Staying busy

Last night I was invited to a women's cycling clinic held at Bio Wheels. I usually don't go to these types of events, but Sandi wanted to go. Our other friend Stacie went too. *Stacie just DNF'ed at IMWI due to a bike mechanical. She didn't make the cut off (13 minutes). It was such a sad story, I felt so bad for her. She will do an IM though. Sooner, rather than later.

Mitch, who owns Bio Wheels, has been helping me with stupid newbie cx questions. He also puts on one of the biggest cx races in the country (women's purse prize this year is 10k). Sue, who works at Bio Wheels, was running the clinic. She was a very cool chick.

It was fun to meet some other female cyclists, and see Mary and her crew show up. I also met Mitch's wife Kate, who owns a pilates studio and has some wicked bikes that were on display. The hour and a half went by fast and I ate like 8 pieces of pizza. They also served wine and beer. Sue wants to keep this going, like every 6 weeks.

I'd like to find a bunch of women who'd like to race and form a women's team.

Dominic and I rode a great city ride today. It was coooooold. Last week I had the air on and this week it's getting down to the 40's. WTF. It was 52 when we left.

We rode downtown and then did some hills into Mt. Auburn. Those climbs got me good and warmed up. Ended up on Gilbert and took Montgomery all the way to Kenwood. Down Stewart and towards Mariemont for coffee at The Dilly. Then back to Mt. Lookout and through the sq. down to eastern. Fucking horrible headwind!! Headed back downtown and then west to Glenway hill.

36 miles total. It's so weird. I feel like that's nothing now, compared to what I was doing 2 months ago. Oh, I am wearing my helmet more and more.

Mom's surgery is Thursday. Her dog Jakie is coming to my house tomorrow night. It's going to be hectic around here.

Me and my Mom have been through a lot. She raised me alone. My brother and sisters were older than me. You just have NO idea the kind of shit I put her through. Once she had to fly to SF at the drop of a hat because I was in ICU and they didn't think I'd make it through the night. Can you imagine? Another time the cops called her asking for my dental records because they thought they had found my body. And then I don't know how many 4am phone calls begging her to western union me money......and she sent it 95% of the time.

After 10 years of putting her through that kind of shit, I OWE it to her to help as much as I can.

I think we have a strong bond but recently the fights have gotten worse. I don't know why. Stress of her getting old. Her being jacked up on pain pills all the fucking time. It's hard. I am grateful I can vent about it here. Thanks for your comments.

This picture was taken just a year ago when Dominic refinished that old bike for her. Now she walks with a cane and falls a lot.

Training verses Exercise

After finishing the IM, Jen told me to take September and just do whatever I wanted. So that's what I'm doing. There's no schedule, no plan. Except a 'cross race here and there.

I am ok with this.

I am back to lifting weights twice a week. I missed lifting weights with Dominic. We have so much fun. There's a guy at our Y getting ready for a body building competition. It's been fun to watch his body change SO much over the course of 4 months. He bulked up really big last spring on steroids and now he's leaning out. He says he's down to 20g of carbs a day. Could you imagine? It's so opposite for endurance and my kind of training.

Getting off subject here. Sorry.

I have this crazy, intense energy in the morning that has to released somehow. After an hour walk with my dogs, feed them, it's time for my own "exercise". I don't call it "training" anymore. Maybe because I know I don't have to be doing it?

I understand why people like to have a coach year round. It's a sure fire way of not losing your fitness. That's what scares me. I love being IM fit. I want to stay this way.

2010 is going to be the year of the bike for me. I am going to enter as many bike races as I can. I am even contemplating joining a team since they pay back my race entry fees. This team, actually. But their jerseys were BUTT ugly last year. Is that bad to not want to join a team because their jerseys are ugly?

Typical Amanda shot after a rainy 10 mile run. Why? To clear my head.

Thanks for all your comments about my Mom. It's going to be tough but we'll get through it.

Before he crashed....

Just so you know how sick my mind is....

Addiction-wise, anyways.

Me and my Mom went to see her back surgeon yesterday for a few specifics he forgot to mention to her (re: REHAB hospital after surgery). She only lives like 2 minutes away and she had forgotten her pain pills at home and needed the bottle so he could give her a refill. So I went back to her house to get the bottle and she only had like 4 left. These are super strong pain pills (re: OPIATES) and I literally shake when I am around them. I knew I couldn't take them but got so overwhelmed I was almost in tears when I got back to the DR's office.

