Bryan
Apgar
Race
Report
Ironman
Florida November 2013
Pre Race
Preparing
for my second Ironman is a different experience but just as ever
stressful. I knew fully that I could
complete the distance but focusing more on specific performance made me stress
out more in a way. I arrived in Florida
on Wednesday, 4 days before the race. It
seemed early and still not enough time at the same time. Every day seemed busy with finalizing easy
workouts, getting things checked in, organized etc. One of the biggest questions marks and
honestly what made me the most uneasy was the swim in the ocean. Swimming was (and still is) my worst of the
three events, but it used to give me severe anxiety. During the first practice swim in the ocean,
some of these feels came back. The waves
and current were significantly worse than anticipated. Especially the day before, a storm was coming
in and the waves were absolutely insane.
I highly questioned the possibility of the majority of people being able
to finish the swim including myself if it was this bad on race day. The more I thought about it the more I
questioned. I talked to Brian the day
before telling him some of this and he told me, that everyone is swimming in
the same water so don’t worry about what you can’t control. Easier said than done but this did help
me. It became a mental game and little
did I know the first of my mental tests that would push me to a limit during
this race.
Race Morning
The
storm did come in as predicted and race morning was calmer than the day before,
however the waves were still pretty heavy but nerves were calmed a little
knowing that the water was better than the day before. The location of our condo was perfect, it
allowed us to go drop of our special needs bags, go get our bikes set up with
nutrition and everything else, and then get back to the condo to be able to
relax a little inside before getting our wetsuits on. I headed down to the beach about 6/615. The time prior to a start of an Ironman is
still a surreal experience to me.
Thousands of people that have spent thousands of hours to prepare for
one day, still gives me chills.
Swim
They
funneled us through the timing chute and then had everyone line up along the
beach but had signs for speed. I lined
up under 1-1:10. My time at IMTX was
1:13 but I have improved as a swimmer so being aggressive in my
positioning. I also lined up in the
front of the group and was well in the water when the canon went off. With the waves getting past the break, this
made the mass start of an Ironman to another level. Not only were 3000 people swimming with you,
but the waves of the ocean were throwing these people all over the place, so I
had people landing on top of me, going under me, swimming directly into my
side. I was getting tossed around like a
washing machine for the first 300 meters but felt forever. Once I got passed the break, I was able to
get into a little bit of a rhythm of swimming, still different than smooth
lake, having to learn to breathe with the motion of the ocean. Before I knew it was at the first turn
buoy. As I turned left, I could feel a
little bit of current pulling us in the direction we needed to go, this was
huge because days before, the current was the other way, which would make this
turn extremely difficult. Things had
still not thinned out very much and was still in very close proximity to people
continually getting hit. We made the
turn back towards shore, it was not what I thought it would be, there wasn’t a
current pulling us back to shore, wasn’t sure what I was expecting but not
really what was happening. Then I felt
it getting even more crowded than it had been.
I then realized that we were approaching the shore and those same breaking
waves were back and throwing everyone all over.
So you would be able to ride the wave and then it would suck you back if
you weren’t careful, thus causing almost like a backup on a highway. Even being probably about 200M from shore,
when the wave would push me in, I would then stand up so I wouldn’t get sucked
back out, then start swimming again to ride the next wave. It was an extremely weird thought and way to
move forward but seemed to be working great for me as I found myself passing
several people here. I had never done a
two loop swim. My HR usually spikes as soon as I get out of the water and run
for transition, so I was afraid that would happen and then make the second loop
extremely hard. However, because of how
we had to exit the water, and not in a full sprint because of having to run
through the water and in the sand it allowed me to stay within myself and in
control. I told myself I wasn’t going to
look at my watch because I didn’t want to know how I was doing. I had told myself in the morning that with
the crazy waves, it was just about getting out of the water without draining
myself too much. So I grabbed a cup or
two of water drank some and then headed back towards the water. Once again, we had to get past the break, however,
this time we were swimming diagonally against the current and against the waves
to the first buoy. It had thinned out a
little bit at the start of the second loop; however the waves still seemed to
be just as strong. As I made it to the
turn buoy, I could see something in the water and figured out it was the rope
that was anchoring the buoy to the ocean floor but with the current pulling it,
it was diagonal. And just as I realized
what it was, it moved and smacked me in the face, right across my right eye. So my right goggle started to fill with
water, I tried to suction it back on but was already filled with water. I tried to swim with my eye closed. As I made that left turn I knew I would have
the current with me a little bit and figured I could swim with my eye
closed. But when I made it to the next
turn to head back to shore it was really bothering me and made it hard to focus
and swim. So turned over quickly took it
off, drained it and then put them back on.
