Ironman Switzerland: The Third Time IS a Charm!

I’ve never felt so prepared for a race as I did for Ironman Switzerland.  When Armando’s parents requested my ETA’s for race day, I told them the following: 1:10 for the swim, 6-6:30 for the bike and 4:30 for the run, a total of 12hrs, 30 min.  Armando’s mom thought that was too ambitious for the 4000-ft hilly bike course, and didn’t think I could make such a big jump from my last IM (the wrong thing to say to me…) so I adjusted my times to their liking.  Regardless, they wished me good luck and as you know, we spent the days before the race eating pizza and enjoying the sights of Zurich.

RACE DAY:

The alarm woke us up at  4:00am because I was afraid that the closed streets near the Landiwiese and the traffic would hold us up.  I was wrong.  Our Mercedes taxi arrived by 4:30am, we were at the transition area by 5:00am and I was out of transition by 5:30am.  But before the race even began, I was cold.  The temp may have touched 60-degrees, even though the weather man reported a mid 70-degree, partly cloudy day.  I figured it would get warmer when the sun came up.  But alas, I still shivered, so I shimmied into my wetsuit to conserve my body heat  (That look is…”You’d better NOT take a picture of me getting into my wetsuit!!!”).

SWIM:

The 231 women were separated from the 1478 men…at least initially.  The pro’s started at 6:55am, then the women swam up to the starting line.  However, some men took advantage of our open space, and swam to our area before the start.  The gun went off and 1979 athletes started swimming.  I tried to find someone to draft behind, because that would save me at least 25% of the work.  But some men used only upper body to swim, giving no kick, and some men kicked like they were shooting the goal-winner in fussball   Either way, I couldn’t get warm.  In fact, I was so cold that on the turn back to the land, someone kicked my left hand, knocking off the race ring Armando had bought for me a few years ago (precisely why I don’t wear my wedding ring).  It was too late to catch it, so I kissed it goodbye, and now it lay to rest on the bottom of Lake Zurich. My family caught me as I ran over the island and plunged in for the second loop, which was much of the same.  It took longer than I expected, probably because I was a frozen Florida girl.  Time: 1:17:58.

T1: When I was pulled out of the water, I was a bit disoriented going into transition…I didn’t know which way to go and here you can see why:  And as I pulled off my wetsuit arms, the SBR bracelet Ilene gave me broke (I grabbed it and fixed it later…).  Once I found my bike, I struggled to get my wetsuit off and pleaded,  “Where are the wetsuit strippers when you need them???”   But because I already had on my bike shorts and my neighbors were gone, I was able to make a speedy transition.  (Side note: The local news channel in Luzern showed a report from IMS, and yours truly was pictured in her Edelweiss bike jersey in T1!!!)  Transition time: 4:47.

BIKE:

“Now the fun begins,” I told myself with a smile. The first 30K was flat along Lake Zurich.  I averaged 20mph and loved it.  When I curved around the lake (and the only time my eyes filled with tears) I sat in awe of the enormous snow-covered alps in front of me.  “THIS is why we do destination races,” I told the man next to me (who probably didn’t understand what I said).  I wish my eyes were a video camera, so that I could share the beauty with you all.  But it is forever burned into my memory…

The weather was cloudy and threatened rain, and because I was in a sleeveless jersey, I was cold with no warmer option.  It drizzled on and off and that didn’t help matters.  At Feldbach we had a 3% uphill climb that lasted a couple of miles.  Once we got to the top there were rolling hills, much like San Ann.  I enjoyed the scenery through Gruningen and Hombrechtikon and waved at the race revelers.  After a nice downhill to Uetikon a.S. I hit the much-anticipated “Beast.”  The Beast was a 7% uphill with switchbacks that kept me wondering which would be the last!  But it wasn’t nearly as difficult as I had built it up to be in my head. The reward was a nice downhill that lead to another 3-mile, 3% hike up to Forch.

Then the real fun began…the downhill.  Coming from flat Florida I knew I would need to be a bit cautious going down at 7%, especially if there were any switchbacks.  But I had so much fun going 40mph, it was difficult (figuratively and literally) to put on the brakes!  More adept hill climbers flew by me, but that didn’t stop me from hooping and hollering for several miles.  Any bystander who saw me must have laughed at my huge grin

That downhill dumped us onto the flat which led back to the race site.  I didn’t see Armando and his parents…because I’d completed the first lap in a mere 3 hours, much earlier than they anticipated.  I tooled on to “Heartbreak Hill” where the loud crowd pushed us up the short and steep 4% climb.  I whirled down the hill back to start loop #2.

From the start of the second loop, the “picnic basket” on the front of my aero bottle was coming unstuck.  I had to stop three times to get the velcro to stick so that it didn’t rub against the front tire (but it still wore a hole through the bottom of the basket!).  After I solved that issue, a nice guy from Zurich told me that my tool bag (that sits under my saddle) was also coming off.  Because of that my lucky ladybug was dangling too close to the brakes, nearly causing a serious problem.  I tucked her into my bottle cage and re-hung my bag.  Those two stops probably added up to 10-minutes alone, which didn’t make me necessarily happy.  (That, and the guy primping in the port-o-potty…).

The second loop went much the same.  I felt strong as I rode through the corn fields and vineyards and sole sunflower field.  I waved to the carnival bands and horseback riders.  At one point there was a tight group of riders that wouldn’t break up, but eventually the always-present race officials helped clear the path.  I called The Beast a different “B” word the second time around but I survived it by singing to myself and recording the scenery below us.  The drizzle came and went and I enjoyed that downhill just as much the second time down.

