So for the first time in 3 years I did not have a "panic" moment 5 minutes into my swim. This for me was huge, I had one in my practice swim the day before. I was so comfortable from the start and committed to swimming my race and I just relaxed and had a good time. There were schools of fish, sting ray's and jellys but I just enjoyed swimming with them and didn't let it bother me. I only dodged one tennis ball sized jelly once. Took a kick to the ribs and and elbow to the forehead but that was about it. The waves in the 2nd loop were ridiculous! Once a wave literally picked me up and slammed me into another swimmer. Often if felt like I was swimming in one place -the buoy was not getting closed I swear!

Nothing!! It was without a doubt my best swim ever!

First IM transition -didn't know what to expect. Love the strippers and the ladies in the tent were so helpful! Move quickly but was careful not to forget anything including my butt balm which was a good call in mile 85 I later would discover!

Nothing I guess, I'll have to see how my times looked compared to others, I have no frame of reference.

Well, decided on this IM due to the flat course, but note to sefl, flat doesn't mean sh&t when it's winday. Started strong but turned at mile 25 and had wind gusts for at least 20-30 miles thereafter -struggled to keep above 12 mph. Tried to make it up later but by then the legs were tired. Still felt good considering this is my weak point. Think my time would have looked alot better wo the wind, but at least it was challenging and I had to fight for it -which I liked! Bad raod conditions around mile 70-80 -thought this was supposed to be fixed but apparently not...

Get a tri bike...oh honey.... :)

Just gettin' naked in front of folks -felt like I was back stage again duriing my dance days :)

Nothing

This was the toughest but most fun parts of the race. I felt GREAT off the bike and was ready to hit the run hard. I managed the first 5 miles and started feeling quesy around 6 miles but legs felt strong. I pushed through and watched my nutrition intake but kept feeling nauseous, chicken broth? -food of the gods. I ran through mile 13 and started alternating walking/running at mile 15 when I heard a "pop" in my left ankle. Tried to "walk it off" but it was clear there was something very wrong. At that point I knew I could walk the rest and still make cut off so I did just that. Walked with groups off people, talked to volunteers, danced with the 70's party block and just lived in the moment. Waited so I could cross the finish line by myself and quickly thought of so many things, my daughter who was in LA wearing her BT support crew shirt at her SYTYCD rehearsal, the lupus doctor who told me I would never do more than run a 10k, the six months of 4:30 am mornings to make this dream a reality, my mother and husband waiting for me on the other side of the finish line and then I heard those words I had been waiting to hear since I first watched the Ironman in 2000 "Michelle Burkhart from Brooklyn, NY YOU ARE AN IRONMAN" I tried to hold back the tears so I didn't look like a blubbering mess in my finish photo, but I couldn't stop the tears they just flowed! I will remember this moment all of my life and could not have felt more emotions and joy at once - not since the birth of my daughter.

Nothing! I loved every moment and will be re-livivng it every day for a very long time!

Finish photo, hugs amd tears with the family and back to collect my stuff and up to my room and bed -OUT within 20 minutes of laying down!


Ankle injury at mile 15 - still swollen to about the size of an orange, will likely get to the docs later this week if it doesn't improve - I did feel my fitness was there though for most of the race.


I thought this was an amazing race -maybe since it was my first IM I'm not a good judge but compared to all the other races I have competed in there is simply NO comparison -IM does it and does it well! I have never felt more taken care of in a race EVER! I can't wait to not only do the next one but volunteer for one in the coming year! It was an absolute BLAST ...oh and did I mention "I am an Ironman!!!" -little old me! hee hee