Sunday, September 09, 2007

An Amazing Race

Hi everyone. Sorry it took awhile to get this out. I talked to Jayme a little while ago and she had to stop racing for the day. What we didn't know while she was swimming and biking all those miles was that she was also getting sick to her stomach. Unfortunately, this persisted during the swim and the first 56 miles of the bike course. Yeah that's right, she tossed her cookies while swimming in the middle of a lake with a couple thousand people and then decided to bike 56 miles while continuing to hurl.

Seriously, unable to replenish the nutrients leaving her system, she realized that she just couldn't continue. You have to feed the machine - and her machine wasn't open to it. Of course, in true Jayme fashion, she first pushed herself to the absolute limit. I'll let her tell you all the details when she gets back.

There are so many finish lines in her future and I'm sure the Ironman is among them. Her journey was an inspiration to so many people, including me. Her drive, determination and kindness is contagious. I'm so thankful she openly shares it.

Congratulations on your Ironman success, Jayme! See you soon and make sure Mighty M. drives the entire state of Ohio!

- Adam

49 comments:

Unknown said...

Jayme...while you might not be an Ironman today, I think you have a will of iron and you'll finish 140.6 your next time out. You rock!

LBTEPA said...

Please send her our love - safe trip home Jayme - you have an iron heart mate

Tea said...

Jayme--You have made an incredibly journey and are a tremendous inspiration to me.

As hard as it was to stop, you made the right decision.

Lesser is More said...

To have gone through what you did today says a lot. You still swam an impressive time and the first lap of the bike was equally impressive. Be proud of what you were able to do and remember that the race is only one day of the whole journey.

Duane said...

So sorry to hear about this, but you will persevere and you still inspire me to no end! My luv to you!

Meredith said...

To be going through what you went through and completed what you did, you are truly a champion. There's always another day.

ShirleyPerly said...

Jayme, You've come sooooo far and today was just not your day. It's not the race itself that matters but rather who you became in the process of getting to the start line. CONGRATS!!!

Wes said...

Jayme!!!! You fought the good fight! We are ALL SO PROUD OF YOU! You are AMAZING! I am so excited for your future. I can't wait to hear what's next for you.....

The Stretch Doc said...

Ironman all the Way!

no worries..

love ya!!! get well..

rockon`

Liz Waterstraat said...

It's not a matter of IF you can do it - it's just when. Pick your next target and you'll hit it no doubt. Rest up, feel better, enjoy the parts of your day that did go well...

Elizabeth

Herself, the GeekGirl said...

IM, you toed the line. You gave it all you had (and then some, poor stomach.) Pat yourself on the back, because you showed up to do your best, and you did it!

Charlie said...

The true challenge of Ironman is getting to the start. You did that. You were having a good race despite health issues.
Congrats on a great decision. Life is not worth a medal. You are an Ironman. I am sure you will be back. Maybe we'll see you at Loo-vul

Bill said...

Jayme -

You toed the line, you pushed yourself past your limits. In my book, that makes you an Ironman. Regardless of the line.

I look forward to your adventures to your next competition.

-bill

Fe-lady said...

So sorry about your sour stomach....recuperate well and continue your story and quest...whatever they may be!

Anonymous said...

Jayme - you are an incredible inspiration.

the Dread Pirate Rackham said...

Oh honey - you did good! There are other ironmanses to go and conquer - this was your practice run. You did the right thing, and you are awesome!

B Bop said...

Thank you for sharing this journey. Along the way your story has brought smiles, tears, inspiration, and enlightenment, among many other things.

Your attempt to push through the stomach issues isn't suprising. You gave it your all and continue to inspire. I look foreward to hearing about the next challenge.

IronTRISH said...

I applaude your courage.... to get to the starting line, to push through the pain, and to stop when you needed to. Be proud of all you accomplished to get to where you are now, as an athlete and a human being.

Spokane Al said...

I am so sorry to hear that today was not your day. I look forward to reading about your future victories.

Carrie said...

Damn nutrition! Hope you recover quickly. You'll cross that line another day- no doubt! So proud of you for getting to WI and all the work you put in to get there!

TriTurtL said...

Stunned... That's what I was.

I kept checking Ironman.com and no bike split! Then it got to the point that I knew they closed the bike course and there still wasn't a bike split for you. I was worried! And apparently with good reason! With stomach issues, I can't believe you did so well on the swim AND you biked as far as you did! You are an inspiration over and over!

I've followed your progress all summer and know that you've put in the training that qualifies you as an Ironman. From what I've been told, you accomplished the hardest part--full on social life zapping Ironman training. AND you inspired many in the process.

I hope you feel better soon! Blogland loves you!

the juice said...

Hey, Jayme,

I'm sorry I didn't have the honor of meeting you in mt. Horeb, though I saw you come out of the swim. I'm so sorry you had a tough day---and so impressed that you finished the swim so strong and went on with the bike despite your discomfort. *YOU ROCK* Hang in there and congratulate yourself for the hard stuff---the training and the getting to the start! We're proud of you. Thanks for sharing your journey.

Amber

Cliff said...

IM Able,

Stepping up for this race is already a huge accomplishment. U have done more than u think u ever thought u can do or u ever dream u would.

I hope you feel better and get well. There is always another race...

UltraMamaC said...

You started the race and did an amazing job despite the circumstances. You are Iron in my book, woman!

Alili said...

I am so in awe of your strength. You made some difficult decisions out there and you showed a true iron spirit. {{Hugs}}

Brent Buckner said...

IMAble:
You did the work, toed the line, began executing the plan, and adapted in the face of difficulties - that's what athletes do.

