Journey 140.6: Gratitude

Diane, Eric & Barb were everywhere!

We have so much to be grateful for in completing our first full Ironman.  The weather cooperated for the first time after 2 70.3 races in torrential rain, a cancelled swim at Eagleman, and a cancelled Martha’s Vineyard race due to Hurricane Dorian.  Neither Mike nor I experienced any accidents or major injuries in our journey.  The race day mechanical Gods were on our side.  Neither of us had any severe reactions to the multiple jellyfish stings.  But most of all, we had amazing support from our friends and family.

The training got tough in August.  The long runs and rides cut into social time when we had summertime guests. My sister Barb had yummy brunches awaiting us and pre-made meals for our week ahead.  She made sure I was well stocked with biofreeze to treat my foot tendonitis.

Barb is a great nurturer!

Our Martha’s Vineyard Cycling Club was there for us on Sunday long rides, and some even rode further with us when our long rides turned longer than the ride.  Wayne, a former Kona competitor, would slow down his normally fast pace and keep me company, giving me advice on Ironman pacing.

The TriDot coaches and community were with me every step of the way.  From the Ironman race tips and race recon webinars to a call and reach out from Elizabeth James, one of the most caring coaches on the planet, I gained the confidence I needed to do a full Ironman.

Diane and Eric came for The Martha’s Vineyard Tri, but when it was cancelled became our training partners for a peak training weekend.  Diane accompanied me on my longest run and made 15 miles go by faster and easier than I imagined.  Eric miraculously didn’t stop after his intended 6 miles and kept going with Mike.  After the hurricane passed, we enjoyed a long ride around the Island. Diane accompanied me for my longest swim in choppy waters and helped boost my confidence that if I could complete 2.4 miles in those conditions in 1h50, I would be good come race day.

The Iron Parents & Dog!

Mom and dad watched Barb’s dog Bella so she could come support me at the race venue.  Numerous friends, family, colleagues and Philly Tri Club members tracked our progress during the race.  Every time I went over a timing mat I was reminded of the support I had in places as far away as Costa Rica, Germany and London.  When Mike and I were driving down to Maryland, I was playing his secretary while he drove.  I was so touched by his German client’s email wishing us both well that it brought tears to my eyes.

Diane & Eric presented the birthday cake!

During the race weekend, we were so touched and honored to have Diane, Eric and Barb as our support crew and cheerleaders.  From making dinner, creating a birthday cake for Mike and our housemate Linda, to picking up our gear and cleaning the AirBnB, they were there every moment.  They captured photos, video and loudly cheered us on.  In fact other people commented how they were EVERYWHERE on the course!

No one ever completes an Ironman alone.  Mike and I want to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts who helped get us to the finish line and make the day special.

Journey 140.6: I AM AN IRONMAN!!!!

Warning:  Long race report because the race was long, and I never want to forget the details of this day!

The wonderful thing about journeys is that they take you to unexpected places that you never could have imagined.  This is my story of the day I became an Ironman, but the journey started long before today…. 

I remember when….

I couldn’t swim a length of the pool

It took me nearly 20 min to complete my first 450 yard open water triathlon swim

I was afraid to clip into my bike pedals

I sat in a triathlon educational seminar and listened to the topic “Is this your year to do an Ironman” - and never imagined I would do one

I spectated Ironman Lake Placid and declared I physically could not do an Ironman

I bought a watch with battery just enough to get me through my half Ironman – because I couldn’t fathom that a year later I would be doing an Ironman

The moment on September 23, 2018 when I crossed the Atlantic City Half Ironman finish line and realized I was capable of so much more

The night I hit the registration submit button for IMMD…and then woke up with trepidation

Everyone has their own their story.  Some people miraculously decide to start the triathlon journey and complete an Ironman within 1-2 years.  For me, it has been an 8 year journey that led me to this day, September 28, 2019, in Cambridge, MD.  My Sherpa Diane has given me the advice to be present in the moment and to do that, to identify and remember 6 moments -- 1 moment on the swim, 2 moments on the bike, and 3 moments on the run that I want to hold onto.

My alarm goes off at 4am.  I’m surprisingly asleep and dreaming of getting my hair cut, but once awakened my Garmin tells me I had 6h38 min of sleep with only 39 minutes of that being a deep sleep.  Good thing I followed the advice to bank sleep earlier in the week.  I go through my pre-race routine of eating a bagel with peanut butter, applying sunscreen, mixing my UCAN nutrition, and checking my list to make sure I have everything and then at 5am, off we go to the Gerry Boyle Memorial Park.

