Sheryl's Almost Ironman Race Report
While it was a disappointing end to a long day, I learned so much so cannot call it a complete loss. I woke up at around 3:30 after a surprisingly good night’s sleep. I ate a dry bagel and drank juice and water. I took a quick shower and by 4:30, Kathy and I were down in the parking lot ready for Archie to take us over to Monona Terrace. Once there we dropped our SN bags and got body marked. Again the feeling on the Terrace was just electric. My body was cooperating in every way and I truly felt this was the one. The day I would hear the words making me an Ironman. Kathy had a scare with her bags disappearing but they were found and we were good. We pumped tires, took pictures with other Chicas and eventually headed down the helix. During this time, my husband, daughter and daughter’s boyfriend were great support. I was just not nervous in any way.
In the water. To be fair, I have not been swimming much this year. In fact, I haven’t been interested in swimming for about two years. I am not very fast in any case but spending hours at the local pool, which is always five degrees above ice cubes, just hasn’t been my thang. I did, however, ensure that I could make the distance on several occasions. First mistake. I made a change to what I normally do. I noticed people putting goggles on first then cap. I always, always, always, put cap on then goggles. I thought the goggles first looked more reasonable and did it. Big mistake. Second mistake, although not significant, was that I moved to the middle of the crowd. I always start at the edge and feed into the stream. Not sure what my thinking was here. When the cannon went off I was pummeled for a while but eventually found a groove, EXCEPT, I could not get a seal on my goggles. I had to stop frequently to putz with them making the swim longer than I would have liked. 1:47
Out of the swim, off with the wetsuit and up the helix. Archie was on the helix videoing. Into the changing room and I felt I moved pretty fast, but I was around 12 minutes out to the bike. I do have to say, when you are one of the slowest swimmers it is way easy to find your bike all alone on the rack. Down the helix after amazing encouragement by the EN guys!!!! So began the deterioration of my day. I immediately felt that my legs were shot. Everything felt like it was moving in molasses. Not at all what I expected from legs that felt great a few minutes ago. I stopped for a brief moment in Verona to see if my wheel was rubbing on the cut out or if my brakes were rubbing. Neither seemed to be the case so I continued. At Midtown it became apparent what was going on. I could hear my wheel rubbing on the cut out. It wasn’t as obvious when I wasn’t climbing but on hill climbs it was audibly apparent. The problem was, when I got off the bike, I could not make the wheel rub. I made a pit stop at the house of blue in Mt Horeb and continued since I couldn’t seem to locate a mechanic. Finally at about mile 80, I flagged down one of the motorcycles and he knew exactly what to do. Fixed the bike and AMAZING difference. About 15 more miles my seat shifted back and pointed at the sky. Luckily, this time there was a sag vehicle right there and he had a tool. With his enthusiastic 8 year son advising me technically, I fixed the seat and was on my way. BIG BIG break down in EN Execution happened next. I had been dragging on time all day. I was staying within my power range but at this point, I was completely worried that I was not going to make the bike cut off. I had expected to be about one hour faster than I was at this point based on training and RR’s. I began cranking! Way out of my power zones, but of course with shot legs and no speed. I do have to say, however, that all of those guys hanging at the back of the pack with me that were trying to compensate for something by hammering up the hills (we were going to be eight hours on the bike, who were they trying to kid) were walking up the final hills while I was, at least, able to save face and spin up. Into Madison and up the helix, I could barely stand when I got off the bike. Ran into the changing tent and drank that nearly frozen coke (wonderful), changed and was off. All I could muster for about five minutes was a walk but I still knew success was completely in my grasp. Began running and taking water and (next HUGE mistake) that awful power bar drink at each aid station. Every station was out of coke. I began a walk/run campaign that was on pace for a finish by midnight. By the time I first saw the EN Support crew, it was obvious to me and to everyone there it was not going well but they gave me the inspiration to pick it up a little and start a little shuffle. When I was nearly back to the turnaround at the halfway point, a race official began following me on his little scooter. I heard the words I didn’t want to hear, “Your pace will not allow you to finish by midnight.” Ugh. I picked it up again. Next aid station I began throwing up. Made the turn around. Family was pushing me. I had to tell my girls to get off the course and not run with me. At mile 15, shaking uncontrollably, I couldn’t stand to throw up anymore and had to sit. I went over and couldn’t get up. Within a few minutes I was in an ambulance and on an IV. Looking back over the day, I know where I screwed up. After my bike was fixed I should have stayed in the EN zone and maybe gotten to T2 closer to the cutoff. I know that I wasn’t focused on hydrating from mile 80 to 112. I don’t even remember if I took much in. Thankful for the volunteer at the last aid station who reminded me to eat something so I did. I got off the bike hungry and seemed to remember Rich saying something about that.
