Ironman Wisconsin 2010 is a wrap and so is the coverage here at IRONJEN.com.
I hope that you enjoyed following Jen this weekend. Our many thanks go out to all those that were involved in making this event a success.
Clicking on this image will open a new window and start the slideshow recap of Ironman Weekend. Enjoy!
First off I want to thank EVERYONE for all of your continued support as I continue to follow my dreams of another Ironman. A special thanks to my Mom and Dad for coming out and spending the day (chasing me around the course) in Madison. I could not do this sport w/out the love & support of my family, especially Wes. He has been gracious with his time w/this site and his photography for years, I’m very blessed to have such a supportive spouse. My team consists of ALL of you and your generosity and continued interest in my dreams. I truly appreciate all of you, thank you!!!!
So many have asked “Why do I do Ironman?” We’ll it’s to prove I am stronger than I thought I ever could be and to make up for the times I wasn’t!
September 12, 2010
Ironman Wisconsin Race Report.
Although this was my 3rd Ironman, each one has been a VERY different race. Back in Feb of this year I thought my dream of chasing Ironman again would not happen. After learning of the severity of my back issue, my training took a different turn. That is when I decided I’d rather race slow and smart, than to not be out there at all. That being said, it took months to wrap my head around a different routine of training and to “teach” myself to not push thru “certain” kinds of pain.
This year at the swim start, I decided to put myself right in the middle of the mix. I’d heard that the masses will carry you, “if” you weren’t pummeled to death! Ha ha. Not the best move to start out, not even a 1/2 mile in, I took some huge beatings that I hadn’t EVER experienced, & they kept coming!!!!
Things got better just before I started the second loop of the swim, I felt good, & strong, & hadn’t a clue that as I made my way out of the water, I was 8 minutes slower than back in ’08.
On the bike is where I felt I had trained the most, & was hoping to make up most of my time. I wasn’t able to “attack” the hills but I was slow and consistent. Trying to keep the back pain controlled to be “able” to last for the 112 miles. I felt the winds getting to me, but also felt that I was managing my pain. Surprisingly when I finished, I was able to get off the bike by myself!!! My friend Jamie who was volunteering was at the dismount area waiting for me, where we both shared MANY tears of joy that I HAD survived the bike!!!! She then walked me into transition yelling to everyone “IRONJEN Coming Thru” where hundreds of spectators were cheering–as she and I wiped our tears. A truly amazing moment!!! Once in T2, I sat down and got ready for my run; my feet felt like pins & needles, as I tried to get the circulation back to them. Next, I was ready to set out to concur the marathon.
The first 5 miles of the marathon are actually HARDER than the last 5 on your body if you ask me. Your legs are trashed from 7:30hrs on the bike and and really pissed at you for asking those muscles to now run! By the time I got to the special needs bags at mile 13, I had some serious blisters and was really struggling w/my back pain. I grabbed some socks, a pain pill, more nutrition and was off for the last 13 miles in the dark. There are miles of the marathon that are way out, away from any spectators and that is where the race gets to be a mental game. So many athletes are walking and struggling, this is where I find myself digging deep! Every part of my body hurt, and all I could do was “keep moving forward”. Seeing my parents, Terri and Wes helped so much. They offered lots of encouragement–and concern, but I assured them that I was racing smart and that there would be NO DRAMA!
The last 12 miles I got into a nice consistent rhythm. I became really determined to run w/out walking and realized that if I could pull it off I’d hit the finish line before 11pm. So that became my focus, keeping an eye on my pace, and breathing, When I realized that I had just one mile left, I knew I was gonna do it! I was SO excited when I got to the half mile mark, rounding the Capitol building hearing all the cheering and the finish line of the athletes names being called out… You are an Ironman! Getting to the chute is such a blur, there’s bright lights everywhere & music & thousands of spectators cheering! It’s the most amazing experience, and it’s the closest thing to heaven on earth that I have ever experienced. All my pain went away, and I didn’t even feel my feet running. My parents were able to be “behind” the finish line and catch me. As I ran to the line, my parents were there smiling, my Mom with open arms! Amazing… And there I was, all done! I crossed the finish line @ 15:53:40, just before 11pm! The longest, hardest day of my life… Wow, I couldn’t believe it. My 3rd Ironman!
