Ironman Canada: The Run

Lastly the run! Usually my least favorite part of the Ironman BUT this one was different! I actually loved it!

Run: (goal: 4:57-5:07; actual: 5:01) Well I made it through the swim and bike. The race starts here. I was to start out at 11 minute miles. That was plan A! I was out of transition. There are so many spectators and cheering. It is hard to start slow. I saw some friends and they got this shot!

I did not want to think about the fact that it felt like a thousand degrees and I had to run 26.2 miles. BUT I had a huge smile on my face. I was excited still. I was knee deep into my 4th Ironman. What was happening!!!!! I also thought ok I am going to be out here for 5 hours. Don’t think about 2 hours from now. 3 hours from now. Mile 18 or 20 or 22. Just keep focused. Keep eating and drinking. Keep moving forward and that is exactly what I did!

I looked down at my watch after I had rounded that first corner and passed most of the spectators! 10:15! Fuck! Slow down. Slow down. Slow down. I did! There is a ton of spectators in this area because we pass through it a couple of times. It was hot. I have done this before I have to start slow because there is no going back when I start walking later. I had to keep it together for at least the first half before I wanted to move to plan B. It was so hot. Basically the entire course is rolling hills. I thought just get through the first half and it would get cooler.
They had changed the course from last year. When we were there 6 weeks ago the old course was still posted and that is what we trained for. I was super happy with the changes. Way more spectator friendly.

There is a section from mile 2-4ish and 14-16ish around Lost Lake that was awesome. It was rolling on a trail and mostly shady! After that first go around I saw my mom and aunt cheering. Finally for the first time today I got to see them!

I saw a ton of other spectators I knew. There were so many people from Portland that their spectators were all over the course. It was so much fun. I was taking in my Gu. I was taking in more Perform. Gross! The aid stations were kind of wonky. There were 2 or 3 sets that were real close and then toward the end of the out and back loop there was 2 miles without aid. I was a little mad about that. I saw friends coming back. I saw the girls after I made the turn at the out and back. I thought they would be passing at any time. I just kept moving forward. I slapped lots of hands of friends and spectators.

I felt relatively good for the first loop. I use the word good loosely!! I don’t think that I could have done anything better or different that would actually make me feel good!! 

I was getting tired. I was still happy. I was definitely still smiling. I was getting this done. I was more excited because it was getting cooler or at least there was more shade. I knew I could start taking in the Coke on the second loop and I was actually pumped for that. Maybe more because I was not having any more Perform!!

I saw my mom again and she said that Dan had gotten off the bike so I was super happy to hear that. Not that I was worried but he was a little worried about making the bike cut-off! I saw Jeremy a little while later and he said that Dan was about 15 minutes ahead of me. I was going to try to catch up but we will see how long that lasts!!!

I was getting around Lost Lake for the second time. I was now “running” but really slow and trying to limit myself to walking for only 15-20 seconds at a time. There was a ton of people walking and I encouraged them. Said they looked great, nice job, keep moving forward, etc! You never know who is on their first loop or second loop.

I was cruising right along. Back by the spectators. Back by the aid stations I was now familiar with. Saw friends who were on their way to fast finishes! The Coke was good. It was more shady. I didn’t like any of our plan B, C, or D’s! I just kept moving at the pace I was going. I was mostly running with probably 2 walk breaks between aid stations but 11-12 minute miles. Nothing fast but I was happy and doing way better than I thought I would be doing!

Dan had made the turn around and was on his way back and I saw him there for a quick second. I was gaining on him but not very fast. I made the turn around. Not a whole lot left!! Could I keep it together for 5 more miles?! 5 more miles?!!! I saw the girls again we were coming home!! I was still talking to people. Some people were on their first loop and wondering if they would finish. I was very positive and encouraging!! I was just having so much fun!! I couldn’t believe I was still happy!

I finally caught up to Dan with about a 1 mile(ish) to go. Right where my fam was sitting. It was perfect because she got a picture!! I gave Dan lots of encouragement and left him at his special needs bag.

I saw Jeremy one last time. I was so close but so far away!!! I made the final turns into the village and then out of the village to the final stretch down Blackcomb. I was done. I gave lots of high fives and was happy I was done before dark!!!

I crossed the line in 13:06:02!! It was not a 12:59:59 but I could not have asked for a better day! I was super happy that I stayed mentally with it. I smiled. I had fun. I had such an amazing day!! I waited for the girls to finish. Talked with them for a bit. Went home and showered and back to where my mom and aunt were sitting to wait for Dan!

Thanks to Dan, Erica, Laura, Stephanie, Kat, Anne, Nik, Jeremey, My mom & Aunt LaVon, The Weinsofts, all my other friends competing and their spectators, and to all of you who have read my good and bad training logs and have given support and virtual cheers!!