DNF in Hawaii Ironman Worldchampionship.

Yep, that was my first DNF, dropped out of Ironman race in 10 years. How do I feel about it ???, not so good. Although a decision I've made was right.

I got this injury on the bottom of my foot, which going on already for more than 3 months. It doesn't feel like it a bad one, but it doesn't let me run without pain, it's just there all the time. I can't get any diagnose right now, because I am in US at the moment and I can't afford it and I don't want to finish the season earlier. I thought I can do a few more races and I did. After Ironman 70.3 in Augusta I treated my foot as well as I could: massages, icing, acupuncture.... it felt much better. At the race day I felt good. And everything else was fine, like the time when you feel that everything fits together, like in puzzles. I was calm, of course I had a small butterfly in my stomach a day before the race (it's very normal before such a big event). 

Race day. We get into water about 10-15 min. before start. And it felt a little bit chill, but I though: "it's probably a last time today when I feel cold". I was right it was one of the hottest days in Kona. I swam with plenty of people around me all swim course and it felt fast, but my swim time was the same like in 2007 (hope water was flatter back then :)) But I came out of the water with bunch if people and I was in the right spot. So on the bike I wasn't alone, I had 3-5 girls I could keep eye on. It was a god pace to be in and I felt pretty confident on the bike. After Hy Wee turn around it was windy, not crazy windy, but normal Hawaii wind. At the end of bike course I still had a power to pass a few people. And I was ready to start a marathon. 1 mile mark behind, 2 miles mark behind, 3...., I started feel it, the pain in my foot and I already knew how I'll feel in 1 or 2 hours. Should I damage myself now and make it last race of the season (I also knew that with this kind of pain no way I can make it to top 10 and maybe even walking at the end of the marathon) or try to heal during another 4 weeks and do Ironman Florida, which I planed to do anyway. After 5 ml mark I made a decision I stopped running and started to walk to make it back to transition aria. On the way back I walked by the hotel, where we stayed, and I needed something to drink, so I went to the hotel took a shower, got plenty of water and wend back to the transition to see how Ironman people finish this day. 

I thought I can handle it, but then people kept asking me how did I do and there was too many times saying: "I didn't finish" and to many times hearing "Oh, I am sorry". But there is nothing to be sorry about. It just an injury, which I'll take care of after Ironman Florida. Yes, I'll give it another try and I am doing Ironman Florida.

Hard training in high altitude payed back.

Last couple weeks of preparation for Hawaii Ironman I've decided to train in high altitude in my favorite place in US, Los Alamos, NM. It not just about beautiful aria and awesome nature, it also about Los Alamos people, my friends and very quiet atmosphere of this town. I already know what to expect from the training in high altitude and how hard it is, but I like how preparation in high altitude pays me back later. 

I stayed in Los Alamos for full 4 weeks, first week is the hardest one: I feel always sleepy, second and third day pass usually with heavy headache; during the bike rides I feel no power, even jogging puts my heard rate too high. Then comes 5th day of acclimatization when I barely can move and feel extremely lazy, but after that day I usually start feel better, although still not that powerful like when I train at the sea level. 

Each weekend I did either a race or long training with my friend Clay Moseley (pro cyclist in past).  I've done Salida triathlon in Colorado and a sprint Patriot triathlon near Albuquerque. My time were passing very fast in New Mexico, somehow it's never boring, thanks my friends Dina and Clay. 

After I came back from New Mexico I planed to do one more race, Ironman 70.3, Augusta, before Ironman World championship in Kona. This event took part yesterday in Augusta, Georgia. 

About the race: I was very lucky, like most people who doesn't conceder themselves as a strong swimmer, with the swim course. The swim course was set in a river , it was one way swim with the same direction of a current . The bike segment was a part of the course what I was most proud of. I still felt good on the run, but it was hard to keep up with such a strong runners like Laura Bennet, Kelly Williamson, Desiree Fiker, plus the foot injury made me miss most of my running intervals. At the finish line I was very happy with my result, so far it is the fastest Half Ironman for me: 4h. 22 min. 36" and 4th place overall. I guess high altitude training is paying back.

Ironman 70.3 results; pictures

Ironman Lake Placid.

I guess number 4 is my favorite number. That's the place in Ironman where I finished most. Let see: Ironman Arizona 2005 and 2008, Ironman Austria 2008, Ironman Florida 2006 and now Ironman Lake Placid 2009 again 4th place. But in my case I am pretty happy with my results. I wasn't sure if will able to go through marathon. The problem was, that I got injured 10 days before the Ironman. It was a foot injury, which caused a knee pain. I've tried to get well before the race, but there was not enough time. Thanks Trigger point and Cassidy, who took care of my injured leg two days before the Ironman, it really helped a lot. 

The swim and bike passe very well, I felt very confident on the bike, although I didn't expect such a hilly course. Finally I learned how to use a Power Tap and download to my computer. I had 178 W. average and 86 cadence and 50.33 ml/h on the dissent hill :)   

I still wasn't sure about my run, but the first loop felt surprisingly good. I guess it was adrenalin I got from running behind the mountain bike with a sign on it "3d woman". By the time Caitlin Snow passed me I was a bit broken. Then I got some other problems except keeling pain from knee and the foot, like diarrhea and dehydration at the end. So, I spent a few hours in the medical tent after my finish. In spite my troubles during a marathon run, 4th place is good, right??? :) I want to say spacial thank you to Cassidy (Trigger Point Therapy), to Tristan (team Timex manager),  to Larry ( photographer) to the guys, who helped me out at the medical tent for all your help and support.