3am Sunday morning the alarm went off, ‘Ironman Day, Ironman Day, Ironman Day. I get to do an Ironman today!’

Had a relaxing morning, no rushing around, plenty of time to get to the race by 5am. Went straight to body marking, then to transition to check bikes and bags. Then into our wetsuits, a final dose of my trusted essential oil blend and flower remedies. We headed over to meet the group. Never rushing, just relaxed and methodical. There seemed to be no pressure on the day. Headed down the waterfront path to the entrance to the swim so that we could hit the timing mat and activate our chips for the day. This walk was very slow as all the athletes were trying to get through one single entrance. This experience required some deep breathing.

Right into the water with BJ and Brian. Swim left. I was going to line up exactly where I was in my dream I had months ago. Water felt incredible, stomach felt good, not really a nervous feeling to report. Just happiness and feelings of gratitude. Treading water I looked back onto the beach, thousands of pink and blue caps, all waiting for their day to begin.

Swam back to the beach and couldn’t help but start dancing to the music. I didn’t expect this but I couldn’t stop it. It was the start of an incredibly fun day that would end as it started with organic movement. I kept walking to the left while looking at the lake. Yes, this is it, here’s the spot. It was the same morning I had dreamed of; weird, cool, very cool.

Cooled down the hips for the National Anthem and then we were off. I saw my spot and went for it, very peaceful start. I went out conservatively and it was wide open spaces for moi. I cut inside the buoys and was sighting ever third stroke. It was a beautiful morning. I kept aware of where my fellow swimmers were and defended my honor when necessary. It was all in good fun, healthy competition which is what I love about triathlon. No matter what your level you can still be competitive.

I hit the first buoy turn, that’s where it got a little wild. I took it tight and had to battle a bit. But instead of feeling chaotic, I was really enjoying making my way through the masses. Second buoy turn was no different. It was crowded, splashy and contact filled. I was having a blast. Finished the first loop, busted a quick move and jumped back in for another lap. I was about 3 minutes faster on the 2nd loop, I held back too much on the first loop. Also when coming upon a group or around the buoys on my 2nd loop I would put my head down and surge forward. That worked nicely. Notes for next time. I can easily knock some time off here. Yo yeah.

Headed up the path of spectators to T1, grabbed my bag and into the change tent. I remember yelling at people ‘make no mistake this is so much fun’. Not sure what happened in the tent but the next thing I knew I had my helmet on, race belt secured and shoes strapped. Love the change tent! I’m learning that Ironman has a few niceties that me liketies.

Saw our kick ass support crew on my way out of transition, mounted my baby and was off for 112 mile ride. So exciting, heading through town, crowds were loud and thick. Wow, what an incredible feeling. Headed out for a quick loop then back through town and off to Hayden lake, the hills. There were some biggies but it was more like a roller coaster then a punishment. I would go from 38 mph to 5 mph. As much up hill as down hill, training in Boulder is key for this type of course. The scenery was breathtaking, reminded me very much of New Hampshire. CDA is like a big Timberman.

At about mile 30 I saw a crash, not good but a good reminder for safety. About mile 35 I started to cramp on my right side. What the? What the hell? I’ve never cramped on the bike. Ok cool, I’ll just figure out how to get rid of it. Took some salt, a bit of water and it started to subside. About 30 minutes later it returned with a furious rage, I could feel pain radiating all the way down my leg. I could not be in the arrow position anymore, I had to sit up and stretch. I tried everything I know about cramping; direct pressure, reciprocal inhibition, stretching, visualization, breathing, love…everything. Nothing seemed to be helping. Continued to breath into it and came upon an aid station, BANANA! Yes. That did the trick. The fabulous first banana.

Hit special needs at mile 64, took off my arm warmers and shoved a few handfuls of Boulder chips in my mouth. Recharged, I felt awesome. Headed out feeling very strong. I love special needs on the bike, it’s like the convenience store in Hygiene. Another Ironman nicety.

