More later, but here are the numbers for the 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.2 mile run:
Total time:
6:11:57
175th out of 210 overall
24th out of 35 females overall
6th out of 10 females age 35-39
Stats:
Swim:
41:29 (avg. 1:58/100 yards)
T1: 2:32
Bike:
3:07:03 (18.0 mph)
T2: 2:29
Run: The Terrorist Next Door movie 2:18:25 (10:30/mi pace)
Just a few notes:
It’s a beautiful morning and I’m sitting on my deck with my coffee. The temperature is perfect. James just took off for a century ride with some buddies. I feel like I should be doing something active, but I’m still nursing my neck from Turtleman yesterday. I tweaked something and it’s painful — although, not as bad as yesterday. The massage guy at the race thinks I probably did something during the swim when turning my head from side to side to breath. At any rate, I’m here on my laptop instead and getting ready to recap Turtleman when I realized I haven’t even finished the SORT recap from a few weeks ago. I guess no time like the present…
The Swim 10.5: Apocalypse dvdrip Swim time: 00:35:42 (1083 overall place) Jûbei ninpûchô hd
Judy and I were in the same wave, but she swims like a fish, so I knew if I saw her at all during the race, I’d have to attempt to catch her on the bike or run (which never happened). Our wave was large (all 35+ women and Athenas). And something about the adrenaline of the start make the cold not quite so awful. Sure, it was still damn cold and I got an ice cream headache right away, but it didn’t seem as horrible as our previous dips. Right away, I got into a rhythm and plugged along. I felt actually pretty good considering the circumstances.
However, this was a very aggressive swim. I was being swam over left and right. I was almost swimming over people myself. The fog made the sighting somewhat hard and I kept finding myself swimming into shore and ended up on the left side of the buoys and I’d have to correct. A lot of other people were in the same boat. We’d all correct then at the same time (when we were close to the next buoy) which would cause a bit of a traffic jam. Good times.
I also had two swimmers that I kept running into at various parts of the swim. I’d try and swim away, move out to cleaner water, but would inevitably end up next to them almost colliding.
I got hit and probably hit people myself more in this race than any other in my history of racing. I also developed a nasty habit of kicking hard anytime I felt something touch my feet. Self defense or bad sportsmanship?
The swim was also odd because we were so close to shore that some people could actually walk. The race directors did this on purpose because of the fog and cold. But it would be weird to be swimming along and see people walking and standing. It was a tough swim for everyone.
Luckily, it was over in 35+ minutes for me. A fast swim considering I swam this in 48 minutes last year — although considering how far they buoys were brought in, the swim had to be considerably shorter. Given my performance at other races this year, I’m guess the swim was about .9 to 1 mile instead of 1.2.
Transition 1
T1: 2:36
Exiting the water at Racine sucks. I remember it clearly from last year. The run from the beach to the transition area is long and deep in sand. It is hard, hard work running up through that sand. It’s nice that there are lots of spectators there cheering, but the effort spikes my heart rate. Ugh.
When I finally got into transition and found my rack, my bike was gone!
Yep, that’s right. My bike was gone! I stared a bit as I took off my wet suit and then finally noticed my bike racked way at the end of my rack with my helmet and all my nutrition (which was stored in my helmet on my bike as well as my sunglasses) strewn about on the ground on top of other people’s transition spots. It was super weird. I have no idea what happened.
When I finally found everything and geared up, I was out and ready to ride the course. I’d decided to wear my regular bike helmet and not the TT helmet because I was afraid I’d get hot in the TT helmet. But there was still cloud and fog cover and the temperatures weren’t too bad — although it was humid.
The Bike
Bike: 2:54:45 (19.2 mph, 950 overall place)
Again, I don’t know what to say about the bike. It’s a long stretch of just pedaling in aero. I kept my heart rate in the lower to mid 150s. I ate 2-3 Clif Blocks every 20 minutes when my timer would go off. There were a number of people that I would play leap frog with. Me always passing them on the hills, them always passing me on the flats with their TT gear.
