One Month to the Day

It has been a little hard to settle into the 'old' routine of not working out but my feet have made that pretty easy. I still have raw skin where my blisters were. They seem to get healed and then the skin bubbles up and the process repeats. Some days it's not too much fun walking to my car at work because just my socks rub on them. Because of my feet I have shorty, non-cute shoes for Lynn's wedding. Because of my feet I canceled my hotel for Trails to Rails. Because of my feet I have not spent much time with my horses.

Olaf and I did started doing P90X at home. We have survived one week of it. Honestly it's quite a workout. For some reason I thought that any workout you do at home cannot be that hard...yeah right. Our pull-up bar arrived yesterday. I did a whopping three, next round two and then 0 - 0 - 0 - 0. It is nice to be sore again! I nearly forgot what sore muscles feel like.

The Grand Total

I totaled up all expenses for IM that I could think of. This includes my bike, helmet, pump, tubes, YMCA membership for 1 year, master swimming, coaching plan, training races, wetsuit, bike repairs, chiropractor, clothes, shoe covers, sunglasses, new treadmill....on and on.

The total - now this is not including the hospital visit after, because that's after the IM, so it doesn't count, right? Ha ha! Hopefully it's fully covered by insurance.

The grand total.... $ 7,852 dollars

It's not too bad especially that the total includes my treadmill, bike, YMCA membership.

IronMan Cozumel

Olaf, stop reading this. Close your eyes. There's an IM Cozumel, brand new this year. I love Cozumel! I have been there several times. In November Olaf and I seem to go on a diving trip somewhere warm. Infact we are going this November to Isle Mujures, just off the coast of Cancun near Cozumel. The swim is in the park where I have swam with dolphins years ago and went snorkeling in 2008 with Olaf. How cool would it be to do an ocean swim with a reef under you? The bike course is really flat and goes into down and back, and then out again. Everything is really flat on the island. That would be awesome after IM-WI. This is the exact reason why I'm still wearing two plastic bracelets from last Sunday. One is my IronMan to allow me access to everything including the race and remind me of what I did. The second is my hospital bracelet to remind me to never do another one of these again. I think the hospital one has to come off now. Olaf, if you are still reading this perhaps we should plan a trip to Cozumel in Nov 2010...you know for diving and stuff. ; )

The Days After

Monday we went to the awards banquet from 11:30 - 1:30. We had a nice breakfast. I ate two plate fulls, yum. It was great to see the age grouper winners. My highlight was watching a pro go down the steps at the parking ramp and she could barely move. It secretly made me feel good because I thought pros never were sore or stiff. I felt great except for my blisters.

Tuesday I did laundry, put things away. I thought I was going great so I went to Wal-Mart to pick up my photos and get more blister pads. I got pretty dizzy. I called my clinic for an appt. but they didn't have any openings. They wanted me to call 911. I went home and laid down. I made an appt. for Wed at my clinic. I wasn't sure why I was still dizzy and I was also concerned with the bee sting on my leg. The sting had two circles now and was changing colors and getting darker.

Wenesday the sting was turning purple so I was glad I was going to the dr. She said my sting was infected and my left foot was on it's way or was already infected. As far as dizzy she said to eat lots of salt and go home and sleep. I stopped at McDonalds and ate two burgers and fries.

I feel good now. I even rode Deuce on Wednesday night. It was great. Despite not riding all summer he was great and my legs are super strong.

16 hours 18 minutes and 52 seconds

Sunday, September 13, 2009 I got to hear "Bridget Edgar YOU are an IronMan". It was one of the most amazing moments in my life. Here's what the day was like for me.

Swim 2.4 Miles
I luckily was able to sleep from 8 pm Saturday night until 3:58 AM when I woke up. I got up at 1 AM to use the bathroom so I had slept great that night. I made my oatmeal in my bowl I brought from home, put on my swim suit and a comfy dress over it with my pajama pants under that. I forgot to bring any sort of pants with. We left the house at 4:30 am and headed to Monona Terrace. I first went to my bike to check the tires because I was worried about them popping in the heat but had let out quite a bit of air. Everything was great. I had the tires inflated, nutrition on my bike, plastic bag off the seat. Olaf and I went and dropped off my special needs bag. We waited inside Monona Terrace until 6:20 and I was just going to get on my wetsuit and go outside and saw Sue and Shawn. I was so thrilled! We took photos and I waited with them. We went out to the lake together. I started crying when I had to say goodbye to Olaf, it was just so much emotion built up inside me from going out there and seeing the people, the music, the sunrise. It was so beautiful that morning because it looked like a beach paradise with the sun coming up and the kayaks, boats, paddle boards. I was scared but excited. An older lady looked at me crying and grabbed my arm and said it will be alright. It was really nice. I said goodbye and got into the water. I treaded water for about 25 minutes waiting on the far left side of the buoys. I kept positioning myself away from any large men that might crush me in the water. There were so many people watching, it was amazing to look back at everyone. I wished I could have taken a camera with me. When then cannon went off I took off. Slow and steady. I kept reminding myself that it's a LONG day. I had no idea what my pace was. Going to the first turn around it was wonderful. Smooth, no waves, didn't hit one person! The corners were another story. It was really crowded and people were stopping which didn't help the flow. It seemed long going down the far stretch coming back for the first loop. I was getting bumped around more. Another corner done and on the last loop. The second loop went fast although, I didn't pick up speed. I exited the water about 1 hours 31 minutes. A bit slower then I actually thought I would go but I did it without getting hurt or losing my goggles. Yeah, the worse is over I thought but it actually seemed easy. I had my suit stripped off. It looks more fun then it is because it happens so fast. I ran up the helix about half way and started walking the second half when I realized I'm in my swimsuit jogging up a ramp with thousands of people watching every ounce of me jiggle. I ran into the ballroom get my bag, I had to get it myself and went to the changing room. A lady came to help me and she had to get my sports bra on and jersey on. She even helped get my shorts pulled up. It's really hard to change when you are wet. I put on chamois butter, she snapped on my race belt and off I went. I had them put sunscreen all over my arms and legs but forgot my face and back of neck. I felt good going onto the bike.

Bike 112
I helped the volunteer get my bike out of the rack and ran it to the end to mount. I had worried about riding down the helix and falling over so I didn't clip in my shoes yet until the bottom. I was hearing a lot of "yeah George" cheers because I had Curious George on my jersey. I had so many compliments about it through out the day. : ) Every bit helps during this race. We headed out and I had not biked the leg to get out to Verona and it was not as flat as I thought it would be. We were climbing some hills to get out of the city. At mile 8 I was shifting from big chain to small and my chain jammed, my pedals were locked and luckily I got unclipped before I tipped over. I was really concerned. This is what happened to me at Dairyland Dare. I got off and checked my bike and thankfully it wasn't jammed up too bad. I pedaled the bike and it was good. I got on and kept going. I have done most of my training in the big chain but the hills I needed that small chain so I ended up riding the first 70 miles in small chain. It made me slow. I was so scared of something more major happening to my bike or myself if that chain jammed on me. This is when I realized a 600 dollar used, heavy, old bike from Craigslist might not have been the best choice for the IronMan. At mile 20 I stopped for to apply sunscreen on my neck and ears. I'm so glad I did. I just took my time and everyone was saying 'no hurry, we have 17 hours'. I just relaxed and rode. About mile 30 I was coming down a large hill going towards Cross Plains and I was stung by a bee on the inside of my thigh. It was throbbing for the next 20 miles. I couldn't believe it. I had everything but the kitchen sink in my special needs bag but nothing for a bee sting. It helped divert any other pain. I was feeling really good, eating when I should. I saw my friends cheering me on at different areas. It was great. Verona was cool riding though the streets lined with people. I was able to stop between Mt. Horeb and Crossplains to have my bike checked by a tech because of my chain. She tightened the chain and said no guarentees but hopefully that will help. It didn't make me feel much better. I was still afraid of it. It just seemed to jam under load so the plan was go be in the small chain before I'm on any hills. The three sister hills were great with all the people cheering on the first loop.

At 56 miles I was able to get my special needs. I put on chap stick and filled up everything with Gatorade. I was really going through liquids since it was so hot and sunny. Who knew we would finally have a 84 degree day in mid-September when we hadn't had any all summer. I drank at least 7 bottles in the first 56 miles. I started off again just relaxing while riding and about mile 70 I started doing the math and thinking about the bike cut off. I started asking riders what was the cut off again. After that many hours of going I couldn't remember for sure what it was. Was it 5 pm, 5:30 or 6 pm? I couldn't remember and everyone had a different time. I biked next to an older lady and asked if she thought she would make the cut off, she wasn't sure. She said the last two years she missed it. I thought to myself I have to get ahead of her because I do not want to risk missing it. I biked harder the last 42 miles then I had all day. I didn't eat anything because I didn't want to slow down. I drank everything I had and should have refilled but didn't. I was so worried. That's when I had to start using my big chain to give me more speed. I thought it was either shift and pray everything works or not make it in time. About mile 90 I stopped for the bathroom and refilled everything and then hammered it home. I believe it was about 5:12 when I got into town. 5:30 was the cut off. Phew, I made it!

When people say if you keep going and can kind of take it easy, it's not really true. You do need to work out there and get your MPH up. I felt dizzy in the transition and actually sat down to get into my run gear. The volunteer (Barb, who later Facebooked me the most wonderful note about her volunteer experience and I was one of her memorable athletes!) this time completely did everything for me. She took of my jersey, helped with my shorts, took off my shoes and socks. My feet felt like they were on fire. I didn't know they hurt so bad. We put on my running top and as we got it on I realized I wanted my sports bra off so we had to put on my running top twice. It was a chore being so sweaty and out of it. I grabbed a peanut butter and honey sandwich in case I got hungry and a salted nut roll as well as a bag of salt sticks because I felt that this was going to be an emergency need for them or something. I hit the restroom just outside and I guess Ryan was there and said my name and I looked at him but didn't recognize him. I wasn't looking really good and later I found out he was really concerned because something wasn't right.

Run 26.2 Miles
I tried to run but my feet hurt. I saw Cari and Tina right outside of transition and said Hi and told them my feet are on fire, they hurt so bad. They told me not to worry that everyone walks the first two miles and everyone hurts like this so it's normal. I really needed to hear from someone. I was feeling really dizzy so I just walked. I thought I had rocks in my shoes so I stopped to dump them out and nothing. It was just my feet in pain. I figured it must be massive blisters and I didn't want to look. I ate my salted nut roll which went down great. I was still dizzy. I started walking with a guy named Jason who said he was going to walk the entire marathon. I told him I'm dizzy and I might pass out just to let him know.

