Ironman Kentucky Training- Let’s Wrap This Up!

[firenze11]

Aww yeeaahh! You are an Ironman! Congrats Karen, it was great tracking you throughout the day and getting doses of inspiration along the way. Enjoy every moment!

[tygab]

Indeed, Congrats and what a great way to finish - you must feel terrific!

[HillSlugger]

Wow! Just wow!

[Skeezix]

Whoohoo! KSH! You totally rock! Ironman!

[Blueberry]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! Go sleep (and then tell us all about it!!).

CA

[colby]

WAY TO GO KSH!!!! Iron KSH, that is!! You made it! Picked up the pace on the bike, did awesome on the run, and now.... IRON!!

YAY!!!

[alpinerabbit]

Way to go!!!!!!!!!

Does your nick stand for KrazySmokin'Hot??

[rocknrollgirl]

YEE HAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I am so excited for you. Great, great job!!!!!

[divingbiker]

Congratulations, Karen! All your hard work paid off.

[Wahine]

WOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

How awesome!! I remember when it all started (note nostalgia in voice while wipes tear from her eye)....

Karen you rock.

[spindizzy]

Yes, yes, yes!!!!!

Can't wait to hear your story!

Congratulations!!!!!

[Tri Girl]

YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!!!

Congrats, congrats, congrats!!!!






I missed your finish because we went camping w/friends at the last minute. They sometimes have the "see me finish" link next to finish times, but I don't see it on her stats. Will that come up in the next few days?

[KSH]

Hey ladies! Thanks for tracking me! Didn't mean to worry you there on the run Trust me, the entire time I was on the run I was doing the math in my head to ensure I would finish. I finished in 15:45:38. Plenty of time to spare!

Here are some highlights in no particular order (as some of it's copied from some other places I typed stuff up)!


I am an Ironman! Well, you know what they say... if an Ironman were easy everyone would do it. I can say that the day sufficiently challenged me in many ways!

I kept a positive attitude though, and kept moving forward. I tried to not think about the day as a whole, but rather in small segments. Just had to get to the next aid station, just get to mile X, etc.

It was a rough day for a lot of people. I know the heat and humidity took a few competitors out. One of those being my friend Kenny. He fought a good fight out there, but his body was done.

I made sure to stick to my plan and to NOT vomit. My stomach got a little queasy on the bike around mile 80. I just backed off my nutrition some (only 1 sip of Infinit every 15 minutes, and lots of water), I poured cool water on my neck and I slowed down my pace some. That seemed to help.

Otherwise my swim was solid. I had perfect sighting. I have never sighted so perfectly in a race before. OH! Waiting in line for the swim, I got to wait with Amy and Abbie from BT. So cool. Amy was so pumped and excited! We all hugged and pumped each other up before starting.

The bike was hilly AND windy. I finished a 112 miles with hills, wind, heat and humidity! I DID IT! And I only stopped for 20 minutes. Hey, I had to fill up the Camelbak, pee, get my special needs, etc. I kept cool water in my Camelbak the whole way, it was great. Ice cold water all day long. I know some guys were probably a little bit annoyed when this girl on a road bike, and with a dorky Camelbak flew by them and left them in the dust.

When I started the run, I couldn't run at all. Both of my Achilles heels were seizing up. Too much pain. It had started on the bike and didn't go away. So I walked... kept a 13 minute mile for around 13 miles... then it slowly worked it's way down to a 14 minute mile and then 15... and 16 minute mile. Even then I was cruising past people. Those last 13 miles were the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. It was mind over body that whole way. By the last 3 miles I was to tired and hurting I sat down 3 times. I knew I had time to finish, so I took my time. Jonny met me about a mile out and we walked in together. Which was nice.


My support crew was amazing! They made shirts which Jonny surprised me with the morning of (yesterday). Thus, the honorable mention of the "KSH support crew" when I finished. Yes, I milked it. I won't be there again. Then I got a really horrible picture under the clock. My head was turned looking at the announcer. Dang it!



Thanks for all the wonderful and amazing inspires! I am so lucky! I really do appreciate everyone tracking me and encouraging me along the way. And for following me on the course.

When I hit a low point on my run... right around mile 14 ish when we had to pass over the finish line to head about out for MANY more miles... I kept reminding myself that people were watching me and I had to keep going. Each time I crossed a timing mat I knew people out there would be cheering for me.


Like I said though, I stuck to my plan... I executed the race I needed to...

When my tummy didn't feel great I backed off on the nutrition until it settled down. When I tried to start running 5 minutes into the run and both my Achilles heels were extreme pain, I walked fast. When I started getting a blister, I sat down and put more body glide on my feet. When I screamed at all the dang headwind, I reminded myself that doing an Ironman is hard! When I started having a low point on the run, I said out loud, "It's all about attitude! Stay positive! Keep moving forward!" When I had a really negative person around me complaining about how horrible her race was and how much pain she was in... I quickly moved on. I didn't need to hear that at mile 18 on my marathon!


I soaked up the day. I talked to my crew between segments. Yes, even at the finish line! High five's for the spectators and hugs for my crew! HA!

OH! And get this, after all that fan fare. I had my head turned to the SIDE in my freaking finishers picture! WTH? I'm so upset. *Sigh* Serves me right?

So overall a really great day! I'm glad I am an Ironman.

Been there. Done that. Bought the bumper sticker. Ain't going back.

[alpinerabbit]

Been there. Done that. Bought the bumper sticker. Ain't going back.

Don't say that....

[Tri Girl]

So proud of you, Karen!!!! Congrats on a really great day!

FWIW... I feel your pain with the finish picture. The photographer at my race took the blurriest picture ever. You can't even tell it's me or what time I finished in. Oh well, the picture in my avatar is one a friend took and that's just as good.