Ironman Brazil 2013

 

In the days leading up to Ironman Brazil I was super nervous. Its been 6 months since I’ve done an Ironman and it felt impossible to know if I was ready. I wanted to live up to my own expectations. I told Clint before I left that I thought I could do a time just a little over 9h, which is a bold statement considering I went 9h35 last year on this course. Have I really done the work required to improve by half an hour or was I expecting too much? I was using every trick in the book to keep calm; meditation, positive self-talk and of course “the Zone” that I have learned so much about from Bob.

There were a few pre-race snafoos to deal with. First, I missed my flight out of Toronto (see blog about that below!), then when I arrived in Florianopolis the hub of my front wheel was crushed. Destroyed. Then on race morning I left my salt tabs in the hotel room (dummy!!). While its not extremely hot in Florianopolis, it is humid and can get up into the high 20s, so I needed those tabs! And this is where my lasting memories of this trip will lie, in the generosity of my competitors.

When I started to ask around trying to get myself a new wheel, Amanda Stevens (who won the race, beating me by 2.45,  I finished 2^nd BTW) just happened to have a spare wheel with her which was comparable to mine, and she gladly leant it to me. Friday was a stressful day for me and her generosity was very much appreciated. On race morning, Ana Lidia Borba gave me a couple salt tabs, which honestly saved my ass because I ended up needing them both.

And last but not least, when it comes to generosity, I feel very indebted to Hillary Biscay who, no kidding, gave me a pep talk during the bike ride about how I needed to make sure I stayed close enough to the front of the race so I could run those girls down. Seriously. What an awesome girl.

All of these things are a great reminder for me about how this is not a solo journey and how indebted I am to my family, to Clint, his parents and Shelley who rally to take care of our daughter so I can go away on these race trips. My dad and Mary fed me and kept me calm and relaxed for a few days in Ontario as I prepared for the race. My swim group in Vic and all my training partners and the people who support me and encourage me all play a small part when things come together in a good race. And to all these people I am grateful.

 

The race itself went fairly well. I didn't have a great start to the swim, but the rest felt strong and steady. On the bike, I wanted to go around 5h, so I really pushed hard at some points. I made sure to use the other people around me to help pace and to keep me pushing. This is something I haven't done very well in the past. On the run I was too busy chasing to really notice the discomfort of running a marathon after a 180km bike ride. I forgot how hard those hills were on the first lap! You don't see stuff that steep in very many Ironman runs! It was also the first time in awhile that the finish line was very, very satisfying. It made everything feel worthwhile.

It was really important for me to have a good race. When I crossed the line, Amanda was there with a big hug and Shawn Skeen (who does the IM live coverage) came out of his tent to personally put the medal on me. I just started sobbing and said, “I needed that.” Since Rosie was born I have believed that I could go faster in an Ironman than I have in the past. My previous personal best was 9h15 in Western Australia in 2006. Finishing 7mins faster than that on Sunday really validates the fact that I am doing the right work and that I am not crazy in thinking I could do better.

Now that I know we are on the right track, I will dig in and keep working towards my goals. Of course, as Clint reminds me, I will try to take a minute or two to celebrate this accomplishment, but much of this celebration is simply the gratitude that I feel towards everyone who makes this journey possible. Not least of which are my awesome sponsors, ZOOT SPORTS, Trek ProCity, Rudy Project, Synergy Health Management, Sportexcel and Rumble. Thank you all.

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How i missed my flight to Brazil and it turned out ok

I will try to make this story short.

 

Thursday afternoon I was driving to the airport with my Dad and Mary (who just happened to be flying to Dubai on the same evening I was flying to Brazil). With rain pelting down on the windshield, we reached the Tim Hortons that is 7mins from the airport in good time and promptly hit Toronto gridlock. Much stress, mild panic and 45mins later, I flew into the terminal, running with my bike box in one hand and Zoot bag in the other.

The United check in area was quiet. I’m talking, not a single passenger, tumbleweed blowing across the luggage belt, quiet. My stomach sunk as the repercussions of missing my flight started to sink in. I had only 1h layover in Washington, so there was no way to get there in time for my flight to Sao Paulo. And there is only 1 flight per day to Sao Paulo with United. I tried to dismiss images of myself stuck in a Toronto hotel room while I was supposed to be in Florianopolis preparing for the Ironman.

