It's been two weeks since my third IMWI finish and I finally feel the urge to write about the day. I've enjoyed reading many other blogs from a number of athletes. I actually had decided not to take the time to write my own. Then I remembered how much I learn from looking back on my previous experiences and how remarkable it is to be able to conjure up those same feelings no matter how much time has passed. And when I do look back, I still feel this incredible sense of gratitude and disbelief that this is my life.
This year leading up to IMWI was yet another full of firsts while pushing my body beyond the previous limits I had set for myself. In April I ran my first 50K solo run, in May I,(ok....my hubby...Happy Birthday, Mother's day, Anniversary to me!!), purchased a power tap and race wheels, and I became one of coach Blake's personal athletes. I had really wanted to focus on improving my strength and endurance on the bike. Working more closely with Blake enabled me to transition to riding with power more smoothly. I also signed up for the Wisconsin Triple Crown, a series of three very challenging strength rides. The third in the series had me riding 127 miles! This summer of training had gone extremely well, even with taking some time off from biking and swimming to travel to Scotland. Blake and I pushed that bar just a bit higher, and my body responded nicely. I PR'd at every distance which I still can't believe. After 10 years in this sport, I'm still improving!!
This years taper for IMMOO was handled a bit differently as well. We decreased on the volume but kept the intensity up. I was bringing more fatigue into the last week before the big day, and I was a little worried about that. I was also dealing with the stress of the first week of school for the students. As a school nurse, there is no busier time then the first month of the school year. So while the timing is actually ideal on paper, that week before the big day I really don't have the opportunity to lay low and rest. Still, by Thursday I was feeling strong, excited, and ready to go!!
Thursday through Saturday are quite honestly....a blur. But in a good way! I checked in on Thursday and had a great little run and swim with Sasha. On Friday I met many friends for the athlete dinner, and Saturday took my bike and bags down to the Terrace. I knew sooooo many people doing this race and I was in my very happy place! Complete immersion in the sport I love with the people I love more. Also on Saturday, Rachel sent the most adorable picture of Finn in a special IM hand-made onsie and swimming goggles on his head...and a HUGE smile! I was holding it together pretty well until I saw that picture. I just lost it. And every time I would look or think about that image, I would cry.
It was the last thing I looked at before Mike and I left for the Terrace at 4:30 am on Sunday. I also had a letter from Rachel that I was not to open until that day. I thought I had it with me and I was going to read it on the way, but I left it on the table!! Grrrrr!!! I cried again. I read it later and it was written from Finn's perspective. A letter to his G-ma. It is priceless. :-)
I was kind of a wreck when we arrived, I just couldn't stop crying! Jeez, you would have thought I had never done this before! When I went to check on my bike and get marked I was calming down and feeling better. I saw many of my teammates and friends, and even Blake!! Everyone was looking nervously relaxed. My new term that defines an IM morning.
The weather for the day....windy and cool. Much different from my first two IM's. I was worried about the day being too cold for me, and about the choppy swim. Yes, everyone is talking about that swim and the fact that it was probably the worst swim conditions of all 12 IMWI's. Sasha and I stayed together for the morning, and after kissing Mike, (no tears...I was all cried out! ;-)), we made our way into the water with about 15 minutes to spare.
Oh yes, there were waves, but I have been in worse. I knew that the longest stretch of the swim would be into the wind. As Sasha and I made our way to the back of the pack and to the left of the ramp, I was mentally preparing myself. I wasn't nervous exactly, just anxious to get started to get this part over with. But oh, the view from the water of the crowds on the Terrace, the thousands of green and pink caps in the water, and the sound of that cannon, there is nothing like it. I feel so alive in that moment, and I tell myself yet again, what a privilege it is for me to be able to do this thing I so love.

