Ironman Wisconsin The Saga: Part Four - THE RUN -- 6:06.50

So - once I passed my family, I did start to run. I ran around the Capitol and onto State St.  I saw my sister here right before turning onto Henry.  I did not stop though, I wanted to keep going.  Shortly around the 1 mile mark, the winning woman passed me.  Gave her a shout out.  It was pretty cool seeing the top few pro women with their motorcycle escort.  I stopped at the porta-potty.  Still really not much to talk about except for the fact that it was a brown color.  Saw Juice at the 1st aid station.  As he is quite the accomplished runner, I told him I was dehydrated and he advised me to keep drinking water.  I decided to walk for a bit.

We go onto the SW commuter path and have to do a short out and back right here.  I saw KimK here.  WOW - she always is in a happy go-lucky mood. This would prove to continue later when I saw her too.  I really wanted to go with her, but I decided to hold off for now.  I saw Anna starting the out and back portion, so she was maybe a 1/2 mile behind me.  I was walking at a pretty good clip.  I decided to run Camp Randall - how often do we get to do that?  That was fun.   I actually liked the turf! 

Not long after this, I decided to run/walk.  It was about .5 run/.5 walk.  I did this for a long time.  Saw the family at State St.  Walked with my sister-in-law Kelly.  Asked her what to do about my dehydration.  Keep drinking.  I refilled my gatorade bottle with water 6 times, I believe.  I would eat oranges at every aid station.  I tried pretzels - too dry.  I ate a cooke once - yuck!  The grapes were okay, but oranges were better.  The chips tasted good and went down easy.  I did try the "coke" - which was really pepsi. Not great.  Found that orange perform is tolerable.  I drank that too.  I was disappointed that the motivational mile wasn't working when I went by.  I knew that Rob had put a message in.  It must not have registered, because I know that others saw messages. 

I was on Dayton st. - probably about 1 mile or so from the turnaround when Jen caught up with me.  I met Jen at HHH and we did a long training ride together in August.  I decided to stay with her.  We passed my cheering crew on Henry and up to the Capitol we went.  I saw Craig sitting on the sidewalk along the Capitol - I was bummed that he was out.  Hit special needs.  I grabbed my long sleeve shirt.  I didn't want to take a chance that I wouldn't get it back.  I used it to mop up sweat until I saw Rob again and handed it off to him at Henry again.  I stopped at the porta-potty again.  I peed!  AND it wasn't so brown!  Jen and I caught up again and we stayed together.  The commuter path was kinda cool because you could see the sunset - it didn't seem like it was so long since we had seen the sunrise.  There also appeared to be a full moon.  It looked full, I don't know if it was official though.  We got to run through Camp Randall under lights.  That was pretty neat.  Jen's husband Jon was at the 17 mile aid station.  I'm sure she was glad to see him. 

On we kept going on the dark lakeshore path.  Our run intervals were shortening.  We started on the chicken broth around here - GOLD!!  Once we got to the University Mall, Jen stopped at the porta-potty.  I kept going.  I was going to stop on the way back.  Saw the crew near the turnaround again.  Let them know I was doing okay.  Anna passed me right before we started on the mall.  Apparently, she was near pulling out the 1st time though.  I stopped at the bathroom - kept on going.  Didn't know if Jen was still behind me or if she was in front of me.  I kept plugging along.  I was running when we got on the path, but I couldn't see anything.  So, I walked.  I was still doing fine mentally.  Just having fun. There were so many people walking together -- I was very inspired.  I started increasing my run intervals.  I knew at the 22 mile point, that it wasn't much longer.  I also knew I could finish before 10:30, which was my goal.  I saw Jen not far behind me when I was going back towards the motivational mile. 

