Race Report - Ironman Arizona

Alternte titles:

1. The year that kept on giving (or was it taking??)....
2. OMG - I DID IT!!
3. Happy birth YEAR to me
4. What was I thinking??  (this one actually lasted a long time - pretty much up until post Challenge 1/2 Ironman in August)
5. Easy ways to accumulate debt ....and lots of it!

Nov 16, 2014, in my 50th year, when I heard the words "Cindy Pittman - You Are An Ironman!!" I did it, I really did it.  (3.8 km swim, 180 km bike, 42.2 km run - my time 16:18:27). Best finish I've ever had in a race - actually ran across the finish line, smiling like crazy!!

I didn't have superstar times like my teammates, but we all crossed the same line successfully, which was my goal.  The day itself was great.  I was calm in the morning and thought as long as I keep moving it will be a good day..... and it was!!  Elmar assured me I could complete this race in the time allotted....

The swim started out well.  I started near the back of the other 2600 people in the water; as I looked at my watch at the half way point, I was on schedule.  Then the swells were coming at us head-on and I was ~10 minutes slower out of the water than I intended.  And, I swim crooked.....

The bike got very interesting very quickly.  The 3 lap course consisted of 30 km into a 40km/hr headwind out and 30 km with a tailwind back.  I thought I did well on the first lap, slacked off the 2nd lap and had to push it on the 3rd lap. There was a 5km climb coming up to the turnaround on each lap that was hard, but it was sure fun coming down that 5 km with a tailwind doing 50+ km/hr. I tried to keep the back half of each lap >30 km/hr. My nutrition plan of eat/drink every 20 min worked well.  Saw most of my teammates who shouted out hellos on the bike - so much fun.  Fast bike course with the 3 loops - you were never on your own, but you had to pay attention b/c you were never on your own.  I saw 3 ambulances picking up racers and heard about a 4th - not good....

I wasn't panicked about the run, which is kind of naive given my longest run going in was 16 km.  I felt I had enough time to walk it if I had to.  Enter the best race crew ever!! Jenn and Heather said they'd be my support crew and I thought that was extremely generous of them - expecting to see them a few times along the route as it was two, 21 km loops.  What I didn't expect was for them to complete the whole marathon with me!!  Jenn made friends with multiple other racers as she walked along beside me (I think she was walking really fast!)  Heather came and went - also walking really fast or slow jogging beside me.  I was RUNNING!!  In fact I may have repeatedly said to them - "I'm a runner" hahaha.... just like a 6 year old with a newly acquired skill.  I want to say they didn't have to prod me too much, I did keep an eye on my watch.  I started my intervals with 2 min walk / 4 min run, then thought that might not be enough.  Then I went to 7 min run / 3 min walk, again feeling good, but I kept coming to an aide station in the middle of a run interval.  I finally settled into a run between aide stations, walk the aide stations - drink/salt tab, eat a little and keep moving.  I was still peeing, so I was good with my hydration.  The other thing in my favour was that the temperature was ~21'C while the sun was out. They had mile markers on the course, but they just confused me. It was much better watching for the signs that Jenn and Heather had put up along the course.  Then suddenly I had 5 km left and decided I better see what I could do as it was approaching 11pm (race ends at midnight after a 7 am start).  

It was so amazing running down the chute to the finish - going side to side giving high fives to people.  Then I saw MY PEOPLE - Felix, Jane, Nikki, Faizel, Jenn & Heather.  I wanted to stop and hug them all I was so excited to see them!!  But then the announcer said "it" - Cindy Pittman, YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!!!  I pumped my arms and ran across the line ecstatic and smiling.  

There's always something in retrospect:

• Best pre-race meeting ever - Ed's race prep talk!!  I can report that the pothole around the manhole cover by the gas station has been fixed.
• I don't often stay up 16 hours in a day, never mind being in perpetual motion.  I wondered if I could do it.
• Best meals - La Bocca Restaurant; Poncho's Mexican Restaurant - we ate with el Presidenti, Bill Clinton, circa 1999

