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Ironman Florida - TriathlonFull Ironman


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Panama City Beach, Florida
United States
Ironman North America
Sunny
Total Time = 14h 50m 15s
Overall Rank = 1973/
Age Group =
Age Group Rank = 110/
Pre-race routine:

Woke up at 330, attempted to eat a bagel with peanut butter, drank a cup of coffee and a diet pepsi. Got my BT tattoo on my calf and the butterfly tats for Christine, wrote GRRRRR on my forearm for Terri. Woke up the kids/parents and Jeff and made our way to the lobby.

Event warmup:

Got bodymarked, air in tires, bags dropped off, then stood on the beach with parents, kids, Jeff, shaun's parents and Lisa. Got in the swim start area, last minute hugs from Tampa Mafia peeps, then the gun sounded. Sugar we're going down was playing as I made my way into the water.
Swim
  • 1h 32m 39s
  • 4156 yards
  • 02m 14s / 100 yards
Comments:

This was the most fun I've ever had in a race swim! It was great. I felt so happy during this swim, which is amazing for me! There were bodies everywhere and it just made me laugh!

On the stretch back in on the first loop I got punched right on my cheek. It made me stop and take an assessment for a few seconds. Then I felt hands on my shoulder. The guy who hit me was making sure I was ok. He apologized like crazy and swam next to me the rest of the way in to the beach. Very nice!

I put a gel in the leg of my wetsuit to take at halfway. Got it down, grabbed a water from KathyG, got a hollah from Brittney, then back in the water for another loop. Good times.

As I finished the last stretch of swim, I smiled. Knowing Christine was with me that entire swim. I wore one of her swimsuits for the swim, along with the butterfly tattoos. She was there! No doubts.

Got out of the water, saw KathyG again, got the wetsuit stripped and off to T1
What would you do differently?:

Nothing.
Transition 1
  • 09m 13s
Comments:

Tent was crazy busy. I found a chair quickly and a woman came to help me change. Getting into tri clothes half dry was funny! I took my time so I didn't forget anything.

Ran out of the tent, saw Mike (triguynewbie) and Mike (hubby) had my bike. He ran the bike to the exit for me. Saw the kids, parents and Jeff as I left, Got lots of GO GATORS!! WOOO!!
What would you do differently?:

Nothing.
Bike
  • 6h 45m 42s
  • 112 miles
  • 16.56 mile/hr
Comments:

Whoever said Florida is flat was wrong. There were hills. Not big ones, but there were hills. And headwind.

My goal was to take it easy the first hour, get nutrition going, then speed up each hour. However, my stomach was bloated and hurting from the saltwater intake so that changed the plan. I took a banana at the first aid station and promptly threw up. Ok. So, I stayed with Spiz every hour (200 calories) and nuun every 20 minutes. No extra food, no PBJ as planned. I tried to take in some crackers at special needs, but threw them up around mile 60. I knew I was slower than I wanted to be, but it was more important to keep my nutrition down than go fast. I knew I had plenty of time, so I just tried to enjoy the ride.

Saw Bridget at special needs and for a few miles after. It's so nice to see friendly faces!!

I was stopping to pee every 30 miles. I tried to pee on the bike, but there were always tons of people around me and I splattered a few the first time, so I just decided to stop at the potty. It was better for my belly to stand up for a few minutes anyway, so no biggie.
What would you do differently?:

nothing.
Transition 2
  • 04m 30s
Comments:

Ran into the tent, saw Sherri. She gave me an update that she had seen Sue and Bridget and they were doing well. Excellent news!!

Quick change of shoes and off I go. Saw Janice as I went out of T2, then saw the fam.
Run
  • 6h 18m 13s
  • 26.2 miles
  • 14m 26s  min/mile
Comments:

Belly was still kinda weird, so I walked a bit, then ran a bit. Belly hurt when I ran, so I decided to make it a powerwalk for awhile. I was having a great time. Saw Jeff zoom by me, then on the out/back saw Sue, Bridget and Shaun. Saw Brian and Jessica cheering. Friend's hugs are the freaking BEST at that point of an Ironman!! Jeff zoomed by again and I yelled out "Do or do not, there is no try". He hollered back and kept an amazing pace!

I took grapes, water and coke at almost every aid station. Gel every 5 miles. Felt great except for my feet. Blisters started at mile 3.5. Bad sign for what's to come, but there was no way I was stopping. By mile 10 my shoes were bloody and I was really hurting.

Saw a chalk writing... "Suck it up Princess" and laughed my tail off! Ahhh...who woulda known I would be needing to see that?!! LOL!! The crowds and police were awesome giving me the Gator scores and updates on the game. GO GATORS!!

At 13.1 I was miserable. It hurt to run, it hurt to walk, so I was doing this jog/trot thing. I'm sure it looked ridiculous, but it was forward progress and that's all that mattered! I thought about Christine how she wanted to be there to sign up for next year, Terri and her brave fight against cancer, training with the Tampa BT Mafia the last year, the awesome friends who have supported me through this journey and the words of encouragement they had for me the night before. My family and especially my kids who were always behind me 100%. I remembered how terrified I was at my very first triathlon with Sue. Laughing about how silly it seemed now, but how huge it was at the time seeing that 440 yds swim marked off and being confident I was going to drown! LOL! I had tears in my eyes, but a happy heart, and suddenly the miles were just clicking off.

