I posted this on my Facebook wall last night as I wanted to make sure people who don't read my blog, read this.
This version will be updated as I recall events of the day. I
I am lousy with names. am hopeful to find most of the wonderful people at the awards lunch today. I will have them write down their names for me to acknowledge and thank them properly!
It's a long EPIC story but a goodie.
After all my wetsuit woes this week, this morning I forgot it, my assigned race cap, goggles at home! I admit that despite all my checklists, organizaton skills, post-it notes & e-reminders - having to care for Sealey & her needs in addition to my own for such a huge race - was daunting... especially at 03h45 when we got up from a restless sleep (due to it being so hot) & left the house at 04h30 showered, feed, hydrated, post-race food in cooler (inadequate gf race food but I knew that in advance)
Borrowed a wetsuit from a gal named Ruth Wall 2nd female overall in the Iron distance (new BFF) who doesn't like using one but was delighted to use my skin suit that I had tossed in the car yesterday - just in case! Gaetan Tremblay (transition co-coordinator) lent me his goggles which are just like mine.
Believe or not, the hardest part was finding a swim spare EPIC swim cap. A key race volunteer, James McMillan (who works in my building & swims at the same pool) found the only event cap to be found (a no show) and changed the number to mine. No warmup but a decent swim for me, 1:23:00 (2:12/100m pace for 3.8k though 2nd last to exit the lake) very pleased as I would have been happy with anything close to 1.5 hrs. The wetsuit was a blessing but took on water in the belly/back so I dragging some of the lake around the course. Water temp was perfect and calm. Focused on form - coach Kevin's correction & Ania's advice on how to address it. I really enjoyed the swim.
T1 was in the range I targeted. 5:46 - 6th place!! Want to get it to 5min for IMLP.
Had an awesome pace on the bike given I didn't go above zone 2 for power and heart rate the entire 180k except for climbing = race plan executed!
THAT ALL CHANGED...
At 52k into the bike course, as I was travelling downhill above 40kph, my front tire blew. Buddy behind me said he thought someone had shot at me it was that loud! I saw that tire was totally off the rim and I heard it and felt it too for approx 300m!!! Clipped out left foot, gently touched the brakes and dragged my foot along the road to help slow my speed to a safe stop (avoided the freshly dead bunny in the middle off my path)
I changed the flat roadside - had morale support and inflation advice from two angels in a support vehicle who saw me dragging my foot down hill & did a u turn. They texted Paul Shaw (Cyclesmith) who arrived just as I was heading back onto the course.
10k later - the same tire blew again though not as dramatic. Eventually, a kind fellow racer another angel stopped, gave me his tube & Co2 but I didn't need it.
I had the tire & tube off for ages. Paul arrived moments after buddy gave me his spare supply. Paul put a spare wheel on instead of repairing the other one. yay!
I lost 30 minutes or more and it was hard re-starting pace-wise. People I had past in the first 52k, past me roadside - I re-passed most of them after flat #1 since my pit stop and tire changing skills with high adrenaline and shock were excellent!
Flat #2 took longer. As I had to wait before someone stopped to offer a tube - I asked that others alert the next water stop that I needed help.
Just about every racer I re-past once or twice, volunteers who heard of my 2 tire pitstops - hollered encouraging words like "go get 'em Moka" - "Keep that smile & get to work Moka" - " You're an inspiration Moka" - in the moment it gave me the boost I needed. Now, it brings tears to my eyes!
I battled back though on the back 90k the despite headwinds. I actually channelled my adrenaline rush into stubborn determination - as per usual!
Only one last incident I almost forgot or tried to... I was harassed by a 20 something driver in Fall River. Window rolled down he stayed level with me and told me to "get off the f...ing road before you cause an accident" and some other obscenities and then swerved toward me forcing me onto the gravel shoulder!! Then burned off when I told him "you have to give cyclists 1 meter asshole!" I was furious. He burned off with pitch black exhaust smoke coming from his tailpipe. U meant to report him to the police when my race was over but forgot. I got a partial NS plate EVV - black Jetta. And he was white with short black hair - and shirtless.