I am also overwhelmed about my Mom's surgery. I am so consumed with MEMEME I am hardly even thinking about my Mom and how much pain she's in, etc.

That's how fucked up my mind works.

Her surgery is next Thursday. He's putting hardware in her spine to fuse it together or something of that nature. All I know is that she is expected to be in the hospital for 4 days. It will be determined while she's in the hospital if she'll be released to her home, or to a rehab facility.

And she takes care of my invalid brother with schizophrenia. Who can't do a fucking thing for himself because she's done everything for him, for years.

You can't understand what kind of stress this is creating for me.

See how I am? I am so selfish that all I can think about is my fucking self and not about how my Mom must be feeling.

Fuck fuck fuck.

What the hell was I waiting for?

another great race report here from suzanne. she explains the course better.



today me and Dominic showed up at the 'cross race with our brand new shoes, brand new bikes, new pedals, and just kind of wing it. cuz that's how we roll.

i was more nervous for this than imky so wasn't feeling great. as soon as we got to the race site, i got on my bike and started riding. i came back to a grassy area to try dismounts and remounts. dominic joined me and i almost didn't recognize him in his helmet!

we did a warm up lap (we got there WAY early) and this is where I jumped barriers for the 1st time ever. the course was a blast! the next set of barriers were at the bottom of a hill and then a run up, and a fun downhill. there was another hill that had a downhill with a tight turn at the bottom. in fact, a lot of tight turns. the sand pit i ran through. the course was hard!! i had NO idea what was involved until i did that warm up lap.

and the course was dry at this point.

it started to drizzle during my 2nd lap warm up and it was getting wet.



then it was time for the cat 4 men to line up. there were 116 cat 4 men.

And then the rain started. It was slick.




dominic started in the way back since this was his 1st race. he somehow made it to the middle of the pack and he ended up crashing twice. they were coming around for the 2nd lap and he came limping around the corner carrying his bike.




he crashed on his knee with the torn meniscus. it might be fucked. didn't i tell you he'd injure himself? he has no fear on a bike and where other guys are cautious, he just rips on through. he still came limping over with a huge smile on his face. he wants to keep trying.



his mom and dad both came to watch and they walked him back to the car to ice his knee.



i finally found suzanne and we did a little bit of some warm up and then it was time for the cat 3/4's women to line up. she had on the cutest knee socks.








we started in the back. there were about 25 women total. all of the sudden we were off. i thought ok here i am doing a cx race!




sandi had come out to watch in the rain and took a few pictures.






it was raining pretty good and the course was slick! it was crazy! i had passed a few women and we were single file going straight through some gravel and i veared off to the left and had to get off the bike. about 5 women passed me at that point and i was sure i was last.



the 1st lap was more about me still trying to figure out the dismounts and remounts. i had the leg swing down for the dismount w/o lookng like too much of a tool. i was running the barriers w/o tripping. i could get up the hills fast enough.







on the 2nd lap i was riding with mostly juniors (who had started one minute after the women. nothing like having a 12 year old pass you. one of them even cussed at me when i had to stop to run a muddy 180 turn. i even apologized and said "are you ok little dude?"


i was behind suzanne for the rest of the race for the most part. i rode the sand pits on the 2nd and 3rd laps. i ran up hills and down the hill that had the 180 turn up another hill.

i so did not want to finish dfl. and then about 1/2 mile from the finish i finally passed a woman.

it was THE BEST FUN i have had on a bicycle. i really feel like i found something i want to be good at.

i came in #11 out of 14 cat 4 master's 35+.

i was not prepared with good tires. we weren't prepared for rain at all. i am going to get some better tires asap. i had no idea. and i blame dominic for not thinking about it. he had the right tires.

i was a muddy mess when i finished. the bike was so muddy and slick i couldn't even clip in for most of the 3rd lap. my cleats were full of mud (since i was off the bike and running with it a lot).

amanda also came out to cheer in the rain. look at her legs!!

so the bikes are caked in mud. dominic says that because i don't have sealed bearings he won't just spray it off with a hose. he is letting the mud dry and then will clean by hand. how do you guys usually wash your bikes? julie?

tonight dominic's still limping and icing his knee. i am worried.

