Ahh...vacation!

OK, so maybe you can't tell from these first couple pictures, but we really did have fun on vacation. It's just that this two year old doesn't like to smile for the camera. She prefers to be behind it. So, every time I'd say "smile and I'll take our picture", this is what I'd get.

There was just no complying. So, I just let her take pictures...and this is what we got.

I think she started to get tired there at the end, but really it's not too bad for a little tot.

Dad and I got into Galveston on Friday evening and went straight to see Marley devour the icing on a Dora cake for her second birthday. She LOVES Dora. And purses. Especially when they're big. and hold lots of stuff.

We also spent some time with the new little peanut. Actually, Saturday morning, he fell asleep on my chest. And then I fell asleep. So that was fun.

My brother and his family are late risers, so Dad and I walked down to the beach. This is a picture of all the people fishing off a jetty in the early morning. The fish were everywhere and the water was super clean. Apparently, the wind was coming in just right!

While we were out and about, we saw some remnants of Hurricane Ike that hadn't yet been cleared. Like this tree out in the ocean. Must've been washed over seawall during the storm.

There's this hotel that sits out over the water. You can see the top left corner was ripped off.

And the ramp to get out there was destroyed.

For the most part, they've really re-built quickly. You might even forget that just a year ago they were evactuating...and then you come across something, like an abandoned building or debris or a house that hasn't been restored. And you remember pretty quickly. Many of the trees that line the streets have died. No bright vibrant leaves, just bark and branches. Some have been strong enough to survive or blossom, but the salt water killed most.

Saturday afternoon was spent at the beach. And, admittedly, I ran home. I couldn't resist. It was only a half hour. It was hot. But it was my first run post-IM. And a half hour was about all my legs would take me. Then we were off for ribs and chicken!

Sunday morning was more beach walking. Only it wasn't as bright and sunny as Saturday. We saw this in the distance. And it quickly came inland. So, we headed back to the house.

That afternoon, we went to Alyssa's (my sister-in-law-to-be) parents house and played water volleyball in the pool. Somehow, my bro and I got beat by the dads?!? Like four games in a row! yeah, it was bad. And lots more food. Brisket and more ribs.

But hey, I was on vacation... and I still have one more easy week of training.

Happy Birthday!

To my little niece, Marley(that's her, with my dad), who turns two today!!! And who I get to see tonight. Along with my new little nephew, Owen, who was born just last week. In Texas. At the beach. Where there will be no tri training. HA!

IMKY, the run, my favorite

I love running. I always have. I asked E (Coach) for help on my bike this Spring. And that's what he provided me. He also helped me on the run and the swim, but mostly with the bike, both in terms of comfort level and speed.

After getting sick, my track sessions and my long runs took a back seat. Most of my runs were 45-60 mins. And my longest of the recent season was 2 hours 20 mins. That is not marathon distance training. Other than that one long run, I only had a couple others, all two hours or less (is that even considered long?). My body just couldn't seem to handle the stress. This concerned me pre-race. E was worried I'd go out on the marathon too fast. I told him I wouldn't because I worried about making it through the whole thing, let alone going out at lighning fast speed. He assured me my run legs would be there.

I ran out of T2 and my legs felt a little tight, but there were Holly and Sarah and Mike and ton of other training buddies all cheering. It lit me up (as seen below, and don't miss that sweet bike short tan line) and I'm not sure I quit smiling from that point on.

I saw Ryan, who had passed me on the bike, going the other way as I made the little jog over the bridge. My stomach cramp had begun subsiding by then and hunger was taking its place in my belly. I'd made the decision before the race to walk through every aid station and take in fluid. I did that last year at Great Floridian and it left me feeling not so horrible. And well hydrated. First aid station, jsut water. Second...water. And a cookie. And it tasted so good.

