Pain is Temporary; Pride is Forever

Despite being in bed around 9PM on Saturday night, 4AM came early. Around 5:15AM, we made our way to the shuttle buses that would take us to our final destination. Race start time 7:30AM. The plan was to arrive early, settle in and mentally prepare for the day ahead. Within minutes it seemed, we were back where Buzz and I had parted ways and he had been left in transition getting to know his rivals. As expected, the transition area was already a very busy area. "Do you have a pump?" "Where is ...?" "Is this the right side?" "Where is my....?" In addition, the race announcer was barking off announcements..."The water temperature is 71 degrees...pro athletes will not wear wetsuits...pick up your timing chip at the swim start...be sure to..." I found my way over to Buzz who was now surrounded by 9 others along with their partners vying for space and breathing room to set up their gear. After deciding to change sides of the bike for my transition mat, everything found its place relatively quickly (although I did go back and check 4 times). Amazing how much gear goes into such a small 3' x 3' area and that's what you will survive on for the day no matter how long it takes you.

After observing 100's of athletes anxiously waiting for the shuttle bus to go to the swim start, we decided that we'd walk the 1.2 miles. We made our way to the swim start, picked up timing chips and the waiting began. It didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would. Quickly, I was on the ramp leading down into the water. Even more quickly, it was my swim wave ready to jump into the water. Wetsuit on - check; swim cap on - check; goggles over swimcap check. I waited my turn, jumped into the water and once I caught my breath from the frigid water temp, I reached up to put my goggles on...THEY WERE GONE! Frantically, I looked around wondering what I was going to do...how would I swim...could I swim without them? Luckily, they were white and floating beneath the murky surface, I found them before I hit full panic mode. Within a minute or so of this, the horn sounded and the swim began.

I quickly found my groove on the swim. Suprisingly enough because typically I don't ever find a groove in the swim at all. Once we dispersed, I had no problem making forward progress. Well, the seaweed and I made forward progress. Disgusting...the water was absolutely disgusting and I saw large masses of weeds right below me. Seaweed on my arm, in my mouth, on my forehead. It never ended. It was on the left, on the right, under, over, it was everywhere! I had to block this out...I swam faster and stronger than I've ever swam. I didn't stop to talk this time and I stayed focused. Stroke after stroke until it was over...I hit the ramp at 31:39. My best swim ever! And that quickly, 1.2 miles of the 70.3 miles was behind me.

About 200 yards of jogging later, I made my way back to Buzz. It was time for battle. I transitioned fairly well (T1=4:03) and hit the blue line for bike mount. Off I went. I kept hearing familiar advice for the bike "Pace Tonya"..."the first 30 minutes don't push it"...I did exactly what I'd heard. Smoothly and with relative ease, the first 18 miles were behind me. For the first time in an event, I had to pee. I debated for about 20 minutes before making the decision to dismount and potty. I quickly jumped off the bike, ran over the hill, squatted and jumped back on the bike. This took less than a minute to accomplish. Buzz and I had a phenomenal bike portion of the event. Although I thought we averaged 19.0MPH, my computer, when all was said and done, registered 18.2MPH. I am still very happy with that given the headwinds that we all endured on the return trip from New Ellenton. At one point, the wind caught my wheelsets and for a brief second, I saw myself on the pavement. Luckily, I popped out of my aero bars, grabbed the handlebars and stayed the course. Bike time 3:03:58. I was very pleased with this time also. (T2 =3:27).

Two events down and one to go. I kept telling myself "Flat as a pancake". That was the way the run had been described. And it was but so was my motivation to run. By mile 6, I was, as I often am on the run, O-V-E-R it. Lucky for me, I found Rick...my knight in shining armor. He and I ran the bulk of the run portion together. Running and talking...he continued to motivate me. He was a Godsend as I wanted nothing more than to finish strong. And, finish strong we did. The two loop course was a mental test, just like Arizona will be, as we looped the same course twice for mileage. Seeing a sign that says "Mile 9" when you've just started isn't inspiring but rather daunting as the reality of what lies ahead sinks in. Nevertheless, I did it! Run time 2:41:58. Overall time for the day was 6:24:39.

