The Run & Finish

The Run: After getting out of transition, I had no idea how my legs were gonna feel for the marathon. Over the past week and a half when I was given permission to run again - my leg/foot took about 1/3 mile to 'warm up' and not tingle. I had NONE of that this day! I guess the 112 mile bike was enough of a warm up for those guys. 

Miles 1 - 6: I headed out on the run, planning to galloway (run 5 minutes, walk 1 minute) and just keep it strong and steady. My watch was set to beep at me and tell me when to walk or run...this watch was also borrowed by Val and had just run Louisville Ironman, giving her a stellar performance - so I was using it as my good luck charm at IMWI!

As I headed out, I saw my cheering crews again! Man, I loved them all! Jake asked me if I was doing alright and I smiled and gave the thumbs up and kept running. The surprising thing about the run, was that it went so fast...I tried to take everything in while my legs were doing their thing. Watching all the spectators, all the runners, reading all the signs, EVERYTHING! It was absolutely amazing! At about mile 3 we run around the football stadium (Camp Randall) on the football field and then head out to the running trail before we hit State Street (where the majority of the crowds are). 

 

At State Street, I saw Mom, dad & Stacy cheering loudly with their signs. The TCMC crew were back there again and Ironman Jim ran beside me and asked how I was feeling...my response was that I surprisingly felt better than I had in my Half Ironman races this summer (granted I was injured during those races...). It didn't feel too bad! Then I saw the Team IronJen crew and Jake, yelling and screaming.

Miles 7 - 13:

The run is a 2-loop course, so at mile 13, you get to see the finish line, you turn and do it all again! Everyone said that this is the most discouraging part of the race, to be so close to the finish line and have another 13 miles to go...but it didn't even phase me! After the turn around I stopped at my special needs bag for some Gu, and then got to run past all the cheering crews again a few blocks down!

Miles 14 - 18:

On the far portion of the run route, the running path was lined with the Janus signs that people made for their athletes...it spanned over a mile with back-to-back signs. I really liked this part, seeing all of the great motivational posters people made for their loved ones. I never did see the sign that mom, dad & Stacy made for me (Go IronJen & Pink Lightning) - but I was looking! At the Ford Motivational zone, they had music blaring and I got to see the message that Jake put up on the electronic board for me - which meant a lot to me! At mile 18, on the last turn around on State Street before heading back to the finish, the cheering crews were going nuts! Jake ran with me here for a little bit, giving me my last pep-talk and the Team IronJen girls were shouting that I could make it back by around 8:00 PM! I gave Jake a kiss and headed out on the final stretch to the finish line.

Miles 19 - 26.2:

I kind of picked up my pace a bit for this final stretch...I tried to keep my water stops minimal and just kept moving forward. It finally got dark with about 3 miles left to go. Athletes were getting their 'glow' bands, but I never was offered one - which was fine with me! I just kept going. I never had an instance during the marathon that the miles didn't just peel away, or where I was just dying to see the next mile marker. It flew by so fast! Before I knew it...I could hear the music and Mike Reilly announcing finishers names by the capital. I rounded the corner and saw the chute and was almost there!!! I guess I was pretty 'serious' looking going into the finish line (according to Jake) but then I threw my arms in the air as they said my name..."Jennifer Rehling You Are An IRONMAN!" I was actually pretty surprised that I didn't start bawling...I expected that I would really tear up. But I was too excited and wanted to go see Jake, my family, and friends. Final time: 13:11:49!!! My Run time: 5:01:41 / 11:30 min/mi pace. I finished before 9:00 PM, which was my goal (after the standard goal of just finishing!) 

The volunteers gave me my medal, a shirt and a finishers hat and escorted me to the "Finishers photo" area. They kept asking if I was OK and I kept telling them, they could leave me, as I was fine. I got my photo taken and then got out of the finishers area where I gave Jake the biggest hug & kiss! Then I got to talk to mom, dad, Stacy, Team IronJen and the TCMC crew for a bit. It was the most wonderful day!

 

Jen's Ironman Finish Photo!

IMWI 2009 Medals