Getting ready for the jellyfish swim

All is going to plan as I pump up my tires, drop off my special needs bags, and put a few things in my bike and run gear bags that I dropped off yesterday.  And then I head over to the porta potties and the lines are insane.  There is much discussion about number 1s and 2s, but given the amount of time it’s taking people and the fact that people aren’t giving up for the pee in your wetsuit option, I’m pretty sure we’re all there for the latter.  I’m still in line as they play the National anthem and begin the race and fretting that I won’t be able to kiss Mike and wish him well on his journey.

SWIM

I run to the swim start and I’m attempting to put on my clothing including a TriSerena long sleeve covering that has become all twisted up.  Two nice spectators see my distress and help get me untangled, pull up my wetsuit, and put on my newly purchased wetsuit sleeves.  I’m trying to take every precaution against jellyfish stings while still wearing a sleeveless wetsuit for shoulder movement.  

Oh, those jellyfish!!!  I opted not to do my practice swim because everyone was reporting getting stung and it seemed like it would only add to my pre-race anxiety.  I prefer to be blissfully ignorant of what’s to come because I believe the race day adrenaline will neutralize the stings.  As I make my way forward, I’m slathering myself with SeaSafe, Body Glide, and then Vaseline.

At 7:00:41am I’m off! The water is warm, not too choppy and I calmly begin my swim.  I’m relieved I’m not stung right away so there is hope.  I do feel a sting before I get to the first buoy turn, but it’s not so bad, just annoying. 

Moment 1

I’m just getting into my swim groove and as I breathe to my left, I see 2 jet skies.  I’m immediately pleased to see a familiar face – the local who welcomed me into his neighbor’s AirBnB. He had stopped by the house to pick up his life jackets and told us he would be supporting the swim.  A very friendly and welcoming soul, I feel such comfort seeing him on the jet ski at that moment and I’m reminded why I picked this event as my first Ironman – because the community and people welcome and support the event.

After I make my way around the first buoy, the number of swimmers picks up as the fast swimmers are now on their second lap.  It’s not the washing machine swim that Atlantic City was as they are giving us plenty of room to swim wide of the buoys, but it’s an odd swim with people all of sudden stopping, presumably as they encounter a sting, and some swimmers who cannot seem to hold a straight line and suddenly angling in front of me.  I feel the down current kick in as I round the second buoy and before I know it I’m at the 3^rdbuoy.  I can see with the downstream current now perpendicular to me that I have to angle in to stay on course.  I turn at the 4^th buoy and the kayaks direct me to the timing chip arch.  I hit 2100 yards and I’m happy to see I’m holding my fastest pace as I’m 49 minutes and half way there.  I repeat the loop, notice the current is picking up a little more so I angle in as I make my way down the home stretch.  I feel some more stings, perhaps more than the first loop.

I make my way up the boat ramp with nice volunteers helping to pull me up and out.  At 8:43:37am I exit.  I’m elated with my time of 1:42:56 and surprised to see that it even included an extra 400 yards according to Garmin, which puts me at an open water swim record of 2:13/100 yard pace.  I hear the cheers of my sister Barb and friends Diane and Eric.

T1

The wetsuit strippers do their magic removal, a volunteer sprays my stings with vinegar, I grab my bike gear bag, and I’m off to the changing tent for T1.  It’s a flurry of activity and knowing I gained some time on the swim, I don’t rush it.  I put on my bike shorts and make sure I have everything.  A volunteer kindly gives me a glass of water and is very helpful putting everything else back in my bag.  I head out of the tent, grab my bike and mount at bike out, ready to settle in for the longest continuous ride of my life.

BIKE

I ride past our AirBnB along the scenic riverbank and once I’m out of all of the turns and on a straightaway, I settle into my aero position.  I go at a good 16 – 17.5 mph pace for the first 15 miles.  I drink my whole Torpedo UCAN water mixture in the first hour so at the first aid station I take a quick break to refill the Torpedo. 

My awesome support crew!

Moment 2

I approach a corner and out of nowhere see some friendly faces.  Diane is yelling my name at the top of her lungs!  Barb and Eric are cheering me on.  They are a welcome and fun sight, and I feel loved.