When I got to State St. - the crowds were SO cool.  Several people would clap me on the back, shake my hand, high-five me and said -- "Just ahead and you are an Ironman!".  I got pretty excited.  I started running at the Square.  I passed Laura in this last area.  She got engaged at the finish line, and had I known, I might have stopped to watch it unfold in front of me.  But - onward I went.  I saw Wade at the corner by Starbucks.  I ran over and tossed my water bottle at him.  I didn't want to be carrying it across the finish line.  He said the family was around the corner on the left.  I ran passed and high-fived them - ran across to the right to my friends Marcie, Stacie, and Madelyn to high-five them.  AND - entered the finisher chute.  I had some momentum and I couldn't slow down.  I passed 2 men in this area..  I wish I would have slowed down, but I was SO happy to be done!  I didn't even hear Mike Reilly announce my name.  Thankfully, Wade caught it and posted it for me.  He said "From Stoughton, WI.  Gwendolyn Regan.  Good Job Gwendolyn.  For the 1st time - You Are AN Ironman!".  I got caught at the end by 2 people.  They took my chip, got me a hat and a shirt.  Got me the mylar sheet.  Took me to the finisher's photo area.  Out the other side where everyone was waiting.  Except Patrick - he was apparently asleep on the street where they had been standing.  Hugged everyone and walked up to Patrick and Ann.  I was dizzy and I had to keep walking.  Ann, Jen, and kids left.  Rob and I started walking back towards finish.  I was not feeling well.  Stopped at porta-potty.  Went a little.  Now, I was really feeling bad.  I was having a hard time standing upright.  We started making our way to the medical tent.  Anna was here - apparently.  Ran into Dan who helped keep me upright.  Got into the med tent where 2 people took me.  They wanted me to sit - I was not going to be able to do that.  They held me until I could get weighed.  I lost 16 pounds.  They took me back to a cot.  Right next to KimK - who was STILL HAPPY!!!  Awesome.  In the med tent and still smiling.  I was happy to be laying down.  I was shivering and my lips and fingers were tingling.  It took them FOREVER to find a vein.  They would put the tourniquet on and pull it off.  Put it on, slap my arms.  Cut my bracelet to see if they could find one in my wrist.  Finally got an IV started.  I remember my HR was 60 and I thought this was good.  Near normal -- DUH!!  I just finished nearly 15 1/2 hours of exercise -- it probably shouldn't have been so low.  My BP was 90/60.  Again - normal!  On the 2nd bag of fluids, they propped me up a little and brought me some chicken broth to try to warm me up. My fingertips were blue-ish.  I guess.  I wasn't looking.  I had a massage therapist working on my calves. Felt good.  At this point, they came over and told me that if I couldn't walk out on my own in the next 15 minutes, I was going to have to go to the hospital.  The medical tent closes at midnight when the race closes.  There was no way this was going to happen.  I was still shivering.  The Dr. came over and I decided to go to Meriter.  They talked to Rob - he had gotten my bike and bags and would meet me at the ER.  Got into the ambulance - no siren or lights :(  As I was laying there, I realized that early in the season, I had seen a Ryan Brothers ambulance while I was leaving work and I saw that it said "The official ambulance of Ironman Wisconsin".  I remember calling Rob telling him that I had seen it and hoped that it wasn't a sign that I would need a ride on race day.  I was thankful that it was just dehydration and not a crash. 

Got registered in the Er - they started a 3rd bag.  Decided to change into dry clothes.  I was SOOOO cold.  And I had to go to the bathroom!  Went, got changed, and immediately started feeling warmer.  My nurse - Tim - also brought me pedialyte.  That tasted good.  I was getting tired of water.  The PA had come in to see if I was ready to be discharged.  He told me that my labs were all screwed up -- except my potassium was normal -- yay me for eating bananas!  Got discharged, out to the car and home we went.  We got home after 2am.  I was up at 5 again for the morning.  I even had to get up 1 other time to go to the bathroom!  My mother-in-law stayed and was up at 5 also to drive back up to Kohler in time for work.

HUGE HUGE thank you to her!  She broke her ribs a couple of weeks ago and I am sure the day really was tough on her.  I was glad that she was able to take the kids home and we didn't have to worry about them.  Granted, when I asked her it was so I could enjoy the evening and bask in my post Ironman bliss.  Not so Rob and I could sit in the ER. 

