3rd Place Ironman Coeur D'Alene- All in to go all out!

Beautiful Lake Coeur D'Alene

The calm before the storm race morning.

I'd say that June has been a pretty good month for me in the state of Idaho. Two third places in 2 weeks time, must be the potatoes I had! After my good showing at Boise 70.3, I couldn't wait to see what I could do at IMCdA while rested and fueled properly. With my stomach bug behind me (but still seemingly catching up on calories, always hungry!) I felt really good about having a solid race. It was the first IM for me this season, a little later than in years past, but I felt mentally fresh and hungry to go see what I could do on the day.

A little  fog on lake race morning.

Me in yellow cap after 1st loop.

 The women's field was loaded with numerous IM winners and top 10 Kona finishers, including some very fast runners. My plan was to get the swim done, settle in on the bike and move up, and hold it together for a solid run. The days leading up to race day were jam packed as they always are, and with my mom racing her second IM as well, the nervous energy in our hotel room was sky high. I managed about 3 hrs sleep the night before the race. (Yes, I still get nervous for these races, even after 10+ of them.) And I felt pretty tired when the alarm sounded at 3.30 a.m. With a 6.05 a.m. pro women's start time, this wake up call was extra early.
I felt nervous, yet focused when we arrived at transition. The sun was already up, and it wasn't even 5 a.m.- Longest day of the year! Five minutes after the pro men took off, it was our turn, run in start and all. Coeur D'Alene was the first race to do the new AG start, which would affect some of the slower swimmers in the pro wave, beginning about 30 min after the first loop of the pro women's. It was a rolling start, with people continuously entering the water. Sure enough, after exiting the lake after the first loop, I joined the hundreds of age groupers just entering the water. It was a cluster for sure with traffic jams around the buoys and all. I definitely needed to focus hard not to lose sight of the task ahead, while telling myself to stay calm. I exited the water in less time than expected, which gave me a little boost starting the bike leg in 10th position.

Loved the bike course. 112mi of scenery and rolling hills.

The first few miles of the bike course meander through town and follow a short out and back along the lake. It's a really good time to get settled as it's mostly flat, with some turns. I got my first glimpse of the girls ahead at the turnaround by the lake, and most of them were in a group, except for Heather, who was already building her lead. Patience Uli, patience. 112mi is a long time and lots can change. (cue the song from the Welcome dinner that went something like "anything can happen", yes I had this stuck in my head all day) As is usually the case, I rode the first 30-40 mi solo, enjoying having the road all to myself. Besides a very, very close call to a head on collision with an age grouper in town, who went wayyyyy over the line in one of the turns (and gave me a nice shot of adrenaline), the ride was great and I was able to focus on my effort and my plan for the day. I ate and drank like a champ (fueled by Powerbar Gels and blasts, and Perform), constantly monitoring how I felt. At the first sign of slight nausea I'd make sure to pop some salt or take on more nutrition. Luckily it all stayed down, despite a few wet burps.

By the end of the first of two loops on the bike I had ridden myself into fourth and made my way into second halfway through the second loop. I knew Heather was far up the road, but I couldn't help but feel pretty excited about my ride thus far. My BMC TM01 and I felt like one. ( I have tweaked my setup a few times since getting my bike in March and I think I have found my sweet spot.) My perceived power ( I don't use power, go by feel) felt strong throughout the entire ride, and I had to hold back from pushing too hard and possibly paying for it on the run later on. I had gone from the hunter to one of the hunted, and lets just say that being one of the hunted is way more stressful :)

Running in second through town

Onto the run I was 12 min back of Heather, which may seem like a lot, but having lost more than half of that time on the swim alone, I was stoked, as I have never been this close to her in an IM before. But I was aware of the fast runners behind me, notably Cait Snow, whom I had passed on the bike, but who was only about a minute back. I knew it was only a matter of time before she blew by me on the run. She has repeatedly run the fastest marathon in Kona, no doubt that girl can move!