I forgo the special needs at the first high school stop, continue and then, boom, a big headwind slows me down to 14.1mph.  I pedal through the beautiful wildlife refuge and navigate some fishermen who don’t seem to be phased by the onslaught of cyclists.  As I hit the 3 hour mark, my body is telling me it’s ready for a pit stop, which takes about 5 minutes as I wait for the porta potty and refill my water.  It does wonders as for the next 15 miles I’m back to my top speeds.  And then I begin to slow.

Moment 3

I’m starting to drag and then I hear a young girl’s voice and the beat of a drum.  There she is, diligently keeping the beat and repeating, “you can do it”.  I’m uplifted to continue on.

I see my cheering squad at another corner.  How great to have them finding me out there in surprise spots on the course!  The 2^nd loop of the high school is nowhere in site and not what I was expecting since it was supposed to be at mile 58, but I’m now over 60 miles.  The change in course due to standing water is causing unexpected mental expectations and making this stretch seem even longer.  I see the 100 mile marker for the second loop – oh, how I wish – and then people guiding us first loopers to the high school special needs stop again.  This time I stop to reapply sun lotion and refill my water bottles and in the process I’m treated to the energetic Chesapeake College Skipjacks Baseball team volunteer squad.

Ugh, that headwind again!  For the next 15 miles, I can’t keep a pace above 13.5mph.  I take another porta potty break, and like magic I find renewed energy for the final 30 plus mile stretch.  With less than 10 miles to go, I’m heartbroken to see a woman carrying her bike in one hand and her wheel in the other.  It’s not clear what has happened but to make it that far and have a mechanical issue is tragic.  I get closer and closer to town and transition.  With less than 3 miles to go, I’m relieved to know I could always walk it in if a mechanical issue arises!  But all ends well and I arrive back after 7:26:29 to the bike-in arch and my cheering squad.

T2

I slowly walk my bike back to its rack, stop at the porta potties, grab my run bag, and enter the tent.

Moment 4

I’m struggling to get my Philadelphia Tri Kit on and a volunteer comes over to help me.  And then, I hear and see Barbara, from my tri club, running over and giving me a big hug.  She is volunteering and goes into action to help me get dressed and my bike gear back into the bag.  She tells me she and her husband will also be volunteering at the finish line so I tell her I will see her on the other side!

And then I run out of the tent, and who do I see but Mike!  It’s the first time I see him on the course.  Our support crew told him I was in the tent so he slowed down to be able to greet me.

RUN

Wow, that heat and humidity!  Where did it come from?!  Barbara had commented on it and somehow I’m only taking notice of it now.  After just one mile, I’m in need of water at the aid station.  I run by our Philly Tri Club tent in the front yard of our AirBnB, greet the Captain American Iron Fan on the corner, and run through the residential area.  Once again, the aid station can’t come fast enough.  I continue running and approach the subdivision area.  I can see an aid station and think I’m going to round the corner and arrive at it only to find out this a cruel horseshoe that requires turning back around and going to the other side of the horseshoe.  Now I understand why the mileage on the course charts supposedly didn’t look to scale.  I’m so happy to get out of horseshoe hell.

Barb gives me a high five! Our AirBnB is right on the run course!

I pass our housemate Shanti who yells an inspirational, “you are going to be an Ironman”!  I pass Mike now on his second loop.  I’m happy to see my cheering squad back at the Philly Tri Club tent.  The neighbors are an energetic, dancing and older crowd blasting music and I give them high fives.  Front lawns are filled with enthusiastic fans spraying water, playing music and giving high fives.  My favorite one is 3 girls who are high fiving passerby’s.  I’m back through Gerry Boyle park, and towards Long Wharf Park. 

Moment 5

A young, likely 3 years old, blond haired and barefooted boy runs out onto the course.  He sprints down the street as fast as his little legs can take him and faster than I can go at this stage.  Probably also faster than his parents can keep up since they are nowhere in sight.  He is finally captured by a volunteer.

I pass Long Warf Park, and I can hear our announcer Tony Lugo bellowing, “You are an Ironman”.    I hear it all the way as I run into town and turnaround.  People are lining the streets and the RAR bar is a scene with alcohol flowing and no shyness of that crowd.  But I’m so thirsty that take the aid station water and walk the turnaround rather than running for show for the crowd.

