2 Week Ironman Turn-Around

Before I head into my Ironman WI race report I thought I would do a quick re-cap of what exactly I did for the 2 weeks between a 2nd place finish at Ironman Louisville and then onto racing IM WI since I sure have gotten that question a lot...usually quickly followed (or preceded by) "I could never do that" or  "You are crazy".  Unfortunately I have been called crazy more in the last few weeks than I probably ever have been before, and let me tell you, I have done MUCH crazier things ;)

Let me pre-face this 2 week Turn-Around info by saying that this is only a good idea (still debatable) for well-seasoned Iron-distance athletes and those with no injuries.  The body is an amazing thing and truly adapts to what you make it do.  Ironman takes a toll on the body, but I can say that over the years my body had adapted.  Sure, I still get so sore I can barely walk, but after those first 2 days the recovery period (mentally and physically) is much quicker.

Wait, but WHY did I do this??  Well, this was my last chance at both of these races!!  Ironman is changing the pro race circuit and these two (2 of my fav. races) are no longer having a pro prize purse.  This, in addition to the fact that I have finished 2nd twice at Louisville AND there was a lighter field, made me want to go there and and go for the win!!  So I did...but ended in 2nd (again) as you read in my last blog.  Anyhow- no brainer for WI since I live here and it's the best race ever, right?!!

Anyhow...here's how it went!  I was very lucky to have some NormaTec Boots lent to me from one of my swimmers, so I was spoiled with getting to sit in those at least once per day during the two weeks. I think these were crucial in the recovery and my legs coming around to actually wanting to run the second week.  Mixed in there were some naps, but not a ton.

I had less swimming than I would have liked the second week due to a bad bee sting on my eye on Tuesday, which left it completely swollen shut on Wednesday and partially shut on Thursday.

As you can see from my Training Peaks input, both weeks were VERY light with the main goal just getting loosened up.  I was on the roller before and after every run and making sure to stretch well.

Thank-you's to those that were crucial for recovery: 

Chantry at Peak Performance Massage

Jessi Koch at Active Body Dynamics

Mark Hering - for doing some short easy stuff w/me

Speed Cycling - I needed that group ride! 

Gary Geiger for the NormaTec's 

Lindsey Heim for the Shorewood Pool Sponsorship during week 1 

Ironman Louisville Race Report

It has been over a week since Ironman Louisville and I think it's about time to stop putting off this race report since another Ironman is looming in 4 days!

This race was not on my calendar this year, however when I heard about the changes being made to the pro races and that Louisville wouldn't have a professional race next year, I had to do it.  I finished 2nd place in Louisville in 2011 and 2012 and was thinking I had better go for the win since it's my last shot!!  (more on these changes another time)

Swim:  Men and women started separately, which I strongly prefer!  The gun went off and it was a good tough go until the turn bouy.  I ended up swimming mostly on my own (boo) and was a bit discouraged, but came out pretty close to the front after all! There was a great current this year so I came out at 48 min and change!

I was less than a minute behind second place through transition and thought I could hustle and get her to have someone to bike with.  Well....I was wrong!  She took off like a bat out of hell and my legs were not having any of that.  After 5 miles of trying to push to catch, I finally conceded to the idea that my legs needed a bit of time to come around.  This happens sometimes in Ironman and I've learned that it's important  to go with the flow of what your body is giving you.  So I let the watts come down and let my legs get into it.  By 20 miles I was feeling better and by 50 miles I was feeling great!  Still, it was a long solo ride (except the second loop where it was passing people the entire time...).

It started to get hot and I was making sure to keep my body cool and stay on top of hydration.  It was my slowest bike time at this race...but times were slow all around, so there must have been some wind and/or heat humidity playing  role there...OR the way that they changed the dismount line!  You now have to dismount and run with your bike a good 100-200yards.  It's pretty ridiculous.  5:19 bike.

T2 - made haste here, although I had no idea where I was in relation to anyone...except that I was in 3rd.

On the run it wasn't long before I realized I was a LONG way from first or second and the temperatures were rising quickly.  This was a bit discouraging, but I knew from many hot races that things can change quickly.  So I made keeping my body cool and nourished a priority - taking ice every time, filling my hand-held bottle, taking Perform or cola and a gel every few miles.  This seemed to work and the miles were ticking off.  Soon I heard Kate was walking up ahead and I moved into 2nd place.  This was exciting!  Now I was thinking ok, 2nd is much better than 3rd - this can pay for my wedding!!  It was a ways back to the girls behind me who seemed to be all shifting positions, and too far to get Nina who was still running fine, so I just kept to the walking every aid station, kept it steady until the finish.  I knew I had another Ironman coming up and didn't want to totally tear my legs off :)  I enjoyed a nice walk through the finish chute and a very nice IV after the race.

Big thank you to Mark who came down and raced with me!! Also to our friend Will Smith who was down working with Norma-Tec and Mark's brother Paul for both cheering and encouraging us.

My sponsors are amazing and I would not be doing so well if it weren't for them!

Timex, Trek, Shimano, PowerTap, Castelli, Powerbar, Rudy Project, Nathan Hydration, Newton, Blue Seventy

Local sponsors:  Speed Cycling, Peak Performance Massage, Endurance House Middleton, Sport and Spine Clinic of Madison West, David Kohli of Perfect Circle Cycling

THANK YOU! Hope to see you at Ironman WI this weekend!! Come check out the pro panel on Friday at 11am at the Terrace and the Ironkids race Saturday morning.

Check out my video from the race last year (Thanks Dave!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7uQwHAL9o4