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Race Reports for Ironman Wisconsin

[76]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Below average
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: Would love to do Madison again. Maybe in 2014.
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[77]
Reported by:
Race rating (4)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Good
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: I felt the "mob" scene during the swim and the micro-managing of bike spacing (draft patrol) were inconsistant. I can't understand why the organization continues with a mass swim start which hardly is conducive to a quality individual swim, yet micro-manages the bike portion when there are a couple of miles of bikes wheel to wheel not due to intentional drafting. A biker is forced to perform above or below capabilities. Within the first few miles the motorcycle patrol was warning people of the "20 second rule". One patroller seemed to acknowledge the obsurdity of the rule given the conditions.
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[78]
Reported by:
User photo
  • Organised?
  • Events on time?

  • Lots of volunteers to help?
  • Plenty of drink stations?

  • Post race activities?
  • Overall course based on my ability:

  • Comments: I hate Observatory Hill, but it's good to have it in the run course. Its presence made the course MUCH more challenging vs 2010. The volunteers and fans on this course are super. Meeting Fred and Bryan (mndiver) at the Friday morning swim was a big highlight of the trip. Great guys.
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[79]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Good
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: I love this race! Fan and volunteer support is phenomenal and the course/venue is great as well. This won't be my last IMWI that's for sure. While it wasn't the result I wanted, I will remember this one more. I regret allowing all the negativity to pervade the extremely long marathon, but also proud of myself for pushing through and continuing on when physically things were not going so hot. All I could think of were the friends and family I would disappoint if I threw in the towel. I especially knew that I was tougher than that and that I wouldn't forgive myself if I pulled the plug early. I truly believe you learn more about yourself going through hardship and adversity and will come out the other side better for it. When I am ready for IM again I will be back to redeem myself.
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[80]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Average
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: I finished about 19 minutes faster than last year. I think I was much fitter than last year and was happy to finish after a tough day. I probably left about 20-25 minutes on the course due to the mechanical issues on the bike and poor nutritional prep. Overall I was happy with my performance, I had a PR, improved my performance within both my age group and overall rankings and did so under some tough conditions.
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[81]
Reported by:
User photo
  • Organised?
  • Events on time?

  • Lots of volunteers to help?
  • Plenty of drink stations?

  • Post race activities?
  • Overall course based on my ability:

  • Comments: Ive had a little bit of time to think, reflect. Back home and dealing with active family issues in between dressing changes for the wounds.. Thats all they are...just a flesh wound.. Not really that big of a deal. I didnt break anything, battle through delerium, uncontrollable vomiting, dangerously low Na levels...just scrapes...just skin...it stings...but no pun intended...its superficial..I ran/walked a painful marathon..thats all i proved to myself. I didnt quit when it got hard, but im not sure i truly overcame any major obstacles. I lived up to what ive watched my son do..not give up when things are bad/tough...but truthfully that is what most parents do right? Why are these things important? Now i need to figure out why I do these things...why this IM distance is important to me. Why i want to train that way. The "journey" has been important and enjoyable although the balance has always been a challenge.Why do I try to balance high maintenance kids, bzy job with weekend calls,
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[82]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Average
  • Overall course based on my ability: Too hard

