Post by irongirl10 on Nov 7, 2011 9:59:26 GMT -6
My IMFL Recap:
I arrived in Panama City Beach, Florida Tuesday evening. The weather was chilly and immediately I start to think about what I will need for the weather. On Wednesday, I went out for a quick ride to get my hear rate up and test my legs and bike out. All felt good. I then proceeded to the registration pick-up. It was a little windy out but nothing too bad. After I got my waiver release, read it and then signed it, my stomach turned into a big knot and I thought to myself, what have you gotten yourself into.
After making a pass through the expo - I decided it was time to make friends with the ocean. The ocean looked beautiful, nice clear blue water. Their were no big waves but some choppy water. I put my wetsuit on and immediately got in. I felt really good in the water and was swimming out when one of the other athletes stopped me before I ran into a "group" of jelly fish. I then decided 500m was good enough for me and we headed in.
On Thursday - the weather had changed. 25+mph winds with big gusts that could blow you over. I packed the bike up on the car and my sleeveless wetsuit and headed to the start area. I got my bike ride in, it was headwind all the way out to the park and a awesome tailwind back. Reports were, the wind would die down by race day. I was really praying they would. I then headed out to the ocean with my wetsuit and saw that it was pretty white capped w/ big waves and swells. I am like, no way, I can't do that. One of the male athletes said he'd help me out. So in we went, thinking dear god, just let me survive this. To my surprise, it wasn't too bad, although I did consume a bit of salt water. For the record, it does not taste good. The jelly fish and baby sting rays were every where. So after about 20mins I decided I had enough of that.
Friday was another windy day and temps a bit cooler. I went through my check list for each of my bags and confirmed the weather for race day. I decided that I needed a thin tank top or something under my cycling jersey to keep my core warm. So off to the store I went in search of a small tank top. After going to 3 stores, no one had a small. So I decided to wear one of my thicker tanks and figured if I got too warm I could just take it off and toss it out. I then re-checked each bag carefully and headed to drop off my bike, and my bike & run gear bags. After dropping them off, I got out of there before the stress energy consumed me. And went to rest until I needed to do my 30min easy jog later on.
The weather forecasted for race day had changed from 49 morning low and 75 high with 8mph winds max to 47 morning low to 69-70 high with 15+mph winds. I had to rethink my outfits, so glad I packed many bags full of all weather gear. ;-)
RACE DAY:
Early morning show to get body marked, and get my bike tires pumped, put my fluids and nutrition on my bike, and then was like OK now where do I go? It was pretty cold so I decided to go in-side the Boardwalk Hotel lobby, ah, here is were everyone was at. I decided to put my wetsuit on half way (it takes me a good while to get it on) and then rest and fuel my body with some food and fluids.
They announced transition was closed, so off we went to the start, dropping our morning cloths bags off as we exited to the beach.
Swim: The water was fairly calm, water temp was 70 degrees, outside temp was 47 degrees and 8mph winds (that made it pretty chilly). I did a quick 10minute practice swim, and immediately started to struggle with my wetsuit. I am thinking how stupid, I should have gone with my sleeveless. I think tugged at it in the water which helped. As I was exiting the water I was stung by a baby sting ray on my left big toe. That pretty much had me in tears. I shook it off, because the call to the start had been announced and I didn't have time to mess with the pain. Mass start, 2800 competitors all on the beach. My very first mass start ever in a race. Everyone told me where to start but at that time it was like just get on that beach in line and get in when the cannon goes off. I think I was in the middle, and just said get in. I managed to get through the mass crowd in the swim without any incident. I made it up the string of Buoy Markers and as we got out to the 2nd Buoy Marker, the water got nice and warm, and of course again, I was thinking, stupid, should have gone with sleeveless. Anyhow, that though quickly left my mind as I started to see jelly fish after jelly fish of all sizes. I am like oh my *&^%$# get me out of this water.