Within the next mile or so, I was coming up behind Ryan. He just shouted, "Will you hurry up and pass me so I can walk?" This is a picture of Ryan and me. He's like 6'7" or something. He's a giant. I am not midget, as appears in this picture.
There were spectators galore through this part of town. It was amazing! The streets were lined with people cheering and carrying signs (the best one i saw was "Run like her husband is chasing you") and holding out their hands for high-fives.

Then it's out on the road for the first real "loop" part of the run. I was mostly distracted by other runners. I love cheering other people on. The run didn't take much focus because it tends to come fairly naturally to me. I watched the faster people coming into town as I was headed out. I knew my teammates would be coming in soon for their finish.

At mile marker four, I checked my watch. 30 minutes and some change. Oops. Better slow it down. Legs won't last at that pace. At the next aid station, I took a gel. My legs were magically revived.

I kept watching for familiar faces. I saw Coach E first...and I think he blew me a kiss. I shouted "you're my hero, Eddy!". The guy right behind him shouted back to me "no, you're my hero!" and a guy running next to me shouted "you're both my heros because you're both kickin' my ass". (this is coach on his way to a 3:18 marathon. and a 9:35 IM)





I also saw Missy, who went 10:28 and is Kona bound...

And Squirrel, who Pr'd by four hours with an 11:06 finish...
And Kevin, who did his first IM in 11:14...

And Pete, who finished his first in 12 something...
And Judi, who I hadn't seen the entire weekend until out on that run course. And she was ALL smiles! We stopped to hug and then kept going, in opposite directions.


And Jess, who raised money for Girls on the Run during IM training...
And Mark, who probably has the most inspirational story of us all...
My dad was out on the course with Clubber. And the first few times I saw them, I stopped and gave her a kiss and pet her soft little head. She was pretty dazed by that time. I mean, she'd been out and about all day long!

E had directed me to take it easy for the first ten miles and then see what I had left. At ten miles, I still felt great, but I wasn't yet ready to push the pace. I just ran comfortably. One foot in front of the other. And i took in a gel every 30-40 mins. I also ate a few cookies in between. And at one point, I reached my hand into the fruit bin and ate some grapes (it wasn't until I stopped a few miles later at the port-a-potty that realized how germ-infested that fruit bin must be...UGH!!).



I just kept chugging along, back into downtown, which was about 14 miles. That's where the crowd was! It was loud and just incredible. And under my sunglasses, I had tears in my eyes. Because there was only 12 miles left. And I knew I was going to make it. Some people find it frustrating to have to go by the finish chute and out for the second loop. I found it inspiring. Mom was there in town and the CE crew was there and a million other people, cheering and shouting. And then out for the second loop. I just chugged along, cheering for others as they passed for the most part. I felt fine, and surprised by it, actually.


And then it hit me. Around mile 18-19. My legs started to feel like lead. My walks through the aid stations began lasting a little longer. My mental state? FREAK... but I held it together on the outside. I continued to take in gel or maybe it was a cookie then...and water. I kept moving. And at that point, it was just about getting to the next mile. My liner in my shorts were chaffing areas that were irritated from peeing in my tri shorts on the bike all day. Every little irritation seemed like it might be the thing to make me stop. And that's when the real focus had to kick in. Run on the side of the road for the shade, tuck my butt, belly breathe, relax the shoulders...


At the aid station just before mile 22, I stopped to pee again. And I came out of the port-a-potty with brand new legs! Who would've known an adjustment to the shorts could make me feel a million times better?

There were only four miles remaining. So, i just hit it home. Again, coming into downtown, I was overcome with emotion. I didn't know my exact time for the whole day, but I knew it was around 11:20 and I'd gone 3:55 for the marathon.


My second IM distance in 10 months and I'd pr'd by 48 mins.

Swim - 1:15:38
Bike - 6:01:59
Run - 3:54:35
Total - 11:21:59

Good enough for 12th in my AG, 55th amateur OA. I'm happy with that. Especially since 4 days later, I've already been back to swim practice and I feel really good. We're using this week as rest to put the hammer down for ITU Long Course World Champs at the end of October. And I still have training partners since E and Missy are going to Kona!

