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Ironman Arizona - TriathlonFull Ironman


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Tempe, Arizona
United States
Ironman North America
Total Time = 15h 33m 8s
Overall Rank = /
Age Group =
Age Group Rank = 0/
Swim
  • 1h 17m 13s
  • 3862 meters
  • 01m / 100 meters
Comments:

I hopped in the water holding hands with Jess (Tri Take Me Away). That was totally my favorite moment of the morning! We both screamed as we entered the water and then laughed as we adjusted to the cold temps.

We made our way over to ...somewhere. I really have no idea where we seeded ourselves. We high fived with a bunch of people nad everyone was friendly and talkative and laughing and "WOOO IRONMAN!" until the gun went off and everyone turned into a total asshole. Seriously, I've never been so close to getting into a fist fight in my LIFE as I was at this swim start! I now understand how and why people panic in the water -- I've never really had a panic impulse myself, but I get it now! I felt like it was impossible to swim for the first five minutes, but I was getting carried along by the draft eventually just decided to stop waiting for clear water and to make my own.

I felt like I was pretty far in the back this whole swim, as I felt like I was battling slow swimmers and struggling to keep a pace. Overall though, I liked this swim -- the water temp was perfect and I was very comfortable. I did notice my stroke getting sloppy a certain points and redoubled my efforts to maintain good form.

Saw Q at the wetsuit stripping. YAY! We had a little struggle as my suit got caught in my wrist band, so I lost a few minutes there, but I was thrilled to see my friend and share that moment with him.

Shocked to learn my swim was sub 1:20. I was shooting for 1:30!
Transition 1
  • 11m 26s
Comments:

Apparently, I took a nap here. Ok, not really, but this was a looooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnng. I decide to change complete - dry bike shorts, bike jersey. I didn't want to be cold on the bike :)

Next time: eff that. I'm just gonna go!
What would you do differently?:

Not change, just run.
Bike
  • 7h 25m
  • 112 miles
  • 15.10 mile/hr
Comments:

I felt like I had NO power on this ride. I really felt like I struggled! The first loop had some wind that was fairly demoralizing, and while it was much better on subsequent loops, the damage had been done. My legs were tired.

I felt like I prob ate too much too quickly, and spent the rest of the bike trying to correct that problem. I don't know..I really just had a hard time getting into a groove and feeling good. I stopped at least once each lap to go to the bathroom, and lost time there as well.

The best advice I got was from Mike Ricci -- "if you get cranky on the bike -- EAT!". I did get VERY cranky on the bike, VERY often, and whenever that would happen I would eat and then I felt better.

I paced this bike ALL wrong. I wish I could get a do over, but oh well. Now I know.
Transition 2
  • 08m 58s
Comments:

Dude, they had massage therapists in the tent. WHY did I leave T2? I have no idea.
Run
  • 6h 30m
  • 26.2 miles
  • 14m 53s  min/mile
Comments:

Goal: Run to every aid station, the walk the station. I accomplished this goal throgh mile 16.

My brother jumped in an ran with me the first 13 miles!! I can't believe he did that, but he did. That was my favorite part of the day, for sure... we were just running along and chatting. He moved from DC to LA earlier this year, and we're not neighbors anymore, and I miss him. It was GREAT to catch up and hang out, and I barely realized I was in an Ironman during this time. We had a blast. My favorite moment was when someone shouted "Go Elizabeth!" and he was like "my GOD, how many people do you know? You're like a rockstar!" and I finally clued him into the fact that my name was on my race number. Heh. I should have let him keep thinking I was just that famous :)

Anyway, I was pretty happy that I was keeping on my run/walk schedule, taking an eGel every three miles and felt pretty good. I was almost always surprised to see aid stations come up -- it felt like they were ticking off pretty quickly. That was cool. Mike left at mile 13 and I kept trudging along. Right around mile 16 the wheels started to come off, and then by mile 17 it happened: Leg cramp. Holy HELL that really hurts!!! My hip flexors, quads and calves were completely seizing up when I would life my knee to start running. Grrrrr. I could still walk though, and that's what I did -- tried to speed walk my way in.

Weird things starting happening to my body at this point. My whole mid section hurt to the touch, and I realized it was just profound ab muscles soreness. Note to self: stop ignoring core work. My legs felt like they were on FIRE and all I wanted to do was drop them in Tempe Town Lake to cool them off. I was starting to bloat a bit, as I could tell from my race belt feeling tighter. Mostly I just really hurt. I've done long races before, but I don't ever think I've ever just straight up HURT like I did here. I think it's interesting to note, however, I never once had IT band pain. That is normally what knocks me out of running races, and I didn't here a peep from them all day. I'm calling that a win :)

I REALLY didn't want to start that third lap. I was NOT looking forward to crossing the river again and going to the dark cold parts of Tempe, and I knew it was going to take FOREVER to finish that lap while walking. Stake joined me for a few miles and it was great to have company again, to be cheered on even though I was only walking, and to share part of the race with him. We did the math and realized I had the chance to beat his IM time, but only if I could run, which...no. So I let that dream go. It's ok -- as long as I don't give the bike back to him I can still try to beat his CdA time! :D

Around mile 19 I was getting sleepy, so I hit the coke. I didn't really enjoy the cola, but I was scared of coming off a coke crash, so I took it at every aid station from there on out.

