 |
| #IMMT Ironman Mont Tremblant 40-44 Winners |
This past weekend I competed in my first full Ironman event at Mont Tremblant, QC. For those of you that may not know what this event entails let me explain it briefly. It begins with a 3.8km open water swim, followed by a 180km bike ride, and finishes up with a full marathon, 42.2 km run.
Before going into this event I had pictured in my mind what I would look like when I finished. I never pictured not finishing, just the state I'd be in at the end and for the next few days following. I think the below link may give you an idea of what was running through my brain.
Two nights before the event I was unable to sleep. I awoke at 2:45 am, thinking of crawling across the finish line, stretched, attempted to go back to sleep, failed, so I ended up going down the stairs of our condo and quietly reading some Peter Pan. My mind was going a million miles a minute, as that day we would go for our race warm up and say good-bye to our bikes and gear until the race the next morning. The reality of what I'd signed up for was really real now and I wondered how it got here so fast! Where did the last 8 months go? I managed somehow to keep my nerves under control, and my usual multiple, pre-race, bathroom trips did not happen. Perhaps because I stayed chatty to distract myself, and also perhaps because I met with an old college friend, who had completed many of these events, and she gave me some sound advice. Regardless, race morning arrived and off my team went to the race venue.
THE RACE
First of all, I have to say, this was the most amazing race experience I have ever had. Yes, I realize my triathlon experience is limited, however I would think this would be difficult to beat. The volunteers made everything from setting up my bike, to finding my transition bags, to making sure my bike was racked between transitions, and making every athlete feel like a super star their first priority. I cannot imagine what the race would have been like without all these people and the first class organization of the event overall. A major thank you to all of you, because I know there is no way this event could happen without them.
THE SWIM
 |
| Swim Start, Last Wave Women 40+ |
There were 2480 athletes competing in Mont Tremblant. The first Pro Wave left at 6:34 am and the last Women's wave (my wave) left at 7:00am. There were 2000 people within 26 min in front of me on a 3.8km swim. I may not be the best cyclist or runner in the field, but I do know that I will be one of the fastest swimmers on the course; regardless of this knowledge I was apprehensive of the swim. I knew I would be swimming through a lot of large groups of athletes and I was hoping I would come out with my face intact. The Fireworks went off and our last wave of women 40+ ran into the water. I was able to get some clear space quickly, almost swam into a diver (I've never seen one in the water before at a race), and then within 2 minutes was entering the wave that left in front of ours. It was choppy and a challenge to move through the white bathing caps, but doable. But within a few moments it was the men in the Orange Caps, red caps, green caps, and blue caps. It was not an easy swim and navigating through groups of hundreds was a challenge. I talked myself into staying relaxed and finding the line through the school of swimmers that lay before me. I was given a couple knocks and bumps but I think I gave a few back as well.
The chop in the water on the second half of the course was really quite difficult and I worried for some of my teammates about making it through this part of the swim. The Pro Female Winner of the race, Mary Beth Ellis, said that the chop in the water was worse than any Ocean swim she had done!
Ultimately, I exited the water with the fastest Woman's time of the day and 10th fastest swim overall. Ran 400m down an awesome red carpet and into the change tent to start the longest bike ride of my life.
THE BIKE
 |
| Just to give an idea of the rain. |
The weather report for last Sunday was one of a lot of rain. During the swim the rain was holding off, and for the first little while on the bike it seemed it may stay dry, perhaps just an overcast day. However that changed rather quickly and for the next 9 hours the rain came teaming down!
Mont Tremblant bike course has some big hills. They aren't easy going up but can be super fun and fast going down. There were points I was hitting over 70km/hr on the down hills and there were people going much faster than me, however by the second loop the large puddles and streaming road rivers made the course a bit treacherous. On the second loop the Race Director himself was out on the course standing in the middle of the road on Dupliesse telling racers to reduce speed for safety.
