<P>I qualified for Ironman Florida with my 3rd place age group placing at St Croix, back in May. Little did I know that holding focus on a race for 6 months could be so difficult. When undertaking Ironman training one should inspect what will happen in thier lives due to the training, make sure thier family supports them and also realize there will be low spots and high spots, not just in the race but in training in life. All days off work are spent cycling and running for up to 7 hrs, early mornings before work are spent in the pool or running&nbsp;and you are so tired all the time, bone tired. It's so very rewarding and enjoyable, but it's a challenge in balancing.</P>
<P>My initial base was wonderful, fun and I felt fit. The final month of training I endured a 2 week bout with the flu, the ending of a relationship also&nbsp;causing an abrupt change in travel plans, wheel failures, and a&nbsp;bruised kneecap, &nbsp;you name it, it about happened. The week before the race I had resigned to it being too much trouble and no fun but Brenda Houk talked me into going. About 30 people participated from the Austin area, and it was very enjoyable to see them in Panama City. I quickly became excited to race this one.</P>
<P>IM races are a different ballgame. They are a very, very long day out, at the best around 10:00 hours, at the worst around 16 hrs of nonstop movement and in race mode. There are very low spots in the day, and very high spots. An unexpected ache can occur, an injury, an upset stomach, a cramp, blisters, sunburn, mechanical failures...on the other hand, you can run faster, swim better or cycle stronger than you ever expected!</P>
<P>November 8th finally arrives, after such a long, long wait and a cold front came in leaving wind and a drop in temperature. I had not visualized chop on the swim, this being a large problem later, but on the start line I was nervous enough not knowing whether to throw up or cry. 2200 people, 75% men and 25% women on the beach, along with all the families there to support the loved ones. The start at 7:00am&nbsp;actually went well, I placed myself next to Mark Linsey and figured a 1:20 swim. The mass swim starts can be intimidating but it was also very exciting!</P>
<P>The first lap was horrible but not so much from traffic. The chop, current and jellyfish were bad and I had resigned I could not do another lap. So my mind clicked over how the rest of the day would go with a DNF in the swim. &nbsp;I came in with tears in my eyes, very bad leg cramps and an incredible stuffed nose(salt water allergy)&nbsp;leaving me unable to breathe. I saw Andrea Fisher and asked what to do: she told me to kick more, blow&nbsp; harder. So out I went again. Of course, only higher chop as the wind had kicked up more of it. After the last boat I realized I could DO this, but broke it down to 50 strokes freestyle, 10 breast, 50 freestyle... I was euphoric getting out of the water but concerned at how the swim wore me out and how much salt water I had swallowed. Swim was actually 1:36!! I would have died if I had known I was swimming that long.</P>
<P>The bike was awesome!!! I love how you are handed items like your bags in IM races. The miles clicked by as I kept my cadence at 100rpm. It gave me an average of 19mph but in hindsight my effort could have been alittle harder. I had only done one marathon in my life and that effort had me concerned as it did not go well. I passed Mark and he told me I was going too fast, I told him I was cycling easy!!</P>
<P>Off the bike into the run I felt really well. I had to remind myself my plan of walking rest stops I felt so good&nbsp;but by mile 4 I started to get blisters from my socks. I quickly pulled off my socks and threw them away and ran the&nbsp;next 6 miles sockless&nbsp;knowing I had a fresh pair in my special needs bag. I will put that down as one of the smartest things I ever did in my life. My feet were so happy but even though my knee was starting to hurt I knew I was going to finish near my projected time. By&nbsp;mile 16 I was&nbsp;only drinking chicken broth and coke, but it kept me happy. Never would have guessed that! &nbsp;I kept my pace like a metronome, just trying not to get my bruised knee hurting. I saw friends in the race in different spots and it was fun to cheer each other on.</P>
<P>Darkness fell and a full moon rose after 5pm. Drew, Brenda's parents, Andrea &amp; Jamie and a bunch of other Austinites were there to cheer us on. The spectators&nbsp;are incredible and it is so hard to do a race like this without support. After 2 loops you knew the people calling out your name and telling you that you looked strong. My last loop gave me a wonderful view of the lunar eclipse. How about that? Got to race my first IM during an eclipse!</P>
<P>As I came on to the last 2 miles another Texan was alongside me. I wasnt' going to let her beat me in so picked it up for a sprint finish! I was flying(or at least felt like it!) for the last 2 miles and knew an incredible feeling knowing I had finished an Ironman.</P>
<P>I will do it again but I have a new respect for anyone doing IM distances. It is an&nbsp;wonderful and difficult&nbsp;feat to pull off the training and to do the race in itself. It's a very long day out there and anything can happen. I was fortunate that after the swim was over my nutrition was spot on, as well as my training. Next time will not be so scary and hopefully faster. My time was 12:19, a 17th out of 76 in my age group and number 999 overall.</P>
<P>&nbsp;I can't thank my friends enough for all the support. Even customers at the&nbsp;shop.&nbsp;The cheering, the letters, the cards, the long rides together and the emails. I could not have done it otherwise because as I rode I was thinking of all the people who wanted me to do well and the list was endless. My coworkers and Hill had been awesome, everyone was hoping the best.</P>
<P>Now I will rest, I'm very sore and tired. Ride&nbsp;my horse&nbsp;alot. And definitely be there to cheer others on for thier next race! I have learned so very much about myself, what is important to me, and the importance of being there for others from this experience. No swim will ever bother me and I know I could tough it out with the best that day.<BR><BR><BR></P>
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