1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run...the Austin Half Ironman
It seems like yesterday that I walked into VRC and said I wanted to do an Ironman. It seems even shorter that I was hyperventilating over signing up for the Half Ironman. Now that it's here and only a couple of days away, I know I should be nervous, or excited or both. But truly, right now I just feel blessed.
This is not my accomplishment. So many people helped me along the way, and I would not have gotten here without them. I will probably miss someone here, and if I do, I apologize now.
Thanks Nacho, for being the one waiting for me when I first walked into VRC and being so welcoming. You have no idea how close I was to walking out of the store because I was intimidated by my own goal.
Thanks to the VRC running group for being there week after week, for commiserating over the tough runs, and for every "good job" you gave me when you passed. Maggie, Jose Obando, Carlos (my running daddy), Cesar, Amanda, Karla, Gaby, George, Lupita, Marco, Earnesta, Andy, Sara, Hector - you guys kept me chasing you, and I thank you for that, it made me a better runner.
Thanks Maggie for all the pep talks, for coming to CapTex to cheer me on, and for the days of texting face wars. That meant a lot to me :)
Thanks to David Zuniga for teaching me how to run hills (which will come in very handy in Austin I hear) and to Donna for teaching me how to run for fun. I haven't forgotten my first trail run with you!
Thanks to Mari Calzada for being there when I needed a shoulder, and for teaching me how to relax when running (not the easiest thing for me!). You and Carlos are missed a lot down here! Carlos, someday we will play Game of Thrones.
Thanks to all the trail/distance runners who gave me advice whenever I asked, and encouragement along the way - Celinda, Norma, David, Ben, Sami, Carly (and her bright smile), and the many more who posted things that always inspired me.
Big thanks to Cyndi for helping me break through my mental pacing barrier - running with you made all the difference. Hopefully soon I'll take you up on your offer to run Boston with you.
Thanks to Frank for running with me to help me pace, and playing beach volleyball - that was a blast! You'll be back at full tilt in no time!
Thanks to Esmeralda Chavez for not giving up on me when we first met, and inviting me to be a Cyclepath. Every word of encouragement you have given me did not go unappreciated. Thanks to the members of the Sunday ride group - especially Ramon for always being a ray of sunshine, and Mike for pushing me but giving me the right technique to make it effective.
Thanks to Luis De La Garza, Ramon Catindig and Gerardo Aguilar for letting me ride with the "big guys" a few times, and taking turns babysitting me so I wasn't lonely when I couldn't keep up. You guys are awesome, and someday soon, I will keep up, or die trying.
Special thanks to Gerardo for the loan of the bike and for teaching me how to use it. I'll keep it safe, I promise.
Big hugs to Erica W. and Erica Proffer - I look forward to riding with you two more, and just spending time in general - love ya both.
Farrah - oh my gosh, I'm not sure there are words. You scared me the first time I met you and you gave this non-tactile person the biggest hug of her life. Who knew the power of an all encompassing hug? Meeting you was such a blessing to my life, and I look forward to seeing your smile.
Yanory...wow, you are a crazy girl, but that suits me just fine. Thanks for all the talks, for making me chase you on the bike, and for everything else. It's going to be a wild ride.
Thanks to the Run, Walk or Crawl group for inspiring me every day with all the posts and responses to my posts. Never did I think I would find such a group of awesome women.
Thanks to all my friends on Facebook - posting workouts made me accountable, and every person who posted or messaged me encouraging things never went unnoticed. Whether you live next door or in another country, you all kept me motivated.
Thanks to Cheryl Medrano for tea and scones, for pool talks and spinach salads...may there be more.
To my other adopted family, the Villarreals, thank you for the home away from home in Austin, and for searching for me when you thought I had drown at CapTex. Art, you are like a brother to me, and your support and advice have held me up in some of the most trying times of my life. Monica (aka Mini Me), you are the little sister I always wanted (although sometimes you act like a big sister). Thanks for the daily talks. It will be an honor to have you guys there at my race this weekend - I promise not to drown, so if you don't see me, don't panic :)
To my former Canadian coach and great friend Brian - you are sarcastic, unrelenting, and generally crabby. That being said, you are also a huge support to me, and someone I consider a close friend. Thanks to the invention of Skype, I am able to hear your sarcastic comments all the way from up north. I look forward to our long typed conversations - even though it's been years, we always pick up right where we left off. That's a sign of true friendship.
Big hugs and thanks to my adopted parents - Sally and Xavier Moron. You are my biggest cheerleaders, my support staff, my doggie feeders, my yard gnomes, and generally, the most awesome people I could have asked for in my life. God really blessed me the day I moved next door.
Love you, Hannah, for telling your mom it was her time, and for being patient when we would come home and I would say that I had to go for a run/bike/swim. I am so happy to share this with you and hope I make you proud of me.
Now the big one - my coach German Madrazo. I have no idea what you saw in me that made you take my goal on, but I don't think I could thank you enough for believing in me. Thank you for all your guidance, the workouts, completely changing my running form so I actually could become a runner, and for all the positive energy you just seem to radiate. I know I have a long way to go to the ultimate goal, but thanks to you, I am on my way. You and Luci are going to make awesome parents!
I started this journey in January, and along the way learned a lot about life and myself. I met an entire community of amazing people I never knew existed, and am so thankful to have them in my life. There were a few hard knocks along the way, but those times only made my resolve stronger. As I head to the starting line on Sunday morning, I will carry all of you with me (figuratively of course). I have bigger mountains to climb after this, but for now, I am going to enjoy this race for what it is. Thanks for all the support, and see you at the starting line!
