Wednesday, August 5, 2015

We're having a heat wave....

So, how is your summer going? It seems for me it's been one of those 'more memorable' years in many ways. It's been a whirlwind as usual between work, coaching athletes, and finding time for my own adventures, but with the added layer of the drought and some family issues it seems to have upped the anty.

I have found this year to be a bit more draining on my usual endless reserves.  I have to admit that this year's "Survivor IMCDA" or #infernoman CDA sorta of took me to the well. With record breaking temps it certainly wasn't the performance I had been aiming for, but was certainly memorable.  So the forcast was for 107 on race day and they didn't lie - no joke - it was crazy hot.
Water was the warmest I've ever swam in there. Most times in the 50's - race day was 73. I did get my goggles kicked off but managed to grab them before they flew thru the air. It was a catch worthy of an NFL player to be sure! The rest was per usual, all feet in the face and elbows flying.

When I finally got out and on to the bike it was in the mid-80's! YOWZERS! You could really feel the heat already as you climbed out on to the high way. I chose to go sans aero helmet and just go standard vented road helmet to allow for more heat dissipation and water in. Proved to be a wise move as I saw many over heat, cramp, and drop out at the end of the bike. Second lap on the bike was fairly brutal and was reported by a volunteer at 110 at the turn around on the bike (2nd lap). Alas the also ran out of water at the 100 mile aide station. WOW - $800 bucks for an Ironman and no water on record temp days, eh....not cool!!

Lucky for me I kept my cool, had arm cooler wings on (thank god), and was wise enough to hang on to the pop top water bottles the aide station volunteers handed out from earlier. I always took on water, wet my wings and head, and shoved that bottle in the back of my shorts for between aide station cooling - apparently this strategy also worked as many dropped out and suffered on this lap. It was total carnage out there folks. Dudes lined up all over the road at the end before heading onto the bridge waiting to be picked up by sag and being taken care of by the EMS folks. Word to the wise - slow down! It is not wise (in my book) to try and ride 'faster' when its coooler and slow down once it gets hot. (yes - i heard this strategy chatter alot - shocking!). There is the whole 'core body temperature' concept. Essentially the harder you work earlier in the race, the higher your core body temp is for a longer period of time during the day. Not a wise thing to do when temperatures are over the 105 degree mark. I strongly encourage you to slow down, stay cool, and save it for the run when its the hottest part of the day.

I have to say that was one toasty event. Certainly the hottest marathon I've ever 'run' (if that's what you call it). I have had the misfortune to ride in heat like that more than my fair share of times, so I think I handled it better than most. But again - no joke that was by far the hardest, hottest marathon I've ever done. Nothing like running 26.2 when all you want to do is curl up in an ice bucket or hurl. Which I did do! Yes - many asked what my run 'strategy' was - how did I step it up and finish so strong? Well - my answer folks is that I actually just ran and didn't walk. When I was running I actually ran a fairly consistent pace. The rest of the time I walked aide stations so I could take on ice, water, and keep my core body temp down as much as possible.

I will admit however that the end was an absolute beast and it took a lot out of me to stay in the game. By mile 22 I finally hurled at the top of the hill and felt better, so I started running and cutting walk breaks shorter as I realized I was getting close to the 13 hour mark. No way in HELL was I going to be out there for 13 hours! So - I buckled down, gritted my teeth and ran the whole last 6 miles much to the dismay of my stomach. Yes - I did have to stop now and than as I had massive stomach cramps - but I just figured out a way to keep shuffling along. I actually did ask my husband and Coach Dave Latourette to "Please - DON'T leave me alone out here".  I really drew from every reserve I had and his simple presence and knowing he was on the side of the road to cheer me on made me keep my head on straight. Thanks babe! Love you!

Finally reached the finished line and promptly headed to medical for 2 hours. Can honestly say a first for me after an Ironman. It was by far not my best, the prettiest, and certainly not my fastest, but I'll take it. I will also say I am DONE with IMCDA. That chapter in my book is officially closed. I have given my teammates permission to punch my if I try to sign up for it again.


THANK YOU to teammate Julie and her family for being our host family, for cheering for me out in that incredible heat, and being moral support. I can quite possibly never get enough of her mom's watermelon/cucumber and potato salad! I think I have a new race week tradition there. :) Again - many thanks to all for giving so much. This truly was the toughest race of my life.
                                                                                                                        So - there ya go Survivor CDA in a nutshell. I will report more athlete victories at Vineman this year next,

Ciao!
JL