Finally got pictures Posted!!
This week has been a bit of a blur. I spent Monday getting work in order, then off for a final swim at the Y, with a few good lucks from fellow lane buddies. Then I was home, and packing, resting up. On Tuesday, I slept in, then got on my bike and got in my last long ride til race day. Then, I went and had the most amazing massage from my massage therapist who did wonders for my sore back from a not so good transfer this past Thursday. Home, finished packing and met up with my House/dog sitter. and then I was in bed. My plan was to head out early on Wed to get to Boulder, but hence, I slept in, and made it as far as Colorado Springs Wed. Night, and it rained pretty much the entire drive, so that kept things interesting. I was so cold when I rolled into Colorado Springs, that I was worried, I'd have to buy some cold riding gear.
Got into Boulder Thursday in the AM, before I could check into my rental l. So I did a little shopping and went and got checked in at the Ironman Village, The Athlete Meeting, then finally to the rental. After I was all checked into the rental, I then headed out for a quick, shake out the legs, 30 min run. I ran down to the finishline..just a nice easy 10 min jog from here, and ran a little bit up and down the Boulder Creek Path!! This is going to be a beautiful run( minus all on concrete) , right next to the creek, where if you want, you can jump in and cool off on the run. Just mind the currents, they said. I got back home, got in the shower quickly, and then headed over to Training Peaks, where I got to meet 2 of my ALL TIME Idols!! Crowie( Craig Alexander) and Mirinda (Rinny) Carfare. They both currently hold the World Record for Ironman in Kona. And they both have won it 5 x between them. HOW FRICKING AWESOME! I was pretty darn start struck when I got to meet them, get an autograph and a picture. I also got to meet the great Apolo Ohno ( 8 time Winter Olympic winner for Speed Skating). It was a Q & A session about Ironman, Him going to Kona, for Got Chocolate Milk Team. Someone jokingly asked him if anything from DWTS was carried over here, he said "Absolutely, nothing!" I was on a high all night, Pick your all time favorite football, baseball, basketball player, that's what it was like meeting these two athletes in the Triathlon world. I was hoping to see them, but I didn't think I'd get a chance to meet them, let alone get a picture and autograph!!! After the meet and greet, I ran to Whole Foods, got some dinner, and then home to relax. Busy Busy day!
Friday- I was up by 6:30AM and off to the Rez to get in a pre race practice swim. Only bummer is that they charged for the swim. 20$ each to do a 750 yd swim. Yes, I was one of the many suckers, who just wanted to get in the lake and get a feel for it. But I was glad I did. I wanted to get in a good relaxed swim, but I also used this time to just swim and breath in the water,get any panic attacks out of the way, and just take it in, (the view, not the water) That way, when race day came, I could get focused and get to work. Met up with my WA Stripper Buddies, and we all hung out for a bit, before I headed off to go drive the bike cousre. I'm pretty sure the IM Boulder Team, found every possible hill, except for the mountains, to put on the bike course. I think the most fun one, will be at mile 100, called by the locals, the 3 Bitches. Just when you think your home free, and your sailing down this insanely long hill, suddenly, they switch the route on you, you will need to slow to a complete stop, turn 90 degrees to the left, and BAMMM...it's all uphill Bitch.....Like THREE UPHILLS. I'm sure I'll have more to say after I ride them tomorrow, we will leave it at that. Once back at the rental, I took hot shower, a nice longgggg nap, and then headed down to the pre race ceremony. HOLY CRAP....There were a lot of big names there for Ironman ceremony, helps of course to have it be there hometown. Craig Alexander, Dave Scott, Mike Rielly, Michellie Jones, Paula Newbie Fraiser, Karen Smyers, and so many others, I could remember all the names. A lot of previous winners of Kona!! So awesome to be in that presence. It was pretty darn cool. Some stats they gave for the race. It's the largest in Ironman History...But, I did only see about 2900 ish, signs setup at the bike. They kept saying over 3000. Oldest Racing: 73 Yrs. ; Youngest: 18. First Timers? 1063. Largest Male Group: 40-44. Largest Female Group: 40-44, (guess that kills my shot at a spot for Kona). 611 athletes OVER 50 yrs old with 95 athletes in the 60 age group: 7 in the 70 age group. IMPRESSIVE!!!!
