Doc Amanda Stevens had a breakthrough win at Ironman Brazil in 2013. But until she and her advisers solved a longstanding food allergy issue that left her fading late in every Ironman, she wasn't able to show the world that she is more than just a 3-time Ironman swim leader. Nine days ago, she posted her first sub 9-hour Ironman finish and, at 8:52:31, that was the 48th fastest women’s Ironman distance time in history.
Slowtwitch: What did this mean to you?
Amanda Stevens: Although a victory would have been even better, this was a great race for me and a wonderful way to end my 2015 season. In a way this felt like a redemption race. I faced a few unexpected obstacles in Kona that led to a disappointing DNF. I was planning on racing Ironman Cozumel instead of Ironman Arizona, but a few shifts occurred early in the week. So the Tuesday before the race, we considered giving it a go, and on Wednesday made the decision to race Tempe. I was super excited because this was a ‘hometown’ race – Randy [Sadler] and I moved to Cave Creek, AZ in January, just a short drive north of Tempe. Since I wasn’t planning on racing, I did a short and quick taper and kept most of my commitments, which I think really helped take the pressure off. The Saturday before the race, we helped out with a Thanksgiving banquet for the homeless in Phoenix. While I cut my volunteer hours a little short, I was still up on my feet serving and helping people for about 4 hours. I never imagined this was an ideal pre-race plan. But spending time with the less fortunate and helping fill a void in their holidays gave me a great outlook on race day.
ST: In your career highlights, where does this one rank for you?
Amanda: Breaking the 9 hour barrier definitely ranks up there. I think for myself and my support team, it was not a matter of ‘if’ it was going to happen, but ‘when.’ To break through with an 8:52 was HUGE! And seeing that it’s the 48th-best women’s Ironman distance performance in history makes me want to go even faster. :)
ST: Why did Meredith Kessler and Sarah Haskins outswim you – a 3x Ironman Hawaii fastest swimmer – by 2:42?
Amanda: My swim has been off this year, but I am OK with that. We decided early that investing more time in my bike and run would be more beneficial. So we cut back to only 1-2 swims a week. As an athlete, I always liked getting a good long warm-up, so with only about 3 minutes to swim prior to the start, coupled with the 63-degree water, I wasn’t ready to blow it out from the gun. I think I dropped back to about 6th place on the way out. Approaching the far turn buoy, I started to find my groove and passed a few of the girls on the way back. As I started to feel better and better, I knew it was a good sign!
ST: Really nice bike split - 4:50:10! Why did Kessler ride 8 minutes faster?
Amanda: Wow, Meredith had an incredible ride - and day! I’d heard she was about 3 minutes up out of the swim and at the first bike turnaround (19 miles), I eyeballed her lead and was like WHOA! After that, it was back to focusing on what I could control. My goal was to build the bike, so I knew there was the possibility of reeling her in. I was surprised to hear how big the gap was when I came into T2 - especially knowing I’d ridden close to 4:50.
ST: Congrats on the fastest run split of the day – 3:06:39.
Amanda: Yay! I think that is the first time I’ve ever had the fastest run split in an IM (or quite possibly any other race as pro)! So where did it come from? It has always been in me. Most of the triathlon world has never seen my running ability due to other factors. However, this was the run we were projecting, if not a little faster. Some people commented that I looked ‘present’ while running and looked like I was enjoying myself out there in contrast to all of my other IMs, with the exception of my 3:05 run split at IM Brazil this year. We’ve really been working on my race day nutrition and were able to prevent my normal bike bonk, which meant being able to start my IM Arizona run on more than an empty tank.
ST: What accounted for your fast run?
Amanda: Our focus this year has been on getting me healthy and then fit. I know it sounds a bit redundant, but there is a huge difference between the two. Previously, arriving ‘healthy’ to a race meant there was no major injury and I didn’t pick up some illness during taper or leading up to the race. This year, healthy meant that my body was balanced on all levels - physically, spiritually, mentally and emotionally - and I had a solid foundation on which to build fitness. This approach also led to a more balanced race with a solid swim, bike, AND run.
ST: How much faster can you run in an Ironman?
Amanda: This is a very exciting time as I am starting to learn how to race an Ironman and use ALL of my abilities on race day. I believe a low-to-mid 2:50 is in the foreseeable future.
ST: How much of a role did your team of advisers play in your tactics, preparation, and readiness?
Amanda: This year, I was able to build an amazing team around me of brilliant individuals who have more belief in me than I sometimes have in myself. Working together we’ve been able to collaborate and bounce ideas around to bring out the best in me. My A Team includes: Randy Sadler, husband extraordinaire, Phil Maffetone, Lawrence Van Lingen, and Mike Giraud from the Cyclologic Team.
ST: What did it mean to come back so strong 5 weeks after a DNF at Kona?
Amanda: Going into Kona I was in even better shape and fitness. I was in an amazing head-space, and was fully adapted to the heat and humidity. However, one of the things that is out of my control - ‘girl stuff’ - decided to wreak havoc. I have a pretty regular cycle and was supposed to start my period the Monday prior to Kona race day. However, we arrived on Monday and no period the rest of the week. Then it arrived when I was on the bike during the race. I have always been affected by this, so Randy laid down an ultimatum this year: No racing on your period! I think that jinxed me as it started during the run at Ironman Coeur d’Alene unexpectedly and again in Kona. In Kona everyone brings their A game, so you can’t afford to be off, even a little bit.