And I was off swimming again. This
is when it really hit me that I was making my final “leg” towards the swim
finish. I had been the most nervous
about the swim and it was almost over and I felt very confident in my swim,
didn’t waste too much energy but thought I swam with a purpose and was hoping
for a decent time. As I exited the
water, I could see the overall clock and it said 1:16. This sinking feeling hit me. WHAT? I thought I had swam well and I was
three minutes slower than Texas. I told
myself to shut up and it was only the beginning of a long day and everyone swam
in the same water, so everyone was slow.
We ran up the beach and I laid down in the sand to get my wetsuit pulled
off. I know that I am slow at getting my
wetsuit on my own so if I can I prefer to have the strippers do it. However, lying in the sand to get it done
sucked. The showers they had didn’t do
much to get anything off of you. As I
ran through yelling my number I hit the lap on my watch and my watch said
1:06. I was thrilled; I didn’t realize
that the big clock was showing from the pro start still. It was like I just go 10 free minutes. Oddly enough, this really boosted my
confidence. This was probably the most
confident I had felt in a swim at a half or full IM distance and it meant a lot
that my time actually reflected it.
Time: 1:06:06 1:42/100M 16th AG
T1
Because
of how line up was for the running to where the bags were and getting the bags,
there wasn’t a lot of room, so even though I was yelling my number, I actually
ran past my own bag and then turned around and got it myself. Just a good mental note for this race in the
future. I ran into the changing room, I had my race kit on underneath my
wetsuit so I just had to put my helmet, shoes and sunglasses on. The volunteer was awesome in putting
everything back in the bag and helping me.
Because I wore the same kit, I wished I had taken more time to wash
myself off with the bottle I had in my T1 bag.
I spent some time but not enough and ended up using about half a bottle
that was on my bike to rinse my arms and body of with sand. After I got my bike I ran past the mount
line and since it was no flying mounts allowed, I actually found the curb and
used it as leverage to get on and going faster, no issues here at all.
Time: 05:11
Bike
I
was riding my P5, with my Flo 60 and Flo Disc, with my 11-26 cassette and 53-39
quarq elsa crank. The first several
miles are a ride through town and spectators are several miles down. Personally this helps with the excitement and
adrenaline, however making it hard to get my heart rate down. I know I have an issue with my HR elevating
after the swim. After the first 7 miles
through town there is a right hand turn to head north. The wind for the day was coming out of the N,
NNE, from about 8-15 mph, so this turn put us into a head wind for the next 12
miles. Knowing it was still early in
the ride, I tried to focus on my watts and staying aero as possible. I was getting passed by a few people here and
there, but kept telling myself to race my own race, especially into the wind,
cut my losses here. At mile 22, I made
another right had turn, this made the wind be a cross headwind off my front
shoulder. Right about here, I hear
several motorcycles and a car coming. It
was the prince of Bahrain. He had a
motorcade of 4 motorcycles and a cop suv with him the entire ride. Honestly I got extremely pissed off. I don’t know why. Maybe because he passed me, maybe because he
was drafting of his motorcycles, maybe because of all the attention he was getting.