• You want a disgusting swim, this could be it, minimal visibility - you'd take a stroke and your arm would land on someone's back, then it would kind of stick, wetsuit to wetsuit, and you'd have to pick it up, sight and go again.
• Practiced in/out of the water at the swim exit 7 times (yes, I counted) 
• Great to see everyone after the practice swim to have a group photo of Talisman Tri Club members and wish each other well.
• Weird to have spectators calling you by name on the run course - finally turned my race bib around b/c it was weirding me out.
• Bacon on the run course!!
• Best sign on course - "Dig deep, like a kid picking boogers" (gross, but funny)
• Jenn got the life story of a guy behind me she was chatting with; someone else kept admiring her coat, out loud; I think she was texting Elmar frequently too - how did she know I was supposed to be doing 7/3 intervals???
• Heather kept it light and is an inspiration to me as she's completed a gazillion Ironman races and was such a positive influence all year!!
• Can't say enough about handicap height toilets post race - my quads are forever grateful...
• Umm, perhaps 9 pair of shoes was a bit of overkill - especially when 2 are the exact same runners - 1 new pair, 1 old pair => wear 1 new (left) and 1 old (right) on race day!!
• Over the course of the year I decreased 1 clothing size; moved up 2 notches on my watch; lost 15 lbs;  had 3 pair of runners on the go at one point.
• I never did make it to the top of Edworthy standing (I was thinking about that on my 3rd bike lap though)
• Best race finish: 4 medals and 4 finishers!!

Felix Rooke, Jen Begg, me, Jane Wong

• Logan and I have a new conversation - it has evolved from, Guess where I'm going? To the gym?  Guess what's going to happen? They're going to try to kill you?  Now I just say - "Want to watch the video?" 
• http://www.ironman.com/triathlon/coverage/detail.aspx?race=arizona&y=2014#axzz3KVLWKDC7  (scroll over to 8:50:00)

Huge thank you to all the people who had faith in me and wished me well throughout the year - you all made a difference and I thought of you all on race day at various points.

Ciao & happy training,
Cindy

It's Getting Close to Go Time

Officially 2 weeks out from Ironman Arizona......

I'm feeling ready and excited!!

It's been a great year of training with lots of ups and downs.  Started out with a few glitches that a change in coach took care of.  This lead to some running issues that set me back a couple of months - cue up the water running and elliptical, but then a new Sports Med Clinic at COP with no waiting list was a gift.  I proceeded to get an injection of Durolane in my arthritic knee which was very successful in managing the pain and a gradual return to running without pain.  My bike went through a pretty good overhaul with no residual issues and continues to be my faithful partner.  Swimming has been hit and miss due to some neck issues.

Wow, that paragraph doesn't make this sound fun at all!!  But it really has been a work in progress. And it's actually one of the reasons I like triathlon - if something is broken you can still train something else.  That and the fact it's all in a straight line and less stressful on my knee?

I was so looking forward to a 3 month cycling trip to India at the beginning of my 50th year, but when the stars didn't align for that one, I still felt I needed a significant physical challenge.  I may have taken on more than I bargained for, but I have been consistent in my training and I've got a great team behind me: Coach - Elmar Heger, Physio - Dave Holmes, Massage Therapist - Christine Leslie and all  my training partners - we have shared many long rides together, compared notes in the locker room and supported each other along our journey to the start line.  I may be the weakest link in this group, but I've put in my time and will do my best to complete my race and here "Cindy Pittman - you are an Ironman" before midnight on Nov 16.

I know I have lots of family and friends rooting for me and I'm looking forward to racing with my training partners and having Alan and Pauline, Jen and Heather their for support.  There will be a crew from the Talisman Tri Club on hand too, and it will be so exciting to see them on the race course - perhaps someone will have packed a cattle prod to keep me moving?!

My race number if you're interested in following on race day is 1607.

.......SWIM BIKE RUN - and CROSS THE LINE!!

You know you're training a lot when....

1. Your laundry pile of everyday clothes is smaller than the pile of workout clothes.
2. You arrange your chores around work outs. 
3. ...Or it takes you over a month to change the light bulb, even when you already have said light bulb.
4. You ask your dad to cook for you in an effort to reduce meals in restaurants and potentially lose some more weight before race day.
5. You realize you have the best dad ever, because he does make dinner for you, to help you reach your goals!!

Fall Riding

Jane and I on the Bow Valley Parkway (Hwy 1A)

Beautiful fall colours and brilliant colour of the river

Being able to ride outside is something I really enjoy this time of year, as the weather around Calgary can be so fickle....  We did have a nasty snow storm 2 weeks ago that caused trees with leaves to loose huge branches.  

