Sunday, June 21, 2009

Quick update from IM CDA

HOLY COW!

HOLY COW HOLY COW HOLY COW!!!!!

It happened, and I survived! :)

First - it must be noted that EVERY timing mat that I crossed, I thought about all the support I've received and people tracking me online. It got to be so bad during the run - that I had to STOP thinking about it, because I got emotional. When times were tough, I made an effort to think of friends and family who have helped me along the way. A lot of the time it worked - but during other points I just got too choked up.

Yes, I race on a lot of emotion. That because clear quite quickly.

Where to begin?

Frist - OUCH. Everything, and I mean everything is sore. And that would explain my run split for my last 4 miles. It FELT like I was running the same pace as I had before - except I dropped about 3:00 per mile. Some of that was walking through aid stations and taking my time - but a lot of that was my quads.

Holy Cow.

Um - 10 miles to go and my legs were done. Toasted. Fried. Whatever. They were clearly not happy with me - but I willed myself forward. Mind over matter: if I don't mind, then it just won't matter.

Be warned, though - I'm paying for it now. Boy am I ever.

It was wonderful hearing my name from spectators and friends in the crowd - I really looked forward to the times biking and running through town - as I knew I would see family and friends.

And guess what? I ran my second ever marathon today - how cool is that?

My recap will be in my race report - so not much to add. The swim was ROUGH and really really wavy/windy. I consider myself a strong and pretty decent swimmer - but this was unlike anything that I have ever experienced before. The wind and waves (2+ foot swells) wouldn't have seemed so bad ALONE. But add in 2200+ athletes, and, well - survival became the name of the game.

The bike was windy as well - but I was REALLY conservative - sticking to my heart rate zones. Whenever the effort was too high - I immediately backed off. No questions asked - until the last 5 or 10 miles. Then I pushed a little more and made an effort to pass some people.

My run felt great - until abut mile 22 or 23. Then, well, then my legs decided they had OTHER things in mind - and the focus was (once again) on survival.

The last 1/2 mile run down towards the finish was really emotional. I could feel myself getting choked up, and didn't even bother to hold back tears. Yes - some were from the pain (ouch!) - but most were from the overwhelming sense of accomplishment that accompanies one's first Ironman finish.

THANK YOU for YOUR support and well wishes - it meant the world and I thought about my friends - many of whom I have never met - during the race. How incredibly touching.

And now... I'm going to go tend to my legs. They seem to be twitching in a weird way. Thankfully the haven't locked up on my for the past 2 hours...but I'm just waiting for that delightful moment the minute I stand up.

A special thanks to Ludi - before the start she calmed down and literally held my hand until the cannon fired.

OH - and also to Mom, Dad, and Nathaniel. On my first loop I stopped to give him a kiss - and it was worth every second! AND...before I forget - Happy Father's Day Dad! :) Let's celebrate tomorrow. Today, I'm toast.

42 comments:

Angi Axmann said...

YAEH!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are such a great athlete!!! Congrats!!!

Anonymous said...

YOU are such a TALENTED AMAZING ..... ANIMAL!!!

almost 19mph on the bike, woah! and 3:338 marathlon!!! after riding a century+ ride!!!!

UBER CONGRATS to a great journey that is still continuing!

that even got me choked up readign that your sweetie Nathaniel made it out tooo!!!! Awhh

Enjoy being up in the clouds for awhile!

luv
steph

Maggs said...

Congrats on a great race!

Jennifer Yake Neuschwander said...

You are awesome. I want to hear all about your race as soon as you are ready for a recovery ride. You rock! I am so proud of you.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Marit. You are an inspiration! To go through everything you have, and finish an Ironman in the way you just did, it is awesome!

Anonymous said...

wow, a day you'll always remember I'm sure! I'm glad Nathaniel ending up being there, that's awesome! I could barely get out of bed and walk around after '06 WF - you'll probably feel worse for day or two but it was all worth it!!!

Missy said...

Huge congrats! I hope to grow up and be like you some day!!! You rocked it sista. 2nd in AG to top it off. Live on that buzz for a while.

Congratulations, well deserved.

Jennifer Cunnane said...

Great job Marit! You deserved to have a perfect IM race - cogratulations!

Pedergraham said...

Oh, Marit, I can just picture you and Ludi holding hands at the start. That is really sweet. The start of an IM has always seemed to me to be a really lonely place, which is strange b/c you are surrounded by 2000 other competitors and their 10,000 friends and families. The swim must have been rough. The fastest pro girls were only around 58 mins. Can't wait to read all about it. What are you going to have for breakfast today? It better have chocolate and sugar and peanut butter in it!!!

Beth said...

MARIT!!!!! So, so pleased for you and happy and excited and WOW - what a race!! It would have been awesome and amazing no matter your time but on top of it all you really nailed it.

I can only imagine how badly those last few miles hurt. Oh wait, I don't even want to think of it. But you prevailed!! Hope you are able to walk this morning! Now enjoy your time with your family!!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!! You should be so proud of yourself. Rest up!

Damie said...

you know I am proud of you!!!!

Bob Mitera said...

Marit - Lorrie and I were cheering in the office watching you finish. Your race was one of the highlights of the weekend.

