A couple of weeks ago, a friend of mine asked me if I wanted to do the Ironman 70.3 Hawaii race with her next June. I was immediately thrilled about such an idea! What an awesome place to race! I have to do a half iron as part of my training for Ironman Mont-Tremblant and what could be better than doing that in Hawaii? The idea of a girls' weekend, with someone whose company I really enjoy, was pretty appealing, too.
I have to teach next spring session and this race is during that time. I wasn't sure I could get away but I went to ask the Dean of my faculty if I dare take off in the middle of term. To my surprise, she was very excited about it and totally supportive!
So, the planets have aligned and my friend and I are registered for the race! Now, I have to try not to be too excited about a race that is 8 months away! But the training will begin again pretty soon....
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Lake Stevens Triathlon Race Report
This is race week for me! I did the Vancouver Triathlon 5 days ago and today, September 8, I did the Lake Stevens Olympic Triathlon. My brother lives here in lovely Lake Stevens, a suburb of Seattle, and I came down to do his favourite local race with him.
Yesterday, I felt sort of awful - so sore and tired. I slept a lot and took lots of ibuprofen and went to bed early. I wondered what kind of a race I was going to have today. But, I woke up this morning feeling much better so we headed off to the race in good spirits, looking forward to a good day. This was my second Olympic distance and my first one sucked so, so badly that I can never say out loud what my time was. If you think of a time that sucks and add another 20 minutes, you might still be underestimating how badly I sucked that day. So, today, I knew I could beat that time by a long shot. I figured I could do 3:30 and I really hoped I could do 3:25.
It was a sunny, warm day - about 80 degrees by the time we were running. We arrived at transition at about 7:00 a.m. and got set up. I chatted with a couple of people around me and then with Kim, my sister in law, Cheryl, her mom, and Stephanie, my niece, who raced with us last week in Vancouver and then drove down from there to cheer us on today. I also met a couple of Paul's friends who were racing, too. At 7:45 we went down to the lake for the pre-race meeting and then pulled up our wetsuits to wait for the start. I got into the lake for a warm-up swim. The water was nice and warm - the race director had said that it was 70 degrees.
The swim started in deep water so we jumped in at the end of the dock and treaded water until the gun went off. My wave had about 50 people in it so there was lots of room. I started out a little too quickly and had trouble catching my breath but I just stopped kicking for a minute to get my heart rate down and all was well after that. I got into a nice groove and before I knew it, I was making my way through the second loop. There was about 200m at the end of the loop that was in fairly shallow water so the weeds were very visible and really thick and I really don't like that. I feel like they are reaching up to try to grab me. I just tried to tell myself that it was an underwater garden and I managed to get through that stretch (twice!). Otherwise the water was clean and fine and the swim was good.
Swim (1500m) = 31:11
T1 = 2:31
The bike course heads out through town and out into the country. It follows some beautiful tree-lined roads, passing by streams and horses and lovely houses. It's generally uphill on the way out so coming back is a bit faster. I felt good on this rolling and sometimes hilly course and really enjoyed this ride. When I got back into transition and saw what time it was on my watch, I started to think that I might be able to pull this off in about 3:20. That made me happy.
Bike (25 miles/40K) = 1:30
T2 = 1:13
The run is a two-loop course that goes along the lake, with a good hill to climb just before the turnaround. My legs cooperated from the start so I found a good groove and off I went. My first loop took 31 minutes. Kim and Steph and Paul's friend Darryl were cheering wildly at the turnaround, which was so great. At that point, I started thinking that, even if I slowed down a little on the second loop, I might be looking at 3:15. So, I kept plugging away. I slowed down after starting the second loop but then started to feel stronger at the turnaround point so I picked up the pace a bit. About 500m from the end, it was starting to look like I might be able to do 3:10. So I poured it on. I pulled around the last corner and into the finish area and got 'er done in 3:07. I was pretty pleased!
Run (10K) = 1:02
Total = 3:07:53
I went to look at the official results and discovered that I was first in my age group. More happiness and high fiving ensued. Later, I found out that I was the only one in my age group! Bummer. It would have been nice to have some competition. But, I looked at last year's results to compare: there were six people in my age group in 2011 and the first place person did it in 3:03. My time would have put me in second place if I had raced with those women so I still felt like I did a good job and earned a podium finish.
This has been a good year for me. I finally feel like the real deal!
