70.3 Miles 4 Alan Tomorrow

Well, it's official...I am incapable of packing light for a triathlon!

But on the bright side, the packing I have been doing for the last week has been therapeutic as I mentally prepare for what may be the longest race I ever attempt.  I'm nervous...really nervous, but I am comforted by all of the positive thoughts, prayers and energy being sent my way.  

We have arrived in Benton Harbor, been to Ironman Village, purchased nearly every item of clothing (and a car emblem) available with the Ironman 70.3 logo, driven the bike and run courses, and did a short swim in Lake Michigan.  I've read countless cards from my friends and family, received countless emails, texts and Facebook posts.  Thank you all for your encouraging words and patience over the last 8 months!

I have met some of the most amazing people along the way and made some great friends.  Coach Andy, Coach Dave and Coach Sara thank you for your patience and perseverance over the last 8 months!  Karin, Samantha, Katie, Nancy, Courtney, Tanya, Alma, Julie, Mark, Jesse, Amy (I hope I haven't forgotten anyone) you all have been great inspirations, friends and team mates along the way!  

To everyone who donated and supported me, there are too many to list, but your generosity, support and confidence have been humbling.  Thank you for all you have done. 

Thank you to my family for traveling so far to be with me tomorrow, your support and confidence is appreciated and I couldn't have done this without all of your patience and help!

Finally, tomorrow I will be racing 70.3 miles "4 Alan"...I've written on my bibs and on my leg so that others around me will see that I am racing with a purpose and I hope it reminds others of people in their lives that they are racing for.  

When I started this process, I was optimistic that Alan would be well enough to come to the race and see me cross the finish line in his honor.  Instead, Alan will be one of my many Guardian Angels watching over me tomorrow, and while I would trade anything for him to have been here to see me cross the finish line, I am grateful to know he will be watching over me and my family tomorrow.  

I know that tomorrow will be an early day, a tough day, a GU filled day, a memorable day, but at the end of the day it will be a day I get through 70.3 miles...and when I get a big drink of water from a wave, bike up a steep hill or hit a wall on the run course I will try to focus on the fact that I am privileged to be healthy enough and strong enough to race and I will pray for those that are not.  After all, getting through 70.3 miles is not all about athletic talent (well, in my case it is likely not at all about athletic talent) it's about strength, determination, perseverance and hopefully, a little bit of grace...and I am grateful that my body and mind are healthy enough to experience this rare opportunity.

If you want to track me tomorrow, go to http://ironman.com/events/ironman/kalmar?show=tracker&race=kalmar&year=2012#axzz23x4mMIMs.  I am #447.

7 Chocolate Mint Gu's,61 Miles...Bike, Run, Bike...Steelhead 70.3 Here I Come!

Well, it finally came...the highly anticipated 60 mile practice race! The plan was to swim 1 mile, bike 50 miles, and then run 10 miles.  But, because of the severe drought and heat we have experienced this summer, the health department advised that swimming in Geist Reservoir was extremely dangerous.  (Also, note that I haven't been in the reservoir since my eyes started burning while swimming a month ago and I decided it was too disgusting for human contact at that time...even if the team swam, I assure you I would not have stuck even my big toe in that water.)  So, in lieu of the swim, we ran 2, biked 50, ran 9.

It was a warm day, but the weather that morning was surprisingly (and thankfully) cooler and less humid than it had been in weeks!  And, in addition to a break in the weather, my mom decided to ride and do part of the run with me so I wouldn't be out on the course alone all day!

The first run was easy.  Out over the Geist Reservoir Bridge and back to the Sailing Club...no sweat...er, well, despite starting with arm warmers, I was sweating and removing them as I got on my bike.

Mom and I rode 2, 25 mile loops to get our 50 miles.  Although I have no idea where we were most of the time, I will note that we rode through some pretty tough terrain and tackled some big hills.  I felt good about the ride, but the course was technically a bit tough so my speed was a little slow on the first loop. I'm told that the Steelhead course is easier...of course, these were the same people who told me that the Elkhart course was full of fun rolling hills...so I am crossing my fingers and holding my breath.

