Ironman Chattanooga 70.3 Race Report

I still can't believe I finished a half-ironman! I powered my body (slowly) for 70.3 miles! What a miracle.

Here are my splits:

Swim 1.2 miles: 53:32

 T1: 8:25

Bike 56 miles: 3:49:23

T2: 6:28

Run 13.1 miles: 4:01:31

Total time: 8:59:19

Yes it's slow but I don't even care! Ok, yes I do. But this is a happy race report. So I will stay positive and remember to be grateful. The slow time merely fuels my drive for the next triathlon. I know where I need to improve. It truly was, one of the best days of my life. So settle in for a long race report. Seriously, grab a coffee. I'm long-winded 😊.

The Check-in

Friday found me at Ironman Village, checking in with all the other athletes.  It really was an amazing afternoon. Somewhat surreal. I spent plenty of money on Ironman tshirts, hoodies, duffle bags, coffee mugs, etc. Also attended an athlete briefing. During that meeting they went over the cutoffs for the race. My friend Deleslyn was kind enough to jot them down:

I studied that hand closely. I neded to be at mile 30 on the bike by 11:15am, off the bike by 1:00 and starting the second loop of the run by 2:45pm.

Then I went home. The remainder of Friday and Saturday consisted of relaxing, sleeping, and being a nervous wreck. On Saturday afternoon Tony and I went and checked in my bike at the mandatory bike check-in. Somehow, seeing my friends I had trained with, and racking my bike, helped alleviate the anxiety and actually gave me some excitement. After getting the bike racked it was time to go home and chill.

The Swim

I woke up at 3:30am on race morning, altho I had been awake multiple times during the night. By 4:00 we were on the road. Arriving to transition at 4:40am, I aired up my tires, placed my 4 bottles of pre-mixed carb drink on my bike, then set out my bike shoes, helmet, and run gear.

After checking and double checking, I left transition. Tony walked me to the bus where I would be transported to the swim start. A quick kiss goodbye and a prayer for safety, and I was off. I later found out Tony went back to the car, and went to sleep for a couple hours.

On arrival to the swim start, I had run into a training partner -- Michael, so we hung together and found our place in line. I'd say we were easily within the first hundred in line. The swim start was a "rolling start" which means first come first serve. I wanted to be entering the water early so I would have more time throughout the day, since the finish line would close 8.5 hours after the last swimmer entered the water. I figured if I started 45 minutes before the last swimmer, I would have 9 hours and 15 minutes to finish the race.

   The 2 hours in the swim line was spent chatting with others, a long walk to the porta-potty, eating a bagel, drinking water...and saying hi to everyone I saw along the way. The excitement was electric. 

   Soon it was time to begin. I was able to watch the pro triathletes start their swims. And then we all began to file down the ramp to the dock. Swim cap on, goggles on, wetsuit secure. Omg. Suddenly it was my turn to walk out on the dock. I was waiting for someone to say "go!" But nobody said that. I guess I was just supposed to know it was time to jump in and go! And so I did. Now, I had been taught by several experienced triathletes during my practice swims, to get in and get acclimated to the water. Slow down the heart rate, slow down the breathing... Then begin. Well, it was impossible to do that when 2,500 people are jumping in behind me. So I began to swim a few strokes with my head above water, and then when I was off to the side I stopped for a second or two and collected my bearings a bit. Then it was time to swim. The 350 meters upstream did not feel hard to me-- I couldn't "feel" the current. However, when I looked at my watch as I made the turn to head downstream, I realized it had really slowed me down. It took me 14 minutes to go upstream and crossing the channel. Well shoot. My hopes of a 50 minute swim were dashed. And so I began the downstream mile long swim. I was pleased and happy with my swim. I didn't stop, which for me was a major accomplishment! I didn't even flip into my back like I had done in practice swims. I just kept going. I did have several people swim into my feet but that was the worst that happened. Happy to say I was never kicked in the head. It was, truly, a lovely swim for me. In fact, perhaps the swim is now my favorite part of triathlon. Before I knew it, I was at the exit. The volunteer on the stairs was wonderful. She told

me to swim all the way to her because  she was at the first step. Very very helpful. And soon I was up out of the water and headed to my husband who was volunteering as a wetsuit stripper. That entire process of removing the wetsuit is about the most humiliating event ever! Lay your fat arse on the ground while we strip off your wetsuit. Oh well. Nothing modest or dignifying about triathlon and spandex anyways.... So! Swim was done! Quick happy tearful smooch to my husband and I was headed to the bike!