Now it’s back past Long Warf Park and through Gerry Boyle Park to begin Loop 2.  I decide a need a porta potty break.  I’m starting to feel my legs but at least the sun is going down so it’s getting cooler.  I psyche myself up to run past the AirBnB again and into Horseshoe Hell.  At least this time I’m mentally prepared and know where all of the aid stations are.  People are fading and even passing out as I see multiple medical personnel attending to fallen runners.  I tell myself, just keep your slow pace and fuel and hydrate at each aid station.

This time my support crew is not at the AirBnB so I figure they are seeing Mike finish.  The neighbors are still going strong though so I high five them, and as I make my way towards Gerry Boyle Park, I see the same 3 young girls and their father.  “You’re still here,” I exclaim.  “You’re still here, so we’re still here!” responds the father.

This 2^nd loop back through the park, past Long Warf and into town is getting long, but hearing more “You are an Ironman” finishes keeps me going back through town, and now I know I’m on my 3^rd, shorter loop.

Moment 6

I’m so excited to reach the third loop turnaround that is right in front of our AirBnB.  I’m even more excited to see the full contingent of our cheering squad AND Mike, who has finished and showered and not moving from the comfort of his chair.

I’m in the home stretch now!  Only a few miles to go!  The neighbors have gone in but still have their music blaring.  It must be the 3 girls’ bedtime by now.  In fact, it’s past my bedtime!  As I make my way into town, I hear my support crew calling my name.  One mile to go!

This time I run through town, rather than walking through the aid station.  I know I have a chance of breaking 6 hours on my run.  I’ve even outlasted many at the RAR bar!  I run back down the cobble stoned street, being super careful not to catch a foot.  I see the finish area and lights.  I start to soak it all in.  They are playing one of my favorite songs,

I'm not afraid of getting older
I'm one less day from dying young
I see the light go past my shoulder
I'm one less day from dying young

I hit the red carpet.

Tony Lugo announces,

Catherine Mayone, You are an Ironman!

I cross the finish line at 15:41:35, having done the run in 5:59:21.  Barbara, my tri club volunteer, is there to put the medal around my neck.  Mike, Barb, Diane, and Eric are all there waiting for me.  Barb has tears in her eyes and tells me how proud she is of me.

It is truly a day I will never forget.

Barbara from my TriClub gives me my IMMD medal and the Gerry Boyle Crabby Challenge medal for finishing both Eagleman and IMMD

My husband Mike also became an Ironman today!

My sister Barb has tears in her eyes as she tells me how proud she is of me

Journey 140.6: Race Rehearsal

The cliff notes lessons learned:

• Make sure bike is clean and well tuned up.  Article consulted on the bike chain
• Practice changing flat tires on both the front and rear, and using the inflation equipment you will use on race day.
• Never ride without your hydration being secure. Put packing tape in gear and special needs bags in the event you have issues.
• Hydrate well before, during and after.  Fuel  more.  Doing all of this whole in motion is an art and science.  Article consulted on hydration and nutrition.
• With practice comes confidence!

My TriDot plan calls for 3 race rehearsals, 4 and 2 weeks out from race day.  Rather than doing all 3 disciplines, it’s a Brick with the main focus being the bike followed by a 40 minute run.  I did do a 2 mile swim the day before. The rehearsal is so much more than an endurance test.  Here’s how I did:

Equipment:  The day before I thoroughly cleaned my bike, including using a cloth like dental floss to clean out the cassette.  I rode in the rain for my last ride and my bike was not shifting as smoothly as it usually does so this was much needed. I checked the chain length using the ruler test and it seems to be ok.  I put new tires on, which made for good tire changing practice.  The first tire I failed miserably getting the last bit of tire on and knowing how to operate a CO2 canister. While I always carry CO2s, I had never used one before as all tubes I’ve changed were in the garage.  I also didn’t even know what pressure the CO2 would inflate the tube to (about 80lbs). Fortunately things went better for the 2nd wheel, although I still struggled with that last bit of the tire.  This time I refused all help, and finally figured out what would work - put the tire iron in the middle of the last bit. I did call Mike to help guide me for putting the rear tire back on but he actually struggled as my bike is set up slightly differently than his, but I visually saw how to put the chain under the cassette and maneuver the tire into the sockets.  (Ironically as I was typing this paragraph, we got a blowout on our car tire....after all the bike maintenance we were lazy and called AAA!).