Yesterday, I felt sort of awful - so sore and tired. I slept a lot and took lots of ibuprofen and went to bed early. I wondered what kind of a race I was going to have today. But, I woke up this morning feeling much better so we headed off to the race in good spirits, looking forward to a good day. This was my second Olympic distance and my first one sucked so, so badly that I can never say out loud what my time was. If you think of a time that sucks and add another 20 minutes, you might still be underestimating how badly I sucked that day. So, today, I knew I could beat that time by a long shot. I figured I could do 3:30 and I really hoped I could do 3:25.
It was a sunny, warm day - about 80 degrees by the time we were running. We arrived at transition at about 7:00 a.m. and got set up. I chatted with a couple of people around me and then with Kim, my sister in law, Cheryl, her mom, and Stephanie, my niece, who raced with us last week in Vancouver and then drove down from there to cheer us on today. I also met a couple of Paul's friends who were racing, too. At 7:45 we went down to the lake for the pre-race meeting and then pulled up our wetsuits to wait for the start. I got into the lake for a warm-up swim. The water was nice and warm - the race director had said that it was 70 degrees.
The swim started in deep water so we jumped in at the end of the dock and treaded water until the gun went off. My wave had about 50 people in it so there was lots of room. I started out a little too quickly and had trouble catching my breath but I just stopped kicking for a minute to get my heart rate down and all was well after that. I got into a nice groove and before I knew it, I was making my way through the second loop. There was about 200m at the end of the loop that was in fairly shallow water so the weeds were very visible and really thick and I really don't like that. I feel like they are reaching up to try to grab me. I just tried to tell myself that it was an underwater garden and I managed to get through that stretch (twice!). Otherwise the water was clean and fine and the swim was good.
Swim (1500m) = 31:11
T1 = 2:31
The bike course heads out through town and out into the country. It follows some beautiful tree-lined roads, passing by streams and horses and lovely houses. It's generally uphill on the way out so coming back is a bit faster. I felt good on this rolling and sometimes hilly course and really enjoyed this ride. When I got back into transition and saw what time it was on my watch, I started to think that I might be able to pull this off in about 3:20. That made me happy.
Bike (25 miles/40K) = 1:30
T2 = 1:13
The run is a two-loop course that goes along the lake, with a good hill to climb just before the turnaround. My legs cooperated from the start so I found a good groove and off I went. My first loop took 31 minutes. Kim and Steph and Paul's friend Darryl were cheering wildly at the turnaround, which was so great. At that point, I started thinking that, even if I slowed down a little on the second loop, I might be looking at 3:15. So, I kept plugging away. I slowed down after starting the second loop but then started to feel stronger at the turnaround point so I picked up the pace a bit. About 500m from the end, it was starting to look like I might be able to do 3:10. So I poured it on. I pulled around the last corner and into the finish area and got 'er done in 3:07. I was pretty pleased!
Run (10K) = 1:02
Total = 3:07:53
I went to look at the official results and discovered that I was first in my age group. More happiness and high fiving ensued. Later, I found out that I was the only one in my age group! Bummer. It would have been nice to have some competition. But, I looked at last year's results to compare: there were six people in my age group in 2011 and the first place person did it in 3:03. My time would have put me in second place if I had raced with those women so I still felt like I did a good job and earned a podium finish.
This has been a good year for me. I finally feel like the real deal!
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Vancouver Triathlon Race Report
Yesterday, September 3, I did the Vancouver Triathlon - the sprint distance. I did the race with my niece, who lives in Vancouver, and my brother, who drove up from Seattle to do it with us. For me, it was a 14 hour drive to get to Vancouver, which I really enjoyed and which was absolutely worth it for this race! It was an awesome day and a great event!
We did the race together in 2009 as well. That year, I was still doing triathlons with very little training so I was not at all fit for a good race. My time then was 1:59, which is horribly slow for a sprint. So, I figured that with the Ironman training under my belt, I'd probably be able to pull off a better time this year. I estimated that, realistically, I could probably do 1:45 and I secretly thought I'd be pretty thrilled with sub-1:40.
We had perfect conditions for our race. It was sunny and 20 degrees with no wind. The ocean was calm. We arrived in transition at 6:15 a.m. I set up my spot and then pumped up my tires. When I pulled the pump hose off the back tire, I broke the valve stem, which I am always so careful not to do! It held the air but I debated with myself about whether to change the tube and finally I decided to be on the safe side and change it. Once that was done, I found Steph and Paul and we went to put our wetsuits on.
