There is something about Ironman… You push your body, mind and spirit for up to 17 hours through a 2.4-mile (3.86 km) swim, a 112-mile (180.25 km) bike ride followed by a full marathon of 26.2-miles (42.2 km). The day is a roller coaster and it will at times feel incredibly hard…but the run towards the finish line is the most magical feeling ever. It is so hard to put in to words.
My coach likes to say that Ironman is a day of problem solving. It is not if something will go wrong but when something will go wrong. How do you handle that problem and how do you turn things around?
My journey to Ironman Canada in 2010 was a two year endeavour. Once the triathlon bug bit I knew Ironman was my end goal and I spent time building up my endurance and confidence to get to it. I felt really strong and fit on race day, however by the time I got out on the run course my heart rate would sky rocket every time I ran. To keep things under control I walked most of the marathon. I finished, but I didn’t believe I had the race I was capable of that day.
After the race I was burned out on training and I stepped away from the sport for awhile. I gained weight and it was harder and harder to get back to being that fit person I used to be. A large group of my friends signed up for Ironman Canada in 2012 and I eventually signed up with a community fund spot so that I could race with them. I struggled with motivation through training and I definitely wasn’t as fit as I used to be. I learned that you can’t sign up for a race just because your friends are doing it…you have to want it for yourself for another reason too.
I finished that year…slower than in 2010…but I believe I had the race I deserved based on the preparation I had done. In some ways I think I was lucky that I was even able to make it to the finish line at all.
Thankfully after the race I was more motivated to get my fitness back, but it still took me a long time before I could contemplate another Ironman again. I had declared to my coach that I was retiring from Ironman distance racing because I just wasn’t very good at it. Then when I heard there was going to be a new race in Boulder in 2014 I changed my mind and decided to give it another go.
I loved the race in Boulder. The swim in the Boulder Reservoir was really nice and I’m a big fan of the single loop swim. The bike was hard… I wasted a lot of time having to stop and stretch out my cramping legs and mentally I was in a rough place.
There were tears on the run, but then I finally pulled myself out of my dark hole and started running again.
I finished my fastest Ironman, but I had the feeling I could have improved my problem solving ability.
Shortly after the race I knew I wanted to come back and race Boulder in 2016. Neil was 100% on board. He loved visiting Boulder and was keen to go back. I mentally tossed around the idea of Arizona instead since my friends loved racing there last year and are thinking about going back in 2016. As I learned before though, you have to race an Ironman for yourself and I knew Boulder would be the right decision for me, even if it meant training for it and racing it on my own.
I’m excited for 2016…with St. George and now Boulder on my calendar I know it is going to be a fun and challenging year.
I’m going to need you to stop posting about triathlons, because I may have just added a tri-bike to my Christmas wish list 😉
Ange recently posted…Running and Heart Rate Training
What can I say…I’m sorry? 🙂 Triathlons are fun…you should come join the dark side!
Runner Leana recently posted…Race Report: Chinook Olympic Triathlon
Awesome! I am so inspired by you! The Ironman is such a feat. It is amazing to think about the time, energy, dedication and discipline it takes to even get to the start line.
Marilyn recently posted…FIVE THINGS FRIDAY
Thanks Marilyn!! It definitely does take a lot of work/effort/time/blood/sweat/tears but it is so worth it!
Runner Leana recently posted…Race Report: Chinook Olympic Triathlon
I sure we are still here because I will come cheer you on, I am with you, Boulder was fun. I am a bit biased, because it is in my backyard. I knew the first half of the bike course like the back of my hand. You looked good on the run course, but most people did, since I had to waddle with my blisters! Waddling got me to the finish line, so I was very thankful. This year the races got some much needed cloud cover for the run. I will be cheering you on through the grueling training. BTW- my child will now get the opportunity to compete in another triathlon, she will get to in for her first year, and she is beyond excited!
Thank you Jennifer! I think Boulder would be a wonderful place to live and train…Neil and I just loved it there. I am looking forward to going back! Thank you in advance for the cheers!! 🙂
Runner Leana recently posted…Race Report: Chinook Olympic Triathlon
Congratulations on committing to Boulder 2016! It’s great that you had such a wonderful experience last year, and I’ve heard that with the course changes to this year’s race, it isn’t as challenging (140.6 is still a long way, of course). I also think it’s super important to have spouse/partner support in terms of the race, so pretty cool that Neil is behind you.
In terms of St. George and Boulder – that was my race line-up this year, and I think that St. George really prepared me for Boulder.
Kristina recently posted…IM Boulder: Before and after
Thanks Kristina! I’m looking forward to hearing all about your day! My coach raced Boulder both last year and this year. She thought the bike course was more difficult this year, but I felt like that long false flat last year was just soul sucking. I was thinking about trying to find a training camp in Boulder next year so I could get some experience riding the course before race day. If you know of one or a good group I could try to join up with that would be great!
Runner Leana recently posted…Race Report: Chinook Olympic Triathlon
I do know that there are plenty of training camps – I thought about one and looked up a few options, but, ultimately, decided that I’d have plenty of options to train on the course without a camp. One of these days, I’d love to go to a camp though!
And, hopefully I’ll be here so that I can spectate or volunteer! I really admire the endurance of the spectators and volunteers – that’s a long hard day for them too.
Kristina recently posted…IM Boulder: Race report (most boring title ever)
Yay for St. George and Boulder!!!! So excited for you. Let me know if I can help at all with Boulder prep (we have lots of room if you guys aren’t afraid of creepy internet strangers 😉
Beth recently posted…Visiting Whistler
Thank you Beth!! I would love to find a training camp to come out and do next summer so that I can get a bit more familiar with the course. If you know of one please let me know!
Runner Leana recently posted…Coming Soon: The St. John Ambulance Run and Walk for LIFE!