We did it. We're Ironmen. Tim crossed the finish line in a whopping 10:34 and I crossed at 12:01 (oh, for two less minutes!).
In addition to Team Middleton, our entire group of Ironman friends - Topher, Roger, Jimmy, Laura, Devin, Rick - triumphed yesterday. So did Rudy Garcia-Tolson. So did 2,399 athletes, out of 2,516 that started the race.
The day was amazing and I'll have to write a full race report soon once my brain is fully rehydrated. Until then, I'll leave you with this short story -
It's race morning, about 5:40am. I'm in line for the porta-potties (where else would I be?) at transition. And then I freak: "I forgot my chip! I forgot my chip in the hotel room! Oh my gosh! What am I going to do?! I forgot my chip!" Topher, who's with me, says, "Calm down. You can get a replacement chip near the swim start." I try to calm down but simply can't. Now my heart is pumping and my blood pressure is up, way up. Tim walks me over to the swim start and I get a new chip. Major fiasco averted.
It's about 11pm last night. We're back in the hotel room, showered, exhausted, ready for bed. I pull my wet race clothes out of my tri bag and find - wait for it - my original chip. It was in my bag the whole time. I freaked for absolutely no reason.
This morning, at 8am, we're back at the race site. I need to return my original chip. I finally find an Ironman staffer and try to return my chip to him. He sends me to the registration tent, but since there's a long line there, I end up at the Kona slot tent. I walk to the side of the tent with the chip in my hand. And then I hear a voice: "Would you like to turn your chip in?" It's Paula Newby-Fraser!!! Paula, the Ironman icon! And so, I gave Paula my chip. And Paula took my chip. And that was awesome.
More later. Need to eat again now!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Today's Docket
1). Do short brick workout at race site
2). Eat big lunch
3). Drop bikes and gear bags off at transition area
4). Find a Starbucks, drink a latte
5). Come home, finish race day prep
6). Cram in last-minute "Going Long" reading
7). Put on the iPod and stretch
8). Eat dinner
9). Try not to completely freak out
10). Go to bed and dream of donning my sweet tri outfit in the morning
Friday, November 20, 2009
Day One in Tempe
We should totally be in bed. But instead, we're cleaning our bikes and packing our transition and special needs bags. Our hotel suite has exploded; we've got bike degreaser in a coffee mug, Gu packets all over the kitchen counter and water bottles absolutely everywhere.
Race day is sooooo close now.
We drove down to the race site this morning for a training swim and Ironman check-in. Let me just tell you, Tempe Town "Lake" looks like one wide river. The water didn't taste that bad, but it was darn cold. And somehow I came out of the water with dirt on my face and in my nose. Slimy dirt. But I think slime reduces drag, so this could bode well for Sunday's 2.4-miler.
After swimming, we waited in line for a while to check in. Ironman makes you sign a two-page waiver that says, in essence, "If you die during this event, please don't sue us." I signed it. And then I picked up my race numbers and goody bag, which was full of other bags: morning clothes bag, swim-to-run bag, bike-to-run bag, bike special needs bag and run special needs bag. Let's hope I can keep all these bags straight...
Tonight we ate dinner with the 2,400 other competitors racing on Sunday. We hail from all 50 states and 32 countries. The oldest triathlete is 77 ("My peers are either dead or in assisted living homes" - God bless him) and the youngest is 18 (from Anchorage, AK).
But you know what the best part about tonight was? I found Mike Reilly, the Voice of Ironman [see earlier posts about finding Mike...clearly, I was unsuccessful]. The one and only Mike Reilly was tonight's emcee!
Actually, I have to take that back. Mike was the second best part of tonight's dinner. The best part was Rudy Garcia-Tolson, the young double amputee and an amazing athlete. Rudy will be racing IMAZ with the rest of us able-bodied athletes. "I'll motivate you out there and you give me motivation back." Rudy, you got it. I can't wait to see you out there. Just put those miles away and get to that finish line. You will do this.
Race day is sooooo close now.
We drove down to the race site this morning for a training swim and Ironman check-in. Let me just tell you, Tempe Town "Lake" looks like one wide river. The water didn't taste that bad, but it was darn cold. And somehow I came out of the water with dirt on my face and in my nose. Slimy dirt. But I think slime reduces drag, so this could bode well for Sunday's 2.4-miler.
After swimming, we waited in line for a while to check in. Ironman makes you sign a two-page waiver that says, in essence, "If you die during this event, please don't sue us." I signed it. And then I picked up my race numbers and goody bag, which was full of other bags: morning clothes bag, swim-to-run bag, bike-to-run bag, bike special needs bag and run special needs bag. Let's hope I can keep all these bags straight...