My bike time was almost 6:54:59 3rd slowest which wasn't the target I had in mind even for this Ironman rehearsal. I feel better about my computer stats with a my moving time was just under 6hrs30 min. Given the time needed to warmup after each pit stop & approx 5 min well spent re-loading from my bike special needs bag & water ... That's decent. It would have placed me 7th for the bike.
I had the 5th fastest T2 at 4:10 and lost time having to turn to the change tent and my bag for the visor I knew I'd need for the run. That took at least 1 minute.
I am so pleased with the ease of running off the bike. My Garmin stats so a negative split on the half marathon I have to thanks Stacy Juckett-Chesnutt - an accomplished runner, running coach, race director, multiple Ironman Lake Placid finisher (Kona qualifier at one of them) and I'm proud to say - friend!
After our 1k swim race yesterday we had a chat about my EPIC, IMLP - my readiness for both AND she shared with me her run plan for Ironman runs which are a marathon distance. I was missing a race plan for my run. I tried her approach yesterday and it worked. I felt I "could" have run the other 21.1k but was happy to stop at the EPIC distance after the day I had.
I saw my Sealey four times on the run! What a jolt of happiness. As I started my second half I asked Ania and the gang to call home to see if Barry was back & tell him I'd be done in about 1hr15-1hr20 enough time for him to make it from Mt Uniacke. With 300m to go I saw him walking towards the finish line and got his attention for a final lift to sprint smiling over the finish line.
Finishing time 10:49:22 earned me my first ever podium finish for women - 3rd place but we were only 3 who finished. There was a fourth but she must have stopped at Aqua or something? I also came 1st place in my AG but was the only one - hahaha! Still counts and earned me a spot on the June 27, 2015 Canadian team for the long course World Championships in Motala, Sweden - 4k swim - 120k bike - 20k run! I'd love to go but promised Barry no big tri trips away so it will be his call. He and I have always wanted to do a Scandinavian country tour so who knows?
http://epicdartmouth.com/subaru-epic-dartmouth-triathlon-announced-qualifying-event-2015-itu-world-championships-motala-sweden/
http://vatternrundan.se/vatterntriathlon/en/varldsmasterskap-2015/
Other stuff I need to note. No gastro issues - not one over the almost 11 hrs. I trained with my nutrition plan since January but hadn't used it for this duration, on a hot day, through adversities. Taking in all my nutrition in liquid (plus a few gels) means the body has to expel it. Didn't pee swimming. Peed each of the first 3 hrs on the bike - yep, I trained myself to do that too this Spring. But didn't and couldn't pee after that. It troubled me but figured my body needed it all. And I'd drain it after the race. Well I did but had to excuse myself from a great massage and spent a painful hour lying on a bathroom floor (no one came in phew). I knew I'd be ok if I laid down but it was scary to have chills and fever sweats. It was like my body had shutdown that function and had to relearn how - still draining out as I write this at 8am the day after. Just good to know in advance of Placid.
My race attire fit perfectly and made me feel like a winner - it's very stylish yet practical. Lake Placid will know I am Canadian. And I hope to spread the word about our hometown race.
In closing this EPICally long post, I am so glad these 3 things happened today. I coped well and I am proud of myself for that more than my final time!
Jennifer Lewandowski and Mark Campbell are hugely inspiring friends. I draw on their energy and drive more than they can imagine. I adore you both!
THANK YOU doesn't cover all the angels that helped me before, during and after the race. The loaned gear, Sealey's fabulous sitters - Mikey, Ania & Hermes... All the Volunteers and Spectators and Fellow Athletes - gave me the support I needed. You know who you are - bless you all!
Big love xox Moka
P.S. perfect rehearsal for Ironman Lake Placid in 28 days!
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