Ironman Chattanooga - Triathlon

We knew from the practice swim the day before that the current was ripping and it was going to be a fast swim. Prior to the race, Brad and I had a strategy to "aim for the tip of the island" when we were swimming...pretty much swimming as close to the middle of the river as possible. 1) the current would be faster and 2) the river curved so it was the most direct route to swim in the middle versus follow the buoy line.

It was nice having white swim caps (versus green or pink) since we were All World Athletes. It meant I was able to see Brad and hang on his feet for just a little longer. I went out fast and probably stayed with him for 200-300 meters before losing him. With it being point to point, I had no idea where I was on the course. I saw the yellow buoys that were counting up in numbers. I remember seeing the island and kept our strategy in mind. All of a sudden, I noticed the buoys were now orange and I assumed we were at 1/2 way of the swim. I glanced at my watch and saw it was 28:XX. I figured if I kept the same pace, I'd be thrilled with a 56-57 minute swim.
I tried to find feet to draft off of, but the river was pretty wide and people seemed spread out. It really didn't feel like we were moving as fast as we were. There was some chop from boats the second half of the swim. I am sure they were very small waves, but just seemed bigger since the first half of the swim was calm.
I kept looking for the area where the practice swim started from the day before since I knew from there, it was only about 4 minutes to the stairs. I finally saw it and glanced at my watch. I was elated and freaking out seeing it was 43-ish minutes!

I made the one and only turn at the red buoy to go left towards the stairs. The stairs were a little crowded and I wasn't really sure when I crossed the mat to start the swim so I wasn't certain how close to 50 minutes I was. I knew I didn't want to miss breaking 50 by a second or two and was in a rush to get up the stairs and over the mat. Once I crossed, I was pretty sure it was a sub-50 minute swim, a PR that will stand for a while, if not forever.

Nothing. Was a great swim for me. I was focused and swam with effort the entire time.

My transitions always seem slow so I made it a point to hustle for T1. I ran the entire way along the river and then up the ramp to the transition bags. I saw Sissy and heard her screaming about my sub-50 minute swim. I grabbed my bag, ran into the tent and dumped it out. This time around, unlike in MMT, I was a little more prepared. My shorts were the right side out. My bike shoes were unvelcroed and my socks were rolled up inside. The volunteer I had was great and put my food and GU in my back pockets as I finished getting ready. I crammed about 1/2 a HS waffle in my mouth while getting ready. I ran out of the tent putting my helmet, gloves, arm coolers and sunglasses on while I ran/got sprayed with sunscreen.
Found my bike no issues and ran to the mount line, seeing Sissy's arms in the air along the way.

Nothing. Good transition for me. I actually moved with purpose.

What happens when you swim a sub-50 minute IM swim, but are a slower biker? You're passed a ton the first 20ish miles.

Within the first minute or so of getting on the bike, I saw Brad pass me which means I must have passed him in T1. We wished each other luck and rode on. I kept having to remind myself to ride my race and follow my plan as so many people zipped by me. My legs felt good and I was enjoying the ride. The weather was on the cooler side for that time of year and the skies were overcast.

I started to eat about 15 minutes in with my timer set to beep so I'd eat every 30 minutes after. I had 2 bottles of Roctane and water in my aero bottle I was sipping on. I also had the Base salt lick to have every 20 minutes or so. The hills didn't seem that difficult the first lap. I kept having to hold back and ride the power number Kim and I talked about. I stopped to pee 3 times the first lap and ended up squatting behind the port-o-potties each time since there were 7-8 people in line. Before special needs, Jeff passed me and we chatted for a little about the swim, how we were feeling and the huge number of people with flats on the side of the road. It turned out someone had dumped oil and tacks on the bike course. Ironman did a great job of cleaning the oil up and having us go around the hazard. There were probably about 30 flats, but I heard they had staff out there to clean up the tacks too. Having Jeff pass me was fantastic! I knew his demon was the swim and when I heard his time and saw him on the bike, I knew he was having a great day.

Pulled into SNB to get more food, 2 frozen bottles of Roctane and my spare tube/C02. The first loop, I drank about 1.5 bottles of Roctane and an unknown amount of water. It was great seeing our support crew and friends in that area. My legs still felt good, but my head started to hurt and my stomach wasn't feeling great. I had taken 2 Tylenol the first loop and felt I was ok to take 2 Excedrin Migraine somewhere on the second loop. Unfortunately, it never helped. From about 1/2 way on the bike until the end of the day, my head was throbbing and my stomach was unsettled. I knew I couldn't stop eating and it was somewhat of a chore to continue to eat knowing it bothered my stomach. I decided to back off the Roctane (and the Base) thinking maybe the sugary drink was contributing to my stomach issues.

The second loop was definitely more of a suffer fest for me and was about 9 minutes slower than the first loop. I was on target or slightly over my watt goal, but was not as fast as I would have thought. The hills again didn't seem memorable, but it felt like all you were doing was shifting up/down the hills. Joann and I leapfrogged most of the ride and it was nice to see a familiar face. I stopped once on the second loop to pee (again behind the port-o-potty) before hitting the final stretch to T2.
My head and stomach were still an issue and I continued to loop down at my feet/pedals to stretch my neck. In some races in the past when it's hot and/or sunny, I get a bad headache. But it was neither hot or sunny on race day which was weird. I did spend more time in aero and I am wondering if that partnered with the aero helmet caused the headache.

I was within my watt goal, but felt I would have been faster.