I don’t know why but I had to talk myself back and focus on myself. I could feel myself trying to chase him or
stay with him. That was dumb, so I
actually sat up and let him get some distance away. I didn’t want to deal with
all that hype; I needed to race myself and only myself. I’m proud for making myself do this but shouldn’t
let it get to me in the first place. I
calmed down and was just in the zone of racing now. Staying within my watts focusing a lot on
this wanting to set myself up for the best possible run. Around mile 25 was the first time I had to
pee, this was a good sign to me, having to pee within just over an hour being
on the bike meant I was on track with my hydration and nutrition. I ended up peeing about 6-7 times on the bike
in total, not sure if that was too much and a sign of what was to come with stomach
issues, maybe I was over hydrating. After
a few turns, I knew the speed I was able to hold with winds from most
directions, so I even dialed my watts back slightly, because I knew I could get
the time on the bike I wanted and be under in the watts avg I wanted. In hindsight now, may not have been the best
idea but all learning experience and will need to focus on strategies with
coach moving forward to other races. At
about mile 35, we made a south bound turn,
assuming I would have a tail wind, but it was hard to figure the winds
out, seemed to be gusting and blowing from different directions. Right about mile 38, I was wonder when Greg
Colvin would catch me and as I thought it, he passed me, we exchanged some
words of encourage meant (both having lofty goals for the day) and he went on
his way. I knew he would catch me on the
bike but pleasantly surprised I held him off that long (he passed me at mile 20
on the bike at Texas). At mile 40, we
would make a left turn, so having to cross the lanes of traffic to get out of
the right lane then cross the other side of traffic. Cars were starting to back up as we
approached. About a half mile from the
turn, I heard screeching and then a huge crash.
I guess a car had been paying attention the racers and not the car
stopped in front of him. It sounded
directly behind me. All I could do was
gripped my bike and pedaled faster. I
just visualized a car bumper coming flying and taking me out. As I made the turn I yelled at a cop that a
crash had happened between cars a ways back.
At mile 50 we hit a 5 mile out and back section, so 10 miles total. When driving the course, I could feel how
terrible this road was in my truck so I knew it was coming but feeling it on
the bike was a complete different experience.
I had never ridden on road like it.
It wasn’t chip seal. It was like
there were bumps or cracks ever two feet, so the bike was continually going up
and down bumping. Also because of the
road, it was like a landmine with bottles, tubes, nutrition, etc that had
fallen off everyone’s bike. This seemed
to be a huge area where everyone thought it was ok to draft. Not sure if they thought no marshal would
drive down the out and back or if the road was just killing everyone they
needed to draft, but it is frustrating seeing it when I try so hard not
to. This is something once again I need
to work on not letting bother me. I
can’t control it so who cares, race what I can race. I focused on staying as aero as I could and
maintain watts but not to drill my legs on this section but get out as quick
and with as less damage as possible. I
made the turn around and then shortly after was the special needs bag. I was right on with my nutrition plan so I
needed to fill everything up. I grabbed
my bag switched out my bottles and add my extra bars and salt tabs. As we were approaching the end of the road,
there were several spectators at the corner, which surprised me to have that
many people that far out on the course.
And a nice surprise a longtime family friend of mine that I didn’t even
know was coming to watch at all much less be out there was at mile 60. It was a nice little pick me up after such a
crappy road. We made a turn back north
so into a slight headwind, however it was lined with trees which helped block a
lot of the wind. Only a few miles down
the road we would make a sharp left hand turn and from driving the course I
knew that this is where some rollers would come into play. Over the next 10 miles were some long
rollers, nothing too steep just some long rollers with decent descents. I found myself caught in a pack, I didn’t
want to burn anything to get past them especially going up a hill but didn’t
want to get caught drafting. I feel I
didn’t execute this part very smartly; I did get caught behind them. Finally at
one point towards the end, going down one of the longer descents, I used some
extra energy and passed a line of about 12 riders. I knew that even if some of them passed me
back I would be able to ride how I wanted versus getting stuck at the back of
the pack, this turned out well. At mile
73, we passed through an intersection and from what I remember when driving the
course; this was going to be the mileage that got tough mentally. It was about an 11 mile stretch of nothing,
no turns, no hills, just trees and pavement, and for me mentally somewhere in
the 70-90 mileage is where things are tough mentally. I went through the intersection knowing it
was going to come and I mentally told myself to not let it happen. I lasted a few miles and it hit me, the miles
got tough, it felt like I was barely crawling along and the miles weren’t
moving at all. So I stretched my legs
out and my body. And then refocused on
my position and my form (could hear angie saying heels down smooth rotation,
you cycle with your legs so why are you holding anything in your shoulders,
give me all you got!). At mile 84 we
made the turn back south, even though we
had another out and back this just mentally made it seem closer because now I
was heading in the direction of transition.
