IM AZ....DNF also

[bmccasland]

Laura - I have absolutely no concept of even trying an IM. You Rock!

And THREE bags of IV fluids, in the ER
I thougth my two bags after a Grand Canyon hike was bad. But Three???

Relax, take it easy, drink plenty of fluids, eat some nice meals. Then go for a run / bike ride / swim when you feel up to it. But not all three on the same day.

[Running Mommy]

{{{{{{LAURA}}}}}}}}
That is the biggest hug I can give you!!! I was so worried about you, and when your run split wasn't coming up I knew something was amiss.
You made it WAY farther than I did (or would have even if I pressed on).
That day was by far the most brutal of all 4 years of this race. 05 and 07 were windy, but at least they weren't hot. This year was a double whammy.
I'm actually considering November now. But it's so hard to tell where my life will be in a year and a half??

Well girlie, I'm so glad we at least got to see each other before the race. It was great to see your smile.
Rest up! With the effort you put out, it's going to take awhile for your body to heal. Take good care of it and let your immune system get back in order. Don't push anything!

ciao bella

Denise

[roadie gal]

Both of you Laura and Denise have all of my respect, both for going out there and trying and for knowing when to stop. Those conditions were horrendous. You both are amazing.

[knapplaura]

thanks all of you!

I am feeling a little better now, back home. Talked to lots of IM buddies yesterday and all said 'right choice, don't regret it; learn from it'. So I will do my best to do that.

Denise, I was so glad to see you before the race too! You know, I am already thinking of NOV 09!! But I don't even know where I will be then either; and to get a slot I will have to come out in Nov this year to sign up (not that like that is a bad thing).

Sorry you had a tough time too! I hope you are feeling better now as well!

thanks again,
love
Laura

[firenze11]

Hey Laura! I just wanted to tell you that it was very exciting and inspiring for me to root for you and Denise this past weekend. I'm sorry that this year didn't work out but it's good to see that you're feeling better and are already thinking about November '09.

IMs are so incredible to me and I think you're awesome for just getting out there and pushing through those conditions and knowing when to stop. Sometimes thats more difficult than continuing on only to hurt yourself.

[Nav]

Thank you for posting this report. I think that it helps a lot of people, as they learn from your circumstances. It certainly has given me a lot of food for thought as I head to my first HIM (of 2 this year) and my first IM next year.

I haven't been in an IM, but I've completed a marathon with injury. I've also DNS (bronchitis) and DNF at the same marathon that I'm going to try to finally tackle this year. Fortunately my DNF was in the same year as the marathon I completed, so it wasn't as bad a blow.

Thanks,

N.

[RoadBunner]

I am just starting out on my own tri journey and am in utter awe of people who attempt IM. I agree with everyone here who has said that you two rock! I also agree that it takes more courage to know when to stop when things aren't going well. As endurance athletes we tend to push through all sorts of discomfort and it's a very smart person who doesn't push themselves past the brink of no return. IM will always be there but your health (and life!) may not.

[Alex]

Laura,

How did you like the L/S jersey you wore for the IM?

Alex