Racing After Ironman. A triathlete never stops learning: What Not to Do.

It is almost 5 months post Ironman and today was my first big race of the season.  Although, I have increased my mileage over the past few months, I am not even close to the condition that I was in last November and still carrying excess post race weight (I just don't understand why I still can't eat 3000 calories a day anymore).  It seemed reasonable to pick the Vineman 70.3 Race in July for my "A Race" this year to take a break from the intense training and still reap most of the benefits of endurance training.  But, something comes over a triathlete when they start surfing the web for triathlons.  The adrenaline starts pumping through their body and goes into their clicking hand which signs you up for another race before you can think about whether you have the time, energy or cash to train and travel to the event.  I tried to exhibit some self control and I did not do anything impulsive like sign up for another Ironman, especially the day before when they had priority registration for participants.  Who is insane enough to commit to another Ironman before they truly get to experience it first hand.  (well, I know a few people, but believe it or not my rational side took over).

After 2 months of taking it easy and trying to catch up on all the parts of life that get neglected during Ironman training, I started planning for this year's training and what races would be good to help prepare me for my A Race.  I really did not desire to do another triathlon on my home turf at Tempe Town Lake and had decided to forgo our local spring race along with the cost being the breaking point.  So I signed up for ITU in San Diego which is supposed to be fun for watching the pros race and would be my first ocean swim (in the bay) and Deuces Wild (which I did last year and loved).   When I attended my first meeting at One Multisports, they have a raffle at their monthly meeting for those who know me well, know the only way I win prizes in triathlon is at the RAFFLE.  And I scored big....an entry into LEADMAN, a new event that was added as part of the Lifetime Fitness Leadman Series.  It was free and my training partner was registered, so I said I will just do it as a TRAINING.

So 2 nights before the race, I woke up wretching and was down for the count for 24 hours.  Not sure if it was something I ate or a little bug, but it really wiped me out.  The bed rest did wonders and I felt like I could at least make it to the start and probably complete the swim and the bike.  This event had unusual distances.  It was a 1.5 mile swim, 68 mile bike, and an 8 mile run.  The swim went ok, but my time was much slower than my Ironman pace and I felt tired.  I could feel the extra weight I was carrying even in the water.  I was very slow in transition as I just felt like taking my time because I was just training you know.  Then, I wanted to make the cut off for the bike so if I chose to run I would be allowed.  Out of transition, my legs were tired and I coached myself to just go easy on the first of 4 bike loops.  The next loop I seemed to be able to pick up the pace a little bit and by the 3rd and 4th loops I was planning an out and a DNF.  My stomach was not cooperating and whatever I tried to put it in tried to come back up.  It is hard to say if it was reminents from being sick or from the heat.  My legs grew heavy and I could not maintain my pace.   I completed the bike with time to spare but I noticed a lot of athletes with medals around their necks and the only way I could get one was to go out on an 8 mile run (or walk!).  I decided to go for the medal because what would I tell my club who gave me the free entry and what would I write in my blog if I had quit.  My stomach had settled a bit and I had prepared a camelback with ice in the morning so I could sip water and did not have to wait for the aide stations during the run.  I had a hard time running and I was desperately hoping I would bump into someone that wanted to walk to make the 8 miles more tolerable.  First I met a lady from my club and she was hoping to run and walk through the aide stations and I just could not keep up.  Then I caught up to a guy who would become my new racing buddy for the next 2 hours who was cramping so he was walking and intended to keep walking.  His name was Mike and I learned a lot about him on our long walk.  This course was nicer than most Tempe Courses as it was on a trail through Papago Park and it would have been a great run if it started at 6 am before a long swim and bike instead of at noon in 90 degree temps (at least that is what it felt like).  Those athletes still on the course were all struggling so it was anything but lonely.  By mile 4, we decided to run/walk the second half a testimate to the great people you meet in triathlon that sometimes people are willing to help each other and sacrifice a little of their own race.  We supported and encouraged each other to the very end and crossed together.  Thanks Mike, you helped me become a LEADMAN!