About mile 7 I started jogging and felt better, but then my right knee had intense pain. I had Advil with and hadn't taken any all day. I popped two of them and waited 15 minutes and started running again. No pain in the knee. I was finally not dizzy and told the guy I was walking with that we should jog and walk. I was pushing him harder then he wanted to we parted ways. I was feeling so much better that I was able to run and knock off a few miles. I wanted to make sure I made the half marathon cut off. I got there about 8:20 I think? About mile 15 I met an older guy named Gary speed walking and he walked a 15 minute mile so we did a couple miles together. I then said that I can't cut the finish that close and started running again. My feet were starting to hurt again. I caught up with a lady named Julie that was really moving speed walking. I mean passing joggers moving.

Olaf was sitting along the running path near campus and as I was coming through the darkness I saw him cheering with a tall, attractive blonde. I really thought in my head "what the..." When I have ran races before I have finished and found girls flirting with him. Once I was literally puking behind a tree and some blonde girl was flirting with him. So here I am miserable 14 hours into this race and another blonde girl is hanging with him. I got closer and said Hi Olaf, then I said "Oh, Olivia". It was his cousin! I was so relieved!

I walked with Julie until the end. I could feel my blisters filling up with fluid and it was get so painful and then they would burst and I would have relief. It was a continuous cycle until the end. As we approached the finish line Julie told me to go ahead since this was my first and run in. I did and I ran as hard as I could. I wanted to enjoy the moment as best as I could but I was again feeling dizzy. Everyone was cheering, I didn't even hear the words I waited all day but go to the finish and it was such a blur. I missed "Bridget Edgar YOU are an IronMan". I crossed the finish line and the catchers grabbed me. I had so many people around me in my face, what size shirt, I need your chip, here's your hat. It was shocking. I couldn't even think at that point. I didn't even know there was food at the finish. I got my items socked into my arms and was handed off to Olaf I think? I don't even remember that part well. I do remember Lynn and Greg and Olaf taking pictures. I told them I didn't feel good.

Lynn and Greg headed home and I thought maybe we should watch some more people finish. I had to see Gary and Jason to see if they made it. I saw Gary finish, but then I started getting more tunnel vision. I sat on the park bench with Olaf and then decided to go to the medical tent. I thought I was going to pass out. I got into the tent and they weighed me. I was up 5 pounds which was weird. They sat me down and I remember hanging onto the table next to me because the room was spinning and I thought I was going to tip over. The volunteer asked me "soda or chicken broth". I said, "What?" What an odd thing. I told them I felt like I will pass out. So I sat there and drank soda. After a few minutes I noticed they were not going to do anything more with me. Two people across the tent were vomiting over and over. A lady was brought in and was vomiting the entire marathon, she lost 12 pounds so they took her back for an IV. I finally asked the guy to take my blood pressure because something isn't right. He did and it was 60/40 or around there. Pretty low. I told him I need to lay down because I'm going to pass out. He got another few helpers and took me to the back. Somewhere on my way back I did pass out. Next thing I remember about 8 people around me on a bed shouting "Bridget" at me. "Bridget can you hear me". It was freaky. I had two people on each arm trying to find a pulse and then two more people trying. They kept taking my blood pressure over and over. I was kind of going in and out. They kept trying to keep me talking. I was shaking because I was so cold. They put a finisher tin foil thing on me. I couldn't stop shaking. I heard bits of what they were talking about. They said since I'm up 5 pounds no IV, but they weren't sure about my pulse because they couldn't find it. They then said I need to go to the hospital and I said to tell my husband and told them I have Health Partners insurance. I heard someone say her lips are blue. Next thing I was in the ambulance but I didn't remember getting to that point. I think they started me on some sort of IV in there or maybe it was before in the tent, I'm not really sure. The last thing I remember hearing was if we should go lights on or off. I was listening so hard to hear the answer. For some reason it took all my power to try to listen and focus on the medical staff. The medical people said I was critical so lights on. I remember thinking, dang, that's not good but I was so happy to be leaving the medical tent and getting real Dr. to help me. Olaf said I left a little after midnight. I don't really remember going into the hospital, but I remember them saying to take her to room 9. They hooked me up to monitor everything, did a EKG, gave me some glucose solution. I had a IV in my right arm and another in my left. They did blood tests to find out what was wrong. The tests came back great. They said my sodium and potassium levels were normal which didn't seem normal after what I did all day. I don't take salt pills. I had two salted nut rolls during the run, a couple sips of chicken broth and 1/2 banana. That made everything more perplexing. My white blood cells were low which was expected after such a long day. My blood pressure was coming back the longer I was in there. My pulse was found! About 2:00 am they had me get up and walk around the ER to see if I was still dizzy. I felt better. We were discharged and home by about 2:40 am. What a day! Poor Olaf looked so tired at the hospital. I sure put him through a lot that day.

I was scared that night to go to sleep. I thought I wouldn't wake up. I did get about 3 hours of sleep and was up early eating food. I had cold pizza, cheese its, and an ice cream bar. My stomach wanted food so bad there was no way I could sleep.

We went to the awards ceremony and watched the highlights video. They are the best videos ever. It's really emotional to watch. Most people are holding back tears. Even the people that didn't do the race. Afterwards we headed home. I was so thrilled to have finished, happy to have it done, happy to be alive, happy to have my life back. I know I said I would never do this again but maybe someday... it's just something that everyone should try. Dedicate 1 year to training and do the IronMan. Your life will be changed forever.

Just Waiting for Sunday AM

My bike is racked, my gear bags dropped off....now the wait until bedtime and tomorrow morning. Woo hoo!

Dropping off my bike I ran into Sue and her daughter which was cool. I also ran into Pam who owned my Softride. She recognized the bike and said Hi. Super cool to bump into people in Madison that I know. There are 2701 athletes for IM - Madison. The largest number ever because so many volunteers wanted to participate this year.

Friday AM Swim with a Dead Body

Thursday Olaf and I arrived about 2 pm. We went right to Monora Terrace to get my race packet. First they check if you are a USAT member and ID you. You stand in another line to get the wavier and sign your life away - literally. Then you go downstairs where you are weighed. They need to know what you weigh incase you have a medical and they can tell if you are really dehydrated or over hydrated. Next stop they shout out your number in a huge room "2304". They sure know how to announce things. I received my race numbers and chip. After that I received a poster and of course there is a sales table to order photos. I ordered one finisher photo in a mat. I can pick that up on Monday after the race.

Friday morning I met Sue and her crew at the lake for a practice swim. Sue said there is a dead body out there yet to be found. A fisherman went in on Wednesday night and they are still looking for him. It was a great distraction to the swim. I didn't think much about swimming but instead focused in on hoping to not run into the body. I hope they find him soon for the family. We heard by Sunday he should surface. The water was nice and warm. I think my plan is to start on the far right side and give myself more room. I will decide race day either far left or far right. I just don't want to be in the huge mix of people right away.

After swimming we went to Marigolds for breakfast. It was packed with IM. We had a great breakfast. We will have to go back into town tonight for the race dinner and madatory meeting. So far so good!

Ready for Madison

I have literally been off and on packing for two whole days and printing guides, nutrition plan, emails to friends at where we will be. I even started putting together my special needs bags in April. While riding on my long rides I would think of something else I might like...electrical tape, zip ties, bio freeze, rain poncho, pepto, advil, lip balm - you name it, I have it in my special needs bag, especially the bike one.

I have my car loaded with my bike, a box of t-shirts, hats and clappers for fans, a box of food, a bag of nutrition and drinks, my tri bag with swim stuff in it, a small cooler to bring some food to Lynn and Gregs for the non IM people, a suitcase with clothes/shoes for IM (rain, hot, cold) and my planned on outfits, a duffel bag of a few clothes for the weekend, my foam roller, basketball, red soft ball. Hopefully there will be room for Olaf! Lynn and Greg's eyes will pop out when they see all the gear I have with. : ) Watch out, I'm moving in!

My nerves are better today. Erin sent me a nice email telling me "I can handle this". I will keep saying that in my head because really, anything that the day brings I have been been through before. I have been kicked, pulled under, put in the sleeper hold, freaked out in the water; had flat tires, rode in driving cold rain, windy terrible days, hot days; ran a marathon with strep throat, in driving rain, on the hottest day ever. Even if this is the worst conditions ever I have handled it and I can get through this. Thanks Erin!

Who I will be Sharing the Course With?

Yes - I'm convinced that these people are a bit crazy. Here are some of the occupations of the people participating this year. I wasn't as creative. I just put IT.


Animal Lovers
HOUSE-CAT TAMER
DOG SWIM INSTRUCTOR
DONKEY HERDER
COMPETITIVE DOG PADDLE INSTRUCTOR
MOUSE TAMER
GOAT ROPER
PROFESSIONAL CAT HERDER
SNAKE CHARMER
COW TIPPER

Professionals
UNEMPLOYED MISCREANT
SKIRT CHASER
NUKE OPERATOR
REALITY SHOW HOPEFUL
JAKE OF ALL TRADES - he's named Jake
JACK OF SOME TRADES
CIRCUS TRAPEZE PEFORME
CUBICLE JOCKEY
SLUM LORD
MONKEY
AVID ADVENTURER
SOCIAL CAPITALIST
MONKEY DOCTOR
PLANET ALIGNER

Probably on Match.com
ALL-AROUND GOOD GUY
ROMANTIC
ALL AROUND NICE GUY

Drunks
GUINNESS CONNOISSEUR
BEER DRINKING UW ALUM
GUINNESS GUZZLER
PROFESSIONAL BEER TASTER
PROFESSIONAL CHEESE SPREADER


Celebrities
BRAD PITT'S WIFE
COOKIE MONSTER
PAPA SMURF
SUPERMAN
JESSE'S GIRL
BODY DOUBLE FOR THE ROCK
CHUCK NORRIS' STUNT DOUBLE
ADULT FILM STAR (RETIRED)
SHREK

Other...
YARD GNOME
SCHMOOPIE - not sure what that is
UNDERWATER FIREFIGHTER -he's probably a good swimmer?
CRACKHEAD
VAGRANT
UNDERWEAR MODEL
SPEED RACER
KEPT MAN
CHEESE CURD FRYER

This Sums it Up

"In an entire lifetime, there will not be many days like Sunday. Sunday is not the end, but the celebration of a journey, and a celebration of living life to its fullest. We will see plenty of family, friends, loved ones and thousands of strangers cheering us on. We are the lucky ones.
We get to experience this day, from our side of the white line. We get to find out what these wonderful machines we have been blessed with are really capable of. Most people never take advantage of an opportunity, to try to answer the question we are all curious about. What actually would happen, if we were brave enough to push the accelerator all the way to the floor? Everyone comes from the factory with numbers on the speedometer go that high, but should we dare? If we really tried, and pushed ourselves to the limit, what are we actually capable of? Some will make stupid comments like “I wouldn’t do that if a bear was chasing me”. To that we say to ourselves, “Really? You would just stand there and let it eat you? Without even taking a step? Not me!” Sunday will be like every other day, in that we don’t really know how it will end, or where it will take us. We have hopes and dreams, but not knowledge of its conclusion. What we do have, is the courage to get in the water for the start. We do not and will not do this in a reckless manner. We’ve all methodically prepared for this day for a very long time, and it’s been a long journey. It’s been hard on our bodies, our schedules, our families, and we lost a dear friend along the way. To have the gift of ability that we have, and not take full advantage of it, at least for one day, is to be disrespectful to the gift. Let’s enjoy our celebration of the gift."

