So many things to said about my IM… where to start???
I WAS SO SICK the days before; I can’t believe I finished it. I have a lot more self-satisfaction of having finished this one than Florida, because it was a really tough day. Mentally and physically (breath less…)
It started on Wednesday, with a sore throat. It got worsted on Thursday, changed in a cough on Friday and Saturday. During my pre-race warm-up on Saturday, I did about 20min bike. At the end, I climbed a little hill, and I started to cough so badly, I felt fatigued, had fever and I had to lay down… I went to a clinic in the afternoon. The doctor gave me prescriptions for a pump (like for asthma). It really got me to the finished line. I don’t think I would have finished it without that.
Sleep: I slept less than 5 hours before the IM, and with a couple of short nights before the Day… So I started the day very tired, and sick. So not so much to expect…
Swim: I didn’t know what to expect. All I wanted, was to take it easy and make sure I wouldn’t be out of breath, bc it was when I picked up a little the day before that I started to cough and feel bad. So 1:12 is fair enough. My swim really improved in the last months.
Bike: My plan was to finish the bike. That’s it. I knew that if I finished the bike, I would make it to the finish line. 1st loop was going pretty well, not very much slower than in training, so I was happy. I started to be out of breath on the 2nd loop, so I had to slow down a little… well, OK, I slowed down a lot. 30minutes slower on the 2nd loop. IMLP volunteers and spectators are awesome!!! I almost cried at the end of the first loop, there was a tunnel of people near the golf course, I felt like a the Tour de France. I couldn’t believe I was there; riding on the IM bike course after the day had the day before… I really enjoyed the bike, even if it was long (7h30: I expected a 6h45, with good health condition).
Run: 5h10 (IMFL: 5h02) Not so bad, considering the run course and my condition. I walked a lot. I was also out of breath on the run, mostly on the 2nd loop. At every little hill, I had to walk. Seriously, if I wouldn’t had had my pump, I wouldn’t have made it. The crowd is gorgeous. Tri For Life Triathlon Cub is gorgeous too. So many people out there to cheer us on. It really helps to go through that day.
Finish line: 14h10min. My parents, my brother, his girlfriend, my father-in-law and my good girl friends from high school were there. I cried (again) when I crossed the finish line. It was amazing. I couldn’t believe I made it. I thought about all the efforts I had to put in my training, screwed up by a cough, and I finally made it. I have my finisher medal. And so Fred does. We both are ironmen!
I would have like to see what I could have done with good health condition, bc I feel in very good shape. But this is what IM is all about… you never know how you will do on race day… I love that sport!