IM AZ Race report

[knapplaura]

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

[roadie gal]

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

[Running Mommy]

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??
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?

[Tri Girl]

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!!!!

[colby]

WOW, great results, Laura! Congrats!

[mountainchick]

Congrats! All of you Iron women are very inspiring!

[knapplaura]

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.

[spokewench]

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

[tprevost]

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

trac'

[Wahine]

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.

[KSH]

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.

[Starfish]

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