Endure It Ironman Camp

Endure It Ironman Camp 2012

"Give yourself permission to enjoy and to relax into a powerful, authentic focus.   Feel how great it feels to calmly perform at your highest level." Ralph S. Morston

I wasn't sure how this weekend was going to go at first.  But after each workout was complete I mentally felt better and better.  Friday we arrived at noon and took off for the first ride by 1:00.   We headed out to the course for 67 miles.  I learned of a new detour we had to get use to which add a couple more hills...the challenge is the rolling hills when you get out of Verona and the big 3 which are by Old Sauk hill to Timber Lane (Timber is my least favorite) it's very steep for too long.  I actually would rather to Old Sauk 3 times and avoid Timber Lane.   We ended the ride in the rain at 6pm.  But the time Mary, Bird and John Jones got back from him being lost we were pulling out for dinner at 6:45.  Overall the spirits were really good on the course.  Ken Merritt was very positive at the end when we weren't sure on the last few turns.   

Endure It gave us a Zoot backpack to keep and use as our SAG bag.  SAG is for an emergency bag or also know as your bag you can ask to grab at the half way point in 112miles.  I used it on Saturday's ride for my bike drink mix, water & Nutter Butters.  Yum!  Something about peanut butter I can't get enough.  My SAG bag also had sunscreen, Advil, peanut butter & jelly sandwich, and body glide.  I'll add to that on race day.

Saturday we headed out to bike the full course, we got in 104 miles from our hotel on John Nolen road.  We all went at our own pace and it worked out that John Jones and I stayed together.   The coaches would approach each of us and ask how we were and helped us climb up the hills.  Gear changing technique is critical to survive.   I'm happy with the comfortable pace we made it through the day.  Overall it took 6:35 for 104 miles.  Once I got back to the hotel I put my bike away and headed up for a 4 mile run.  On the bike I was worried about this...but once I got out and did it I was fine.  It's funny how your mind plays tricks on you.  This whole thing is so mental!  I can't tell how how excited I was getting back from that day...I called my family to tell them how great it went.  I can only imagine how fun that will be with the crowds & seeing my family and friends. 

Sunday I got up and decided to venture out on the 13miles on my own. I really wanted to find Observatory Hill on campus (which is part of the course).  Luckily a couple locals plus two training ladies showed me the way.  I can't believe how hilly that campus is.  I was so happy to find it and walk up it like everyone suggests. 

My quads were not happy as I ran down campus and back to John Nolen drive.  But at that point I thought, "Ok I'm almost done, cold bath and then heading home to see the fam"

Today being July 31st I had another big milestone to crush.  Lynn and I swam 4200 yards, and I was so ready to get out.  Thank goodness I had someone with me saying "No, you can do this" I really takes staying mentally strong.  Lately I feel like I'm going in a million directions, not enough down time.  And with Kindergarten starting for Elizabeth there is loads of emotions.   After my swim today I took her to her Kindergarten assessment.  It's just crazy to think that she'll be walking to school everyday and being there. 

I'm sure this Ironman will be emotional...I was telling my book club about how Ironman goes and how I got to this race.  It's crazy to think how far I've come with cancer, kids, & home life.   But what gets us all through each day is being positive and doing what you enjoy!  Life's too short to not make the most our time here and just live. 

Over the weekend we had a family vacation to Door County where I did the Half Ironman race.  My parents boated from Chicago to Door County to stay at the Egg Harbor marina.  We stayed at Alpine Resort.  The resort had to be over 75years old.  As Adam put it, "This is great, it's a classic German Wisconsin resort"

 We got up there Friday in about 4 1/2 hours, checked in and went right to the beach.  The kids loved playing the sand.  I started getting nervous about the cold water temp of 60 degrees.   After some fun in the sun Adam & I went to Murphy Park to check into the race.   Saturday they offered a Sprint Triathlon and kids race.   When we got back to our hotel I made myself get in the bay at Egg Harbor and swim for 20mins.  It did warm up after a few minutes.  Luckily by Sunday they said the temp was 74 degrees.     On Sunday the day of the race I strapped my backpack on my back and biked to the transition area from Alpine which was about a 15min bike ride.   Did my warm up and walked to the start to find the family.   Door County is great for family because the spectators can be right on the sandy beach, there is a park and lots of food & coffee.   Its very easy to get around Door County.   We biked down to Sturgeon Bay & back for the course.   The 13mile run went from Murphy Park to Egg Harbor and back.  There were 1-2 killer hills were I met a chatty man named Dan.  He talked all the way to the finish.  I did mostly listening as he talked about the Ironman Wisconsin course and how to pace it.    

I finished the race with a time of 5:45:53.  13th in my age group of of 50 of 30-34 females.  Not my best time but at least another good day under my belt for September 9th!

My sister is about to order the T-Shirts for Ironman Wisconsin, so let me know asap if you want one.  Thanks again for all the support everyone has given me.  This has been a great journey with 6 weeks to go from Sunday.   Endure It is hosting the Madison camp Fri-Sunday this weekend which I'll be at.  I am nervous for the amount of training on the course it will bring.  Next week I'll post some pictures & tell you how it went.  

Love,
Diana

 The Farm in Burlington, WI.   Sarah & David Fix invited me up to bike long course hills with them.  Sarah is an extremely talented rider.  She's done 13 Ironman, to hear her stories Friday night and ride Saturday along with Lizzie, Eithan, Sarah L. and Jill was perfect.   Friday night we made smores in the fire, I loved this idea.  How often do you get to make smores in the fire during the summer, not often enough.  Before this Sarah gave us a tour of the farm.  There are cows, horses, goats and achers and achers of farmland. 

Sally was very generious to have us.  Her farm house above is the guest house the triathetes stayed.  This is a gorgious home with a wonderful outdoor pool. I personally think it should be used in a romantic movie set (but that's just me)   

Saturday morning we woke up at 4:45 to get a start on the heat and finish our day to still get back to hang out with our families.    Before we left I told the bikers that I'm being tracked.  My dad had a great idea to track me via a Garmin tracker.  It will be great when I'm out on a ride alone.  But the cool part was that my family could see where I was and my MPH all day.     

We started out for the first loop going SW around Lake Geneva, this was hilly as you can imagine.  I think the worst part was Fontana until you got back to Lake Como.  There are 3 to 4 extremely steep uphills where you are spinning or resulting in standing to move foward.   The 2nd time we hit it my hands were so sweaty I was holding on for life as I climbed.   Nothing can compare to the feeling when you are at the top of a very long windy WI hill.  

After the 1st loop we came back to Burlington to drop off Eithan & Jill.  Then we rode back to the SW part of Lake Geneva to Hubron and 12 miles south which became flat (which most call it the Hubron -Barrington route).   Once you were outside of Hubron the roads were very bumpy.   Sunday and Monday my upper back/shoulder blades have taken the biggest toll.  Once we got back to Hubron we went around to Fontana, Lake Como and to Burlington completing 108 miles with an average of 17mph.  I'm happy with the ride over all!  I can't believe we did 108 miles, yahoo!   And the last 80 miles I did was in hilly Wisco too...so I'm really thrilled Sarah hosted this wonderful opportunity.  Thank you Sarah & David.