First CX race - TOMORROW!

Suzanne somehow talked me into this. Dominic is registered too.

I am scared shitless. I just know I am going to look like an ass but I guess I just have to give it my best shot.

Dominic, on the other hand, is SO excited! He's riding a 9'er frame with an old pair of carbon drop bars (that are about to break), cx tires, and disc brakes. He was practicing his dismounts and remounts yesterday. I think he is going to be good. He seems to think the best cx racers were BMX'ers. He rode half pipe and all that when he was a kid. What worries me now is injury. Dominic is SO susceptible to injury. He is always injured.

I probably should just shut up now because I might jinx it.

Time Trial on a Fixie (10.2m)

The weekly time trial is coming to an end. Last night they recognized fixed gears so I rode mine. Out of 32 riders only 6 rode fixed. And I was the only female. The fast guys all rode track bikes with HUGE gears. I rode bullhorns and 47x15.

I had no idea how I'd do on my fixie. The warm up lap was slow. Ryan and I took our time. I also had to stop and pee which is always an adventure when wearing bibs.

When we got to the starting line, I only saw a handful of fixies. This beautiful bike was picture worthy.



Amanda and I took pix of each other at the starting line. That's me about ready to go.



That's Amanda in green. She started way behind me cuz she's crazy fast.



So they lined us up and off I go. No computer to go by. Just the feeling in my legs. Spin, spin, spin, I kept telling myself. The course is rolling hills and the climbs are hard in this gear but I stood up and just powered through it. The downhills were scary cuz I can't stop pedaling (no coasting on a fixie!).

When my 30 second guy came up from behind, like an inch away, and didn't have the courtesy to call out on your left, I had to yell. These fucks should really learn some fucking bike etiquette. I tried to pass him back but he passed me again (he had gears!) and I let him go. I think I still managed to beat his time though.

I crossed the finish line in 30:35. MY PR on a road bike w/ aero bars is 28:51. My average of 19+ on a fixie made me pretty happy.



And since I was the only female riding fixed, I won a t-shirt.

It was a fun night.

CX on singletrack

Yesterday Dominic put gears back on his 9'er and we took the bikes to Mitchell Memorial. They have a 4 mile loop of singletrack that's kind of technical (though the sign said it was an intermediate level).

My friend Jay met us there. Jay's not the kind of guy that rides too often. He told me "I rode a couple miles the other day". Like that's as far as it goes for Jay and riding. *Jay is an old friend I have known for about 20 years. He is married to one of my co-workers now.

I was also trying out my egg beaters and MTB shoes (I went with LG's) for the first time. That makes a lot of sense, right? Take your cx bike to a MTB trail and learn how to ride new pedals. Spells d-i-s-a-s-t-e-r. I Guess that's the way to just throw myself into it, right? I figured I would be going too slow to really hurt myself anyways.

We were riding around the parking lot waiting for Dominic to get his stuff together when he locked the keys in the car. Great. My helmet was in there. Called AAA and they quoted 45 minutes. We headed into the trail.

I had never ever ridden on a MTB trail before. Ever. And here I am doing it on a cx bike. Dominic and Jay were up ahead. I took my time going up and down hills (like a roller coaster!), over rocks, tree roots.... I just could not believe how rad this bike was! I had no idea a cx tires could handle stuff like this. There were some twisty turny turns through trees that I could hardly squeeze through, and some nice climbs.

Then the AAA guy called and he was on his way. So I turned back and headed to the parking lot to wait.

Once the car was unlocked, Dominic had come back but Jay wasn't. Then he came rolling down the hill and into the parking lot looking hurt. He flipped over his bars but got right back on. He didn't have bike shorts on either so his ass was pretty much broken.

I convinced him to come with us on another loop and we headed back into the trail. I was loving it! Dominic stayed with me this time and Jay was behind us. I was riding well! I love how you have to keep your eyes focused straight ahead of you (much like trail running) to see what you are about to encounter.

Dominic would call out "rocks ahead" or "big roots", or "steep downhill". We were having a blast. Poor Jay's ass was probably on fire. I kept screaming out a loud "OOOOOOMPGH" if I hit a big bump.

