Ironman Maryland Race Report - The During

9/28/19 - Race Day!

The alarm went off and I was up. Not a lot of sleep but I felt rested and awake. Today is the day! Finally going to check that 140.6 box on my bucket list.  My support crew also got up and when we were all ready, we headed to breakfast. I LOVE the Best Western in Easton MD.  They have water, gatorade and snacks out ALL WEEKEND for athletes and guests and then on race morning, they start breakfast at 4:30 AM. At 5:15 we piled into the van and headed toward the race. I had arranged for parking on a local's lawn (thank you Tamplin family!) who allow you to park all weekend for a small donation, which they put toward a mission trip. The property is right on the run course and super close to the start line. We pulled right in and walked to the start.

Moe was volunteering at T1 and Amanda was registered to volunteer at the finish line from 6 - 9:30. I told her that finishing by 9:30 would be tight, but I'd try to get there by 10 (15 hours). My goal was to actually finish in about 14 hours but this was a whole new animal for me. Lauren was my emergency contact. My team was THE BEST and I am still in such awe that they came by plane and automobile to support me for the weekend. Husband was home with the kids handling weekend activities and cheering from home - he knew I was in good hands.

I had to drop my special needs bags (anything that I may want to access midway on the bike or run such as extra nutrition, spare tubes, etc) and pump my bike tires. While I did this, the team dispersed to hold spots in the port o let lines.  Thank God they did because the lines were long and slow moving. I jumped in to the closest spot and waited. During this line time, the national anthem was played and we were told that the race was going to start 5 minutes early. It was self-seeded rolling start and our personal time clock didn't start until we went over the timing mat so I figured I had until about 7:00.  Finally I was at the front of the line, zipped through, and went to put on my wetsuit.  As soon as I had the wetsuit over my legs, my team started greasing me up. Vaseline on the hands and feet and Desitin on the face. I looked like a mime but at least the jellyfish stings would be milder.

The Swim...

I jumped in with the 1:30-1:40 group, planning on a 1:40 ish swim, took my HotShot to ward off cramps, and looked at Moe. Then I teared up.  I couldn't believe the time had come. Moe got a little misty too and told me to go get it. I walked into the water and let it seep into my wetsuit for some quick acclimation. When I was shoulder deep, I started swimming. I usually breathe every 3rd stroke but with the excitement, I allowed myself to breathe every 2nd, to my left side. I stayed close to the buoys and just swam. There were people everywhere and I couldn't quite find any toes to follow --- I'd try but the pace would be off and I'd have to pass and try to find more. The swim was brutal. First lap was crowded and people were zigzagging like crazy. Finally, I stayed inside the sighting buoys and then went to the outside of the turn buoys. One man whacked me hard on the back, and then on the head.  I said "OW!" and he actually looked up and apologized. I was pushed, hit, rammed, and even stopped once to figure out where the hell one swimmer was going so I could go the opposite way and get around. We had caught some pretty good current and I was feeling great. Plus, I'd feel the jellies, but didn't get stung. When we hit the turn to start lap 2, I passed the timing arch and saw someone standing. So I pulled off to the side and stood for a moment to adjust my goggles - which were taking in water from one of the hits to the head - and I took a quick glance at my watch. I was exactly where I wanted to be and right around 2:00/100 YDS. I knew we had a current if I was keeping that pace at this point. Lap 2 was more of the same, choppy in some parts, crowded, and the jellies started stinging. I got one across the face but it was much more tolerable than the day before, some on my hands and a bad one on an ankle. Caught a leg cramp after turn 6 and let my leg hang a bit, then I gently kicked to work out the cramp. Thankfully it didn't come back to haunt me later.  I was thrilled to pass the lap turn buoy and go straight to the final turn.  I kept it tight and stayed to the left. Glad I did because I found out later that many had been pushed far right and had to swim back in to the finish chute. There were so damn many jellyfish it was like they were guarding the exit. I kept thinking "HONEY BADGER DON'T CARE - WATCH HER GET STUNG" And I continued to Honey Badger myself up the boat ramp and out of the water.

Honey Badgered those Jellies

1:34:57 - yay!

Swim Time: 1:34:57

I let the peelers help me out of my wetsuit and then ran into MOE! She was volunteering at bike gear and had picked up a bottle of vinegar. I had her spray my face hands and heels, grabbed my bag and headed into the tent.

I made the decision not to mess with a wardrobe change and had planned to spend the entire day in my Wattie Kit (which I absolutely love plus I think it's a pretty badass design). I did know that I wanted to get my feet and legs as dry as possible so I didn't ride in wet socks. I had stashed my Musselman hand towel into my bike gear bag and used that to dry off. Then I wiped my face --- completely unaware that I still looked like a mime. Desitin is persistent! Bike shoes, gloves, and helmet on, I left my swim gear with a volunteer and handed her one of my thank you gift cards (yay for Moe who had tossed them in my bags for me). I headed to the exit and searched for sunscreen. Another volunteer grabbed a spray sunscreen and covered me from head to toe. I gave her my second gift card and she told me she felt like she just won the lottery. That was cute...