There were a lot of groups drafting out on the course and I thought that was weird. I hope they got penalties. I think some were just out there for training rather than racing. But it would get annoying to get passed by these groups of 4 or 5 and then have to pass them when they’d slow down for whatever reason. It was weird.
There was also one guy with a totally see-through tri suit. I mean, I could seriously see his ass as he pedaled along on the bike. It was so not pretty. I was considering saying something to him (I’d hope someone would do the same for me) but another woman did it before me. I heard her yell out, “Hey — I can totally see through your shorts!”
He said, “Thanks for telling me,” but he seemed less than concerned. Unfortunately, he was one of those guys that I leap frogged with so I got to see his ass pretty continually throughout the entire 56 mile bike.
Other than that, I did take one sports drink hand-up. I went through my own bottle of water and bottle of sports drinks. I felt like I had a nice steady pace. I also felt like there was a headwind for the majority of the ride. And I never did see Judy so I knew she was biking strong and fast (I’d later learn she kicked my ass on the bike — I averaged 19.2 mph, she: 20.1).
Transition 2 T2: 2:42
This was more uneventful than the last transition — thankfully. I did the little “slip out of your shoes on the bike” maneuver so I was able to hop off and run barefoot in transition which was faster than trying to run with bike shoes on. I quickly racked my bike, switched over my shoes. I body-glided up under my arms where I tend to chaff and I tried not to become negative about the run. Already, during the bike, I was having thoughts of, “Oh God, 13 miles of running.” Or, “I have to run for over 2 hours after this.”
The Run
Run: 2:18:37 (10:35/mile pace, 977 overall place)
I tried to quash the voices and just head out at an easy pace. My goal was to stay in the lower 150s for the first 7 miles and then pick it up to the lower 160s for the second half of the run.
The run was hard. I was getting tired and the sun was finally out. So, while I was freezing during the swim, I was certainly heating up during the run. I also had a horrible attack of gas. I’m not sure if it was the Clif Blocks or what (and I know this is TMI), but I was farting like crazy for the entire run and it was pretty embarrassing. Other runners even commented on it. So not fun. Last year, I’d alternated between Gu and Clif Blocks on the bike and this year I went with straight Clif Blocks. Probably won’t do that EVER again.
The first few miles, it became apparent that I was running 10:30ish miles. I told myself I could pick up the pace in the second half. But as the run unfolded, it was becoming clear that I wasn’t going to be able to run any faster. I couldn’t even really push my heart rate higher than 152. My legs just didn’t have it in them. I was walking through the water stops to make sure I got in fluids and salt tabs. I was even dousing my head in water to keep cool. The temperature was going us and so was my heart rate at little, just not my pace.
Since Racine’s run is two loops, I did see Judy twice. It was clear she was a good 15 minutes ahead of me and there was no chance of my catching her. I just tried to remain focused and calm. The last four miles were the longest. Almost marathon-long. I tried to talk myself down from, “you could just walk” and “how on earth can I run another 40 minutes?”
I also had a character on the run that kept leap frogging with me. Again, I think he was just out there “training” so he was super chatty (even commented on my gas issue and warned me my laces might be untied — they weren’t, I had lace locks on). But it became super annoying to pass him every time he slowed down because he’d talk to me in random and irritating ways (again, the Gas comment.)
I also noticed a lot of runners cramping. It was pretty humid at the end. I tried to focus on the fact that I still felt okay and could keep running — even if I wasn’t running “fast.”
And I made it. Somehow. Someway. The last mile dissolved into the finish. I had a final rabbit at the end that I cruised by in a sprint to finish.
Total time: 5:54:32
Overall: 971 out of 1382
35-39 Females: 54 out of 103
Conclusion
Judy met me at the end and we got into Lake Michigan to “ice bath” our legs. Everyone in the water remarked at how cold it was and how amazing it was that we’d just swam through that just that morning.
