It was an early wake-up call – 4:10 a.m. but, I had been awake since 2:30 a.m. When the alarm finally went off, I hopped out of bed and was ready to go!
The transition area opened at 5:15 a.m. My bike and gear bags were already checked in (had to be checked in on Saturday) so I did some final preps on my bike –pumped up tires, added my nutrition (drinks and food), and then started the 20 minute walk to the swim start. By the time I got to the swim start, the line was snaking about a half mile back from the actual start. I was about 2/3 of the way back in the line. Pat and I sat down on the sidewalk with everybody else and waited. I was not nervous, I was calm and relaxed.
THE SWIM
At 7:15, IM officials came through the line telling all family members to step out so that the line of athletes could start moving/compressing. Pat was able to walk beside me as the line started to move and when we got to the point where he could go no further with me – that’s when my nerves hit. He gave me a big hug, smiled and told me “don’t be nervous, you are ready.” I took a couple deep breaths, put a smile on my face and looked back at him one last time – I didn’t know when I would see him again.
I got in the water – jumped off a dock – it wasn’t graceful at all. I actually sat part way down and then kind of slid myself off the dock but, ended up going further under the water than I wanted and got water up my nose – yuk!
Then I was off – up-river for about a half mile in a small channel. This channel was narrow and lots of people were in it so it was an all out war of elbows and kicks. I was able to get in some open space every once in a while but, it never lasted long. I kept getting pummelled. Worst was when I would get sandwiched between two men – they are bigger and stronger – it hurt!. One time, I had men on either side of me and when I breathed to the left I got hit hard on the cheek (said to myself - “ohhh, that hurt”), then I breathed to the right and got hit hard in the nose (“that really hurts, I think that drew blood”). It did bleed but, I didn’t know it for sure until later that night when I got home and saw the scab on the side of my nose.
I was so glad to finally make the turn back down river. Once I got out in the open river, I went as far out as they would let me and the rest of my swim was pretty uneventful – had a few bumps but, overall it was much easier to swim. So, now I just focused on getting to the finish. I didn’t look at my watch, I only stopped one time for a few seconds because a kayak safety person was talking to me – he told me to “keep going”. I finished the swim in 1:29:55! I LOVE CURRENT! I was happy with this time but, I still had a long day ahead of me so I didn’t dwell on it – just moved through transition and hopped on my bike.
 |
| I'm somewhere in this mess of people |
T1 – Swim to Bike
This transition area was huge. It was a long ways from the swim exit to the bike gear bag and changing tents. I was cold and shivering uncontrollably when I got out of the water so it took me a lot longer to get through this transition than I expected/wanted.
THE BIKE
Except for the first and last 20 miles, this course is rolling hills and is in the shape of a lollipop. We do 2 loops of the lollipop head. In miles 20-30, I saw 3 people who had crashed on their bikes. They looked like serious accidents. I said a prayer for each of them and reminded myself to stay safe, be careful, and watch ‘the other guy’.
I felt great through the first loop of the lollipop – I was handling the hills and was really happy with how things were going. During the second loop, I started feeling a little fatigue in my butt and legs, and kind of knew it might be a hard finish. I had planned on really cruising through the last 20 miles because it is flat all the way back to the transition area but, a headwind started and my legs just wouldn’t go as fast as I had expected. I looked at my MPH a few times and tried to pick it up but, just couldn’t get much more out of my legs during the last part of this ride. I found myself thinking about the run and how my legs would feel so I had to keep reminding myself to stay present and just focus on the bike.
I saw Pat, Keith and Jace on both loops of the lollipop. It was so nice to see and hear them! My brother is LOUD! :)
As I turned the corner to finish the bike I saw Pat, Kayla and Cassie – so much fun to have them there.
A bunch of us were together walking our bikes back to transition and the guy next to me said “bike for sale”, I said “shoes too”. My feet/toes were killing me and I could barely walk on them. Keep moving forward is what I had to tell myself – they will feel better in running shoes.
 |
| Starting out on 112 miles! |
T2 – Bike to Run
The volunteer took my bike and I grabbed my run bag. In the changing tent I put on dry socks and running shoes, and ate a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. “Ate” is a nice way of putting it – I actually stuffed it in my mouth and used water to wash it down. I was trying to hurry. I’m glad there are no pictures of that! :) I made a stop at the porta-potty and then I was off.
THE RUN
The course is 2 loops of 13.1 miles – out about 6.5 miles, then back to the finish area. The second loop goes right by the finish line and I thought it was going to be really hard to run by this, hearing people being called Ironmen and knowing I would still have at least 2 more hours to run.
I had a good, solid plan for the run. Matt and I had worked out an 8 minute run/ 2 minute walk plan and I was going to stick to it (average 11:30-12:30/mile). I also had a contingency plan if there was any time during this marathon that I couldn’t stick to the 8/2 which was to do 5 minute run/5 minute walk.
