It's our birthday! Missy gets to celebrate cruising around the Mediterranean. I will also be celebrating with international flair...going out for Mexican tonight. All I can say is, she better bring me back something REALLY nice. We haven't celebrated our birthday together since she moved away from me, but I'm still happy that I always had her to share our special day.
They say the race itself is the easy part, and after this weekend, I think I might agree. There were months and months of training...miles on the road, on the treadmill, and on my trainer in the basement; and hours and hours in the pool with a couple of painfully cold open water swims in February and March.
Athletes had to check in by Thursday, so my mom and I planned to drive down on Wednesday night. We'd picked out a book-on-tape, had beverages and snacks, and headed south. As we drove, the weather got worse and worse. The snow wasn't sticking to the roads, although it was getting pretty slushy out there. We slowed down, and Mom decided to pass a semi-truck in front of us. Just as we pulled to the side, we started to hydroplane, bumped into the semi a couple of times, did a couple of 360s and ended up in the muddy median. Airbags deployed, we just stared at each other, amazed that we were OK. The car was driveable, so the nice semi driver tucked the airbags back in, and we drove 30 miles into Fillmore. The snow was really coming down by then, so after the UHP finally took a report, we spent the night at the Comfort Suite. We actually had a suite, which means an additional pull-out couch, random office chair (no desk), a microwave, and a refrigerator. At that point, I was thankful just not to be out in the snow anymore.
Early the next morning, my dad got up and drove his car down to us so that we would have a fully functional (and safe) vehicle for the weekend. THANKS Dad! The drive from Fillmore to St. George was uneventful, thankfully, and we headed straight to the Expo to do a little shopping...oh, and to register. Ironman races are the most organized events EVER! I was ushered right through the lines and all the volunteers were so helpful and excited. I picked up all my materials, got my wristband, and decided to have the bike techs look over my bike (just in case) and then got all my body-marking done. Just getting ready for the race is quite the process!
The next day I picked up my friend Janet from the airport, and then I had to drop off all my gear at different locations for the race. When we dropped my bike off at the reservoir, there were whitecaps everywhere...the wind was making everyone a little nervous about what Race Day would bring...
On race morning, I woke up at 3am, took a nice relaxing bath, and then ate an Uncrustables, a banana, and drank a Gatorade. My mom drove me to the athlete buses, where I found my coach, Keena, and some other tri friends. We rode up to the reservoir in the dark, chatting about our race plans. Keena was planning on taking it easy and enjoying the race (yeah...she finished so fast she qualified to go to the Ironman world championship in Kona). I also planned on taking it easy and enjoying the race. I knew it would be a long day, and I wanted to enjoy the experience as much as I could.
We got up to the swim start and put on our wetsuits. As I was walking through the chute down to the reservoir, I saw my family and friends. They gave me a little boost as I waded down to the start. The water was COLD! Apparently a lot of people got pulled out of the water and treated for hypothermia. Luckily, my body fat is stratetically placed and only my hands and feet felt numb. The swim was actually really nice. I'd held back so I wasn't swimming with the super aggressive people, and I just kept going. Finally the boat ramp came into my goggle-view and the first leg of the race was already over! A nice young man helped me strip off my wet suit, and I headed to the changing tent.
The changing tent was a ZOO! Women everywhere, some clothed, some not. I found a seat next to my friend Carrie and we chatted while we changed for the bike. The volunteers were awesome...digging out shoes and socks and sleeves from our bags and helping us into our biking gear.
I ran out of the tent and the volunteers had my bike ready to go. I knew it was going to be a long ride, so I paced myself. The first 20 miles were great. We had a couple of hills, but the energy was way up as we rode through into St. George. Everyone was cheering and excited. All through the first loop, I felt good. I rode up the hills, blessing my coach for making me ride them over and over again. Having experience on this course helped a lot to planning how hard I could ride certain sections, and where I could take it easier. I saw friends and family as I started on my second loop. I was starting to droop a little when a nice volunteer handed me an E.L.Fudge and a couple pieces of licorice. I was perky for another 30 miles after that, when the winds picked up and started blowing us across the road. At mile 100 or so, the wind gust hit me so bad that it blew my computer off my bike. Knowing I only had 10 miles or so to go, I let the wind gods have it.
I cruised into T2, and told the volunteers if they would take my bike and not let me see it for a week, I would appreciate it. They laughed and a nice girl grabbed my gear bag and helped me change my socks, shorts, and shoes. I threw on my pink Ironman visor, and I was off on the final leg of this crazy race.
