Thoughts at mile 100 (Page 2)

I've had various thoughts at that point in a race but the ones that stand out in my mine were: -

2006 (my first IM) .... I may just do this 

2010(feeling very ill) OMG still 12 miles then a marathon ... i want to just lie down

2011(PB race) WooHoo only 12 to go and i feel great

x2  The bridge at IMFL was the last symbolic obstacle before the end. And yea, there was still 12 miles left but we we on the "right" side of the bridge.  It was time to take a look at what I needed to do.  Did I drink enough, need anything to eat, etc. 

I put the miles in so it wasn't that bad.  But heck, even on training rides I couldn't wait to get off the bike around mile 90  

enjoy,

Duane 

runnerx - 2012-03-19 2:06 PM

SEADOCHA - 2012-03-18 10:15 AM After reading a lot of responses it almost sounds like people weren't prepared for the distance or terrain on the bike or overdid it? I thought if you put in the mileage  and don't hit it too hard that mile 100 would be a time to get your last nutrition in and start thinking about the run (not dreading it). I know the weather can sometimes beat you up, but now I'm curious as to how much bike time I will really need. I plan on doing 5-6 centuries before IM Lake Placid. Hopefully I won't be in a world of hurt at mile 100 if I ride it easy enough to hit the run.

Hmmmm...Lake Placid...the last 11 miles or so are uphill, usually into the wind. I'll be interested to see if your response changes after the race. Not a matter of being prepared or not...those miles are tough regardless. Slow too.

x2

runnerx - 2012-03-19 2:06 PM

SEADOCHA - 2012-03-18 10:15 AM After reading a lot of responses it almost sounds like people weren't prepared for the distance or terrain on the bike or overdid it? I thought if you put in the mileage  and don't hit it too hard that mile 100 would be a time to get your last nutrition in and start thinking about the run (not dreading it). I know the weather can sometimes beat you up, but now I'm curious as to how much bike time I will really need. I plan on doing 5-6 centuries before IM Lake Placid. Hopefully I won't be in a world of hurt at mile 100 if I ride it easy enough to hit the run.

Hmmmm...Lake Placid...the last 11 miles or so are uphill, usually into the wind. I'll be interested to see if your response changes after the race. Not a matter of being prepared or not...those miles are tough regardless. Slow too.

I did Lake Placid for my first IM last year.  I was MOP (12:40 IM with a 6:30 bike).  I don't have a power meter so I went off HR only.  The last 10-12 miles were exciting for me.  I was feeling good and passing folks at the end.  I kept my first lap easy and it laid the groundwork for feeling good from mile 80 on.  It felt like everyone was passing me on the first lap but the second lap I started passing some folks and just kept steady.  At Lake Placid your last few miles there will be some climbing but it isn't as bad as everyone makes it out to be if you ride within your abilities.  The climb going out of Placid and out of Jay were tough climbs.  You just need to keep those climbs very, very easy.

i love the signs you see at canada, i believe they are just before yellow lake climb, so mile 90ish.

"i bet you can't wait to be off that bike!"

then, if you are still coherent, the sign about 11-12 miles into the marathon saying:

"i bet you wish you had your bike now!"

Great comments!

I disagree about the "preparation" idea. I really like to ride, and 3-4 80-100 miles before my IM's, and in both, I was ready to get off the bike. 

I never wanted to break up, but 112 miles and around 6 hours is a long time to be riding.

My thoughts at that time have been about doing a mental and physical check and the start of planning for the run. Do I need to eat or drink before T2?
How is my HR/Power?
How do my legs feel?

Enjoy it either way! 

I had only done one century ride... a year prior.  I had a ton of 80 mile rides, and one near-100 mile ride during training.  I had more on the schedule, but due to SNOW, these rides were cut  short and done on the trainer.

I went back and pulled my thoughts from my blog:

We passed mile marker 100 and I pumped my fist in the air and patted my bike's aerobar.  This was the longest I've ever ridden and I knew that I WAS going to finish the bike.  I felt great.  A bit warm, but otherwise great. I was even passing people! 

This was my first (and only... so far) IM.  My whole day wasn't "if".  I knew that at the end of the day that I WAS going be an Ironman.  Reaching 100 miles on the bike was just a really cool milestone.  I remember being a bit emotional, happy, and rubbing my aerobars saying "good job Buzz" (my bike's name) in a little quiet celebration.

Ok perhaps was also thinking.  "Don't pants my poop"  or something like that! 

Im referencing the "Marathon thoughts vid" 

X2!!!!   For some reason, at IMMOO, I had 102 in my mind......made the last few tough!!  Especially when I got REALLY excited with my time at 95+....that extra 10 was tough!!

For the next ones, I was doing the 'no flat, no flat, no flat' mantra.  It worked.

Yes, IMFL has the bridge at mile 100. It is very symbolic. Once you make that climb you know you are on the your way to T2.....but you still have to bike 12 more miles AND run a full marathon.

When reaching the 100 mile mark I remember stating to myself that I was setting a new record. I biked 5 centuries leading up to my IM, but I had never bike longer than 100.

I also remember not allowing myself to think about the run. My motto for my IM was to "Stay in the moment". I feel if you start looking too far ahead in can overwhelming. It is a similar experience to looking at a IM training plan and immediately flipping to your longest week. If you have never trained for an IM you start doubting if you can do those training distances.

Enjoy the day and focus on the moment. Don't look ahead. The first time I allowed myself to start thinking about the finish line was after crossing mile 20 in the run.

"i promise i'll run a marathon if i can just get off this d*mn bike!"