The key to the bike course was Noel’s advice: “Save some (fun) for the run” and my favorite quote-of-the-day that I said to myself when people passed me: “I’ll see you on the run, (s)uckers!“  (This is a family blog…so I won’t say the real words…).  It worked not only because it helped me keep my plan in perspective, but because it made me laugh.

There weren’t nearly as many people cheering at Heartbreak Hill, which made that climb more difficult, but I began to focus on the run.  And my family sighed with relief when they caught me coming into transition  Bike time: 6:21:00 (and at least 10-minutes of that was fiddling with my gear).

T2: I changed quickly into my cute running skirt and runners, and slid out of transition in 3:23.

RUN:

The run was a 4-loop course that would lead to crowd support throughout.  The first loop went extremely well.  Although I wasn’t necessarily beaten up from the ride, I was happy to be on foot.  I felt great and told Armando and his parents that right after transition.  I wouldn’t stop to chat with them much on the run, but I always looked forward to seeing them.  After the out-and-back to the take Care Station, I received my first loop run band. The fast guys were hauling butt and finishing up their third of fourth lap, but I could handle that.

On the second loop, I met up with Armando on the far side of the lake and when he asked how I felt, I replied, “My legs are getting heavy.”   He gave me that look and questioned, “Is this the worst you’ve EVER felt?” My answer was, “No” and point taken: Suck it up, sister.  He always knows what to say.  I hadn’t eaten more than a couple of banana bites on the run and the smell of the Vietnamese food on the course didn’t give me an appetite.  But I took a gel (even though I dislike them) at The Crazy Station and it perked me up.

I anticipated the third loop giving me mental issues, but that wasn’t the case.  I felt better and gave the thumbs up or “hang loose” sign to people commenting on my “schon rockli” (cute skirt)…and that made them cheer louder   I also recalled my phrase-of-the-day when I passed walkers who’d crashed and burned, and that fueled my fire.  I saw my family for the last time at The Hot Station as they were making their way to the finish line.

By the fourth loop my quads were burning from The Beast, and I told myself (much like I did at the Vermont 100K) that it wasn’t going to hurt more than it already did…so keep moving.  I tried to convert kilometers to miles, and figured when I was on the bridge heading back to the finish line that I had 1 mile to go…and 15 minutes to reach my goal time.  But I was feeling weak and shaky…my blood sugar was too low again.  I choked down the last of three gels and walked…until I saw the balloon arch and cheering crowds.

Then I began running, and I smiled and waved to the crowd as I twisted my way through the finisher’s chute.  I pumped my arm when the announcer called my name.  I gave Paul and Lydia high five’s, then saw Armando.  I kissed him and said, “Can you believe it?!?“  His simple but proud reply: “No!“  Apparently, neither did I…

Run time: 4:38:29.

FINISH TIME: 12:25:38…five minutes faster than my goal time, and a personal best by 1.5 hours.  Hot Dog!!!

I enjoyed the entire race…ups, downs and in-betweens, and I would do it again in a heartbeat.  Again (and again) Vielen Dank to Ilene for biking with me till the cows came home, as well as to Steve, Nick, Ken, Matt and the other “Radlers” for guiding me through hilly workouts. Vielen Dank to Andy for running long through the trails with me and sharing with me his wisdom and wit.  Vielen Dank to my parents for their advice to not die while I swam, to not crash on my bike and to not fall over anything on the run.  Vielen Dank to the rest of you, my family and friends, who event after event give me your love and affection and push me to go farther and faster.  And finally, Vielen Dank to Armando, Paul & Lydia, my Viel Gluck charms, for sticking out the Ironman with me…without their smiling faces at IMG, IMA and IMS, I wouldn’t have had such a lovely ride. XOXO

Midnight Run

My Ultra friends love running through the night.  In fact, they run overnight what seems like once a month…just for fun.  And I understand why…

My favorite local run is the Kiwanis Midnight 10K Run.  It was my first official run ever (OK, it was only the 3K distance) and it hooked me.  Since 2000, I’ve only missed the run twice…once was because we were flying to Austria for IMA.  I can’t recall why I missed the other one.

My friend, coach and training buddy Ilene volunteered to run with me this year.  That Ilene…isn’t she the bomb?!?   Our significant others drove us over to Dunedin in the middle of the night to watch us glisten by the light of the almost-full moon.  Well, they watched what they could while gulping down two beers at the local pub

We watched the fast 5K runners come through the finish line, and then it was our turn to sweat it out.  There was a nice breeze going out, which made the first half more tolerable.  Ilene and I chatted about IMS and her slot in the New York Marathon come November.  But as it happens in the dark, people turn inward and there wasn’t much chatting by anyone.  We ran close, as I tried to stay on her heel (she was kicking out 9 minute miles).  Every few minutes she’d turn back and ask how I was doing (I felt awesome), then she’d pick up her pace again.  Speaking of pacing…she’d make a great pacer, wouldn’t she?

We hit the drawbridge and picked it up on the downhill, right back to the start (it all seemed to happen in a flash).  Ilene ran over the finish line before me (she was on a mission to chick some guy…) and I followed through with a time of 56:30 or so.  That’s 2-minutes faster than last year (58:18) and a pace of 9:05 minute miles.  I had an awesome run and felt fantastic throughout.  I think we were both still warmed up from our 35-mile bike ride earlier in the day.

If last night’s run was a precursor to IMS, then I’m chomping at the bit to go!