Today's race was one of those notorious mental battles.  The thoughts that popped into my head:
1.  Why would I put myself through this again?
2.  What was I thinking?
3.  I am just training, so it is ok to skip the run.
4.  Why did I let myself gain all my IM weight back?
5.  I will just do one more loop and then stop.
6.  I will shorten the last loop and let them know I did not finish.
7.  What will my friends that I encourage think if I DNF?
8.  What will my new tri club think of me if I DNF?
9.  I am going to throw up.
10.  Why was I able to push myself through an Ironman?  How did I run 26.2 miles after swimming 2.4 miles and riding 112 miles and today I could not even run 8 miles?

So overcoming the mental battle (though I would have been perfectly fine and forgiven myself for stopping at any time), I think there were some lessons learned here.
1.  Perhaps, start your season with an Olympic distance before taking longer distances on
2.  Perhaps train in the climate that the race will take place in (though it only just started getting hot here)
3.  Don't let yourself put all your weight back on because it is really hard to move
4.  Forgive yourself for not being fully prepared, not having a good day, and learn from the race and move on!
5.  Remember you are just here to have fun, besides you probably won't win anything unless there is a raffle.

THANKS ONE MULTISPORT for the free entry. 

Ah Ah Ah Choo!

Arizona spring boasts perfect temperatures for triathlon training and amazing desert blooms, but along with that comes allergies.  All my workouts are outdoors all year long except for an occasional indoor trainer ride.  That is part of the benefit of desert living.  In the winter, you can sleep in and wait for warmer weather to arrive or you can bundle up with your winter gear you got for Christmas and test out what degree it was made for.  In the summer, you adjust your alarm to rise with the sun at 5 am or even earlier on long workout days and put your headlamp on to beat the heat of the day.  It is awesome to ride, run and swim with the beautiful flowered plants lining the streets, sharp bright sunrises and sunsets painting colors in the sky, and silhouettes of the mountains popping out as the light changes.

When in motion, you sometimes feel like you are just a part of a picture painted on a canvas or watching a wide screen documentary as you move through time and space.  I visualize myself running or riding through the Arizona desert being photographed and published in the RAVE RUN section of Runner's World or Triathlete Magazines.  For those picture perfect moments in time, I am grateful as I am fortunate to not have to be an urban triathlete and run from traffic light to traffic light every day surrounded by high rise buildings.  I am very happy to live in the setting I do despite having to share it with more and more cars.  This setting does not come without a price.  During spring time there is a premium attached to the yellow, orange, purple and pink blossoms and that is ALLERGIES.  I am sorry for those that travel behind me on my bike while large streams of clear fluid escape from my nose like the strings of a kite.  And after enjoying the scenery by day, my eyes and throat become itchy and swollen by night.  I wake up in the morning with pools of drainage and an achy body.  Remember it is just SEASONAL and it too shall pass.
This week did not go as smoothly as last.  Workouts were shorter, some more intense and overall less frequent.  My body seemed to be suffering a little more with less to give.  Rebellion.  On occasion, the body fights back.  The mind is saying go, go, go and the body says no, no, no.  You can push past it some of the time, but respecting the volume of the scream is something a triathlete at times must do.  Does one taper for a training race?  I fought my body to squeak out 53 miles on the bike yesterday, but today, I gave in and allowed my body a day of rest knowing a long race is coming next weekend followed by an Olympic the following weekend in San Diego.  I only got 2 swims and 2 runs in this week and 3 rides with 2 light core workouts.  Sometimes less is more (I tell my husband that about his haircuts).

That invincible feeling that comes with a long ride fades away quickly when you have a tough week.  This week I mutually agreed to lead a C level ride so other turtles would come out of their shells and join in and the faster riders would not have to wait for us.  I stayed in the back and slowly but quickly I was seeing Orange Jerseys fading from my sight.  The new club I joined does not seem to have any C riders (besides I classify myself as a C+) and I found myself with my one friend and we enjoyed our C ride all on our own.  Maybe there are a few B- riders in the crowd but they turned and went on a shorter route.  I will still hold out for some other slower riders who love endurance to join in.  I still embrace who I am.  Speed is all relative to the others that surround you at any given moment.  Lately, I have been surrounded by many fast people.  My confidence about being in the middle of the pack is waning as I move to the back of the pack in this new group.  A true competitor will rise to the occasion and learn from the more experienced athlete.  Another opportunity to be thankful for (I think).  Put fear aside and just ride!

