First Half Ironman, 10-7-07, Austin TX
Well ladies, here is my very detailed report! Thanks for all your support along the way!
===========================
LongHorn Triathlon Festival - Half Iron
2007-10-07
Austin, Texas
United States
EndorFUN SPORTS
90F / 32C
Sunny
Triathlon - 1/2 Ironman
Total Time = 7h 11m 8s
Age Group = 35-39
Age Group Rank = 36/54
=====================
Pre-race routine:
I would like to take a moment here to thank my wonderful boyfriend for supporting me through this journey! It started about 3 months back and he has tolerated all my training since then with close to no complaining. My training cut into us going out to eat, watching Survivor together, seeing each other as much on the weekends, me being awake when he did see me, etc. He also supported me by helping along the way. The day I came home to the dishes being done was great!
Poor thing, he we also be around for my Ironman training in 2008, and it's sure to be rougher than the HIM training was. But he has agreed to not dump me (well, he didn't really SAY he wouldn't- ha!) and says he's down to support me (of course, I did just kind of tell him I was signing up for the race).
He also supported me by buying me my new road bike back in January of this year. I road it at this race even! Most of my training miles are on this bike (I ride with a cycling club), so him giving me that bike helped support my training. THANK YOU SWEETIE!
==============================================
WARNING! This is a very long race report. I wanted to get all the details I could in it. I hope I didn't leave something out. I probably did. Oh well. Enjoy reading!
==============================================
The night before, Saturday night, we met up with a BUNCH of BTers for dinner. That was so much fun! Thanks to Dodgersmom and Doughboy (Marcey and Steve) for organizing that. It was a huge undertaking.
The day of the race I woke up at 4:45 AM, got dressed pretty quick, made my breakfast and we hit the door.
Jonny was my jockstrap for this race, and he was ready to go in his "Suck It Up Buttercup (Go Karen!)" t-shirt. How sweet of him to have that shirt made and to wear it. Meant a lot to me.
==============================
Event warmup:
Set up my transition area and looked at the swim course. Chatted with other BTers. That was about it.
It was really nice when the National Anthem was sung and it brought a tear to my eye. I was in awe of the fact that I was about to do a Half Ironman!
=============================
Swimming
00:38:56 | 2112 yards | 01m 50s / 100yards
Comments:
My goal for the swim was just to cruise it. I didn't want to come out of the water fatigued, like I did at my Olympic. So, I got in and just cruised.
The start was a deep water start and in some serious weeds. Scratchy weeds that wrapped around your body and feet. It was annoying but I didn't freak out or anything.
Getting to the first 2 buoys was easy. The power station was great to site off of. Then you had to round it and go for a second one.
I stopped and did breast stroke for a few seconds trying to find the buoy. Where was it? OH! There it is. Crap, nothing on the dam to use for sighting. OK, go with the crowd. Eh, I did OK going for that one. This is where I caught up to the blue caps (wave before mine). At this point, I saw very few red caps around me (my wave) if any.
During the swim I occupied myself with watching my stroke and making sure it was perfect. I also sang. Yes, I can sing underwater. This also kept my breathing in check. If I could sing.... I wasn't working too hard.
The next buoy had a communications tower behind it. Perfect. I was swimming straight for it. Oddly though, all of the other swimmers were far off to my right. I kept thinking I was way off course, but I looked up and I was swimming dead on to the buoy.
Then I rounded that one, and the next one was on course for the swim finish. That was easy to site. At this point I just found my groove out there. I was swimming with my eyes shut, just cruising along. It was great.
Finally go to the finish and out of the water I went. I think Bill was there and he yelled my name. I high fived him and then pulled some weeds off my shoulder.
Then, I started to walked up to transition. I figured I would save my energy for the bike and run later. Jonny was there cheering for me and so was Lori (DocShock's sister). It's so great having people yelling your name!
It's kind of funny, because when the crowd sees you walking, they think you are hurting and beaten down... so they start to cheer really loudly. It's pretty cool actually!
With all the walking I was doing out of the swim and then on the run, I got a lot cheering from the crowd.
What would you do differently?:
Nothing. I did what I needed to do out there. I had a good pace and I saved my energy.
The race organizers could have put out more bouys though. A few more out there especially between 2 and 3 would have been nice.
Otherwise, the swim portion was very organized and the exit from the swim was nicely done.
============================
T1
Time: 06:49
Comments:
Well, I predicted about 8 minutes of transition time. I can't believe I beat my time!
My goal here was to get everything I needed to have a comfortable and solid bike ride.