Tonight we ate dinner with the 2,400 other competitors racing on Sunday. We hail from all 50 states and 32 countries. The oldest triathlete is 77 ("My peers are either dead or in assisted living homes" - God bless him) and the youngest is 18 (from Anchorage, AK).
But you know what the best part about tonight was? I found Mike Reilly, the Voice of Ironman [see earlier posts about finding Mike...clearly, I was unsuccessful]. The one and only Mike Reilly was tonight's emcee!
Actually, I have to take that back. Mike was the second best part of tonight's dinner. The best part was Rudy Garcia-Tolson, the young double amputee and an amazing athlete. Rudy will be racing IMAZ with the rest of us able-bodied athletes. "I'll motivate you out there and you give me motivation back." Rudy, you got it. I can't wait to see you out there. Just put those miles away and get to that finish line. You will do this.
Good Morning, Arizona
We made it. We are currently lounging comfortably in the Grand Canyon State, hanging in our hotel suite with our bikes, wetsuits, tubs of Gatorade Endurance, multiple duffel bags and - most importantly - Starbucks coffees.
Yesterday's drive through the desert went well. Tim and I rocked out to a little Kings of Leon, U2, Dave Matthews and Shaggy (I was able to get only a few Shaggy songs in before Tim shut that down). We waved to other IMAZ participants we passed - the tri bikes latched to their cars were total give-aways.
So now we're here and trying to adjust to Mountain time. In a little while, we'll drive to Tempe Town Lake and take a dip in the 64 degree water. Then we'll drive the bike course. And then I'll work on not freaking out...at this very moment, we're 48 hours away.
I have to share a couple of lines from the Athlete Information Guide that I found, um, a tad humorous, if not downright frightening. Here we go:
1). "Athletes may not make progress on the bike course unaccompanied by their bicycle." All right, Bike, it's you and me for 112 miles. Good thing that's been the plan since the beginning.
2). On the run course - "No form of locomotion other than running, walking or crawling is allowed." Excuse me, crawling? I really hope it doesn't get that bad...
On that note, I need to find some Body Glide. Until next time!
Yesterday's drive through the desert went well. Tim and I rocked out to a little Kings of Leon, U2, Dave Matthews and Shaggy (I was able to get only a few Shaggy songs in before Tim shut that down). We waved to other IMAZ participants we passed - the tri bikes latched to their cars were total give-aways.
So now we're here and trying to adjust to Mountain time. In a little while, we'll drive to Tempe Town Lake and take a dip in the 64 degree water. Then we'll drive the bike course. And then I'll work on not freaking out...at this very moment, we're 48 hours away.
I have to share a couple of lines from the Athlete Information Guide that I found, um, a tad humorous, if not downright frightening. Here we go:
1). "Athletes may not make progress on the bike course unaccompanied by their bicycle." All right, Bike, it's you and me for 112 miles. Good thing that's been the plan since the beginning.
2). On the run course - "No form of locomotion other than running, walking or crawling is allowed." Excuse me, crawling? I really hope it doesn't get that bad...
On that note, I need to find some Body Glide. Until next time!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Arizona, Here We Come
In just a few hours, Tim and I will be heading for the 10 East with Tempe, AZ as our destination. Neither of us can believe it's time, but we're both ready to get this show on the road (literally!).
We'll be loading Tim's truck with our bikes and bike gear, race clothing, a bunch of water bottles and our entire kitchen. To the Hyatt in Tempe, we're movin' in for the weekend!
As for me, I packed a duffel bag and my tri backpack with almost my entire workout wardrobe. I packed 7 dri-fit shirts (we'll be there 4 days), at least 5 fleeces, 10 pairs of running socks, 6 pairs of workout pants, three jackets...I'm just trying to "be prepared." However, I did wrap my race outfit in a special bag and I did pack my running shoes before anything else. At least I have my packing priorities.
We're taking the day off, workout-wise. Yesterday, Team Middleton went on a morning bike ride. It was ridiculously cold. Despite 22 years on the east coast, I've turned into a complete cold weather wimp. Or my blood has thinned. (Maybe my blood has thinned). Tim and I also went for a quick swim at the UCI pool yesterday - our very last swim from the 16 week swim training program we've been following - a mere 8x25 yards and 5x100 yards. Done.
