So finally, after all this time training long hours, getting up way before anyone I know, the time came finally to race my Ironman!
The swim
So I get up at 3:00am to get all geared up. You could feel the energy, people with their game face, others with the "why did I get into this" look! But not me, I was all decked up with my hot ass K-Swiss tri uniform, I felt fearless, I was very happy and eager to start my 2.4 swim. I even saw Sister Madonna and asked her to bless me (an 80 year-old nun who races Ironman!) So we get into the wetsuits and jump in the water. Surprisingly, I did not get my ass kicked in the mass start. So we start and it went smoothly. Too easy in fact, that at some point I look at my watch and it said 1:43 and I was not as close as I should've been for that time (heck, I should've been out of the water!) I had not worked hard racing my swim, so now I hauled ass to the end, fearing being cut off in a lousy swim. I kept thinking; oh my God, how embarrassing will it be to get cut in the swim? What would everyone say? So volunteers helped out of the water and can't walk, because my feet are completely numb and the cold water got me off balance. I refused to let that get to me and after being stripped from my wetsuit I was quickly running to get my transition bag. I felt really good to be done with the swim!
The bike
Feeling good and pumped, I run to the transition area where they hand me the bike and continue to the three 37 mile loops (112 miles total) I was about to race. Keeping in mind the forecast: early showers, high of 69, winds of 25-30mph. Um...what??!!
It's ok, all of my long rides were with bad head wind and no drafting, so I had prepared myself for a day like this. Got my bottles with mixes of electrolyte drink, CarboPro and salt pills, and my cookies, peanut butter crackers and organic fruit candy (thank you Liza Vita for the introduction). I started fast, then a little uphill. Not bad for a slight climb. On the way back I realized that the climb was the least of my worries, the head wind was tenacious! It felt so strong I would lose balance when grabbing my bottle or riding in aero posotion. I had to get out of aero and grab the handle bar tight, so that was not fun. It was worse on the second loop! Some guys fell off their bikes, one even broke his clavicle (wouldn't you believe it? They taped him up and he finished the race!). In the third loop we were blessed with shifting winds, so I was able to recover 10 minutes of my already delayed ride.
Since I felt like such badass after the swim, I was so I high on adrenalin that I forgot my arm warmers head thingie. It was cloudy and a bit chilly, not mention it began to rain and to hail! Still, I was feeling good and strong, despite the fact that it was gonna take me longer than I had initially wanted. I wanted to go harder, but I needed to save leg for the 26.2 run. I only made one quick stop at mile 56, to grab more cookies, crackers, fresh nutrition bottles and my half almond butter bagel.
I, however, did something I have never been able to do in training and it's disgusting, but I'll share anyway: I "went" while riding! I know, eeeewwww!!!!! Since it is a desert, we barely sweat, so the liquid's gotta come out somehow! Sorry, had to share!
The cool thing about the ride besides the amazing volunteers handing water bottles among other things, was all the triathletes, pro's included, saying "good job" as they passed. I began encouraging those I passed as well. But seeing my bitches at the turn around point made my ride so much more pleasant and gave me such push! They had signs with our names, and of course, the infamous "clap if you farted" and "did you poop today!" I was very happy that my butt was not hurting and that my nutrition was right on the money.
The run
I get off the bike and my legs were so stiff I had to walk a couple of steps before I ran into transition. But quickly grabbed my gear bag and put on my sneakers, arm warmers visor and race belt and off I went to a three loop course to complete the 26.2 miles.
So I started easy. I liked the course, it had a little bit of everything: ups, downs, bridges (just one per loop guys!!) besides my Gu's (for the non-athletes, Gu's are concentrated electrolytes) and salt pills, I also consumed chicken broth and coke from the aid stations, that seemed to do the trick. As I went I had to convince myself that my burning thighs were only temporary, so I did not stop (so yes, I "went" while running....eeeewwww!!)
Waist down, my legs were burning, but I had a consistent pace all through the marathon segment. I was feeling happy that in a couple of miles I was gonna be an Ironman, so that kept me going, and the encouragement of my fellow racers saying, "we got this!" "one more loop and we're Ironman!" As I was approaching, I see Kike, who tells me I'm getting very close. I start hearing the muffled sounds of a man in a loud speaker. As I enter the narrow entrance to the finish line, I got emotional, and I sprinted as the MC says loudly "Celeste Ramirez from Miami FL, YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!!!
My eyes were filled with tears, then I saw Coach Evil there waiting. So I cried more. Then I saw Diane and the Coach's wife Elizabeth, they were crying too. Even Kike cried (sorry Kike, had to say it!)
Oh yeah, since I had not stop moving my legs for 15 hours, when I tried stopping at the finish line, my legs turned into jello, so the volunteers had to grab me. I gotta tell you guys, what an amazing feeling! I'm so happy all the hard work paid off and will definitely do it again!
So I gotta give a shout out to my bitches Diane and Kike, who kept me on my feet when I tried to freak out. Also to Elizabeth, who I realized is one funny gal! And of course, Coach Evil himself, he really guided me through this adventure. Can't wait for the next one! I'm glad you all have enjoyed my blog! I was glad to hear many of you have found it inspirational as well as educational. I don't know much about this crazy sport, but I'll be happy to help you in any way I can.
Thank you for visiting my blog!!
Until the next one!!
Best wishes from...
Ironman finisher Celeste Ramirez
(I always wanted to say that!!)
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