2100 athletes, 2.4 miles swimming, 112 miles biking, 26.2 miles running, 15 hours 33 minutes and 30 mph gusts of wind later, I completed my first (and not the last) Ironman triathlon. It goes without saying that the wind really sucks. It was tough dealing with it but I made and finished very strong. Jen even commented on how good I looked at the end, especially when she "tried" to run me in and ended up leaving her in the dust. I must say the best 6 words to ever hear in a race is "Corey McKenna, you are an Ironman." It was a great day. I was certainly nervous but once I got going then I relaxed and dug in for the long haul.
The swim was a little challenging with 2100 other triathletes swimming at the same time so I really didn't find my groove because I kept getting hit in the head. I still finished very close to my goal in the swim. Then off to the bike and found myself pretty relaxed on the bike for the first 18 miles. At the turn around, I discovered a 30 mph headwind downhill on the return trip into town. There was a brief moment when I wanted to quit. It lasted about 30 seconds. On the second loop, I kicked into gear and pushed hard out (ave. 23-25 mph) only remember that I had the headwind back in. I finished strong on the 3rd lap but was about 45-60 minutes off the goal. I decided that the 14 hour goal was going to be out of reach when I got off the bike at 4:15pm. Once on the run, I had 3 loops. I did well for a while. On my final lap, I came across a young girl who was struggling and I decided to walk with her the remainder of the race. The last 8 miles went much quicker. The finish line was in sight and knew I was going to make it.
It seemed to be all a blur. Can't believe that I finished the race. Can't believe that I am an IRONMAN. Can't believe that I exercised continuously for 15 hours. And I can't believe that the day after the race I was not completed sore and being wheeled out in a wheel chair. And only a few days later, I was feeling very normal. If someone said, "Hey there is an Ironman this weekend, do you want to race?" I would be all over it. I am excited to do another one and beat my time. I will probably do Ironman Arizona or Coure d'Alene Idaho next year.
I thank Jennifer for all her support throughout the day, documenting everything. It was such a spectator friendly race. She got to see me every couple of hours. I also appreciate my parents driving 15 hours from Redding to Phoenix and back home, just to see me race. Thank you for everyone who supported me and wished me luck and inspiration throughout the whole thing.
Labels: Races
posted by Corey McKenna @ 4/20/2007 08:10:00 PM
1 Comments
1 Comments:
"Corey McKenna, you are an IRONMAN!!!" I really wanted to yell that to him as we crossed the finish line together. Then I'd give him a giant hug and kiss. Just like a movie. I really envisioned this. I maybe even envisioned this in slow motion. Well... it didn't quite happen that way. This is the only story I can take home, as a spectator wife.
A few months back, we were sitting in the kitchen, talking about how Corey felt about this upcoming amazing event. He looked at me, grabbed my hand, and gave me this adorable little smile, and said, "Honey, I'd really like to have you run me in, if that's okay with you." Are you kidding? I was elated that he'd include me in his victory!
Alas, a few weeks before the race, Corey learned that adults could not run their participants in --the finish line was simply too crowded for spectators to clog it up. Both Corey and I were dissappointed, but we understood that rules were rules.
Fast forward to April 15, 10pm... wives started running their husbands in! "Well, if they're gonna do it, so will I... Corey only BECOMES an Ironman once! ....besides.... he wanted me to run him in...." SO, I walk my happy little hiny down across the bridge, about 800 yards from the end. I was so excited to meet him! Everyone needs their loving adoring support towards the end of a long race, right? So, I walk with him for a bit. Then he decides to jog. I am a jogger. I can keep up with him --especially after his long ordeal, right??? Well, we start picking up pace as we round the turn towards the arches. I'm, cool. I'm hanging with him. Then we pass through the first arch. I'm still there. I'm getting a little winded, but I'm there. Then Corey puts on more speed. At this point, there is nowhere for me to go but forward. He begins to speed up more. "Honey, are you going to do that fast-as-hell-thing now?" I ask. He looks at me. "I want to," he says. Hm. Well, who am I to stop a man who wants to finish his Ironman HIS way? So I tell him to go for it.
THE MAN SPRINTS TO THE FINISH!!! People surround us, cheering, shouting, whistling, and I almost feel like I accomplished something myself. Then I realize that I am all alone, and the man that just swam 2.5 miles, biked 112, and jogged 26.2 is kicking my butt!!!! Hoots and hollers and comments like "He did this whole thing and you can't catch him???!!" come from all sides. Oh my gosh. I can just gesture helplessly and hope that Corey looked like a mega stud, rather than me looking like an out of shape wife! hahahaha. I loved every second of it. I was so proud of my honey.
Well, that's my story. The fun one anyway. I'll write more details about being a spectator later.
Good Job, Corey!!!
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