Mandy Midgett IMLOU RR
Ironman Louisville
Race Report
24 August 2014
4th
Ironman to complete, 5th to start J
Race Week 18-23 Aug
The week began very well. Did not worry about missing
workouts since I needed to pack and prep for the 563 mile drive to Louisville.
I had a good pre-race massage on Tuesday, 19 August in the afternoon and also
began to pack that day. Wednesday morning I rolled out a little later than
planned, dropped my dog off at the kennel, and was on the road. Staying
hydrated during the trip made for a stop about every hour which made for a
longer than normal road trip. I arrived at the Galt House about 7 in the
evening. Once I saw the view from my room- facing the other tower where I would
see other competitors- I asked for a room on the other side with a view of the
river. I did not want to see the other people coming and going for the race.
Unfortunately I was unable to sleep and woke up around 0645 on Thursday
morning. I stayed in bed relaxing and stretching then decided to go to packet
pick-up. I was one of the first people through the line, cruised the expo a
bit, and sat in the Norma-Tec booth with the compression boots on for about 30
minutes. I love those boots. The guy working the booth is a former pro
triathlete and coach, Will Smith, and he remembered me from 2012. I had been
going back and forth as to wear my aero-helmet or not and he said he would tell
his athletes, “if it was over 95 degrees, no”. I also had a good chat with him
as to how to mentally overcome the 2012 DNF. I knew I was trained and ready for
this race, but never wanted to experience a DNF again. I have only had 2 since
beginning triathlon in 1995. After our lovely and motivating chat, I went back
to my room, compression tights on, feet up, and hydrating. I left the room about 5 that evening to go
find our dinner place and to hang the flag for EN representation.
The dinner was great as far as company goes….as far as food
quality, well it was substance J
Service was good though!! It was great to meet Mark Lane and spouse Diane,
Michael Johnson, Carlos and spouse Rachel. We talked about many different
things and I think everyone went away happy
Thursday night into Friday morning I finally slept. I stayed
out of the expo most of the day with the exception of 2 times. One was to help
out some friends with getting their package and another was to help out other
friends that had flipped their truck enroute to the race. This was also the day
I did bike course recon with my moto music blaring!!
Friday night was awful and I could not fall asleep. I
finally gave into the prescribed sleeping pills I have. I slept as much as
possible and was awake early. I’m certain it was A LOT of nervous energy.
Saturday morning- I decided to go to the swim for a bit. I
wanted to check my goggles and allotted myself no more than 10 minutes to be in
the water. The rest of the time was spent relaxing with a friend from Slovakia.
She ensured I ate, drank, etc. Then it was time to go pick up my mom from the
airport. After picking my mom up we went to brunch and I ate as much as I could
for carbo loading. Then we went back to the hotel for a nap. After the nap it
was time to take gear to transition. We walked down to transition to show my
mom where to go the next morning. Once everything was dropped off we began the
short walk back. Of course the rain started. I was not concerned since my
things were strategically placed in my transition bags. I also didn’t worry
about my bike. I still don’t know why people cover the seats since we get on
them wet!!
We returned to the hotel and relaxed a little more and then
decided to go to dinner…in the hotel. This was done so I could stay in aircon
as much as possible and not walk anywhere. I had my standard grilled chicken
Greek salad and rolls and even had some amazing charred lemon pound cake. After
dinner headed to my room to relax and get ready for race morning. Lying in bed,
I began to sick, went to the bathroom and promptly vomited! UGH!! Are you
kidding me??? I brushed my teeth, chalked it up to nerves, mixed up electrolyte
drink and pushed fluids as much as I could. No way was I going into this race
in a deficit! Especially since the weather people were saying daily Sunday was
going to be the hottest day of the year and that we were in a heat wave!
Sunday morning aka RACE DAY!!!