And that's it. We have done what we've done. The past six months all come down to this one weekend, to this one Sunday. We're ready to hop in the Toyota Tacoma and hip-hop our way to Tempe. Okay, I'm ready to hip-hop my way - Tim's ready to classic rock his way. Little does he know I packed my Kanye West cd in between my fleeces...
We'll talk to you next from Arizona!
We'll be loading Tim's truck with our bikes and bike gear, race clothing, a bunch of water bottles and our entire kitchen. To the Hyatt in Tempe, we're movin' in for the weekend!
As for me, I packed a duffel bag and my tri backpack with almost my entire workout wardrobe. I packed 7 dri-fit shirts (we'll be there 4 days), at least 5 fleeces, 10 pairs of running socks, 6 pairs of workout pants, three jackets...I'm just trying to "be prepared." However, I did wrap my race outfit in a special bag and I did pack my running shoes before anything else. At least I have my packing priorities.
We're taking the day off, workout-wise. Yesterday, Team Middleton went on a morning bike ride. It was ridiculously cold. Despite 22 years on the east coast, I've turned into a complete cold weather wimp. Or my blood has thinned. (Maybe my blood has thinned). Tim and I also went for a quick swim at the UCI pool yesterday - our very last swim from the 16 week swim training program we've been following - a mere 8x25 yards and 5x100 yards. Done.
And that's it. We have done what we've done. The past six months all come down to this one weekend, to this one Sunday. We're ready to hop in the Toyota Tacoma and hip-hop our way to Tempe. Okay, I'm ready to hip-hop my way - Tim's ready to classic rock his way. Little does he know I packed my Kanye West cd in between my fleeces...
We'll talk to you next from Arizona!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Shout Outs to Our Sponsors
Five days to go.
I figured now would be an appropriate time to thank Team Middleton's sponsors. "But wait," you say, "I didn't know Tim and Sarah were sponsored triathletes." Okay, truthfully, we're not. But still, we wouldn't have gotten to this point in our Ironman journey were it not for the great supporters below.
1). The Chevron station at Irvine and Culver
- Oh yeah, could NOT have made it on those Santiago Canyon double loop rides without this Chevron's restroom and water fountain
2). Cook's Corner
- For restrooms and water and free entertainment (more on Cook's Corner in an earlier post)
3). Odwalla
- I'd like to personally thank the makers of the Vanilla Almond Protein drinks for getting me through all runs 16 miles plus. Just the thought of that tasty little bottle waiting in my fridge was enough to keep my legs moving.
4). Body Glide and Chamois Cream
- For obvious reasons...
5). Gu
- Whoever created the Chocolate Outrage Gu has my undying love. Every time I pop one of those little packets of pure energy, I just tell myself I'm eating chocolate icing. A lot of chocolate icing. Works like a charm.
6). Mother's Market
- Art, this is for you, man! Thanks for ringing up our granola, fruit, almond milk, Clif bars, yogurt, more Clif bars, juices, smoothies, pasta, rice and beans and so much more every Friday night. Our caloric intake just wouldn't have been the same without you or the goodness of Mother's Market.
Well, there you have it. The entities that have seen us through our Ironman training. I wonder if any of them want to sponsor us for real...
I figured now would be an appropriate time to thank Team Middleton's sponsors. "But wait," you say, "I didn't know Tim and Sarah were sponsored triathletes." Okay, truthfully, we're not. But still, we wouldn't have gotten to this point in our Ironman journey were it not for the great supporters below.
1). The Chevron station at Irvine and Culver
- Oh yeah, could NOT have made it on those Santiago Canyon double loop rides without this Chevron's restroom and water fountain
2). Cook's Corner
- For restrooms and water and free entertainment (more on Cook's Corner in an earlier post)
3). Odwalla
- I'd like to personally thank the makers of the Vanilla Almond Protein drinks for getting me through all runs 16 miles plus. Just the thought of that tasty little bottle waiting in my fridge was enough to keep my legs moving.
4). Body Glide and Chamois Cream
- For obvious reasons...
5). Gu
- Whoever created the Chocolate Outrage Gu has my undying love. Every time I pop one of those little packets of pure energy, I just tell myself I'm eating chocolate icing. A lot of chocolate icing. Works like a charm.
6). Mother's Market
- Art, this is for you, man! Thanks for ringing up our granola, fruit, almond milk, Clif bars, yogurt, more Clif bars, juices, smoothies, pasta, rice and beans and so much more every Friday night. Our caloric intake just wouldn't have been the same without you or the goodness of Mother's Market.