While I test road around the neighborhood, I knew the real test of my mechanic skills would come the next day on my long ride.  Having read someone else’s lesson learned that they got bored on race day without the social aspects, I wanted to be solo and focused. My plan was to go out just ahead of the group ride and not make any of the usual stops. That way, if I got into trouble, my friends would find me. That all went out the window when I inserted my Torpedo hydration kit and discovered the cage had broken.  It seemed like it would be secure enough.  Big mistake.

Caution:  Flying Torpedo!

I got 1/2 mile down the road and the Torpedo lived up to its name flying through the air and spewing my cherry lime nutrition hydration in all directions.  I’m sure those who passed it later mistook it for someone’s late night regurgitated cocktail. I returned home, refilled it and strapped it down with tape.  Note to self - put packing tape in gear and special needs bag for solving these type of issues.

By now, the group ride was ahead of me but I went in confidence knowing I can change a tire.

Clothing:  my plan is to wear the same sleeved Tri top with back pockets for fuel for the swim and bike. I’ll either wear my bike shorts or lightweight long cycling pants depending on the weather, and will take my arm sleeves if needed.  For the run, I’ll change into my Philly TriClub kit so I can finish looking great!  I will also wear compression socks on the bike and run as they feel good and keep more skin covered and less sun lotion to worry about.  I’ve tested all clothing for chafing.

I only managed to eat half my nutrition

Nutrition and Hydration:  I planned on consuming about 1500 calories on the bike (250 per hour) through a combination of UCAN super starch, BASE Bars, honey stingers, Roctane Gu, and shot blocks.  I’ve been practicing with BASE and Roctane since that is what is on the course. For my first 70.3 I tried pretzels which got soggy in the rain. I’ve used Trader Joe’s vegan bread on long rides but it’s too bulky to carry many calories. 

What I didn’t know is how much of an art and a science it would be trying to consume enough calories while moving.  Most training rides I’ve eaten at one of our group ride breaks.  Having learned that BASE bars are as hard to open as Fort Knox, I cut little slits in the packaging but next time I think I will make it a full slit. The other thing you have to figure out is how to maneuver the packaging without littering, which will get you a penalty.

They say nutrition in an Ironman is the 4th discipline and I see why.  I ended up consuming about half the calories I brought with me so my nutrition needs some work.  On top of it, post ride I woke up with a headache that continued into the next day so I clearly was dehydrated and need to hydrate more before, during and post the race. 

Breaks:  I took two 5 minute bathroom/ hydration refill breaks during my 6 hour ride. When there was a long line for one bathroom, I used the opportunity to reapply some sunscreen. I plan to carry some sun lotion and also put spray cans in special needs bags.

It's getting harder to find enough roads!

Slow pace!

The 6 hour ride:  Overall, I was slower than I hope to be race day, especially considering I stopped my watch for the breaks.  I think a combination of having to stop for traffic, rough road, hills, and not having total fresh legs made for a 14.3 mph pace.  My knees began to hurt towards the last quarter of the ride which is something I’ve only been experiencing lately with these longer rides, which led to slower speed as time went on. The good news is my butt is perfectly comfortable in the saddle, to my surprise.  I’m still within the cutoff but I would like to have more cushion in the event of a bike mechanical issue. At Eagleman 70.3 I was at more than 17 mph so I know I’m capable of a better speed.

Perfect pace!

40 min brick run:  Surprisingly when I got off the bike to run I had no knee pain. It was as if they were free and happy to run.  I was able to maintain my marathon race pace around 9:42/mile, although my heart rate was elevated so I don’t expect to be able to maintain that on race day.  I only took one walk break for 1 minute mid-way through but on race day I plan to take quick walk breaks through the aid stations to hydrate and fuel.

My first 2 mile swim!

Perfect pace!

Swim (day before):  It was my first 2 mile swim and I was happy with my 2:20 pace. I wore my sleeveless wetsuit and like it much better than sleeves for a long swim like this. I experienced shoulder pain after my first 70.3 for some period of time.

Weather:  The weather gods did great!  Keep up the good work!

Overall, the rehearsal was a success and I now have a big goal to better hydrate and fuel going forward.

