Kona- More photo fun. Race report coming soon!!

We arrived home yesterday afternoon after travelling for nearly 24 hours and sleeping none of them. (Ok, maybe 20 min here and there. But that is IT!)  We were all in some sort of fog yesterday but we did make it to Tommy's soccer game, Mark mowed the lawn, I went to the grocery store, we cooked a big healthy meal and then finally, bed. To lay flat on my bed rather than torqued in an airplane seat felt Amaaaaaaaaaazing. In fact, it is still feeling amazing to my kids because Nick and Tommy are STILL in bed! It's 10:00! Unreal. Poor Cam was plucked out of his at 8:30 in order to get to a soccer game.

I am almost ready to spend time relivving my race day and putting it into words.  I need a period of uninterrupted writing to do that so I may need to wait for the kids to go back to school tomorrow. It's coming.... I can't wait to get it on paper so I can look back at the memories of the day.  For now, here are more photos from our wonderful vacation in Hawaii. Maine in October is probably my favorite place on earth. The sky juggles between bright sun and dark shades of purple. The leaves are colorful on the trees and crunchy on the ground. The air is crisp and homes are cozy inside.  That said, the white sands, clear surf, bright sun and relaxed mood on the Kona Coast were the perfect recovery for what's been an intense 12 months for me. Starting last October, I have been training hard. First, I prepped for a January marathon. Then I moved immediately into Ironman Lake Placid training. After a 3-4 day rest following that insanely awesome race, I hit the roads to get this body ready for the 'big show' in Kona last week.  ahhh..... you can be sure I relaxed as intensely as I trained over the past week. I slept a lot, drank some, ate too much with very little focus on healthy foods, and cleared my mind. When looking at these pictures I think you can see how that might have been easy to do where I was lucky enough to hang out last week!!! 

Now, back to reality. The air is cool, my tan is fading and the 'to do' list is growing. I'm happy to be home. And I was so so lucky to be in Hawaii. 



 This captures how I spent days 1,2, 3 post-race. I couldn't walk anyway and my ankles/feet/legs were totally swollen so hey, why not just lay in the sand and chill, right? (Hapuna Beach)

Tommy ran and splashed the Entire week.

 This has to be our favorite shot. Tommy and Nick. Nick is the upside down boy with frog legs.  This photo is hysterical when you zoom in close.   The water doesnt' even look deep enough there for him to be in this position!  It captures their fun pretty well I think.

 This is a beach we found in 2009. You must drive ~2 miles over lava rocks to find it. It's remote and quiet. The sand is speckled with coral everywhere...

Tommy cruised around looking for more giant sea turtles. He popped his head up periodically for air, just like the turtles.

Proof that I just sat around with my feet in the sand.

 The snorkel beach south of Kona that we drove to one day. You enter by jumping off the shore that is actually lava. I can't remember the name of it... I'll find it later.  We found that we saw the most fish and turtles right out the door of our condo at Kahaluu beach. 

driving down a long long road to one of the black sand beaches.

All 4 of my boys playing in the surf.

Nick was dwarfed by most of the waves. 

FUN! ( mark and Nick)

My last day on the island. Mary and I relaxed and discussed our big days.

I love this because it shows how clear the water was. 

the Family...

Our last breakfast at Lava Java... I miss that place already. Yum!!!

We cruised around in a cool red jeep all week...the boys took every opportunity to climb out and sit on top.

My favorite beach...

Tommy- an outside meal at the Canoe Club

more stories and pictures coming soon!!



Hawaii Ironman 2011

I have so many stories. I have so much to write about. For now, a few photos and a few words will have to do. I am on vacation in beautiful Hawaii with my amazing family and we're packing up for a day on some tropical beach somewhere off the Queen K. 

Saturday was a day I will never forget. So many things went right. And yet, I had to dig deeper than ever before.  Ironman racing is a day that is constantly evolving. It's a day that requires extreme confidence and focus. You must prepare your body for months and months but if your mind is not prepared for the challenge, it is over for you. It's a long grueling day.  When all is said and done, I absolutely love it. 

Trying to find words to describe my WHY is tricky. Why do I do this? I will tell my story over the coming days but you might need to read between the lines to understand my why.  It's in there.  If you listen carefully, you'll get it. 

Here's how the day turned out in numbers.

Overall time:   10:26      7th in my age group, 4th American finisher in my age group.
swim 1:04, bike 5:37, run 3:34

I finished a full hour faster than when I raced here in 2009. I was only 7 min behind my time in Lake Placid a few months ago. To say I am happy and satisfied with this is an understatement. I'm absolutely ecstatic with my performance.  I finished with pride and a smile just like I promised my Dad I would. 

A few photos until I sit for more stories another time. 

4:30 a.m -heading to the race. Aren't my boys awesome!

getting close....

 Running to the finish...

watching Mom for hours and hours and hours....

I Feel GOOD!!!!

