Monday, September 17, 2012

Natalie's Ironman Louisville Race Report – 8/26/2012



Well, 5 weeks after Lake Placid, I decided to give another go at another tough Ironman course.  The reason for this is that I felt good after Placid (well, I thought I did – not injured at least, or so I thought!), and I was not done for the season in my mind. I was coming off of a great Lake Placid experience, and I was still hungry to race.  We knew that we had no idea how my body would do with two such challenging races back to back, but I wanted to give it a shot. I had nothing to lose!
The only issue that developed in the weeks leading into the race is that left leg/foot issue that was slowly developing before Lake Placid was steadily getting worse/not better. I my sports med doctor, a neuro (albeit not a sports neuro), did nerve conduction testing, went to PT, etc. No one could figure out what was causing this strange issue while on the bike.  I could still ride, but just awkwardly with that left leg and it was not that comfortable. I certainly had a hard time putting out higher power numbers, but Ironman watts seemed to be manageable. So I decided I could still go forward with racing and just see what would happen.  I had no idea to be honest how my leg and foot would hold up over 112 miles in the heat.  I knew that I had just done it though, albeit on a more “normally” functioning leg, so I had that to draw from. Things seemed to be good on the run, but I probably felt a little “off” with my left calf and foot, but not nearly the issues I was having on the bike.  The rest of my body felt awesome!

So I have to say that I got to Louisville to race the least confident I have ever been about a race. I did not share this with many people, my coach included, but I was nervous as hell about how that bike would go and how it would affect my run.  The last time I felt like anything similar to this was at Ironman Hawaii last year when I raced with a torn hamstring and just could not run! I knew this was different in that I was pretty sure I could get my body in some form or fashion to the finish line. The question would be if good enough for top 2 or 3 in my age group so I could try and qualify for Kona.  Although, I honestly went in having mixed feelings on if it would even be worth it for me to go to Kona feeling like this, but I figured, “cross that bridge if and when you get to it”…you need to get there first.

Pre-race meal and day were identical to that of Lake Placid.  Woke up at 3:50 AM Race day again so that I could get to transition by 4:40 to set up my bike quickly and then get a place in line for the time trial swim start.  Had my shower, usual breakfast and off I went.  I got to my bike and put my food and bottles on the bike, SRM head unit and then went to find my friend Heather who brought her pump to transition. We pumped the front no problem, but found the rear tire would take no air. It had gone completely flat overnight! Now I was glad I had left some air in my tires overnight so I could see I had an issue. I panicked for a moment as I knew I need to get in line for the swim start, but I had to see the bike techs to fix my issue. Luckily it was early and line not too long. After about 30-45 minutes there, they fixed my flat with a new tube, and I was able to get going to the start. Everyone I knew racing was already down there, so it was nice to take a few minutes walking by myself to think POSITIVE thoughts about my day ahead and the fact that hopefully all my misfortune had passed at this point. I got to the long line that had formed and luckily found Felicity and Seth pretty close to the front, so I was excited. Now it was round 6:00AM so only an hour to wait.   Took my gel around 6:45 and two salt tabs and got ready to start. We jumped in the water at 7:07, so we were in pretty good shape as to the start time!   The Time Trial start was a blast.  Don’t get me wrong, you are still dealing with a lot of people around you, but you can get around them. I swam inside, close to the island until we turned to head back to transition and then stayed next to the buoy line. Never had a draft, but that was ok, I just swam my race and it felt good.  Warm, but good! I got out of the water at 1:05 and I was happy for a non-wetsuit swim.  

I got onto the bike, half praying that my issue would have miraculously gone away, but it was there from the first pedal stroke, so I just put it out of my mind and said “deal with it!”  The first 10 miles are flat and fast, so I chose to push higher watts here and really pushed the watts a bit higher until the start of the first loop.   I was going back and forth a woman in the 45-49 age group for a long time and we were having fun.  I saw some packs, but nothing like Lake Placid as this course is all about rollers and they break up pretty quickly.   The Louisville bike course is definitely hilly and challenging, particularly on a hot day! My nutrition was spot on, I was taking 1-2 water bottles at each aid station, and I was making do with my leg. My watts seemed to be where we wanted them to be, or really the best I could ask for with my leg.   The second loop, all of those rollers catch up with you and it certainly is getting quite hot. I felt that I was still able to hold my watts pretty well, but we were also starting to battle a head wind, so that was not fun!  Because of my awkward pedal stroke, my left foot was getting really sore and hot on the metatarsal area, so I kept dumping water on my foot and moving it around to try and help the pain a bit.  The last 10 miles are flat again as you come back to town, but it was now quite hot and we had quite a headwind…not fun!   I felt my bike was strong all things considered and everything except the leg felt good!   That bike course will keep you honest for the run with 5500 feet of climbing!

In transition I was a bit slower than normal, going to the bathroom, making sure I drank, getting sunscreen, etc. so I knew I was ready for that hot run.  When I took my left bike shoe off, I saw that I had bloodied one toe and one was already developing a bad blood blister due to the awkward pedal stroke. So I put some hydropel on those areas and just HOPED all would be ok on the run.  Everything started off ok, albeit hot.  I also took my first gel and salt tabs at mile 4 on the run and started walking the aid stations here.    I also thought that with the walk breaks I could try and take away some of the pain on my feet.  Unfortunately, I was not so lucky this time.  I had excruciating pain starting to develop at the ends of my toes and the ball of my foot on the left side, each step was very difficult.  Sometimes, it would come and go, but it was pretty much there most of the race.   By about mile 10, I knew I was in for a long run. I never felt good, this one was going to be a struggle.  I was now in 2nd place, but hoping my body would hold out for a good marathon at least. I had just done this 5 weeks prior right?  I took my gels every 4 miles and salt tabs and alternated IM perform and water at each aid station, but my legs felt like LEAD (I am ignoring my foot now). They just got heavier and heavier and just would NOT move the way I wanted them to.    It took every bit of positive mental strength not to just stop and walk. I had never felt like this before.  My guess is LP ironman was still in those legs.  By mile 21 I was seriously questioning my ability to finish, but I quickly put that out of my mind and just kept going- SLOWLY – but going. My foot was in so much pain at this point, it almost did not matter.  This is where I was passed by 2 women in my age group, but I did not know what loop they were on. I assumed BOTH were on their first loop, so it was a little disheartening to now think I was in 4th, but I was bound and determined that I was NOT going to quit and I would finish.  I also did not want to get passed again.   So, I am not sure how, I swear, but I crossed that finish line absolutely miserable!    Gardie was not there, but the catchers took me to medical as I was really not able to walk very well. I spent two hours in the med tent, getting an IV and also icing, etc.  I think I got some nausea medicine as well!   It was then I found out I actually got 3rd! WOW, I was shocked and thrilled! Although part of me wishes I just could have pushed that extra minute SOMEWHERE along the way to remain at second. But I could not think that way as this is where the cards fell on that day.  To be honest, I knew that it would be SILLY to race another ironman even if I HAD qualified for Kona until I got my left leg figured out in some way!

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