   This was huge. HUGE!!! Just 2.5 weeks earlier I had freaked out in the open water. Such progress with only 4 additional practices in the river. My first goal for the day-- to finish the swim alive, was met! And the 53 minutes was icing on the cake! Yes!

The Bike

Evidently I was in transition for 8 minutes and I hardly remember it. Socks, bike shoes, hairband, helmet, gloves, sunglasses, stuff Huma Gels in my pockets, and I was off. The first few miles through downtown were uneventful. Riding thru St. Elmo intrigues me because it's part historic and part run-down. I was surrounded by plenty of cyclists who were passing me at high speed.... Oh! I was pedaling down Tennessee Ave when I noticed a poster on a telephone pole that said "Go Debbie Fine! Ironman!" I laughed right out loud. How thoughtful! That made my day!

Soon we were crossing into Georgia. And soon it started to rain. Let me say that I was told by many experienced triathletes to train and practice riding in the rain because it could rain on race day... Well, I didn't follow that advice. And here it was, raining on race day. Fortunately it never thundered nor was there lightning. Turns out that the rain for 25 miles was actually quite refreshing. 

Miles 10-20 were rolling and on my training ride I remember working hard to get up some of those hills. On race day, I don't remember the struggle. I'm certain I struggled up, but like childbirth, evidently you don't remember the pain :-)

Mile 26 was Andrews Lane-- a big arse hill. It was too steep to pull my weight up, so I unclipped and walked up the hill. I had no shame. I used the walk uphill to change out my fuel bottles and to drink. It was part of my plan.  The next 15 miles was mostly flat and fun. I actually passed a few people during that section. After being passed by probably 2,300 people, I was so excited to be passing someone that I actually said out loud "I can't believe I'm passing someone!" Hope that person didn't hear me. Lol. It was a high moment haha.

I knew mile 41-44 was a long slow upgrade. And I was tired but at least I knew what to expect. I just kept spinning easy although I did walk up again the last part of the hill. Oh, the aid stations were at mile 15, 30 and 45. At the first two I tried to "catch" a water bottle and missed. So at the last one I pulled over and finally was able to get a water bottle successfully. A quick break- and then mile 45-56 I think was all downhill. Not really. Mostly. Once turning north on 193 was a mental high point because I felt like I was on the home stretch. And finally crossing into Tenmessee again with only 7 miles left was also super empowering.

Overall I felt really good on the bike. My goal was 4 hours-- which would be a 14 mph average. I knew that walking two hills would slow down my average speed. I was super excited to realize I was going to finish ahead of my 4 hour goal. I finished in 3:49 with an average pace of 14.6 mph which for this obese gal was a major score! It was my fastest pace for a long bike ride that I've had yet. With the rain, and walking the hills, I was thrilled. Rolling into transition was the best feeling ever!! I had completed the swim and the bike with time to spare-- and I felt good! 

The Run

This is where it all fell apart. I started the run with a walk, and I'm sad to say I just kept walking. For 13.1 miles. So what happened? I realize I'm not a fast runner, but I've completed 4 half-marathons in the last 18 months and I always ran at least 7-8 miles of the 13.... I'm not sure why I felt so good on the bike and so incapable of running the run.

    So I walked. In retrospect, I don't think I expected to finish the run. I was tired. Very tired. Not sick, or weak, or faint- in fact I never once had any of those issues- just tired. So I walked. Two friends had told me to not quit no matter what. Keep moving forward, as my hero Swimbikemom says. So I walked. I expected the race would end while I was walking the run and they would pull my timing chip from my ankle and tell me to go home and try again next year. And actually, I would have been ok with that. My goal earlier in the day was to finish the swim and the bike. When I completed the swim and bike with time to spare, I was already a winner. So I kept walking.

