Ironman Louisville - TriathlonFull Ironman

This was a very enjoyable swim for me. We started out in the little channel behind Towhead island and made our way past that to the turnaround buoy at maybe .7 miles. I had to stop once to defog my goggles; then as we got out from behind the island, I noticed a guy walking just to my right. Huh. I'd heard there were places where you could walk on a sand bar. The next couple times I breathed to my right, I saw a lot more people walking, so I figured, why not? I stood up, and to my surprise, there was a lot of really soft sand there, and the water was only chest deep. I walked only about 15 seconds - commented to a random dude that this was a great time to adjust your goggles - we were going about as fast as the swimmers! It was fun, actually, and one of the highlights of the race for me. But after that, I went back to swimming. Made it to the red turnaround buoy and then started on the way back.

For being a 2.4 mile swim, it actually didn't feel that long to me. At Wisconsin, I felt like the swim would never end, it was so boring. But this one went by a lot more quickly - and not just because of the current (although that was nice). Maybe it was because there was a lot more to look at? In any case, it was a pleasant swim, with minimal contact, and I was thrilled when I exited the water right around 1:22.



Absolutely nothing. This was a great swim!

I didn't expect to get a volunteer in T1, and sure enough, I didn't at first. I was super calm in T1 - took time to clean off my feet from the run into transition, and put on my bike shoes and helmet. Added a little body glide down there, and then a volunteer came over and sprayed my back with sunscreen. I didn't feel like I took that much time in T1, but apparently I did.

Move a little faster.

Ahhhh, the bike. You are usually my favorite part. Why did you disappoint me so in Louisville?

Everything started out well. I pulled out of transition and got going just fine. On the way out to the finger out-and-back, I was averaging 17 or so - but it was very flat and easy. I didn't pass anybody, and got passed a lot, but that was fine with me. It meant fewer people would be around me on the big hills in the finger section, and I would have more energy for later in the bike. Once we hit the hills in the finger, I started passing a lot of people. I wasn't working hard on the hills - just spinning, but still averaging faster than most people here. I felt really good, and came out of that section with my average still at 16.2, which was my goal pace for the bike. I figured that would be no problem to hold, since I'd just finished the hardest part.

HOWEVER... Around mile 20, I had started getting a headache. I also started getting some pretty bad stomach gas. But I wasn't too worried at this point; I figured the 2x caffeine in my GUs would take care of the headache, and I was fully expecting the gas so I had eight gas-x pills in my bento box. I started taking them, but they only helped temper the pain. And as the miles went on, both the headache and stomach pains kept getting worse and worse. I hadn't brought any regular pain meds with me on the bike - was saving them for the run, when I figured the aches and pains would kick in. I really did not expect to be hurting like this on the bike. The only nice thing was that I saw Dave and Michael at the start of the second loop - they had ridden out to the corner there and were cheering us on.

I stopped to pee at the L'Esprit Parkway aid station on both loops, and got some more sunscreen the second time, but was trying to tough it out with the headache. I didn't pack anything for special needs on the bike, since you didn't get the bags back and I am not about to let anything go to waste. Sometimes, I think I am too frugal. I was wishing I'd packed at least a couple Tylenol.

Got back on the bike, but by now, my average pace was so slow. Like 12-13 mph. wow. I was not feeling good, and fading fast. Every little crack in the road felt like someone was hitting me in the head. I started riding my with hands up on the aero pads and lifting my butt out of the saddle at every tiny crack in the road. And of course, this section of 42 was the worst for that (at least the gas was at a tolerable level by now). This was a real low point for me. When I got the the mile 87 aid station, I stopped and got off the bike and said I wasn't feeling well. Just a little after this, Lisa pulled up, saw me, and came over. The volunteers got me into a chair in the shade and I was just toasted. I truly wanted to quit then and there - my head was pounding, but I was also feeling lightheaded and out-of-sorts, and all I could visualize was me passing out on the bike, and laying on the side of the road. I thought that was a real possibility. Lisa was such a sweetheart - she came and sat with me for a while, offered me all the stuff she had on her (I gratefully took a Tylenol) but ultimately, she needed to run her own race, so after encouraging me, she went on ahead. I was so glad to see her, though - what an awesome friend and race buddy. I love that girl!