The MS 156 Ride: There are riders who’ve crashed and those who will…

Day One:

Ilene picked me up at 4:30am Saturday morning.  After an hour and a half drive to Lake Wales, we got our gear together for a two-day 150-mile bike ride.  (That said, last time we attended the MS ride, we rode 168 miles, so we figured it wouldn’t be exactly 150-miles).  We gave up our luggage and got set up with Ken and the Suncoast/Chainwheel group (the group that nearly killed me a couple of weeks ago during the 100-miler).  We stayed with them momentarily, but group riding with 1500 people of differing abilities is challenging.  Along the way, Ilene and I had some company at times, and were alone at others.  The MS offers aid stations every 10-miles and we stopped at every other one.  We did enjoy a few extra minutes at the lunch stop.  There’s no other time or place that I would eat a white bread-peanut butter-honey sandwich, but it was yummy.  We hit the hills and cruised along.  It was apparent that not many people ride in the hills as often as we do, because we passed numerous people struggling on the uphills.  With around ten miles to go and a strong tailwind, we hooked up with a group of guys from Raymond James and cruised along at 23mph til we hit the hotel in Orlando.  When it was all said and done, we averaged 19.0mph over 78-miles.

We dropped off our bikes and ate a bite, then we both had massages and felt better.  We checked into our room and took a two-hour nap (after showering, of course) and felt even more better .  We met 1000 cyclists and their families for dinner and dessert, and made plans to ride Sunday morning with Dennis and Mike, South Tampa guys we met that evening.  We were in bed by 9:30pm, lights out before 10:00pm and sleep came soon after.

Day Two:

We awoke to (count ‘em) three alarms at 5:45am, got dressed and went down for breakfast (There’s something to be said about staying at the event hotel!).  We met up with Dennis and Mike and got ready to take off at 7:00am.  While we waited at the start, we bumped into three riders, Matt, Paul and Amanda, who we rode with briefly on Saturday.  We joined forces and the seven of us chugged along into the stronger headwinds.  Like Saturday, we dropped people and gained new ones, like Marshall, a guy I rode with in San Ann a few weeks ago.  Almost half-way through the ride, another Raymond James group hooked on, and we sailed through the hills together at 20+ mph. 

One guy (Dominic, I later found out) came up beside me and told me how strong Ilene and I were.  Apparently we’d made an impression on the Raymond James group Saturday and were the topic of conversation at their dinner.  We chatted momentarily, then I got behind him.  But too close.  I called, “On your wheel!”  But just then he slowed and I hit his back wheel.  The next thing I knew, I was on NO wheels!  It happened in slow-mo, but I couldn’t do anything to stop it from happening…I went down, skidding on my left side.  Luckily, no one else was involved in the wreck.  When I finally realized what had happened, I was encircled by twenty guys asking if I was OK (and thanking me for giving them a breather!).  “I’m OK… but how’s my bike?“  I said.  I thought I was OK, til everyone started pointing at my arm.  Poor Dominic came over and showed me my left forearm, which had a bloody three-inch, swollen gash.  As they looked me over, they told me I had road rash from my left shoulder down my shoulder blade.  My left knee was bruised and was missing several layers of skin, and the insides of both my knees had baseball-sized bruises.  

What else could I do, but get back on the bike?  It stung, but I was in enough shock that it didn’t hurt terribly bad.  We made it to the next aid station and the EMS was summoned.  They didn’t do much more than clean up the wounds and bandage my arm.  We took so long there, we were down to four again.  But once we got on the road, we picked up more riders along the way (including Stanley who rode with us in Clermont a few weeks ago).  When we couldn’t peddle another stroke, we were in Lake Wales…in one piece.  The “incident” only held us up and extra half-hour.  Ilene and I finished with an average speed of 18.7mph over 78-miles and I was happier than a clam to be on solid ground.

So, there are riders who’ve crashed and those who will crash.  In eight years of riding, have never crashed with another cyclist, though admittedly I have fallen over off my bike at stop signs numerous times   (Grace is not my middle name).  I much prefer falling in the trails.  At home Armando and I reassessed my situation and found more scratches and bruising…on my right cheekbone (?) and on my left hip.  It could have been much worse.  For that I am thankful.  I thought I was tolerating the pain well…until I hit the shower.  Good gosh!  I nearly passed out and sat on the shower floor until my stomach fell back into place.  Maybe my pain threshold is not as high as I thought.  Maybe I shouldn’t talk so much while I’m out there.  Either way, I have 156-miles under my road rash and am no longer a crash-virgin.

Croom 15 Mile Fool’s Run

With all the weekend long biking miles, I haven’t been in the trails since Trout Creek.  I was so psyched to get dirty today, and doubly psyched that Ilene decided to give the Fool’s Run a try.  My longest runs have been 11-miles, so I knew adding another four miles in the sandy trails would be kicking it up another notch.

Ilene and I met at o’dark hundred for ride up to Brooksville.  We drove up the dirt road just in time to see the 50-Milers starting their day by the light of their headlamps.  Admittedly part of me wanted to be there with them, but then again, I knew it was going to be a fairly hot day, and was happy settling on the 15-miler.  Ilene and I got our goodie bags and chatted with the RD (Aka: Andyman) for a few minutes.  He told me that he and Jon had been out at midnight putting up glowsticks for the 50-Mile run, and saw some drunk and/or high kids cruising the trails.  He and Jon were suspicious, and returned to the loop later to find the glowsitcks missing.  Oh the joys of being the RD…

By the time 7:00am hit, it was light and the 15-Milers and 50-K’ers took off.  We ran up the road and turned onto the fire road, which felt more like running on the beach than on a “road.”  Finally, Steve directed us onto the trail and we sailed along with a good sized group.  We chatted some as we ran, and eventually ran into Becky and Pam who gave me the thumbs up on my cute running skirt  

We hit the first aid station at the horse park and stopped briefly for a refill, then off again.  We kept a good pace, finishing the first few miles under 10min/mile pace.  As usual, I didn’t think I’d be able to hang on to that pace, so I tried to distract myself by talking with other people.  But what I figured out (again) is that “racing” and “running” are two different beasts.  In running I can eat.  I can drift off and daydream.  I can breathe enough to talk.  In racing, I can’t tolerate much food.  I can’t distract myself from the fact that I’m running and that it hurts.  I can’t take in enough air to form more than two or three words at a time.  Today, as unplanned as it was, I kinda raced.   I had told Ilene that this loop usually takes me just under three hours, and that I wouldn’t be running 9:30′s, like I did at Trout Creek.  I reiterated my Golden Running Rule: We can run together as long as we’re content…but if you feel the need for speed, please go on!

