My third Saint George Ironman (SGIM)!
I know this course so well! This
course will always have a special part in my heart. The last three
years I have trained and raced on this beautiful course. This course
has helped make me stronger mentally and physically through WIND,
heat, hills, rain and snow storms.
The first year that I participated in
the SGIM I trained much harder than I had for my first two ironmans
in Sonoma, California. I went to two excellent triathlon camps put
on by Wesley Johnson and Barbara Sherwood. It was at these camps I
first learned about Kona and my dream to qualify for Kona began.
After these two camps I decided to buy a carbon tri bike. I was
excited to participate in my first ironman branded Ironman.
The first year in 2010, I froze in the
water, and shivered for the first 20 miles of the race. I was
disappointed with my bike time 7:16. I think part of the reason for
the slow bike time was I was trying to save energy for the run.
Needless to say, I wasn't even close to qualifying, 12:46. So I had
to do another ironman that year, because I knew I could perform way
better. So I did the Vineman the same year and finished in 11:35,
with a bike split of 6 hours. After Vineman I decided to sign up for
SGIM again. It was just to convenient to have an ironman in your own
state, and I felt like I had something to prove on the bike.
So I trained hard once again through
the winter of 2011 preparing for SGIM. Little did I know I would be
heading into one of the most stressful races I have had. Two days
before the race I crashed, and needed a new seat, different helmet,
was bruised and had some awesome roadrash. Despite the HEAT and all
the other obstacles I managed to finish just under 12. Because of
the crash I had to sign up for another ironman that year and decided
to sign up for Cozumel. In Cozumel I had much better success
finishing 7th in my age group with a 10:37. After
Cozumel, once again I decided to sign up for SGIM. The third time is
a charm, I thought to myself. Another year of winter training. My
hardest week included biking the full course in 5 hours and 30 min.
Then a few days later running 20 miles at a 8 min pace. I came into
the race feeling more prepared and more at ease than I have for any
other ironman.
THE SWIM
Anyway, woke up early Saturday morning,
and rode the bus to Sand Hollow Reservoir. It was fun to know so many
people racing. I found Moka on race morning and borrowed her pump.
Ironically, the start of the race the water was calm. People started
creeping past the start line before the gun went off, and I decided
to join. The beginning of the race was normal, with 1700 people in a
mass start it is difficult to avoid being clobbered. I felt strong
in the water, then we turned the first red buoy and everybody seemed
to disappear. Sighting the buoys was difficult. The calm reservoir,
turned ocean-like, with swells of 4-5 feet... I swam by the a tipped
over kayak. I ended up doing breast stroke a few times, and tried to
time the waves right. I just tried to stay calm and keep swimming.
I finally got to where I could spot the rock island that I knew we
were suppose to swim around. As I staggered out of the water I heard
Chris yelling for me. I found Brandon, after the swim, who helped me
with my wetsuit. He is definitely the best stripper ever. I cried a
little in the changing tent, over the swim. I knew my swim time had
to have been slow. Turns out it was my worse swim time 1:16, which I
guess was good considering the conditions. I was actually third in
my age group, the highest I have ever place in an ironman branded
swim! I had to use the restroom after the swim. I heard hundreds
did not finish under the 2 hour 20 minute limit. Honestly I am
surprised nobody was hurt.
BIKE
Finally I jumped on the bike relieved
to be done with the swim. Okay I thought to myself, the IM is a long
race, anything can happen, I just need to refocus. Leaving sand
hollow I started out at a good clip, and soon realized it was going
to be a windy day... A pro passed me on the bike, so I knew I wasn't
the only one with a bad swim. My friend Mike passed me on the bike,
which helped me refocus on my pedal stroke. I saw my friend Tekoi
cheering for me near St George. I met my other friend Ali cheering
for me just passing Bluff Street. So great to have people cheering
for you. Heading into Ivins, my friend Katie was driving by in a
truck cheering for me. All of this helped with the wind, which I
heard that there were 40mph gusts. I have trained in St George and
Vegas multiple times in the wind, so I just told myself it was just
going to be a long day and to forget about times. I had to use the
restroom again at an awesome bike aide station in Ivins, dang I still
don't have my nutrition dialed in.
Leaving, Ivins I met my friend Stephen
who was racing. We took a few turns passing eachother, which helped
me forget about the wind. I ended up passing a pro on the bike,
going up the wall, who encouraged me. My legs were feeling good and
really thought this was going to be the race I qualified. Finally
reached Veyo and there was an amazing tail wind. I felt fairly good
at mile 56, and was getting more excited about the race..
However, just as things seemed to be
going so well went there was a slight hill, I went to shift and
couldnt. I wasn't sure what was wrong, but it was okay because I was
headed downhill mostly. I thought I would hold out and see how I
felt when I went into the wind. As I turned into the wind and the
hills, it was obvious it would be a very long bike ride, if I
continued. I stopped at a couple aide stations to see if anybody
could help me without any luck. I tried putting my chain in an easy
gear but it would slip to the hard gear. I was in tears, but kep
riding not sure what to do. Saw some bike techs and they couldn't
help me.. I ran out of water and gatorade between an aide station,
and so many bikers were cruising past me. My hamstring started to
bug me a little from all of the standing up with the wind in hills,
in one gear. As I was walking up a hill at mile 80 I decided to
call it quits.
Yeah it really sucked, and I cried a
lot. Of about 1800 athletes only 1000 finished...My DNF was related
to some mechanical problem with my shifter. Maybe I will have to
have a spare bike for these races. Somebody with a broken disk tire,
asked if he could borrow my wheel to finish the race. So I let him
use my wheel, which allowed him to finish.
Sometimes I wish I never had a dream to
qualify for Kona, but then I remember all the people I have met and
people who have inspired me. I know that my hobby has helped me cope
with depression and realize most goals are more about the journey
anyway. I keep improving and that is more important than obtaining a
goal. Looking back I wish I would have stayed to cheer on all the
finishers, but my heart was a crushed at the time..Next race, for
sure I will be there for the finishers...Took a trip to Hawaii after
the race which helped calm my soul and put things into perspective.
So what is next? Decided to sign up
for Cour d'Alene
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