While it was a “failed” attempt, there were so many things I loved about the day. Hasan’s HUGE smile every time I saw him. All of the EN sherpas out there cheering us on. The knowing look from R n P on the run giving me the encouragement to get going, all of the other EN racers giving me high five when I saw them. Marianne giving me a pepto pill out of God knows where? A pocket medicine cabinet I think. Most of all, my incredibly AMAZING family and their friends there to support and cheer me on. My first impulse when back at the hotel was to get on line and get some money back for IM Texas. Archie talked me out of it, saying, you know you can do this….just give it a month and the mojo will be back. One of the sweetest moments came later when Kathy and I met in the lobby of the hotel with Reeses Peanut butter cereal and milk to talk about the day. So proud to know someone as hardworking at Kathy who executed perfectly for a GREAT first Ironman! Bittersweet but we learn and move forward. I’m so grateful for EN. So sorry that I didn’t drink the kool aide soon enough but rest assured….I’m drinking it now.
Comments
Hi Sheryl--It's SOOOOO close I can taste it for you. Damn, it was death by a thousand paper cuts out there, all adding up to take away the margin for error. Really sucks. But coming through loud and clear is how much you KNOW you learned this time--about what to do next, and more importantly, about yourself. That takes you one step closer already to success in TX. You were very much on our minds all night, and you had many good people sincerely wishing you a successful finish. We'll be doing the same in your next go round. Congratulations on giving it a give-it-your-all try. If your tenacity doesn't inspire everyone here, then I don't know what will. Soldier on, GF. That finish is coming.
Dear friend- you made me cry! I remember asking my family if they had seen you on the course. I was worried because I remember you kind of doubting if you could make the swim cut off...so I was thinking....noooo, she must be on the course somewhere. And yep, sure enough my family said they saw you on the run....and I was thinking...she's got this, this time. Then I finally saw you heading back in..we were both walking and dehydrated. Hugs right there, encouraging each other to hang in there! Then I was making my way in and saw Kelsey and Shelby at I think mile 24 to support you and screaming at me as I went on
My family wisked me back to hotel and we checked your fb status and it said in medical tent with IV!! I was so disappointed for you! I tell ya gf, you are a gutsy lady going back for the third time.....going farther each time!! I am glad you are doing Texas!! What a party it will be when we all hear " SHERYL WOODWORTH, YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!' Your time is coming....I just know it!!
Tough day, but you are a tough cookie. You've learned some valuable lessons, and thank you SO much for sharing them with us - you make us all stronger.
A bit of feedback...you DON'T want to know where Marianne keeps stuff
On the cutout rub - I've had that too. I think what might have been happening is that when you are not on the bike it barely fits, but then when your weight is on the tire, the part that isn't being squished by the road expands a BIT. Then any little bit of sand/grit doesn't fit. I think the heat of the road causes it to expand a bit too. I remember being so excited about my P2's cutout that I cranked my tire in to save .5 seconds over 40k (or whatever the time benefit is claimed to be)...only to spend hours trying to figure out where all the scratching noise was coming from!
I'm looking forward to reading about your Triumph at Texas!
Mike
Great job Sheryl, as everyone keeps saying, you keep learning and getting that much closer. You are so strong, I didn't know you ended up with an IV, I saw you on the run and you had a bigger smile than I did I thought for sure this would be the one. If I go to TX to watch my hubby, I will be sure to find you and be your sherpa!
Texas is all yours. Marked on the calendar and can't wait to see you cross the finish line on Ironman Live!
WOW.... Sheryl, I would've never imagined you were actually feeling that bad..... to be honest with you, even though your body did not cooperate with you, I think you've got Ironman nailed down - mentally!!!! I fear for texas from your conquest.....
Can't wait to see what the spring holds for you ;-) oh boy!!!!!!
Learning is part of the exercise, and you can check a couple of huge items off the list for you here before your next attempt! You might not have the medal but you have the mettle for sure. Next time's the charm!
P
Everyone else has said it best, I can only add that I am proud to have been out there with you!! When we passed each other on the 2nd lap, I had no idea you were struggling & was hopeful you would make it.
No IM for me in 2011, so I am channeling my energy to you. IM Tejas is yours baby!!!
ditto for me too! I am packing 2nd pair of goggles somewhere for my next IM swim, the goggles that I used all summer tng and then race day, what was up with that?? I so feel your exasperation. and ditto on having your bike clearly located in transition! and ditto on no power on bike! lol. yep I hear this voice behind me. Marianne watch out for the gravel! as we reached the whoop de doos on road that looked like dirt, it was that color and I was in a mood, that said gravel be gone! I am riding it!! and with Sheryl close or in front in her Livestrong jersey... we dad gum rode over them thar hills!
and OH< why I am so hurt!!! lol... smile. that pepto bismol was in a snack size ziploc bag in my left pocket of my run shorts! we pass each other and I run over and give it to her! too bad it didn't work though. I really hated that the finish was not yours that day.
but pretty happy that you will be at TEXAS! still recruiting for more EN sherpas, spectating! what a great hubby to encourage you to stay the course that you set out before you! now all you and me have to do, is have swim equipment that works, fight off the big guys trying to drown us, and get faster on the bike!! then all we have to do is get our body to cooperate and run 26.2 miles! feel sure we can do it! holding to you it, actually. great to finally meet you! m