Kim's Longhorn 70.3 Race Report

Since I touched down I have been on the run. From work to class and Thursday it all slows down! I shall collect my race thoughts on Thursday. But first I have Kim's race report. She is one of my athletes and the first one to jump on the Texas bandwagon. Her first 1/2 Ironman, her first big race..... way to go KIM!

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70.3 Longhorn (6:12:49; 48th/90):
I don’t even know where to start. This race definitely has taught me many things. First of all, the weekend was amazing. I am so lucky I got to spend it with a great group of people. If it wasn’t for the company I probably would have freaked out. I was able to ask all of my rookie questions without feeling like an idiot.

Race Morning: I wasn’t as nervous as I thought I would be. I was very excited to get the show on the road.

Swim (27:28.30; 20th/90): I thought the swim was very difficult. I would get a line to swim, but then after a couple more strokes I was within another group of different colored caps. I fought with a couple people but never let anyone truly get to me. I just kept swimming. During the swim, I thought to myself, I must be swimming really slow. It just seemed to take awhile. But then once I exited the water, I looked at my watch 28:xx. Wow, that was fast. Then I found out that the course was VERY short. But that’s ok.

T1 (2:40.25): Nothing exciting happened here except that my feet we caked in mud. I felt like I was in a barn with all the mud.

Bike (3:09:16.40; 44th/90; 17.8 mph): The minute I got on my bike I heard a thumping noise. I had no idea what it was but didn’t think it would cause too much of a problem. This course could have been much faster for me. When I would go down the hills the thumping noise would louder. This thumping was shaking my entire body. I could see my arms move. I knew this would affect my back muscles. I tried to keep as relaxed as I could. At mile 7, I was going down a hill, getting speed to hang up the next hill.

Then I heard metal against metal, then it was too late. I camp to a complete stop to see what happened. My water bottle unit that hangs behind the seat was about 25 yards away from me (with my new bottles from Mellow Johny’s L, Lance Armstrongs bike shop).

At that point, a few things went through my head. First, RELAX. Everything will be OK (because it has to). I can’t go back and get those bottles; I have no place to put them. So I got back on my bike and started to pedal. Then I had to come up with another plan. Then Mary’s voice came into my head.

This was the conversation:

Mary: “So what are you going to do if you lose your bottles?

Kim: “Gatorade Endurance,” Thinking to myself, this will never happen. Little did I know.

Mary: How many calories per bottle?”

Kim: “150 per bottle”

At this point, I thought to myself, wow that is a lot of liquid to drink to keep around 225 calories an hour. As well as some water. And we all know I don’t handle GE that well. I didn’t want to risk Plan B since I know I don’t digest GE very well. Onto Option C, I guess I will GU it the entire day.

GU it is.

Once I made this decision, I never looked back. I was put in a situation that I never wanted to get in. I made the best of this and had to deal with the cards that I was playing with. I got to the first aid station. Came to a complete stop, got about 6 Gu’s. Filled up my aero bottle and then went on my way. I couldn’t read the labels on the package, so I just assumed the calories around 100. I took one GU every 45 min.

I could see that the Power Bar GU’s do have caffeine in them. But I could not see the sodium. My watch was still set to beep every 15 min. I took one salt tablet every 15 min, and then on the 45 min I took a GU’s with NO salt tablet.

A couple times I had to guess what 15 min tick was going off but I think I guessed right. I had no nutrition problems. I did find out that the Power Bar Gu’s have 115 calories. That means I consumed 460 calories of GU, and about 50 calories of a Power Bar. Totaling: 510 calories for a little over 3 hours, which is much lower than I would have ever thought. Maybe this happened to show me that I don’t need as many calories as the calculations tell me.

Mary passed me around mile 20 (right where we calculated she would, that meant Mary was where she was supposed to be!). At that point I asked her if I had a bulge in my back tire, she said no. WE celebrated; I wished her good luck and that I would see her on the run. Man she is strong on the bike. She was out of my sight in less than minutes.

I did get hungry around mile 35. I needed something to chew. I took a bit of a Power Bar. Another bad idea. It felt like I had saw dust in my mouth. It took about 5 miles to chew one piece. But it did take away my hunger.

I told myself if I saw a Bike Repair Car, I would stop to have them check my bike out. That did not happen until mile 40. Then I thought to myself, I have been riding for 40 miles, I think I can go another 16. So I kept riding.

Every Aid station I took a bottle of water, re-filled my aerobottle and then dumped the rest of the water on my head.

