Ironman Louisville Race Report

[kacie tri-ing]

Ok, so I am ready to do this. I have started a few times, and then closed the window to do again later.

This was a really amazing day. I mean truly amazing.

The few days leading up to it were exciting and nerve wracking. I love how much of a community it is. Everyone is talking to everyone else, and it feels like there are no strangers here. I had a blast feeling the energy.

I had a great time at the welcome dinner hearing the inspiring stories, hearing people talk about times that I thought seemed crazy fast, talking about the hills and heat, etc.

Packing the bags was hilarious. There are SO many of them. It is so different from a normal triathlon. It is just such a spectacle getting ready for the ordeal.

Morning of, I checked my bike. I deflated and inflated my tires 3 times, because I was so nervous about them. I just kept checking stupid things again and again. We walked about a mile to the swim start, and then stood in line. It is a time trial swim start, so you wait and wait until the cannon goes off, and then the day begins. The line starts moving, and the friends and family have to leave the line. My husband didn't go far, though, so we could keep talking. As we got closer to the start, the line speed picks up, and eventually, I am at an all out run. My husband thought there would be a moment when I stopped to really jump off of the dock, but instead, I just kept running, like I was in a cartoon!

I started swimming, and I felt great. I navigated around people, and I felt like the current wasn't moving against me. I was aiming for a 1:30-1:40 swim time, and so I was thrilled with my time just under 1:22. I was so excited to hop out of the water and into the changing tent.

I got my stuff on and ready to go. Then, out to get my bike and start that adventure. My bike did beautifully. All of my fears about a mechanical issues were thankfully unwarranted. I stayed hydrated and kept food going down my throat! I enjoyed the ride. It was beautiful on the course and there were people cheering throughout. There were amazing horse farms, and rolling green hills. We went though a town where they had bussed spectators in, and you felt like you were in a grand tour with everyone cheering. At one hill, there was even a guy in a devil costume cheering us up the hill. Now, don't get me wrong, it was still 112 miles in super super hot weather. It was not easy, but I stayed focused, stuck to the plan, and stayed within my self.

Once I got back to transition, everything started to hurt. I need insoles in my bike shoes, and my feet hurt hurt hurt. I told myself that I could walk through the whole transition, but that I would just suck it up and run once I left. I rubbed my feet and hoped the pain would stop, and I walked to the transitions exit.

Out I went. 95 degrees, 70% humidity, and 26.2 miles left. I felt pretty good. I tried to get a pace that was challenging at that point, but that I thought I could keep up. I took water, I took coke, I drank powerbar stuff, anything I could possibly swallow, except real food. I knew that this day would be a losing battle with hydration, but I also knew that my peak month was atlanta in july. I know how to handle it, even if it really hurts! The miles cruised on by until evil mile 14, when I had to run right past the finish line. I mean next to it. Cruel. I started to tank mentally. I mean, fall apart. My pace slowed way down. I started to feel dizzy and faint. I drank coke and soup. I am a vegetarian, and I didn't intend to take the soup. The combo had me keeled over and ready to throw it up. But I just kept on trudging forward.

And then, like a beacon from above, was the 20 mile sign. A 10K left??? I can do a 10K in my sleep. That's it?? It was like the fog lifted (which might have had something to do with the gel I was able to choke down at mile 19). I could see and hear better, and smile crept onto my face. When my family and friends saw me next (they were ALL over the course, it was amazing), I was grinning from ear to ear. Fans were saying, "number 206 is smiling!" I felt like a million bucks. Well, like a tired and dehydrated million bucks. I just knew I was going to finish then. I just knew it.

So every mile marker was so exciting. As you enter into town, the crowds thicken, and they are going wild. It was amazing. I turned the corner and saw the finish line. I was so happy I can barely even describe it. I heard them say my name, where I was from, it was my first ironman, and those magical wonderful words...you are an ironman. I was done.

Not only was I done, I was so happy I could hardly stand it. I felt incredible. It was faster than I believed I could do it. I survived the race and the tough conditions. I passed through the chute, got my medal, had an amazing volunteer help me through. Grinned stupidly at the finishing picture and fell into my husbands arms laughing and crying. I immediately said I wanted to do the finish line again, and my husband gently reminded me that you can do just the finish line! That's ok with me. I loved it. I mean, I loved the whole day.

I took a shower, ate some pizza, and went back to the finish line for the last hour of finishers. It was so emotional to cheer people on as then dragged themselves across the line with so little time remaining. It was incredible, and I loved it.

The next morning, I bought my nice finisher stuff and headed back home. Yesterday, my school had an assembly to honor the work and the accomplishment. I was so honored, and my students heard and loved the story all day. It was amazing.

I just adored the whole thing. I am having a celebratory dinner with my coach friday night, where I plan to see when I can do my next one. Everything else I have done athletically pales in comparison. It was really just the best experience.

Here are the official pictures:
http://www.asiorders.com/view_user_e...206&S=230&PWD=

I will try to upload some of my pictures later.

