Ironman Florida - TriathlonFull Ironman

I am not a good swimmer. With my husband and I both working the hours we do, nights, weekends, etc., I can usually only get to the pool 2 days a week, and then it is at 4:30 am! I was fairly terrified of the swim to be honest. My goal was to survive, and I thought I could probably be between 1:30-1:45. I started in the middle in the back. I am terrible at sighting and wanted people on all sides of me to help me out! The start is of course crazy. Arms and legs every where. Lots of contact, but nothing that paniced me. I found more open water in the beginning than I was expecting. It was definitely crowded, but I had no problem moving forward. The buoys were really crowed with people and slowed down quite a bit. On the way in, things opened up a bit and I just concentrated on staying smooth. I just kept telling myself, "Slow and steady", and tried not to pay attention to all those around me. When we finished the first lap and ran up on the beach, I knew I could do it and it was such a great feeling. The second lap had more open water and less contact. On the way in, the current tended to push you away from the buoy line, and I had to sight more often. Still, I managed to not get too far off course.
When I reached the shore and ran out, I saw my family there with the signs the kids had made and heard the announcer say my name and the time of 1:28! I had my race right there. I felt like a champion! If I had not made it to the finish line, I still would have felt like I did something great by making it through the swim. Next to the finish, this was the highlight of my day.

Nothing! I did better than expected and couldn't have asked for a better swim.

The tent was crowded, but I could find floor space to use. I didn't change clothes, but wore tri shorts and a top the whole time. Unfortunately, I forgot to get sunscreen on before I left. If there was someone there doing it, it wasn't obvious to me. I ate a gel before I left the tent. As I pushed my bike to the line, I heard my back tire rubbing. I stopped to looked at it and instantly someone ran over and asked the problem. A mechanic was right there, adjusted my tire, which was rubbing the rear wheel cut out, and I was on my way almost instantly.

Not forget the sunscreen.

I am not a strong biker. Again, with small children and work, I did 80-90% of my training on an indoor trainer. I swear this is true-check my logs! You do what you have to do out of desparation. My actual riding time was about 6:45. There were so many threats about being taken to jail if you peed behind a bush, that I think everyone was scared to death to try it. As a consequence, those of us who don't yet pee on the bike were left waiting in long lines at the porta potties in the aid stations. There were usually only 2 at an aid station for 2200+ people. Not good. This cost me about 25 minutes in time. My time still would have been slow, but 6:45 would be a time I would be proud of for my slow self.
For about the first 10 miles, my magnet was hitting on my computer sensor making a constant clicking noise. It still registered O.K., but everyone who passed me looked at me oddly. I was passed a lot in the first half of the race. The wind seemed low in the beginning and it was just oh so flat. After about 5 miles, some guy went by me just slathered in sunscreen, and it was then that I realized I had forgotten mine. This bothered me on and off until I finally got some at an aid station about 50 miles into the ride. I could feel the sun beating down on my fair skin and got the sunburn to prove it. I kept an easy/comfortable pace through the first 40 without any problem. I was stopping about every other aid station to pee. I had 2 scoops of Perpetuem per hour plus water. I also had one Powerbar and one gel on the ride.
I always seem to get a little droopy for the middle miles. It is the combination of being somewhat tired and having so many miles ahead. About half way, a woman and I kept passing each other. She asked me where the next penalty tent was and said she'd gotten a yellow card, I think for blocking. I thought, what in the world are they giving out penalties for to us back of the packers doing 7 hour rides, unless you are just doing something blatently wrong? It just sort of seemed crazy to me. Those middle miles got a bit hot and the wind seemed to pick up some. I passed by special needs without stopping as I didn't need anything in my bag.
From mile 70 on, I felt fairly good. The road is quite rough in places and slowed me down a bit I think. I was so paranoid I would get a flat at any moment. For some reason my chip didn't pick up at the 79 mile timing mat, and my family was worried something had happened to me. The aid station at about 80 miles was all decked out in pirate gear and was great. Unfortunately, that was also the longest line at the porta potty I think, so I got to look at all their costumes for what seemed like a loooonnng time. Those last 32 miles went by fairly fast it seemed. I felt like I picked up the pace and passed some people. My legs were hurting and I would stand every so often, which helped some. The ride over the bridge near the end was fun. Coming back into town, the wind was more gusty between the high condo buildings and made me feel a bit unstable on my bike at times. Boy, was I glad to see that transition zone and the dismount line! Some of my family were there, and it was great to see them. I love to run and couldn't wait to get off that bike and onto my feet.


