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Lanzarote Update #3 - Race Report
Posted May 20, 2007 12:21 PM
Ironman Lanzarote 2007 - A Dream Fulfilled.
See Lanzarote photos in the gallery.
In 2005, Bob and I spent 10 days in Kona sightseeing and spectating at IMHawaii. It was such an amazing experience that I was inspired to begin a quest to ultimately compete at that race - the World Championships of Ironman racing. The only way to compete is to obtain a qualifying spot by winning your age group (for women anyway - there are more spots for men in the age groups) or by being lucky enough to be chosen in the IMH lottery (odds 1 in about 1000). After entering the lottery for a couple of years with no results (we know people who have entered 8 times in a row and never been lucky enough to be selected) I decided to try to determine which Ironman race in the world had the best odds for qualification. As I am not fast enough to win my age group in any of the North American races I gravitated to Ironman Lanzarote as for the past 5 years there were less than 5 in my age group. In August of 2006 I officially registered for the 2007 race, as did Christiane. We committed to being training partners for the race that is billed as the Toughest Ironman Race in the World!
We were so incredibly lucky this year as race morning had minimal wind and was quite cool with a layer of clouds which kept the searing rays of sun to an acceptable level. As planned, Christiane and I started far to the right side of the main pack of swimmers. It was very difficult to sight as the ocean had appreciable swells and swimmers were everywhere. As I passed the second buoy which directs you back to the start I checked my watch and saw that 27 minutes had elapsed. I thought that I was going to end up with a swim time closer to 2 hours at that rate, but luckily the return section to shore went much faster and when I exited the first loop my watch read 41 minutes. The second loop was 40 minutes so I was obviously swimming a very steady pace despite the many swimmers around me. I was very pleased with the swim as there is a strong current and I had prerace anticipated that my swim time would be closer to 1:30. My goggles did not leak, I swallowed minimal amounts of seawater, I didn't get pummelled by anyone and I didn't swim too far off course on the first lap. It was all good!!
A long run from the beach, through the wonderful showers to rinse off the salt water, into transition to grab the bike bag and then into the change tent to prepare for the bike leg. My transition time was quite long, about 10-12 minutes or so, but considering all the distance from the beach to the change tent I was pleased. I was also thrilled to see that I was first out of the water of the three women in the 50-54 age group.
The bike leg was very challenging especially considering that Christiane and I had not been able to do any (not one!) long ride outdoors in our training due to the cold and wet winter and spring that Victoria experienced this year. Thankfully we had been able to download a computer generated program of the bike course and were able to cycle indoors, on our CompuTrainers. Without that we never would have been prepared for the constant, never ending, soul sapping hills that are everywhere on Lanzarote. The course covers the entire island and goes through the lava fields, up high into the hills to vistas overlooking the neighbouring island of Los Gracioso, past salt fields, and through picturesque villages that dot the island. Some of the sights were literally jawdropping. Luckily the wind, while definately present and challenging, was not as strong as in previous years and allowed some time to sightsee during the race!
I felt very strong on the bike and my nutrition plan was working very well. The only time I felt my resolve wavering was when there was one last, unexpected, hill at the 165km point. The course we had been practicing on was from a race a couple of years ago and there must have been a slight modification to the route since then. When practicing, it was clear sailing downhill into Puerto del Carmen from the 165km point onwards. In reality there was one last son of a bitch hill!! I almost cried when I saw it, but dug deep and continued pedalling. Finally at the 170km point the promised descent into town emerged.
Coming off the bike I had a little reality check. As the volunteer steadied my bike and I swung my leg over to dismount I almost pitched forward onto the ground. I was totally dizzy and disoriented. I realized that perhaps I had cycled harder than normal but not knowing if the other woman in my age group would pass me at any time I had to give it my all. Grabbing my run bag I saw that the other woman's bag (#114) was still hung up next to mine - yessss! That meant she hadn't completed the bike portion yet. In the change room I took some time to decompress and absorb the fact that I was still in first place and that the slot to Kona was mine to lose if I didn't give the run my all.
As in previous years, my long distance run training had been curtailed with niggling injuries and I had made the decision to not flare up those injuries before the race by frequent long runs and just dig deep and keep moving on race day. Normally I totally listen to my body and if walking is what is needed then that's what I'll do. This time though I had a sense of urgency of not knowing if or when I would be passed. As it was a four loop run course (5.25km out and same on the way back) there was a chance to check each woman coming from the opposite direction and see their race number. Not once did I see #114 but some people were wearing their numbers on the back instead of the front or had them obscured with their clothing so I couldn't know for sure if my competition was out there. I made the decision to go for extra energy and run on coke alone. There were 3 aid stations on the way out and the same on the way back x 4, and I had 2 - 3 gulps of coke at each station so all in all I figure I had the equivalent of 75 gulps of coke. This would explain why I slept for a total of about 2 hours after the race - I was totally wired!
