Ironman Louisville 2012

I put this on Facebook, but since some of you are not on it here is a recap of the race!!
Thank again to all of you who were tracking me at Ironman Louisville and for all the kind texts/calls today. I've had lots of questions so I thought I would just do a little recap of the race here:

Swim 2.4 miles:
I got into the water at 7:06, it was 84.5 degrees. It’s in the Ohio River so it is a time trial start instead of a mass swim start. You have until midnight to finish, regardless of when you get in the water. The swim went pretty well, I started feeling a little nauseous during the swim but figured it would work itself out once I got on the bike. The swim is all about the warm up for the race, so I went nice and steady since I knew I had a long day ahead of me. I finished in 1:36, happy with that!

Bike 112 miles:
Three words to describe this bike leg: HOT, HILLY, TOUGH! But really, it is so scenic and there are many places for spectators to see you. I really do like this bike course, even though I may never want to ride it again, for a really long time  That nausea that started on the swim continued on the bike until about mile 20, then went away until about mile 60. The first half of this bike was really great. I was making pretty good time and enjoyed seeing Ben, Charlie, and my parents 5 times on the bike leg, a lifesaver!! I noticed my back tire was making a strange noise and something was wrong, although I knew it wasn’t flat. I had spare tubes with me in case of a flat but realized there was a bulge in the tire and it needed to be trued. So, I needed to wait for bike tech, which took a LONG time. It’s hard to sit on the side of the road and see people zoom by on bikes and you are just sitting there, waiting, and growing impatient! The bike support, Ironman Bob, was really great and once he fixed it I was on my way. I knew this stuff happens, so I prepared myself for it.

However, during this wait I felt my dehydration setting in (not good)! This is what knocked me out of the 2009 race and I started to freak out!! I could only drink my Nuun tabs and water and keep taking my salt tabs every hour. Food was just not agreeing with my stomach. I saw my family at mile 80 and I was pretty bad then, I was hurting for sure. I was really slowing down and just feeling so sick. People were dropping like hotcakes on the course, ambulances were everywhere and I just kept thinking “Keep pedaling, you didn’t come all this way to stop now. Do this for Charlie; think about everyone tracking me at home”. But to be honest, I just wanted it to be over. I was hot (it was 93 degrees) and I still had about 30 miles to go, then a marathon. This is when the praying ramped up!! I pulled it together and finished, 8:50. SUPER slow bike, last time I did it in 7:33. But it was done, and I was happy!

Bike, done, hallelujah. I do not want to ride you or look at you for a very long time :)

Run 26.2 miles:
Oh baby, I will try to make this short, but there is so much to tell here. Basically, I started the run not knowing if this was really going to happen. I tried to stay positive but I felt like hell and knew I had about 6 hours 15 minutes to get this baby done. Luckily, it is flat and had cooled down to the upper 80’s at this point. I saw Ben and the fam at mile 2 and I think I told him I felt like death but would not quit. And, that is pretty much what happened. The first half of the marathon I actually ran, thank you Lord for that strength! Slow, but I ran. I knew that I was dehydrating and had to get in as much running before I literally could not take it anymore. Aid stations were every mile and I took full advantage. Chicken broth, ice water at every aid station, salt tab every hour, that was the plan. I was hoping this would be enough sodium and electrolytes to keep me in the race, but no calories were really getting in. That good ‘ol nausea just wanted to be my BFF all day.

I do have to say I really like the run course, it’s flat and you run by Churchill Downs, Univ. of Louisville, and some great residential neighborhoods. It’s a 2 loop course so you see a lot of the course twice. Here’s the kicker: When you start your second loop you can see the finish line, hear the crowds, but you have another lap when you just want to finish!! During most of this run I could not talk, I was so nauseous I could only give a thumbs up to my family, or I would tap my watch and Ben would call out pace/splits needed to finish by midnight. I cannot think of anyone better to be there than these 4 people. They were just what I needed the whole time, I owe them SO much!!

On my second loop it was all about mind over matter. My muscles felt pretty good but I was down to a power walk with some running mixed in, but not much! I didn’t talk to anyone the whole run. I just kept thinking about that finish and how I wanted it so badly, no matter how much it hurt at that moment. I knew once I crossed the finish it would all be worth it and I could sit down, that’s all I wanted, to sit down. The last time I saw Ben, Charlie, and my parents was mile 20. I think they were pretty nervous that I may not make it, but I knew I would at that point. I would NOT cross that line after midnight! And I didn’t!!!! My run time was 6:05. Nothing to brag about, but again, happy!!!

The sweet, sweet finish is the most amazing thing! Everyone is going nuts, people announce your name, and I knew at that moment I did it. I was an Ironman and everything I did was worth it. It was completely a team effort and I could not have done it without Ben and my parents supporting me along the way, and seeing Little C of course! I did it for Charlie and he was able to be with me at the finish, along with Ben and my parents. My official time was 16:49:16, yayyy!!!!
 
Afterwards, headed to medical for IV’S for fluid replacement and nausea. IV’s are amazing, love them!!! Now, I am pretty swollen, my legs look like I am like 10 months pregnant! Really looking forward to that going away. I am a little sore, but not bad. I am wearing compression socks and putting my feet up, drinking lots of water, and will now enjoy eating anything but Clif Bars and drinking anything but chicken broth :)

Here is a YouTube video of the finish, you can see Ben and Charlie too!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pglf1R2Ij0