IMWI 2010 FINISH

THE FINISH: Mile 25 came and went, and before I knew it mile 26 was right in front of me. By now I was back in civilization, with loud spectators, cowbells, signs, and more. I wondered if they knew if I was finishing my first or second lap, heck they could be cheering me through a turn around for all they knew! Regardless they cheered anyway. And it was in these last few tenths of a mile that the magic of the whole day enveloped me. The street lights cast an orangish glow, for some reason I remember that. I targeted the crowd barrier fence to maximize the cheering. Hundreds of people were lined up, all of them cheering for me and the other athletes around me!! I ran the first stretch along the Capitol and saw BN. Turned right and got high fives all along the second stretch. I could hear music and Mike Reilly announcing at the Finish. Another right turn, more high fives and the JM’s!! I was laughing, screaming, almost crying, and running as if it was my first mile of the whole day. It was as if the Finish line projected energy that I could absorb. And the closer I got to it, the better I felt.

One last left turn…and there it was…The Finish Line!! The white arch, Mike Reilly, the official Race Clock. But I almost couldn’t see it in all the excitement. It was overwhelming. Tears, goosebumps, laughter, cheering…I’d imagined this very moment all summer long. When the miles started to wear on me, when the heat of the day took all my energy, and when my motivation was low, I’d play this very moment in my head as a motivation. Then Mike Reilly called my name:

"Tracy Jo Pasieka, YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!"

Before I knew it, I crossed the timing line and passed under the arch! 13 hours, 42 minutes and 36 seconds.

Again, I was overwhelmed. Two catchers grabbed me and kept me walking. They led me off to get my medal and my T-shirt. They kept talking to me, kept me walking, and led me off to the finish photographer. They let me wear the honeybee hat, which is now immortalized in my finisher’s photo.

POST RACE: And that was it. It was over! The catchers released me when I found my family, who were waiting on a chicken dance. They were rewarded with the best chicken dance I could do after 140.6 miles.

My immediate concerns focused on rehydrating. I knew I was low on fluids, but didn’t have the stomach to take too much. Besides, I was too distracted to drink water. My friends and family had met up at the finish. Amazingly enough, I still had the energy to sing and dance with the finish line music. My energy levels would crash eventually, for now, I was going to revel in the celebrations.

But soon enough, as with everything, it had to end. I wanted to stay up the rest of the night and relive these moments. I wanted to run the last few tenths of a mile over and over. I wanted more of this drug called Ironman! But I needed fluids. A shower. And a chair. Wow was I tired!!

One of my biggest surprises of the day was the realization that I had not one blister, raw spot, or injury from the entire day. There were training days this summer in which 5 miles left me hurting, but today truly was blessed.

We headed back to the car. Rich and the family had already collected my transition bags and Frea, my trusty steed. Did I really do all this? It seemed unreal. The Tri club group gathered for a late dinner at Perkins, rehashing the day and swapping stories. I always envisioned IM post race to be a zombie walk to bed. Instead here I was eating dinner!

Love it. Absolutely Loved It. And now I want more!!