I went into Ironman Canada knowing I already had a spot for Ironman Hawaii on October9th but I hate to have a “DNF” by my name. My triathlon team coaches (Mark Allen and Luis) told me not to do the run portion of Ironman Canada in order to save my legs for Ironman Hawaii. My race plan changed for Ironman Canada. Instead of trying to place top three in my age group, my new goal was to PR in the swim portion and the bike portion as well as leave T2 in first place (in my age group).
My last Ironman (IMCDA in 2008- foot surgery 2009) swim leg was a horrible night mare as I hyperventilated and almost drowned a few times. I was determined to start in a better place (not front and center) and go out strong. My friends suggested swimming on the far right and go inside the buoy markers. Perfect idea! After my swim warm up, I stood about three people behind the start line. The swim start was the smoothest I have ever experienced after 12 Ironman triathlons! I did not have any problems until going around the houseboats(turn around point). The water was smooth and I thought about the tips from my swim coach Karen Dugan(faster turnover, dive in hard, finger tips down, powerful pull). I am not a fast swimmer and I am always trying to figure out how to swim efficiently (especially with my long levers!). I was exit at the swim with a PR around 1:04 something. The swim exit was slow as people started to walk through the water rather than swim as far as possible. The walking through the water slowed down the swim time.
T1: Swim to bike.
I always love having someone whip off my wet suit for me in Ironman triathlons but I actually had to find someone to help me as they were talking or busy! Then I had to find my own transition bag as no one was helping point out our bags. The transition changing tent is always faster as you have your own personal assistant! My time was probably slower than usual as I was trying to put on arm warmers, bike jersey and gloves on wet skin since the weather had been so chilly (I like it hot!).
I started on the bike with determination to pass as many females as possible as I had a lot of fast swimmers in front of me already. The bike was a cluster but I followed the drafting rules…but not everyone like to follow the rules. I was passed by around two pace line/pelotons’ flying by in a herd throughout the road until the turn off to Richter Pass. The packs broke up through the hills and I was able to pass them on the hill climb but then once again the pace lines/groups picked up on the flats on the way to the “out and back” from Karameros. Two girls kept in the pace line which made if more unfair to me who was working hard and playing fair. More congestion and riders blocking the road (3-4 people across) after special needs. I actually yelled at people to pick up the pace, break it up and race! I was annoyed at people slowing down and making it so difficult to pass. Then the winds picked up on the segment before Yellow Lake which made the packs of riders slow down and riders bunched up. I wasn’t racing anymore after Karamus… just trying to get around riders and hoping everyone would spread out. THEN the black dark scary clouds in front of us moved over us… the worst rain storm I have ever experienced on the bike.
We were heading up the hills by Yellow Lake when the sprinkles started, then hard rain then pelting cold rain. My smile stayed on my face as all the dedicated and supportive spectators stood in the rain cheering us on up the hills. Then the downhill’s began and the temperature dropped…Debbie doesn’t like the cold, rain, wind or downhill’s. The descent from Yellow Lake to Highway 97 is almost scary for me with the cross winds but now especially risky with wet pavement plus pouring hard cold rain. My pace slowed down and people past me… one girl past me two times as I would pass her on the hills. I didn’t want to risk getting injured for Ironman Hawaii (again). I let it go. I was shivering cold, body locking up, shaking, hands not working and teeth chattering. Unfortunately gave my arm warmers to Joel’s girlfriend on Richer Pass since I thought it was getting warmer out… but the temperature dropped over 10′. The downhill’s made it even colder. I just wanted to get into a hot tub or hot shower. I was trying to warm up and not cramp up so I was moving my hands and started yelling a bit to get blood flowing! We biked in the rain all the way down towards town and the road were completely dry. Bizarre.
I rode as hard as I could all the way to the bike finish. I past all the girls in front of me and flew into T2. I thought I would practice my transitions as if I was going to do the run portion so I grabbed my run bag and entered the changing tent. I put on my compression socks (to cover up my race numbers/age on my calves) and my long sleeve shirt (cover up the numbers on my arms!). I ran to the start of the run and stopped. I went to the Timex people and explained that I was not competing in the run portion due to my coaches request to save my legs for Ironman Hawaii. Paula Newby and Lisa Bentley were standing there so I felt the need to explain why I was not completing Ironman Canada and they agreed to save my legs for Hawaii!
I ran off course and found Joel Glass starting his run so I ran with him for over a mile (race number exposed) then snuck off the course to run 3-4 miles with Neal. I was happy because I ended my “race” for the day in first place, reached my swim goal and did the best I could on the bike (even thought I wanted sub 5:20 and got my usual 5:30 time AGAIN!). I wasn’t tired afterwards or the past two days so I know I could have pushed harder on the bike if I had more room on the course to ride… the problem of allowing so many participants in one race.
I enjoyed the rest of race day as a spectator and supporting other athletes. I was able to go to the finish line and finish area as I was still a registered athletes. I offered my help to friends who finished in amazing times and did Facebook updates!
Ironman Canada was a great day for me even if I had a “DNF” after my name. Neal kept telling me “You have to BELIEVE it is possible… it is possible” to reach my goal times. I still want to do a 5:15 bike split and 3:30 (under 3:40) run split on my next race. Is it possible? I have to BELIEVE in myself that it is possible. The weather is out of my control but I can train and challenge myself on race day! 😀