My feet were covered in mud and grass and there was no way in hell I was putting those nasty feet in my socks. I grabbed one water bottle and started spraying my feet. Ooopsss! Gatoraid. I grabbed the other one and cleaned my feet with that and an extra towel I had. So, I had to use 1/2 my water bottle for cleaning my feet. Ugh.
Otherwise, I got everything taken care of. I didn't miss anything.
Unfortunately, as I was leaving T1, Jonny had to tell me that my camera battery died after he took 2 pictures of me in the water. Great. He asked for the spare battery... I don't have one. So, no more pictures of Karen at her first HIM... GGGGRRRRR! Yea, I need to buy a couple of spare batteries for my stinking camera.
What would you do differently?:
Nothing. I beat my goal time here by 1 minute and 10 seconds. YES!
===============================
Biking
03:17:09 | 56 miles | 17.04 mile/hr
Comments:
Well, I started out on the bike and my goal was just to take it easy. I wanted to make sure that I didn't overwork myself and that I kept a steady pace the whole way.
Coming out of the Expo Center parking lot and taking a right on 290 is where Clint passed me. I had just got done pointing out a huge hole in the road, and he passed and said, "Thanks for pointing that out". I called out his name, but he never looked back. I don't think he knew it was me. But wouldn't you know it, the nicest person on the course was Clint!
The first 12 miles were a little worrisome though, as I only had 1/2 a bottle of water and I was thirsty. I rationed my water and drank some Gatorade (not completely full either).
I did good and ate my P&J Uncrustables in the first 12 miles. I wanted to get in solids for the first 1-3 hours and then gel for the last hour on the bike.
The first 12 miles were pretty much along 290. This was flat and there was so wind. This part of the course was pretty blah. Cars whizzing by at 60 mph plus in the left hand lane. Luckily they blocked off the right lane for us and we had a huge shoulder to ride on.
After 12 miles the first water bottle hand off came up. I was so happy to see that! I had seriously began considering stopping at a gas station to get water, but didn't because I was scared I would get DQ'ed that way.
Unfortunately, the water bottle hand off wasn't what I expected. At my Oly the water and Gatorade were in actual water bottles that go on the bike. Not this one. They gave up the actual bottles the water and Gatorade came in. Sure, they had easy tops, but I have a small frame and they were large bottles. So, I had to stop and refill my own bottles every 12 miles from this point on. Lesson learned.
After the first 12 miles we turned in the country. This was a much more scenic route. I had expected to be alone out there, since in my Oly I basically rode alone, but no... there were tons of cyclists around me all the time. I was shocked. In fact, it became very hard not to draft.
I would get behind someone who was going just slow enough that I was riding close to them, but they were just fast enough that I couldn't over take them. That was kind of frustrating.
It also got a little annoying to play leap frog with the same people. I would fly by them going up a hill, they would fly by me on a downhill or the flats. It got old.
Then there would be people that I would pass but I would stop to refill my bottles, and I would get behind them again. I would have to work hard to pass them... again.
Also, there was this one guy I was leap frogging with, and he was painful to watch ride. I don't think he had a clue about cadence or when to shift. I would pass him going up a hill, and then he would sprint off on the flats probably running about 120+ cadence. His butt would be bouncing in the seat and his legs flying. It was a hoot to watch, but painful as well. I wonder how someone trains for a HIM and doesn't understand proper cadence.
There were occasions when I was alone though, and I would sing aloud to keep my mind entertained. That was nice.
I had told Craig that I was going to try to hold him off from passing me on the bike course for at least 20 miles. Well, at mile 27 he caught me! He was very kind and passed me saying I had the nicest outfit of anyone out there (or something to that affect). It was nice to see a friendly face.
As for the weather, it was perfect! Overcast, but not raining. I even felt a bit chilled at the start of the ride. I don't think the sun came out until around mile 40 ish or later. That was nice!
OK, so let's get to my nutrition, or lack of. So, I had my meals all planned out and packed in my bento box. I knew what to eat for what hour. I know, rookie mistake is not taking in your calories. I missed eating around 400 calories that I packed. I tried to eat, but I wasn't hungry and didn't feel like eating. I did make myself shove down my sandwich, and Clif Bar though. I did take in my Hammerhead electrolyte pills too. I got skilled at getting one with my teeth and putting it my mouth. I also took in most of my 3 gels in my gel flask.
Also, I had this horribly running nose the whole ride. This made me not want to eat. Why? I couldn't chew and breathe at the same time. I'm out there working hard and going faster than I expected to... and I needed to breathe! I would take a bite of food, but my nose was so full of snot, I couldn't do both. So that made me want to eat less. Next time, I pack tissues in my bento box.
