Blog changes

Thanks to everyone who followed Training Because I Can! over the last nine years. This blog started with Addison's Disease, hypothyroidism and a crazy idea of doing an Ironman distance triathlon. My life has changed and so has this blog. I am using this blog strictly for Addison's Support topics from here on out. I hope to continue providing people with hints for living life well with adrenal insufficiency.

Monday, August 6, 2007

Vineman 2007 Race Report

OK folks, here's the race report with pictures and video. If it's too boring, skip the reading and watch the videos (0r not!). Enjoy!

Race day started at 4:30 am, we had to eat and then drive 3o minutes to the race start from our motel. We arrived at the beach in just enough time to park, use the rest room, get marked with my race numbers and quickly meet the NorCal ladies that showed up and volunteered. Thanks to all of the NorCal ladies for showing up and volunteering for the race!!

Trice writing my race number on me



Me showing Trice my bad iron-on on my wet suit



A bag of presents from Trice

Right after meeting, greeting and receiving presents, I racked up my bike and my gear. The race started at 6:55 am for me in the Russian River. The water was 75 degrees and had no detectable current. The water was warmer than the air so it wasn't hard for me to hop in and await the starting horn. The horn went off and this is what it looked like. It wasn't scary at all. The mist on the river was beautiful!!



Running out of the river after a 2.4 mile swim to the transition area. I'm smiling because I don't have to drive over to Jackson, Wyoming to swim in the pool anymore unless I really want to.



Stripping down in the transition area. Getting ready for a 112 mile bike ride. I actually got naked in the transition area. My husband says I'm the only person who took off all of my clothes!!
The bike ride was beautiful and the terrain was much more challenging than I had expected. It was so fun to ride through so many vineyards. I was thinking of it as a very fast, supported bike tour. The low altitude definitely worked to my advantage, I felt good when I was riding.

I'm the one in hot pink. This was the start of the bike leg.


My awesome husband, who was also my support crew for the last 9 months, strategically placed this NADF banner where the bike riders came in for their rides and the runners came in for each lap! Awesome banner placement Paul!! All of the triathletes passed this banner 7 times.


The run was nice and went through a neighborhood. It was a 4.35 mile out and back loop that we did 3 times. Each time we turned around, near the NADF banner, we got a glow in the dark bracelet. I love glow in the dark stuff so getting 2 bracelets made me super happy.

End of lap one of the run, start of lap 2





End of lap two of the run, start of the third and final lap


The video of my finish is in a post below. Paul was waiting for me and cheering for me at the finish. I was hoping for a little bit more of a turn out from the NADF ladies. :( Steph, I know you tried, thank you.

My final time was 13:16:51. I'm definitely happy with it! I think proper medication (Hydrocortisone, florinef), hydration, eating and enough sodium during the race was very important and contributed to my success.

I was very sore on Sunday. Getting out of the car for breaks during our 10 hour driving stint yesterday was pretty painful! Today, Monday, I'm sore but not terribly so. I feel like this means I've done my training well (or I didn't try hard enough during the race!!!).

Exciting things that happened!
Some of you may or may not know, Paul and I are big Ultimate Fighting fans. As I was running I saw one of the fighters we watch on TV. He was kicking my butt. The guy fights for a living, what do you expect? His name is Nick Diaz.

Another cool thing that happened was that a guy asked Paul to take a picture of him on the morning of the race with his significant other. This guy looked familiar to me but I was nervous about the start of the race and I did not say anything. I saw him at the end of the third run lap too. Suddenly, I realized I knew who he was and I said, "Is your name Jimmy?" He looked surprised and said, "Yeah!" It turns out that he and I had corresponded via email last fall because of his awesome, inspirational website: ATC 100 I guess I recognized him from looking at his website. He has a very charismatic spirit (don't make fun of me for saying this you guys, I know I don't usually say stuff like this but it's true!!) . I went to shake his hand and he gave my stinky body a big, welcoming hug. It's always fun to meet people in person that you've corresponded with online, especially when they motivate you to do more and go farther.

QUESTIONS??
If you've got questions for me about the tri that I did not answer above, please make a comment and I'll answer it for you. :)




2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Dusty!!!

I am so HAPPY for you! What an amazing race. I know you would conquer the Vineman course like nobody's business!

Hmmm...lots of questions:

What was the hardest part of your race?

What tasted the best along the course?

Was the swim physical?

Any technical issues on the bike?

How were the Aid Stations?

How was your energy throughout each leg?

What was the toughest challenge to break through?

I know, I know - you can wait to tell me in person!

Congrats my friend...you trained so hard for this race and your committment completely paid off!

I am very proud to call you my friend!

You rock!

--Colleen

ps - I am back in Idaho on Sunday - can't wait to hear more!!

Lisa Smith-Batchen said...

Dusty!

yeah for you..way to go girl..great race. You look so wonderful in all the photos..we cant wait to get a first hand in person account of your race.
Rest my friend, you have earned it:)
Lisa