Plus we had a cross tailwind, so my spirits and speeds were good. It was easy cruising till mile 92, both
mentally my mindset was better and the wind helped a little. I made the turn for the out and back. And to my surprise it was shorter than I
thought (we miss drove it when we drove it before) so I turned and was back to
that main road quicker than expected which was good because it seemed to be a
heavy windy negative in both directions while in there. It was about mile 97 as
we turned back onto the main road. So I knew I only have 15 miles to go. We had one last “hill” that was a
bridge. I felt confident in how I had
ridden the whole ride because I past several riders going up the bridge without
increasing my watts a lot, they had dropped way off, they just had nothing left. As I made the final left turn to the road
into the town, I focused on spinning my legs at a high cadence keep drinking
and take my last salt on the ride. The
spectators started to increase and tried to maintain my focus. I had ridden the final mile several times
over the past couple of days; however I still believe I took my feet out of my
shoes to early. But honestly do not
think it matter too much I was still able to pedal with my feet on top of my
shoes, as I was slowing down anyway coming into the chute for the
dismount. As I was approaching the
dismount line, I was catching two riders in front of me and was nervous on what
they were going to do as they dismounted. I was the only one that did a flying dismount
and was able to be in more control of myself and my bike because of this. I was
able to move around them as I got off my bike.
I was exactly where I wanted to be time wise coming off the bike and had
moved up to 13th in my AG.
Time: 5:10:22 21.65 MPH avg
13th AG
T2
I
handed my bike off to a volunteer and started my run to get my run bag. It was much shorter than the run for T1. And the ground was near as hot as the ground
was at Texas. My legs were definitely
pretty wobbly as I was running to get my bag and made me a little nervous. However, I grabbed my bag and went into the
building. I grabbed a volunteer and
headed over to a whole open row of seating.
The volunteer helped pull my shoes out and I took my helmet off. Dried my feet off quickly and put my socks
and shoes on. I grabbed my belt and my
nutrition and was out the door. My legs
felt back to normal after I stood up from a brief rest. Made me feel a little better to get back to
normal to run.
Time: 2:41
Run
My
legs were feeling good as I started the run.
Right out of transition, I passed my family and friends. I really had to focus on pulling back my
pace. Remembering to focus on my form
and drastically slow my pace. I was
within my capabilities but still needed to slow down. The
first 1.5 miles is lined with spectators.
On the first half of the first loop specifically it was not too crowded,
so all the spectators seemed to be specifically cheering for me. Which really boosted the adrenaline but I
knew I needed to refocus. I feel that my
form was off, so I tried to just get into my own zone and focus on my breathing
and form. Trying to zone and pretend I
am on this run alone, just running. I
was feeling good, and then got passed by the bike for the lead pro male. He was obviously on his second loop, but
still very cool to be able to experience the course the same as the male
pros. We then cross a main street and
head into a neighborhood. It was pretty
empty, not a lot of spectators or racers at this time. I actually enjoyed it, this let me just focus
on myself and what I needed to do. It
was also decently shaded, even though not a hot day, still any cover from the
sun is always welcomed. At about mile
3.5 I felt a little bit of a pull in my left hamstring, like it wanted to
cramp. I slowed for a second and took
some salt. It almost immediately went
away. Not sure what it was but it didn’t come back. Shortly after, I saw Ricardo on his spot for
volunteering running directions. It was
nice to see a familiar face at this point.
