Less than four days to IM#2...

[Tri Girl]

So I swore after my first in 2006 that I would NEVER do this again... and yet here we are. ;)
On Saturday I am attempting IM #2. It's the Redman Full Distance Triathlon. It's practically in my backyard (I can see transition from my back porch). I'm sooooo excited, but I'm WAY more nervous than I was the first time. My stomach is already doing somersaults 3 days out. My training hasn't been what I had hoped it would be, so I'm quite certain I will be pushing the 17 hour cutoff. I think the 2nd time around I knew that I could do it, so I wasn't as fearful of the distance and perhaps slacked a little more than I should have. I've also suffered a major IT issue at my hip that has kept me from running for the last 3 weeks. I'm afraid of the marathon, and am hoping for the best (which is to just finish the marathon doing as much running as I can before I'm forced to walk).

I'm super excited and super ready to race with a dozen of my closest friends. My hubs is also doing his 2nd IM that day with me. He will finish about 4-5 hours ahead of me, tho, so he'll have plenty of time to shower, eat a nice dinner and relax before I cross the line.
Anyway- just thought I'd share. I'm ready, I'm excited, I'm nervous, I'm anxious, etc etc. All those emotions that you can't control. I cry at the drop of a hat and can't seem to hold much of a thought the last couple days (which has made work pretty exciting). :)

Let's get this thing on!!!

[kacie tri-ing]

SO exciting!!!!!!!!!!

I am thrilled for you! I always believe that making it to the starting line is the first accomplishment (and always my first goal!). Being in one piece enough to just START is incredible. You will do what you can on the marathon, and it will be hard, but SO worth it.

Is there any tracking so we can follow you???

I love that this post really feels like the week before a race! Jumping out of your skin! Go Get Em!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Veronica]

Have fun and enjoy the day.

Veronica

[redrhodie]

Good luck! Do the best you can, but don't hurt yourself!

[OakLeaf]

Good luck! You will rock it. :)

[Bike Chick]

You are going to be great!!! Good luck!!!

[hebe]

Good luck!

[Owlie]

Good luck!

[GLC1968]

How exciting! Best of luck to you. Have a blast!

[Tri Girl]

You can track me here:
http://www.onlineraceresults.com/event/view_event.php?event_id=7482

My bib number is 303.
The tracking only updates every 30 min. or so and is dependent on cell signals, so it might not be totally reliable- but it should work.

[salsabike]

Have fun! We will be thinking of you.

[kacie tri-ing]

I'm hoping you are feeling ok. Heal up quickly. We all support you no matter what!!!

[Tri Girl]

Ummm... the day didn't turn out like I'd hoped. I PR'd my swim from my last IM by 20 minutes and PR'd my bike time from last time by 30 minutes. I was on pace to PR my whole time by at least an hour.

Then I DNF'd at mile 133.

Something happened on the 2nd bike loop about mile 80. My stomach started cramping terribly and I got sick twice (my nutrition was solid all summer- I don't know what went wrong). I couldn't take in any fluids or food for the rest of the bike, and I slowed down significantly that last 32 miles. I went from a 16.6 mph avg (which for me is great) to a 15 mph avg at the end of the bike leg. I had a major meltdown at one aid station (crying uncontrollably). Just finishing the last 10 miles was tough- I just kept telling myself to go just one more mile. Then I'd do it and talk myself into one more mile. Sucks because I was on pace to do a sub 7 hour bike. As it was, bike time was 7:26 (7:42 total time).
I sat in T2 for 30 minutes drinking coke and trying to calm my stomach down. A few friends working the race talked me through it and encouraged me to just get on the run and start moving. I did and could only walk. I ran about a minute every 10 minutes, but that was even difficult. I was so nauseous and couldn't hold anything down (and I had about 3 major sobbing events). Finally at mile 17.? I made the decision to stop. And once I handed my chip to a volunteer I was totally at peace with it. I went as far as my body let me, and it wasn't worth harming myself for a silly race. I've done one IM, this was just icing on the cake. I'm OK with it. I'm not even disappointed because I know I went as far as I could safely go. I was crawling along at about 2+ mph at the end and I knew it would take me at least 3 more hours to finish the last 7 miles. I knew I didn't have it in me. Got 2 IV's in the med tent, some anti-nausea medicine and came home. My hubs finished his IM in 13:13. It was a tough day for everyone out there. Stomach issues all around and more walking than I've ever seen at an IM.

It is what it is.
Thanks for your support. :)

I think I'll stick with halfs. I just don't think this body is meant for IM distance. But at least I completed 1.75 IM events. :p

[redrhodie]

Wow, you are amazing! I can't imagine doing anything while nauseas, never mind 13 miles on foot.

