Ironman Wisconsin - TriathlonFull Ironman

i am a decent swimmer, deal with panic issues when surrounded by people in the water. so i just kept telling myself in the weeks leading up to the race, that i would "just keep swimming". in shorter races, when i get crowded, i tend to stop and find clear water and get out of way. but i did it! i didnt panic, i just kept swimming (except that one swift hit i took that swung my goggles around my head). after first 3/4 mile, it cleared out a bit and i had longer stretches of open water. was aiming for 1:20-1:30, so pretty happy with my performance

nothing

came out of water, wetsuit strippers helped get my wetsuit off from waist down. ran up the helix (which was awesome!!), got into convention center and volunteer helped me get my stuff out of my bag. stopped for a bit of sunscreen and grabbed my bike. saw my family right at the exit to the bike. stopped to high five my girls and headed out

nothing, lots of distance to travel during the transition

felt really good on bike. had been told how challenging this course was. trainied the hills hard. never saw or drove or rode the course prior to race day. i was expecting much worse than it was. it was challenging, but totally doable. i loved the course. support on climbs were great. nutrition was good. used 2 concentrated infinit bottles. took water and bananas at the aid station. by mile 108, i was definitely ready to get off the bike. got to see my family 2 times on the course. stopped to take pictures with the kids.

nothing

had to tape my foot for plantar faciatis. so this added a good 4 minutes to this transition. otherwise would of been quick. i loved how volunteers just took your bike at the dismount line. that was awesome!

not have an injury :)

told myself i would run first 10 miles, got to 10 and felt good. said i would run to the halfway point, still felt good. however, very hard to run right up to finish line and have to turn around! knew that mile 16 was coming out of camp randall stadium. decided to run to there. Up to this point i had been walking aid stations drinking water/perform and eating grapes. took a sponge and wiped my face each time. at mile 17 aid station, when i stopped i got super light-headed. so i took chicken broth and started to walk. got really worried that i would have to walk the rest or get medical help. kept walking. mile 18 chicken broth and coke. mile 18.5, started to feel a bit better. started running again and got a second wind or sorts. ran in the rest. mile 19-25, the thought of drinking was awful. did not want water, couldnt bear anymore gatorade, solid food was not going in very well, but i knew i HAD to get in fluids.

work on run nutrition to avoid the bonk. probably eating more.

crossed finish line in tears, so happy. met up with my 3 girls, husband and mom. my kids were missing me. ended up carrying my 2 year old all the way back to car. went to pick up bike and gear and headed back to hotel.


nutrition on run.


Perfect experience for my first IM, great weather, great course, great support, great volunteers. cant wait to do it again!!!!