Kept hitting up the bananas at the aid station and all was well until the last banana. Mile 108, I saw the girl holding out the banana, I knew it wasn’t a good idea, I grabbed it anyway and managed to get it down. I wanted to throw it up as soon as I finished it. This banana will forever be known as the fatal banana - I put way too much stock in the banana that day. It was to my detriment on the run. I negative split the ride and finished strong. My stomach didn’t feel all that great but I was off to the run. I only had 26.2 miles to go I wasn’t stopping now.

Full costume change in T2, bounding out in my pink footloose dress, green shorties and gas cap, I felt ready to run a marathon and become an Ironman. I immediately started getting comments on my outfit and number, 1999. People loved my number. Less then a mile into the marathon, my stomach took hurt to a new level. Then another level, then I saw BJ hunched over at about his mile 13. Figured he was already dealing with more than me, I was at least still moving, I told him I felt great and trudged along never losing my smile. He caught up to me around mile 4 (his mile 17) and he wasn’t doing well, I wasn’t doing well. My stomach was so sad. All I wanted to do was throw up. I was seeing people throwing up and was envious.

So what did I do? The only thing I could - HTFU. I ran as much as I could, went faster when I could and stopped a few times. Saw BJ again at mile 7ish, he was heading to the finish. I was fine there was no doubt in my mind that I would finish the race. Although, there was now a possibility that I would feel like this the entire run and would finish much later then expected. About mile 10 I stopped at an aid station to eat some cliff bloks. One in, nasty. My body didn’t want to eat. I saw Brian heading towards me. Two in, oh boy…..this isn’t good. Here comes Brian, three in….’Hi Brian, I’m gonna throw up’. I just made it to the bathroom and proceeded to projectile vomit cliff bloks, gatorade, gels, water, boulder chips and bananas with unprecedented force. Thank you body, thank you for doing what you needed.

I came out of the bathroom a new woman. Fists in the air, I yelled, ‘YES, I feel awesome!’ I started running from the bathroom and never stopped. I negative split the marathon by like 15 minutes, it took well over 2 hours to run 10 miles. That first 10 miles was the WORST, but moreso frustrating because my legs and mind were in the game.

I saw the group about mile 13 and reported that I had ‘hurled 4 times but now I feel awesome’. I headed back out for my second loop and continued to stay solid. Saw Mike, he had 4 miles to go, I wasn’t far behind. Finishing this race was becoming reality and yes, it is truly amazing how far away you can hear Mike Reilly’s voice.

The enthusiasm for my outfit and number only grew amongst the crowd and I was getting alot of attention out on the run course. I was thriving on every cheer, words of encouragement and support. The final miles were in the dark but I was far from alone.

I started to get close, made a left onto Sherman Ave. and downhill to the finish line. The street is packed and everyone is cheering. It’s an experience that could only yield feelings of sheer joy for the one running down the center of it.

‘Soak it up Jessica’, ‘you’re going to be an Ironman girl’, ‘way to finish strong’, ‘you look great’, ‘yeah pink dress lady’, ‘party like its 1999′, ‘congratulations’, ‘nice work’, ‘you’re my hero’……

I saw the stands, saw the carpet, I saw the clock, I heard my name and I busted into the final moves of the day. I’m not sure what I did but I danced the whole way to the finish line. I do know there was a Pat Benetar shimmy in there somewhere and definitely way too much jumping. I grabbed the finish tape and crossed the line along with my buddies - accomplishment, pride and joy.

Those final moments are like none other I have experienced.

Ironman Coeur d’Alene, June 22, 2008
14hr 38mi 50 sec

Thank you everyone!

Thank you honey, how much fun was this? Will definitely make the 08 highlight list. You kick ass babe and I love you fo’sure and fo’eva.

We arrived in beautiful Coeur d’Alene Wednesday afternoon and settled into our place on Dixon Court. A sweet little two story on the Spokane River, which later proved to be a great party house. The kids wasted no time starting their vacation and immediately went for a swim.