Thanks to all of my friends and family - Jen for making the trip also -- Kelly and the girls.  Loved seeing you guys out there.  Carol and Sally who shared some of my early training with me and of course - time in the pool.  Grateful for you girls too.  Heather and Jodi and all of the boys coming to watch -- so cute!  Of course - Marcie and Stacie and Madelyn for being at the finish.  AND for the flowers!  Thanks.  Wade - the constant cheerleader!  Thanks to you for being everywhere that day and doing some of my training with me also.  I know there were so many of you that were watching online, were at the various points on the course -- I appreciate all of your well-wishes and thoughts in my training and on race day.  My co-workers who had to hear me complain of being tired throughout the summer or sore.  Also - for the thoughts and cake and pictures etc when I came back to work.  SO fun!  Lynn for getting the ball rolling on my ankle issues in December and Dr. Rongstad and Lynn for doing a great job on my ankle surgery.  Still holding up! 

Lastly - to Rob Patrick and Melanie.  My big hesitation with doing this in the 1st place was how much it would affect our family life.  Having been through it 2 years ago when Rob trained, I knew that there would be some lost time with them.  I think I did pretty well going around their schedules, but sometimes I am sure I was a bear to be around.  Rob's advice and support was invaluable.  Mel and Patrick were very supportive - for the most part.  They all were my biggest cheerleaders.  I love them more than words can say.  People ask me if I would do it again.  I'm glad I did it.  It was SUCH an incredible experience.   I don't think I will do it again.  I will not say never - I was not going to do an Ironman when I finished Door County last year and 2 weeks later I was plotting my course to Ironman!  BUT - I have a husband going for IM #2 next summer in Mont Tremblant.  I have 2 kids who are growing way faster than I approved of.  Just the other day, Patrick said "Mom - in 9 years, I am going to be gone".  I didn't want to point out that it was actually only 8 years...

So - thanks to EVERYONE for your support.  I met some great people training.  I hope to see you all at various events.  I have met some good friends because of triathlon.  I love the sport.  I am not going away from it - just ramping it down a little.  I'm looking forward to doing a little more besides just swim, bike, run.  Maybe some fall hiking, cross country skiing, yoga, weights....  But likely - you can still find me at the pool several mornings a week. Everyone - Enjoy the off-season!  I know I will!

Ironman Wisconsin The Saga: Part Three - THE BIKE -- 7:48.38

Ahhh....the bike.  Red.  (that's what Rob calls him).  I worked pretty hard on the bike this year.  I rode that course A LOT.  I was going to keep my heartrate low and cadence high.  I figured maybe 7 hours or so.  Maybe a little longer, maybe a little less.  It was fun going down the helix.  There is a section where we take the John Nolen bike path to the Wingra Creek Path.  At that point, there is no passing.  If you haven't been on this path, it is quite narrow and winds around back to Olin Ave.  It is pretty tricky on a normal day. You can easily crash - and there is a reson there is no passing.  The no passing zone ends at the entrance to the Alliant Energy Center Parking lot (which we go through).  Well - a dude passed me.  It didn't affect me - he didn't crash into me etc.  But BOY - the dude behind me sure didn't like it!  He was yelling profanities at him.  I thought - chill out - you have 111 miles to go (although in actuality, they had a last minute change to the bike course and it was actually 113 miles in all).  I was amazed at how chill I was.  My heartrate was higher than I cared for it to be.  It stayed higher for a long time. 

There were a lot of people out there.  I knew going in that I was going to get passed by a ton.  It was a lot of fun.  The 1st aid station was on Whalen Rd.  My plan was to drink water - gatorade if I needed to.  I had Raw Rev bars and salt tabs.  I took a salt tab every hour.  I drank Gatorade for a different taste after the bars.  The 1st aid station, I grabbed a bottle of water to refill my aero bottle with.  When it was full, I went to throw it to the side and my aim was off.  I hit a boy in the chest and water sprayed all over him.  he put his arms out to the sides like WTF?  (he was maybe 10-12?)  I yelled "sorry" and a dude pulled up next to me cracking up.  I still feel bad, but I can't help but laugh at it now.  I did also take a banana.  Had an uneventful rest of the 1st 2 legs.  Rob pointed out to me that he broke the race into cities.  To Verona.  To Mt. Vernon. To Mt. Horeb.  To Cross Plains.  To Verona, etc. 

