IM WI Race Report: Part I

This Team has been doing incredibly well. I am proud of their discipline, their hard work and consistency throughout this journey. It is hard to believe that we are about 6 weeks away from Race Day. We are at this point where it is difficult to even think about race day, when all you can think of is “how am I going to make it through another hard weekend of training?” We are tired, fatigued, constantly hungry and it is difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel; the reason why we’ve poured money, time, sweat and tears into this process.

I am not one for race reports. I usually have a “debriefing” with my coach about what went wrong and what went well after a race. But I thought that a race report of my experience at IM WI, would help my team seeing the bigger picture; the reason of all that training. The cherry on the sundae.

It will consist of 3 different parts (hey, you got it: swim- bike-run!). So here it goes!

Race morning, 4:30 am. I am already on the road, driving to the race site. I can’t believe how many cars there are on the road, going in one direction only. I am listening to my favorite music, getting focused on the day ahead. So many obstacles. So many deception. My past 3 IM were less than stellar. I know I can do better, and my new coach gave me back my self-confidence. I had a total different training approach this time around, so I am feeling different, but I trust her. It’s too late now to do otherwise.

The transition is filled with a nervous energy. Everybody is getting ready. I am heading to my bike to check on it, make sure it will take me along on a good 112 miles a few hours later. Transitions bags? Check. Nutrition? Check. I put on my ear phone but actually don’t play any music. That way, people don’t approach me. I like to be on my own, concentrating on the task ahead.

Surprisingly, I feel calm and rested. I am ready. I have worked so hard to be here, and I am ready to race as hard and as fast as my body will let me. I have a feeling that today will be a good day. So many of my friends are here, which is nice and comforting. I get in the water and position myself. Right away, I see Randy, my swimming partner! What a coincidence when there are literally 2500 people surrounding me. The helicopters are flying over us. I can hear Mike Riley, the “voice of Ironman” talking. The music is on, and the sight of the crowd from the lake is absolutely unbelievable.

Here it goes. The national Anthem. I know the start is near and I see some tears being shed around me. I have butterflies in my stomach, but I try to divert them to my legs: they’ll need a lot of energy today. It is quiet, but I exchange a few words of “good luck” and encouragement to the athletes around me. The gun goes off and here I go, swimming for 2.4 miles.

Stay tuned for Part II and Part III!

Thanks for reading 🙂