He told me I was looking good and I asked if he would text the team to
let them know he saw me. As we continued
to loop around through the neighborhood, it was still very empty and I would
only see a few pros, some catching me on their second loop and some crossing me
on their way back from the turnaround. I
kept trying to tell myself that this was just a long run. Focus on breathing and form. I was right around the time I wanted for this
part of the race. Holding a good 8 min pace and my HR was exactly where I
needed it to be as well. There are several turns on some uneven road through
this section of the run. Making it
imperative to focus on footing and trying to run the tangents. I was sticking pretty closely to my nutrition
plan. I had my bottle and flask with me
taking pulls of my infinite mix and my gel mix every so often and was taking
water. I was also pouring water and
sponges on my head and putting ice down my kit.
Looking back now, I potentially was taking too much water in. As well as pouring too much on my head. My shoes became very wet and formed blisters
on my toes. There were times during the
run that I could feel my stomach sloshing, not sure if this could have led to
my GI issues but I am sure it didn’t help.
At about mile 5, we ran back across the main street and into another
more spectator friendly condo neighborhood.
We then had to cut through some side grass and out by a bar. Then we got
on the sidewalk to get back to the state park.
This sidewalk was narrow and was tough later in the run, to be filled
with people going both directions. As we
entered the state park, there was an older lady volunteer that said the
“refreshments are up around the corner” Obviously she was meaning the aid
station but it made me have a good chuckle.
This let me know that I was still feeling good and in control, I know
that when I can smile and laugh I am doing well. We did have to run over 4 pieces of plywood
that they laid down as we cut through the woods to get to the path. It was out to about mile 6.5 and then we
u-turned around to head back. It was a
very tight turn around so hard to keep any speed or momentum going. At this point I was starting my way back so I
started to see more and more people. Was
able to start to gauge where I was in relation to people behind me and in
general that I was seeing more and more people that were behind me, thus I was
in a good position. As I made my way out
of the park I was still feeling good. We
were on the same sidewalk as when entering the park and with more people it was
more crowded and having to watch out for footing. As I was making my way to a left turn around
a bar and too an aid station it hit me like a ton of bricks. My stomach cramped and seized up. I slowed to a walk through the aid station.
Not taking anything in from the aid station but getting some water on my head.
And hoping that I could get this under control quickly. I picked my pace back up to run but only for
about a quarter mile, but couldn’t continue at that pace, so then I was
approaching another aid station on the other side of the course but decided I
needed to use the portopottie, becoming the first of many. Over the next 2.5 miles, I told myself to
push forward as strong as possible. I
would be able to run at about an 8:30 pace but then would have to slow to a
walk for a few hundred meters until the pain/feeling in my stomach would
subside then I would pick my pace up again.
This last several miles with 2 more stops at portopotties. However, at about mile 11 I was able to keep
a consistent run pace for the next 3 miles.
This stretch was as we were approaching the turn around and special needs
thus again seeing multiple spectators. So maybe a combination of coincidence
and that mentally I was able to run consistently, albeit not at my desired pace
but was still running. However, I was in
pain. I saw Kelly and Isaac at about
mile 12 and had told them I was in pain and what the issues were. I remember being in low place in the run,
knowing the pain I was in and wasn’t even half way done yet. Seeing them and then the team tent and family
did help but still knowing it was going to be a long second loop having to
suffer through this. As I ran past the
team tent, Jeff ran with me for a little bit and I told him I was in pain, he
told me I was looking good anyway (probably lying, I felt like I looked
terrible). As I went through special
needs bag, I did take me special needs bag and grabbed my second half of the
race nutrition even though I was changing my nutrition plan up a little bit and
only really taking in what my body was reacting well too. I started the second loop still able to hold
a running pace but hurting. I told
myself I had one more loop. I did this
before and I can do it again. I had
mentally already accepted the fact I was not going to hit my originally time
goal and it became a struggle to whether I was ok with it or not. It mentally became a game that my new goal
was to overcome these issues and pain and keep pushing forward. I was still able to keep a running pace and
wanted to seem strong as I ran past the team tent and the main drag of
spectators. There was a slight incline
through one of the streets and it was like this was the breaking point. My form had broken down and that’s why going
up even the slightest of climbs broke me.
