You would think that having completed 2 1/2 Ironman distance races this past summer that facing down a marathon in 2 days would be a "walk in the park" mentally... Like hell... Right now, while I know I can do this, the concept of running for 42.2 km and somewhere around 5 hours straight seems absolutely NUTS... Honest to God why do I do these things??? Ok fine. I know why.. To test myself, to keep creating new more difficult challenges be they physical, mental, or a combination of the 2.. I'm doing this marathon to prove I can and to build my mental strength... 30K - been there and done that.. Add the extra 12 and the "no mans land" period of the race I keep reading about and well, in a sick twisted way that's the part of the race I'm most looking forward to...
Preparation - well there is the training. Done. Made a pit stop at the Sally Ann last night and bought a $5 sweatshirt for the race start. It's washed and dried and ready. Race gear is laid out. Bottles and all fuel is laid out and ready to be prepped tonight. Room is reserved in Belleville. Carpooling is organized, Saturday schedule is organized. Roomie for the night and I plan on watching Run Fat Boy Run and laughing our asses off pre-race evening... There really honestly truly is nothing more I can do at this point other than to keep hydrating. get to bed early tonight, and once we pull into the race expo location on Saturday just start soaking it all in!!! It's my race, it's my day and at some point in time on Sunday early afternoon I will cross that finish line and get the medal for my first marathon, pre 40!!!
Friday, September 30, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
Muskoka 70.3 Race Report
Ahh.. Back to the grind.. Actually it’s hard to believe the race is done and the season is over – it flew by!!! But here’s how my day went on Sunday…
4:30 came way too early – especially given my night of tossing, turning, sleep wake sleep wake cycle… But the nervous energy started to kick in by the time I made it to McD’s with Mr. Beaumont and Simon and Bern and Diana’s mom shortly following… Ok fine – we all know for next time transition doesn’t close at 6:30 – they really need to update the info package… Honestly – even the volunteers were mentioning it at registration on Friday.. Anyhoo…
Parked in the same spot as the day before down by the tennis courts for Hidden Valley, got out of the car and noticed all the stars out.. Stood with my coffee and just chilled for a few minutes star gazing and praying for a good day… Head out to the road and met up with a younger guy heading in to Deerhurst as well – he’d done the Joe’s team sprint tri for the past 2 years and this was his first.. Chatted about where are you from etc. which was a nice way to break the nerves.. Got into transition, pumped the tires up, unpacked the tri gear, got set up and ready… Ran into the gang here and there throughout the morning – thanks again for the coffee Jean!!
Off to the beach.. They were only letting the first wave athletes down to the water start area to warm up so I went over to the side beach where I swam from the day before and got in.. Surprisingly not as cold as I expected – the sun was really starting to warm things up.. Thank heavens I listened to Simon about the nose clip options on my goggles- I was able to wear them and was grateful for the tinting!!! Back out on the beach, ran into Bryan and we watched the elite men’s start – what a scene… Sun was up, water was flat calm, and just across the bay the last of the mist was coming off the water.. Good lord those men can move in the water though… Took my gel and got into the corral of people with blue caps, saw Bryan again and off we go into the water… 2 minutes before start I find a lovely spot – right in the middle and towards the back.. There were a couple of jokers in the crowd already standing with their elbows out and grunting like football players – it was actually quite funny and totally took my mind off the fact that we were about to start. Horn goes off and I start swimming.. Latched onto some feet and just stuck to them to get through the mess and then found my groove… I stayed about 5 feet off the buoy line – that way any of the faster swimmers would miss me! And it worked… When I made that last right hand turn and started into the final stretch I will admit to a shout of joy underwater!
Opted not to do the stripping so started up the hills- saw Jean and got my time check – everything was on schedule… Into transition no issues and out I go on the bike.. And I had an awesome ride!! Was passed by Doug just after that T intersection onto North Portage – he looked great.. Was passing people all along the course, and the legs felt great… Ended up riding for a while with a few of the same guys – similar to everyone else we would pass each other /catch each other on the hills/flats.. Had some great laughs out there and even got a few compliments!!! But here’s where I went wrong – I got so caught up in the moment and the excitement and how well I was doing that I completely ignored fueling… I only took in 2 bottles of gatorde, 3 gels, and a Stinger honey waffle and no salt… Looking back perhaps I should have listened more closely to my body – just around Baysville my hands started cramping – I just thought it was from all the climbing… Passed Andy on Brunel Road – not used to that at all and was a bit worried about him!!
Getting off the bike at Deerhurst was my first real sign something wasn’t quite right – I was wobbly and a bit light headed.. Took my time getting to the rack, shoes on , fuel belt on, took some gel, and a pit stop outside transition… As soon as I headed out onto Deerhurst Drive a co-worker Pat was suddenly beside me – she and her boyfriend were up at their cottage and came over to watch and see me.. Most nice!! Ran all the way to that first left, down the hill and walked the aid station trying to figure out what I needed to do… Thought of the conversation the night before and opted for pepsi… Simon – when you went by your advice was perfect and what I needed!! And Bernadette – ah that smile!! Thank you both! Coming over that hill and seeing my family/friends standing out there really motivated me as well – my head was totally in it but my body was screaming.. Anyway – I spent the first half of the run just trying to keep my heart rate down and take in fuel. Every aid station was pepsi and pretzels and the occasional gel.. The way back was better but I’d already lost a lot of time.. But there wasn’t a chance in hell I was stopping…. Cathy/Ramsay it was awesome to see you on that last hill and thank you as well!!!
Seeing your faces lined up at the finish and crossing over that line was one of the best feelings I’ve had in a long time!!! Now for the stats:
Swim: 48:37
Bike : 3:11:45 (was 4th in my age group on this)
Run (we’re calling it that): 2:53:17
Total: 7:02:39
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