But Ilene stuck it out with me, and I enjoyed seeing her fall not once…not twice…but FOUR TIMES!  Seriously, I had to laugh.  I think she was over falling by #4, but she was such a good sport about it (and my ribbing to “Pick up your feet!!!“).  She really handled the trail like a pro, and looked like a natural trail runner out there.  With some practice, she’ll be kicking my butt at the 50K come October.   

After passing the second aid station, we came to the sunny side of the loop.  And soon after that we hit the pits and aid station #3.  June was there giving out water and hugs and reported that hers was the last aid station til the finish…that we were at mile 12.  “Are you sure???” we begged to differ. ”There’s no way we’re at mile 12…we’ve only been running 2 hours!“  She swears that’s what the RD told her, so that put a spring into my step.

Ilene and I kept trucking up until we hit the hills.  I watched as she started running up each and every one of them.  I, of course was walking, but liked her enthusiasm.  Eventually she walked some too, and at one point she decided that we were on a never-ending loop…that it was going on forever!  I assured her that we were closing in on the finish line.  We passed some people but weren’t passed by many (if any…?).  Finally we got to the rooty uphill climb.  She had stopped until I shouted, “We have like two more minutes!”  She took off in a flash and didn’t stop til it got too rooty to run.  (I guess she didn’t want to add fall #5 to her racebelt ).  We got to the top and saw Woody chillin’ in a chair, then crossed the street to the finish line.  Ilene came in a few seconds before me, and I think I was in around 2:45…a PR by around 15-minutes…WOOHOO! 

At the finish line we chatted with Dr. Frank who just finished 100-miles at Umstead, and he and his son grilled up some veggie burgers for us.  We talked with Jon, Kate, Andy and Trudi, and I talked with Armando’s co-worker Brendan (Who’s speciality is marathoning…he’s going to run one in every state, I just know it!).  We encouraged Dan and Adam to keep moving on in the 50-Miler and 50K. 

Trail running really turns me on.  I have a hard time not smiling and talking my way through the entire race run.  The participants and volunteers rock!  The scenery is unbeatable.  The comaraderie throughout the race and at the finish line is welcoming and friendly.  For these reasons the trails invite me to return…

Trout Creek 15K

I just registered for today’s 15K on Thursday after riding with Ilene.  She was signed up to run it and on my drive home, I thought to myself, “I really need to get back on my feet, and what better place than in the trails?“ 

After our long ride yesterday I wasn’t sure how much I’d have to give this morning.  At least the run didn’t start til 8:30am, which gave me time to sleep in a bit.  But no sooner than I left my driveway, I had some jerk up my keister and he was on a rampage.  He tailgated me on County Line until the lanes widen before BBD, at which point he screeched his tires and blew by me.  He did the same thing to the mini-van waiting at the light…passed him on the left and squealed by him to make a right turn.  I just don’t get what is going on in people’s lives to make them drive that way on a Sunday morning at 7:00am…?!?

After a few deep breaths and a short drive, I got to the park early enough to chat with Andy before meeting up with Ilene.  I also ran into Charles (TriGuy on Trifuel), a local Park Ranger, and chatted with him for a few minutes.  While we were talking, The Luna Chicks Elaine and Pam, showed their smiling faces and, as always, were exuding positive energy. 

I told Ilene from the start to leave me in the dust if she needed to, because my longest run since Rocky has been a whopping 6 miles.  We started at the foot of the hill and grinded up to the berm.  We ran quickly and soon enough ducked into the trails, where I said hello to Carey volunteering at the first aid station.  We were on Panther by the water when I decided to take a fall.  I guess that’s the trails’ way of telling me I’ve been away too long.  It was one of those fast, continuous falls, where I fell onto my knees then rolled up and back onto my feet.  What a riot!  Ilene stopped to check my status and I said, “I’m good…let’s GO!”  (I wasn’t yelling at ya, Ilene…I was just on a roll, so to speak ). 

But a quarter mile later Ilene was off and I knew I needed to slow down.  We made it up to Squiggy and I took a Hammer gel and some water (I was hungry before we even started the race!).  We tromped through the trails for a mile or so, then were led back up onto the berm, which was in the open air and hot.  I could see Ilene 1/4 mile ahead of me, and although I wasn’t wearing my contacts (forgot ‘em!) I could tell it was her by the swing of her long ponytail.  Back into the trails and the shade for a bit, then up onto the berm and to the race start. 

I knew we had a 5K from that point, and just tried to keep the pace.  A lady ran along side me and we commiserated about heat.  Finally we ran through grass and into the trails.  At mile 8, Andyman was directing traffic (the right direction this time!) and gave a few encouraging words.  Even though I’ve run that loop with Candi and Andy several times, I was ahead of myself.  I kept thinking we’d hit the wide trail that leads to the parking lot, but it wasn’t coming.  I’d passed two Cougars (not the animal kind) and was thrilled to be ahead of them.  But since I’d miscalculated my finale, I burnt out a bit and they passed me.  Oh well…

When I saw the photographer and heard the music, I knew I was home.  I glanced at my watch just as I was spitting and got slobber across my cheek (Even though I wore a cute skirt, trail running is not a girly sport!).  Ha!  “If Mom could see me now with spit on my face and skinned knees…” I giggled to myself.  Anyway, I hit the finish line in 1:29:29.

