Day 182: Today I became an Ironman. Below is how my day unfolded, but I will warn you it is long. I hope you enjoy it.
I AM AN IRONMAN!!! There are so many words that I could use to describe this day, but if I had to just use one word it would be UNFORGETTABLE!!!! That is truly what is was and there is nothing that could take that away. Before I talk about the amazing day I had as I became an Ironman, I first want to do some thanking. First and for most I want to thank GOD for keeping me strong and health and safe through this whole experience. If it wasn’t for him none of this would have been possible. Also the amazing support I had from my amazing husband for putting up with me the whole time I was training and not seeing me a lot during those long training days. I could not have done it with out his amazing support. Also my family teaching me that you can do anything you put your mind to and to never give up. All the life lessons and their support is another reason I was able to accomplish this amazing goal of mine. All my friends as well you guys are awesome supporters as well. I learned so much for all of you that I have trained with as well and learned so much. Thanks for all the advice you all have gave me. Everyone in my life truly helped me out in this amazing journey and I couldn’t have done any of this without you. Thanks!!!!
With that said this is how my day unfolded.
The Best Support Crew Ever!!! Couldn't have done it without them.
With that said this is how my day unfolded.
Usually the morning of the race I am always nervous. No matter how many times I have raced the distance nerves always get the best of me in the morning. Today though there were no nerves!!! It was the weirdest thing ever to wake up in the morning and be perfectly calm and feel ready and just excited for the day to start. My day started at 4:30 am, even though I didn’t sleep much I woke up still full of energy. I got my morning oatmeal and just relaxed while I ate. When transition opened at 5am I put last minute stuff in my bags that I knew I would need and pumped up my tires. Knowing I still had to tape up my knees, Misty and my dad dropped off my special needs bags for me so I could head back up to the room to tape my knees and get everything put on that I need for the start of the race. As I was walking down to the start I ran into all the Get Fit Atlanta (GFA) people. It was nice to see familiar athlete faces in the morning. With the race starting at 7 am around 6:30 we all headed down to the water to get ready for the start and this is when I knew it was going to be an amazing day. Not only would this be my first Ironman, but it was also the 10th anniversary of Ironman Wisconsin and not only that, but I knew this race was going to be one no one would ever forget as well because it was also the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11. This truly was going to be an amazing day that will also be an emotional day as well. They had some different things they were going to do since it was the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11.
The Swim: 2 loop course in Lake Monona
I finally got into the water around 6:45; the water temperature was around 70 degrees and perfectly calm. Just then I knew it was going to be a good day. As I started the swim out into the lake I felt calm and relax. I was really just ready to getting this race started. As I work my way out into the lake the gun goes off for the pros to start and that time I knew I had 10 mins to get myself in the place where I wanted to start for the race. I made my way to the ski ramp which is where I decided I wanted to be and by they time I got out there, they had a moment of silence and then from there I said my little prayer and continued to tread water until the gun when off. As I was treading water waiting for the gun to go off it was amazing looking around at everyone in the water and thinking that we all have one goal in mind and that is to become an IRONMAN. For some it may be their first and other it could be their second, four, or however many, but we all have the same goal to cross that finish line to hear those famous words. As I was looking around and before I knew it the gun went off and arms and legs went lying. So I was finally experiencing my first real mass start and I loved it. I took the first 30 seconds or so and swam with my head out of the water trying to prevent myself from getting hit in the head right away. Once I felt comfortable and relaxed I lowered my head into the water and away I went. I took the swim one buoy at a time and it seemed to work for me. Yes I did get hit in the head a few times nothing major. The hardest hit I took was an elbow to the head. I also got my goggles hit so I had to stop for a sec and fix those. Everyone I talked to before hand said try to settle in behind someone and draft off them, but for me every time I would find someone to draft off that is when I found myself get hit. So I always sited for an opening somewhere where I could just stay relaxed and enjoy the swim. Oh and I forgot to mention that also they were having a fly by at 7:30 which I was bummed about, because I would be swimming and wouldn’t be able to see it. So as I heard them fly over head I kept my stroke going but pulled my head out of the water to see if I could see them. No joy in finding them so then it was back to focusing and just keep swimming. Many times during the swim I caught myself thinking that I can’t believe this is it and I am on my way to becoming an Ironman. As I rounded that last turn for the last time and sighted ahead I could see the swim out and the 2.4 mile swim was almost to an end and I was feeling good. As I started headed back to the shore you could hear the crowd yelling and scream and there was nothing you could do but get excited and feed off the energy from the crowd. Overall I was very happy with my swim and my time.
