Race report as posted on runningmania

I'm typing this with my knees and hips smeared in Lakota cream (from the race kit), a box of tissue by my side (have a cold) and a warm coffee with lots of cream and sugar.

I think I'll start with Saturday - even though this race was done on a Sunday. Saturday morning we woke up early to take my husband to his Canada Day 5K race. We got to the Legislature and saw Kerry, Lawrence and their adorable son. Started talking with Kerry on the way to the start line and realized in conversation that I had missed the carbo load dinner. I thought it was Saturday night - apparantly it was Friday night. I was pretty concerned since I really wanted to hear the pre-race briefing and any last minute advice the race director might have.

My husband John had a great 5K run - despite being in Ontario for the last three weeks without any chances to run. I was really proud of him... but once he was done I was ready to go home and get ready for the race.

When we got home I started washing my bike, cleaning and oiling my chain. Once washing it my husband noticed that one of the tires had a tear in it - the tube was starting to bulge. Ok, off to Revolution Cycle (my favourite bike mechanics) to get new tires and a last minute bike inspection.

Mucho buckos later - back home for a quick lunch and then out to Stony Plain for registration/package pickup and a bike tour of the run course.

Registration was smooth - however on the bike tour of the run course I fell while trying to unclip at a stop. I explained to our tour guide that I had a question and couldn't do two things at once (ie - unclip and ask my question). People didn't laugh much - except a woman behind me who introduced herself, Collette. Collette kept me laughing through the bike tour - it was her first 1/2 IM too and she was super excited and very nice.

All day Saturday - I must mention - my throat was sore and my nose started to run. This had me worried as my boys were in full force with colds and looking very run down.

So - back home and I was getting my gear together. I should have packed earlier but with John being away the last 3 weeks it was the most I could do to get some training in and keep the house in relative order.

I went to bed around 10 PM and got up at 4 AM.

Put all my gear into my mother's vehicle and started to drive away. Realized, once on the highway, that I had forgotten my immodium (something I take at every race).

Got to the site very early just as transition opened up. Wiped the dew off my bike (my bike's name is Juicy - I love her dearly), checked the tire pressure, started getting my gear together. Spilled my Tim Horton's double double all over my white shirt.

Saw Jen, my friend Lisa was doing bodymarking, saw some people I've trained with in the pool, saw Kerry, everyone was buzzing with energy and I had a nice time just hanging out and waiting for this amazing event to start.

Ok Finally The Event - Start/Swim
One of the competitors sang O Canada and then hurried off to the start before the gun went off. The gun went and the swimmers took off! Wow what a big group! I started out at the back and tried to get a pace going. I found I was bumping into people and sidestroking a lot to site. I found if I side stroked I could still keep up with the people around me and it gave me a chance to calm down.

Around the first buoy I got kicked in the face by someone who swam over me practically and then slowed down. It was a jolt so the next time around I decided to swing a little wider. At the end of the first loop I got out and my time was 24 (same as Coronation) so I knew I was on track and a little surprised...? I knew then that if I just stayed consistent I could do my 50 minute 2K and I was happy about that. The second loop seemed to take forever but when I got out - sure enough it was 50 minutes!

T1 and Bike

Got to T1 after being stripped - whew that was fun!!! Got all my gear together and was off. My neighbour #207 was out of the water at exactly the same time and she was a bit quicker through transition.

The bike was awesome. I know that I should have eaten more throughout the bike. Next time I will have gels and food more accessible. One woman had a bag of timbits tied to her handlebars and I started to drool. I took in 1 cliff bar and 3 gels - drank all my Propel and about 3 Gatorades and 4 waters.

I passed and was passed. I definetely didn't feel the speediest out there but I didn't feel the slowest either. I know I could improve on the bike - and I know that I love to bike so that helps.

The course was so beautiful going past huge canola fields and up a fairly big hill (Heartbreak Hill).

I finished the bike in approximately 3 and a half hours - I'll have to wait for official results to figure out the time.

T2 - THE FINISH - WILL IT EVER HAPPEN

I came to T2 and was feeling a little shakey - there was my neighbour #207 again - I was about 2 minutes ahead of her on the bike. We had a laugh about this - I put on my sunscreen - saw my family - but felt absolutely unsure about how I was going to run a half marathon now. Finishers were coming in now as I started the run. Wow.

The heat was a factor. I was going to take a boost before heading out on the run but couldn't. I also had to pee very badly. I forgot to take my garmin off my bike and put it on my wrist.

The announcer said my name as I headed out on the run course - mentioned that it was my first time and that I had two boys ages 2 and 5 - it was cool and I was feeling a little misty eyed.

I stopped at the port-a-potties at the first aid station to pee.

I was barely able to run at this point so I alternated between walk and run. I started taking fluids but I was so hot already I continued to feel like this was not accomplishable.

At the 4K mark I started to need to use the bathroom again - but this time not for something as easy as going pee. My stomach wasn't cramping but my bowels were ready to let go. I had to walk - I walked and ran until a port-a-potty presented itself at about KM 8. I used it. I felt better and started to run more than walk. The next few KM's are a blur - the course is a loop, out and back, loop again and then finish. The out and back is in a newer residential area and has no trees. Some people put out their sprinklers. I loved those people. Sometimes I would stand for a minute under the sprinkler to cool off. I knew that my run would not be a good time. I just wanted to finish before cut off. I kept looking at my watch - knowing I had to push on. A few times I talked to myself I said "I'm not going to f****** quit" and then would run again.

This is where it became mental. I would pick a time to keep running until - I tried my 10:1's but they mostly were 10:5's. I knew if I made it to 16 K my husband would be there and would help me run it in.

16K came and no husband.

I saw him finally when there were about 8 more residential blocks to go.

I started to cry. He ran beside me. He encouraged me. I saw Colleen - she gave me a big hug! Thanks Colleen!! I also found out that Noah had a seizure earlier in the day - I was worried about him - he was sleeping on the grass in the shade by the finish line. We got to the finish area and Caleb my 5 year old came running out. He grabbed my hand and the three of us crossed the finish together.

I saw Jennifer, Collette, #207, my mom, my baby Noah who was so tired. I got a huge medal placed around my neck - I was so proud and so happy to have finished. I think my time was either 7:29 and change or 7:30....

I learned a lot from this race. I learned about myself. I learned what I would do differently but I also learned that no matter what happens - you have to keep pressing on.

I saw Kerry cross the finish line with her family and her supporters surrounding her and it was a beautiful finish - I am so proud of her.

I know for sure I'm coming back next year to race this - I also am giving myself until August to decide about IMC2007

Thanks to everyone for all your support.