As I was heading out of T2, I was not looking forward to the run. I just couldn't wrap my head around the fact that I now had to run a marathon. I crossed the timing mat and it was on - the final segment of my Ironman.
The crowds were thick and every step I took someone was cheering for me. At first I looked every which way thinking that I knew the person cheering. Since our names were on our race numbers, everyone cheered. I did recognize some faces in the crowd as I came around the capitol for the first time. Maggie and Shelley were cheering at the corner of State and Mifflin. It was really great to see them.
As I headed out on my first loop, the first 3 miles were really tough. I originally wanted to try and not walk as much as possible, but I felt as though I needed to. So, that set the tone. Every aid station from here on out was walked through...I saw the male and female leaders on my first loop. They made it look so effortless and easy. I was definitely in awe.
I came towards Camp Randall on Loop 1 and the Fleet Feet crowd was there cheering loudly. Donovan was also there and ran with me for a bit. What a difference that made. It definitely lifted me up. We get to run through Camp Randall, which was a very surreal experience. Usually, Camp Randall is a sea of red and white. But on Ironman Sunday it was empty. Only a small group of runners filled up the enormous space.
The next 3 miles were a blur. I saw friends, stopped at aid stations, took my GU, experimented with Pretzels (for the salt) and kept moving along. I was just trying to make it to State Street - the next spot I'd see my family. State Street was awesome. The people were packing the street and sidewalks. It was loud and everyone was cheering. I could feel my stride picking up a bit as the adrenaline picked up. What a rush! As expected, I saw my whole family there cheering. Darla came out and ran with me for a bit, which was great. I needed the lift and the running partner - even if only for a few steps. State Street was over in what felt like the blink of eye. I started making my way back out to Picnic Point. As I went through the Headhunter's aid station, my friend and swimming buddy Scott was announcing the names of athletes as they went through. It was a good feeling to hear my name as I was heading away from State Street.
On the way out to picnic point, I got to see several of my friends and training partners on the run. Ed, Matt and Jessica were all looking good on the run. They looked relaxed and steady. At this point, I think I too had settled into a stride that was comfortable. Well, maybe the right word is tolerable. My feet still hurt and I occasionally had stomach rumblings. This always made me wonder if my nutrition plan was going to blow up at some point during the run. Afterall, I still had about 16 miles to go.
Around mile 10, the thing I needed most was plodding along University Avenue - my friend and fellow triathlete, David. David and I met in the last 2 miles of High Cliff and got each other through that race (see Race Report from June). We were overjoyed to see each other and agreed to stick it out together. The miles started to breeze right on by until we hit the turn around near the finish. David and I caught up on our day and talked about our individual race plan/goals for the day. They were perfectly in sync.
At the turn around near the finish, I again saw tons of family and friends. It was very uplifting and a good feeling to know that we had one loop under our belts. At special needs I pulled out my Sprite, some salt, some pringles and some mini Snickers. I shared all these items with David as he didn't pack a Special Needs bag and his stomach was upset. We took a quick break and kept on moving.
Miles 14-17 were my lowest points of the day. My hip flexors started to tighten up and I needed to walk more than I wanted. At this point, I had surrendered the idea of a time goal. My ultimate goal was always to finish, but I think it's only normal that you set some time goals for yourself based on what you think you are capable of. I set mine pretty realistically, but when everything is hurting and you are walking it all goes out the window. It becomes about survival.
David kept me moving and focused on getting back to State Street. I started experimenting a bit more with food/drink. I was eating more pretzels and even tried some Coke. The Coke must have done the trick, because I felt much better after that. On the trip out to State Street, David and I recruited a few other athletes. We met up with Brian from Canada and Rob. The four of us walked the Observatory Hills together and made our way toward State Street. We agreed that we could pick up the pace for the crowd, but had to slow it down again once we completed the State Street run.
State Street was an adrenaline rush again! This time my family recruited everyone around them to cheer for me as well. It was a great feeling to have everyone cheering for you. As hard as it was to keep running at that point, it was so FUN. I had never had so much fun. As we headed away from State Street, Brian said to me 'Man, it's good to run with you. You have quite the cheering section'. Nothing like Home Field Advantage.
Around Mile 20, Brian took off and David and I kept making our way forward. Less than 6 miles to go. David reminded me of how much time we had to break 13 hours at this point. It was doable, but I didn't want to hear it. I just wanted to finish. I didn't want the pressure of coming in under a certain time to be hanging over my head. The miles ticked away and it was getting dark. They had started handing out glow bands to the athletes who were still out on the course. David and I opted not to take one as we were closing in on the finish.
Mile 23.....Mile 24....only two to go. We walked through the last aid station, but didn't take anything. Even water didn't sound good to me at that point. I was just wanted to get up to the Capitol and see my family. I got a little choked up in the last 2 miles - I was about to be an Ironman. The moment I had been dreaming about for a year was just minutes away from being a reality. Mile 25....we are going to be Ironmen! David and I spent much of this last mile telling each other how much it meant to run together. We got through those last 16 miles together! Without David, I'm not sure how I would have gotten through the last 16 miles of the marathon. The constant support and encouragement was amazing. I felt so lucky to have finished out this journey with a great athlete and person.
We hit State Street for the last time and I was counting the blocks. Two blocks of State Street, Three around the Capitol, and then....the Finish. The crowds were still strong on the upper section of State Street. They pushed as along.
We passed by the aid station on Mifflin, when David's wife Allison came along side us. She said 'You have 4 minutes to break 13 hours, if you pick it up now you can make it. Come on!'. And she took off....David followed and my legs argued, but started picking it up. Allison kept saying 'Come on Andrea! Come on!'. I said 'I'm coming, I'm coming'. At this point David's coach came out and started pushing him to sprint. They started sprinting. I knew I didn't have it in me to sprint, but I just kept turning the legs over. I had to finish. Just before making the final turn, I saw David was stopped. I think the sprinting had caused his upset stomach to catch up with him. I kept going. I had to finish and I couldn't stop my legs from moving.
I saw Darla at the corner and then, there it was....the Finish Line. I saw the clock and it read 12:58:40. I was going to make it under 13 hours! I don't remember much after this. The lights were bright, I heard Mike Reilly say my name, I have no idea what song was playing, I don't remember seeing very many people after the turn even though the finish area was packed with people. I had done it. I was an Ironman...I crashed through the tape and it was over.
It was everything I expected and hoped for...and more!
Up Next: The Finish and Post Race.
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