Hi Everyone!
This was my second Ironman race! I went back to Mont-Trembant, Quebec, Canada because it was such a beautiful venue and because I wanted to see if I could improve on the course. It was great to have my family and my parents and Mary's parents with us to experience this year's Ironman! We never did get a full family photo with everyone in their Team McDowell shirts!!! What were we thinking??
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It was a cold and dark start to the day - about 49-51 degrees heading out to the swim start at 5:15am. The sky was still dark with night and the echoes from the loudspeaker down at the transition could be heard from our condo up the hill. We all left together, Mary, the kids, my parents and Mary's parents to transition where I had to unwrap the grocery bags with which I had covered my bike seat and handlebars to protect them from the rain we had gotten overnight. Then I proceeded to the body marking station and afterwards we began the .75 mile walk to the swim start. The day was dawning as we began the walk with a solid stream of participants and their loved ones. We arrived at the beach and live announcers began their commentating. The pros hit the water at 6:35am. The water looked calm and the sun was behind thick grey clouds. The forecast showed only 20% chance of showers for the morning and afternoon with some clearing midday. I got my wetsuit on and gave big hugs to each of my family members before making my way through the crowds of participants lined up in the corral to the warm up swim area. I was able to swim for about 8-10 mins. Each wave had a countdown and fireworks shot out from the pillars of the corral indicating the start. My wave, women 40+, was the last wave to start and we began at 7:00am, which meant that we would be the only wave to truly have midnight as our finishing cut off.
I had a good start to the swim and quickly found another swimmer's feet with which I could draft off. Every time I tried to pull away from her I wasn't able to pass her, so I just stayed at her feet and snaked through the pack of swimmers from previous waves. The lake got a bit choppy at the first turn buoy, at about the mile mark. I went ahead of the woman I was drafting because she slowed down and I was on my own to forage through the hundreds of swimmers ahead of me. I had no issues with this swim, of which I am thankful. The sun stayed behind the clouds except for a few moments so when I took my breath I wasn't blinded by the sun. I finished in 1:12 and saw my kids and neighbors of mine who summer up in Mont-Tremblant right at the swim exit and Mary and everyone else was further up the road to transition #1.
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| Swim Exit picture by Abbey Roy |
The transition is set up in a huge tent (about the length of a football field but just a little narrower) with our transition gear all lined up in bags for us to grab and make way to the changing area. Volunteers were there to help us if we needed anything and my volunteer helped me to put gloves on over my wet fingers. It was still in the low 50s and super cloudy so I decided to put on my QT2 bike jacket over my race kit to stay warm. Since I did this race last year I was familiar with what lay ahead of me on the bike course. I put so much time into my bike training this year, so I knew the distance wasn't an issue, but rather how I executed the course. I spent the first loop being patient - aware that my heart rate wasn't as high as my race strategy plan suggested and my power numbers were also low. Once I got off the highway portion on the first loop I started to build up my heart rate and power as I weaved through the back roads heading back towards the short steep section near transition. I got a huge pick-me-up from the crowds by transition and seeing Mary and her parents as I made my way up the hill section. I checked my halfway time on the bike course and wasn't pleased - I needed to pick it up. On the second loop I focused on hitting all of my metrics and was able to make significant headway. The sky was still heavy with grey clouds and it looked as if rain was coming. Being familiar with the course was helpful mentally and knowing I would be able to take advantage of the tail wind on the back side of the highway portion kept me motivated (there was a significant head wind on the way out to the turn around point). I, again, was grateful for the spectators and family shout-outs as I gave the bike course my final push before transition #2. My final bike time was 6:18, 9 minutes faster than last year. I wondered if I was too conservative on the first loop.