Taper Time!

I had Thursday and Friday off from work to get in my last LONG training. I biked about 70 miles on Thursday. I was so excited to ride my 'normal' route for the last time. I like seeing the same routines in everyone's life when I bike. I always find a older man reading the newpaper in Headwater Parkway, his dog always barks at me and he waves, I go past Neal Hennings and the horses are getting fed on my way out, I bike past my the Kelly Land and Cattle Co. and it's quiet in the morning, head down to the Gateway Trail to use the porta-potty and cut across to Lake Elmo the long way. ERRR - today the Gateway Trail was closed with machinery all over and trees down. I was really bummed. I turned and headed north to Big Marine. I stopped at the Park Reserve and it has an awesome beach and went up to the little store in Big Marine and bought my final Snickers Ice Cream bar. I headed back home and it was back to the regular sights, now Neal was out riding, saw Dan the local farmer with his semi and giant haybales always making the turn at 170th Street, saw Don out cutting hay who thinks I bike to Milwaukee weekly. I got home and realized I won't be biking that route again for a long time. My next 'long' ride is only 30 miles and the it's the IM. I felt a little indifferent about the ride.

On Saturday I had a 13.1 mile run. It was a virtual half marathon - the Sprit of Columbus. I have never heard of a virtual half marathon, but you have to register for it and map out your run. The day of it you wear a Garmin or heart rate monitor. When you are done you upload your results and you are ranked. You are sent a finisher medal, shirt, etc. Kind of different but that is why I did it. I think this was the first virtual half marathon ever. I took it easy since I was wearing new shoes. I had only worn them 2 miles prior. It was a nice run but a little windy. I went south to Millers on Main and headed West on Main Street until I hit the 7 mile mark and turned around and headed home. My feet felt good when I was done - no blisters either. That is what I needed for a longer run to give me a confidence boost.

17 Days!

I just picked up my bike from Penn Cycle. They did a little tune up on it. I'll have to take it out tonight and see how it is. I put new tubes and tires on it on Sunday so I think I'm ready now for IM.

I haven't swam since Saturday. Sunday I thought that I was strong enough to pick up my huge honey extractor and put it on a wagon to rinse out. I did but that night my shoulder woke me up hurting. It's pretty sore so no swimming for me. I even thought I shouldn't be picking it up on my own and thought I should get Olaf to help just to be safe. At least I got in some really good long swims last week. I have Thursday and Friday off for more training. I have another 80 mile bike ride with a run and then a 13.1 mile virtual half marathon on Saturday. It should be nice and cool for my run. Fun fun. After this weekend it's all downhill till IM!!

DNF DLD

Olaf and I left on Friday about 2:00 to get to Dodgeville for Diaryland Dare. It was 280 miles one way. I rec'd my race packet on Friday night, we had dinner at Pizza Hut and went to bed early at the Super 8. I was up by 5:30 to get ready for my 100K ride. I had downgraded from my injuries. The first few hills going up my chain jammed. My pedals wouldn't move at all and I thought I was going down. Somehow I got unclipped in time. Someone stopped to help me with it. She said I should get grease at the first rest stop. She also asked if I was biking along and I said Yes. She said this is way too grueling to do alone. Great I thought. Everything else was going OK. The downhills were scary but I was just trusting that I wouldn't get a flat. Then I hit pea gravel. There's no way I'm biking down a hill on pea gravel or up a hill. I couldn't believe how much of it there was. About mile 13 I was going up a hill and a lot of people were walking. I thought I would bike as much as I can and get off. Well, getting off at 3 MPH going uphill is a little hard. I couldn't unclip in time and fell to my left. I was just bruised, but fine. I walked up the hill almost in tears. I just wanted this to end. I really wasn't having any fun at all. I biked a little more and hit more pea gravel. I saw a SAG wagon so I flagged it down and called Olaf. He met me at mile 20 rest stop. It was really hard to give up but I was afraid I would get seriously injured and it wasn't worth it to do this ride and risk it all so close to IM. That was my first and hopefully last DNF. Dairyland Dare is something I 100 percent don't want to ever attempt again.

We hit the road back home about 10:30 and took our time. We stopped at some Amish stores. We even stopped at a Amish house that had donuts for sale. We went inside their kitchen and bought a pie, bread and two donuts. They have really nice houses with of course nice woodwork. She had a cast iron oven almost in the middle of her kitchen. That was the highlight of our trip. We also stopped at a farmers market in Virquoa because we saw a bunch of buggies in the town square. We bought a utensil basket from some more Amish people.

Three Weeks Left of Hard Training

I had yesterday off to put in another 80 mile ride. It was supposed to have been 115 but I did 110 a few weeks back. I cut it short because of my achilles and right hip. I'm still trying to be nice and rest them. I also have Dairyland Dare on Saturday. I think I'm going to do the 60 mile ride. I still wish there was a 100 mile ride in there.

I can't believe I have about three weeks left until taper time. Time has gone so quickly during this training.

Ah - Temporary Relief

I went to the chiropractor yesterday and my right leg was about 3/4 inch shorter then my left. No wonder why I have been in so much pain with my right hip. I felt great for about 3 hours and now the pain is coming back. I'm going back on Wed to get adjusted again. I'm also taking Ligaplex that is supposed to help with rebuilding damaged tissue faster. I started it yesterday so we will see how that goes.

Can I get permanently injured from doing an IronMan?

I was reading these last night after I googled "Can I get permanently injured from doing an IronMan" Olaf asked me that question.

I did find this and thought it was interesting knowing it will be painful. No one has really put it this way. I guess all my pain and hurting up to this point is also training for the pain I will feel that day. I'm ready - bring it!!!!

Manage the pain:Pain is part of the Ironman experience, and no matter how long an athlete takes to complete the race, suffering will happen. Working through and conquering the pain is part of what makes Ironman finishing-line emotions so special. So don't ignore or fear the pain; embrace it and manage it as part of the Ironman journey, knowing that ultimately it will make you stronger and your sacrifices and victories all that much sweeter. Your mental approach to pain can be the difference between a finish, a PR, and a DNF.

Half IronMan - so glad it's done!

I did my first Half IM on Sunday and probably my only one. I would rank this much harder then any marathon I have ever done. It progressively got more difficult as the day went on. The swim (1.2 miles) was great and I finished faster then I thought I would. I was in Wave 8 and they went off two minutes apart. I seated myself towards the back and outside on the right hand. I was able to relax and swim. I worked on my stroke, sighting, trying to balance my weak arm with my strong arm. I felt great after wards.

Onto the bike (56 miles) - My legs were feeling a little weird in the beginning. My right hip didn't feel very powerful at all. On Wed just four days prior I had a really aggressive chiropractic appointment working on my right him from the top of my stomach down. I think that it inflamed it more then anything. I kept my speed at 18 MPH and if I went over that I coasted. The course didn't allow much coasting at all. It was a slight incline going north and a slight decline going south. At about mile 20 I biked the rest of the race with a nice 20 something year old from Rice Lake. This was also her first half IM. That made the time go by quickly. We finished the bike leg in 3 hours 30 minutes.

The run (13.1) - dun dun dunn! I was suprised how good my legs felt and I was able to actually stride out right away. I ran the first 6 miles in 1 hour and the final 7 miles in 1 hour 30 minutes. I was dragging at the end. The sun was so hot and in the warmest part of the day. Every water stop I poured two cups over my head. I was so glad to finish after the run.

It took me 6 hours and 37 minutes. You can see the agony in my face in the photo with my parents. I thought I was smiling.

A Nice Open Water Swim

Since the Madison ride I have been laying low. I have been really tired with a sore throat that comes and goes depending on how much rest I get the night/day before. I took last weekend off and didn't go for a long bike ride or run. I was going to do a small brick on Saturday and swam about 45 minutes in the pool straight and went to bike on my trainer and my bike was grinding bad. I immediately got on the phone and brought my bike to Penn Cycle. They removed a link in the chain and took off the 'dork disc'. I tried it out yesterday and it seemed much better, we will see on the hills how it is. I went swimming last night in Turtle Lake and Olaf kayaked alongside. Susan swam along the shore and did speed work. I swam about 45 minutes straight. It's so odd how different it is in open water. My left shoulder was getting sore. Next time I would like to go for about an hour. I have my first Half IM on Sunday so I need to really rest up the next few days if I can. It's been so much running around lately that I feel exhausted all the time.

Madison Training Ride

I have had July 11 picked out as the date for the IM training ride for about 8 months ago. I can't believe the day is already done and we had a beautiful day to ride.

Friday about noon Olaf and I headed to Madison to stay with Lynn and Greg. Lynn had a great BBQ on Friday night with some friends and awesome food. Saturday morning at 7 am I met Sue and Erin in Verona at the Firemans Park to ride the 40 mile loop twice.

Something I want to remember (not that I'm going to do this again) is that Firemans park has a really nice small lake and a lot of people do a swim there before going out to bike and there's some trails nearby for running on. There's food, showers and restrooms there. A really nice place to park for the day to train.