Swim: 1:22:38
What a mass swim start looks like with 2,500 triathletes
I'm sure I'm in there some where.
T1 (Transition 1)
Running out of the water and over that timing chip mat and hearing that beep of the timing chip going over the mat was such a good feeling knowing part 1 of 3 was officially complete. As I ran out of the water I started pulling my wetsuit off down to my waist and as I got by the wetsuit strippers I lied down on the ground and with one quick pull the wet suit was off and I was back up on my feet making my way to the helix. Running up that helix will always be unforgettable. The spectators packed the helix and only left a small area for everyone to run through, but the energy was amazing. Finally reaching the top of the helix it was into the Monona Terrance to grab the swim to bike bag and then into the changing room. Everything went smoothly until I came running outside in my cleats went to the port a potty. Forgetting that I had my cleats on I step into the port a potty and go sliding and almost fall but luckily I catch myself on both sides of the walls. With there being as many bike racks as there was I was glad mine was close to the very end where the bike out was so I didn’t have to run the whole length of the parking deck with my bike. As I reach my bike I look off to the end of my row of bikes and there was my family yelling and screaming for me. It was so good to see them since I wasn’t sure how long it would be until I saw them out on the bike course. As I run with my bike to the bike out I hop on my bike and down the helix I go. My T1 was a little longer then expected, but hey it’s my first Ironman and I’ll take it.
T1: 13:09
The Famous Helix
T1, grabbing my bike and ready to head out on the 112 mile ride
The Bike: 2 loop course around the farmland of Wisconsin
The first few miles on the bike were slow since there were a lot of us going down the helix at the same time. Also around mile 2 of the course you go onto this small bike path and for the time you are on the bike path there is a no passing rule. As I make my way under the first bridge on the bike path everyone almost starts stopping and I knew this couldn’t be good. At this point we are all going so slow that we are almost having to unclip and as I look head there is an ambulance and as I get close there is some one on a stretcher. I knew in my head I had to stay focused and not let that get to me. I knew she was ok and at that time that is all that matters and I have to continue on my way to becoming an Ironman. As I finally got through the no passing area I knew I had to get myself to relax and get settled in for a long hilly ride. Oh and hilly it was, but I loved ever part of it. For me I love hill climbing so I knew I was just going to love this bike course. As we made our way on one of the roads early on in the course, the road was lined with American Flags. It was so awesome ride in between all these American Flags. This wasn’t the only part that I was touched by in remembering 9-11. As I rode past a fire station, they had the fire truck out with the ladder extended with a huge American Flag hanging over the road that we all got to ride underneath. Then as you past the flag lining the road were all these red plates with pictures on them. They appeared to be first responders to 9-11 that had died, but I’m not sure. As I rode past all these plates that were stuck in the ground it got emotional, but I had to shake it off fast and keep my focus on the finish line. There were so many neat touches on the bike course and I am so glad I was able to experience it and it will be something that I will never forget. For the most part the hills were nothing to bad until you start getting close to the end of the loop and you have three major hills to climb. Even though these were the 3 toughest hills, to me I thought they were also the easiest in a way as well. These people in Wisconsin really know where you are going to need the help. All three of the hills were wall to wall people. Some with funny signs, some in costumes and of course all of the yelling and cheering. They really made you forget about the pain as you climbed up there hills and because of them I was able to power through these hills. The most motivating sign out there that I will never forget said “Pain is Temporary, Ironman is Forever!” With that said I was dealing with some pain on the bike. A little over half way through on the first loop, my stomach started cramping really bad by my rib area. I knew all I could do at this point is just keep take deep breaths and try to stay relaxed and hope the cramping would go away. At times the pain did get really bad, but I just stayed focused and thought about all the cool things I got to look forward to again on the second loop. Since I was in pain and the cramping wouldn’t go away I divided the second loop into sections since I knew what it was like and took it section by section. Man I was happy to see those 3 hills again, because then I knew I was almost done with the loop and then I would be heading back into town. Even though my stomach was cramping I still had the biggest smile on my face the whole time. I knew towards the end of the bike no matter how bad the cramping would get there would be nothing that could stop me from becoming an Ironman again. My family and friends also surprised me on the bike course. I was thought I would only see them twice out there, but to my surprise I saw them about 5 times. I really had the most amazing support crew out there and I couldn’t have done it with out them as well. Seeing familiar face when you are hurting is the best thing in the world and it helps you keep pushing. As I made my way back into town and saw the capital building in the background it was a sense of relief know the 112 mile bike ride was almost complete and it was an amazing feeling riding back up that helix know part 2 of the race is done and now all that is left is the run. As I rode up the helix once again there were was my amazing family and friends on top yelling and screaming for me.
