My First Half Ironman
Iron star Ironman 70.3
November 8, 2009
My day started at 4 AM, got up and had toasted a bagel with peanut butter and small glass of milk. I had packed up everything the night before. Finished my breakfast, showered put on sun screen then was off to Lake Conroe. Got to the parking area topped off the air in my tires and walked the half mile to body marking. Get this!! While standing there getting my marked I got nailed in the back by a canoe, yep you heard me right. Apparently one of the shuttle golf cars was coming through and the guy on the back was holding a canoe and the driver wasn’t paying attention. I was ok, just scared the poo out of me. Got marked then went to set up transition. I racked my bike and lay all my stuff out on a towel (believe it or not I didn’t forget anything), I proceeded to the tent to get my timing chip. Then back to transition to get ready. About 20 minute till start I put on my wetsuit then headed down to the swim start. When I got there I ran into a friend, we chatted a minute then wished her luck and got in the water for a quick warm up.
The Swim 1.2 miles in Lake Conroe:
The first wave began with the ladies 34 & Under, then it was my group. We started 5 minutes after. This was my first time to swim in a wet suit and I have to say it makes a world of difference. The swim went well, I am no speedster but I had a good solid pace and was happy with the swim. Coming out of the water the volunteers were helping and they said something about watch for the brick, well when I looked down I busted apparently didn’t realize my equilibrium was jacked up and I fell down. Kind of funny, I think I said something like “I sure hope they don’t have that on film”. I started pulling my wet suit off and then the volunteer “strippers” (wet suit strippers) pulled it the rest of the way off. I made my way to transition where I saw Diane, Valerie, Joe and Austin. Then I heard someone yell at me and I looked over and it was my buddy Teresa and her husband Scott. I really appreciate them taking time to come out.
T-1 Transition: Transition went well for me, was a little unstable from the swim but managed to get everything and get out on the bike.
The Bike course 56 miles:
Started off pretty good, a lot more hills than I have experienced before but made it to the half way point in decent time. I believe it was about mile 32 or so when I was riding and thinking, thinking about my family. Thought about our Dad and baby sister who had past in 2007, thought about my family and friends who were back at the start waiting on and then my eyes just filled with tears thinking that my middle girl wasn’t there. I miss her so much. It was a nice moment out on the open road, but I had to keep pushing. At mile 37 I met my match, this hill was brutal. I made it up about half way and just had to walk the rest of the way up the hill. I was passed by a young lady, she made a comment going by like “good job” or something like that which I heard often. We played leap frog for a few miles then crossed a railroad track which was rough, lost one of my water bottles, she made said wow that was an experience, then we chatted for a few about this being both or our first Half Iron and how we were just trying to enjoy the experience. Eventually we parted ways and then I remembered someone in transition earlier in the morning mention that the last part of the bike course was the worst. About 5-6 miles from the finish we hit two more big hills. I was able to make them then it was mostly down hill or flat to the finish. It was nice seeing the family and friends again, dismounted my bike and walked into transition.
T-2 Transition:
Changed socks and shoes had a pack of Gu and filled up my water bottle and proceeded to the run portion.
The run course 13.1 miles:
Started slow with a walk / run plan, mile 2'ish on the main road I was running and heard someone call out my name driving by, looked over, it was one of my friends from work. I continued on and around mile 3 I got the worst cramps in my quads, started walking again to work them out, then proceeded with walk / run. While walking I could feel what felt like blisters forming on the balls of my feet, but it didn’t hurt when I ran, problem though was when I ran I kept getting cramps, but I kept pushing. Around mile 6-1/2 a friend from work who was participating caught me, turned out she had 2 flat tires but was still doing outstanding considering. We chatted a little bit then started running until I got cramps at which point I wished her luck and she moved on. The rest of my run was about the same. Walk / Run / Walk / Run. I knew based on my goal what time I had to finish each portion. I had a good idea that I accomplished both the swim and the bike within the goal so I had to complete the run course within 3 hours. As I winded my way through the neighborhood finishing up the course and I could hear the announcer. I knew my time was close, I knew I needed to step it up. As I exited the neighborhood I heard the announcer thank everyone for coming out. I thought NO WAY, I missed it. The volunteers kept yelling go, you got it, doing great, almost there. Then I saw everyone there to see me, cheering me on, I gave a couple high fives as I went by then I saw the clock. It was 7 hours 58 minutes so I pushed myself and as I got into the chute the announcer called my number and said “you made it”. They took my timing chip, I bent over, eyes filled up with tears of enjoyment. I did it. I finished my first Half Ironman within the time limit. This was an experience of a lifetime.
Until next time keep TRI-ing.