Now, it's a day or two of recovery and the training continues. Believe me, during the run, visions of Arizona danced in my head. I had no desire to go there. However, now that it's done, I think I am ready for the next step...the big one. The best thing I can say about what I learned from today is what Rick taught me. I'm not sure he realized how valuable the lesson was for me in the end and will be in the future. I honestly had not stopped to think about it in the way in which he put it. Rick said to me several times that "EVERYBODY OUT HERE IS HURTING" and the truth in that was overwhelming to me because he was right. I saw men with IM tattoos walking, people cramping up, some staggering, etc. When I needed it to most, it registered for me. It wasn't as much about the body at that point because in truth, regardless of your talent or speed, it had become for all intensive purposes a level playing field. We were ALL hurting. The difference was now entirely mental. "Pain is temporary; pride is forever!" Thanks, Rick Rikard!

Afterthoughts: I graduated high school in 1991 number 11 out of 292 and the MVP softball player on my varsity team. In 1997, I graduated from graduate school with a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology with honors. In 2002, I earned the Most Outstanding Employee award at my job. But nothing, and I mean nothing compares to having that medal draped around my neck like it did yesterday. Pride REALLY is FOREVER :) And today, I am proud of my accomplishment!

Preparing for Battle

Numbers...helmet...socks...race belt...Around noon, the mood shifted a bit and became took on a much more serious atmosphere in Room 729 today. Three of us in one room co-existing yet each in an entirely separate world. Methodically, with our own individual precision, we prepared for battle the next day. There was a method to our own madness and a nervous energy in the room that you couldn't describe but you readily recognized its intensity. Eventually, I couldn't take the silence any longer and put on my iPod to drown out the silence.

We had received notification from a fellow IMAZ participant that the transition area had opened up earlier than anticipated. Our plan was to ride our bikes down to the transition area, approximately 2.5 miles, and then we'd run back to the hotel. This was a great idea as I had so much pent up energy...and R-U-N back to the hotel I did.

When we arrived in the transition area, it was as if I was about to play my first NFL game after leaving college or much what it would feel like stepping onto the courts at Wimbledon for the first time. I know the feeling had to be very similar to that as this was the biggest playing field I'd been on yet. There was enough room packed in an area less than the length of a football field for 3400+ athletes. Once I located my number on the racks, which turned out to be more difficult than one would think, I racked my bike, changed shoes and was ready for the run back to the hotel. But wait...

Where WAS my bike? In all of the underlying excitement, I'd not assessed where my back was. Tomorrow would be a mass of metal, carbon and antsy athletes. Everything would look the same and I would need to be able to easily find my bike after leaving the swim tomorrow. Back I went following along the transition area until I found my bike. It was much easier this time because a fellow age-grouper was in the process of moving my bike. This is a triathlete NO-NO. I stood watching her well-covered bike move in and in a matter of seconds destroy the comfort zone that had already been established by "Buzz". We were two alone on a rack of ten. I had no idea why she felt the need to move Buzz. I went back into transition to reassess the situation. Buzz, still donning two shower caps I'd taken from the hotel (one over the seat and one over the bike computer and aero bar pads for the raining coming in) was unscathed. I made a mental note of Buzz' location and off I ran back to the hotel. This was to be the last time I'd be in the transition area before "game time"...reality settled in and for once in the entire training season, it was a giddy excitement. It was exam time!

Georgia on My Mind

We're here!!! We're finally in Augusta...

We arrived this morning about 9:30AM and began taking care of the "to-do's" that each of us had on our lists. This included the mandatory race briefing, packet pickup, race expo and finding the start, finish and transition area. WOW! I can't believe I'm here. When I arrived, I wasn't overly nervous. As the day has progressed and the more people talk, the more nervous I am getting.

Over and over, I keep hearing questions...What is your goal time? How cold is the water? How fast are people swimming? Are there hills on the bike course? What's the transition area like? What are you wearing? Do you have...? What are you...? What are we going to do tomorrow?

I think that I am going to be exceptionally nervous. Breathe....

Feet Don't Fail Me Now

Every step now gets me closer to the goal of my A-Race for 2009. Three days until IM Augusta, which is technically a B-Race for me so I am going at it with the hopes of gaining knowledge about what I need to do for the next 59 days or so. Of course, today I was made aware that there has been a recent sewage leak in the Savannah River and they are or are trying to correct the problem. Will make for an interesting pre-race briefing. Neverthless, I ran my last long run before the race last night. Completed 7.5 miles and felt really strong. I am always amazed when I go back and run less frequent routes at how much easier they are now than they were when I started. This always make me smile. I think I have my nutrition on the run down to a science and now just have to decide whether the hassle of the fuel belt is worth it or I should rely on what the race coordinators are providing at the 1.5 mile race stations. Hmmm...not much time to decide but this will not be a major issue either way. However, 3399 other people to contend with on race day will be more problematic than the fuel belt, I can assure you of that! :)

Max the Muskrat

Yesterday was the last open water swim before Ironman Augusta 70.3. Since swimming at Sheila's place on the lake, we've become acquainted with a muskrat who is always present in the cove where we swim. I, of course, had never knowingly observed a muskrat and have been given a hard time about this. After yesterday, I decided the four of us (me, Laura, Sheila and Midge) had to give him a name. The name Murray was a consideration for Lake Murray but a friend of our has a puppy named Murray. We opted to name him Max the Muskrat. He was very playful and attention-seeking yesterday and was closer to the dock than he's ever been. It was as if he wanted to play. Oddly cute but quite the charmer he is.

