I was really nervous about the swim start. I had heard horror stories and since swimming is not my strong event I didn't know what to expect. A few of my friends who had done this race before told me to start at the back. My friend John, Scott and I all started as far back as we could and close to the buoy line. We didn't have anyone behind us. Once the gun went off we counted to 5, let everyone else go and then found our spots. I had a good swim. I didn't get punched, hit or pushed under the water at all. I kept my calm and was able to make to the turn around with no problem. Trying to get around the buoys was a little tricky as everyone seemed to be getting there at the same time. This where a little bit of kicking started. I tried to protect my head and stomach so I would get punched or kicked. I found it hard to 'swim' around the buoy's so I did the side stroke and this seemed to work. Once I got around and was heading back things seemed to go ok. I think I zig-zagged the entire way back. At first I was on the far right and then all of a sudden I found myself on the far left. I had to keep swimming toward to the middle in order to go on the right hand side of the people on kayaks. When I saw the swim finish I felt great. I got out of the water, and didn't even check my watch. I had told my family and friends it would take me close to 2 hrs but to my surprise I was under 1 hr and 30 mins!

The water was sooo cold but I think double capping and wearing ear plugs made a HUGE difference.

Nothing...not being a great swimming I felt this was a good performance for me!

My legs and felt were numb coming out of the water. My hands were as well and I felt like I was all 'thumbs'. After getting my wetsuit stripped off me and being handed my bag I headed to the change tent. I had to do a 'total' change and was shocked as to how helpful the volunteers were. They were like angels! They dumped my bag, helped me change and repacked my bag. I felt like I had my mom right in the tent with me!

Probably nothing...I know it saves time when you don't do a total change but it's a long time on the bike and I'd rather be comfy. The few minutes extra it takes to change is minimal compared to being cold or uncomfortable.

The bike course was good...but 3 loops is challenging mentally! My first and third loops were my best. Loop 2 I struggled...but I got through it. AbbieR passed me near the end of the 2nd loop and saw me when I was feeling my worst! The wind changed direction each loop. On loop 1 and 2 there was a headwind on the way up and then a tailwind on the way back. I looked down at my speedometer and at times going uphill I was only doing 13 mph. The only thing that kept my sanity was knowing once I turned around I would be cruising downhill. I felt like I was drinking a lot but I had no urge to pee during the entire bike and was started to get nervous. I didn't want to get dehydrated. I drank about 50% water and 50% Gatorade on the bike. By the time I got off the bike I was soooo done with Lemon Lime Gatorade. I had trained with it all year and by the time the IM finally came I was already sick of it. I stopped for my halfway bag and ate my peanut butter and jam pita pocket. Altogether on the bike I ate 2 Powerbars, my pb and jam pita, a pack of pb crackers, one pack of sports bean and one gel.

Nothing...I had no expectations for my bike as I had never rode 112 miles (100 miles was my longest bike ride to date) so I was pleased. Since I didn't have any expectations I had no disappointment!

Again my angels were in the change tent to help me change. The first thing I did when I got off the bike was remove my bike shoes which I must say was the best feeling in the world at that time! I only changed my shorts for the run...and then FINALLY took my first pee break!

Nothing...this went smoothly

My marathon started out great. I felt pretty good on the first loop around the lake. I was able to run without stopping until mile 13 and then my legs and mind shut down. I had to walk. I started to feel a little whoozy and my eyes were seeing stars. My legs would not move either...I was dehydrated and realized I had not eaten enough. In fact I did not eat a thing the first 13 miles on the run. Unfortunately I walked from miles 13-18. I was very disappointed in myself as running is my strength. At mile 18 I came around and there was my family, Ross and Daradee (Liam's parents who was the baby I was raising money in memory of for the Janus Charity Challenge). Ross kept telling me to be strong...one more loop to go and suddenly I was able to run again. I ran the entire last loop and with 2 miles to go I felt GREAT! I ran a good pace to the finish! My family wasn't expecting me so soon so they were not at the finish line but when they saw me they ran along beside the crowd! When I finished I felt AWESOME!!

I would definately eat more on the run and work on my nutrition plan. And I think during training I would do MORE long bricks

Celebrated with my family, Ross and Daradee and waited on the sidelines to watch Scott finish!


Nutrition


I loved EVERY minute of my first IM experience. It still has not sunk in yet!

Without a doubt this will not be my last IM! I can't wait to do it again!!