Dustin
Chris Bachman
Gretchen Kaiser
Spencer
Bill and Karen Bachman
Tom Durkin
Julie Kirkpatrick
Mike Garton
Sher& Ross Beller
Ruth Palmer
Jon & Kelly Bachman
Al & Julie Bachman
Dr. Brad Klocke
Dr. Peter Wolfe
Barb Wheelock
Tess & Rich Balsey
Bill Huls
Brad Brunia
Kathleen from Colorado
Chuck Gilarski
Dan Atkinson
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
PIM
Post Ironman- It's Wednesday and I'm feeling great! Down stairs is just fine. Yesterday during traveling I was still having a hard time putting my shoes back on after security. A senior citizen laughed at me. Nice.
I just stretched a little and had plenty of energy for the unpacking and loads of laundry last night, even tackled a bit of work.
Today felt even better. Fit in a thirty minute easy swim between countless appointments and errands, had a 30 minute massage focused on upper back and quads between work tasks and then did 30 minutes on reformer tonight. I'll stretch a little more and I'm going to do a bit of Stairmaster and walk/jog tomorrow before we take off for Turkey Day.
Looking forward to a great day tomorrow.
I just stretched a little and had plenty of energy for the unpacking and loads of laundry last night, even tackled a bit of work.
Today felt even better. Fit in a thirty minute easy swim between countless appointments and errands, had a 30 minute massage focused on upper back and quads between work tasks and then did 30 minutes on reformer tonight. I'll stretch a little more and I'm going to do a bit of Stairmaster and walk/jog tomorrow before we take off for Turkey Day.
Looking forward to a great day tomorrow.
Monday, November 21, 2011
The Stats
Below you'll find my ranking in my age group after the swim/bike/run
and my times for each as well as total time- 14:43
Atkinson,
Debra 42/62/53 47/F45-49 01:29:54 07:12:43 05:36:28 14:43:50
Debra Atkinson, you are an Ironman!
He said it! The voice of Ironman said it about me..around 9:50pm last night.
It was an amazing experience I'd wish for anyone. It was the six inches between my ears that was the most important.
My attitude from the end of this year's training to the start and through the race was that I was lucky to be here and healthy again to choose it or to not too if I had any inkling that I would stress my foot - or in domino effect my knees or hips some other way that would cause long term repercussions.
Throughout the race I wore my race numbers and a smile. What a gift to be able to choose something like that- to have had two incredible falls to finish training in, and days of pure joy heading down a bike path in the sunshine with great music and friends or thoughts.
I heard someone say in reference to golfers- none in particular...how it's so funny they get so mad- when in reality they aren't that good to be that mad! and why do they play? do they enjoy it? shouldn't they tell their face? Today too- a lot of people as the day went on deeper into thoughts about will they...and how much it hurts, how easy to stop now ...forgetting to smile- for a real disappointment in watching that dream maybe not come true.
This was frosting. The medal- not as big a deal. The high five from Dustin and turning to look at his broad smile matching mine I will never ever forget. Had that same joy one other time this summer- watching him get a hole-in-one at the Iowa Masters. It's not the moments. It's sharing the moments.
Gretchen and Chris, and Spencer too were on hand for the run segment and the finish and I'm forever grateful for them just being who they are- generous, supportive, and all in.
So how was it really ? The details? The swim was cold- but doable. This year was very congested compared to last. I had almost the same exact time so either more were slow swimmers, or I just was swimming more a straight line finally. I had several swim overs, knocks on the head- but in general everyone backs off immediately- we're a bunch who support each other and everyone knows there's room for all to finish.
I walked through transition from swim to bike- to take care of foot and avoid any crazy strains on it while still cold. Must have worked as I did just fine- the rest of me was cold but I warmed up and was wiggling toes constantly to check for problems- near the last lap- I was near tears thinking- this is how it feels to pedal with both legs all the way through- coming off the bike- I was so happy- I hadn't been there before!
I began my run with a good walk first 5 minutes or so- felt so good to stand but I'd remember warnings about starting too soon and paying later. I began a run 10 walk 2 approach and my strategy was to focus on segments all through the race. The swim had been to first turn, to second, to long stretch home. The bike I focused on each half lap and took just one break after midpoint turn around each lap- never stopped for special needs on bike and felt great until winds changed and picked up both. Still- it was sunny/cloudy and beautiful. I was dressed perfect for me and once wind picked up was glad- only reason I would have stopped at special needs would have been to drop off the longsleeve bike shirt I had- (kind of borrowing Dusty's approach that something needed to change so I could change- in this case speed).
