Race Coverage

"...A Day to Remember"...

Wednesday, 14 December 2016 23:10

By Nicole Heininger (nicoleheininger.wordpress.com)

Hawaii Ironman Race Report - Yesterday was exactly two months since the Ironman World Championship race. I have to admit, it has taken me this long to post my race recap partially because I had a hard time fully comprehending all my thoughts and emotions post race. To sum it up: the experience itself was amazing and my support crew was phenomenal….now if you want details keep reading!

First and foremost, I couldn’t be happier about having this opportunity. Not only was I healthy and able to race in the Ironman World Championship race, I finished and I had the support of so many, who not only got me to Hawaii, but kept me going that day. I am so grateful for the experience and will remember it forever. I was extremely blessed to have Jen Harrison coach me through it all and I can’t thank her enough. Likewise, I am thankful for all those who had a part in getting me to Kona, because without their support this experience wouldn’t have been possible. Big thanks to Eickhof Columbaria Inc., Hed Cycling and NOW Bikes and Fitness. Lastly, to my family and friends on the course, I couldn’t have done it without you. The support and encouragement was...

incredible, the best memories on that day were seeing all their faces and hearing all the voices cheering me on: Mom, Dad, Michael, Kristen, Tony, Joe, Bailey, Adam, Alycia, Renee and Tom!!

I took a lot of time and dedicated a lot this year to this once in a lifetime opportunity (it is not a given I will ever have this opportunity again). For myself, the race went well, but not as well as I know it could have gone. I believe overall I put together a good race for myself, in the range of what I am obviously capable of, however not as solid of a performance as I know I was trained for and could have executed on that day. I knew this race would be tough and it would challenge me on a new level. I expected to struggle at times during the race as that is typical for any Ironman. Unlike previous Ironman races, I planned to experience the difficulty of this course during the swim, the bike AND the run. Psychologically I was preparing myself to fight the beast vs going into battle thinking the beast would surrender to me. READ MORE