Then it was time for the run.   As usual, I was dreading it.  The run course was painfully simple and monotonous...we ran out 2.25, back 2.25 and then did it again.  But, the course was shady and there were water stops.  Since running is not my thing, I made a deal with myself that I could walk at the water stops and each mile.  Otherwise I had to run.  This was a pretty tall order for me, but somehow it worked.  I did the first out and back by myself, but thankfully, Mom picked me up for the second out and back.  I was heading back in to meet mom for the second out and back and was trying to telepathically tell her to bring Gu and body glide (I was chafing under my arms...I have had a lot of blisters and skin injuries, but this was a new area)...the telepathy didn't work, but she did show up with a large diet coke, which was about the best treat I could hope for...well, except for the body glide.  We did the second out and back and then sprinted back down to the Sailing Club and we were done!

I was soaking wet and covered in road dirt, but 7 Chocolate Mint Gu's and 6 or 7 bottles of water later, I was done with my last long brick before the big day!  And now, we are officially tapering for race day!

The Less Than Lady-Like Aspects of Triathloning!

So, today we only did a 29 mile brick.  23 Mile Bike and 6 Mile Run (well, some of the faster guys did more than 6 miles...but lit was a scorcher!).

When I took my dog outside this morning at 5:45 a.m. it was 88 degrees with 71% humidity.  We started riding this morning at 6:30 a.m. to "beat the heat" a point which I find nearly irrelevant when we are near 90 degrees before it is light out and the projected temperature for the day is somewhere between 105 degrees and 108...and, that is not the heat index friends  (I believe the projected heat index is somewhere between 114 and 119 for the day), but, I digress.   In a nut shell, we are experiencing an awful heat wave  accompanied by a terrible drought here in Indiana.  My point, it's hot!  And from a tri perspective, insane heat apparently makes an otherwise somewhat gross sport somehow even less couth.

And here is what I have learned (today and doing races) about triathloning, despite appearances, being sometimes less than lady-like:

1. My co-workers think I have a great tan because they have never seen my tri-tan lines.  While my legs look like I'm going for a gradual ombre tan from my sock and short lines, my back and shoulders are a mess of sports bra and tri-shirt lines.  And yet, I am proud of my athletic tan!
2. It is ok to refill your water bottle in a neighborhood sprinkler.
3. When doing a brick (or a hot race) having sweat pouring down your shins like a river is normal.  And the insane amount of sweat translates to 3 to 4 pounds of water lost...ew.
4. It is ok to put your head in a sprinkler to cool off.  In fact, it's like your own personal mister shower.
5. When riding your bike and you think it might be raining, consider that the water is likely getting sprayed off your body from some sort of bump (or the rain might be the gatorade splashing all over you).
6. The sticky stuff on your face, and frankly your whole body is salt mixed with dust from the road and possible oil from your bike chain.
7. Just because you merely bricked and didn't swim does not mean you don't look like you have had a stint in a lake after a brick.
8. If your feet aren't properly ventilated and lubed, blisters will happen.  The same goes for lube and other body parts when it comes to chafing.  
9. The places you have to lube and body glide can be quite intimate.
10. The line becomes very blurred as to where it may or may not be appropriate to stick ice to keep yourself cool.  I will note triathletes tend to fore go modesty in an effort to stay comfortable and beat the heat...so, the inappropriate line may be fairly gray.
11. Swimming in a lake is usually disgusting.
12. It is not uncommon to squat in a field if you are well hydrated because you are no where close to a restroom.  
13. Most triathletes will tell you that you aren't really a triathlete until you have peed in your wetsuit before a race.

My point, triathloning can be a gross sport...one not for the vain.  Heat, distance and sweat up the ante on the gross factor.  That said, for some reason...I'm hooked!

Elkhart Lake Triathlon A.K.A The 7th Circle of ...

56.5K...Approximately 35 miles...My first Olympic Triathlon...The 7th Circle of  Hell.  

All of these things describe the Elkhart Lake Triathlon.  I am told that in 2011 the race was literally cold.  On June 9, 2012 it was over 90 degrees.  And there was wind, 25MPH wind.  And God there were some mighty hills for a course that was described as picturesque with rolling hills.  I'm sure I might have considered the course beautiful and picturesque (and maybe even rolling hills) IF I had been in a car instead of on a bike!  But, I finished!  And although I was not very fast (read as extremely slow)...I FINISHED (which meant the Tiki Bar was in my future)!  