The 13.1 mile run course was two loops. So between miles 1-6 I saw so many friends who were on their second loop. It was so encouraging to see my training partners and other triathlete friends. My son Jason met me on Veterans Bridge and walked beside me for a large portion of the course when we were on the bridges. My husband and stepson and his wife were all on the Walnut St. Bridge with me as well. And so I kept walking. Felt good. Just didn't feel like running.

I knew that all triathletes had to be starting the second loop by 2:45pm. When I started the second loop it was 2:10. Wow!!! For the first time that day- I knew I could finish. If I maintained an 18 minute mile for 6.5 more miles, I would cross the finish line! So, I walked a little faster! In fact, when I saw the photographer I even ran for a few yards for the pic of course!

Admittedly, miles 7-12 were empty-- only a few slow ones out there. I had the privilege of meeting up with Ken Radley, an ironman who has done much for the triathlon community in Chattanooga. We walked several miles together on the last loop. I hydrated at every aid station. There were aid stations every mile, and at each one I took water, Gatorade, and ice sponges to stick down my bra, in my hat, behind my neck and you get the idea... It was hot. By afternoon the sun had come out. It occurred to me around mile 7 that I hadn't peed since the "obligatory" pee in the river. That was 8 hours ago. I knew I had taken in 80oz of fluid on the bike, plus liquid at each mile-- at least 10 oz each mile... Evidently I was sweating it all out. Finally at mile 10, I peed. I was happy. Onward.

Also about mile 10 I began to have pain in my right foot. I knew a blister was forming. My socks had been soaking wet from all the rain on the bike ride, and I didn't bring a dry pair to change into. So yes, I wasn't shocked to realize I was going to be miserable with blisters. Otherwise, I felt good. I wasn't ever sick or weak or anything. Obviously because I was only walking. I think the folks who really push themselves are the ones who get sick. I don't know. All I knew was that I felt fine, just wore slap out. Miles 7-9 I thought this entire idea was stupid. Why would anyone want to do this????

By mile 11, I  was focused on finishing. As I approached the finish chute, my step son Josh and son Jimmy were waiting for me and walked with  me towards the chute. As I approached the chute I decided we'll surely I can run. So I started to run. Soon I heard cheers of "Debbie!!!!!" You couldn't wipe the smile off my face. One of my happiest moments ever! Then I saw my niece Stacey, and triathlete friends David, Deleslyn, Danielle,  Dewayne, Stephanie, and Tim... Hugs and high-fives all the way up the finish chute. I was doing it. I was truly finishing my first half-ironman!!! 70.3 amazing glorious miles!!!!!!

It was, honestly, the best feeling in the world. They say triathlon is addicting. And now I know why. It's that darn finish line experience! 

My finish time was 8:59. So "technically" I did not finish. On the ironman.com race results I am listed as a DNF --Did Not Finish. That because Ironman gives you 8.5 hours to complete the race and I took almost 9 hours. However, if you cross the line while it's still open, you get a medal. Which is more important to me anyways.

In my mind, I finished. I went the distance. I love triathlon. I will be back. I will make 8.5 hours next time. So it's ok. And, when I do get in better shape and get faster, it will never be as special as this first half-ironman. Nothing will ever top this experience. Except maybe a full ironman:-)

This concludes my race report. It was an incredible day, and honestly I wasn't sure I would finish. But I did. Thankyou to all my friends and family who helped me get where I am today. Most especially I want to thank my husband. The training hasn't been easy on the marriage. It is hard to balance full time career, family and ironman.My heart is grateful.

Now, what's next? Oh, another half-ironman in October! Yes, I paid and am registered for the full ironman in September, but many long talks with my husband and I have decided to focus on weight loss and getting faster at the 70.3 miles before I take on 140.6 miles. And that's ok. I'll do some shorter distance tris this summer for fun, and toe the start line at Beach 2 Battleship half-ironman distance in Wilmington NC on Octboer 17. Hopefully leaner and faster. I truly do love swimming, biking and running. Walking. Whatever :-)