I’m awake at 2:30 listening to the waves crashing outside my window. I can’t sleep thinking about this swim and what it probably looks like outside my window. Do I look? Of course I do! White caps everywhere. Not going to be a fun swim today! I got up at 4:00 and immediately started to get ready. I wasn’t expecting everyone to get up with me, but they did:) I filled my bottles with water, carbopro and nunn, grabbed my “food” of waffles and gels, garmin and bike pump. Time to go see what this day is going to look like! As soon as we opened the door I knew it was going to be a long day! Cold, windy and windy! My instant thought is that I have nothing to wear on the bike! Walking to the beach with the wind blowing and kids wearing hats and gloves, they cancelled the swim. I was so disappointed. To come this far in training and not do what you have been training to do for months is devastating.
I was lucky to have a lower number, 481! Standing in transition with compression socks for warmth, arm warmers, and a long sleeve tshirt waiting to go. Teeth chattering, legs shaking, fingers and toes numb….got to love the unexpected race day! I started at 8:36ish and was just happy to get on the bike and start moving. I heard the family call my name, but honestly, I was too afraid to take my eyes off the road or my hands off the bike. 40mph gusts were not pleasant. At one point a woman came up to me from behind and congratulated me on saving myself from a crash. “you were sideways”! That was at mile 4, 108 more miles, ha! The bike was tough. The winds and the cold made it hard to control the bike, I left the bottles on the back cages alone – couldn’t bring myself to reach for them! and I wasn’t expecting cold! We started warming up half way through and I pitched the tshirt. Nutrition was great, or maybe lack of sweat. Two restroom breaks on the bike was a first! Coming into the final stretch was awesome! Finally! Lots of crowds cheering and I couldn’t wait to see my clan!
Coming off the bike was shaky! I could hear everyone calling my name and I waved. Into transition. Compression socks off! New socks, ahhh! Gels, water bottle, hat, I’m ready. Potty break again! Came out on the run course and saw everyone! Yeah!! How awesome it was to see them! Jax sleeping through the whole thing! Always a boost to see support! I can do this run. I was injured back in August with a torn calf muscle. I had to take a month or so off and then gradually bring back the running. My longest run before the race was 8 miles, so I knew this was going to hurt! If I kept my pace down, I felt like I could do it with a good finish. First half was good, I was tired, but my nutrition was great! I wasn’t hungry or felt sick. Saw the clan again at the turn around and took in the crowd calling out my name! I can hold this together!! By mile 16 I told myself that I would let myself run 4 min, walk 1 min starting at mile 17. At mile 17, I decided to start at mile 18. At mile 18, I decided to start at mile 19, and so forth! I stopped to use the restroom and put my arm warmers back on, it was getting darker and colder! By mile 20, I’m thinking I only have “1 loop” or a 10k to go. This is when it started to hurt. Bumps or inclines were grueling. I passed the timing chip locator around mile 22 and I really wanted to walk after that, but I knew the clan would have seen my pace and timed when I may be coming in for the finish. I didn’t want them waiting around too long and have the kids getting restless (although I’m sure they were already!). By mile 24 you are hearing the crowd. Hearing “you are an ironman” and I know I’m so close. You start thinking about walking, but remember all the people in this world and ones who have left that can’t do what I’m doing right now. I have no reason to stop. I’m not sick, my legs are moving, I feel fine other then pain and that will pass! I can do this. The last mile is awesome! People cheering you on! If you smile they love it and gets everyone even more pumped up! Coming down the chute I see JP jumping up and down and I raise my hands! I did it!! I saw everyone next and I high five and scream! I can’t stop because it will hurt if I do! Coming across was awesome! I did it! I ran that whole thing, not fast, but I didn’t stop! A first for me! Looking at the time I knew if I would have had that swim in, I still would have beat my best time! I will take that!
Seeing the family was great!! Tyler was so excited! He gave me a hug and was telling me about the people coming down the chute and how they were Ironmen! Looking at all my friends and family there and knowing how I’m the luckiest person ever! Accomplishing another Ironman, having so much support and people that I love and who love me back. Knowing all the people out in cycber world who were with me! All the people who donated to my cause, even if it wasn’t their cause, they knew how important it was to me! Thank you! And to my parents who were riding on my shoulder through that bike and who I talked to when things were hard, I love you! And to Jeff, my husband, who always puts up with my obsessions and early morning workouts. You’ve always supported my craziness and I love you! And to all my spectrum clan, I know it sounds cliche, but as Ironman likes to quote, “anything is possible”!
I race for Tyler 