Journey 140.6: Ironman Training Behind the Scenes

Less than a month to go!

You may hear about or see someone who crossed the finish line of a full Ironman, but what’s it really like to train for a 2.4 mile swim, 112 bike and a 26.2 mile marathon run (yes, all in one day)? For me, selecting the “standard volume” in my TriDot plan, it’s peaking at 15-16 hours a week during this last month of peak training for my September 28 IM Maryland race. The biggest thing that changes going from a half Ironman to a full is that your weekends become consumed with a long run and ride.

Beyond the training, I have to spend a few hours a week on everything else that involved in getting me to the start line such as researching and buying products, self-care, nutrition practice, bike maintenance, reading the athlete’s guide and watching race prep webinars. Here’s the behind the scenes look:

Mounds of Laundry- it’s probably the last thing you were thinking of but with more than 10 workouts a week X 2 of us, there has been an increase in detergent sales. Stock tip: Buy detergent manufacturer stock at the beginning of the training season and sell at the end!

So. Much. Chafing.- every shower after a long workout is a new adventure discovering the latest OW!

Amazon Prime- probably loses money on any Ironman-in-training. Every week it’s something else arriving on our doorstep just to keep us moving: running shoes, tires, tubes, CO2, gu, gels,shoelaces, super starch, electrolytes, goggles, earplugs, body glide, running shorts, swim suits, biking shorts, biking pants, KT tape, compression socks, new watch......

Just a week's delivery!

Workout planning - “Please book me a hotel with a spin bike”....”no, that’s a recumbent bike”....”no, that’s a stationary bike”. I apologize to my assistant and everyone else whom I’ve been driving insane with my “high maintenance” requests.

Self Doubt- “How in the world am I going to do more than twice that distance after a long swim and bike”, I found me asking myself after one of my early long runs as I iced my swollen foot”. Bring on the compression socks and KT tape – they have magical powers to manage the foot issues, and thanks to YouTube, I’m now my own PT. 

Breakthroughs- I never thought I would say, “Wow, I don’t even feel sore after that 5-6 hour bike ride”. And “Yippee...it’s a recovery week so my ride is only 3h25”.

Tapering- Right now I can’t wait to start reducing my activity in a few weeks, but when it comes here’s my warning:

I’ve been diligently following my training plan, often doing a workout in the morning and another one after work, so I’m doing all I can do. Wisdom says that in addition to hitting your long rides and runs, the best thing you can do is be consistent in your training as this is not a test you can cram for!  I have an almost weird kind of calm about this race. I feel like no matter what happens, I’ve already won just getting to the starting line.

Journey 140.6: Ode to a PE teacher

The journey of any triathlete actually begins long before the notion of doing a triathlon ever enters your mind. Let me take you back to the late 70s.  

My world is my small town of Salladasburg in north central PA. Since our small TV with rabbit ear antennae only gets us 3 stations, Barb and I fill our days exploring the creek and woods around our house, daring each other to ride our skateboards down the big hill at our elementary school, or riding our bikes without helmets to Cohicks - the only general store in town that has lunch counter stools celebrating that Katharine Hepburn and James Cagney sat there. Recess is the monkey bars, the high spaceship-like contraption with a fireman’s pole, and sled rides down the steep hills behind the school. Yes, it’s amazing we survived this very unstructured and unsafe way of life.

Triathlons are just beginning in the distant land of California where my idol Marcia Brady lives. It’s still a few years before I’ll even know what a triathlon is when ABC’s Wide World of Sports will beam its broadcast of the Ironman race in Hawaii through said antennae.

For me, I’m struggling to pass my swim test at the Jersey Shore pool (as I described in this early blog post. I do like the biking event that our school puts on, and I’m excited at the prospect of earning my Presidential Physical Fitness test badge.

There are something like 6 different tests for this fitness test, with different tests and thresholds for boys and girls - unlike triathlons with the same cutoffs for everyone. I excel at the chin hanging exercise, not so much for my strength but I’m a lightweight who can just hang there all day. The boys have to do chin ups, and one cocky boy poo poos my chin hanging achievement so Mrs. Smith, our PE teacher, challenges him to meet or beat my record. He is not successful to the laughs of our classmates.

