Race Coverage

I Kissed Selene, Drank Magic Juice & Chatted About All Sorts of Things...

Sunday, 16 September 2018 23:10

By Erin Lahti

Ironman Wisconsin 2018, was my first Full.  In the 30 weeks of training, I tried to remind myself that I am choosing to do this incredibly difficult thing because I want to live the fullest life I can.  Race day is a reward for the months of hard training.  I know a lot of things can go wrong.  I didn't want to put too high of expectations on myself.  I just want to become an Ironman. ...

My sister, Alison, who was my head sherpa, came into town on Thursday.  The 2 of us and my husband, Troy, left for Madison on Friday morning.  We made it to the Monona Terrace by 2:15.    Lake Monona was angry that day.  The waves were huge and a bit intimidating. GULP!    I got checked in and made the 3:00 First Timers meeting.  I actually didn't want to.  I thought, "If they are going to tell me to eat on the bike, I'm leaving."  But, it was really inspiring.  It calmed my nerves.  Plus, I got to meet Linsey Corbin and Mike Reilly. We cruised the expo for a while and I spent way too much money. I saw a few buddies and met up with good friend and 6 (soon to be 7) time Ironman, Tina Olson.

We headed north to our hotel but stopped at Hyvee for some dinner and some in room snacks. We checked into our hotel and hauled all the stuff up to the room. That was a bit of a task. I then busted out the infamous Ironman gear bags. I had all of my gear divided up already, so repacking didn’t take too long. However, I went over them about a dozen times. I applied my stickers to my bike and helmet. I had huge salad with lots of veggies and chicken for dinner that night.

Saturday morning, we had a decent hotel breakfast. Packed up Selene, (my bike) and the transitions bags, and then headed back to the Monona Terrace. I did bike check in first. They photograph all the bikes, for security purposes. The photographer, said, “Look at this beauty, she looks fast.” I said, “Yep, don’t under estimate the roadie.” I find #836 on the racks. It is exactly at the half way mark in the very long parking lot. Right below the walkway. Perfect spot! I go drop off my transition bags. I find my spot and look study the room for a few minutes, to familiarize myself with the layout and make a race day plan. T1 and the same for T2. I also, wanted to check out the bike out. I’m nervous to ride down the Helix. I attend the 11:00 Athlete Meeting at the finish line. They review the course and give lots of good information. My sister and I have lunch and meet up with Tina again. As we leave the Terrace, I peak over the wall to see Selene. There she is. Safe and sound. Back to the hotel to relax and hydrate. My Mom and daughter show up. Our room is very busy and I need to get away from the chaos. I escape to Tina’s room and she lets me borrow her Norma Tech boots. She is also going to let me bunk in her room tonight. Lifesaver!!

I don’t want to be on my feet at all, so I send Troy out to get me dinner. He knows my stomach and my palate better than I do. Chicken Giardino with some parmesan zucchini bites and a bread stick. Delicious and nutritious. I’m in bed by 9:00.

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Race Day.   
Alarm went off at 3 am.  I head back to my room for some yoga and breakfast.  Coffee, oatmeal, a Belvita and a banana.  I finished packing up my gear and meet Tina in the hallway.  Oops, I forgot my timing chip.  That would have sucked!  Triple check everything.  Tina and I are headed to the Monona Terrace by 4:30.  We dropped off our special needs bags and went to the bikes.  I put my first bottle of concentrate Scratch, one bottle of water and 10 Honey Stinger waffles on my bike.  I had them pump my tires to 100 PSI.  All set.  Now we wait.  We found a quite spot on the other side of the terrace.  I just tried to visualize my swim and T1.  I was not as nervous as I thought I would be.  That's nice.  I had to leave Tina to go meet up with my family.  I thought I needed some more calories, and I was getting a headache. I had my crew bring me more coffee, a protein bar and some advill.  I took all that in.  Then I saw the first person putting their wetsuit and my heart dropped into my guts.  Holy crap, its time!  I suited up.  Handed off my morning gear to my sister and we made our way down to the start with everyone else.  I saw Tina again, and a few other buddies.  I needed that.  We stopped for the National Anthem then I hugged my family, and they sent me off.  The start is a self seeded rolling start.  The course is a single counter clockwise loop.  Lefties should not be allowed to design swim courses.    Just saying.

