Racine 70.3 July 17, 2011

My coach asked me to send her my "wins and lessons learned" (as well as my race info- pace, HR etc.) so thought I would use it as a post. I sent her the info from the Garmin (which was pretty spot on with the race results) but here are a few wins, lesson learned and things to remember.

- I remembered that while I am not as fast as I would like to be, I really do like participating in endurance events
- I remind myself that there is no point in comparing myself to anybody else because I don't know that person's story- and it's my race, I race it to try to accomplish my goals.
- I remember how nerdy triathletes are and how much I love that.
- My new Garmin Forerunner 310XT is way fun- the multisport with transitions worked and was pretty accurate. Here is a helpful review if you're interested
http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2009/09/garmin-forerunner-310xt-in-depth-review.html
- Win- I PRed by 1 hour and 26 minutes and 10 seconds-
swim by 7minutes and 91 seconds ( even though I really thought I did much better- felt ok, thought I was pulling strong, didn't stop to tread water or stop on a buoy for a break. I did pause a few times to get my bearings and get myself back on- I zig zag at times and that looses time, adds distance)
TI by 91 sec
T2 by 13 sec
-Bike by 34 min and 25 sec
-Run by 42 and 6 sec- LOTS of walking last year
-I remind myself that improvement is a process. I did not meet the goals that I wanted to today, and clearly improved (I really bonked last year- really felt more prepared this year). I need to be patient with improvement- and improvement can be defined in many many ways. My goal for this IM Wisconsin is to finish
- I have been realizing that I'll be really pushing it to make those cutoffs for IM-WI this year. No matter how IMWisconsin this goes this year, I'm going to celebrate with my friends a great year (I'll have a pity party for myself on Monday and back to training on Tuesday)
- I really tried to focus on the task at hand for this race. Focusing on the my stokes, form and breathing in the water, cadence on the bike, nutrition overall, pace on the run.
I learned how to take in nutrition more properly-
By the time I was on the run, even though I didn't want any GUs, blocks, etc, got grossed out when I took it in, I was hungry by mile 10 on the run (something to tweak....)
- I remember to chunk / segment parts of the race and the different legs makes it mentally easier, more fun. - "make it to the next aid station then you can slow down for a bit"
The last hour of the bike I decided to do 15min intervals followed by 1min easier- and was surprised that I still could - I was passing way more people the last 10 miles as they were tuckered out while I got passed the first 46.
- I remember proper pacing is difficult to get a hang off, but super important
- I remember smiling makes you feel better
- I remember that even when it's hot and I'm not feeling as great as I'd like, I can keep going.
- I learned that even if I think I have enough sunblock, I can use more- shoulders felt ok, started to peel from a previous burn but the back of my neck was hurting.
- I learned that having a mini cooler in the transition area with ice and ice packs was a great idea- sucked down some ice water before the run and stuck an ice pack in my bra that I just threw away when it got warm.
- I learned that black electrical tape is way better in the water then the "waterproof" tape from Walgreens (for broken finger)
- I remember that strangers / spectators are fantastic. I had a nice older man, very much a dad type help with my wetsuit- he did not mind tugging at my legs to help me get it on-Also Daryl helped with the wedgie lift and Deanna with the arms- I learned how to put my wetsuit on so that it feels most comfortable (THANKS NICK!)
- I remember- as DP mentioned several times, that volunteers are amazing
- I remember that having somebody cheering you on is a fantastic feeling.
- I remember that cheering somebody else on can be just as fun
- I remember that I am thankful and continue to be inspired by my friends
WIN- tons of familiar faces out there cheering and racing
WIN- The vision quest coaching group
- I remember that I like to chat it up with fellow athletes when I'm feeling icky and frustrated that I'm moving so slow. If I'm running at a slow jogging pace, might as well strike up conversation-
- I remember that I am thankful that I have the opportunity to be able to show up to race- a FB post from a fellow volunteer for the DetermiNation committee- Kristin McQueen- who has completed several IM distance races while telling cancer to "suck it" "pretty bummed that my body hasn't cooperated after surgery and I can't do my 1/2 Ironman tomorrow. Pity party ends in an hour and then I will focus on dishing out a cancer ass whooping at Ironman next month"
- Lining up at that start line is a task in itself- I'll be thankful if I can be in that water as the gun goes off of IM Wisconsin happy, healthy, and excited
- I remember that a post race beer isn't going to throw off my entire training season- the occasional spotted cow is delicious :) (I've seriously cut back on the booze so I question every drink I have- It's ok to lighten up a bit)