You must have crazy determination.

[salsabike]

Good for you, Tri Girl. I'm glad you had great swim and bike legs. I'm glad you stopped when your body said you HAD to stop, and that you're good with it. And knowing what your body likes best---halfs---is a great thing to know. I greatly respect how you dealt with this!



Ummm... the day didn't turn out like I'd hoped. I PR'd my swim from my last IM by 20 minutes and PR'd my bike time from last time by 30 minutes. I was on pace to PR my whole time by at least an hour.

Then I DNF'd at mile 133.

Something happened on the 2nd bike loop about mile 80. My stomach started cramping terribly and I got sick twice (my nutrition was solid all summer- I don't know what went wrong). I couldn't take in any fluids or food for the rest of the bike, and I slowed down significantly that last 32 miles. I went from a 16.6 mph avg (which for me is great) to a 15 mph avg at the end of the bike leg. I had a major meltdown at one aid station (crying uncontrollably). Just finishing the last 10 miles was tough- I just kept telling myself to go just one more mile. Then I'd do it and talk myself into one more mile. Sucks because I was on pace to do a sub 7 hour bike. As it was, bike time was 7:26 (7:42 total time).
I sat in T2 for 30 minutes drinking coke and trying to calm my stomach down. A few friends working the race talked me through it and encouraged me to just get on the run and start moving. I did and could only walk. I ran about a minute every 10 minutes, but that was even difficult. I was so nauseous and couldn't hold anything down (and I had about 3 major sobbing events). Finally at mile 17.? I made the decision to stop. And once I handed my chip to a volunteer I was totally at peace with it. I went as far as my body let me, and it wasn't worth harming myself for a silly race. I've done one IM, this was just icing on the cake. I'm OK with it. I'm not even disappointed because I know I went as far as I could safely go. I was crawling along at about 2+ mph at the end and I knew it would take me at least 3 more hours to finish the last 7 miles. I knew I didn't have it in me. Got 2 IV's in the med tent, some anti-nausea medicine and came home. My hubs finished his IM in 13:13. It was a tough day for everyone out there. Stomach issues all around and more walking than I've ever seen at an IM.

It is what it is.
Thanks for your support. :)

I think I'll stick with halfs. I just don't think this body is meant for IM distance. But at least I completed 1.75 IM events. :p

[Veronica]

Wow! Two IVs! That's some determination! You've got to be pleased with the swim and bike times, significant improvement there.

I figure if you need medical attention, stopping is a really good idea. :)

I really like halfs and will probably never do a full IM. Although your first IM kind of inspired me to become a triathlete. You and Running Mommy and Wahine - you all made it sound so attractive. :D

Veronica

[Tri Girl]

Although your first IM kind of inspired me to become a triathlete. You and Running Mommy and Wahine - you all made it sound so attractive. :D

That's very sweet, V. Thank you for saying that. :)
Running Mommy and Wahine were very inspirational to me, too.
What happened to them??? I am a fan of RM's bike shop on FB and see their posts so I know the shop is doing well, but I miss hearing from her and Wahine on TE.

[winddance]

Ya'll are very inspirational to me as well, as I'll be working towards my first triathlon (a wee, baby one!) next Spring. I've never been a runner. Or a swimmer. But this is challenging me in new ways and I really appreciate your sharing your experiences.

You're amazing!

[Tri Girl]

a wee, baby one!



no such thing as a wee, baby triathlon. EVERY race, no matter how long or short is a challenge! Anytime anyone says: I'm *just* doing the half, or a sprint or olympic or whatever, I tell them to NEVER say *just*. Getting out there and doing it is an amazing accomplishment in and of itself!! Overcoming obstacles, committing to a race and following through to make it to the starting line is what it's all about.

Good luck in your training for your upcoming tri!!:)

[indysteel]

I am not a triathlete nor do I hope to be, but you guys amaze me nevertheless. Kudos to you for all your training and hard work. I know the race didn't go as planned, but good for you for knowing when to stop and for not beating yourself up over it. In my mind, that alone makes you a winner.

[Tri Girl]

I should have said I got 2 liters of IV fluid- not two IV's. I wasn't quite thinking correctly. :p

Just as a side note: yesterday after work I went back to the lake where I raced, got back on the course at the exact spot I got in the golf cart and DNF'd and finished those last 8.1 miles. I had texted a friend earlier in the day telling her I was going to finish my IM, and she called my husband and a dozen friends who showed up at the lake and surprised me by walking those last 8.1 miles with me. Then as I was coming to the spot where the finish line is- there were even MORE friends with pom poms, cowbells, a toilet paper finish line banner- cheering and screaming for me. I have the BEST friends EVER!!! My good friend even gave me her finisher's medal (which I gave back- but it was super sweet of her to do that).
I finished what I started. I had to. Although I don't regret DNF'ing, I had to finish that darn race- even if it was 2 days later. I had 5 friends come walk that last 8.1 miles with me who did the full IM on Saturday. I'm truly blessed!!! :)

[Veronica]

That's pretty cool!

