WIBA/PEWAUKEE TRIATHLON/AQUATHON #3

Been a bit since I updated. A few things have happened since.

WIBA. Jenny and I went over on Saturday and rode a loop of the Ironman course with a group of about 100 people June 27th. We got up there and did an open water swim in Monona on the far side of the lake so we could see Monona Terrace. Man was it weedy. A couple times I got so wrapped up I started to freak out a bit. But I survived. I got to meet all kinds of FB people and Blogger buddies. Steve Stenzel, Sarah Stenzel, Chris, Brian and Kari Holmes, and others as well. Then we went to Firemans Park in Verona and did a loop of the IM course. It sucked but it didn't suck as bad as I remember. After 40 miles I felt pretty good still. We only did one loop and then went and enjoyed the cook out with these guys. We had planned to come up and run 13 miles that Sunday but we have not slept in for weeks and we were both pretty tired so we slept in and I ran 10 miles on my own.

Pewaukee Tri. Last Sunday while Jenny and her sisters did the Trek (formerly Danskin) Tri in Pleasant Prairie, Alison V and I went over and did the Pewaukee Tri. It started at 6:30. Ouch. We left at 4 and got over there in plenty of time to get our stuff set up and go in for a little pre swim. The water was warmer than the air temp and it felt good. The lake was very dark and murky and you couldn't see very far down. The buoys looked very close. First time I think I have ever said that.

SWIM PART-400M swim-We were in wave 20 and as we waited and watched the other waves I was shocked at all the non swimmers. With no wetsuits. There were several who instantly dog paddled or flipped on their backs as soon as the water was deep enough where they couldn't touch. Some swam directly over the row boat and hung on. I was thinking that these people may have bitten off more than they could chew at that point. We saw a rescue boat go and grab someone out of the water about half way through the swim. Turns out he died. Not sure yet if it was from drowning or heart attack. We did not find this out until that night after we were home and I read it in a paper online. Waves of 50 every 90 seconds sure created a lot of people in the water. But IM is going to be even more crazy. My wave went off and I have felt pretty good swimming lately so I just did it. I had to dodge people not swimming for the whole thing. Never had any problems, except the last 75M my goggles leaked and that sucked. Swim with run up the beach, across the street and into T1 was 10:33 for about 2:30/100. T1 was uneventful and a little faster than normal for me. 3:32 (I was wearing a wetsuit)

BIKE PART-16 Mile bike-Bike went well. There were some uphills and screaming downhills. I tried to catch Alison as I knew she was at least 5 minutes in front of me. I did pass a ton of people on the bike and I felt like I was moving right along. Never caught Alison. 50:06 (18.7MPH). T2 was pretty good for me as well. 2:17

RUN PART-5K-Run was actually pretty good, even with uphills. My legs still felt good and once I got into a rhythm I just went with it. First is uphill, second mile is flat and 3rd mile is downhill. I wound up with each mile getting faster. Saw Alison on the run and she was still about 5 mins in front of me. 36:27 on the run for an 11:45 pace.

OVERALL-I finished about mid pack of the 1300 people and 49 out of 79 big boys. I would do this tri again because it was pretty fun and the course wasn't super easy but wasn't overly challenging. I was bummed to hear that someone died, but we all know the risks. Open water swimming is not easy and should never be taken lightly.

Aquathlon#3
Last night was #3 in the series. The first one I gave up because I couldn't handle the cold water and open water. The second one I finished.
We got there about 6 and the wind was howling and there was 2 foot waves. They weren't breaking but they were still pretty good. The people who set the course up said at one point they were 3-4 foot as they were putting out the buoys. They couldn't get the sighting buoys to stay so they just put corner ones out. I was scared. I have never swam in waves like that. They were coming in toward the shore too. Alison and Jenny had more confidence than I did that I could do it. But I needed to know if I could mentally handle it. I know I can swim. I had a wetsuit on (some super freaks did not and I give them all the credit as that would have been tough). So we gathered on the beach and we were off. I walked out until I was up to my chest and then just started swimming. The waves were bobbing me up and down. I sort of felt a slight rhythm and starting timing my breaths with the waves. As I could feel a wave coming over, I would try to stay long and slice through it. It was working pretty good. I tried to sight a couple times and got destroyed by a wave. So since there were other people next to me I used them as my compass. I did get close the buoy and grabbed someones leg. IT WAS JENNY. I said sorry but I know she didn't hear me. We turned the corner and I felt relief. That leg of the swim was a mother. I started to feel pretty good and began to think in my mind "I'm an open water swimmer". I came up for a breath and got nailed and sucked down some water. I had to stop and cough it out. I kept my back to the waves and calmly started swimming again after a few seconds. Turned the corner for the leg back and the waves were really pushing us in. I felt like I was really swimming fast. I got to where I could stand up and did. Right next to me was Jenny still swimming. I looked at her and I was really surprised that she stayed with me the whole time. Ran up the beach into T1. 20 minute swim or about 2:01/100. Fast for me. The run was like always and everyone passed me but one guy and Jenny. I ran my usual 12 min/mile pace. I finished in 59:37. That was 5 minutes faster than the last one. I wanted to break an hour and I did.
Saw XT4 and Erin Cellelo there along with Robert and his wife. We went to Chipotle and I got the burrito bowl and so far so good. It was tasty.

Up next Spirit of Racine half ironman on Sunday.

My goals: First and foremost is to NOT TAKE MY TIMING CHIP OFF AFTER THE SWIM AND THEN NOT PUT IT ON FOR THE BIKE.
Swim the whole swim comfortably and easy as I can. OWS is becoming second nature now and I don't ever even think about it. I love my new wetsuit. QR superfull is amazing.
Bike with heart rate in the 120's to 130's. Last year my bike was a little over 3 hours. I think I can come close to that but it took a lot out of my legs and it was hot last year. I walked almost the whole run. This year I want to run the whole run without many or any walking. A huge challenge for me. But weather is supposed to be mid 70's with light wind and party sunny. Much better than the mid 90's of last year. And the water temps are mid 60's and not low 50's as before.


7 weeks until IMWI. Things are looking up. I was mostly concerned with the swim and after last night's swim I feel like I can do almost anything now. I now just need the hilly bike miles and a few 15+ mile runs to seal the deal. Mother nature is also making me think that we may be in for a cold September. Let's hope not.