The last 5 miles I walked/trotted with a guy from UK. Funny guy. His second IM and he was not at all happy. We passed his friends at mile 24 and they started running with him. He bid me farewell and I was trotting slowly. Then, another man came up and asked if he could run me in. Sure. I was carrying my jacket at this point and he took it from me until we saw Mike and Ben, then he threw it to them. He was hollering to the crowd my name and that I was a first timer. It was awesome. He kept telling me to run towards the Gatorade bottle and that was the promised land! I agreed and kept the pace.

As I came into the lights and crowds I started the Gator chomp and heard those sweet, sweet words....WENDI SCHULTE YOU ARE AN IRONMAN...A GATOR IRONMAN! Music to my ears!! Baby, you're a star by Prince was playing when I finished. Funny. Finally....finally, it was finished. I had done it.


Post race
Warm down:

Family and Jeff were right at the finish line, so they came in to help me around. Got pizza, coke and then went to massage. I had two wonderful women work on me for about 45 minutes.

What a great day!




Last updated: 2007-11-25 12:00 AM
Swimming
01:32:39 | 4156 yards | 02m 14s / 100yards
Age Group: 105/
Overall: 0/
Performance: Good
Suit:
Course: Rectangle out/back 2 loops
Start type: Wade Plus: Shot
Water temp: 72F / 22C Current: Low
200M Perf. Average Remainder: Average
Breathing: Good Drafting: Good
Waves: Navigation: Good
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 09:13
Performance: Average
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike:
Jump on bike:
Getting up to speed:
Biking
06:45:42 | 112 miles | 16.56 mile/hr
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance: Average
Wind: Some
Course:
Road: Rough Dry Cadence:
Turns: Cornering:
Gear changes: Hills:
Race pace: Drinks:
T2
Time: 04:30
Overall:
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike
Racking bike
Shoe and helmet removal
Running
06:18:13 | 26.2 miles | 14m 26s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance:
Course:
Keeping cool Drinking
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall:
Mental exertion [1-5]
Physical exertion [1-5]
Good race?
Evaluation
Course challenge
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities:
Race evaluation [1-5] 5

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2008-11-04 4:52 PM

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Master
1480
1000100100100100252525
Plant City, FL
Subject: Ironman Florida


2008-11-04 4:57 PM
in reply to: #1787667

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Veteran
253
1001002525
Florida
Subject: RE: Ironman Florida
I saw you on the bike...you flew by me at mile2, looking so strong!! That bike was tough...way to get through it...great race - CONGRATULATIONS!!
2008-11-04 5:00 PM
in reply to: #1787667

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Extreme Veteran
333
10010010025
Subject: RE: Ironman Florida
Awesome, awesome job, Wendi! That was a great first Ironman and I'm so glad you had Christine and Terri on your mind and in your heart during the day. Having a reason to be there like that makes it all the more worthwhile! Way to go!
2008-11-04 5:04 PM
in reply to: #1787667

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Master
1558
10005002525
Pensacola, Fl
Subject: RE: Ironman Florida

In an Ironman swim, all you can really do is laugh.  Getting pissed doesn't do you any good, glad you opted for the laugh route....they are kinda fun aren't they.  Then again, I sure if you had started your normal puke routine in the water, it would have freed up some swim space for you.

 

CONGRATS once again!!!

2008-11-04 5:38 PM
in reply to: #1787667

Subject: ...
This user's post has been ignored.
2008-11-04 5:38 PM
in reply to: #1787667

Champion
7704
50002000500100100
Williamston, Michigan
Subject: RE: Ironman Florida
WOO HOO LOL I TOLD you the ironman swim was FUN!!! Christine would have been so proud!!!  Congrats awell deserved


2008-11-04 5:41 PM
in reply to: #1787667

Champion
19812
50005000500020002000500100100100
MA
Subject: RE: Ironman Florida

Congrats Ironman Gator Wendi!

You looked great on the swim and each loop was almost exactly 45'. I was glad I picked you out and saw you both loops.

Our mind is often what limits us both in training and racing. You learned a lot this last year and grew in many ways...plus what I super race you had.

Super you had your own IM buddy stirring up the crowd for you..how cool is that? What a great way to finish. What a great finish announcement by Mike R.

2008-11-04 5:58 PM
in reply to: #1787667

Veteran
160
1002525
Salt Lake City, UT
Subject: RE: Ironman Florida

And Sugar, we're goin' down, swingin'!!!!!! 

Incredible day!  Thanks for capturing down in writing for everyone.

You have me excited for my next 140.6!!!!