Veronica

[SLash]

This has to be the best story of this year's Redman, I love this!

[kacie tri-ing]

I should have said I got 2 liters of IV fluid- not two IV's. I wasn't quite thinking correctly. :p

Just as a side note: yesterday after work I went back to the lake where I raced, got back on the course at the exact spot I got in the golf cart and DNF'd and finished those last 8.1 miles. I had texted a friend earlier in the day telling her I was going to finish my IM, and she called my husband and a dozen friends who showed up at the lake and surprised me by walking those last 8.1 miles with me. Then as I was coming to the spot where the finish line is- there were even MORE friends with pom poms, cowbells, a toilet paper finish line banner- cheering and screaming for me. I have the BEST friends EVER!!! My good friend even gave me her finisher's medal (which I gave back- but it was super sweet of her to do that).
I finished what I started. I had to. Although I don't regret DNF'ing, I had to finish that darn race- even if it was 2 days later. I had 5 friends come walk that last 8.1 miles with me who did the full IM on Saturday. I'm truly blessed!!! :)



I am SO inspired. Amazing spirit. Really!!! I am a fan. I would have been crying and crying. Thank you for sharing.

[Blueberry]

TriGirl-

That's awesome!! How very cool - so glad you finished, and that your friends were so supportive. You have some amazing friends.

[Tri Girl]

Thanks, everyone.

I put a race report on my blog (link below) if you're interested.

[Blueberry]

Thanks! I love reading race reports:) I'll add your blog to my reader - I need more bike-centric blogs!

[GLC1968]

I should have said I got 2 liters of IV fluid- not two IV's. I wasn't quite thinking correctly. :p

Just as a side note: yesterday after work I went back to the lake where I raced, got back on the course at the exact spot I got in the golf cart and DNF'd and finished those last 8.1 miles. I had texted a friend earlier in the day telling her I was going to finish my IM, and she called my husband and a dozen friends who showed up at the lake and surprised me by walking those last 8.1 miles with me. Then as I was coming to the spot where the finish line is- there were even MORE friends with pom poms, cowbells, a toilet paper finish line banner- cheering and screaming for me. I have the BEST friends EVER!!! My good friend even gave me her finisher's medal (which I gave back- but it was super sweet of her to do that).
I finished what I started. I had to. Although I don't regret DNF'ing, I had to finish that darn race- even if it was 2 days later. I had 5 friends come walk that last 8.1 miles with me who did the full IM on Saturday. I'm truly blessed!!! :)

OMG, I just totally teared up reading this! You DO have awesome friends and you have an awesome spirit. I'm so impressed with your ability to stick to reason and do what's right for you. And then to go finish it anyway? That's pure gold!

Really, really inspirational story!

(I too, will likely never do a full IM and I'm only going to consider a half if we stop doing the farm thing, so you are a few steps ahead of me in the dedication department!)

[indysteel]

I'm so impressed with your ability to stick to reason and do what's right for you. And then to go finish it anyway? That's pure gold!

Add me to the impressed list. That's a wonderful story from start to finish; thank you for sharing.

[redrhodie]

You have great friends. That's so nice.

And BTW, you look fantastic. You look like an athlete.

[Dogmama]

Wow - talk about a movie-type ending. That's so great!

[colby]

This is an awesome story. If I were there, I'd be saying "Tri Girl, YOU ARE AN IRONMAN" when you finished that last step - even if it was 2 days later.

Major hugs and props to you.

[OakLeaf]

Oh, man, just saw this. TriGirl, you rock!!! And so do your friends. :)

[Wahine]

That's very sweet, V. Thank you for saying that. :)
Running Mommy and Wahine were very inspirational to me, too.
What happened to them??? I am a fan of RM's bike shop on FB and see their posts so I know the shop is doing well, but I miss hearing from her and Wahine on TE.

Hi!

I've not been over here for a looooooong time. Life is crazy. I'm busy, in a good way and just don't have a lot of computer hang out time anymore.

Sorry to hear that IM 2 didn't go as planned. I'm glad to hear you did the smart thing. I had a similar issue on my second IM and should have stopped. I didn't and I suffered from some serious after effects related to hydration and electrolyte imbalances for weeks. So good call!!

ETA - Great finishing story!!!

[Tri Girl]

WAHINE!!!!! SOOOO glad you dropped by to say hi!!! Glad to hear that life is good! :) Don't be such a stranger, sweet lady!