I won't lie to you. That run was hard. Lots of hills. Lots and lots of hills. No flats. It really sapped my energy, even though my body felt good. I ran with Erin from Michigan for a few miles. Then I was on my own for a bit...and I was a little discouraged. I saw my family on the side of the road and started to cry. Chad walked with me and gave me a little pep talk. Just a couple miles after that, I hit the halfway point on the run and got my special needs bag and a little bottle of magic...a 5-Hour Energy. After I started back up the hill I got another little boost when I saw my friend Scott and we ran together for a few miles. He had to be the most popular guy on the course...he knew everybody! I felt like a rockstar running with him!
We had about 8 miles to go when Scott started slowing down and I found a couple of new friends to run with. They appreciated my pink ensemble, so I figured I could hang with them for a while. They had a great running plan..."The Gravity Plan". Run when gravity helps, walk when it doesn't. I was totally behind this plan and they kept me going until we hit the last stretch of the finish line. I was so excited to finish...as you can tell by the video clip below...my friend Mandy was the volunteer in the yellow and her fellow volunteer took some video of me at the finish line.
It was such an amazing experience. All the hard work really paid off. Although I was tired, I felt really good. My family was great...and they made a special medal for me, knowing how much I like medals. I had lots of friends come through snow and wind and car accidents to support me and cheer me on. The volunteers were awesome...cheering and handing out coke and cookies when needed. It was truly a day I will remember my entire life. Thanks to everyone for your support and your encouragement. It's your turn to sign up for a race, and I'll come cheer for you!
*Sorry about the super long post. But, hey, the race itself was 15 hours, you can take 15 minutes and read my report! I will post some more pictures when I get them from my family.
The countdown is on...Ironman St. George begins this Saturday at 7 am. Wish me luck! I sometimes forget why I signed up for this craziness, so here it is, 140 reasons. I should take this list with me and pull it out when I feel like I'm not going to make it. I should probably get a medal just for coming up with these (I did cheat a little and borrowed some from an Ironman message board post.)
001. Makes everything else seem so SHORT. 002. The 3 week taper before the race. 003. The 4 week recovery after the race. 004. To reach down and find strength you never knew was there. 005. Double-doubles from In-n-Out. 006. To find out who you really are. 007. Beats watching the new Survivor, Big Brother, or anything else on TV. 008. For all the times you heard someone say "I'd do one of those ... I just can't swim." 009. Sunrise over Sand Hollow Reservoir. 010. Because your parents told everyone you were doing an Ironman. 011. Mike Reilly's hoarse voice still bringing people home at 11:30pm 012. The Massage Tent - anywhere. 013. Your friends and family waiting at the finish line, 014. For the ones that believed 015. ...and the ones that didn't. 016. Chalk on the road. 017. Easy rides and runs the week before. 018. Finishing your last workout and smiling because you know "I'm SO ready." 019. For everyone who has ever asked you "Why?" 020. For the teachers in school who told you you'd amount to nothing and to silence the one voice inside your head that still believes that bunk 021. The view from Red Hills Parkway on the last loop of the marathon course. 022. You want to test the endurance limits of the iPod music collection in your head. 023. Creating your own "Amazing Race." 024. Spectators looking up your name and cheering as you plod past at sunset. 025. Where else can someone ripping off your clothes in public be considered a benefit ? (Wetsuit Strip) 026. Miles in the Run 027. Eating whatever you want that day, guilt free. 028. So you can answer "One." When people ask "How many days does that take?" 029. To wave at the scuba divers. 030. To backstroke and wave at the TV helicopter. 031. Encouraging Cards in your special needs bags. 032. Encouraging Cards in your T1 and T2 bags. 033. Chicken broth and coke, ultimate power cocktail 034. Chicken broth (Yes - it's worth 2 by itself) 035. To one day show your child what he or she can do...and at an earlier age than you. 036. Your get your own fan club made up of friends and family in homemade t-shirts and buttons. 037. One step further to your dream. 038. 9 pm bedtimes and 4:45 am alarms. 039. Driving the bike course in a caravan of friends, again and again. 040. Valet Parking and Catering ... all day long. 041. You might get on TV. 042. To gain the confidence to do anything. 043. To have the confidence to say yes or to say no. 044. Takes as long as having a baby, nearly as satisfying, only without the morning sickness and the 21 years of bills that follow. 045. Traveling with a bike makes business trips seem EASY. 046. Sharing a smile with people wearing the finishers T-shirt the next day. 047. Knowing that as you step in the water on race day - YOU MADE IT THIS FAR! Now just get home. 048. How many people can say they did anything for 12,13, 14, 15, 16...hours? 049. Knowing that you are running the same race as Kate Major, Desiree Ficker, Chris Leigh, Cameron Brown, etc. 050. The wristband that somehow becomes your favorite fashion accessory. 