My second place lead bike took off and I took off after her in my Zoot Kiawes. (Which stay light even when wet!) Ok Uli, 26mi is a long way, don't blow up. I was not feeling super, but I was moving. My first few miles were sub 7 min pace, possibly a little fast, but the crowd support and  the fact I was in second place helped push me go faster than I probably should have started out. The run course followed the same out and back along the lake, which included a nasty little (actually, not so little) hill that we had to run up and over 4x total over the two loop course.  Ration your energy Uli, run smart. After cresting the hill for the first time, I saw Heather coming back the other way. I still seemed to be holding off the fast runners from behind. A quick thumbs up to Heather and back to focusing.

On the run.

By the end of the first lap, right around the turn around (13 mi), Cait had finally caught me and flew by me with a cadence I have not seen before. I now followed lead bike 3 and was on damage control. Don't you blow up now, hold this place! Before I knew it, she was out of sight and I was feeling progressively more nauseated. I had been taking fluids at every aid station and had my gel flask on me, but the body was starting to slow down, and the long day of Ironman racing started to rear its less pretty side.  Keep it together, walk the aid stations if you have to, but keep moving!! People might think pros don't struggle as hard in races, but when it comes to the marathon, the second half, we hurt just as much, and the struggle to keep moving becomes overwhelming. I could not have summoned my inner strength without the support of so many people cheering and pushing me along with their kind words of encouragement on the run course. Many saw me struggle those last few miles as I started to get dizzy and more nauseous. My lead bike had to make several stops to wait up for me, but finally I made that last turn onto Sherman Ave and could see the finish line in the distance.

So painful, so close. Can't feel my legs.

At some point during the race, your brain goes mush, at least mine does. My perception of how far back other racers were, became completely skewed. For some reason I thought that I was going to get caught, and I really didn't want to get caught in the last few miles! Having been reduced to a walk a few times, I knew I had lost some time to the girls behind me. But I would fight to the bitter end to stay on that podium spot. So when I saw the finish chute in the distance, about 1/2mi away, I started sprinting again, much like I did in Boise. Only an Ironman Sprint is very different from a 1/2 IM sprint. I felt like I was running in molasses, legs not attached to my body. Come on, almost there, almost over, all this pain will be worth it! I didn't hear the music blasting, I didn't hear the crowds going wild, the finish chute was so wide, I didn't run to the sides to slap hands. I just needed to get across that line. And  collapse :) I had done it, I held onto third behind two of the top athletes at the IM distance. So happy. Congrats to Heather and Cait for first and second place.

Oh glorious finish line

Found this all myself, saved from the ground

I have yet to master the glorious finish line photos, as I resemble more of a fainting ghost (and all running form gone to hell) when I come across. Goal for next race: know how far ahead you are of the next person so you can enjoy that last half mile, take it all in and have energy to smile :) I found the nearest wheel chair and collapsed. Ironman racing is not pretty, people!

Post race I was able to eat food right away and go back to the hotel for a shower, before waiting for mom to finish her race. After a terrific bike leg, she suffered some knee pain on the run that had her walking a good part of the marathon. But even so, she managed to finish third in her AG, solid day for the Bromme Women!

What I really enjoyed about this race was that it seemed like a clean race for the pros. I was worried about some of the AG men catching us on the bike, but that never materialized and I enjoyed riding just amongst the pros. I really felt I raced the whole day, and I am particularly happy with my bike split, which was second fastest of the day. I just love my bike, what can I say :)

Pro Awards

Mom on the podium!

Big thank you's to my support crew- first and foremost, Brandon, my super sherpa who takes care of everything, my family and friends who supported me on and off the race course, the various cheer squads on the course(and their signs- some were just genius), my fellow racers who still managed words of encouragement despite racing to their own limits, and ofcourse BMC, HED, RUDY PROJECT, ZOOT and POWERBAR for your continued support.

I will be racing another IM before the summer is over, just deciding which one to do- so many options! Stay tuned and thanks for reading! And yes, I am still very sore today!

Post race: Cooling off the swollen legs in Boulder Creek back at home

From E.R. to 3rd Place at Boise 70.3

Disclaimer- Sorry, it's a long one.

