Ironman Arizona - TriathlonFull Ironman

The swim was good. I knew I was doing better than last year because I was getting hit the whole swim! There would be 10-15 minute periods where I swam alone, but I was around a lot more people this year. I never got hit too hard, but I did have one hit that made me re-adjust my goggles. I didn't sight at all on the way out, I just followed the crowds. The sun is in your eyes for the first half, so you can't even see the bouys until you pass them. Once we hit the turn around, I hugges the bouys all the way back and did a good job of staying steady, breathing easy. I was very focused and just wanted to get out of the water and on the bike! But at the same time, I was so happy to be there doing and Ironman again!

Nothing.Last year I did 1:39, so this year I wanted 1:30. I got 1:29:40.

This was a normal transition. I had a girl help me and just made sure I had everything right. I was already wearing my bike shorts and tri top, so I just did my chamois cream, sunglasses, shoes, helmet, and number. I saw Robin in there and said hi.I had to run all the way to the end of transition to get my bike, but that is better than running all the way through transition WITH my bike. Got out to the mount line and saw Chippy and Aaron.

Nothing.

I guess I went a little too easy. I only averaged 111 watts and I was shooting for 115. It was incredibly windy out there...25-30mph sustained winds with gusts that were blowing people off the road. My first lap was very easy...too easy. I only averaged 16.4, but my rear brake was rubbing the first 5 miles. I was so demoralized after that first lap, seeing how slow I had gone. When I rode past the BT gang, I yelled "this fucking sucks!" because that is exactly how I felt. I wanted to quit, I felt like a complete loser. Anyway, I picked it up after that, and felt much better and got my speed up to a 17.5 average by the end. I was CONSTANTLY passing people. I would be going 13 mph DOWNHILL into the headwind and be FLYING past people on P3Cs. It was a crazy day out there. I took advantage of the tailwind and kept my watts up to make up time. Coming back into town on each loop was into the headwind, so I just did the best I could without going too far over my watts range. Jeff said I passed over 700 people from the swim to the finish, and I think most must have been during the bike. I am VERY proud that I was 18th out of 88 in my AG on the bike. :)
Yes, I peed on the bike. Not nearly as much as last year. My nutrition was so much better, and less complicated this year. I never felt bloated or swollen. I used Gatorade Endurance, almond m&m's, and some bananas from the aid stations. I lost a lot of my m&m's over the rough sections of road and was afraid I would run out too early, but I didn't.
I will never forget the tumbleweeds blowing across the road. I am so glad I had the bike fitness to survive that course. I think riding with a power meter made a huge difference for me out there.


Go faster. I wish I had known exactly what the winds were like before I started. I could have gone just a tad harder in the tailwind on the first lap and made up some speed, but I had no idea how the winds would be on the turn around until I got there and got smacked in the face by it.
I did the bike about 30 minutes faster than last year, in WAY worse conditions. My average went from 16.1 to 17.5. Yay!

Someone grabbed my bike, I got off...and I guess they took it? I don't remember! I ran holding my shoes, grabbed my bag, and yelled at Chippy and Aaron, then Shane too. Got in the change tent, and had a little angel there to help me. That poor girl touched my pee-soaked bike shorts with her bare hands! I changed into a skirt, new socks, my sneakers, and my watch. She forget to give me my visor.Off I went! I was chafed again in my armpits, but I kept rinsing myself with water on the bike, so I was able to run normally this year out of transition. :)

Nothing.

This was pain. Pain, pain, pain. My legs hurt SO bad. I am so proud of myself for this run!! i cannot believe I did it so steady and didn't lose steam! I owe it all to my new friend Brian, who ran with me from mile 2 to mile 24. We are 2 very different people, but for those 4 hours we were the world to each other. I owe him so much. We just kept each other going, that is all. If he hadn't have been there, I would have walked. I really, truly did not believe I had it in me to do that, but I just stayed with him for as long as I could, and it was the most difficult thing I have ever done. This run is my proudest race accomplishment ever, by far. I learned so much about my limits out there. I realized I was capable of much more than my brain could accomplish on it's own. I realized that my body is stronger than my will. I told you all I am blessed. Brian was the greatest blessing of the day. He facilitated a huge break-though for me mentally. I think my next Ironman will be my hardest yet, because I will have to live up to this standard by myself, without a Brian there to keep me going.
We walked through every aid station. I alternated between gatorade/water and coke/broth. I had a few cookies around miles 12-17 maybe, since this was my low point. I thought for sure I was going to have to let Brian go ahead, but I just tried to keep going one more mile...one more mile. Once we hit 19, I felt pretty good. Miles 20-26 were awesome. I felt good, and was so happy to be feeling pretty good! Of course feeling pretty good means I wasn't dead or walking. I was in a lot of pain in my hips.
Brian finally left me at mile 24, to try to break 13 hours. He got 12:59:30. :) I was so happy for him. I just ran really strong and steady for the last 2.2 miles by myself, enjoying the fact that I didn't have to get a glow stick this year and that I was almost done!
Got on the bridge and took it all in, had a huge smile on my face. As I turned the corner and saw the finish line, I saw my time and started to cry. I was SO SO SO happy and amazed that I had done so well. :) :) And I heard Mike Reilly call my name this year! I knocked about 45 minutes off my run time from last year.
I crossed the line and looked for Aaron but couldn't find him. Got my finisher stuff, pic taken, then Chippy found me. IM number 2 DONE!!

Nothing!!!!

Tried to sit down for about 10 minutes. I couldn't do it. I was so sore and cold. Someone got pizza for me. Talked to Jeff, Shane, thegomer, and Brian for a bit. Then I just wanted to go home. We left all my stuff for the next morning and went back to the house.


I am happy. I will do better next time, but right now I am thrilled!!! Jorge, you are the best coach, and the best friend, I could ever hope for. I love you! Thank you so much!!!!!


Awesome. I am so sad it is over. I beat my time from last year by 90 minutes!!! I am beyond happy with that! I owe a lot of this to Jorge, who is the best coach ever. And my power meter!!! I love that thing.