Ironman Arizona

Ironman Arizona!!! 

Well Ironman Arizona has come and gone so it is time to get my experience written into the books!  What an experience this race was, it did not disappoint!

Ron and I decided to turn my Ironman experience into a vacation to sunny Arizona.  We flew out 6 days before race day to spend time acclimating to the weather and enjoy some down time before the big event.  It also offered the opportunity to catch up with family and friends who still live in Arizona. 

Completing other Ironman 70.3 events I was familiar with the idea that you have to rack your bike a day before and also pick up your race packet.  For the Ironman event it really is a full weekend of activities that begin on Wednesday and ended on Monday, the day after the race.  Ron and I both became very familiar with the drive from his father’s home in Mesa to Tempe Beach Park, the official race venue. 

Wednesday: This was a pretty uneventful day.  I decided to do a short 90 minute easy run and also take a dip in the Neff’s pool.  The water temperature on race day is expected to be in the low 60s, what better way to get ready than to jump in a pool that is 58 degrees?!?!?!  I think I spent more time trying to squeeze into my wetsuit than the time spent in the pool!  Oh well, it was good practice. 

Thursday: Ron and I went to the race site to check in and pick up my race packet and bib.  I was also able to pick up my bike from Tri Bike Transport.  I decided to take my bike back to the house so I could get a training ride in before the big day.  This day went very smooth, the crowd was light and I was in and out of athlete check in quickly.  Ron and I were able to check out some goodies in the Ironman merchandise tent and wander through the Ironman Village.  I made the last minute decision to also rent a pair of race wheels, Zipp 808s, for the race.  I must admit that I was nervous about this last minute decision and was almost convinced I would end up with some kind of bike issues during the race.  The swap went smoothly and I was anxious to get a short ride in the following day.

 

Friday: I decided to take the bike out for a quick spin.  Fortunately the bike course was close by where we were staying and I was able to ride a portion of it.  Not only did the race wheels make the bike look that much better, but I’m convinced that they make you go a lot faster!!!  The ride was pretty uneventful.  Ron came out with the camera and took some great pictures:

 

That afternoon we met up with an old friend in Scottsdale for lunch, but I also had to return back to the race site at 7:30pm for a mandatory athlete meeting.  After a delicious and indulgent afternoon, I went to the race meeting on my own.  I had a few more drinks that originally planned that afternoon (thanks Nick).  The race meeting was uneventful and just went over the rules of the race and also what to do with the 5 transition bags we received.  Note to self….probably don’t need to go to the race meeting, but because I am who I am will most likely attend at future races J
 

Saturday: I did not sleep well Friday night, had several race day dreams/nightmares and woke up frequently.  I had to go to the race site one more time to rack my bike and drop off two of my transition bags.  After checking and rechecking the bags, off we went to Tempe (again).  I considered doing the pre-race swim, but ended up getting there too late to get in the water.   I figured I will be spending enough time in the water on Sunday J After dropping off all the gear, Ron and I went out to grab some lunch and also return to one of our favorite spots for an ice cream cone…Superstition Springs ghost town.  Of course I enjoyed a personal pizza for lunch, race meal of champions!!!  The rest of the day was pretty uneventful, just making sure to stay hydrated and relaxed.  We opted to have dinner at home (my father-in-law’s home), which included pasta and some chicken.  After dinner I got started on getting water bottles together and my special needs bags ready.  I planned on having a total of 6 Accelerade water bottles, an extra one for race morning, and water for my aqua cell.  After all was organized I was able to get to bed at a decent time and set the alarm for o’dark thirty!

Sunday: RACE DAY is here!!!!!

The morning started out pretty well.  I actually slept a lot better than the previous night and felt rested for the race.  I woke up at 4am and started my morning with the usual cup of coffee, bagel with peanut butter, and banana.  I must have been successful at eating well the day before because I could barely get down the bagel, I already felt full.  Knowing that I would need the fuel, I tried to get down as much as possible.  The morning went by pretty quick and before I knew it I was ready to go.  Ron and I went to the race site where I dropped off special needs bags and checked on my bike, which included topping off the tires with air.  At this point it was a waiting game to get started.  I had managed to keep calm most of the morning. 

