Ironman CDA 2015, the before.

Well well well. It's now been over 2 YEARS since I posted in here....lots has happened and many times I have thoguht to come back to update myself on life, have a place to go back and remember all the wonderful things I get to do, but I never seem to make it back. I had thought I would use this space as a place to write about my IM training, and instead, I find myself already finished and now all that's left is to write the recap.

Lets have a brief timeline catchup:

March 2014 - Completed first 70.3 at IM Oceanside. Raced with the FLU, it was NOT pretty.
July 2014 - Raced Vineman 70.3 - super hot but my favorite race to date. Amazing.
October 2014 - Raced Soma 70.3. Shitshow. October is NOT cool in AZ, ever. Never ever again. (now IMAZ 70.3)
November 2014 - Registered for IMCDA 
NOVEMBER 2014 - March 2015 - Injuries, poor bike fit, setbacks. Finally FIXED by my awesome PT, Ian. YAY

Let's back up a bit. I always said I would NEVER EVER sign up for a 140.6. Nope. I saw Wade do it, and many many friends but I just couldn't wrap my head around the distance, the discipline in training and I never really thought I had the ability or athletic prowess to do it myself. Specifically the swim. (I couldn't swim 25 yards 2 years ago, progress people) So as I ticked off a few 70.3's and I watched another group of first timers become Ironmen, my self doubt turned around and I found myself wanted to put myself up for the challenge. After lots of self talk, and convining Wade into jpining me, I pulled the trigger and resgistered on November 15. Happy Anniversary honey, this will really test our marriage!

I won't get into all the training and details because this is supposed to be my race recap, but I will mention that we switched coaching companies 3 MONTHS before the race, which was VERY stressful initially and then it became the best thing I could have done. Krista LaPan with Team BSC jumped in feet first and was an absolute godsend. We both had a renewed sense of excitement and urgency to get our asses in gear. New workouts and someone monitoring us so closely was a total game changer. Wade's attitude completely changed and it was fun having something new and someone with such a different coaching style on our team.

My training cycle went great. I wasn't feeling 100% with my run, but that's another story to tell.  (my run fitness had been digressing the past 2 years and with only 3 months to work with, Krista did what she could and I'm happy with that) I imagine everyone never feels "ready" for their 1st IM and I found myself wanting more and more time when everyone was like "yeah it's tapertime".  I had put in 4 100+ milers and several 16-20 mile runs, AND was swimming more than I ever could have imagined, 10K yards on some weeks. I was assured I was ready.

About 10 days before the race, we got some concerning weather forecasting...

Not normal. And it kept climbing. Lot's of frantic facebooking, emailing, texting and changing of some fueling/hydration and wetsuits wearing.

I remainined fairly calm but inside I was scared shitless and really upset that my 1st IM would be in this hotbox. Not cool.

We flew into Spokane Thursday before the race, the flight was full of IM people and we had an easy travel day and arrived at our amazing house for the week.

The next 2 days were a flurry of grocery shopping, practice swims, riding the course, a shakeout run, eating, hydrating, checking in and dropping gear off. It was exhausting....especially in the 95-100 degree heat!

My parents arrived Saturday and helped us drop off our bikes...that was the first time I got scared I think, it was setting in! We had a great dinner at the house, froze our hydration and attempted to get some sleep....race morning was almost here!