I just finished my first Half Ironman at Amelia Island this last weekend. I had double hip replacement surgery 1 1/2 years ago. Before my surgery I was in constant pain, could hardly walk, had a limp, no range of motion, had to give up running and the last few months before surgery had to give up bicycling. No one can gaurantee the outcome of surgery but I did my homework, got a good doctor and physical therapist and did what I needed to do to get he best outcome I could. It took me 6 months before I felt like my hips were mine, supported me and I was getting stronger than I was before surgery. Don't get me wrong, I was up walking right after surgery and I did a sprint triathlon (relay, someone else ran for me) 3 months after surgery. I think most people would be happy with that. My doctor said I could get even better results so I worked with my physical therapist to get them. It was hard work but I did it.
I've done Sprint triathlons over the last 5 years or so but never thought or had the inclination to do a Half Ironman. All I know is some of my friends were doing this one, I had the time to do the training and I had people that believed that I could do it. So I signed up. Did the training, have one or two panic attacks, wondering what the heck had I gotten myself into. It seems so big, something other people do. Got over my panic quickly because even though I did question my sanity I was going to give it my best.
I had two of my friends going up with me, Rose decided to do the Sprint tri while she was there and Bianca decided she would do the Olympic tri while she was there. We went up Friday, looked over the couse and relaxed. Saturday morning got up and were in the ocean at 7:30 swimming so we would know what it would be like the following day, followed by quick easy bike and short run. Just a warm up for the race. We were ready!
Sunday morning, before the crack of dawn, we were up getting our transition area set up. This was the most organized friendly race I've been too. Race staff and volunteers were knowledgable, enthusiastic and extremely helpful. No waiting in lines, everyone was calm and organzied. Loved it!
It's now race time! Half Ironman get to go first. I thought the swim course was very well marked with huge buoys you could see from shore. Although the farthest one out (1/4 mile out) looked really tiny and really far away, didn't dwell on that. So my wave is off. I love the swim part, even though it can be a challenge in the ocean, it's my favorite part of a tri. I would even swim longer and shorten the run (I know, blaspemy, sorry). I did great in the swim, don't really have to use arms for much else in the race so use them up in the swim!
I was in top third of my group out of the water, 44 minutes. There was a current and waves as we got farther away from shore. Coming in it felt like the shore took forever to get closer. Still I loved the swim. On to the bike. The bike course was beautiful, not a lot of intersections but we had a few roundabouts.
With volunteers and police holding traffic for us it was never an issue. I felt prety safe the whole way. One big bridge in the first 15 miles, no problem, I just tuck in and go. We did have wind picking up. I always felt like it was a cross wind or against me. Not often did I feel like it was behind me pushing. Then in the last 10 miles was a flat bridge where I did have the wind behind me going, yea got to go really fast for a short period. But I saw the look on bikers faces coming the other way, not good. On the way back over the flat bridge was the hardest. Head on winds with cross winds thrown in. Not fun, but again, just tucked in and kept telling myself, it's not forever, it will end, just through it, and I did.
I enjoyed the bike, grinning the whole way, no great discomfort, but at the end I was looking forward to the run. Which I couldn't believe, I hate running, I've never felt the runners high, still looking for it, I think runners are pulling my leg or it's at mile 28 which I will probably never see. Anyway, I was looking forward to the run, ok. It's odd, since I had never done a Half Ironman I had no idea what I would feel like towards the end of the 13.1 mile run. I knew I had the swim, no problem. I knew I could do the 56 on the bike after the swim decently. Not sure how I would hold up on the long run after the long bike. It's kind of strange to go into something that was such a big unknown for me. I did the training, I had confidence I could do it, but I did know that things may not go as planned. I did a great run for me, did not stop once!
On the last 4 miles, my muscles in my lower legs and feet started to cramp. I was still grinning and saying to myself, you have to be kidding me! I've come this far and on the last 4 miles, now you act up? Stop it! I made sure to drink some electrolytes which helped delay the cramps some but I could tell they were on the verge. But I made it! Finished in 6 hours 48 minutes.
Of course looking back I know I could do better and even before I finshed knew I would do another one. I can't believe I'm saying it. I used to sign up for 5k or triathlons so I would do the training to help keep me in shape. I never liked the actual race, too stressfull. I've changed a lot this last 6-7 months. My running has improved greatly, I thoroghly enjoyed a race. I've met wonderful people that I hope will be friends for life.
I've come so far from when my hips first started deteriorating. Everyone has diversity in there life, some much more extreme than others. In fact part of the proceeds of this event went to help physically challenged people. There were quite a few in wheelchairs competing in the Sprint and Olympic races. I can only hope I would be as inspirational as they are in the same circumstances. I am a firm believer in looking at what you can do and not concentrating on what you can't.
It's funny, completing a Half Ironman is a great accomplishment. But anyone can do it. You just have to believe in yourself and then put the work in. Such a huge thanks to my friends who were with me every step of the way. Without their support, not only would my training not have been as fun, but they made the whole process and race even more wonderful for me. Plus I am fortunate to have one of my friends as an incredible tri coach. Without Shelly I don't think I would have done as well as I did and I know I would have been much more stressed over it all. She gave me great advice, coaching, plans, you name it she helped, and always with a smile.
On to the next challenge! Olympic Triathlon (piece of cake, right?) in Key West beginning of December. Bring it on!