Swim: Wetsuit on and ready to go.  We had to start entering the water at 6:40am, which means you must tread water for almost 20 minutes before race start.  The water was a chilly 62 degrees and I remember some hesitancy as I went to jump in.  There was no turning back for me now, I am committed to this and jumped in.  I made my way toward the starting line and tried to stay afloat without exerting too much energy.  I thought I had a pretty good starting position, not too far up front, but not too far back.  While in the water I heard the male pros head out and then the female pros.  Now our turn!  Before I knew it the cannon went off and all 2800 people started what is a mass start!  Ron took a video to capture the feel for the start……crazy!  It took a long time to get into a groove.  At first I thought the neoprene cap was restricting my breathing, so I stopped to adjust that.  I slowed up several times just trying to stay calm and not get overwhelmed by the mass number of people swimming over, under, and around me. About a 1/3 into the swim I felt like I was starting to get into a smooth swim.  There was not any point during the swim where I did not see another athlete.  I remember after making the turn to head back toward the Mill Ave. Bridge it felt like it was never getting any closer.  As I approached the swim exit I anticipated a longer than planned swim.  The swim exit is a steep stairwell and fortunately volunteers are there to pull you up.  As I started out of the water I remember slipping on the stairs and hitting my shin.  Fortunately it did not impact me at the time, but I did notice a nice bruise the next day. There were also plenty of “pullers,” volunteers to pull off your wetsuit and this saves a lot of time and energy. I remember being thankful to finish the swim and get ready to head out on the bike!

Swim: 1:22:43

T1: 7:54

Bike: After grabbing my bike transition bag I proceeded to the changing tent.  A volunteer was assigned to each athlete and they were AWESOME!  I have no idea what my volunteer’s name was but she was an angel!  She helped get all my equiptment out of my bag, pulled the socks from my shoes, sunglasses from my shoed, and put my wetsuit back in the bag.  They were incredibly helpful.  As I got ready to get my bike, volunteers were also there to slather you up with sunscreen.  I took advantage of this convenience, grabbed my bike and started out for the 112 miles of riding. 

The bike consisted of 3 loops, mostly flat with a slight incline out the beeline highway to Fountain Hills.  I tried to focus on not pushing too hard on the first loop.  There was a slight headwind going out on the first loop, which worked to my advantage coming back in to Tempe from that loop, there was a point where I averaged 26 mph!!!  Wish I could hold that consistently.  Ron, Nancy, and a few friends from AZ were also out on the first loop to cheer me on!  It was so great to see Ron and then Nancy, Amy, and Jason coming back in from the first loop.  A good motivator! 

Heading back into the turn around from the first loop I was feeling pretty strong.  I tried to push a little harder on the second loop heading out to Fountain Hills.  The headwind had diminished some on the way out, but we also had a headwind coming back into Tempe.  I was really hoping to have another fast return, but didn’t quite go as fast as the first loop.  Coming in from the second loop, I stopped for the special needs bag and swapped out water bottles and used the bathroom.  For some reason I did not have the need to go on the bike today.  I was trying to stick with my nutrition plan, falling a little behind but not too bad.  I got down 2 power bars and half the crackers.  I planned to try and finish the last 2 power bars and accelerade before finishing the bike to be ready and full for the run.  I experienced a near miss accident coming in from the second loop.  As I was passing a group of athletes I saw another rider start to come out to pass in my lane.  Fortunately the guy behind me yelled and I also yelled and he went back into the pack.  Fortunately I did not get hit, but as I turned around to look I saw that he went down.  Not sure of the outcome, but relieved he did not hit me.  The athlete behind me later told me that he was “inches from your back tire” which meant it got a little closer than I had thought to a crash. The second loop was finished and I was back out for the third and final loop.  I was starting to feel it, but managed to keep up a decent pace for the third loop. 