IMKY, the bike & T2

The bike is the one place I really wanted to improve this year. It's also the one place I have very little confidence and a tremendous amount of fear.

Standing in transition just before the race, Coach gave a few pointers.
1) don't go out too hard.
2) hammer against the wind, on the turn after the school. on both loops.
3) do not depend on special needs.
4) there is an aid station 20-30 miles from finish. the next one is a long ways away. Top off fluids there!
5) climb in small ring. sitting. don't burn your legs in the big ring or standing. spin over the hills.

That last piece of advice saved my ass! I saw a lot of people grinding those gears for the first 30-60 miles, only to lose it on the last half.

I started out easy and took in water. I was thirsty, so drank generously. At about 20 mins, I had a few shot bloks because i actually felt hungry. The first big climb, i stayed seated, knowing there were soooo many more hills to come.

I was really surprised at the amount of traffic on Rte 42 that was backed up from the race. And i was even more amazed at the support of those in the stopped traffic. Some were cheering from the back seats while others just got out of the car and watched, knowing they wouldn't be moving for a while.

The next little interesting area was the out-and-back on 1694 (or something like that). there is a really nice downhill that leads into an uphill, then turn around and do that backward. The bad thing about this? Going down that hill without breaking was nearly impossible. I'd ridden it before and would've had no problem except that the course was so crowded by this point that i feared others' handling skills, even if i trusted my own. Those going the opposite direction were crossing the double yellow line and those breaking down the hills weren't staying to the far right.

I got to that turn where Coach said to hammer...and i did. I also saw where I'd get my special needs bag on the second loop. I rolled through the horse farms and then to the nice long downhill with the left turn at the bottom. And that's when it happened. The second male pro passed on my left. He stood. And he sprayed. All. over. me. I started to scream...but, well, he was spraying me. So, as I caught him on the turn, I said something to the affect "Go further right before you pee next time..." but I was playful with it, not bitchy. He apologized profusely. It gave me something to laugh about.

The narrow winding backroads there were fairly hilly. Again, I stayed seated, spun over. The first female pro passed me on an uphill. She was standing, but she can do that and still be strong. Especially when she's on her second loop.

Out to Rte 42 again where I saw Missy and couldn't help but laugh...in her purple wig. The crowd through this area was great. Roncker's had a tent set up out there and they yelled for Cincy...and I recognized a few people in that area from Cincy Express.

Many more rollers and back around for loop number two. I started to feel a little like I was just ready to be off the bike. And I was only 55 miles in. I was holding a pretty consistent pace at this point, but it wasn't blazing fast or anything. I was too afraid to push it, afraid I'd have nothing left for that last 40 miles, afraid I'd not make the marathon.

Then, we made that turn for special needs. And just before I got there, I spotted dad in a lawn chair taking pictures. And Clubber asleep on his leg! That made me smile again, as did the pbj in my special needs bag.
After that, it was hammer time again, into the wind. Through the town of LaGrange, off on the back roads, and just before we hit 42 again, Ryan came up behind me and gave a little push. We started together and well, he's super strong on the bike, but hadn't trained much for IMKY as he really got a case of the "I-don't-give-a-shit"s. I asked why it took so long for him to catch me. Apparently, his swim wasn't great.

Then, back to 42 for the ride home. Just 32 miles left. And my legs were still feeling pretty fresh from not having pushed too hard out there. I decided to take it up a notch for those rollers in. i played cat and mouse with this guy with a 21 on his leg and thought about what i was doing at 21. Definitely not thinking of doing an IM. Sheesh!

My tummy started to cramp up a bit those last 20 miles or so, so I took in only water. I had no problem eating on the bike, like some. That's when being a former fat kid actually comes in helpful. I can pretty much get my calories in.

Suddenly, it was time to dismount. I could hardly believe we were already through round two.