Swim
I tried to make my way closer to the front of the pack.  I wanted to be in the second fastest group, 1:00 - 1:10 swim time.  But there were too many people, and I was too late.  So, I was not positioned well for the start.  It would just have to be like every other triathlon.  I would have to swim around people.  O-well, not a big deal.  “Don’t let it bother you.” The cannon went off for the pros.  10 mins later, the second cannon.  The line started moving.  Mike Reilly and the officials were there giving high fives at the start line. I made sure to say hello to Mike.  Over the start mat and down to the water.  Due to the flooding, the water was on grass then about a foot drop to sand.  Once it was past my knees, I dove in and started swimming.  The water was a great temp.  71.5 degrees.  I went to the left, the inside.  Immediately, I was swimming around other athletes.  Find a hole, make your move, and put them behind you.  One after another, after another, after another. Seeing The Monona Terrace from the water packed with spectators was amazing.  The first turn buoy.  I was told you are supposed to moo, like a cow.  I didn't hear any mooing.  But I totally let out a big MOOO!  Then laughed so hard I got water up my nose.  It was a short distance to the next turn.  There was a lot of congestion at the second turn.  Then it was the long back stretch.  The sun was in my eyes.  I kept mistaking the smaller sighting buoys for the larger turn buoys.  I’m trying to keep a tight line, but I keep having to swim around people. Half way down the back stretch, I saw a small boat in the swim lane.  I was confused.  Was there an emergency?  Is someone in trouble?  A few strokes later, I could see it was a blow up raft.  I swam to the left of it.  Someone was pulling a person in it.  I stopped to tell him he was doing great and that he is way more badass then the rest of us.  I also saw about a dozen drones flying over us.  I was not feeling too fast.  It was hard to find a groove having to swim around so many people.  I never checked my Garmin.  I was not kicked in the head, but I'm pretty sure I kicked others.  Not my fault.  Don't be by my feet.  At one point, a guy put his hand on my left side and shoved me over a foot or so.  Well, that's better than getting kicked, I thought.  Third turn. Not too many people around me.  Last turn, and a diagonal swim to the swim out.  I told myself not to get upset if my time wasn't good. Cause, in the big picture, I was still living out a dream.  It would only be a few minuets anyways.  I stopped at the ramp and took the hand of a volunteer.  Crossed the mat, checked my Garmin. 1:07.  I'll take that.  (I ended up swimming 4,500 yards. 300 extra due to navigating around people)

T1
I took off the top of my wetsuit and ran toward the wetsuit strippers.  Everyone was using the first few sets of strippers.  So, I went to the end of the line.  I sat down on the ground, and the 2 volunteers pulled my wetsuit off in an instant.  Awesome!!  I got up and ran down the path and toward the helix.  It seemed like here were thousands of spectators.  I heard someone yell my name.  I smiled and kept running.  Around and around and around the helix.  I was looking down at my feet because the concrete is slippery with wet feet.  But, I missed my family on the helix.  Oops. I ran into the Terrace, into the ballroom, to the wall, three quarters of the way down and hoped over one row, just like I planned.  I teenage girl was standing there with my bag.  I grabbed it and ran to the changing tent.  A volunteer came with me.  She said, "Nice swim, Lets get you outta here."  I told her to dump out my gear bag.  I dried my feet and hands with a towel.  I put on my cycle shorts over my kit and some lube.    She put on my socks and shoes while I put on my headband, helmet and sunglasses.  She opened each glove for me and said she would pack up my swim gear.  Her name was Jamie and she was awesome.  I stopped at the sunscreen station and ran to Selene, then ran to the mount line.  Out of T1 in 7.50.  Considering the ground I had to cover that's not bad.

