IMChoo...Celebrating Life! with a DNF
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Race Report: IMChoo Goal 16:00:00
Actual DNF 
Swim: goal 1:10 Actual: 1:12:38
Used my swim skin. When I first jumped in the water I started to panic, took a few seconds to calm down and then I was fine. I actually liked the swim.
Nutrition: As planned
Bike: Goal : 7:00-7:30, NP154, IF .65 /.68,
Actual: 8:17:53- worst bike ever
https://connect.garmin.com/activity/921071084 Bike
TSS 291.3 ,Work 2131 kJ, IF 0.60, NP 97 W, VI 1.29
Bike, felt good at the start just telling myself ride JRA, eat & drink. The first loop was very congested and I found myself in a steady line of bikers. Did not stay in my box, did not ask myself what should I be doing now? I felt like my mind was in a fog and I could not concentrate. Did not eat or drink so before I knew it I was at the bike special needs area. I stopped and ate half of the PBJ sandwich, drank some coke, stuffed the bottle and sandwich in my bike jersey and started back on the road. I saw my family at the aid station. I poured a bottle of water over my head and neck. At that point I realized I was dehydrated and was not eating. For whatever reason I felt like I was just floating and not fighting. Turns out that I only at one power bar and one power gel along with some salt during the entire bike., I was afraid of eating to many calories and did just the opposite. Huge mistake!
Nutrition: Not as planned
Run: 6:30, Average heart rate 135 low 135 mid 140 -145 high 150 to 155 Back off at 160
Actual DNF – ran to mile 13.1 - 3:41:00 – Did not make the run cut off at mile 13.1
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/921065466 Run
In T2 my entire body was shaking and I could hardly change my shoes. My stomach was nauseous and I could not eat anything. It was 5:30PM and I knew time was running out. I had 6.5 hours to run the marathon with no problems. I was in trouble before I started the run. I tried to run at the start and was doing ok except my right quad was burning. I tried to drink EFS, eat a power bar but nothing would stay down. At the aid stations I tried, coke, bananas, grapes, salt and nothing would go in. The line hit me hard at mile 3 so I decided to try and walk run…which became a fast walk. At mile 7 I knew I had to step it up and was able to run, then mile 9 not so much. I saw Brenda along the way. Thanks for the advice to switch up my nutrition, I tried and it would not work. After some quick math I knew it was over for me, I was not going to make the 13.1 cut off.
I saw my family around mile 12. They were so excited jumping up and down yelling go Eve, come on run you can do it!!! I told them” I am going to miss the run cut off “they said what cut off? We didn’t see that! So I told them it was at mile 13.1. The look on their face was devastating and told it all. It took everything out of me to keep the tears in and say “it’s ok” I emptied the gas tank. By then I had about a half mile to go and power walked in with my family. So many people were cheering,” you did it!!!” the finish line is just ahead”. I just went along with them and was cheering and smiling. The look on their face was priceless as they cheered the winners to the end. Yes, the finish line was ahead but not for me. I arrived at the cut off 9:28 P.M., they took my chip and said it was over. I could see the lights and hear the voice “you are an Ironman”! We walked in the opposite direction and I said not today!
Transition Goal
T1 – Swim -to -bike 8 minutes/T2:Bike-to-run – 8 minutes
Actual
T1: Swim-to-bike 15:15/T2: Bike-to-run 10:28
My journey to IMChoo became a race for life! My husband has been struggling with Aplastic Anemia for the last 7 years. In January he relapsed and on June 10th he received a bone marrow transplant. He always said “this is not happening to me it is happening to us” … so true. My training journey to IMChoo became my foundation to survive being a caregiver for the last nine months. Feeling blessed, Mike is post-transplant 109 days on race morning. He was able to make the car ride with frequent stops,although when we arrived he was not feeling well . Family is first, so once again, I started doubting my choice to train & race Choo.
I had mixed emotions about being at the race and was extremely tired when I arrived in Chattanooga. The night before the race I received a call that my father (92 yrs young) was taken to the hospital and was in critical condition. (He is battling pneumonia as of today). Before the start I was emotionally drained and felt like I was going through the motions,couldn't concentrate and my heart was not in it.
I am thankful and humbled for all the support we have received . Coach Patrick and Rich thank you for everything !!! You were incredibly supportive during the past year. All my teammates at EN, Fraser and Michigan tri family thank you as well.
I'm going to race IM in 2016 looking for advice on which race sign up for.
back to Choo ?, Texas , , or Florida
Comments
Mariah, Thank you! you are so kind! So happy to meet you as well, loved seeing you as I started my run.
I hope you take some time to heal up, rest up, fire up. 2017 will be a blessed year for you! And think about IMAZ too....I know the Huffs from Fraser will be there. It's later in the season to give you all the time you'd like to get prepared and its fun to be somewhere warm and sunny mid November!
xoxoxoxoox
Thanks Cathleen, you were always there for me with words of encouragement. Thank you! Congratulations on your race!
Trish, you are always spot on with your advise! You,Cath and Terese ...Thank you for always being there for me during during Mikes bone marrow transplant and the long training year. Loved swimming with you at the Detroit center this winter. Defiantly need to fire up for 2017 and decide which race to pull the trigger on.
Oh Tom...yes it is tough but I need to fire up and finish on time the next race. Thanks for all you kind words and I will look into the races you suggested.
Yvette, A lesson to learn from and it looks like you got the PhD. version of Ironman education. Thanks for sharing your story and I look forward to your reports in 2016. Congratulations.
Yesterday was a miracle! !!!
The test was to take my father off the breathing tube.
He is able to breathe on his own. Was talking flirting with my mother and the nurses. Making jokes and remembered everything he heard over the past few weeks.
His first words "I'm not ready to go yet" Iove you all.
This man has more strength, courage and determination than 2000 Ironmen.
What an incredible relief. ... it was a tough- correct call to intubate him at the beginning.
2016...let's get this party started!
tough day for sure. So hard with so many other things on your mind. In terms of IM racing, think of how much you learned and this is now just part of your story and experience that you will be able to reflect on as your IM journey continues with future races.
Chin up
Going back to IMChoo in 2016 !
First off you are the strongest woman I know for all that you have gone through. I know the struggle you have had with Mike and our father and I am so proud of you for doing what YOU need to do to take care of yourself. It is impossible to serve from an empty vessel. I am excited to see what 2016 holds for you are CHOO and while I am not racing IM in 2016 I am going to back in training so if you need a training buddy at all let me know! JOS is starting very soon!