Lyrics from one of my favorite songs by The Hours ran through my mind yesterday throughout the entire race.
“It’s, not, where you are, It’s where you’re going, Where are you going?
“It’s, not, about the things you’ve done, it’s what you’re doing, now, what are you doing, now? “
( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxNX5M_XSeA )
Being present is key while racing. I’m constantly asking myself, how do you feel? How’s your hydration? Salt tabs? Calories? My coach gave me a great plan for the day. I followed it exactly…. It just didn’t turn out exactly as I planned. And you cannot plan things in a race; some things are just out of your control.
On the swim, I sprinted at the beginning to get out of the riff-raff. This was a mass start, which is uncommon for a 70.3. Going into the swim, I was nervous. More so than ever before based on a rough experience I had several weeks ago back home in the ocean. I was held down under a set of waves and it truly scarred me. I tried to stay as far left as possible the whole swim, and at times I was way off course- but at other times, I was in the thick of it. This was the first mass start I have truly experienced “the washing machine”… it’s no joke. You are trapped and just have to deal with the situation as you have no choice to swim freely. You are fighting to simply have space. I was surprised at my swim time when I ran over the timing mat- 38 mins. But I was VERY happy that I did not panic, so the swim was a success.
Game plan for the bike was to ride comfortably uncomfortable, controlled suffering. At the turn-around in Hawi, ride balls out, like there is no run after. Don’t even think about what comes next. Just stay on top of my calories and sat tabs. Just before mile 28, my salt tabs dropped out of my pocket. My goal for the bike was to break 3 hours and I did. 2:57. The wind was present as it always is on the big island, but it did not feel as bad as it did during the Ironman World Championships in 08. I actually loved the bike. It even sprinkled up in Hawi which was welcome as it is generally so hot here.
When I arrived in T2, I was a bit out of it. Not sure if I was under my calories or what. But it didn’t matter. Run strategy was to take small fast steps for 2 miles to get my legs back. Then, run steady. If I feel ok by mile 8, turn it up. None of this happened! I tried to get things going, but it came down to just getting through it. I reverted to the way I run in a full Ironman marathon, that is, aid station to aid station. It was hot and all I could think about was getting to the next aid station to dump water on my head, shove ice down my top and stash it under my cap. I did this every mile.
My most important goal for this race was to break 6 hours and I did. I finished 5:56 and this is a 31 min PR from when I raced here in 07 and I am very happy about that! I also overcame a lot of nervous energy from the ocean incident last month and a bike crash a couple months ago that left me overly cautious. I also have to acknowledge that I have run two marathons already this year and I may need a little running vacation. At the end of the day, I appreciate the opportunity to be in Kona again racing and I thank Goddess Pele for being kind and blessing me rather than cursing me. This is my 6th visit to the Big Island and would love to have 6 more!
So pleased to hear from you, Michele! Congratulations on an excellent event! I am proud of you and inspired by you.
Thanks very much for checking in -
All the best -
MWD
Congrats. Wish we were there.
Wow! Super effort. A 31-minute PR is huge. Way to fight through all the “mental” challenges of the day!
Sounds like a success to me! You’re an animal. Nice work out there… inspiring.