Thursday morning we headed down to Ironman Village for a dip in the lake. There have been months of drama leading up to this as the water temperature had been unseasonably cold. Just a month ago, it was in the high 40’s. I wasn’t worried I knew that race day would be perfect. Bj and I jumped right in and yes, it was most definitely, unseasonably cold. Despite my neoprene cap and booties my forehead felt like it was going to blow off and moving my hands became one of the hardest things I’ve had to do. But no more then 10 minutes later, our bodies had adjusted and the water felt fine. Gotta love the body! I had no worries heading into Sunday, the swim was going to be great. I was looking forward to it. Thursday night we got together with the CDA crew for dinner and some inspirational words from coach sent via our kick ass support crew.

Friday, the most important day of rest and hydration. My sister joined us that morning and would be with us through Monday. The athlete meeting was that evening and even though I’ve been to many race meetings I didn’t want to miss a beat of this experience. We got a great spot right in front of the stage and I looked around at my fellow competitors. All of these folks had been pushing their limits and balancing life and sport for many months. We were bound by our goals, commitments and ability to sacrifice. After leaving the meeting I felt lucky that the race was still another 36 hours away. Although prepared, I needed one more day. The race meeting moved the reality of this race up another level. My excitement was building; I just knew it would be a great day.

Saturday we headed back down to the village for another swim in the lake. I was especially fired up to get back in the water. I was developing quite a liking to the lake and was most eager for my Ironman swim. I thought that leading up to the race I would experience some nervousness regarding the swim but the only feelings that were developing were sweet anticipation. I couldn’t get in the water fast enough on Saturday, as soon as I jumped in I was elated. The lake had warmed up and the temperature was nothing less than enjoyable.

Hopped on the bike for a quick ride with Brian and BJ – I was riding behind them thinking ‘man, I get to do an ironman with these guys tomorrow’. How lucky am I? What a cool thing to share with my friends and especially my husband. BJ and I love to race together; I live to see him on the course.

Met up with the Skirts, had lunch with the group and then we went our separate ways. Back to the house to relax with a movie and make final preparations for race day. Timing felt right on, Sunday felt like the perfect day to race. My feelings of readiness were growing stronger then ever and again, I just couldn’t wait to get in the water.

…race report is coming.  Been regaining physical and mental function for the past few days.  Getting back on track and working on it now.  To be posted soon……….very soon.

I’m less then 12 hours from the sound of the gun, less then 12 hours from the start of the biggest day, challenge and experience of my life.  How am I feeling?  Calm, confident and respectful although above all I feel grateful.  I am so fortunate that every decision and day in my life has brought me to this moment.  I’m healthy, I’m strong, I’m stubborn and I’m positive.  My only problem at this point is my face hurts from smiling so much, I’m totally serious.

No matter what my time is tomorrow, no matter what challenges I face and emotions I experience I know one thing for sure, it’s going to be one of the greatest days of my life.

Not much of a post this will be but it’s something with more to come….

Heading out for Idaho tomorrow morning, 6am scheduled departure.  Meeting up with the Pizza Luva and Tiara Ditcher as they will be our wing men for the trip.  Stopping for the night in Bozeman, MT where we will meet up with Blogless Brian, his wife Petra and friend Brian James.  They are driving all night (aka killing bunnies) and will stop in for a quick shower then the final push to CDA on Wednesday.

Like I said more to come….the adventure continues…

Me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, I love da’tapa!

Why do I love the taper? Because I’ve got options baby….I can sleep or workout or both or neither or catch up on work, or yard work, or house work, or time with my husband, or kids, or anything I want because I am tapering and its all about recovery.

Here I am after my long run for the week, 8 miles (of which I ran 7 - options baby). I had an itty bitty track workout and my times were pretty darn fast (for me). Half miles in Z4 3:40….this makes for a 7:20 mile…not bad. Although I may only be able to pull out one at that pace on an extra lucky day. Yesterday I had a 3250 swim (managed to squeak out 3000) and a full day in my practice. Felt pretty tired last night so I slept in until 8am this morning (more options baby). And I maybe opting out of my ride today….need to catch up on BCMT work before heading out of town.