Once I was getting close to transition, I saw that I would come in around 3:10. Kind of disappointed but with everything that happened, I couldn’t be too upset. If everything went my way I know I would have been in at least 5-10 mins faster. This still allowed me to have 2:20 for the ½ marathon to get in less than 6 hours. Being that this was my first ½ Ironman and it was 90 degrees, I did not want to get myself hung up on breaking 6 hours.

T2 (2:41): My bike was very far from the entrance. I hate running in my biking shoes.

Run (2:30:43; 63rd/90; 11:30): I couldn’t have had more fun on the run. I never had any low thoughts, the miles kept passing by. It did take me until 2 miles to get in a grove. My legs wanted to run faster at first, but I knew I would regret that later. I kept around a 945 – 1030 pace while I was running (including the hills). On the second loop I started to walk the hills. They seemed much bigger the second time around. This course was much hillier than I thought it was going to be.

I did have to shuffle through the aid stations to make sure I was getting sponges, towels, water, water and more water. I kept the same nutrition as I had on the bike. Solely on the course. I took three gels then salt tablets around every 20 min. Depending on where the aid stations where located.

At mile 6 my knee felt like my bones where rubbing against each other. I didn’t let this bother me, as I knew everything would be ok in about one more hour. I also started to drink coke at this point. I don’t know why, it just sounded good.

I met a man around mile 10, right when you go back into the woods. If it wasn’t for him I probably would have walked more than I did. We had small talk the rest of the time. It was refreshing hearing other people’s stories. At that time, there was about a group of 5 of us, making it to the finish line.

It was neat because you could hear the finish line from mile 11. That was very inspiring. All these people were waiting for ME to cross that line.

The minute I came up that last hill, I had a smile across my face, which I can’t even describe. I can’t wait to see the pictures.

While making my way through the finishing Shute, I had a zillion thoughts cross my mind. My dreams are finally coming true. The hard work has finally paid off. With all of my accidents in the past, I am so lucky I am ABLE to run across that finish line. If only some of my doctors knew what I was doing now.

Of course I could not have done this without Mary and the support of my family and friends. Everyone plays an important part of my journey to become and Ironman.

What I have learned: This is exactly how I wanted this race to go. I learned that I can handle anything out on the race course. There are some things that I have no control over. And I have to make the best out of what happens. You never want to lose your nutrition, bike problems, and have a nagging knee pain.

Nutrition: I am very particular about my nutrition. Losing my nutrition allowed me to “try” ….I mean be forced to use something else. And it worked. I made smart decisions and didn’t flip out. I also found out that during a ½ Ironman (in 90 degree weather), I only need to average around 150 calories an hour. My total calories was 905.

Mechanical Problems: Even though I rode my bike less than 12 hours before this race. I must get on my bike race morning. This would have eliminated this thumping noise. I am assuming it was my magnet hitting my spoke. I will be taking my bike to Jim, just to make sure.
Knee Problems: Being that I was having a very sensitive stomach a couple days before race day, I did not want to take Advil during the race. This is the first time I ran a race with no Advil. I have found out the reason my knee starts’ aching is because my knee is swelling. Monday I still woke up with the same pain as Sunday. Monday night the swelling has dropped to my right foot. My foot looked like a sausage. I slept with my feet elevated and the pain magically went away. And it hasn’t come back.

Pacing: I did not know what to expect, being that this was my first ½ Ironman. Now that I look back, I could have pushed it harder on the bike, and be able to hold onto the run. The heat and changing my nutrition plan concerned me. I didn’t know how I was going to react to anything.

quick report

Like my tan lines????

Four weeks ago if you told me that in Texas I would have placed 8th in my age group with a 5:17 I would have been pissed off. Three weeks ago if you had told me that I wouldn't believe you. I would have thought slower.

Today I am ecstatic with a 5:17 and an 8th place. Guess what.... I got a Clearwater 20009 Spot. 2009!

My swim was good, but short.... 25

Bike about 2:40 no one passed me (except men) and I was very in control.

Run about 2:00 I maintained my E pace. I had pain in the beginning of the run. It started to get really bad at mile 8...... and then I turned a corner..... and it lessened to the point where I feel no pain right now. Three weeks of no running definitely murdered my race.

But not too long ago I was having trouble walking. If you don't' believe that..... ask my husband who has been my therapist for the past three weeks.

My team did great! This was Kim and Steve's first 1/2 Ironman. Ken crashed but saved it. Kevin did great and Ja Boon looked great as well!