Nice job, Buttercup. ;-)

2008-11-04 6:15 PM
in reply to: #1787667

Elite
2999
2000500100100100100252525
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Subject: RE: Ironman Florida
Wendi you did an awesome job.  I am so proud of you. And just to correct you, you did not have to wake me up, I was up and out of bed as soon as you came out of your room!!! :P
2008-11-04 6:27 PM
in reply to: #1787667

Extreme Veteran
562
5002525
Subject: RE: Ironman Florida

Great job Wendi!!  I wish I'd been able to come and jockstrap for you but I did follow you on the athlete tracker, and try and predict which miles you'd throw up at!

So you went through flapping your arms in that chomp thingy and Mike Reilly knew what that was?!

2008-11-04 6:29 PM
in reply to: #1787667

Elite
3683
20001000500100252525
Whispering Pines, North Carolina
Subject: RE: Ironman Florida

Congrats, Ironman!

Fun report! I bet some of those ppl you splattered were pissed (pun intended).

 



2008-11-04 8:03 PM
in reply to: #1787667

Extreme Veteran
407
100100100100
Greenwood, SC
Subject: RE: Ironman Florida
Great race!
2008-11-04 8:20 PM
in reply to: #1787667

Master
2314
2000100100100
Gulf Shores, AL
Subject: RE: Ironman Florida
great job! I saw you chomping across the finish line and remembered your goal of doing just that! Way to go!
2008-11-05 8:32 AM
in reply to: #1787667

Champion
5529
500050025
Nashville, TN
Subject: RE: Ironman Florida
Great job Wendi!!!
2008-11-05 11:15 AM
in reply to: #1787667

Elite
3002
20001000
HURRICANE, Utah
Subject: RE: Ironman Florida

Great to meet you Wendi....You did awesome!  My mother told me at the condo later that "someone" came across the line doing the gator chomp....I laughed and said yeah...we're in Florida.  They went to the OSU championship game a 2 years ago against Florida and ofcourse heard gator bait and saw the gator chomp all week long

2008-11-05 11:55 AM
in reply to: #1787667

Master
1728
100050010010025
Pulaski TN
Subject: RE: Ironman Florida
Way to go Ironman!!! Big Smiles!!!


2008-11-05 12:34 PM
in reply to: #1787667

Master
1831
100050010010010025
Keller Tx
Subject: RE: Ironman Florida
Congrats Irongator
2008-11-05 12:40 PM
in reply to: #1787667

Elite
2998
2000500100100100100252525
Fishers, Indiana
Subject: RE: Ironman Florida
Congrats!! You and Sue were the only people I recognized out of the water on that first loop--you were beaming!! I saw you start the bike too and you were STILL beaming! And I don't know how Kathy and I missed you on the out and back, but boy were we glad to see you as we drove back to the race start (we were the crazy people leaning out the car window with cameras)...you were Gator'd out for sure, just like you said...and even if you weren't feeling awesome, you were smiling...so, you absolutely deserve to SMILE for becoming an IRONMAN! Glad I got to meet you, and big congrats on the race!
2008-11-05 1:02 PM
in reply to: #1787667

Expert
885
500100100100252525
Subject: RE: Ironman Florida
What a great race report! Great job out there on the course. I was watching online and saw you cross the finish line, so that's kind of cool to read your race report now. Too funny about peeing on the bike.
2008-11-05 3:01 PM
in reply to: #1787667

Subject: RE: Ironman Florida

YOU ROCK IRONSISTAH! I remember you telling me that as you passed me on the bike course. You said, C'mon Ironsistah.. Wow, what an amazing experience! You did awesome! I can honestly say that although the training was not always that much fun, the Iron journey made all things worth it. I am sad to say it's over. But, you know... we can start doing some Marathons soon and we can also sign up for IMMOO in 2010?!?

And I'm suprised that I had a little fun on the swim too.. and the bike didn't hurt (you know where)!

CONGRATS !!

2008-11-05 4:22 PM
in reply to: #1787667

Master
1551
10005002525
Virginia Beach, VA
Subject: RE: Ironman Florida
Awesome race Wendi!!! COngrats on being an Ironman. I wish I could have been in FL; but I was with you all day and watched you gator chomp across the finish line! You rock!!


2008-11-05 6:28 PM
in reply to: #1787667

Master
1932
100050010010010010025
Savannah,
Subject: RE: Ironman Florida

Wow! Tears of joy for you.  Your GREAT attitude carries you, Wendi and not just through IM. Toldja you kick booty.

2008-11-05 7:16 PM
in reply to: #1787667

Master
2468
20001001001001002525
Muskego, Wisconsin
Subject: RE: Ironman Florida
Wendi, it was great meeting you.  I think you had an amazing race especially with the throwing up and blisters.  Way to go.
2008-11-05 9:00 PM
in reply to: #1787667

Veteran
405
100100100100
Memphis, TN
Subject: RE: Ironman Florida
I think you were the hit of the finish line.  I heard several people talk about the 'one doing the gator chomp'  Way to go!
2008-11-05 9:03 PM
in reply to: #1787667

Member
28
25
Newport News, VA
Subject: RE: Ironman Florida

Ironwoman, I'm so proud of you! I laughed and cried when I saw you come across the finish line. All those miles...all that hard work... YOU ROCK! So glad to get to read the race report as I wondered just how crazy your day was. I am inspired! Congrats again!!!

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