Not forget the sunscreen. I guess the only answer is a catheter or to pee on the bike. The latter seems the better choice.

The tent was not crowded at all by now as most everyone else was already running! The volunteers were great. One on one attention. I didn't change any clothes, just put on my shoes, took some stuff out of my pockets and put some gels in and took off.

Nothing I think.

I am still a runner. I like to swim, like to bike and like triathlons, but I love to run. I am no good at the other 2 events as you can see. I did 50-60% of my running up and down our driveway and past our front yard early a.m. while the kids slept within earshot of the monitor. I was hoping to run around a 4 hour marathon. I started out feeling great and was running a steady, but controlled pace. It was a bit hot at the start. I saw the saw my husband and children outside our condo just before the first mile, and that was the best sight you can imagine. The kids are 3, 5, and 7, and were just jumping up and down and shouting "Go mama!" Made me feel amazing. I saw the sign they made around mile 4 or 5 and another great moment. Almost brought me to tears. I started off taking gatorade at the aid stations with a gel and water about every 4 miles. I took something at every aid station for the first 8 miles. I think this was not a good plan. About mile 9 I started to have terrible stomach cramps. I felt nauseated. I slowed my pace and kept running, but passed by 3 or 4 aid stations without taking anything. This helped and the cramps settled down, but my stomach never felt completely well after this. I managed to take 2 more gels during the run and started drinking cola instead of the gatorade. The carbonation that was in it helped me I think. Still, my pace was slowed by all this.
When you loop back and start the second loop, the crowds there are just amazing and lift you right up. The second pass by our condo overwhelmed me again. I looked for the sign the second time and got more energy from that as well. Out in the park, they had the Ford inspiration station where the messages your family entered for you are flashed on the board. I think I will never forget seeing "Go mama go! U R great!" which was my message. Made me realize I have the most amazing family you could ask for. It gets dark in those neighborhoods and the park when the sun goes down. I kept up a steady pace and only walked when drinking or eating at the aid stations. I really had no problem keeping myself running despite the stomach issues, but did have to slow the pace. As I got to the last 2 miles, I knew I would be close to the 13 hour mark. That last run up to the finish was just beyond words. I was the clock 12:59 and couldn't believe I had made it below 13. There were a bunch of people right in front of me, but I did hear my name. I ran through by myself. I didn't want there to be any fights over who went with me and so did it solo.

I think I tried to take in too much early on. I need to wait until maybe the 3rd aid station and then take in something every other I think.

Got a picture and medal. Didn't feel like eating anything, but felt generally O.K. We walked the 1/2 mile or so back to the condo and I felt O.K. then too. I took a shower and then got sick as a dog. I think the heat from the shower caused a general vasodilation and my blood pressure to fall from dehydration. I had to turn the water off and sit on the floor of the shower. Crawled out and spent the next 2 hours in the bathroom curled up on the floor with dry heaves and diarrhea. After that I was fine again, although couldn't drink or eat until the next morning. I think it was just general body overload.


I am only good at one of the 3 events. I don't see that changing with my training schedule and the time I have.


Overall a great race and a great experience! The volunteers are amazing. I have the best family you could want and never could have done it without them. To anyone thinking they don't have time to do this, if it is your dream, you can find a way. I have some crazy training methods, but they got me through. I couldn't find a training plan to work, so I made mine up and had no coach to help. When I crossed the finish, I thought I would be really emotional, but didn't feel that much. It didn't hit me until 2 days later. It was Monday and I had taken off. I was at the grocery store in the frozen food section, and suddenly the enormity of the accomplishment just hit me. I almost started to cry right there. I thought this was a dream I'd never have the time to do, but now I am an Ironman!