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Same Race, New Racer

Boy oh boy, what a difference a year can make. Last Saturday was the Ironman 70.3 Honu triathlon, my second half-Ironman to date. And I came out swinging, cutting 51 minutes off my time and having a ball even on a tougher course.

When I participated in the race last year I didn't even know if I was going to finish. I had put my name in the Ironman drawing, but was not selected to participate in 2016. So I chose motherhood over training, and hardly spent any time preparing for the race. I used my old road bike, and swam in the ocean only a handful of times. My running was usually cut short by a one year old who needed mom more than mom needed Honu. When the race came around, I almost didn't even go pick up my packet. Even the pre-race prep was too time consuming, let alone being gone the whole day to race and having to recover after.

I went for the experience in 2016 and after a decent swim, pulled myself through the bike and run (walk really), thinking the entire time "I am never doing this again. Ever. Never ever. Unless it's to get into Kona. That's it. Never again." I finished the race, limped straight to T2, got my stuff, and hobbled back to the parking lot, as Jeff drove in to meet me. Then I went home and reminded myself: never again.

Then I found a 5 year plan of mine from a couple years ago. To my surprise it had 2016 as a Ironman prep year, and 2017 the year I was supposed to go for Kona. I had jumped the gun and tried a year early. No wonder I didn't get into the race and it was so hard to train for even the half. It was supposed to be this year. And that is because I'm 33 this year. 3 is for tri-athlon and what better year to try for the big one than 33?

When I put my name into the drawing this time it felt different. It was as if it were meant to be. There were so many signs pointing me to this opportunity. And now it's happening. But first I had to tackle the toughest Half Ironman again.

So I've been training. And focused. Maybe a little obsessed. Hopefully the kids won't notice too much and my family and friends will forgive me. And maybe they will be more inspired than annoyed? I know looking back Jason and Evan will get a kick out of this journey when I'm 63 and they're 35 and 32. And last year Ironman was a secret goal. This year I have announced my mission to the world. And the world has answered back with full support.

So as I started the race on Saturday I was full of joy, gratitude, love and peace that I am on the right track. And lots of special people are behind me. I have the support of my family and colleagues at the gym, the members and my clients. And I have met so many new friends already in our Kona community and with Women for Tri. I've enjoyed sharing insight on our island and this race. I got to line up next to Jessie, a fellow Ironmom, and try a land entry start, which was different than last year.

As our beeper buzzed us to go, I ran down the beach and dove in. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Jessie reach out and start her watch. My watch! I didn't even think about starting it, a rookie mistake I have made time and time again. So I started mine too and zipped through the water. I felt fast and passed all sorts of swimmers in the heats before me. The water felt great, and I felt strong. I played Coach Karlyn Pipes' tips in my head over and over. Arms wider, pull alongside the body. Reach as your hand enters the water. Crush the box. Wrist straight, fingers loose, pull with the wrist. Breathe every 3 or 4 strokes. Pinkie in, not thumb. Keep to the right.

Soon the next heat was catching me, and I picked a few purple caps to draft. I couldn't seem to stick with any. They were all too swervy. But I recognized the sensation of drafting as the same in your face, full of bubbles, hard to see churning of the endless pool. I'm going to have a new perspective on using it at my in-laws. I have a feeling drafting will be a good idea during the 2.4 swim of Ironman.


I felt great in T1 and didn't have to change from my swim suit to bike shorts (and later to running shorts). My Tri*fe Tri Kit from Meredith Atwood worked great for the entire race. And I liked that the name of the kit was "In the Rough". It felt right, being at Hapuna, which is known for it's Roughwater Swim. The water had been rough, but it didn't slow me down. I'm used to it now.

I had forgotten until the Women for Tri meet-up that the bike start is on a hill. One of the WFT members mentioned it. I wonder what else I blocked out from last year? The volunteers have to give you a boost from standing still to get you started. I couldn't do it last year. I walked my bike the 40 yards up to the top of the hill before getting on and going. This year I told myself, "Don't think about it, just do it. Your legs are strong and you can do it. Everyone else does it..." although I was still a little nervous. When I got to the line Mel, one of the many people I have met while living in Kona, asked if I needed a push. I like Mel and I trusted her to help me. Working together, I got up that hill ON MY BIKE. Whew, only 55.95 miles left to go.


The ride was hard. It was hot. It was windy. It was raining. And the hills were driving people mad. I was so thankful for the ability to practice on the course a few weeks prior at the BikeWorks Free Honu Training Day. I knew about the tufts of grass in the cracks in the shoulder and how jarring it is if you go over a rumble strip. The traffic was well controlled so going into the road at times wasn't as dangerous. And I knew where the windiest patches were. Heading up to Hawi feels like you are riding up hill forever. But I knew where we turn, and that the way back is downhill. So I pushed it through the wind and rain and had a great time riding back down the hill on the road (without using my breaks once). I am really going to love having the whole road for Ironman. Coming out of Kawaihae, people were crashing, bloody with twigs sticking out of them. One woman was lying on her back on the shoulder, bike propped on a rock as a medic came running to her. People were sitting on the guard rail with head in hands or walking their bikes up to the highway. I felt their pain. But I was expecting it. I stopped the Moana songs I had playing on repeat in my mind and pulled out Evan's favorite line..."Pow-a Up, and ENERGIZE!" And it worked. I got up that hill and raced back to the Mauna Lani to run, run, run.

And I ran the whole half marathon. That was my goal. That was why last Sunday Jeff let me go run 13.1 miles at NELHA at 12:30pm in the heat on family day. I walked the aid stations, pouring as much ice cold water over me as possible, and drank at each one. My shoes squished along as I ran, and it was slow, but I didn't walk. And never once did I wish I wasn't doing it. I was grateful for the wisdom of having done this race the year before. Grateful to have the support to get to do it again. And grateful for the other runners out there to talk to. Ingrid, Traci, Heather, Shawnna, and guy from Oahu, I mean you! And I was very aware that this was just half of what was to come in October.







Coming across the finish line was amazing. I took off my sunglasses before the last photos so I could have a clear shot of MY face. A lot of people are telling me they are proud of me. I am proud of MYSELF. I can't believe the difference a year can make. The right formula works. And having a reason and the right attitude works. What a great race.

To my surprise, Al, my father in law, was there at the finish line. He has been my support crew for years for Lavaman and Bike MS. I asked him if he'd wear a Swim Bike Sherpa shirt if I got one for him, since he is always carrying my stuff before and after the races. "Sure," he says. And I am grateful he is there. We ended up skipping the ceremony again this year. Jeff kept the boys home...and I don't blame him. I would rather be there with them than eating hamburgers, drinking beer, and getting massages if you can believe it. Hmm.... Well anyway, taking them to drop off my stuff the day before was a 5 hour affair that left everyone cranky and over stimulated. So I packed everything up and headed for home, with a smile on my face.

And what does a Swim Bike Mom do the day after her biggest race to date? Go shopping at Costco of course! We have to be ready for the week. Thank goodness I didn't unpack my car from the weekend, and still had the Ergo carrier in there from dropping off my bike with both boys at Hapuna Friday. Evan fell asleep right before we got there. But the snuggles and peacefulness of his sleep made the sunburn and sore legs hurt a little less, and reminds me how lucky I am.


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