Ironman Florida - TriathlonFull Ironman

This swim was crazy! So many people at once. I started towards the back in the middle and I could not swim for the first 500 yards. It was dog paddle and just drift with the pack. Finally, I was able to find a spot and start swimming. I drafted off a big guy for a while but he had one hell of a kick. I got smacked pretty hard once and that was enough for me. So, I tickled his toes and off I went. Before I knew it, I was done with the first lap. The swim was so much fun after that. I just took my time and relaxed. I would find someone to draft off of for a while then move on.

Maybe push a little harder. But, it's early in the day and I just enjoyed it.

Wow, what a mess. People everywhere and total craziness. I couldn't find a place to change. It should not have taken me almost ten minutes but it was so crowded.

I was very happy with my bike times. I never felt bad and just kept a steedy pace. I felt like I could have pushed harder but I had that darn marathon coming next and so I just backed off and took my time. This is also the time of the day when I felt that head cold move into my chest. The barky cough started so I knew the run was gonna be rough.
I was determined not to draft. There were a few packs of people blowing by me drafting like crazy. I saw 3 guys get flagged and I started to giggle a little. I got to pass them and wave while they sat in the penalty box. Then I was passed by a couple of guys from my triathlon team drafting in a huge pace line. I was pissed but had to let it go and have my own race. The roads were bad in some places and everyones crap was all over the place. You know you are in a zone when you pass a $20 bill on the road and don't stop to pick it up. Worst part of the bike for me was having to stop at the porta potty. I tried to pee on my bike but it's not something I practiced so I just couldn't do it. Over all I had a great bike ride. My nutrition plan was spot on. I hate gels and have always had tummy trouble with them. So, my plan was to save them for the run. I ate gummy bears, power bars, and bananas. Drink mix was gatorade and carbo-pro. I wasn't sure what to put in my special needs bag for the bike so I threw some salty lays potato chips in there and those were so good. Yum!

Maybe push the pace a little more.

I changed everything for the run. I put on running shorts, new shirt and socks. I should have stayed in my tri shorts. The compression was good for my legs.

Stayed in tri shorts.

The run was better then I thought. I started off trying to run 9/1's then it went to 8/2's then 4/1's and by the end it was more fast walk then run. Blisters on my feet started by mile 3. I thought I had sand in between my toes so I stopped, sat down, and pulled off my sock. It wasn't sand, it was blisters. So, I quickly put my socks and shoe back on before my feet had a chance to swell. I thought this might be the thing that does me in but I just put it out of my head and they found a happy place in my shoe and stayed there. I still could not even think about taking a gel. I don't know why I trouble with them but it didn't sound good at all. So, I drank my gatorade- carbo-pro mix and ate a few more bananas. When the sun went down I was so sick of sweet stuff I tried the chicken broth and that was so good. Warm in my tummy and settled everything down. I saw my hubby at the turn around and we took a picture together. I got rid of my water bottle and took some motrin out of my special needs bag. I was wheezing and coughing so much on the run my sides hurt but I never once thought I wouldn't finish. I just took my time, stayed positive, smiled, talked to people, and pushed on. I had the best ironman experience I could have had.

I really need to work on my run. Maybe a running coach is in my future.

Big hug and a few tears from my husband. Pizza and a ice bath back at the condo.


Head cold!


During training Jay and I both said we would probably never do another ironman. Now, I wish I would have signed up for next year. I will be back for round 2. I love BT!! Everyone I met was so amazing and made the ironman a blast!!