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.
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