It was the first time I had to walk in the past couple miles. This is when serious internal conversations
started and would continue for the rest of the way. Internally I was defeated, already having
made several “pitstops” to no true relief and was in severe pain and a real
risk of crappy myself (that will mess with you as a grown adult). I had several intense negative thoughts at
this point. My mind was playing games
with me, “you still have 12 miles to go, how do you think you will finish that,
it was torture for the past 6 miles much less double that”. I knew I was right around where I saw Isaac
and Kelly on the way to finish the first loop and I was hoping to see them soon
just for a pick me up. I would struggle
to keep a running race and have to slow to walk and then pick my pace back
up. I was honestly afraid of not finding
a portopottie in time if I ran too much.
But I was pushing that limit to the max. I was going to finish and
finish strong. I finally saw Isaac and
Kelly and I was happy to see them…for about a second, and then I just snapped
at both of them. I kind of yelled at
Kelly and told her to just stop, she was running next to me trying to talk to
me and to no fault of hers I snapped on them (I later, said I’m sorry). The only words I got to them were, “I need a
bathroom” and “stop”. Needless to say I
was in a dark point. Almost immediately
after they left, I felt terrible about how I was towards them and thought about
it for the majority of the remainder of the race. Why was I being such a jerk, they were only
trying to help. I made the decision to
do this race. I am the one pushing
myself to limit for these goals. I am
doing a freaking Ironman, I am capable of doing one and what an honor to be
able to still be going as fast as I am. But I’m bitching like a little baby
because my stomach hurts and I’m not going to finish with the aggressive goal
time I set for myself. But I am going to
finish and I am still going to finish with a huge PR. So I told myself to shut up and be positive. Shortly after this I did find a portopottie
(this was number 4 so far). I found it
ironic that every portopottie I stopped at (there will be 7 total for those
keeping count) had a little mirror on the door on the inside. It almost always happened that I would look
myself in the eyes as I was pulling my tri kit up. And I’d look at myself for a second tell
myself what I was made of, tell myself the amount of work I have put into this,
say some mantras, and to push through with everything I had. This didn’t make my GI issues go away but it
refocused me. I knew it was going to be
dark mentally for the rest of the race but I was back in control and going to push
through. Over the next several miles it
was tough, it was a run as long as I could and then walk, but even the running
pace was slower than it had been before in the similar situation. But I never quit. I would run about as far as I could without having
an “accident” before I’d walk. I made
two more portopottie stops (now at 6) and the one at mile 17.5 seemed to help a
lot, my stomach was feeling better, not 100% but was able to get a good 8:30
pace and hold it for about two miles.
This was right before we entered the park, I knew that all I had to do
was get to the end of the park and I would be on my way home to the
finish. As I came running out of that
portopottie I started talking with a women and she goes “I bet you’re on mile
18 aren’t you” I told her I was but I was hurting pretty bad. She goes doesn’t matter, keep going your
almost there. (And I hate when people
say I’m almost there cause you never are) but this actually surprisingly helped
me. She was right I was almost halfway
through the second loop. And her point
on saying it was she was on her first loop still. So I again refocused myself and kept
pushing. I had made it to the turn
around and was feeling decent, I was on my final stretch home, I knew I could
do this and even though I was doing some math in my head on finishing time, I
did reevaluate a finishing goal but I just wanted to finish strong. Having a new finishing goal did give me ideas
of what I needed to do and little goals to reach on the way back. I did make one more portopottie stop at mile
20, then I left the park and headed back through the streets to the
neighborhoods. Remembering where I had
crossed paths with some of the other teammates (Clark, Ron, Harvey) I knew I
should be seeing them soon again. I was
still having some troubles but wanted to seem strong for them, so I didn’t want
them to see my walking. I don’t know why
but I thought if I appeared to be strong to them, then I would be strong. More
mental queues that we tell ourselves.
The next 3 miles seemed to go by slowly but then at the same time I was
crossing the mile 23 mark before I knew it.
As soon as I crossed the marker, I didn’t care or even think what my
time was. I knew I had about a 5k remaining.