It's broken into three stages I learned this week. The first is from Verona to Mt. Horeb and it's a steady climb. The second is Mt. Horeb to Cross Plains and that is mostly down hill...kind of scary big downhills. The third stage is from Cross Plains back to Verona and that is the hard one. It has the "three sisters" or "three bitches"...personally I think there is four because there is a 4th climb that is a killer after the other three hills. Erin joined us for the first loop and was full of so many tips and advice that I could have asked her questions all day. She did the IM in 2007. We met up with Ryan and a friend just before the three big hills and they biked with us for a bit. We dropped Erin off in Verona and did it a second time. The first time wasn't bad at all. The second was hard towards the third stage. The most surprising thing was that you don't get to spend much time in your aero bars. You are either rocketing down a hill 40 MPH I hit or going up and climbing. The other thing is you are always shifting. Always! My hands were pretty sore from this ride. I'm use to shifting for the hills and then relaxing on my aero bars and not shifting the entire ride. We averaged 14.5 for the entire ride. I was happy with that. If I can do that the day of the race I will be thrilled.

Olaf, Lynn and Greg found us on the course which was awesome. They stopped in Mt. Horeb to check on us and then drove the course to check out the hills. Later they were waiting for us in Verona at the park sitting in the shade having subs. Sue went for a run after the bike but there was no way I could turn down a sub in the shade and someone to drive me back to Lynn and Gregs house after a long biking day. It was a great day, now it's time for some sleep!

Did you know your crotch just falls off after biking 108 miles. It's true!

This was something I posted on Facebook. I had a lot of funny comments and had to save this for the laughs so here they are copied and pasted.

I would never make it that far so I guess I would have never known without you letting me know ! lol
OMG, are you going to live?
Your Crazzzzy GIRL!
Ok - that's just funny!!! :)
WOW, I had no idea how dangerous biking was! LOL
LMAO!!
damn
OMG...HAHA
My hypothosis was correct and you are Crazy!
OMG Bridget, thine ears!
sorry to about your loss Olaf
ouch......
Oh my, that hurts. There is chammy butter to help you with "that" issue.
Wow! Didn't know that....that's a good tid bit of information! If I ever bike 108 miles and my crotch falls off, I won't worry I'll just remember it's normal :)

108 Mile Bike Ride!

Last Thursday I went for a long bike ride. I was pretty excited that I averaged 15 MPH. The first half is always much faster but the last 30 miles are what gets me. I went down to Afton and then back on the Gateway Trail heading west to pick up more miles. I got home and went around the 'block' for the last 8 miles. It felt good. My legs were sore. I kind of hammered the last 15 miles. A guy caught up to me and we went pretty fast at the end. I had Friday off and Saturday I did the Minneman Tri. It was just a sprint but my legs were like cement. Only 7 - 8 weeks left until taper! I can't believe how fast this summer is going by.

First Open Water Swim

I swam in Turtle Lake with Susan last night after work. I have been worried that my wetsuit is too small in my shoulders but it seemed fine in the lake. I just pulled up the sleeves far to leave extra room near the armpits. We swam for about 30 minutes. I was trying so hard to do straight lines and sight in a house but I ran into Susan twice.

Rodeo Time in Hunt Seat Pleasure

Last week I had a great idea to take my Mom's horse, Sherman to an open show. He had cut his leg bad last year and my Mom hasn't been able to take him out since she bought him. On a side note I took Roxy and Zorro (my minis) to drive. My Mom has never driven Roxy and I gave her my everyday cart, well of course she beat me. I had my fancy driving mini (supposedly placed well at a lot of mini shows) and my fancy Gerald show cart and I got 6th place and my Mom and sassy Roxy got 4th. Whenever I do something new it seems to be when it's the most popular. Driving classes 8 years ago had one horse, maybe two in a class. Now theres 8 - 10 and they are all awesome.
So back to Sherman. I have riden him a few times. He's 11, been shown to death AQHA and won at Congress a few years back in Hunt Seat Pleasure. Showmanship we had a perfect pattern and as the judge was just stepping back in fron of us Sherman moved his hind end. The judge even said "Oh, if he just waited two more seconds". Hunt seat was much worse. He was great in the warm up ring. In the ring going to the left he hopped a little in the corner but no on really noticed. We reversed and he at the canter he was literally bunny hopping down the rail. I stayed on fine but I really thought if I fall off what about the IronMan. Here I am riding a horse that should be dead broke and the whole class had to walk their horses because of Sherman (the Congress winner) bucking me. The judge told me that we would canter again and I said I wanted to stay in. After that the two judges decided that they would cut part of the class out to pick the top horses. I guess that is a polite way of getting me out of the arena. I tried him again in the warm up area and he bucked again and even harder. I got off and slugged him and backed him up...but still he won. He won in the show ring and in the warm up. Argh! After Sept 13 I can't wait to get on his back and show him who's boss. Sherman is my added motivation to get this IronMan finished so I can beat him up. I think when I return from Madison and have some strength in my body that he is going down.

Dead Dog on a 86 degree day.

I had a long run today and I was supposed to get up early to have it done before it was too warm out. I didn't get on the road until after 9 am. I got home about noon. This was my first really warm work-out. I have lucked out on all my training until now. The weather was always 50 or below early morning and I would need a jacket. I ran past a dead dog about mile 2. I thought it was a wolf so I had to look and it was a German Shepard with a red collar on. It was hit bad. Coming back home it was gone or someone must have pushed it into the ditch because when I hit that smear spot I had a nice round of dry heaves. I can't handle dead, rot smell while running. It gets me every time. I can't even stand the smell of myself running on a hot day. I don't know how a human can smell so terrible from a long run. I told Olaf about the dog and he said he saw the dog on Friday running near the road. I have no idea who's it was. Poor dog. Other dead animals: a skunk (that Olaf hit a week or so earlier but didn't mean to, PU!), a huge turtle and another smaller turtle nearby.

Another Vacation/Training Day

Today I had a 90 mile bike ride. It was uneventful in a good way. No flat tires, no wind and a perfect overcast day. I reversed the tires and put my bike tire on the front because of the flats I was getting on my rear tire. It seemed to help. I did buy new tires and will put those on in August before Dairyland Dare.

I biked the same route as my 80 miler but went farther south and crossed 94! I made it to the town of Afton. It was pretty hilly but that is great for training. I took me 5 hours 55 minutes to bike 92 miles. My average speed was 15.2. I know that seems so slow but some hills I was at 6 MPH. Argh, and 92 miles is kind of far. I still get a little shocked when I think about this and the fact that I'm riding so many miles when last year I was scared to ride my bike and went to my first Tri only having ridden it about 4 times. I wanted so bad to ride just 7 more miles and make it 100 but that ride isn't until June 26. I can't wait to hit the 100 mile mark!

Good Thing It's a Down Week

I'm down - down and sick since Monday night. I had great plans for this week but I guess not. My belly is sticking out like an ethopian baby. No joke. I went to the Dr. today and I have a stomach infection. I just have to fight it out.

On a bright note today my shirts that I ordered for the people cheering for me came in. I ordered the "slow" option which should have taken over a month and they arrived in 5 days! I have 20 t-shirt in a variety of sizes for whomever says they will be there now. I just have to order the stove pipe hats so I can see everyone from far away. Hey, if I'm going to be in pain for hours/days then my friends and family can look silly for a few minutes.

Never Trust a 80 Year Old Cyclist

I took Friday off from work (best idea ever, I would so much rather be riding my bike for hours then working!) so go for a 80 mile bike ride and 4 mile run. I left about 7:30 in the morning and it was cold for the first 40 miles. I was really glad I had my jacket. I would have froze. I don't think I could ever start out on a 80 mile ride and turn around at mile 3 to get a jacket and leave for a second time. I'm pretty sure I would just stay home.

I went out down Manning and cut across and headed a little west on the Gateway trail. It was a nice break from the hills, plus they have porta-potties along the trail. I ran into an 80 something year old cyclist and he asked where I was heading. I told him Afton and he gave me a 'interesting' way to get there. I headed down lake Lake Elmo Avenue and turned on 30th Street (this is the interesting way). My eyes were popping out of my head...the hills! I'm sure he was laughing all day about my ride, but I did tell him I wanted hills. He was kind of a character because he told me he just biked up to Columbus last weekend to visit his parents. I was shocked because this guy was 80's but really healthy because he's out biking for miles. He said they are on Coon Lake near Carlos Avery. I said I knew where that was then he finally said "they are in buried in an old cemetery". Ah - then my math made sense. I was thinking they were at least 100 plus years old.

I made it to the 40 mile mark and turned around to go home. Around 50 miles I got a flat from a huge piece of glass in my rear tire. Argh - the rear tire. I was covered in grease on my legs, my hands. I wished I had a rag and sure enough about 4 miles later there was a white rag on the shoulder of the road. What luck! I tried really hard to not think about what might be on the rag that I can't see. Thankfully that was my only flat because I carry just one spare tube, I probably should carry two next time.

After my ride I had a 4 mile run. The first 15 minutes were hard to get my legs moving but once they were able to stride it wasn't bad running. I was so happy to sleep in on Saturday!

I ran to Penn Cycle today to get more tubes. 6.99 a piece. They went up a dollar compared to last year. I'm pretty sure no one ever said this was a cheap sport. I bought 5 of them. Hopefully they will last me until IM. They said I should switch my front and bike wheel and perhaps order new tires since mine are probably well over due.

Stillwater Half Marathon Update

Sunday we left about 6 am on the Harley to get to the start line of the half marathon. I frozen! I wore leather pants, leather jacket and gloves but that didn't help much. Burr! My back was kind of sore from mowing the lawn on Saturday and I don't think riding on the back of the bike helped much.

So maybe we should go back to Saturday. I know this was just a training run on Sunday but I probably should have sat down for a minute on Saturday. I spent the day picking up sticks, mowing, hand trimming with the weed whip, push mower where the big mower couldn't get. I also thought I could grab onto dead branches from the Willow tree and yank them down...well when you yank down a branch where do you think it lands? On your head. Then we went to a wedding reception that night.

So back to Sunday... I was kind of sore at the start with my back and foot so I did take one Advil. I brought a golf ball to the start so I could roll my foot before running - I'm getting smarter!

The run was good for the first 6 miles. Then we started hitting some hills and my pace slowed because I walked up every hill and down ever so I didn't aggravate my Achilles. It was a perfect day for a run, about 60's when I was done...70's later on. I finished about 2 hours 6 minutes. I was happy with that because I can still walk. I'm so afraid of a flair up of my hip, foot or knee. I don't really have the time to rest it much anymore. I'm just glad I was able to do two half marathons a week apart and still feel OK. The photo is myself and Olaf's friend Jason. He also ran the half.

