Photo: Bree Wee
When I participated in IM Canada back in July, I had three weeks of no running going into the race due to sudden hip/glute/back injury. This is nothing new for me as my body tends to get "twisted". Thankfully, I've been able to manage it well over the years but this season gave me a hard knock in the back - literally. Luckily, I went into IM Canada with great run fitness but unfortunately, I wasn't able to show it as I had to manage the run with a lot of walking, stopping and shuffling. It was actually a big unknown if I was going to be able to complete the marathon portion of the Ironman in Canada as I was not able to make a step forward without pain in my groin/hip. Somehow my body allowed me to run for 26.2 miles - very uncomfortable but not painful.
I share this picture above from the exit of the energy lab at the 2019 Ironman World Championship. I don't think the smile left my face for all 26.2 miles. Despite another "slow" Ironman marathon this season, I was grateful and thankful for the opportunity to run without pain. It was not a comfortable run as I had 10 weeks of no running from early July to mid September and only a few runs on the treadmill and a few runs outside in Kona. While my issue resolved on the left side thanks to a lot of help from PT's, spine specialists and ART, stuff moved to the right side - which is my chronically weak side that likes to give me issues every now and then. Throughout most of the marathon in Kona, my right leg felt off and I was having trouble landing without my knee/hip/foot feeling very unstable. I believe it's nerve/muscle related but I'm not overly concerned as I know it wasn't the ideal run prep going into the race.
I say all of this not to make excuses but to give some background on why I feel extremely satisfied and accomplished at the 2019 Ironman World Championship. While I am very competitive and would have liked to have had a chance to see what I could have done in great health after starting the run in 4/5th of my AG, I had to accept the current situation with acceptance. Acceptance that this was the day I was given and I can't live with what if's of what could have should have or needed to happen on race day.
The IM Kona run was difficult on many physical levels (as it should be) but mentally, it didn't break me because I didn't let it. I never gave up on myself. I focused on what I could control - nutrition, mindset, heart rate. I didn't have a pity party as I was passed by 17 girls in my age group over 26.2 miles. I also didn't settle for easy. I only walked the aid stations and although I may have spent a bit longer at each one as the race went on, I battled the demons in my head and body and kept myself moving to one aid station to the next. I fought for all 4 hours and 12 minutes that it took me to cover 26.2 miles. I celebrated each mile that I moved forward. I embraced the fatigue, pain, heat and uncomfortable whole body feeling that comes with running a marathon at the end of an Ironman triathlon on the big island of Kona.
There's not much to report on as I really just ran one aid station to the next. This is how I want to remember my 5th Ironman World Championship and 16th Ironman (my apologies - I miscounted and have "only" completed 16 and not 17 Ironmans!). I don't want to call this a bad race for it wasn't. I achieved so much and finish something that I didn't even think I would start. One day, I will look back at my triathlon "career" and see what I have accomplished, what I have overcome and all the setbacks and achievements in between. This was an incredibly challenging year on many fronts. While this may not have been a best-ever season for me, I'm proud of what I was able to start and what I was able to finish. I am proud of my body for what it allows me to do. Onward I go.
As for Karel, his back eventually loosened up and he was able to manage throughout the marathon to put together a 3:15 marathon. It wasn't fast or slow but just what he needed to do to get to the finish line. It was the day he had and he worked with what he was given. He ran aid station to aid station and like everyone else out on the course, battled the demons that told him to quit, slow down or walk more than he did. At one point a thought came into his head to just wait for me and run with me for the remainder of the marathon but I am glad he didn't. That would have been the easy option and I know he isn't one to settle for easy. When Karel crossed the finish line, he was empty and done. He hobbled to the finisher area and then soaked in the ocean until he gathered the strength to go to the grassy area with some of his Czech friends. Over an hour later, I crossed the finish line and hobbled my way to the finisher area to collect my hat/shirt and finisher medal. Oh what a feeling to have that big heavy medal around my neck. I found Karel and he gave me a big hug. With tears in his eyes, he told me about his race and his disappointment with himself. He was super proud of me but it's always hard to celebrate when one of us has an off day. We walked to the grass area and laid on the grass in the fetal position for at least 15 minutes - it felt SO good to finally lay down.
I share this picture above from the exit of the energy lab at the 2019 Ironman World Championship. I don't think the smile left my face for all 26.2 miles. Despite another "slow" Ironman marathon this season, I was grateful and thankful for the opportunity to run without pain. It was not a comfortable run as I had 10 weeks of no running from early July to mid September and only a few runs on the treadmill and a few runs outside in Kona. While my issue resolved on the left side thanks to a lot of help from PT's, spine specialists and ART, stuff moved to the right side - which is my chronically weak side that likes to give me issues every now and then. Throughout most of the marathon in Kona, my right leg felt off and I was having trouble landing without my knee/hip/foot feeling very unstable. I believe it's nerve/muscle related but I'm not overly concerned as I know it wasn't the ideal run prep going into the race.
I say all of this not to make excuses but to give some background on why I feel extremely satisfied and accomplished at the 2019 Ironman World Championship. While I am very competitive and would have liked to have had a chance to see what I could have done in great health after starting the run in 4/5th of my AG, I had to accept the current situation with acceptance. Acceptance that this was the day I was given and I can't live with what if's of what could have should have or needed to happen on race day.