I was actually feeling pretty good. My shoes were sloshy with all the water I poured on myself during the run so I wanted to get those off before I blistered. But I didn’t really chaff or have any problems. Even my muscles felt pretty good. I did get one wicked sunburn, though.
Judy and I hung out and ate some food, checked results and then finally checked into our third hotel of the trip: the Super 8. This wasn’t as nice as the Marriott, but certainly clean. We both showered, put away our gear. Watched a little cable TV and finally headed out for dinner at a cute little Irish pub where we treated ourselves to cheese curds (that’s right! Cheese curds and they were awesome) and ginormous burgers (her’s beef, mine Turkey).
We toasted to an adventure complete. I think we also both decided then and there NEVER to do this race again. It think it’s cursed for me (last year James’ accident, this year dying dog) and Judy’s experience wasn’t the best considering the hotel situation, the crappy weather and the freezing water.
I slept hard that night. I think we both did. I was ready to get home. We drove to my hometown where I was picking up my sister and her friend for a week spent with me in the Cities. Judy and I ate lunch with my stepdad and then we made the long trek on 94 back to the cities.
All in all, it was a decent trip. It was certainly epic. But I know I was grouchy and hard to deal with at times. My heart just wasn’t in this race. I guess I’m glad I did it, but I’m more glad it is over.
I also decided this distance may not be for me. Or maybe it’s just all the distance work I’ve done this year (with the Marathon, too) and I’m tired of it. I don’t know. What I do know is that I’m on the fence for the half iron I’m signed up for in September.
I don’t know. My heart just wasn’t in it this year. I’m sure it’s a combination of the black cloud that is my dying dog, some work stress and lack of prep. I actually did pretty okay. I beat my time from last year by over 10 minutes. But before you get excited about that, almost all of it came from the swim because they had to move the course inwards towards the beach. The water was 55 degrees on race day! It was also super-foggy. So, for the safety of everyone, they moved in the course and I’m sure it was way shorter than last year. But I have no idea the actual distance. My transition times were slower (the race report should explain that). My bike was shorter. I did speed up slightly on the run (went from a 10:44/pace to a 10:35 pace) — but my heart wasn’t in it. My average HR for the entire race was 145. It should have been in the 150s.
Still, I’m okay with my results. I didn’t tank for not being super excited. I didn’t have to deal with the trauma of my husband and the emergency room and I got to witness my buddy kick-ass in her first half. She finished a stellar 12+ minutes ahead of me.
Here are the results:
Overall: 971 out of 1382
35-39 Females: Fast & Furious 4 trailer
Swim time:
00:35:42 (1083 overall place)
T1: 2:36
Bike: 2:54:45 (19.2 mph, 950 overall place)
T2:
2:42
Run: 2:18:37 (10:35/mile pace, 977 overall place)
Total time: 5:54:32
(I was a nerd and figured out that I finished at the 74% mark last year out of the total field and finished at 70% this year — so some improvement from last year compared to the group.) These Old Broads film
Race recap to come some time this weekend. But, honestly, I’m just relieved it’s done and I can concentrate on my fun Olympic-distances now.
Okay. Here we go. It’s start time. I’m off on Mile One and I’m wondering why the hell I signed myself up for this thing. I’m nervous. I’m still not sure if I can do this, but I’m here and it’s started and I have the next 4+ hours all to myself with 7,000 other runners. The day is shaping up to be beautiful. The sun is out. The view of the pine trees on old Hwy 61 is calm and relaxing.
The course is crowded, lots of dodging for placement at the beginning (and I’d soon later learn that the field never really does clear all that much around me. I was passing and being passed up until the finish). This is one of the largest events I’ve ever competed in. As I start this first mile, I tell myself to take it easy. I have a tendancy to go hard with the momentum of a start. I let the crowd take me away. But my plan is slow and steady for the first 10 to 13 miles. I keep an eye on my heart rate and stay in the lower 140s.
