#18: IRONMAN Texas & "Faithful"

"I will never do IRONMAN TX." I told myself this because I had a fear of swimming in the canal with 2,000 other athletes and since it was held in April.  I typically registered for fall IRONMAN triathlons because I could train in the summer. This would allow me to participate in different “T-Shirt” rides on different terrain for preparation.  


However, I just completed IRONMAN TX last week. After talking with a friend in 2019, I decided to get out of my comfort zone and register for IMTX.  Due to Covid, the race was cancelled two years in a row.  During those two years, I completed IRONMAN Florida and IRONMAN Cozumel.  

When I returned home from IRONMAN Cozumel in November 2021, I learned that my cheap, $800 bike (that I fondly refer to as "Faithful") needed more than a simple tune up and actually had a cracked frame. The expert at my bike shop told me this crack would make my bike dangerous to ride.  I was crestfallen and knew I needed to find a new bike. A few months later, I found a good deal on a used bike.  I purchased the bike and had it fitted.

I rode the bike for the first time at IM (IRONMAN) Galveston 70.3, which turned out to be a disaster.  The tire was rubbing, and my body had to work overtime to fight the resistance, which caused extreme pain in my right knee and lower back. I was able to finish, but after that experience I decided to roll the dice and take my old and broken “Faithful” instead of my new bike to IMTX.  She had gotten me through 6 other full IRONMAN triathlons, so I felt confident gambling on her. 

Fast forward to race day:  It was a beautiful morning, and I was feeling good and confident. Though I had some nerves about the swim since I had only done one open-water swim (which was half the distance of the IM) and I was worried about the claustrophobia of swimming with so many in the canal. I also had reservations about whether “Faithful” could get me through the 112-mile ride, but I was going to try and trust her. 

The 2.4-mile swim went well.  I didn't like that I could feel the bottom and that so many people were squeezed together inside, but overall, I felt strong, and my time was as expected 1:44:23. Next was the 112-bike ride.  The course wasn't very scenic and was on a toll road. And boy, was it a doozy for me and "Faithful."  We fought 20mph head winds with gusts up to 40mph in the Texas heat.  There were a few times I was almost blown off my bike and I could only go 10mph. Early into the ride, I wondered if I was going to make the cut off time. However, after my lunch break (A simple PB&J sandwich) at mile 65, I was feeling mentally and physically strong.  "Let's Go!" I thought.  It may have taken me 7:29:25 to finish the 112 miles, but we did it!  "Faithful" pulled through one last time!

Next was the 26.2-mile run. For some odd reason my feet were killing me (never happened before), but I just kept jogging and they started feeling better after mile ten. I was tired from fighting the wind the last 7.5 hours, but I was so happy to be off the bike. The weather was hot and humid, so to keep my core cool I kept adding ice in my sports bra. I was overjoyed to find three different people on the course who were handing out popsicles. It truly is the little things that bring me happiness and the cold and sugar of the popsicles helped me push through. I took it easy and enjoyed the run. As always, I met some new friends and embraced the experience (Texas knows how to put on an event, the support was amazing). My hubby/sherpa was there to cheer me on all the way to the finish line of a tough but rewarding experience! 

I am grateful to have completed another full IRONMAN and for placing faith in my old "Faithful." I will forever push myself to try because as Oliver Wendell Holmes says, "A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions." And now I will be stretching myself to prepare for my first 100-mile trail run, and oh what a stretch that will be! Stay tuned and stay motivated. 

Until Next Monday...