Erin Miller, 70.3

The big race is over and done!  Like my post title above, I think I'm going to add the numbers '70.3' to my signature.  Yes? :)

Starting from the beginning, I didn't leave myself a lot of time to train and prepare for this race.  I took way too long choosing my race (thought about Ironman 70.3 National Harbor, Knoxville Rev3, Ironman 70.3 Florida) - I finally decided in early March that I would do White Lake Half.  I had a half-marathon in the middle of March, so I continued training for that and would start the half iron training after that was over.  My swim base is always pretty decent (haven't lost too much of that over the years), my run base is pretty good (especially with just having the race mid-March), but my bike base leaves much to be desired.  I trained for about 6 weeks for this race, and am aware that that was not long enough to achieve the time goal I wanted.

After my work conference wrapped on May 3, all thoughts went toward the race.  I was nervous!  It was really the swim that was winding my nerves into a ball, as I get very nervous for open water swims.  That damn jellyfish on my first OWS messed me up!

We drove down to WL on Friday and got there in plenty of time to get our stuff settled into a cabin and go for a short swim.  I rented a wetsuit from InsideOut and wanted to test it out, since I'd never before worn one.  Excellent decision in having the wetsuit - it made swimming so easy that I didn't even have to kick.  We probably swam 250m on Friday - just enough to get my nerves under control.

Race morning, our cabin woke up at 5am to get suited up.  I had a cinnamon crunch bagel with water about an hour before race time and a banana about 15 minutes before race time.  That seemed to work pretty well.

The swim went really well.  Friday's test run helped immensely as did the wetsuit.  I never felt tired on the swim and I did pretty well drafting off of a few people.  It certainly did not feel like a 1.2 mile swim!

T1 was slow, as I decided that I was going to run into the bathhouse to change from swimsuit to compression shorts and sports bra.  I wanted to be comfortable (and not soaking wet) for the bike ride.  So, I obviously had a bad T1 time, but I don't regret the change.  Next time, I could probably swim in the sports bra and compression shorts under the wetsuit.  I put on my top and bike shorts when I got into the transition area.

The bike.  Oh, the bike.  I am not a strong biker and I know this.  I've improved, yes, but I'm not great (yet).  I had a good first hour to hour:fifteen on the bike, but it went downhill after that.  About mile 22, the headwinds started.  I had forgotten hearing about that obstacle.  I was putting forth effort (not 100% effort though, because I knew I needed it later, but effort) and just not going my speed.  The mile 30ish aid station didn't have any water, so that hurt.  That was also the point where the headwinds got down right mean.  Oh, hmm, I haven't even mentioned the heat yet.  I'll save that for the run section...  After the half way point, I realized that I didn't have the strength or dexterity in my left hand to gear up to my big gear.  That was very strange and frustrating, so I just stayed in my small gear.  I swore off my bike and biking in general many times from mile 35 to 56.  The last 10 miles were the longest 10 miles in the history of miles.  I have never been so happy to be off a bike and beginning a half-marathon in my life.

T2 was pretty quick.  I switched out bike shorts for run shorts, and tied my running shoes the best I could.  Grabbed my race number belt, visor, and hand held water bottle and was off.  Tying my shoes was very difficult, it was odd.  My hands just weren't working right or quickly.  I saw my people here which was a great boost to start the run out strong.

The run was hotter than hell; I'm sure of it.  By the heat of the day, the heat radiating up off of the asphalt made it feel roughly 7,000 degrees.  I fully utilized the sponges and towels soaked in ice water at just about every single aid station.  The sponge went down the front of my sports bra (so classy) and the towel was for my neck, face, arm pits, and anywhere that would make me feel even the slightest bit cooler.  I felt pretty good for the first few miles (and with no real ankle pain - thanks to my Friday chiropractor visit!), realized I was taking in way too much water (nuun wasn't sitting well), so I had to walk that off for a few minutes.  I ran as much as I could muster, walked the aid stations, and was so happy to see Jonathan around mile 4.  He stayed with me on his bike until about mile 5, which was a huge help.  I wish I would have known to tell him to stay!  Miles 6-almost 10 were HELL.  It was a section that has a fence, so heat just radiates off of the fence and off of the asphalt at the same time.  The area could not have been any less than 120 degrees.  (Real outside temp was around 90.)  Just before mile 10, a guy from Wilmington was behind me and called out, "Come on, let's run to the next aid station!".  Yes sir, let's go!  We did intervals together for about 2 miles, which helped so so much.  I stopped to pee at mile 11 and that was a great decision.  I got a small second wind after that and caught back up to my new buddy Bobby around mile 12.25.  There was something about mile 12 that just gave me a boost.  The lake was calling, I guess.  I took a short walk break right about 12.5 and one of our friends helped me go again and keep on going to the finish.