Overall the course was not hard. The hills were rolling and not that difficult. I was surprised at how much easier the course was than I expected it to be. The road surface was fine. I ride on much worse on the weekends. Dodging cracks in the road is just what we do in Texas. As for the chip seal portions... I have been on way worse. That chip seal was old and smoothed out some. It was doable.
I was really shocked that my butt didn't hurt at all the entire ride. That was a nice surprise.
So, mile 46 finally rolls around and I'm so excited... only 11 miles left! That's NOTHING! I also know that the big hills are coming up and I tell some people around me. Apparently, they didn't know about the monsters at the very end.
I think around mile 46 Kelley passed me. I was shocked it took her that long to track me down. She's so fast on the bike!
About mile 50 I check my bike computer... 18 mph average! WOO-HOO! I was shocked at how fast I was going. I had predicted a 15 mph average as this is what I had on my training rides, but I was faster on the race course. I wasn’t working too hard though, so I went with it. My quads were feeling it, but otherwise I was fine.
So about mile 54 we cross over the freeway. There's a hill, but nothing to speak of. Then we go up a little bit larger hill and it's fine. When we get to the top of that hill I see THE HILL. That was a hill.
I stopped to gather myself on the crest of the proceeding hill. I wanted to be mentally and physically prepared for THE HILL. After about a minute I hopped back on my bike and went to ride it.
Was it a large hill, yes. Was it hard, yes. Did I walk, HELL NO! I don't walk up hills. Actually, it was so weird, after going up most of the hill... all of a sudden I felt fine. My breathing went down my legs didn't feel bad and it just felt like I wasn't riding on a huge hill (but I was still going really slow). My friend had spoken of this occurring, but I had never felt it myself.
After THE HILL we had to turn right and go up another hill to get back into the park. It was fine. You know, I rather enjoyed the challenge of those 2 hills at the end.
I pull into the park and get off at the dismount line. There's Jonny cheering me on. He didn't expect to see me though as I was 20 minutes ahead of schedule. He was there to watch for the first person... but low and behold I pulled up! HA!
Going into T2 I started to cry a little. I was just so dang proud of myself and what I did on the bike. I had a great ride, it was fun and enjoyable, and I felt like I had done my best. Just thinking about being there and being able to do a HIM, made me so overwhelmed with emotion.
What would you do differently?:
Next time I will not rely on the aid stations on the race course to give me water and Gatorade. I had been told my other people who have raced HIM's and IM's to just carry water bottles and do the hand off's at the aid stations. Well... lesson learned... Don't ASSume that they will hand you water bottles. ASK.
Otherwise, the bike course was well marked and well staffed. Lots of energetic volunteers doing a wonderful job.
==========================
T2
Time: 05:34
Comments:
Again, I didn't want to rush in transition. My goal was to simply make sure I was ready to go 13.1 miles. This would be my first official half marathon and I didn't want to miss anything.
After I told myself I could NOT start crying, I got myself together and did what I needed to do for a comfortable run.
I had given myself 8 minutes for transition, so I'm really happy with 5:34!
What would you do differently?:
Wouldn't do a thing differently.
=============================
Running
03:02:37 | 13.1 miles | 13m 56s min/mile
Comments:
So, I started into the land of the unknown. You see, I hurt my IT band a month before the race. Going into this race I had not run in a MONTH. I didn't even train for walking 13 miles. So, this was an unknown factor to me. I just knew that I could keep moving forward and I would walk fast.
Before I start, let me just say that the support for the run was amazing! Aid stations every mile... and fully stocked ones at that. I have never seen so much stuff at aid stations before. On top of the usual stuff (water, Gatorade) we also had cold sponges along the way, ice, misting tents, water hoses, etc. I stayed away from being sprayed down as I didn't want my shoes and socks wet, but I had my water bottle and I kept filling it with cold water and drizzling that down my neck and chest.
Starting off the on the run I knew I needed to get some gels in me. I was down on my nutrition plan and needed to catch back up. I wasn't feeling the lack of calories, so I was fine.
I think I took in 1 gel about every hour. Maybe more. I also ended up eating 2 Twizzlers, drinking Gatorade and some soda near the end.
The run course was challenging. It was hilly, with no shade and it was tough. On my first loop I saw people on their second loop and they looked miserable. I was worried that I might end up like them.
During the first loop I made sure to throw in some running on the flat sections. I knew if I didn't start running in the first mile I never would. The running didn't hurt my IT band, but it did give me a side cramp. Ugh. Oh well, I would just stop and walk again.