Highlights from this week were a great swim workout with fins that had my legs screaming for a few days, a great open water swim at sunrise at Bartlett Lake, and a 50 mile bike ride.

Lowlights:  trying to add some speed intervals on bike and run were another "sign" reminding me about the excess weight I am carrying, not getting good recovery after long hard ride and runs last weekend, and more arm pain with increased efforts after it had finally started to lessen and most of all......Ah, Choo.......Allergies.

I am not going to wish my allergies away so fast because they start to diminish when we reach the 100s in AZ and I am in no rush for that.  It is so nice to be able to get out earlier in the light and wear a sleeveless jersey, so a few sneezes and itchy eyes will just have to be one more thing I put up with.  We endure a lot and an Ironman can bear a few sneezes in exchange for colorful scenery, fragrant air, and nice temps to train in.

Now that I have taken control of my own schedule, I am not following a rigid plan and I took the liberty to take a TIME OUT today and rest and recoup my body.

(shared from Women's Recreational Cyclists Facebook Page.

The Hills Are Alive with the Sound of Triathlon

I am still feeling like I am trying to get back in sync with my trio-rhythms.  I had a full week of workouts and the first time since Ironman that I finally got 3 runs, 3 swims and 3 bikes in, all in one week.  I am still missing some very key workouts like core and strength and flexibility training.  Today I feel like I have been beaten up and looking back on my week, I can see why.   Monday I started my week off with a gentle swim.  Tuesday, I missed my morning bike ride, so I called my friend to do my favorite roller coaster course in the afternoon followed by a 30 minute sunset run.  Wednesday, I went to a group swim workout and drank a lot of water.  Then, Wednesday night I went out for a "hill" workout with the club I joined.  Their definition of hill repeats were 4-5 minute uphill runs with recovery on the down hill.  I ran to the meeting place from my house and then ran to the starting point with the small group that showed up.  It was one of those humiliating moments when I saw the people in front of me slowly fade away.  I was feeling nauseous before we even started the repeats and thought if I made it to the start that would be good.  I swallowed my pride and after the second one, I got a little further up the hill each time and I finished all 4 repeats.  This night was an indicator of where my fitness stands.  The next morning I got a short bike ride in and then went with my friend to share her swim lesson.  This coach has a studio with an endless pool and does video analysis.  He had me swim on the line and was taping and excited to share his discoveries to help me improve my technique with hopes that it would get rid of my shoulder issues and maybe make me a little faster (which is not of concern to me, but training pain free is my priority).  The coach went to show me the video and the camera broke.  That was just another moment of the week that made me feel a little embarrassed that somehow "I broke the camera".  I did not know my swimming was that scary!  So many people tell me I am a good swimmer and I have decent swim times when my arm is not hurting too badly, but apparently I don't catch the water and am overusing certain muscle groups.  So, I am going to get a few one on one training sessions, but I have found in swimming, it is very hard to wipe out the pattern I have been using for almost a half a century!  Friday, I went out with a small group for another open water swim.  The water was colder this week and a little choppier but we swam over 2000 meters.  Still feeling like I am being pulled down by excess weight and just not as fit as I would hope to be at this point in the season, I headed out with my training buddy for a 70 mile bike ride.  We decided to go on our own so we would not feel pressured to keep up with a faster group and so we could pick our own course.  We picked a very challenging ride with lots of hills, some short and steep and others long.  We faced Nine Mile Hill which is popular among cyclists in the area.  We were quite pleased with the steady pace we held and felt strong.  In the midst of our high from this accomplishment, we planned a long run for the next day and decided to do a 15 mile trail run on a beautiful rolling desert trail painted with spring flowers.  I ran in perfect turtle style.....very slow and very steady.  It was the first run I have done on tired legs since Ironman.  I have avoided running long on the day after my bike ride because it is refreshing to run when your legs are not impaired, but in races you do need to be prepared to run when they are tired, but maybe doing 15 for the first tired leg run might have been a little too much as I limp around from bed to chair.  As hard as the week was, every hard workout where I feel like I want to cower makes me stronger for the next workout.  The hills are truly alive right now in Arizona as our desert is in bloom and triathlons are just around the corner.  I can hear the starting gun going off, the splashing of the water, the gears changing on the bikes, and the tired legs shuffling because the HILLS ARE ALIVE with the SOUND OF TRIATHLON.  So ready or not, here we go.  I have a few races around the corner with my A race in July at the Vineman Ironman 70.3.  So many more hills to climb, but time to tell the mind I THINK I CAN, as I pedal up each hill.

