It has been about two weeks since I completed my first Ironman in Madison, Wisconsin. I was told that some people feel some post Ironman blues. I have yet to come upon that. I am thinking I will be okay. Those who told me this, also said that people were not sure what would be next for them. I was asked this as well. First and foremost was to get some much needed recovery time. I do have some more goals for the 2012 year. Athletically I would like to compete in Olympic distance triathlons and see if I can get my times down into the 2:20s. I feel that is a reasonable goal, considering that I had a 2:34 and some change finish at Tri Indy with some very interesting road conditions on the bike (they sucked). I would also like to break 1:40 in a half marathon. Career wise I would like to add some certifications to my list, but they are kind of athletically related. I am hoping to be able to get signed up for the USAT level 1 clinic and get my Baptiste yoga certification.
Right now I am enjoying the time and the accomplishment I had completing and Ironman. When I came back to school after the Ironman the students and staff were very interested in my journey. Some of the students asked some funny questions like did I swim in the ocean and see sharks. I did tell the kids I would be in Wisconsin, which is why that was really funny to me. I was able to speak to some of our athletes involved with BALC (Bengal Athletic Leadership Club), but being me I was so excited I left out the most important motivator, people told I couldn't do it and I wouldn't finish ( sorry Meredith and T). I prefer to try to keep a positive attitude about it. I have been telling the kids I saw there afterwards that oh yeah, I did forget that part. I feel honored that the students from the school newspaper interviewed me and that our community relations director put a congratulatory note in the district education partner (thanks to my friend, Beth for emailing my principal and our community relations director).
So now what else to do? I do coach at the school I work at and we have a nice group of kids running cross-country for the boys and the girls. The boys are making a name for themselves as a team and I think they girls will surprise some people. Well, I have started to get a little antsy from taking time off. I started to swim and do yoga this past week, nothing intense, just fun and different workouts. There is no need to be serious right now. Jan. I will get serious again. I think I will start to run again this week. Biking will come soon, just not yet. I know I have a few friends are going to rock at Ironman Florida and yes I can be a training buddy for you all at some point or another. I will likely run a Turkey run on Thanksgiving in Palos. Mainly, I plan to continue to have fun. I had a great time training for the Ironman. I have met so many new friends through training and yoga and many other settings. I have fun, I have met great people, my family most importantly has been such a great support. I was shocked when I got back to my room from the Ironman to see how many Facebook messages I had and how many text message I had. Good thing we are not allowed to have cells phones with on the course. I would have got disqualified for sure. Many more good times to come!!!!!!!!
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
Lisa Simon-you are an Ironman
My journey towards becoming an Ironman started a year ago today. I volunteered the day before at the 2010 Ironman Wisconsin to make sure I could sign up early and get into the race, as it tends to fill up really fast. My friend Jenny and I got to the registration at about 5:45 in the morning. Good thing because even though they said it wasn't open until 9, they opened at 7:30. We were registered and had our hotels by 8:15. The next week I spent hyperventilating because I couldn't believe I was going to embark on this journey.
In Nov. I sat down with my friend MJ. She is an accomplished triathlete and has done several Ironman's including Kona, the big one. I wanted to hire MJ because I knew that we were compatible and that she would not beat around the bush with me. She would tell me what I needed and how I needed to hear it. We started our training plan in Jan. Being a teacher, allowed for most of my training. April was a rough month with coaching track and field and state assessments at school, but I got through. I had a great summer of training and even took 2nd place in my age at the Tri Indy Triathlon and 3rd in my age at Leon's. My half Ironman at Door County was a bit of a disappointment as I had to walk most of the run due to not feeling good and throwing up. On the flip side, that made me angry so I was bound and determined to make the most out of my training the rest of the time. In August cross-country started and school started, those were my two weeks where training was at its highest. None, the less, the long stuff was on the weekend and I made it. The weekend of August 20th and 21st was when I did my 20 mile run and 100+ mile bike. Both went great, I felt good and strong. I told MJ I could have run faster, but at what cost? The plan was made, stick to it. The next few weeks were taping down. It was funny to say oh I only had to run 12 miles today. Again it is all relative to what you are doing.
