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.....

Swirling, panicking, rearranging, regrouping and not quitting

That's me right now. Trying not to quit. I'm trying trying not to give up and quit. 

why?
Jury duty. I had the next month planned. It was all set. I was ready to put the kids back in school, clean up the summertime bags, and train my heart out. 

Last week I escaped from real life for 3 days with my husband and our two great friends. Their anniversary was yesterday and ours is today ( 13 years! ) so we decided to head off for a little getaway.  It was a blast.  We went to Newport, RI.  The days were spent, dancing, eating, laying on the beach, lounging in a rooftop hot tub, laughing about many things and not fixing snacks for the 5 boys  we have between us.  It was blissful. 

On Saturday and Sunday I paid dearly for my choice to sleep in. I needed to sleep in however. While our time in Rhode Island was a blast, we were up quite late and I was wiped when we got home.  I don't think I budged Friday night once I hit the pillow from 9:30-8:30. Ahhh...those mornings are rare.  However, I had a 4 hr ride + run + swim and my family took off for the island. ( our camp)   I didn't show up on the dock until almost 4:00!! Torture. I hate missing Saturdays.  We tied down boats, took in the toys and crossed our fingers as Hurricane Irene blew north. 

Sunday morning, I slept late again. It felt sooooo good to turn the clock around and leave the alarm off!!! But.... by the time I got up and ready for my 90 min run, the skies were swirling.  The rain came in bursts. I headed out and by the time I was 1/2 mi from home it Opened up. Serious serious downpours. It was comical actually.  It's just beyond normal rain.  But then, it mellowed. Then,  I was making a turn and caught something out of the corner of my eye. A Skunk!!! Why? Aren't they nocturnal??? Why was this guy up? Some guy saw me stop in my tracks and hollered to me from his window. "Everything ok???"  I gave him the thumbs up and told him I just had a skunk to dodge. Forget the hurricane, I didn't want to get sprayed!

I got by the skunk and then the rain came again and came on hard. Then the winds got narly. I was pushed back and forth. My 7:30 effort read 9:00 on the garmin. Lovely.  I just ran round and round so I could be close to home in case it got too wild. It was tolerable for the most part until the sky got Very dark and a massive thunder rumbled. I flew home.  Giant crackling lightning hit and more thunder.  Good timing. 

The day was a bit wild but not too bad. My family headed out for school supplies and groceries. Once home, the lights flickered. Mabye 5 x over an hour.  I hurried to vacuum, do laundry, choose 1st day of school outfits. 

And then, Crack! We heard somethind it was down for the count. The lights went off.

They just came back on a few hours ago.  Fun Stuff. The first day of school was cancelled. Snow day.  August 29th and we've used 1 of our 6 snow days. Pretty comical. 

Thirteen years ago right now, Mark and I had just said our I-Dos. We had a great wedding. It was a blast. The best day of my life for sure.  Of course,  I delivered 3 babies and those days top all but without my wedding to Mark, those babies wouldn't be here! So.... our wedding remains #1.   Our marriage is great and of course, like any other, requires work.  It requires patience and sacrifice too.  Just like they say, it's not easy. And yet, in the big picture, it's pretty easy to be married to Mark. I'm lucky.

However, instead of today being a romantic celebration of that best day of my life, we started it without electricity and 3 boys staring at me with that "what do we do today" look.

It was supposed to be a school day guys! A day for Mom to regroup after one helluva fun yet onthego summer. 

I decided to take them for new books at the bookstore with a coupon Tommy won at school last year. And Cameron to Olympia to spend his birthday gift cert from our friends.  On the way, I got the mail. And my panic attack began.

jury duty -  please report september 14th.

NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

and....they may use me 15 days???!!!!! 

No need to tell me that it's my civic duty and all that. I'm fine with that. I requested a change of date. She barely looked at me.  I explained that my huband is out of town for a week during that time and I have no other childcare for my 3 kids. Big deal.  Yeah, big deal.  They're my Kids!  And, I explained that I will be leaving for a giant trip before that time period is over. Whatever lady.

People ask me how I manage all this training. I work from home. I train in the wee hours of the day. I balance it by getting things done while the boys are at school so I am not absent all weekend. My husband runs a business and is often gone until 9-10 p.m. and he leaves by 7 a.m. each day.  I am the one here.  This duty starts as he departs for a week.  So, I have no available wee hours or after duty hours. I have no after school childcare before I am their after school child care. And yet, this duty goes until 5:00.  Cool.  That weekend, I am coaching a soccer game for our youngest. My oldest has a game out of town that same day.  My middle and oldest both have games on Sunday. And yet, they are in different towns at different times. And now, I'll need to fit in nearly 11 hours of training those two days. With my husband out of town. Hmmm....  

Last spring, I was mailed questionnaire about jury duty. I had a feeling it was imminent.  I was clear and said, "I would be happy to serve. Please give me any dates after October 17th."
Yeah, September 14th. Thanks guys. 

So....
I cried. And I panicked. And I decided I was screwed and my race on the Big Island wasn't to be.  I need the hours to train if I'm to do well.  It's the final two weeks and they've stolen my time.  All so I can sit and decide why someone did or did not do something terribly wrong. 
That just feels wrong to me. 

Now, I'm a bit less panicked but more irritated.   I am guessing there are many who just try to get out of it. People who are dishonest.  I am being 100% honest and willing to serve, just simply a few weeks later.

Trying not to let my head swirl too much.  Instead, I will do what I can do. 

It Will be ok. As Nick told me, in his 7 year old wiseness, "Mommy. It'll be ok. Things always seem to be ok and work out." 

