Amelia Island 70.3 Race report – October 2013

So again, I sit here with writer’s block. Sound familiar? To me it is unusual, so I went back and reread my Amelia Island race report from 2011 to reinspire my blogging. And oh boy, was that a totally different experience.  (http://192.185.164.20/1574/about-ilana/you-are-as-good-as-your-last-race/ )

Quick recap and comparison

• In 2011 Ocean was rough versus 2013 ocean was a pure imitation of a lake

•  2011 was Dori’s inaugural triathlon. I was able to be an aerodynamic speed racer (well speed racer is relative, but compared to MY other racers, I was a speedracer, ok?) whereas in 2013 speed racer was no longer relative, in fact, no longer related at all…

•  2011 seemed like I was comfortable in the aerobars whereas 2013 I didn’t go into aero position for half a second.

•  Granted, Dori had some work done and is now Dorette (aerobars on Dori are gear shifting and functional, on Dorette they are for show as the gear shifters are now on the bull horns (thank the heavens))

•  2011 I promised my sports doc I would not run due to a stress fracture in my left shin bone, but in 2013 I did not promise anyone anything… I really should have promised someone I would NOT WALK including myself. Too late…

•  I am 2 years older and 2 years slower BUT 2 years more experienced

Similarities:

•  it was a gorgeous and perfect day the day of the race both for 2011 and 2013

•  Apparently there were as many cross winds in 2011 as I seem to have experienced this weekend, however in 2011 I was carefree or in other words, better trained?

•  I was still SOFA KING doing it !!

•  Sandbar was still a nightmare, and pretty much killed all feeling in quad muscles both years. This time they didn’t bounce back as quick.

• Jelly fish present. I guess Amelia attracts a ton of them, and who could blame them, Amelia is quite the destination.

• It was as hot as Hell…

Swim

Fun in the rising sun. Renamed the ocean to LAKE Ferdinando. Slapped the jelly fish silly, although one retaliated with a bit of a sting. No worries, Iron”people” are made of  unhurtable tissue.

Bike

Dorette, previously known as Dori, is still my hero… and still remembers her chant “Keep on Swimming… Keep on Swimming” although she has totally lost the Dori persona.

First half felt great. My inner “Speedracer” gleemed. Although he slowly died down as the minutes ticked on, directly proportional to the cross winds flaring up.

Ran out of hydration. You didn’t hear that from me (a sports dietitian expert).  For real, it was not my own doing… fluids were few and far between on the course, and this had nothing whatsoever to do with my own drinking problem (the one I suffer with on the bike.) For those of you who do not know me and my non-existent bike skills well, I literally have to stop to refuel – yes, I still suffer from this – note to all the willing bike coaches out there… help me!!

Run

Run?  I thought they said RUM. Since when did Amelia have a run? …The previous  year I did this same race, it was a big walk, and that had nothing to do with my stress fracture.

Seriously, the first five miles felt like a death trap. At some points I was actually in tears, realizing that I was not really Wonder Woman after all. I am not sure who sewed that “W” onto my PJs, but whoever you are, that is not funny!!

Luckily I got into a rhythm after those first few miles, each one feeling like a marathon in itself. I had my Gym Boss demanding me to give him four and one intervals – but I could not get even close to four minutes without feeling like I had died and gone to hell. It was also THAT hot !!

Something triggered in my mental state at around mile 6… it was my mind holding me back, not my physical ability…  And this realization allowed for negative splits. Whew, WW was back!!

Things I have learned from this race

• Another two years and two Ironman races added to ones calendar can take its toll.

• Not every day is Wonder Woman’s day. Sometimes Superwoman wins (that bitch)

• Even the best laid nutrition strategies can go to Hell in a handbasket, even Ilana’s (clients take note:  its not always MY fault ;))

• Dori still chants “Keep on Swimming” even under the guise of Dorette

• Aero position is underrated

•  I need to add the 0.0 magnet to my car  (I have all the other race distances that I have participated in)

•  I am still SOFA KING proud to be a triathlete that practices what I preach

• Practice makes perfect, although we are yet to work out how many practices perfect takes

• I need to go back to Mallorca (I did a training camp there that improved my bike skills tremendously, it’s looking like I need a refresher)

•  Toenails are under-rated

• Just keep moving forward as the finish line is always on the horizon

•  I am adequately trained for next month’s Rev3 70.3 in Florida… NEXT MONTH?? What the %$#$% was I thinking

•  I know what I was thinking… a new puppy in the house means something else needed more training than myself, so decided to split one full ironman, into two halves. Next month will tell, watch this space for an up and coming race report.

•  I appreciate the support of friends, family, clients and my students more than they can imagine…

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