Focus on the positives. Learn from the negatives.

Twenty four hours ago I started my journey to check off an Ironman AquaBike from my bucket list and did just that! But why can't I focus on the positives and continue to dwell on the fact my bike speed average was not what I hoped? Believe it or not I was embarrassed to post it on Strava this morning. But realized, it is what it is. Riding 113 miles (after swimming 2.4 miles) in hills, wind and humidity, as well as NO drafting was an amazing feat and I should focus on the positives and learn from anything that didn't go right.

My friend Pam and I left for Grand Rapids on Saturday morning. We had to pick up our packets and rack our bikes in transition. It still wasn't a reality to me that I was finally going to accomplish what I've been training for since January. It did become a little more real when we were sitting through the mandatory pre-race meeting and they were going over the course, rules, etc.

After we got our goodie bags, race bracelet, race packets, race numbers (bike, helmet, transition bags and bib) we were ready for lunch. We wanted a known commodity so not to have digestive problems on race day. We asked SIRI for the nearest Panera Bread and she kindly displayed 4 near to us. Then she asked "do you want me to call or do you want directions?" I said "directions". Well next thing she says is "I found a description of erections on Wikapedia. Do you want me to display it?" We must have laughed for 10 minutes and it was the joke the rest of the weekend.

After lunch we met Mark and Helen at the park to set up our bikes in transition. Also to walk the area so you knew where to run in from the swim would be, the changing tent, bike out/in and run out. You always want to check this out before your race as it is mass confusion when you come out of the water. The last thing you want to do is spend precious time trying to find your bike. The lake for the swim portion was beautiful and calm with homes around the banks. For my swim it was two loops around the lake for the 2.4 miles. Pam and Mark had one loop for 1.2 miles.

It was about 330pm so we went to find our hotel, check in and get our stuff ready for race day. We planned to meet Mark and Helen for a pasta dinner to carbo load.

This was my first Ironman distance race and they treat you like royalty. You get bags for the swim to the bike, bike to the run (if doing the run), special needs bags that are at the halfway point both on the bike and the run and finally a bag for all your dry clothes. They are all color coded and there's key included in your packet.

Trying to figure out what goes in which bag?

Bed time came at 9pm EST, which is 8pm Chicago time. Yep, I was tired but only slept about an hour. Of course you have all sorts of thoughts going through your head. Mine weren't negative chatter but crazy scenarios...flat tire on the bike, forgetting my bike shoes, etc.

Wake up call at 430am. Quick breakfast and drive in the dark to the parking lot about 2 miles from the race start. Then hop a bus with all our crap. Transition was already buzzing with people setting up their areas, dropping off special needs bags and applying Body Glide to every part of their bodies. Modesty goes out the window. We noticed that the athletes were on the older side. Not many 20 yr olds and a handful of 30 yr olds. But 99% of them were extremely fit and of course there goes me with my body issues. Ugh, will that ever stop? Also some amazing tri bikes. But Vermonster held her own.

It has been three years since my last Tri. I had forgotten what a great group these folks are. Always a kind word of encouragement both before the race and out on the course. I have found no other sport like that.

6:45am was a pre-race meeting at the beach as the sun was still coming up. The full tri and full aquabike folks went off at 7am with the half going off at 8am. The national anthem was sung and that got to me emotionally and then we were off. The swim went well. I hoped for 1:15-1:30. I actually was back on the beach in 1 hr 33 min. Then there's the run up the beach, a quick stop at the strippers. You lay down on the ground and they strip your wet suit off of you in lightning speed. A first for me but a great perk to have.

Getting ready for the swim

I crossed the mat and entered transition. For the full distance athletes we got a changing tent. Also a first for me...They yell your bib number up to the volunteers outside the tent and your swim to bike bag is there waiting for you. A volunteer is at your side helping you sort through the bag and get you dressed quickly. Like a personal butler. For you women who ever tried putting on a sports bra when you are wet can understand the tangled mess. So it was awesome to have someone there untangle me. The gal next to me was getting the same treatment. 10 minutes in transition...mani/pedi, apply some make up, blow dry my hair...NOT.