It is important that you know that I finished and that I am smiling in this photo before I tell you the tale of the Elkhart Lake Triathlon.  Otherwise, you might never consider doing a triathlon...and you might think I was never doing another triathlon...This sign really should say, "I SURVIVED the Elkhart Lake Tri!"

Swim

Getting Into Wetsuits with the Team Girls

TNT Super Hero's Ready to Swim

We swam the Sprint swim course on Friday before the race.  The water was a little choppy with waves, but I got used to it. And the lake was so clean you could actually see the bottom! On race day the water was a little calmer, so I was feeling good about the swim except that the course looked like a long way out which made me a bit nervous.  A bigger wave hit during the Sprint Triathlon and 18 sprinters had to be pulled out of the water...so, the Olympic race started 40 minutes late (read this as 40 minutes hotter).  When I finally got into the water (I was in the last age group in the water and it was a time trial start...this is important information later.)  I went for it.  As usual I had that moment where I thought "I really do not want to do this" and I had a lot of moments where I thought to myself "Am I there yet?  Where in the heck is that bouy?"  


The swim took me approximately 40 minutes.  Although the course was 1500 meters, I am pretty sure I swam more like 2000 meters because of the current cutting diagonally across the Y shaped course.  The course was not particularly well marked, and the sun and choppy water made it extremely difficult to see where we were supposed to go.  And while ordinarily these conditions might have annoyed me, I was so happy to have accomplished a long distance swim without freaking out or thinking I was going to drown the less than ideal conditions really didn't bother me.  Also, another Team member got  hit n the face with a dead fish and I was lucky enough not to come across any wildlife (dead or alive) so I chalked this up to a win!  1500 M Open Water Swim, check!

Looks like I am happy to be out of the Water!

T1
Here is where my race started to go down hill mentally.  When I got back to transition (as a side note, Transition was a seriously long way away)  I realized there were approximately 5 bikes left in transition.  I know there were people behind me in the water, but the sheer lack of bikes was unnerving.  Remember, I was one of the last groups in the water and then I proceeded to swim out of my way quite a bit, but the lack of people was unnerving.  So, I pulled of my wetsuit, pulled on my socks and bike shoes, snapped on my helmet and sunglasses grabbed my bike and headed out to the bike course.

Bike

I had been expecting to pick up some time on the bike and really enjoy myself during that piece of the race...after all, it was the run that I was not looking forward to.  I had even slept the entire night before the race uninterrupted and had biked the run course on Friday.  The Bike was going to be fun... Turns out,  I was wrong.  

I live in Indiana.  Indiana is very flat.  My definition of rolling hills, and Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin's definition of rolling hills seem to differ quite a bit.  For example, a bike course that is mostly up hill would not be considered to have rolling hills, but I digress.  

The bike was really tough.  Looking back, I think I was capable of doing reasonably well on the bike course, but the 25MPH wind really killed me.  And, I was out on the course BY MYSELF.  This was mentally challenging for me because I was unprepared for being alone on the course at all.  I think I passed two people at mile 25 on the bike course.  It was a long, miserable, slow, windy, hot ride.  28 Mile/45K Bike Ride, check!

Pictures may be worth a 1,000 words...and I may be smiling in this photo, but I assure you that my smiling was for the camera and not because I was enjoying my bike ride.  I may also be smiling because this photo was taken at the top of a hill.

T2

I was never so happy to be back in transition after the bike.  And it was at that point that I seriously started considering whether I could skip the run and dub my race an Aquathon.  I stripped off my bike shoes and helmet, pulled on my Newtons, sun visor, and race belt.  I sprayed on some extra sunscreen and headed toward the run out.  

Run

Did I mention that it was 90 degrees?  Or that the first 4 miles of the run were uphill with only about a 1/2 mile of shade on the entire run course?  By the time I made it to the run, I was seriously hating life.  I was trying to keep my mind occupied thinking of the people that I was racing for...but my mind was foggy.  Looking back, I likely didn't take in enough calories on the bike to account for the harsh conditions which is why my "run" (and I use that term loosely) was more of a walk.  But, I hoofed every step of that 10K happy or not.   There is not much else to report on the run except that I was really happy it was over.  6.2 Mile/10K run, check!

