IM Wisconsin, 2011 race report

It's Saturday morning, almost one week post IM, and I am sitting here enjoying my coffee and the cool, quiet that this morning brings. There are no planned workouts, no long rides, the chores are already done. I have a hair appointment, (the dark roots are screaming to be colored!), and a meeting with friends for the Badger game. There IS a life after IM, and I'm ready for an Autumn filled with football, family, friends, and maybe a little physical activity thrown in just for fun! :-)
I am extremely happy to say...I met my goal of finishing IMOO #2 in under 14 hours!!!!! Here is a recap of the day. I'll try to be brief! (ok....not very likely! ;-))
I went into this race a bit sleep deprived from a stress-filled work week, nerves, and trying to fit it all in. I was sleeping MAYBE up to 6 hours a night and by Saturday I was feeling it. My Saturday morning tune-up ride/run did not feel good at all, and I was worried. So that night I got to bed at 9, and slept like a baby!! I woke up at 3:45 feeling GREAT and ready to go! I had all of my gear and nutrition ready and Mike dropped me off at the Terrace by 5:20. I had eaten 1/2 bagel with peanut butter and some yogurt with cereal. I had my ONE cup of coffee....YUM! I started drinking Perform. I got to my bike, checked her out, pumped up the tires, and found Sasha right away! I'd also seen Randy, Colin, and Patrick. Team BBMC was everywhere and I was already loving it! I got marked, checked my bags, and met Mike and Rachel by the bathroom. I checked that out too!! I kept running into rock star Randy, convinced at this point that he was stalking me! ;-) I then put on my wet suit, body glide to the neck to avoid the ring of fire that was around my neck in 2009, kissed Mike and Rachel, and started down that helix for the swim start. It was CROWDED! It took a very long time to get to the water. I saw Matt and Steve...YAY...and they got HUGE hugs from me!!! When I heard the National Anthem, I started to cry. And I was not alone. This was an emotional day for everyone who was remembering what happened just 10 short years ago.
I was not nervous!!!! I was excited and couldn't wait to start. I then looked to my left and saw a big BBMC sign, but I couldn't see who was holding it through the sea of pink and green swim caps. It was Deb!!! I yelled for her and she caught my eye!! Her husband took a picture of me....it is HYSTERICAL!!
I got in the water and stayed to the right and in the back. There was a young lady that got in near me and she was clearly petrified. She asked, "Have you done this before? Where should we stay? Are you a slow swimmer?" I smiled and told her, "Yes, I am very slow, and we should stay right here!" She than said, "Will you swim with me? I'm so scared!" I felt so bad for her. I said I would try to stay with her, knowing it would be impossible. Then the cannon boomed, and I never saw her again.
I never thought I would ever say this in a million years, but I LOVED that swim! I decided early on to do something different. I was feeling so comfortable and relaxed, so I stayed in the fray and on the buoy line. Yes, I got pummeled, kicked, swam over, the whole deal....but I also got caught in the drag and just followed the bubbles. At the turn buoy's I stayed in the mess. It's a risk to do that I know. I just wanted to swim a shorter distance and use the other swimmers to help me stay straight and pull me along. When I was feeling like I was swimming in clearer water, I knew I was drifting too far to the outside. So I would swim back to the fray near the buoy's...and it was FUN!!!! After I started on the second loop, I noticed my race kit had creeped up from under my wetsuit and the zipper was scratching my neck. I tried to stop to push it back down, but then I would get pummeled. So I just kept swimming and knew I would come out with a bloody neck...AGAIN! It was keeping my mind off of my tightening calves. That is until, down the back stretch heading towards the finish, I got kicked HARD in my right leg. My right calf immediately seized up. YOUCH!!!! I flexed my right foot and dragged my legs the rest of the way in. I got out of that water and checked my watch. I was hoping for a time close to 1:45. It was 1:38!!!! I saw Mike and Rachel right away and they were so excited! I saw Kari Woodall...TRX and swim master, and I told her, "You are going to make me even faster next time!".
SWIM 2009: 1:51:12 2011: 1:38:29 My biggest improvement of the day!!! :-D
T1 2009: 14:39 2011: 11:05