I got into the water for a warm-up swim. It felt warm on my feet but when I put my face in, it was pretty chilly. I floated face down a bit and swam about 100m and then got out and took my spot on the beach. My wave had 110 women in it. The swim went well. There were people all around me but we were well-spaced. I like that feeling of swimming side by side with others in the open water. Turning back toward the beach, the sun was blinding and sighting was impossible. I just trusted that the pack was headed in the right direction and followed them. When the sun went behind the trees, I realized that I was right there at the beach so I stood up and ran out of the water!
Swim (750m) = 16:59
T1 = 2:51 (a little longer than I had wanted but actually shorter than a lot of people who placed near where I did in the results)
The bike course is a hilly and winding loop through Stanley Park, which you do twice. I thought it would be hard to get much speed up on this technical course but I was surprised that I was able to get going pretty quickly in some spots. I am faster this year but also more confident on my bike so I could manage the ride a little better than before. It twists and rolls through the park with one decent climb and an awesome downhill on the other side. The course is magnificently beautiful with huge cedars and ferns and flowers and a view of the ocean most of the way. I thoroughly enjoyed this ride!
Bike (19K) = 41:24
T2 = 1:39 (I dropped my running shoe 3 times before I finally got it on! Again, this was longer than I wanted but about mid-range of what others did)
The run cuts across the park and then loops back around the Lost Lagoon on the way to the finish. It goes gently uphill for most of the first half but then you get a little of the downhill coming back before you run the flat section around the lagoon. I had my watch on and I could see when I left T2 that things were lookin' pretty good. I was surprising myself a little and started to have visions of a better time than I had imagined was possible. The second half was a little easier so I picked up some speed and figured I had better run like I was being watched because, really, with results on the internet, people are watching! I felt good the whole time and enjoyed this run. When I looked at my watch near the end, I poured it on for the last 200m to finish before the clock turned over to the next minute.
Run (5K) = 29:01
Total time = 1:31:51
I was a bit amazed at my time. This is a 28 minute PB on this course. I finished exactly in the middle of the 110 women in the race. I am used to being nearly last in every race, with just a couple of people finishing behind me. I can't believe I am mid-pack now. Training works, go figure!
After the race, we went downtown to have a Japadog, a hot dog with teriyaki mayo, onions, and seaweed. It was one of the tastiest things I've ever eaten!
I enjoyed this race so much. I love triathlon.
We did the race together in 2009 as well. That year, I was still doing triathlons with very little training so I was not at all fit for a good race. My time then was 1:59, which is horribly slow for a sprint. So, I figured that with the Ironman training under my belt, I'd probably be able to pull off a better time this year. I estimated that, realistically, I could probably do 1:45 and I secretly thought I'd be pretty thrilled with sub-1:40.
We had perfect conditions for our race. It was sunny and 20 degrees with no wind. The ocean was calm. We arrived in transition at 6:15 a.m. I set up my spot and then pumped up my tires. When I pulled the pump hose off the back tire, I broke the valve stem, which I am always so careful not to do! It held the air but I debated with myself about whether to change the tube and finally I decided to be on the safe side and change it. Once that was done, I found Steph and Paul and we went to put our wetsuits on.
I got into the water for a warm-up swim. It felt warm on my feet but when I put my face in, it was pretty chilly. I floated face down a bit and swam about 100m and then got out and took my spot on the beach. My wave had 110 women in it. The swim went well. There were people all around me but we were well-spaced. I like that feeling of swimming side by side with others in the open water. Turning back toward the beach, the sun was blinding and sighting was impossible. I just trusted that the pack was headed in the right direction and followed them. When the sun went behind the trees, I realized that I was right there at the beach so I stood up and ran out of the water!
Swim (750m) = 16:59
T1 = 2:51 (a little longer than I had wanted but actually shorter than a lot of people who placed near where I did in the results)
The bike course is a hilly and winding loop through Stanley Park, which you do twice. I thought it would be hard to get much speed up on this technical course but I was surprised that I was able to get going pretty quickly in some spots. I am faster this year but also more confident on my bike so I could manage the ride a little better than before. It twists and rolls through the park with one decent climb and an awesome downhill on the other side. The course is magnificently beautiful with huge cedars and ferns and flowers and a view of the ocean most of the way. I thoroughly enjoyed this ride!
Bike (19K) = 41:24
T2 = 1:39 (I dropped my running shoe 3 times before I finally got it on! Again, this was longer than I wanted but about mid-range of what others did)
The run cuts across the park and then loops back around the Lost Lagoon on the way to the finish. It goes gently uphill for most of the first half but then you get a little of the downhill coming back before you run the flat section around the lagoon. I had my watch on and I could see when I left T2 that things were lookin' pretty good. I was surprising myself a little and started to have visions of a better time than I had imagined was possible. The second half was a little easier so I picked up some speed and figured I had better run like I was being watched because, really, with results on the internet, people are watching! I felt good the whole time and enjoyed this run. When I looked at my watch near the end, I poured it on for the last 200m to finish before the clock turned over to the next minute.