SEASONS: CHANGING COLORS

Turtles do have long hibernation periods in the desert or at least this turtle did.  After Ironman Arizona in November and a year of very distinct focus and dedication to one goal, the flood gates were re-opened and my previous life flowed rapidly back.  Several people have asked if I was going to continue my blog, so I am peeking my head out of my shell as spring has arrived.  I was just trying to stay afloat consumed with picking up where I left off.  We had decisions to make about things that were placed on hold while I focused on training and finishing an Ironman.  My desire to have structure and commitment quickly faded away.  Yet, you do feel like you have been thrown off a high speed train.  Everything was planned for me over the past year and suddenly I felt like I was on my own back in the lonely world.  Yet, I did not want to have to wake up at the crack of dawn or be anywhere at a specific time or do a specific workout.  I had freedom and I did not want to give that up, no way, no how.  

With freedom, comes responsibility and I have come to the slow realization of the things in my life that were neglected last year.  Tax time is a good time to reflect as I realized I only payed my first quarter of taxes and some how forgot quarters 2 through 4 (luckily which did not turn out too badly since I was only working a few hours a week).  The last thing I desired was a schedule to follow or a group to meet early in the morning before the sun did rise.

Many things get put on hold during Ironman training.  We held up moving plans, working plans, being a part of my son's morning routine, taking a family vacation or making any big decisions.  When the race was over, I was faced with family health issues, a decision whether to move to California, spending time with family, and planning my own future work schedule.    We had some big decisions to make and they were all waiting for me at the finish line of Ironman.

I was at an awards banquet this weekend to honor a friend for mothers who were doing amazing things in their community and one thing that stuck out in my mind was about letting go.  In order to accomplish important meaningful things, we have to change our expectations and be able to let go of the smaller less important tasks in life to accomplish greatness.  I thought to myself, I had done that really well during my training year with the house a mess, important papers lost in piles, and a 13 year old who became self sustaining. Would you rather clean your house or go workout for a couple of hours a day?  You decide.  Maybe I did let go a little too much.

My commitment to "Tri-ing" for the rest of my life did not disappear.  Ironman really takes a lot out of a person and their family.  It takes time to recover from the physical and emotional build up from the year and the resulting side effects.  I just longed for the drive to return and it has taken a while.  The obsession to plan and the addiction is still present, especially when you are around your triathlon friends or you are researching races out there.  Your memory of the exhiliration you feel when you are fit and when you start and finish a race make your heart start beating and your hand reaches down into your pocket for your credit card and before you know it, you have signed up for another event.  Then when the high comes to an abrupt halt as you are counting the weeks left to train for this event, you think to yourself....what have I done, what have I done.  On the other hand, it fuels the fire to get started again back to a level of fitness and back to a daily exercise regime.  I strive for more moderation as I have decided to go back to work to support our financial goals and do purposeful work in my field helping children achieve their physical goals.  I also know that my son will start high school and that gives me a minimum of 4 more years to have him under my wing.  Having a 13 year old son seeking out their independence, is a great time to go train for an Ironman, but leaves you feeling like you have missed out on precious time pulls at your heart strings.

I enjoyed training with a group for Ironman, but found it time consuming.  I enjoyed having a program to follow, but found it restrictive and more difficult to listen to your body and respect its signals.  I missed making up my own training schedule as that was part of the fun for me and modifying it based on how I felt each time or what came up in life.  If I feel like going out and riding 10 miles or 60 miles, I wanted to be able to do that.  I also wanted to go back to my motto of "fitness for free" and felt that I maxed out my lifetime training budget on IRONMAN (which is a whole other blog).  I no longer want to be away from home for extended periods every weekend.  The downside of taking on your goals solo is the challenge to be accountable without the comradery and motivation of like minded individuals.  Another thought from the awards banquet was to surround yourself with high achieving and like minded people to realize your dreams and find the greatness within.  I had to consider the best way to accomplish my personal goals and go back to enjoying a more flexible schedule.