I knew the family was planning on being around the 151 overpass going into Mt. Horeb.  That was a couple of hours into the race.  I atually got to them a little early.  It was fun seeing them.  I had no problems at the Mt. Horeb aid station.  On to my favorite part of the course.  The rolling hills and the Garfoot downhill.  Even Cross Plains is okay.  I stopped at that aid station in CP to use the porta-potty.  Then off again. 

The "3 bitches" were next.  If you are not aware, there are 3 climbs before you get back to Verona that are tough.  From all accounts, these were going to be lined with people.  And were they ever!  I thought it was going to annoy me, but it was hilarious!  The costumes were outrageous!  There were 2 people on the course holding signs in from of them saying they were naked.  Totally looked real!  People were yelling like you were the leader of the Tour de France!  I had a great time on those hills. 

Going into Verona, it gets pretty fast.  I did see some friends in Verona - which was fun.  It always was something to look forward to.  Just past the 1/2 way point, we had our special needs bags.  I had a PB&J sandwich waiting for me.  I also knew I needed to re-apply sunscreen.  Stopped at that point briefly.  Took my sandwich and went off again.  I ate 1/2 my sandwich on the next road.  Just slowed down and took my time.  I figured this would be a low point for me.  It was in training.  I don't care for the course from Verona to Mt. Horeb - especially the 2nd time.  There are rolling hills, and it gets old.  I was working on getting to Hwy 92, which goes into Mt. Horeb - and I really felt like I was working so hard.  I was starting to wonder how I was going to make it through the course in time.  There is a nice downhill on G with a right turn onto 92 where you go up a short uphill.  It's nice to get some momentum to get you over that "bump".  My back tire skidded through that corner.  I was frustrated.  Luckily, I did not crash, but I was feeling like I needed to get back in the game.  There are 2 painted pigs right after you get on 92, and for the 1st time ever - I did not notice these pigs.  I was not aware of what was around me.  I was trying so hard to get my speed up.  I was not able to go over 14 mph.  I looked down in frustration.  FLAT TIRE!!  UGH!!  I am surprised no other competitors pointed it out. 

Now - I debated changing this tire all last week.  Rob had to change my front tire a month or 2 ago because he needed the extended valve on my front tire.  So - I obsessed about having a fresh tube on the back also.  Decided not to when I got sick.  I hadn't changed a tire in a long time, so that had worried me also.  Well - not much I could do but change the damn thing.  I had a hard time getting under the tire for awhile - I was cramping under my ribcage.  Finally got it - pulled the old tube and got the new one in.  I had a really hard time getting it under the tire - it was twisted, and I couldn't get it.  A fellow competitor rolled up and offered to help me.  He couldn't figure it out either.  He pulled it out and figured out that it was MADE twisted.  Grabbed my 2nd tube and got it in.  He finished it for me.  Benjamin was his name.  I think he was 13xx.  I made sure he took off before me.  Then I got going again.  I was moving along at a good clip.  I hadn't turned my garmin off when I stopped.  It took me at least 30 minutes to change this thing!  Got to the family a little bit later - Rob ran next to me - told him my troubles -- I was out of tubes.  He said not to worry about it and if it went flat again to see if I could get a tube from someone else.  I had a spare one - in special needs back in Verona.  UGH!  Anyways - on I went. 

From Mt. Horeb to Cross Plains aid stations, I drank 40 ounces of water and some gatorade.  It started to hit me that perhaps I was now behind on nutrition and hydration.  I stopped again to use the bathroom in CP - I couldn't go.  Uh-Oh.  I was still a little worried about my tire too.  Just keep moving along and try to catch up on fluids.  The hills were okay the 2nd time too.  A little harder, but not all that noticeable.  I did get stung by a bee in the middle of hills.  He flew right into my left thigh.  He was flopping there stuck in my leg.  I have to say - that bugger still itches today!!!  The Family was on the 3rd hill.  Melanie yelled at me that it was a race and to get moving.  I enjoyed seeing them again.  Gave me a spark to get back to Verona.  AND - What a relief Verona was!  I knew I would be making the turn back to Madison - best left turn of the race (according to Rob).  At least the bike ride. 

