Ironman Louisville: Part 1

I made it and am now an Ironman! It's hard to believe that I've come this far in my triathlon journey to the event that puts all others to shame! Everyone knows a 140.6 mile race is no joke, but until you've been through it, it's hard to really fathom the mental and physical toughness needed to have a successful race. I couldn't have done this without all the support from my family, friends, Team in Training and Grunt Girl Racing. If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a team to make a triathlete! I feel truly blessed to know such wonderful people!

Here is a breakdown of the race:

The Swim: 2.4 miles

While all other Ironman events begin with a mass swim start (all athletes rush into the water at the same time and jockey for position in the churning water), Ironman Louisville has a unique "time trial" swim start, which requires all athletes to line up and enter the water individually by jumping off a dock. This line is formed on a "first come, first serve" basis, which means the earlier you get to the dock, the sooner you will get into the water. The 2 hour and 20 minute time cut-off begins when the last athlete enters the water. So, if you aren't the strongest swimmer and don't like to get to the race early, this is not the event for you.

Since swimming is my strongest leg of the triathlon, I wasn't too concerned with getting to the start super early. The transition area was 3/4 of a mile from the swim start, so in the morning, athletes had to swing by transition to check on their bikes (which had been checked in the day before), drop off any special supplies they would need during the race, and then walk to the swim start where bodymarking took place. Transition opened at 4:45am. I got to the swim line at 5:20am (earlier than intended) only to find the line had already snaked through docks and was expanding into lines on a lawn area. "Bouncers" were trying to separate athletes from spectators in the dark, which is a lot like herding cats. I was happy that I got there when I did since so many people got there well ahead of time.

After the pros started their swim at 6:50am, the National Anthem was sung at 7:00am, the start horn was blown and the athletes started entering the water. I think I entered around 7:11am. The water in the Ohio River is very warm this time of year. According to the race officials, the temperature was 84 degrees the day before the race and therefore the race was not wetsuit legal. Immediately upon jumping in, I could feel how warm the water was, which is very different than most water I've practiced in. After having swam in some very choppy Lake Erie water the last time I raced, this was a piece of cake!

I wasn't more than 400 yards into the swim when I noticed a rescue bag floating in the water. I couldn't help but think, "Uh oh. Someone's in trouble." Sure enough, over on an island in the middle of the river, race medics were giving CPR to a gentlemen I had noticed just a few minutes earlier in line. It was a reminder to me that this type of sport isn't for everyone and that all athletes need to be properly trained and in good shape for a race like this. I said a little prayer for him and continued on my way. I was really hoping he'd be ok, but it looks like he didn't make it.

The rest of the swim was a non-event. I just kept churning through the water, keeping my stride and sticking close to the buoys. The race officials had informed everyone that the deepest water and most efficient swim path was where the buoys were located, so that's where I stayed. This strategy worked out well. I had a great swim, had plenty of time in open water away from lots of swimmers and just brought it home. It really felt great!

Overall assessment of the swim -- excellent!



Above is a picture of me waiting in line at the swim start. Things to note:

1. All women were made to wear hot pink caps, which I hate, so it's only fitting I had to wear one for my big race.

2. There were men in front of me and behind me. Only 30% of Ironman Louisville participants are women, which means there are more crazy men out there than women ;)

3. It is really dark at 5:20 in the morning!