Two United employees were laughing and joking with each other behind the counter as I sheepishly approached waiting to hear my fate. Without a word, the male employee took my passport and starting furiously typing on his computer. I was shaking and trying to remain composed. As he continued typing for what seemed like forever, he thanked me for my patience. Surely the fact that he was taking so long had to be a bad sign. Was he trying to find the best way to tell me that there was no way to get me to Brazil before Sunday?

When he finally looked up, he said “The flight to Washington is delayed and there is no way you can make your connection.” I nodded… “so I have rebooked you on the direct flight to Sao Paulo with Air Canada”. I was so relieved I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry or jump over the counter and kiss him. (For the record, I went with a simple “thank you so much”)

Holy Crap. Direct flight! No clearing US customs, no running through Dulles airport to my next gate, just board and fly. Add to this the fact that I was given a seat in the rear of the plane in an EMPTY ROW of three. I was the only passenger with three seats to myself, and for a 10h overnight flight to Sao Paulo nothing could be more perfect. I hunkered down and slept 8 beautiful hours, waking up in time to be served coffee and catch an episode of Modern Family.

Two years ago Ironman Brazil was the first Ironman I attempted after Rosalee was born. My girl was only 6 months old and off I flew to Florianopolis. I was discussing my choice to race so soon after Rosie arrived with a friend the other day and was left wondering whether it had been a good decision. I ended up DNFing in that race. But when I reflected on the trip as a whole I realized just how many good things came out of it. I had never thought about this before. First of all, the trip itself was the most fun I have ever had on a race trip. I reconnected with some old friends who gave me a lead on a condo in Tucson. Two years later, I have spent many fun weeks and months in our condo in Tucson. I have grown closer to some friends and made many new ones as a result. I have trained my heart out on Tucson’s open roads. My mom bought a condo in the same complex. Without that trip to Brazil its hard to say if any of this would have happened. Just goes to show that when something "bad" happens, it might actually turn out to be good.

(PS. I am posting this from a hotel room in Sao Paulo because my flight was delayed by 29h on my way home!)

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From Nice to St. Croix, the adventures continue

In this photo, fire ants were biting our feet, hence the look on my face (though somehow Jeanne looks completely normal... hmmm...)

In September 2003 I did my first race as a pro in Nice, France, back when it used to be "la longue distance" (4k swim, 120k bike, 30k run). The week before I had DNFed from my first attempt at the Ironman distance after becoming seriously hyponeatremic on the bike. (ie, losing to much salt).

 

After spending a few days moping on my boyfriend's couch, my coach called and said, there are 2 races this weekend, pick one. It was Thursday and the race was Saturday, so I booked a flight to France. Long story short, I fought my way into 7th place in that race in Nice, the last "money spot." Making money confirmed that I was a bona fide pro athlete. I was so proud of myself that I cried at the finish line.

 

Since then, I have learned that races like these are rare. Races where you really accomplish more than expected. Races that can bring you to tears.

 

After the Olympic-distance race in St. Petersburg, I flew to St. Croix. I finished on the podium there last year and was hoping to repeat. I am also fitter than I was last year at this time and was truly excited to race.

 

The weather was stormy in St. Croix again this year. Like last year, there was a huge storm the day before the race. Unlike last year, there was not enough time to clean the roads. (Apologies to those who have heard me tell this tale already) Clint asked me why they couldn't get someone to sweep the roads... Sweep!! I just laughed. Volunteers were out there shovelling debris off the road as we rode through. A bulldozer would have been required in some places. Needless to say, there were many, many punctures, and multiple crashes. At least 3 pro girls double flatted and couldn't finish (and those are just the ones I spoke to, there may have been more!). It was carnage.

 

I had a strong swim and was riding well with a couple other women until mile 38-ish where I punctured. I changed it quickly and got back on the road. Starting up again my legs were pretty roasted. It took awhile to get going.

 

The run was hot and not a day for a fast run split. Overall, I wasn't feeling great and was happy when I finally got to the finish line in 7th place.

