Ironman Arizona - Triathlon

On the prior 2 IM distance races, I didn't use a wetsuit as the water was too hot. For this race, I borrowed a friends full sleeve suite which used the first time the weekend before this race, and got horrible rash on my neck as I forgot to use any body glide. This time I put on lots of body glide on my neck, and didn't have any problems.

The start was chaos as usual, but because I was in a wetsuit, I was able to start the swim keeping my head up, so I avoided getting hit by others as well as not hitting others or the first 150 yards. I knew it would be a slow start and would take about 500 yards before the mass of arms and legs would start to thin out. Well, it took about 750 yards and moving to the right side to find some open water. Once I was able to do that, I started getting into a rhythm. I was having a great swim, and as I breathed, I would watch the other swimmers to gauge were I was. Pretty soon, we were under the first bridge, and then I could see the second bridge which we had to reach before the turn - WRONG! I was swimming along, keeping my eye on the second bridge, when I looked to my left, and there was the turn buoy! Oh boy, I'm glad I looked!! I headed to my left and got around the turn buoy, but it was back to being in the crowd - but after the second turn, the crowd started to thin out as I stayed to the right.

Now I was sighting off the far bank and keeping the first bridge in sight. I was trying to keep up with one guy who was slightly faster than me, but couldn't keep in his draft - so I just settled into my pace and felt great. I was really enjoying the swim, and soon, we passed under the first bridge. Then I was sighting on the next Bridge where we started. This was the hardest part - waiting to get to the last bridge when you know you're almost at the finish - it took a while, but I was still feeling great. I got to that bridge, and again, the crowds started to gather, but that was OK as the finish was in sight. Turned left for the final stretch, and there was the stairs. I was grateful I was able to participate in the practice swim, if for no other reason then to know how to get out of the water: grab the handle, and pull yourself up to sit on the first step - then pull yourself up to stand on the step.

I was very happy with my swim - only thing different would be to better understand where the turn buoy was, so I would have not panicked when I almost swam too far!

I knew I as going to have a long T1 due to a full change of clothing. The tent was warm, as I was cold running from the wetsuit strippers to the tent (about 1/4 mile run). Saw my husband and training partner just before I picked up my T1 bag. The tent was crowded, but I found a chair and started changing. The worse part is putting on a running bra when you're wet - this is what I call the 4th event! Thank goodness one of the volunteers come over to help pull down the back - or else I may still be in T1 trying to change!

I realized I didn't put any sunscreen in my T1 bag, but I had everything else - I grabbed a pair of glove and my arm warmers and put these in my bike jersey pocket just in case I needed it. Ate a lemon waffle on the way out the tent, and picked up my bike and off I went!

Not much - Maybe not having a full change of clothing - but I've gotten heat rash bad the last 2 IM's, I didn't want to take a chance this time.

My goal was to keep my HR below 140 for the first half of the bike ride so I wouldn't overcook too soon. I was riding with my HR about 150-155 and yet everyone was passing me. Stopped at the first rest stop to Pee. On my way up Beeline I only passed 2 people - I just kept telling myself that I needed to stay within my plan and it would all work fine. Got to the top of the first loop and was totally excited to make the turn and head downhill - I love the speed. Got into my aero bars and peddled as fast as I could without getting into the red zone. On the way down, my training friend, Keri, passed me - it was great to see her as I didn't get a chance to find her before the start. She took off and I just stayed within my zone. I caught up to her just before we turned back on Rio Salado, and thought we would be riding together for the rest of the bike course as we're both about the same speed. I was 15 minutes faster on the way down as compared to the way up. Got the first turn around, saw my husband, Richard, and started Lap 2.

On Lap 2, I was passing people on the way up Beeline, and I was keeping my HR about 150. I still felt great and was really enjoying the ride. Got to the turn around and was looking for Keri, but didn't see her. I thought maybe she had to stop and that's why she was behind me further then I thought. I stopped at the first rest stop to pee after the turn around at the top of Beeline and then stopped at SN to pick up more nutrition. After I got back on my bike, I finally saw Keri coming up the Beeline. I headed back to finish the 2nd lap and was still feeling good. My lap times were still the same, and when I got to the end of Lap 2, Richard almost missed me as he wasn't expecting me to be returning that soon.