Bike: 6:55:28
T2 (Transition 2)
As I hop off the bike and run back into Monona Terrance to get ready for the run I was so glad I made it through 112 miles without any bike issues and now it was time to focus on the run and try and figure how to get rid of this stomach cramp still so I can have a good run. As I run out of the building once again my support team is still out there cheering me and after not going to the bathroom the whole time while I was out on the bike I knew I should have a min and go to the bathroom and of course as I run into the port a potty my brother always has something to say and I hear him yell “Hurry up you’re wasting time.” Thanks Michael! =) Finally I was off on the run and I knew I was about 5.5 hours away from becoming an Ironman.
T2: 6:28
Heading out on the 26.2 mile run
The Run: 2 loop run around Madison
As I started going out on the run and making my way around the capital build I heard people yelling my name and as I look of to my left I saw more of my family members and in with them I saw my grandma! This was the first time my grandma has seen me do any type of racing and for me that moment was so special seeing her sitting there watching me reach one of my goals in becoming an Ironman. I can’t thank my aunt enough for bringing her out there for her to see me. As I finish making my way around the capital and on to State St. the crowds were truly unforgettable.
It is amazing to see so many people cheer all the athletes on. A few miles into the run I still had the stomach cramps and sometimes they were so bad it was almost making it hard to breath. At times like that I didn’t let it get me down, I just started walking and taking deep breaths and hope they would at some point go away, because I was so over this cramping. I was kind of bummed over all this stomach cramping because my legs were feeling so good and all I wanted to do was just take off and run, but the cramping wouldn’t let me. So when the pain really started bothering me I would walk and then I would run when it would subside a little. I must say one of the highlights of the run was running into Camp Randall Stadium and running a lap around the football field.
For the most part the run course was pretty flat with some rollers, but of course just like the bike there was the dreaded hill. Around mile 5 or 6 was the dreaded Observatory Hill and when I hit that will I wasn’t even going to try to run up it. So I took my time and walked up it. About a mile after the hill I started hearing people cheering my name again and there they were all my family and friends. I saw them 3 times in the first loop and they helped push me through. I tell you though as you hit mile 13 you feel a side of relief you are almost done and the you make that turn and see the finish line and know you have to turn around and go back out you think about how this sucks that you have 13 more miles to go and there are other people that are going straight and finishing. A second later though you just forget about it and go about your business and focus on your self and the crowds cheering you on. And away I went to finish my quest on becoming an Ironman today.
About three miles into the second loop I started walking again because of the cramping in my stomach and a volunteer came up to me and asked if I was ok. At this point I even started feeling a little light head and dizzy, but I knew I just had to keep pushing forward. After I told him I was ok he gave me some encouraging words and I can’t thank him enough for and the pushed on. One more time I walked up Observatory Hill and then saw my family and friends two more times and the last time I saw them my husband said to me “Babe, next time I see you, you will be an Ironman.” I told him thanks, but I was cramping bad and told him I was most likely going to do a lot of walking. I said I love you and continued on. About a mile after seeing everyone for the last time I saw the 20 mile marker and I got so excited to know I only had a 10k left and I knew nothing was going to stop me now. Out of no where something happened and all my cramping went away and I felt like I just started running and I just took off. The last six miles were the best of the whole race. I never felt better and I just kept running. I ended up even catching one of my friends and we ran together for about 4 miles and when we got to a water stop I took a quick sip of water and then just took off running again. As I made my final turn onto State St. and saw the capital building I knew this was it and I was taking in every moment of the last mile. I was about to become an Ironman forever! Making my way around the capital building I started looking around me to make sure I had that finish line all to my self and no else would be in that finishing picture I wanted. As I was on the final street before I turned the corner for the finish line the crowd was yelling and scream so load I got goose bumps and started tearing up, this was it! I wiped the tears away and rounded that final corner and started high fiving people as I took that final stretch towards the finish line and as I got closer I heard Mike Reilly say those famous words I will never forget. TRACEY SUVAK YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!!!!
I had the biggest smile on my face and felt so good that even when I past the finish line my catchers had to stop me from running and said “Slow down speedy.” From that point on I was on the biggest high the rest of the night.
It is amazing to see so many people cheer all the athletes on. A few miles into the run I still had the stomach cramps and sometimes they were so bad it was almost making it hard to breath. At times like that I didn’t let it get me down, I just started walking and taking deep breaths and hope they would at some point go away, because I was so over this cramping. I was kind of bummed over all this stomach cramping because my legs were feeling so good and all I wanted to do was just take off and run, but the cramping wouldn’t let me. So when the pain really started bothering me I would walk and then I would run when it would subside a little. I must say one of the highlights of the run was running into Camp Randall Stadium and running a lap around the football field.
