IM AZ Race report

Well, a little late but....

The IM was my priority race of the year. I did it last year in 14:29 and received a massive sunburn (2nd degree) on the bike, so my whole race plan involved not getting burned again. I also bought a new bike this year, Guru Carbonia Tri, which is great. Outfitted it with Zipp 404's.

I had been training really hard, and my last brick was 3 weeks out, 73 mile ride w/6 mile run at 10:00 pace. Felt strong on the run and took that as a good sign. I tapered for 2 weeks, cutting my long run to 6 miles in the week prior and very little running during race week.

Headed to Phoenix on Friday and started the pre-race freak-out!

The swim is my worst event, just tried to stay calm. I stayed too calm I think b/c my time was 1:53 for the swim! I could not see any bouys on the way to the turn, and the way back i was right next to them. Have got to work on the swim!

I started the bike by downing a whole bottle of water before mile 10. just so thirsty! then started my nutrition plan; Perpetuem (5.5 scoops in the bottle) every 15 minutes chased with water and 1 gel (w/caffeine) every hour. The tailwind was tremendus for half the loop (3 loops) so I was hitting 23-25 MPH on the outbound, and the extreme headwind dropped me to 14-16 MPH on the inbound. On lap 3 the wind was getting to me, trying to fight and stay over 14 was hard and I was failing. I started to tell myself, just smile and relax, this wind is not going to kill you. After that I could mostly stay over 14. In the final stretch i passed a group of guys drafting each other, so I sprinted past them so they could not catch my wheel! Final bike time: 6:30

The run ...i was so happy to finally start running! Set off at what I thought was a good pace; averaged 10:00 pace the first of 3 loops. Kept on the nutrition plan; gel every 30-40 minutes w/endurolytes every hour or so. When I started to feel cramps coming on, just ate endurolyts straight and that helped alot. My 2nd lap was tougher than the first, i tried to run with another girl but I think I was annoying her so she ducked into a portajon. At around mile 14 I switched over to coke instead of gel, which was good. Then on I took coke or water at each aid station. I felt like the cushioning in my running shoes was going flat in the forefoot though! On lap 3 I met up w/the brother of a friend and ran the whole lap with him. We were a little faster than 11:00 pace that lap. From mile 23 to the end I thought I was going to die from the strain of pushing but knew I was too close to stop. Walking each aid station was a big help, and I did not have to walk any significant chunks of terrain.

Overall time was 13:27; over an hour faster than last year. And no sunburn or major injuries, just some toe blisters. I was so jazzed up that I could not sleep all night!

For next year I plan to focus on improving the swim and increasing my leg strength and overall speed.

thanks for reading,
Laura

An hour improvement is amazing! Congrats on a great race!

So so happy for you! You sure deserved to have such a great race.
So are you going to be out there with me again next year? It can't possibly be windy AGAIN can it?? :p
Anyway, it was such a pleasure to meet you and your mom. I could tell just by the short time I spent with ya'll that she is one fantastic lady!
Take care and have a great summer! Next year will be here before we know it.

Denise

BTW- I'm thinking of doing the sprint in Sahuarita on Memorial weekend. Are you going to do that one?

Congratulations on an amazing race, Laura!!! Dropping an hour off your time is incredible (and you didn't burn or have any major injuries to boot!).
Such a great race report- thanks for all the great details! Can't wait to see some pictures when you get some in!!!!
Congrats again!!!!

WOW, great results, Laura! Congrats! :D

Congrats! All of you Iron women are very inspiring!

Thanks all for the encouragement

I am doing the Sahuarita Tri in May Denise. However, I don't think I can do IM AZ next year b/c of my school. They don't let you take leave unless it is approved thru about 20 people. I will ask when I get there anyways, but I may be out of luck for a full IM next year. The best I may be able to do is one of the TRI ONE o ONE races (101.3 miles total) in Houston or Bradenton.

Wow, That's Amazing - more than an hour off last year's time. I'm happy when I get 10-15 minutes off my PBs (don't race tri), but that is truly amazing.

Good job

What a great report! Congratulations on dropping your time by over an hour!!! Especially in those conditions, that is amazing!!!!

trac'

Nice report Laura. I know I've said this before but good job, great race. Nice mental toughness.

Have fun at your other tri this year and good luck with your move.

Thanks so much for the race report! Cutting an hour off your time is HUGE!

Congratulations on your IM! Looks like you had a solid race, even if it was extra tough.

Thank you for such a great report. So inspiring!! :)