 

I was pretty disappointed by how the race went, with my bad luck, lack of pay cheque and blah feeling in general. One of the biggest challenges of being a professional athlete is dealing with the disappointment when things don't go your way. You can put your heart and soul into a race, leave your family, fly across the world and have it go wrong. Heck, there's this guy who swims with our group who put four years into preparing for the Olympic Games and crashed on the first speed bump coming out of transition. I mean, this kind of crap happens all the time. How we deal with it defines who we are as athletes and how successful we will be in the long run.

 

I've spent this last week feeling disappointed. Not sorry for myself, that's a different thing, but just a little disappointed that it had to go down that way. In the bigger picture I recognize that these disappointments make the successful races feel even better, and that all experiences help mould us and make us stronger. That's just how it is.

 

Ironman Brazil is less than 2 weeks away and I am gearing up for a good race there. I am also rethinking my plans for the rest of the season. There are a gazillion races I want to do and choosing the next step is always part of the fun for me. I will look forward to that process after the Ironman.

 

One thing that makes every race great is the people. Race week was great fun hanging out with some of these folk (among others!):

Homestay Ed and fellow pro athlete Jeanne Collogne relaxing pre-race. Jeanne double-punctured and couldn't finish the race, but I say, Watch out for this girl people! I predict great things for her.

My lovely homestay Linda hanging out on the beach.



Ed in his "swimming pool," a good reminder to all of us that life really isn't that bad ;)

 And the adventure continues....

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“Are you racing?” My Foray into Olympic Distance Triathlon

(My title for this report was inspired by Anne Haug -if you don’t know who she is, you should- who at the pro meeting, after we greeted each other, hugged etc… looked at me puzzled and said “Are you racing?”)

 

When the 2013 season was in the planning phase, both Clint and I felt that I should try to add a couple Olympic distance races to my plan, mostly as good strong sessions for my Ironman and 70.3 races. With this, we also decided to focus a little more on speed and intensity in general.

St Anthony’s Triathlon hit my radar because of its proximity to St. Croix (it is literally on the way) and because I could use the race as part of my race prep, to acclimatize etc. And so it was decided.

And then everybody else decided to go as well.

The race had the strongest field I have raced in outside of Kona. And it was short-course strong, not long-course strong, and definitely not in my comfort zone. Going in, I knew I would be completely out of my element, and there was every chance that I could have a good race and finish last.

Paradoxically and for some unknown reason, I was very excited to do the race. I really enjoy racing Olympic distance. If the race starts at 7, you can be done before breakfast! It’s a different kind of hurt, its fast and furious, and the possibility of making a fool of myself notwithstanding, I was pumped.

Race morning brought blustering winds and big waves. The swim was crazy. Huge swells. After our wave of pro women went through they shortened the course for safety reasons. It was a wise choice but I am also glad I got to do the whole course. I like waves.

Despite the choppy seas, I somehow came out of the water with the girls I expected to swim with and even a couple that are usually a little faster. It was a good start.

The bike and the run were… ummm… a bike and run. I was pleased to have girls around me the whole time. Even though I was minutes back from the lead, I had girls in front of me and behind me to race against. I had a race on my hands! I overtook a couple girls, a couple overtook me. I felt ok, but not on fire. I finished 24^th out of 30-something that started, 10mins back from the winner. My race was strong and steady but I definitely felt like I was missing my top gear. It may have been the travel or the heat/humidity or both that stole my edge. I’m not 100% sure and I don’t really need to know.

Last year at this time I couldn’t have conceived of pitting myself against 30+ ITU speedsters. I feel satisfied that I have made enough progress to get to this point. I had a “meh” day and still did ok. And so, I’m going to call it a success. St. Anthony’s triathlon- check.

St. Petersburg is a wonderful place and I would definitely like to return. The town is quaint with its little shops and restaurants and the beach is beautiful. It was definitely the nicest part of Florida I’ve ever seen! I had a wonderful homestay with Janna and Sean Black (thanks guys!) and the race treats the pros very well. It was fun to see my girl Megan and race alongside her (perhaps for the first time?) and a relaxed trip to the beach on Monday capped off a great weekend (thanks Martina!).

Now I sit in Miami airport awaiting a flight to one of my favourite places and races. St. Croix here I come!  

Post-race beach lunch!

Fish tacos! Yum!

 

 

 

 

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