bike mile 67 IM Lou, so happy to see Reid and Coach Dan
Bike out in 2nd place at this point 
I started off with a good swim, when I crossed the mat it said 53.47, so not sure why they posted me as 55.00 mins. Maybe the timing mat at the changing tent is where they calculated swim times. Hmmm. But it was the most contact I have ever had in an entire 2.4 mile swim, well I have only done one other. I was punched in the back (by some chick who pretends to be all sweet and nice), my ankle was grabbed and pulled back (by that same chick), men were giving me charlie horses, and it was like this the whole swim. I tried 2xs to go off on my own and around the pack I was in, but then I remembered the swim isn’t everything and the day was going to be a long one. Still super happy about my swim time.
Bike was tough and the run was even rougher! It was all about who could survive on the run. I would run to each aid station, then walk and take in as much as I could. Then repeat for all 26.2 miles. My run was really a slow jog. I had the chills and some bathroom issues on the run too. It was just not my day or really anyone’s day, except for a select few.
I ended up cramping really bad when I finished and nearly passed out, so I was wheeled over to medical and given some IVs. I am a little better now, still really slow to move….
More later……thanks for all the good luck messages, texts, and emails. You all are AWESOME!
E
23 Comment(s)
Trigirlpink said:
ouch. Sounds like the weather was a huge factor. I caught some of the women’s race on the live video feed. Bree wasn’t looking too chipper through an aid station.It looked really hot with not alot of shade.
Kudos for gettin’ through a tough tough day. I hope your new bike worked out ok. It’s sweet looking for sure.
Beth said:
Congrats Eileen!!! I think it’s just amazing that you made it through on what seemed like an awfully brutal day for everyone. You are one tough cookie!! And an IM finish is an IM finish – no matter the time! YEAH!!! Hope you are feeling better and the recovery goes well!
Melissa said:
Wow. You did a great job on what sounds like a very tough day! Congratulations on toughing it out. You had a fast swim! So it’s really like that the entire swim time for you fast pros? Crazy!
They had the camera on your for a while on the bike…looking hot on that new ride! Hope you are resting and having a nice post-race time.
Sarah said:
Eileen,
That race sounded NUTS!!! I am so glad you were okay and you did an awesome job. Really, I kept checking in on you guys throughout the day and I am so impressed with all of you. You are so strong!
Congrats on that amazing swim time, too. Whoo you are fast!
Great job out there – what a tough day.
rr said:
Eileen, you are such a star! Way to tough it out on a crazy day – you rock.
And I’m cracking up about the girl who pretends to be sweet and nice.. from the times I think I know who that was
Awesome swim time, girl!! Congratulations!
Damie said:
It seems like consistency was the key to the day- awesome job for you, especially on the run. Man that must have been brutal, but I think you had a good plan. Can’t wait to see pictures, and yes, they did have some video of you!!! Now, go and PARTY!!!!!
Samantha said:
congrats Eileen!!! Way to tough out such rough conditions. I wish I could’ve been there for support/cheering you on! recover soon and happy training!!! I can’t wait to see pics as well.
Katie Weaver-Jongerius said:
Way to go E! I know how hard it was and I saw you out there suffering…I knew it was bad when I saw the look on your face and you couldn’t say anything bad. I hope you and Reid enjoyed your pizza!!!!
CT said:
YOU ARE MY HERO!! You continue to push through the toughest times and never ever give up! You could have easily given up and walked the whole thing but you did what you could and ran from aid station to aid station and then walked. You are the gutsiest girl I know. Way to be E!!
Anonymous said:
wow! you looked so amazing when the cameras were on you on the bike
Jennifer Harrison said:
E, I was cheering loudly for you up here in Chicago! I enjoyed watching you and the other gals out there and I was hoping for the best. Yep, it ended up being a tough day out there, but that IS OK! You can't win em all, right? And, you stayed positive and did it.
Yeah! Enjoy some R&R! Jen H.
Kellye Mills said:
I was cheering for you all day! Not a great day for racing I know, but you managed to rough it out excellently! You’re a star E, and we’re all super proud of you!! Rest up! Just think, no work to go to! You can chill at home and be feeling great in no time!
Samantha said:
you know you are my favorite too!!! I love you both and you’re such an inspiration to me. Everytime I hurt during a workout this week I thought of you and how its just an indication that I’m alive. I wish I could go to fall training camp with you (you are going, right?). The last one was such a blast!!!
Flatman said:
You rock! Way to go out there…
Jennifer Cunnane said:
Great job racing yesterday! And, you have had only – what, like maybe 2 weeks to actually train and rest like a pro? Can’t wait to see what you do next!
triclancy said:
Incredible swim!! Such a tough day, but take pride in the fact that you finished…another step along the path to your DREAMS! Keep it up E and enjoy the recovery!! I’m in awe of you!!
Dolphin Boy said:
Dude, way too go! I thought you had a great day! They showed you on the bike for awhile, looking good. BTW, that bike is sweet!!
Did you see Bree’s chunks on the pavement? hahaha!
Saw you cross the finish line, and almost falling down or into volunteers arms. Sure hope you are doing well. Recover well.
Good job E-…rock star!!
~Robyn~ said:
Hey girl! GREAT JOB yesterday. That was a brutal day. The heat got to me on the run, too. Chills and bathroom issues. I felt your pain! So glad we got to hang out and let me know when training camp starts!!!
Mira Lelovic said:
Congratulations E, on your second IM! I was so excited to see you on the run course, it was one of the few things that was enjoyable about those 26.2 miles!
It was great meeting you in person and hanging out with you at dinner. Hope you had a safe trip home. Enjoy the recovery!
Oh, and way to swim! I’m dying to know who the “not so nice” girl is. If someone intentionally grabbled my ankle and pulled me back I’d probably be in the penalty box in T1 for violent behavior!
Marni said:
congrats!!! What a great swim time and overall, a great race!!!
CJ said:
Way to go “E” !! We all were so proud of you! It was so nice to meet you and Reid.. When are you guys coming to Iowa?? It was so much fun hangin out with you two.. And crap – throw in Coach Dan and we were a rowdy group of spectators! See you at some future events!!
Craig (Mr. Kate Monster)
PS – Someday when I grow up I will be worthy of my own identity!! lol
Cy said:
Nice Work E!
Of course I’m super jealous of all those people who finally got to meet you this weekend!!
One of these days…
Bruce Stewart (施樸樂) (ブルース・スチュワート) said:
Glad that you finished the race. Tough courses and tough weather conditions make races more challenging. I remember at IM Kona in 2004 it took me over 8 hours just to do the bike ride. It was a real challenge. Hope you have plenty more races lined up in the coming months