The swim: Goal time, 1:35. Actual time: 1:49:09, 68th out of 81 in the 45-50 AG.
In my typical guppie fashion, I finished near the bottom of my AG. But I FINISHED that swim! It was tough, and the conditions really separated the strong from the weak. Despite my time, I was actually really happy with this swim. I got nailed in the face really early on, the contact, like the chop, was relentless the whole time, my right calf was cramping after about 20 minutes, I was sighting like crap, I felt like I was swimming in place...and even swam... BACKWARDS the opposite way down the back stretch! I could only breath to my left since I was swallowing a lot of water when I turned my head to the right. And yet, I actually kind of enjoyed it?!?! I stayed relaxed and never panicked. Sasha was swimming with me for quite awhile until we lost each other after the first turn buoy. That was so cool! And I got a really extensive view of the Madison skyline since I spent so much time looking at it! ;-)
I exited the water with a big smile on my face. I looked at my watch and was actually surprised at the time, since it really felt like I was in there for at least two hours!! ;-) Then those amazing volunteers helped me get ready for the ride, I hit the porto-loo and ran to my bike.

The bike: Goal time, 7:10. Actual time: 6:52:30, 45th in AG.
One word for this ride...surprising! It was definitely the breeziest of the three IM's. The tail wind got out on the stick was VERY nice, but of course I was cold. I did wear my arm warmers, but it took a really long time to warm up. I started with the fluids and after about 20 minutes I ate a bonk breaker. It was around that time that I started to get a pretty bad headache, and my lower back was aching. That was strange as that has never happened to me before. The pain was increasing and I started to get a bit worried about it. My vision was ok though, so I decided to really pound the fluids. After about an hour, the aching thankfully went away. YAY! I saw my teammate Jackie heading into Verona. She was having issues with her stomach from the swim. I just tried to encourage her to stay patient and let things settle down. I was worried about her after that, but she ended up having an amazing day and is a first time finisher! I also passed Sasha, she swam faster than me!! We chatted a bit and I kept rolling.
We are so lucky to have friends who live on the course right before that hill into Mount Horeb. I LIVE to see my family and friends there! When I got to them on my first loop I was starting to feel really good. I stopped and hugged them all! Then I hit the hills. I was really looking forward to the crowds and the craziness. This years party was even better than I remembered!! And it started earlier, on the Witte roller coaster. At the top was Teammate Ben in his speedo, and friends Lindsay is some sort of a pink tutu, and Jen aka "cookie girl" with her baking costume. She gave me a good swat on the bum with her spatula! I did not even feel that hill!! Until the second loop of course. ;-) Round two of the loop had me feeling stronger and stronger. I met my family again and I told them I was feeling really good! I was worried about the head wind on the way back home, but until then I just kept things conservative and steady. I kept telling myself, "Save it for the run, save it for the run". On the return trip of the stick, I was really, really pumped. I couldn't believe how good I felt at that point. My stomach was ok, and although I was ready to be off the bike, I was really thinking I had enough in my legs to have a good run. I was looking at my watch and knew my bike split was going to be faster than I predicted. I was praying, "Please don't get a flat, please don't get a flat!!"
Then I hit T2...and the wheels came off in a blink. As soon as I sat down, I got nauseous and light headed. This has happened during the previous IM marathons and after I finish, but never this early or this suddenly. I went right to the porta loo and sat there for a bit, honestly just trying to throw up. I am not a puker, I never have been. This day would be no exception.