There were a couple moments out there when I just became overwhelmed by emotion. I couldn't believe I was doing this thing. I couldn't believe Coach trusted me with his disc. I couldn't believe I had so many friends and family out there cheering for me. Pretty cool...

I jumped off the bike and started to run through transition, glanced at my watch, about 6:02, I'll take it! Then stopped to take off my shoes. I ran. Oh, my legs! This may be a long run. I grabbed my run gear bag and headed for the tent.

The volunteer I got for T2 was a bit concerned about getting me out of there. She dumped my gear and promptly began putting it back into my bag.
"Um, is there body glide in there?"..
"yeah!". She digs around, finally dumps the bag again. Hands me the body glide. Starts packing up again.
"Actually, I want to change shorts. I peed to much in these." I grab my shorts, change. "That means i need the body glide again". Luckily, this time, it was still sitting on top. I grabbed and applied.
Finally, she said "Sorry. They just tell us to get you in and out."

I appreciate that she volunteered. Sometimes I just wish that volunteers were required to do a tri themselves first. But she did pretty good.

I ran out the tent and immediately heard cheers for me, for Cincy Express, for "doing it just like up at Caesar Creek" (that's where we usually train on Sat mornings)...and once again, I went under that big inflated transition arch, out to hit the road for 26.2...

IMKY, the swim and T1

The line started moving closer toward the swim start. Just a few feet and then stop and wait at first. Then it would be a few feet further and less wait between moving again. And it was about that time that the chill bumps started to dissipate. (it was cold that morning! I was holding Clubber for warmth) Finally, we reached the porta-potty lined area. Getting close. Decided to take one last potty break...and when I got out, chaos! I ran down the line to find mom and dad to pass off my sweatshirt.

And then a mad dash for the ramp to the docks. And I kid you not, we jumped off a boat dock into the river. How much more Kentucky can you get? Like a bunch of lemmings, we were running down the ramp, one after another, and jumping in the river!

And that's when the fun began.

I started with a bunch of guys I know, most of whom are not super strong swimmers (sorry, guys). And we started in the back 50 participants. Bad move there, but we didn't know it at the time.

The swim up river was fairly uneventful. It was swimming over and around and through people. Then there was a really mucky area. I couldn't see out of my goggles. AT ALL. It was just dark. So much for thinking the river isn't so bad. And it stunk. And then I saw people standing and walking. In the river! WTF? So, I got to that point and stood and walked until my foot hit muck and sank about 8 inches into it. Um, yeah, swim, swim, swim.

Finally, the buoy to turn around and go downstream. This is where I seemed to have some issues. I didn't think I was swimming slowly. Or too crooked. But I must have been doing both. I seemed to be too far out in the middle of the river, so I veered in. And then i just kept hitting rubber (or whatever those speed suits are made of) from guys who really couldn't swim very quickly.

I'd opted on a sports bra and tri shorts for the swim so I could just put on my jersey shoes and helmet in T1...and i could feel the water in my sports bra. Huge drag. Not good. Oh well, lesson learned.

I kept sighting off the bridge that doesn't really connect to land on either side. And it seemed to take FOREVER to get there. Swim, swim, swim. Over, around and through people. That's about all it was for the entire way.

Finally, under that dark bridge. Then under the next. And to the stairs, where we were to exit the water! I checked my watch. 1:15. Crap. That was slower than expected. Oh well, I feel pretty good. I'm doing this. First leg is over...and on to T1.

It was like a mad dash for transition. As stated earlier, my bags were at the end of the row, so it was easy to identify. I ran to the change tent and was joined by a volunteer. She sat down with me, dumped my bag and allowed me to pick through what I needed. She helped roll down my jersey when it got stuck on my wet torso and she handed me my race belt...and as I left that tent, she wished me luck. I ran out...a little hesitantly, a little frieghtened. And to my bike, where I heard cheers for "Cincy Express". And then more by name. I made the little trot to the bike mount and smiled as the fear vanished and the focus came back.

My Clubby!!

By popular demand, this is the pup! Until I get pics from mi madre, I don't have any of us pre and post race.

