I avoided writing much before the race because I didn’t want to stir up any more anxious feelings. The less I thought about Ironman, the less I worried about it. I went through a period of big nerves a week away from the race. I usually get nervous a day or two before a big race so I was prepared to have the huge nerves through the beginning of the race. Surprisingly, when I got to Wisconsin my nerves seemed to settle.
I had trained hard, real hard. I had researched the course from top to bottom. I had lived and breathed Ironman Wisconsin for the past 34 weeks. I was prepared for anything and everything that can go wrong on race day. With all the doubts swirling around, there was something deep down that told me I was ready. I had learned more about myself, my body, and dedication this past summer than I ever have before. I looked at the race as more of a formality. Regardless of what happened it wouldn’t take away all that I had been through to get to there. Besides, with only a week left there was nothing more I could do to prepare.
When I arrived in Wisconsin to find my bike had also successfully made the trip I began to relax. I was, constantly checking the weather and praying for a warm day and little wind. By Friday all forecasts said sunny and 80- I relaxed a little more. By Friday I was also all checked in, my bike had been tuned up at a local bike shop with no problem, my gear back were all packed for race morning. As I realized I hadn’t left anything at home and hadn’t overlooked any detail I relaxed even more.
My mom, sister, and I went to Wisconsin a day earlier than the rest of my family. We were able to drive the bike course a few days before the race. This was very reassuring. I knew the big course would be difficult but finally being able to see it in person was comforting. I had dreamed that it was going to be one monstrous hill after another. When we drove it I learned that the hills weren’t that bad- it would be difficult, but it was doable.
I was also able to swim some of the course in Monona Lake a few days before the race. It’s a good thing I did because I had a minor panic attack the first minute in the water. The water was shockingly cold when it hit my face and I took in a few mouthfuls of water trying to breathe through the chop (all reports I had read said the water is always calm so I was a bit confused by the choppiness). I took a minute to convince myself to keep going and as I continued to swim I learned, pretty quickly, how to breathe between the chop. I adjusted to the temperature of the water and before long felt confident in the water. As I exited the water I was glad that I had gotten the panic attack out of the way- know I knew what to expect with the swim and I could be prepared for it.
Friday night my whole family had arrived in Wisconsin. There were seven of us total, my mom and dad, three sisters, and Greg. We had rented a great house 15 minutes away from downtown Madison which ended up working out great. The place was in the countryside. Complete with a garden, farm fresh eggs, and plenty of room to sprawl out. It couldn’t have worked out better. The place oozed peacefulness. Madison, and the surrounding area, is beautiful. The days leading up to the race were filled with lots of quality time with my family. There was no TV in the house so we were forced to find other ways to entertain ourselves. There was lots of talking, lots of stories and lots of laughing. Everything was going perfectly and I had a good feeling about the race.