Hey Friends! Virginia here. I am having the hardest time writing the blog about my VERY FIRST HALF IRONMAN (Ironman Florida 70.3 in Haines City, FL). I have so much to say, but when I write it out, much sounds so boring. So, I’m not going to do a boring race report……I’m going to just ramble about it, what I learned, etc.
First, let me say that I had a blast! I was unbelievably slow, very hot, very tired, very sore, but I would do it again TOMORROW. BLAST!
For those of you who read this, you know I’ve been battling with IT band issues. Prior to the race I had two cortisone shots to try to numb it up for the race. It didn’t work. I knew the minute I started the run it would hurt. IT HURT. I DID IT ANYWAY!
So….some highlights and thoughts…
- Being hurt since before my February marathon, I under trained. I knew that going in. Even UNDER training, you can do it! (though I am not endorsing the under training part….just saying)
- People have some awesome bikes. I don’t. It doesn’t matter.
- Ironman villages are the coolest. THE COOLEST. For the first time in my life I felt like an athlete (albeit the fattest at that race, I think) when I walked around the tents.
- Florida can be hilly. YES IT CAN (ouch).
- When it is really hot and you run, you won’t be the only one who stops to walk. I was shocked to basically see EVERYONE walking from time to time. Now, I know the “elite” athletes didn’t, but I never saw them. EVERYONE around me walk/ran the run. It was hot and hilly and we were all beat! 🙂
- Time is a number but finishing is a win. I had goals for time and I didn’t meet them. I honestly don’t care. Yes, I’d like to be faster next time, but I don’t HAVE to be.
- BEER is so awesome after a race. Just saying.
- Triathletes are the nicest people. I met so many nice folks. At the transition before the race I met some super athletes who gave great advice. Before the swim start I met an awesome man named Gus who was racing with his son. We met again on the ride and run. Each time he said, “Hey Virginia! How’s your race?” Loved him!
- People love the SWIM BIKE MOM and the tri kit. Seriously, I got at least 15 compliments on my tri kit, some as people zoomed by me on the bike. During the run several people told me how much they LOVED the kit and love Swim Bike Mom. I even had someone tell me that she reads MY part of the blog. WOWsers!
- I LOVE RACING! I’m a slow racer….but I love it.
I also feel the need to tell you guys about something really awesome. Throughout my training, I was raising money for Miles for Melanoma. I didn’t talk about it here because I didn’t want to use this forum for fundraising….seemed inappropriate. Anyway, I did try to raise money, and the issue was close to my heart since my husband had Melanoma in October. Anyway, I had a tough time. Most people didn’t respond to my requests. I get it. People don’t know about this cancer and how deadly it is. But, I managed to raise about $500. I got to meet the person who ran the fundraising part at the race. I have GOT to share what she told me. They set up tents at many Ironman events and at many marathons and do free Melanoma screenings. While much of the money goes to research, some goes to these screenings. She told me that in the history of doing it, they have NEVER had a race in which they didn’t find Melanoma. NEVER. When I talked to her Saturday, she had already found it on someone. I was stunned. I am so proud to have helped to support this awesome organization. If you see them at a race, get a screening and tell them THANK YOU! It may save you life.
As for Ironman 70.3, it certainly changed my life. I feel like I can do more, be more, and dream for more. That’s GOT to be good!
Thanks for the race report. I had been checking all week for it. I laughed out loud at the beer comment. I ran my first half marathon on Sunday, and I do agree beer is the best after a race. Way to go on the race.