"I don't know if I'm elated or gassy but I'm somewhere in that zone" About This Page:

[Fortissimo]

24 hours from now I will be entering the water for the 70.3. Right now I am vacillating between supper excited to I'm gonna puke.

Thanks for all your support and words of wisdom the past few months - couldn't have done this without you all!

Greg will be posting updates on my FB so if you want to stalk me or send good luck pixies, feel free! (The pixies will be much needed and very appreciated!!!)

[disney_duke]

Trust in your training. There's a reason for it! Go Robin!!

[kadterp]

Its tomorrow!!! Yay!!! You got this! No puking, pooping or passing out!!!

[MickeyWatch]

Good luck!!

[lsugirlinutah]

Good luck to you!!!! I will be cheering you on from here!

[Amy L]

Good luck Robin!! You are so ready for this! Can't wait to hear all about it!

[dolphin041599]

Good luck!!!

[Haleyboo99]

Good luck!

[Fortissimo]

Thanks, guys! I lived!

Right now I feel pretty good about the race. I'm hoping the post-race blues don't set in to ruin that feeling, but I know they will.

The air temp was only 50 when I started the swim, which was in a lake that was 67. My foot has spasms when it gets cold so I fought that through most of the swim. I came out of the water 3rd in my age group, behind the two super women who finished the race 1st and 2nd. My time was 34:19 for the 1.2 miles. I wanted sub 33 but because of the cold water, even the pros were slow (or so my coach Dan says, hehe).

The bike was great - even getting stung by a bee under my arm wasn't too bad. The first 29 miles felt great and in control. In training I was having trouble remembering to eat and drink so I set my watch to beep at me every 15 minutes. I thought I was doing a great job at this (remember this later). My speed for the first 29 miles was 18.2 mph which isn't great, but for the bike I'm riding I'll take that. Right before mile 29 we turned south to head back for the last 27 miles - right into a head wind. Everyone's speed dropped. About mile 35 I wanted off the bike. My back was killing me and then I got stung by a bee under my left arm. I was also over the wind. However, I stuck with it and finished at 3:13, under my goal of 3:15. Because of the strong winds Dan thought I would come in around 3:25 so he was really happy.

Then came the run. First two miles were the worst, most painful two miles I have ever experienced. My foot and ankle were screaming and my calf decided to join them. I have a tendency to hold my breath when my foot and ankle hurt (don't ask as I have no idea why), so then I got a huge side ache. You know the kind where you can't breathe. I got to the second aid station and got some water and Ironman version of Gatorade (it's disgusting - don't try it!) and that helped a lot. Picked my pace up from a 12:21 min/mile to a 10:30 which is where I wanted to be. That didn't last long though and I dropped back down to a 11:31. This was a two loop course and when I made it to the end of loop one I felt okay but wanted to be done. A few friends who weren't racing today were at the beginning of loop 2 and that helped tons!

First two miles of loop two were bad again - it's all uphill and the wind was starting to blow. Up the second of the two hills everyone was walking except me. So I joined them. My pace went from the 12:21 on the first loop to a 12:38. I wasn't feeling all that great and the "if I drink anymore of this wannabe Gatorade crap I'm going to puke" was setting in. Dan had told me to try cola with the water so I gave that a try for the next few aid stations. My calf was a hot mess along with my foot and ankle at this point. Then the wind picked up. My DH and Dan told me the gusts were up to 40 mph. The last 3 miles were worse than the first 2 because of the wind. And the last 2 miles were straight into that wind.

My friends and training partners who had already finished had placed themselves strategically through the last half mile to cheer me and another few training partners on through the last stretch.

**This next part is not ever going to be on FaceBook because my mother does not need to know!

When I got to the finish line I crossed, grabbed a water bottle, and my legs gave out. I didn't get my finisher's medal or hat put on because medical surrounded me. I felt stupid but my left leg was a mess and one huge cramp.

My run time was a 2:42 which is not what I wanted at all. Overall time with the transition times was 6:39:28 which is close to my 6:30 goal so I'll take it - for now.

I sat in the medical tent for a while with ice and real Gatorade and cooled off. When I could walk Greg and I went to get my stuff out of the transition area. When we got to my bike he asked me how much fluid I drank on the bike and I said almost all of my Gatorade Perform. He said really? I looked at my hydration bottle and it wasn't even half empty. Can't imagine why I was do dehydrated at the end of the race. He showed Dan my hydration bottle and then the two of them went through my Bento box to see how much I'd eaten. Not even half. I thought I was being good! Then the two of them made me eat pizza and drink cola. Dan brought me 4 slices and wouldn't let me get up until I ate them. Pizza was the last thing I wanted at this point but I was good and ate most of it.

My teammate Jennie took 4th in her age group so we stayed for awards so we could watch her get her rock. They give these really cool engraved rocks instead of trophies.

Disney and Ironman have the best, most organized races there are. There are 3 aid stations on the bike course and one every mile on the run that are fully stocked with fruit, Ironman Perform (don't try it, trust me on this!), water, ice, chips, gels, and even pizza on the last loop. One of my training partners came in an hour after me and she said that ever station was still fully manned and stocked. This is really different from the half and full marathons we have done where there is nothing left for the back-of-the packers.

Today I am sore but not bad. My calf has a huge Charlie horse in it still and I have a really bad sunburn. Tomorrow is usually the day that the soreness really sets in with me so we'll see how that goes for me, hehe. I get a few days off from training and then I'm getting ready for the next 70.3 in September.

Thanks again for all your support and encouragement!

[Amy L]

Wow! I'll say it again - Robin You Rock!! What a great recap you wrote. I was holding my breath just reading it - can't imagine racing it! And with all those obstacles i.e. bee stings, wind, more wind, dehydration, leg pain... WOW! You had a great finish time too!! I bet that was pretty scary when your leg gave out. I'm so glad it is okay and medical was right there to get you fixed up!! You can get the medal around your neck and the hat in September when you do it all again, right?

for a fast recovery and little soreness tomorrow. Rest this week, please!

[disney_duke]

Thanks so much for the details! Just a little over your goal? SWEET!! You totally rocked it. That water was c-o-l-d, brrrr!!! Running/riding in the strong wind sucks banana peels. So the fact that you did it - and did it so very well - is amazing. Be proud, Robin! You accomplished quite a feat! Now rest. And eat donuts.

[lsugirlinutah]

Wow! I am so impressed! Despite all your obstacles, you still came very, very close to your goal! I have to say I would have been the most disappointed about not getting my medal (it's all about the bling for me), but you know you did it. I love how you were force fed pizza and Coke! But I also know how you probably felt, and yes, pizza would be the last thing I would want either.

But if you're ready to go again in September, then it couldn't have been that bad!

Again, congrats!!

[kadterp]

Wow wow and WOW!!! Again great job! I don't know how you do it! All I gotta say is "Im not worthy!!!"

[Fortissimo]

Thanks guys! Right now I'm recovering on the beach in Palm Beach, Fl. Tough life right now.

I do have to say that sitting on a plane yesterday was the worst thing ever for my body. Monday I kept moving so I didn't think I would be that bad. Yesterday, however, killled me. We had to sit on the tarmac in Houston for over 90 minutes waiting to take off. It was hot and I was hurting and getting even more dehydrated. Greg and I were in the exit row along with a United pilot who was hitching a ride. He asked the pilot to have someone bring me water and Gatorade.

Today I'm feeling better. I ate a donut and had a Diet Pepsi finally. Now off to the pool to be a bum!

btw, if I can do this, so can any of you. Just sayin'

[disney_duke]

Enjoy your well deserved beach/pool time.