Whalen was tough - I just wanted to be off my bike.  Thank Goodness we had a TAILWIND!!!  I did stop at the porta-potty on Whalen to see if I could go to the bathroom again.  A drop - that was brown (yes, I looked when I wiped - I knew to be concerned if it was going towards red.  Decided to keep drinking.  I started to re-work my run strategy in my head.  I think I was actually talking to myself under my breath.  Crazy from the heat!!!

I was so happy to be on John Nolen again.  I actually enjoyed going up the helix.  I knew my friend Wade was catching bikes.  He was standing waiting for me!  My family was also on the Terrace looking down upon me.  SO SO SO relieved to get my butt off of that seat!  Grabbed my garmin and my fullest gatorade bottle and into the terrace I went

Grabbed my T2 bad - they said "straight out" and pointed me out the wrong door!  The crowd parted and let me into the path to get to the changing room.  Found a chair and set out to do a full change again.  Legs were feeling crampy.  I wanted to put my compression socks on, and I was not certain I could do it.  Now - I don't mean this to sound bad.  I SOOO much appreciated my volunteer, and I was in no hurry.  But, she didn't really know what was what.  That really didn't matter - I just needed more help this time.  It took me longer than I had wanted it to and I knew I was going to be in some trouble physically with this next journey.  She put those socks on me - she deserves HUGE kudos for that.  If you have never done this - trust me - it's not easy to do on yourself even when you are dry and not cramping!  There was a point when the volunteers at the entrance to the changing room frantically called for a medic.  I do not know what happened.  Finally - we had me all changed and ready to go.  Walked out to start the run and saw some friends.  Then I saw my family.  I was ready to get the start of the end going.  I was not in a bad place mentally at all.  I put the bike behind me.  This was going to be long, but I was still feeling like I could finish.

Ironman Wisconsin Saga: Part Two - THE SWIM -- 1:06.03

I did go up to the front - right of ski jump.  There were A LOT of men out there.  I was a little nervous as they seemed to be pretty aggresive. Several were doing some warmup strokes and just swimming right into you 10 minutes before the race!  SO rude!  There was a cluster of pink caps just a little closer to shore, so I moved over closer to them.  They could have been aggressive too, but I felt better. 

I could see the clock from where I was, so when I saw it say 9:45, I turned around and started to kinda get horizontal for the cannon blast.  It just went off and everyone went.  I swam with my head out for a little bit - without really thinking - but it was a good decision!  I did not get kicked!  It was crowded, but everyone was pretty much going straight.  There was someone trying to swim over my bottom half, but I just kept going.  I do kick when I swim, but I don't do anything purposeful.  I tried to slow down my kicking a tad so as not to hurt the person, but I wasn't giving up either.  They didn't really feel like they were faster than me.  They gave up or moved on to someone else.  It wasn't long before there was no one around me.  Either I outswam everyone I started with - or they moved to the buoy line and I did not.  I decided to stay wide through the 1st turn.  This worked out perfect for me.  I had no contact at all. 

After the 1st turn, I moved in a little.  I was near people, but still no contact.  The next turn I took wide as well and was fine.  I did try to move in on the backside.  This was fine, but there were a lot of people slower than me and it seemed I was doing a lot of maneuvering around people to pass.  So - I made my way back out a little bit, but not as far as I started.  This again was fine. 

The 2nd loop, I did swim closer to the buoys. It was starting to thin out a little.  I did have more contact here - I even took a slight foot to face (although it was more of a startle than a full on kick).  Some arm collisions, but that was mostly it.  My legs were cramping a little, so I stopped kicking.  I also concentrated on trying to draft to conserve some energy.  This worked well. 