So thinking about the run of even x amount of 10Ks or 5Ks was too daunting so I focused on one mile at a time and the lumps of a little less than 9 miles per lap. Aid stations were at nearly ever mile with few exceptions so there was something to look forward to and when I couldn't see my watch any longer I just ran between aid stations and walked through and let myself walk another minute to settle anything I ate.
By then in the day I'd already had oatmeal before anything, 4 Power bars, too many Gu to mention? 6-7, 3 half bananas, and 6 Ironman performs probably plus water so I soon began chicken broth and pretzels as I was conscious about getting enough salt at that point. I felt fine all the way through mentally and physically so it must have worked. I was tempted to take Immodium on the bike but never did- though I was careful early to take in water only and let my stomach settle a little. I alternated between water, chicken broth, pretzels and Ironman perform and two different times I took a gel- but I was so sick of them by then!
Enough details. This goes down in my book as one of the things everyone is capable of doing. I highly recommend it. I laughed right until the start about the question "are you racing" or "are you competing" because for me and I think for most- you are, against the clock, mother nature, and mostly yourself. The real race I saw, and love, is the human race. I made so many acquaintances that are easily new friends based on the conversations we've shared, the same fears and worries and hopes- when the people you see every day you sometimes never do that with. Love this lifestyle.
It was an amazing experience I'd wish for anyone. It was the six inches between my ears that was the most important.
My attitude from the end of this year's training to the start and through the race was that I was lucky to be here and healthy again to choose it or to not too if I had any inkling that I would stress my foot - or in domino effect my knees or hips some other way that would cause long term repercussions.
Throughout the race I wore my race numbers and a smile. What a gift to be able to choose something like that- to have had two incredible falls to finish training in, and days of pure joy heading down a bike path in the sunshine with great music and friends or thoughts.
I heard someone say in reference to golfers- none in particular...how it's so funny they get so mad- when in reality they aren't that good to be that mad! and why do they play? do they enjoy it? shouldn't they tell their face? Today too- a lot of people as the day went on deeper into thoughts about will they...and how much it hurts, how easy to stop now ...forgetting to smile- for a real disappointment in watching that dream maybe not come true.
This was frosting. The medal- not as big a deal. The high five from Dustin and turning to look at his broad smile matching mine I will never ever forget. Had that same joy one other time this summer- watching him get a hole-in-one at the Iowa Masters. It's not the moments. It's sharing the moments.
Gretchen and Chris, and Spencer too were on hand for the run segment and the finish and I'm forever grateful for them just being who they are- generous, supportive, and all in.
So how was it really ? The details? The swim was cold- but doable. This year was very congested compared to last. I had almost the same exact time so either more were slow swimmers, or I just was swimming more a straight line finally. I had several swim overs, knocks on the head- but in general everyone backs off immediately- we're a bunch who support each other and everyone knows there's room for all to finish.
I walked through transition from swim to bike- to take care of foot and avoid any crazy strains on it while still cold. Must have worked as I did just fine- the rest of me was cold but I warmed up and was wiggling toes constantly to check for problems- near the last lap- I was near tears thinking- this is how it feels to pedal with both legs all the way through- coming off the bike- I was so happy- I hadn't been there before!
I began my run with a good walk first 5 minutes or so- felt so good to stand but I'd remember warnings about starting too soon and paying later. I began a run 10 walk 2 approach and my strategy was to focus on segments all through the race. The swim had been to first turn, to second, to long stretch home. The bike I focused on each half lap and took just one break after midpoint turn around each lap- never stopped for special needs on bike and felt great until winds changed and picked up both. Still- it was sunny/cloudy and beautiful. I was dressed perfect for me and once wind picked up was glad- only reason I would have stopped at special needs would have been to drop off the longsleeve bike shirt I had- (kind of borrowing Dusty's approach that something needed to change so I could change- in this case speed).
So thinking about the run of even x amount of 10Ks or 5Ks was too daunting so I focused on one mile at a time and the lumps of a little less than 9 miles per lap. Aid stations were at nearly ever mile with few exceptions so there was something to look forward to and when I couldn't see my watch any longer I just ran between aid stations and walked through and let myself walk another minute to settle anything I ate.
