IronColl's GWN 2012

[IronColl]

The main goal this year is Ironman, but the Great White North triathlon is a good stepping stone for me. The first time I did GWN and IMC I was able to use it to fine tune nutrition strategy and correct any mistakes that I had. I wanted to use it in the same fashion.
Training with three kids has been challenging. Sleep is never guaranteed, nor is time, but I have my plan set up to do the best that I can with what I have. Today’s race was at the end of week 16, and IMC is now only 8 weeks away. I had a great training ride a few weeks ago and rethought my goals for the race. I have always been at the back of the pack at this event, and it is a lonely place. Even though the course is out and back all the action is the other way, and I would find it disheartening to pass people going the other way when I was still in the first 7 or 8km of the run. I have always said “one day I will be in the thick of things”.

Swim – goal 45:00

It started to rain right before the swim started, and there was a westerly wind, but the water was warm. I seeded myself about halfway in the pack (or so I thought) since I have been making progress in the pool with my speed and thought that I would do better than the last time. Turns out is was a poor decision, because as soon as I submerged myself I had a panic attack. My wetsuit felt tight and restricting, and the splashing of everyone made me feel claustrophobic. I did a bit of backstroke but that didn’t make me feel any better. I found that breathing unilaterally was the only way I could get anywhere, but I was swallowing a lot of air and needed to belch in the worst way. The first loop was crowded, especially around the buoys, but towards the end I was finally feeling comfortable. The second loop went much better and I was able to have calm relaxed strokes and breathe bilaterally.
Actual time 48:28

Bike – goal 3:20

This race is set up so the bike split included both transitions. By the time I finished with swim, the rain was really coming down. I didn’t have a jacket, but I did have arm warmers, so I took the time to put them on and get ready. I estimate at least 3 minutes if not 5 to go. The first part of the bike is nice because of the tailwind. And I will say now that the wind was constant the entire day. I didn’t feel the impact of the rain until the first turn south. There was the crosswind, and combined with the water coming off of other people’s tires, I got chilled quite quickly. I was riding well and would get stuck behind people going slower. Instead of staying behind them I would pass. And pass I did. This is something that is new to me in triathlon. For every person that passed me I passed 15. I was astounded, floored and amazed. 90% of the people passing me were men. I was knocking off women like crazy. I was worried it would bite me on the run later but I didn’t want to stop. I was so motivated. The tailwind back into town was great too. It helped spin out my legs and really, who doesn’t like seeing 40+km/h on the odometer.
I made it into transition and a volunteer helped me get my run stuff ready. This is when I looked at the finish clock, since the line is close. Elapsed time 3:54

Actual time 3:09:30 SERIOUSLY!! With transitions!

Run goal 2:20

I have never had a good run on this course. Something has always happened to me on the bike to prevent this. I really really wanted to have a good run. Things felt smoothish from the start. A quick pee stop and I was off. One thing I have learned in my training is that I am running faster than it feels to go. My goal was to run except at aid stations. I stuck to this plan. Funnily, I tossed the “don’t try anything new on race day” out the window on the run. I had Gatorade, Powergels, Pepsi and oranges. I don’t use this in training. I get to 7km and I’m chatting with another racer. I look at my watch for the first time. 44 minutes have elapsed and I exclaim, “holy crap, I can’t believe I’m running this fast” . He laughed. A quick pee stop and I hit the turnaround in 1:07. Look at my watch and do some triathlon math to see how I am doing for my goal. I keep chugging along. I continue to walk at aid stations, although now I’m walking a bit longer (but still like an angry school teacher) and I stick with this until the last 3 km when the little uphills are a bit much. My legs are a bit stiff and my claves are tight, so I walk the uphills. I plug on. I look at my watch with 2km to go. I have lots of time to make my goal. I plug on and I do it.

Actual time 2:18:36

Total time 6:16:40 PB (previous PB set 2009 7:09)

Time for wine.

