Leigh's IMWI Race Report
I have to say- this was hands down the coolest course I have been to yet on the IM circuit. It had challenging terrain and a KICK ASS community vibe. Everyone you saw on race day seemed excited to be there and more importantly, Madison felt like it was genuinely happy to have us there as guests. The crowds on the bike course were top notch. There was maybe a 10 mile stretch that seemed "quiet" but that was short lived and next thing you knew you were onto TdF type crowds in the hills and then onto thousands of people lining the streets in Verona. It was awesome. The run course was the same with people everywhere you turned. Last and most definitely at the top of the list was the EN party. It was such an awesome weekend getting to meet people I've been talking to for years and to catch up with those I have been lucky enough to meet along the way. I couldn't be prouder to be part of this group. Thanks to everyone racing and spectating (on course or at home)- the support is greatly appreciated! 
Race Day
The Swim- 1:33:18
This has been my most physical swim to date. I was late getting into the water (got caught up in the cattle march down the helix and was rushed into the water with less than a minute to go till the gun went off). Totally fine by me. Gave Dave a huge hug and wished him luck and we were off. It was immediately choppy and uber crowded. I had no choice but to sit at the back of the pack and try to work my way through. Truth be told- there was just no where to go and it was wasted energy trying to pass one person only to crash into someone else. I say "crash" half in jest, but half in truth. The water was dark and visability was non-existant. One second you thought you were clear and the next you were bumping into somebody else. So I did the best I could and figured I'd wait till the back stretch for some open water. That was when I ran into a first ever wtf swim moment. There was this guy who was clearly nervous in the water and zig-zagging back and forth in front of me. That part was fine, but what was getting old was his stopping every time he crossed my path to see if he was going the right way. So he'd cut me off, swim two strokes, stop, cut me off again the opposite way, two strokes, stop, on and on and on. We were close to the buoy line and with all the people around, I couldn't really stop and go around. I had to keep moving or get trampled by the people behind me. Finally, he stopped and so did I at which point I said "Duuuuude. Just keep swimming, you're doing fine." Clearly he did not appreciate this as he then proceded to say "F&$^ you" and reached over to pull my goggles off my face. Luckily I had the strap under my cap so really all he did was snap them back into my face before swimming off again. Note to self: keep smart ass Leigh quiet next time. Other than that pretty uneventful swim- drank more water than I have in a long time during an OWS but got out of the water feeling good.
other funny occurrence: As I hit the first turn, all I heard was moo-ing. It was loud too and I had no idea what it as until I noticed all of the kayak people were dressed up as cows. it was funny as hell.
T1- 8:21
It was fun to run up the helix and through the hotel part. Definitely the most unique transition experience I've had. I did have a question though- what's the policy on storing flip flops near the swim start?? running barefoot on cold concrete up 3 or however many levels had my feet singing by the time I hit the conference room. Broken foot still does not enjoy that kind of pounding and stays purple + tender for the rest of the day as a result. I hid some by the start, but the "shoe fairies" tossed them.
Bike- 6:39:23
First half stats - 3:20:48 [TSS 158.1 (.688) + NP 138 + 16.8 mph]
Second half stats - 3:14:16 [TSS 156.9 (.697) + NP 139 + 17.4 mph]
Total ride- 6:35:03 [TSS 314.9 (.692)]
Nutrition- 5 bottles of perform + 80 oz water (2 speedfills) = 28 oz water/hour
2 shot blocks + 1 s-cap at the top of each hour
--> 205 calories/hour + 750 mg salt/hour
I felt awesome on the bike. From start to finish, the legs felt good. The stick out to the main part of the course was crowded so it was easy to keep the first hour well below goal watts. Once I hit the loop, I got to work. Stopped twice to pee and both times had volunteers offer to hold my bike, fill my speedfill, and get me a new powerbar drink. It was like one stop shopping. No lines to pee either time and off I went.
Again, big props to the people out on course. the climbs were awesome (even if I was moving backwards through the field on all of them to stay near my watts!) and verona was just mobbed. I particularly enjoyed the little nursing home. There were 20+ patients all lined up in their wheelchairs and hospital beds near the road with bells and flags. It was adorable!
Saw lots of chica's out on the road and a few of the guys which is always fun. was not expecting the speedo invasion in midtown!
T2- 5:35
Uneventful. back up the helix which was cool and a visit to the suntan lotion people. As I was running out onto the course, the first place male was making the turn towards the finish. He was grinning ear to ear which was really neat to see.
