IMAZ 06, the good, the bad, and the downright ugly

[Lise]

Denise, thank you so much for the report. My heart is full. You did what you had to do. Those last 8 minutes, wondering if you'd made it, and then Nanci posted DENISE AMOS, YOU ARE AN IRONMAN! I felt as if I'd heard Mike Reilly say it.

How wonderful that the pros were so encouraging. I read that 4 out of 5 participants were men, so that means about 400 women, right? To have Michellie Jones cheer you on, and to be able to return the favor... how cool is that?

I'm going back and read it again. Thank you. You give me courage.

[CR400]

Wow, that is awsome. You have joined an elite group not only people who have completed an Ironman, but have accomplished a dream that you put your heart and soul into. Even through all the pain you are victorious. I't doesn't matter where you finished just that you did. Rest up and recover I bet you have another dream you want to accomplish.

[Barb]

I am truly so impressed. I have to say, I was welling up as I read your story. LOL I thought, i am such a wus...then I saw that others had the same reaction!!!!!!!!!

I am sore today, a little tired and lazy. I will go out and do my ride. I will put down the brownies and pay attention to my body. I will do my first century this season.

Thank you Iron mommy!

[ladyfish]

Way to go Denise!!! I too was welling up. Especially when you mentioned your friend Bob who was there for you. Wow! And to have the Pros cheering you on, too. GREAT JOB!!!

You are an inspiration to us all. Maybe we'll get to meet one day when I fly home to visit family!!!

[mtkitchn]

Thanks SO much for sharing your story of the race! I'm amazed and impressed and touched by what you did! Congratulations!
Sue

[Trekhawk]

Wow what an inspiring race report. When things were hard the iron in you really showed. Fantastic.

[Running Mommy]

Thanks all... Just realized I had a MAJOR type! I told Michellie to KICK asz, not KISS! OY VEY! That's what happens when you write a RR before you've restored your glycogen stores!
I watched my athlete dvd today and thought to myself " I still can't believe I jumped in that water"...
Oh, and when my friend Kevin edit's my video I'll be sure to send anyone who wants one a copy. You girls are the best!!

[Running Mommy]

This is the report I posted on TNO (tri newbies online). The folks referenced are all on that board. Of course it's alot of the same, but maybe has a few more details. Certainly seems longer...


The chubby girl takes on Ironman….

A long report for a LOONNNGGG Day

In a post before the race I put that my three goals were
1 Make the swim cut off
2. Make the bike cutoff
3. Midnight

Well the mission was accomplished, but I had hoped for a better outcome- Especially on the run. But as anyone who has ever done an IM knows, you take what the day gives you.

WARNING: Make a sandwich, this puppy is LONG!

Ok, let’s back track a bit to race week. It was BUSY. I was glad I was busy because it took my mind off of things, but I felt like I was constantly going back and forth to Tempe. I live about 45 minutes away.
Thursday started with picking up Emily (Em in MD) for the swim. I’m a dork and thought she was staying on the other side of Tempe. We made it though for a quick swim, then registration. MAN that took forever! We walked around the expo for a bit, and then headed back. It seemed like no sooner did I get home that it was time for the TNO dinner.
We had a great dinner. It was so great seeing everyone. But there were a few who were missed.
Friday:
Friday morning I headed to the swim solo. I had a rough swim and really started to doubt my ability. Sure I had done the distance in the pool many times, but never in open water. And for some reason when I put my head down in the water to swim I would lose my breath. It was scary. I used to surf in nor cal back in the day, so it’s not like I’m afraid of open water. At least I haven’t had a problem until now. My friend Nanci is an ice diver, so she explained to me that it was my body’s reaction to the cold water. Funny it never happened surfing, but then again I always wore a speed cap.
Once I got going I was ok, but that morning I was really having doubts that I could hang on for the long haul.
I saw John, Natascha, and Joe again so that was nice. They did a good job of calming my nerves.
Friday afternoon was very emotional. I kept getting letters, packages, and good luck charms from people. And it got worse when we got to the athlete dinner. I kinda lost it during the program. I never thought I would get so emotional. Go figure??

Saturday:
I had to go down to the race site early Saturday morning for the kids fun run, as I was an “adopted” athlete in the adopt an IM program. I watched my kids run, including my son. That was really cool. It was his first race. He was stoked. I then went down to swim one more time. I just needed to erase my demons. The kids came down to watch me, and low and behold. It worked. I actually had two head on collisions, but didn’t let it get to me. I swear I was sighting and have no idea where those guys came from??!! I was just glad to know that on Sunday we would all be going in the SAME direction! lol
Went home after the swim and chilled. Had a light dinner and was in bed by 9:30