I was up about 0400 to do any final prep with nutrition and
to get ready. Met my stepfather in the hotel lobby at 0500 and he drove me to
the transition area. I went in there with my game face on. Set up my bottles on
my bike, pumped my tires, added body glide to my run bag, used the porta-potty
since there was not a line and they were fresh, then got out of there! Met my
step-father at the end of transition and he drove me to the end of the swim
start line. I didn’t need body marking since I had the tri tats on. Once I got
in line about 0530, I began to drink my UCan and put my earphones in with moto
music. Once UCan was done had my banana. Then went for a pee J I was also drinking a
bottle of The Right Stuff and a little bit of water. Then it was time to put my
swimskin on….of course once it was on…needed to pee again…and checked out some
grass while I downed a Honey Stinger gel. Handed off the Morning Clothes bag
and the line was moving. I was in the water by 0715. The swim went really well.
I seem to always get stuck behind people that either stop or do the breast
stroke. Oh well, just keep swimming. I came out of the water at 1:11. I thought
BAM! The easy part is done. I heard some friends yell for me. I waved and
smiled while running to transition. Grabbed my bag went into the tent and
bundled up my hair. Snapped my helmet on then my shoes. Wiped my face off. Saw
my friend Nicole in the tent. Lost my helmet but continued putting lube in the
girl area…found my helmet on my head!!! The volunteer put my arm coolers on. On
the way out, I had the voice of, “you could be down 2 bottles by the time the
swim is done” in my head. I slowed down and drank some Perform…then had some
sunscreen put on and off to my bike.
The bike! Wahoo!!! I am FLYNG down River road!!! Look at my
heartrate…LOL! Yea, it’s flying as well. I back off and tell myself to slow the
hell down. I slow WAY down over the train tracks and there were already several
people there changing flats L
I see my friend Nicole again. Chat as I am going by, and again think I need to
slow down. Seeing her helped since I know what pace she rides. I continue on
and knew the turn on 1694 was coming. I rode this section conservatively and
was pissed by all the dudes that wanted to block when a chick was passing. I
backed off stayed conservative and thought better to lose a little time than
CRASH!
Made through that section and was happy to see the SAG stop.
Take a water, dump on head, take another, stick on bike, drink a Perform, dump
a Perform in the aero torpedo and gooooo. This occurred for EVERY SAG stop. The
volunteers were awesome in bottle hand off! I continued watching my nutrition
and drinking as needed, 3 scoops of Sustained Energy, 3 Vanilla Gu, x2 Performance, and 10 scoops of Endurolytes.
Nutrition plan worked well and if I started to burp any of it, then I backed
off to every 30 minutes for sips versus every 20 minutes. I also had 2 salt
tabs every hour, an endurance amino and the anti-fatigue. I also had a bottle
of the Right Stuff on my bike and used it between the Perform. I had planned to
average about 16 or so on the bike and just be conservative so as not to have
that DNF garbage again. I made it through special needs, changed out nutrition
for cold stuff and a new bottle of the Right stuff. I also needed to really use
the bathroom…like some serious business. I made it to the fateful place where
my day had so sadly ended in 2012 and thought this is the perfect place for me
to totally shite! I can shite on this and have closure!!! I did, and paid a
little more homage to the place knowing I was gonna make it through the day! I
even popped a wheelie for the spectators wanting one at the 80 mile mark. I
made that left turn and was elated!! I knew then it was time to push it on in
and go!
As I was coming in River Road I saw my step dad up ahead
riding on his bike on the other side of the road cheering everyone on! He was
awesome!! He was ringing his cowbell and cheering away. I also passed a lot of
the guys at the end that had paid the price on the bike course. Came upon a
team mate, sent words of encouragement that his daughter was up in heaven
pushing all of us along and watching.
I dismounted the bike gracefully and for once was sort of
sad to be off my bike! Usually I am so DONE with the bike. I was ready for my
feet to be out of my shoes though. My cycling shoes were starting to bother me,
but wasn’t to noticeable till the last mile.
Handed off my bike to the volunteer leaving my bike shoes
clipped on it and trotted off to get my run stuff.
