IM AZ....DNF also

[Tri Girl]

Laura, you are one tough and smart cookie! I admire your decision to stop when you body told you to, and not keep going on like your mind probably wanted to. It's soooo hard to DNF (I've done it), but especially at an IM. I hurt for you, but I'm sooooooo very proud of you!!!!!
Thanks for sharing your race experience with us. We're all so proud of you for making it so long under pretty brutal conditions!

[Grog]

Admirable decision Laura... My first thoughts were for you when I woke up this morning. Glad you're okay.

[Blueberry]

Laura-

Both you and Denise still ROCK!

It takes a lot of courage to try an Ironman, more to finish, and even more to walk away when the time is right. I think you both did that!

Congratulations!!

CA

[OakLeaf]

Laura, GREAT JOB.

Good on yer for knowing when enough was enough. Glad you're back to feeling well enough to post!

Now enjoy some well deserved rest - you ladies are my heroes.

[KSH]

Laura, I'm so sorry to hear this. But don't think this was due to lack of training or poor planning on your part.

There were pro's out there who were hurting... bad. One guy I know who places in his AG and was hoping to place for Kona... was vomiting too.

My cousin... started vomitting at mile 82 on the bike... and didn't stop until he stopped racing at 11:45 PM. He expected to finish in 11:30 and finished in 16:45.

It was a HARD day out there for everyone. It wasn't poor planning or training. It was the heat. I saw on the news that typically the temperature on that day is 84... the record high being 99... it was 94 degrees!

Don't be so hard on yourself. Your family, friends... and everyone here is so proud of you! You did a great job.

[KnottedYet]

Laura, you are a total hot BABE!!!!
We are so proud of you! We followed you as best we could and cheered you on! (and with those extra miles you ran by accident, you did the 26.2 miles I'm sure. You are IRON!!!!)

[spindizzy]

I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes. What physical and mental anguish you have been through! It takes courage to start an Ironman and I think it takes even more to stop. You did the right thing. Never, ever question your decision.

[jesvetmed]

Laura: Both yours and Denise's descriptions of the day sound absolutely miserable. KSH said most of what I was thinking. You both should be very proud of yourselves -- you put in months of hard work, and this was one day in that time, and a 94 degree, windier than heck rotten day! You guys definitely ROCK. Congrats on such hard work. Hope you both are feeling a bit better today.