The week of the Ironman I talked to MJ on Tuesday. I was a bit worried about how calm I was and that I was excited to do the Ironman, but didn't feel like grrrrr, I just want it to be over. That was actually a good thing, no need to waste energy. The people I worked with at school were so supportive wishing me luck in the halls and in meetings, asking how I felt. It is nice to know I work with such a great group. Some even wanted to keep track of how I was doing. How cool is that, people want to take time out of their Sunday to see what I am doing. Another group that I am lucky to have in my life is my family and friends. My aunts and cousins and friends were all keeping up with what I was doing. I left for Madison on Friday the 9th because you have to check in on Friday. I went to the expo, checked in, weighed in( yes they weigh you), wandered a little bit (I actually walked in and right back out of the Ironman store), then went to get lunch. I stopped by the hotel to see if I could check in and they let me. For dinner I went to a restaurant called Paisan's and also took carry out from there. It was beautiful seating as I was looking out onto the lake. I then headed to the banquet to listen to stories and the athlete briefing, where I met up with Forest, Scott, and Jen. We listened to some of the stories and laughed a little bit. Mike Riley, the voice of Ironman had a poster with all the pros signatures along with emergency responders, that he auctioned. One man paid $4000 for that poster. All the proceeds went to local emergency responders. That was awesome. He also brought up the youngest and oldest competitors, a 19 year old and a 74 years, and a married couple competing together. After that I went back to the hotel and went to bed.
Saturday morning I got up and went for a swim with John and then put my bike and transition bags in the transition area. The swim was nice and calm, water felt great. I saw my friend Aristotle after were done swimming. I met him at Horrible Hillies, so it was nice to see someone else who I haven't seen making the journey. I did realize that I forgot to put my bib number in my swim to bike transition bag. I was able to put it in my bag race morning. I got lunch and ate, then took a nap. A little later Maxine and Jeff came by to visit, which was awesome. It was nice to see those who were there to spectate. After they left I went to church and then ate dinner. It took me about an hour, but I feel asleep around 9.
Race day, I got up at 4 AM to get ready. I walked to the Starbucks to put my special needs bags for the bike and the run there and then made my way to transition to put my drink bottles on my bike. I sat in the lobby for a little while. Now this was a first for me. I went to the bathroom line and there was no waiting for the women's, but a huge line for the men. I saw Aristotle there and I was like "this a first, what's up with that?" I started to make my way down the helix and I was looking around for people I knew and there were Kurt and Amanda. I was so excited. We took some pictures, the Ironman guy took some videos. Kurt game me some words of wisdom and then sent me on my way.
I got into my wetsuit and made my way towards the water. My plan was to kind of hang in back at the start and work my way up, so I got to a spot where no one was by me. I had about 15 minutes until we started, so I listened to Mike Riley talk about Sept. 11th and how our pain we felt today was minor in consideration. He also stated he thought this would be the highest percent of people finishing in Ironman history. There was to be a fly over around 7:30, which may have been, but I was swimming so I don't know for sure. The pros took off at 6:50, then a triathlete from Oak Park sang the national anthem, and the cannon went off at 7. I got myself into position and just swam. MJ had warned me that at the start of the swim just understand you are going to get hit, just relaxed and keep going because it will spread out. She was right. I got the you know what knocked out of my on that first straightaway of the swim, some guy swam over me, I swam over some other guy, I got kicked in the nose, my ass got grabbed plenty of times, and so on. On the back side of the first loop things started to spread out until you got to the turn buoys. I do remember seeing that the orange buoys had numbers. Second loop I could feel I was moving up and passing people, got to the back side and counted down until I made the turn to the swim finish. It was nice because I could see myself getting closer to it. I got out and knew I swam decent, but didn't know my time until I got back to the hotel. 1:09:28, where the hell did that come from, totally didn't expect that. When you finish you have to run up the helix to the transition area. I heard my friend Elizabeth cheering for me and I sent out a wave. I think my Tri Smart buddies were also there.