So I decided to change colors.  I joined a triathlon club right in my neighborhood.  You pay a small fee for the entire year to be a member and you get a road ID and t-shirt and have free daily group workouts you can participate in, social events, club meetings, and community service activities.  I even won a free entry to a local triathlon in a few weeks that I had opted out of due to the high fee at my first club meeting.  I have already made my membership dues back and then some so this plan fits well into my budget and motto of "fitness for free".  My friends all know that if there is a raffle, I am there!

Like the seasons, changing colors is hard to do.  I miss my friends in yellow, but I see them on facebook, dinners, and even sometimes on the road.  You have to find the best fit for your personal needs at any given time and for me the choice to be closer to home on a low time and money budget was the right choice for me.  I will be wearing orange now (and hopefully occasionally I will put my yellow back on when I meet up with my old friends).  Being open to meeting new people and trying new things takes courage to once again step outside of your comfort zone.  It has been nothing but fun since I am in the Ironman Club now.  I feel nothing but happy when I get to share stories with another Ironman.  We share an unbreakable bond and I am happy once again to have a place where I can go to speak that language and to share my experiences with someone else who is striving to do their first triathlon or their first Ironman.   I want to make slower athletes feel welcome and not alone.  And we could sit here and argue all day, whether I am a slower athlete or not.  I still embrace who I am. 

At this moment, it is wonderful to reminisce, but as far as Ironman goes, I am in the club (still tatto-less), but that was THEN and THIS is NOW!  I am still a turtle.  I shed my wings after Ironman and am now sprouting new wing buds.  I realize wings do not last forever, but you have to earn new ones each year.  So back to hard work, dedication, and most of all more FUN.  For without fun, there is no reason to come out of your shell.  Today is no different than any other time where I was starting from scratch to re-sculpt the body and mind back into form for the new race season.  For me, it seems to be about capturing the spirit again so I can overcome the current obstacles I am facing.  The best way to do it, is to take the plunge, step out of your comfort zone, take a few risks, meet some new people, change up your training and get back to it.  So spring is here and the turtle is coming back, still slow and steady as EVER!

What Turtles Are Thankful For

Here I sit here on Thanksgiving morning before the crack of dawn because I still can't sleep in though I am thankful for the 5 or 6 solid hours that I got. 

My body is exhausted though I am thankful that the excruciating pain from Day 2 has come to an end thanks to rest, Dr. Hoy's magic cream, compression gear, hot tubs, slow motion, stretching and massage.

My mind is beginning to want my body to move again, yet I am thankful that the desire to move did not get totally wiped out from my brain.  The act of moving will have to wait as I now possess the ability to resist temptation.

My family is coming over despite I have not the energy or strength to cook a turkey, but thankful that others will step in when I can no longer stand on my feet.

I am depleted, but thankful I am not defeated and I will be back on the track with new goals for 2013.

I am thankful that I had a year where I stepped out of my comfortable shell to experience something that not everyone will understand.  I am thankful for the feeling that my life is complete.

I am thankful for a sport that is not all about what your body can do or how many people you can beat, but it is about what you can do in life.  I am thankful for the men in Hawaii who decided to put together a race with 3 events to see who could endure.  I am not sure I would have come up with the idea to "tri" on my own.

I am thankful for the people who have inspired me through their own journeys to overcome hardship, to work hard, to push forward, to pursue, to persist, to share, to stay positive, to run away from negative energy, to jump over the obstacles, to never give up, and to make it to the end.

I am thankful for completing something that I set out to do and for the people that inspired me and supported me along the way.  I am thankful for those that accepted that I was too busy or too tired to do the simple things in life like clean my house, help with homework, stay awake to watch a movie together, or spend time with friends.  I am thankful for those that did not question WHY and stuck by me no matter what!