The IM Kona run was difficult on many physical levels (as it should be) but mentally, it didn't break me because I didn't let it. I never gave up on myself. I focused on what I could control - nutrition, mindset, heart rate. I didn't have a pity party as I was passed by 17 girls in my age group over 26.2 miles. I also didn't settle for easy. I only walked the aid stations and although I may have spent a bit longer at each one as the race went on, I battled the demons in my head and body and kept myself moving to one aid station to the next. I fought for all 4 hours and 12 minutes that it took me to cover 26.2 miles. I celebrated each mile that I moved forward. I embraced the fatigue, pain, heat and uncomfortable whole body feeling that comes with running a marathon at the end of an Ironman triathlon on the big island of Kona.
There's not much to report on as I really just ran one aid station to the next. This is how I want to remember my 5th Ironman World Championship and 16th Ironman (my apologies - I miscounted and have "only" completed 16 and not 17 Ironmans!). I don't want to call this a bad race for it wasn't. I achieved so much and finish something that I didn't even think I would start. One day, I will look back at my triathlon "career" and see what I have accomplished, what I have overcome and all the setbacks and achievements in between. This was an incredibly challenging year on many fronts. While this may not have been a best-ever season for me, I'm proud of what I was able to start and what I was able to finish. I am proud of my body for what it allows me to do. Onward I go.
As for Karel, his back eventually loosened up and he was able to manage throughout the marathon to put together a 3:15 marathon. It wasn't fast or slow but just what he needed to do to get to the finish line. It was the day he had and he worked with what he was given. He ran aid station to aid station and like everyone else out on the course, battled the demons that told him to quit, slow down or walk more than he did. At one point a thought came into his head to just wait for me and run with me for the remainder of the marathon but I am glad he didn't. That would have been the easy option and I know he isn't one to settle for easy. When Karel crossed the finish line, he was empty and done. He hobbled to the finisher area and then soaked in the ocean until he gathered the strength to go to the grassy area with some of his Czech friends. Over an hour later, I crossed the finish line and hobbled my way to the finisher area to collect my hat/shirt and finisher medal. Oh what a feeling to have that big heavy medal around my neck. I found Karel and he gave me a big hug. With tears in his eyes, he told me about his race and his disappointment with himself. He was super proud of me but it's always hard to celebrate when one of us has an off day. We walked to the grass area and laid on the grass in the fetal position for at least 15 minutes - it felt SO good to finally lay down.
The hardest part of the entire Ironman was being so completely empty and incredibly sore and having to collect our gear bags, bike and morning clothes bag from the huge transition area - walking oh so slowly. And then waiting in line to get checked out - a lot of security. It felt like it took longer than the marathon! Then it was a very slow 25+ min walk to our condo (~1/2 mile). Then up the elevator and then to our condo. Oh it felt so good to take a shower (ouch - chaffing!) and to collapse on the bed while reading the lovely and supportive messages from our friends/athletes (and give our IMKY athletes one last virtual cheer).
2.4 mile swim: 59.36
T1: 4:13
112 mile bike: 5:27.49
T2: 3:48
26.2 mile run: 4:12.38
Total: 10:48.02
Karel Sumbal
2.4 mile swim: 1:03.14
T1: 2:41
112 mile bike: 5:23.11
T2: 5:03
26.2 mile run: 3:15.05
Total: 9:49.12
Marni Run Nutrition:
2 flasks filled with 1 scoop Skratch (strawberry) in each flask
(I put the flasks with only powder in my run gear bag and then had a volunteer fill up my flasks with cold water when I was in the women's changing tent after the bike. I had 4 small tiny baggies with me with powder to refill the flasks along the way).
Coke - starting at mile ~16 to ~25.
Water/ice at each aid station.
Marni Gear:Naked Running Band
Run In sweatband
Perfect Fitness Cooling Towel
Roka sunglasses (SL-1 series)
2 flasks filled with 1 scoop Skratch (strawberry) in each flask
(I put the flasks with only powder in my run gear bag and then had a volunteer fill up my flasks with cold water when I was in the women's changing tent after the bike. I had 4 small tiny baggies with me with powder to refill the flasks along the way).
Coke - starting at mile ~16 to ~25.
Water/ice at each aid station.
Marni Gear:Naked Running Band
Run In sweatband
Perfect Fitness Cooling Towel
Roka sunglasses (SL-1 series)
Lulu sport bra
CEP compression socks (from the bike)
Garmin 735 XT
Garmin HR monitor (Bike and run)
Nike Vapor flyknit
Karel Run Nutrition: 2 flasks filled with 1 scoop Skratch (Green tea) in each flask.
SIS gel
CEP compression socks (from the bike)
Garmin 735 XT
Garmin HR monitor (Bike and run)
Nike Vapor flyknit
Karel Run Nutrition: 2 flasks filled with 1 scoop Skratch (Green tea) in each flask.
SIS gel
Coke/water/ice
Karel Gear:
Naked Running BandKarel Gear:
Trimarni BOCO Running trucker hat
Perfect Fitness Cooling Towel
Garmin 735 XT
Roka sunglasses
Compresssport pro racing ultra light
Nike ZoomX VaporFly NEXT%