Run: Goal time: 4:15. Actual time: 4:36:14, 14th in AG.
I started running up the slight hill out of T2 around the Capital. I was trying to distract myself by focusing on the crowds and listening to roar and music. By the time I hit State Street I was pretty sure I was going to hurl right in front of the crowds. I started to walk and made it to the porto at mile one. I just sat there....again, nothing. That was one of the darkest moments in the race. I was so disappointed that this was happening so soon. I started to cry, then I just got mad. I told myself to keep moving and stay patient. Experience has taught me that I can turn this around. I've been in this place many times. I am not alone, so many athletes deal with the same thing. I just kept alternating walking with running and drinking sips of Coke and water. By mile four my tummy was finally settling down. Miles 4-9 were my best. I then thought I should try to get in some calories and had a shot block. Then another. After the third one, by stomach starting whining again. The nausea hit, and I was having to walk a bit more. And that was the story for the rest of the run. Run until the nausea and cramping got too bad, then walk until I got too cold, then run again. At the turn around at mile 13, I realized I made the biggest mistake of the day. I did not put warmer clothes in my special needs bag. That was beyond dumb. While the weather was predicted to be sunny and in the low 70's, it just didn't turn out that way. ALWAYS be prepared for changing conditions, DUH!! For the rest of the run, especially when the sun went down, I dealt with nausea when I would run, and shivering when I walked. Mike was riding his bike out on the course and that was awesome. He knew I was struggling. He encouraged me to keep going, and just do what I was doing. I kept checking my watch, and my dreams of a PR were fading by the minute. As dark as I am making this sound, there were some bright moments as well. The support out there for me was incredible. I ran/walked with several friends and teammates at various times. The team tent was set up just east of picnic point. The first time I ran by, Suzanne was there and pointed out all of the signs they had made for everyone on the team racing. Mine was all about being an Irongranny. It was awesome!!! I also found out that rock star Dottie was ahead of me and having a really great run. I saw her a few times, but I could not catch her. When I had four miles to go, Mike rode by again to see how I was doing. At that point I just wanted to walk the rest of the way. I asked if he saw Dottie, and he told me he had, and that she was looking like the "energizer bunny!". I was so thrilled. I knew if she finished this strong she had a great shot at Kona. I looked at my watch again, and realized that if I walked the rest of the way, I would miss my PR. I thought about Dottie and how much she inspires me. I thought about my friend Michele who was celebrating her 5 year cancerversary with this race. I thought about Eric McLean and how hard he fought, the orange stripe on our race kits a tribute to him. I though again about what I've overcome to get to be in that moment when the discomfort and pain is of my own choosing. I thought about Finn, the image of him in my mind eye. I told Mike I would see him at the finish soon as he rode away. I started to run more than I walked. With 2 miles to go I could hear the crowds, and my stomach couldn't compete with head anymore.
Mike Reily said those words....but he added a few! He said, "Laurie Krause, a nurse from Deforest....YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!" My smile was as big as that sweet booming voice! I looked at my watch, a 9 minute PR. I'll take it!! 13:36:17, 23rd in AG

Shaun, another teammate caught me. I knew I had about 10-15 minutes before I would start to "go south". My first question to him was, "Where's Dottie?" He told me she came in just before I did. I got my medal, shirt, hat, and chocolate milk. :-) Shaun took me over to where Dottie and Charlie were, and I gave her the biggest hug. I was beyond ecstatic for her, and so proud. We got some pictures, and then I found the family. My friend Deb was there, as she has been at all of my IM finishes. She has been there for me for so many years, through all of it. She got yet another sweaty bear hug!
I saw Blake and we chatted a bit about the race. Then I started to feel sick so we hurried away. Mike had gotten all of my bags and my bike, and had put them in the truck. He said it was just one block away, but I couldn't make it that far. I started to feel faint and nauseated....an all too familiar feeling by now. I hit the curb and put my had between my legs. I truly felt like puking, so I asked Robyn to get a garbage can....UGH!! She did and I stuck my head in it....YUCK!!! Still didn't puke. After a few minutes I could get up and walk to the truck. I got home and to the bathroom floor I went. I actually fell asleep there this time! After a while Mike helped me up and I took a shower. I slept until about 1:30 am, when I got up to try to eat a little something and drink. Thankfully the worst was over. IMWI #3 Done. BOOM!!!!

There are so many people to thank, and this blog is already too long. I have spent the last two weeks personally thanking everyone. And really, there is no way for me to convey how strongly I feel about this one fact. That there is no way I could ever be able to do this without the support and encouragement I receive from so many. Love and hugs to you all!

Next major event, The end of the season team party this Saturday. Bring on the Beer Mile!! :-)