I am so happy. I made it through a very difficult year. So much has happened and I am sill standing after all I've been through. Some stuff you know, some you don't. But that doesn't matter. What matters is that I got my finish line.

Detailed report tomorrow.

Here are a few pictures:

Kim in the med tent!

Kevin and I race morning.....................

day three...... yippeeeee!

Here is Kim and I, and in the back Ken, Kitima and Kevin on the coolest shuttle ride EVER!

"You can not allow what you can't do to interfere with what you can do."
John Woodward.

I could sum up today in three words. Austin is AWESOME. Okay, many places I travel to I think are awesome. I used to not travel at all not too long ago. Fear of flying completely ruled me. I got over that fear by putting myself into the very places I was terrified of, alone. Where was that? On an airplane.

As I began to enjoy the friendly skies I realize how much of the world I had limited myself to. Not anymore.

Had I not DNF'd Ironman Lake Placid I would not be in Austin right now. I would not have beaten Bree Wee at a wheatgrass shot contest (she won the right to wear the swim helmet tomorrow), and I wouldn't be spending this time with five awesome people.

I would not have a bit of sunburn, own a Texas bathing suit, have touched Lance Armstrong's bike and I would not have ridden the wild shuttle ride at Austin Java.

Not only am I grateful, I am celebrating. Like Bree reminded me, Sunday is about celebrating he things I love. For the better part of tomorrow morning I get to swim and bike and run without any pressure, without any restraints. I will hold my arms open and I will smile.

This is my row.... row M..... my bike is 15 bikes in......

I will give as many high fives as I possibly can.

This evening we checked in the bikes. The transition area is beautiful. The water is warm, but wetsuit legal. It's just too warm though, I am wearing the Blue Seventy Point zero3. It's the coolest thing I have ever swam in. Buoyant but light.

The run looks to be wonderful. Good trails and shade. The bike looks to be wonderfully rolling hills through beautiful countryside.

My wave starts at 7:56. All my buddies start before me so I will be hunting them down. That way when I get to the run I will be even more motivated to stay on pace.

Ken and Kim mixing nurition.......

My bike is all ready!

Thank you all for all of the wonderful words and wishes. Tomorrow will be about celebration, friendship and Texas. We are all ready, hydrates, rested and excited. More from the other side!

day two in texas!

This is a bike Lance rode, and I am touching it!

Texas Longhorn Day two

The summary of our day, Ken said it best:

"We swam in cold water. We had an overly expensive dinner. And we paid a bum."

Day two in Austin makes me want to move here. Texans are so damn cool and I want to be a Texan. I want to walk around and say y'all without looking like a poser. I know the Hook em Horns sign and I know I belong….. another homeless man acknowledged that I know!!!! (This is Kim lounging in the back of the van.......)

We began today with a visit to the world's largest natural spring. I have pictures but I have the wrong cable, so I will post those when we come home. I do have a few from the phone however.
(Guess whose jerseys these are????)

The world's largest swimming pool was about 1/4 mile long of cool water. My Blue Seventy point zero3 suit felt great. I ducked in behind Ken not only for the draft but there were a lot of triathletes swimming in all directions. I needed no swim accidents today! I ran into Bree Wee and after much much convincing I allowed her to borrow the swim helmet. I assured her that neither her coach nor her fans would think she was a loser if she chose to wear it on Sunday. Most importantly neither would I.

We made a quick change and headed out for a short bike ride. Gears clicked through smoothly.

Then it was time. I ran today. I ran with pain level of 1. Not even a one. It was more of a sensation than a pain. After a few surges…. nothing. It was a little tight, and who knows what will happen after a 1.2 mile swim and a 56 mile bike; but right now I have hope.

The Daily Juice was our next stop where Bree Wee was found to be following us. Except she showed up ahead of us. Careful planning. There we had some of the best organic juice I have ever had. A perfect way to begin the day.

The rest of the day was a mixture of rest and being busy. A trip to Mellow Johnny's, Lance's Bike shop. Athlete registration. Expo shopping. Feet up. Hydration. The days before a race are so darn fun and exciting. (Who's bike is THIS?)

We got the craziness out of the way and now it is time.

To rest and to prepare.

The weather is quite good. I am so happy to be in sun and I am so happy to be warm that I welcome Sunday. I am so hopeful that I won't be in pain and that if I am in pain it will not be too horrible.

Tonight I took something that has been known to hold me back before. I took it and I allowed myself to feel it and then I allowed myself to let it go. With a great big inhale and a great big exhale.