Around mile 23, I'm going under this overpass, it's dark, cold, there's not a lot of people around, and a guy that was shuffling along with me collapsed to the ground in full leg spasm. I stopped to help rub out his calf and tried to lift him to his feet, but I couldn't lift enough and he couldn't push himself up. Eventually a volunteer showed and radioed for a medic, and it occured to me that this guy was going to get pulled off the course. At mile 23.

I left him -- there were people with him, and not moving was making me cramp again -- but I started to get scared. I had thought that if I started the run, there was no way I wouldn't finish, and until that moment, I still believed it, but suddenly I realized that my legs were on the verge of doing the same thing, and I might get pulled from the course too, with only three miles to go. I didn't want that to happen. At the next aid station I took a gatoraid.

Ok, i NEVER drink Gatoraid when I run. Most sports drinks give me the WORST side stiches and leave me immobilized. But I realized I needed to get electrolytes to stop the cramping, and I also realized that I wasn't running :). I'm pretty sure the drink helped my legs a ton, and I was able to pick up the pace a bit.

And then... then the finish. I saw Dave669 right before the turn into the finish, and he walked with me for a bit. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to run the finish shoot -- I was really worried about re-cramping-- but the minute I turned the corner and saw the shoot, I wanted to try. It felt great to just freaking RUN my way in, not worrying about sustaining a pace, cramping legs, anything -- just let loose and fly.

And that's what it felt like -- finishing basically felt like flying. It was awesome, every bit as awesome as I wondered it might be.

Post race
Event comments:

I hadn't wanted to do a 15:30 Ironman, partly because of ego, but also because I didn't really want to be on my feet for that long. To say that it hurt at the end doesn't really encompass it. That was, by far, one of the most painful experiences I've ever had.

I think back on the race and I can pin point specific moments where I could have shaved literally hours off my time. And maybe someday I'll go back and do just that.

I think I do myself a disservice by being friends with so many accomplished athletes. I've watched these "mere mortals" train for and race Ironmans for the past three years, and I think the extent of how ... I don't know, hard, amazing, challenging, awesome, it all is has...lessened, to an extent. When I first heard of Ironman, and learned what the distances were, I was overwhelmed. Over time, that feeling went away. I came to believe -- and I still kind of believe this -- that anyone can finish an ironman, provided they want to train for it. But, it's more than that, I don't think I realized that until I was out there doing it.

I'm grateful I was able to finish, and I know my finish time reflects what I was able to do that day. But the overwhelming feeling of Ironman has hit me again. I almost can't believe what I did. But more so, I know that I can do better. I feel like I really get what they mean when they say Ironman. It's not just going through the motions in training, though that will most likely get you to the finish line. I haven't even begun to learn what I don't know about Ironman training.

All of that being said: I'm still an effing Ironman. And it feels awesome.





Last updated: 2008-11-25 12:00 AM
Swimming
01:17:13 | 3862 meters | 01m / 100meters
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance:
Suit:
Course:
Start type: Plus:
Water temp: 0F / 0C Current:
200M Perf. Remainder:
Breathing: Drafting:
Waves: Navigation:
Rounding:
T1
Time: 11:26
Performance:
Cap removal: Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike:
Jump on bike:
Getting up to speed:
Biking
07:25:00 | 112 miles | 15.10 mile/hr
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance:
Wind:
Course:
Road:   Cadence:
Turns: Cornering:
Gear changes: Hills:
Race pace: Drinks:
T2
Time: 08:58
Overall:
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike
Racking bike
Shoe and helmet removal
Running
06:30:00 | 26.2 miles | 14m 53s  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?
Events on-time?
Lots of volunteers?
Plenty of drinks?
Post race activities:
Race evaluation [1-5]

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2008-11-25 11:56 AM

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Master
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Colorado
Subject: Ironman Arizona


2008-11-25 12:16 PM
in reply to: #1825549

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Expert
1226
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Chicago
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona
You were incredible out there! You had an amazing effort on a great day.

