I AM AN IRONWOMAN!!!

Today I completed the Troika Ironman 70.3. I plan to write a great big long wordy race report, but here's a synopsis:

Woke up this morning really nervous. Felt like I was going to throw up all the way to the site. Secured a spot next to a tree (score, you don't have to rack your bike, or fight to get it down) and set up. Chatted a bit with teammates, and with Roy. He documented EVERYTHING. LOL!

Swim: My watch said 50:50. It's a 1.2 mile swim. I should have done better, but did not site well at all. First two bouys were fine, but after that I'd be so far left of the bouys that I think I was in Democratic Headquarters. I joked to another woman who had the same problem that I just thought I'd check out the real estate on the other shore. Felt okay about the swim, but not happy with my time. DID NOT PANIC!! I did get really freaked by getting swam over, kicked, and punched at the beginning, which is part of the reason I left the pack. Did good: Not stopping to site, but maybe I should have. Should improve: Siting.

T1: Pretty fast. Wetsuit came off really fast. Decided not to wear bike shirt. Good call. It got hot.

Bike: I think I did about a 3:30 bike, which is an average of 16 mph. I rocked on the bike for the first 49 or so miles. I was SO proud of myself!! The last 7 bit, though. I had bad butt pain (lower back, due to knot in my piriformis) from mile one and by mile 50 I was hurtin' BAD! Ended up even having to walk up one hill, which gave my butt a bit of a break. I was most nervous about the bike, so I'm very proud of my performance. Top speed: 30 MPH. Did good: Staying in the big ring to take advantage of the down hills and flats. Need work on: uphills...more hill work next year

T2: FAST!!! Maybe just over 1 minute because they "catch" your bike. You ride in and they have someone assigned to grab your bike. They have another person holding a bag. You dump your helmet, shoes, and gloves into the bag. Someone else hands you your bag that has your running gear in it. Threw everything on and headed out...in the wrong direction because I am a dork. Turned around, told Roy I loved him, headed out for the half marathon run.

Run: GREAT! I did the run in 2:18, which is an average 10.6 minute miles. Pretty damn good for just having swam 1.2 and biked 56, if I do say so myself. My legs felt as good on the run as they would normally. I would have had about a 2:10 if I hadn't come across someone limping really badly. When I saw he had "15" on his leg, I had to stop and make sure he was okay (our age is on our legs). His poor feet were SO swollen. I walked with him for about a mile and got him laughing (he had been crying), told him that he'd lose a few toenails, but chicks dig guys with no toenails. Made him promise that this would be his WORST half IM, but not his LAST...and to tell his parents I said he needed new shoes. (He'd been telling them he needed new shoes, but they insisted he just needed to break them in.) Everyone I passed who was cheering after that I told to cheer EXTRA for him because he needed it. I passed one of his teammates (he was doing relay) and told him he was really hurting, so he hurried out to find him and walk him in. Poor kid! He was a NICE kid too. Did well on: pacing, didn't need to walk (although did through water stations to replace sponges and drink without inhaling it). Need to improve: Hmmm...nothing really, run is my strongest sport. Would have liked a better time, but that's about my average half marathon time anyhow.

Had only one negative experience. The last guy, number 158, passed me as I was going back in. I smiled at him and nodded, and started to say something and he just yelled, "Just SHUT UP!" I am sorry that you're in last place, but don't take it out on others. That's just NOT the attitude to have.

Came in and the clock said 6:54:50 so my time must be 6:49 something (men went off 5 minutes before us). Most of my training group was there to cheer me in. Cheryl (my coach) told me I looked fantastic and was surprised at my time. I missed a few trainings and I think she thought I was undertrained. She doesn't know me very well.

I do think I was slightly undertrained on the bike. I did miss our two longest rides, and didn't make up the entire distance, figuring if I could run 2 marathons back to back, I could bike 56 miles. I know next year I need to do at least two or three 70+ mile rides. That way the severe pain can set in at mile 60 rather than 49, and by then I'll be done.

Did you see that? I just said next year. I'm insane.

Roy was, of course, awesome! He was my official photographer. It's such a pleasure knowing he's out there. So many women were there alone.

Great race, beautiful course, the bike was TOUGH but a good kind of tough. Swim was delightful (I saw osprey) and the run was awesome. I'd totally do it again.

I don't feel as tired as I felt after my last marathon. I am tired, like bone tired, but nothing (except my back) hurts. My back always hurts, so whatevah!!

Sorry to go on... I'm just a little excited.

Now I'm going to take my wonderful husband out to dinner, and go see Batman in Imax. I'm sure I'll be asleep before the opening credits end.