Well, there you have it. The entities that have seen us through our Ironman training. I wonder if any of them want to sponsor us for real...
Sunday, November 15, 2009
One Week to Go
Oh. My. Goodness! Ironman Arizona is one week away. How in the world did this happen?!
We're heading out on a two hour brick workout soon. Today marks the last day of Taper. Starting tomorrow, we head into Race week and reduce the volume of our workouts even more.
This time next week, we'll be swimming in Tempe Town Lake. Tim's swim plan? To swim around the buoys and finish in a respectable time. My swim plan? Avoid swallowing the detritus in the water.
Tim and I are now talking non-stop about Ironman. A conversation about what to have for dinner invariably turns into a race day nutrition talk. A conversation about getting the car's oil changed morphs into a discussion on race day transitions. We are wholly consumed.
Oh. My. Goodness...
We're heading out on a two hour brick workout soon. Today marks the last day of Taper. Starting tomorrow, we head into Race week and reduce the volume of our workouts even more.
This time next week, we'll be swimming in Tempe Town Lake. Tim's swim plan? To swim around the buoys and finish in a respectable time. My swim plan? Avoid swallowing the detritus in the water.
Tim and I are now talking non-stop about Ironman. A conversation about what to have for dinner invariably turns into a race day nutrition talk. A conversation about getting the car's oil changed morphs into a discussion on race day transitions. We are wholly consumed.
Oh. My. Goodness...
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Finding Mike Reilly, Part Deux
Back in October, I wrote about finding Mike Reilly, Ironman's race day announcer. My plan was to find Mike and convince him to play the song that symbolizes the Ironman finish line for me on November 22.
Um, about that plan...
I haven't found Mike. In fact, I haven't really tried to find Mike. I did look for him on Facebook, but to no avail. I did Google him a bit, but all that popped up were some archived interviews. And then I moved on to other important things - like homework and sleeping and ironing (oh wait, Tim did the ironing).
The good news is that I would make a very bad stalker. The bad news is that my quest to find Mike might just have to wait until Team Middleton lands in Tempe, AZ. And that's just a few short days away...
Stay tuned.
Um, about that plan...
I haven't found Mike. In fact, I haven't really tried to find Mike. I did look for him on Facebook, but to no avail. I did Google him a bit, but all that popped up were some archived interviews. And then I moved on to other important things - like homework and sleeping and ironing (oh wait, Tim did the ironing).
The good news is that I would make a very bad stalker. The bad news is that my quest to find Mike might just have to wait until Team Middleton lands in Tempe, AZ. And that's just a few short days away...
Stay tuned.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
This Is How We Ride
Since we're documenting our IMAZ training, it's a necessity that we throw a couple pictures on this blog. As you know, Tim likes to fly below the radar, so don't tell him I posted these sweet photos...
2.27 Mile Swim? Check.
Tuesday, November 10 marked Team Middleton's last long swim: 4,000 yards. Tim conquered the swim yesterday morning and I triumped yesterday evening.
4,000 yards is a long time to spend in the water. The entire workout took Tim just under an hour and me just over an hour. I tried to keep my mind as numb as possible during the 160 lengths of the pool, concentrating on my breathing, stroke pull and the smell of pine. (Yes, the guy in the lane next to me was wearing extremely strong cologne - strangely, I enjoyed it and was a bit disappointed when he hopped out).
In 12 more days, we'll be swimming 4,224 yards, followed by a 112 mile bike and a 26.2 mile run. (Gulp.)
I'm quivering in my boots - I mean - bike shoes.
But it's not time to head for the Arizona desert just yet. We still have a few more swims, a few more bricks, a couple short bike rides, maybe an easy run or two. And some serious hydrating.
Getting closer...
4,000 yards is a long time to spend in the water. The entire workout took Tim just under an hour and me just over an hour. I tried to keep my mind as numb as possible during the 160 lengths of the pool, concentrating on my breathing, stroke pull and the smell of pine. (Yes, the guy in the lane next to me was wearing extremely strong cologne - strangely, I enjoyed it and was a bit disappointed when he hopped out).
In 12 more days, we'll be swimming 4,224 yards, followed by a 112 mile bike and a 26.2 mile run. (Gulp.)
I'm quivering in my boots - I mean - bike shoes.
But it's not time to head for the Arizona desert just yet. We still have a few more swims, a few more bricks, a couple short bike rides, maybe an easy run or two. And some serious hydrating.
Getting closer...