It was a tough run because:

1. My longest run in the past month was 6 miles 
2. I ran quicker than my usual pace (9:35/mile)
3. It was hot out there

I learned:

1. Using the Ped-Egg the night before a race is not a smart idea
2. Wearing contacts really does help me see roots clearly
3. Trail experience does not necessarily make me fast

Overall I am very pleased that I finally got my butt into the trails.  After the run, Ilene and I laughed with Elaine and Pam and listened to their ultrarunning dreams (which supposedly include me ).

Gasparilla 5K Walk

One of my first 5K runs was at the Gasparilla Distance Classic in 2001, and I have run a race at that event ever since.  But with Rocky Raccoon just three weeks ago, I wasn’t ready (and knew I wouldn’t be) to wrap my head around running 15K or a half-marathon.  (I won’t run the 5K…not because I’m an elitist, but because it’s too darn crowded!).  So when a client and I talked about walking the 5K, I found a way to keep my 8-year streak going.

When ”“ agreed to sign up for the walk, three other employees in my office signed up to walk too.  You see  is obese.  works with a personal trainer, but has been slow to commit to a regular workout routine.  The past two months Laurie, Tammy, Helen and I have encouraged  to sign up.  I think I understand the psychological aspect of ‘s procrastination.  But when I saw in session on Friday at 3:00pm,  still hadn’t registered.  “We’re walking the 5K because of you.  You can do this!” I said, trying to be convincing. Leaving the session,  said ‘d go down to the Convention Center and register.

Saturday morning I met my group in the office parking lot, still skeptical if  would show.  Right on time, at 7:45am appeared, ready to take on the challenge.  We cheered as got out of the car and helped get  ‘s bib and timing chip on.  “If ‘s here… is finishing this walk today,” I said to myself.

We made our way through the crazy downtown traffic and finally into parking.  From there we walked to the race start.  Ilene buzzed me…she’d finished the 15K and wanted to walk with us.  Isn’t that awesome???  Our group walked up to the starting line, and were greeted by another client and her mother. 

At 9:50am we began the 5K trek with the other walkers and strollers.  We passed the church with it’s faithful singers and made our way to up Bayshore.  Laurie, Helen, and my other clients moved ahead.  By 10:00am it was warm, and Ilene and I had also gotten ahead so we waited for  and Tammy…afterall, this 5K was all about getting across the finish line.  We chatted and checked each other’s status.  We looked in awe at the beautiful houses overlooking the water, dreaming of the lifestyles of the rich and famous.

By the time we hit the first aid station, was starting to feel it.  We stopped for a minute, and drank some water (That’s all that was on the course!).  Unfortunately  had on brand new Sketchers.  They looked cool, but they were tearing up ‘s feet.   ‘s only complaint was foot pain (and I can relate to that!).  When we made it to the turn-around, a couple of men cheered for us and reported that we were half-way there.

The four of us kept moving, and stopped at the next aid station.  I reminded  that you can do anything you put your mind to…and that I had first hand experience with that truth.  The mind is stronger than the body.  Sure,  has some physical limitations right now…but with determination can and will run a marathon or a triathlon one day.  There’s already talk of making the Gasparilla 5K an annual event!

With one mile to go, ‘s feet were slowing the pace.  I had said early in the walk, “There’s always someone behind you…we will not be last to cross the finish line.”  But I was starting to think I’d put my foot in my mouth when the Livestrong group passed us, leaving only a couple people behind us.  The medic cart was following us closely, seemingly checking  out.  But with less than a half-mile to go, we could see the finish line.  got the ‘second wind’ and perked up.  “We won’t be needing medical help today,” we joked.

Being some of the last finishers,  said, “They can start the party…they’ve been waiting for us, and we’ve arrived!“  Right before we crossed the finish line, the announcer broadcast ‘s name for everyone to hear.  The other half of our group was waiting for us and cheered and hollered as we crossed the finish line.  We hugged and congratulated each other and  on reaching the goal: The first 5K…but not the last.

This is just another lesson in You Can Do Anything You Put Your Mind To.  I’m so happy for  , because  overcame more than one obstacle at Gasparilla.  Tammy, Laurie, Helen, and my other clients, as well as my friend Christine (5K) and her husband Brian (15K) also crossed the finish line for the first time yesterday!!!  

CONGRATULATIONS to all my friends!

(I’m also happy I didn’t run the half-mary today…it’s cold and rainy!  Thank you training gods!).

Rocky Raccoon 50-Mile Endurance Trail Run

FRIDAY: Armando and I hit Hobby, Texas at noon.  We fought our way through ridiculous traffic for nearly two hours before we arrived in Hunstville.  We checked into the Sam Houston State University Hotel, which had clearly been a dorm in the early days.  We ventured out and found a quaint little soda shop called The Farmhouse, where we enjoyed a light lunch and split an old-fashioned chocolate shake.  How romantic…  

After we freshened up at the “hotel” we headed over to the race sight at the Huntsville State Park.  We met up with June & Dick, Judy and her husband, and Adam.  Becky, Woody and Trudi were already at Chili’s carbo-loading with a beer or two for their 100-mile run. 