When I made the final turn towards shore, I started kicking again and turning over my stroke a little faster.  This felt good.  I did not push the swim as hard as I could have, but I was okay with it.  In the general scheme of things, I knew I wasn't going to be fast enough to be the 1st woman age-grouper out of the water (the 1st female and male swim times won a $2000 prize package from TYR swimming - pros were not included).  I also didn't think the extra effort was worth the couple of minutes I would have gained. 

Getting out of the water was great!  I ran to the strippers - got my suit off - saw my family and up the helix I went!  I thought the helix would suck.  It is a long run to the transition room.  But it was so fun running past the crowds! 

I got my bag right away - ran out to the changing room and a volunteer grabbed me and had her hand on my back guiding me to a chair on an end.  I came out of the water seconds ahead of my friend Elise, and we didn't see each other!  How can that be???  I did have my back to the rest of transition and you are so focused on what you are doing and not forgetting anything!  I'm sure she made it out of T1 before me.  I stopped to pee.  I also did a full change.  My volunteer rocked!  It was like she was reading my mind - knew what I wanted before I asked.  Helped put my sports bra on - opened my butt butter -- just everything!  The sunscreen applicators were not as generous as I had hoped.  I think that also ended up hurting me in my hydration.  I did run in my shoes all the way down the transition to my bike - which was near the bike out on the opposite end of the terrace.  I didn't want any rocks stuck in my shoes.  This wasn't bad at all.  I don't know why people are bothered by it actually.  I was feeling good and ready for the bike.  I was having a lot of fun at this point.

Ironman Wisconsin: The Saga. Part 1 Pre-Event

Ahhh.  Where to start?  I really wanted to stay in the moment so that I could remember every aspect of what was in my head and who was around me.  I knew that it was going to be quite an experience like no other (besides childbirth) and I wanted to remember all of it.  When I last posted, I had a cold.  It was feeling MUCH better by race day, so that was a relief.  Thanks to Deanna for the supplement - it may have helped!

I worked Thursday (I leave at 2:30) - then went to check-in.  Robert was downtown for work so he met me and went along.  Really no line to speak of, and just flowed along.  Eventually to the store where I bought a visor and the Mdot shirt with all of our names on it. 

Friday, I went up to swim a little.  Wanted to make sure the water was still okay for my sleeveless wetsuit.  Met Rob for lunch, and then I went home for awhile.  Went to the athlete dinner.  Food was not the greatest, but enjoyed the evening.

Saturday, went to Patrick's football game.  Really tried to avoid getting stung by a bee (foreshadowing).  They were all over!  Afterwards, he went with a friend (thanks Mark - he was stressing me out!)  Then Mel, Rob, and I went up to drop my bike/bags and they made signs.  Stopped at the store on the way home - Rob was making dinner (he is a much better cook than I)!  Just a really low key day.  Melanie and I painted nails, my mother-in-law arrived.  Went to bed around 8?  Listened to music to fall asleep.  Slept about 7 hours or so.  Woke up feeling good.  Made 2 eggs, 2 pieces of PB toast, and had a banana.  Drank water and gatorade in the car and before the event.  Went to pick up Anna.

We parked near special needs.  There was a drunk girl in high heels stumbling past.  I think she was a little confused as to what was going on.  She was alone (hello? stupid!) - it was kinda funny to see.  Dropped our bags and made our way to transition.  I was glad to be early this time (Anna is super freaky about getting to transition early - I usually am not).  I borrowed someone's bike pump who had a flat, so she wasn't using it at the time.  Then Anna and I chilled in the Terrace for awhile.  Decided to go outside.  Tried the bathroom and port-a-potty -- "things" were not moving!  NEVER has happened before!  That was the only thing I was nervous about!  I didn't want to have an "urge" in the water!!  Got in the water early to figure out where I wanted to start.  Most people who know my swimming thought I should go to the front.  I'm sure if you have read my posts before you know that I was worried about contact and panicking.  I did take a pill before the start - just in case.  Overall, I was MUCH less nervous than any other race.  I think I knew it wasn't worth the energy to get worked up about something I couldn't control until I was in the moment.  What a rocking time this started out to be.  Stay tuned for part 2....