Top 20 blessings of triathlon which I am most grateful for.....

1.  fit body
2.  fit mind
3.  lots of friends
4.  lots of food
5.  events to participate in
6.  triathlon gear
7.  energy bars
8.  compression gear
9.  calf sleeves
10.  good coaches
11.  talented massage therapists
12.  teammates
13.  my bike, Scottie
14.  sherpas
15.  sag wagons
16.  water to swim in and to drink
17.  hills to climb
18.  shade
19.  volunteers
20.  sanity (and insanity)

That is a lot to be thankful for.  Enjoy your day!

TURTLES CAN FLY! I AM AN IRONMAN, now tattoo or no tattoo is the question?

Seven hours ago, I became an Ironman.  The day finally arrived after signing up exactly 1 year ago for this challenge of a lifetime when I decided WHY NOT instead of WHY!  After 1 year of committing to complete a 2.4 mile swim, 112 bike ride, and a 26.2 run, I earned the sacred title of an IRONMAN.  My goal was to make all the cut offs in order to beat the time limit of 17 hours.  When I first started training, my abilities would put me close to those marks.  I was a strong swimmer, weak on the bike, and running would be questionable with years of chronic back, hip and leg issues.  For some reason, I wanted to accomplish what my brothers had already done as when I was actively running marathons, I used to joke that maybe by the time I was 65, I could qualify to go to Kona and be an IRONMAN when less people are active.

To complete this far out goal, I asked for my family's blessing, joined a team, found a bike expert to help find a bike that fit and to teach me how to ride it, and surrounded myself with people with the same goal.  My life changed a lot over the past year.  I gained a whole new family and I learned a lot about myself.  The training results in a strong mind and a strong body and a higher level of fitness.  Throughout the day, I felt confident that I could achieve this goal.  It almost seemed easy, but it progressively became harder.  I was slow and steady though my teammates still argue about the word slow.  I was steady.  I was strong mentally and that is how I got over the obstacles that appeared on the course.