But you know what? I did not go down one time. I actually impressed Dominic, for a change.

The boys went back to the parking lot and I rode all over the park. On the grass, uphill, downhill, playing with my gearing. I have an entry level bike and it has a triple. I have yet to use the granny gear. I tried some dismounts and remounts (where nobody could see me) too. Tried picking up my bike and running with it. It seems fun but this shit is HARD!

Egg beaters are hard to get used to. I am not doing so great. I am going to try getting used to them on the road.

All in all I LOVED the singletrack, and now I want a mountain bike.

This is a picture of me on my cx bike for the 1st time last weekend.

Friday

It's been a fucked up week.

Damn I have been trying SO hard not to say that word on here and on Facebook. Have you noticed?

But anyways.

-Work is sketchy. Our company has been bought by a fancy schmancy travel agency that books highend travel for rockstars and movie stars. It should be interesting to see how this plays out.

-My anxiety levels are pretty ridiculous. I threw up this morning. I just cannot believe how much stress affects me physically.

-My Mom is having back surgery on the 1st. My two wonderful sisters aren't "able" to fly in to help. Fucking selfish bitches.....




I swam yesterday for the 1st time since IMKY. It felt wonderful. It was weird not having one of Jen's swim workouts to print out though. I made it up as I went along.

The warm up -
300 swim
300 kick (with fins)
400 pull

Main set -
1x500
5x100 on 1:50
3x100 (last 25 backstroke)
4x75 (on 10" rest)

The cool down-
1x200 pull
1x200 swim

Total 3000y

I lifted weights for an hour on Wednesday and ran Nancy's dogs 6 miles after. It felt nice to be back in my normal routine again. Jen didn't want me running dogs during the last 8 weeks of IM training and I haven't lifted heavy weights in almost 10 weeks! My whole upper body was sore yesterday.

I signed up for a WOMEN'S ONLY Cyclocross Clinic put on by Katie Compton. It's Oct 7th. I am super excited about it. I expect to fall down a lot. And look stupid. It's all about having fun!

P.S. Please vote for Fausto! It's a dollar a vote. This is for Bad Rap Pitbull Rescue. You do have to create a log in. Every penny counts! THANK YOU!

NEWBIKES

So here's the story of how we bought the 9'er and the cx bike.

Last June our basement flooded. It ended up being the city's fault. The sewers backed up. So the MSD (Metropolitan Sewer District) came out and cleaned my basement and garage from top to bottom. They threw away a bunch of stuff that was ruined. Well some of that stuff had a little value. So I got a check for $1500.00.

Well what do you do when you get extra money? Do you pay bills? Maybe pay a little more on that Visa? Make an extra mortgage payment?

HELL NO!! You buy a bike! Or two!

Dominic's had his eye on a Redline 29'er at BAM, our bike shop, for a while. I knew I could get a entry level cx bike for under $500. Our shop discounts are totally awesome. I cannot get over how good they are to us. So that's how we got our bikes.

Dominic keeps changing his 9'er. He converted into a fucking fixed gear (40x17) and put bullhorns on it. It has cx tires, and bullhorns. Looks ridiculous. Oh and carbon cranks. WTF. I know.

So, we rode the new bikes on Sunday. We went to this park and I rode all over the grass, trying different surfaces. Grass is fun. Hills are scary. I have top brakes that I like very much! I can totally see myself flying over the handlebars sometime. We also rode on a little trail in Burnet Woods, rode through a bunch of pebble, stuff like that. It is SO much fun! It's hard too.

We rode on the road all around Clifton, downtown, and I love those thick tires! It's cool not to worry about every little bump.

Today I rode to my work for a meeting. It helped ease my stress. I wore a helmet but I wore my headphones. I was headed up a hill, and a bus stopped right in front of me. Instead of stopping, I just hopped up on the sidewalk and went around it. Riding this bike reminds me of when I was a messenger in SF, mostly cuz of those thick tires. Seems to be the perfect bike for a messenger.

So that's our excitement for now.

It's funny. I had the balls to sign up for and complete an Ironman, and I am scared of a silly little 40 minute bike race. I am going to try it though. If I suck, I'll just try not to suck too horribly.