Run (5K) = 29:01
Total time = 1:31:51
I was a bit amazed at my time. This is a 28 minute PB on this course. I finished exactly in the middle of the 110 women in the race. I am used to being nearly last in every race, with just a couple of people finishing behind me. I can't believe I am mid-pack now. Training works, go figure!
After the race, we went downtown to have a Japadog, a hot dog with teriyaki mayo, onions, and seaweed. It was one of the tastiest things I've ever eaten!
I enjoyed this race so much. I love triathlon.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Next Year's Big Race
This week, it was announced that Ironman Canada, which I had planned to do next year, will not be continuing. Instead the race will be taken over by the Challenge Family and will be known as Challenge Penticton. I felt a great loss when I found out that I will not be able to participate in a race that has become iconic among Canadian triathletes. There will be still an iron distance race in Penticton, the course will not change, some of the same feel will be there, but it will not be an Ironman race anymore. I'm sure that the Challenge people will put on a good race and that the change will suit a lot of people. But for me, the Ironman experience was awesome and I want to experience it again.
I did still struggle a bit with the decision about which race to do next year - Challenge Penticton or another Ironman. Penticton is logistically much easier than any Ironman I would do and I knew that several of my friends would be signing up for Challenge Penticton. Still, I was pulled toward an Ironman race for my second iron distance and I ended up registering for Ironman Mont-Tremblant in Quebec. Mont-Tremblant looks like a spectacularly gorgeous venue and the reviews of the race are stellar.
Mont-Tremblant is a week before the Penticton race so I can still train all year with my friends. And really, that's a very big part of the whole experience. Then we can swap race stories next August.
Let the training begin (again)!
I did still struggle a bit with the decision about which race to do next year - Challenge Penticton or another Ironman. Penticton is logistically much easier than any Ironman I would do and I knew that several of my friends would be signing up for Challenge Penticton. Still, I was pulled toward an Ironman race for my second iron distance and I ended up registering for Ironman Mont-Tremblant in Quebec. Mont-Tremblant looks like a spectacularly gorgeous venue and the reviews of the race are stellar.
Mont-Tremblant is a week before the Penticton race so I can still train all year with my friends. And really, that's a very big part of the whole experience. Then we can swap race stories next August.
Let the training begin (again)!
Friday, July 13, 2012
After an Ironman
It feels a little strange to be in the post-Ironman phase. For a year, I anticipated and worked toward this race and now I have these moments when I realize that it's over; it was already two and a half weeks ago! I am very goal oriented and I have felt a little bit aimless. It's hard to do all that training and then just stop. I do have an urge to keep going but every time I do a workout, my legs remind me that they are still not totally happy with me. Since the race, I've done a couple of 60K rides with the group in addition to a couple of shorter rides on my own, done a bike hill climbing workout, swum about 5 times (before I got the tattoo) and run once. The workouts feel OK (not awesome but fine) but it takes longer than usual to recover. In the weeks before the race, I felt so strong and invincible. Now I feel tired and slow. But I think the best cure for that is to keep on training, keep the legs moving, and try to maintain my fitness.
My brother, who lives in Seattle, called me last night to suggest that I do a couple of races with him in his neck of the woods during the first week of September. The idea just sounded perfect to me. That will give me time to build up my training again and will give me a goal that will give my training purpose (beyond the fact that training and being fit just feel good).
This is a shift in gears but the summer is shaping up nicely and I am looking forward to it.
My brother, who lives in Seattle, called me last night to suggest that I do a couple of races with him in his neck of the woods during the first week of September. The idea just sounded perfect to me. That will give me time to build up my training again and will give me a goal that will give my training purpose (beyond the fact that training and being fit just feel good).
This is a shift in gears but the summer is shaping up nicely and I am looking forward to it.
