(Millions of dollars of bikes in Transition)
The bus dropped us off and we found our shepas (friends and family) quickly. I headed off to the porta-potties and made it back in time to wait around for a while getting nervous. We took some pictures and I slipped into my wetsuit. The race directors were beginning to line up the participants according to swim waves. I was in the 7th wave to go. Luckily I didn't have to wait forever. They played the National Anthem and the first wave of men 35-39 were off!
(Happily waiting for my turn)
The line began to move quickly. Suddenly I was on the dock and jumping into the water. The first thing I noticed...the current. It was already moving us downstream. We had to fight to stay near the dock. And we were off! Augusta is a great first 70.3 due to its current assisted straight swim. The 1.2 miles went fairly quickly. I got off course twice. Once I hit a buoy, well almost, I looked up right before I would have smacked into it. Thank goodness they are blow ups!
Soon I was climbing out of the water and trying to strip myself out of my wetsuit. I looked for my husband and friends but did not see them. As I ran through transition I was happy to have completed the first 1/3 of the race. Transition was smooth and soon I was out on my bike. I did see me hubbie on my way out to the bike course. He almost missed me until I screamed his name (Yes, I actually screamed). I was very happy I had seen him.
The bike course was fine. The first 16 miles are flat and fast. I went out a bit too fast but nothing that I regretted (well not too badly). The next 20 miles are hills (nothing too bad) and the last 10 miles are not flat but not hilly, if that makes any sense. I was happy with my progress throughout the ride. There was mist through most of it and at times my helmet was dripping onto me. I was so very happy it wasn't super hot! I did manage my nutrition well on the bike. I sucked down a camelbak full of Infinit blend, two Honey Stinger Waffles (THANK YOU ANN), and a package of shot blocks.
I had three concerns as the bike was nearing the end. 1) MY ASS HURT! I mean really hurt. I could barely stay in the saddle which was slowing me down considerably. 2) My left leg was cramping up and I was concerned about the run. 3) My shoulder were in knots. They hurt. I knew my run wouldn't be affected but it wasn't pleasant.
As I biked into transition I was thankful to be off my bike. I have heard of people saying that it takes months to get back on their bike after a long course race. I am one of those people. In the month and half since Augusta I have ridden 3 times. Ugh.
T2 was smooth. I left to go to the run course but my legs felt like lead. I just couldn't get them to fire. I stopped at the porta potties and after I tried my best to start running. It was then that I knew it was not going to be a quick run. Eventually I did get myself running but nowhere near the pace I would have liked. As I ran out of transition I was really hoping to see my husband and friend Ann. No such luck, they were already waiting further in on the run course.
Just after the first aid station I saw my hubbie and Ann. It was like seeing angels. I was so unbelievably happy to see them. I kissed my husband and the words of encouragement from both of them kept me going. Basically the run consisted of me running intervals and walking through aid stations. I will never leave my nutrition to aid stations again. I could not take in all the fluids I needed and I barely ate on the run. Both very bad decisions.
With 2 miles left I was getting so tired. I began walking more than running. I just kept moving forward. Finally I was to the point where around the corner was the long finishers chute. I began to run hard, I didn't want to leave anything out on that course. I was so very happy. I thought about my family and my friends. All the support I had been given throughout my training. And how far I had come on this journey. I threw my hands up and finished strong. I had completed a half Ironman. In 7 hour and 4 min. 4 minutes shy of my uber goal. But I will take it!
(Running down the Finisher's Chute!)
(I earmed that medal!)
I found my husband and friend after I wandered through the athlete's area. We went to cheer on my other friend on who was still on the course. 15 minutes later I felt like I was about to pass out. My hubbie threw me on his back and we hurried over to medical. My vitals were fine but I needed water. I drank 3 bottles before I started to feel better. I was fine but it made me painfully aware of just how little I had taken in over the course of the run. There are 6 aid stations on the course. You hit most twice. I would grab a glass of Gatorade and Water at each aid station but the glasses were probably 6 oz. That's only 120 oz. IF I drank it all (which I did not) in 3 hours and 13.1 miles. I know for the next time that I will need to carry my own hydration and fuel if I plan to survive.
I was so proud of myself and my friend who finished too. We went back to our room and my two friends left from there. My hubbie and I stayed the night and took off in the morning. The ride back I wore my finisher's hat and beamed at my accomplishment. It was an amazing experience. I cannot stress how much I appreciate the support of my husband. He is a saint (I tell him this often). He lets me be me and listens to my tri babble. I cannot thank him enough.
I also have an amazing online community through ObesityHelp who has encouraged me throughout my journey. Thank you AV, Anny, DCGirl, Emie, Melissa, Sarah, Stacy and all the others! I also have amazing co-workers who listen to me moan after long workouts and deal with my constant tri talk. I have great tri friends and non-tri friends alike who have all been amazingly supportive. TO EVERYONE: THANK YOU!
Ironman Augusta 70.3
September 27, 2015
Swim 1.2 Miles: 28:58
T1: 8:33
Bike 56 Miles: 3:25:39
T2: 8:19
Run 13.1 Miles: 2:52:02
Total: 7:04:31
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