Ironman Chattanooga 2017 Race Report Yvette Metz
Ironman Choo September 24, 2017 Race Report
Journey to the finish line
2012 IM Florida
Finish 17:06:00 -Found myself lost in the maze of the subdivision and added and extra mile to the run.
2014 IM Florida
DNF – Swim was canceled. Crashed my new bike at 56 miles, duct tape the body and bike and was back on the road. Made it to mile 100 then the derailleur fell off, so I ran with my bike to mile 104 the race was over for me.
2015 IM Choo
DNF – Made it to mile 13.1 of the run and missed the cut off by 10 minutes.
2015 IM Florida
DNF - Made it to mile 20 on the run. Missed the park cutoff by 2 minutes.
2016 IM Choo
DNF – Record Heat Wave! Finished the bike 15 minutes late.
2017 IM Choo- Winning!
Hop, skip and a jump to the finish line with an amazing surprise in T2 that made me jump a mile high.
IMChoo Goal
Swim: 1:10
T1: 5 minutes
Bike: 6:30
T2: 3 minutes
Total: 13:48
Actual:
SWIM DETAILS | Division Rank: 3
|
Split Name |
Distance |
Split Time |
Race Time |
Pace |
Division Rank |
Gender Rank |
Overall Rank |
|
Total |
2.4 mi |
00:59:34 |
00:59:34 |
01:32/100m |
3 |
217 |
859 |
BIKE DETAILS | Division Rank: 19
|
Split Name |
Distance |
Split Time |
Race Time |
Pace |
Division Rank |
Gender Rank |
Overall Rank |
|
Total |
112 mi |
08:02:41 |
09:10:43 |
13.92 mph |
19 |
595 |
1895 |
RUN DETAILS | Division Rank: 18
|
Split Name |
Distance |
Split Time |
Race Time |
Pace |
Division Rank |
Gender Rank |
Overall Rank |
|
Total |
26.2 mi |
06:36:33 |
15:57:14 |
15:08/mi |
18 |
553 |
1698 |
Transition Details
|
T1: Swim-to-bike |
00:08:28 |
|
T2: Bike-to-run |
00:09:58 |
Schedule:
Wednesday: Travel to Savana GA.
Thursday: Savana GA to Chattanooga TN. Check in to hotel, athlete check in and briefing.
Friday: Misc.
Saturday: Dinner in room. Then prepared race items.
Sunday: 4:30 AM – Shower, dress, food, vitamins.
5:00 AM – Transition, body marking, final check of bike, drop off special needs bags.
5:30 AM – On the bus to swim start. Was not wet suit legal. Water temp was 1 degree off. I decided to use my wet suit. LOL! After 5 DNF IM I was not going to win my age group. Would be best for me to conserve energy on the swim.
A swim start that will be etched in my memory for life.
3 friends, each have a story to tell. 1. Her 23-year-old daughter passed away of brain cancer. 2. She was struggling with being a diabetic and the finish line would be a 2nd IM victory for her. 3. Me, 5 DNF and just wanted to cross that line.
We stepped on the starting dock and walked to the end. Shuffled our toes over the edge, held hands and said, “Let’s do this ladies”, raised our arms with hands clinched together and jumped.
This year the swim for me was extremely easy. I stayed in my box, kept telling my self with each stroke, glide with the current and use less energy. The challenge was placement of the markers. They were not in a row but staggered from one side of the water the other. Challenging to site on your right then find the next marker on the left. With that said, my swim was relaxing, refreshing and a amazing finish time of 00:59:34 and Division Rank of 3. Grateful for the flow of the river.
Three of us at the end of the line.
Stopped for the wet suit strippers and had a smooth T 1 transition without any glitches.
Bike:
Felt focused and stayed on track with my nutrition. Checking my bike Garmin at mile 56 the time was 3:15:00. Wow, I was on track for a 6:30 bike! Then I realize my bike computer was on ride time, and my stops had put me behind schedule. At mile 56, there was Mariah and Mike with smiles and encouragement. You made my day, Thanks! At that point I felt strong and on the 2nd loop I started to overheat. So, enviably added more stops to refill and stretch.
T2 – Memory #2 shenanigans, to my surprise and shock of a life time.
Three incredible friends, Trish Marshall, Bob Smith and John Lauchlan were planning for weeks to make a surprise appearance and volunteer at my IM Chattanooga race!
I dismounted my bike, gave it to the volunteer. They called
out my number 1404 with a mega phone so the three volunteers at the far end
could locate my bag. I proceeded to run toward
the volunteers in the lane and was calling out my number 1404. You know I was
on a tight schedule, wanted out of T2 in three minutes. LOL! The volunteers
were holding a run bag up in the air ( in front of Trish’s face) and asking “several
times” if I was 1404. I kept running towards them saying “YES” 1404 that’s me
as I pointed to my head several times. As
I approached them…OMG!!! I realized who it was and jumped a mile high! What a SURPRISE,
I was in “SHOCK” ! They said they were there to see me finish the Ironman it
was my year and they were not going to miss it. “Game on!” After the hugs Trish
grabbed my hand and side the boys are waiting out there let’s go change. Thankfully she was there to help me because
my body was shaking and wouldn’t stop.
I am so blessed to have
you in my life! The image of your smiles standing there holding my bag is
etched in my memory, brings tears to my eyes and forever warms my heart!
Training for Ironman has been an incredible journey with a spectacular
finish!
Thank you from the heart!
Comments
Still in shock and smiling as I heeded up the first hill and saw my husband who was privy to the shenanigans of the three masters. Then within seconds he said look who’s here! Two other friends who had their own idea of shenanigans happening. I did a double take, started laughing hysterically and stopped. Yes, you have that right, I did a dead stop in my tracks, perfect photo opt! Friends and their shenanigans…Loving it!
After all the excitement I found myself at the first water stop feeling he fatigue. So, every aid station I tried to mix up the nutrition. By mile eight I saw Bob and Trish telling me to speed up and keep moving.
I realized I had race brain and it was not clearing. With the choices of nutrition. Finally, I found the perfect lift, drink the Coke! Coke became my crutch at every aid station.
The wood bridge on the run is about one mile from the finish line. I could hear all the cheers! I saw my husband there along with Trish and Bob. I was walking and asked if I should start running again. Bob, said “it doesn’t matter if you walk or run”. I started to panic thinking that meant I didn’t make it again. He said no, you can walk or run you are going to finish on time. So, I asked again in disbelief. They all said YES, we will see you at the finish line. As I turned the corner I could see the finish line shoot. My “Speedo” friends sitting on the curb waiting for me. I ran over and gave them a hug…” OMG I’m going to finish”. They started laughing and said “Yes, but you have to run down the shoot now get going!”
The Euphoric State of A Finish Line… I ‘m Addicted!
https://www.facebook.com/yvette.moradmetz/videos/1711187168894225/
I am grateful and humbled by all the support of my family, Trish, Bob, John, Tri friends, EN Family, Coach Rich and finally Coach Patrick. Thank you for all the countless time you encouraged me over the years and revised my plans. Everyone you are “FOREVER IN MY HEART”
Congratulations and well done.
You have shown incredible determination and are a credit to you and your support crew.