We swam approximately 45 minutes. Felt good other than a little soreness in my left shoulder from the 2-mile swim on Saturday. Looking forward to winding down a bit before Sunday. Getting a bit nervous but excited as well. Weather forecast for the weekend isn't great but I suppose it could be worse. Maybe it will change for the better. Rain I am okay with as long as the roads aren't unsafe. Running in the rain: PRICELESS!

Finished the Dam Swim

Wow...wow...wow! Seriously, I thought running the length of the Lake Murray Dam was pretty cool but now that I have swam the distance, I am really ecstatic. What an accomplishment given that last year I was stopping on a 300 meter swim.

I was experiencing quite a bit of pre-race jitters. I was in with most of my IMAZ buddies in Wave 11. My goal for the day was to complete the swim, which is definitely not my best leg of a triathlon, in under 1.5 hours and avoid a nice volunteer boater/kayaker tapping me on the head with a paddle and pulling me out of the water at the cutoff time. I was not pulled out of the water either for possible drowning or for the cutoff time. If my watch was correct, I swam in right at 1:13. Not the best swim time of my IMAZ buddies but I successfully completed the swim and that to me was success.

Not making excuses but I should probably add that my times might have been a little bit faster had I not stopped so much. I have a horrible habit of playing around when I'm bored and 2-miles swimming is a long time to be overtaken by monotony. I stopped and gave the peace sign to people I knew. I checked out my surroundings several times. I observed a catfish in its last moments on earth and reported it to a kayaker. I encouraged two young swimmers who would take 3 strokes and ask each other how much longer. I think all of these things added time and I hope that I will be wiser at the next event not to do this. Of course, I will, right?

Another success for the day, the wetsuit! What an awesome discovery earlier in the week. Worked like a charm! No problems, a little rubbing where I didn't put Body Glide but overall, no problems. Post-swim report...3 hours of cycling. Legs felt like I'd left them in the lake but eventually they caught back up and I rode fairly well. It was exceptionally hot and the swim left all of us exceptionally thirstier than usual.

IM Augusta 70.3 is one week away. I suppose it's time to get this "party" started!

Busting a Sag :)

Another day in the rubber-blubber suit and it started off no differently that the previous swim day in the wetsuit. This feeling of suffocating and choking, airway obstruction around the collar...ugghhh! I stopped, regrouped and headed back in to shallow waters. I stood there in the water for a minute fooling around with the suit, pulling and tugging, etc. Then, with one big tug, it happened. The reality that I haven't been wearing it correctly. Busting a sag is obviously not the correct way to wear a wetsuit. As I pulled the suit up further, it was instantaneous relief. The pressure in my chest area and legs diminished. It was as if the vice grip it had on me was gone. Voila'!

I got home after a successful short swim in the wetsuit and did some research. Lo' and behold, genuis! This has been my issue. I haven't been pulling it up in the crotch area enough. Hmmmph! LOL. Glad I figured this out before Saturday's 2-mile Lake Murray Dam Swim! :)

Tri Days

It was a three-day weekend! It was a three day weekend??? Aside from how my body feels, it became apparent to me this morning just how tired I am when I was asked by a co-worker if I had been given a black eye over the weekend. Exhausted today, entirely exhausted.

Friday evening included a 2-hour bike followed by a 5-mile run. The run didn't happen as I was trying to baby my knee for the longer run on Sunday. Still icing and doing some anti-inflammatory drugs. We did a transition run for time and called it a night. This concluded around 6:45pm Friday evening.