They seemed to be in big groups especially out at the two big red turn buoy markers. I managed to make it thru loop one in 42 mins, and then was forced to make another loop and I am thinking, GREAT I get to swim with those jelly fish yet again. The second loop seemed to get a bit crowed. I know I am not a fast swimmer, apparently a bunch of others had my same pace. Fun. A lot of them need to take an open water swim clinic to learn to swim in a straight line. It was a bit frustrating. I got to the 2nd turn to come in when a rather large nasty jelly fish brushed up against my right side, I am like get me out of this water NOW. I tried to swim faster but my right elbow was getting sore. I finally made it in and I thought, awesome 2.4miles down a whole crap load more to go. I was so happy to see they had some wetsuit strippers there. They pulled my wetsuit down and off I went thru the make shift showers and onto get my bike gear and head to the changing area. I really thought when I got out of the water the ocean would be down a few feet, since I drank so much of it!
T1: I was not prepared to run out and go through the bags (they were in number order) to get my Bike Gear. Louisville they had your bag for you as they called your number, you didn't have to go search for it. So that was going to add time to my T1. I got all my bike gear on, with added warmth. Tank top, toe covers, socks, gloves, arm warmers, extra nutrition, etc...
Bike: Ran out of the changing building and off to get my bike, hey they get your bike for you! NICE! On to the bike mount line. Immediately you could tell it was not going to be a fun ride. It was pretty windy out and yup, I was going directly into the wind. The ride up the coast was pretty bad, I don't think I was able to get my pace above 15mph, and there were a few times that the wind would gust up and just blow you over. I was in defense riding mode and could tell my arms and hands were going to be sore today. And from all that ocean water that I consumed my throat was sore, so drinking my ironman perform was not fun.
I tried to keep a mental note on the whole bike course. I got to aide station number 1, (10m or so in) and had to stop use the porta-john. All that salt water I drank went right through me.
the lines were 3-4 deep, so I had to wait. It was ok as it gave me a chance to fuel myself to the next stop. I no sooner started out and I had to go again. I am like are you kidding me? My bladder was working over time. Between fueling my body with water and ironman perform, and the ocean water that I drank - I had to go yet again. I was pushing hard to the next aide station - finally getting there, yet another line. Finally I am back on the road, and it is all up hill, not a big steep one - but a gradual up hill climb for 13 miles!!!!! With a head wind I might add. And it was BORING - nothing to get excited about, it was a straight shot. Finally getting to the next station (mile 33) and yup, going to the porta-john. After fueling and taking care of mother nature - off I went. The next stretch wasn't too bad, we had a little crosswind and that made the ride a bit easier and we could pick up the pace. Then we get to a road that was less than fun. It was bumpy, rough and yup, riding straight into the wind. FUN. We get to the first timing mat and the turn around. Coming back to the halfway point and picking up our bike special needs bag. I loaded my bike and my self with additional nutrition, ditched my arm warmers and gloves since it had warmed up a bit, and used a porta-john. I could tell I was getting tired, so I opened up my chocolate expresso bonk breaker - it gave me the boost I needed and off I went. Ok so we have a bit of a tail wind, but on a rough road, so you couldn't go too terribly fast. Bike parts were laying all over (bottle cages, spare tires, spare tubes, etc...) it was a short 5 miles to the main road, and back into the wind we rode. The rest of the ride was uneventful, rather boring, and I found myself day dreaming, and had to snap out of it and focus getting back and off the bike. The rest of the stops I passed up, hitting one briefly to get more fluids. I told myself - stay on the bike and hold it if you can until you get off the bike to transition to the run. The headwind was just terrible, especially the last 10 miles to the finish. I looked down and I was only going 12mph and that was pushing hard and maxing out my heart rate again. I am like get back and get off this bike now. FINALLY we get back to 1m to go to the bike finish and YAY we get a tail wind, really? now, we get a tail wind! I jump off my bike and nearly buckled, my right groin was all cramped and I could barely stand and walk. I am like OK, now is not the time!
T2: I hobbled through T2 to pick up my run gear bag and hobbled into the changing area. At this point I am well fueled, and mentally ready to run. I felt good and my legs felt good but my groin was cramped. I tried to change quickly and then tried to stretch my groin out before I headed out for the last 26.2 miles. It was not un-cramping, but I needed to run to the porta-john, oh what a relief that was.