I’m almost there, and the last event is the 50 yard dash. I get up to the start line and run as fast as I can, but it is not fast enough. I get a second attempt, and sadly, I’m still not fast enough. Thinking I have failed in my attempt, I resign myself that I’m not going to get to wear that Presidential Physical Fitness badge. But Mrs. Smith gives me one more chance and smartly has me race against the fastest girl in the class. My classmates line the sides and cheer me on, and I’m elated when she declares I did it!

I’m grateful for Mrs. Smith’s encouragement and giving me the chance to succeed in PE. These early experiences, combined with my unstructured play, no doubt helped me to find joy in recreation that carried through to adulthood.

And now here I am a late blooming, accidental athlete in the best shape of my life. It look me 50 years, but every once in awhile I’m the fastest girl in my class.

Journey 140.6: The Swim Is Cancelled at Eagleman 70.3

Eagleman provides great practice for IMMD

One of the reasons why I selected Ironman Maryland is because I could do a half Ironman on the same course and get acquainted with the course and the logistics.  It also seemed like the perfect opportunity to build a base, with Eagleman 70.3 being held on a Sunday in early June, almost 4 months before my full Ironman.

We arrive into Cambridge, MD on Friday for Eagleman 70.3 and find it to be the small, colonial town it was advertised to be.  We check into our AirBnB, a delightful 1950s style house retaining its vintage style, and welcome our friends Diane and Eric.  It’s walking distance to the transition and Ironman Village area which is perfect and makes for an easy check in.  We also get a practice swim in – enjoying nice calm waters in the Choptank River.  My parents are staying in a campground so they come over for dinner.

We awake on Saturday morning feeling relaxed and happy to have the whole day to prepare.  In fact, we are so relaxed we decide to take on hosting the Philadelphia Tri Club for the evening’s pasta dinner.  We do an hour easy ride to know some of the course. We also do a practice swim in the area that would have been the course and the Choptank is living up to its name so we are grateful when the race director announces they are moving the swim course to the more protected inlet where we did the practice swim due to anticipated winds the next day.  I also get an opportunity to meet many of my fellow TriDot training athletes.

Great Philly TriClub Showing and Pre-event Dinner

We are fortunate that one of our TriClub members is an awesome chef who not only baked some “swim bike run” bread but takes over all of the cooking for the dinner.  Other members bring home baked cookies and salads so it turns out to be an easier event to host than anticipated.  While normally I don’t host an event like this before a big race, perhaps it needs to become a best practice since I sleep better than most pre-race nights!

As I wake up and prepare for race day, I’m amazed how zen-like, calm I feel.  Perhaps it’s because this is my second 70.3 which I’ve designated as a B race without any pressure.  My sole objective is to use this as a reconnaissance race for my first full Ironman.  Arriving at transition, the water looks calmer than yesterday so I’m happy about that, but with rain in the forecast I have resigned myself that I will once again be racing in the rain.  The Philly TriClub has set up a tent in the Tri Village so I head over for the group photo. Then, I hear the dreaded words:  “The Swim is Cancelled”.  Everyone is a bit shocked since the water doesn’t look that rough, but apparently the weather is about change.

Before the rain, wind and fog!

We instead do a time trial start on the bike and head out on the flat course.  Once out on the course, I’m flying at 20mph, likely with the wind at my back.  But then the fun begins as the rain and fog kick in along with a headwind.  This is the wind so many people warned me about. I still have a great bike at 3:14:27, more than 17 mph, and 8 ½ minutes faster than I was in Atlantic City.

I transition to the run and I feel great with the adrenaline flowing after a great bike so I go out a bit fast.  After about 1 hour, however, I begin to hit a wall.  This being a B race and the fact that I had shortened some training after a slight injury, my longest run had been a 10K in training.  I walk more at points to reset and my feet and legs are really feeling it.  As I hit the 10 mile mark I decide to not stop anymore as it’s actually hard to get moving again after a walk break.  I end up finishing in 2:26:06, which is 8 minutes slower than Atlantic City but still a respectable time.  I felt worse than my performance!

My IronParents!

It would have been nice to be able to do the swim, but I was remarkably unphased by it being cancelled. Of course, it wasn’t my first 70.3 so if that had been the case I would have been more disappointed.  In general, my racing experience is now keeping me very calm, helping me to sleep well before races, and dealing with The Swim is Cancelled.  When life cancels the swim on you, change your goals and stay calm and focused!

Mike, Diane and I in front of our cozy AirBnB