Was fairly consistent with the lap splits (time ant watts):
1st and last 10-ish miles: 41:02 vs. 41:34
1st loop vs 2nd loop: both 127 watts (3:00:57 vs. 3:09:01)

Perhaps take Excedrin Migraine sooner when I felt the onset of the headache. I debated on wearing the aero helmet or my regular helmet and made the decision on Saturday after seeing the overcast weather forecast for Sunday.

As always, I was happy to be done with the bike and to hand it to a volunteer. I saw Joann's husband, Mark, as I was heading to my bag and the tent. I was not feeling great so I walked to my bag and the tent. The volunteers were great and filled my water bottle and put the rest of my stuff in my T2 bag.

I wasn't feeling great and wasn't in too much of a hurry.

The plan was to run the flatish 8 miles of each loop and do a run/walk on the hillier part of the course.
Shortly after the transition area, there's a pretty good climb, which I walked (and was where our family was). I got an update on Brad (always great to hear he is on the run course) and told them I wasn't feeling great. Before mile 1, I saw some friends which was a great pick me up. I was able to run most of the path along the river. I took a GU around mile 3 and walked for a little after to let it settle. I then found myself taking more walk breaks as my stomach wasn't feeling great. I turned my interval timer on to hold me more accountable (run 6'/walk 2'). I did an ok job with the intervals, but walked the uphills as it further upset my stomach and I didn't want to anger my hip (so far, I was pain free). It started raining around mile 4 and was soon a steady downpour. I didn't really mind it.

I made my way across the river and hit the hillier parts. By this point, my head and stomach were still hurting. I abandoned my plan to eat every 3 miles. When I did eat, it further bothered my stomach to the point I'd have to stop and would be doubled over until the pain went away. I was trying to take in what I could at each aid station...coke to help settle my stomach, Perform, chicken broth, bananas, oranges.

Joann caught me around mile 11 and I told her I was continuing to have head and stomach issues. We actually leapfrogged for nearly the rest of the race as she kept having to pee. I made my way across the pedestrian bridge and saw Brad, Sissy, Barb, Ernie and Lisa. Brad had finished and I am sure there were other places he would have rather been, but it means so much to see him and others at the mid-way point. It gives me something to look forward to and is a huge pick me up, even if I was feeling like crap. I told him my issues and he said for me to get a cup of Perform at every aid station and I would be fine on that.

I stopped at special needs and took the GU because I'm too cheap to throw it away. I did a run/walk combo (no set intervals) on the river path and then on the highway back before crossing the river. I was hoping to be off of the river path before it got dark and was able to do that. I hit the port-o-potty on the stretch along the highway and felt a little better. I saw Brad, Sissy and Mitch around mile 21 and apologized for being out there so long.

Crossing over the river and knowing the hills ahead of me was mentally hard. I was in a world of hurt with my head and stomach (ironically, my legs felt ok). And I am guessing I wasn't as energetic as I could have been if I had been able to keep eating. Joann and I walked Barton hill and I had plans to run the down hills. I got to the top of the hill and when I started slowly running, had to stop because of my stomach. It was so disheartening and frustrating to want to run, but not be able to. Every so often, I would find myself doubled over holding my knees waiting for the wave of pain to pass.

Every Ironman run, I suffer. But I didn't even feel like myself on this run. I wasn't making eye contact or really acknowledging spectators cheering and was really in a dark place. I didn't have the feeling of wanting to quit. I knew I could finish, but was doing the math of my slow walking miles and how much longer it would take me. I knew if I could just run, I'd be done sooner, but I just couldn't do it.
I made the final turn onto the pedestrian bridge and could hear the finish line. I told myself I would run with the final downhill. I didn't want to start running too early and then have to walk. I knew the finish line was close and would start running once I saw the lights. Laura Cortina was on this stretch and it was so great to see her there!

I was in the chute and high 5-ing a few people, but was really scanning the crowd looking for Brad and our group. It helped that there was only bleachers on the left side. And Sissy with her arms straight up in the air is very easy to spot. I slowed down a bit to enjoy the finish line, had my hands in the air pointing 1 and 2 fingers showing it was #12 and crossed the line with a huge smile. The finishers chute is always pain free.


Perhaps more MMT forcing myself to run.

A volunteer helped me and I said all I wanted was to sit or lay down. He found me a seat and I immediately started crying. I haven't suffered like that on an Ironman course in a long time. And there was a little more added pressure knowing I had to finish so Brad and I both had #12 in the books (on top of that, quitting races is not something I do).
Brad found me and we got some pictures with the 2 of us and then some with Jeff (so proud of them both...Jeff having crushed his first IM and Brad with his PR).
I found Ernie and Lisa along with Joann and her family outside the finishers area. It was so nice to have their support on the course and to leap frog with Joann most of the day.


Headache and stomach issues.

Part of me is disappointed in my race. I take that back. I am disappointed in my race. I was angry and upset for not having the day I know I am capable of. I was angry for the feeling of letting people down - people who put their energy, time, love and support into me and race day. I know I have a better race in me. This year wasn't without challenges...an IM 6 weeks prior and dealing with a hip injury since mid-July. I am trying to cut myself some slack and not beat myself up over it, but it's hard sometimes when you have higher expectations for yourself than the final outcome of the day. That being said, my first few years of Ironman racing, I'd be thrilled with a 14:22 finish time. Live to fight another day.


For a first year race, this was fantastic! Yes, the bike course was 116 miles vs. 112, but the venue, course and volunteers were amazing!

Looking forward to some downtime, figuring out my hip issue and getting stronger and more flexible in the offseason.