Race morning:
I woke up at 2:40, but didn’t get up until 3:30. Had a bowl of chex cereal, a banana, a bottle of carbo/cyto cocktail and a pria bar. Grabbed the bottles out of the freezer and my bags and was out the door by 4:30..
Got to the race site and immediately got body marked, then headed over to drop off special needs. Saw John on the way out, gave him a quick “have a good race”. Bumped into Joe right after that, but we were all in race prep mode so we kept it short. I grabbed my bike nutrition and pump from Tony and headed over to my bike. I had people accosting me for my pump left and right. I was trying to have good race karma and say “sure” but after awhile I had to cut it off.
I said a quick few words to my bike “please no mechanicals today. And NO FLATS”… Yeah, I’m a freak. I talk to my bike!! ha ha
Dropped my glasses off in my bike and run bags and filled my camelback w/ water. A few minutes later it was time to don the human rubber band.
Gave Tony a kiss goodbye, Got a “good luck, and be careful out there” from him. He had an obviously worried look on his face. But he said “you’ll do better than you think”. He then headed up on the bridge.
While waiting to get in John, Emily, Natascha, and I met up again. We had a quick group TNO hug. I looked at the woman next to me and said “wish I had as much confidence in myself as my friends and family do”… And with that I took the plunge.
I swam over to the start. Ended up pretty close and to the left. I’m a slow swimmer so I made sure there was really no one behind me. I was surprised I could get so close. Looked up on the bridge and spotted Tony. After waving frantically he finally saw me and broke out the video camera. He got cool footage of me starting. The start was really uneventful. Had to deal w/ some old guys for a few minutes flailing around, but got smooth water pretty quick. I kept drifting left though, so I felt like I zig zagged the whole swim. I actually felt pretty good in the water. I’m a slow swimmer, so I just plugged along. I did get a calf cramp about ¾ of the way to the bridge on the way back. Stopped for a minute, and had a kayaker approach. I quickly said “just a calf cramp. I’m ok” and got swimming again. Hit the steps at 1:59 and some change… HORRIBLE- But my reality…
Goal #1 accomplished.
As soon as I got out I had strippers helping me. They were barking at me to get on my butt, but I was afraid I was going to cramp so I muttered “I’m cramping” but they basically pushed me down and ripped the suit off. Cool!
Was escorted into the change tent and yelled “LYNN- I need LYNN”. Luckily it was winding down so she was able to come help me. God bless her soul! She was my angel! She had me in and out of there pretty quickly considering how hard it is to put a jog bra on when wet!! And god love her, but she saw WAY more of me than she needed to! OY!
My bike was waiting when I came out. Thanked the guy and headed out. By now my entire family and some friends were there, so they were screaming their heads off. Out I went. It felt so good to be on the bike.
The first leg of the bike I cruised. I felt great, wanted to push more, but knew I had a long day ahead of me, and that it would heat up. Really concentrated on drinking and eating. I started taking thermolytes pretty early. I was being passed by people left and right heading out on their second loop, but I just enjoyed it all. I kept saying to myself “ I can’t believe I’m riding in a f-ing IRONMAN”. I think I was grinning from ear to ear the entire first loop. Made the turn around and ZOOOMMMEDD back down. First loop was 2.5 hours. On target for a 7.5 hour ride, which was in line w/ my training.
Loop two, heat picking up, starting to see people on the side of the road spent. Wind is also picking up. Make a potty stop at the turnaround. Have you ever tried to negotiate a porta potty, on a hill, in bike cleats? It was a near disaster.
Saw Emily and John. Of course John flew by me. Clearly he was having a good day. I just kept plugging away, feeling pretty good. But the wind was picking up, and apparently I was gripping my bars a bit too tight… Of course I didn’t notice at the time. No I noticed when I stopped to refill my camelback w/water and had jelly fingers. UGH!
On the way back about 70 miles in I got a wicked quad cramp. I was able to ride through it, but I knew I needed more salt and NOW. I dug into the bento box for more thermolytes and pretzels. I was having issues, so I made a stop. I figured I needed to take action NOW before it was too late. Hit the end of loop two and saw my family. They were telling me to pick it up. I knew I’d be chasing the cut off on the third loop, so I really tried. By now it was not only hot, but the wind seemed to get you from every direction. Now let me say quickly that I’ve seen it MUCH worse on the beeline. And those who raced last year would have scoffed at the notion it was windy. But the wind/ heat combo made it feel like you were in a blow dryer. For awhile it clouded over, but not for long. I only made one stop on my last loop, but my fingers were toast so the voly had to help me open my camelback and fill it.
As I was hitting the bottom of the hill I saw the sweep van heading up with a lone rider. I felt really sorry for that rider.
The last loop for me was keeping the leg cramps at bay and trying to make sure I was getting enough nutrition/liquid in me for the run.
I passed a girl on the side of the road. Slowed and asked her if she was ok. She looked bewildered and said “ I have a flat”. So I said “Do you have what you need? Need a tube?” and she said “ I don’t know how to change a tire”. Ummmm ok??!! WTF? You are in an IM and you’ve never changed a tire?? I told her I would alert a bike tech if I saw one. I’m sorry, I’m all for helping someone out in need, and I will always stop. But that is just stupid! A few minutes later I saw a van heading that way.
Saw my family on the way in from the last loop. Hit the transition w/ a mere 17 minutes to spare…
Once again chasing cut offs, but made goal #2.
Collected my bag and hit the change tent. Lynn was right there for me. Again… My angel! Explained to her that my fingers weren’t working. She said “ohhh gripping those bars too tight”… yeah, I suppose I was. I told her I was only giving myself 10 minutes in transition. She helped me get ready for the run. I munched on a container of Pringles and some ice water. At 5:23 I was out the door headed for my run.
Started running and ohhhh, what is this?? I feel like I’m going to puke! Hit aid 1 and grabbed coke, broth, water, and sponges. Shoved the sponges in my bra and hat to try to cool down. Kept doing this, did take in a bit of Gatorade, but mostly broth and coke. Did some math and really doubted I could pull of a 6.5 hour mary by walking. I’m a slow marathoner, but an even slower walker. And I HATE walking!
Tried to run as much as I could. Really it was a fast shuffle. But at least I felt like I was trying. I was not happy. This was NOT how I had trained. But like I said…. You take what the day gives you.
Saw my family and told them I didn’t think I could make the cut off.
By the second loop I was feeling better, so trying to pick it up. That’s when the leg cramps started. I did push as much as I could. Stayed on course w/ broth and cola. Saw Joe and Emily at different spots, told them I was only on my second loop and didn’t think I could do it. They both encouraged me to keep moving. By now my mantra was “ If you must walk. Walk with purpose”. At this point I just really started focusing on moving as fast as I could. I kept a constant eye on my watch. I knew I had to make the 18 mile mark by 10:00 pm or I’d get pulled. I made it by 9:50. I just kept moving forward. I was surprised to see I wasn’t the only one on the last loop. I hit the 20 mile mark and said to myself “I haven’t come this far not to make it. Now MOVE it”…. Saw a guy struggling up the hill. Gave him some encouraging words. As soon as I left him I heard him puking. Poor guy. By the end of the second loop I had started running from landmark to landmark, light pole to light pole. It was working so I kept at it, trotting along. The line from the 04 Kona coverage about the mom running for her kids “ a mom does what she has to do to get there” kept popping up in my head.
I apologized to everyone at the aid stations for keeping them out so late. They were great though. I really have to give it to the Volys. They were all so kind. Every single one of them!
Still not convinced I’d make it I FINALLY hit the 25 mile mark. I tried to run, but my legs would cramp after a few feet. I really wanted to run that last mile. UGH! All the sudden out of nowhere Tony appears. He starts to run with me and I tell him No. I don’t want to be DQ’d. He says “ok I’ll fall in behind you and pretend I don’t know you”.. Whatever, at this point I just keep motoring as fast as I can. He then takes off and says he’ll meet me on the bridge. He meets me and encourages me to keep going. I have less than 15 minutes. But I KNOW I can make it at this point. I’m really trying to run through the cramps, but it’s just not happening. I come down the hill, hit the turn and look at the gate guy and say “ I can’t believe I f-ing MADE it!!” he says “yeah, w/ 9 minutes to spare”…
So I start jumping up and down dancing down the chute. The crowd is going nuts and I’m beside myself. I see Mike Reilly and grab his hand. He says “Denise Amos a mom from Goodyear AZ” but no “YOU ARE AN IRONMAN”. If I had been thinking I would have stood there and coaxed it out of him!! lol
Hit the tape in 16:52:52. Never so proud of such a crappy time in my life!!!
I’m usually embarrassed by my slow marathons, but this was different. I felt like I really did try. And yeah, I did the training. I worked my butt off. I should have been able to run at least the first 10 miles straight through. I did it in training a couple of times, but that is what the day gave me.
After I crossed about 6 people came in behind me. I was so focused out there that I didn’t even know I had anyone behind me. I really did think I was the last person on the course.