Run: I got about 10 run steps and just had to stop and stretch again. I knew that if I could un-cramp it, I could have a good run. My body and legs felt good, I wasn't too tired - finally I decided to go with a baby step jog and as I went thru 3 miles I managed to un-cramp my groin and I picked up the pace. I push through the first loop (13miles) on the run and was felling REALLY good starting my second loop, and was going as hard as I possibly could. The balls of my feet were really sore, and every now and then I would get a shooting pain. I adjust my gate and kept on going. I felt really strong going through mile 18 THE WALL. I looked at my watch and knew I would make my goal of 13:30, but saw that I had a good chance of making it close if not better than 13 hours. So I tried to push hard but by mile 21 my legs and pace were going down. I my quads were getting tired and sore, my feet were hurting and I decided not to stop at any more aide stations to run the last 4 miles to the finish. I was calculating my pace in my head thinking it was now looking like it would be 13:10-15. At the final turn for home I knew I had it at 13:15 but it was going to be really close. I gave that finish stretch everything I had left and push hard and fast to get that clock stopped for me. FINALLY - done, finished and this time I heard my name. WHAT a great feeling. ;D I had done a Ironman worthy performance. The only thing sad was my sweetie was not there to congratulate me or hug me. I was alone. Not a great feeling when you just did 140.6 miles of fun and pain. I made it through the medals, shirts and hats and was in search of food. Pizza! YUM. One bite, and had to spit it out. Too spicy for the tummy. I didn't want anything sweet, so no banana or oranges. That was it, nothing else offered. Fine, I said, go collect your gear and get some warm cloths on. I gathered up my gear and my bike and back to the hotel I went.
It was a great race, unpredictable weather and situations. I made it through, which back in mid-September just after my bike crash I wasn't sure I had done enough LONG hard training to make it through my Ironman. I know I wasn't at 100%, and was doubting myself but It all came together. I pushed through the pain and discomforts to make this Ironman one that I can say I gave it my all.
HUGE thanks to my coach for all those darn brick runs (so painful but so worth it) and for training me, YOU ROCK!! A special thanks to my friends/running peeps for helping me recover from my accident to continue running. There were a few days I just didn't want or couldn't run, but you all helped me run through the pain. To all my other friends and family, thank you for your support and encouraging words. Lastly, to my husband who is fighting the war - thank you for another chance at a Ironman dream and for all that you do for me. It was a great day for me, and I am blessed to have you all in my life.
I learned a few things: never doubt in your training or your own abilities; pain is temporary, PRIDE is FOREVER (i kept repeating this in my head); and NEVER EVER judge a book by its cover, as appearances can be misleading!
I arrived in Panama City Beach, Florida Tuesday evening. The weather was chilly and immediately I start to think about what I will need for the weather. On Wednesday, I went out for a quick ride to get my hear rate up and test my legs and bike out. All felt good. I then proceeded to the registration pick-up. It was a little windy out but nothing too bad. After I got my waiver release, read it and then signed it, my stomach turned into a big knot and I thought to myself, what have you gotten yourself into.
After making a pass through the expo - I decided it was time to make friends with the ocean. The ocean looked beautiful, nice clear blue water. Their were no big waves but some choppy water. I put my wetsuit on and immediately got in. I felt really good in the water and was swimming out when one of the other athletes stopped me before I ran into a "group" of jelly fish. I then decided 500m was good enough for me and we headed in.
On Thursday - the weather had changed. 25+mph winds with big gusts that could blow you over. I packed the bike up on the car and my sleeveless wetsuit and headed to the start area. I got my bike ride in, it was headwind all the way out to the park and a awesome tailwind back. Reports were, the wind would die down by race day. I was really praying they would. I then headed out to the ocean with my wetsuit and saw that it was pretty white capped w/ big waves and swells. I am like, no way, I can't do that. One of the male athletes said he'd help me out. So in we went, thinking dear god, just let me survive this. To my surprise, it wasn't too bad, although I did consume a bit of salt water. For the record, it does not taste good. The jelly fish and baby sting rays were every where. So after about 20mins I decided I had enough of that.
Friday was another windy day and temps a bit cooler. I went through my check list for each of my bags and confirmed the weather for race day. I decided that I needed a thin tank top or something under my cycling jersey to keep my core warm. So off to the store I went in search of a small tank top. After going to 3 stores, no one had a small. So I decided to wear one of my thicker tanks and figured if I got too warm I could just take it off and toss it out. I then re-checked each bag carefully and headed to drop off my bike, and my bike & run gear bags. After dropping them off, I got out of there before the stress energy consumed me. And went to rest until I needed to do my 30min easy jog later on.
