Iron Colby Reports In

[OakLeaf]

Way to go Colby!!!! You are IRON!

[colby]

I like the Nemo cap but you must have a small head Wasn't it childs sizes only?

Actually, it's more junior/adult sized, not just kids sized (the back of the package says "junior/adult" or "child/adult" or something). The first time I put it on over my neoprene cap it was tough, but after that, it wasn't bad at all. I think it's really only a little smaller than my normal caps, which is okay, I don't have a huge noggin.

I think you did an awesome job. I can't even comprehend everything an IM entails and your persistence was inspiring. Do you have days off so you can recover?

You know...I sometimes think I would love to do one. I honestly would. Finishing would be the most awesome thing in the world. I think "swim 2.5 miles? Um...I can't even really proficiently swim .25 so that's a problem". And then "I can ride 112 miles!" onto "I'm doing a marathon in Oct so yeah, I could do that" and then I put it all together and think "yeah but &*^% I don't think I'm doing it all in the same day!!!"

I took yesterday off from work entirely, and will be taking it easy this week. I'm lucky that I don't have to travel to race, and I have a flexible work environment where they are all in awe that I even made it out alive and are telling me I should go home and rest.

I have a chiro appointment and torture massage tomorrow, which will hopefully pull my hip and shoulder back into line - the other pain (quads/back) is temporary, the hip/shoulder are longer-standing injuries that I really have to work around.

I feel amazingly well - sore, but functional. I think that means my training was a success and I tempered myself well.

I found myself thinking the same thing about Ironman... that didn't last very long. Fortunately for me, the swim doesn't scare me, and that seems to be what scares most people away. For me, it was really the bike. Yeah, I can bike 112 miles, but if I took too long, it would hose my marathon, and I didn't want to be backed so far into a corner that I couldn't finish. I'm really glad I pulled off a stronger bike than I expected - I really wasn't backed in the corner and walked "comfortable" 16 minute miles to the finish line. It all counts!

[colby]

Colby... GREAT JOB!!!!!

Your race is very similar to what mine will be. So I really enjoyed reading it. Sure it's great is someone finishes in 12 hours, but that won't be me. I can relate to someone who finishes in 15-17 hours!

Sounds like you had a great swim and bike. Solid. Also sounds like the run would have been great had your tummy been OK. At least you weren't vomiting the whole way. You weren't, were you? I know my cousing vomited from mile 80-140.6 at IMAZ this year.

I was just about on what I expected for the swim, and ahead of my pessimistic bike guess. I felt like I had the run in me, but my stomach disagreed.

No, it wasn't vomiting... that would have sucked (though one guy told me he heard a pro speak and her advice was "puke and start over" ). For me, it felt more like the flu. I felt stomach cramps, I had to go to the bathroom immediately if I started running (walking was the cure ), and until my system was emptied about 4 aid stations down the line, I felt a little light headed. After that, I didn't dare put anything I'd been putting in in again, and switched to pretzels, gatorade, and water. It actually worked well, and I ran some downhills where I could.

I think the true Iron-spirit is when you keep going, even though you want to stop... your body says "no more". You could have stopped, but you kept walking and walking. It wasn't how you envisioned your race, but you didn't let the change in plans keep you from your goal.

Great job Colby! How very exciting for you! That's cool that you signed up for IM #2 next year!

I made the best of it. I knew I had time to walk if I had to, and I knew there would always be a next time if I wanted to do it again. Needless to say, I decided after the race that I wanted to try again.. finish before dark - shave 1-2 hours off my time.

That feeling on the bike when I was coming down on my second loop, mile 100 to 110, knowing my bike time was around 7 hours and I was going to finish... that's what kept me going - I nearly cried on my bike when I knew in my heart I'd be Iron Colby by the end of the day. I conquered the bike - my biggest fear - and a mass start open water swim that I'd never done before. The marathon was the easy part - I had bought myself enough time that I could walk and make it. I guess I didn't cry at the end because I'd already matter of factly stated that I WAS going to finish.