Here's the nitty gritty:

Swim 1:21:52
Bike 6:24:59
Run 4:43:06
Overall 12:43:36
Rank 643
Division position22

LEG
DISTANCE
PACE
RANK
DIV.POS.
TOTAL SWIM
2.4 mi. (1:21:52)
2:09/100m
1270
63
FIRST BIKE SEGMENT
23 mi (1:14:22)
18.56 mph
SECOND BIKE SEGMENT
40 mi (55:27)
18.39 mph
THIRD BIKE SEGMENT
70.5 mi (1:47:45)
16.98 mph
FINAL BIKE SEGMENT
112 mi (2:27:25)
16.89 mph
TOTAL BIKE
112 mi. (6:24:59)
17.46 mph
1037
34
FIRST RUN SEGMENT
3.39 mi. (32:48)
9:40/mile
SECOND RUN SEGMENT
8.2 mi. (49:51)
10:21/mile
THIRD RUN SEGMENT
13.1 mi. (49:45)
10:15/mile
FOURTH RUN SEGMENT
15.33 mi. (24:17)
10:53/mile
FIFTH RUN SEGMENT
20.1 mi. (59:35)
12:29/mile
SIXTH RUN SEGMENT
25.04 mi. (54:08)
10:57/mile
FINAL RUN SEGMENT
26.2 mi. (12:42)
10:56/mile
TOTAL RUN
26.2 mi. (4:43:06)
10:48/mile
643
22


TRANSITION
TIME
T1: SWIM-TO-BIKE
5:42
T2: BIKE-TO-RUN
7:57

So I am feeling pretty good now. I am tired, and sore, but only a few times I have felt really really sore. I have also felt a little sick here and there, but I think I am doing ok for the most part. I just want to do it again now.

[OakLeaf]

Wow Kacie, amazing race and great report. Congratulations!!!!!!!

[Pika]

Awesome Kacie!! Your pictures are great!! I am glad to hear that the fan support is great there too- it does make a huge difference So happy to hear you want to do another one- that speaks volumes

[Blueberry]

What an awesome race and report! Thank you so much for sharing with us Can't wait for the next one!! (One day you ladies are going to convince me to register...)

[colby]

I just knew I was going to finish then. I just knew it. ...

I know EXACTLY the feeling you're talking about. The first one I did, it happened at mile 100 of the bike. I had tears in my eyes. It was all downhill from there. Such a great feeling.

So I am feeling pretty good now. I am tired, and sore, but only a few times I have felt really really sore. I have also felt a little sick here and there, but I think I am doing ok for the most part. I just want to do it again now.

Thanks for the great report!! You are lucky (ish) to have been able to train in the heat, it makes a BIG difference to your success on race day. It's easy to go to a cooler temp, not so easy to go hotter!!

LOVE your finish line photos. You look pretty solid on the run, too, glad they didn't catch the sick miles.

Congratulations again, and great report. Give your body some love

[rocknrollgirl]

What a wonderful race report. Congratulations. You should be so proud of yourself!

[Bike Chick]

Great report, Kacie! I love the pictures and loved following you, Pika, Wahine and a friend of ours on the internet Sunday. Did you hear us all cheering you on???

I'm so proud of all three of you. You guys rock! Congratulations!!!

[spindizzy]

+1 to what Colby said. Being able to train in hot, humid weather really helps the mental prep for the race conditions. You toughed it out on the nutrition stuff. And it sounds like your coach prepared you really well and you executed - you said it best in your original post - "trust your training."
You are positively beaming in your photos and rightly so. Congratulations!

[roadie gal]

Amazing! Look at that time! I don't know how you did it in the heat. Wow...

[kacie tri-ing]

Thanks! Don't get me wrong. It was H-O-T hot. But I do think that I was well trained for it. I didn't shy away from the heat in training. It was not the most fun, but I knew I had to try. I think that only one nutrition moment was pretty amazing considering what I have heard from other people.

I can't wait to buy pictures!!!

[kacie tri-ing]

I worked up carefully to 30 minutes easy spin on a stationary bike at the gym.

Pika--how is your stomach feeling???

[gwdiv]

Hello, everyone.

I'm Kacie's husband, George. I often read the posts on Team Estrogen, but I have never posted myself. In the wake of Kacie's Ironman, though, I wanted to put up a few quick words.

I want to thank all of you SO MUCH for supporting my wife in this endeavor. I am so proud of her accomplishment, and I know that she could not have done it without the amazing help that you have offered her. It means a lot to me that so many of you helped her get through her training, cheered for her on race day, and have offered such heartfelt congratulations on her race. It means a lot to her, too.

Again, thanks.

[GLC1968]

Wow, Kacie! I just now had a chance to read this and I have tears in my eyes. What a great report! You did great and your photos are awesome! I particularly like the one of you coming off the swim.

Really, inspiring. Really. Like now I'm thinking "hmmm, maybe I DO want to do an IM".

Thanks so much for sharing with us!

[Blueberry]

Wow, Kacie! I just now had a chance to read this and I have tears in my eyes. What a great report! You did great and your photos are awesome! I particularly like the one of you coming off the swim.

Really, inspiring. Really. Like now I'm thinking "hmmm, maybe I DO want to do an IM".

Thanks so much for sharing with us!

We really need to make that pact!

[colby]

Hello, everyone.

I'm Kacie's husband, George. I often read the posts on Team Estrogen, but I have never posted myself. In the wake of Kacie's Ironman, though, I wanted to put up a few quick words.

I want to thank all of you SO MUCH for supporting my wife in this endeavor. I am so proud of her accomplishment, and I know that she could not have done it without the amazing help that you have offered her. It means a lot to me that so many of you helped her get through her training, cheered for her on race day, and have offered such heartfelt congratulations on her race. It means a lot to her, too.

Again, thanks.

As a spouse myself, I have to say thank you to YOU for supporting her as well. We are all proof it takes a village to raise an Ironman