ST: Why did you do so well at Tempe? Cool weather?
Amanda: I think the last-minute decision to race, plus not having to travel, really helped me perform well in Tempe. Historically, I race better in the heat.
ST: What are some things that are unique to racing in a cold rain?
Amanda: The rain definitely came as a surprise! Someone mentioned the chance of rain in transition pre-race, so I had Randy check and he said, “Aw, don’t worry about it, you’ll be done before the rain comes.” As for the temperature, since moving to Arizona, I have become a ‘cold wimp’ and was a bit worried about coming out of the water to be greeted by 50 degree temps. I decided to wear gloves on the bike and also had a TT suit with sleeves that almost reached my elbows, so no need for arm warmers. I also had some hand warmer packets you typically use when skiing and had them in the front of my TT suit. We were on the out section of the third lap when a guy passed me and I felt a few sprinkles. My first thought was, “Really, did you have to pee on me?” Then the rain came and I had to laugh. Once the rain started, I was more aware and cautious going around the corners and passing riders. Rudy Project just released their Transition Lens and they were perfect for these race conditions. On the run, I have drain holes in my Newton Tri Racer shoes and don't wear socks, so the damp, rainy conditions didn’t bother my feet. However, we did have a bit of off-road mud to slip and slide through and the mud came up through the drain holes.
ST: The photos made everyone look like wet rats. How did you feel inside?
Amanda: A wet rat, really?! Race day was one of those days were I was just in my zone and fully present and focused on the here and now. Many people have asked how I didn’t freeze in my ‘run bikini.’ It honestly never crossed my mind that it was cold or wet.
ST: Did Randy encourage you during the day?
Amanda: Randy is the youth minister at our church, so he was unable to be out and about on the course like he usually does. He dropped me off at the swim start and his goal was to make it back to the finish line in time to see me. At about mile 22, I glanced at my watch and saw that I was going to be way under 9 hours and tried to send him a mental message to hurry up and get to the finish line! He made it just in time. :)
ST: What did you do to celebrate?
Amanda: Well, at about mile 25, I was like, ‘Oh my, only 1 more mile and the season is over. Crazy!’ Since I was scheduled to have a few more long, hard sessions before Ironman Cozumel, it was an early Christmas present! I also had the word ‘Thanksgiving’ on my bike water bottle…because if the race went well I would be home with family for Thanksgiving. This was a huge motivation for me. Also, three of the athletes I coach were racing, so after changing into dry clothes and getting some food, I was back out on the course supporting them battling the conditions.
ST: What did your dog Dash do to celebrate your win?
Amanda: If you follow my social media, you know Dash is the real champion of our family. To celebrate, he went out and ran a few very FAST (he is a whippet and made to run!) laps at the park.
ST: How does this compare to your win at Ironman Brazil in 2013?
Amanda: This performance is definitely one for the books and you gotta be proud and satisfied with your first sub-9 hour. However, not being a win, makes it hard to compare to Brazil.
ST: How much better of a performance can you dream of now?
Amanda: This is just the beginning.
ST: Tell us about your long battle with food allergies?
Amanda: What a journey it has been navigating my way through all of my food issues. I started having GI problems early on in my triathlon career and was told that this was ‘normal’ for endurance athletes or that ‘nothing was wrong’ since all my diagnostic tests came back inconclusive or negative. However, throughout the process, I have learned that while we consider GI symptoms to be normal because a majority of athletes experience them at one time or another, it is NOT normal. Thus, I established a foundation - Health Before Fitness - this year. I have learned that most of the issues I previously experienced are due to environmental stress (diet, nutrition, over-training, chemical exposure) weakening my immune system and causing it to overreact. I had my gallbladder removed and have been diagnosed with Celiac as well as multiple food allergies and sensitivities. The simple solution is to eliminate problem foods! However it is a bit more complicated than that, so many other components have factored into the equation such as reducing inflammation, keeping a close eye on my training volume and intensities, reducing stress, focusing on recovery, finding balance in my life and making some major changes in my daily, pre-race and race day nutrition. Going into Kona 2014, I had bonked on the bike at every single Ironman, leading to less than stellar runs that included several stops for bathroom breaks and epic pukes. I was cramming in calories and fluids - upwards of 400+ calories per hour. At IM Arizona I only had 1100 TOTAL calories, 36oz of water on the bike, a few sips of water on the run and no salt. Yes, it can be done!
ST: Has that battle influenced your choice of what to do when you return to your career in medicine?
Amanda: Of course!!! My path prior to triathlon had me heading into Orthopedics/Sports Medicine. However, my journey has led me to pursue integrative and functional medicine. Right now I do some advisory work and consulting. I also coach a group of fantastic age-group athletes, my DocStars, and I’m in the process of expanding for next season. All of my athletes get individualized health and nutrition plans along with their training plans. It is a very hands-on approach. In addition, I am currently working on a health and wellness program to educate and lead people to make lifelong lifestyle changes that will help prevent and cure chronic diseases. Soon after, I hope to have a program that will help athletes realize that all of the injuries, illnesses, fatigue, etc. that they experience are not normal or healthy. I want to encourage everyone to THINK FIT, THINK HEALTHY and BE HAPPY!
