Ironman Louisville Recap

Just wanted to share some after-thoughts about my August Ironman in Louisville, Kentucky!

1. I FINALLY learned why IM Lousiville doesn't sell-out like all the other Ironman races (that close within 24 hours). When they say it "can be hot" ... IT'S HOT!! 94 degrees and SUPER HUMID is NOT FUN!
2. When ALL THE OTHER triathletes don't have wetsuits, that probably means it's going to be a NO WETSUIT swim!! Denial, perhaps? Regardless, not a pleasant surprise to walk down to the start and realize you won't be wearing your wetsuit.
3. The Ohio River IS gross.When you can't see your hand underneath the water, it's dirty. And when you swim "around an island" and you're STILL NOT DONE it really puts 2.4 miles into perspective!
4. Always remember to "make a plan" with your traveling companion who happens to have your transition bags. My husband dropped me off to stand in line to enter transition and we didn't make a plan to meet. We both walked around for ~20 minutes trying to find each other - very calming to the nerves.
5. So sorry if you love a time trial start but I HATED IT! Arrived to swim start almost 2 HOURS early to stand in line to enter the water (1st come/1st serve). The seasoned "IM Louisviller's" apparently CAMP OUT to get a good spot in line and don't go to transition AT ALL in the morning. I ended up near the middle-end of the line which was approximately 1 1/2 miles long. So YES ... STOOD in a line for almost 2 HOURS!!! (only good thing is once it started it moved quickly. I entered the water at about 7:20.
6. They stopped placing port-o-potties in the swim start line after about .5 miles. Which meant the triathletes down by me looked like the homeless watering the grass and squatting anywhere there was so much as a leaf to utilize for privacy.
7. Back to the time trial start. Depending on where you start (in line) you may spend your ENTIRE swim going around lots of people.
8. Bike course: (FREAKING HOT) Kentucky has NOTHING on Wisconsin on HILLS!! VERY FLAT by comparison!! I have NEVER seen so many flat tires. Apparently a disgruntled Kentuckian decided to throw some tacks spanning a couple miles. Rough day for the athletes and bike support.
9. Note to male friends: Do NOT EVER wear WHITE bike shorts that probably feel very comfortable. That probably means they are see-through. And people really don't want to see.
10. Participating in an Ironman or toting 3 boys ages 6, 8 and 10 around the race course in 94 degree Kentucky heat ... (that was NOT my request)... but pretty sure I would have rather been racing.
11. It's great to know that the protein powder I use smells and tastes like fish if heated to BOILING point sitting in the sun. So much for THAT nutrition plan!
12. I have to chuckle when I feel like I'm "moving right along" on the run and my split is an 11:32! hahahahahaha
13. Wore a solid colored sports bra on the run due to the heat. Note to self: Throwing cold water and ice down sports bra to cool off produces a reaction.
14. Any Ironman finish is a good finish. I always feel blessed to participate. I was probably in the worst place mentally for this race that I have ever been in ... in my life. So I will take it and be extremely thankful! YOU CAN ALWAYS DO MORE THAN YOU THINK YOU CAN – BOTH PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY!!!