For the most part the run course was pretty flat with some rollers, but of course just like the bike there was the dreaded hill. Around mile 5 or 6 was the dreaded Observatory Hill and when I hit that will I wasn’t even going to try to run up it. So I took my time and walked up it. About a mile after the hill I started hearing people cheering my name again and there they were all my family and friends. I saw them 3 times in the first loop and they helped push me through. I tell you though as you hit mile 13 you feel a side of relief you are almost done and the you make that turn and see the finish line and know you have to turn around and go back out you think about how this sucks that you have 13 more miles to go and there are other people that are going straight and finishing. A second later though you just forget about it and go about your business and focus on your self and the crowds cheering you on. And away I went to finish my quest on becoming an Ironman today.
About three miles into the second loop I started walking again because of the cramping in my stomach and a volunteer came up to me and asked if I was ok. At this point I even started feeling a little light head and dizzy, but I knew I just had to keep pushing forward. After I told him I was ok he gave me some encouraging words and I can’t thank him enough for and the pushed on. One more time I walked up Observatory Hill and then saw my family and friends two more times and the last time I saw them my husband said to me “Babe, next time I see you, you will be an Ironman.” I told him thanks, but I was cramping bad and told him I was most likely going to do a lot of walking. I said I love you and continued on. About a mile after seeing everyone for the last time I saw the 20 mile marker and I got so excited to know I only had a 10k left and I knew nothing was going to stop me now. Out of no where something happened and all my cramping went away and I felt like I just started running and I just took off. The last six miles were the best of the whole race. I never felt better and I just kept running. I ended up even catching one of my friends and we ran together for about 4 miles and when we got to a water stop I took a quick sip of water and then just took off running again. As I made my final turn onto State St. and saw the capital building I knew this was it and I was taking in every moment of the last mile. I was about to become an Ironman forever! Making my way around the capital building I started looking around me to make sure I had that finish line all to my self and no else would be in that finishing picture I wanted. As I was on the final street before I turned the corner for the finish line the crowd was yelling and scream so load I got goose bumps and started tearing up, this was it! I wiped the tears away and rounded that final corner and started high fiving people as I took that final stretch towards the finish line and as I got closer I heard Mike Reilly say those famous words I will never forget. TRACEY SUVAK YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!!!!
I had the biggest smile on my face and felt so good that even when I past the finish line my catchers had to stop me from running and said “Slow down speedy.” From that point on I was on the biggest high the rest of the night.
Run: 5:16:03
As I made my way through to the end of the finishing shoot I got my medal that I will always display proudly along with my shirt and my hat. I put my new hat on and held my medal up proudly for the finisher picture.
Then made my way out to my family and friends. They were all were so proud of me and what I just accomplished. I will never forget the smiles on their faces as well and I truly could not have done this with out them. This is a race that I will never forget. Not only did I have the best support team one could have but the spectators where out of this word and made everyone feel like they just won, because we all just did. Words also can not describe the day I just had, but I sure just did try. I hope you all enjoyed listening to my journey on becoming an Ironman, because it is a day that I will never forget and I will cherish forever. Oh and YES, I will be doing another one.
Then made my way out to my family and friends. They were all were so proud of me and what I just accomplished. I will never forget the smiles on their faces as well and I truly could not have done this with out them. This is a race that I will never forget. Not only did I have the best support team one could have but the spectators where out of this word and made everyone feel like they just won, because we all just did. Words also can not describe the day I just had, but I sure just did try. I hope you all enjoyed listening to my journey on becoming an Ironman, because it is a day that I will never forget and I will cherish forever. Oh and YES, I will be doing another one.
I AM AN IRONMAN!!!!!
Total time: 13:53:46
I really enjoyed blogging my training and my especially my race! I hope you all enjoyed following me in my Journey on becoming an Ironman. I plan to keep a blog going of races and fun adventures I do. I hope you all will continue to follow in many of life's journeys. I AM AN IRONMAN and there will be many more Ironman races to come!
If you can imagine it, you can achieve it; if you can dream it, you can become it.
-William Arthur Ward
I really enjoyed blogging my training and my especially my race! I hope you all enjoyed following me in my Journey on becoming an Ironman. I plan to keep a blog going of races and fun adventures I do. I hope you all will continue to follow in many of life's journeys. I AM AN IRONMAN and there will be many more Ironman races to come!
If you can imagine it, you can achieve it; if you can dream it, you can become it.
-William Arthur Ward
