I left for Door County on Friday. I started off my day by finishing packing up and then got lunch with a friend. Before I got on the road I decided to make a stop at Urban Tri Gear to pick up a water cage for the back of my bike. I'd been watching the weather reports all week and needless to say it looked like it was going to be hot the day of the Half Ironman. It took me a little less than 5 hours to get to Egg Harbor, Wisconsin where I was staying. The resort I stayed at was only 3 miles from the start of the race. It was right off the lake and I was able to take some great pictures. I did have to laugh as I was checking in and the lady told me that I was not allowed to take my bike into my room, but I had to keep it in a storage garage. I did that for the first night and then the night before my race I kept it in my car. I didn't want the hassle in the morning of getting my bike out of storage. I ate dinner at the resort and then decided to venture out back. I was able to get a lot of pictures of sail boats and then later the sunset. Before I went to sleep I sat on the closed in porch with some of the owners and we talked about the races. One lady sitting there was doing the sprint on Saturday. It was funny how to me, this was just another race for me and how they thought wow, such a long way.
Saturday morning I got up and did my pre-race workout. I thought my face was going to be frostbit from the water. It was so cold. After working out, I got breakfast and then hung out on the porch for a little bit. I took a little nap before heading over to the race venue to get my packet. Not a whole lot of excitement on Saturday. I listened to the course talk and then returned to hotel to sit around and eat dinner.
Race morning I got up around 4:45, the first wave of athletes didn't start until 8. I got to the park around 5:30 and starting putting my stuff in transition. I was pretty set around 6, but still just sat in there because that it what I do. I started to talk to a few of the girls around me, as I was looking for my sister because she drove up to watch the race. At 7:45 they kicked us out of transition and then I headed over to the start of the race. The sun now came out and I was like I should have just moved into the elite wave, even though I really don't have any business being there. I would have started 45 minutes earlier. I don't know if they would have helped or not by the end of the day. The race director went over final instructions and then a local high school girl sang the national anthem. With that, the race began, 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run.
At about 8:15 I decided I wanted to go get use to the water, since I was freezing the day before. Turns out the water, was actually not to bad. At first I tried to walk my way over the rocks. I gave up on that and floated out a little ways. I stayed in the water just with my head sticking out until it was almost time for my wave to take off.
At about 8:45 my wave was set to go. I did have to laugh at all these girls fighting to get their way to the front. The plan for me was to take the swim aerobically and I did. I let them fight with each other through the first turn, where we went through two yellow buoys. The nice part about the swim was the buoys for sighting were all orange and numbered. We basically had to get to 40 and we were on our way in. So all those girls fighting for position, well, I started to pass them around the 5th buoy. I was swimming easy, but still felt like I was moving and me being me, couldn't figure out why. Well, then we made a 180 and oh I realized I was swimming with the current on the way out. We swam against the current from about the 15th buoy to the 34th buoy. Then we made another left turn for towards the finish and we had the current with us again. At some point heading into the finish, I got a nice slap on the rear end. I was like really, legs I get, rear, not so much. I'll take it. I finished the swim and at the end they had wet suit strippers ( for those who don't know these people help with getting the wetsuit we wear off of us). A lady point to me and I went her way. That is the fastest I have got a wetsuit off, so kudos to her. I looked at my watch I an was pretty happy with my time. My watch and my official time were slightly off. I looked at my watch as I got out of the water, my actually transition was about 30 seconds later.
On to the bike I went. I had some issues getting my helmet on as I have too much hair, oh well, not cutting it. The plan on the bike was to stay at a zone three or one-two sentence conversation pace. I felt good about that pace as I was able to thank the volunteers and spectators as I was going along. I was told this course was hilly, the beginning and end, not so much and really only parts of the middle. Of course having rode the Horrible Hillies course and Ironman Wisconsin course, my perception might be skewed. A little ways in to the bike I see this guy crossing the street. He did have plenty of time to get across before myself and the bikers behind me got to him. So what does this dude decide to, stop right in the middle. In my head I was like dude get the hell out of the way, but my filter was working and I just told him excuse me. A few miles later I was making a turn to start to go out into the country parts more. Thankfully a lady was standing there and told us watch out for the snake in the road, split decision was to go right, good move on my part. Sorry no new boots for anyone. About halfway through the bike I noticed that my right aero bar was leading all the way to the right. I tried to fix it and put it back to the middle, didn't work. I actually spent most of the last half of the bike riding kind of lopsided, I am sure the picture of that will look just stunning. None the less, learning experience. The one thing I really hated about the bike course was that they marked every mile. I thought when I saw mile 1, they were being funny. WRONG. I drank water as I needed it and tried to have my nutrition about every 30 minutes on the bike. Once again, I am at a race where the distance was long. Maybe the plus of having all the miles. I get to the mile sign for mile 56, however I was not at the transition area yet. I am guessing that the actual mileage was between 56 1/2 to just under 57 miles, not terribly long, but still long. For the race director making fun of Ironman trademarked races, I will say, the ones I have competed and been to, the distances were right. Overall, pretty solid bike ride, I was happy with my swim and bike. I got into transition and I was hot. I took some extra time to grab a bottle of water to drink and pour on myself.
