Ironman Louisville - TriathlonFull Ironman

We had a pretty good spot towards the front 25% of the line so once the gun went off I was in the water very quickly. I decided to bust out a cannonball, I am sure it was a pretty splash. The firts 200 or so yards I was just trying to establish a rhythm and set my pace. My goggles were foggy and I had trouble sighting, so I finally let a bit of water in to clear them and it made quite a bit of difference. Somewhere shortly after the turnaround I got a kick to the head that rang my bell for a second, but other than that it was light contact throughout the swim. I focused on form and moving at a sustainable and easy pace. I did get off course for a moment and was corrected by a kayaker at one point about 20 minutes from the finish, so that probably cost me a small amount of time. Found the stairs and a volunteer helped me out of the water, saw the family and high fived them as I ran to transition. Part 1 of 3 was over

Defog my goggles maybe? I had a good swim. I could have gone faster, but I got out of the water with a full tank, so I really cant complain.

First Ironman transition, so it is way different. I spent the extra time to make sure I had everything I needed, and also put on the heart rate monitor and had to start the Garmin. all in alll an average time- most importantly I had everything I needed

Nothing

I felt great when I jumped on the bike. I stayed in Z2 and the air was still cool. I was going pretty fast (over 20) and rocked out the first 30 miles almost effortlessly. The out and back that everyone feared was a good bit of climbing but felt good until mile 27, when I though my front derauiller cable broke and my chain was rubbing hard on the frame. I thought- Oh crap, this cant be, so I kept messing with it (as I was climbing the grinding hill) and it popped into gear thank goodness and I was rolling again. I alternated water and perform drink as the aid stations came about every 10 miles and that was working well. Rolled through LaGrange and enjoyed the crowd support there. I saw Tom and Bill and managed to strike a pose. It was starting to heat up at this point so I decided to dial it back a bit and use smaller gears. The course was super crowded and people would pass you and slow down, so you had to get out of thier draft and repass them, and that got annoying, so sometimes I would just settle in despite my want to go faster. One guy stood up on a downhill and slowed down and peed, and I got splashed which was gross and annoying. He slowed me down and pissed on me. On the 2nd laGrage loop I decided to stop at a portapotty (around mile 60) which cost me a couple of minutes, but better than pissing all over myself and bike. I also stopped at special needs around mile 65 to grab some chamois butter and bodyglide. After rolling through Lagrange again it started getting Africa hot. Around mile 70 I was feeling it with the relentless hills and heat, but pace and legs were still ok. I compensated by taking in extra hydration and nutrition (big mistake).
Somewhere around mile 85 my stomach started a mini revolt and the taste of the perform drink was really bothering me. I had taken in some Clif z bars as well that wanted to come up. I sucked it up and got to the last 10 or so flat miles and started cramping in the inner thighs which I did my best to spin through, but I was only moving 16mph on the easiest part of the course. I knew I was in trouble at this point with the cramping and the bad stomach, and was really ready to be off the bike. I finally got to transition, handed off the bike and slowly wobbled into transition

Stick with the consumption plan and avoid high fiber/protein solid foods. The liquid consumption probably would have been ok without the bricks in my stomach

I was in a daze here. I was hot and wanted to throw up and lay down. I knew I had to somehow overcome it, so I took my time and tried to recover a bit in transition. It was hot and I was lightheaded. A volunteer brought over some water and a cold coke which helped a little. I changed my shoes and jersey, threw on my visor and headed out. I saw karen on the way out and tried to hit the portapotty to puke, but nothing. I slowly ran out and saw my cheering section which gave me a tiny pick me up

This was all about trying to get through at this point. It goes back to the bike and the cramping, heat, and stomach issues.

Ouch. I was not in a good place here. I was able to suck it up and run slowly the first couple miles, then I had to take walk breaks. It was hot and my stomach was kiling me. My achilles was starting to feel like it was shredding and I knew I was in for a long marathon. I averaged around 11 minute miles through the first 8-10 miles and then I could barely walk anymore after the turnaround. This was the dark spot in my race and I was hurting, couldn't move and felt completely hopeless as I walked by people laying in the grass and just quitting. Doug caught up to me around mile 12 and took a walk with me for a while. He was suffering too, but had a little more in the tank. He got me running to points and back downtown. on the way I saw most of the other NAMC'ers and noticed we were all suffering. I realized it was what it was, so time to embrace the pain - this is part of Ironman racing. I refused to walk in front of the big crowds downtown so we ran almost a mile to the next aid station. Doug then pulled out the life saver of the day- 2 tums and gave them to me. They were disgusting, but exactly what I needed. around mile 15 he moved on and shortly after I started feeling optimistic and the sun started going down. I was still huting, but it was cooler, and my stomach was feeling better- and most importantly I was getting closer to the finish line. I found Spengler around mile 17 and walked with him for a bit, then I decided it was time to work a plan and finish this thing sooner than later. I would get about .15 past each mile split and walk .15 miles, run to the aid station, walk the aid station, then run to the mile marker and repeat. This was working and I was actually getting stronger (other than my shredded achilles).
I hit mile 23 and I was tempted to give it all the last 3 and try and break 13 hours as this was the initial goal, but decided against it realizing I could be setting myself up for a dissapointing effort and miss out on enjoying the finish line, so I stuck with what was working. I was starting to get really excited by mile 24 as I knew I was very close to becoming an Ironman, and there was no stopping me now. I walked the last aid station and decided there was no more walking from mile 25.5 on. I saw saw katie and remember telling me "YOU MADE IT, YOU LOOK AWESOME" and then the adrenalind started pumping, this was it. I rounded the corner and there was the finish line about .3 miles away. The crowd was huge and going wild and I was so happy to be going left to the finishers chute.
Right before I hit the carpet I saw Jamie, Jackson and my mother, gave them a kiss and hit the finish line arms in the air. It was all a blur, but one of the best feelings I have ever experienced, I am an IRONMAN!

I wouldnt change a thing. Suffering adds to accomplishment. I knew it would be hard and it proved to be

water, walking around and some light stretching. After the initial pump of adrenaline wore off I was hurting. I thought a margarita might bee good, or some food but it was not. Went back out to cheer on the rest of the finishers


The heat and the inexperience. I really cant complain otherwise


4 Years ago I weighed about 250 pounds, could barely run 2 miles and was not active at all. I decided to do a sprint triathlon on '06 to get in shape and have some sort of athletic accomplishment, and it was awesome- I was hooked. I never thought I could or would ever do a full marathon, definetly not an ironman.
Fast forward 3 years. I made some friends, got in shape, and saw got inspired watching my friends become Ironmen, and I knew that it could be done and signed up after cheering Courtney in Louisville. The training was hard, it was hot this summer and I took a lot of time away from my family, non tri friends, and was unemployed for much of it. I never lot focus on this goal and no matter what, this had to happen. I have a tendency to underacheive and this was my chance to do otherwise.
I learned that setting goals and having the desire to do something is simply not enough. You have to commit and execute- even if it is inconvenient or uncomfortable at times. Nothing is insurmountable, but it takes fortitude and commitment. Now I know what it takes and I truly think that this journey will lead to great things and accoplishments beyond the race course.