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| 2nd Loop on Bike Course |
At T2 I quickly grabbed my gear bag and changed my pee-soaked socks, grabbed my visor, banana, and race belt and bolted onto the run course. This is where I shine (at least that is what I told myself). I was happy with negative splitting the bike portion but had some doubts that I didn't give it enough. Only the run would tell - if you expend too much energy on the bike it all catches up to you by mile 23 (or earlier) on the run. I shoved my banana in my mouth as I left transition and fumbled with my race belt (and eventually dropped it and had to lean down and pick it up). I was greeted by cheers of fans and my family as I took off for loop #1 of the run. The rolling hills through old Tremblant village to the flat bike path are difficult to navigate. I checked my heart rate and pace and made sure it all fit with my rate of perceived exersion. I was on target and enjoyed being on my feet again. I enjoy this run course so much because you see runners coming and going throughout the day. The bike path is especially fun because it's packed with athletes making their own memories and because of the energetic and enthusiastic volunteers at every aid station positioned every 1-2 kilometers. I could see the men's and women's pros making their way guided by cyclists with signs indicating first place, second place, etc. I was passed by them on the bike course as well, but on the run they are close up and personal! I even was able to wish the 4th place women's pro good luck as she passed me on her second loop heading towards the finish for her final 5K (turns out this was QT2 Pro Beth Shutt who ended up finishing 3rd!). I steadily kept passing people in my age group. All of my family was out on the course to see me start the second loop of the run. I was beginning to feel the day take its toll on my body as I headed back into old Trembant village. I dug deep to find some focus and kept a watch on my HR and pace. I kept my plan of walking 20 seconds through every 3rd aid station to get some fluid down and to give my muscles a quick break. The weather forecast did not hold up as well as it was supposed to; It rained 3 times on the run course - twice lightly and once a soaking cold rain. Everything was going well until mile 19 when I inhaled a bug - this set back was significant. Not only was I coughing and having trouble breathing, but also it took my mental focus off course. Having asthma, I was acutely aware that my coughing was increasing and that my breathing was becoming more difficult. I didn't want this little bug to be the deal breaker. Ultimately I stopped at the aid station at mile 22 (?) and tried to clear my throat. A volunteer was by my side as I retched and nearly vomited trying to make progress. I sacrificed a few minutes and got on my way again, actually feeling better. During my coughing phase I started to count my steps: 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4 to try to stay focused and keep my heart rate up. I maintained that mantra all the way back to the finish line. At the turn by the water, about 1.5-2 miles to the finish, I let myself smile and knew I had it in the bag. I hadn't looked at my overall time on my watch but was hoping for under 11 hours 30 mins. I rounded the last hill and entered the village with hoards of cheering spectators. I fist pumped my way to the finish line and savored the moment by stopping under the arch and turning around to wave at my family and the crowd. I crossed the finish line at 11:36:23. 9 minute PR. My marathon was a 3:54.
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| Eating a Banana out of T2 |
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| See Emma and Graham behind me?!! picture by Abbey Roy |
The day felt harder than last year - not sure why. Maybe it was the cool air or the chill that immediately set in. Maybe it was the bug. Maybe it was the fact that it wasn't my first Ironman. At the finish line everyone got a mylar blanket in addition to a race finisher's shirt, hat, and food. I went in search of my family and gave them all hugs before getting something to eat.
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| photo by Abbey Roy |
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| Actual time 11:36:23 |
As I was walking with Mary to get my bike she said, "do you want to know where you came in [in your age group]?" I nodded. "8th." I knew that I had given it my best, but was pretty sure it wasn't going to be enough to qualify for the Ironman World Championship in Kona. I wasn't going to qualify outright with that time - it would have to be through a roll down spot at the roll down ceremony the next day.
I emailed my coach the results and he said, "make sure you go to the roll down". I went to the roll down ceremony, which is inspiring to say the least. All of the athletes that qualified outright were recognized and asked if they wanted their spot for Kona. Most took it but some did not. When they didn't take it (or weren't present to accept the spot) it rolled down the the next finisher in the age group. Some dreams were truly realized by tears and disbelief that they got a roll down to go to Kona. My age group was announced and 3 out of the 4 qualifiers accepted their spot to Kona and so the 5th place finisher got a spot and took it. It will have to be another Ironman for me to get to Kona. But I improved - and I can improve more. I was 15th last year and 8th this year. I will get there.
Thank you for all of your support!
Love, Kendra
