Oklahoma City Redman Triathlon - Full Redman - TriathlonFull Ironman

Course was great, but I learned that even with a ton of buoys, I still have trouble sighting. I had one of the best swims I've ever had though, for my ability.

Sight better, and work more on speedwork.

Ugh, everything was SOAKED! I put my shoes on with no socks since there just wasn't a point. I had never NOT had socks before, so I was nervous. Ate a gel and was off.

Use the T1 bag, especially if it looks like rain.

Well, after almost being pulled from the race at mile 70 by the medical director for not sweating (and, well, I looked like CRAP), I'm just thankful that I was able to finish. After 1 mile in (seriously, 1 mile), I started having GI issues. It started out as just burps, but by mile 25, I felt like I had a hangover. At the midpoint I ditched my nutrition plan and started drinking and eating what they had at the aid stations, to no avail. The sun finally came out, but all I got was a BAD sunburn (I promise I put on sunscreen!).

Anyway, had a 10 minute cry session at mile 70 where I was trying not to cry but it was coming out anyway so I looked like I was having convulsions, I'm sure. The medical director, seeing how upset I was, helped me cool down and re-group, and told me to go one more aid station. If I still felt bad and still wasn't sweating, then it was time to call it a day. Thank God my arms started to sweat and I was able to keep going.

I finally finished, barely making the bike cutoff (I literally had a few seconds left). I don't think they were sticking to the bike cutoff, though, since so many things had gone wrong that day.

GI issues had gotten so bad that I was gagging up water by this point. I hadn't seen my family since the swim, and so I was really feeling low.

I wish I knew what to do differently! I did nothing new nutritionally, and I NEVER have GI issues.

The tent lady helped me gather myself and encouraged me a lot. The volunteers were GREAT.

I love running, so I was able to better handle my stomach despair. Plus everyone was encouraging each other so that helped. I thought I would love the 4 loop course, but passing all of the restaurants sucked! And here's another thing - it gets DARK!!! Still never saw my family, so I was kinda sad about that. I was so sick and tired of those puddles and being wet. The muddy area was insane, and there were drunk spectators walking everywhere. It was defintiely tough to stay focused.

I hadn't been able to keep down water from miles 14-20, and I bonked. Sitting there, at an aid station, so tired of feeling sick and having a miserable time, I withdrew from the race. I was so angry, mainly because I have no idea why this happened, especially from the very beginning of the bike. There may have been someone out there who could have finished, but I didn't have enough time to meet the cutoff even if I walked the last 6 miles. I was trying to think as objectively as I could, ignoring my desire to go home and sleep. But 12 miles with no water seemed stupid.

Suggestions?

Felt AWFUL physically, and even worse emotionally. My family was so supportive and were so proud of me, but I was devastated. I tried to remain objective, but it didn't work. I stretched, drank a Coke, hydrated, and burped for the next 5 days. Suffered from GI issues for the next several days and came down with bronchitis. Had to stay home from work, which wasn't good because triathlon events were all over NBC Sports and I was miserable!


Race volunteers, director, and course were great. The rain sucked but what can you do. Many volunteers were experienced triathletes so they were even more awesome. Wish more spectators would have stayed off the run course near the turnaround.