EB IMTX RR

EB's IRONMAN TEXAS RACE REPORT:

It’s been almost a week since I left for Texas. So much has happened in such a short amount of time, I can’t believe it all went by as fast as it did. I have fallen in love with this sport all over again. I had a very bittersweet experience, but it has only made me hungrier for my future races.

PRE RACE: Saturday morning we woke up at 3:30am, had our breakfast, packed our remaining bags and nutrition, and all headed out the door. The drive over was quiet, and very emotional. We were dropped off outside of transition to go put our last minute items on our bike. It was here where we realized we left our pump back at the rental house. Not to worry, there were plenty of other athletes who had one we could borrow. I found one to use, got the bike ready, nutrition on, computer in place, and we were ready to make the walk to the swim. The walk over was filled with nerves, excitement, and crazy energy. Upon walking into North Shore Park, we were greeted with body marking. Marked up, it was off to special needs drop off, and a kiss of luck not to have to see it later. We met up with the team, last minute sunscreen, pictures, pee break, and before we knew it, we were headed to the water. I gave Mike a big hug and off I went to wait in line for the water. There was a gentleman next to me who began singing harmony to the star-spangled banner, so in true EB form, I added in my own three part harmony. It took the nerves off a bit and before I knew it, I was headed out to the left side of the swim start. Barely making it to a paddle board, I grab on and hear "EB!" and low and behold, there is KMF Man, Shaughn Simmons hanging on to the same board. BOOM! I look at Shaughn and ask, "Is that it?" he replied "Yep" and we wished each other luck.

SWIM: 1:12:59 - This was my first open water mass start, and honestly, I think I lucked out because half of the field were either on shore still trying to get in, or on the right side of the start. Off we went, and yes, it wasn't pretty. I took a few elbows to the head, goggles popped off, rolled on my back to fix them, and focused on moving forward. At one point someone grabbed my chip and loosened it. We were about 1000 meters out when I felt it slip off of my ankle. I grabbed it before it got away and stuffed it down the front of my wetsuit. Crisis averted. I kept seeing yellow buoys on both the right and left side, realizing too late that the red turnaround buoy was way right from the line I was swimming. I had gone a bit too far off course, which took me a good while to get myself back and around the turn. The swim back towards the canal was a lot easier, and before I knew it, I was making the turn into the canal. I chose to stay far right onto the wall, which was perfect. No one touched me here, and I was able to gain a ton of time. Before I knew it, I was out of the water, and into T1.

T1: 04:53 The strippers were great. Sadly, I accidentally kicked mine in the jaw when I dropped to the ground. Into the tent I went, and felt like I was floating through, ready to attack the bike. I saw Jay at my bike and he said I was out of the water in just under 1:15; just as I had planned. 

BIKE: 06:14:06 - Off I went down Woodlands Parkway feeling great, watching my watts, holding back and staying focused as athletes zoomed passed. At mile 12 there was already a wreck, and volunteers were telling bikers to stay far left to avoid it. There was an enormous bump in the middle of the road with bottles littered everywhere. Volunteers where recommending slowing down for the bump. I hit it hard, reached behind me: bottle #1 check. Bottle #2, gone. I think to myself, "no worries." "Special needs, you packed an extra bottle in case this happened." Moving onward with Plan B. I started to take in The Right Stuff with water. My plan was to switch every other bottle, taking in 36oz every hour. I lost count after the fourth or so rest stop (I was planning on them being every 15 miles?) and found myself taking in 3 vials of The Right Stuff, and all of my bottle #1 nutrition. I stopped at special needs, grabbed my bottle #2, and on I went feeling good. I think I peed at least 4 times the entire ride. My mistake of the day was either taking in too much sodium, or drinking too quickly after SN trying to catch up with what I had missed. At mile 80, I began gagging with nausea. It took me everything to even drink water, and every time I tried to, I would end up gagging and spitting it up. Part of me was hoping it was my position that was just too much on my stomach, and once I stood up, the nausea would go away. The other part of me wanted to make myself get it all up, but I was afraid I would do more damage. My power went back down to where I had started, and I realized that racing today was out the window. Plan C: Course Nutrition and get to the finish. I pulled into T2 drained and sick. I could barely get a walk, and prayed for something to make me feel better so I could get through the marathon. I took my time in T2, sipping water, and getting my mind ready for the feat ahead. I. will. Fight. Through. 

RUN: 05:01:08 - The first mile was the absolute worst. I get to the first aid station and go straight for the coke. Enter the OH SH*T plan. By mile two my legs were back under me and I stuck with the 11:30/12:00 min miles that they were graciously providing. I see Coach P and tell him the sh*t hit the fan. He asks where my heart rate is, and I see for the first time it was at 110 (normally 140) and I couldn't get it up. He said I looked pale and to eat the food, double up on sodium and sip coke. Every aid station I grabbed water, dumped on my cool wings, dunked my frog towel, ice down front and back, forced water down, sipped a coke, and at mile 10 began chicken broth. My entire marathon was that: Water. Ice. Coke. Broth. Go. Repeat. Besides the low HR and nausea, my legs were ok. The energy on the promenade was electric, and seeing Jay and the Crosby's was good for my soul, and my heart rate. I slowly saw it start to come back up, toping out at 120. I actually think I negative split my run, which is hilarious to me. At mile 20 my stomach reminded me why I don't like course nutrition. I did however run EVERY mile (slowly) and rewarded myself with a walk through the aid stations. At mile 25 my stomach finally gave me the gut check I'd been waiting for, and I puked like a bad case of the stomach flu. It was embarrassing, and I scared small children and grown men off I think. Apologized with a wave and a smile, wiped my mouth, and headed on to the finish chute. 

FINISH: 12:38:51 - Entering in to the finish chute I became pretty emotional. Five hours before, I could barely walk off the bike, and had no idea how I was going to get through the 26.2 miles. It made finishing my first 140.6 miles a little sweeter, because I never for one moment thought I had to stop. I knew the day was going to be challenging, and I knew whatever the challenges were, I would get through them. Selfishly, I know I could have done better though. Selfishly, I want a do over. Reality is I am thankful for the day I had, and the lessons I learned. I took 30 seconds to find Jay, give him a great big hug and kiss, and of course tell him I just threw up. (true love.) I waved my frog towel like a crazy person, and when I heard those sweet words, "YOU ARE AN IRONMAN," I did my Texas two-step all the way over the finish 

I will do another full distance. And I will fight for a KQ, even if I have to wait until I'm 75. 

Finish video including my lil TX two step: http://youtu.be/Otbj-_Wq-X0