I must have seen the camera, because this photo suggests that I might have actually run during the run portion of the race.  Pictures can be deceiving.

Tiki Bar

I wish I had pictures, but I don't.  The after race margaritas and the Tiki Bar were by far my favorite part of the race.  I note that the Tiki Bar would have been more fun if I had not been so tired as to head for bed at 9:30!

Lessons Learned

Steelhead is going to be a seriously long day!


People my age are fast despite the fact that I am not.  Be prepared to be on the course alone for Steelhead.


If I get up at 4 in the morning the Friday before a Saturday race, I apparently get great sleep on Friday night.


No one signs up to do an Olympic distance or 70.3 distance triathlon and just wings it and "doesn't train."  It's too far, so there will be no stragglers...it is likely that I will be the straggler...I am ok with this if I can get my 70.3 sticker!

Triathlon Packing List...Why, Oh Why, Do I Tri??

I really enjoy the multi-sport aspect of triathloning, but every time I pack for a race and prepare for all 3 sports in a single day, I desperately wonder why on earth I signed up.  Triathloning requires a ton of gear, and if you are traveling over night to race the packing can literally take hours.  So, I've decided to blog about a packing list so that I can forever memorialize my packing list and maybe, just maybe, packing for the next one won't be so bad.

*Disclaimer, this is a packing list for a longer race which includes an overnight stay!

Pre-Race

• Body Glide, Body Glide, Body Glide
• Chamois Butter
• IBuprofen
• Trisuit
• Sunscreen
• Sport Watch and Heart Rate Monitor (Don't forget your charger)
• Safety Pin (To pin your timing chip so you don't lose it.)

Swim

• Wetsuit
• Wetsuit Lube (Depending on how tight your wetsuit is, you may need some sort of lube to get your wetsuit on and prevent wetsuit burn.)
• Goggles (Bring extra goggles!)
• Water Socks (Some races allow them, but even if your race doesn't you might want these for the pre-race practice swim if the race entry is particularly rocky or just plain gross...Geist anyone?)
• Wetsuit Sleeves (These are really not necessary, but I have a sleeveless wetsuit, so if expecting particularly cold water temperatures, these are nice because they pull on.)
• Flip Flops (I recommend wearing flip flops that you can bare to part with in case you leave them.)
• Swim Cap (For the practice swim, or you can double cap with the race cap.)

Bike

• Bike
• Helmet
• Socks
• Bike Shoes
• Biking Gloves (I don't wear them, but some people do.)
• Biking Glasses
• Bike Water Bottles (And all of the mixes, powders, fuel items that will need to along into your water bottles.  If you have an aero bottle don't forget straw(s) and gauze to keep them from splashing on you.)
• Bento Box and Fuel (Gu, Shot Blocks, Sport Beans, etc.)
• Extra Tubes
• CO2 Cartridges
• Tools
• Extra End Caps (If you lose one, they won't let you race without them.)

Run

• Running Shoes
• Hat or Visor
• Sunglasses (If different from your biking glasses.)
• Race Belt
• Bike Jacket/Rain Jacket (If there is any chance of inclement weather.)
• Water/Fuel Belt (Especially important if it is really hot.)
• ABSOLUTELY NO IPODS - Triathlons do not allow you to wear earphones!

Transition

• Transition Bag
• Extra Body Glide (You may want to lube your feet after the swim if you are prone to blisters in long distances.)
• Extra Chamois Butter (Also a good lubricant for other body parts.)
• Towel (I usually don't dry off after the swim, but you may want to wipe your face and I use a bright colored towel draped over the bike rack to help me find my bike!)
• Transition Mat or Extra Towel (I put this on the ground and arrange all of my transition items on top of it.)
• Bucket or Milk Crate (Some people like to have something to sit on to get their wetsuit off and change shoes.  The milk crate has proven useful for carrying items.)
• Bike Pump
• Extra Water or Gatorade (You might be thirsty at transition and be carrying smaller bottles on the run that you want to reserve.)
• Extra Fuel (In case you drop a Gu or your pack of Sport Beans on the bike course.)
• First Aid Items
• Extra IBuprofen
• Extra Sunscreen
• Chap stick
• Packet of Kleenex (You never know when you may appreciate having a toilet paper like item at transition or in your bike trunk.)

