Jo's Race Journal @ IMLP

Thanks to everyone for your support and encouragement! I had a great time in Placid….mostly. I love the town, love the spirit and camaraderie. Team Mojo came along with me and it was wonderful to share the experience with family this time. I have never laughed as much in four days as I did in Lake Placid. Thanks to my youngest daughter Erica for organizing and leading the pep squad. When I had very significant stomach problems on the run, the rookie fans divided themselves up and were found all over the last part of the run course to ensure I made it to the line. I didn’t know my Mom was such a runner- I think she should consider taking up the sport! Team Mojo is famous, having their pictures taken by newspapers, strangers, IM officials… throughout the day. They were easy to spot on the course. How is it that I’ve now finished two IMs but have never made the highlight video and the Team managed to do it in their inaugural year?

The days leading up to the race were filed with some light training while the others toured the sights of the Adirondacks, strolls up and down the main street and visits to Ben and Jerry’s. It was fantastic to be staying at the same location as Lynn Dowswell and her family from Orillia and to get to see Christian from time to time. Unfortunately, Genevieve and I didn’t get to meet up until the run course. She was a welcomed sight when things were not going well.

If you are not a fussy person I would HIGHLY recommend staying at the National Sports Academy. The location is unbelievable. All three sports could be viewed by family and friends from the window, I could use the washrooms there instead of the port potty lineups, put my wetsuit on in the dining hall… It was a few hundred metres from the swim start, a few hundred from transition and right on the bike and run course (right between the Town Hall and the Brewery for those of you who know the area). Meals were also included with the rooms. This also made it extremely convenient for family. Other competitors were so jealous.

No nerves at the swim start. How cool is that? I started about halfway over and near the front as it seems easier to be swum over than to get boxed in. The swim was insanely congested and there was a lot of bumping. I received one male shoulder to my nose that hurt for quite a while but I managed to relax and the eyes cleared after a while. I was happy with my 1:17 something swim which was a couple minutes faster than Penticton and met my goal perfectly.

Transition went well and the bike was very civilized. The bike was my fear because of some issues I have with my right leg but I kept my cadence high throughout and didn’t suffer at all. My heart rate was really reasonable throughout and I ate and drank according to the plan. The head wind on the hard part of the course between Wilmington and Placid was felt! I loved hearing Alan’s voice at the Aid Station on the 2nd loop- thanks Al! My goal was to be 15 minutes longer on the bike than at IMC because of my leg and to come out feeling strong. I finished in 7:02 and was 6:47 at IMC. How cool is that? I was feeling some minor stomach cramps at the end of the bike but figured they would go away as soon as I was finally upright.

T2 went well and I left town smiling although my stomach was hurting. It got worse quickly and turned into what I can only describe as full on labour pains. Stitches or cramps don’t even begin to explain the feeling. Nothing would make them go away and I tried everything. If I had of gone to the medics there is no way they were letting me go. Lucky I didn’t find a shotgun- I may have put myself out of my misery. I definitely made some mistakes nutritionally this time that I need to figure out. Something to do with freezing Sustained Energy for my second three hour bottle, making my drinks with the local chlorinated water, too much protein with my breakfast or a combination of the factors. My training and fitness was very similar to IMC. Thanks to Christian, Paula and Genevieve for your encouragement. I was not in a happy place. Hope I didn’t scare you too much. Crazy that I was so worried about my leg and that it held up so well. The second half of my humbling “slither” was somewhat better after I spewed about five buckets of water from my stomach, much to the dismay of one of the lovely volunteers at the aid station at the bottom of the hill heading back into town. The pain was still too much to run but power walking was possible. With about 8 km left to go the pain went down significantly and I was able to run. It felt so good. Even though it was the only real uphill part of the course, it was the most liberating feeling to really use my legs. David AKA Rex was a great support at the Boathouse aid station. Thanks Rex. Glad I didn’t scare you off signing up! I also realized that I could finish in under 16 hours . 15:55- (yikes- far off my goal of 13:30). As I ran into the Oval, the crowd was supportive and I finished with the “Iron Friar” of Placid who has done all 12 of the IMLP races. Then I got thinking that with the disaster of a day that it turned out to be, I might as well have stretched it out another hour and I could have been really famous by coming in at midnight (one way to make the highlight video).

If I blank the run out of my mind, I had the most amazing time in Lake Placid. I feel very grateful to finish the race considering the day. After cleaning up at the room and going back to cheer the last of the group in, I booted up the computer and registered for Switzerland for next year. Brute for punishment.

My body recovered really quickly and I was able to run and swim by Wednesday. The only part I still feel is my abs. After contracting for 42 km I should have abs of steel for life. There must be some silver lining hidden in there some where (?)

Time for a drink of water. I’m tasting chicken broth and gels after writing this report…
Thanks to all my Baydog Friends-in- Training,