| Discussion: Hits Ocala RR |
Subject: Hits Ocala RR By: Suzanne C.
Written on: Monday April 16, 2012 Message: During Ironman training one very often feels
unprepared. This was one of those days. After a
long prior weekend of training and racing a half
Mary I kept thinking, "No problem, you just
have to repeat that." Only problem was that
I had to do it all in one day - yikes!
After a lovely pre-race dinner of pasta
and ice cream with the Wardles, Mario (my BFF) and
I got into bed early and crashed. In the morning
we had a lot to do: apply our tattoos, eat, poop,
you know the drill. We get to the race site about
an hour after Clyde (it appears from my experience
that really fast people are also really neurotic)
:) Transition is very well organized and we have
no trouble finding our spots and setting up our
area. We head down to the water with plenty of
time to spare.
The swim is an out and
back with a bunch of buoys, I can't even see the
last one because it is so far away (not a good
sign). It was an in water start which was kind of
nice. Mario and I start in our normal
"bubble" fashion (we breathe on opposite
sides so we generate what we call the
"bubble" as to avoid excessive contact).
Not a bad start for me but it looks like Mario is
having some trouble so she jets off to the right.
A few minutes later I am doing the bubble with
someone else (hello there random person who is
perfectly in synch with my stroke - I find out
later it was Mario, no wonder). A couple of buoys
later she pulled ahead and we lost each other. My
goggles were completely fogged and my shoulders
were already starting to whine. The fast pack
took off very fast and I couldn't see anyone in
front of me nor could I see any buoys either. I
stopped to breast stroke/tread water a few times
searching for any recognizable object (an arm, a
big red buoy, a blue cap...nothing). Note* in my
last race I overshot the last buoy by about 200
yards and had to double back so I was a bit over
anxious about doing this again. At one point I
even turned around and starting swimming back only
to look up and see an army of swimmers coming at
me. YIKES - I turn back around and kick it up a
notch so I don't get run over. I finally reach
the turn around and I feel like I have swum the
English Channel. The way back was not pretty. I
think my arm is broken.
Swim =
40
Transition was fun since I got out of
the water right after Mario. We chatted a bit and
she took off on her bike. Got my stuff and hopped
on my bike. My legs felt like a disaster waiting
to happen so I tried to spin a bit and loosen them
up. Not working. The roads were kind of crappy
and I was extremely uncomfortable for some reason.
I kept shifting my weight and standing up every
so often. About mile 30 I rolled up on a boy
named Dallas and we chatted for a bit which was a
nice break from the previously deserted course.
The route overall was very nice besides the road
conditions. Had some nice shaded areas and some
"rolling" type hills (or as Clyde calls
them, undulations). For some reason I just
couldn't get into a groove and felt completely
uncomfortable for 95% of my ride. For once, I
could not wait to get off my bike.
Bike =
2:42
I roll into transition shortly after
Mario so we chat some more, use the restroom, and
begin the run together. The first 3 miles was in
the woods on a dirt trail which I LOVED. I wish
the whole run would have been in there. After
that, Mario takes off like a bottle rocket and I
can't even see her anymore. I pass one person and
get passed by 3 or 4. Otherwise I was very
lonely. Coming out of the forest I see Vikki and
the girls cheering at the first aid station which
was very cool (I never have cheerleaders!). Now
I'm off to complete the rest of the death march in
the blazing sun. There is only one volunteer at
each aid station and all of them seem a bit
confused as to their purpose. Pretty much it was
a get your own stuff kind of thing. My legs seem
to be happy to be off the bike but not so happy to
be running. I stop at each aid station to refuel
and get more ice. I am putting ice wherever I
have spots to put ice (down my bra, down my
shorts). I am a hot mess. I get to mile 7 and
the guy at the aid station yells, "What do
you need?" I yell, "Everything!"
He hands me a cup of water, a cup of Heed and
scoops up two handfuls of ice. He says,
"What do you want me to do with the
ice?" I said, "Pour it down my
bra." He looks dumbfounded and says,
"Really?" I said "yes, NOW!"
He pours it down my bra and says, "Wow, I
feel like I should know your name." This is
a guy who clearly does not get a lot of action,
haha. The run was an out and back so I see all of
my fast friends coming back from the turn which
was nice (any distraction at this point is nice).
Everyone looks like they are suffering as well.
The run seems to drag on forever. I consider
walking numerous times but my goal was to nail my
run so I forge onward. Seriously, the course went
on for.ev.er. I finally get to mile 12 and I see
a girl up ahead from my local tri community who I
know is in my AG. She appears to be over a half
mile ahead but looks like she is hurting. I try
to turn up the beans but I don't have a lot left
in the pot and the last mile was uphill (yes,
Clyde, that was uphill). I finally turn the
corner to the chute and sprint to the finish. I
missed beating her by 30 seconds (shaking angry
fist) and took second in my AG (don't get excited,
I think that was also last in my AG). I did,
however, PR my HIM run which was the goal of the
day (other than having fun, of course).
Run =
2:08
Overall I thought the race was very
well organized and I truly enjoyed the day (well,
besides for the major suffering). Next stop =
Brazil (oh my).
Overall 5:36
|
Subject: RE: Hits Ocala RR By: Jim K.