Started up for the final lap, and was still feeling good, but looking for that 90 mile marker, which would tell me (1) it was almost the end of the final uphill section of the last lap, and (2) I only had 22 miles left to ride. I got to the top of Beeline, and made the turn, and the head winds on the way back definitely picked up, but I didn't care - it was downhill and to the end of the bike ride!! I

One other item I really worked on during this race was keeping my calories consumption up while on the bike. My original plan as to eat the following every 30 minutes: 1 shot block and 1/6 of a cliff bar. Then I would alternate water and IM Perform every 15 minutes. During the week before the race, I decided to add another shot block every 30 minutes and felt the additional calories would really help me in the bike and provide me with the calories needed for the run. In the end, I stuck with this for most of the ride, but by the last lap, I was really sick of eating my cliff bar - fortunately having the extra shot blocks really helped me keep my calorie intake where I needed it.

Not much - I was very happy with my performance, but maybe could have pushed it more, especially since the weather was so great.

Again, I took my time in T2 - was wanted to change top and bottoms, but in the end, I didn't want to go into a hot tent, so I just changed my bike jersey for a singlet. I then ate a Lemon Waffle, and stopped at the port-o-can to pee. I decided to carry my light weight gloves as my hands tend to get cold quickly. I also decided to carry my arm warmers just in case.

Nothing.

I headed out of T2 and started my run feeling good. My goal was to run as much of the first half at 5:1 interval, and then walk the last half of the race. (I really didn't think I would be able to do that, but that's what I was telling myself!). I was surprised how well I was feeling on the run. I followed the 5:1 interval, except when I got to a aid station. I wanted to keep up my calorie intake, as in the past I was not eating enough, and then found myself in a calorie deficient - then proceeded by the death march. So, at each aid station, I drank some water, and grabbed something to eat - it maybe Gu, or chips or grapes. I grabbed a Gu every 3 miles, and the other aid stations, it was just water and something else - (Couple of grapes or chips). I was still feeling great through the first 6 miles, and missed Richard at mile 6 (I was going faster then he expected). I was running a 10:30 pace and feeling great. Got to mile 7 and felt good enough that I thought I maybe able to run more than the first 13 miles. When I got to mile 9, with the first Curry hill, I knew I needed to walk this section just to save my legs - but I also noticed I started to feel nauseous. I walked up Curry hill and back to mile 11 where I met Richard. I told him I would be walking the rest of the run section as I wasn't feeling well.

When I got to mile 12, I threw up! ( Thanks goodness there wasn't very many spectators in that section of the race). I felt much better and continued to walk. I got the next aid station and new I wouldn't be able to eat anything, but I was worried about not drinking - so I grabbed some Chicken broth and water and continued walking. Between mile 12 and SN, My stomach continued to feel bad, and when I got to SN, I was on a death march. I sat down on the ledge at SN and just put my head in my hands - I felt horrible. I was seriously thinking about calling it quits right there, and if someone would have come by with a medical cart, I would have jumped on it. FORTUATELY, no-one came, but someone asked if I wanted Gatorade. I thought maybe that would help as I hadn't had any sodium since the bike leg. I took a few sips and thought - I have 5 hours to finish the last 13 miles. I got up and started walking, but still felt horrible.

I walked about 300 yards, and started throwing up again! I felt bad as there was some spectators who were right there, and they asked me if I need any water - that was the last thing I needed. I realized at that point I couldn't eat or drink anything if I was going to finish this race. Heck, it was only 13 miles, and the guys in WWII walked a lot further with no food or water - I could walk 13 miles with no food or water. So, off I went! I got to mile 14 and didn't grab anything. Got to mile 15 and again, didn't get anything - and I'm feeling great. I was walking, keeping up a 15 minute pace, which to me was great!! I continued to walk the rest of the race, passing a number of athletes and keeping up with a good 14-15 minute pace. I knew I was going to finish and was so excited as I was also going to PR the race - as well as each leg of the race!!

Got to the finisher shoot, started running, but this time, I took my time to enjoy the crowd, and giving everyone high Fives!! I felt great at the finish line and couldn't believe I actually PR'ed the race and still felt great!!

Overall, I was very pleased with my performance, especially since I wasn't able to complete much training prior to this race.

Nothing - just walked to T1 to pick up my Morning clothes bag, T1 and T2 bags.


Didn't get nearly as much training completed during training, but mentally, I know what to expect, and that was the key to keep going - at this point, the 3 IM, it's become much more of a mental challenge than a physical challenge.

Of course, if I would have been able to train more, who know what I would have accomplished...But we'll think about that for another race!!


Outstanding race - weather was perfect (which I will say the race organizers did a great job of organizing:)) Was very pleased with the overall experience, especially the fact that there was plenty of finisher merchandise the following day. I finally got my finisher jacket!!