As I was going into the transition area MJ was heading to the bike and said hey great swim, Lisa. I was like oh yay, there is someone I know and thank you. I got my bag from the first room and wouldn't luck have it, Maxine was there waiting to take care of someone in the changing area. I saw her and I was like Maxine, Maxine, help me, help me. Sounds like a little lost child. It was good to have someone I knew there. I got my bike stuff on and ready, except for my shoes because the path to the bike was slippery and I would be the one to fall. I gave Maxine a hug and thanked her. I should have asked where Jeff was since he told me he wanted to be in the women's changing area.
I ran down to get my bike and the people there got my bike out the rack and I put my shoes on. I got to the bike mount area where my family was hanging out. To start the bike you go down the other side of the helix onto John Nolen. On one of the turns was my friend, Matt, he had a hard job of pointing. We shared a laugh about that. On the way out, I saw the fighter planes make another fly by, that was cool. I made my way out towards Verona, where we had to 40 mile loops to do there. It was 16 out and back to Verona. I felt great on my first loop and the people I knew out there were spread out nicely along the way. It was quiet for the first part of the loop until I turned onto 92, there was BFF (Jim) to lend some support. I went a little ways further passed Mt. Horeb and to a fun, but very hilly part. At the top of one of the hills were guys standing there with signs in front of them saying they were naked and wanted to know if we wanted chamios butt. Hmm, I'm thinking no on the chamios butt. Of course I was laughing so hard I didn't get a chance to ask the guys to prove to me they were naked. Hey they were well built around the sign covering them. Then the fun part came through the Sauk Hill area. The first really challenging hill there is a guy with a microphone cracking jokes, a girl had a sign saying you paid to do this twice. I was sucking a little air, and there were my Tri Smart friends, Shoemaker, Tom, Bob, Schabel, I think someone else, but I can't remember sorry. They couldn't have been at a better spot. Gave them some high fives and off I went. You go a little ways and there is the Old Sauk Hill. I knew Kurt and Amanda would be there because last year I hung out with Kurt, Nick, and Perry there. All the suddenly I riding up and there is Kurt running next to me with his camera. I'm sure I had a big smile on my face because of his energy. He asked me how I felt and I was like I feel great. Got passed there and the last big hill on that loops by the Frank Lloyd Wright houses and there was BFF again. I got some more words of encouragement and kept going. I went through Verona and there was my family one again. I spotted my brother first because he was wearing a Tri Smart shirt. My mother was too. I know my sister has a Tri Smart shirt, but that is one of those things I don't remember if she was wearing it or not. I know I spotted her by her sunglasses. I gave them a big wave and headed towards the second loop. I stopped at my special needs bag to get some more sports drink and a sandwich, then onto the second loop. Uhh oh, I was not feeling good at all. The wind picked up a little bit and my stomach was starting to turn against me. A little ways into the second loop I saw Forest, we chatted a little bit and then he went on his way. By Mt. Horeb I was feel really bad, anytime I went into the aero position on my bike I felt like I was going to throw up. Around there Jenny came by. We chatted a little bit. I told her I wasn't feeling great, but this would pass. A little while later John came up on the bike. I was like wait, how am I in front of you because John, you are a much better biker, but okay. By this time since there were so many of us from Tri Smart, some of the crew headed back to Madison area. But at the top of the Sauk Hill there was Kurt, taking pictures. He asked how I felt, I told him my stomach is a little out of sorts right now. He said, just relax, keep drinking and eating, the race has not begun yet, you have plenty of time. I had to walk my bike up the hill by the Frank Lloyd Wright homes. I was thinking people were going to give me grief, but no they were great, they kept encouraging me and told me to keep moving. I got up the hill and felt better and starting to ride again. Back in Verona I saw my family again and gave them a wave. Then I made the ride back to Madison. I had to walk up one more hill, but I made it. With what was suppose to be 3 miles left, here came Perry. He had got two flat tires along the way. Way to go Perry for sticking with it and becoming an Ironman again. That is awesome. He told me he couldn't believe he caught. I could, I knew how crappy I felt. I finally got back to the helix and made my way up.