Saturday morning came quickly on the heels of the Friday evening workout. We were up at 5:15am and in the water at Lake Murray for an open water swim by 6:45am. I was already feeling a little tired but thought the beauty of the lake at sunrise would perk me up. As we headed out onto the dock, there were turtles everywhere as if waiting for our arrival. Oh yeah, and a muskrat...who knew what a muskrat was? I surely didn't! Sheltered life I suppose. We put our wetsuits on and it all came back to me. I hate swimming in a wetsuit. Needless to say, this feeling would not dissipate during the course of the swim. The first 500 meters was quick, consistent and relatively uneventful. I made it out to the buoy, a quick tuck of my zipper cord and off we headed towards the next point in the triangle. Then it happened...that feeling like you've been wrapped in a human-sized rubber band-aid flailing around trying to propel forward. Panic, not a panic attack but more like, freedom, I need freedom! This resulted in me flipping onto my back and eventually treading water for a little bit. I watched my heart rate go up as I resolved that I had to get out of the wetsuit. Middle of the cove, 1000 yards out, yeah, not a viable option really. I eventually made my way back into the dock. Going to have to reacquaint myself with this thing and quickly get over it! We biked for almost 50 miles of rolling hills. Good bike course compliments of our training buddy, Sheila. Nice and steady. Boy were we tired though...but wait, it's only Saturday!

Sunday meant getting up again at 5am. This time to be across town for a 4-hour bike ride. We met our cycling friend, Amanda, out at Caughman park. The ride was relatively easy and consistent throughout. Having some seat issues that will hopefully get resolved this week. Buzz is going to the shop tomorrow for the pre-Half IM Augusta tune up. I think the seat issue was the result of the crash a few weeks ago. Following the ride on Sunday, we ran 7.3 miles (the Snowman 8K Course + some). This was one of our best brick runs this season in my opinion. Despite the hills, we only walked a little and remained consistently paced and in our HR zones throughout. Very successful run for us.

Today is Monday. I don't know how big or how hard it hit me but I had to have been run over by a truck this weekend. At 4pm yesterday, I realized it was the first time I'd sat down most of the weekend. I am so thankful today is a rest day! I plan to take full advantage of it, after work of course. Stay at home folks...enjoy your training opportunities. Those of us working and training are and will remain envious!

Tendin' to My Tendon

Fourteen mile run tonight down at Riverfront Park. Very strong for the first 11 miles but then my knee began rebelling. Patella tendonitis seems to be back and my knee isn't happy with the amount of running I've been partaking in. The last 3 miles was a lot of starting and stopping which is exhausting. Home now icing and medicating. Hope Sunday's run is better!

A Night in the Washing Machine

A long pool swim was on the calendar tonight and I'd mentally prepared myself to swim hard, non-stop and consistent. As we made our way to the pool, it became apparent that we stood a good chance that we'd been dragging a thunderstorm behind us which would result in us getting kicked out of the pool during the swim workout. Nevertheless, we wanted to take that chance. We got a lane quickly. Completed a quick warm-up. Started the watches. Off we go!

Let me preface this next part by saying I, in no way, am attempting to offend anyone. I greatly appreciate anyone who exercises or attempts to exercise and tonight is no different. The adult swim aerobics class was beginning at the same time we started to swim. They started out with their elbows against the wall kicking their feet in the water or either hanging on to a noodle to warm up. They practically went unnoticed by those of us doing laps in the open swim lanes. However, at some point into the aerobics workout, and about 15 minutes into our swim, I found myself swimming forward but being thrown against the lane lines. Literally! Completely out of my control. My initial thought was WOW, what's up with me and my inability to swim straight tonight?!?. I continued swimming. On my way back towards the shallow end of the pool, I realized that I was being caught in an undertow like never before. I glanced to my right and there they were, 50+ pairs of feet playing follow the leader in a circular motion. Arm weights dancing in sync as they moved simultaneously counterclockwise. Instantly, I was sucked in, like attempting to swim in the inside of a washing machine. I popped straight up in the water like a cork in the lake whose bait has just become acquainted with a fish. I looked around and nobody else seemed to be noticing what was happening but me. I proceeded on. I did another lap and same thing. By the time I made it back down to the deep end this time, I soon realized that it WASN'T just me. There were two guys swimming in the lanes next to me and they both were experiencing the same thing. I politely asked if I could move to the outside lane and share with the one gentleman that wasn't having as great a difficulty as the rest of us. I couldn't believe what a commotion they were creating until I moved out of current. Sheewww! Big difference...

I continued on, swimming strong and smooth. Stroke after stroke...lap after lap...and then I was halted by a horrific whistle! Blowing, blowing, blowing. Again, I popped up like a cork and realized that one streak of lightning had ended the continuous swim that was on the schedule. Everybody out of the pool. Single file, they again moved in synchronized fashion up the stairs and disappeared into the locker rooms. For us, the waiting begins...30 minutes from the first lightning streak or sound of thunder followed by lots of prayer that it doesn't happen again at minute 29 because the time would start again. At 8:15pm, we finally make our way back into the pool. Two swimmers, two lanes, smooth like glass. 2700 meters later, the workout was done.