After the briefing, Armando and I headed to Double Dave’s Pizzaworks for a good helping of decent pizza.  We were in bed before 10:00pm, but were awakened at 10:30pm by our incoming neighbors: a gaggle of college girls.  I tried to remember how fun it was to be in college and away with my friends for the weekend.  But after an hour of slamming doors and general craziness, I called the front desk.  I kindly told the night manager (obviously a student) about my dilemma.  “We have to get up at 5:00am tomorrow and our neighbors are very loud,” I said.  The young man replied, “Oh, do you need a wake-up call?“  I laughed and said, “Not if these girls stay awake all night.  Is there anything you can do to help us?“  Within a half hour the girls settled down enough that we could fall asleep.  Ahhh, college kids. 

SATURDAY: The 100-mile run started at 6:00am and the 50-mile run started at 7:00am.  Adam, Becky, Woody, June and Judy had already been running an hour before I even hit the trails.  And that made for a lonely start.  Armando was encouraging and helpful as I geared up and got myself into the mess of 197 runners. 

LOOP #1: I’d been coached to start last and walk more than I wanted to, because I’d be tempted to run the most of the trail, since there was only around 2600 feet of climbing.  That wasn’t difficult starting with the mass of runners on a narrow trail.  It took a half-hour to open up and spread out.  During that time I chatted briefly with a couple of guys who were heading up to Vermont in July.  “Have fun!” I said with a hint of sarcasm.  Apparently my tone freaked them out because I never saw them again.  For the first several miles I enjoyed the park and listened to some tunes.  I relaxed and enjoyed the scenery because I knew as always, that my trail mate would come at the right time.

I made it to Nature Center aid station 3.10 miles down the trail, and then to Dam Road at mile 6.19.  There was a three-mile loop back to that aid station, and that’s when I hooked up with Cathy from Dallas.  She’d run a couple of 50-milers and The Mother Road 100-miler in November.  She was fun to chat with and we decided to forge on together.  Rocky was a “training run” for her upcoming Keys 100 run, and although she said she was going to try to hang on to me (like I’m fast!), she had no problem keeping up.

Cathy and I chatted our way over the rail and lowboy bridges, and through the roots…and there were LOTS of roots on the single track!  I knew they would be more difficult to maneuver as the day wore on and my legs got tired.  We scooted through the Park Road aid station at mile 12.28, and after 3hrs, 20min we made it back to Dogwood and Armando.  He had my bag all ready for me, and fished out a sleeveless top because it was going to warm up into the high 70′s later on.  We repacked my food and water, and left him with a kiss.

LOOP #2: I started out feeling just as strong as the first loop, but by the time we got around to Dam Road, I started to feel the pounding.  Cathy was having knee issues, so she fell back.  I ran alone for awhile and tried to keep repeating positive thoughts like, “I am trained.  I am strong.  I will finish.” (Thanks Ilene!)  I struggled through the back half and beeped Armando to chat for a few minutes (Our walkie’s worked for a change!).  I passed Becky and Woody, who were on their second 20-mile loop and looking strong.  Eventually Cathy caught up to me and we forged on together back toward Dogwood.  We passed both June and Judy, who were running solo but looking good.

We made it back into Dogwood in just under 7hrs.  I saw Armando and felt the tears welling up in my eyes.  I have no idea why this happens, but I can’t stop it…so I just let ‘em roll.  I heard Armando say, “Ohhh, no.  What’s wrong?“  I just smiled through my tears and replied, “It’s just my usual meltdown.  I’m fine.  I’m not hurt.  My stomach is great.  It’s all good.“  He helped me repack my belt as I choked down two Advil.  I debated changing shoes, because I could feel several blisters forming, but decided against it for whatever reason.  He tried to give me my headlamp, but I was determined to finish before sunset.  He watched as Cathy and I took off for our third and final loop.

LOOP #3: Cathy started running with a man and I trailed behind them, still struggling.  It took thirty minutes for the Advil to kick in, but once they did, I was feeling good again.  We chatted more, enough to distract Cathy, who took her first fall of the day.  “That was a perfect 10!” I exclaimed as I helped her up and cleaned her off.  (There’s a rating system to falls in ultrarunning, you know!).  We walked some and jogged some.  We passed a young boy (15 to be exact!) who was gimping from a sprained ankle.  He said that his 17 y.o. brother and father were running too.  How cool is that?  When we made it up to the Dam Road aid station, I figured that we had just over 8 miles to go.  That put a spark in my step for sure.  On an uphill, we passed Adam who asked if I was going to PR today.  “Absolutely!” I declared. 

The 100-mile and 50-mile paths split off, and I took my first and only fall of the day.  We made it back to Dam Road where I realized that I’d miscalculated.  We were at mile 42.2, and that meant we NOW had just under 8 miles to travel.  Once we made it up to the lake, I walkied Armando and he could see us running from where he was sitting at the lodge.  I told him about my math inabilities, and that we’d be at the finish in two hours.  He’d met Steve from London and they were enjoying talking about everything under the sun, so he didn’t mind the delay.

THE FINISH: Cathy and I kept moving forward, and the sun was hitting the tops of the trees.  She was hesitant that we would finish before dusk, and we kept moving forward.  We got to the last aid station and knew we had 4.4 miles to the finish line.  “In what world does it take an HOUR to run 4 miles???” I questioned.  “Ultraworld,” was the clear answer.  When we got back to the bridges by the lake, I knew we were getting close.  I wanted to walk, but I also wanted to get home.  When we came to the really rooty uphill I knew the end was in sight.  We crawled up the hill and made it to flatter ground.  I looked at my watch and saw that I had 9 minutes to finish under 11hrs, which was my time at Umstead.  (I could hear my Umstead trail mate Alex saying, “How important is a sub-11hr finish to you?“).  I said to Cathy, “I have 9 minutes to get a PR.  Do you think we can make it?“  She replied, “NEVER wait for someone when you can get a PR!  GO! GO! GO!  I’ll try to keep up!“  I took off as fast as my legs would work and she stuck with me.  We came to the downhill and into the finish chute.  Crews cheered as I pumped my fist in the air, psyched about finishing under 11hrs.

