Nope, I didn't make it to the Ironman finish line.
I stopped after the first of 2 loops of the run course at about 13:00 hours - even with 4 full hours to go I didn't think that I had enough energy left to walk it in, after a fairly tough first two legs.
I still think I made the right decision this morning - especially after hearing the details of someone drowning in the swim. (He may still be hanging on today, but it sounds like with major brain damage).
I can't think of any major mistakes that I made - I was just exhausted.
Details of the race to follow in a few days....
57 comments:
Nancy, what an amazing day you had! Congrats on toe-ing the line, woman. :)
How awesome you must feel (in your head- not your body)! Simply amazing - I am in awe of how much you accomplished this year!!!! Be proud !!!!!!!!!! I can't wait for your race report!!!
I second Veeg! I know what toeing the line meant - months of days of hours of toeing the line on your training - that's IRON right there! Can't wait to hear your report.
Nancy, as always, I am so proud of you! You are my hero.
You are amazing and inspirational, in so many ways. You deserve all the congratulations in the world. Your work will not be for naught, I'm sure. Rest and recover well, and enjoy Florida.
Nancy, you have a great attitude. Good work out there. Way to go!
I would not have made it out of the water! My hat is off to you and I can't wait to read your race report and hear what plans you have for 2007.
Nancy, you made it further in your first IM than I did in mine, so CONGRATULATIONS! You still done good, girlfriend. I've not blogged much, but I thought about you and all the other IMFL folks all week long. I sat at my computer and tracked you, Shelley, and Ellie all day.
Since you got as far as you did, you probably know what you need to work on for the next time. (Doing an ironman is much like giving birth--very painful, but easy to forget.)
Take a break. Enjoy your recovery. Do NOT try to get back out there training right away. Give yourself permission to have some down time. Then, when you decide to take up the gauntlet once again, you will feel refreshed and renewed. There are still a lot of races out there, and you have plenty of time.
Again, a huge CONGRATS on making it as far as you did. I'm very impressed.
Only you know if you made the right decision, and it sounds like you did. We tend to idolize those who sacrifice themselves to finish the race at all costs.... I idolize those with enough sense to set their egos aside, and live to race another day. Good on ya!
No sweat, Nance. I am proud of you and there will always be other races. Rest up...you deserve it~
Did you have some fun? Did you thank volunteers? Did you do your best? No extended stay in the medical tent?
Sounds like quite an accomplishment to me. You're still in the BEST shape you've ever been, and I'm proud of you for your effort and attitude.
Nancy, thanks for continuing to share your adventure. I watched your progress all day and was worried but glad that you came through with your great perspective.
I believe you will get it the next time!
You ARE an inspriation and you WILL get it done!
Thank goodness you're ok! Those were difficult conditions out there and you weathered the worst! And as others have already said, you did the hardest part: toed the line.
Congrats on toeing the line that day. Sometimes it is about the "courage to start" and the strength to know when somethings are more important than just the race. Rest up, glad to hear you are doing okay.
Go Nancy! Your first 2 legs were awesome and of course you made the right choice. You have 2 little princesses who need you home in one piece. Congratulations on your first Ironman.
Nancy, I'm proud of you for just getting there, you rock!
Thanks for the update, glad to hear you're happy with your decision, I'm sure it was the right one. Enjoy some rest and relaxation, you sure deserve it. You've had quite a year, I hope you're as proud of yourself we all are out here in blogland. Take care..
Congratulations Nancy, you went so far! Only you know what was wise to do in the end, and hopefully your body is still in one piece... I can't wait for your race report!!
Nancy, ya done good kid!!! What a great swim and bike. What does the penguin say, "The amazing part is not that I finished, but that I had the courage to start" and you are amazing.
Rest, recover and then let us know what's up next.
Nancy, I've just found your blog and I love it- you are such an inspiration and such a good writer! I am hoping to start undertaking triathlons next year with possibly an Ironman in the far distant future... Congratulations on the Florida Ironman, what you did is a great acheivment and you must be so proud!
Its also an incredible learning curve and you are obviously in great shape to get as far as you did. The next Ironman you do, you will finish, I know it. xx
You've done an awesome thing! Be proud.
Good Job, Nancy - you got out there, you did your best. No regrets.
And let's not forget that you did more than 99% of the world would even DARE to start - this is no small thing.
there will be a next time when you're ready.
Great job, Nancy! You did your best. You know your body and what's best!
Like Kenny said,
"You got to know when to hold em, know when to fold em,
Know when to walk away and know when to run."
When it's all done, you are still loved! I'm proud of all your hard work and training.
The miracle is never about finishing, the miracle is having the courage to even begin.
Catherine and I were tracking you all day. We're proud of you.
Amazing job on what looked like a pretty challenging day all round.
Keep on tri-ing.
J.
I'm sorry you didn't get your medal, because you deserve one. You did a great job, and you gotta be one tough cookie to know your limits.
You're no rookie-- you're an experienced marathoner. That means you know your body and you know when a strategic retreat is in order. That's an achievement in itself.
When you're ready to try again, I'll be sitting here with the live feed going, waiting to hear your name.
Great effort!
I'm glad to hear you are ok and ade the decision to stop rather than having to stop because of some injury.
Just to mirror what everyone is saying, congrats on toeing the line to begin with. It's the journy to Ironman that makes us. The race itself is really just the final piece of the puzzle and it takes some figuring out, you'll get it next time.
Nancy, I'm really proud of you. SO, are you signing up for next year today? Can't wait to hear the details.