September 20 I took part in the MEC ride up Highwood Pass from the south end.  Started in Turner Valley - Black Diamond - Longview and then headed west to Highwood Pass.  Supposed to be 160 km, but due to a bridge being out (or under construction? - presumably from the floods last year) we completed 140 km.  Still a fabulous ride and beautiful fall colours in the rolling foothills leading up to Hwy 40 and into the mountains.  Saw lots of horse outfitters getting ready for hunting trips into the mountains.  We are so lucky to have this gorgeous scenery and be able to ride and tour around to enjoy it.  (Oh wait - it was a *hammerfest*, I'm training for Ironman after all).

I must say this ride was incredible value for money - paid $35 for a fully supported ride - aide stations manned by paid MEC employees, Boston Pizza individual lasagne for post ride food along with some munchies.  Isn't it amazing what you can offer when profit isn't the point of the whole thing?? Kudos to MEC.  Well organized and great venue. 

This past weekend Jane and I ventured out on a pretty chilly morning from Canmore to the Bow Valley Parkway.  It was cold on the feet and hands with a bit of a headwind on the way out.  That was totally worth it for the return trip in the bright sunshine, warmer temp and best of all - tailwind!! We didn't see many heading out in the am, but by the time we turned around, lots of people out riding.

The perfect weekend....

Happy training
Ciao, Cindy 

Change-Change-Change.....

• Snow storm in September = work out in the gym
• Profile room is completely gone at the gym
• Mezzanine is under construction, so no bike trainers available = sore tailbone from stationary bikes with nasty seats
• New equipment with no time limits!

And most important of all - attitude change!!

Challenge Penticton Half had some good aspects and bad aspects for me - much of it due to my attitude.  I was very unsure of the run going in. Heading into Ironman Arizona, the run will be walk/run intervals for me, which I knew would be the case when I signed up.  Even though I was miserable during the walk at Challenge, I'm going to take it in stride and keep things in perspective at Arizona.  My goal is still to finish. The more time on my feet between now and race day, the better. As long as I'm moving forward --> it will get me closer to the finish line!!

Mind Games and Meltdowns

So..... the "race report".

Completed the 1/2 at Challenge Penticton (1900 m swim, 90 km bike, 21.2 km run) with disappointing overall results, but not a total wash out. As with all endeavours - many things to take away and ruminate on.

1. I need to own my s*%t - if you're going to have a meltdown the day before the race, that's not necessarily the best timing.... Hard to dig myself out of that one.   Keeping things in perspective: remembering why I'm here; giving myself credit for the work I've done and not letting others comments affect me negatively can be difficult.  Refocusing was hard!  Thanks for the reminder to be grateful Jenn Soost.
2. I was really pleased with my swim.  I held a good line throughout and continually passed people for the first 2/3.  Kept it steady and tried to "pull with purpose" and not miss the back end of my stroke.  I really enjoy lake swimming, but I need to remember I'm there with a purpose --> don't relax too much.  I was even more pleased to hear the swim was ~200m long, so that makes my time even better!!
3. I knew the bike course was going to be challenging for me b/c of the amount of climbing on the back half.  I knew I could complete it b/c we rode it in May at bike camp.  My unknown and worry - could I make the bike cut off on this type of course?  Looking at my bike split - I rode well on the way to Oliver (downhill net and a tailwind?) and I pushed up the hills - standing when I could and spinning up for the rest.  The initial hill in Oliver was a triumph - in May I switchbacked up the switchbacks, but ploughed up it on race day.  Best part of bike course - the tight switchbacks down, near the end before hitting highway 97 (right before the 2nd Texas gate).  So much fun.
4. The run.... *cue the music* du du dummmm.  A highlight off the top - I got to see the overall full iron distance winner - Jeff Symonds x2!!  He passed me on his way out and back - freakin' fast legs!!  My legs didn't feel too bad coming off the bike.  I told myself I was just going to get through 10 km twice. (12 km was my longest run pre-race).  I made it to 8 km doing my walk/run usual, but then my inner thighs started to cramp .....and then they wouldn't stop!  I had lots of salt tabs with me, I took them at regular intervals, but I couldn't get a handle on the cramps.  And there it is.  I walked miserably for the rest of the race.  Ice is always your friend.  
5. Overall, I did OK.  I didn't quit, b/c on Sat I didn't want to start. Head games can be a deal breaker and I know my friends that have completed ironman distance races talk about the difficulties during the race and that they must be overcome to complete this type of event.