Ironman Tattoo
It was always my plan to get an Ironman tattoo if I finished the race so a few days after I got home from Coeur d'Alene, I went off and did it. I wanted to get the classic M-dot because it's a recognizable symbol of Ironman but I wanted it to be original as well. So, I embellished the M-dot with the tree that the Coeur d'Alene race uses as its symbol and added the mountains to represent the terrain in CdA. I'm happy with it.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Race Report: Ironman Coeur d'Alene 2012 Part 3
The Run
My goal was to be on the run by 5:00 p.m. in case I had to walk the whole thing and I actually got going a few minutes earlier than that. Considering that I couldn't even stand up when I got off my bike, I was quite surprised that I was able to start out running. Turns out I was able to run almost the whole first half of the marathon. It wasn't fast but I did the first loop (13.4 miles) in just under three hours. It was hard to go back out for the second loop because the halfway turnaround is a block away from the finish line and I could hear the announcer congratulating people who were finishing. But I wanted to get there, too, so off I went. Near the beginning of my second loop, a spectator said to me, "You've got over four hours to do a half marathon! You've got this!" I realized at that point that I might actually make it. I couldn't run anymore but I could walk pretty fast so it became my plan to just keep that up. At the aid stations I ate chocolate chip cookies, chips and fruit and I started to drink Coke on the second loop. I felt strong and happy. When I got out to the turnaround point, at about the 32K mark, it was dark and they were handing out glow sticks that we put around our necks. The turnaround point is up and over a big hill and as I was coming back up and over that hill, I saw the 21 mile sign. I realized that I had 5 miles to go and over two hours to do it. I was pretty sure then that I was going to make it. I got choked up. I kept on walking as fast as I could. There were still spectators out on the course, especially back in town, cheering and saying I looked strong and amazing, high fiving everyone as we went by, playing music for us. I thanked them for staying up late for the last of us.
Finally, I made the last turn onto Sherman Ave - six blocks to go! With three blocks to go, I started to run again. The crowds were thick at that point and they were cheering like crazy! I entered the finishing chute. I had it all to myself. Time stood still. Everyone was screaming. They were thumping on the sides of the chute and reaching out their hands. I reached out my arms to touch every hand I could. I saw Dan and Adam. Mike Reilly said, "Sarah Wall, YOU are an Ironman!" I couldn't contain my happiness. And I crossed that finish line at 16:15:10.
My total run time was 6:20, which pleased me, and I was thrilled with my overall finishing time. I thought I'd be right down to the wire. It was an incredible day. The crowd support was amazing. I felt like a rock star all day! And the volunteers were fantastic. They did anything and everything for you that you needed. The day went well for me and I was so impressed with the event. It was a great first experience and I'm so glad I did it.
My goal was to be on the run by 5:00 p.m. in case I had to walk the whole thing and I actually got going a few minutes earlier than that. Considering that I couldn't even stand up when I got off my bike, I was quite surprised that I was able to start out running. Turns out I was able to run almost the whole first half of the marathon. It wasn't fast but I did the first loop (13.4 miles) in just under three hours. It was hard to go back out for the second loop because the halfway turnaround is a block away from the finish line and I could hear the announcer congratulating people who were finishing. But I wanted to get there, too, so off I went. Near the beginning of my second loop, a spectator said to me, "You've got over four hours to do a half marathon! You've got this!" I realized at that point that I might actually make it. I couldn't run anymore but I could walk pretty fast so it became my plan to just keep that up. At the aid stations I ate chocolate chip cookies, chips and fruit and I started to drink Coke on the second loop. I felt strong and happy. When I got out to the turnaround point, at about the 32K mark, it was dark and they were handing out glow sticks that we put around our necks. The turnaround point is up and over a big hill and as I was coming back up and over that hill, I saw the 21 mile sign. I realized that I had 5 miles to go and over two hours to do it. I was pretty sure then that I was going to make it. I got choked up. I kept on walking as fast as I could. There were still spectators out on the course, especially back in town, cheering and saying I looked strong and amazing, high fiving everyone as we went by, playing music for us. I thanked them for staying up late for the last of us.
Finally, I made the last turn onto Sherman Ave - six blocks to go! With three blocks to go, I started to run again. The crowds were thick at that point and they were cheering like crazy! I entered the finishing chute. I had it all to myself. Time stood still. Everyone was screaming. They were thumping on the sides of the chute and reaching out their hands. I reached out my arms to touch every hand I could. I saw Dan and Adam. Mike Reilly said, "Sarah Wall, YOU are an Ironman!" I couldn't contain my happiness. And I crossed that finish line at 16:15:10.
My total run time was 6:20, which pleased me, and I was thrilled with my overall finishing time. I thought I'd be right down to the wire. It was an incredible day. The crowd support was amazing. I felt like a rock star all day! And the volunteers were fantastic. They did anything and everything for you that you needed. The day went well for me and I was so impressed with the event. It was a great first experience and I'm so glad I did it.
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