After IMCDA I was disappointed but after a few days it was easy to reload and focus again on Ironman New York. I was fit and ready to race! Training was going great! Plenty of recovery, lots of sleeping, quality recovery pump time and good nutrition. But sometimes you can still be missing one little thing, and unfortunately that was the case for me!
I arrived in New York late Tuesday night spending my first night at the airport hotel then transferring downtown to the host hotel on Wednesday. I settled in, unpacked my bike then went for an afternoon swim.
Thursday was an exciting day with the crew from K-Swiss and Paragon Sports. I had an autograph signing at there downtown store then at the booth at the Expo. The store signing was great with so many people asking a heap of questions, not quite understanding what the Ironman triathlon was. I ended up learning a lot from the locals and training in New York City.
Friday morning was the usual swim, bike, run except for ease of logistics for my ride I actually rode from New York to Jersey to the transition area. It wasn’t that far, but I did get lost a few times trying to work out how to get across the George Washington Bridge. Thankfully there were plenty of others with the same idea so I just followed them!
The most exciting part of the day was Guy arriving! He had been in London for the previous 10 days at the Olympics and doing some work for BlueSeventy. I was so excited to have him there with me to share the experience!
We spent the afternoon relaxing, watching movies, early dinner and early to bed. Although by now I am used to not getting any sleep before a race. The 2.50am wake up call didn’t help, but I think I may have come away with 2 1/2 – 3 hours. Getting better!
3.30am bus from hotel to Ferry. 4.15am Ferry to transition. Get myself organised, including a last minute panic as my brakes seemed to constantly want to rub!! Back on the ferry at 6.00am to the barge for our Pro wave start at 6.55am. It was great having a separate female start from the males, and I loved the dive start! Two caps with my goggles in between and there was no way my googles were coming off.
The sprint was on at the start and I found myself hanging onto Hillary and Bec’s feet, but unfortunately I could not stay there and ending up dropping back to the next group. But a great swim for me!! Regardless of the time, my swim is getting better and better! It is exciting! Now…speaking about the time…lets just say..totally current assisted and that Guy is not happy at all that my new 3.8km PB is nearly 6 mins faster than his!! To be fair..I won’t count it!
Onto the bike and Christie was setting a cracking pace! Out on the highway, there was nothing but her and I and the long ride ahead! Unfortunately the nature of the course didn’t allow for many spectators out on the bike, but the aid station volunteers were full on energy and so many words of encouragement. I was totally focused on my nutrition, drinking constantly and eating every 20 – 30 mins. I decided about 45 miles in the pace was probably a little quick for me and it would be smart to back it off a bit.
Heading back in after the second lap the head wind had picked up and the heat and humidity were beginning to increase but I was confident I had done everything right and was excited about putting together a solid run.
I took my time in transition getting in more fluids and a banana! The first 14 miles of the run was going to be tough! You ran straight up out of T2 and I planned to take the first 20 mins easy and build into my marathon. I wanted to be strong coming home the last 6 miles. That was the ideal plan, but again it was not to be! 4 miles, 5 miles, that horrible feeling was coming over me again, nausea, sick….but I thought I had nailed my nutrition and I did not come speeding out of transition, I was going way slower than my goal pace. I walked every aid station lots of coke, GU chomps, gels, something would work. Something was bound to work. But it didn’t seem to be!!
I didn’t care…I was going to finish this race no matter what….just a finish would be a huge improvement on my last Ironman! However I was getting worse and worse. Walk, run, walk, run, across the George Washington Bridge, “come on Kate, take this all in, it is pretty spectacular” down the stairs on the other side, needing to stop to throw up, then I spotted it….a park bench! That is where I laid….and unfortunately I stayed! Guy eventually found me and by then I could not even sit up straight, let alone stand up!
Finally a ride in the back of an ambulance and I was at the finish line in the medical tent, trying not to throw up but also holding back the tears!
Yes, I was totally devastated! To feel that I was at my fittest and training had been great! It was time for an awesome day! But there is more to the equation than swimming, biking and running! My body has changed in some way and what it needs and I haven’t adapted to it! Salt/glucose….I will work out what it is and get it right and then it will be a great day!!
To all my incredible sponsors, I could not do this without my amazing team and I am excited to complete the puzzle and get back on the podium! K-Swiss, Novatron, FELT, SRAM, Quarq Power, Rolf Prima Wheels, GU, blueseventy, Ryders Eyewear, Paul Newsome SwimSmooth, Swish Design, Lazer Helmets, Computrainer, Recovery Pump,Rock Tape, Tri Town Boise
Mum, Dad, my family, coach, close friends and off course the one and only Blue70guy!!! It is just a small hump in the road which will only make me more determined and motivated. Your love and support means the world to me!!
Onwards and upwards 🙂