051. So that when you tell your grandchildren stories about what you did when you were young...yours will be true. 052. Carb-loading with pancakes the morning before...yum. 053. High fives from people you don't know. 054. The sponge as a fashion statement. 055. Because even when you are hurting, you can still run! 056. Knowing that after the gun goes off, you don't have to worry anymore. 057. First Place and Last Place get the same amount of cheers. 058. Walking to the start with friends. 059. Getting lapped on the bike by the professionals 060. Getting lapped again on the run by the professionals. 061. Coke and cookies on the run course. 062. Because MolybdenumMan doesn't trip off the tongue in quite the same way 063. If an 80-year old nun can, dammit, so can you. 064. You might get to run with Alexandra Paul! 065. Lots of cowbell. 066. If the Hoyts can do it, so can you. 067. If Randy Caddell can do it with just his arms, you can certainly do it with your legs. 068. Easier than Eco-Challenge. 069. Hated running and swimmning in high school. 070. Because everyone knows you are training and you can't stop now. 071. For all those 4:45am mornings, when you wished your head was still on the pillow. 072. Makes US Navy SEAL training seem like a good idea. 073. You enjoy the smell of chlorine in the morning. 074. You've had enough with your current social life. 075. For the love of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream! 076. Your friends are watching on the web. 077. You need to prove to your mom that even if you get on the bike right after you swim...you won't catch a cold. 078. Your exes think you are nuts and they actually admire you a bit (secretly). 079. Roadies think you're nuts. 080. Masters swimmers really think you're nuts. 081. Your running club KNOWS you're nuts. 082. Hearing "You're crazy" on a regular basis, and you kind of agree with them, but keep going anyhow. 083. Monday morning boot camp... you feel like every Monday is the start of a new thing (even though it is not) 084. Hot tub after the morning swims 085. To fulfill a dream. 086. To say, "I am an Ironman". 087. Bragging rights that last forever. 088. Glow sticks on the run close to midnight 089. Silent hugs on the start line. 090. Because Winston Churchill said I can't ever give up. 091. The 12-step program to make me stop hasn't been invented yet. 092. Any National Anthem, before the start, anywhere. 093. Knowing that when you wake up at 4:00am, the next time you go to bed you will be VERY different person. 094. CAFFEINE! 095. The yummy apple fritter in your special needs bag. 096. Picking up a couple of movies at the Redbox every Friday night for 5-hour ride on the trainer. 097. Makes your next marathon just a nice morning run. 098. To make your coworkers jealous because YOU have a life that doesn't involve the office. 099. Because the longer you're out there, the less per hour it really costs! 100. Being there is way better than watching. 101. Finding yourself in the middle of your doubts ... finding a new meaning of being scared. 102. Finding out that you're far stronger than those doubts a few miles later. 103. Falling in step on the run and making a friend to the end, without having to say a word. 104. A fried breakfast the day after. 105. Watching people headed home while you're headed out, thinking "I'll be there soon ..." and they cheer for you. 106. Understanding why that is as your cheering for people headed out when you're finally headed home. 107. That feeling of ice cubes in your hat on a hot run never getting too cold. 108. Telling folks with flat tires "It's a long day - hang in there!" and seeing them breathe and smile for a moment. 109. Hearing people cheer you up while your changing a damn flat tire. 110. Rolling into T2 knowing that no matter what - you can't have a flat sneaker from here on in. 111. Having someone catch you, and hold you up when you can't do it anymore. 112. Miles in the Bike. 113. The IV's feel SO good the next day. 114. To see if it really feels as good to do as it does to dream. 115. And then to see if it really feels as good the second time, and the third, and the fourth.... 116. To learn the power of commitment and determination. 117. Nothing like a PB&J for breakfast at 4am on race day. 118. To try and finish in daylight. 119. To try and finish before midnight. 120. To try and NOT get stung by that (*@! bee this time. 121. Your nieces/nephews already think you're a hero - prove them right. 122. Your exes don't...but you might prove it to them, too. 123. An M-Dot bumper sticker pretty much trumps everything else out there. 124. 5000 Volunteers - all for you. 125. Hearing them say "You're almost there!" all day long. 126. Being nearly almost there - for real. 127. Chicken broth and coke! (It's been awhile) 128. Getting your second, and third, and fourth, and fifth wind. 129. Because your training partners said you were a fighter 130. The first time you think "Holy crap - I'm doing an Ironman!" 131. Beating back the voices that say "Holy crap - you can't do an Ironman!" 132. Mile 26. 133. That moment when you KNOW you're going to make it for the first time all day. 134. Your brother wearing his "You're the Best....Around" tee, proudly. 135. Making the last turn down Diagonal Street and hearing the noise from the finish line. 136. THE FINISH LINE 137. The first step after you cross the line and think "I did it....!" 138. Hearing Mike Reilly say, "You are an Ironman!" 139. The Medal 140. Because they said I can't 140.6 Because I say I can.