Additional Items

• Extra Swimsuit or Trisuit (For pre-race practice swim.)
• Extra Trisuit (For pre-race short bike and gear check.)
• Hemorrhoid Cream (I know this sounds crazy, but if you get blisters that have not popped this will dry them out over night.  It is seriously amazing.)
• Saran Wrap, Plastic Target Bags, Scissors and Packing Tape (I use this to pack my bike for transport.  See my tips for packing your bike for transport below.  Also, the scissors may come in handy if you need to trim a straw.)
• Bike Lock
• Medication
• Toothbrush and Toiletries
• Extra Fuel
• Wet wipes
• Clothes/Shoes for after the race (Remember you may be desperate to get your shoes off or or trisuit off if you are chafing.) 
• Camera

Packing Your Bike For Transport
First, I realize that most people just put their bike either in the car or on the back of the car and go.  But, when I am towing my bike for any distance, I like to protect the seat and handlebars.  First, my handle bars and seat are white, and second I don't really want a soggy seat when I arrive.  (And, yes, I realize that when I triathlon I end up with a wet but on my seat.  But there is a difference between a slightly soggy seat and a seat that has been through a torrential downpour.)  So, here is what I do to pack my bike for transport.  I remove all of my bike bags (bento box and rear trunk).   I also remove my aero pads so they don't get wet.  I then use the saran wrap to methodically wrap the bike seat and handle bars.  I would also recommend wrapping the ends of the handle bars to secure the end caps so they do not get knocked off during transport.  If you tie the saran wrap to the bike frame the saran wrap holds up pretty well to the wind.  You can secure the leftover end of the saran wrap after you are done wrapping with packing tape.  I then take the extra step of tying a grocery bag around the bike seat and handlebars for good measure.  Just remember you will want to pack your bike for transport back after the race, so you will want to bring the saran wrap and extra grocery bags (the original grocery bags likely won't survive the wind) with you.  The scissors will help you when it comes time to unwrap the bike.

I would love to learn about tips and tricks others use for triathlon packing especially if anyone else has any weird items on their list like I do.

Hopefully this is everything, if I think of anything else, I will definitely update this post!

Don't Forget to Bring Your Super Suit!

Well, May was very busy!  Here is a run down of everything I did in May!  More on recent events coming soon!

Open Water Swimming:  We started practicing open water swimming at Geist Reservoir once a week.  Gross and double gross.  If you have ever tried to swim competitively (or even athletically) in open water, you know what I mean.  You can't see two inches in front of you and you have to deal with all of the muck on the bottom of the lake.  For me, this means I need to mentally prepare for the stuff I find gross and the things that make me most fear open water swimming...snakes!  So, I decided it was time to break out my secret weapons and super powers: water socks, a wetsuit, and my Wonder Woman Swimsuit!

Yes, that would be me in the Wonder Woman Swimsuit.  And, if anyone asks, it actually DOES help me swim in open water!

Indianapolis Mini Marathon: Let's set the stage.  The Mini Marathon was hot, high 80's and 90% humidity.  I didn't train for the Mini, I had been training for a big triathlon, and April was not a good training month for me.  Couple all of this with feeling a bit emotional after losing my uncle and my mom's running coach, Tom Hathaway, the week before...it was bound to be an emotional race.  So, I walked up to the start line with pretty low expectations because (i) I was not acclimated to the heat, and (ii) I had only run up to 7 miles in preparation.  Luckily, my awesome Mom decided to run with me despite being injured.  Against all odds, the first 5 or 6 miles went pretty well.  At mile five I burst into tears when I heard a band playing "Only the Good Die Young," but I kept going.  The track is a bit of a blur to me, but this seems to be the place where my race broke down.  It was really hot, and things were starting to hurt.  Somehow we muddled through those last 7 miles (cue bursting into tears at mile 10.5 without explanation), but I swear I only made it because my mom drug me through the finish line.