Bike
Down and around the other Helix.  I was nervous for this part.  But no one was around me so I felt safe.  Through the parking gates and out to the bike path.  I kept telling myself, "Don't be stupid, calm down."  I'm not a huge fan of riding on bike paths.  Especially with a couple thousand other riders.  I knew that there was going to be a lot of really fast people passing me on the bike. All of the ones I just passed on the swim. The first part of the course is the flattest, and there for, the fastest.  My first few 5 mile splits were in the 19's.  I made it out to Whalen Road and  got in areo while I could, and stated eating.  One squirt of concentrate Scratch and a half a waffle every 15 mins.  Water to wash it down.  Second aid station, I took another bottle of water. I got out to Verona and starting hitting some hills.  I've learned to like hills.  These hills do not scare me. I got in my small ring and chewed them up. The first big climb up Mt. Horeb was fun.  It’s not steep, but it is long.  I trained on bigger hills then this. Then Witte Rd, my favorite part of the bike course.  The road is surrounded by open farms, and the rollers are a blast.  Down, up, down and back up.  There was a guy playing his guitar and singing at the turn on to J.  I thanked him. Then the crazy decent on Garfoot.  I had to break a little.  Other riders were flying by me.  Just ride your race, I thought.    It was nice to chat for a few mins.    I saw a lot of other athletes in the ditch changing flats along the way.  I leap fogged with a woman named Christina for about 35 miles. She was nice to talk to.  I made it to the other side of the loop and the Midtown hills.  There are 3 of them.  The first one is not too bad but it is long, then second one comes up quick then you get a little break before the last and steepest one.  The road was lined with people on both sides.  My Mom and sister were there.  It was so great to see them out there.  I also saw 2 other friends in the crowd that cheered for me.  YAY!!  Suddenly, I was back in Verona.  I hit up special needs for the other half of my nutrition and to use the bathroom.  (Always a good sign)  It was just under a 3 min stop.  Back on my bike for another 56 miles.  More of the same.  In Cross Plaines, we rode by a nursing home.  They must have had 10 residents sitting in their wheel chairs on the side walk.  I shouted to them, that they were awesome.  And they all smiled.  I had 2 buddies ride up on me.  Steve and Jon. It was nice to chat with someone for a few minutes. I was never bored.  The course is too technical and beautiful.  Then the hills in Midtown again.  This time I saw my whole crew.  Mom, sister along with hubby and the kiddo.  My mom ran next to me for a sec.  My legs are getting tired, my pace was slowing.  And I knew I had a head wind coming up.  Stay in control of your attitude, I thought.  This was your idea, I told myself.  Mile 95, I eat a half a waffle. I chew it for about 3 mins, and can barely bring myself to swallow it. And when I do, I gag. I manage to keep everything down, but I don’t want to eat anymore of them. After the second loop, you take what they call the "stick" back to Madison.  16 miserable miles of 15mph mostly head wind and no crowd support.  Another friend, Ben, passed me in mile 107.  Again, nice to see a familiar face sharing misery.  I made it back to the Terrace and rode up the same helix I rode down this morning.  I stopped my bike, unclipped and kissed Selene on the handle bars.  I rode her hard and she did me well.  Checked the Garmin. 6:29 bike split.  I was floored with that time.

T2
Dismounted and ran into the Terrace.  Wow!  I can't believe I'm moving fast.  A volunteer named Stacy had my bag already.  I sat down in the tent and she dumped out my gear bag.  Off with the helmet, glasses, headband and gloves.  My left knee was throbbing so I was very happy to put my knee brace. A change of shoes, I grabbed my bib and visor, and I was off.  I got outside and realized I forgot my sunglasses.  Back inside.  Stacy had my bag all tied up already.  I shouted to her that I needed my glasses.  She reached right in and pulled them out for me.  I stopped to get some more sunscreen.  3:58