Transition was sort of silly for me…I have NO idea why I was
in there for 16:43!! I do know that I was sitting in front of a fan and it felt
great!! I also ensured all my stuff was in my bag. Then it was out for a
run…well, what is loosely called a run!
Coming out I saw more friends. I stopped to give some hugs
and tried not to cry with joy! Then I continued on keeping it casual and slow.
“Give us 6 miles!”, Go slow now to go faster later! All in my head. I see my
step dad- he tells me something, then I see my mom. I stop to hug her and she
is trying to tell me something…no idea what, but I was happy to have a big ole
hug! Then I journeyed on to the run.
People came FLYING past me. I thought, let them go. I saw friends that I tried
to encourage going the opposite way. My friend Naomi was doing awesome and
staying in the game!! He husband was out there cheering for us and telling us
info. I tried to run but something was happening in my hip. Not sure what but
OMG it hurt! Don’t think about it. Count steps, count steps, stay fierce and
focused. Try to get in nutrition. Nothing taste good. Knew this would happen.
Water, coke, Perform. Every aid station I kept this sequence. The run was also
very quiet and not a lot of music. The heat radiating off the buildings was
insane….continue to count…you used to run in Iraq around Sadam’s palace in 120
degrees No one is shooting at youJ
Just keep moving forward. Singing, in my head, I gotta keep on moving. Not
looking at my watch or mile markers anymore since I knew I was past 6 miles.
Heart rate had evened out. My hands are
so swollen they hurt! I pull down the arm coolers and notice my arms are also
swollen and my athlete band is cutting into me. I have a police officer cut it
off. Must find someone to let them know what happened. Aid station captain
takes care of it for me. No one is worried that I am not supposed to be there.
LOL I guess they can all tell! Doggone it, Mike Reyna and that chick keep
passing me and then walking, I will overtake them! Come on Mandy Fierce and
Focus! Continue, there’s a guy passed out in the street…oh know- well Medical
people are there. Wait, there’s another guy
going the worng way!! Hey, hey guy!! That is all I have and we are at
mile 23. Just keep moving. Mile 24! There’s Joey!!! Hey Joey!! I feel good!!
Except for my hands and arms!! They hurt!! They are sausages!! 2.2 miles to go.
I think I can make 14:30!! 1.5 mi to go so quiet!! Someone please sing!!! I
sing Jingle Bells as loud as I can. I am still trotting. Everyone is walking!
WHAT!! We are almost done. Come on. 1 mile to go I see the cops, I say 1 mile
guys, can I get a WOOP WOOP…I get nothing from them. About a block later a guy calls from the dark
on his balcony, “You be careful out there girl”. What the hell are you kidding
me?? Keep moving!! I see the turn, I know it’s that turn then another and it’s
home to the finish!! Run, run, go!!! I came across feeling amazing and even
crying because I have been through so much this year. I was pretty much told
that if I did not have this crazy surgery in April to remove this crazy disease
then I may not survive the year. So “Live Like you were dying” was playing in
my head a lot! Keep running! Finally cross the finish line and put the demons
of the DNF to the grave. I need medical. Where is my mom? My hands and arms so
swollen. It hurt!! I need my shirt, hat and picture, please J
The medical lady took me to medical, blood work was done,
all electrolytes were normal. Potassium was a little low, but other than that I
had stayed hydrated and achieved the goal. No one has an explanation for why
the swelling occurred. Not sure what it going on with the insertion area of the
IT band. These are things to resolve, as well as, bike shoes. Bike shoes could
have been from being wet all day. If that is the case- I’ll take it.
Could I have gone faster, I think so…would I have finished?
Don’t know. Not my fastest time and not my slowest time for Ironman, but very
happy with it overall. I think I’m even happier to put the demons to rest on
the course in August versus October since it will change the dynamics of the
race.
Oh, and Chris McDonald aka Big Sexy had a chat with me about
the heat as well prior to the race and I had my picture taken with him!
# of
Participants
Race2388
Gender (F)561
Category (F40-44)98