Those sick days earlier this week are in the past and I am ready to race!!!! My workouts are done and the bags are about to be packed. I swam this morning and felt smooth. Just now I ran a quick little jaunt down Ali'i Drive and felt awesome. Fresh, light, fast and excited. I am here to knock off another 140.6 and then dig out the snorkel!!! 

Race # is ready for me!!

The underwear run this morning on Alii.

The boys and I had breakfast at Lava Java.

I made small talk with last year's World Champ.

Cam and Tommy in their new Ironman hats and free shades. :)

A few shots as we drove around.

The guys spent the evenings writing about and drawing fish in their journals.

I'm feeling the pre-race nerves and getting ready to hit the lava fields. Can't wait to get this party started.

It's a new day!!!

Our 2nd day in Kona has been a great day!!  Why??  Mostly because I do NOT have a fever!!!!!  It's been since Saturday night and I am ecstatic to say I think I am finally almost Better!!!!  Phew. Huge giant sigh of relief. 

Alright then.... back to the race.  My mind has been distracted a bit. Maybe that's a good thing?


First.... I woke up at 4:00 a.m. Not on  purpose. Guess I'm still stuck on Maine time a bit. I met Mary for a swim in Kailua bay. This shot doesnt' tell the story. The swells were Huge today!!!!  They were breaking over the wall as I walked over and I knew something was up. Standing on the beach it was hard to have solid footing. We were swept off our feet and finally decided it was 'safer' to just swim.  I rode a few massive swells out in that sea and was glad they didnt' carry me into the rocks.  We're not at Crescent Beach anymore!!  ( for those of you who know Maine...)

Then I picked up my bike and went for a short ride on the warm and windy Queen K.

Later in the day, we all strolled back to Dig me beach.  The boys were Thrilled with the giant waves crashing over the wall and spent a few minutes Trying to get soaked. They were successful.

I found Marni!!!!!  Great to see her again.  She's going to crush the race on Saturday!

Can you see the Gheko? They provide Lots of entertainment for my 3 boys. This one is on our lanai.

we walked around the expo, got fruit at a farmer's market, they got ice cream and I got a decaf iced coffee at a little shop, and now I'm chillin' and they're searching for more turtles down at the beach.  Getting close!!!! 

Surf's Up!

As I sit here on my bed in beautiful Kona, Hawaii I am mixed with emtions. Of course I am! I'm racing in the Ironman World championships on Saturday! (gulp, or am I?)  yes, I am.

Backing up.... our trip went well. The five of us travelled for 21 hours yesterday. We left home at 6:30a.m. and shut our lights off at 3:00 a.m. Maine time. It was only 10 p.m. Hawaii time, thankfully. Our condo is gorgeous. The sun is shining. The south swells are moving in ( per a local friend who knows these things) so the surf is huge and sadly, the water's not quite as clear as it can and will be again during this trip. Nonetheless, my boys are ecstatic with the lizards that crawl around like Maine squirrels, the birds that are flying all over our lanai, and especially the oodles of giant Honu ( sea turtles!) they swam with all morning at the beach across the road from us. Nick told me he even saw a fish just like the black and white striped one in the fish tank on Finding Nemo.  Cool.

I'm doing my best too. But, life has thrown me a curveball. Likely the most expensive flu/cold/ who knows what bug of my life.  Last Thurs I found a little cough. Friday it got worse. Saturday, the same. Saturday night, off to bed early because I felt off.  Sunday......down and out. On the couch start to finish with 101+ fever. Monday... I travelled. I was good to go for the first half of the day. And then, it came back. Damn. I got hotter and hotter. The walls of the plane closed in on me. I nearly had a panic attack at one point I was so sickly hot in my own skin and trapped on a plane with NO room. 

I woke up the morning, and it was nice and low. The cough is embarassing. It's nasty and mean.  I try to hide it when it rears it's head. yes, I am here to race an Ironmnan. yes, I know I can't race if I'm sick.  it'll be gone it'll be gone it'll be gone....... 

I felt good for most of today.  I started the day with a beautiful swim!!  Michelle Simmons and I swam together and I felt super. 

Here we are before we started!! I had a SPLISH On too!!! Tomorrow I leave the Torque home and model a fun suit too. 


Some time after my bike/ run workout  I started to feel a bit off again.  Sure enough, I was warm.  Damndamndamn....

So, here I lay. I've had too many vitamins to count. I've tried all I can try. Now, I just wait and pray.

I am ready to race. I'm excited to race.  I just hope I Can race.  I'm getting a little nervous about it.  But, I'll stay optimistic. 

I saw Macca and Michelie Jones. I saw the Lovatos and Farris Al Sutan.  It's very cool here and I'm really excited to be back. 

Send me healthy vibes please!!! 
thanks!
more tomorrow....

Countdown

Every time I log onto the ironman site for the race, that giant countdown clock stares me in the face. I do not like that clock. I prefer to think of time in weeks...not days.  I don't know why. It's comforting for some reason.

