How it all went down

Oh Ironman. You are an evil tortuous wonderful thing. I loathe and crave you at the same time.  I try to stay away and then I find myself checking registration status and contemplating the amount of cash I could drop into this race year after year.

The race was Sunday June 27. I took off from work the 23-28.  On Wednesday, I spent the day packing, unpacking, re-packing, doing laundry, checking lists, checking gear etc.  Thursday morning I met my sister for the long drive. My mom was kind enough to meet me at I-90 so I didn't have to double back. Little Lilly and my sister were going to drive over with me, and then the rest of the family would come over on Friday.

Thursday we got into town and I checked in. And then checked out the water. Gulp. Wow, that was choppy. But not too cold. Got  a little swim, ride and run in and then we headed back to WA to get dinner and relax. Sadly, our hotel was back across the WA/ID border (about 22 miles from the race).

Friday morning, we were up pretty early and back to the course for another swim. Yup, even choppier.  My nerves start building as I see that the forecast has the temperature going up every time I looked at it. Great, we've hit 70 in the Pacific Northwest once this year and now it's supposed to be 82 on race day.  Wendi, Lilly and I headed back to the hotel to wait for the rest of the family to arrive. 

Since we had a little time to kill before we headed back to Idaho for my meeting we took the girls to the pool. Lilly was fearless. I guess at 22 months you just have no idea! Emily (who just turned 4) was a little more weary of it. She had the death grip around my neck but didn't want to get out. So cute!

Saturday, we were up early but dawdled around the hotel before going back to Idaho for the family to check out the race course and see where I'd be spending up to 17 hours on Sunday.  My aunt thought the bike course was nuts. All the switchbacks and hills.  Yup, it's not a super easy course by any means.

Sunday. Race Day.  I woke up about 3:30am, without nerves!  I was even able to eat two bowls of oatmeal and a banana without wanting to throw up.  At 5am, we all left and made the journey back to ID. We found great parking and headed to the course.  I put my  bottles on my bike and checked the tires, checked my Transition bags and dropped off my special needs bags.  After a short wait in the port-a-potty line I found my supporters. All 12 of them! They looked great in their "Bri's Bunch" shirts. I love my family and friends.  Half hour to race start and I wasn't nervous! The water was flat!

The pros started and I headed down to the water's edge chatting with other athletes here and there, helping zip wetsuits etc.  And then- 7am! The cannon goes off and I forgot my plan of waiting a few seconds and there I went, running into the water. Calm, cool and collected.

However, that all change a couple hundred meters out. Battling the men, who will just repeatedly punch  you in the back of the head instead of trying to actually get around you, the waves picked up (wind and boats) and kept throwing me off course. Around the second buoy, it basically turned into a mosh pit. We all stopped moving. There was yelling, swearing and pushing. I never did figure out what the hold up was, and I didnt' care. At this point. both my calves and my right hamstring were cramping. Great. 

The swim went pretty smoothly overall. A little slower than I'd hoped- 1:27- but a decent time nonetheless. Smoothly through transition and sunscreen (next time I will spend more time getting lathered!!) And onto the bike.  My cheerleaders were at the T1 exit and calling my name from all directions. Needless to say, I was pumped!!!

My focus on the bike was to ride steady and not push myself too much.  It was pretty uneventful, but I took about 30 minute off from my previous race time.

However, the run loomed ahead of me.  The RUN. How would this go? I felt better than I did last time, and I was just over half an hour ahead of my previous time so I knew I could do this under 15 hours without a problem.  I put it into my head to just enjoy it, not stress too much, stay hydrated and meet people.  I chatted with a bunch of other Ironman and around mile 9 or 10, I met Stewart. We just happened along at the same pace and started chatting.  This was his first Ironman. A police officer from Southern Cali with 9 year old twin boys.  I'm not sure when it happened but we suddenly had a bond and unspoken decision that we would get each other to the finish line. At one point he said he didn't think he had any running left in him. I told him I had faith.  And he did. Then when my legs started cramping again he slowed his pace back to a walk for me and waited patiently when I had to stop and put on a band-aid.  We definitely needed each other.  As we made the final turn to the finish line- just a few blocks to go- we stepped it up and ran all the way down Sherman Ave. Amongst the crowds lining the street we were high fiving, high stepping, cheering for ourselves, thanking the people who kept us motivated. We passed under the arch and into the final few meters the bright lights and music and yelling overwhelming. I couldn't even hear my family in the front row- on the other side of the stands! Stewart and I crossed the line together with arms overhead in victory and huge smiles on our faces. 

My "catcher" Miguel had just done a spring Ironman and is doing Kentucky shortly. He was incredible, what an amazing smile and so happy for me. He kept asking me how I felt, telling me I looked great, that I should be proud of myself etc. Very cool volunteer.  I grabbed some pizza and found my family. Jacque brought me cake, flowers and balloon.  Damn, the frosting on that cake was good.  We all hung out near the lake while I got my wits back about me (after being escorted to the bathroom- my big sister is awesome!)  After a bit, we gathered up my bike and Transition bags and made the walk back to the car. This time, I wasn't driving back to the hotel.  The back seat of my car is actually super comfortable!

At the hotel, I was not ready for bed. I packed up my gear and finally convinced myself to take a cold shower. Oh, the sunburn. The pain.  Basically I just washed my hair and splashed soapy water at myself.  I finally made it to bed around 1am.  Only to wake up around 3:00 when the crisp sheets touched my blazing red arms.  And then every half hour or so until I finally woke up at 7 and stole my niece for breakfast.   How was I the first one up?? Sheesh. There's something wrong with me.

Anyway, we finally all went back to CDA to get the rest of my gear and check out the merchandise tent and eat again!  Mmmmm Q'doba!

By late Monday I was already thinking about registering for next year.  :)