Run- 6:17:21
6.35 mi. (1:03:58) 10:04/mile |
6.65 mi. (1:15:22) 11:20/mile |
6.23 mi. (1:54:20) 18:21/mile |
6.97 mi. (2:03:41) 17:44/mile |
26.2 mi. (6:17:21) 14:24/mile |
Running out of T2 all systems were go. Legs felt springy, HR was low. Came in a little hot on the first six and reigned that back in over the next 6 to get my average pace to where it should be. Really focused on staying light on my feet and using the slow down to get fluids and nutrition down. My goal was to stay with water, gels and salt tabs since I knew I would be powerbarred out after the bike (and I was!). Through the first 14 feeling great and then things went downhill for me in a hurry. Felt nautious and beelined to a parking lot. It was like the exorcist. 4-5 pukes and done. felt lightheaded and cold so I stood down and started walking. made a deal with myself to walk the next mile and get everything under control. grabbed some ice chips at the next aid station and chewed on those for the next mile. lightheadedness went away and I started running again. slowed it waaaaay down as I wasn't sure how the jostling would go. not bad, but not great. tried some water at the next station. back in the bushes and back to walking. I tried coke, powerbar, broth. the only thing that consistently worked was ice chips or nothing at all. by mile 20 I was stiffening up pretty bad and my run/walk strategy was most definitely a walk with occasional bursts of running and nothing else. I ran into Matt S + company and was soooooooooooo tempted to call it a day after diving back into the bushes yet again. Couldn't toss the towel in though.
As much as I would like to hit my goals and see certain splits, at the end of the day, that stuff is just frosting on the cake. 98% of the people I know only care if I finish and for them, I walked it in with a smile. 
Someday I'll put together that perfect race, but in the mean time, I won't let results ruin how much I enjoy this sport and what it's done for me.
Huge hugs and congrats to all who raced. It was awesome to be out on course with you. As always, thanks for reading!
Comments
)Nice job. Congrats.
Leigh,
You are a bad ass! When we saw you at mile 20 you were in a bad place. The first thing you said was that you thought you were done. Then you promptly hit the bushes and threw up some more. Sometime between the bushes and the next aid station you won the argument with your body and decided to keep going. Next time we saw you was in the chute running it in.
Performances like yours and the others who had similar issues blow me away. Nemo and David also had really tough times and persevered to the finish. That embodies the Ironman spirit to me.
It was great meeting you, by the way!
Matt
P
Matt
OMG so that was what that noise was at the turn. I couldn't quite make at the moo but I remember thinking what is that...it was a like a horror movie..zombies...so bummed to I missed people dressed up as cows.
I too had the numb feet from swim up through the helix.
You put it all in perspective. 98 percent are impressed that we cross the line and it's all about what the sport has done cumulatively for us, not just those splits on one particular day.
I'll take a HAUS of new friends any day!!!!!! CONGRATS. HUGS
You are one of the coolest, nicest, most talented women I know. I am so sorry the puking screwed the race, but, girl, you've got the goods and we all know it. Congratulations on being awesome, yet again, on such a tough day.
Great report Leigh, and congrats on hanging tough through those dificult times. Also thanks for the beer at the airport.
congrats Leigh, great to meet you and Dave this weekend! Amazing way to stick to it despite the stomach issues (I saw Dave at bike checkout and he told me...)!
and that swim guy was way way way out of line - even if you had insulted his mother or wife, he'd still be out of line. what a jerk!
It was great to finally meet the infamous spandexed couple and good to see you on the run. Let's hope the next one isn't nearly as miserable!
Great and interesting report! Amazing job perservering through the gi issues on the run. Unbelievable!! I saw you cross the finish line and you looked happy!
Your restraint with the google snapper is truly admirable - I'm speechless that someone would even think of grabbing at someone's face in a race. That is bad, bad stuff.
Sounds like it was an epic weekend - hope to catch up with you in New England someday!
It was a real priviledge to try and hang on to your wheel and feet this year at ToC and IMLP rally...and then to hang out with you and Dave all race weekend. You are one strong and tough chica! Congratulations on pulling through a rough race!
Rest up, my dear friend---'cross season is just around the corner!
As for that guy during the swim, next time channel me or John Stark; we tend to get a little....combative while IM swimming.
Oh my gosh Leigh....the goggle story is hilarious! Well actually in a mean way....I can hardly believe the guy did that to you~!! I know what u mean though about people all over the place! I realize it was prolly hard to sight and stay in straight line, but the zigzaging stuff was ridiculous!!! Some big guy kicked me hard, stopped me dead in the water with instant charley horses to both calves! He actually stopped though and said he was sorry and asked if I was ok! That was nice
Way to finish and way to be satisified that u gave everything you had! Tough day, lots of stomach issue stories...but we hung in there and got it done....together!!! Great meeting u for first time!
I thought you were rockin the course until I saw Dave on the out & back and told him I was having tummy troubles and would be walking it in. He told me you were ahead doing about the same. Hate to say it, but that made me feel a little better too :-) Misery loves company?
It was great hanging out with you guys again this past weekend and I can't wait to see you at TOC in May! I don't know why we do these silly Ironman races, TOC is so much more fun! Rest up Chica, and I'll see you there!
Strong work, Leigh- I really like your sentiment @ ; the end of your report about putting together the perfect race. It is a timely reminder for moi'.
You are a wicked athlete & WS PT. I hope someday we can drink a brewski together!
Leigh, this is the second time I read this report, and I can't stop laughing at the goggle incident!!!!!!
I'll tell you, I was struggling coming back from Verona on the stick, and you were looking STRONG on that bike, and even on the run, when we passed each other, and after the finish. I would've never figured you were having problems. seriously...
Congrats on a job nicely done, and great meeting you ;-)