Armando was all smiles as I walked into the tent, and he congratulated me on a great run.  (I love that he is supportive, even though he thinks ultrarunning is a ludicrous sport).  A finisher medal was hung around my neck and I hugged my fine trail mate.  Armando introduced me to his new-found friend Steve and we stopped off at the med tent for some blister care before heading home.

THE WRAP-UP: Ultrarunning is a fascinating sport.  I don’t know if any of us know why we do it, really.  It hurts and it’s dirty.  You lose toenails and you get blisters.  There are tears and hallucinations.  It’s a bizarre sport that beckons me to go further…  

RACE PIX: (hit the “Play Slideshow” button, then the ”show photo caption” button to see photo details) http://www2.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=276405732/a=86627517_86627517/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish

Miami Man Half-Iron Triathlon

Miami Man was my one and only triathlon for the 2008 season.  So I had put a little pressure on myself to do well and finish strong.  In my six half-iron distance triathlons (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run), I’d never crossed the finish line under six hours.  But I had made the commitment that this would be the race to make history.  And that anxiety showed itself Saturday night: I slept for a total of one hour.  I just kept playing the race over and over and over in my head.  So when 4:45am came around, I was ready to go!

Armando drove us through Miami and we made it to the transition area a little after 6:00am.  Ilene’s bike was just two racks away from mine, and she helped zip me into my very snug wetsuit.  Chip joined my family as we made the hike down to the water.  We had a few minutes to warm up before the women aged 39 and under were on deck.

SWIM: Since I’m the best swimmer I know, I relied on myself to do the work and push through those two .6 mile laps.  At the word “GO!” the usual fight ensued as a couple hundred women started swimming.  After the first turn, I found my pace and stayed close to the buoys.  It’s unusual to have a two-loop swim for a half-ironman, but once I made it through the first loop , I hopped out of the water and plunged right back in for the second one.  I had more room to swim the second time around, and I started passing athletes who’d started before me.  Though I was hoping for a swim under 40 minutes, I ended up exiting the water in 41:36 (9th in my age group!).

T1: The unusually long run from the water to the transition area was on pavement.  So after being wetsuit stripped, I tried to run on the grass as much as possible.  Once at my bike, I quickly donned my gear and ran out of transition with a time of 4:50.

BIKE: Heading out of the park I passed Armando, Paul and Lydia who whooped and hollered at me.  Noel is the fastest cyclist I know, and I used his encouraging words to put the pedal to the metal.  Soon enough I caught a tailwind and was cruising over 23mph.  I took advantage of that, all the while realizing that the strong wind would eventually be in my face when we hit the the turn around in the 15-mile loop.  The road was terrible, plagued with potholes and road junk.  I had to concentrate to avoid hitting anything that would give me a flat tire.  I did however take time to enjoy the sunflower field, which instantly took me back to Ironman Austria.  I began singing “The hills are alive…!” in my best Julie Andrews voice to whomever was close enough to hear me.  I pushed hard through loop section, though in the headwind I was slowed to just over 15mph.  I hoped I wasn’t pushing my legs too much, to the point where I’d have nothing left for the run. 

Then my favorite thing happened: I started passing people who’d gone out way too hard on the first loop.  I have more endurance than some athletes out there, and it showed.  I looked out of the corner of my eye at them when I passed, and they were in awe of my greatness   It really just fueled my fire, and I pushed on back to the park.  There I passed my coach who yelled “Great time!”  I finished the bike in 2:48:51  (That’s 19.89mph!!!).

T2: Since I didn’t change my clothes like a girly girl for the first time ever, I had a fast transition of 2:45.  I figured my legs would feel like jelly from the ride, but…

RUN: I called on Roger first off to use his lightening fast speed to carry me through that first loop of just over six miles.  And off I went.  I felt light and fresh as I ran through the zoo.  Nothing was going to stop me from meeting my sub-six hour goal today…in fact I thought, “I’m going to finish way under six hours.”  Eminen’s “Lose Yourself” played in my head.  Soon enough I was passing men who had bonked.  I gave a few encouraging words here and there, but mostly kept focused on my goal, following my coach’s suggestion of not talking on the course.  I made it back to the start to begin the second loop in just over an hour.  I told Lydia “Alle ist gut” and to Paul I said, “Es ist sehr heiß!”  Armando snapped a picture and told me to keep running…I was going to make it under six hours .

I hoped I could feel just as good as I did on the first loop, but the day was turning hot and humid.  There was little shade, so I took advantage of it when I could.  I ate an occasional banana bite, but stuck to my favorite race goodie: ice.  I dumped it down my top.  I poured it under my cap.  I chomped on it as long as I could.  Anything to keep me cool, and keep me moving forward.  I called on Andy and Candi…and everyone really who wasn’t racing at that moment for power to keep moving!  I didn’t walk anywhere except through the aid stations, and even there I made sure to walk for only a few seconds.  Around mile 10, I tried to do some math.  “My watch says 5 hours and 20 minutes, and I have three miles to go.  That should mean that I have 40 minutes to go 3 miles.  I could slow down a little…“  But I truly suck at math, and rather than take the chance of a miscalculation, I kept running.  I considered slowing down more than once, and leaving my goal behind.  But then I used Chase’s trick: My head started bargaining with my body.  “If you just finish this one race under six hours,” I told myself, ”I’ll never ask you to do it again.  I promise!  Every other race will be just for fun.  No time limits.  No race pace.  You can even wear a cute skirt next time!  But let’s do it just this once.“  “Ugh,” my body replied, and I kept running.