I ended up staying at the aid station for around a half hour. The headache was still there, but a volunteer ended up giving me another Tylenol, and I finally decided that quitting wasn't an option. I had to at least TRY to finish, although I really didn't see how I possibly could do a marathon, even if I could make it to the end of the bike. But I got up and back on the bike. The next 5 miles weren't pretty. I was a mess, actually crying on the bike and really disappointed with everything.

Then, almost like a light switch, the Tylenol kicked in and the roads got smoother. I started to feel like a human being again around mile 95, and was getting a second wind - when out of nowhere, a bee flew into my glove and stung me! I looked down and actually saw him stuck in the finger opening. Oh... I got that little bugger out fast and I was pissed! Then I got panicky, not knowing if I'd have a reaction or not (never been stung before). I stopped to make sure the stinger was out and then kept an eye on it. It swelled up a little, but not too bad, so that was a relief. The rest of the bike got progressively better and I managed to pick up the pace quite a bit, but the long stop still killed my overall time.

My nutrition, hydration, and pacing were all spot-on, so I really don't think that was the problem. The only thing I can think of that messed me up like this was the headache, most likely from cumulative lack of sleep. If I do another IM, I am going to take Tylenol PM not the night before the race, but for a couple nights before that, and make getting sleep priority #1. I will also never go on a long ride again without packing a couple Tylenol pills! Everything else was fine.

T2 was nothing special. I changed from my tri shorts into compression running shorts and got the sunscreen slop special. Visited the port-a-potties and then went out to run my marathon.

For as bad of a bike as I had, this was a surprisingly good run. My strategy was to run the first six miles and then take a one-minute walking break at every mile marker. I had tried to run as far as possible at Wisconsin and then ended up walking most of the last few miles. I was hoping to avoid that same fate in Louisville. And I actually felt really good the whole time. Gas was gone; headache eventually went away, too. I saw Lisa's family and then Michael in the first few miles - then saw Lisa when I was around mile 6 and she was on her way back to Fourth Street Live. Just before the turnaround, I saw Michael and Dave - Dave ran with me for just a minute and really encouraged me. It made it a little easier to make that turn just before the finish chute (what a tease!) to start the second loop.

It started to get dark during the second loop. I made sure to use the potty again before it was completely dark - but kept up my running strategy otherwise. I topped off my handheld bottle with Perform when necessary, and kept taking my endurolytes, but didn't really want to eat anything else. But I made myself take my planned GUs and CLIF bars, and had a little broth and banana at a couple of the stops. My feet and knees never really hurt (what a surprise!). I caught up to Lisa around mile 19 and kind of wanted to stay with her, but was feeling pretty good then, and thought I might actually be able to break 5 hours for the marathon, so I kept going. However, I must have jinxed myself by saying that, because seriously no more than 500 yds later both my quads cramped up and stayed tight the whole rest of the race. I was still able to run, but they were locked and burning! By miles 23-24 I guess I was deliriously happy - I stared joking around with the people near me and totally let a fart on purpose right in front of some guy and laughed. Luckily, he thought it was amusing, too. I was just glad that this year, I was able to still be running at this point.

The last mile seemed really long to me, but coming into the finish chute was amazing. The light was almost blinding and it was so loud. I was emotionally exhausted and almost stopped to walk it in and soak it all up. I was so close to breaking down and crying from elation. It really is true that you can experience every emotion possible in a single day.

I high-fived a ton of people and ran it in for the finish - so happy to have made it!

Got my medal, shirt, hat, and picture and my finish line catcher was great. I didn't see Dave right away, so kind of wandered around for a few minutes and stretched a little. Then all of a sudden, Lisa was finishing! She shaved an hour off her IM time - I'm so proud of her!

Then, Dave and Lisa's family were there and we all hung out together and talked about the day. Got some post race food and our morning bags. Called for medical help for a guy that passed out behind us. Lots of people needed medical! The guys went to get the car for us - they had already picked up our bikes & gear bags and taken them back to the hotel. That was super nice! We didn't stay any longer - just wanted to get back to the hotel, shower, and SLEEP.


I really enjoyed this whole weekend. The organization and events in Louisville are top-notch. Everything went smoothly, and I had as good a race as I was prepared to have. Thanks to the RD and the Ironman crew for putting on a great event! And thank you to all the wonderful volunteers out there!