Walked my bike out of transition to the mount line and off I went for 112 mile ride...remember NO drafting. Well at mile 2 we hit a climb. 13.8% grade! Are you kidding me? I had read on their web site 1500 ft of climb total. The bike course was changed due to road construction, but something was very wrong. There was lots of climbing. 4300 ft to be exact!!! I knew I'd remember this hill because our bike course was two loops and I'd have to climb it again around mile 57. Lovely.

Bike course elevation map. Two loops.

The roads were not closed to traffic, but nice shoulders and police were at major intersections and all left turns to stop traffic. Always fun to blow off a stop light in front of a cop and he's cheering you on.

I had planned to average 17-18mph on the bike. Well that soon became history. For some reason it took 25 miles for me to catch my breath and get my legs feeling okay. They felt like cement and my quads and hamstrings were like rocks. Also all the climbing and head winds didn't help the warm-up. I was in pain, frustrated and about ready to pull over and cry. But you always learn to work through it. A DNF (did not finish) was not an option today. So I pushed through the pain and hyperventilation. By mile 30 my legs were coming back. But my avg was at 14.7mph at that point. Ugh. I decided, just do what I had in me that day and get through it....also try to enjoy the ride. It was a fairly pretty route but a number of 6, 10 and one 15% grade. Lots of rollers but you never seemed to get enough momentum to hit the top. But the great fans and volunteers along the way were high energy and very encouraging. Lots of cow bells. You can always use more cow bell (for you SNL fans you'll get that reference).

My Strava suffer score was EXTREME

There were two turnarounds out on the bike course. The first for the 56 milers and then a second for us. It was weird as they sent us about a mile down this deserted road. I thought it was a joke. And of course it was a headwind. As you turned around and headed back out, riders coming in yelled..."Is there a tailwind?" I smiled and said "ABSOLUTELY."

Miles 30-56 went pretty fast. Unlike 1-30 went in slow motion. Finally we got 10 miles of a tail wind before the end of loop 1. At mile 54 I got to fly down at 38mph that damn hill I'd have to turn around and climb up again. At mile 56 there was a round about and at mile 60 our special needs bags were waiting. I had planned this to be my first stop on the bike...which it was. I grab some water, extra food (which I didn't need but wanted to err on the safe side), go to the bathroom and lube up again.

It was like Groundhog Day. The good news is you had ridden the course before. The bad news is you had ridden the course before. There were a few women and one guy we had been playing cat and mouse the whole ride. So had a little company but there were times you wondered if you had gone off course.

About mile 80 the ride stopped being fun again. I was really tired and got hot foot. So I stopped for a second on the side of the road trying to get feeling back in the bottom of my feet. There was no one around and a woman came running out of her house and asked if I was okay and if I needed her bathroom. I assured her I was fine and thanked her for being so kind to me.

At the last aid station they shouted to me "Only 4 more miles!!" What the hell are they talking about? My Garmin clearly showed 3 miles. The race distance was 112 miles. Well, guess they decided to put a bonus mile in there. Not funny.

I got to the dismount line where a volunteer greeted me and said run with your bike over the finish line. I laughed and said "Run? I can't feel my feet." But the feeling quickly came back and I did my best to run in cycling cleats and claim my finishers medal, cold wash cloth (the best) and the chance to say I did it. Yipppeee I was done!!! Then another volunteer took my bike and racked it. I had been treated like a pro athlete all day with this kind of service. Then she offered me food...pizza, watermelon, etc. No way could I eat pizza. Give me a few hours. But the watermelon was perfect.

Finish line selfie. Opps, not the best choice of backgrounds

Pam was there to greet me having finished her 91st triathlon on her way to a goal of 100 by end of next year. She had managed to get herself over to the buses and bring the car closer. Bless her as I was pooped. We gathered our gear and packed the car all in slow motion. Asked Siri where the closest DQ was and headed for it. Then the long drive home.

No race is complete without a stop at DQ.

