Some months ago, Little Jessi complained about her physique. I responded "I thought you were pretty much a hotty." But lately, she has apparently been more of a "sweaty".
Happy, dazed, and sweaty.
Why?
Maybe because:
Cozumel 2009 Ironman
Jessica
Swim 2.4 mi., 1:08:42, rank #798, 25th in age group
T1 ___________ 17:18
Bike 112 mi., 8:04:59, rank 1325, 42nd
T2 ___________ 10:37
Run 26.2 mi., 5:50:03, rank 1214, 38th
total _______15:31:39, rank 1214, 38th in age group
The IM went fantastic. I woke up race morning feeling as calm and peaceful as ever.
ReplyDeleteThe swim was so beautiful. I saw coral, fish, star fish...but didn't see the JELLY FISH that stung me! I felt the sting, but didn't realize it until I was on the bike what had got me. The swim went fine - finished that in a decent time. I took my sweet ass time in T1 and took off on the 8 hours journey on the bike.
The headwinds were insane...at least 20mph on the section by the ocean. My average pace was pretty slow because I was holding back anyway because I didn't want to blow up on the bike since I had a 26.2 mile run to do. I had a pretty uneventful bike, but that was exactly what I wanted. I ate and drank on clockwork and felt strong starting my run.
It wasn't until mile 15 of the run when I hit the "wall." By this point, my reaction to the jelly fish had gotten worse. Hives and blisters were all down my legs and I could feel the blisters on my feet and in between my toes. I felt fine mile 1-15, but from 15-26, I was in my own personal hell and in more pain than I've ever felt before. My left knee started to bother me and the fuel belt I was wearing was bruising my ribs.
I had a minor cry/pitty fest and then I dug deep within myself and started to run again - I was hoping I wouldn't have to walk during the marathon, but that wasn't an option with the pain I was in. Thankfully, I was able to pull it together and I ran the entire way to the finish line.
I was beyond ecstatic when I saw the lights in downtown Cozumel...then I heard the announcer and I turned the corner and ran full sprint (or attempt at one) to the finish. I heard them say my name and that I was an IM and I just raised my hands high above my head and had the biggest smile on my race. I never felt so proud and happy.
It is only now hitting me what I did and how I overcame that xfactor of the jelly fish. I know it's going to be really strange for me to not have a big goal of training for something like this. I'm scared to death of becoming out of shape because I was in the best shape of my life training for this. However, I know that I have a life to live and it doesn't revolve around IM training!
I do look a tad bit tired in that photo. And dazed!
--"Little Jessi", aka, "the cue sheet mooch"