Tough Break at Louisville...

I was excited to race Louisville for a few reasons: #1) I have maintained a strong fitness level with no injuries in the weeks since Ironman Austria, #2) I had confidence that I could get a slot to Kona and place well, and #3) I couldn't wait to race Ironman #13! Unfortunately, as I have posted earlier, I fell down stairs a week and a half before the race. Deep down I was hesitant that I could race Ironman with ribs that were bruised and /or cracked, but I tried to remain positive. My shorter workouts were going OK and I was extremely conservative the week before the race, but when I had trouble traveling down to Louisville and carrying my bike box and other luggage I thought it might be a long shot to have a "day of grace". The spasms I was having in the muscles that supported my ribs was an indication that I wasn't 100%. However, there is always the unknown... "Maybe race day will come, I'll have phenomenal race and I won't notice the ribs until the end"? Well, that didn't quite happen...

The day began much cooler than anyone had expected for Louisville. It was in the 50's..crisp and clear out. The pros got in the water ready to start at 6:50. I was afraid that I could possibly get kicked in the ribs (ending my day right away), so I was careful to position myself away from the main crowd. The gun went off and I started the swim very carefully. I couldn't pull too hard with my right side and I was so afraid that I would tweak my ribs, so I started in slow motion. I settled in behind another woman's feet and took the ride for the entire swim. I exited the water in 1:06 (yikes!), but the good news is that it was behind me with no major problems!

I got on the bike and things were OK. The ribs weren't perfect, but no major pains. The bike course in Louisville is tough! Constant up and down. I tried to keep the wattage that I normally hold in Ironman, but by mile 30 or so, I was feeling like it was a harder effort than usual. I had to get out of the saddle quite a bit (I climb out of the saddle better than seated) and it was wearing on my ribs. Still, they were OK...sore, but no sharp pains, which was good. I did notice, however, that my lower back was starting to hurt me. Especially the lower back on the opposite side of my injured ribs (maybe I was compensating for the rib injury?). I knew my day was done soon after that. I was having trouble holding wattage, I felt fatigued and my back was becoming more and more painful with each pedal stroke. As I continued on, I began planning where I would race next... "OK, Kona is out. A good finish here probably will not happen... I will focus on finishing the 112 and try to make it a great training day for a fall Ironman". I continued on my way but soon I was in excruciating pain with my back! At one point I was doubtful that I would finish the entire bike segment! I would pedal a bit, then coast... Every position on the bike was painful. I had trouble being aero for most of the second half of the bike. I just wanted to get back to transition and get off the bike!

As I rolled into transition I figured I would try the run, knowing that I would probably not finish... I wanted to be sure though... "Maybe my back hurts, but the ribs won't be so bad in the run and I can have an amazing run!" "I'll never know if I don't try!" The volunteer who grabbed my bike as I dismounted looked at me and asked, "Are you OK?" Guess I didn't look so good! "Yeah, I'm fine!" I slowly got my shoes on and headed onto the run. I made it to the first table right outside transition. I walked while I drank some Gatorade, then I started to run. I started having trouble breathing right away. I couldn't take a full breaths and I felt like I was hyper-ventilating. "Calm down...you will make it worse if you panic". I tried to take deep breaths, but I still couldn't breathe... In fact, it was getting worse! I was panicked...I stopped right there (maybe 1/4 of a mile into the run) and started walking back. I was trying to calm myself down and get my breathing back to normal before it became really serious. Soon I saw my mom and I started getting my breathing back a bit, though I was having trouble making full sentences. I went to medical and was relaxed and back to "normal" after laying down and icing my ribs. I'm glad I stopped when I did, but in reality I had no choice. I wasn't too upset at the time... Like I said, I knew coming into this race that it would be a long shot.

So, while I'm not overly upset, I am disappointed...no training injuries this year and I make one wrong step and fall on my ribs a week and a half before my race! Oh well...things like this are bound to happen. I remember breaking my hand in swim practice the beginning of my Sophomore year of College after having a breakthrough season my Freshman year. A teammate of mine and I collided coming off the wall and my hand broke. I was devastated! I was so ready for the season to begin after having such a great season the year before! I went to a Doctor in Baltimore and had a special cast made so I could still get in the pool. With the new cast I would get in during practice and swim with one-arm. I also started using the step machine and jogging a bit to compensate for the decrease in yardage. A blessing in disguise: the extra work in the gym ended up making my legs stronger, improving my kick! Much to my surprise, I had an incredible season once I got the cast off! I've had many lessons like this in my athletic career, so I will look at this set back the same way. As with every other set back, there always seems to be a triumph that follows...

I just want to say CONGRATS to my friend Dan O'Connell. He had a fantastic race in Louisville finishing 11th in the 60-64 age group. Dan ran himself into 11th place after getting off the bike in 18th! He posted a 13:34! Also Congrats to Haley Cooper who finished 4th Place Overall Female in Ironman Canada, Tara Norton who finished 5th Overall Female and Wolfgang Guembel who finished 5th overall! Congrats to everyone else who raced this weekend, in Ironman Louiville, IM Canada and TOBAY triathlon here in Long Island!