Kim said...

WOOHOOOOOOO CONGRATULATIONS MARIT!!! AMAZING JOB OUT THERE! :)

Angela and David said...

Congrats! You are so inspiring and tough. Hope you woke up this morning not feeling too much like a truck hit you.

Molly said...

Congratulations! I got home last night and my first thought was "see how marit did" and I was totally blown away by how awesome you did!

Laura said...

SOOOO glad Nathaniel could be there!

Congratulations Marit! Well done!!!

t-odd said...

What a phenomenal first IM! Great race! That swim sounded like hell on waves, but you were smart throughout. Hope those legs come back to you sometime in the next couple of weeks. (Ha) Now go eat a sandwich - or the whole loaf of bread. Congrats again!

KayVee said...

Congratulations!!!! What an incredible journey you have had, and I appreciate that you allowed us to follow along. Now, just bask in the glow!

Anonymous said...

Good lord woman! That time is outta this world. Major Major congrats! Your dedication is obvious. Enjoy your recovery!
Erin in WI

Nicole said...

Congrats on a great race...way to go and with a strong finish to boot!! :) Enjoy!

GoBigGreen said...

Have a great vacation. I thought of you all weekend when i was up north, snapping photos of the lake and the munger trail. Your fellow campers are very proud of you:)!

Shan said...

You are such an inspiration to me, Marit, and I am so thankful to call you a friend. Some celebratory wine is an order when I see you next!!

Put up those legs!!! Awww man, I remember that feeling - now you're a peg-leg like me! HAHA

Enjoy your cruise, your time with your parents and Nathaniel, and the well-deserved rest and recovery! Just let it all soak in now!!

I eagerly wait to follow your journey to Kona! :-D

Michelle Simmons said...

Yay! Awesome race yesterday, Marit. I'm looking forward to your full race report... I was thinking that I could download it in my phone and read it during our flight home on Wednesday... That should keep me occupied for about 5 hours, right? ;)

cherelli said...

way to go Marit - and you did a scorching fast time too - you rock!! now you can rest and bask in your accomplishment, so pleased for you!!

Joy said...

Wow, you're awesome! Have a wonderful recovery.

Kathleen @ ForgingAhead said...

I am SO happy for you! Congrats on a great race and achieving this amazing goal. You rock!

Runner Leana said...

Yay Marit! Congratulations!!! I was tracking you yesterday and it looked like you were having one amazing day. Can't wait to hear all the details. I'm so proud of you!!!

Charisa said...

Congrats - what a perfect first IM!! :)

Ange said...

you ARE my inspiration. 100% you executed that race, perfectly. I want to do JUST what you did next month. split for split. I can't wait to read your RR.
HUGE Congrats! beautiful job. Take taht bike crash..Ha! you should us all how to recover I'd say!

Kim said...

I was thinking about you all day and I KNEW great things were going to happen! You had such an amazing race and I am sooo sooo soo proud of you! Way to go Marit! Can't wait to hear all the details!

Marni Sumbal, MS, RD said...

Amazing!! For your first IM and second marathon...craziness!! campy and I were cheering for you all day! Way to go!! Enjoy the recover! Don't forget about a little extra protein (whey protein) to the diet for the next few days to repair those tissues...yes, chocolate milk is fine :)

Stacy said...

Congratulations Marit! You are a true inspiration!
I'm in for that recovery ride with Jen to hear all about it... but first get some rest and have a blast on the cruise!

Mary Bradbury said...

Congrats!!! I got choked up just reading this blog! I can't imagine being in your shoes! You simply rock!

Jennifer Harrison said...

BRILLANT! Executed plan to a "T".....yep! I knew you could do it. You earned it. ENJOY the success and amazing 1st IM time and race! :)) thanks for calling last night, it was the highlight of my day.

Caroline said...

I love hearing about the emotion you felt as you approached the finish! That is exactly what your first Ironman is ALL ABOUT! Congrats again!

BreeWee said...

You are amazing! So happy for you, so so so so so happy for you, celebrate this for a long time...

Congrats!

Heidi Austin, PT, DPT said...

congrats marit! i'm sooo freakin proud of you and what you have overcame to be where you are today! you are such an inspiration to us all. You freakin ROCKED it girly! And of course I'm soooo glad Nathaniel and your family could make it and cheer you along the way! You are an IRONMAN! :)

Velma said...

I just found your blog a few weeks ago, but I had to comment. Way to go on the race. I am also a fellow Wisco rower (although I am a bit older and slower :)) - way to rock it. I can't wait for the race report.

Mer! said...

Way to KILL IT!!! Aww, Marit, I am just SO excited for you...speechless, you just really nailed it..what an AWESOME day..you couldn't have asked for a better race!!!!! (Ok, minus wind and washing machine swim) =0.....

Can't WAIT to give you a hug...but before then, enjoy your MUCH MUCH deserved vacation with your WHOLE family!!

LOVE YOU!!

Ordinarylife said...

CONGRATS!!! You are an Ironman.

Way to go.

Rebecca DeWire said...

Congrats!!!!!! What an amazing race. I cheered for you on the bike, but I am never sure if you heard me because by the time I figured out it was you, you already flew by! What an amazing performance.