On to my bike!!! I saw Matt and Steve again as they were volunteering in bike transition. These guys gave me wings ALL DAY!!! I love them to death!!
The ride was, as predicted, challenging and long, but fairly uneventful. I did have two near misses with other riders completely cutting me off. One of them sent me into a ditch, but I was going so slow I just clipped out and didn't fall! I took in Perform, water with Nuun tabs, lots of banana's, a few pretzels, and maybe 3 goo. Nowhere near enough...AGAIN!! :-( The wind picked up on the second loop and I was really feeling this on hwy G and 92 into Mount Horeb. It was full sun and getting warm, but not too bad for me. I knew I wasn't drinking enough as I only had to pee once on the bike. I didn't actually pee ON my bike, although I was willing to do that! ;-) But I did stop at the aid station in Verona and took the time to go to the porto john.
The BEST parts of that ride were seeing my family and friends at the bottom of Paul's driveway. Just like two years ago, knowing they were there gave me such an incredible mental boost. This time I took the time on my first loop to stop and give everyone a hug and tell them thanks for being there. We got a few very good pictures! Shortly after the hugs and kisses, Blake sailed by me with his support crew. I heard the cars and the 'Whoosh Whoosh' of an elites tires, and then I saw the race kit in a blur. He said, "Good job Laurie!" WHAT??? He was 1/2 mile down the road before I started screaming, "Go Blake!!" I was so surprised. He needed to be in his own head, NOT worry about acknowledging ME! What a coach! I also got to see Matt and Steve TWICE on bitch hill! They RAN next to me as I hauled ass up that hill! Then, on my least favorite hill, Midtown, I saw Jena and Dan. That hill has NEVER felt as easy as it did that day. BOTH times. That's how much that support does for you. The crowds this year were unbelievable, BOTH times through the loop!

BIKE 2009: 7:28:16 (14.99 ave) 2011: 7:18:33 (15.32 ave) To be honest, I was a bit disappointed with this time. I thought I could go a bit faster given how my training has been going and the improvements that I have made. But I was really starting to feel it at the beginning of the second loop already. I eased up on my pace to save myself for the run. Definitely more work to do in this area!

T2 2009: 10:24 2011: 6:30

The run....should be my favorite part. It has turned out, once again, to be my biggest challenge in these long events. I started out feeling much better than I did in 2009. I was really happy about this, and really feeling like I could better my time. All I needed to do was stay on course this year! ;-) At about mile 4, my stomach started to go south. It was the complete opposite of what my body usually does. I stuck to water, tried shot blocks which seem to make it worse, and I could not stomach Perform anymore. It was warm, and I was packing ice everywhere. Then I saw Blake walking and I knew he wasn't having a good run. He should have been done by then. We exchanged a few words of encouragement, and he told me he would finish. I started to tear up after I saw him. I knew how much he wanted this, and how hard he's worked not only on his training, but at the same time taking such great care of all of us. I cannot say how much this affected me mentally, but I was already not in my happy place. I needed to find a way out of that negative spiral. I remembered his advice and just focused on my form and cadence. I imagined running as if I was floating on a cloud. I imagined that it was cool and my stomach was calm. And then I called on the memory of that Friday at one of my schools. I remembered the 500 kids lined up on either side of the hallways screaming my name. I remembered that feeling of utter amazement that they would do something like this. I remembered the tears...then they came again. I thought about Sue, who should still be here. More tears. I started alternating chicken broth and Coke at every aid station. I drank ice water and did a lot of walking. I went back and forth with my stomach and my legs, which were starting to get pretty tight and grouchy. As I was running towards the 13.1 mile turn around, I saw Alex at the aid station, and Randy, who was already done! I then saw Karen and her sister Kris, who has been on a most difficult journey this year. I was so excited to see them! I said, "Stay there, I'm coming back around!". As I turned around and headed their way waving and smiling for Karen's camera, my right foot caught a crack in the pavement and down I went. I heard two things...a collective gasp from the crowd, and my brain screaming, "SHIT SHIT SHIT!!!" I felt a pain in my right ankle, left knee, and right arm. My friends came running, and so did a lady in the crowd. I looked down at the blood, but I was worried about my ankle. They helped me up and I started walking. Everything seemed ok!!! My arm and left knee were ugly, but fine, and my right ankle was just a little twingy. Good enough to keep running!! :-)
The rest of the race was pretty tough. I never got that second wind like I did in 2009. But I was looking at my watch, and barring any disasters, I knew I could finish in under 14 hours. I just tried to be patient, and run more than walk. Ironically, the last 5 miles were my fastest split. I could smell the finish line. I couldn't wait to see Matt and Steve and my family. I quit walking since everytime I started to run again I was so close to cramping up. So I shuffled and pumped my arms faster than my legs wanted to go. I heard those kids again. I saw Randy and Alex right before the turn into the finishers chute. Then I saw the finish. It was no less intense an experience then it was the first time. Matt and Steve were THERE!!! They caught me, and I was ecstatic with my time...13:45:03. My name was not called this time...I came in with 4 or 5 others, but I didn't care. I am an Ironman x 2!!!!!!!