The transition volunteer grabbed my bike. I started to go towards transition when I started to throw up. The lady standing there was like oh here just throw up here. Okay. I walked into the transition area and who is standing there waiting for me, my mom and dad. Of course of all the people I had to throw up in front, my mom. My dad was laughing and said something to the effect of that was cute or that was attractive to me. My mom asked if I was okay (little did I know until later that night I was white as a ghost), and the lady behind them asked if I wanted gum. I walked into the transition bag area and who is at the back door, Maxine. She gave me another big hug and told me how proud of me she was. It was so nice to hear. I went into the changing area and just slowly got myself together. As I walked out to start my run, my mom asked again if I was okay ( I think she knew by now I wasn't going to drop out because I am so stubborn and thick headed). I told her yes and that I was going to walk for a little bit to get my legs back. I went outside and there was my dad cheering me on. I asked the volunteers to put some sunblock on me. The lady tells me oh your skin is cold. Oh is that bad?
I made my way to the timing mat and there was Katie, JC, and Glen. I walked by them and said of all the people I had to puke in front, it was your mother. They laughed. I got onto the street and saw Kurt and Amanda again. Kurt asked how I was and I said I need to walk a little bit, I threw up, and I need to get my legs back under me. He said to run/ walk as you need there is plenty of time. I went around the next corner and there were my Tri Smart buddies. I gave them a wave, went through the aid station and started to run. I was running aid station to aid station. I walked through them to make sure that I got the water in me. I also had my sports drink in my water bottle. At the second aid station was a coach I know from West Chicago. He chatted briefly with me about how good our boys cross-country team is doing. I got to one part of the course and saw Bernie,then MJ. MJ asked if I was okay and go take on the run. Okay. I made my way to the UW-Madison campus where you do a loop on the football field. Their stadium is beautiful. Before I got to the stadium, I ran into my friend Paul from high school. Again how cool is that? After I came out of the stadium BFF was there on his bike. I got a lot of encouragement from him until we got to the back area of the campus loop, where he couldn't go. Now there is only one major hill on this course, by the observatory. I walked up that. They do trick you a little bit because you go down State Street and see the Capital building, but you do a turn around. There was my friend Scott. I was like whoa, where did you come from. The crowd there was awesome. I made my way back for another out and back loop. There by mile 7 was a little crew with music, dancing away. I decided to kind of join them as I was running by waving my hands in the air. Then I started to make my way back to the downtown area. On the path Nick passed me and I told him great job, as I knew he was finishing. Way to go Nick. Maxine and Jeff were hanging out on State Street by the Capital and I stopped to give them a big hug. I made my way back towards the turnaround and I saw Kurt and Amanda again. I told Kurt I felt a little better. I got to the turnaround and walked a little bit back to where Kurt was at. He told me again, you have plenty of time, just stay relaxed and keep drinking. I saw Maxine and Jeff again on State Street. Just around the corner, I threw up again. Now I knew I could have a problem as I was not sweating either. So I made the choice to walk. A guy named Rob came up behind me and then walked with me for about 3 miles. I got back to do the stadium loop and there was BFF again cheering me on. This time the campus loop was really dark. Last year when I was watching the race I was sure that I would never take those glow sticks. Yeah, I was glad when I got one as some bikers were on the path and they turned their light off. I was like uhh, where did you go. I was shocked to see how many people stayed out to cheer us on. State Street where you are a little fooled was still rockin. My dancing buddies were stick rockin (they might be a little sore today). I got to mile 23 and at that station was a lady dressed as a nun. She could have been a nun. Don't know. I got to mile 25 and decided to muster up some pride and run the last 1.2 in. I felt okay. As I was getting closer to the finish, the louder the crowd got. I made a right turn on to Pickney, about a quarter mile from the finish and I knew I was close. I couldn't keep it together anymore, my eyes teared up and I was crying and giving thumbs up to everyone, then I made another turn onto Main Street and started to really blubber, last left turn into the finish. I could see it. The crowd was going wild, I'm blubbering, giving people high fives. I see Jeff, give him a huge hug, see my parents, give them a high five. Jeff told me Maxine was in the finish area waiting for me. I stepped over one mat and made my way down to the chute and Mike Riley says "Lisa Simon-you are an Ironman, this is her first Ironman and she is a teacher in Illinois." I start to blubber even more. Two guys caught me at the finished and walked me down where they take off your chip. They were laughing because I was able to lift my leg. I said that could be a different story tomorrow. Then I got to Maxine and she put my medal on. I really lost it then. We hugged and the camera guy kept taping us (maybe I will be on TV in Oct.) Then Maxine was nice enough to walk me to my mom and dad, gave them a huge hug each. We walked out of the finish area with my medal, shirt, and hat. I talked with Forest, my parents, Maxine, and Jeff.