I then walked the short distance to transition and my bike. It felt strange not to run but I resisted the urge. Took my bike off the rack and headed to the mount line to start the 112 mile ride.

T1: 10:07
Cumulative time: 1:45 ish

The Ride

I felt really good heading out for the ride. I had ridden over 1,000 miles in the past 3 months and my fit had recently been tweaked so I was more comfortable.  I knew the course, having ridden Eagleman twice before and I love flats. 6-7 hours of pedaling doesn't bother me - I knew I had to resist the urge to power through and just ride in a steady zone. That's what I did. The first 20 miles or so went fast. I stopped for a minute or two at the first aid station to hit the portajohn - it was a stretch off the bike a little sooner than planned but there were enough aid stations that I'd still be able to stop at my planned intervals. I took in a gel early and made sure to drink my tailwind consistently. I was also snacking on peanut butter pretzels as I rode. I knew my bike needed to be a rolling buffet because I kept getting hungry on my runs after long rides. Beginning at mile 20 I believe we hit a bit of a headwind and around Mile 25 I pulled in through the school and special needs area to start the first of two laps. What a great surprise it was to see my crew! Amanda and Lauren had taken the shuttle to the school to catch me out on the course. I slowed down through this congested area and passed through, not quite ready to refill anything from my special needs bag.

As I pulled out of the school, another rider was riding almost on the yellow line, very slowly, drinking from his water bottle. There was no way to pass him on his left and I said "I can't pass on your left so I want you to know I'm coming around on the right".  He smiled and then proceeded to hang onto my wheel and draft for at least the next 10 miles as we continued into a headwind during the first 15 miles of the loop, at some point I ate an uncrustable, then caught a tailwind.  I also managed to shake my tail and don't remember seeing him again on the course. At mile 56/halfway was about 3 hours and 20 minutes in. I was aiming for 17 mph average on the bike and I was pretty close to it.  I see a lot of accidents out on the course, and a few flat tires. I keep saying to myself "not me... not today" (boy was I wrong)

At mile 65 we pulled back into the school and this time I stopped at special needs. Stuffed my pickles in one pocket, M&Ms in the other, and refilled a bottle with some tailwind. I pulled out the extra uncrustable and offered it to the volunteer helping me (a local college student) since I still had another on the bike and didn't want it. He was pleased as punch! The portojohn line was long so I decided to wait for the next aid station for a potty break.

I came out of the school and started out on lap #2 feeling amazing. I ate half my uncrustable and sang to myself as I started ticking off the miles again. All of a sudden I veered - I don't know if it was checking my lap time (5 mile laps/mile 70) when my watch beeped or a gust of wind but it happened. I went off the road and tried to correct. Unfortunately, there was too much of a drop from the pavement to the shoulder that it was like trying to drive up onto a curb and instantly put on the breaks. My bike went over and I went down with it. Good samaritans (who we will call angel wife and angel husband) out to watch the riders happened to be right there. They ran over to assist. Angel wife helped me up and my eyeball felt like it was bouncing around in my head. I had an instant headache and my face went numb from my lip to my eye. It was just about 1:00 PM.

I looked at Angel Wife and said "where's my bike?". She said it was over with Angel Husband. She asked if I was ok. "Can you look at my eyes and tell me what my pupils are doing?"  She said they were very small. I said "Ok good, that's good".  She suggested I walk a bit. I shook my head. I'm a little dizzy but I'll know soon enough if I can stay upright on the bike. The funniest part... my pickles went flying out of my back pocket and remain in tact today.

"Can you call my husband?" I asked. (of course was the answer). "Please tell him I crashed, I'm going to get to the next aid station and please call Amanda and let her know in case I don't come in on time".  She calls him and he told her to tell me to stretch my back. I said "my back is fine, it's my face that hurts".  Angel Husband hands my my bike and I carefully get back on. I thanked them and again let them know my plans to get to the next aid station to get checked out.

My head throbbed and my cheek hurt and my face was numb. I figured something was broken but as long as I didn't have a significant concussion, I knew I could push on. I had ridden with a wicked hangover before, and I've run with a wicked hangover (and migraine, and a sprained ankle although not at the same time). I can do this.  I assessed my pain and decided that labor pains were worse, with the ruptured disc a very very close second. This was not at that level.

Lap 1.            Lap 2

I rode for another 12 miles to the aid station and called for a medic. They had to send someone so I got off my bike, used the potty, and waited. I must have looked like shit because another racer gasped when he saw me and asked if I was ok. Again I asked him to look at my eyes and tell me if my pupils were big or small. He had me follow his finger and said that my left eye was a little wobbly. I said thanks and I sat and waited for the medical person to arrive. I started my pity party of 1 thinking about how I would feel if they didn't allow me to continue. I wanted to earn that 140.6 sticker. I wanted to go to Thomas' Fine Jewelry and get my crabbie necklace! After what felt like FOREVER the medical came and he looked me over, had me squeeze his hands, and gave me some antiseptic to wipe my road rash (ouch).He asked if I could take in nutrition - I assured him that despite being unable to chew, I could drink and take in gels. He looked at me and said it's Ironman and up to me to continue. I said Thanks and went on my way.