After the ceremony, I walked back home via Pearl St, and ran across this sign near the finish line, the finishers chute is going up. Then Home and I packed up all my Gear Bags, got my race numbers on my bikes, jamming to Ironman by Ozzy ( yes on repeat) Then I was off to bed.
Saturday1 I woke up this morning, after sleeping in until eight. :) I know I won't get much sleep the night before the race, so I'm just excepting this. I got in bike gear, and headed out on a easy ride on the run course around Boulder Creek Path, I didn't get it all in, but I got in enough to see that I will have some beautiful views, and the creek to help distract me from the pain I know I will be feeling at that point in the race tomorrow. And one interesting thing I noticed...is that it was still light out around 9 PM. Wouldn't it be fun to finish in the "dusk" time vs. dark. Coming back from my ride, I headed down my street, only to learn that Mork and Mindy's house (you know, that TV show in the 80s with Robin Williams....Nanoo Nanoo) was literally 2 blocks from where I'm staying. Once, back at the rental, I got in a hot shower, got ready, and took my gear bags down to the race finish/run area. I'm only a 15 min walk, which will make it really nice to not have to worry about traffic in the am. But, I'm thinking that could make for a loooooong hobble back to my rental after the race. It will be worth it when that medal is around my neck. I know it!!!
****** Newton Running is doing a cool thing here for Ironman Boulder, you can go and record a video for your athlete, and then at mile 20, when your timing chip registers on the mat, it pops up the video on the screen and you can see the video your friends/family made for you. I'm kinda bummed that I won't have anyone to do that for me. My Ironman Sherpas I know would if they were there. But, If your reading this, then send me a message titled Mile 20. what words of encouragement would you send me with 6.2 miles to go in the race? I'd love to have some things to think about at that time, when others are getting a message, and when I know I'll have to dig deep. *******
Next, I got back to rental, and took bike and gear bag over to the Rez. This is the first Ironman I'm doing where the T1 and T2 are in two different spots. So, that will be something new for me to do on this race. I'm not keen on having to run a bit before I can get on my bike. Or when I get off the bike..I have about a 1/4 mile run with my bike before I hand it off and grab my run gear bag at the Boulder High School Track. Oh well, it is what it is, and I'll just enjoy the moment. The Rez was nuts with traffic!!! Which makes me glad, they are shuttling all of us in, in the AM. I heard people really grumble about this, but I'm thinking it's going to make it rather nice. I can relax and "breath" on the bus ride over to the Swim start. Got a good look at the swim course....13 sight buoys before each left turn. Lucky number 13. Lets DO THIS!!! Now I was done. I headed over to pick up a few last minute items for my special needs, and my gear bags. Then I got dinner and headed home to put on compression, feet up, rest, eat dinner, called home. Then called and talked with my coach for last minute words of wisdom and to just talk about logistics. Finishing up putting my special needs together, get nutrition ready to go for fluids. My parents are all set to call me at 3 AM to make sure I'm awake.
I'm SO EXCITED to get this started!! The pre race jitters are here, but really, I'm just ready to be in the moment, the journey of the race, and get to that amazing feeling of crossing that finish line, and do it safely. I'm feeling focused, calm (as best as I can), I am not really letting my self get freaked out with the bike (because I really could thinking of all those hills, and if the wind picks up, and.....) but I'm just reminding myself, I've got this!, I have my plan, I will stay within myself, I will enjoy the journey, I will have FUN!!! I will DO THIS!!! It is what it is, I'm going to control me, and whats within my ability. The weather will be what it will be, I will adapt and adjust to what comes my way. After all, that is what this type of race is all about.
In the words of the great Dave Scott: "Do what you can do, at that moment. You just have to want it!!! See You in 140.6 Miles!!!!
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