Congrats to Mark taking 2nd in his age group and Pam for finishing tri #91. And I need to reflect and congratulate myself and stop harping on the slow bike portion.

Final stats:
- 2.4 mile swim in 1:33
- 113 mile bike
- 7:20 bike time, avg speed 15.4mph, max speed 38mph
- 4300 ft of climb
- Strava suffer score 237 extreme
- 3,491 calories burned on the bike, est 700 on the swim
- Total race time 9:16

It's been a great journey and I thank you all for joining me on it. What's next? I don't know. One thing I do know is I'm NOT doing this race distance again. I would to half ironman aquabike in a heartbeat.

Now I just want to relax. Swimming with the Otters in Lake Zurich Wed morning. Couldn't do it this morning unless they gave me a raft to float in...a bit tired and sore. Heading up in a few weeks to Wisconsin to hike and ride the Sparta/Elroy trail. Just relax and enjoy life again.

I've enjoyed the ride,
Sheri

10 days until race day...taking inventory

As of this morning it is 10 days until race day. It seems so long ago, on a cold December day, when I  clicked "register" on the MI Titanium web site and I was on my way to checking off another journey on my bucket list.

With only 10 days to go there's really nothing more I can do to build muscle, increase endurance or drastically improve technique. What I can do is start tapering, insure I get plenty of sleep, eat right, take inventory of where I'm at and feel confident in my ability to finish this race strong. Best of all there isn't any negative chatter in my head. I have put a lot of quality hours on the bike both on the computrainer and on the road. 3,400 miles on the road YTD. As part of the 3,400 I've completed a century ride in May, June and August as well as a number of 70-80 mile rides.

I've also been swimming with a group in Lake Zurich. My swim coach hooked me up with them back in early June. I can't say enough great things about this group. They've been welcoming and encouraging. Well actually one negative...they take attendance via cell phone pics then post them on Facebook. Yeah, lovely glamor shots of me half asleep, lake hair and goggle eyes. Don't hate me because I'm beautiful at 545am...NOT!! But to be honest, I actually look forward to crawling out of bed at 5am and jumping into the lake. It's so tranquil and an amazing way to start the day. I'm truly blessed to have found them and plan to continue to swim post race...after some needed rest.

Tuesday I had my last swim lesson with AJ, my coach and friend. She's been great in tweaking my stroke and helping me be a more efficient swimmer. 2.4 miles is a long way to go an not be efficient. Her high energy is contagious and I've even stolen her mantra that will play in my head during the entire swim. "Long and Strong. Long and Strong."

Next week I have my final deep tissue massage with Allison. She's gotten me on a regular schedule this summer and it has really helped my body recover and feel better. I'll see her again a few days after the race for a gentle massage. She's warned me I will not be interested in deep tissue and I tend to agree with her. But to be honest I don't know how she will resist digging an elbow or fist into my back or legs. Maybe I'll have to use a shock collar in case she forgets it's a gentle massage and there will be other opportunities to beat me up another day.

I've tested all the nutrition I plan to consume during the race. All have been easy on my stomach. The trick is  just getting myself to eat as I tend not to be too interested in food while riding. It think my best nutrition find were GU Chomps. I like the GU gel packets but the problem was, once you opened the packet you had to consume the whole thing. Also it was sticky and messy. The GU Chomps let you regulate how much consume. So I open the packet and eat a Chomp or two every half hour or so. The caffeine also is an added boost.

I have 5 more bike rides and 4 more swims left. But then who's counting? ME!!!!  Again, I can't thank all the wonderful people who have helped and encouraged me through this journey. You gave me strength, confidence and motivation to achieve my goal and check another journey off my bucket list. Does it rate up there with my Kenyan Safari which I checked off my bucket list in 2000 or the Inca Trail Trek in 2008? I'll let you know in 10 days.