Why is it that kids are so smart?

USAT Age Group Nationals

Burlington didn't let me down. Mostly because I exited the water to the familar and comforting voices of my husband and one of  my dearest college girlfriends, Martha.  It was a great start.
I guess I should back up a bit.
I'm not going to get too into the nitty gritty of this race. I don't have tons to say to be honest.  I was unsure what I'd be able to do on that day. I wasn't about to claim I was unfit or talk too much about this new foot injury I'm dealing with. But the truth is, I have spent a lot of time resting since Lake Placid. After all, that is exactly what I needed to do. I also spent a week or so nursing a pretty impressive case of plantar fasciitis.  It's annoying.  That stuff aside, I am fit. After all, I raced a solid Ironman less than a month ago and my fitness is super deep from that. I'm experienced and I love to compete. So, I put aside my insecurities about this day and just went for it.
The boys and I drove to VT on Friday. We got ourselves settled in the hotel, met up with Mary and Steve at the expo, we racked our bikes, nearly ran out of gas, had dinner with the kids, Steve, Kurt and Mary and then finally found my husband at a secret little airport just out of town.
That was that. Time to race.

I admit to being a little surprised at how big the race was. I don't know why it surprised me. But there were tons of people there. It was hard to find my friends. But I did manage to see most of them. I met a few cool new people, reunited briefly with Kari that I met at AZ training camp in 2010, and even somehow found my gang of boys before the start.

The swim start was strange. It was aggressive and crowded. I got clawed by some woman for a long time and finally decided to KICK her off me. I was highly irritated. I swam and swam. From time to time I realized I was in Ironman pace lala land and reminded myself to get Moving!  I caught a few waves that went off before us ( my age was wave 11!!) and got caught up in that cluster. A little commentary. I know that we have drafting perks by starting with big groups and in back, but I am convinced I could pull off a much more impressive swim time if given the chance to swim a course without weaving in and out of so many others.  I had to stop and do breaststrokes multiple times because of the huge clusters of people. Whatever, it's part of the sport. 
The water was refreshing and clean and cool.  I swam fairly hard into the chute.  I was stroke for stroke with a few other red caps in my wave. 
Out of the water and as I said, I hear Martha!! and Mark! I hadn't seen Marty in years but I knew it was her and it made my day.  She's an old college swim team friend and we heard many GO GO GO screams from each other over the years.  I recognized her yells in a second.

I struggled to get the wetsuit off. I'm just lousy at that.  It was the only race I had to do it myself for all summer! No practice = lousy technique. remember that Ange and practice.

Off on the bike.
Yup....  I'm riding. Come ON body. GO! It took me a while to warm up. I felt ....fair. Not bad, not good,  just...fine.
I was having fun riding through Burlington though!
I turned onto Spear Street and started to smile.
Because within a very short time I saw more of my Girls!!! Kath was holding a big sign and all I could read was MAINE. But I knew....
HEY! I hollered to them and instantly Wendy, Kath, Gina, and a few other ladies started jumping around and cheering!!
THAT is why I wanted to race this race so much.  My college years in B'town were some of the best of my life because I honestly had ( still have ) the worlds most devoted and loyal and honest best friends. These women are the kind of women that are there for you come hell or high water. I might 1, 3 or even more years without seeing them and it makes No difference. It's just like it was yesterday back on south Union street when we are together again. I smiled for miles after riding by them. They all dropped everything on their Saturday to be out there for me. 
Thanks girls. It meant a lot. 
I rode and rode and felt fast and strong here and there.
At mile 13 ish we made this crazy hairpin turn. I saw teammate Carrie on the move. Before I could even think about it, she flew by me. Go Carrie!!! I yelled 'good job' and hope she heard me.

There were some faaaaaaaaaaaaaast women out there. I must say.
Finally, around mile 17 or so, I felt pretty good! I was warmed up! The problem? It was ending at mile 24+. Oh well.
The last .5 or so was a cluster. I could barely ride it was so crowded.  I know I lost a little time there. 

It was kind of hard for me to get into the mode of FAST moving everything. Ironman is so methodical. I went fast through things but allowed myself time to think too. Not in an Oly.
I was in and  out for the run and feeling pretty good.
I heard Martha a few more times though T2.

The boys and Mark were on the big hill out of the run. I high 5'd them and headed off. I felt fine! Actually, I felt good!
I hit the flat and just cruised. I maintained a sub 6:40 pace with what seemed like little effort.
Ok, don't get me wrong Kurt. I used a Lot of effort that day. that's not what I mean... but it did feel easy. 

After a couple miles, I could see Carrie up ahead. I felt myself catching up. There were tons of people on the roads... I picked them off one by one. A few men flew by as if they were running the 400 yard dash and all I could think was, "where have they been??"  Strange.
I passed Carrie back at mile 3 or so. She looked strong and was having a great day. 

And then, before I knew it, I could hear the finish line. I cruised in as fast as I could. Until, some chick came up beside me. Damn. I totally cranked my head over to read her leg. All I saw was a 4---. that's MY group! nope. Sorry hun...I have a little in the tank. I sprinted even more and saved my spot.
6th in the age group. 
total time 2:16
swim- 22:xx bike 1:09xx run 41:xx.... I am not sure of the exact seconds.
but I'm happy!!!  My run was great and I made top 10 for this big race full of lots of hot shots.
The rest of the day was perfect!!!!  The girls and I gathered our families and spent the afternoon on Lake Champlain at one of their family's homes.  It was just right.

______________________________