Finally onto the run. This is suppose to be my strength. I was in for a rude awaking. The plan was to start off at 9 minute mile pace, which for me should be a cakewalk. Not to day, mile 1-9:46. About 3 miles into the run they had a dunk take. The one thing I have not mentioned is that even though the race director was making fun of Ironman trademarked races, they took extra care of us having dunk tanks and extra water along with extra personnel on the course. I went over to the dunk take and say back and went in, basically everything except my shoes. That felt great. I hate the cold, but it was welcomed. I saw a guy, named Dave, who I met the week before riding the Ironman Wisconsin course with my friends Jenny and Matt. He said I'll see you at the finish, I told him umm yeah I'm just heading out. I ran most of the first 6 miles, only stopping at the water stations to make sure I was getting hydrated or keeping hydrated. I knew there was a big hill after mile 9, didn't know about the teaser at mile 6. I had to walk up it and to make matters worse I got sickly. When I finally started to walk again a guy behind me ask :Hey 807, are you okay?" I was yes, probably drank too much water. Finally up the hill and I started to run again. Mile 8 was where the dunk tank was the first time around, took another bath in there and the paramedics were laughing because they said they cooled it off since my first go around. I appreciate their efforts, but at this point I was so overheated that as soon as I got out of the tank I was hot again. Just after mile 9 was the big hill. It was so ridiculous, even the overall winners had to walk up it. The race director puts funny signed and they have music like the Fabulous Thunderbirds "Ain't that Tuff Enough." I think that is the title of the song, anyway most of you know what I am talking about. Well, the race director can add another sign, me getting sick again. Some very nice guys asked if they should send medical help to me. Well, at this point I had my mind made up that I was finish come hell or high water. As much as I didn't mean it, I believe the Exorcist came out with my resounding NO. Miles 10-12.5 were really sunny. The run course was not shaded to begin with, but it was really sunny here, go figure. I walked/ran to the water station just before 11 miles. The people working there were related to one of the ladies I workout with. We chatted briefly before I saw another dunk tank. I decided to go in there twice. Along the way I'd continue to met up with people and we would encourage each other along the way. It was more common to see people walking than running. Brutal only sort defines it. I am sure my friends that competed in Racine understand what I am talking about. There was a girl that caught me after the big hill riding her bike. She asked if I was okay and I told her yes, no Exorcist this time. She rode by again just after mile 12 and asked how things were going. I told her I wanted to ride her bike and she said, now that would defeat the purpose. She did tell me she wanted to see me get sick again. I told her she just missed the three time. With around an half mile left in the race, the road goes downhill. Like many others, I decided to salvage some pride and run in. At the finish was my sister. As I was coming in I told her I was sorry, but I didn't feel good, but don't tell Mom that. I got to the finish, got my medal, took another bath in the dunk tank and then decided I wanted to go back into the lake. My sister was nice enough to take a picture and boy I must say I look pathetic, but funny none the less.
I was telling her how I was nauseated and how I got sick during the run, which was one of the worse half marathons of my life (the one I ran at the end of Steelhead just barely beats it). She said she would have liked to see me get sick or something to that effect. Well, ask and you shall receive. On the way back to get my bike and stuff out transition, one more time. We talked about me staying with her for the night at her hotel. I followed her back and in the car was where I lost it. Overall I was happy with the first 2/3 of my race, just really disappointed on how badly the run went. I was bad and texting while driving, a good friend gave me good advice, shake it off and think big picture, very much appreciated and needed that. I went back and showered at my sister's hotel and talked to another good friend and much more experienced triathlete than me before I made my way home. She also had some advice and we got some ideas of what we want to do. A good point she made was that if the Ironman is like this weather, I at least have the experience, but I really hope not.
Well, anyone who knows me knows that I am stubborn and thick headed, so I drove home. It took me about 4 hours and 40 minutes. I think I was on the phone talking to people for about 3 of those hours. It made the time go by and kept me awake, so thanks to all that listened to me. I did get an email from my dad this morning telling me that he would prefer if I just stayed overnight next time. Well, when asked today I do feel that maybe mid-July Half Ironmans will not be my thing since this year and last year have both been really hot- SHOCKER there. We will see. Overall I feel that I had a very solid swim and bike, just need to close out on the run. I am happy that I had the determination to finish, anyone who was outside at all yesterday knows how brutal it was. I am very lucky to have the support system I have as well. Without family and friends, none of this would be possible.
I do have to say one last thing, I wasn't sure how long it was going to last, but I got my appetite back at lunch. YAY!!!!!! Feeling normal again.
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