I race for Tyler

I surprisingly got some good sleep. Exhaustion! I wasn’t prepared as I usually am with breakfast, so it was some energy bars and out the door. Walking to the race was very quiet. I didn’t say much, just in the zone and thinking about what I needed to do. I was about to be an Ironman! I take my special needs bags to the drop off and go to fill my bike. Put water bottles on, food in the pouch and inflate tires. My back tire valve was a little loose which was mentally a set back. Please God, no flats! Put the Garmin on the bike, turned it on and said see ya in a bit. At that point, we came as a group and chatted about the day. Lots of excitement, lots of people, lots of athletes, yikes! My family and friends finally made it to us and they surprised me with T-shirts and signs! The emotions began….. please don’t cry yet! We talked and I got the wetsuit on shaking like a leaf. We said our good byes and we left for the beach.
Reaching the beach was a little surreal. Cool temps, cool soft/sand on your feet and the colors were pink, light blue and white. Ocean looked Caribbean blue and a lot of people with pink and green swim caps littered the beach. The pros did their start with a loud boom! Our turn! We walked our way through the arch while singing the star spangled banner. Everyone was silent. Big cheers and we all made our way to the edge of the water. The surf was pounding, but the water was great and couldn’t ask for much more. And then silence. “Boom” the cannon went off and it began! This is when the madness began. Arms, bodies, legs everywhere. It made it very hard to sight the buoys, but I just kept moving forward. I started feeling the burn in the beginning and started to think about how long the day was going to be. Always hoping for a good day, couldn’t believe it was finally here and I was actually doing this! Coming around the buoys was hard – so many people. I came out of the water for the first loop and I heard my name…. Coach Debbie! I smiled and waved and got back in the water. I got this! This was confusing because it didn’t start where we did before. The second loop was a little better and was little more spread out. By the time I came in for the home stretch it was good. Came out of the water and went to the “strippers”. “Lay down, hips up and hold your pants”! They lifted me up, threw the wetsuit at me and said “go, go, go”! Ran to transition calling out my number. I sat down and got my shoes, socks, helmet, and nutrition and went out the door. Someone was waiting with my bike – nice!! Took it to the line and got on to go. I saw the family going out and I felt so good!! Let’s roll! I was excited to get started! I had my Perform, little bit of water, Cliff bars and shot blocks. Just need to get to the stretch and settle in for the ride.
Riding the bike down the strip was a great feeling. Perfect temperature, water was beautiful and tons of people cheering you on! The streets were blocked off so it was a clean get-away. The first big stretch was just getting comfortable and calming down. Went over the bridge (hill) with no problems. Crazy guys in Speedos helped with that! Dan passed me @ mile 50 and then we hit a stretch of rough road…literally. It made it hard to hold the handle bars or drink water. I didn’t stop for the special needs bag. Saw a person throwing up, lots of people with flat tires and one guy laid out on the side of the road. Lots of people drafting. Thank God no flats and I still felt good! Coming back into the final big stretch was all headwinds and made it difficult. Just keep spinning. Coming back onto the strip, I knew I had a good time and I felt strong. Lots of people along the strip cheering you on and I was screaming with them! Saw a guy that I had met on the Silver Comet with same bike, yay! Said good luck and passed him. Rolled into transition! I felt like a rock star and I was ready to run!
I felt great, took an Advil and salt tabs, changed socks, hat, shoes and came out of transition for some sunscreen. Came down the chute and saw the family again! It’s such a power boost to see them. It’s rare I get to share my races with family and friends and for them to “get it”! The beginning of the run was awesome, I felt like an Ironman. Strong, excited, wanted a fantastic time! I just needed to keep that heart rate down! Tons of people were out cheering you on for the first mile. I held a bottle in hand and filled it at each mile marker. It started getting hot for me and I started using a lot of sponges and ice down the shirt. I ran for first 10 miles and walked a bit. Made it to the loop and saw Lisa who was so excited and it gave me a HUGE boost! By mile 14-15 I couldn’t take in any gels or water. My mouth started to water and I felt nauseous. I went to the lovely porta potty and felt a little better. I kept trying to run, but it was difficult because of my stomach and having to stop every mile to go to the bathroom. At this point, it started to get dark and I realized I wasn’t going to make a sub 12:00 time. In the moment, it didn’t matter. I sipped on chicken broth and flat coke and felt a little better. I realized I could possibly make 12:30 and I told myself I would. I made it to the last mile and the people got me through it! I ran the last part and made it to the chute!!!
Reaching the chute was the beginning of the end of my journey. People were cheering “you go girl”, “go Carrie” and “you did it!” I tried to hold back the tears. I was smiling, had chill bumps, I was high 5’ing everyone and running. This was it, really IT! I saw my family and friends and said “heyyyyy”! High 5’ing and got to the end. Coach Kellye was there and made me smile! She caught me as I came across the finish line and it was over. I couldn’t cry, couldn’t really smile, I was just in awe. I finished, I did it, I was an Ironman!
I got my picture and started towards the gang. I hugged Lisa and was so happy to be doing it again 12:23 hours later. I hugged Anita next and I started crying. This is when I could literally feel my mother through her and it was so relieving, emotionally and spiritually. I could finally let go and stop. Literally stop. I was done. I hugged everyone, I was so happy, excited, sick, tired and wanted to sit down. The kids and Jeff came and it was so good to see them and hug them. To hear what they had to say. Tyler kept saying “you’re an Ironman”! I couldn’t believe it was really over and that I had felt that bad, but that good. I was very sick. I retrieved my bike and bags and went back to the room. I really wanted that pizza and beer, but there was no way. It would have to wait. My spirit was high, but my body was done.
What an amazing experience. It never really seemed like it was that long. It never seemed like it was impossible. You just did it and moved forward. I felt strong the majority of the day. Even when I was sick on the run. If my stomach would have been better, I would have done a sub 12:00. Words can’t describe this feeling. I hope all Ironman races are this way because this you will never feel anywhere else. Spiritual, excitement, happy, victorious….goes on and on. I can’t wait to do the next one. I hope I can have the support and patience from myself and my family for the next one like I did here. Panama City Beach will never be the same! Ironman Florida