Ironman Camp Day 3

Today was an awesome day. I'm going to devote another post to the people and extra activities of camp but the focus of today was the run.

After a quick breakfast of bagels and bananas we headed out for the run course. We stood on the hill overlooking the beach and it was amazing to think we'll be there ready to swim 8 weeks from today.

Everyone had 2 hours to run so we headed out from the Run Out area and onto the course. There were about 6 of us running between an 11 and 12 minute mile pace so I stuck with that group. We ran along the short out and back and then headed up Northwest Blvd and started on the neighborhood section. The course basically winds through the lakefront neighborhoods with a nice downhill on the out part of the course and then once you get to the Centennial Trail we just headed along the lake on that. The course goes about 3 miles up the lake before turning around 1/2 way up a hill. Most of my group stopped at water stop to turn around but I kept on for another .5 mile or so before finally having to turn around :(

Ran back along the course and up that nice downhill from the beginning of the course then back down NW Blvd. Paul was watching for those of us at the end of the group and people were running down Sherman. That's a big no dice for me. I think Paul thought it was funny that I was that superstitious but the only time I want to run down Sherman is when I'm running across that finish line.

Headed back to the starting point and then did another mile section before stopping.

Tough to tell exactly but my running group did 10.6 so I'm estimating with the little extra I ran towards the turnaround and the little extra they ran at the end I probably did about 10.5

WOO HOO!!!! 12 minute miles on the Ironman course. Did my 4/1 run walk strategy and it was working great. Took GU20 in my fuel belt and sang songs in my head to keep me occupied since we were strongly encouraged by Paula to lose the headphones at this point in our training for the run.

After our run we headed back to the hotel for an awesome breakfast. My group (Joanna, Amanda, Zoe and Celeste) toasted our upcoming race and traded stories before zipping off to shower and then head back for the final talk of the day.

Paula talked to us about mental training and it was by far the best of all the talks during camp.

Key Takeaways:

1. Why are you are doing the Ironman?

Everyone has a story, a reason, a driver behind their pursuit of this crazy goal. It's crucial in the days and weeks ahead that each of us know deep down why we're doing it.

2. Manage Your Expectations!

The fewer expectations you put on yourself the better day you'll have. We have tons of pressure in our lives already, the last thing we need is to blow up because we're not going X pace or finishing in X time. Do your best and be prepared for anything.

3. Focus on the things you can control.

There's a lot you can't control on race day. Weather, your competition etc. Plan and focus your energy on things in your control like your nutrition, gear etc.

4. Stay Present!!!!!

The most important tip. Don't think ahead to how stressed you are about the run when you're biking. Focus on what you're doing right then. Stay within yourself.

After Paula's talk (which was awesome!!!), the whole crew came out and we all got prizes, schwag and some great photo ops.... picture of Michael Lovato in an amazingly funny Speedo coming soon :)

Watches, t-shirts, hats, GU, helmets, wetsuits and tons of other energy products. OMG it was awesome!!!!

Took some pictures, packed the room and raced to CDA for my massage. Loved getting the kinks out before heading out for the long drive home.

Gotta eat some dinner and do laundry so I'll post my wrap-up tomorrow but I had an AMAZING time at camp. It was fun, informative, I made tons of friends, got a great training weekend in on the course, tons of fun schwag and a good confidence builder heading into my final 5 weeks of key training.

If you're doing an Ironman, run don't walk to your local Multisports.com camp. Their whole team was so wonderful.

More tomorrow.