Ironman days aren't all made of rainbows and butterflies. Stick with your plan, but be willing to do what's necessary to keep yourself safe if something goes wrong. The drive to finish was so much stronger than I thought it would be, and I'm glad I amazingly bought myself enough time to not put myself in a position where I had to choose between hurting myself or DNF - I still think Denise is Iron for making that call.

[colby]

I'm sorry I missed the finish on IMlive.com, but I was looking for you.
SOOO happy for you! It's such a surreal thing to run down that finish chute huh?
Sorry about the tummy woes. Oh do I remember those from 07. OY!

Rest up well, and remember that IM recovery takes time. So don't push yourself to get training to quickly.
CONGRATS again!

Denise

Thanks for keeping an eye out for me, even if you missed it. Surreal is certainly the word. My husband bought the official pictures and we laughed out loud at the one they took of me after they give you your tshirt, medal, and blanket. I look like a zombie. "I'm done. Thanks. Take my picture and point me to the parking lot." Even my finish line picture says "no more please, 140.6 was enough."

I'm going to be trying to get my legs under me this week, but my next scheduled deal isn't until August, and it's just a sprint, then probably back to marathon training for November, maybe some other sprints or olympic distance stuff if I can find them. I do have a kayaking vacation 4th of July weekend, though, and that could be interesting.

[colby]

My husband put up some pictures:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v186/karlp/ironman/

[Kimmyt]

Hey colby, i LOVE the photos of the Nemo cap! It really does look like a Nemo swimmin in some of them!

Also, question re: the swim. I watched the vid, was there a lap and then you had to get out or walk between the next lap? I saw what looked like people in wetsuits getting back in the water and I'm confused...

K.

[KSH]

Ironman days aren't all made of rainbows and butterflies. Stick with your plan, but be willing to do what's necessary to keep yourself safe if something goes wrong. The drive to finish was so much stronger than I thought it would be, and I'm glad I amazingly bought myself enough time to not put myself in a position where I had to choose between hurting myself or DNF - I still think Denise is Iron for making that call.

HA! That's the truth. No rainbows over here. Just a lot of miserable headwinds to ride in.

Health comes first.... but one has to decide if what is happening is pain or suffering. Pain = injury = stop. Suffering = discomfort = misery = suck it up buttercup and keep going.

Great pictures! The swim cap is so cool and easy to spot!

[Tri Girl]

Yeah, Colby!!!! Congrats Ironman!!!!
I was out of town, but was thinking about you and hoping that your race went well. I'm sooooo glad to hear that everything worked out!! I'm so proud of you for finishing strong despite tummy trouble- AND for signing up for next year. You go girl!!!!

[colby]

Hey colby, i LOVE the photos of the Nemo cap! It really does look like a Nemo swimmin in some of them!

Also, question re: the swim. I watched the vid, was there a lap and then you had to get out or walk between the next lap? I saw what looked like people in wetsuits getting back in the water and I'm confused...

K.

I had lots of comments about Nemo... one lady told me her niece is learning to swim and if she gets nervous she says "Just keep swimming" - the lovely aunt wanted to buy her one so she enjoys it even more.

Yep yep, two loops. The course was a rectangle - you go out for about half a mile, turn a buoy, turn another buoy a little way down, then back for half a mile. Get out of the water, cross a mat, get back in, do it again.

[jesvetmed]

Since I had such a crappy run

How awful! But you still kept going. Way to go -- you ROCK! Congratulations. Oh, and I do love the cap!

[colby]

Official pictures... including Orca Colby in wetsuit (should have painted some white spots on it and wore an Orca whale swim cap).

http://www.asiorders.com/go.asp?33943949

[atlrunnergirl]

You are so my hero!!!

[kacie tri-ing]

I am so impressed!!! It is fantastic that you made it the whole way! I have been quietly reading along, and I think it is great! I love that you already signed up for next year! What a spirit!!

[KnottedYet]

Yay, Colby!!!!

[Tri Girl]

I think all your pictures are great (the professional and the ones from DH). You look GREAT- and not anything like a beached whale (although I think the same thing in my wetsuit ). Congrats on a great race- you should display all those pictures with great pride!!!