With 2 miles to go, and 30 minutes to get there, I was pretty sure I was going to reach my goal.  It was getting tougher to keep running, especially with my stomach in my throat.  Then a conversation with mom from the day before came to me: “Why do you DO this stuff?” she questioned.  The clear reply at that moment was Billy Joel’s song: “Don’t ask me why,” which repeated itself in my head from that point on.  (It’s anyone’s guess why we do what we do).  I walked for a few seconds here and there, but wanted to make a clear, decisive sub-six hour finish, so I kept moving. 

Finally I heard the cheers and shouts of the finish line.  I saw Paul, then Lydia and gave her a high five.  I squeeled as I passed Armando at the finish line…with five minutes to spare!  Run time: 2:17:33 and…

FINISH TIME: 5:55:35

I’m still trying to decide how I actually reached this long-time unattainable goal and PR (personal record) by 15 minutes.  Was it the strong physical training?  Was it taking a year off triathlon?  Was it the mental preparation (Which, btw: during my long runs, imagery had me finishing at 5:55!)?  Or was it the ultrarunning?  I mean, on a pain scale of 1 to Vermont…Miami Man was around a 4.  Racing is a different kind of pain than Running.

In the end, I reached my goal.  It’s been a year of firsts for me: Running my first 50 miler. Then making my way through 100 painfully hilly K’s.  And finally finishing my first half-ironman under six hours.  I’ve learned a lot about myself this season.  And I’ve confirmed that I have a lot of wonderful family and friends…

Race Pix: http://w234.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w234.photobucket.com/albums/ee114/DreamofSunAndrea/12d7a72f.pbw

5:55

I’m no overachiever.  But with my coach’s advice of not changing clothes like a girl or talking to anyone on the course, and after swimming 41 minutes, biking just over 19mph and running in 2:17, I made my goal of a SUB-SIX HOUR FINISH!  Obama and I are making history this year!!!  Thank you for your advice and encouragement.  Whether you were praying, pressing your thumb or sending me your power, I felt it and you helped me reach my goal.

It took us several days to find the local internet cafe, so I’m sorry for the delayed update.  Now we’re going to enjoy two more days on South Beach.  I think a few cocktails and some shopping are in order!  I’ll give a full race report after we get home and settled.  Cheers

John Holmes 16 mile Fun Run

My longest run since the Vermont 100K has been 11 miles.  So I knew this 16-mile Fun Run would be pushing my limits…but since today marks the one-year anniversary of my Ultrarunning career, I had to be there.  And in honor of the event’s name…I donned one of my fun running skirts.  I headed up to Croom and got there before the start of the 50K with enough time to say hi to my buddies.  Andy, Adam, Elaine, Pam, Ron, Angie, Leon, Woody, Trudy, Kate and Becky were all there at o’dark hundred to either run or help out. 

The Milers took off an hour after the K’ers headed out.  My goal was to finish under 3-hours, so I wasn’t really looking for a trail buddy today.  I got stuck behind a group on the first loop, including two very chatty girls.  I fell, of all times, walking uphill, and got a nice new hematoma on my left knee.  But once we hit the second aid station, I chose to move on rather than stop, and parted ways with the group.  From that point on I was pretty much alone.  I just tuned into my music and kept the quickest pace I could stomach in the hot hot heat.  When I saw Woody at the third aid station, I congratulated him for finishing his third 100-mile race this season…that is SO awesome for him!

I made it through the first loop in 1:35 and momentarily thought I wouldn’t have a snowball’s chance of reaching my goal today because I’d already pushed hard through that first loop.  Then I remembered that the first loop was a bit longer than the second.  Still, I really couldn’t slow down to get in under 3 hours.  I ran most of that second loop alone except for a few fast 50K runners who passed me, and a handful of slowing Milers that I passed. 

When I made it back to that last aid station, Andy was chillin’ there, cheering people on.  After telling me I had 17 miles to the finish line, he finally admitted I had 2.5 miles…and I had exactly 25 minutes to get there.  My heart raced and I allowed myselfto  only walk for a few seconds at a time.  I passed Ron with around a 1/2 mile to go…and I still don’t know how he got in front of me (unless he was on his first loop).  I encouraged him to run with me, but when Angie came walking from the opposite direction, he slowed. 

I kept truckin’ and made it to that wonderful uphill, rooty climb to the finish line.  I wanted to walk because I was near puking, but I knew I only had a couple of minutes til the 3-hour mark.  So I hustled up the best I could…up and over the street…to the finish line…which I crossed in…3:00:27. 

I AM THE :01 Queen! 

I came in 3rd in my age group of approximately 12 women aged 30-39.  Not too shabby.  I’m going to say that I reached my goal, since I made it in under the 30-second half of the 3rd hour’s first minute   I’m blaming those extra 27 seconds on Andy obviously…since he tried to bumfuzzle me about the remaining miles, and then having to stop to show him the Irish Leprechaun tattoo on my arm at that last aid station. 

Anyway, after I got my stomach back where it belongs, I chatted with Becky, Luna Chick and Trail Angel extraordinaire Elaine, Ron and his group, and some others hanging out under the trees.  The only food I saw was burgers, so I had to get back home and refuel with Armando’s pasta and Irish football.  (Afterall…I have a 60-mile bike ride planned tomorrow…).  It was great fun being back in the trails again, and of course it makes me want to sign up for Rocky Raccoon in February with Becky and Elaine.  The timing could be doable even with Ironman training starting up…<sigh>…I’ve been an addict for one year, and it doesn’t seem to be getting any better.