The first two loops went quite well and I managed to run approx 95% of the time only stopping as I went through the aid stations. During the third loop things began to go downhill. None of my previous problems with feet or knees presented themselves - something entirely new decided to flare up. My glute medius on the left side felt like it completely shut down. Running was excruciating as I couldn't lift that leg properly and when I did I had a jolt of pain with each step. Walking wasn't much of an improvement. I gutted out the third loop and then realized that if I stood a chance of finishing I would have to walk the fourth loop. By this time it was dark but there were still a lot of competitors out on the course. I walked most of the fourth loop constantly expecting my competition to pass me at any moment. Approximately 4 kms from the finish I saw Axel, the ex-husband of the rental agent that we had dealt with for our apartment rental. Axel had been a real help this past week, driving us around the bike course and generally being available to help us in any way we needed. Axel thought that my competition was still behind me. This gave me the extra jolt of energy to decide to run if I possibly could. I walked the next two kms which have an uphill grade to them, and then as I approached the lively portion of the main road leading into Puerto del Carmen I went for it and decided to leave everything out on the course. I've never hurt like I hurt running in but the encouragement from the crowd and the approaching bright lights of the finish line were like a beacon. Coming across the finish line tape was the absolute best feeling in the world. I posed for a photo and then absolutely fell to pieces! I reached for the back side of the finish line structure and vainly tried to hold myself up (hopefully this doesn't make it onto the highlights DVD!) Luckily two volunteers rushed forward and grabbed my arms before I did a face plant and rushed me into the medical tent where I was administered an IV and had a lovely hour long enforced and monitored rest period. However, when it was time to leave I required the assistance of four (yes four!) individuals to stand up from the cot on which I had been lying. My quads had totally frozen and I just couldn't straighten my legs to stand up!
Having seen Christiane just heading out on her fourth loop as I approached the finish line I knew that she would finish quite close to midnight. After exiting the medical tent I approached the race director to ask if I could place the finisher's medal around Christiane's neck when she crossed the finish line. After waiting about half an hour, and approximately 15 minutes before the midnight cutoff Christiane appeared in the finish line chute and mere moments later we were hugging. I then gave her the medal which she richly deserved having made the bike cutoff with a mere 5 minutes to spare and the finish cutoff by less than 15 minutes. She worked so hard during the race and during all the long winter months of training and was a real inspiration.
After a wonderful massage we headed back, very slowly, to the apartment. I then went out again to phone Bob from a payphone nearby. He had been trying to follow the race throughout the day but unfortunately coverage had been sketchy. It wasn't until I'd finished that it appeared that I had, in actuality, won my age group. The third woman was not showing up on the results listing so it would appear that she did not make the bike cutoff in time and was disqualified. I'm glad I didn't know that at the time, because I'm really proud of my ability to dig down so deep to find reserves of energy to complete the marathon in the way I did.
This morning, the day after the race, I was amazed to wake up to find that I could, after all, manage to walk with only slight discomfort. The benefit of a great massage, plus a liberal slathering of traumeel gel all over my legs before heading to bed appears to have jumpstarted the healing process.
I drove out to Club La Santa where the Hawaii slots were being announced and was overjoyed to hear my name called out for the W50-54 age group. $475US later I was the proud receipient of a certificate stating that I had qualified to compete at the Hawaii Ironman World Championships on October 13th. The bottle of champagne that has been sitting in our fridge since our arrival will definately be popped tonight!
The IMLanzarote race was such an incredible experience. It's a very well run race on an amazing course. Most definately the hardest physical thing that I've ever attempted (and thanfully completed). Some magical moments from the day were seeing the Race Director a few moments before the race blow me a kiss of good luck; being awestruck by the rugged beauty of the island while cycling; seeing the dazzling fireworks set off at midnight through the open massage tent wall while lying on a cot having my leg muscles pummelled; and finally talking to Bob after the race and hearing the joy in his voice as I told him of my race experience.
Will I return to attempt the course again? This will be up to Bob as now he would like to do an international IM in 2008. I would love to come back to Lanzarote next year and have both of us race the course. Stay tuned!