All the best for safe travels and recovery.

Larissa said...

What everyone else said.

Seriously, you are such an amazing woman - and the decision to live to race another day was obviously the right one.

I sure hope you are proud of all you've accomplished this year - you can see that all of your readers sure are!

Best to you in your recovery - look forward to following your future journeys!!

Julia said...

Let us know asap what Ironman you've picked out for your next try. You made the right decision to pull out.

Go Mom Go said...

Come do Louisville! All the cool kids are doing it :)

Good job keeping your head straight and pulling out, we all learn more when we are challenged then when we have success. I was watching you all day and kept hoping to see a bike split. Recover and then tell us everything.

Laura

Jane said...

You are still a winner and an inspiration. I can't believe you pushed on after puking - that's Iron!

Unknown said...

Able, recover well. You are a champion in my book.

Iron Eric said...

Triathletes...we can be very hard headed. We will push are bodies to the max and keep going until there is no return. I applaud your courage and efforts. It has been a fun journey watching you grow as an athlete and a person. Good Job! Try it again next year?

ShesAlwaysWrite said...

So glad to hear this! We were so worried about you and couldn't get any real information while we were at Monona beyond the (lack of) information on Ironman.com. Since I knew the gear bag captain only allowed bags to be checked out early for medical reasons I was terrified you'd had a bad bike crash or something. I'm sorry your race didn't go the way you'd hoped, but so glad to hear it was something like this and that you weren't seriously injured.

The Original MAJ said...

I am so proud of you. You have trained so hard and come so far.

I know first hand what it's like to be sick while competing and I went back and completed that course a few months later. I am positive that you will take everything good out of this experience and continue to grow!

Anonymous said...

My sister kicked-ass on Sunday. It was our family's first trip to the IronMan and the whole experience was amazing. J looked wonderful and did a really great job...BIG SIS = IRONMAN!
We love you Jayme and we could not be more proud...
-Lil' Sis

Kim said...

hi babes, i admire your strength and perserverance... to finish the swim, and then go through 56 miles with stomach issues... honey, you are a true inspiration.

rest up. we are all so very proud of you.

Anonymous said...

You are still my inspiration. You rock, Jayme.

Love from WI.

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry it didn't go the way you wanted but reading your blog has been inspirational and you have come soooo far... more than 'natural athletes' who've always been sporty (and that's not knocking them but you you know what I mean)

Recover well and it's another milestone.

Clare in Warwick

momo said...

jayme - you have inspired so many people through your training and your words on your blog. i'm so very sorry yesterday went as it did and that ironman threw you that nasty curve ball. i cannot believe how long you stayed out there feeling as badly as you must have felt - you are a true champion in all of our eyes.

big hugs, take good care of yourself and please let us know how you're doing when you're ready.

Steve Stenzel said...

I was looking for you out there, girl. Sorry to hear your day was less than ideal. I hope you're feeling OK (physically and about IM). Don't give up. 56 miles after puking? That's nuts!

Donald said...

I'm sorry to hear this - but I have no doubt that you have an IM finish in your future, if you want it. Thanks for sharing your journey with us, and I hope there's a lot more to the story in the months to come.

Erin said...

I'm so sorry I didn't get to meet up with you (I was looking for you all over the place), but even more, that your race didn't go as planned. I can't imagine the disappointment you must feel -- or, on the other hand, I sort of can -- after all of the preparation and training and training and preparation, ad nauseum, but you must know that you have inspired so, so many people -- me included.

It will take a while for this to sink in and for you to get your head around it, I'm sure, but for now, don't forget these words that a commenter left on your blog some time ago:

"Ironman is not about what the clock says at the finish line. It is not about endings. Ironman is about beginnings -- the commitment and dedication to live your life the way you want to live it. And the courage to toe up to the starting line, despite the fear, and keep moving forward.You are already an Ironman. The race is just a celebration."

So, congratulations, Ironman. I -- and so many others -- am so proud of you!

Iron Pol said...

Hey Able, ditto what Siren said. You proved a couple things. First, if you got sick IN the water and finished, you're way tougher than me. That would have been the end of my day, as I would have drowned.

Second, you proved IronmanDead was no better this year than last. According to the results, you never got out of the water. Since you made it through transition and half the bike, maybe they should show that.

I spent the entire time I ran with Wil checking bib numbers ready to run with you if needed.

Laura is right, consider joining her down in IMKY, next year. Saga in the making.

Laurie said...

You are amazing!

It was an honor to meet you and cheer for you on your way into T1.

Great job giving it everything you had. I see many more finish lines in your future :)

21stCenturyMom said...

Congratulations on training up and toeing the line. It's a shame your guts let you down but you gave it your all and that's what counts. Not very many people would keep going after hurling in the water. You are amazing!

Here's to your next step up to the line working out better for you. You know you have what it takes!

Bolder said...

i was so glad i got to meet you at the Athlete's Dinner!

sorry to hear about your race, and hope that you are doing well...

SingletrackJenny (formerly known as IronJenny) said...

Jayme - it's OK. A lot of this sport is about what the day brings, not just what you bring.

And if you're sick that day, you're just sick. I hope you know that we all believe in you and know that you can do it next time. It's too bad this happened on your first one.

xoxo,
Jenny

jeanne said...

congratulations. true courage is knowing when to call it a day.
you'll be back, stronger than ever. feel well!

Nancy Toby said...

There is nothing, NOTHING worse than trying to swim and puke at the same time.

Sorry your day didn't go according to plan, but you can only work with the cards you're dealt on race day, and I'd say you drew a lousy hand that day, sad to say. Better luck in your next event, whatever that is!!!