Ironman Louisville - The Run and Finish

So after seeing my friends I was just so happy to be on the last leg of this race. We ran through downtown and then halfway across a bridge. We did a turn around and headed back. My hips were on fire. Sciatica in both legs. I was having a hard time finding a good rhythm.



After a few miles and about 2 water stops, I had no clue what mile we were at. I didn't see the mile markers at all. The aid stations had water, coke (the generic kind YUCK), pretzels, grapes, oranges, power gels and bars, and endurance Gatorade. Every mile. I was still yelling at the crowds and had this huge goofy grin on my face.

About mile 7 I had finally found my rhythm. I saw Amanda and she was on like mile 13. We crossed the street to hug.

I saw Tim at mile 9 and he only had like 3 miles left to go. We ran together for a little while. I wanted to stretch and he told me to keep moving. We both had huge grins on our faces. He told me about a girl who had "Greyhound Rescue" on her tri-shorts and top that he had passed.

I had my phone on me and was afraid if officials saw me with it, I'd be DQ'ed. So I would go into the porta potty to text Dominic and tell him what mile I was on. And how I felt.

This is me at mile 12. Amanda's Dad took this picture.


Photo (Amanda)

I was feeling pretty full from all the food I ate on my bike. Water was tasting pretty good and I was taking gels in every 45 minutes or so.

The course was 2 loops and once I crossed the 13.1 mats, we were headed back into downtown Louisville. It sucked because there were such HUGE crowds and everyone was screaming. We had to pass right by the finish line. What a bummer of a feeling. But not really for me. I was SO psyched to be way ahead of schedule at this point.

I made the turn away and headed back out for loop 2. Another 13 miles to go. I made a lot of friends on the run course when I would stop to walk. I walked for a few minutes and then picked it back up with this run/trot/shuffle kind of thing. Everyone seemed to be doing that.

I stopped taking in calories after mile 16. My belly was full. Tim had given me electrolyte tablets. I drank water at all the aid stations.

I knew I would finish under my time goal time and things were going well. I still had that silly grin on my face. All the way up until about mile 20. I texted Dominic:

mile 20 pain is irrelevant

I saw Mary in her rockin' cowboy hat and pink skirt right where she said she'd be, which was mile 21. When I saw her with less than a 10k to go, she was just the boost I needed!

Then the chick in the Greyhound Rescue tri-clothes ran past and we started running together. We started talking about rescue, and the politics of it. Dogs. We had about 4.5 miles to go. We decided to stay together, slow and steady. We'd walk a few, then jog a few. Finally running with 3 miles left, then 2 miles left, and then 1 mile left. Then we saw her friends (one who is doing Ultraman!) and they ran with us for a few. They told Laurel to sprint in front a chick in a green skort who was up ahead. So we did this pathetic sprint and passed her.

Then we turned onto a cobblestone street.

Photo(Kristi )


It was hard to run on that damn cobblestone. Laurel (my new friends name) and I made sure our race numbers were visable. We were about to cross the finish line!!

Photo (Kristi)


All we could see were two big spotlights and a TV screen straight ahead of us. I told her to go ahead......

Photo (Kristi)

Photo (Kristi)

And then they said:

JUDI ROTHENBERG, FROM CINCINNATI OHIO, YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!!

Me and Laurel, my new Facebook and Greyhound rescue friend.

A volunteer caught me and she held me for a second till I caught my balance. Then Dominic was there and he hugged me and I started crying but I didn't want anyone to see. I did not let go for a long time. Kristi, Ryan, Sandi and Suzanne were all standing around taking pictures.

Photo (Kristi)

Run time:

5:38

Final finish time 14:21.

I have never felt happier in all my life than I did on this day. How lucky am I that I get to do this? The emotions are overwhelming. It's a huge achievement.

Special thanks to a few who helped make it happen:

1. Dominic. I love your patience and understanding. Without you, my world would cease to exist.

2. You all. I am still freaked out that people read this blog. Thank you for your kind words and support!

3. Jen Harrison - I feel so lucky to have been able to work with a coach. She is The Best.

4. Ryan for taking me on all those hill rides and listening to me bitch.

5. Kristi for all the great pictures!

6. Sandi, Amanda, Heather, my training buddies. Thanks for all the great long rides.

7. BAM - Bicycles and More. Ron and Wanda always keep me riding.

I am sure I am forgetting people and I will update this post as I think of them.