  • Comments: I love this race. I love the town, the volunteers, the spectators... they are all amazing. Yes, Ironman is expensive, but it's an experience and a lifestyle not a just a "race".
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[83]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Good
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: They say you only have one first Ironman, and to really just enjoy it. And I sure did. And I am so glad I picked this race. To share this with my partner, Kathy, my good friend Suzy, to have my crazy mentor group going nuts with worry when the timing device showed no forward progress and they all thought something had happened to me until someone got a hold of Suzy's husband Paul and there was a collective sigh of relief. I owe gratitude to Kathy for being as patient and as supportive as possible when it counted most. To Steve Janowiak, my coach who has been instrumental in helping me to achieve this dream of mine. To Suzy, my good friend, who is a tremendous person in every way. For carting us all over town, but moreso for making my IM experience so less nervewracking than it could have been by keeping me calm, especially on race morning. To my crazy MG, you guys rock. Sorry to scare the bejesus out of you! To my Mom and Dad, who taught me as a little girl, to reach
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[84]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Good
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: This was a great day in my life. I have worked so long and so hard to get to this day. I did not mention very much above the spectator support, but that is only because I had so much to say. I loved seeing all my friends and family out there. All my fellow Donkeys cheering for me on the sidelines, at the aid stations and even from the ones in the race really helped me to keep going. I actually looked for them where I thought there were standing on the run course when I looped through more than once. My family was there in big numbers as well. Not only were my wife and kids there, but my parents, my brother and his wife and daughters, my cousin and her husband, my other cousin and his family, my Aunt and Uncle and even my other Aunt and Uncle flew in from California to be there for the race. It was great seeing them multiple times out there keeping me going. While running I kept repeating a line from a song which is actually a ballad from the 80's, but it was true - "Sometimes I
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[85]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Good
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: Great race and fun location, and as always big thanks to the volunteers that make it happen!
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[86]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Good
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: LOVED THIS RACE! The lake was beautiful, the bike was rolling and fun and the run was just plain fabulous. The crowd support was amazing. The post-race food from WTC was weak, but there are tons of awesome restaurants in Madison, so we went to the Great Dane, which was fabulous. Some other racers gave us an ovation. : )
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[87]
Reported by:
Race rating (4)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Good
  • Overall course based on my ability: Too hard

  • Comments: Tough IM course to pick for my first, and last;) Some of the aid stations ran out of ice by the time us BOPers were getting to the end. Right size tshirt weren't available near the cut off time. Heard the med tent closed at 11:30, which is not good for those that really struggled to finish. Positives: AWESOME race support, AMAZING spectator support, great venue, I like the looped run course so I could see lots of people I knew out there.
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[88]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Average
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: 2nd IM race and it was awesome! The crowd support in Madison is truly amazing. IMKY was good, but this was truly incredible. The energy level from the volunteers and crowd kept me going and made me smile the entire time.
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[89]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Good
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: Redemption up for my slow 2008 race and DNF in 2009! So sweet to have everything sync up for once! Not the best time but not the worst and above average. Had to wait 20 minutes for more pizza to arrive. My wife and family rock! Thank you for your wonderful support, I couldn't have done it without you!
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[90]
Reported by:
User photo
  • Organised?
  • Events on time?

  • Lots of volunteers to help?
  • Plenty of drink stations?

  • Post race activities?
  • Overall course based on my ability:

  • Comments: I had heard that IM Wisconsin is an awesome experience. I built this day up for a long time and it was every bit as good as I thought it would be. I feel very fortunate to participate in an event of this magnitude. Thanks to all the volunteers, fans, IM, and especially my wife who gave up a lot for me to do this. I will not do this next year for sure, but might try it again sometime there after.
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[91]
Reported by:
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Good
  • Overall course based on my ability:

  • Comments: I still love this race but believe I will be taking a hiatus for awhile. During the race I swore off IM racing, but you know how that goes. I will more than likely do the distance again, just not sure it will be Madison. Can't wait to come back next year as a spectator and volunteer. I want to thank The Donkai Nation for all they did. The friends I have met have been incredible and it was so helpful to see them so often in the course. My friends Darrel and Heidi Barlage who drove all the way to Madison the morning of the race to see this crazy event. Of course my brother Kevin for taking off work and spending so much time on the course. Finally Kelly, Aly and Nik. Without all they do for me and all their support I could not do this. I love you guys.
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[92]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Good
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: RACE REPORT Ironman Wisconsin 9/11/2011 Total time: 14:54. Place 13th in 60-65 age group. Upper third Nothing is impossible. I don't care what you think you can't do. You are wrong. I went from being a 400-pound morbidly obese man at 54 to an Ironman two weeks shy of my 60th birthday. I have set the appointment for the tattoo. I earned it with a lot of help from my wife/manager Kathy, coach Stan Watkins of Vision Quest and a host of friends, mentors and supporters. The Ironman is the hardest, best thing I've ever done. Cancer prepared me. Pain truly is temporary. One other trait that is essential - Johann Bruynell said embrace trouble as if you planned it that way. Stay positive, deal with one is and not what you wish it to be, and keep moving. The secret to becoming an Ironman is to start swimming when the cannon goes off and don't stop until
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[93]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities?
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: This was absolutely the experience of a lifetime. It exceeded all expectations and was in many ways both easier and harder than I thought it would be. I had the biggest grin on my face all day...and still do as I sit here writing this report. :) I can't finish this without giving a shout out to my hubby who has been an absolute rock for me throughout this crazy Ironman journey. I was an emotional wreck for the last couple of months of training and he was never anything less than supportive and understanding without asking for anything in return....there is no doubt that he is my biggest fan. I am one lucky Ironwoman. Now back to real life....
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[94]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities?
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: Based on my training and half IM times, my goal was to finish under 12 hrs. I missed it by an hour and 23+ minutes. But, it was my first Ironman and I finished.
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[95]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Average
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: I love everything about this race. The fact it is in my hometown means I'll be back next year! I couldn't end this RR without a shout out to a few people: 1. My husband Paul who spent four solid weeks moving us into our new house while I trained, tapered and slept. He never complained. He's my rock. 2. My coach, Brett Petersen from PPL who improved every aspect of my game in 7 months, both physically and mentally to help me grab that PR in the face of adversity. 3. My great SWBKRUN Mentor Group for supporting me and my best gal pal Kim (KT65) for coming to do this race with me.
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[96]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities?
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: Overall - this was SUCH an experience! A once in a lifetime - for me. I could probably do better, but that isn't what Ironman is about for most people. I think we all have goals and try to better them, but the overall experience and the majority of the people you share it with are what make it phenomenal. There are some super serious people that are a little too intense, but overall everyone develops such a camaraderie. Congrats to anyone who even tried this. It is an experience just training for it.
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[97]
Reported by:
User photo
  • Organised?
  • Events on time?

  • Lots of volunteers to help?
  • Plenty of drink stations?

  • Post race activities?
  • Overall course based on my ability:

  • Comments: Overall, this was a spectacular day...one of the best of my life!!! Wade & I stayed to watch the finish and it was absolutely uplifting. We saw firefighter Rob come through, watched the last man finish and fall into a hug from a person who appeared be is son, and watched with tears as the last woman came through less than a minute after the clock stopped... I hope she knows she's an ironman too. There were so many special moments during this race: - I passed the firehouse across from Camp Randall at the same time Firefighter Rob did... the station saluted him with their sirens and several firefighters came out to shake his hand. I got goosebumps!! - I think all cyclists, during the hills, are treated by spectators as though they are leading the Tour de France. It is an amazing feeling and the spectators don't care how fast or slow you are, they're just pulling for you to get up that hill!! - My family watched a man finish who had recently lost 200 pounds!!!! - I passed the
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[98]
Reported by:
User photo
  • Organised?
  • Events on time?

  • Lots of volunteers to help?
  • Plenty of drink stations?

  • Post race activities?
  • Overall course based on my ability:

  • Comments: IM always does a good job with this IMWI is an great race...well not that I have done any others....yet;)
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[99]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Good
  • Overall course based on my ability: Too hard

  • Comments: Overall, this was quite an achievement and quite an event. The last 9+ months have been remarkable. Still, if you asked me why I did an Ironman I am not sure I really have an answer. I could give you a lot of positives, but no real answer. I am sure it is out there, but not that I could tell you. It will be something I will never forget.
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[100]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Good
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: SO well organized. Overall amazing first Ironman experience!!
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