My brother posted U2s song in the morning, "It's a Beautiful Day"! and that is what the day turned out to be.  I woke up around 2:40 am to start my morning rituals and my brother picked me up after 4 am to get me to the start on time.  We arrived 2 hours before the race to do final preparation for the day with our bikes and bags.  My family came shortly after and staked out a position on the bridge above the swim start.  Our team stood in a circle while our coach gave a speech and we ended with a "racelab cheer".  Then we hustled to the swim start line where everyone jumped into Tempe Town Lake (all 2500 of my new friends) right after the pro start.  By the time I hit the water, pink and green caps filled the lake with boats and kayaks right along our sides for support and a few words to pump us up were shouted out and THE CANNON WENT OFF.  It was most certainly a test of survival for the first 40 minutes as you fought for your own space in the water.  I questioned again why they start as a mass groups as this is part of the 140.6 tradition.  People of all skill levels starting side by side i s just the beginning of this insanity!  I kept a cool head and lifted my head and regrouped when I got punched, hit, kicked or pulled on and kept moving forward.  Our docile lake turned into a turbulent ocean.   The sun was in our eyes.  My goal was to swim along the sighting buoy line, but part way through one of the kayak volunteers was yelling to swim right.  It was a bit of a challenge to see each yellow buoy on the way out.  Once we got under the bridge to swim toward the first red turning buoy, I was able to enjoy the swim.  I was thankful the water was chilly in the low 60s to numb my arm that has been sore for the past few months from overuse.   I was able to push a little and just enjoy this first part triathlons that make some others so uncomfortable.  I reminded myself to take it all in for this part would quickly be over and then we would get on our bikes.  The orange buoys were easier to spot, however, they did not appear to make a straight line, but more of a curved path to the last red turning buoy.  I am usually a little sad when the swim ends, but I had a big day ahead.  I mentally checked off 1 event and was relieved to survive the mass swim and the cold water temperature and come out of the water ahead of what I expected.  Getting out on the steps and trying to re-orient to a vertical position is an interesting experience in itself.  The crowd makes it even more exciting.  You start running on a path filled with hundreds of cheering spectators, stop for the wet suit strippers to pull off your supersuit (wetsuits feel like they do give you super powers, at least I swim much faster with one on), and continue running into the transition area, grab your T1 bag with all your bike gear and head into the changing tent.  There were volunteers to help you get into your bike stuff which is a great big help when your hands and feet are numb and your body is shivering.  One of my teammates was sitting right next to me and we had another teammate volunteering in the tent helping us.  As fast as you can get out of your swim suit, put your bike gear on including warm shirt, bike jersey, bike pants, helmet, gloves, glasses, helmet and bike socks, you then run into the sea of bikes to your bike rack and grab your bike.  I had to stop a few times to adjust my shoes with my numb hands and then I grabbed little Scottie my bike and ran to the mount line.  It is an exciting time and again the entire transition area is lined with people cheering on their athletes.  The first half mile of the course is also filled with spectators, so gives you a boost of energy on the bike.  My job was to get my heart rate down and go easy on the first lap.  The course was an out and back loop that you had to repeat 3 times.  Our team has trained on it many times, but November brings more wind and today was no different.  The weather forecast had predicted 2 mph winds, but it felt much stronger to me.  The hardest part of the bike course, was the crowded course and having to leave 4 bike lengths between athletes.  The course officials were handing out penalties on the first loop.  I did not want a 4 card for drafting so every time someone passed you, you had 20 seconds to drop back.  Going out to the turn around was tricky to pass others, because you had 20 seconds to get ahead and then stay ahead, so I limited passing to when I knew I could overtake and maintain the pass.  There was a lot of drafting and blocking going on due to the narrow course, but if a reference was not present, no penalty was handed out.  After each loop, you got to ride through the beginning of the course with all the spectators and refuel on energy with the loud roars.  I waived each time I passed the racelab tent.  It was hard to know exactly who was there, but I felt the love.  For some reason today, my aero position that I have been training in did not feel so comfortable and I rode on the top of my bars a lot instead of aero much of the time.  I also needed to stand a lot to relieve the pressure on my bottom and my back.  Despite that, I still felt strong and find my space with a few others going back and forth.  I was thankful for all the great aide stations on the course and was successful most of the time grabbing water bottles.  Again I thought about how this was such a doable event and Ironman no longer seemed so big or out of reach.  As I was fatiguing, I told myself I can't wait to finish and go run a marathon.   I was actually going to be very happy to get off the bike.

It was another happy moment dismounting the bike and handing it to a volunteer who returned it to the rack as once again I ran through transition grabbed my T2 bag with my running gear went into the changing tent and had 2 volunteers help me get out of my bike gear and put on my calf sleeves, socks, tri shorts and top, race belt,running shoes, hat, and stuff my pockets with food.  I ran to the bathroom outside the tent and then was off on the run.  I tried to take it easy and remember how many times we had run on Sundays after being tired from a long bike ride on Saturday in training.  I knew I could go slow and steady!  That is what I do best.  And, that is what I did.  My goal for the marathon was to run the entire way which was big in itself because my running has been very inconsistent and sometimes non existent over the past 10 years.  I had brought the jelly beans I usually take on a long run, salt tablets, and some extra food and used the supplies provided at each aide station beginning with water and Ironman Perform.  The jelly beans and Ironman Perform were not agreeing with my stomach and I started taking shots of cola by mile 8 for the remainder of the race.  Coke is my new best race drink.  It settle my stomach temporarily and gave me a surge after each aide station stop.  Every now and then I tried to eat a piece of fruit or a pretzel, but my stomach really was protesting about putting more solids into it.  I felt thirsty a lot but had trouble quenching my thirst despite using a lot of salt sticks.  I knew the caffeine and water might be cancelling each other out, but I felt it was the only way to control my stomach and it worked.  The other things that made the run more fun was that many of my teammates and a few good friends were volunteering at the aide stations so that gave a needed boost.  The course was a figure 8 loop where you crossed by the transition area 6 times (It was really more like a 3 leaf clover pattern).  This helped break the run up into different parts and I got to pass by my people 6 times along with many other cheering fans.  The course was never lonely.  By the second loop many people were walking.  I was able to sustain a run with my coach's words in my head if you follow your heart rate zone, you will be passing a lot of people during the run!  This was not a typical scenario for me on a run because it is my slowest event and I have earned my turtle title here, but an IRONMAN is about endurance and being slow and steady is a definite advantage.