RUN 2009: 4:30:14 (10:18 ave) 2011: 4:30:26 (10:19 ave)

Matt and Steve helped me get all of my bling. Then I talked with Matt for awhile, and tried to breath as he kept squeezing the life out of me! I found Mike, Rachel, Robyn, Robyn's Matt, Brian, Ole, Deb, Lois, Dori, and Jen waiting for me. I was already starting to feel sick. UGH!! I give everyone quick hugs and thank you's, then told everyone I needed to keep walking! Mike had my chocolate milk for me, but I couldn't choke it down. I was going down in a hurry.
Everyone left as Mike, the girls, and Matt tried getting me to the truck. Mike had thankfully gotten my bike and bags already so they were in the truck. That 3 block walk took a very long time! I was upset and angry. I wanted to wait to see Sasha finish! :-( I sat down on a curb with my head between my legs, just wishing I could throw up. It just wouldn't come out. We finally made it too the truck, and I rode all the way home with my head between my knees. By the time we got home, I was shaking so hard and ready to pass out. Mike put me on the bathroom floor and I lay there with my feet propped up on the toilet. Very classy!!! I promise there are NO pictured of that moment! :-) 15 minutes or so and that's all I needed. I was able to get up and shower, and finally eat and drink a bit before going to bed...AFTER I saw that Sasha had finished!!! :-)))))
There are so many people to thank, I don't know where to start. To my school family...no matter how many of these things I do, you are ALWAYS excited and supportive! I have a room full of EVERY piece of artwork, cards, notes, pictures, banners...I will save them all! To Team BBMC and Coach Blake...not only did you get me here and help me to have the BEST, most FUN season ever, you have now become part of my family. To Susan and Carl, Katie, JP, Randy K, Lisa, Brian, Dana, Tatum and Tess, Ole, Cheryl, Paul, Rhonda, Rob M., Cindi B., Beth Krause, Linda B, Karen and Kris, Kim and her beautiful daughter Jacey, and many others who were on the course cheering for me...thank you ALL so much for being there!!!!
To my sweet sister Michelle, who couldn't be there due to illness, thank you for all of the love. To Amanda...thank you for taking care of the pugs!! To Bill and Leigh, I cannot ever thank you enough for taking such great care of the horses during all of this!
To my Mom and Tom, Lian, and UB....you inspire me so much with the changes you have made, and your love and support mean the world to me.
Finally, there is NO WAY I could do this without Mike and the girls. Simply no way. Mike has always said that his mission in life is to make me happy. When I talk about this journey I am on, it is he who is building the road. For almost 30 years he has been building this road. Yes, there have been a few bumps, and there will be more to come, but we are always on it together. I love you with all of my heart.
Next up...Devils Lake Triathlon tomorrow...Team BBMC volunteering. Then in one week....it's PARTY TIME with the end of the season party held here at the farm. WHOO HOO!!!!
Enjoy this day!