Thanks again for all your support and encouragement.

XXOO-

Judi

Ironman Louisville - The Bike

I hopped on my bike, and once again had perfect gearing for the hill out of transition (Dominic, thanks baby). People lined the sidewalks and there were tons of people everywhere. The crowds are crazy at IMKY! I was totally and completely PSYCHED to be on my bike. I had this HUGE smile plastered across my face for the entire ride (and most of the run too).

My nutrition plan for the bike was 300 calories an hour. That included gels and mini Cliff bars, coconut water, Carbo-Pro, and G2. I didn't take any of the Gatorade on the bike course. Tim kept calling it a "rolling buffet". I stayed full.

My belly was full! Plus I didn't shit all day.



I headed down River road and 2 miles into the ride, 3 guys crashed right in front of me. One guy was limping down the street with his bike, screaming cuss words. He was SO mad. I felt bad for them but kept on riding through. What help could I give them anyways?

I passed Jess on the bike going up the first hill. It was so exciting! We screamed and smiled and I kept on going up the hill.

The first part of the bike consisted of some rolling hills and an out and back down that included some scary descends! Plus with over 3000 cyclists out there, tons of guys were zooming past on my left scaring the shit out of me. They come so close!

Sandi passed me and I passed her back. Then she passed me again and I ended up stopping at the aid station.

FIRST BIKE SEGMENT
22 mi (1:18:42)
16.77 mph

Once we were back on 42 I was still smiling. I made the turn onto the 1st loop and was feeling really good. I kept screaming at all the crowds and throwing up devil horns. I was acting CRAZY happy on my bike.

LaGrange was packed and I came down the middle of the road throwing up the devil horns again. The crowds SCREAMED LOUDER and I was loving it.

Have to give a shout out to the drunk girl in the purple wig and pink bathing suit! You looked GREAT!

SECOND BIKE SEGMENT
37 mi (56:40)
15.88 mph

I loved it when two of the women pro's came hauling ass from behind, on their 2nd loop. The one girl screamed out "OUTTA THE WAY BOYS!" and indeed they let those girls pass.

I loved it when I could make conversation out there, most everyone is so damn serious, they just ride ride ride but I was having a GOOD time!

I made my 1st bathroom stop at mile 56 and texted Dominic:
56 miles happy


THIRD BIKE SEGMENT
67 mi (1:56:51)
15.40 mph

After the bathroom stop I headed back down 42 and turned left for my 2cd loop. I was glad to be on the 2cd half of this ride. I knew LaGrange was coming up and the crowds would amp me up! My back was feeling achy but the pain was hardly noticeable with the Alieve. I had taken it before the swim and had more in my special needs bags.

When I got to special needs I pulled over, calling out my number. They handed me my bag and I took the Alieve. I tried to eat a tiny bit of my peanut butter sandwich. I ended up spitting it out. I had a scoop of protein powder and I added it to a water bottle, shook it up, and drank it. I put my Carbo-Pro powder in my other bottle and headed back out on my bike. The volunteers were awesome.

I started to get a little cranky around mile 80 and yelled at some guy who passed a little too close on my left. And WTF why don't they say "On your left!"? I even called him by his name which was Sean. I said "Sean, you came a little too close there buddy". He didn't say anything back. I let him pass. Then I passed him again and left him there.


We finally turned off 42 and down some fun hills and then we were back on river road. I came in with a few other guys, one who was stupid enough to be doing another IM in 2 weeks! IMWI! Crazy!

I had a great time for my last bike split!


FINAL BIKE SEGMENT
112 mi (2:35:26)
17.37 mph


TOTAL BIKE
112 mi. (6:47:39)
16.48 mph

There was a volunteer to take your bike. In front of me I saw a total douche bag asshole throw his bike at a volunteer who almost didn't catch it. Like he was some kind of pro! I even said to the guy that almost lost the catch "what an idiot, right?" and he laughed at me.