I met my family and friends, took some pictures. Stretched, and then saw Emily and Robin. Chatted for a moment, but then started to fade. On the way home I started feeling the need to puke. Got home, puked. Not much coming up. Took a compazine, ate some crackers and drank some water and off to bed. The next day I was sore, it was a hard effort. But the blisters on my left foot are the worst part. I seem to remember that foot getting wet when I put water on my head. I’ve never blistered like this in all my marys, so I’m guessing it was from getting wet.
.
All in all it was a good day. Tough, but fun. I really can’t remember anytime when I was in scathing pain. And I only had a couple of times when I contemplated quitting. But really, that was not an option.
I’m looking forward to a few months of light training and getting back to some “minis”. Not sure if IMAZ 07 is in the cards, but I have the feeling it might be. In the meantime I’m going to work on my swim and bike. The run will always be slow. And of course the constant battle with my weight… UGH!

Oh- heard that I was on the video they played the next morning at the post race breakfast. But of course I missed it! Some lady came up to me and gave me a hug. She said people were cheering when I was on the screen. I’m SURE I looked like a total dork! Flab flying everywhere! OY!! Maybe it’s good that I missed it!! hee hee
Ok, that’s it…. I think that’s enough! If you made it through you are an “Iron” reader. Thanks for indulging me! I know it was long but I wanted to have every last detail on the record!
Rock on!
Denise


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