Nancy, so sorry to hear you didn't finish, but am happy you got yourself to the start line, survived the rough swim, and windy bike. You knew yourself what you were capable of, and did the best you could under the circumstances.
You rock woman. I KNOW you did the right thing. Can't wait to read all about it. I too worried about you all night!
MY HERO!
Awesome job, Nancy. I was watching, and trying to do the math based on your expectations. I stayed up until a couple hours after the cut-off, just to see if there was a lag.
You did an amazing thing between the training for and race of IM Florida. 127.1 miles is one heck of a long way to travel in a day.
Now, take the rest you deserve.
DNF greatly trumps DNS (Did not start) any day. Plenty of people DIDn't toe the line. You worked your butt off - rest up and see what you can accomplish next!
Congratulations, Nancy on all you've accomplished this year! Better to be smart and know this wasn't your day to get to the finish line than to end up seriously ill or injured.
My first IM I completed 3/4 of the race and realized I'd done the 2nd loop first instead of the 1st! I was glad I chose not to complete the final 13 miles after suffering all day through cramps, wind, rain and hail and a migraine.
The following year I went on to complete the Great Floridian, stronger than ever. I know you can do it, too.
Looking forward to reading the full report! blessings!
I'm just glad you're OK.
We were worried when "word" came out last evening, and today was scary.
You did an AWESOME job out there - and so what if you Did Nothing Foolish toward the end.
I still envy you your COURAGE, just getting yourself trained and out on an IronMan course, much less with how INCREDIBLY well you did on the 1st two legs and the Half Marathon you DID complete.
Congratulations! You STILL ROCK!!
Recover well, Nance.
Congrats for going that far! You are still an Ironwoman in my book...and I am proud of you!
There will always be another race!
Great job in the parts that you did!
Nancy, you have the heart of a champion and should be very proud of your effort!
You strength, perseverance, and courage are such an inspiration. The day may not have ended as you dreamed but you are no less in anyone's eyes. You are such a strong woman. I am so proud of you and what you have accomplished. You've set high expectations and goals for yourself. I have no doubt that you will reach you goal. Take care of yourself.
I'm sure you made the right decision. I'm inspired by your race.
I'm sorry you didn't get your medal, but you gave it a hell of a try! November Runner's World has a great article ("Attitude Adjustment" by Sarah Lorge Butler) on dealing with a disappointing outcome. Here's a sample: "Merely surviving the demands of training and making it to the starting line is an achievement." Here's the link--the good stuff starts on page 2.
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,sss6-238-244--10422-1-1X2-3,00.html
Rest up. You deserve it.
Great job out there Nancy! Sometimes the best decisions are the hardest ones, but you did the right thing. Seeing you out there was one of the highlights of my race! If you noticed a random girl saying "good job Nancy Toby" that was me!
Not much I can add here.... lots has been said about having the courage to start. I've been thinking about how much courage it took to stop. It was an honor being in the race with you; it's an honor to be friends with you.
It takes courage to make the right decision. You Nancy are indeed courageous. I'm sorry it wasn't the ending you were looking for, but it sounds like you are content with your decision. The point of Ironman isn't necessarily crossing the line. It's about changing you life, but most of all, it's about changing your lifestyle. Today, because you toed the Ironman line, you are a happier, healthier person than you were before. You have done things that most think is impossible. If you ever doubt for one second that you didn't make the right decision, take a moment and look in the mirror. Look at the person you have become. Then celebrate your accomplishments with those that you love most. You deserve every bit of what you have earned. Congratulations on your new life.
Benny
I can't wait to read your detailed race report. Just one more thing I like about reading your writing--straightforward. You said you were exhausted. I don't doubt it--it is Ironman after all. What an incredible experience for you. Those girls of yours are so lucky!! I hope you post soon!
I can't wait to hear about the day -- and the adventure. You should be so proud of yourself! Safe travels home and looking forward to reading all the details later.
Nancy- you did your best on the day and should be very proud that you made it to the start line. Look at what you achieved in your training and how much you've learned.
Just showing up and putting in the effort is incredible enough. And having the wisdom and power to know you'd done all you could - that shows true strength. Nothing tried is ever a failure - you represented. Nice job...
Good job! I heard it was a hard swim and bike and you made it thru those. Keep remembering that you made the right decision for you. Chin up and be proud. Sometimes I think it's hardest having to tell everyone that you didn't finish. But remember that everyone who knows you is already impressed and proud of you for starting it.
Live and learn, and never forget. No regrets :)
The bazillion comments say it all. Nancy, good decision. You're very wise. And congratulations on a terrific swim and bike. You'll get that peskey "little" run out of the way next time. :)
Great job!
I think you did awesome. You far exceed the title of Ironman. You are an Ironmom.
I feel bad after reading your blog this morning. I hope you continue your training and move forward. This will just give you motivation for next year. You got there and mixed it up and that is what counts because a majority of people think we are crazy for just doing that. Good luck and stay in touch this off season. Sorry I didn't hook up with you guys this weekend.
You gave it your all. Hold your head high!!! You've accomplished so much!!
Hey Nance.
Someone sent me this quote after a DNF that I had once. Great effort girl. Whenever you're ready, you'll go again.
Andy...
It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.
-Teddy Roosevelt.
stronger put it better than I could - you are Ironmum! what an example you have set to your girls, and to us. Thanks, and enjoy your recovery
Nancy--You're amazing! I'm so proud of you for having the wisdom and courage to do what was best for you. I'm glad I could be there to see you, and it was great to spend time with you this weekend.
As always, you rock, girl!
nuts. glad I saw you for the time we had together. Especially the dinner. Keep that upper lip stiff and still dream big.
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