Still enjoying the ride,
Sheri

Buggies, Blueberries and Bicycling

I've returned from my weekend at Amishland & Lakes invitational ride in Howe, IN and Sturgis, MI. As I wrote in several previous posts, this was to be a precursor to my race on the 24th. I kinda changed my strategy on how to attack this 103 mile ride. Instead of going at race pace and hardly stopping, I decide to try to keep a good pace, NO drafting and keep stops to a minimum while still enjoying the beautiful landscape.

I had two domestices lined up to ride with me and see to my every need. Well, Mitch had to bail due to working on Saturday. I guess the amount I was paying didn't offset what he'd lose. Oh yeah, I wasn't paying anything. Just the value of my wonderful personality.

So all the domestice responsibility fell on Barry. Lots of pressure to keep me happy and entertained on our 103 mile ride. Let's just say Barry was fired within the first 20 miles for almost missing several turns. But I kept him along for the entertainment value. Great guy to chat with for 6 hours. And all kidding aside I'm very thankful for his company and friendship.

The forecast looked kinda grim with rain coming in the afternoon. But true to form the idiots at Weather.com can't figure out what's going to happen. The weather was perfect...no complaints. We started out around 7:15am and the fog hadn't burnt off yet. Barry set the goal to be back in time for the free ice cream social. Early morning is a magical time to be riding as the sun is just rising and the fog is lifting. We were on quiet country roads so riding two abreast and never drafting was pretty easy. Also it allowed us to chat most of the day while keeping a good pace.

At mile 26 a guy jumped on our wheel and drafted until the next rest stop. I got to chatting with him and it turns out he was alone and planning to do his first century. His longest ride had been 50 miles so this was going to be a good challenge. I introduced myself and Barry. His name was Matt. But we soon changed it to Larry since if he was going to be with us we all had to rhyme...Sheri, Barry and Larry. He was game to go along with being called Larry the rest of the day, so I knew he was a keeper.

I explained to our new pal, Larry that I was training for a race and that if he could hang onto our wheels he was welcome to draft and ride with us. He was all over that and texted his wife that God sent him Sheri and Barry to make it through his century. How sweet and no pressure now!

I noticed Larry wasn't eating or drinking much at the rest stops. I gave him some tips on nutrition and hydration, made him eat a banana and I put one in my jersey pocket "just in case."

This ride meanders through Amish farmland and they know 1600 cyclists will be passing by. So each year they get up at 430am, bake fresh goodies and set up stands in their front yards to sell yummy treats and lemonade. About mile 80 we pulled over at one farm offering root beer floats which sounded like heaven and we needed a saddle break. Note to self...contact management at MI Titanium race and ask if they will have a root beer float stand available during the 112 race. They should be receptive to the idea, right?

Larry was kind enough to buy us root beer floats as a thank you for letting him draft all day. We sat down in the shade and he picked a spot away from us. I kept yelling "Larry" to get him to come over and meet some of the other club riders we ran into. He ignored my calls. Then I remember his real name was Matt. Yep, he responded when I yelled "Matt." I still laugh at the fact that Barry and I kept forgetting his name was really Matt. He'll always be Larry to us.

I offered the banana to Larry  that I had from the last rest stop. Not sure why but in the back of my head I was worried he'd cramp. He refused so I ate it thinking we only had 20 miles to go and there was another rest stop 2 miles down the road where I could get another banana to take with.

We took off again and looking forward to the watermelon rest stop just 2 miles. Well they forgot to mark the turn and the majority of riders missed the stop. So now most people haven't had water refills since mile 60 and no more official rest stops until the end.

As we continued on our way two more guys hopped on our wheels. I guess one guy was struggling to stay on and all of a sudden I hear behind me a lot of noise and a dull thud. I look back and one of the guys is nowhere to be seen. I yelled to stop because the guy had ridden off the road into the ditch filled with vegetation...nice soft landing. All of a sudden he comes climbing out and raises his hands shouting "I'm okay". So we continued on and left him with his friend...Larry still in tow.