The weather forecasted for race day had changed from 49 morning low and 75 high with 8mph winds max to 47 morning low to 69-70 high with 15+mph winds. I had to rethink my outfits, so glad I packed many bags full of all weather gear. ;-)
RACE DAY:
Early morning show to get body marked, and get my bike tires pumped, put my fluids and nutrition on my bike, and then was like OK now where do I go? It was pretty cold so I decided to go in-side the Boardwalk Hotel lobby, ah, here is were everyone was at. I decided to put my wetsuit on half way (it takes me a good while to get it on) and then rest and fuel my body with some food and fluids.
They announced transition was closed, so off we went to the start, dropping our morning cloths bags off as we exited to the beach.
Swim: The water was fairly calm, water temp was 70 degrees, outside temp was 47 degrees and 8mph winds (that made it pretty chilly). I did a quick 10minute practice swim, and immediately started to struggle with my wetsuit. I am thinking how stupid, I should have gone with my sleeveless. I think tugged at it in the water which helped. As I was exiting the water I was stung by a baby sting ray on my left big toe. That pretty much had me in tears. I shook it off, because the call to the start had been announced and I didn't have time to mess with the pain. Mass start, 2800 competitors all on the beach. My very first mass start ever in a race. Everyone told me where to start but at that time it was like just get on that beach in line and get in when the cannon goes off. I think I was in the middle, and just said get in. I managed to get through the mass crowd in the swim without any incident. I made it up the string of Buoy Markers and as we got out to the 2nd Buoy Marker, the water got nice and warm, and of course again, I was thinking, stupid, should have gone with sleeveless. Anyhow, that though quickly left my mind as I started to see jelly fish after jelly fish of all sizes. I am like oh my *&^%$# get me out of this water.
They seemed to be in big groups especially out at the two big red turn buoy markers. I managed to make it thru loop one in 42 mins, and then was forced to make another loop and I am thinking, GREAT I get to swim with those jelly fish yet again. The second loop seemed to get a bit crowed. I know I am not a fast swimmer, apparently a bunch of others had my same pace. Fun. A lot of them need to take an open water swim clinic to learn to swim in a straight line. It was a bit frustrating. I got to the 2nd turn to come in when a rather large nasty jelly fish brushed up against my right side, I am like get me out of this water NOW. I tried to swim faster but my right elbow was getting sore. I finally made it in and I thought, awesome 2.4miles down a whole crap load more to go. I was so happy to see they had some wetsuit strippers there. They pulled my wetsuit down and off I went thru the make shift showers and onto get my bike gear and head to the changing area. I really thought when I got out of the water the ocean would be down a few feet, since I drank so much of it! T1: I was not prepared to run out and go through the bags (they were in number order) to get my Bike Gear. Louisville they had your bag for you as they called your number, you didn't have to go search for it. So that was going to add time to my T1. I got all my bike gear on, with added warmth. Tank top, toe covers, socks, gloves, arm warmers, extra nutrition, etc...
Bike: Ran out of the changing building and off to get my bike, hey they get your bike for you! NICE! On to the bike mount line. Immediately you could tell it was not going to be a fun ride. It was pretty windy out and yup, I was going directly into the wind. The ride up the coast was pretty bad, I don't think I was able to get my pace above 15mph, and there were a few times that the wind would gust up and just blow you over. I was in defense riding mode and could tell my arms and hands were going to be sore today. And from all that ocean water that I consumed my throat was sore, so drinking my ironman perform was not fun.
I tried to keep a mental note on the whole bike course. I got to aide station number 1, (10m or so in) and had to stop use the porta-john. All that salt water I drank went right through me.