This week I have a 80 mile bike ride and 4 mile run after wards. I'm taking off work on Friday to do that so I can spend time with Lynn on Saturday trying on a bridesmaid dress and dinner. That will be my treat for Friday!

Ready to Run Again

I biked to Stillwater on Friday after work to pick up my race number. It was only 26 miles to the Stillwater High School so I went farther on Manning to get to 40 miles per my training plan. The traffic was really heavy so I only went about 35 miles. I had to get off the road with Friday pre-Memorial Day traffic. I had to ride down Highway 36 for about a mile, it was a little weird using the exit ramp. I passed a sheriff at a signal light and he didn't seem to care I was heading down the highway.

Olaf is going to drop me off tomorrow morning on his motorcycle so we can get close to the start line and he can go for a ride while I run.

Stillwater Half Marathon on Sunday

I swam on Tuesday just over two miles and felt great afterwards. It seems to help my foot/leg when I swim. I had a chiropractor appt on Wed and I was even and my muscles were more relaxed. Yeah! Wed night I had a massage which was wonderful. I had her not work my left shoulder so hard because last time I couldn't swim for two weeks because it was so sore.

I have just a 40 mile bike ride on Saturday. Yes! Sunday I have a 14 mile run so I thought why not go and run the Stillwater Half Marathon. If I have to run I might as well pay the fee and have a fully supported run. It's not often that your training plan lines up with an event like that. : ) Olaf is going to pass on this one because it's 70 dollars. I'll have to sign up today on-line just incase a lot of people are waiting like me. It sounds like the weather will be perfect too.

Green Bay for my B-day

We left for Green Bay on Saturday for the marathon - that was downgraded to a half because of my foot issues. They have a tiny expo in Lambeau stadium to pick up your race packet.

We stayed at the Best Western Midway which entailed crossing the street to get to the start/finish line of the marathon. That was awesome!

The start area was kind of a mess. We were stuck with a rail and retaining wall to jump down after the gun fired. It was a easy, fun run. We even wore silly hats and I had a Happy Birthday Balloon. It made it a lot more fun to run and even more fun to do the half then a full.




We finished the last mile running through the players entrance at Lambeau and making a loop around the field. The real finish line was just a few blocks away. That made the last mile the easiest.

As soon as we finished a local news station grabbed us for an interview - probably because of the hats. Check out the interview...

http://www.nbc26.com/global/video/popup/pop_playerLaunch.asp?vt1=v&clipFormat=flv&clipId1=3769602&at1=News&h1=Economic Boost From Marathon




Afterwards we went to the Botanical Garden of Green Bay, Captain's Walk Winery, the Green Bay Amusement Park and to Brett Farvre's Steakhouse for dinner. Monday morning we toured the Packer Hall of Fame and headed home. It was a fun weekend especially when you can walk afterwards.

My foot is throbbing again but I can walk which is a positive. I'm still worried about the IM training.

Auto Gear on My Bike

I didn't ride on Saturday because I didn't get my bike until noon and thought that Sunday was supposed to be warmer and less windy. I headed out about 9 on Sunday through Scandia to Lindstrom. By the time I got 25 miles my toes were frozen. The farther north I went the colder it got. I crossed Highway 8 and then crossed back to go home. I stopped at the DQ for fries (thinking they would warm me up). I really wanted to put the fries in my shoes to warm up my toes. I headed home and thought I should really get another 10 - 15 miles in so I went down the Highway 61 trail to stop and visit Celeste. She wasn't home yet so I just used their bathroom and then waited outside and realized I was really hungry and frozen so I left before she got home.

Lucky for me that Olaf turned on the heat in the house so I could warm up when I got home. I only rode about 63 miles but that was better then nothing. I felt good riding and rode only in the three biggest gears. My bike has something wrong with it since getting the new cassette because it would shift on it's own. I would be in one gear and it would move up and after a few minutes move back down. It's a weird feeling when your chain slips like that over and over. I have to take it back to County Cycles on Wed. and pickup on Thursday. That's the biggest pain going there to drop off and pick up.

This week is a down week. I ran yesterday and today I'm swimming just a short swim. My foot has been good, so I'll see how my shoulder is today at the pool.

The Ups and Downs

My foot was still a little sore so I still haven't ran since April 23. Kind of a long time but I think resting it is more important. I haven't biked, except a quick ride last night on my mountain bike, since last Saturday. I also haven't swam since last Friday. Between my foot and sore shoulder I'm left with nothing I can do to train except water jog. I am getting excited to go for a bike ride with my new gears on Saturday. I might just go north on Olinda Trail as far as I can (hopefully 40 out and 40 back) and turn around and head home for something different. It's really beautiful out heading through Chisago County.

New Cassette for my Bike!

Monday I did not get to bed early. Actually we had 9 unexpected people in about 4 hours. It was a crazy evening. Somehow I managed to plant dahlias, ride my horse, worm all the horses, clean the stalls, play with my nieces and nephew, check my bees and meet with all the unexpected people. I did not get to bed early and finally had dinner about 9:30 that night. That was supposed to be my relaxing night because I was still so sore from my Saturday bike ride.

Tuesday after work I went with Susan's Rohl wheels and my bike to County Cycles to get some advice on what to do. My bike has a 12/25 8 speed cassette and 53/30 in the front. Lucky for me I have good components on my bike and I didn't even know it. They are going to put a 12/28 in the rear and a new chain. It should be about 80dollars. That will give me a few more gears for the hills in Madison and during training. I'm supposed to get my bike back before the weekend. It's supposed to be rainy all week so I picked a good time to be detached from it. Ha ha!

He said I should save my money and get a real road bike and that my Softride is in excellent condition and would bring a great re-sale value because there are not many around. I'm certain I can probably get double what I paid for it on eBay - not that I want to sell it. I know it's a heavy bike but it's all I have.

Last night I was going to run but my foot was bothering so I'm still resting. My shoulder is sore so no swimming. I'm falling apart lately but that's just part of the training.

70 mile bike ride - done

Saturday morning I headed out on what was supposed a lightly breezy day. It was 42 degrees when I left with not much wind. I went out Highway 97 to Olinda Trail north to Lindstom, south on 95 along the river (then the wind picked up) to highway 96, supposed to get to 15 or Manning Avenue to go north...I got to 5 and thought maybe 5 was Manning. I even asked another cyclist and he said Yes this is Manning. I started North and the shoulder ran out, the houses didn't look right. I headed East on a random road and found 61 North which went to the south and somehow ended up on Merlyn or something like that. I had tried calling Olaf back on 5 to let him know I might be lost but I wasn't sure. I think an hour later I called him to let him know I found Manning and it's really 15. I headed up Manning and stopped about 15 miles from home at a store for an ice cream bar. I needed that to get me home. The wind was so bad at that point. On my way home on a flat road I was going 9.7 MPH. Ahh!

I learned that I should carry a map of the area even if I think I know where I'm going you get a little floaty in the head after so many miles on the bike.

My shoulders are really sore today, almost like they are bruised. I spent the first in my aero bars, the second half on my regular ones. The last hour of my ride my left shoulder really hurt.

I skipped swimming due to my sore shoulders and Barb showed me how to use this softer ball to release muscles. It seemed to really help.

I still haven't ran yet but maybe tomorrow I will go for a few miles and see how my foot it.

Today I have a chiropractic appointment. I also think going to bed early will be helpful too - I'm exhausted.

Another Setback

Last Friday I went to the MN Horse Expo from about 8 in the morning until 5 pm. I wore my running shoes with orthodics. I was so sore by the end of the day - hurting to walk sore. I have not been running, just swimming and biking.

I got a massage on Monday from Kelly which was excellent. She came to my house with her table. I'm planning on getting one every down week...that would only be 4 more massages until IronMan. Wednesday I went to the chiropractor. He said it will be fine and it's just a setback and to lay off running until I feel better.

Some friends told me about Shueler Shoes wool clogs that help with foot pain. I have been wearing them at work and at home. So far they are great and do a great job managing my foot pain. I have been wearing sneakers to work and clogs at the office and at home. I'm hoping I will get better before the half marathon on May 17. If not I guess I will be cheering for Olaf.

IronMan Bike Ride

Saturday night Susan called and said that Linda wasn't going to ride due to the 90 percent chance of rain on Sunday. I said I would change my 65 mile ride to the 30 and go no matter what. Since I said I was going, Susan and Connie came to ride with me. Funny thing is they said they would call about 6 am if they were going on my cell. I went back to bed about 6 am without a call and thought I would skip it, but they called at 6:14 so I jumped into my clothes and headed out the door...I didn't tell them I went back to bed and decided to not ride. I found them both in the bathroom when I got there. Great timing!!

It rained, it was cold (OK freezing at the end) but it was good to do it to learn how to ride in the rain if I need to. Next time I would put bags over my socks in my shoes and rubber medical gloves over my hands to keep them dry. My hands were so cold that when I was done I sat in the car until I could move them to get my shoe covers off.

Connie learned that the tri seats (especially designed for women...probably by a man) special hole in the middle for ventilation, etc is designed perfectly for rain to spin off your tires, up into the whole and into a critical area of your body. Then after a while it feels like you wet your pants and drips down your legs. She even thought about putting a credit cred over the hole to sit on because it was so uncomfortable.

We determined during the ride that my bike is pretty heavy which is why I rocketed down hills but going up them I have a hard time. They went up hill with ease. I struggled a lot. I always run out of gears and end up standing up to get up the hills.

A Monkey on My Back

Last Friday was a beautiful warm day. I was scheduled for a 1 hour bike ride and 9 mile run. I decided on a 30 minute bike ride and 9 mile run because I didn't want to push it. I'm sore from the run, but it wasn't bad considering my foot/leg/hip issues. I get the most sore from running yet I aerobically able to run faster/harder then biking. That's a little weird.

Yesterday it rained so I ran errands. I got my bars taped at Penn Cycle with bright yellow bar tape. I went to Run N Fun because they charged incorrectly on some items I bought on Sunday after swimming. I stopped at Erik's and used my gift card I won last year at Eriks Spring Cup Mountain Bike race (1st place!) I bought a yellow cycling jersey with Curious George on it. It made me laugh and it matched my bike. I only paid 8 dollars of my own money. I'm going to wear it on the IronMinnesota Bike Ride on Sunday. I will probably wear this for IM too if the weather is nice. Look for the biker with a monkey. I really wanted something with a Bee on it but it's too expensive to have one made and this is just as fun.