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Lovin' the Taper
I've been up for one hour. I've had breakfast, made the bed, read yesterday's WSJ, hung up some clothes, cruised Facebook, and am now drinking some coffee.
I have 90 minutes before heading out on this morning's ride. If I'm lucky (and motored by enough coffee), I might get in a little homework before donning my spandex, too.
I am giddy. Why, you ask? Because today's ride is...wait for it...only three hours. Only three hours! And today's run? Only one hour! A four hour workout! I'm swooning over it!
Since Monday, Tim and I have been tapering. Our taper period is broken into two components: two Peak weeks and one Race week. During the Peak period, we will be reducing our training volume but adding intensity. During Race week, we will be reducing the volume even further. The purpose of tapering is to give our bodies time to absorb all the training we've put in over the past few months - essentially, we're vying to reach our physiological peaks.
Today's workout is also a race simulation. You know what that means: no stopping, not even for the bathroom. You know what that means for this blogger's bladder: grow or go.
And on that note, I think I need to start hydrating. And stretching. And taping some Gus to my bike. And applying sunscreen. Yeah, probably no time for homework this morning - if only I could taper on school, too (just kidding, all my paper graders out there)...
I have 90 minutes before heading out on this morning's ride. If I'm lucky (and motored by enough coffee), I might get in a little homework before donning my spandex, too.
I am giddy. Why, you ask? Because today's ride is...wait for it...only three hours. Only three hours! And today's run? Only one hour! A four hour workout! I'm swooning over it!
Since Monday, Tim and I have been tapering. Our taper period is broken into two components: two Peak weeks and one Race week. During the Peak period, we will be reducing our training volume but adding intensity. During Race week, we will be reducing the volume even further. The purpose of tapering is to give our bodies time to absorb all the training we've put in over the past few months - essentially, we're vying to reach our physiological peaks.
Today's workout is also a race simulation. You know what that means: no stopping, not even for the bathroom. You know what that means for this blogger's bladder: grow or go.
And on that note, I think I need to start hydrating. And stretching. And taping some Gus to my bike. And applying sunscreen. Yeah, probably no time for homework this morning - if only I could taper on school, too (just kidding, all my paper graders out there)...
Sunday, November 1, 2009
It's November
I have a midterm tomorrow. I should be studying. I should not be drinking that second glass of wine right now. But alas, the wine wins and learning loses.
Because it's November! It's race month! Exactly three weeks from today, Team Middleton will be swimming and biking and running in Ironman Arizona. Bring. It.
This weekend marked our last long brick workout. Tim biked and ran yesterday while I made about 27 cups of tea and popped at least 49 cough drops (thank you, common cold) at home. Tim returned from his 10 mile run around the Back Bay triumphant - and a bit dehydrated. Ok, really dehydrated.
I was determined to stay hydrated during my brick today. I got out on the bike and practiced drinking water from my aero bottle. Aside from the fact that I kept poking my face with the straw, it went well. Staying hydrated on the run? Not so great. I returned home broken by the Back Bay sun and a personal water shortage. Note to self: Don't let this happen on November 22.
Tim and I are now celebrating the end of heavy training days - and mourning the end of 'strapping on the feed bag' days. Evidently, now that we're tapering, we can't eat absolutely everything in the fridge and, um, cupboard, um, every day of the week.
But I can still strap on the feed bag tonight. So, I will bid you adieu, grab a third glass of wine and head on over to the kitchen where my snacks - I mean, studying - awaits.
Because it's November! It's race month! Exactly three weeks from today, Team Middleton will be swimming and biking and running in Ironman Arizona. Bring. It.
This weekend marked our last long brick workout. Tim biked and ran yesterday while I made about 27 cups of tea and popped at least 49 cough drops (thank you, common cold) at home. Tim returned from his 10 mile run around the Back Bay triumphant - and a bit dehydrated. Ok, really dehydrated.
I was determined to stay hydrated during my brick today. I got out on the bike and practiced drinking water from my aero bottle. Aside from the fact that I kept poking my face with the straw, it went well. Staying hydrated on the run? Not so great. I returned home broken by the Back Bay sun and a personal water shortage. Note to self: Don't let this happen on November 22.
Tim and I are now celebrating the end of heavy training days - and mourning the end of 'strapping on the feed bag' days. Evidently, now that we're tapering, we can't eat absolutely everything in the fridge and, um, cupboard, um, every day of the week.
But I can still strap on the feed bag tonight. So, I will bid you adieu, grab a third glass of wine and head on over to the kitchen where my snacks - I mean, studying - awaits.
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