Sandra, Joey, Chris from PhysioSports...wow, what can I say? Never once did you doubt you could get me back on track after my injury (or at least you never let on) and despite the time crunch, you did it! Sandra, you are one of a kind, and I give you a big hug for all our talks. Joey, you get it done, you are incredibly talented, and I'm grateful you are part of this journey. Thanks for creating PhysioDynamix aka the Pain Lab. I felt the difference on the bike, and know the punishment every week was the reason I got through that run pain free. You are EPIC! Chris, HAH! Bring out the gloves man! You pushed me every PT session, but I really appreciate how you gave me harder and harder weights during PhysioDynamix, you never let me slack off, and even if I doubted I could do it, you made me do it anyway...to the bushes!
Gina, thank you for lunch that day, it came at just the right moment. I see a beautiful friendship there, and value you a lot. Thanks to my training partners Roger and Marcos. You guys push me every practice we work together, and appreciate how you guys keep encouraging me. Then there is the list of people who message me, post, text, talk...you get the idea. Don't think a single word gets unnoticed or is not appreciated. Much love to you all, you have no idea how those words stay with me.
Chris, (not the Physiosports one) thank you for sitting with me on the phone and all the work you did to help me plot weather strategies. The winds shifted just as you expected, and it gave me a lot of confidence knowing what was coming. You have been so supportive of this crazy sport, God blessed me immensely with your friendship.
Keeping in mind German's words, "it's just a really big training brick", I went into the race at Galveston fairly calm (for me). I usually drive in the day of check in, but this time, I gave myself the extra day to find my zen. I'm really glad I did. Galveston is a really pretty area, and I walked the beach Friday night, feeling abnormally ready, and really happy.
Saturday I hit the expo and bike check in, and was happy with where I wound up in transition, right smack dab in the middle of the bike and run outs. After that, I went to go see the swim course. I really wasn't encouraged by what I saw...
A few of us were talking and laughing about the sign - kind of broke the tension from seeing the chop on the bay. There was a storm due, and while it was great the temperatures stayed mild, the wind was wrecking havoc on the water.
I spent the rest of the day exploring Galveston, having lunch with friends, and plotting weather changes with Chris. I went to sleep knowing I had done all I could do, and that whatever happened at the race, happened.
Four a.m. came early, and it was off for transition set up. I used to stress about this, but I've gotten to the point where I can do it quickly. I was ready to go, and spent the rest of the time chatting with the other athletes.
Doesn't Leslie's bike look pretty? I got a lot of compliments on her.
As the waves started, I realized something I hadn't before. To get in the water, we had to jump off the pier. Time to admit it, I'm a wimp when it comes to heights. Just don't think about it, just do it. The water temperature was a shock, but got in line and waited for the cannon. This time there were 127 women in my wave. There were the first timers like Miki, and then there were others who had been racing this distance for 8-10 years. It's a great sport, when it comes down to it, we are really only racing ourselves.
As I waited, I reviewed my goals for the race: beat my time from Austin, run as much of the 13.1 as I could, and not have any IT band or foot issues. Now I understand that last one can't really be a goal, it was more like a desperate hope. ANNNNNNDDDDD we were off. The waves were pretty bad, and I got slapped, swum over, bumped and I tickled a few people's feet as we found open areas in which to swim. Before I knew it, the swim was over and it was off to the bike.
Shortly after the bike started, the wind shifted. While we were supposed to have a head wind out and a tail wind back, I found I had a tailwind. I was prepared for this but had to make a decision. German had told me to hold back a bit on the bike, but now I was faced with a headwind on the way back if the wind didn't shift back the way it was supposed to, which could seriously impact my run. I decided to let my legs tell me what they had, and as long as the spin felt easy, I would go at that speed. Varying between 20mph and 16 depending on the crosswind, I felt really good. However, you are looking at 3+ hours stuck on the bike with really nothing to do but make your feet move in little circles. You have to entertain yourself somehow...songs started playing in my head, and I let them flow, until Neon Lights by Demi Lovato played for 25 mins solid. Yeah, I needed a distraction. I started paying attention to the names on people's bibs as they passed me. I kept my comments in my head, but would say something to each one."James" - hey, that's my brother's name!..."Colton" - I bet you are blonde...."Heinrich" - Heinrich? Mentally salute Ya-Vol!!
It kept me going. Sometime during the first half, the rain started. Free shower, just have to be really careful about not sliding out when the road is slick. It lasted for about 15-20 mins, and didn't really impact my ride.
Mostly on the bike, I pray. Whatever your beliefs on spirituality, for me, I like that time with God. There are few distractions, and I spend most of the time being thankful and grateful for everything that has happened, both good and bad, because they got me to where I was in that moment. It's peaceful, and it gave me the time I needed to mentally prepare for the run.
Groups of people had driven out to different points of the course to cheer their friends/family members on. But they cheered for all of us, and it helps give you that boost when your mind starts getting tired. Nothing like a bunch of people ringing cow bells and cheering you on like you are a superhero to get your blood flowing.
Back in transition and out to the run. My mind immediately thought about mile five - when my IT band locked in Austin. Trying not to court disaster, I decided to focus on memorizing the course, which was three loops. People lined most of it, dancing to the DJ's, yelling out encouragement on bullhorns, and the kids reached their hands out, hoping one of us would give them a high five. One little girl went running to her mom after I hit her hand, and said, "Mom, I got to shake hands with an Ironman!" like it was the greatest thing in the world. That was a great moment.
A guy ahead of me was limping fairly badly. As I got closer, I saw why. He had been a victim of the slick roads. His shoulder was completely raw, and the scrapes continued down the side of his leg. Most likely he had twisted his ankle being clipped in the pedals when he went down. I felt bad for him, but was really impressed that limping or not, he would finish.
I walked briefly each aid station, not having yet mastered the fine art of drinking without wearing most of it. But my body was pretty happy to continue running. Mile five came and went. I felt a little tired and sore, but was able to keep moving. No pain! The humidity shot up, and so I started pouring ice water on my neck to keep from overheating, and to feel refreshed. I met a girl who was running about my pace, so we ran together for most of what was left, chatting when we were able, and pushing each other on when we felt like walking.
When I saw the finish line, I really couldn't believe it. I had some chafing burns from the wetsuit, but other than that, no injuries, no major pain, and I had taken 20 mins off my time in Austin, with a final time of 6:16:30. Knowing soon I would have to double the distance, I took mental stock to see if my body could do it. Yeah, I think so, but maybe at a little slower pace.
Of course, the first thing I wanted to do was get my morning bag so I could take a pic and post it on Facebook - because if it's not on Facebook, it really didn't happen. I was shocked when I got on to see how many people were tracking me, and all the supportive comments being said. It overwhelmed me, and it meant a lot. How Lindslee got this shot I have no idea, but I'm really grateful she did:
Everyone has been so supportive and I appreciate each and every one of you. There is no way I could have done this without all of you, and so thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
After a rest day, I was back at the pool. My arms felt a little noodle-y, but I'm ready to tackle these last four and a half weeks to IMTX. It's been quite the ride, I've learned so much about myself, my faith, and what happens when you are crazy enough to dedicate yourself to a goal, no matter how seemingly impossible when you start.
Keep moving, never give up, but most of all, believe you are worth it!