150 Days!!!!

Time sure flies. 150 days doesn't seem like much time left to train.

Yesterday I did leave my house about 3:15 and biked out 97 to South on Manning. I didn't realize how hilly Manning was. One hill after another...it was quite a workout. I was able to keep an average speed of 15.1 which I thought was good since this was my first outdoor bike ride all year and considering the hills. I went to Highway 96 and turned around and headed back. Olaf picked me up right at Hwy 61 and Hwy 97 about 6:20 or so. I wasn't going to cross 61 during rush hour. I probably shouldn't be on the highway at all. It was about 43 miles and I biked for just about 3 hours. Whew! I'm sore today so it's a rest day for me. Plus I'm getting a sore throat. I think it's due to allergies. The leaves are budding in our area.

My house is a disaster. I have clothes all over because I got home, changed, fed the animals and went on my bike. After that I got home starved, ate dinner, went to the barn to clean stalls, feed, water, picked up a little in the barn...then to Walmart and Cub. What a long day, but I couldn't sleep after my bike ride. It's hard to wind down sometimes. I always get the feeling when I'm done with long workouts that my heart is beating so fast and it takes it time to slow so it's hard to sleep.

The Return of my Barn Shoes

Friday morning I received a phone call from my neighbor, Ralph. He said they had my shoes there. Another neighbor saw my shoes in the ditch and left them at Ralph's house by the front door thinking they were his daughter in-laws. She brought them in the house and Ralph thought they might be mine. They were so nasty and had horse manure and chicken poop with shavings stuck to the bottom and boy did they smell. I can't believe they had them in on their carpet. I got my shoes back - ahhh, life is good!

Yesterday I had to swim for 2 miles. It was swim 100 yards, 30 second rest. It felt great and easy. After my swim I went for an outdoor 6 mile run yesterday and felt great. I had a little foot pain for the first 10 minutes but after a while it was gone.

Today I'm hoping to get in a two and half hour bike ride and tomorrow I will take my rest day especially since I have to go to the chiropractor. My plan is to bike to Stillwater turn around and head home and at some point Olaf will pick me up on his way home from work. If I leave my house about 3:30, he should find me somewhere north on Manning...I hope!

Who would want icky barn shoes?

I went for a bike ride today. It was my first real ride outdoors this year. I probably went for about an hour. I felt great. I would have gone farther but I took the Hardwood Creek Trail along Highway 61. They still had wood chips over the bridges for snowmobiles. I hit one going north so I went south until I ran into another one. After that I thought that was good enough for my first outdoor ride and came home. I always wear my "Muck" shoes (green, rubber, comfy slip on made for horse people shoes) to the end of my gravel road. Once there I put on my bike shoes and put my shoes in the ditch. I have been doing this for a year. I got back and no shoes. Someone took my shoes...my FAVORITE shoes. I wear these in the garden, horse shows, barn. I had to walk home over the gravel in my socks and and sad face. Worst part is they are about 80 bucks and only sold at Tractor Supply. : ( The only good thing is that I bought a 'reserve' pair a couple months ago and they are in a box in my closet, so I do have another pair. I'm not going to break them out yet. I'm going to put a sign there and maybe someone will return them. It's worth a try!!

I have a right to change my mind, I'm a woman.

Green Bay Marathon is back on but it's now cut in half. I downgraded (or upgraded depending on how you look at it) to half the distance and we are now doing the half marathon. I'm back running again with my orthodics and up to 5 miles. It's a slow/steady pace. So far the pain in minimal to none if I don't get too crazy and go too fast. I'm hoping to get up to 10 miles by May 1. That would put me in great shape for doing the half marathon. Of course that I'm injured Olaf is training now. He's doing really well and runs most mornings on the treadmill. He wants to finish under 2 hours. I will just have to see how I feel the day of the race and keep in mind that I have IronMan and that is my priority this year.

Swimming is still going great. My workouts are about 2 miles now. Biking is going good. I'm itching to get outside but waiting for upper 50's - 60. I tried biking outside last weekend and it was just too cold for me.

I had a great test of my feet on Monday with the grass fire in the area. I left my house in my old running shoes with my old arch supports. I was in them all afternoon/evening running around the neighborhood helping people get out of their houses, etc and my feet didn't hurt. That's a great sign. I was kind of worried when I saw the smoke, first about our house burning down, and second wondering when will I get my run in. I got my run in just find that day. Some obsession this IM training is. I bet it has 98 percent of my mind consumed in something IM related.

I have a right to change my mind, I'm a woman.

My legs, hips and lower back are so sore from my orthodics. My feet feel great though! I have been in them about 3 - 5 hours a day since Friday. I'm going to try jogging in them tonight or walking/jogging the dog.

OK, so the last post was my decision to not run GB Marathon. Well, I found out I can downgrade it to a half marathon. I have never ran a half. Seems like cheating to me, but I think that's the plan. A SLOW half marathon. Olaf still wanted to go and we still had our hotel reservations so we are now going. He can always run it and I can cheer for him if things go bad in the next month and half with my foot.

My new distraction from training is a mini horse. I looked at a new show mini this weekend and he's going to be delivered on Thursday or Friday. I'm still doing my training - no worries.

Orthodics have arrived!

I'm wearing orthodics for the first time. My left foot (problem foot) feels great. My right foot feels really uncomfortable. It's like there's an extra bump on the outside edge of my foot. I have to slowly break them in and maybe go for a couple mile run on Sunday with or run/walk. I'm so happy that I can start running again.

In the meantime I decided to not run Green Bay Marathon. It might really mess me up for the IronMan. There will always be more marathons. . . so far it seems I'm not meant to run one on my birthday.

Pregnant....

I have been having some odd issues so I went to the Dr. yesterday. I had my first pregnany test, this was after I talked to some friends over the weekend and two of them said you are probably pregnant. The Dr. ran that test first so that I knew if I was or not right away. I was thinking, would they let me participate in the IM if I was 5 - 6 months pregnant. Probably not. All my training to this point would have been worthless. There was someone in the bathroom before me and I couldn't tell on her face if she was hoping for the same result as me. She kind of looked scared too. They got the results back and the Dr. popped in to let me know. Negative. Phew! After my appointment I swam faster then I ever have before for my workout. My workout seemed really easy too probably because I can keep on training without a belly growing.

I'm still waiting for my orthodics. I still can't wait to get them and walk hopefully without foot pain. I'm thinking about not going to Green Bay for the Marathon. I guess a marathon on my b-day is just not meant to be. This is the second year I have tried to run one on my b-day.

Happy Birthday Olaf!

I saw these on the Internet. I have never considered myself a swimmer but can relate to all of these. I guess I might be considered a swimmer now. I do get asked a lot at the Y if I swam in high school/college. People even ask me for pointers. When I tell them I just learned last year - Jan 2008, they think that's funny. It's true. I swam with my head out of water to see where I'm going. I had a really hard time figuring out how to breathe in the water. I have also found that people won't share lanes with me anymore. I must look scary or something. When I ask they jump out of the pool. I know the feeling, I use to do that when people wanted to share with me.

If you have to try on 30 shirts just to find one that fits your shoulders, you might be a female swimmer.

If your hair remains in a wet ponytail throughout the day, you might be a swimmer.

If there are wet towels over every door in your house, you might be a swimmer.

If you have rings around your eyes unrelated to the amount of sleep you got, you might be a swimmer.

If waking up before dawn to exercise seems normal, you might be a swimmer. (You might also be crazy)

If bugs die of chlorine poisoning when they land on your skin, you might be a swimmer.

If the phrase "This set with fins" is better than hearing "You just won $1000," you might be a swimmer.

If you answer, "I don't need to" when someone asks when you showered last, you might be a swimmer...or your husband tells you it's time to take a shower.

When you learn how to squirt water 15 different ways, you might be a swimmer.

If being fish-like is a compliment, you might be a swimmer.

If your friends don't even call you anymore because they know that you have no time to do anything, you might be a swimmer.

If you sweat chlorine even after showering, you might be a swimmer.

St. Patty's Day

Tuesday was a pretty cool day for two reasons.

First, while at work the Dr. called about my foot and said he was thinking about my foot and hip and thought some soft tissue work on the hip would help in addition to the work on my foot. He called my work and home to track me down. How often is a Dr. thinking about your leg and calls you to let you know that? I thought that was pretty cool. I'll be seeing him again on Friday. This time I won't wear a dress. Oh that sounds bad. I didn't know I was going to get an appointment there on Monday when I went. After I was there I realize pants would have been the better choice, but happened to be wearing granny panties so it's all OK!

Second reason, I worked all day, got in my swim workout (cut it short by 500 yards), raced home, put my bike in the car and went to NOW Bike to spin for an hour with Jen. I met her at Tri Fitness and she did IM Florida last year. It's nice to have people to chat with about it because no one understands all this craziness (or wants to hear about it ie: Glazed over look on Olaf's face as soon as I say Iron....) unless they have trained and completed an IronMan. After spin we went to the Green Mill for a beer an appetizers. I have never finished a workout with a beer...except Grandma's Marathon. I couldn't hardly fall asleep because I was still so pumped about my fun day and meeting new people!

Next stop - Plantar Fasciitis

On this crazy train ride to IronMan I'm at another stop. I have been having issues with my achilles (left foot of course) since the last 10 mile run. I thought the pain was related to not wearing my knee brace and perhaps that was part of it. My foot has been throbbing at night that sometimes I take Advil so I can sleep. I haven't had a long run for about three weeks now. I have done some short runs, 2 - 3 miles and it has been OK.

At swimming yesterday I told Barbara about the pain. She pulled me aside and told me to use a golf ball to massage my foot. Then she pressed in on muscles behind my knee which was kind of painful. When she saw how terrible of an over pronator I was she said to go get orthodics. She recommended someone in White Bear. I called today and have an appointment this afternoon! It will be interesting adjusting to the orthodics when my body has been wrong for so long. I have been using shoes with lots of motion control and rigid arch supports but they are just not enough anymore. This means training will have to be dialed back whenever I get my orthodics so my body can get use to them. I'm just hopeful it won't be too bad and I can run without pain.

I told Barbara that my fastest runs have been trail runs. She thought that was interesting since my body is so out of whack being on an uneven trail probably makes me aligned. I know when Olaf and I run marathons we fight over the the left side of the lane line because that's where the road has the most slant. Maybe Olaf is out of whack too? Ha ha!!