After waiting, I was ready to get the show on the road. I had until 5:30 to finish the bike course and I only had 30 miles to go. Less than 2 hours of riding and I had the wind at my back. At 3:00 it rained.

At 3:40 I pulled into T2.  Still almost 2 hours ahead of the cutoff. My garmin said 17 MPH average (it pauses when I stop moving) official race pace as 16.19 MPH average. I had 27 minutes of stop time.

Allowing myself a little cry upon seeing my support crew

When I saw the arch to dismount, I cried for the first time since tearing up at the start. I couldn't believe I finished the ride. I saw my crew waiting patiently for me and went over to them. And hugged them and bawled - briefly - and told them "I think I broke my face".

Bike time: 6:56:57

I racked my bike and headed to the changing tent once again. Moe ran along side and said
"Jocelyn said that if you are questioning whether or not to continue, KEEP GOING" apparently they were watching to make sure I wasn't about to topple over. They also reminded me that I had over 8 hours to finish the marathon. My worst marathon ever was 5:52 in NYC. My worst 13.1 in a half iron was 3:21. 8 hours I could do.

I walked into the change tent with my run bag and was greeted by a wonderful volunteer. She sat me down and got me some ice for my face. Then she took my bodyglide and covered my potential hot spots, put on my socks, and then my shoes. I had a baggie of Tylenol and Ibuprofen in my bag and I took the Tylenol with some water from my T2 Angel. She then took my bike gear and put it back in the bag, gave me a big hug and told me she would see me at the finish line where she was volunteering later. I gave her my gift card and thanked her again then headed out for the marathon.

T2: 11:14
Cumulative time: 8:53:13

The Run

I started trotting and decided to try my 1 minute walk after every 1/2 mile that I had been doing during training. I kept that up for the first 2 miles, then pulled into the aid station and used the portojohn.  At least I was still peeing. I could hear someone retching in the next toilet, so I knocked and asked if he needed anything (no answer) then I let a volunteer know that he may need help. It was hot - in the 80s and it was humid. I walked when I felt like it and ran when I wanted to. All things considered, I felt pretty good. My goal time of breaking 14 hours was shot and... my face hurt. I focused on managing the heat: ice down the bra, gatorade at the aid stations, my own HoneyStinger gel with water about every 4 miles and a hit of Base Salt every mile. I met David who, as it turns out we have mutual connections - we talked a bit on a walk break out in the no-man's land section of the course. At some point I met a girl named Amanda who reminded me of someone I ran with at Eagleman. I said "are you from Long Island?" she said "no I'm from Philly" so for the rest of the day she became "Yay Philly!!!" whenever I saw her.  I also met David who, as it turns out we have mutual connections - we talked a bit on a walk break out in the no-man's land section of the course. He is from Philly too. Of course I felt an instant kinship with both of them over the whole Philly thing even though I've been gone for years.

Surprisingly perky passing the crew

Soooo not mile 24...8 maybe

I saw the girls every time I went by the house where the car was parked. Once Moe told me to hustle and I might have given her the finger. Then again maybe that was in my head. People were going down left and right - the golf cart/medical was all over the course. I said to myself "not me... not today" and this time I meant it. I kept an eye out for Laurie who was a few miles ahead of me and cheered her on every time I saw her. We stopped and talked the first time - I explained why I looked like hell and she told me her day was hell. #ThisisIronMan?

At the 13 mile mark, I was a little under 3 hours. Since I wasn't sure where I was with race time because of my Garmin pausing, I changed my screen for time of day. It wasn't quite 7:00 PM when I hit mile 14. I thought "I can finish by 10 PM". So that became my new goal. Around mile 18 I stopped at special needs and put on dry socks. A volunteer put a chair out for me which was so amazing. I then took another Hot Shot and felt icky for the first time that day. I hit the grassy area and came out of the park heading into the business district and a group at a house party called my name. I totally had a "WHO ME?" moment and they were all Jake Ryan "YEAH YOU" and I realized that Moe must have made friends (I was right). The icky feeling passed and I just kept on plodding along. By now the sun was down and it felt cooler. At mile 20 I was heading back out for the abbreviated 3rd loop. 10K I thought. A little over an hour and it wasn't quite 8:30. I had my glow necklace on (required) and glow sticks from my special needs bag. Sometimes I drank cola but mostly stuck to gatorade and water. I hit the final turnaround and headed back toward town. Less than 3 miles to go. Mile 24... Mile 25 ... hit the u-turn in town and trotted my little heart out. Finally it was time to head straight to the finish line rather than turning for another lap.


I ran. I ran to the red carpet and calculated whether or not I'd be a jerk if I passed a girl so close to the finish. I decided I could pass and be out of her way for finisher photos so I did. I saw Lauren and Moe along the finish chute and waved and then I saw the timing arch and gave a yelp of glee. The clock was at 15 hours so I knew I was under that. I saw Amanda straight ahead waiting for me and ready to finish her shift. I was only 11 minutes late!

Tony Lugo announced that I AM AN IRONMAN and I ran straight to the arms of my friend and bawled like a baby.

Run Time: 5:50:13
TOTAL TIME: 14:43:25