We got something from the food tent for me to eat, but I didn't eat until 4:30 this morning, along with my diet coke. My parents had to leave since they had to get up and work this morning. Maxine and Jeff were nice enough to help me back to my hotel, put my stuff in my car, and come visit for a little bit in my room. After they left I showered up, took some advil, and put my compression pants on. I managed about 3.5 hours of sleep. That's going to catch up with me later this week.
I can't say enough about this race. It was so awesome. I think another part of what helped me was making a choice to take in the day and enjoy it. I made it a point to smile and thank the volunteers and spectators. Even though I was out there was 15:03:25, I had a blast, even when I felt my worse. I have my Ironman finisher gear.
Lisa Simon-you are an Ironman. Some of the coolest words I have ever heard.
In Nov. I sat down with my friend MJ. She is an accomplished triathlete and has done several Ironman's including Kona, the big one. I wanted to hire MJ because I knew that we were compatible and that she would not beat around the bush with me. She would tell me what I needed and how I needed to hear it. We started our training plan in Jan. Being a teacher, allowed for most of my training. April was a rough month with coaching track and field and state assessments at school, but I got through. I had a great summer of training and even took 2nd place in my age at the Tri Indy Triathlon and 3rd in my age at Leon's. My half Ironman at Door County was a bit of a disappointment as I had to walk most of the run due to not feeling good and throwing up. On the flip side, that made me angry so I was bound and determined to make the most out of my training the rest of the time. In August cross-country started and school started, those were my two weeks where training was at its highest. None, the less, the long stuff was on the weekend and I made it. The weekend of August 20th and 21st was when I did my 20 mile run and 100+ mile bike. Both went great, I felt good and strong. I told MJ I could have run faster, but at what cost? The plan was made, stick to it. The next few weeks were taping down. It was funny to say oh I only had to run 12 miles today. Again it is all relative to what you are doing.
The week of the Ironman I talked to MJ on Tuesday. I was a bit worried about how calm I was and that I was excited to do the Ironman, but didn't feel like grrrrr, I just want it to be over. That was actually a good thing, no need to waste energy. The people I worked with at school were so supportive wishing me luck in the halls and in meetings, asking how I felt. It is nice to know I work with such a great group. Some even wanted to keep track of how I was doing. How cool is that, people want to take time out of their Sunday to see what I am doing. Another group that I am lucky to have in my life is my family and friends. My aunts and cousins and friends were all keeping up with what I was doing. I left for Madison on Friday the 9th because you have to check in on Friday. I went to the expo, checked in, weighed in( yes they weigh you), wandered a little bit (I actually walked in and right back out of the Ironman store), then went to get lunch. I stopped by the hotel to see if I could check in and they let me. For dinner I went to a restaurant called Paisan's and also took carry out from there. It was beautiful seating as I was looking out onto the lake. I then headed to the banquet to listen to stories and the athlete briefing, where I met up with Forest, Scott, and Jen. We listened to some of the stories and laughed a little bit. Mike Riley, the voice of Ironman had a poster with all the pros signatures along with emergency responders, that he auctioned. One man paid $4000 for that poster. All the proceeds went to local emergency responders. That was awesome. He also brought up the youngest and oldest competitors, a 19 year old and a 74 years, and a married couple competing together. After that I went back to the hotel and went to bed.