Ah - Down Week!

This week has been great - a down week! Yeah! I have needed this to rest my achilles further. I ran last night for 30 minutes and it felt good. I just have to ease back into the running and maybe do more water jogging. It doesn't bother when cycling so that's great because that's what I have to work on the most.

I also figured out that vaseline on my neck will prevent a chlorine rash. Double yeah!

Two weeks ago I cut out Diet Coke. I just had one a day for lunch, so it didn't seem like a huge deal. Last week I was dragging by about 3:00 and usually falling asleep on the couch for sometime. This week I feel much better and have my energy back - or maybe there's no relation to soda, just that it's a down week.

I did manage to squeeze in something fun on Friday and Saturday. I painted all my bee hives bright colors. They are all ready to go for the new bees that arrive in early April. I'm trying so hard to get everything done ahead of time...I look at it like every week that goes by more time is spent training so the more I do this week and next week the better off I will be. I still have lots of vacation days saved up as emergency training days. I have 3 floating holidays and I'm maxed out with 3 vacation days I took on the books but haven't used yet. I have been getting a day a month. I can't wait to take off a day and bike all day.

Under 200 days left!

Since my new attitude on training has evolved I actually feel better. I have a rest day today but I feel great so I think Friday will be my rest day instead. I haven't been nearly as tired as I was the last couple of weeks. I think I also feel better because my phone stopped ringing in the past two weeks. It's awesome! I can workout without the ringing phone and people to call back. You would be amazed at how much time 5 quick phone calls take to return.

I went to MotionCare on Tuesday for my hip/knee. After a 10 mile run I realized when I was done I should have worn my knee brace because I need it for long runs and I know this considering my attempt at TC Marathon without it. I went to Motion Care and my left hip was great and my knee pain was because my knee had issues. My knee hasn't felt better. I'm excited to see how I fare after my 12 mile run on Saturday.

Weight wise I gained another pound. I think maybe I'm just eating too much food thinking I need to. I'm going to try to cut back to curtail this weight gain as long as I can still do my workouts. Seriously, I'll be Athena by IronMan if I keep this up. That makes me wonder about the rounder people I have seen doing IM. I wonder if they started out slim and trim and gained like I'm doing. I might be a round person this fall if I keep it up.

Who is Hungry, Tired, Crabby and Emotional?

A. A pregnant women.
B. A woman.
C. Someone training for the IronMan.
D. Someone on Survivor.
E. All of the above.

Answer is E. I can only speak as knowing option B and C, but Olaf informed me that if this is what it's like to be A. then he thinks doesn't want to be apart of it.

My training has been cut back just slightly, 5- 8 BPM. It doesn't seem like much but it helped a lot for my recovery after a 55 mile indoor bike ride. I felt great at swimming today. It helped that Olaf surprised me and was in the bleachers when I came out of the locker room wearing my SMALL size wetsuit. (Yes I looked like a dork.) I'm sure Olaf could not have been prouder. He likes dorks. : )

I'm also going to take it easy during the week. If I hurt I will tone down my workout or heaven forbid - skip it. Yeah!!!

"Curvy Girl" might actually be a small size!

I went back to Gear West last night to exchange my medium 'curvy girl' wetsuit for a small. Considering my weight I should be a medium, but considering the water that I was carrying when testing it told me it was too big. Olaf told me I'm dense - I didn't ask if it was my head or body that is dense. I was alone so I felt kind of weird walking through the store asking the two guys what they thought. They said "oh you are small' and they were shocked I got it zipped myself. They said considering I got in it so quickly and zipped myself then small it is. The length fit me much better, the collar was better fitting, the sleeves were tighter. I'll bring it back to swimming on Sunday to confirm it in the water.

I also bought a computer that hooks to the rear wheel of my bike so I can get a sense of my MPH and real distance while on the trainer in my house.

Still helping the economy...

I have needed all the warm weather gear for cold riding since deciding to do the IM. You never know what race day will be like and as far as training for this I cannot wait to get outside on real roads instead of spinning for hours in my living room. I have been putting it off because it's so expensive...then Tri Fitness had a sale. 70 percent off! I got everything that I need for riding in early spring outdoors. Now I will be ready to ride once the roads are clear or ice/snow/dirt. I even bought some nice running pants and a cool hoodie. At the prices it was cheaper then a sweatshirt/running pants at Target and a whole lot better quality.

During masters on Sunday I tried out my new wetsuit. It's too big for me. According to the weight chart it should fit me but it seems to hold a lot of water. I was getting water up the sleeves and could feel bubbles of water moving up in it as I swam. When I got out of the pool water came out my ankles and when I took off the top half it was like an ice cream bucket of water fell out too. I'll have to go back to Gear West and get the smaller size and try that. I wish it wasn't such a drive to the store, plus they have limited hours during the winter. If the smaller size doesn't work I will have to try another brand. I heard Orca is good for 'curvy' girls - that's what the ladies at Masters called me. I think that means chubby but I'm not sure.

My workout on Saturday was bike zone 4a for 30 minutes and run zone 2 for 10 miles. My knee is sore today but I'm not sure if it's really my knee or my hip and the pain is showing up in my knee. There is a trend appearing. One Saturday it's bike 55 miles and shorter run and the following week it's run 12 miles and shorter bike. I'm not sure which is the lesser of the two evils right now. When I bike that far I have a hard time at Masters swim on Sunday the next day and I'm really slow which kind of stinks because I'm with the fast swimmers and like to keep up with the guys. When I run that far my hip/knee bothers me.

I'm trying to help the economy as best I can.

I have been looking for a hydration system to fit on the back of my seat for some time. It has been challenging because my bike has a beam that the saddle is on and because I'm short the beam hangs out about seven inches which makes it hard to fit any type of bottle holder on it. I checked at Gear West last weekend and they didn't have anything. I stopped at Penn cycle and we were going to order a Fast Wing from X-Bar but not sure it would work. We did find a Bontrager system that fit my bike. It holds two water bottles, 3 CO2's and has room for storage of tubes, etc. I also purchased a speed box to hold nutrition that fits really well on my bike. I'm all set now. The only other thing I will need might be a tune up and new tires. I can't wait to get on the road and test out my new additions. You can always tell when it's a down week in training, that's when I have time to shop!

I got a NEW full wetsuit!

Gear West has last years wetsuits on sale...so, Olaf and I headed over on Saturday morning. I bought a Quintana Roo HydroFull Wetsuit. I hope it makes me float more when I have to tread water before the start of the IronMan!! It has a cool break away zipper to speed up your transition. I don't think it will help someone like me but I'll look cool. (that's all that matters right?) You just tug on the zipper head upwards and the zipper breaks and the suit kind of bursts in the back. After I got home I googled the suit and found it 100 bucks cheaper on the web. I just don't have the heart to return it and buy one from the web. It doesn't seem right to do and if I do that maybe I will have bad Karma and drown! You never know!! All that could go wrong just to save 100 bucks! I'll probably sell my sleeveless wetsuit this spring just to off set the cost. Gear West would have given me 10 dollars store credit for it. Hmmm - I could sell it for 100 - 125 or get store credit for 10 bucks... what should I do?

This week is a down week. I seem to love these weeks more and more as the training goes on. It doesn't mean I'm sitting around the house. I'm still working out everyday, just lighter. Yesterday I had to bike for 30 minutes. Today I have swimming in lengths of the pool, not even yards. Yeah!

Tri at the Y completed!

I participated in an indoor tri last weekend. You swim 30 minutes, bike 30 minutes, run 30 minutes - all indoor, of course since it was January. My goal was to swim 1 mile in 30 minutes. I was 50 yards short...just 50! Argh! I was really happy overall because I finished second in competitive female division. I was a mile shy of the overall winner and he does tris internationally. I ended up biking over 15 miles in 30 minutes. That sure doesn't seem right, that's 30 MPH average if I kept that up. I have another indoor tri at the U of MN coming up Feb 8 so I will TRY to get 1 mile swimming.

Today I felt like a rock at swimming. I couldn't move through the water at all. I had a 45 mile bike ride on Saturday on my trainer, which I'm certain is why I felt terrible today. I would swim and get to about 35 yard in the pool and thought I should have hit the wall already. That makes for a tough day when the laps seemer longer then they are.

I'm on the hunt for a full wetsuit since they are on sale now. I figure I will need it for IM. I currently have a sleeveless one. I thought about renting one but if I can get one on sale then I can use it this season at a few tris and maybe even do Bri Tri again in May and hopefully not freeze!

A Good Summary of What to Expect

Ironman Wisconsin 2009: What to Expect

Ironman Wisconsin is one of the most popular Ironman triathlons in the world, with nearly 2500 participants racing each year. The course is challenging but fair, the community support is outstanding, and it's a thrill to finish the race in front of the Wisconsin State Capitol building.

Ironman Wisconsin: What to Expect

Since 2002, Ironman Wisconsin has been held in the welcoming college town of Madison Wisconsin on the second Sunday in September. Each year, more than 2,000 athletes converge on Madison to participate in this Ironman, which features a 2.4 mile swim in Lake Monona, a 112 mile bike ride through Wisconsin farmland, capped by a 26.2 mile marathon run through the University of Wisconsin campus to a finish line at the state capital building steps.

It's a tougher race than meets the eye. Weather conditions can fluctuate wildly. A seemingly tame bike course, based on comparing elevation changes with Ironman races in Lake Placid and Canada, can actually be as challenging. And if the heat reaches 90 degrees or more, as it has in the past, the marathon becomes a race of attrition.

I've completed the event five times, and observed it as a spectator once. So, having seen it from both sides, I can tell you just about everything you need to know to finish Ironman Wisconsin.

Before the Race

Registration tends to go smoothly in the Monona Terrace building, which serves as Race Central and the transition and bike rack areas on race day. Take a tour of the building; it's one of Frank Lloyd Wright's modern designs, with a terrific view of Lake Monona.

You can swim in Lake Monona in the days before the race, per the race schedule. Drive the bike course, of course, to check out the terrain. You will not be intimidated, as the elevation changes are slight. Don't be fooled.

The run course is not easily inspected before race day. It's on roads, closed streets, through a stadium and on a bike path. See what you can, and don't worry about it. It's not a terrifying run course. You'll see it on race day.