Mile 1: 9:50
Okay, so a little faster than I was hoping. I cruised along still focusing on staying in the low 140s. I was noticing that it was already warmer than I’d expected. The sun started to peek out just before the start and it was warming up the road. I knew I wouldn’t have a cool race but I also tried to remain calm. It was still in the 60s. I felt strong. I was sweating already, but I had my enduralytes, so I’d be okay.
Mile 2: 10:03
Slower, good. I felt like I was settling into a pace. My heart rate was good. I had numerous people passing me at this point — on my left, on my right. I had an annoying “Team Robert” (as labeled by their orange t-shirts) roll by me like a rowdy crowd. Incidentally, at the start, one of their members elbowed me in the eye as he “stretched out” at the crowded start. So, I was bias against them at the beginning.
Mile 3: 9:55
Crap, I’m faster. Need to slow down a bit. Heart rate still in the 140s. I’m trying to run in the shade when possible. I’m also considering where I can go to the bathroom. Unfortunately, the two port-a-pottys I’ve passed at this point have had long lines.
Mile Four: 10:15
Okay. I’m right on track. My heart rate’s good. The sun’s a little warm but, at times, a breeze starts to come off Lake Superiour and it feels damn good. I look around at the cheery runners. Everyone is cheery this early into the run.
Mile Five: 10:11
I’m consistent and I feel good. I’m looking for my boy and Kristy, but they must not have gotten out on the course yet. I coach myself that I’ve just completed my normal 5-miler near home. Just a little more than a mile, then under 20 miles to go. I frame it up to sound comforting, but it ends up sounding more daunting. I also notice some of the people passing me that I know can’t hold their pace. They are flying. They will burn.
Mile 6: 10:24
Slower. I’m walking through water stops which is fine, but I know that affects my overall pace. I’ve started taking enduralytes every 2 miles and Hammer Gel every 4-5. I feel pretty good, but I want to still keep my effort on the easy side. My heart rate is creeping into the higher 140s. It’s warm, but all is good.
Mile 7: 10:26
I finally find a port-a-potty without a crazy line. I do my business. I time it at a 1:30 loss. I’m also still walking through water stops. This was one of my longest miles.
Mile 8: 10:54
Okay, I’m back on track. At this point, I see Al Franken and his team. They are on the other side of the road. I considering hopping over to high-five him — although, I remind myself that, even though I hate Norm Coleman and want nothing better than to see him out of office, I’m still not a huge fan of Al. — (is that bad?) – As we pass Al Franken + co, I hear some guys with an accent discussing his appearance, “That guy? He’s famous. He’s on TV. A comedian.”
“Really?”
“Yes, he’s on Saturday Night Live. He’s a famous guy.”
This conversation goes on a bit as I pass the men slowly. I finally HAVE to chime in, “He’s also running for Senate,” I yell.
“Really?” they both say? [OMG: please tell me these guys are not from Minnesota]
“What’s his name again?” asks the guy who was telling his other friend about him.
“Al Franken,” I yell.
“Thanks!!!” they both respond.
Wow.
Mile 9: 10:13
The craziest thing happens here. I’m running along. I’m feeling good and telling myself I’m now a third of the way through the day and I hear a bunch of runners yelling and cheering. I look to my left. There is a male runner off on the grass with a female. He’s on bended knee and CLEARLY proposing. More runners cheer. I assume she says yes. I then proceed to ruminate over the fact that this is Mile 9. MILE NINE — will they keep running? why propose at mile 9? why not wait until later? would I consider quitting if I was proposed to at mile 9? It was certainly a distraction and congrats to WHOEVER you are that got engaged at mile 9 of Grandma’s Marathon 2008.
Mile 10: 9:39
I must be peppy. I went harder than I should have making up for that time at mile 8. Oh, well. I feel good. My heart rate is in the upper 140s still.
