Claire Geiger recently qualified for the Kona Hawaii Ironman by winning her age group at Ironman, WI, which, by the way, was her first Ironman!  Claire was coached by Craig Strong, and as she puts it, he gave her complete confidence in trusting her training and fitness level on race day.

Below is her recap of her incredible experience:

The gun went off and we were on our way. There's really no preparing for a mass swim start like that. Over 2,500 athletes all off at one time. It's hard to describe but I would say it's like kids in a bouncy house-for over an hour. People are grabbing your ankles, trying to kick you, and defending themselves from war here. I tried to stay relaxed, got a couple good swallows of lake water but I figured I'm immune to it by now after so much time on these lakes. I got nailed a couple of times and clocked in the chest on the last leg.

But then it was done. It wasn't too crowded getting out. I got to the wetsuit strippers and then had a little run up the helix. I could feel myself beaming. I had been waiting 5 years for this race and it was finally here. I caught Craig on my way up, as well as some teammates waiting with an awesome sign. I was in and out of transition, had some people slather a bit of sunscreen on my shoulders, grabbed my bike, rode down the helix, and headed off for 112 miles.

The weather was perfect. I decided not to wear the arm warmers and I was fine. The adrenaline was pumping and the sun was already warming the day up. I just spun my legs out a little bit and headed out of town. I hit a bump and launched a water bottle with 400 calories at about mile 2 but left it. I figured I'd probably lose it again anyway and I'd just grab stuff on the course. Craig would've killed me but there are hundreds of decisions that are made race day and this was one. Started getting some liquid in and really just focused on keeping my heartrate down and relaxing on the way out. The plan was a 40 mile warm-up and then pick it up a bit the next 72 miles. And it really flew by. I felt invincible on the bike. My legs felt awesome and it’s a beautiful ride. My family was perfectly spread out along the hard hills at the end of the loop and Maggie and Matt even caught me at another point of the loop. It was perfect.

Will was sprinting up hills next to my bike, Laura was Flip-camming the thing, and Maggie was snapping pictures and cheering. I couldn’t stop smiling. I felt great. The bike was what I was most worried about when I originally signed up but I've come to love riding and my bike. Craig caught me on the last tough hill on the loop, told me I was looking good, and to bring it home. Tons of people were cheering for me and were telling me to hang with the big guys. At mile 100 Tony and Lincoln were waiting in Wisconsin boxers and then I was heading home. My favorite part wass coming back into the city on John Nolen. It's the best view of Madison and was gorgeous. The lake was beautiful and all I had waiting between me and the marathon was riding up the helix. I got my feet out of my shoes so I could hop off and not have to run in the cleats.

I got into the terrace and only one other person was in T2: the girl who beat me on my half-ironman in Door County. I may have dropped the f-bomb and the only thought going through my head was, “If I have to run this whole marathon step-by-step next to this girl and duke it out at the end, this is going to be a long day.” But I got my shoes and was out the door. No looking back. No getting passed.

A big group was already waiting at the turn by the capitol. I told myself my legs felt good and I set myself up for a good run. I knew every inch of this run, all the places I’ve been to a thousand times. It was just taking it by blocks, miles, and aid stations. The first 5 miles were just to get some good leg turnover and fall into my rhythm. A group of Novices from last year were waiting by the SERF and another group of rowers on Charter; Megan, Simon, and Piper caught me by the stadium; Maggie and Chris were cheering on Breese Terrace; and I had a massive crowd at the boathouse. Kaitlin and her Dad were ready on State Street and Susan and Chris were parked in Library Mall. There were people everywhere. It was unreal.

The first half-marathon was tough. Miles 7-12 were especially challenging. Just knowing I had so much more to go. The crowds made it easier. I could'nt stomach food so I relied on Gatorade for my calories and used the wet sponges they had to cool myself off. Making it back up to the capitol was bittersweet. I could see the finish line but had to turn around and head back out for another loop. My legs were really hurting and I thought I hit a wall; One of many that Craig told me I would hit. I told myself I'd get through and it would get better but after about an hour I just realized it was going to hurt like this for the rest of the race. I had to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.

I passed one girl in my age group in the stadium and then another on Lakeshore Path heading towards the boathouse. I thought I was either first or second at this point. I just wanted to keep running. Laura kept yelling at me to remember my nutrients; and people were everywhere. I don't think my expression changed once in the second half-marathon. Tony called it my game-face; Matt called it going Rambo, Craig just called it intimidating. All fine by me. Coming up to the boathouse Maggie told me that #1 was catchable. I didn't want to know how far ahead she was so I just kept going. I was racing my race, not hers. I came up behind her right by picnic point. I knew this would put me in first place and if I made the move I couldn't give it back up. So I went. I picked my body up and tried to make it look like I was feeling great as I cruised past. I knew I'd see her again after the turnaround at Lake Mendota Drive so I tried to play it off as cool. Four miles to the finish. If I pass someone in a 140.6 mile race with four miles to go, there's no way in hell I'm getting passed back.

I willed myself to run to every aid station, walk to get some calories in, and then pick it up again. I drank the Coke whenever they had it. Delicious. High fructose corn syrup: Get In My Belly! My legs were dying but I figured it'd hurt just as much running a 10min mile as running an 8min mile so I ran as fast as those little legs would take me. I joined up with a guy I had been around earlier during the marathon. Ivan who kept commenting on my cheering squad.

He told me we were going to finish this thing together. So we just kept going. We got back onto State and we went. I picked up my pace as fast as I could, blew through the last aid station, and waited to turn the corner at MLK. There were people lining the finisher chute and the only voice I wanted to hear at that point was Mike Reilly's but ironically I don't even remember his announcing Claire Geiger-You are an IRONMAN. And then I was done. 140.6miles. 11 hours 22 minutes and 53 seconds. Just like that.