The official rules of the Ironman include that it starts at 7 am and individuals must finish by 12 am. The Louisville IM is a little different because it has a "time trial start" instead of the normal "age group start." Typically, competitors are grouped by age and sex and each person starts at the same time as everyone else in her age group. However, at IM Louisville, competitors form one line and enter the water one at a time. Essentially, it's a first come, first serve style where people get in line and wait their turn. Like typical fashion, my two friends and I were in the port-a-potty (eh!) when the gun went off and sought the end of the line after the official start of the race. By the time we found the end of the line, we were at least half a mile from the dock and behind approximately 2,500 people! So, by the time we entered the water, it was around 7:35. This meant that we would have only 16 hours and 25 minutes to complete the race. Knowing this made me a little uneasy, but my two friends quickly assured me that I would be fine and wouldn’t need more than 16 hours anyway.
The 2.4 mile swim was okay, considering how much and for how long I had dreaded this part of the race. The water was warm so wetsuits weren’t allowed. We began in a cove, swam upstream at least a mile, and returned by swimming downstream to transition. It took me 1:48:03. I looked at my watch and thought, “Oh wow. Longer than I expected.” Shame. Entering transition, I saw few other bikes and knew that, with my late swim start and my slow time, most people would be much further ahead of me on the bike. Oh well, I like having the bike course to myself anyway!
Starting out on the bike, I knew the longest part of my day was just beginning. Knowing this weighed on me, and I spent a fair amount of time quelling those concerns and reminding myself that this race was something I elected to do! The 112 mile bike ride would be the longest distance I had ridden, considering that none of my training rides passed 100 miles. However, the distance did not concern me as much as knowing that it would take me a looooong time to complete it. The sun grew hotter as the day went on, and the hills seemed never ending. Race organizers set up a viewing area at miles 38 and 68, and I was SO happy to see my friends and family there on each pass! It really kept me going!! All along the way, there were so many people off their bikes, laying in the grass, and appearing as if they couldn’t continue. Each time I passed one of these individuals, I was thankful that I had not yet encountered any distress myself! I stayed as low as I could and pedaled as fast as I could, while at the same time tried to not destroy my legs for the marathon that lay ahead. Finally, I finished the ride in 7:50:58. Wow!! Almost eight hours.
When I got off the bike, it was almost 5:30 pm and it hit me that I only had 6 and a half hours to finish the marathon! On a good day, I could clear that easily. But with the way I felt after 114 miles and 10 hours of activity, I was concerned. I knew I could finish. But exhaustion begged my body to move as slow as possible. I wanted to walk and knew I could walk 26.2 miles any day. But, the unfortunate truth was that there was no way I could walk the distance in just six and half hours. I would have to run quite a bit (even if at a slow pace!) if I wanted to finish. Thankfully, two great friends found me and ran with me, encouraging me, and feeding me certainty. Each mile was consumed with dueling thoughts of considering the consequences of missing the 12 am deadline and KNOWING that I would finish. My run turned out to be my best split all day, and I finished in 6:18:38.
There were SO many incredible and amazing people I shared space with on that day!!!! First and foremost were my two dear friends who raced with me. One has been my best friend for over fifteen years, and I could never, ever imagine going through this journey without her. She pushed me and believed in me from day one! Happily, I’ll always call her best friend and teammate. The other friend and I haven’t known each other for as many years, but she is a kindred spirit nonetheless. She always had time to listen and was quick to reassure any fears or concerns I had about the race. Knowing that these two incredible women were out on the course with me kept me going. We each had our own race to finish, but I knew they could do it. And they knew I could as well. It was incredible to share the dream of Ironman with them and to watch the change in us all as we made our dream come true!
Second, my number one supporter was always my L. He was by my side from the first time I mentioned that I “might, some day, maybe” think about signing up for a race of this distance. We speculated about the time it would take and all the changes we “might” have to make to our daily lives. We had absolutely NO idea how much time training would take and how much it WOULD change our daily lives. He was ALWAYS supportive and was willing to do whatever he could to help me reach my goal. This support meant even more to me considering how busy his own schedule was as a medical student. All I can say is I’m absolutely the luckiest girl in the world!!!
Third, the presence (physical and spiritual!) of SO many friends and family members on race day meant so much to me!! Many took off work, traveled long distances, and went on no sleep just to cheer me and my two friends on. My parents, my brothers, members of my extended family, old friends, new friends, and best friends. They were all there, and it meant the world to me.
In the end, I finished the race at 11:52 pm, 16 hours, 17 minutes, and 55 seconds after I started. With eight whole minutes to spare, I crossed the line of IRONMAN with no hope to return. This day was a defining moment in history for me, and I know for years to come I will begin sentences with “The day I became an Ironman…”
They say that life is about the journey, not the destination. I say that’s true. But with just one caveat. The journey can be grand, it can be long, and it can change you along the way, if you are willing. But it is only upon arriving at your destination that you truly understand and appreciate all that was “the journey.” August 29, 2010, marked the end of my journey to race day but also the beginning of the longest and most difficult challenge I have undertaken. Here, the journey was the destination. Despite the difficulties of the day and the mental struggles I faced, my smile never faded. I was constantly mindful of the amazing opportunity I was living. All the hours of training, the injuries overcome, the fears refused, and sacrifices made were worth it. This journey was worth it all, ten times over. And, in fact, I realized some where along the road that day that the journey would have been worth it whether I made it before midnight or not. But it was soo much sweeter because it ended with:
“Meredith Kimmel, YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!!!!!!”