The last seven days have been pretty eventful. I'll start at the beginning- last Sunday. I had successfully completed a hard long run with Brandon on Sunday morning, following a long brick the day prior. I started feeling a little off in my stomach when I tried to hydrate and eat post run but didn't think much of it. Later that day we met up with Brandon's dad, whose birthday it was, and took him for an easy 2.5 hr ride. I kept feeling more and more off, even joking that I might need to throw up to feel better. Fluids weren't seeming to make it through my stomach, just kind of sitting and getting me bloated.

When we returned from the ride (scheduled to go out to dinner with B's family later that night), I went downhill fast. I got nauseous and felt an increasing need to stick a finger down my throat. After a few dry heaves, I actually threw up, and threw up some more. Mostly liquids, which never made it to my gut. I thought that was it, felt a little better, only to turn worse again a few minutes later, violently projectile vomiting into our trash can (I was on the couch, it was the closest vomit catching device) which Brandon ever so swiftly ran over. At this point, we got somewhat worried since I wasn't keeping down any fluids, much less solids, and had just finished up a 10+ hr training weekend. We made the decision to head to the hospital to hopefully get some IVs in me to rehydrate me and get me back to normal. Still, I had no clue how this happened. I never get sick like this!

On O2, anti nausea meds & IV drip, while freezing my buns off

It took a good hour after arriving at the E.R. to get hooked up to some fluids. I thought I was going to die from nausea. I have never felt so sick. ( I just kept thinking, I'd rather do an Ironman!) I also had a good fever at this point and was shaking like a leaf in my hospital gown. After the first IV went in and the anti nausea meds kicked in, I finally felt like I was going to make it. It took 3L of IV's to get me to feel decent enough to leave for the night. The docs weren't quite sure what was wrong with me, but all signs now point towards stomach flu. Yuck.

Monday I was swollen (from the IV's) and spent all day in bed with a splitting headache. I mostly just sipped on Ginger Ale and downed 2 slices of toast and some apple sauce. Tuesday I tried to do some light exercise, but my body was so weak, it was nearly pointless. Amazing how important food is to perform! Wednesday I started to turn the corner a bit and we made the decision to go ahead with our trip to Boise as B was racing too. I would make my final decision Friday as to whether I felt up for the challenge.

I had read that the stomach flu usually runs its course in 3 days to a week and I was really hoping for the former. On our road trip to ID, I still couldn't eat much, a chicken noodle soup was almost too much. I focused mostly on crackers and hydration. The race was forecast to be a hot one, so it was really important that I hydrate adequately, especially since I likely was still in the negative from the weekend.

TM01 with HED Jet/ Disc racked and ready to go in T1

By Friday my appetite started to come back but I stuck with simple foods to play it safe. I wasn't quite sure how my stomach would handle race day nutrition, but I could tell my stomach was pretty stable again. The question remained, how strong would I be for the race? We did our usual pre race routine and had a good night's sleep leading up to race day (it's a 12 p.m. start) and I felt confident enough to give this race a go. I made a deal with myself that as long as food and fluids stayed in and got absorbed and my body was able to push on, I'd be good. Basically, I'd really have to monitor myself and constantly evaluate.

Lucky Peak Reservoir- swim venue

The women's pro field was smaller than in years past, but that doesn't mean it wasn't strong. Liz and Heather and Malaika were signed up and all are 70.3 and/or IM champions. And then there are always dark horses, so you never know. I had hoped to finish near the top before I got sick, but then plans had shifted to just having a decent day. By the time we started the swim, it was getting pretty toasty with not a cloud in the sky. I got a good start on the swim but then struggled a bit to find feet, eventually had some contact for most of the swim, which was pretty choppy and perhaps a little long this year. I exited the water in 8th out of 9 women.

As soon as I started the bike, I could tell the wind was going to be a factor as well. And my quads locked up as soon as I started pedaling. Oh great! Lucky for me, you get a long down hill from the reservoir, so I was able to soft pedal while trying to tell my quads 'sorry for shocking you, but we got work to do, I hope you're up for it." The wind made everyone work much harder on the bike, and the only tail wind I felt all day was going up one of the climbs. My BMC TM01 made me feel stable and secure, and I was happy with my wheel choice of a rear HED disc as well. Both stable and fast, yielding me the second fastest bike split of the day. I made a few passes on the bike, and felt like I was back in the game. With a one loop 56mi bike course, things can get a bit lonely out there when you are by yourself. So passing people and seeing people up ahead is motivating.