Mile 11: 10:18
I’m back on track. I’m also wondering where the hell my buddy Kristy and my man James are, I thought I’d see them by now. I also ran into a gaggle of men debating politics. They are clearly more conservative than I am and I’m hearing arguments about health care that make my skin crawl. I can’t get into the details here (I clearly could, just choose not to). but I’m thinking, “If I run beside these guys for another 15 miles, it will kill me.” My blood is boiling.
Mile 12: 10:14
Okay. Two hours of running is down. I’m still nice and consistent and feeling good. Almost half to go. I have another gel at some point and I’m still taking my endurolytes every 2 miles.
Mile 13: 10:08
I finally see James and Kristy!!! But I’m also not that friendly. I’m plugging along. I feel decent, but I also don’t want to lose focus. I’m also halfway done!
Mile 14: 9:43
Seeing my peeps obviously had an effect, I speed up. My heart rate is also entering the 150s, but that’s okay. It’s time to pick up the pace if I can.
Mile 15: 10:15
Woah, too much pace. Slow a bit. Although, I do kind of want to push ahead because I’m looking for the 4:30 pace group. They should be around here somewhere. I’m running faster than their pace (even at 10:15s) and I passed the 5 hour group back at mile 3. Where are they?
Mile 16: 10:18
I’m back on pace, but not exactly by choice. I had hoped to just slow down to a 10-minute mile.
Mile 17: 10:29
At least I’m consistent. But my heart rate is now in the lower 150s. The temperature is rising. There isn’t a lot of shade. I’m not getting the same distance for heart rate, but that’s okay. I’m doing okay. I see Al Franken again. This time, he’s on my side of the road. I high-five him. “Hey, didn’t I see you earlier?” I try to joke. He’s not receptive. Can I vote for a man who doesn’t laugh at my jokes?
Mile 18: 9:34
Ooh, that was faster. My heart rate is higher, too, but wait… What, is that a balloon I see waaaay up there??
Mile 19: 9:41
I found it!! The 4:30 pace group. I smoke this mile catching them. I also see James & Kristy again, but I’m focused on cathing the pace group. MUST CATCH PACE GROUP.
Almost there. I’m close. They just keep chugging along. I have to catch them.
– halfway through this mile –
Phew! I’ve caught them and I’m resting a bit. Finally, a group that can pull me along. If I finish with them, I know I’ll be a sub-4:30 marathon. Maybe I can still hit my 4:22 goal if I pull ahead in a few miles. I’m starting to feel fatigued, though.
Mile 21 & 22: 20:59
We enter Duluth. It’s actually kind of smoggy and stinky. I’m chugging along at the pace of the 4:30 group. It’s hard. My mental battles start. I know it’s less than 6 miles to the finish, but I don’t know that I can stick with the group. Must stick with the group.
Mile 23: 10:19
Oh my god, this is hard. I can’t believe we still have 3.2 more miles to go. Super-woman pace group leader with the balloons is pulling me along. I tell myself I have to stay with her. It hurts. 3.2 more miles feels like an eternity. A guy in a red shirt with the pace group also stinks every time he’s in front of me.
Mile 24: 10:19
We’re running through downtown Duluth. I try to enjoy the scenery, but I’m mentally battling with whether or not I can stick with the group. I can do it. I must do it. I’m too stubborn a girl to give up now. Is this when we hit gum drop hill? I can’t remember. I do know I pulled ahead of the group while climbing. It felt good to have a change in terrain. Every time I’d pull ahead, the pace group would catch me though. 2 more miles seems like an eternity.
Mile 25: 10:36
Pace group has us consistent! I tell myself it’s okay to drop off from the pace group. Then I tell myself it’s not okay. “Just stay with them,” I coach myself. It’s only 15 minutes more. You can do it.
– halfway through this mile –
Okay. We’re hear. We’re approaching canal park and the pace leader wants everyone to run ahead. I don’t look back. I see a woman in tropical print ahead of me. I tell myself to catch her. I tell myself I can push it for 13 more minutes. I don’t care about my heart rate any more. I want to finish strong.
I check my watch: 10 more minutes
I check my watch again: 8 more minutes.
