LexRides

[chadwick2wheels]

So I'm back at work now and can't believe what I did to myself this weekend at Ironman. Thought I would give some of you something to read while you're bored at work or school or where ever you are. This was my experience throughout the 140.6 miles. Or at least what I actually remember. Beware this is long...

Well 1st thing in the morning I got body marked by our fellow cutter Political Hero and was off to the swim start.

The swim was insane. I couldn't see my hand in front of my face or the person next to me I was swimming over top of. And yes it was in the Ohio river. I know, I know. It seriously felt like bath water in there. I was sweating my ass off in water. It was the strangest thing. I did the swim in 1 hour 30 minutes but I dont remember shit from it. When I got out of the water I damn near did a face plant into the concrete because all of the blood had rushed to my upper body. My brain was telling my legs to run but they just weren't going to do it. So, I hobbled into transition and grabbed my bike shit.

I come out of transition and lose 2 water bottles off the back of my aero drink system like less than a mile into the bike. Luckily, there was an aid station every 10 miles or so. Or at least this is what they tell me. I dont really remember anything from the bike segment either.It was so damn hot out there, and you couldnt hide from the sun. I was drinking 2 huge bottles of gatorade every 10 miles or so and pouring 2 huge bottles of water down my back. Plus to top it off my aero helmet has absolutely no ventilation. People were dropping like flies from the heat. The bike course looked like a battle zone. There were bodies laying everywhere. At roughly mile 85 I got really sick from the heat and threw up all over myself and my bike. Yeah gross I know. Then once my stomach was empty I began to dry heave. It is a very strange feeling to puke while riding. But I'm sure most of us have done this. I stopped once to piss and had to use my hands to physically clip my foot back into the pedal. I dont know I was weak and tired I guess. Finally I make it into T2 and I can finally eat and drink again. When I was running to get my run gear I hadnt even realized that I had gotten off my bike and given it someone. Bike time 7 hours 30 minutes

Finally all I have left is the marathon. By this time im sunburned, chaffed, and sore as shit. Now there is and aid station every mile on the run. Which was good news because I didnt have to carry anything on me. So I ran as hard as I could which was only like 12 minute miles at the time. But give me a break I'd been busting my ass all day. Every aid station I had a routine. Wet sponge on my head one on my neck, sip of Gatorade, energy gel, sip of chicken broth, then half a cup of water. So after doing that 26 times you can only imagine what my stomach felt like the next morning. I got to see my family several times on the run and saw Political hero again which was nice. At mile 21 or so I experienced a slight system shut down. My body developed this weird twitch. At first I thought maybe it was seizure coming on but it never got any worse. Although it did last through the night. I got really weak and it was hard to swallow because my throat was so strained from dry heaving on the bike. A friend of mine hopped in about half way through to pace me through the rest of the race. I was really weak and dont remember it getting dark. A couple of times volunteers had to hold me up while I stopped at an aid station. I remember my heels draggin the ground as I was running. So i guess it was kind of like power walking really. Half way through the marathon I got a fresh pair of socks to change into. A volunteer took my shoes off of me because my hands weren't functioning very well. She changed my shoes and socks and slapped me on the ass as I took off. I couldnt hear anything for the last 7 miles or so and my vision got a little blurry. I couldnt remember starting the marathon and i had a really hard time keeping track of what mile I was on. marathon time 5 hours 40 minutes

The finish line was nuts. People swarmed the streets and were jumping around like maniacs. I couldnt hear them but saw my family waiting on me and I got a little emotional at this point. I dont think any tears came out because i was so dehydrated but I think i was crying.

Afterwards I got my medal and went back to the hotel room. I was still twicthing like a crackhead and was shivering violently because i was so damn cold. My girlfriend says that I was talking but not making any sense. She said it was like i was drunk or something. I wish I could remember more of it. The next day it felt like the worst hang over I had ever had times 10. I coudnt eat, couldnt drink, couldnt walk, couldnt shit, etc. I sat in the tub twitching and shivering with a bloody raw bottom side. The water was barely room temp but to my ass it felt like tobasco. The whole event was a creepy out of body experience and I cant wait to do it again.
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The sound of a car door opening in front of you is similar to the sound of a gun being cocked. ~Amy Webster

[jkizzle]

im trying to get myself in tri-shape to eventually do the ironman, next year hopefully. any tips or programs you reccomend? obviously, im probably going to need more callories than i ever could anticipate, and probably should do some long block training, but what can you tell me from the trenches?

[Rowbear]

that sounds insane
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Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle

[sailorjames]

what's insane is I heard there were points where the lead finisher was running a steady 12 miles an hour during the marathon. all I can say is...reptoids