Still on Cloud 9 and ready for the next event!
It's all about the Bling, T-shirt and the bonus is the Plaque! |
I'm
not going to lie. 2013 was a very hard time for me mentally and
physically, especially the last two months. With the hip replacement, I
was told to move. I had restrictions but I was
walking and strength training the entire body. I'm pretty sure it was
during this time period when my right shoulder took a turn for the
worse. (I've had issues with it for 15+ years. ). It was at this time, I
wrote my plan down to get to my goal of becoming an Ironman. I knew
shoulder surgery was inevitable but the broken ankle threw me a curve.
I
signed up for all my 2014 races in October 2013. I thought my shoulder
surgery was going to be at the end of the month so I knew I had
enough time. Well, the surgery was pushed back until December. I
knew one event was going to have to be cancelled.
I
was searching for a coach and decided on Train-N-Tri. There are
many reasons I chose her and here are a few.. 1. She understands I'm
not the same as her other athletes. I have joint issues and running is
BAD for me. 2. She actually asked for all my scheduled vacations and
or family visits, since she knows I travel a lot. 3. She understands
recovery and the older we get, the more recovery our body needs. 4. She knows me. When I
get a plan, I do my best to stick to it 100%, so I needed a plan that
wouldn't beat me down. It was a great decision. I love how she
wants a weekly report or she will track you down. I love the fact when I
forget to tell her something but she sees it on FB she tracks me down..
She
wouldn't start any plan for me until I was fully released from my doctors. On Jan 24 I
was fully released from both. However, I didn't get my plan until Feb 18 due to other issues. Now, I was a bit worried. I had 12 weeks to my first half. I had 4 trips planned. My
longest run of 13.1 miles was when I competed in Boise 70.3 in 2012. I kept my running to 4 miles
or under. I followed the plan and that was all I could do. We tweaked it here and there but I was getting stronger every week.
It's
a week before my race now and I feel good. I'm worried about the run
but I knew if I did my swim and bike like I knew I could I would have
plenty of time for the run. (This is my goal for all races, swim as
fast as I can, bike like a bandit and then enjoy a slow jog to the
finish). My dog Booger gets sick and can't sleep for 4 days. My
husband and I take turns sleeping in the living room with Booger so the
other can get rest. The vet told us to wait 24 hours before leaving.
We left Wednesday morning, all of us exhausted. However Booger was
feeling back to himself. My coach told me not to do anything being
tired because that would cause injury. So I didn't and I didn't dwell
on it. Seriously, a week away from my first big event, there isn't
anything I could do to change anything now. No I rested while my
wonderful husband drove us in the RV.
I picked up my packet and racked my bike the night before. A few less things to worry about on Race Morning.
I picked up my packet and racked my bike the night before. A few less things to worry about on Race Morning.
The Pink Lotus racked and ready |
Believe
it or not, I wasn't anxious or stick to my stomach. I remained calm
(scary for me). In 2013, I realized
if I wanted to achieve my dream, I first needed to developed my mind
strength. My friend (now coach) told me I would have the strongest mind
out there. I don't know if she was right but I know my mindset was
right.
Race Day Morning.. Feeling Good. |
Swim Start.. I'm there somewhere. This was just a few out of the 400 athletes that started. |
Starting my 56 mile Bike Ride |
Back in transition. I also forgot my Visor. Preparing for the 13.1 miles left to go. |
Leaving transition, knowing I had about 3 hours left |
The roads were country roads with no shade. It was sunny and hot. I took advantage of
the sponges at every rest stop as well. I encouraged many athletes as they passed me by. At mile 8.5 I looked at my watch and it showed I had been
moving for 6 hours and 47 minutes. I knew I would finish on time. I still tried
jogging but mostly walked, singing, praying and repeating my
mantras, besides thanking all the volunteers and encouraging the few
runners I would see.
Finally mile 13. I hear my
name, I see Pat and Booger. Mark Wilson, the race director, grabs my
hand encouraging me and I sprint to the finish. Official time 8:05:49.
I Did it. I finished my first half Ironman (70.3 miles) distance. (As some know, I
did Boise but due to high winds, rain and snow, they shorten the bike
from 56 to 12 miles..I felted cheated .. And that's another story).
After
the race, I laid around a bit trying to settle the stomach. Pat was
able to get my things out of transition. He said while he was in there a
woman told him that I was a beast on the bike..She said I just blew past her
like nothing. That made me feel good. Never was told that before. And
we all no the Pink Lotus stands out. I probably would have won first
for prettiest bike as well. Just saying that's what I was told.
My first place Plaque! |
There were two people
in my division, Athena half. One competitor never made it to the
finish. In my age group, I would have placed 8 out of 9.
Sowhat is
next... I have 3 events in June, July and August before my next half Ironman in October. This is Silverman in Henderson/Lake mead. I will keep
training, TRIing and losing weight. I will work on my transitions
(maybe) and most important I WILL ENJOY every minute of very day that I'm out
doing what I Love..
God...who gave me this heart, passion and desire!
My husband Pat who is my biggest supporter, fan and best friend. He completes me.
My husband Pat who is my biggest supporter, fan and best friend. He completes me.
Having dinner and celebrating once I heard "FIRST PLACE!" |
My Biggest Supporter, Fan, My Rock, My Everything. Always there for me! |
Kandi, my coach at Train-n-Tri. I know I'm a hard one with my plans and
physical issues but we did it. We are going all the way to Couer
d'alene.
To Robert who swam 1.2 miles with me in the ocean one week ago and help my mental anxiety. It worked.
To
Energy Bits, Ryno power and Ding Bat Bars. I trained with all of it,
good wholesome clean food giving me the energy I need when I don't
forget it in transition.
To my girls Sinta and Jamie, thanks for training with me and having so much faith me. All my TC sisters Sandy, Liz, Anna, Jaymi, Cherilynn and friends/family at home, you always have more faith in me than I do. Thanks so much.. I truly felt the prayers and positive energy pushing me through.
And my two moms.. Barb and Yvonne. You never once doubted me!
I WILL BE AN IRONMAN!!