IMKY, pre race

Friday, Pre-Race
So, Friday morning, my car wouldn't start. It has a mind of it's own. I think i'll just start calling it "Kit"...but basically, sometimes it tells me a door is ajar when i'm simply driving down the road. All the interior lights turn on and it "dings". Then, things settle down and all is quiet. Well, it's only a problem when they decide to NEVER turn off. It kills the battery. Luckily, Tom and I had discussed riding together, so he just picked me up.


We made the drive and went to join in on the fun at the Practice swim in the Ohio. The river really isn't as bad as everyone seems to think. It wasn't as bad as I expected. Ran into some friends, chatted, picked up packets, got weighed (good, Lord...why? I mean, I know why...but, seriously, we've been tapering for two weeks!) and headed back to N Ky. Did a quick 30/15 bike/run. Felt great. Dad came over and we took out the bulbs in the lights and jumped my car. No big drama. Ate some sushi. To bed very, very early.

Wait!!! One last HUGE detail. Coach sent me a text "I have a disc if you want to use it." hahahaha. IF?!?

Saturday, Pre-Race
I'm a pretty emotional girl. I got up after about 10 hours of sleep and lying around. Got in my 15/10 bike/run. Felt a little sluggish. Realized I hadn't eaten in over 12 hours. um. duh. I made one last grocery run, packed my gear bags and my over night bag and then....I totally freaked. Sweaty palms. Racing heart. And it wasn't about how well I'd do. I was about doing it at all.

See, my goal for this race went from qualifying for Kona to simply participating. After I got so sick in the spring, I'd written off IM for this year. For me to even be competing in this thing was just overwhelming. I remember four short months ago, my dad told me that somehow, he just knew I'd come out stronger from that whole ordeal. Those are the very thoughts that overcame me out there on the bike...and the run, and brought on the tears. But that's for later...

I got about ten minutes of quiet time to clear my head a bit and dad was at the door to pick up my little Clubby for the weekend. Then, Tom was at the door and we were loading up and on our way to Louisville.

Bike & Gear Check In

The volunteers were great! We went straight to bike check-in and were handed a "guide" to show us where to rack and how transitions would flow, etc. I was #601, which just so placed my gear bags at the very end of an aisle. No problem finding those dudes. The girl was very kind and I totally understood everything. Def helped with visualization stuff. Other than that, uneventful.

Checked into the hotel, watched some MJ videos, "Thriller" in particular. Nice. And then back down to check-in to get that wheel from Coach. EEKK!

A little chatting and I was ordered off my feet. Back at the hotel. Ate food and to bed. But not to sleep. That was intermitent.

Morning Transition & Swim Line

the plan was to meet at transition at 5:15. We were there before then. Coach pumped the disc up and then was all in a hurry to get down to the swim start, which was about a mile away...but also almost two hours away. What's the big deal?? I hung around and talked with some friends, kept running into people. Turned in my bike special foods (which was really just a pbj...but, hey, I didn't want to regret NOT having it available) and left for the swim start a few mins before 6am.

We walked and walked and walked. We stopped and peed. We found the swim start. We got body marked. And then we started down the line to find the end. And we walked. And walked. and walked. and walked. Until we were out on the bike course. Over a mile from the swim start!!!!

Pretty soon, dad calls, he's looking for us. I hear Tom say "Hey Marvin!" and then I saw her. My little girl! Ha! She has to take like 4 steps to dad's every one, so she was pretty much pooped by 6:15am. And ya know, it's great having my dad there. He's got a very calming affect on me. most of the time.

Then, mom calls and she comes walking up! Mom and dad and Clubby! That made the wait for the swim more interesting. Ryan made a comment about my dog looking like a penguin that just fell over. Dad added "yeah, and fell flat on her face!" Freakin' comedians.

We heard a gun shot. Pro start at 6:50 (though i think the sound reached us around 6:52 we were so far away). Then another...amateur start! And the line started moving!!!!