Local completes 16-hour IronMan Triathlon
Published:
Monday, November 30, 2009 5:39 PM CST
Editor’s note: White Bear Lake High School graduate Bridget Edgar, 34, completed the IronMan Triathlon on Sept. 15 in Madison, Wis. The race consists of a 2.4-miles swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a marathon (26 miles-mile) run, raced in that order without a break. Her time: 16 hours, 18 minutes and 52 seconds. Edgar now lives in Columbus. The following is part of her blog about the event.
Swimming
We left the house at 4:30 a.m. and headed ... to the lake together. I started crying when I had to say goodbye to (my husband) Olaf, it was just so much emotion built up inside me from going out there and seeing the people, the music, the sunrise. I said goodbye and got into the water. I kept positioning myself away from any large men who might crush me in the water. When the cannon went off, I took off. Slow and steady. I kept reminding myself that it's a long day. I had no idea what my pace was. Going to the first turnaround ,it was wonderful. Smooth, no waves, didn't hit one person! The corners were another story. It was really crowded and people were stopping, which didn't help the flow.
I exited the water (in) about one hour, 31 minutes — a bit slower then I actually thought I would go, but I did it without getting hurt or losing my goggles. Yeah, the worst is over I thought, but it actually seemed easy. I had my suit stripped off. I ran up the helix about half way and started walking the second half when I realized ‘I'm in my swimsuit jogging up a ramp with thousands of people watching every ounce of me jiggle.’ I ran into the ballroom to get my bag; I had to get it myself and went to the changing room. It's really hard to change when you are wet.
Biking
I felt good going onto the bike. We were climbing some hills to get out of the city. At mile eight I was shifting from big chain to small and my chain jammed, my pedals were locked, and luckily I got unclipped before I tipped over. Thankfully it wasn't jammed up too bad. I got on and kept going. (For) the hills I needed that small chain, so I ended up riding the first 70 miles in small chain. It made me slow. This is when I realized a $600 used, heavy, old bike from Craigslist might not have been the best choice for the IronMan.
I just took my time, and everyone was saying ‘No hurry, we have 17 hours.’ About mile 30 ... I was stung by a bee on the inside of my thigh. It was throbbing for the next 20 miles. I couldn't believe it. It helped divert any other pain. I was feeling really good, eating when I should.
I drank at least seven bottles (of liquids) in the first 56 miles. I started off again just relaxing while riding, and about mile 70 I started doing the math and thinking about the bike cut-off. (Editor’s note: Edgar explained that there are four timing cut-offs during the competition; if the athletes are not at certain points in the race at those times they are disqualified. “In 2008 we went to watch and saw grown men crying,” she said. “It's heart breaking.”)
I biked harder the last 42 miles then I had all day. I was so worried. That's when I had to start using my big chain to give me more speed. I believe it was about 5:12 when I got into town. 5:30 was the cut off. Phew, I made it! When people say if you keep going you can kind-of take it easy, it's not really true.
Running
I felt dizzy in the transition and actually sat down to get into my run gear. The volunteer ... took of my jersey, helped with my shorts, took off my shoes and socks. My feet felt like they were on fire. It was a chore, being so sweaty and out of it. I saw (friends and they) told me not to worry, that everyone walks the first two miles and everyone hurts like this, so it's normal. I really needed to hear (that) from someone. I was feeling really dizzy so I just walked. I thought I had rocks in my shoes so I stopped to dump them out, and nothing. I figured it must be massive blisters and I didn't want to look. About mile seven I started jogging and felt better, but then my right knee had intense pain. I had Advil with me and hadn't taken any all day. I popped two of them and waited 15 minutes and started running again. No pain in the knee. I was finally not dizzy... (and) was feeling so much better that I was able to run and knock off a few miles. I wanted to make sure I made the half-marathon cut off. My feet were starting to hurt again.
I walked ... until the end. I could feel my blisters filling up with fluid and it was get so painful and then they would burst and I would have relief. It was a continuous cycle until the end. As we approached the finish line ... I ran as hard as I could. I wanted to enjoy the moment as best as I could but I was again feeling dizzy. Everyone was cheering: I didn't even hear the words. I waited all day to go to the finish and it was such a blur. I missed "Bridget Edgar, YOU are an IronMan". I crossed the finish line and the catchers grabbed me. I couldn't even think at that point.
Rough aftereffects
I sat on the park bench with Olaf and then decided to go to the medical tent. They sat me down and I remember hanging onto the table next to me because the room was spinning and I thought I was going to tip over. Two people across the tent were vomiting over and over. A lady was brought in and was vomiting the entire marathon; she lost 12 pounds so they took her back for an IV. I finally asked the guy to take my blood pressure because something wasn’t right. He did and it was 60/40 or around there. (Editor’s note: Because Edgar passed out and assistants were having a hard time finding a pulse, she was taken to a local hospital and given an IV. But no significant problems were found, and she was discharged at about 2:40 a.m.)
I was scared that night to go to sleep. I thought I wouldn't wake up. I did get about three hours of sleep and was up early eating food. My stomach wanted food so badly there was no way I could sleep.
We went to the awards ceremony and watched the highlights video. They are the best videos ever. It's really emotional to watch. Most people are holding back tears — even the people who didn't do the race. I was so thrilled to have finished, happy to have it done, happy to be alive, happy to have my life back. I know I said I would never do this again but maybe someday ... it's just something that everyone should try.
To read Edgar’s entire blog about the event, visit http://seebridgetswimbikerun.blogspot.com/2009/09/16-hours-18-minutes-and-52-seconds.html.