Fighting the head winds/heat

I tried to drink as much electrolyte drink as possible and doused myself with water every few minutes in an effort to stay hydrated and keep the core temp down. The sun was really beating down now. But trouble was brewing. I started cramping in my feet and toes. And that is a tricky thing on the bike, as you can't just take your foot out to stretch. I told myself not to think about it and stretched my calves a bit. Only to cramp in a different spot. Yikes, clearly I was not hydrated. Thoughts shifted to the run and how I would possibly be able to run with cramping feet. I had had numerous bottles of Perform and water, as well as gels, all loaded with salt. But with the week I had and the heat on the day, my body was lacking.

Coming into T2 I cramped in my hip flexors as soon as I dismounted the bike, ouch. I hobbled over to my run gear and tried to get into my Zoot Kiawes, only to have to take them back off because of my feet severely cramping, and then my hamstrings and quads seizing up. I am sure people were wondering what I was doing, dancing around in pain. At this point I was in 4th position and actually thought I would have to call it a day. Somehow, I managed to get into my shoes after all (I probably had the day's slowest T2) and start shuffling again, downing everything in sight at the first aid station out of T2, and luckily, the cramping subsided enough to let me start running. I still had some concerns though and would focus on damage control in an effort to keep going.

After running alone and seeing no one for the first 3 miles, I suddenly came upon Malaika who was  running in third at the time. A switch flipped and adrenaline took over and I caught up to her and made the pass, while mustering a 'good job' whisper. I was now running in third place, and had a lead biker. I focused in on him and imagined him pulling me along on a rope. I was hurting big time, it was super hot and I had 10 miles to go. But I kept thinking of what I had gone through earlier in the week and how I had rallied to come back and here I was in freaking third place! I clung to this thought as I made my way around the course. After the first loop I caught a glimpse of the women behind me and fourth place was only about a few hundred yards away. I knew it was only a matter of time before Erin caught up to me, she looked good.

Work with me, legs!

The miles ticked by and I was still in third. My biker kept looking back to check for me and I had a feeling a pass was about to happen. At around mile 12, as I was recovering from a side stitch that had reduced me to a walk for a few steps, Erin came flying by and passed me for third place. At this point, the course was filled with AG runners as well and a few witnessed the pass and yelled words of encouragement at both of us. I am not sure what inner strength I still had left, but with about 1/2 mi to go I was back on Erin's heels and I knew that I had to make a pass if I wanted third place back. I thought of the last mile in the Bolder Boulder a few weeks ago and how it was uphill at altitude and how much it hurt, and how this was a flat run and that if I just tried picking it up, maybe, just maybe I could still make third. I imagined Usain Bolt dashing to a win and "sprinted" as hard as I possibly could down the home stretch, which stretches for about a 1/4 mile. I fought nausea and dizziness and thought I would die, but I crossed the line in third place. No one but Erin and I, and maybe a few onlookers and our trusty biker, will ever know the battle of that last mile. It was kind of epic.

Women's Top 5. R to L

This year will go down as the hottest, windiest and hardest Boise race I have done in the 5 years I have raced there. You never know what you are going to get weather-wise in that area, but it almost always surely dishes up a challenge. I am elated to have finished in third, after not ever having made the podium at this race before. And to do it after a week from hell makes it all the more rewarding. Sure I wasn't on top of my game, but I didn't stop fighting until the end and I took a chance not knowing if my body was ready after a week of not eating and hardly training.

A big thanks goes out to my sponsors who help me achieve the best results I can- BMC, HED,  ZOOT, RUDY PROJECT and POWERBAR. I truly feel that your support is making me a better athlete this year, so thank you very much! And ofcourse thank you to everyone who helped me through the day, cheering virtually or in person. After a 12 hr drive back to Boulder, I have my full appetite back and I am eating all real foods again. I have a feeling IM Coeur D'Alene will be a good race!

Thanks for reading!