Ironman Lake Placid - Triathlon

I had been worried about this swim only because of the number of people. My fears quickly became reality. There wasn't much room to swim. Lots of pushing, kicking, hitting of the arms, blocking, pulling, and aggressiveness. It was more like a boxing match than anything else. I wondered why I even bothered to practice swimming. I did not feel like I was swimming at all. It was more like surviving. I would try to draft at every chance. I kept touching some guy's feet and felt bad but whatever. His feet certainly weren't smooth.

I was very surprised when I saw my time in the results. Not too shabby for me! It was my second fastest IM swim.

I ate a half of a Power Bar before the start.

Take boxing lessons

I had decided not to lay on the ground for the wetsuit strippers because of my bad experience last year. So when I ran up to a guy for help, I said I was going to just stand, he moved on to someone else. But I wanted to lean on him. He helped the other guys first and then me. It still was quicker than last year.

It felt like a long run out of the swim area, down the hill and into T1. I saw Susan W. right away and she helped me. It's a good thing to keep wits about you otherwise you will forget stuff, especially when they spread your stuff over 3 different chairs. I stayed fairly focused.

Ran out for my bike. They noted my number and I stupidly assumed they get my bike ready. Next time, keep yelling out my number. Once is not enough. I had to find my own bike and get it out.

Nothing

Got off to a good start. Felt okay. Drank my first bottle and dropped it at the first aid station so I could pick up a water. As I was trying to take the blue cap off while it was in the bottle cage, it flew out. My water was gone. Nice! I had to drink straight Gatorade until the next aid station.

The decent into Keene scared me. My wheels felt like they were floating. I was nervous. I used my breaks a lot. I didn't go over 33 mph. At least I made it down safely.

I tried to eat consistently throughout the ride. It took at least 20 miles to eat my PB&J. I ate the Clif Bloks first. Had 3 banana halves and a chocolate Power Bar. I grabbed a water at most aid stations. I would not drink it completely before the next one. I had 2 tall biking bottles filled with my favorite flavor of Gatorade. I had about a half leftover at the end.

A ton of people passed me. I didn't feel like I was doing as well as last year. The good news is that I didn't crash or get any penalties. I did see a lot of people drafting.

I started the BASE salts about an hour into the ride. I did 2 licks every half hour. Towards the end of the ride, I started feeling slightly nauseous and discontinued the salt.

The second 4-mile decent into Keene was just as scary as the first time. I have no idea how people go so fast.

Peed approximately 9 times on the bike. My shoes reek now.

Some chafing started developing in the crotch area. I opened my Aquaphor and tried to apply. It worked for awhile and the changing came back. I didn't feel like reapplying.


Not a whole lot

By the time I got off my bike, my feet were absolutely killing me. I took my shoes off and walked slowly. The volunteers were telling me to take off my helmet to cool down. I just didn't feel like it. I stopped at the porta pottie before getting my bag and going into the tent. Once in the tent, a woman helped me right away. Then I saw Susan Reiter and almost cried. I felt so emotional. Both women continued to help me. Then I realized the first woman was Sue W. I didn't recognize her with a visor on.

I gooped my feet with Vaseline. Susan "cleaned" them off. I had to regoop. Oh well. They put sunscreen on me.

I grabbed my visor, changed sunglasses, and changed shorts.


Nothing

I started out on the run and was surprised that I could run. While I was biking, I couldn't imagine running afterwards. I felt like I was doing fairly well. I was hitting the split time on my watch for each mile. I was shooting for an 11-minute average.

I had the BASE salt with me but didn't think I could stomach it.

I took yellow Gatorade (yuck), chased by water, pretzels and dumped ice down my top at every available opportunity.

Hit the porta pottie twice during the run.

The second half of the run seemed harder. I allowed myself to walk a couple of times without being in an aid station or hill. I was a bit disappointed with myself. Then I saw the people throwing up. I realized I wasn't doing so bad.

Consumed 1 GU around mile 7. Couldn't stomach the second.

I skipped the last two aid stations. Maybe I shouldn't have but I just wanted to get done. The urge to walk was really plaguing me and I'd give in more frequently at this point.

Coming into the Olympic oval was exhilarating. It was so great to be done!!!