By then in the day I'd already had oatmeal before anything, 4 Power bars, too many Gu to mention? 6-7, 3 half bananas, and 6 Ironman performs probably plus water so I soon began chicken broth and pretzels as I was conscious about getting enough salt at that point. I felt fine all the way through mentally and physically so it must have worked. I was tempted to take Immodium on the bike but never did- though I was careful early to take in water only and let my stomach settle a little. I alternated between water, chicken broth, pretzels and Ironman perform and two different times I took a gel- but I was so sick of them by then!
Enough details. This goes down in my book as one of the things everyone is capable of doing. I highly recommend it. I laughed right until the start about the question "are you racing" or "are you competing" because for me and I think for most- you are, against the clock, mother nature, and mostly yourself. The real race I saw, and love, is the human race. I made so many acquaintances that are easily new friends based on the conversations we've shared, the same fears and worries and hopes- when the people you see every day you sometimes never do that with. Love this lifestyle.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Imagination
I am my mother. Worrying does not help. People help.
I had myself all worked up about the cold water and the heavy organizational skills I needed to get bike and gear bags and wet suit and warm after-swim clothes to the transition site.
Here's how it really went. I abandon the plan I'd created and decided to head over to the swim then come back.
No problem- shuttle was here to take me over, great people around changing into suits, which only a triathlete can appreciate - I ran into Tess and her sister in the bag holding area for swim - and not once but twice more snagged the shuttle to bring me back to hotel so I got my bike and gear bags checked in and was back at hotel by 11:18- not bad.
The water was nothing compared to my dread and anticipation of it. I imagined so much worse. It may be a little cooler in the morning but right now I'm thankful for any sunshine shining down on that lake!
Showered finally - ate oatmeal and a little protein powder before the swim.
Ate a little more oatmeal and banana before heading back with bike and then a bowl of fresh cut fruit and some protein mix since coming back. Having a hard time being "hungry" now - part nerves and part just inactivity but know I need to keep topping energy off. I'll have something more in a couple hours and then maybe a light snack when Dusty gets here.
He's boarding plane in DM. Tells me he has an important message: he's hungry. I believe I suggested he take a sandwich with him to eat on the plane and guessing that was forgotten. Could be two of us with an upset stomach when he gets here.
I had myself all worked up about the cold water and the heavy organizational skills I needed to get bike and gear bags and wet suit and warm after-swim clothes to the transition site.
Here's how it really went. I abandon the plan I'd created and decided to head over to the swim then come back.
No problem- shuttle was here to take me over, great people around changing into suits, which only a triathlete can appreciate - I ran into Tess and her sister in the bag holding area for swim - and not once but twice more snagged the shuttle to bring me back to hotel so I got my bike and gear bags checked in and was back at hotel by 11:18- not bad.
The water was nothing compared to my dread and anticipation of it. I imagined so much worse. It may be a little cooler in the morning but right now I'm thankful for any sunshine shining down on that lake!
Showered finally - ate oatmeal and a little protein powder before the swim.
Ate a little more oatmeal and banana before heading back with bike and then a bowl of fresh cut fruit and some protein mix since coming back. Having a hard time being "hungry" now - part nerves and part just inactivity but know I need to keep topping energy off. I'll have something more in a couple hours and then maybe a light snack when Dusty gets here.
He's boarding plane in DM. Tells me he has an important message: he's hungry. I believe I suggested he take a sandwich with him to eat on the plane and guessing that was forgotten. Could be two of us with an upset stomach when he gets here.
The Day Before
The Welcome Dinner and athlete's meeting last night got a bit long and a bit chilly- which was a good thing to learn. I stuck a jacket in my run gear bag and am probably going to debate over and over about whether that should go in my run gear bag so I have it right away or my special needs bag so I get it at half way through run.
If it's as nice as they say- I'm leaning toward the jacket in special needs bag though at that point I do not really want to be stopping for any extended period of time- that's just too tempting!
Met up with Kathleen and Meg and two other women from Co who arrived to support Kathleen. I feel for her; she wasn't feeling good last couple days- fighting a bug or nerves or both. I think she'll do fine once the race starts. But they too are all amazing- I'm loving that three of them who've become friends from their mutual interest in tris have come down to support their friend and tri-grouper. One flew and two drove down.
They've offered to help with logistics this morning. My most challenging form of organization skills yet this trip. Getting bike and gear bags to transition to check in along with wet suit and swim gear to get into water (that's another story) and enjoy the shock not once but twice. If I can find Meg to hang onto my bike during- that will make things easier to manage.