Life has been super busy lately. So busy that I am just going to through a few thoughts down right now.
 First, I have a cold. That's bothering me.  It can't get worse. It' can't. I'm fighting with all the little get rid of a cold quick tricks I know. My boys have all been sick and what worries me, is it's turned into a respiratory thing that doens't quit. I can NOT get that!!!  I won't. If I can fight to the end of an Ironman, I can fight off a damn cold virus.

I'm gettting nervous.  My mind races between total confidence and then back to self- doubt.  This is normal. I just need to get my emotions in check as Coach Kurt would say. 

When I was running the other day, I started thinking about how lucky I am.  This is a hard journey, but it's well worth it in the end.  And I am very grateful for the chance to do this.  So, to say thanks to a few but not all of my help along the way....


Thanks Mark. You really are the best.  You never ever EVER give me a hard time about a single aspect of this sport. I hear stories from others..... people with less than supportive or understand spouses. You are not that way. For some reason, you totally get it. You accept it. You even seem to enjoy it!  Thank you for never grumbling at the cost of this trip or the gear or the fees. You never grumble when I got to bed early day after day or act cranky because I've done 14 hrs of training in 3 days and feel tired. You always tell me I'm going to crush the race, you always tell me to do my workout whenever it's best for me. You're just the best. Thanks babe.  I will do my best to make you boys all proud of me out there.  I'll do my best to make this trip worth it. 


Thanks Mom and Dad.  You guys got me started in all this!! You taught me something that is what makes all of this work. To never ever give up. Never quit. If you start something, you finish it and you do it as well as you can. Period.  I know what it takes to follow your kids around at their sporting events.  I love it and I know you've loved it too.  But you started about 33 years ago and are STILL doing it!!!!  thank you.  I love having you there. 

Thanks Cameron, Tommy and Nicholas!!   I love you all. You're super little Tri-kids and you get it too. I will be so proud to round the corner on Ali'i drive and have you there this time.   I work to do anything I set my mind to in life and that is exactly what I want you boys to know. You can too!!  Just go for it!  You are so cool about dealing with a Mommy that's crazed and busy and running around training hard.
  Thank you for all the hugs and cheers and smiles.  We're going to have a great trip!!! 

Thanks Mary. We've been in this together for a long time now. We talk it all out. We commisurate and celebrate together. It means the world to have a friend like you to share this with.


Thanks Kurt.  You're guidance has helped me have a tremendous season.  I love that I can keep getting faster at this old age.  You're always there to say the right things and give me the best advice. thanks for taking me on!!!

Thanks Jen.  Your coaching for the few years before was wonderful for me. Our relationship worked and you propelled to where I am now.  thank you for all that 1:1 time!!!

And yeah, thanks body. You're putting up with a lot lately!! I'm refusing to let you get old and weak. I'll fight that for years and years to come.  thanks for allowing me to say NO when you tell me to STOP. I'm about to push you harder than you think possible, once again.  And together, mind and body, we'll crush that course covered in simmering lava.  We're ready.

let's do it!

Just below the surface

I discovered something today.

My emotions about this little Ironman out on that Big Island in the Pacific are

just below the surface.

Wow. I had no idea. I hopped on my trainer today. For two reasons. #1- My son is home sick. I know! Already? He had perfect attendance last year! Bummer and #2  It was 55 degrees and pouring. 

That's all irrelevant. I was on the trainer. I had to watch some TV for my 90 min ride. News? Days of our Lives?  Cooking show ( never while training..), I know! Ironman! My Taped 2010 Hawaii Ironman show.
Perfect. I've seen it at least 10 times. 

__________________

People staggering across the Queen K, falling to mush on Alii Drive, the swim start.
My insides churned. I saw the Hill on Palini.
I gripped the bars. 

I listened to the Pros tell their introductions about the brutality of that day. 
They showed the mass of legs under the water. The quiet gurgle before it starts. The nerves on the athletes faces. 
And then, BAM!
the Cannon

And you know what I did? Without even thinking about it or realizing it was coming? I Sobbed!!!! What? I instantly broke into a huge cry. My emotions burst out.

I'm GOING BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

Of course, I knew this. I have known is since around 5:00 on July 24th.  Or maybe even a few hours before that. But now.....now it's real. It's close. It's inevitable. I am going to race through those intense lava fields, into the Energy lab, through those insanely scary waters...one month from tomorrow!!!
Is this real?
Can I do it again? Can I repeat the Ironman I had just over a month ago? Or atleast do as well? Am I ready?
The best in the world go to Kona. The fastest and strongest and fittest Ironman racers all meet up. And I need to be ready to join them.

I had visions of this:

I want all that back again.
I can't wait and yet....I'm scared too.
Ironman is close again.

My head is in the game and my focus is getting sharper. 

Countdown.....