This might be very long. I really want to get down everything about the week and about the race that I was thinking about and felt etc. I think it is something I will want to be able to look back to.
Week leading up to race.
We left on Thursday to drive out to CDA. It was uneventful. Tried to keep hydrated and keep eating. Went on a short ride out shoreline drive with Erik and rode up Government Way for a little while. Went out for dinner with the fam that night and ate a 2nd dinner when I got home. The chicken parmesan wasn't very big.
Friday was athlete check in and meanered around the expo a little. Watched the pro panel discussion. The wind was blowing and it was cold. Bought a neoprene cap for swimming. Art and I got in the water together for about 20 minutes. The water was very cold and really choppy from the wind. I was thinking OMG, but was trying not to let it get to me. I had to do the swim so why waste energy worrying about it. I think my parents were worried because my Dad decided to by me some neoprene booties except that Blue Seventy was all out. I called a store in Spokane and they drove over and picked them up for me. In hindsight I think it was very smart of me to wear everything I could for that swim. Was shivering out of the water, but went home put on my running clothes and went for a little run. Legs felt good which was encouraging and got warmed up. We went and drove some of the bike course so I could show my parents where we would be riding. My Mom was making me anxious by telling me "wow this is really long you are going to ride all of this and twice". When we got back they went to eat Mexican which I didn't think was good for me and Art and I went to the end of the dinner and the athlete meeting. This race was strange. If Art, Carrie, and Lawrence hadn't been there I would have had no idea what was going on with gear bags and special needs bags. They spend all this time talking about race violations and drafting but don't say and after the swim you run and grab your bag and then go to the changing tent and then go to your bike. It was kind of confusing. Anyway, the banquet was good and I was feeling strangely calm except the swim part.
Saturday was busy getting my wheels on and riding the bike around. There was something strange with the hub and I had to take it back and have them double check it a couple of times. Everything was fine, but it took some time. I then got all my stuff packed up and dropped it off. A little anxious when everybody else had these huge bags full of stuff and mine were pretty small. What the heck did they have in there? Went and ate some lunch and got coffee with Erik and went back to the house. Ate some more, got my stuff ready for the morning, Lawrence and Carrie were there and Anna and Jared stopped by so we were up later than I had planned. It probably didn't matter anyway. After I turned the ligth off the anxiety set it. It was interesting to think that there were probably 2800 other people in CDA that night doing the same thing.
Race morning
Got up and ate my usual breakfast. Got a bottle of accelerade to sip on. Got the rest of my stuff on and headed over the the race. Got in the bike area and got my bike ready. Got body marked and dropped off special needs bags and I was set. Stood by the tent with the timing mat and watched the pros start. Only 40 people to swim with. I want to do that. I was getting nervous and Erik. Oh sweet Erik goes "Wow I am jealous, you are going to have one epic day" I thought he is so right. This is going to one epic day and I am going to enjoy it fully. After that I was just excited to be out there and doing this really cool thing!! I went down on the beach and put in my earplugs and had some quiet time to myself for a little while. I set myself right up on the right side of the bouy about 6 people back. Lawrence and Carrie said there would be a few rows of people that would just take off and then another group and were more slow to get in. I tried to be with that group. I got in and tried to dunk first to get the cold water on my face and in my suit. Then I went for it. Right off the bat everything was fine. Then all of a sudden there were people everywhere. I swear there was no water between the bodies. As I was trying to stay afloat I could not catch my breath. Now that I look back I think it was the cold water had taken my breath away. I rolled on to my back a couple of times, but just kept getting mouthfuls of water. I seriously though I was going to drown. I even looked around for a boat or something, but there were just too many people. I know that if I could just swim I would be able to breath. And then the water opened up a little and I was able to swim. Then I started gagging and eventually puked in the water. I felt bad for the person behind me. Thought that was a bad breakfast choice, but it was probably from the motion or the little panic attack or something. Then thought, well Elliot told me I would have some bad moments in the swim that sure isn't what I was expecting. But Art also told me to expect the unexpected so it made for a very vivid memory. Then rounding the first bouy was the 2nd most terrifying moment of my life. The people were as packed as before and I got sucked in and swung around. Because of all the people I panicked a little and my calves seized up. Crap I thought. Finally got to swimming again and got a cramping to go away, but my calves were pretty sore for the rest of the day. The rest of the swim was great. I felt good stayed away from people for the most part and tried to enjoy it! Came out of the water definitely not feeling like I do when I swim that distance in the pool and right on my planned time. Yeah!
Got into transition and changed. Wanted to wear compression socks but they took forever to put on. My hands were freezing and my legs all cramped up. Got some help finally and was off.
The first probably 15 miles on the bike were pretty cold and my legs were really cramped. All I could do was spin them and kept hoping they would warm up. I set my timer and tried to not get caught up in all the bikes whizzing past. The think one of the best tips from you Elliot was to feel like I was holding back for the first two hours. I definitely did, but then I had energy for the second lap. I ate on schedule and drank as much as I could with electrolytes. Really stuck to the plan. Was a little amused seeing people cranking up the hills standing up and in their big chain ring. On the second lap I was definitely getting tired of being aero. A little uncomfortable and tired. Was actually really glad that the hills showed up. I like hills. Can get in a different position etc. Came into town and kind of sat up a little on that little out and back to enjoy the end of the bike. My trusty stead did well. I was definitely happy and not deleriously tired. Ready for the run.
Got into the transiton and out quick. Art was ahead of me on the whole bike. I passed him in the transition. Got some sunscreen because I missed that before the bike and was off.
Legs actually felt ok and I was running. This was the big unknown for me. Would I be able to do this run? On the bike I held back and on the run I held back. I didn't want to lose it. Kept the feet moving. As I ran by the house by the lake looked for the rocks shaped like Idaho like Carrie said. Didn't see anything but it made me smile. Took was and gels at the aid stations but didn't stop just kept running. There was one aid station I gave myself before the race permission to walk through. I went through it 4 times so walked through it 4 times. Had to use the outhouse, but that wasn't unexpected. At that aid station I got lots of water and food and kept going. The inspiration station and this other girl out there playing music and cheering us on was motivating. Ran up the hill both times. Put my head down the 2nd time and ran on the little path on the side and kept thinking this isn't very steep not like running the M. It actually hurt worse to stop and walk and start up again than to keep running. At mile 20 I thought holy shit. I just ran 20 miles. It wasn't like a marathon at all where that is a wall. It was actually very motivating. Still kept holding back though. Thought what is going to happen in the next few miles.
Turned the corner to the finish line and that race is pretty cool. That finish line and that finish chute down Sherman really lets you take it all in. Got pretty emotional at the top but couldn't breath so pulled it back together. Ran pretty slow to enjoy the moment. Then crossed the line.
Wow, did it in 11:40. Had no idea if that was doable. But with your coaching and advice Elliot I had it to just keep running. My other best marathon time was 4:04 and this was 4:11. I am pretty happy. What an amazing day. Actually what an amazing journey and really race day was just icing on the cake. It seems so unimaginable to do the race when looking at it untrained and from the outside, but it was completely doable.
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