Pre- race:
So the weeks leading up to this, my 14th Ironman were less than ideal. I was sick, worse than I have ever been before a race and I have raced sick many times. This was unbearable. Double ear infection and strep throat had me feeling spent, tired and drained. Antibiotics do a number on my gut as well, so I was one unhappy athlete. Then came the family emergencies, and the possibility that I may not be making the trip to Arizona after all. In the end it took a village but I made it to Tempe and the race venue was shaping up. Still it was difficult to focus on racing, I was worring about the situation at home and if our family was ok. I knew from 2008 that the swim would be cold and my plan was to get in Friday and not again until Sunday morning. But the race directors had a different idea, no swimming Friday only Saturday. That gave me a whole extra day to fret over the cold water! The swim Saturday was great, I lost feeling in my feet and hands within the first few minutes and then it warmed up nicely. Not too bad! The bike was set up and ready to roll, I had made a choice to go with 808's in front and back, hindsight bad decision. I should have done a 404 up front and 808 in back. Sleep had been good, not great but better than last years disaster of no sleep for 3 days prior to Ironman. I felt good and was ready to tackle the day, no matter what it brought.
Swim: Race morning was smooth, still deciding what to wear. Laughing with Sasha and stressing with Larry, it was all good. Got in and swam out to the left by the Ford sign. Great spot until 30 seconds befor the cannon and 800 people swam over the top of me to try for the front position. Damn, hold your ground, yeah right 195 pound guy just kicked me in the back and crawled on top of my shoulders...hmmmm not good. When the chaos spread out and I got some clear water I felt good but had taken a beating. I was sore and tired from battling for position. The one thing I was not was cold. This was different from 2008 when I was so very cold at the turn bouy. The rest of the swim was smooth, not fast but I felt fresh and ready to ride.
Bike: The first thing I noticed on the bike was the wind. I thought oh crap, it's going to be a long day. I tried to think on the bike about the next section, where is the wind, eat, drink, spin. Then first loop was great but coming back into town I was looking for my coach, I needed a boost, hmmm, how could I have missed that? On the second loop the wind picked up, and the rain came. I was not cold, I was prepared as the forcast all week had been calling for crappy conditions, but it was mentally draining. Again coming into town looking for my coach I was needing that "cheer" from outside the race. Starting the third and final loop I was focused on getting in some good nutrition and spinning out my legs. I got passed by my husband at mile 92 and he looked strong. Maybe this was his year, I had beaten him in 2008. Rolling back into T2 I felt fresh in my legs but mentally I was drained. I was tired, felt sluggish and my tummy was not happy. I had been vomiting every 20 miles from 60 on. It wasn't much, more like reflux, Very acidic.
Run: I knew that the first few miles of this course were fast and a good opportunity to see how much the bike had taken out of me. Right off the bat I felt great in my legs, like I had just rolled out of bed for an early morning run! My tummy had other things to say. I did not know what to eat, drink, or do. So I ran and after 3 miles I started to feel a bit better, not much but enough to take in some gel and water. And so it went, the rolling buffet of what to take in next, or not. Then came the bridge, this is where my coach promised to be, each lap I would get to see him and have that positive feedback. Boy was it great to hear cheering and support! I was running well and closing in on Larry, I knew I just needed to keep moving! I passed him at mile 8, in 2008 I did not pass him until mile 13. We were not that far apart from there to mile 13 only 1 min separated us. But from mile 13 to the finish I put 15 min on him. The second loop I was working hard and feeling the lack of run training due to my achilles injury, and again I was needing that support. On the bridge but where the hell is coach? Crap just run, you have done this before, 13 times before just keep moving! By the third lap I was miserable, my tummy was rebeling and I was not sure if I was going to make it to the next pot-o-potty. So went the last 10 miles, running poop stop to poop stop trying to find a place to peel off if I did not make it. I was mking deals with people to just run with me to the next bridge then we could walk, only I was not walking! I just pushed on. I have never been so happy to see the finish line of a race before in all my triathlons. I was done, finished, spent.
After: The finish of a race is hard for me. I cannot stop or I pass out. I cannot sit down, cannot bend over, cannot stop walking, or I get very sick. My blood pressure drops and bad things start happening. My catcher was awesome. I think he actually just wanted pizza, but he helped me get dry clothes, food and my husband. After packing the bikes and walking miles in my hotel room I needed to lay down. And 3, 2, 1......PUKE! yes from there it was all down hill, vomiting and feeling like crap till about 3 am. By 5 am I was starving, by 9 am I had had three breakfasts. Yes three!
So that's it, I am satisfied with this race and the outcome given the lack of run training and illness prior to the race, but I am not happy. I could have done better, could have done more. I think that is what has kept me coming back 14 times.
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