Mile 90, Larry disappears after we make a turn. We thought he dropped back to ride with a group we passed. Mile 95, Barry, my fired domostice, runs out of water since we missed the rest stop. So we stopped at another Amish farm that was selling fresh baked woopie pies and free water. We waited for Larry as we had to finish the century with him. About 15 minutes later Larry pulls in covered with salt stains on his jersey and shorts. Anyone that rides knows that's a very bad sign. Seems he cramped at mile 90 and that's why he dropped back. He was contemplating giving up but we would hear nothing of it. We only had 5 miles to go. So we got him hydrated and fed. Feeling better, Barry, Larry and Sheri took off.

A mile or two down the road he cramped again. He waved us off and said just go and we'd see each other at the finish. Larry came in about 15 minutes after we did. He was giddy with excitement for finishing his very first century. I was thrilled that we could be a part of it as I know how it felt when I did my first one so many years ago. It's an unbelievable sense of accomplishment.

Larry, Me, Barry (not pictured...Matt)

I was very happy with my own ride, the 103 miles really passed by quick and fairly easily. I honestly don't know if I'm more excited for Larry finishing his first century or that I did well on this ride with something left in the tank. It really gives me a good idea on how much I can push it come race day. Because then I want nothing left in the tank when I cross the finish line. Leave it all out on the road.

Final Stats:
- 103 miles
- 17 mph avg (no drafting)
- 6 hrs 03 min bike time
- approx 2,500 feet of climb
- 3,046 calories burned (no guilt having the root beer float)
- 207 extreme Strava Suffer Score (honestly didn't feel like it)
- Helping Larry finish his first century - priceless

Today Barry and I did an easy 36 miles. My sore butt just wanted to be off the bike. It was a beautiful day and we really struggled to shorten our planned 47 mile route. But it was best to cut it short. The last rest stop was serving watermelon...huge Paul Bunion size slices. Hmmm, you think they have tons of it left from yesterday when no on showed at the rest stop they forgot to mark?

Looking forward to swimming tomorrow at Lake Zurich and just using some different muscles. Feeling good about my training and hoping to peak come race day. 21 days and counting.

Enjoy the ride....I certainly did,
Sheri

23 days and counting

Race day is getting closer and I'm actually looking forward to tapering in another week. This 51 year old body is tired!!! But between yesterday's bike ride (18.4 mph avg and a low 56 Strava suffer score) and this morning's 1.6 mile lake swim, I am feeling good about where I'm at 23 days out from the race.

I did have a bit of a scare a couple of weeks ago. Yep, saddle issues again! The saddle I was using is too hard for my delicate behind. It may be a big behind, but it's delicate. The repetitive pedaling motion combined with the very hard saddle has caused bursitis around my left sit bone area. At first I thought the golf ball size nodule was a cyst but the dermatologist ruled it out. She sent me to a sports medicine doctor. Gotta say, going to a doctor who is also a triathlete is awesome. First, of all he understands all the lingo...riding on the hoods, riding in the aeros...as well as the position of your pelvis in each one of those positions. Second, he understands telling me to stay off my bike for 2-3 weeks is not an option right now. So my quest for a new saddle continues.

After trying out 6 more saddles I am now riding on a Cobb. I have about 150 miles on it over 3 rides. The big test will be tomorrow. I'm headed to Indiana/Michigan for the Amishland and Lakes ride. Saturday will be 108 miles. The forecast is 40% of isolated thunderstorms. So hoping they are wrong. Sunday I can choose between 22-62 miles. We shall see how the legs and butt feel and make the  determination which distance on Sunday morning.

I've already lost one of my domestices for tomorrow's ride, as he has to work. So the pressure is on the remaining one. I actually found this really cool vest they had at the Tour de France that carries 10 water bottles. Not sure why I was told "NO". I think it's quite the fashion statement. Check out the pic below or the video of it in use here.

Well, time for a quick power nap, pack up the car and drive 3 hours. I'll definitely have a post about the weekend ride...Buggies, Blueberries and Bicycles. Wonder how much I can draft behind an Amish buggy? They go at a pretty good clip but they don't shout out "Poop right" so you can dodge the road apples.

Have an awesome weekend everyone. And enjoy the ride.
Sheri