Amazing memories!2008 Ends with a blast!
World Championships 70.3
Clearwater, Florida
Onto the next one....
11 years ago
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Deanne's Ironman 70.3 World Championships Race Report
It's amazing how you can spend hour after hour, day after day, month after month preparing for something that seems to end within the blink of an eye. But that is exactly how it felt upon crossing the finish line of the Ironman World Championships 70.3 this past Saturday.
As per usual, we woke at the wonderful hour of 3:45 am to begin our regular race morning routine. Quick showers followed by a coffee and a great breakfast.
We were then off to the race site. Completely focussed, we approached the transition area to be body marked. Standing in line, watching athlete after athlete from across the globe pull down their sleeve to be stamped, with excitement in their eyes. After getting stamped we quickly head off to our bikes to complete a last minute checks; bottles filled, air pressure at 120, shoes attached.
We then headed to the beach, loaded on the sun block (which by the way is hilarious to do when the sun has still not risen), and put on our wet suits. Tension grew as wave after wave of athletes were sent out into the ocean. Finally, it was wave 13. women 18-29. For the first time ever, I approached the water with complete confidence. I was at the World Championships and nothing else mattered. The gun went off...I took a deep breath and took off. My fastest swim ever. The bike was just as great. It was then time for the run, which hurt from the 2nd kilometer right up until the final few seconds of km 21. At that moment I knew that I would not give into any pain. I just had to enjoy the moment. Which is what I did. 5hours and 27 minutes later I crossed that finish line, with a smile on my face. I had completed my first World Championships!
It's weird though. All of that work, 13 months of training, all over.....finished. What happens next? It's time to head back to Ontario for a month of relaxation before we start up the whole cycle again.
My parents and sisters all watched the race that day. Some present in Florida, others home in Newfoundland on their computers. Once sister says she thinks I am crazy. How can I put myself in so much pain just for a race? I know I am crazy, I knew that long before triathlons. But the pain......well pain is only a state of mind.
As per usual, we woke at the wonderful hour of 3:45 am to begin our regular race morning routine. Quick showers followed by a coffee and a great breakfast.
We were then off to the race site. Completely focussed, we approached the transition area to be body marked. Standing in line, watching athlete after athlete from across the globe pull down their sleeve to be stamped, with excitement in their eyes. After getting stamped we quickly head off to our bikes to complete a last minute checks; bottles filled, air pressure at 120, shoes attached.
We then headed to the beach, loaded on the sun block (which by the way is hilarious to do when the sun has still not risen), and put on our wet suits. Tension grew as wave after wave of athletes were sent out into the ocean. Finally, it was wave 13. women 18-29. For the first time ever, I approached the water with complete confidence. I was at the World Championships and nothing else mattered. The gun went off...I took a deep breath and took off. My fastest swim ever. The bike was just as great. It was then time for the run, which hurt from the 2nd kilometer right up until the final few seconds of km 21. At that moment I knew that I would not give into any pain. I just had to enjoy the moment. Which is what I did. 5hours and 27 minutes later I crossed that finish line, with a smile on my face. I had completed my first World Championships!
It's weird though. All of that work, 13 months of training, all over.....finished. What happens next? It's time to head back to Ontario for a month of relaxation before we start up the whole cycle again.
My parents and sisters all watched the race that day. Some present in Florida, others home in Newfoundland on their computers. Once sister says she thinks I am crazy. How can I put myself in so much pain just for a race? I know I am crazy, I knew that long before triathlons. But the pain......well pain is only a state of mind.
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