Thank you again to everyone for all of your love and support!
–IRONJEN
As usual a slideshow of the event will follow, but its being pushed back a day due to an evening work event. Until then, enjoy this finish line photo of Jen. Also, look for a blog post from Jen shortly. (We’ve got a sick kid at home too–Just a cold!)
At 15:53, Jen came across the finish line strong. NO Drama! That was the goal. Congratulations Jen on your three time Ironman completion!
Look for more pics on IRONJEN.com tomorrow, and a special thanks from Jen on Tuesday… She is in Madison all day Monday without a computer. Goodnight from Madison!
All Access behind the Finish Line, waiting for Jen. She’ll be in soon!
Jen is out there… Slow and low, but out there. She is working through some stomach issues but still pressing on. We are taking a breather at our mainstay Frida’s, where the margaritas are fabulous! (Jen is gonna hate us for that.) we are going to see her at mile 20, then on to the finish! Cheers!
Jen is back from the bike, and out on the run. She looks good. Her bike was a little longer than she had hoped, but not by much. The second half of the bike was a bit windy, and there was little to no shade. Tough on a bike, but a beautiful day for a drive. And DRIVE we did! Without a motorcycle, Jen’s folks and I took to the streets to discover rural America. I did not plan on chasing her in the car so we didn’t have much of a travel plan. Road closures crippled our efforts to see her AT ALL. We went three locations and missed her all three times. Closed streets, detours, traffic. Ugh.
We bagged the search so that we wouldn’t miss her on the Run Out. I was able to catch her on the return (helix) and run into transition with her and then out on the run. Again, she looked good. The run is however the unknown. As many of you know she has had some significant issues with her back. I’ll spare you the gory details for now, so we can get back out there are cheer her on.
Remember to leave a MESSAGE for IRONJEN.
Next post will be after the finish… To check Jen’s times, please visit the Athlete Tracker on IRONMAN.com. Enter Jen’s bib number 2595.
The gun sounded at 7:00am sharp. Then, the mostly calm waters of Lake Menona erupted in a sea of flailing arms as nearly 3000 athletes began their 2.4 mile swim.
I met up with Jen at the Hilton shorty before she made her way down to the start. We walked down to transition together to position her bike computer–which she had forgot to put in place yesterday afternoon. I gave her a final kiss and wished her luck. I was off to meet up with the media crew to get paired up with a driver. Unfortunately though, as things often happen in the media, there was a change. Four drivers failed to show up which left me without a bike. This was disappointing, but hey, life goes on.
Without a bike, I took advantage of my All Access credential and hung out in the transition area. I caught Jen at the top of the helix as she ran in and followed her all the way out as she left on the bike.
Jen’s folks and I stopped back at the Hilton (base camp) to take a break, upload some photos–and write this post. We are heading back out now to get something to eat and try to track Jen down out on the bike course.
I’ll check back in soon, but in the meantime, check out a handful of pics from this morning. The Swim Start
Heading to the race. Stay tuned IRONJEN fans!
Full bellies and on to bed. Jen and I, accompanied by her mom and dad, and friends Tony and Terri dined at this great little restaurant/bar called Greenbush in Madison. They served some rocking thin pizza-and had a great selection of beers to boot!
The streets of Madison were rolled up pretty early. I left Jen at the Hilton at about 7:30pm and it was like a ghost town… Just a few short hours before it was bustling with people. Everybody turned in for the night. Its a long day tomorrow whether you are an athlete or a spectator. Which brings me this rather abrupt ending. I’m tired. Need to get up at 4:45am. Goodnight. –I’ll post some pics ASAP. Thanks!
