IMLP The Run

RUN 4:36:19

Running with Olympic Ski Jumps as my backdrop.  Pretty cool!

The marathon of an Ironman is an interesting thing.  Did you overcook your legs on the bike?  Did you fuel correctly on the bike so that could physically run a marathon?  As you can see, your marathon performance in the ironman depends on how you handle yourself on the bike.

While I nailed my nutrition on the bike, eating everything as planned, drinking more than planned due to the heat and taking salt tablets, I also decided to punish the bike course for giving me 3 flats.  So yeah... I think you can see where this is going.

Coming into this race, my running has never been stronger.  I knew I could run a 4 hour marathon after swimming and biking.  I just knew it.  I had the fitness to do it.  But my legs had other plans that day.  It may sound like I am disappointed and I'm honestly not.  It was my first Ironman and I overcame and achieved so much on race day.  I am very proud of myself!

Once I ran out of transition I headed out of town on Main Street where there were people cheering everywhere!  I felt a little tired (who could blame me) but I was jazzed to be off the bike and running.  The run course heads downhill out of town so you really have to watch your pacing here and not go too crazy fast.  My first mile came in at 8:44 with an aid station slow down to grab water and ice.  Ok, that's actually perfect for me I thought.  I wanted to hold between 8:55-9:10 minute miles throughout so hitting 8:44 on a downhill was no biggie. 

Honestly, this marathon is kind of a blur!  It's the one part of the race that I'm having a hard time remembering details.  I remember miles 1-8 felt good... miles 9-26.2 not-so-good.   I walked the aid stations and made sure I was taking in nutrition.  The volunteers were awesome and they had everything you wanted out on the course... perform, water, ice, coke, pretzels, bananas.  After mile 9 my stomach started to get a little sloshy.  I grabbed pretzels at the aid stations to soak up some of the liquid and get more salt in me.  The problem was it was too hard to chew them while running so I took longer walk breaks at each aid station as the marathon went on.

Walking is your #1 enemy during this marathon.  Once you let yourself walk, your legs  try to convince your brain that walking just a minute more or 2 minutes more isn't a big deal.  It's a constant battle going on inside and all the while your heart is saying Hurry Up and Finish!!


Legs Vs Mind Vs Heart Battle

I saw Jon, Mandy and Annie looking strong on the run.  I saw my NYC bike training buddy Noel looking great.  It was a such a nice mental break to run over to them, high five and yell out to each other that we were going to be Ironmen very soon. 

The out and back on River Road is breathtakingly beautiful.  You have lush green farmland, a winding river and the mountains as your backdrop.  That was one of the things that took my mind off the pain signals my legs were sending my brain. The only bad thing about River Road is that it feels endless because it is super curvy.  Every curve you think you'll see the turnaround but nope, it's a bit further down the road.  Finally I saw the turnaround and it put a little pep in my step!

On the way back into town there are two hills you have to climb.  My plan was to walk them in addition to the aid stations.  As I'm thinking back, I ran most of the first hill by the bridge and only walked a little bit.  On the plus side, the second hill into town is actually fun in a sick, cruel way.  While I was slugging my way up the hill, the crowd is roaring, cheering my name.  There was a person with a microphone telling us runners to get running and playing great music. Once I made the left turn up the next slight incline the cheers from my super duper fan club immediately brought a smile on my face!!  They were cheering so loud and I was so happy to see them!

So excited to see my cheering squad!

I ran out on Mirror Road, past the lake where I swam 2.4 miles many hours prior.  The swim felt like it happened days ago at this point.  I hit the turnaround and headed back towards the Olympic Oval.  Lots of Placid racers talk about how cruel it is that you have to run past the Olympic Oval where Mike Reilly is declaring people as Ironman but honestly, I didn't focus on that.  I focused on knowing I would see my fan club again on the way out of town.  Yes, I would have loved to have turned into the Oval, but it wasn't my turn yet. 

Running down the hills again were a little bit harder. And River Road really seemed endless this time around.  I kept on thinking I would see the turnaround at the end but it would never come.  Until finally it did.   Yes!  At this point, I was walking each aid station and I stopped once to pee in the porta potty.  The only thing that was really uncomfortable for me during the run was my legs.  They would not move.  My HR was super low for me, lower than my normal long training runs but my legs, oh my legs.  I left them on the bike course like a real IM rookie. Oh well... maybe I wouldn't break 13 hours but I am still gonna be an Ironman for the first time!!

I teared up a bit when I had to stop and walk up the second steep hill.  I was so close to finishing, but it felt so far.  I smiled and fist pumped when I saw Simon on Main Street.  The rest of my fan club was already perched at the finish line and he was in charge of letting them know when I was gonna be heading into the Oval.  I had two more miles to run.  Two miles!  I can run 2 miles in my sleep! I tried to quicken my pace but the slight incline of Mirror Road felt like Mt. Everest at this point. I got to the Mirror Road turnaround and decided I was not going to walk the last aid station.  I was going to finish and finish strong.  As I was running I zipped up my tri top, abandoned the nutrition I shoved in my pockets and got "camera ready" for my photo finish!  hah - us triathletes are so vain, aren't we? 

I ran into the Olympic Oval and I could not wipe the silly grin off my face!! I saw Brie and Brendan at the oval turn and I realized that this was actually happening.  I was actually running down the finisher's chute and I was going to be an Ironman!! 

I picked up my pace and noticed I had the chute all to myself.  I raised my arms in a cross between fist pumping, waving and bullhorns and focused on listening for my name.  And then... I heard it.  I heard his magical voice saying those magical words.....

JILL AGRESTA FROM NEW YORK CITY.... YOU ARE AN IRONMAN JILL FOR THE FIRST TIME!

My favorite photo... it has my Mom and Brother cheering to the right!



I heard my fan club cheering but I didn't see them.  All I saw was a tunnel that ended at the finisher's arch.  I did it!  I was an Ironman!!!

A volunteer caught me at the finish and helped me get my medal, t-shirt, hat and finisher's photo. 

#1 for 1st Ironman.... except it kinda looks like I'm giving the middle finger!

I grabbed a slice of pizza and banana and started to cry.  I was so overwhelmed with what I had just done.  Volunteers kept asking me if I was ok and I gave the girliest answer ever.  I'm just emotional!  I saw my family and friends and immediately started crying even harder.  My Mom started crying too and while we were hugging I said, Mommy, that was the hardest thing ever!  Yes, I am a full blown adult at 30 years old.  And, no, I'm not afraid to cry or call my Mom, Mommy, when needed!

My family and Simon rocking Team Jill T's

It was such an amazing day.... I am so lucky I was able to share it with my family and friends.  That made the difference in the world... it made me feel even more special knowing that I had people cheering me on and believing in me for over 13 hours. 

Surrounded by my Fan Club!

So what happens AFTER an Ironman??  Stay tuned for that.... here's a hint: It might include lots of food, wine, beer and laughs!