The one thing you can't control on Ironman Day is the weather. Mother Nature will sometimes bless you and other times challenge you. Craig Alexander calls it "luck". I didn't have the "luck" this weekend. It was the last challenge in a long set of build weeks.
On Saturday, I was set to swim in Lake Monona with other Ironman in the area. But, when I arrived at the dock..it was just me that showed up. It could've been the impeding storm, the fact it was already raining or the swells. I had my wetsuit on already..so I had to try it. IT was ROUGH! I was swallowing water and getting swallowed by the waves. Some fisherman stopped me after five minutes and gave me a talking to. I decided they were right and turned around. And as I got out, there was lightining and thunder. A good decision... thank you to the sweet man and woman who reminded me sometimes Ironman do stupid things.
On Sunday, the weather was set to be the hot and humid conditions that lead to heat warnings. I had already decided that I would start early. I haven't been able to train in the humidity so I knew my body would have a hard time. It was a great challenge. There was also a head wind unmatched by any other time I had been on the course. I got a tail wind.. ONCE for only 3/4 of mile. That's a cruel! It was a workout that was hard, hard, hard! I think it was a combination of weak legs from all the building and heat beating me down. I saw coach after 60 miles, put my hands on my head and said, "I don't think I have another loop in me." It was an honest statement that frustrated me. My nutrition was good, my salt may have been a little low, but it was on target. She said.."You have to go back out there. If you can do this, you can do anything." So... that was that. I made a deal that I would ride 2/3 of the way around the loop and catch my other coach there. I packed myself on ice..literally! Ice sponges on my head and back and a ziploc full of ice in my sports bra and set off. I counted down the time until I saw my coach again. It was most helpful to know the course. On race day, this will help me as well. I was always looking forward to the next spot on the course I remembered. I discovered a big bummer yesterday..they graveled over my favorite road!! And I was lucky too! I rode almost the entire course by myself, but I did get coached on the hills. It was great to learn some new techniques. I will use them on Ironman day too. Lastly, I must note.. I survived. I didn't get hurt, I didn't get in an accident and I will be just fine in a few days. Sometimes, we must really just trust that we can do it. AND then get it done! My last rest week is here. Only 35 more days until the BIG DANCE!
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