The Unexpected

I said it -- I am expecting to expect the unexpected.  I did not expect to get a cold race week.  On my desk right now I have: 1 bottle of mucinex, 1 bottle of airborne, 1 bottle of Gaia Quick Defense herbal blend, Bolthouse Farms C-Boost Fruit Smoothie, Congestion & Sinus Tea, Water, and 1 1/2 pounds of fruit.  I am doing all I can to kick it to the curb quick.  I am a little bummed.  I was getting so excited for the weather forecast and to just get to it.  I did a sinus cleanse this morning.  I went to bed early.  I am getting a massage tonight.  I work tomorrow yet and will spend Friday in bed, if necessary.  I do have to say it feels more in the healing phase than the beginning phase (I hope I didn't just jinx myself).  My patients are cooperating and have been no-showing so I can relax.  That's not normally something I hope for.  In the end, race day will come no matter what shape I am in and being an amateur - I will not pull out.  I will toe that line, and I will execute my plan.  I will not look at the time at all, cuz in the end - if I finish - I will be ecstatic.  I can't do anything different to change the circumstances - and it is a cold, not a torn/broken/mangled injury.  I haven't been sick since last fall, so I haven't trained in this.  BUT - I've run with colds before.  I've swam with colds before.  I'll be okay.  I can still hope that it's gone by Sunday though.....

THE PLAN

The Swim:  I did the open water race in 1 hr. 10 minutes, so I should be less than that.  It measured longer than it was supposed to be and I swam horribly off-course.  If my time is worse - I either got beat up in the water or had a panic attack. 

I plan on changing in transition both times - I figure if I am going to be exercising for HOURS - I want to start the bike and run in dry clothes.  I don't want to putz in there, but don't expect real fast times either.

The BIKE:  I will probably be between 6:45 and 8:00 hours.  Depends on wind and how much I try to stay with the 1500+ people or so that pass me.  I am not a fast biker, and I am okay with that.  I am competitive though, so I sometimes push harder than necessary just to try to keep up.  I know that pushing hard on the bike means I will pay for it on the run.  My plan is to watch my heartrate and keep my legs spinning.  I don't want to worry about my time so much - besides watching that I am eating and drinking enough.  

The RUN: this ALL depends on the temperature/humidity and how much I blew up the bike.  The slower the bike - hopefully, the better my run.  A dream race would be to hold about a 10 minute per mile pace. I plan on walking the aid stations.  I can run faster, but I don't think that's a good plan after all of those bike miles.  I will again watch my heartrate. 

Overall time - if I finish at 7:30 or earlier -- I had an absolutely lights out dream race.  Everything went WAY better than planned.  I know better than to expect this though.  I'm not even aiming for it.  I think that if everything goes so-so, I should be done by 10:30.  I should think I would finish in the middle of that 3 hour range.  Honestly - I will be okay with finishing at 16:59 -- the course closes at midnight (17 hours).  I might be disappointed, but if I am that late, something really broke down and I will be happy to crawl across.

This truly has been quite the experience.  I don't remember the early weeks - it seems I have been completely consumed by training/racing/planning for the past 2 months.  I think I am at a point that I am ready.  Not really nervous, just want it to be here.  I'm sure that will change come Thursday when I go down to "athlete check-in".  I am still obsessing.  Watching the weather -- which right now by the way would be a PERFECT race day!  Keep your fingers crossed for me!  I have trained in hot and humid this summer - pretty much all summer.  I have trained in the rain.  I started in the cold months of winter.  I had surgery on my ankle.  I swear I did a race in tornado force winds early in the season.  I am ready for what the race gives me.  I also know that there is going to be things that I am not expecting.  I am trying to "expect the unexpected".  I am extremely blessed to have had so much support this past year.  I think I did a pretty good job of balancing the training around the kids.  Just a couple of days where I heard - "Mom - are you going to be gone ALL DAY?"  I especially have to thank Rob for his support and guidance.  It helped that he had done it before.  The couple of times we rode together were fun - except the time he kept riding circles around me.  I look forward to trying to do that more next year as he trains for Ironman Mont Tremblant (IMMT).  His blog is: chasingmailboxes.blogspot.com