Iron star Ironman 70.3
November 8, 2009
My day started at 4 AM, got up and had toasted a bagel with peanut butter and small glass of milk. I had packed up everything the night before. Finished my breakfast, showered put on sun screen then was off to Lake Conroe. Got to the parking area topped off the air in my tires and walked the half mile to body marking. Get this!! While standing there getting my marked I got nailed in the back by a canoe, yep you heard me right. Apparently one of the shuttle golf cars was coming through and the guy on the back was holding a canoe and the driver wasn’t paying attention. I was ok, just scared the poo out of me. Got marked then went to set up transition. I racked my bike and lay all my stuff out on a towel (believe it or not I didn’t forget anything), I proceeded to the tent to get my timing chip. Then back to transition to get ready. About 20 minute till start I put on my wetsuit then headed down to the swim start. When I got there I ran into a friend, we chatted a minute then wished her luck and got in the water for a quick warm up.
The Swim 1.2 miles in Lake Conroe:
The first wave began with the ladies 34 & Under, then it was my group. We started 5 minutes after. This was my first time to swim in a wet suit and I have to say it makes a world of difference. The swim went well, I am no speedster but I had a good solid pace and was happy with the swim. Coming out of the water the volunteers were helping and they said something about watch for the brick, well when I looked down I busted apparently didn’t realize my equilibrium was jacked up and I fell down. Kind of funny, I think I said something like “I sure hope they don’t have that on film”. I started pulling my wet suit off and then the volunteer “strippers” (wet suit strippers) pulled it the rest of the way off. I made my way to transition where I saw Diane, Valerie, Joe and Austin. Then I heard someone yell at me and I looked over and it was my buddy Teresa and her husband Scott. I really appreciate them taking time to come out.
T-1 Transition: Transition went well for me, was a little unstable from the swim but managed to get everything and get out on the bike.
The Bike course 56 miles:
Started off pretty good, a lot more hills than I have experienced before but made it to the half way point in decent time. I believe it was about mile 32 or so when I was riding and thinking, thinking about my family. Thought about our Dad and baby sister who had past in 2007, thought about my family and friends who were back at the start waiting on and then my eyes just filled with tears thinking that my middle girl wasn’t there. I miss her so much. It was a nice moment out on the open road, but I had to keep pushing. At mile 37 I met my match, this hill was brutal. I made it up about half way and just had to walk the rest of the way up the hill. I was passed by a young lady, she made a comment going by like “good job” or something like that which I heard often. We played leap frog for a few miles then crossed a railroad track which was rough, lost one of my water bottles, she made said wow that was an experience, then we chatted for a few about this being both or our first Half Iron and how we were just trying to enjoy the experience. Eventually we parted ways and then I remembered someone in transition earlier in the morning mention that the last part of the bike course was the worst. About 5-6 miles from the finish we hit two more big hills. I was able to make them then it was mostly down hill or flat to the finish. It was nice seeing the family and friends again, dismounted my bike and walked into transition.
T-2 Transition:
Changed socks and shoes had a pack of Gu and filled up my water bottle and proceeded to the run portion.
The run course 13.1 miles:
Started slow with a walk / run plan, mile 2'ish on the main road I was running and heard someone call out my name driving by, looked over, it was one of my friends from work. I continued on and around mile 3 I got the worst cramps in my quads, started walking again to work them out, then proceeded with walk / run. While walking I could feel what felt like blisters forming on the balls of my feet, but it didn’t hurt when I ran, problem though was when I ran I kept getting cramps, but I kept pushing. Around mile 6-1/2 a friend from work who was participating caught me, turned out she had 2 flat tires but was still doing outstanding considering. We chatted a little bit then started running until I got cramps at which point I wished her luck and she moved on. The rest of my run was about the same. Walk / Run / Walk / Run. I knew based on my goal what time I had to finish each portion. I had a good idea that I accomplished both the swim and the bike within the goal so I had to complete the run course within 3 hours. As I winded my way through the neighborhood finishing up the course and I could hear the announcer. I knew my time was close, I knew I needed to step it up. As I exited the neighborhood I heard the announcer thank everyone for coming out. I thought NO WAY, I missed it. The volunteers kept yelling go, you got it, doing great, almost there. Then I saw everyone there to see me, cheering me on, I gave a couple high fives as I went by then I saw the clock. It was 7 hours 58 minutes so I pushed myself and as I got into the chute the announcer called my number and said “you made it”. They took my timing chip, I bent over, eyes filled up with tears of enjoyment. I did it. I finished my first Half Ironman within the time limit. This was an experience of a lifetime.
Until next time keep TRI-ing.
AWESOME! You Iron Man you!
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