Geist Half Marathon: At some point a couple months ago, I signed up for the Geist Half Marathon because I wanted to the special t-shirt for running two 1/2 marathons during the month of May (and yes, it has occurred to me that a t-shirt that I have to pay to own is not necessarily a rational reward for such behavior...but, I thrive on sense of accomplishment).  After the Mini I was seriously questioning my sanity for signing up for Geist when I wasn't training for a 1/2 marathon not to mention questioning whether I could complete Mini's very hilly cousin after hating every minute of the Mini.  But, I had a few friends who were doing Geist so I gave it the old college try.  It was hilly, and it was hot...and yet somehow I PR'd by 8 minutes!  I ran really well (and really fast for me) right up until miles 8 and 9 when the course turns into one huge hill.  The funny thing is I didn't realize how fast I was racing until I reached mile 10.5.  You see, I  had been running with a woman I met in the race who saw my TNT purple and we sort of started running together.  Both of us were struggling with injuries, so when she needed to walk, I was happy to take a break with her.  I only mention this, because it goes to illustrate how profound my PR was.  Had I had any inclination that I was capable of a faster time, I am sure I would have pushed harder during those 3.5 miles.  I think at mile 10.5 I said something like, "you know, if I hurry, I can PR??" and I took off for the finish line.   I was so proud at the finish line despite the salt stuck to my face (this was my first experience with the dried salt by the way...made me feel like a real athlete)!  The most important thing I learned from Geist was to have confidence in my training.  I am finally starting to feel good about the time and hard work I have put in.

TNT Fashionistas Before the Geist

TNT Fashionista's After Geist

Grieve, Pray for Strength and Remember...

Alan Impicciche passed away on April 23, 2012.  He was 52.  He was my uncle, "Unke Al."  He died from Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

When I began this journey in January, I wanted to show support for my uncle as he underwent treatment for a disease I was sure he would beat.  I wrote to him to tell him I wanted to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to support and honor him.  My uncle fully supported the challenge I was taking on and was touched by my desire to help in the only way I knew how.  I had no idea that only four months later I would be training to race in his memory.

When I was a child, Alan lived with us for some period of time.  I have fond memories of going to Toys 'R Us to pick out gifts on my birthday.  One year he bought me a giant green plastic piggy bank with pink eyes (think the Amityville Horror Pig), another year a whole slew of pound puppies with a carrier.  I can remember so looking forward to shopping for my birthday gift with Alan, because he always let me pick things that my mom said I couldn't have or were too expensive.

I recall Alan picking me up from day care one day and marching back into the office to admonish the administrator for not punishing some little boys who had thrown sand in my eyes making me cry.  And I will never forget weekend dinners at my grandparents house when an hour or so after dinner, Alan would announce "Dudes, Pizza?" (What can I say, we Italians think pizza is an after dinner snack.)

As I grew older, Alan married Ann and they had two amazing children, Maria and Michael.  Although I was not as close with Alan as I grew into adulthood, I always loved and cherished my relationship with him.  As I write this, I cannot help but think of Alan's unique quirks that made him both goofy and lovable at the same time.  Alan loved vanilla ice cream and beanie weenies, but he hated to be in the same room as an onion. Alan loved to eat Wonder Bread sandwiches...just two slices of white wonder bread squished into a ball.

Alan loved golf, but he loved his family more.  I have read numerous messages left by friends and colleagues.  Seeing Alan through the lens of his friends and co-workers is to see him as a dedicated and bright co-worker, a wonderful friend, who put family and friendship above all else.

Alan suffered greatly the last few months of his life as he battled his illness.  I take comfort that Alan is no longer suffering and is now watching over all of us.  Alan's death came too quickly, his children were too young, his wife and family still hopeful he would recover.  So, we will grieve, we will pray for strength, and we will remember.  I believe that training and racing in Alan's memory will give me the opportunity to grieve, to pray for strength, and to remember.  And when I struggle, I will picture Alan alongside our Lord and Savior...perhaps they will be sharing a Wonder Bread Sandwich after a game of golf as they watch over and protect our family.

Unke Al - I love you, I miss you, and I will look to you for strength.  We will always remember your kind heart and gentle spirit.  Rest in peace Alan. Love, Andrea