FEAR.

What am I afraid of? I am afraid of not being able to finish this race because I am in pain.

I felt it. I acknowledged it and now it is gone. Moving past it my focus and my thoughts are on preparation. That means focusing on success. Like Elizabeth pointed out, there is always opportunity for success. There are so many successes I have the opportunity to have on Sunday and my priority is being at the finish line.

Maybe to you that could seem like a silly goal. But when you are removed from a race course by an ambulance, watching your bike get loaded onto a truck and a race you love continue on without you, the finish line is not taken for granted. It means something. It means something to me.

My passion for this sport grows deeper with each success and each failure. I have never wanted to quit and walk away. I look around at the five people who are with me. I look around at the friends I have made around the world. I call home and speak to the boys who are my family.

This sport has given me much more than awards. It's given me a family and friends whom I consider to be my family.

It's off to bed. Tomorrow will be a very relaxed day, and then Sunday, FINALLY that gun will go off.

I just can't wait.

Texas Longhorn.... Day One!

I left my camera in the car..... pictures tomorrow!

We are settled in here is Austin Texas! Our condo is absolutely awesome, perfect for five tapering triathletes. I always find the greatest luck in landing the right people to travel with. Here are the players on tap for Austin:

Kitima; she's an Ironman lake Placid finisher, has a bunch of 70.3 races under her belt and is aiming for IM Canada 09!

Kevin: Kitima's better half, IMLP finisher and multiple 70.3 finishers himself!

Kim; this is Kim's first 70.3 and she's heading towards IMLP!

Ken: Swimmer extraordinaire, several time 70.3 finisher and heading towards IM Louisville.

Steve, his wife and their daughter will be joining us tomorrow. He's a first time 70.3 fellow as well.

Form Rochester to Austin there were a lot of miles, a lot of belly laughing and a lot of fun. We've got 2 mini vans and we've got mojo! This group completely rules to be with. Everyone is laid back and everyone rates high on my Fun-O-Meter!!!!

After we got to Austin we got our bikes at Jack and Adams. I was so glad o have my bike again! And you know….. Austin is so awesome! The weather is great! The sunshine felt so good!!! As we arrived at our condo complex we climbed four flights of stairs to learn we were on the first floor. I met a homeless man who informed me that he had three children to support and that his mom had eighteen children. When he told me his mom died last week I looked at him and told him mine did too.

The world's largest swimming pool was our next stop, but it was closed for cleaning. Not to worry, we will be there at 6am tomorrow morning for a swim!

There are lots of taco places around here but nothing beats the view from my window. I am directly accross from Starbucks. Heaven!

After a light dinner we headed over to Whole Foods, definitely the best grocery store ever-in-the-world. All I can say is that nothing could beat Wegmans……. this beats Wegmans.

My back is feeling good. Tomorrow is a run, and I am dying to run. I can't wait to slide into my Texas suit and get those running shoes on and run. Feel the heat, feel the sunshine and feel good. I am ready to race and have the best day that I am capable of having.

I feel so lucky tonight to be sharing an experience I thought I would experience alone….. with great friends. It's so good to laugh so hard. It's so good to be a little crazy. It's so good to chat triathlon all day and all night long.

It feels good to be in Austin!

I miss my boys. Today was picture day….. and kudos to Dad of the year Curt for putting a tie on Luc and for brushing his hair! Isn't this guy great!!!!
More to come…….. HOOK EM HORNS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

we've landed!

We have landed in Austin and the weather is awesome. Sunshine never felt so good on my skin. You won't believe this, right from my bedroom window (in this super awesome condo the Wev found us)..... right from my bedroom window ....

I can see Starbucks!

Bikes are picked up, and we already ate some Texas BBQ. Now we head to the world's largest natural pool where it is rumored to be 68 degrees, a bit cooler than what Sunday is supposed to be!

Pictures tonight and the pain level is GOOD!

Texas or BUST

We are off!

This week I received in the mail a personalized autographed picture of Mr. Brian Rhodes himself, somehow arranged by MEL!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU MEL!!!!!! It made my whole week!

I am happy to report my workouts this week have been completely pain free. I feel good, I feel ready to handle whatever is thrown at me on Sunday. I feel prepared to race from my heart and I feel ready to take the day as it comes.

I have not run on the roads yet, but pool runs and all movement has been great. I got through all my homework and everything else.

WHEW! Tomorrow 6 of us fly together to Austin. I feel like it is a spring break trip!!!!

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