News
Christiane's IMC 2006 Race Report
Posted September 1, 2006 10:00 PM
The following race report was written by Christiane Selenz
Out of my Comfort Zone
I did it!
Yippeeeeeeee!
But, I was definitely out of my comfort zone!
When I joined the YMCA Triathlon Club many years ago, in 1991, my only motivation was to get into better physical condition. I had no intention of ever signing up for any race during those early years, as I couldn't even imagine myself ever being physically capable of completing one.
I was happy when I had finished a run. When it came to swimming, I had to start with the basics and attempt to master the crawl. As I did not own a suitable bike, I then had to do some research and go out and buy one, to commence training. I reluctantly continued my training, more as an obligation, a way to improve my physical condition and a way to stay healthy more than an interesting new hobby. Never did I regard it as an enjoyable new interest, an enjoyable way to relax, consequently, I kept my hours of training to a bare minimum.
I will always be grateful to Connie Shaw, who early on in the process, took me "under her wing" and gave me much needed support, help and her unconditional friendship. It was she, who kept me training at a comfortable pace, over so many years, as it was not, at that time a big priority in my life to work out and to devote the necessary time to it. In a constant conflict to go sailing in the summer or skiing in the winter, many scheduled training hours at the Y got dropped. I was always just a casual triathlete and I was quite happy with that. In actual fact, it was the social aspect of the Club, which I always enjoyed more than the training activities.
Over the years, I watched in awe other members of the club, as they worked their way up to the "Big Event Ironman". I never for a moment, contemplated that it could ever be a possibility for me, to reach their level of fitness and certainly not a likelihood that I would be able to complete a full Iron Man event.
As I began to approach the end of my forties I realized, age is creeping up on me and that was surely out of my comfort zone!! I had to achieve something, which would fulfill my desire to remain fit, as I grew older.
I surprised myself when I came up with the idea that "Ironman" could be the means to an end - the possibility of completing successfully a new and exciting challenge in my life, as I hit the BIG 50.
With the support of my training buddies, Connie and Pam White, we traveled to Penticton at the end of August 2005 so that I could sign up for the 2006 event. It was an incredible experience as a spectator to watch the race. Yes, many of you experienced "old timers" had told me that already, many years ago, just what an inspiring experience it was to be present in Penticton to see it firsthand. However, at the same time it was very scary for me to contemplate whether or not I could endure such a "grueling" physical test.
We volunteered to work in the Finish area, "handing out" bikes to the participants as they completed the race. This experience increased my respect for the participants' hours of hard training and the level of physical fitness they had achieved.
Having made this decision to be a competitor in the 2006 event, my everyday work/social schedules were adjusted in many ways to achieve this new goal to train hard and be prepared for Summer 2006. This entailed selling my boat, rearranging my work hours and drastically reducing the activities in my "social" calendar, reducing time spent on other pursuits. I began to focus very seriously on a training schedule, one which would ensure that I would achieve the required fitness level.
In Carolyn Gebbie I found a wonderful and understanding trainer, who carefully guided me into this new training lifestyle. With many training hours and information she helped me to train my body more and harder than I would have ever imagined possible. In former years, hours spent training has been more of an imposition rather than being something I enjoyed. In 2006, training became my top priority and it became gradually, surprise, surprise, a totally enjoyable experience shared always with great training companions.
On frequent occasions, training moved out of "my comfort zone" - completing long bike rides up and down the peninsular, long swims, very early on cold mornings in Thetis Lake, runs and hiking sessions and lengthy training in swimming pools and gyms. To this day, Carolyn, I am still amazed how you succeeded in getting me "out" to all those training sessions. Not to mention persuading me to get out of bed on those so early morning starts, several times a week. You are quite an amazing woman and I can never thank you enough for all your help, your experience, and careful guidance.
At the Half Iron Man event, I still couldn't conceive that I would be capable of completing the whole Iron Man course. Only when we completed a training weekend in Penticton, a month or so before the actual event, was I able to entertain the real possibility that I could conquer the course.
Looking back, I spent a greater part of my days training. It has been a lot of training and my life completely centered around it. The total process, although very hard and difficult at times, has been very rewarding. I have definitely reached my goal to attain my fittest year I have ever experienced in my lifetime and I achieved the very ambitious goal I set myself last summer. The ensuing months have changed my whole attitude towards training and to my surprise I truly began to enjoy it, I believe it has become addictive. So much so - that I've already signed up for next year's Iron Man in Penticton - the 25th anniversary year!
A few words in closing about this year's Iron Man. I had a great day - very hard on the body - hard training was key to enjoying it to it's fullest. I am very grateful that I had the luxury to be able to devote so much time and resources to preparing myself adequately. At the outset of it all, I never considered myself to be a serious athlete.
To be a part of the event is a soul-stirring experience - the start of the swimming leg, is almost beyond description, 2,350 participants entering the water in a "mass" start as the starting cannon roared. The feeling of elation as I rode my bike out through the starting gate, the throngs of wonderful spectators who lined the road out of Penticton, the groups of people of all ages who gathered at points along the course to shout words of encouragement and praise and again, on the long run home, fewer spectators now, but no less warm in their support and then the final dash to the Finish Line with the noise of the cheering crowds and loud music. A very dramatic moment - one of relief and subdued thankfulness. It wasn't easy but it was well worth it AND, I made it!!