Huh...I generally feel like horoscopes and astrology are just bunk, but I have to say that this one seemed a lot like me...weird. I'm also not happy about the big-bones, weight-gaining thing, but now I can blame that on my sign, apparently.
Strong, dependable Taurus leads the way when it comes to reaping the rewards of hard work. Stable and conservative, Taureans are among the most reliable of the Zodiac. While sometimes viewed as stubborn, this sign will plod along on a task until the very end, ensuring that everything is up to standard. They're highly creative and thoroughly enjoy making things with their hands.
Domestic affairs are very important to the Taurus. Values surrounding family are usually strong and fixed to the point where the Bull will do anything to protect them. Intelligence and a good sense of humor make this sign great company, and Taureans are often sought for advice on the practical way of doing things. Once a friend is made and trusted, this relationship will last for a lifetime. They're loyal and always willing to lend a hand. In fact, many friendships for the Taurus start in childhood. Promises and oaths to others are taken seriously. Time spent with family members is also prized. Taureans adore children, and will be the first at family events such as reunions and holiday gatherings. They love to entertain in their own homes and don't think twice about having a house full of friends and relatives to celebrate life's events.
TAURUS TIDBITS:
Ruling Planet The ruling planet for Taurus is Venus. This planet's action is gentle and harmonious. It governs beauty, charm, emotional contacts, possessions, unions of all kinds, singing, art, culture, sweets, and moral character.
Color The color of choice for Taurus is pink.
Gemstone Taurus' star stone is the emerald.
The Perfect Gift Soft fabrics, floral scents, cookbooks, flowers, candy
Likes Gardening, cooking, working with hands, music, romance, high-quality clothing
Dislikes Sudden changes, complications, insecurity of any kind, synthetic fabrics
Best Travel Destination Ireland, Switzerland, Sweden, Russia
Charismatic marks Solid, big bones, tendency to gain weight
Best environment A secluded home close to nature. Good food is also important. Beauty and comfort are a must.
The half marathon was great. The getting up early, not so much. Missy remarked to me, "Wow, I am never up when it is this dark," as we drove to the marathon start at 4:30 in the morning. On the other hand, I very rarely wake up when it is light, and when I do, it's with panic in my heart that my alarm didn't go off, even if it's Sunday and I get to sleep in.
We arrived in time to get in the giant porta-potty line, a race tradition for me and Chad. I always choose the line that has lots of pretty girls in it, as opposed to the sweaty chunky guys. Trust me on this. We got the nice girl ahead of us to take pictures of us just before my ex-fiance walked by. That is why I put on a little waterproof mascara before a race (even though he didn't see me, you just never know who you are going to run into). We ran into a lot of my tri friends, some who didn't know I was a twin and was very perplexed at sighting me and Missy together.
Finally, it was time to shuffle to the starting line, and we were off! Chad was off faster than us, even though he wasn't wearing a unitard. Next year we want him to wear his Cousin Eddie swim outfit, flippers and all. He had a PR to get this year (which he did, 1:42...AMAZING!), but next year I think he should aim to get on the news, and a leopard-print speedo and flippers could do it.
Missy and I had fun, most of the time. I think she was annoyed with me when I told her we had to go faster to get under 2:00. Hey, she appointed me time-keeper and gu-giver and I take those tasks seriously. I was getting a little nervous as we hit the hill heading up towards the Capitol, but she kicked it into gear and made a triumphal 1:57 finish into the Gateway. WAY TO GO!
It was a fun event, made even more fun when I got to share it with family (and not run those extra 13.1 miles). Thanks for a fun race, fam!
This Saturday, Missy and I will run the Salt Lake Half-Marathon together, even if one of us runs like Phoebe. Chad is running it, too, but I'm pretty sure he'll be ditching us in his quest for a PR, hopefully while wearing a spandex unitard.
Who else is running Saturday?
I love to find other running friends...it's really what running is all about for me. Well, that and running away from Satan.
