Ironman Lake Placid - TriathlonFull Ironman

The swim was great, except right before we started I damaged my toes on a rock. I wanted to cry, but held it in. I could see blood under a toe nail. The pain was felt during the entire race. Ughhh, at one point I thought one was broken. I've only had one other tri experience before and that was at American TTT in May (4 tris over 3 days). I panicked in 2 1/2 of the swims there and had major goggle issues. This was my best timed swim ever! I was so happy! My eyes were burning after a few hundred yards for the entire swim, but I was afraid to rinse the goggles for fear of getting water in them and not beaing able to seal them. They were very blood shot afterwards. Someone told me to put baby shampoo in them and wipe them off to prevent fog. Not sure if this is why this happened or not. I thought baby shampoo didn't do this to your eyes. Anyhow about 10 minutes into the swim I started hearing yelling. I popped my head up and people were frantically calling for a kayak because someone was going down. I didnt' know if I should try and help or keep going. I felt it would be a cluster if I tried to help so I kept moving on. The buoy was difficult. I cussed a few times there and switched to doggie paddle mode. I was taking some hits, but they weren't too hard. I hurt a few times when my foot hit someone in the head, but other than that I seemed to do good. My first lap was at 37 minutes, we ran on the beach and got back in. I gave a thumbs up and went for the second loop. I loved every minute of it! It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought!

Not walk on the bottom and hurt my toes. I will also make sure to rinse my goggles well before the swim.

about a 1/4 run on carpet (hard) to transition. The suit came right off and I used a stripper. Perfect!

nothing

I was proud that I stayed calm and wasn't pushing too hard. I kept my watts in check. I wanted to go harder ,but I listened to what everyone said. I hit the decent at 42.5 mph. fun, fun, but scary! I was doing great through the aid stations and I only used my gu roctane drink. i didn't take in any perform. Looks like I had enough on the bike out of 2 bottles. when we hit town I was amazed.I felt like I was in the Tour. I coudln't stop smiling! The second loop went well and my butt really started to hurt at mile 80. I held on for dear life. OUCH! I wish I would have put on more butter when the volunteer asked me if I wanted some. Towards the end my left eye felt like a pebble hit it between my glasses and later I felt a stinging and my eye started to swell. It burned so bad. I rode into town with one eye open. Not sure if something stung me or not, but it killed me!

More chamois butter! Maybe pick it up a tad on the first loop. Maybe not!

I don't really remember too much except for coming into the tent. It seemed like I was the only one running with their bag. I told a volunteer I needed eye wash. She said my eye was extremely swollen and blood shot. She handed me a mirror and she was right! Wow, I refused medical though (too much time). I was dumping water in it and had a cold compress as they helped me with my stuff. The volunteers were awesome. Think I would have been a couple minutes quicker, but I did some quick back stretches and kept putting water in my eye.

can't prevent unexpected stings

The first 3 miles were at a 8:30 pace walking the aid stations. I forced myself to slow down and then walked part of the hills after mile 6. I felt severly dehydrated for the first 6 and I did well drinking on the bike, but it was HOT! I kept telling people it was "f"ing hard! I also kept asking people who's idea this was. My toes still hurt from the swim, but I was just pushing right along. I couldn't stomach any more bonk breakers or gels after the bike so I switched to fruit on the course and later took some pretzels. About mile 14 I was eating a cookie at almost every station (never wanted to see another one ever again). I also took in coke and it seemed to help a little bit. About mile 16 I was forced to walk. something went wrong with my ankle. Just great! i was hobbling and doing about a 19 minute pace. i took 2 tyelnol and 2 miles later I was able to start shuffling and the pain went away. I forced myself to run the last 4 miles (even up the big hills). I was very proud of myself for pushing myself in the end. At mile 25 I could hear Mike Reilly over the speaker! I could smell the win I was so close! I picked up the pace the last half mile grinding my teeth and my cheeks were blowing out air like a blow fish. People knew I was fighting and the kept pushing me. I hit the oval and started high fiving people and doing fists pumps! I could hear Mike Reilly say he loved my enthusiasm. I was sprinting and came across the line.I remember the bright lights from the cameras going off. I hit the line and stumbled. 2 volunteers caught me and walked with me! Best lifetime experience ever!!!! When is the next one?????!!!!! It was simply amazing!!!

can't help the pain that happened in my ankle. Maybe drink more on the bike to prep for the heat on the run??? I was hoping for a 4 hr marathon, but it didn't happen. Somethings just aren't controllable, but I'll beat it... I know I will

medical station for my eye. They gave me ice and tylenol. People were on stretchers and taking IVS. I was in good shape if I only had to ice my eye. Wish I would have stretched more, but I was too excited to stretch.


my ankle


for my first Ironman I couldn't expect anything better (well maybe a bit quicker on the run). I was so happy to be able to compete! a 7 mile run was my longest run 6 weeks before the race because I didn't run for 3 weeks. The 3 weeks should have been my peak running weeks, but I coudln't because of my ankle. 6 weeks prior to the race I ran 16 miles. I used the elliptical for 2 weeks, but it's def. not the same as running. I really think all the biking saved my fitness! Can't wait for the next one!