The finish chute was great!  One friend ran me to it, I saw another at the turn in, then saw the whole rest of my crowd lining the chute.  It was awesome!  I had just enough energy left for a solid finish and a good picture, haha!

The adventure took me a lot longer than I had hoped, but I did it and never once felt like I wouldn't or couldn't finish it.

It only took me a few hours to admit that I'll probably do another one ... and a day to start looking up the next race ...  I guess I won't be taking this summer/fall off afterall!

Nutrition:
Tortellini with marinara for dinner Friday night
2 24oz bottles nuun on the bike
1 ~16oz water bottle on the bike
3 honey stinger waffles on the bike
~10 peanut butter pretzels on the bike
1.5 16oz bottles nuun on the run
Countless refill bottles of water (est. 4-5) on run
3 cups of ice on run
2 handfuls pretzels on the run

eta: Shout out to my awesome husband for a stellar 'tape these orthotics in these running shoes with electrical tape' job (worked like an absolute charm) and to RockTape.  I love RockTape so much that I have the tan lines to prove my never ending devotion.

Big Week!

1. This week is officially one month out from the race.  Panic mode incoming!

2. I knew my streak wouldn't last forever, but Sunday on my longest ride to date, I finally fell off my bike.  It was while I was trying to come to a stop, although I have no idea how it happened, but I've got the bumps, scratches, and bruises to show for it.  (It really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be...kind of more of a "well, that happened" moment.)

3. I officially got fed up with getting no help from two medical doctors about my ankle problems.  I broke down and went to a chiropractor Tuesday morning and I actually really think this guy may help me.  The others have just provided relief (oh wait, that's a lie, there's not really been much relief), and this guy is actually tackling the problem by using Active Release Technique in my calf (well, both calves, but more my left than my right).  The technique hurts, but not in a "stop" kind of way.  It's more of a hurts so good or a this hurts but I know this is doing some good.  The areas worked were sore almost immediately - topically and deep in the muscle.  This continued through the afternoon and evening, but I did go on a 5 mile run, keeping my orthotics in my shoes and minimally taping my ankles.  I am so happy to say that the run went great and I felt very minimal ankle pain during the run!  I was sore (from the therapy) and a little tight right after I stopped, but I iced for 15 minutes, which seemed to help.  It's now Wednesday morning and the deep muscle soreness is pretty much gone, though some topical soreness remains, just to the touch.  I used the foam roller last night, the stick this morning, and also did some stretching this morning.  My next appointment is in a week and I am so hopeful that yet another therapy session will begin to work wonders!
*eta (because I don't want to forget): The chiro also did an 'adjustment' on both my ankles. Not really sure what all that entails, but it didn't hurt and he said it helped the alignment or something like that ... :)

Back in Action!

I've finally done it!  I'm transitioning from my old blog to this family blog & I couldn't be more excited!  The old blog had slowly changed into more of a lifestyle and racing blog, so I wanted to create this new one for the new family racing adventures (more on that later).

Since I last posted, I turned 28, ran my 6th half-marathon, and watched my husband complete his first full Ironman.  It was certainly an exciting October.

Birthday weekend consisted of a family get together, watching the Kona Ironman World Championships online, a couple's massage, a little shopping, and dinner at my favorite restaurant!  Sadly I have been terrible about documenting stuff other than races lately, so no pictures!  I'll do better next time :)

My 6th half-marathon was an emotional race as I had been having ankle problems again.  These issues have been on-going for 2 years so it is infinitely frustrating.  For those interested, we believe it's a posterior tibial tendon issue.  I got a cortisone shot in my left ankle the Thursday before a Sunday race...for whatever good it did.

My long-standing goal for this race was to break two hours; however, with the worsening ankle problems I just wanted to finish without further injury.  It was a fun race geared toward women and I got to run it with a good friend who was in town for the weekend.  I felt great and had no pain until about the 8.5 mile mark.  I was taped up on both ankles, and I'm wondering if that was the cause of some of my knee pain on the downhills of the race.  And let me tell you, there were plenty of downhills, especially after the 8.5 mile mark.  Regardless, we made it to the finish in under 2:30 - not a PR, but I had to take the finish as a victory.  The weather was nice and my husband, best friend, and parents were waiting for me at the finish line.  I got a little teary from the disappointment of not reaching my original goal, but I am so glad I did it and figured out my nutrition - nuun tabs & a honey stinger waffle!

Next up: I'm married to an Ironman!