Beach 2 Battleship Iron Distance - TriathlonFull Ironman

Well, it is clear that swimming is my weakest of the three disciplines! While my average per 100 yards was high, it was par for my swim ability at this point. This is also the first time swimming this distance-ever-even in a pool. In the beginning I was feeling good and felt like I was making good progress. As the swim went along, I felt like I was not navigating very well and seemed to be far off to the left. I never tired, however, I felt like I was slowing down quite a bit due to the cold. My arms and legs felt heavy and my hands looked like they were beginning to turn blue. I could feel my wetsuit rubbing on the back of my neck (I did Bodyglide). The lst .5 mile or so I really lost my bearings and didn't know where to go and had to keep looking up to navigate and watch others. I did swim the entire time, didn't need to stop and float at all!

First and foremost-train more to acheive better swim speed! I also should've gotten more familiar with the swim course by checking it out the day before instead of relying on the map.

As soon as I exited the water the shivering/shaking started! I was excited to be out, but freezing cold. Decided to not go under the showers becasue I didn't want to get even colder. They gave us a milar wrap that helped. Opted to have my wet suit stripped and run to T1 in just my trisuit. I could not believe how bad my entire body was shaking. When I arrived in the changing tent the volunteer came right over to help. I was unable to do anything for myself becasue I was shaking. I was not hypothermic because I felt fine and was not lethargic at all. She helped with everything! I took my time (because I had no choice) and realized I needed to settle down before embarking on the bike journey. I walked out of tent and my support crew were there to give me some motivation!

Besides the obvious-being faster, not really anything. This being the first time I wanted to make sure I didn't forget anything.

Once I got on the bike I started to relax. I wore my tri shorts, bike jersey with arm warmers, a light shell, a head sweat under my helmet and gloves. I started to follow my nutrition rotaion which was 1/2 power bar, gel or cliff every 45 minutes with one bottle of CarboPro every hour and one salt tablet. After eating the first power bar my stomach felt queasy. I decided to lay off the solid stuff until I could settle it down and relied on the liquids.
My pace was easy in the beginning and I was being passed by many (half distance out there too). I was ok with this because I knew what I had in store for me! I did have a throbbing headache from the cold water for the first 20 miles until I got some tylenol, then it felt better.
My only stop was at mile 51-Special Needs. I had to use the bathroom (stomach issues starting). Prior to this I had only Carbo Pro and 1 Gu. Took off my jacket and head sweat temperature warming up. Got back on the road and picked up the pace. Got to see my support crew at mile 70 or so! That was cool! Also got some Gatorade from them-I needed that too! Those nagging headwinds finally gave way so now was the time to move a little faster. Coach Mary told me I would have more at the end because of our training (40/20) and she was right! Now I was the one doing the passing, and still kept my Hr in check! My last 32 miles were my best! Felt really good finishing up the 112 miles (excpet the stomach).

I would definitely follow my nutrition plan better. I would also make sure I have tylenol and immodium taped to my bike! I think I can push more wothour sacrificing the marathon now that I know how great my legs felt after the bike.

A little congested heading into T2 due to traffic, but I made it. I love being able to hand off the bike and just grab my changing bag. Got into the ten and the volunteers were great again. I changed into running shorts, fresh socks, and short sleeve shirt with my arm warmers. I put on my cap, racebelt loaded my shot blocks into the pockets, reset the garmin and hit the bathroom. Felt good at this point, said to the spectators, "I think I'll go run a marathon, what else do i have to do today!"

Nothing really. In hindsight, taken the immodium pill before heading out, but I didn't realize how much the run was going to shake up my stomach!

Well, my legs felt like an 8 out of 10; my endurance felt like an 8 out of 10; however, my stomach felt like a 2 out of 10! As soon as I started to run it tumbled like a washing machine. I would run slower to try to settle it, but that didn't help so I resorted to a power walk until I got to the next port-a-john. I sipped heed, and cola at just about every aid station. On the first loop I had to make 6 bathroom stops.
When I got to the turn around and special needs I took an immodium and some gatorade. Carol ran with me for motivation too. At this point I knew I would finish, but probably 16-16.5 hours. My stomach started to settle and I felt better. By mile 17 I was feeling stronger than ever. Iran more frequently and kept walk breaks to a minimum. Had a great time running through aid stations and high-fivin and fist pumping the volunteers. I was passing other runners and feeling great. By the time I got to the 20 mile marker, I flet like a million bucks. i looked at the time and realized I was going to come in under 16 hours if I kept this up. Took a few sugar wafers and cola and those helped. At mile 22 or so, I told my support crew I was running this in and going to "Put this Ironman to bed!" I can't believe how great I felt at this pojt and could hear the announcer across the water.
I ran up that final bridge and on my last mile I started to smile from ear to ear knowing that I was going to be an Ironman! I heard Rina, Jamie and Carol as I approached and I raised my arms and picked up my pace to run across that finish line!

Be prepared for the stomach issues. I know that in Lake PLacid, I will be able to run more and cut time of the marathon.

After a few pictures and calling my parents, I went into the warming tent to change. I saw David, my friend I met along the way and chatted with him for a few minutes. I took a few sips of hot chocolate but didn't eat anything. On the way back to the hotel I drank my PwerBar recovery drink. Got a hot shower (OUCH!!! Neck burn from th wet suit. I got into bed about midnight and fell fast asleep!
The next day I was a little sore, but not as much as I thought. By Monday, I was not sore at all! i did however get a nasty cold which probably came on due to lack of rest!


My stomach issues especially on the run! Swimming speed due to cold and my swimming ability.


My first Ironman and it was a success. I thought the course was great and well organized. If I wan't already scheduled to do Lake Placid Ironman in July of 2011 I would do Beach2Battleship again!