I saw a lot of BTers out on the run course. Most of which ended up passing me at some point. Although, it took a couple of them the second loop to do it. On my second loop I saw Sue and Kelley walking ahead of me... and then all of a sudden Sue was passing me. WHAT? Sue said she stopped to use the bathroom and that Kelley was still behind me. I was certain Kelley would pass me at some point, but she never did. Sue said Kelley was doing pretty bad back there and was throwing up at times. Poor thing. I know Kelley eneded up finishing, which is great, but it sounds like it was hard earned.
Overall I did a good job out there. When I was walking, I was doing it quickly. A lot of people said, "You walk fast!". I was happy to hear that.
On the second loop, probably around mile 7, I started to get body chills. I knew that was a bad sign of possible heat stroke. I didn't feel bad, but I listened to my body. I kept walking, but I also made sure to take in extra fluids and to pour cold water on my body. It worked and the chills didn't return.
It was also around mile 7 that I had to stop running. Every time I started to run my left calf got this horrible shooting pain that felt like a cramp. I would rub on it and get back to walking. I finally just stopped trying to run until mile 10-ish. I ran some then and my calf was OK. But I didn't want to push it too much.
While on the course, I made sure to try to talk to people and cheer for others. It really kept my spirit and attitude up.
On the last loop, going up THE HILL (on the other side of the fence from where people were riding- but all the bikers were done at this point)... it was a killer. I walked as fast as I could but it was beat down.
I think around mile 11 I said, "I want to stop"... and someone behind me said, "I'm tired but I don't want to give up". I replied, "I don't want to stop as in drop out of the race, I just want to stop moving and rest for a minute". HA!
I knew I had to keep moving forward though, and I did. It was about them that I started singing to myself inside my head to keep my feet moving. It worked.
On the run course it was so nice because I got to see Jonny a few times. He was even kind enough to come out to the wooded section to cheer me on at a curve. I made sure to given a sweaty kiss! On the last loop when I saw him, I made sure my hair looked good for the finish line. I probably had about less than a mile to go and I wanted to make sure I was ready for pictures.
I then came to mile 13 and I was very happy! I kept walking and did so until I got to the chute where people could see me. Once they could see me, I ran. I remember people cheering and the announcer saying something but it was all kind of a blur. Mind you though, at hour 7 there aren't a lot of spectators around cheering. Of course Jonny was there cheering and I do remember that!
Once I crossed the finish line and I was so happy... and tired. WOW! My legs were feeling it. I got my finishers medal (a very nice one I might add- and my ONLY medal ever!)... a cold towel, water bottle, and then I went to see Jonny. I waited a bit for food as the idea of food just sounded BLAH. I wasn't hungry. I was tired and wanted to sit down.
Otherwise... I'm thinking that if I kept a 14 minute mile out there without any training... I can drop that average with some training. I'm looking into a race walking clinic in December. Hopefully I can get it to where I can walk a 11-12 minute mile!
What would you do differently?:
Oh... uuummm... not injure my IT band and run a month before the race. HA!
Hey, it is what it is... right? I could have let it get me down, but I didn't. I knew what my limitations were going into the race and I told myself to keep a postive attitude and to just walk fast. I did that and at no point in the run did I feel miserable. Sure, tired... but not miserable.
=========================
Post race
Warm down:
When I crossed the finish line, I stopped moving! That was my warm down. I found a place to sit eventually. After that, walking was miserable. I was so sore. No one ever mentions how sore you are!
That night my arms, torso, and legs were sore. It was shocking.
What limited your ability to perform faster:
My inability to run and not being able to run a month before the race.
Honestly though, even when I was running and was in good shape, I was only doing 12-13 minute miles. It's not like having to walk this course was a huge disappointment. I probably would have ended up walking it anyways with all the hills and heat.
Going into the race knowing I was going to walk the run kept my mental attitude positive and I never got down on myself for my performance out there. I was never miserable. I was happy to be out there racing.
Event comments:
Overall it was a very well organized race. I'm sure it's a huge challenge to organize 2 days of races like this, but it was done wonderfully!
To make the race perfect: Just add more buoys in the water and maybe hand off water bottles at the bike aid stations. Otherwise, perfect race!
I'd also like to say the volunteers were wonderful. They had to stand in the heat, with no shade to man those aid stations. And to top it off, they had to fight off bees too. They were so nice and helpful though and always had a smile on their face to cheer even us BOPers on.
Great race, wonderful venue, perfect execution and organization. Oh and the finishers medal is NICE! I love it!