I'm going to have to remember though I'll need a towel and warm clothes for after the swim. Craziness.
Last night was not much different-I slept great from about 9:15 to 4:30- and after than I was done. Had no dreams about tri- and only started thinking about it when I woke at 4:30 so finally just got up. Haven't totally adjusted to time change- getting up at 5 or 5:30 my time which is usual for me. It'll make it easier to get up tomorrow- though have some doubts about getting to sleep with Dusty arriving, stomach a little less calm already.
Plan is to get the swim, the check in stuff done early and get out of there and get and have a bigger meal between 2 and 4 this afternoon and then snack again when Dusty eats something- then usual am routine.
Funny how the dinner and meeting were a little less awe inspiring for me this year than last. Certainly like the idea of the voice of Ironman calling my name out though, so listening to him was inspiring!
If it's as nice as they say- I'm leaning toward the jacket in special needs bag though at that point I do not really want to be stopping for any extended period of time- that's just too tempting!
Met up with Kathleen and Meg and two other women from Co who arrived to support Kathleen. I feel for her; she wasn't feeling good last couple days- fighting a bug or nerves or both. I think she'll do fine once the race starts. But they too are all amazing- I'm loving that three of them who've become friends from their mutual interest in tris have come down to support their friend and tri-grouper. One flew and two drove down.
They've offered to help with logistics this morning. My most challenging form of organization skills yet this trip. Getting bike and gear bags to transition to check in along with wet suit and swim gear to get into water (that's another story) and enjoy the shock not once but twice. If I can find Meg to hang onto my bike during- that will make things easier to manage.
I'm going to have to remember though I'll need a towel and warm clothes for after the swim. Craziness.
Last night was not much different-I slept great from about 9:15 to 4:30- and after than I was done. Had no dreams about tri- and only started thinking about it when I woke at 4:30 so finally just got up. Haven't totally adjusted to time change- getting up at 5 or 5:30 my time which is usual for me. It'll make it easier to get up tomorrow- though have some doubts about getting to sleep with Dusty arriving, stomach a little less calm already.
Plan is to get the swim, the check in stuff done early and get out of there and get and have a bigger meal between 2 and 4 this afternoon and then snack again when Dusty eats something- then usual am routine.
Funny how the dinner and meeting were a little less awe inspiring for me this year than last. Certainly like the idea of the voice of Ironman calling my name out though, so listening to him was inspiring!
Friday, November 18, 2011
TEAM Deb
I have a team.
Dinner with Chris and Gretchen, Karen and Bill was wonderful. So gracious of them to pick me up and feed me- Karen's hand is faster than a speeding bullet - while I am asking for help picking up Dusty and helping with logistics and bike & gear bag pick up Sunday during the race, not to mention the secret hope that Dustin will see some golf action.
They were much fun and both good support and distraction...wedding talk and Chris' recent escapades to LA on business.
I'd love to see Dustin's face when Chris and Gretchen hold up a sign for him at the airport. Then again, glad they're doing it and I can keep my legs up and start winding down to try to make it an early night.
Have to admit asking for help and having a TEAM takes some getting used to but it feels good.
Welcome dinner tonight, followed by mandatory race meeting.
Then open water swim tomorrow to experience the icy waters of Tempe Town Lake, bike and gear bag check in. The only thing left is making sure I have plenty of time for body marking race day morning and pumping up tires.
Dinner with Chris and Gretchen, Karen and Bill was wonderful. So gracious of them to pick me up and feed me- Karen's hand is faster than a speeding bullet - while I am asking for help picking up Dusty and helping with logistics and bike & gear bag pick up Sunday during the race, not to mention the secret hope that Dustin will see some golf action.
They were much fun and both good support and distraction...wedding talk and Chris' recent escapades to LA on business.
I'd love to see Dustin's face when Chris and Gretchen hold up a sign for him at the airport. Then again, glad they're doing it and I can keep my legs up and start winding down to try to make it an early night.
Have to admit asking for help and having a TEAM takes some getting used to but it feels good.
Welcome dinner tonight, followed by mandatory race meeting.
Then open water swim tomorrow to experience the icy waters of Tempe Town Lake, bike and gear bag check in. The only thing left is making sure I have plenty of time for body marking race day morning and pumping up tires.
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