Saturday morning I got up and went for a swim with John and then put my bike and transition bags in the transition area. The swim was nice and calm, water felt great. I saw my friend Aristotle after were done swimming. I met him at Horrible Hillies, so it was nice to see someone else who I haven't seen making the journey. I did realize that I forgot to put my bib number in my swim to bike transition bag. I was able to put it in my bag race morning. I got lunch and ate, then took a nap. A little later Maxine and Jeff came by to visit, which was awesome. It was nice to see those who were there to spectate. After they left I went to church and then ate dinner. It took me about an hour, but I feel asleep around 9.
Race day, I got up at 4 AM to get ready. I walked to the Starbucks to put my special needs bags for the bike and the run there and then made my way to transition to put my drink bottles on my bike. I sat in the lobby for a little while. Now this was a first for me. I went to the bathroom line and there was no waiting for the women's, but a huge line for the men. I saw Aristotle there and I was like "this a first, what's up with that?" I started to make my way down the helix and I was looking around for people I knew and there were Kurt and Amanda. I was so excited. We took some pictures, the Ironman guy took some videos. Kurt game me some words of wisdom and then sent me on my way.
I got into my wetsuit and made my way towards the water. My plan was to kind of hang in back at the start and work my way up, so I got to a spot where no one was by me. I had about 15 minutes until we started, so I listened to Mike Riley talk about Sept. 11th and how our pain we felt today was minor in consideration. He also stated he thought this would be the highest percent of people finishing in Ironman history. There was to be a fly over around 7:30, which may have been, but I was swimming so I don't know for sure. The pros took off at 6:50, then a triathlete from Oak Park sang the national anthem, and the cannon went off at 7. I got myself into position and just swam. MJ had warned me that at the start of the swim just understand you are going to get hit, just relaxed and keep going because it will spread out. She was right. I got the you know what knocked out of my on that first straightaway of the swim, some guy swam over me, I swam over some other guy, I got kicked in the nose, my ass got grabbed plenty of times, and so on. On the back side of the first loop things started to spread out until you got to the turn buoys. I do remember seeing that the orange buoys had numbers. Second loop I could feel I was moving up and passing people, got to the back side and counted down until I made the turn to the swim finish. It was nice because I could see myself getting closer to it. I got out and knew I swam decent, but didn't know my time until I got back to the hotel. 1:09:28, where the hell did that come from, totally didn't expect that. When you finish you have to run up the helix to the transition area. I heard my friend Elizabeth cheering for me and I sent out a wave. I think my Tri Smart buddies were also there.
As I was going into the transition area MJ was heading to the bike and said hey great swim, Lisa. I was like oh yay, there is someone I know and thank you. I got my bag from the first room and wouldn't luck have it, Maxine was there waiting to take care of someone in the changing area. I saw her and I was like Maxine, Maxine, help me, help me. Sounds like a little lost child. It was good to have someone I knew there. I got my bike stuff on and ready, except for my shoes because the path to the bike was slippery and I would be the one to fall. I gave Maxine a hug and thanked her. I should have asked where Jeff was since he told me he wanted to be in the women's changing area.
