Madison, Wisconsin United States Ironman North America 91F / 33C Sunny

Total Time = 13h 07m 37s Overall Rank = 574/2076 Age Group = W30-34 Age Group Rank = 29/111

Where Do I Start? Really I could start with last fall when I signed up for the Eagleman 1/2 Ironman to help my brother-in-law and friend train for IM Moo. Or with the decision in May to do the full Ironman this year by registering for a Community Slot. But I guess that would make for a long race report, so I will just start with Thursday, Sept. 8th when I left for Madison, Wisconsin. (But I must warn you, it is still going to be long).

I worked on Thursday until about 2:30pm. Then drove home to meet my husband, Nate, so he could drive me to the airport. I had packed all my race gear in a carry on in fear of having my baggage lost (which was a good idea after all, more on that later). After a quick good bye at the security gate I was off to my gate and ready to go. Flew to Cleveland, where I met my brother-in-law, Craig, and friend, Brad (the two who convinced me to do this race). They think I am neurotic for carrying on all my gear, but it gave me peace of mind. Got in to the hotel late and went to sleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

Friday was a very busy day. Started with getting up at 6:30ish and out of bed at 7. At this point I forget what I had for breakfast. But we headed out from the hotel for Monana Terrace to go for a swim and check in for registration. The 30 minute swim made me realize that I was at the Ironman and made me a little nervous for what was to come in the next two days. The whole thing kind of hit me that this was it, the IRONMAN.

Registration went quick because, these Ironman people are organized. They walk you through everything. They weigh you, give you a wrist band, your numbers, your bags and send you off to prepare everything for Sunday. We walked around the expo for a bit, talking with our friends at the Timex booth. Picked up my bike and then to lunch. Back to the hotel to start packing bags for transition and special needs. Which wasn’t too bad, since I divided it all at home. Messed around with bike. Then we drove the course.

Now this was another point where reality sets in. The hills didn’t look bad, but they were endless as far as the number of them. (Definitely recommend anyone doing it in 2006 to drive the bike course). Made it back to Manona Terrace in time for the athletes dinner. The presentations where fabulous and all the athletes at varied levels of experience were all so inspiring. The best part was seeing the “does and don’ts” video put out by Paula Newby-Fraser and Paul Huddle because our friend Dave, from Timex, was in it. The athletes meeting went quick and relatively painless, except for the head Doctor who put a little scare in us. “Don’t come into my tent without being able to tell me the last time you peed or if you can’t get on the scale on your own two feet...” Home to hotel to meet up with sister, Amy, and Brad’s wife, Kristin, then right to bed for a good nights rest.

Saturday was a busy day and I must say I was very nervous and a little cranky in the am. More family came into town. Went to breakfast, grocery store and then took bike for a spin. Loaded cars and headed to Manona to drop off bikes and bags. Then went and spent time at the Timex tent talking with David Harju and Louis Alverez. Wow are they nice people. They had lots of great pointers about the course and watching heart rate. I was definitely the starry-eyed Iron-Virgin trying to soak up all I could from these amazing Ironman pros.

Finally my husband arrived into town. We then wondered the expo more and went to lunch. My mood slowly got better and I was able to relax. Back to the hotel to sit by the pool and pack special needs bags. We actually didn’t get to eat dinner until after 8pm but that was fine with me since I had such a large pasta lunch. We were in bed by 9:45....


Sunday morning, I awoke at around 4-4:30am. Ate a Luna bar, 2 bananas, 1 bottle gu2o and 1 bottle h2o. Then dressed and drove to race site. Arrived at Manona at 5:20am. Was separated from Brad and Craig due to my misunderstand of when and where we would meet (I would not see them again until much later in the day) . I went to bike and stood in long line for tire pumping, they waited for me. I filled water bottles and went to go find them. They were done waiting for me so they went to bikes and took care of things. I got body marked and then put on wetsuit. I started to cry standing there looking at all these amazing people around me and soaking in the moment. I was so happy and excited.

The walk down the helix to the swim start was great. as I got to the bottom I found my husband and Kristin. they had made great signs with pictures of our heads cut out so that we could find them. I got a great big kiss and handed off my clothes then got in line to enter the water. I wasn’t wearing the strap of my heart rate monitor for the swim but I was picking up someone elses heartrate, 116. Then I crossed the mat, and entered the water. As I swam out, and took it all in they said that there were 2094 swimmers in the water. I started to cry again.


No real warm up other then treading water for 10 mins