IMC 2009 Cindy's RR

[Cindybigglestone]

The week leading up to this race was perfect except for the lack of sleep, for some reason I was unable to get more then 4 to 5 hours a night.

Race day

Breakfast was a plain bagel with honey not toasted since the toaster we borrowed turning the fire alarm off at 4 am that will get those folks back for talking loudly in the hallways all night! Had a super strong cup of coffee that gave me a huge jolt after not having caffeine for two weeks then started sipping on eload and plain water. Got to transition by 5:30 am pumped up my tires checked all my bags and went back up to the room.

Swim - started to the right with Deb, tried to stay on her feet but she was out a there (great swim Deb!!) Stayed just inside of the buoy line and had an easy uneventful swim and a PR for me 1:22

T1 - sat on the grass to put on my helmet and shoes, peed grabbed my bike ... go time!
2:40

Bike 5:47 - 2500 athletes out there this year to make this a frustratingly crowded bike course. I refuse to draft and hate to get caught up in all that crap. Heading out to Osoyoos was a bit to fast but with the tail wind I didn't feel like I was working too hard. I realized that same wind later on the course turns into a head wind so I tried to back off as much as I could. I enjoyed the bike and felt great up until Yellow Lake where the wind was horrible. It was nice to see Ben, Chris and Maureen in the beginning of the climb for some much needed motivation. Going around Yellow Lake then coming down it is usually the time you can spin out your legs and get ready for the run. This year with the wind it was hard work all the way back to T2 which made for a tough run.

T2 2:26 - I love that we don't have to rack our own bike! I gave my bike to a volunteer got my run bag, sat on the grass put on my visor and shoes peed and left

Run - This is were I was planning on making up on having a slower bike time. As we all know in triathlon there is no such thing as a good bike split unless its followed by a solid run. I did back off on the bike more then usual this year but that wind on yellow lake would catch up to me on the run. First few miles I went out as slow as I could to gather my self and get in a good mind set. It was around mile three the cola started kicking in and I felt good. Kept a steady pace and got to the turn around in 2:00 hours I was hoping to get there in 1:50 oh well. The way back is hillier but I felt good still and was able to run all the hills. Didn't really start to feel horrible until mile 19 to 20. There were so many people walking at this point and it looked so tempting. I stuck with it though and was happy to cross the line in 4:09, 19 minutes slower then last year.

It was a fun race to see all our Vo2 athletes out on course and doing so well. A lot of good cheers from the crowds and good feelings through out the day. Thank you!!!!!

If I've learned anything in the last 12 years of racing triathlons its to take time off when needed. I've been fortunate enough to never be injured other then the little niggle here and there but nothing to keep me from the sport or forcing me to take time off. It saddened me last year when I didn't sign up for 2009 so in the excitement of Honu I grabbed a spot. Since then Ben has been witness to my lack of training in the last couple month. He has done everything a great coach could do to get me to the start line. With out his help I would not of raced. I am very happy I raced yesterday and that I listened to Ben.

I am going to take a year off Ironman since it would seem that is what my body is asking for. I hope to continue in this sport well into my later years and look forward to doing this with a healthy body.

Thanks for all the kind words and cheers it truly does helps while going through both the rough patches and the good times of a long day. We have an amazing team here and I am excited for the future.

[HansLund]

Nice, nice Cindy - for some reason I am pretty sure you wore your signature smile out there Sunday

I think it is smart of you to take a year off, then come back and smoke them in 2011

Ohh, and I found the prefect B&B for you and Ben, stay tuned......

[max]

Good job and well done on doing so well with a lot less training. Sounds like a tough day out there on the bike but you pushed through it and came in with a good time. I have only done one Ironman and I am having a year off next year as well

[eriks]

Great job!! Especially fighting the temptation to walk on the run.

Enjoy your time off!!

[jrplatt]

Nice job on the race. I like your plan of taking a year off of IM racing...sometimes we get so caught up in training, planning, thinking about IM that we forget about everything else going on in life!

Great job out there Cindy. It sounds like it was a tough day on the bike with the headwind -way to push through the run!
I am very impressed with your discipline to listen to your body and to take a year off from Ironmans. Enjoy the time to do all of the other fun things life has to offer
Congrats on a great race.

Originally Posted by Cindybigglestone

T1 - sat on the grass to put on my helmet and shoes, peed grabbed my bike ... go time!
2:40

T2 2:26 - I love that we don't have to rack our own bike! I gave my bike to a volunteer got my run bag, sat on the grass put on my visor and shoes peed and left

Wait a second, I've never thought of a Transition Combat Pee before! Now *that* is innovative, not to mention good for the environment. Did you invent that?

I didn't realize you came in as light as you did on the training, great to get a swim PR and you did have a solid bike for sure. Solid race, good way to wrap it up for a bit.

[andrew]

love the report cindy....well done, 4:09 is fantastic - i would be delighted if i could run that well!

[Heidi]

Congratulations on a great race Cindy! Oh, to run like you! What will you do with all of your free time this coming year?

Excellent job Cindy. I'm so glad you decided to race because it was a blast checking you out on Ironman.com all day. You did a great job, seriously. Your an amazing athlete and super glad you and Ben are our teachers. Kev