I ran down to get my bike and the people there got my bike out the rack and I put my shoes on. I got to the bike mount area where my family was hanging out. To start the bike you go down the other side of the helix onto John Nolen. On one of the turns was my friend, Matt, he had a hard job of pointing. We shared a laugh about that. On the way out, I saw the fighter planes make another fly by, that was cool. I made my way out towards Verona, where we had to 40 mile loops to do there. It was 16 out and back to Verona. I felt great on my first loop and the people I knew out there were spread out nicely along the way. It was quiet for the first part of the loop until I turned onto 92, there was BFF (Jim) to lend some support. I went a little ways further passed Mt. Horeb and to a fun, but very hilly part. At the top of one of the hills were guys standing there with signs in front of them saying they were naked and wanted to know if we wanted chamios butt. Hmm, I'm thinking no on the chamios butt. Of course I was laughing so hard I didn't get a chance to ask the guys to prove to me they were naked. Hey they were well built around the sign covering them. Then the fun part came through the Sauk Hill area. The first really challenging hill there is a guy with a microphone cracking jokes, a girl had a sign saying you paid to do this twice. I was sucking a little air, and there were my Tri Smart friends, Shoemaker, Tom, Bob, Schabel, I think someone else, but I can't remember sorry. They couldn't have been at a better spot. Gave them some high fives and off I went. You go a little ways and there is the Old Sauk Hill. I knew Kurt and Amanda would be there because last year I hung out with Kurt, Nick, and Perry there. All the suddenly I riding up and there is Kurt running next to me with his camera. I'm sure I had a big smile on my face because of his energy. He asked me how I felt and I was like I feel great. Got passed there and the last big hill on that loops by the Frank Lloyd Wright houses and there was BFF again. I got some more words of encouragement and kept going. I went through Verona and there was my family one again. I spotted my brother first because he was wearing a Tri Smart shirt. My mother was too. I know my sister has a Tri Smart shirt, but that is one of those things I don't remember if she was wearing it or not. I know I spotted her by her sunglasses. I gave them a big wave and headed towards the second loop. I stopped at my special needs bag to get some more sports drink and a sandwich, then onto the second loop. Uhh oh, I was not feeling good at all. The wind picked up a little bit and my stomach was starting to turn against me. A little ways into the second loop I saw Forest, we chatted a little bit and then he went on his way. By Mt. Horeb I was feel really bad, anytime I went into the aero position on my bike I felt like I was going to throw up. Around there Jenny came by. We chatted a little bit. I told her I wasn't feeling great, but this would pass. A little while later John came up on the bike. I was like wait, how am I in front of you because John, you are a much better biker, but okay. By this time since there were so many of us from Tri Smart, some of the crew headed back to Madison area. But at the top of the Sauk Hill there was Kurt, taking pictures. He asked how I felt, I told him my stomach is a little out of sorts right now. He said, just relax, keep drinking and eating, the race has not begun yet, you have plenty of time. I had to walk my bike up the hill by the Frank Lloyd Wright homes. I was thinking people were going to give me grief, but no they were great, they kept encouraging me and told me to keep moving. I got up the hill and felt better and starting to ride again. Back in Verona I saw my family again and gave them a wave. Then I made the ride back to Madison. I had to walk up one more hill, but I made it. With what was suppose to be 3 miles left, here came Perry. He had got two flat tires along the way. Way to go Perry for sticking with it and becoming an Ironman again. That is awesome. He told me he couldn't believe he caught. I could, I knew how crappy I felt. I finally got back to the helix and made my way up.
The transition volunteer grabbed my bike. I started to go towards transition when I started to throw up. The lady standing there was like oh here just throw up here. Okay. I walked into the transition area and who is standing there waiting for me, my mom and dad. Of course of all the people I had to throw up in front, my mom. My dad was laughing and said something to the effect of that was cute or that was attractive to me. My mom asked if I was okay (little did I know until later that night I was white as a ghost), and the lady behind them asked if I wanted gum. I walked into the transition bag area and who is at the back door, Maxine. She gave me another big hug and told me how proud of me she was. It was so nice to hear. I went into the changing area and just slowly got myself together. As I walked out to start my run, my mom asked again if I was okay ( I think she knew by now I wasn't going to drop out because I am so stubborn and thick headed). I told her yes and that I was going to walk for a little bit to get my legs back. I went outside and there was my dad cheering me on. I asked the volunteers to put some sunblock on me. The lady tells me oh your skin is cold. Oh is that bad?
