Timberman - Half Iron - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Started out fine - it was a battle zone got swum over, grabbed, punched, kicked looked for a way out - stuck with the melee to the first buoy then had enough so migrated to the outside (which is how I seem to drift anyway) the problem with this is I did a very wide long course - so much so that as I am aiming for the last turn a kayaker calls out to me that I should aim for the buoy - no shit - gee I though I would aim for the other side of the lake. I started getting a right side abdominal cramp on the first leg - debated pulling out - it was that bad - but decided to just focus on my breathing, and try to enjoy the swim, figuring I would feel better on the bike.

nothing I had control over - perhaps not eat an EFS bar

High fived Max! love the wetsuit strippers!!! abdominal cramps were bad enough that I was happy for the help - flopped on my back and they pulled! ran/walked to my stuff, glasses, helmet, shoes, grab bike and go. jogged to mount line and got on.

nada

oh where do I start at how bad this was!!! Within the first 5 miles abdominal pain was so bad - the kind of cramps that take your breathe away, seize up all your muscles. I thought frequently about pulling out but kept thinking maybe it would be ok on the run (ha) and I could not deal with the thought of DNF. So I went into survival mode. I had put one salt stick cap and one scoop of endurolytes in my sustained energy and thought maybe that would help - so despite the nausea I forced some in. Drank a total of 3 bottles of water (love the volunteers!!!) and my nutrition bottle. Here and there I was able to rally and bike my usual self and play leap frog but I was a hurtin' girl - something clearly was wrong with me. I have never had such a miserable bike ride in my life - and my low speed and wattage show it. I was pissed off because I had so prepped for this race - knew this bike course....after the turn around the nagging pain in my right thigh kicked in - though now it went up my butt and into my low back - SCIATICA - wtf?? I just felt like a wreck. As I passed the zillions with flats I was so impressed by the aid on the course - mavic and a cycle store were out there helping people change their tubes. And as much as I did not want any mechanical issues I thought to myself at least with a flat you change it and you are done whatever was wrong with me was not ending!

not be cramping, not have abdominal pain. use this mental toughness when I am physically myself.

determined to finish this race. hopeful that I would feel better.

nada

I did not care if I had to walk the whole thing, I was NOT DNFing. Despite how bad I felt I could appreciate all the themed stations and the snow and ice were a god send!!!! I put snow and ice down my suit (cold bits are an interesting feeling) and under my hat. way better than the sponges though I took it all. I was really nauseated so could not choke a gel down and instead took cola and water. As the cramps worsened, and my back was KILLING me I though gee maybe I need ecaps - so grabbed endurolytes at the next station. I did a good job of temp regulation in spite of the heat and was disappointed that I felt so bad that I could not test out my run training. It was a miserable shuffle/jog/walk experience but I HAD TO FINISH. Pulling out was a thought but NO. High fived Max at the second loop and all the BTers really helped - I felt so bad but the cheering kept me going - just wish I could have done something real with it.

When I saw the finish my only thought was please let this be over! As I got through the arch everything went black and I hit the ground. was sort of aware of people pulling me off, putting my feet up - I was out of it. They went to get me up, I could not really stand I have vague recollection of all of this - taken to the med tent and IV was started. I was too out of it to fight - but I was trying to tell them all the fluid I took in - they should have listened - in retrospect by the finish I was hyponatremic and giving my iv fluids was a mistake and could have killed me. The EMTs were really nice but my confusion, dry heaves, and reports of drinking should have prompted a spot sodium check and/or weight check.

Figure out wtf was going on and fix it

After being given 2 liters I sat up and while I still felt awful I choked down a banana. got the IV taken out and Rob and I went to get food. We then had to get back to the house - 7 miles away. Tried to find a ride, but no go. I figured well if we bike slow I should be ok. so we did. showered and put my zoot recovery tights on. Feet up and hung out.


abdominal pain - gastroenteritis????, hyponatremia, heat, humidity


well I HAVE to back next year to redeem myself on this course! I had trained right, tapered right, done another HIM to know I could do the distance. Apparently I screwed up the days leading up to this. and then WAY underdid sodium and electrolytes - this I have to correct.

I am also instituting a scale spot sodium check program for the iron distance race I am in the med tent for in 2 weeks and will sent the boston marathon protocols to Keith. I have had an awful 2 days - 6 pounds up post race from pre race weight, migraines (all clear signs of hyponatremia). Lost 2.5 pounds this first day home but still need to mobilize the rest of the fluid. My head is still hurting, and just feel blah but muscles are recovering. got a massage when I got home.

I am pissed at myself because I thought I had worked out nutrition. but I did not.
I am proud of myself for the mental effort and the HTFU and not DNFing but now have lots to prove to myself.