Starting out my legs felt really tired and I didn’t even think I was moving. I saw all my cheering squad as I came out of transition onto the run course. I stopped and gave the kids and Pat hugs, told them I was doing great (even though I felt pretty awful right then). My stomach was queasy and my legs were tired, and I was wondering how I was going to get through 26.2 miles.
 |
| Loved the signs - very creative. I laughed out loud when I saw this one! :) |
I ran a couple blocks and looked at my pace and I was going way faster than I should be – I needed to slow down. I ran a couple more blocks and was still going faster than I should be but, finally after about a mile I settled into the right running pace. The first 6.5 miles of the run were really hard – my legs weren’t recovering from the bike and I really thought it was going to be a ‘sufferfest’ for the rest of the run.
Once I turned and headed back toward the finish (first loop) my legs suddenly felt great. I was solid with my 8/2 run/walk plan all the way back and up to about mile 16. I thought going by the finish line would really bother me but, I went by it feeling pretty good so I didn’t even pay attention to it. I just stayed focused and continued to run. The Run Special Needs bags were right past 13 miles. I had some food in my bag and dry socks. I didn’t need socks but, I took the candy bar out of the bag and ate it. I forgot to grab any of my other food supplies.
I made it to mile 16 still feeling pretty good and then I started to feel hungry. I checked my pockets for food and I had nothing… uh oh…. The aid stations didn’t have anything that I could eat so I knew I was going to be in trouble. By mile 18, I had really slowed down. I saw my cheering squad and asked if they had any food and if so, to have it ready for me when I saw them again in 2 miles. They were in a great location – I got to see them at miles 6, 8, 18, and 20, and they didn’t have to move from their spot. So, when I looped around and saw them at mile 20, they had some cookies for me. I stopped for a few minutes, ate a little bit, and then started walking and eating.
 |
| A little dazed |
 |
| Keith sees me! He is LOUD! :) Made me smile every time. |
By mile 22 I was feeling better and started running again. I tried to get back to my 8/2 plan but, just couldn’t do it so I went to the contingency plan of 5 minutes run/5 walk and was able to continue with this for the remainder of the run.
When I turned the last corner and saw the finish shoot, it was magical. All the fatigue and pain in my legs disappeared. The noise was so loud, so many people shouting “you did it”, “you are an ironman”, along with high fives. I felt like I was floating. I saw Keith and Pat again right before the finish! Like I said earlier - Keith is LOUD and I was able to hear him above all the other yelling that was happening at that moment! :) Kayla and the kids were up on the bridge looking down on the finish line.
I was so caught up in all the cheering and high fives that I didn’t even hear the announcer say “you are an ironman”. And I didn’t even realize that I didn’t hear it until much later that night. It was OK – the finish is still something that I will remember forever!
 |
| Our Ironman Finisher shirts :) He was so proud of his accomplishment! Cutie! |
LAST BLOG
Thank you to all my family and friends who followed and cheered me on throughout the day! I felt your presence with me and really appreciated it!
Thanks to Keith, Kayla, Cassie and Jace for coming to Louisville to cheer. Their presence was very much appreciated. Every time I saw them, they had great big smiles and cheered louder than anyone else on the course (at least in my mind – I think I had the best cheering group). Jace spent the whole day out there – from about 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. He told me he thought it was harder doing that because he was just sitting and waiting most of the time, than it was for me. :) I agree Jace – You are a trooper. Cassie was also out there after playing in a soccer tournament all morning. You kids did awesome!
 |
| I loved this sign too. Saw it for the first time at mile 6 - Laughed out loud again! :) |
Finally, the two biggest thank yous go to Matt and Pat.
Matt trained me this past year. He encouraged me when I didn’t think I was doing things ‘right’. He gave me workouts that built up my endurance and strength. He helped me with my swimming, biking and running technique. I couldn’t have done this without him and am stronger and more confident because of his coaching! Thank you Matt!
Pat held me when I was tired and discouraged, and when I thought I couldn’t do it. He always said “yes you can, I know you can do it”. ALWAYS! He was patient with me when I was being selfish with my time. This past year was all about the IRONMAN and Pat was nothing but supportive throughout everything. He gave me massages when all my muscles hurt, he did the household chores when I was too tired to do anything but sit in a chair, he let me just focus on my training! I couldn’t have done this without his encouragement, patience and love! Thank you Honey!
WHAT'S NEXT?
Not sure – I need a little time to let some things heal. I would like to do another IRONMAN but, don’t have anything picked out right now.
I started this blog as a way to track my thoughts and adventures while training for Louisville and since that is now complete this will be my last blog . Thank you all for reading, encouraging and supporting me this past year. I have appreciated it more than you could ever know. :)
So I will close with this:
"CHRIS O'CONNOR YOU ARE AN IRONMAN"