The first loop of the course I felt pretty good. The second loop something happened. I'm still trying to analyze and figure it out, however my stomach started to hurt and I began to throw up. At this point I started to panic a bit and wondered how I would make it through the marathon if this was happening to me now. I don't know if it was the salt tab I took at that moment or if the vomiting episode had run it's course, but I managed to pull myself back together and keep going to the transition area.
At the bike transition, I got off my bike, a volunteer took it from me, and I tried to run, but my legs said otherwise. They were completely unsteady! I took a moment and gathered my wits and slowly and then gradually a bit quicker made my way back down the red carpet to the change tent for the run.
THE RUN
I decided that my wet Tri-Shorts, that had started to cause chaffing, were not what I wanted to run the next 42.2 km in. So I changed out of my shorts, put on some dry socks that didn't stay dry for long as it was still pouring rain, and surprisingly jogged out of the tent without too much trouble! I was running really well! I knew at this point I was in second place for my age group and if I kept up this pace I would catch her by the end of the marathon. Unfortunately my stomach had other plans, and at 17km I had to make an unplanned stop at the port-a-potty. After that, I knew the other girl was out of reach, and I settled into my place. At the 21km I ran passed the fork in the road, one way said "to second loop" the other "to finisher shoot" I actually wanted to just run down the shoot! Instead I went right and heard my husband yell out to me that I was in second spot. He was excited because he knew that I would qualify for Kona if I stayed in that spot. That was the goal going into the race. I was feeling disappointed because I knew I was struggling mentally to stay motivated to run up that seemingly never ending hill that was just around the next corner.
Along the path I watched as others, who I knew were incredible competitors and athletes, struggle through their run. The combination of the weather and the course was taking it's toll. During the run I decided that even if I made Kona, I would not accept the spot. It is not an easy thing to explain, but I knew and still know it was the right decision. At one point I started hoping someone would pass me so I didn't need to make or explain my choice. At this point I knew I needed to get out of the mental funk, so I began to play a little game. At every kilometre sign I would count down. "Less than 15km to go....Less than 14 km to go..." and so on. Finally I saw the last hill into the village and knew it was almost done. When I reached the fork in the road a feeling of euphoria seemed to over take me because I knew I got to take the left fork to the finish. 'Sheila Treleaven, from Grimsby, ON, You are an Ironman".
THE MIDNIGHT FINISH
Our team stayed to the end, we cheered on our finishing teammates and all those who struggled through the same torrential rains, choppy water and challenging hills. It was the most inspiring and exciting place to be. To watch all those people cross the finish line, reach their goal, and celebrate the finish of their Ironman journey for whatever reasons they chose to take on this event, was nothing less than incredible. It's enough to make almost anyone want to do an Ironman, volunteer at an Ironman, or do another Ironman!
SUMMARY
 |
| Division V Team Winners - Tri-Hart Triathlon |
At the awards ceremony, almost everyone was encouraging me to take my Kona spot. My husband and my coach knew that I had made my choice. I do appreciate their caring because I know they probably thought I would regret my choice the next day. I do not. I don't think that will be the only time I will qualify for Kona. When I go, I want to feel ready, at least more so than I will be in 6 weeks. I was disappointed in myself, not for how I did in the race, I am very proud of that, I finished and I am not crawling and I'm back in the pool and on the bike, but for how I mentally gave up during the run. I know I'm not able to explain it so I will not try. What I do know is that I have a plan, and some new challenges on the horizon that I'm very excited about! I also know that I made someone very happy as I was able to give her my spot to Kona, it was wonderful to watch her accept.
This past year has been a journey. Injuries, exhaustion, struggling with the unknown of what may happen during the race. Watching my teammates race and finish the Ironman made me feel proud and emotional around their accomplishments. They worked hard and were rewarded as they can all be called "IRONMAN" and go home knowing that we all contributed to the winning of our Team Division at Mont Tremblant. Knowing I did it and was able to show my kids that you don't give in you stick it out to reach your goals, I can't measure that. I'm looking forward to the next chapter in my triathlon journey, and when I qualify for Kona again I will take the spot. For now, I'm content with my decision and have no regrets.
 |
| Team Tri-Hart at Mont Tremblant |
