Race Report – Madison Ironman 2011 – Sue Dziuban

I know most people consider Triathlons to be an individual sport, but to me they are a team effort and to do well, better than you think possible, everything has to line up. 

Let me start with thetraining.  To say that Adam Zucco is a gifted coach is an understatement.  He laid out a plan, I followed and good things keep happening.  My workouts were many times challenging, but always interesting.  He would schedule me to do things that I didn’t think I could do, but I would try and more times than not, I surprised myself.  He knows the science, lives the events himself and is passionate about the study of the sport.  If you want to be a better athlete, hire Adam!

It takes family support.  I have the best husband in the world and he supports every crazy thing I do with gusto!  (I would like to go on the record to say, Ironman distance races are not my top choice and he persuaded me to do all of them including this one, my third).  He pushes me to do things that push my limits and I am always happy afterwards (well usually).  While he couldn’t race this year, he did every other thing possible to support me.  Thanks Mark for the support and the pushes. 

Race Day Support.  My kids, my sister in law Georgann, my nieces Jordyn and Sydney, Mike and Ellen Doti, Daral Vining, Chris Bergland all came up to watch the race.  Their support is worthy of way more than the simple thank you that I can express. Also thank you to all the MSM encouragement on the side lines and on the route, I love seeing friendly faces everywhere.   I’ve been on both sides, spectating is harder than racing.  My day was just about me and everyone helping me, they were all over the place on their feet ALL day.  It means so much to the racer to see their “peeps” out there.  Thanks to the moon and back.

I have said this many times, but truly it takes a village to get me to race.  I’m a social exerciser and I love my training partners.  I have partners who were training for their own long race like Meghan Martin, Charles Petersen, Stephanie Davis, Tena and Steve Levine.  But others would do my work out, just to get exercise time and to keep me company.  This included 100+ mile rides, 2+ hour runs and other craziness.  Think about just going out for a 6 hour ride just to do it.  So my special thanks goes to Daral Vining, Chris Bergland, Jay Sims, Carla Hastert, Danny Delgado, Jim Vidmich and the Thursday running boys. 

Nutrition is a huge part of the Ironman day and up until this race, I always messed it up.  A key to my success here was Dale and Carla Hastert’s new product called UR DRIVEN.  It is all natural, not sugary, so you don’t get sick of it like you would Gatorade or Infinit.   It also has something in it that makes me feel like I get a second wind later in a workout.  I’ve used it since this past spring and I have had great results.  I have used in hot weather like Racine and nice weather like Madison.   I think they are just about ready to bring it to market, so keep a look out for this.

Every great thing that happened to me yesterday is shared with everyone ---Please sign up for the Kona lottery or plan a vacation for October , 2012 -- I need people to train with --- Remember it takes a Village!