Run
I seriously can't believe I have legs to run.  But I know that can change any second.  I stop at the first aid station to take my pain meds and some imodium.  I taped them to the back of my bib.  My belt isn't staying in the right place, so I try to adjust it.  I pull the wrong direction and the clip goes flying off.  Damn it!!  So, I just tie that sucker in a knot.  No big deal, its fine.  I remember thinking; it feels so good to be back in town and around people again.  Within the first mile, Jennie Hansen laps me.  Incredible!!  How cool is this sport that I get to race with professional athletes!!  I'm feeling okay.  Keeping a decent pace, all things considered.  Running through Camp Randle was super fun and felt great on the ol' knees.  I'm trying to take everything in.  I thank the volunteers at every aid station.  I smile a lot.  I hear people comment on my smile.  I thought, "Just a long run left and this huge dream is in the bag!!  Woo hoo!!"  The hills on Observatory Drive are no joke.  I tried to run them but that lasted about a third of the way up.  It’s okay, I can walk them.    I had no idea what time it was but it was on the hour, because the bells of the church tower were going off.  They were so loud and gorgeous.    Back in the roaring crowds on State street.  I wish it was all like this.  I get to the first turn around, and I see my crew.  My daughter is holding a "Power Up" sign with the Mario mushroom on it.  I tapped the heck out of that and got some hugs and high fives.  On to LakeShore Path.  It was a fully shaded packed gravel path.  What a treat!  The lake is so pretty and the cool breeze felt great.  I run past the Base Salt tent.  They are partying pretty hard. I can smell the beer.  The music actually hurts my ears.  I think that is a sign I'm getting old.  But, I do take one of their salt tubes. I can feel my calves and toes starting to get really tight. I hope the salt helps with that. Run up the path to the second U turn.  I cheer for everyone I know and many other I don't.  Encouraging others is a huge boost for me.  There are a lot of people cheering for me by name.  I thought; I don't know that many people here.  I forgot that my name in on my bib and the back of my kit.  There is a large guy in Badger footie jammies and a mega phone, cracking jokes and cheering.  Loved that dude!  I hit every aid station.  Water, cola, an orange wedge or chips.  I say, "Thank you" a lot and keep smiling.  Back into downtown and the half way turn around.  It’s pretty freaking hard to look right at the finish line and have to turn around for another 13.1 miles.  But I knew that was the set up.  I decide not to stop at special needs.  I don't have anything in there I can't get at an aid station anyways.  I head back out for loop #2.  Mile 14, my legs are starting to hurt. I'm passing a lot of people, because they are on their first loop.  Back in the Stadium.  I have a quick conversation with a young woman.  She said she was worried about making the cut off.  I did my best to encourage her.  (I checked later, she made it)  I walk with my buddy, Steve for a couple of minutes. Mile 17, it’s getting really freaking hard.  I hurt.  I walk for a few mins until that hurts then I run again.  I see a friend of mine, Jeff, a head of me.  I need some encouragement.  I take the opportunity to run/walk with him for a few miles.  He is a veteran Ironman and really put things in perspective for me.  "We are all getting the same prize money," he said.  He was so encouraging.  We made it to the second turn around on State St.  My daughter came out on the street with me and ran next to me for half a block or so.  She hates running, so it meant a lot that she would run with me if only for a couple minutes.  I tell my family, "See you at the finish line!"  The first aid station after the turn around had warm chicken broth.  I heard this doesn't come out until after dark.  Bonus!  It was like magic juice!  It was amazing to have something warm and savory after 11 hours of cold and sweet.  Jeff and I continue to run/walk.  We crack jokes and chat about all sorts of things.  The conversation got pretty deep, and that is okay.  It was supposed to.  Looking back, this was my favorite part of my day.  About mile 21.5, I say bye to Jeff and continue running.  I see a few more familiar faces, oncoming and passing me.  Every time I walk it makes it so much harder to run again.  The last 2 miles, I don't stop at any aid stations or walk.  I don't need any more calories.  I got this.  Just keep running.  Getting back into down town and hearing the music felt great.  "Holy crap, its still light out!!  I round the last corner on Martin Luther King Blvd and there it is; the finish line.  I'm double high fiveing the crowd, holding back tears.  I see my sister and daughter.  I run to the other side to get some last second love.  I hit the red carpet and there are a million emotions.   

The lights, the music, the voice of Mike Reilly.   

"For your brother, Bradley.  ERIN, YOU ARE AND IRONMAN!!!