When I rounded the corner  for the finish the clock said 12:58 which took me by surprise.  I had no idea what time it was because I had to reset my Garmin a few times, so when I saw that I could break 13 hours, I sprinted to the end.  I got a quick "Elizabeth Kozura, You are an Ironman" because there were several athletes finishing close together.   As I crossed the finish and screamed "YES, I DID IT".  One of my teammates was volunteering as a "catcher" and she literally reached out for me, covered me in a blanket and I held on and cried a few tears of joy as she kept me upright while they handed me my IRONMAN finisher hat, shirt and medal, removed my timing chip, got my picture taken and found my family.  One of my coaches also came to take over and held me up and escorted me to my family.  I went briefly the the medical tent for the nausea and had some chicken broth.  Then my family and I found a area with a folding chair and I changed and sipped on clear soda.  My husband and son went and retrieved my bike and gear bags while I recovered more and then we went back to the finish line to wait for some of my teammates to finish.  It was a sweet celebration with lots of hugs.

Though I moved slow and swiftly for just under 13 hours, once you stop, you lose that ability.  That is when the post IM shuffle takes effect.  You walk like you just dismounted a horse and you look like a penguin.  You need help stepping on and off a curb and you would dare take on steps.  Sitting in a chair is not an easy task either.  We made it home and I checked all the hub bub on facebook, got a shower, a drink and a few crackers, and worked my way into my compression gear.  It was hard to turn off and shut down especially after drinking shots of cola all night!  I talked until my husband passed out and then finally closed me eyes.  I slept solid for a few hours, but I am sure I will be taking many naps to catch up over the next few days.

This morning is the post race celebration and award ceremony and the stores puts out finisher gear for purchase.  Many of my teammates who trained along my side this year are heading down to Tempe this morning to sign up for 2013.  I call them the CLASS OF 2013.

So eight hours after finishing my first IRONMAN I do not feel strongly compelled to do another just yet.  It was a joyful experience and everything came together well for race day.  I am one happy turtle.  My biggest question is not what race I will sign up for next, but to get an IRONMAN TATTO like I have promised myself as as symbol of belonging to the club!  I guess I will just sleep on it for now.

If you believe in yourself and you do the work even a turtle can do the unexpected.  I am living proof that TURTLES CAN FLY!

Butterflies, Belief and Dilemmas of an Ironman

So here I sit almost 24 hours away from race time.  So many athletes have had BUTTERFLIES in their stomaches all week.  I have felt calm, but know that it is probably the calm before the storm.  Went to the big Welcome Dinner and Athlete's Meeting Last Night with a sea of 2500 triathletes.  Took in inspirational stories of different athletes and last minute instructions about the weekend festivities.  For an athlete that enjoys solitude on her swim, bike and run workouts, this is not that type of event.  I will soon have 2499 new friends racing by my side for under 17 hours.  I will share this journey with them, though will be in motion with my favorite trio once again:  "me, myself, and I".....we will never be lonely as the ones we love and the ones that love us will be by our side and along the route.  We could not do this without our fans, our cheerleaders or our loved ones.

As I was walking past the finish line on my way back to my car last night, I thought how out of reach this goal used to feel.  I no longer feel that IRONMAN is so big, because over the last year of pushing back the wall and the boundaries, you find the BELIEF that anything is possible.  And you have to put your faith that your body now knows what to do and that your mind can keep up with your body.

That is now not to say that us athletes don't still face many important dilemmas about what to wear, what to put in our special needs bags, what to eat before, during and after, what time to get to the race, and whether it would be bad luck to purchase your Ironman souvenirs before you complete the race.  At least this will give me something to occupy my time until the cannon goes off tomorrow.

A big shout out once again to all the people who made getting to the start possible for this turtle who has earned the name IRONTURTLE.  Thanks to my coaches, my family, my friends, my teammates, my blog buddy, my bike fitter/trainer, my massage therapist, my angels, and my body, mind and soul and the hard shell that holds them together.  It truly does take a village to raise a triathlete.