IMCDA Race Report: T2 and Run

As I rolled into T2, after that crappy bike leg, I had a come to Jesus meeting with myself.  I knew my dream of Kona was over, but even though I felt like complete ass, I wasn’t about to give up on the race.  So, I did a mental 180.  While I was putting on my tri suit and running gear, I told myself that I wasn’t a quitter; that I could get through this marathon.  I would run when I could, and walk when I couldn’t.  The course was 3 loops, and not particularly hard, so I knew I could tick off the miles.  I recognized the fact that it wasn’t going to be pretty, but I could do it.  I could reach the finish line.  

Before I go any farther… you will see in the photos that I am not wearing my 2023 Cupcake Cartel team hat on the run.  Instead, I am wearing the 2021 IMCDA hat that belonged to Lara’s best friend, and my teammate, Courtney Waltmeyer.  Courtney was killed while riding her bike in September 2021.  IMCDA was the last IM she did.  I was also wearing a ring emblazoned with Courtney’s fingerprints, which Lara kindly lent me for the race.  I have NO doubt that Courtney was with me all day, and gave me that something extra I needed to get to the finish.  

I saw Lara, fam and Lars as I exited T2.  They were so encouraging and all I could do was shake my head.  They had no idea how bad I was feeling.  I remember telling Lara that my stomach was jacked and I really needed a Coke.  I walked all of the 1st mile, in hopes that would help my stomach calm down.  As I approached the first aid station, my amazing teammate Leah was waiting for me with lots of ice and Coke (I later found out that she had called Lara and asked what I needed).  The Coke tasted delicious, and I soldiered on.  I ran when I could, but if I took it too far, my stomach turned into a knot.  

Somewhere between mile 2 and 3, I puked.  I’ve NEVER puked in a race.  Don’t get me wrong—I’ve wanted to and probably needed to, but I never have.  This was a first.  Unfortunately, it didn’t really make me feel much better.  And I was not alone.  I will say this now: I have never seen so many people walking and puking on an IM run course.  I couldn’t figure out what was going on.  I thought it might have been some bacteria in the lake, but that lake is so clean and clear….  didn’t seem possible.  

Because of the 3 loops, we ran back through a park close to the finish line each time.  There were a TON of spectators over those few miles.  Seeing them and hearing them was so uplifting.  As I came through the first time (end of lap 1, start of lap 2), I saw Colby and Ryan.  I briefly stopped to tell Ryan what was going on with me so he could pass it onto the others.  Colby, being the amazing kid that he is, decided to run with me for at least a mile.  He made me laugh, smile… all the things.  I cannot put into words how much I needed that, and how much it helped me.  

Lap 2 was the worst.  A lot of the clouds we had earlier were gone, and it felt super hot (even though it really wasn’t).  I continued to stop at each aid station to try to fuel myself.  The Gatorade Endurance that I always rely on for calories and salt would not stay down, so I stuck with Coke, Red Bull and orange slices.  I know that sounds like a completely terrible combo, but it worked.  I used my Base salt continuously to keep the hyponatremia at bay, and kept ice in the boobs to keep my core body temp down.  I suffered the most on that lap, but I never thought of giving up.

As I came into the park again for lap 2/3, I saw Lara and immediately felt better; like I knew I could finish this damn thing.  Just 8.something miles…. Lars wasn’t there- he was grabbing all of our bikes from transition and bringing them back to the house- so Lara ran with me just like Colby did.  She was so supportive and told me exactly what I needed to hear.  

I kept moving.  When I got to about mile 18, I came across a woman who was puking in the grass off the side of the course.  Something in my brain told me to help her, so I did.  I walked over, put my arms on her shoulders, and asked how I could help.  She slowly stood, looked at me and just smiled.  I told her that she wasn’t going to quit; we would walk/run together and get to that damn finish line.  And that’s exactly what we did.  Her name is Allison, and she’s from Washington state.  We talked about a whole bunch of stuff, sucked on ice and Coke, and encouraged the other athletes around us.  As it turns out, she picked IMCDA for the same reason I did- to get her slot to Kona.  We talked about that too, and how that dream was gone, but we would still finish the race.  

At about mile 24, Allison ran ahead of me, but said she’d wait for me at the finish line.  The last mile was absolutely magical.  The number of people lining the course and the finishing chute was unreal.  I ran slow, and just soaked it all in.  I was about to complete Ironman #12, on one of the worst days of my life.  When I reached that red carpet, it was like a massive weight had been taken off of my shoulders.  I had already made peace with the fact that I wasn’t going to Kona, and was very proud of myself for digging deep and not giving up.  I mean sure—I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t care about the overall time, but on that day, it didn’t matter.  I finished.  

Right after I crossed through the finishing arch, I saw Allison.  She gave me the biggest hug and we both just cried and congratulated each other.  She told me that I was her angel, and that she wouldn’t have been standing there with that medal around her neck if it hadn’t been for me.  Friends—that is what my crazy-ass sport is all about.  That’s what we do for each other.   

After I got through the finisher’s area, I immediately saw Lars, Lara, Ryan, Colby and Senna.  They gave me huge hugs (Colby kindly told me how much I smelled), and told me how proud they were of me.  We walked over to the VIP area so I could sit for a minute.  Lars brought me a Sprite and I remember just taking lots of deep breaths and reflecting on the day.  A few minutes later, Ryan said something to me that I will never forget.  He said:, as he was shaking his head: “The mental fortitude that it took for you to complete that race is absolutely amazing.  I am so, so impressed.”  That’s Ironman in a nutshell.  You have to have the mental strength to adapt and overcome.  Over and over.  All.  Day.  Long.  

Next up will be the day after…. the awards ceremony and IM World Championship slot allocation.  Thanks, as always, for reading and for supporting me on this journey.