Thanks to the maniacs who texted with well wishes and congratulations. I'd name you, but you know who you are. Your support means so much to me.

Seriously, time for wine.

[Jwolf]

Wow wow wow!

That's so awesome. Congratulations on blowing your PB to smithereens.

Great report - and especially great to do so well even in such crappy conditions.

I can't wait to see how you do in IMC.

[Hammie]

Absolutely amazing. You have been very consistent and smart with your training, and it's paying off!

Go enjoy that drink(s) - you've earned them.

[Spirit Unleashed]

Good job. I follow your journal and wondered if you were training enough. I don't know anything about tri training but you do and it worked. Congrats.

[Samantha]

Wow! Congrats!

[Tori]

Nice job Colleen!!!!!

[purdy65]

What a great report! Congratulations!

[HCcD]

Congratulations, on a great race and a huge PB, Colleen ...

[Kelodie]

Congratulations! You are amazing and an inspiration to me.

[Jo-Jo]

Wow.
You nailed it

[IronColl]

Thanks everyone.

There are a couple of things I forgot to mention because I wrote it in a bit of a rush.

I kept CinC's "race hard, race happy" in my mind all day. When I was panicing in the swim I really had to remember why I was doing it. I do enjoy doing triathlons and I had a smile on my face pretty much once I got on the bike.

The first year I did this race my bike split was 3:49. This year that was my bike and my swim. It's amazing what some hard work and drive will do.

It was quite a difference being in the middle of the pack rather than at the back. I was really motivated to keep intensity because there were always people around. I wanted to be "worthy" of my placement, if that makes sense. It was nice to see people going the other way when I was 2km from the turn around rather than 7 or 8 which I was used to before. And I certainly wasn't used to seeing people I knew when I was on the way back and they were running to the turn around.

[FishPants]

You looked awesome at the end Like you had been working hard, but were not about to fall over, if that makes sense!

So proud of you! You deserve it!

[chunkymonkeymelonhed]

WOW Colleen- that is one IMPRESSIVE race. Congratulations. I am so impressed with how you fit everything in. I love "I have my plan set up to do the best I can with what I have".

Can't wait to see what you do with IMC.

[fe.RMT]

Wow, you so didn't suck!!

That is an amazing boost of confidence for IMC!

[babysteps]

Some day I want to be you. You're incredible! Bask in the accomplishment because you sure deserve it!

[trixiee]

3 awesome kids and an awesome PB! Wow, that's just... well... AWESOME!

[Darth Tater]

Amazing! I'm in awe. Congrats on the PB!

[RA.]

I'm so proud of you!!!! I hope you enjoyed the wine last night (and as many other nights as you celebrate)!

[scrumhalfgirl]

awesome!!!!! so proud of you! i was thinking about you on sunday, and your results were the first ones i looked for when i got back into town this afternoon. so inspired!

[La]

Yay! All that training is really paying off! What a great result - congrats!

Looks like you're right on track for IMC...

[Robinandamelia]

Congratulations on your PB and an amazing time. That's incredible, training for that with three kids...inspiring!

[Stampie]

Congrats on shattering your previous PB on this course, that is awesome! What makes it more awesome is how you can juggle training with three kids and 'life' at the same time. Looks like you are more than ready for IMC and I look forward to trying to cheer you on in Penticton later in August. Just ask CinC about my cheering for her last year.

[Engmomma]

Worthy...as if.

Love it IronColl...love it.

[Lightning]

You are amazing! Love how your "training race" is many others' goal event! (Dee and I talked about this on the weekend)

Who wouldn't want to see 40km/h while on a bike???? ME!!!!!!!!!!!! That would scare the heck out of me. I am so pleased for you, and consider you so very brave, courageous, athletic and determined! I bow to you!!

Recover and then train hard again! 8 more weeks!!!

[AndyM]

Wow, amazing! congratulations for taking on such a daunting task and excelling at it. And good luck with the rest of the training!