Bike and transition check-in occur on Saturday. You will rack your bike in perhaps the longest bike area you've seen in a triathlon, completely across the top Monona Terrace parking deck. You will place your bike and run transition bags in numerical order rows in two respective transition rooms inside Monona Terrace. Make a mental note of generally where the bags and your bike are; on race day it will be pretty easy to find them.

Make sure you put a tire/tube, CO2 and appropriate bike tools on your bike. I saw too many people with flats or other problems, standing on the side of the Ironman Lake Placid course last month, waiting for the bike crew to come fix their bike. Sorry, it's not supposed to work that way; they're there for extreme situations. Be responsible; carry what you might need.

Overnight and race day conditions can vary widely, and past races have seen 39 degrees at 7am, cold pouring rain all day, or scorching heat. Consider having extra clothing in your transition bags: arm warmers and a vest in your bike bag for cold conditions. Put plastic bags over your bike seat and handlebars, to protect from overnight dampness or rain.

Then, eat well and get a good night's sleep.

Race Morning

The pre-race process is simple and smooth at Ironman Wisconsin. Body marking takes place on the northern, top deck of Monona Terrace. There tend to be more than enough people doing body marking, so the wait won't be too long.

After that, you are free to visit your bike to add nutrition, etc., and you can check your transition bags. Assuming everything is in order, venture inside the Monona Terrace building and find a spot on the floor for last minute relaxation and preparation.

Make sure you leave the transition area by about 6:20pm, and begin approaching the swim start area. Normally I would not counsel a departure this early, but the swim start entry area is quite small, and it always takes a long time to get more than 2000 swimmers through a narrow water’s entrance (over the timing mats).

Complicating things a little is that there’s almost no shallow area for swimmers to adjust to the water before swimming ahead. You have to go right in. But the athletes tend to pause before entering, dipping a toe in the water, so to speak, and everything backs up. Trust me, you need to allow extra time to enter the water.

Once in the water, unfortunately, you will have to tread water until the 7am start. Unlike the swim venues in Lake Placid or Canada, for instance, there is no beach on which to rest a little. You will be out in open water, using up a little energy. Try to relax and float on your back; it’s not a bad way to pass the time before an Ironman race, appreciating the sky.

Swim

The Ironman Wisconsin swim is a two-loop, 2.4 mile swim in Lake Monona. The water tends to be flat, but I have noticed a small current that seems to be there every year. Nothing that will affect your swim start.

The starting line is quite wide, maybe 200 meters or so, split by a water-skiing jumping ramp. The ramp is a decent starting guide; if you want to start wide of the pack, stay to the right of the ramp. If you desire some physical contact in an attempt to go with the fast folks, be my guest: line up to the left. I usually stay to the right.

The mass start is still not without the usual Ironman swim commotion and messiness. The course heads south, with the rising sun in your eyes and the splashing of eager triathletes around you. Visibility will be compromised in the beginning, as it usually is. Just stay with the swimmers around you, and the first few hundred meters will speed by relatively quickly.

You’ll then make one left at the first large orange cone, swim a couple hundred more meters, and take another left, to begin your northbound return to the starting area. This time, you’ll be able to sight very easily, with the shore, the downtown Madison skyline and Monona Terrace in clear view.

However, it’s on this northbound section that I have felt the tugging of slight currents in the past. Actually, I don’t feel it, but it pulls me inside the buoys lining the route. I get too busy watching Monona Terrace pass that I fail to recognize that I’m being pulled off course to the left. After correcting a couple of times, I get better. But pay attention to the possibility; it creeps up on me each time.

Things will thin out somewhat on the second lap, and it’s up to you to keep a steady pace, while also reserving most of your energy for the rest of the race day. Making the final turn on lap 2, you will spot the exit area, and be glad you’re almost there. But even after you swim pass the starting line, you will still have a short distance to go. Be patient, you’ll get there.

Once out of the water, you’ll steal an anxious glance at the clock. Were you fast or slow? My advice: don’t let the time on the clock elate or depress you too much. Times in the Lake Monona water have varied for me, and usually are a bad predictor of the kind of day ahead. Sometimes, the course is slow, sometimes it’s fast. It is what it is, just head towards your bike.

Swim to Bike Transition

Steps after you’re ashore, you’ll be greeted by delightfully cheerful volunteers who are eager to remove your wetsuit for you. It’s not mandatory, but can be fun, especially for first timers. Flop on your back, and they rip it off; hop up and run toward transition. Or run through all the fuss and remove your wetsuit in the changing area. I usually do the latter.

Getting to the transition changing area is most unique. It involves running from the first to the third floors of the parking structure on its circular ramp, referred to as ‘the helix’. Spectators line the path, and you can run or walk up the helix. It takes time, but also allows your head to clear a little after the swim.

Run into the building, grab your swim-to-bike transition bag in one room, and keep moving to the changing area. Since about one person per second enters this area during peak time, there probably will be no chairs to sit on. Just find yourself a spot on the carpet, and change there. Helmet, bike shoes, gloves, bib number, sunglasses, and off you go, out the door to find your bike.

You will have to run some distance, to the far north of the parking deck to enter the bike area, then the complete length of the deck to the south exit area, while pausing to get your bike along the way.

You will not set speed records during this transition. It will take several minutes for you and for everybody. Don’t panic, don’t rush, just move smoothly. You’ll do fine. Then down the south side helix, and you’re onto the bike course.

Bike

The 112 mile Ironman Wisconsin bike course starts fun and fast, then gradually eats away at you over the miles. It throws no serious difficulty your way, but it refuses to yield over most of the course. Go out too fast, and you can suffer later.

With that as a sort of warning, the first 16 or so miles, out to the two-loop section, are a good warm-up, taking riders to the west of Madison, from the small city toward classic Midwestern farmland. Some small rollers stretch your leg muscles, and a couple of pretty steep but short downhills will give you a speed boost, but also provide warning that they may hurt you a little on the way back.

Reaching the 39-mile loop section, you’ll continue west on relatively tame terrain until you approach the town of Mt. Horeb. Approaching mile 30, you’ll be faced with about a 1⁄2 mile long climb that veers to the left then right, where you’ll be greeted by aid station volunteers. Get what you need, then prepare for five miles of work.

Miles 30 to 35 (and 70 to 75 on the return trip) take riders through relentless up-down riding that I like to call The Rollercoasters of Witte Road and Garfoot Road. Passing between and through farms, these miles toss it all at you: fast declines followed immediately by sharp uphills again and again, with short stretches of reasonably flat road connecting the little challenges.

At first, it’s fun. Then getting over the next hill gets tougher each time. You’ll think you’re done, then there’s more. You’ll see when you get there. You don’t want to be bonking the second time you ride this section. It’s a bad place to be on the rocks.

Next up is a slightly dangerous fast, swerving downhill on northern Garfoot Road. You’ll wish you can take it at full-speed, but only the most expert of riders can do it. It’s too easy to lose control on the sharp turns here. Sacrifice a few seconds for better control.

The course flattens out on the top half, east-bound road for a few miles, allowing you to relax a little. You’ll need the break, because when you make a right turn at Country Road KP to begin a southward path toward the start of loop two, the course’s most challenging climbs await.

The climbs – at Old Sauk Pass and on Timber Lane – aren’t very long, but they can be quite taxing. When you arrive there, settle into your easiest gear, sit back, and pedal as efficiently as you can.
Stay steady for the next few miles until you reach the town of Verona, where you'll be greeted by a cheering crowd that treats you as if you are a Tour de France rider. Savor the moments, smile at spectators and enjoy your short time there. Because after it's over, you are heading back to lap 2.

You'll finish lap 2 at about 95 miles, with 17 more to go. Depending on the heat, wind and your nutrition and hydration at that point, those last miles may be relatively breezy or can be very challenging.

Don't let the apparent downhill back to town on the race website course map fool you. It's more work that you'll expect. Be prepared mentally and physically at that point, and you'll do fine.

[for considerably more bike course detail, see Ironman Wisconsin Bike Experience: 112 Miles, 5:54 Bike Split, Mile-by Mile Analysis which dissects each mile with detail from my 2007 Ironman Wisconsin, with elevation and speed, with photos.]

Run

The 26.2 Ironman Wisconsin marathon course is entirely self-contained in Madison's downtown and college campus area.

You will run two 13.1 laps, starting at Monona Terrace and immediately passing the State Capitol building. You'll descend past the capital on State Street before heading southwest on side streets approaching the Camp Randall football stadium. One of the small treats of this marathon course is running around the field on both laps; a unique experience.

Exiting the stadium, you'll then head north and west toward Lake Mendota, toward some welcome cool air and shade of the Temin bike path along Lake Mendota, heading east at first. You'll step off the path onto Observatory Drive, which brings you to the toughest climbs on the run course. My advice to most runners: unless you're gunning for a Kona slot and can't afford to sacrifice anything, walk up these hills. You'll lose a few seconds by powerwalking, but your legs will be most happy for the break.

After flying, sort of, down the other side of Observatory Hill, you'll enter the Party Zone of the run course, on State Street. You'll encounter the most spectators on the run course here, and they provide smiles and encouragement. Smile and nod in appreciation, if you can. Get to the turnaround, and your name and hometown will likely be announced to everyone there.

After the fun on State Street, you'll return to the westbound Temin Bike path. It's the longest uninterrupted stretch on the run course, and you won't be faulted for thinking the turnaround will never come. Stay with it, make sure to hydrate well at the several aid stations on this section, and keep moving forward. The good news is that after the turnaround, it's not a long return trip to town, maybe four miles.

On the way back, you'll head southeast toward Camp Randall then retrace your steps from there to the State Capitol. The finish line will be just meters in front of you as you make the turnaround to begin lap 2. It's not a fun moment for anyone, but just tell yourself as you head back onto the run course you're getting closer to the finish with every step.

After experiencing the first lap, you'll see there are no dramatic tests on the run course, and you'll be able to focus on moving steady and on getting the hydration and nutrition you need.

As the miles slowly pass, begin to think about your finish, and soon you'll be there. It's a kick to approach the State Capitol in the final few hundred meters, knowing that the finish line is just beyond it. And in a nice, but too-late gesture, the finish area is on a downhill slope.

Though you'll be tempted, don't use the force of gravity to sprint through the finish line. Take it slow and easy, and soak in those last few moments. You deserve it. So do the others around you. Don't blast past the guy in front of you and ruin his finish experience and finisher photo. Be polite and let everyone experience the finish they've been envisioning for months.

You've been envisioning it, too. You'll get there, and you will be declared an Ironman. Congratulations in advance.