I went to the triage area and sat on a chair. I didn't feel well at all. I thought maybe I was hungry. A volunteer brought me a piece of pizza (which I never touched) and some delicious French fries. I ate a few. Jayson from Doylestown came over and said hello. I began to feel nauseous. I quickly realized that I was going to vomit. The volunteer brought me a barf bag and I used it. She decided I should go to medical.

Once inside, my nausea got worse. I couldn't believe how much I was puking. I felt dreadful. I got weighed and they tried to tell me I gained weight because I was a pound heavier. I pointed out that I had my sneakers on and didn't have them on for weigh-in. They gave me anti nausea medicine. I didn't drink anything. (Big big BIG mistake.)

I started cramping in my left shin. It hurt so bad and I wanted to get up. Instead, they called the PT guy over and he gave me the most incredible shin and calf massage and eased the cramp away. I've always had to stand up and stretch to get rid of my cramps. I told the guy that I thought my right calf was tight but he said that one wasn't a problem. Bummer.

The volunteer got word to Bob (via her phone) and she brought some clothes in. I took my sports bra off and didn't care who saw. I wanted out of that thing. After about 50 minutes, I left. I called Bob again from her phone. He was outside on the road. I told him I couldn't make it that far but he said he wasn't allowed in. So I walked out. Bill held me up for the entire walk back. Bob was limping terribly because of his sciatica. I felt so bad for him. A few people congratulated him on his race. LOL.

My next mistake was not drinking and eating when I got back to the house. I didn't sleep well. The next day, things went to hell!!!


Next day, went to award ceremony. Had lovely breakfast. Very excited about winning Roka first out of water in age group award and 2nd in my age group overall. Was going to ask the woman that was first if she was taking the Kona slot. Mike Reilly started talking. He mentioned the ideal day. I was thinking how I didn't think full sun was ideal and next thing I knew, I got light headed and fainted. I woke up on the floor. Why was everyone standing over me? Anyway, Bob had yelled "call 911" and Mike stopped the ceremony. Medics came. They were making such a big deal. I was fine. I refused the ambulance. The entire room clapped when I got up. (I like attention but this was ridiculous.)

Called my name for swim award. I walked up, got it, turned around and then couldn't find my way back. All of those tables with red cloths and people sitting looked the same. I knew I wasn't normal. Is this what dementia feels like? So I eventually found the table, sat down, and those same medics came rushing back. They hadn't left. The ambulance was still outside. Everyone wanted me to go to the hospital. I didn't want to go. I wanted to watch the ceremony and get my award. Jeff, the VP of Ironman, came over and stooped next to me. He said that I could have hyponatremia and that I could die. Those words made an effect. He basically was the one that convinced me to go to the hospital. I did the walk of shame through the crowd, tears in my eyes and got in the ambulance. I could not believe it. Me, in the ambulance!

I arrived at the hospital in Lake Placid...had EKG...passed out 3 times more. PA in the ER said I needed a cardiologist right away. Another ambulance ride to a hospital in Plattsburgh, NY, 50 minutes away. Passed out twice in the ambulance. I was very upset upon arrival at the second hospital. Bob wasn't there and my phone didn't work. (AT&T sucks up there.) I kept thinking, I just did an Ironman. I do not belong here. Nothing is wrong. I'm just dehydrated. Bob arrived. I passed out, then I crashed twice and needed CPR both times to come back. Poor Bob having to watch this. I was rushed into emergency surgery for a temp pacemaker. (BTW, when I passed out each time, it looked more like seizures with eyes rolling back and shaking. For me, I was having very nice dreams.)

Got the temp pacemaker and was 100% fine all day Tuesday in ICU. I still thought I didn't belong there and didn't need a pacemaker. Wednesday was a different story. Fainted three more times but didn't look like a seizure because I didn't go all the way out. Doc decided I needed a permanent pacemaker. I can't tell you how depressing this was for me. Mostly because I don't want this apparatus protruding from my chest (which it does) because I have no fat at all up there. And secondly, because now I have to go to a cardiologist regularly.

The real bummer is that Jeff called while I was in the first hospital. I got the Kona slot. It rolled down to second. Of course, I took it when he called but reality set in and I realized that I was knocking on death's door and this year is not the year for me to go.

Jeff's words were what got me to the hospital. And then he called every day to check on me. I was really impressed.


Very nice race. Volunteers are amazing. I could've done without the sun! Let me just say that it's a real bummer winning the Kona slot and having to give it up.