We're all proud of everything you put in to make Sunday happen.
2008-11-25 12:31 PM
in reply to: #1825549

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Official BT Coach
2210
2000100100
Englewood, CO
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona
Great job Chippy!  We yelled for you at the finish but you were in a zone and looked happy!  Great to see you and you are an IRONMAN! 
2008-11-25 12:38 PM
in reply to: #1825549

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Master
1831
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Keller Tx
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona
From mere mortal to Ironman!  Outstanding race Chippy! 
2008-11-25 12:39 PM
in reply to: #1825549

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Elite
3371
200010001001001002525
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona
Way to go Chippy!!
2008-11-25 1:15 PM
in reply to: #1825549

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Expert
892
500100100100252525
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona
Congratulations, Chippy!


2008-11-25 1:28 PM
in reply to: #1825549

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Expert
885
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Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona
Great race report!! Congrats on finishing after a tough run.

2008-11-25 1:48 PM
in reply to: #1825692

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Champion
8540
50002000100050025
the colony texas
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona
congrats,,, great job out there
2008-11-25 3:05 PM
in reply to: #1825549

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Champion
10471
500050001001001001002525
Dallas, TX
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona
Awe, what a great RR! I hear ya on the PAIN! My torso/abs started to hurt so bad about mile 90 on the bike, I couldn't even go into my drops (I was on a roadie) anymore. It hurt to bend over. By the run, it hurt to even scratch my arm. I was positive the whole race, but looking back, I was in a world of hurt.

BBBUUUTTTTT... you stayed the course you didn't stop and you became and Ironman! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!



2008-11-25 3:45 PM
in reply to: #1825549

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Master
1591
1000500252525
San Diego, CA
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona
Well done. Way to be an incredible sport and help out a fellow athlete. You're a rockstar!
2008-11-25 4:25 PM
in reply to: #1825549

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Extreme Veteran
406
100100100100
Frisco, Texas
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona
congratulations ironman. way to go! great report chippy.


2008-11-25 4:41 PM
in reply to: #1825549

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Expert
1205
1000100100
Herndon VA
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona

Congratulations, great race.  I enjoyed the race report.

Ernie

2008-11-25 4:55 PM
in reply to: #1825549

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Regular
137
10025
Fort Collins, CO
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona

Congrats on toughing that run out, you are right anybody can become an Ironman if they are willing to commit to it.  Congrats again IRONMAN!

 

2008-11-25 4:59 PM
in reply to: #1825549

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Expert
1028
100025
Chandler, AZ
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona

Chippy, what a fun RR to read. You had me fooled that you were in pain when I saw you. You had a big smile on your face and looked pretty relaxed later on. Congrats on this accomplishment.

You are an effing Ironman and an effing good samaritan.

2008-11-25 5:26 PM
in reply to: #1826129

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Champion
5615
5000500100
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona

Great Job, Chippy!!!

You were phenomenal.  Everything you've been through.  Everything you've done.  You put it all together on raceday and you walked (hobbled?) away with the priviledge to forever be called an IRONMAN!!!!

2008-11-25 5:57 PM
in reply to: #1825549

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Champion
7704
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Williamston, Michigan
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona
Great Job Liz Congratulations


2008-11-25 6:07 PM
in reply to: #1825549

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Pro
4277
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Parker, CO
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona
Congratulations Ironman!  Nice job out there and enjoyed your RR!
2008-11-25 7:46 PM
in reply to: #1825549

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Elite
2998
2000500100100100100252525
Fishers, Indiana
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona
Congratulations Ironman!! I hope you have an awesome and well deserved Thanksgiving! Way to gut it out all day long and get it DONE!
2008-11-25 8:27 PM
in reply to: #1825549

Albuquerque, NM
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona
Congratulations Ironman!  
2008-11-25 8:27 PM
in reply to: #1825549

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Elite
2515
2000500
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona
Freakin AWESOME, Chippy and Congratulations, Ironman!!! Great race report, too. Now go send your cardiologist a thank you.
2008-11-26 7:44 AM
in reply to: #1825549

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Expert
1535
100050025
Coeur D'alene, ID
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona
Congratulations!!  Great race and very enjoyable RR!  Time to bask in the glow now!


2008-11-26 8:36 AM
in reply to: #1825549

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Expert
902
500100100100100
Wylie, TX
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona
The a$$hole comment, about the swim start, had me laugh outloud. I so did not see that coming. Great job Ironman!
2008-11-26 12:41 PM
in reply to: #1825549

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Expert
927
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Longview, TX
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona
Eh, the pain is definitely worth it.  Great job, Ironman!
2008-11-26 12:41 PM
in reply to: #1825549

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Elite
2796
2000500100100252525
Texas
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona

You = AWESOME.

So proud of you.

2008-11-26 3:15 PM
in reply to: #1825549

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Champion
8936
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Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona
Yay Chippy!
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