It wasn't a continuous swim but it was a very, very good swim. I am very pleased with it despite all of the obstacles. I guess you never know what your swim conditions are going to be like.

3-Peat

Bike-run, bike-run, bike-run. Triple brick workout was on the agenda for today's training. We'd decided that we would start from the house as opposed to going out to Lexington High School as we'd originally planned to do. After 4.5 hours of non-stop movement, we finished this triple brick. First brick was a 17-mile bike to Ballentine followed by a 30 min run. This was relatively uneventful as my legs were trying to wake up from yesterday's ride.

The second brick we opted to ride the hills on Lake Murray Blvd. It became apparent rather quickly that the purpose of this workout was not only to finish to completion but it was going to be a mental test and a physical test. On the return trip on the bike, Midge decided to give me some of her water while we were stopped. Somehow this became Midge on the ground, clipped in under her bike, and the water flowing down the pavement. It wasn't a pretty dismount. She always falls while stopped. We finished the triple brick by pedaling for 45 minutes on the indoor trainer followed by another 30 minute run.

This was a super workout for endurance - mentally and physically. Tomorrow, we are OFF! :)

Pacing - Not Racing

WOW! What a weekend! Of the 36 Labor Day weekends that I've been alive for, this proved to be the most tiring of them all. I can't recall a Labor Day weekend so exhausting. A part of me wishes that I'd been off camping somewhere or on a trip with friends that was phenomenal. Instead, I worked out like the Iron(wo)Man that I wanna be!

This morning, bright and early (of course...oh, the days of sleeping late have long since passed), seventeen of us ventured out to cycle the flats at Caughman. As always, I started out kicking it with the lead pack that we'd labeled the B-Group initially, averaging 20+ MPH for the first 45-minutes or so. The A-Group would be more of a 16-18 MPH average. Off I went, out in front with the guys and lead females taking pulls and rocking along in the paceline. Then, as we approached Congaree Swamp, about 15 miles into the ride, it hit me! What am I thinking? How is this helping me? And just like that, I made a very wise decision and opted to be a part of a much smaller C-Group as I decided to C-my-way out of the paceline. Sure it was fun, it was invigorating and it was a confidence booster to hang but how was this going to help me in the long run. I'd not been utilizing the paceline for the simple fact that it creates a false sense of security and gives you an advantage you won't have in a race. Pace today, not race today.

I fell back off the lead pack and actually wound up having one of the best, most consistent bike rides that I've had all training season. I ended the ride, 50 miles, with a 17+ MPH average without the assistance of anyone but me. I couldn't have been happier with this performance. Following the bike ride, we headed to the pool to do kick drills for 1000 meters. We couldn't swim pre-ride so we opted to get it in afterwards.

Great workout today. Felt strong!

Feels Like I'm Moving But I Go Nowhere...

Swimming at Lake Murray yesterday was undoubtedly one of the most uncool experiences I've had while swimming next to almost drowning when I was younger in attempt to learn how to ski. Stroke, same buoy, stroke, same buoy, stroke-stroke still same buoy. We just didn't have a very successful swim. The wind was blowing just enough to thwart our efforts. Nevertheless, we'd biked to the dam so we got to practice transitioning out of the water and getting back onto the bike after a longer swim.

Of course during our transition, we were greeted in transition by "Captain Dan the Lake Murray Man", if I recall his official title accurately. He proceeded to tell us that he saw a guy cycle in one day that got off his bike and swam all the way out to Spence Island. Now I am not a Lake Murray Afficionado but I can tell you roughly, based on where he was looking, that this this tri girl will not be embarking on any journey, unless by motorized vehicle, to this so-called Spence Island he was referencing. Especially given the lack of forward progression we were making yesterday. I'd still be on my way to Spence Island. Still loving my new goggles. My training partner wasn't as impressed with hers. I think, like any, it depends on your facial features. Her face is much smaller so they don't seem to fit around her eyes as well.

After the transition, and honestly having to blow off Captain Dan the Lake Murray Man, we ventured up the hill and back to the house to do hill climb simulations on the indoor trainer. It was, overall, a successful workout night. Tonight's adventure...a 13.5 mile run. I can hardly contain my excitement...LOL. Seriously, the cool weather makes it much more appealing!