2012 was spent with the mantra “Simplify”.
In that spirit, I consolidated all of my racing to a 5-week period. I’m saying this somewhat in jest, as I’m not sure if it’s a good idea or not, but that’s just how it worked out.
Recap: Family-focus January-June; tripped on a rock in June leading to minimal running pre-Kona, blah blah blah
Coach Wendy and I decide to race a `1/2 Ironman 2 weeks prior to Kona. It would be fun, simple, and a test. Perfect.
Photos from 5-week racing season:
Kerrville 1/2 Ironman:
Yeah me, I won the master’s race, but the real happiness was that I ran 13.1 miles just over 8′ pace. This bettered my previous long runs of 7 miles by almost double. Again, this training plan may not be recommended, but it ensured me that my 42 years of endurance would step up.
I swam as well as I swim, I rode solid, but not like a bike race, then ran smooth – even negative splitting the run.
Success = nailed the nutrition, ran 13.1, smiled, I’ll always take a “W”
Kona:
Dang, it was really fun this time. I’ll go with highlights and photos:
- Participated in underpants run (ignored previously)
- Participated in parade (ignored previously)
- Attended team dinner
- Subjected to Kory Stringer Institute study — I’ll share results when I have them (lots of blood and spit)
- Pre-race swim with Rachel Ross, post-underpants run
- Celebrated my dad’s 70th bday
- Spent an extra week there with my dad and my husband
Race highlights:
- Happy with my swim – tough conditions with my “usual” Kona time
- Bike – took it calm & steady since I knew I couldn’t burn all of my muscular endurance as I would need extra to finish the run
- Run – I ran well through 11-12ish. Then it was painful. I hung in there until 22, when I thought I should be at 23 and dang near had a temper tantrum. Math is very difficult in IM racing. The two items should not coincide.
- Finish – First time without nutrition meltdown. Yeah Me. I’ll write about that sometime, too.
- Post-race food: Enjoyed 1/2 a coconut margarita, which my dad had to confiscate. Loved the ono sashimi, grilled ono, salad, and huge avocado.
Austin 70.3
Since I was feeling great (cortisone shot) and I got a few bucks for my bday, I entered Austin 70.3 while lounging on the patio of our resort in Kona. The dangers of internet shopping.
Pre-race workout:
The day before a cycling or triathlon race, I always do the same workout. It’s pretty bike-racer-ish, but it works for me. I ride about 90 minutes with 4x “openers” where I go really hard for up to 90 seconds to tap zone 4 or higher, then relax. It gets me ready without getting me tired. Trouble was brewing the day before the race as my heart rate was not matching my perceived effort (e.g., my heart rate was couch potato and my legs were screaming). Hmmmm. This may be interesting.
Race highlights:
- Holy ^&*@ it was unseasonably freezing — 46 degrees at the start (80s+ the day prior)
- Sucked it up and raced anyways
- Spent lots of time in T1 getting dressed appropriately and looking for my sunglasses, which were never located
- Suffered for the very first time on the bike: my legs were dead — a new experience for me
- Entered T2 not in the lead – this actually felt like pressure off, as it didn’t feel like I was constantly running scared, although truth be told, I like being in the lead out of T2
- Enjoyed the run as somehow the cortisone must have still been kicking; the temps were also pleasant for running, so I managed to negative split the run and maintain my 3rd place position.
- Finish: 3rd in 40-44