good picture. (A good picture. Ha. I still think back to that and shake my head.) All I can hear is noise. Nothing in particular. Just a rumble of amplified sounds and screaming voices. This is nuts. I cross the finish line with a huge smile on my face and have no idea what I even did with my hands or anything else. Here come the tears and a wonderful volunteer wraps her arms around me and says "Congratulations! You are amazing!" I grasp for the inhaler because the world is spinning and I know this could go horribly wrong if I don't get this right. Two hits and my breathing settles a little. I think I feel someone messing with my chip - I don't even think I said thank you. Next thing I know I have a bottle of water in my hand and they are asking me what size Tshirt I'd like. They walk me over to the banner and I get my picture taken with my medal. (Oh cool! I have a medal??!?!) The volunteer stays with me all the way to the food area where I wander in and find friends and family waiting for me on the other side of the banner.

I don't know. This was such a great run for me. I mean, to negative split the marathon and average 5 sec below my goal pace?? I can't say I would do anything different except maybe try to maintain a faster pace with a slighly higher heartrate or to pick up the pace sooner?

I tried to eat something but my stomach put the kabosh on that pretty quickly. Got a little lightheaded and nauseated just standing around talking so had to sit down. Mike, Dirk and Steve were right there helping me along, telling me to stand back up and keep moving. Which was the last thing I wanted to do but.. they were right. I felt better once I got up and kept walking. Steve and Dirk had to get back to their posts but Mike completely helped me get all my stuff and get out of transition. I can't thank people enough for their truly remarkable support!


My fear of bonking.


Between family and friends that were physically here and those that were sending me text messages, phone calls, notes on facebook, emails and everything else, the 3500 race volunteers, the thousands of spectators that lined all 140 miles of the course, and the other racers - this race was one of the most supportive, positive, inspiring environments and races I have EVER been in. I could literally feel all the positive energy that everyone of those people was sending my way and it made the difference. This was a day that will definitely go down as one of the most memorable in my life. I can't thank everyone enough that helped make it a wonderful experience. Watch out LP. I'm coming back next year to see if this was just a fluke or if I really am on to something here!