I took my shoes off and ran down to grab my run gear bag. I hugged the volunteer who gave me my bag and I ran into the tent. I was frazzled again. And thirsty. I wanted plain water. I sat down to change and kept talking to my volunteer again. I told her I wasn't in a hurry and took my time.

T-2 - even worse than T-1! 13:11




I saw Suzanne and Nani after I came out. I was so happy to be on the final leg of this race and super psyched to see FRIENDS! I gave Nani a kiss and tried to run off. But it was more of a trot/walk. I was hurting from the bike. My hips were on fire! Plus look at my bloated belly! Still hadn't crapped!



I saw Dominic and Ryan and Kristi who took all of these pictures! I gave Dominic and huge hug and kiss.







Then I said "Gotta go, I have a marathon to run now"......

Ironman Louisville - The Swim

The picture above is the swim practice on Saturday. That's me, Sandi and Heather (on the left).

The morning of the race started off crazy. There was a bagel shop downstairs from our hotel that was going to be open at 4am. Perfect. I got a wake up call at 3:50am so I could run down and grab a bagel before the line got long (remember, there was a line for everydamnthing). Yea, stupid ass that I am, I should have had that one item in my hotel room already. Dominic is hardly coherent at that time of the morning, so he was not really all that helpful.

When I got down to the bagel shop there was a LINE about 15 minutes long. And I stood in it! I got my bagel and ran back up to the room, ate my oatmeal, sipped on Nuun, and got dressed in my swim suit. Over it I wore a long sleeve tech and shorts and flip flops. Dominic got up and got dressed and we finally headed down to transition. I had to turn in my special needs bags and transition opened at 5am.

I almost walked out of the hotel without my bottles for my bike. I was frazzled. We had almost a mile walk down to transition. It was cold, and I was scared. Dominic said he'd wait for me on the side steps while I went to my bike and dropped my bottles off and then my special needs bags. When I got out of transition, I couldn't find him! Anywhere! I started to freak out! I asked this lady if I could use her cell phone to call him and of course he doesn't answer. It was another 3/4 of a mile to the swim start and so I started walking it alone. Crying.

Then I realized I didn't have my chip! I LEFT MY TIMING CHIP IN THE ROOM!

I panicked. All alone.

I asked some of the volunteers at the swim start but they knew nothing about timing chips. Someone said they'd have more timing chips at the swim start. Another official took me to another guy who had the timing chips. I was freaking. He looked me straight in the eye and said "don't worry, I am gonna take care of you". He took my #, made a phone call, strapped the chip on my ankle, and off I went to get body marked.

Me and Heather

Then I saw the line to the swim start. It was a time trial swim start so 3000+ athletes means a looong wait to start the race. There were family members standing in line and more people standing in lines for the porta-pottys.

I found Heather and Sandi standing in line to pee so I stopped and waited with them. I was still upset about losing Dominic. And then after about 20 minutes, I saw him. I ran towards him and gave him the biggest hug. He was SO pissed at me for leaving transition w/o him.

He got over it pretty fast when the line to the swim start started moving. We all stood there, shivering. Sandi was wearing a plastic bag because she had already given her clothes to her kid. It was so cold and I was shivering and shaking.

We saw some interesting things while standing in line for the swim.

Then it was time to strip down cuz then the gun went off and the line was moving faster. I handed Dominic my clothes and then we were running down a ramp and onto a boat dock.

All of the sudden I was jumping off the dock and into the river. I was doing an Ironman! I told myself that for the first 15 minutes. It felt so good to be finally doing this! I was swimming a nice easy pace and just taking it all in. I saw a girl panicked and holding onto a kayak. She was telling the guy in the kayak "I feel like I am gonna die", and he was telling her that no one has ever died and that she was fine. I even stopped my swim right then and there and was going to tell her to come on and swim but I didn't. I just kept swimming. Then we went under a bridge and passed a few more buoys and then we were done! 1:28

I climbed up the steps and everyone was running to transition. Me and this guy looked at each other and he said "WTF, why run, it's gonna be a long day". And I just smiled and yelled out my number for my bike gear bag and ran into the changing tent. I forgot a towel and asked another girl if I could use her's. I had a gel, and pulled on my bike shorts and top. I was a Chatty Cathy though, all amped up and ended up spending a lot of time in there!

T-1 time 12:42! LOL