On the lighter side - I had some good/funny moments during the day.

• So exciting to hear your people call you by name and cheer you on as you pass by! 
• Saw my coach twice on course and he shouted encouragement my way.
• Saw Katie Frauts finish first overall female for the 1/2 distance - she's amazing!!
• Not sure why the volunteers wanted my bike in T2, and not letting them have it - until they told me they'd rack it for me!  oh - here you go, thank you.
• Finishing the race, someone trying to strangle you - no wait, just the medal around your neck; someone asking you your shirt size - WTF?  I'm dazed and confused, now I have to give a clothing size, pick the correct distance and get out of the finish area?  Really all I can think of - get this timing chip off my ankle, I want my bike, gear bags and to get the hell out of Dodge!! As I write this, maybe that's why they kept asking me if I needed the med tent.  Finally I just asked them to stop talking/touching to me.  Strangest reaction to a finish that I've ever had!!
• Darren gave me a big hug at the finish line, but told me later how miserable I looked coming off the bike (knew I had to run...) --> apparently this was OK, but he at least wasn't a stranger!!
• Balancing my 3 gear bags on my bike heading back to motel, trying to take a shortcut that then involved getting my bike + 3 bags over a 500 ft tall fence (OK, maybe 3.5 feet, but I'm short), then walking a narrow ledge on the wrong side of said fence.  2 guys asked me if I could take their picture - "Sorry man - not today", while continuing to balance on ledge avoiding fall into rocks 500 ft below (OK - 1.5 ft).  (WTF is wrong with people - always thinking of themselves).
• Back at said motel, not knowing what to do with myself, tired, sore, still cramping, blah, blah, blah. Why not jump into the pool? So I did, then I couldn't get out - everytime I went near the ladder my legs seized up.  I'm obviously going to die here.
• Ate a ham and cheese sandwich - heavenly salvation.
• Saw most of our Talisman gang somewhere on course.  Everyone did so well - congratulations to all of you (Jan, Loreen, Hilary, Jen, Scott, Danielle, Katie, Eamon, Darren, Felix, Sheila, Kilah, Rick, Dave, Heather, Mike C and the coach - Elmar!!)
• In spite of all that - had a great dinner with the gang, went back to the finish line to cheer the last finishers and watch the fireworks.

What a day - my reactions were very different from previous races.
Ironman Arizona is on my mind and I'm going to finish it!! - lots of work to do (both mental and physical).  

I love my runners, I love my runners....

Ciao, happy training - Cindy

NO, you can't have my SEAT!!

My training continues to tick along.  Elmar posted a work out for Wed - hill repeats at Edworthy that he would also try to attend.  Hmmm, this could be good or not so good, but I thought I'd better take advantage of the individual attention!!

Got to Edworthy at agreed upon time and there he was at the top of the hill on my first of 8 repeats.  I'm really bad for getting the details of a work out correct.  I knew I had 8 repeats, but didn't look too closely at the details.  I know the last time I did hill repeats I killed the first 3 and fell apart on the last 3. I think he may have taken that into account and thought some supervision was in order??

Off I go - up and down, up and down.... I'm supposed to stay in an easy gear and stand for the whole hill. Now this isn't a long hill (1km), but it's steep, by my definition.  What the?  stand for the whole thing? And he's beside me the whole time.  Crap that's hard and I don't really do that well. He may have been speaking forcefully at me (I tell him he's not allowed to yell at me!) telling me to stand up as I was sitting, gasping for air, but still moving and fumbling with gears.

Then it got interesting - he threatened to take my seat, so I'd have to stand up and add 2 more repeats!! (I may have boasted that I am capable of 10 repeats).  Crap, it's not like I can out ride him to get away - would he really take my seat?  Up and down, he may have yelled at me - still threatening to take my seat.  Then he got sidetracked by his cycling teammates that were getting ready for their Wed group ride.  This was my chance to escape -  he left me on my own for the downhill.  He caught up to me and I chose to stick it out and did the last of 3 "standing" repeats.  Wasn't 100%, but he agreed it was the best of the 3.  I kept my seat.....

So there's the new measure - can I get to the top of Edworthy without sitting?

Had a great time volunteering at 70.3 Calgary this weekend.  So many great performances - it was a pleasure offering support to all the athletes at our Talisman Tri Club aid station.  Congratulations to everyone!!

Happy training - Ciao, Cindy