This was it, the final loop on the bike.  I tried to remind myself to take in the moment, scenary, and experience.  This was awesome!!!!  Fortunately the third loop was uneventful, no near misses with other riders.  I began to notice that I was experiencing some stomach cramping, but as long as I stayed in aero position I was good.  It didn’t seem to enter my mind or impact my race plan.  As I finished the third loop and came into the transition area, the crowd was amazing.  Lots of support and people cheering you home!!!  As much as I love biking, I was grateful to be off the bike and give my butt a break.

Bike: 5:45:03

T2: 7:09

Run: Well I finished the bike, handed it off to a volunteer, grabbed my run bag and headed right to the port-o-potty.  My stomach was not feeling great L I headed into the changing tent and had another fabulous volunteer help me.  My legs definitely felt heavy, but outside of the stomach cramping I was feeling pretty good.  The volunteer again helped arrange my gear to get me going and made the transition so much smoother.  Thank you!

As I started out of the changing tent, I kept it to a walk.  As soon as I hit the timing mat I tried to pick it up to a slow trot.  I started thinking to myself “ok I can do this, just keep up the trot.”  Well, the first mile went well but that damn stomach cramping started to bother me again.  This was going to be a long run, and I was going to get to know the port-o-potties really well……yuck!  I managed to keep up a slow jog for the first loop of the run (there are 3 loops total), walking through the aid stations and having to stop at the bathroom twice.  As I was halfway through the first lap I had the pleasure of being passed by the two top pro women finishing their third lap, Linsey Corbin and Meredith Kessler.  This is one of the best aspects of Triathlon, actually racing with the pros, seeing them in transition, and during the race.  But then reality set back in and I realized they are finishing and I have 2 more loops of this marathon.  The great thing about this venue and run, you get to pass through the transition/finish line area about 6 times before finishing which means lots of people cheering and supporting!

So as I headed back out for the second loop I was still trying to keep a slow jog pace, but having to walk more and more.  This stomach issue was not resolving.  Fortunately I couldn’t go any faster, I couldn’t get any gels down to help keep my nutrition up.  I continued to drink lots of water and tried to drink coke at all the aid stations.  I also attempted to eat pretzels and potato chips at the aid station, but they were not helping L I visits to the bathroom were becoming more frequent during the second loop and I actually began to question if I could finish this thing.  One of the hardest points of the race was coming through the transition area about to head out on the third loop and having spectators congratulating me on “finishing strong.”  They thought I was ready to head into the finish, WRONG, one more loop to go! 

The beginning of the third loop was the most challenging mentally.  I remember having tears come to my eyes beginning to wonder how I would do this.  Time was ticking away….I came across another female athlete, I believe her name was Linda.  She was also walking and said she was dealing with stomach issues.  We got to talking and walking and she really helped to keep my spirits up.  I realized I would most likely be walking the entire third loop, but also realized that I may still finish around 13 hours.  At this point I wiped out the poor me attitude, picked up the walking pace and pushed on!!!  This was my first Ironman, I would overcome! The volunteers at this race do not disappoint.  They continued to support, cheer, and provide nutrition with the same energy throughout my entire 5 hours and 38 minutes on the run course.  As I hit mile 24, I remember looking at my watch….12 hours 43 minutes. I thought to myself, just pick it up, run to the finish and I could still make 13 hours.  So that is what I did and what a finish it was.  I remember coming into the final stretch, the cheering from the crowd, the music coming from the finish chute.  As I came around transition this was finally the time I could go left to the finish instead of right for another loop J With about 500 yards left I heard someone yelling “You did it hun, you did it!”  I look up and see Ron…..With all my energy I had left I picked it up to bring it home!  I was so overwhelmed with the experience that I didn’t even listen for my name, either way I AM AN IRONMAN!!! 

Run: 5:38:36

Final: 13:01:25

50^th out of 127 in age group; 1242 overall out of 2940 finishers!  Managed to finish in the top 50 pecent…not too bad!

What an experience!!!  The most common question I get is would I do it again?  Absolutely and planning to next summer!!!!