Thanks to everyone for following along today! My swim was ok- I took it easy and just cruised... I didn't want my shoulder to be sore all day long. T1 was LONG. Running up the helix wasn't that bad, but I had some issues changing clothes. I didn't have a volunteer and I got stuck trying to pull on my sports bra.
The bike was good for me, though the wind was tough as it was a head wind during some of the longest stretches of the course. On lap 1 I averaged over 16 mph, and in areas where I did 18-19 mph on loop 1, it was down to 13.5 on loop 2 due to the wind. But I still managed to do better than I expected, so I am pleased with that overall!
The run however is where the wheels on the bus feel off. I was expecting to be able to run between the aid stations and walk the aid stations. I was thinking that I could run a 5-5.5 hour mary. HA. My stomach decided to shut down on mile 1. By mile 2 I was projectile vomiting. I couldn't take in any nutrition at all. Finally I was able to sip a little water. Had to make 3 potty stops (yes THOSE kinds of issues) and saw my coach at about mile 8. She said to try the chicken broth, so I did, and that seemed to help some. At this point I was pretty much walking, with a few short runs here and there. This went on pretty much the rest of the first loop.
Saw Whizzzz at the turn around. she was cheering hard! It was nice to see a familiar face! At special needs I took some AZO (for UTIs). For some reason after the myrtle beach half mary I discovered that it can calm stomach cramps of a bathroom nature. Then about mile 15 I took some ibuprofen. By mile 17 I was able to start eating some oranges and ice. By mile 18 I was feeling the best I've felt during the whole run. I'm still walking though. But at mile 20ish I start to run. Slowly, but I'm running. I come upon a girl who appears to be running a pace I can hold. So I start talking to her and running with her, and she and I willed each other to keep running. Once I started running at mile 20ish, I didn't stop till the finish. I literally felt 100 times better during those last 6 miles than I had the whole run. By the last mile, I was able to pick it up to a decent pace.
KathyG- that is how you negative split a mary. You feel like crap for 18 miles and then suddenly you feel like you can run, and you do.
Thank you to everyone cheering me on, this had been a very memorable day. When I called Derek at the finish (my coach brought my dry clothes bag to the food tent- how cool is that?) he said his mom was doing better today- she was not nearly as confused, and he got to see me finish. He sounded pumped and happy, and that, my friends, was music to my ears!