I had gone through several emotional changes through this run so far and
I don’t know what it was about the 5k point being significant (maybe because a
manageable distance) but I became very carefree. At this point I had even stopped thinking
about what I needed to run to reach my new finishing goal. It was like I was just out running my two
loops after HOP. My pace picked up to
around an 8:30 min mile. I even feel
like my form got better again. I made my way across the street into the highly
spectated area, through all the people. My pace picked up to an 8 min pace and
my spirits were lifting, I was smiling at people. As I was approaching the last right turn then
left turn to get onto the main stretch to go by the team tent. There was a
slight down hill (the same uphill earlier that seemed to the straw that broke
my back at the beginning of the second loop). I took that down hill and carried
the momentum into the final mile. I was
running a 7 min pace. It was narrow path
with people in both directions. I even
had to go into the main road (of cars) to get around someone. I was feeling great, my GI issues seemed to
be gone and my legs (somewhat frustratingly so) still felt great. I had less than a mile until I would hear the
words again. I ran past the team and smiled at everyone, I threw my nutrition
bottle to Jeff cause I wanted to cross with nothing in my hands. I had to loop around the block and then run
past the special needs and split off to go to the finish. As I was making the loop around the block, I
heard a women say “holy shit he is moving”.
This made me feel awesome, at the time 25ish in the marathon and about
the 140ish mile of the day, I was still strong.
As I was making the split to finish versus starting second loop, it was
probably about a quarter mile left; there were two people I could see in front
of me. I gave it everything I had to
pass them. Once I did, I had the
finisher chute to myself. It was lined with
people and I was just high fiving everyone and not caring. I was able to pick out some of my family and
friends on my right as I ran down. I am
not sure why or what caused me to but as I crossed, I jumped up and slapped the
timing clock. Honestly probably, just
about summed up the way I felt finishing the race. I felt awesome; I had some very dark times
during the run but had come back from them and learned a lot about myself. Without even really knowing it, I had beaten
my second time goal I gave myself during the run, my finishing time was
10:29. I drank the water bottle they
gave me and then grabbed another, I had neglected my nutrition the last three
miles I was feeling good, so I was extremely thirsty. I was doing well, so the catcher let me go
and I walked out the exit and my parents were right there. Then the rest of my family and friends came
over. I could not have asked for a
better support/cheering section. I
wanted two things, a beer and a shower.
So my dad bought me a beer and then my parents and Isaac walked with me
back up to the condo. After I showered,
we headed back down and watched everyone else finish, I got some food (I was
starving by this point, I guess that what happens when you nothing left in your
body after 7 stops). I was tired but had
so much energy; it is pretty amazing how the body reacts to going through such
an event like this all day pushing your body to the limits and then level of
endorphins that are released just by crossing the finish line. It is amazing. I stayed till midnight at the finish line
when I did Texas and I knew I was going to again here. And I knew several more people doing this
race so being able to see everyone finish is just as exciting as yourself.
Time: 4:05:03 9:21 per mile pace 19th AG
Overall Time 10:29:23 19th AG
Final Thoughts:
For
the next few days after the race, I went through several emotions, upset,
frustrated, thrilled, excited. After
reflecting for over a week on the race, I am extremely happy overall with my
race. I pushed through a tough swim
start, to have my most comfortable swim.
I stayed perfectly within my plan on the bike, knowing I did not kill
myself there. And I pushed through a lot
of pain and issues both mentally and physically on the run. I PRed every aspect of the three sports
individually and I PRed my overall time by 1 hour and 43 minutes. I worked extremely hard for this race. Part of which I believe was shown and part of
which was not. The fact that I was able
to mentally push through and finish the run strong, I know that my training and
ability is getting there and am capable of a faster time. This only leaves me hungrier for more. I am both mentally and physically stronger
moving forward. I cannot wait for 2014
season.
I want to thank my family for
putting up with me during all of this. I
want to thank my teammates for pushing me and training with me. Personally thank my coach, Brian, his
guidance and expertise has helped me get to levels I never thought I would and
get me to where I am. I would not be
anywhere without the people that are closest to me in this world. You all make me who I am and push me to be
better.
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