Written on: Monday April 16, 2012 Message: Well done SC.....good luck in Brazil...I'll be
stalking!!! Wishing I was going now to be part of
your "bra support" team :-) |
Subject: RE: Hits Ocala RR By: Clyde W.
Written on: Monday April 16, 2012 Message:
Wait, are you calling me neurotic?? Do you
really think I am? I'm not, am
I?
FINALLY, your race report. Anyone
would think you've been busy or something. Thanks
for making it such a fun race to be at and well
done on sticking it out on a day you weren't your
most comfortable. And of course, legitimately you
won your AG. No-one should accept prizes after
riding paceline... ahem.
BTW, Mario?? |
Subject: RE: Hits Ocala RR By: Suzanne C.
Written on: Tuesday April 17, 2012 Message: C - If the spandex fits.... :)
Mario =
due to her strong resemblance to Super Mario while
running :). |
Subject: RE: Hits Ocala RR By: Kris D.
Written on: Tuesday April 17, 2012 Message: on a day you feel like crap you are still 10 min
faster than me-Congrats.
What happens if
the spandex doesn't fit? (seen a couple of those) |
Subject: RE: Hits Ocala RR By: john m.
Written on: Tuesday April 17, 2012 Message: Good test run for Brazil. Building confidence in
your training is a key to success. Hits series
seems to be off to a good start, all positive
feedback from Ontri peeps. Good job! |
Subject: RE: Hits Ocala RR By: Brad H.
Written on: Tuesday April 17, 2012 Message: Congrats on your HIM run PR and another strong
race! Even if it's late, we still like reading
race reports, so thanks! Good luck in
Brazil!
|
Subject: RE: Hits Ocala RR By: Teri d.
Written on: Tuesday April 17, 2012 Message: Way to stick it out, Suzanne. That's a great time
for a race that you felt so
"uncomfortable" for so much of it. I
would love to go that fast, period. Awesome job.
You'll have a blast at Brazil. |
Subject: RE: Hits Ocala RR By: Scott M.
Written on: Wednesday April 18, 2012 Message: Wow, that's a hell of a solid time for not feeling
it. Way to go! All this talk of ice and bras,
you guys might just yet convince me to try one of
those longer races.... |
Subject: RE: Hits Ocala RR By: Ronald F.
Written on: Wednesday April 18, 2012 Message: Pretty good race. Great going on the run and
giving that volunteer a thrill.
What happened
to those googles and how will you make sure that
they don't fog up again? |
Subject: RE: Hits Ocala RR By: Suzanne C.
Written on: Thursday April 19, 2012 Message: I normally use my "race" goggles when I
race but apparently my race goggles became my
training goggles and I didn't buy new goggles for
his race as it was really more of a fun race. New
goggles rarely fog up for me. |
Subject: RE: Hits Ocala RR By: Stacia J.
Written on: Thursday April 19, 2012 Message: I want to come to your house so you can teach me
how to ride my bike. I'm thinking the ice down
the bra could give me something to look forward to
for Quassy - excellent idea!
Awesome race, you
are fast!!! Good luck in Brazil! |
Subject: RE: Hits Ocala RR By: barbara g.
Written on: Thursday April 19, 2012 Message: Your race report made me laugh out loud. Man I
wish I could have your bike speed - even
"uncomfortable". Way to go, and
whatever you are doing for your run is working
really well! |
Subject: RE: Hits Ocala RR By: Heather N.
Written on: Thursday April 19, 2012 Message: Thanks for the RR--enjoyed reading it and you are
fast!!! Inspiring... |
Subject: RE: Hits Ocala RR By: Willard H.
Written on: Thursday April 19, 2012 Message: I enjoyed reading the RR. You did great! Good luck
in Brazil! |
Subject: RE: Hits Ocala RR By: charlotte d.
Written on: Thursday April 19, 2012 Message: Suzanne, you are a beast!! And I would give
everything to see that guy's face pouring ice on
your bra, You fulfilled is fantasy for sure,
hahaha!! Good luck for IM Brazil!! |
Subject: RE: Hits Ocala RR By: Leo F.
Written on: Thursday April 19, 2012 Message: Way to push through a tough one. Getting through
the tough ones is what makes you better for the
next one. Go kill it in Brazil! |
Subject: RE: Hits Ocala RR By: Jackie the Lurker
Written on: Thursday April 19, 2012 Message: As always, a very entertaining RR. Good 'tune-up'
race. You'll do great in Brazil. Does
"Mario" have moustache too? lol
As
for the ice... yes in the bra top works great,
doesn't it. Just don't wear a white top... or in
your case... do wear a white top!
|
Subject: RE: Hits Ocala RR By: Carol R.
Written on: Friday April 20, 2012 Message: thanks suzanne, for sharing! very entertaining and
inspiring. good luck in brazil! |
Subject: RE: Hits Ocala RR By: Steven R.
Written on: Thursday April 26, 2012 Message: Great report Suzanne ! Sounds like your on track
for Brazil ! |
Subject: RE: Hits Ocala RR By: Amanda D.
Written on: Thursday April 26, 2012 Message: Strong work sister. you're coming along very
nicely with your running! Proud of you! You're
going to have a great race in Brazil. And, there
is nothing wrong with neurotic.. :) |
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