I made my way to the timing mat and there was Katie, JC, and Glen. I walked by them and said of all the people I had to puke in front, it was your mother. They laughed. I got onto the street and saw Kurt and Amanda again. Kurt asked how I was and I said I need to walk a little bit, I threw up, and I need to get my legs back under me. He said to run/ walk as you need there is plenty of time. I went around the next corner and there were my Tri Smart buddies. I gave them a wave, went through the aid station and started to run. I was running aid station to aid station. I walked through them to make sure that I got the water in me. I also had my sports drink in my water bottle. At the second aid station was a coach I know from West Chicago. He chatted briefly with me about how good our boys cross-country team is doing. I got to one part of the course and saw Bernie,then MJ. MJ asked if I was okay and go take on the run. Okay. I made my way to the UW-Madison campus where you do a loop on the football field. Their stadium is beautiful. Before I got to the stadium, I ran into my friend Paul from high school. Again how cool is that? After I came out of the stadium BFF was there on his bike. I got a lot of encouragement from him until we got to the back area of the campus loop, where he couldn't go. Now there is only one major hill on this course, by the observatory. I walked up that. They do trick you a little bit because you go down State Street and see the Capital building, but you do a turn around. There was my friend Scott. I was like whoa, where did you come from. The crowd there was awesome. I made my way back for another out and back loop. There by mile 7 was a little crew with music, dancing away. I decided to kind of join them as I was running by waving my hands in the air. Then I started to make my way back to the downtown area. On the path Nick passed me and I told him great job, as I knew he was finishing. Way to go Nick. Maxine and Jeff were hanging out on State Street by the Capital and I stopped to give them a big hug. I made my way back towards the turnaround and I saw Kurt and Amanda again. I told Kurt I felt a little better. I got to the turnaround and walked a little bit back to where Kurt was at. He told me again, you have plenty of time, just stay relaxed and keep drinking. I saw Maxine and Jeff again on State Street. Just around the corner, I threw up again. Now I knew I could have a problem as I was not sweating either. So I made the choice to walk. A guy named Rob came up behind me and then walked with me for about 3 miles. I got back to do the stadium loop and there was BFF again cheering me on. This time the campus loop was really dark. Last year when I was watching the race I was sure that I would never take those glow sticks. Yeah, I was glad when I got one as some bikers were on the path and they turned their light off. I was like uhh, where did you go. I was shocked to see how many people stayed out to cheer us on. State Street where you are a little fooled was still rockin. My dancing buddies were stick rockin (they might be a little sore today). I got to mile 23 and at that station was a lady dressed as a nun. She could have been a nun. Don't know. I got to mile 25 and decided to muster up some pride and run the last 1.2 in. I felt okay. As I was getting closer to the finish, the louder the crowd got. I made a right turn on to Pickney, about a quarter mile from the finish and I knew I was close. I couldn't keep it together anymore, my eyes teared up and I was crying and giving thumbs up to everyone, then I made another turn onto Main Street and started to really blubber, last left turn into the finish. I could see it. The crowd was going wild, I'm blubbering, giving people high fives. I see Jeff, give him a huge hug, see my parents, give them a high five. Jeff told me Maxine was in the finish area waiting for me. I stepped over one mat and made my way down to the chute and Mike Riley says "Lisa Simon-you are an Ironman, this is her first Ironman and she is a teacher in Illinois." I start to blubber even more. Two guys caught me at the finished and walked me down where they take off your chip. They were laughing because I was able to lift my leg. I said that could be a different story tomorrow. Then I got to Maxine and she put my medal on. I really lost it then. We hugged and the camera guy kept taping us (maybe I will be on TV in Oct.) Then Maxine was nice enough to walk me to my mom and dad, gave them a huge hug each. We walked out of the finish area with my medal, shirt, and hat. I talked with Forest, my parents, Maxine, and Jeff.
We got something from the food tent for me to eat, but I didn't eat until 4:30 this morning, along with my diet coke. My parents had to leave since they had to get up and work this morning. Maxine and Jeff were nice enough to help me back to my hotel, put my stuff in my car, and come visit for a little bit in my room. After they left I showered up, took some advil, and put my compression pants on. I managed about 3.5 hours of sleep. That's going to catch up with me later this week.
I can't say enough about this race. It was so awesome. I think another part of what helped me was making a choice to take in the day and enjoy it. I made it a point to smile and thank the volunteers and spectators. Even though I was out there was 15:03:25, I had a blast, even when I felt my worse. I have my Ironman finisher gear.
Lisa Simon-you are an Ironman. Some of the coolest words I have ever heard.
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