the lines were 3-4 deep, so I had to wait. It was ok as it gave me a chance to fuel myself to the next stop. I no sooner started out and I had to go again. I am like are you kidding me? My bladder was working over time. Between fueling my body with water and ironman perform, and the ocean water that I drank - I had to go yet again. I was pushing hard to the next aide station - finally getting there, yet another line. Finally I am back on the road, and it is all up hill, not a big steep one - but a gradual up hill climb for 13 miles!!!!! With a head wind I might add. And it was BORING - nothing to get excited about, it was a straight shot. Finally getting to the next station (mile 33) and yup, going to the porta-john. After fueling and taking care of mother nature - off I went. The next stretch wasn't too bad, we had a little crosswind and that made the ride a bit easier and we could pick up the pace. Then we get to a road that was less than fun. It was bumpy, rough and yup, riding straight into the wind. FUN. We get to the first timing mat and the turn around. Coming back to the halfway point and picking up our bike special needs bag. I loaded my bike and my self with additional nutrition, ditched my arm warmers and gloves since it had warmed up a bit, and used a porta-john. I could tell I was getting tired, so I opened up my chocolate expresso bonk breaker - it gave me the boost I needed and off I went. Ok so we have a bit of a tail wind, but on a rough road, so you couldn't go too terribly fast. Bike parts were laying all over (bottle cages, spare tires, spare tubes, etc...) it was a short 5 miles to the main road, and back into the wind we rode. The rest of the ride was uneventful, rather boring, and I found myself day dreaming, and had to snap out of it and focus getting back and off the bike. The rest of the stops I passed up, hitting one briefly to get more fluids. I told myself - stay on the bike and hold it if you can until you get off the bike to transition to the run. The headwind was just terrible, especially the last 10 miles to the finish. I looked down and I was only going 12mph and that was pushing hard and maxing out my heart rate again. I am like get back and get off this bike now. FINALLY we get back to 1m to go to the bike finish and YAY we get a tail wind, really? now, we get a tail wind! I jump off my bike and nearly buckled, my right groin was all cramped and I could barely stand and walk. I am like OK, now is not the time! T2: I hobbled through T2 to pick up my run gear bag and hobbled into the changing area. At this point I am well fueled, and mentally ready to run. I felt good and my legs felt good but my groin was cramped. I tried to change quickly and then tried to stretch my groin out before I headed out for the last 26.2 miles. It was not un-cramping, but I needed to run to the porta-john, oh what a relief that was.
Run: I got about 10 run steps and just had to stop and stretch again. I knew that if I could un-cramp it, I could have a good run. My body and legs felt good, I wasn't too tired - finally I decided to go with a baby step jog and as I went thru 3 miles I managed to un-cramp my groin and I picked up the pace. I push through the first loop (13miles) on the run and was felling REALLY good starting my second loop, and was going as hard as I possibly could. The balls of my feet were really sore, and every now and then I would get a shooting pain. I adjust my gate and kept on going. I felt really strong going through mile 18 THE WALL. I looked at my watch and knew I would make my goal of 13:30, but saw that I had a good chance of making it close if not better than 13 hours. So I tried to push hard but by mile 21 my legs and pace were going down. I my quads were getting tired and sore, my feet were hurting and I decided not to stop at any more aide stations to run the last 4 miles to the finish. I was calculating my pace in my head thinking it was now looking like it would be 13:10-15. At the final turn for home I knew I had it at 13:15 but it was going to be really close. I gave that finish stretch everything I had left and push hard and fast to get that clock stopped for me. FINALLY - done, finished and this time I heard my name. WHAT a great feeling. ;D I had done a Ironman worthy performance. The only thing sad was my sweetie was not there to congratulate me or hug me. I was alone. Not a great feeling when you just did 140.6 miles of fun and pain. I made it through the medals, shirts and hats and was in search of food. Pizza! YUM. One bite, and had to spit it out. Too spicy for the tummy. I didn't want anything sweet, so no banana or oranges. That was it, nothing else offered. Fine, I said, go collect your gear and get some warm cloths on. I gathered up my gear and my bike and back to the hotel I went.
It was a great race, unpredictable weather and situations. I made it through, which back in mid-September just after my bike crash I wasn't sure I had done enough LONG hard training to make it through my Ironman. I know I wasn't at 100%, and was doubting myself but It all came together. I pushed through the pain and discomforts to make this Ironman one that I can say I gave it my all.
HUGE thanks to my coach for all those darn brick runs (so painful but so worth it) and for training me, YOU ROCK!! A special thanks to my friends/running peeps for helping me recover from my accident to continue running. There were a few days I just didn't want or couldn't run, but you all helped me run through the pain. To all my other friends and family, thank you for your support and encouraging words. Lastly, to my husband who is fighting the war - thank you for another chance at a Ironman dream and for all that you do for me. It was a great day for me, and I am blessed to have you all in my life.
I learned a few things: never doubt in your training or your own abilities; pain is temporary, PRIDE is FOREVER (i kept repeating this in my head); and NEVER EVER judge a book by its cover, as appearances can be misleading!