Man, this is the longest mile of my life!
7-1/2 more minutes.
I do this for the remaining mile. I push and pull everything I have within me.
Mile 26: 10:09
This is it. Only a fraction left. (OMG – how long is .2 miles??!!!) Tropical print is in front of me. I sprint it out. I pass her. I had NO IDEA I still had that in the tank…
Mile 26.2: 1:47
Finished. Sudden stop as they place the medal around my neck. I feel choked up, like I’m going to cry.
T-shirt tent is next. I’m a little delirious. A kind volunteer says he’ll do us right. He gives both my and tropical print our finisher’s t-shirts. I thank tropical print for her motivation at the end.
The finishing chute / area is crowded. I can’t believe this many people raced??!! I try to figure out where to go – food? bags? family meet-up area? I decide to find James & Kristy first. I do grab some ice cream and water. I find my letter “L” and wait for James and Kristy to find me.
They do about 10 minutes later. I’m relieve to have people to share my finish with. My urge to cry is no longer there. We head down to Lake Superior so I can ice bath my legs in the cold, cold water.
That afternoon, we showered and had a super post-race meal at Burrito Union. We also walked around Canal Park, but it was a little too crowded and “drunky” for me. We ended up finding a shop with artisan cheeses and meat and picked up a little stash to take back the B&B. We celebrated with a triple-cream brie, wine, smoked fish and crackers on the balcony in nowhere Minnesota. It was absolutely lovely.
In the end, I’m proud of my time. I broke a 4:30 marathon. My official chip time is 4:26:56 and I will never belittle the 10-minute mile marathon ever again. It’s eluded me twice and I know I worked my ass off in both of those races.
As for Grandma’s, I’m not sure it’s worth the hype. It was well supported. There were super volunteers. It was certainly a good experience. But, honestly, I like a little more variety in my scenery and terrain. 26.2 miles of the same highway that was almost pancake flat got a little old. I’m sorry, Grandma.
All in all, though. I’m glad I did it. I’m happy with the outcome. And I hope it makes me a stronger runner for the remainder of this season.
Sure, the weather was perfect. And I mean PERFECT. No heat in Racine today so the half iron distance race wasn’t a death march as it has been in past years. However, my circumstances weren’t ideal.
I don’t want to get into all the messy details, but my “pre-ra
I’ll have a full race report later, but I did manage to squeak out a 1:54 half-marathon at Whistlestop in Ashland, Wisconsin on Saturday (that was technically four seconds faster than last year’s time). I finished 14th this year (out of 110) — again, slightly better than finishing 13th out of 84 last year.
Good stuff considering I lost my nutrition on the course and bonked around mile 9 making the last four miles the most painful of any half-marathon I’d ever run. I was also sorer than I’d ever been after a half — a result of pushing so hard when I really, really had nothing left.
So, I was disappointed and happy with the results. The coolest, though? I crossed the finish line at the exact same time as an old high school classmate. We hadn’t seen each other in probably 17 years. But more on it all later. Just wanted to give ya’ll an update…The Cottage
Kingdom Hospital movie download 13 Hours in a Warehouse movie
I finally finished the Turtleman 2007 report. It is here
I got to meet Tony the Tiger the day before the race. I thought that was a good sign.
The girls and I at the swim clinic the day before. The waves were huge, but we were glad we did it in order to prepare. Luckily, the wind wasn’t an issue on race day.
I don’t really want to go in, but I do anyway.
And we’re off…
I’m a little confused. I thought James was going to pass me off sports drink here — not take my picture. Luckily they caught up with me later with a refill.
I felt really strong here at 7 miles. Unfortunately, from miles 9 through 11, I felt much worse.
Finishing it up, this was all I had left.
Return of the Ghostbusters dvd
buy The Boat That Rocked K-PAX full movie
Brooke and I right after the finish. Can you tell I wasn’t ready to smile yet?
Finally, I’m ready to smile. I’m with my girls. We’re all first-timers and we rocked!
