The amount of triathlon experience displayed each Sunday morning during Mere Mortals on Pensacola Beach is staggering. While the goal is to help, teach, mentor, and encourage new athletes, MANY experienced athletes also use the time to push themselves to new distances, speeds, and overall achievements. Ironman is often at the top of this list. From a TGC leadership perspective it’s extremely gratifying to see an athlete continue past his/her original goals. Each of the athletes in this blog series participated in the same race, but each of the athletes had a completely different experience. I hope these race reports inspire other athletes to take a chance, set a goal, and do something outside of his/her comfort zone.
From Kim Godwin…
April 27, 2019 race day. Ironman Texas finally arrived. Our (my training partner Stephanie and I) original race date was November 3, 2018 in Panama City but Mother Nature and Hurricane Michael had other plans. Fortunately, the change of venue and race date allowed for our training partner Ali to join the journey with us. For me, the road to Ironman Texas was a team approach and my story intertwines with my training partners. I truly would NOT be an Ironman without them.
I stood at the swim start along side Stephanie which helped to calm my nerves and added to my level of confidence. We somehow lost Ali in the crowd and I really wanted to hug her neck and wish her a strong swim. The buzzer chimed and it was our turn to start. Stephanie asked if I wanted her to stay with me until we reached the first or second buoy. It was so thoughtful of her as always, but I declined. It was race day and time for us all to shine. Any one that knows me well, knows that it has taken a long time for me to make “friends” with the water. I have come a long way since I first joined TCG, met my current training partners, and completed my first Sprint triathlon. Thanks to my training partners and Coach Helen, I entered the water with a sense of peace and confidence. Stephanie started out before me as I hesitated a bit. Coach Helen told me to find my groove and swim my own race. Once I did, I was off without an ounce of anxiety to be found. I was one happy girl!!!! I was kicked and hit throughout the swim but nothing surprising there. My calves and toes decided to take turns cramping for just about the ENTIRE 2.4 mile swim, but I just kept swimming. Just Keep Swimming, Just Keep Swimming echoed in my head. When I made the final turn to the canal I decided I would take a quick break on a kayak to adjust my googles and rub out the cramps in my legs. The young man occupying the kayak kindly said, “Mam, you can stand.” I smiled, laughed a little, and swam myself to the finish. Never in my wildest dreams would I have believed that the swim would be my BEST leg of race. I finished 2 minutes faster than my Coach’s predicted swim time for me.
Approaching T1 took me longer than expected. My time was also delayed trying to find my gear bag and then my bike. I actually spent almost a combined total time of 30 minutes in T1 and T2. Which will NEVER happen again!!!! Lesson learned. The Volunteers honestly treat you like royalty in those tents. Possibly another reason why I lingered in T1 and T2 longer than anticipated.
Headed out on the bike, I was still feeling strong and confident. Yay!!! I made it to the bike, my favorite leg (or so I thought). The first 10 miles were comprised of twist and turns and bumpy rough roads with unexpected potholes. When we reached the Hardy Toll Road we were faced with a 15 to 20 mph headwind and overpass after overpass. My max speed at one time was 12. YES 12!! I thought, “oh well there goes my 6:30 goal time for the bike.” Thankfully the tailwind was sweet and I hit a max speed of 30 mph at one point. I made certain that my nutrition was on point during the bike. I drank at least 20 oz and consumed 200 to 300 calories per hour.
I smiled when I finally saw Stephanie on the bike course and then Ali. The bike course was 2 loops on the Hardy Toll Road and I was much more mentally prepared on the second loop. When I approached the final turn to exit the Hardy, I spotted Ali again but this time, she was at the BACK of the pack. I was confused and worried. She is a strong cyclist and often by my side or in front of me. At that time, I had no doubt that I would see her at the finish. I finished the bike just under 7 hours.
Now it was marathon time. IMTX is known for having one of the highest rated run courses and it did not disappoint. The volunteers, spectators, and various Houston Tri and running groups made the run course an entertaining adventure. I charged a spare watch the night prior to IM to wear only on the run. I knew the battery life in my Garmin worn on the swim and bike would not last for the entire run. I was running intervals to help my body conquer the run. Freakishly, both my watches simultaneously stop at mile 8. So for the remainder of the run, I had no idea of my pace or run time. In my younger days, I enjoyed running but that is no longer the case. As an adult, I have been diagnosed with asthma and chronic bronchitis. Running is often a struggle. My body was still feeling strong on the run. I stopped and refueled at every aid station and, YES, I recommend drinking the chicken broth. I was so pleased that I hadn’t experienced any cramping on the bike or the run. A true gift. I knew I had so many family and friends praying for me and I swear I felt an overwhelming sense of peace, confidence, and strength throughout the entire Ironman. My Coaches prepared me for dark moments, but those moments never arrived. Possibly because I was mentally prepared and was armed with mantras and the confidence that my Coaches instilled in me.
When I approached mile 18 and it was still daylight, I thought, “OMG, I am actually going to finish.” I have completed numerous marathons and for me I knew once I reached mile 20 I was golden. I finally saw Stephanie around mile 25. I excitedly yelled her name and she updated me on what happened to Ali and another friend that started the race with us. I was heartbroken for them both. Ali’s derailleur broke at mile 30. She handled it like a champ and made it to mile 70 on the bike despite several obstacles. Stephanie is a much faster runner than I am and usually catches me on the run. I saw her again on my final turn towards the finish. She was barely a minute behind me. I thought for a moment about waiting for her so we could finish side by side just as our journey had started. However, once I reached the red carpet and was embraced by the cheering, energy, and magic of the crowd, I made my way to the finish, hands raised above my head, smiling all the way. My initial thought upon crossing the finish line and hearing the coveted words: “Kimberly Godwin, You are An Ironman “ was “Hmmm …. that wasn’t so bad, I think I will do another.”
It truly was an amazing experience from start to finish even if I was off my goal finish time by an hour. Forever changed!!! Forever an Ironman!!! Just believe!! Sherpas are a MUST!!!!!
