Ironman Mont-Tremblant - Triathlon

Goal: go out relaxed, find my space and finish in 1:30 (or better)

For me, this swim could not have gone any better. Our wave was huge - probably the biggest group I've ever gone out with. The buoys were spaced perfectly and I had no problem sighting them. And I like the fact that they were numbered - I kept counting down.

There was a little contact through the first 4 buoys but then I was able to find my space. With that many people there was always some sort of draft so I just did my thing and ended up exactly on target with my goal.

AND the wetsuit strippers were awesome! After the suit came off I had two people behind me grab each arm and before I knew it I was upright again! HIGHLY recommended :)

Probably nothing.

We knew so many people at MT - both competing and volunteering. There was almost always someone nearby that I knew.

My friend was working the women's changing tent. OMG that was so clutch. It was like having an inside deal! She came right over to me when she saw me and helped me get my crap together. AND she put sunscreen on me which turned out to be perfect - it got hot.......

Time also includes a pee stop! I had given myself 15 minutes in t1 and I knew I had time so I figured "why not?"

probably nothing

Goal: go out nice and easy on the first lap and hammer on the hills at the end

I kept it in check for the first 20 miles or so and then I got itchy and probably pushed a little too hard. It started to get hot earlier than I had hoped. We all knew the forecast was for sunny, high 80s and high humidity and you get to that point where you can start to feel the heat rising off the pavement. URGH. But I stayed on top of my nutrition (which I think could not have gone any better) and just kept plugging along.

I used to be a fast cyclist - I guess endurance and speed are hard to work on at the same time. I would have liked to come in 45 minutes earlier but whatever, I got it done. There is something a little mentally defeating though about watching them break down the course while you're still on it (one of the downsides of an out and back).

I think the Dash saddle has to go. Back to the drawing board this winter I guess.

Also the amount and type of my nutrition was perfect - still need to work on execution (bottles etc)

Again my friend from home hooked me up! Very happy with T2 time.

The run. The plan 5:1 run/walk to 20 and if things were going great by the end, run in the last 6.2.

Running terrifies me and as I was leaving t2 I couldn't even hide it. I was a mess and I was not looking forward to the marathon but out I went. I saw lots of friends in that first 5k (which is where the only hills on the run are). Most of them were just finishing their first loop and I was just starting. Slow and steady.

I carried my Nathan pack. I've been using it on long runs and I'm comfortable having my own nutrition (carried Infinit, btw and went with 99% liquid plan - I did have a banana at the first bike rest stop because I needed something and I figured that would digest easy). The pack was fine worked out well. I did try the chicken broth like everyone said - it didn't do anything for me so I stuck with my Infinit. There were some points where I was just CRAVING water so I used that to take some salt tablets and was careful to not overdo the water and dilute my sodium.

The first 6 miles were pretty much where I hoped to be - around 11:30. Then I started to slow down. I didn't really look at my watch so I wasn't even aware of how much I slowed down.

Run special needs is just before the halfway mark so I got there, got my bag, changed my socks (which were soaked from dumping water on myself the whole time) and swapped out my Nathan bladder for a new pre mixed one.

Right after special needs you run though the village - which is awesome, btw. There were so many people cheering and screaming - and then you go by the finish to the left, lap 2 to the right. URGH. I kept moving and was starting to lose it again. I got out of the village, saw my friends on the right then I saw DH on the left. I ran over to him, gave him a hug. I was practically crying. I said "can I walk the last 13 miles and still make it?" He looked at his watch and said "you have 5 hours, yes you can." He ran with me for about a quarter mile and said some other encouraging things and then off I went.

26 miles is a long time to play mental games. In any event I do mentally when I hit the halfway mark, I start to feel like "I made it halfway now I know I can finish." I didn't have that feeling in the run until after I saw my friends and family. I really didn't think I was going to make it until I started out on that second lap. At that point I started to plan how I was going to cross the finish line......

up to mile 18 I was hanging in.
mile 19 15:13 pace
mile 20 16:38
mile 21 16:43
mile 22 16:55

I started to walk around mile 19 (I think). Everyone was walking and I wasn't surprised but I started to get agitated. I kept thinking that I wanted my phone because I had to email some people and tell them this was the dumbest idea I ever had and if I tried to sign up for another one they were to stop me.

Then I thought about wannabefaster who once said something to the effect of "on the marathon you will reach a point where your body wants to quit and you just have to convince yourself you can keep going - because you can." And in an effort to just GET OUT OF THERE FASTER I started to shuffle/run again.

mile 23 15:06
mile 24 14:23
mile 25 15:59 (back up the hill)
mile 26 15:24

I was all alone running up the last hill - first by the Westin and then onto the cobblestones into the village - around the corner and BANG - TONS of people! I must have high fived 30 people (both kids and adults). Of course I started to cry again but I wanted a good finish picture so I was able to keep it in check once I made the final turn and could see the finish arch. I also heard Mike Reilly say my name and I knew it was finally over!

I ran up to the finish, jumped up and screamed! "YEAH!!!!!!"

Holy crap what a long emotional day.

run.

The volunteer caught me and I pretty much stood there for a minute waiting to feel terrible. I heard all sorts of horror stories of people puking on course, finishing and then collapsing etc. Well I finished and nothing happened. We walked through the finish, got my shirt, my hat, my space blanket and she said to me "how are you feeling? do you need to go to medical?" I looked over and saw a SEA of beds and people laying in them. I said "I don't think so - what do you think?" She laughed and said "I think you're ok." Then she brought me to get my picture taken and get my morning bag. As I stood there dazed my cousin just about tackled me. It was her 40th birthday and first IM. She finished in daylight and I'm so proud of her. This little adventure was my idea.

but to do it again next year was hers ;)


Now that it's behind me and I've had a week to think about it - I think I can do better. So we're going back in 2016 to find out!!

This venue lived up to the hype! Course was great, volunteers were awesome and the town was out in full force on the run course cheering us on. We just registered for 2016 - so look out - we'll be back for more!