Hitting Stroke n’Stride tomorrow night for a faster swim and no run. Coach says if I do run I need to hold back…now holding back for a marathon, I have proven that I can do that for the higher good…but holding back on a 5k, no such thing. I’m trying to pass the baton to my soon to be triathlete sister Suzy so I can hammer the swim and she can take it home with the run.

I just can’t help but say one more time, I love the taper!

I keep thinking about people who fight the taper and to them I say, ‘you’re messed in the head, yo’.

Finished up my Ironman training with a 125 mile ride yesterday. Let’s see how do I sum it up….oh yes, as I said to BJ at mile 124, ‘it’s like I gathered up all my little set backs and trying days along with the patience they required and cashed it all in for the perfect training day…and today is that day’.

It was the perfect training day. Never a struggle, never a moment of duress. It was an incredible experience to blast 22 miles past the longest distance I’ve ever done before. Started the day at 6am, met the Tiara Ditcher at mile 20 and we rode 50 together (finally, we’ve been trying to do this all season), I picked up the beej at mile 85 and we rode the last 40 together. I never felt a downward spiral, I never felt taxed in a bad way. I felt complete confidence that I am totally and completely prepared. I’m not undertrained and I’m not overtrained.

As Craig’s IM athletes have told me time and time again….’he knew exactly when to pull me back’. I absolutely feel like this is the time to pull back and rest. Final preparation for the biggest day of my life.

Thank you for training me so well Craig - I’m ready. Going out on top!

Yo yeah, nothing like the annual baptism by fire known as Stroke n’ Stride. My goal is to get in the mix and survive, that’s it. I don’t go there to practice my stroke, my rotation, my speed - it’s really simple. It’s all about the battle for me.

In all that is Sn’S fashion, I pull on my wetsuit, haul ass to the start (aka my warm up) and the gun goes off. At least this time I had my goggles on already. I start in and feel pretty damn good. I’m stroking along with the best of them….until Mr. Horiztonal Aggressive Guy swims into me, knocking me into another girl who I swim over (sorry honey but that’s battle baby) and my focus is lost. So is my breath. Not a huge ordeal by any means and I do appreciate Mr. Horizontal Aggressive Guy throwing a curve ball at me - it only helps me get stronger. So I resorted to about 10 breast strokes, caught my breath and proceeded. Felt good for the rest of the swim, felt like I was putting out a pretty good effort but then I saw my time this morning. 29:29….huh? Here’s the deal, I did my best out there and my best was a 29:29 last night so how can I not be happy.  I have nothing on the line here people.    I had a good run for me 8:32/miles. So I’m slower on the swim but I’m fast on the run this year…ummmm, ok I’ll take it.

Like I said earlier it’s all about the battle for me so I will be back there next week prepared to fight!

And I thought blogging made me feel schizophrenic. Peak is becoming a close second for sure. One day I feel unstoppable and the next unstartable.

Tuesday we hit the res for the open water swim, ‘one gear girl’ was never so apparent. I really wish I was driving a manual so I could have shifted up and created even just a little wake. Instead it felt more like an active dead man’s float.

Yesterday headed out for my brick 30 to 6. POC right? Totally. Felt great on the bike. Fired up, if you will.

Came home to transition to the run and headed out on the run. Blah, yuck, ick…. Heart rate was through the roof and my speed was anything but. Frankly, my body feels really good, no red flags, no concerns - all of which I’m elated about but I just feel heavy, crappy and sluggish. You know what really helps? Running in Boulder and being repetitively passed (lapped) by incredibly sleek, smooth and freakin’ fast people. I kept thinking about how much my humble pie was making me want to puke. Actually, now that I think of it, I did throw up on my return trip. Gatorade/cliff blok regurg’ nastiness - yummas.

Despite this pathetic performance, I finished and felt quite indifferent. Nothing negative just indifferent. Afterwards I felt the exhaustion of running closer to 20 miles.

Today is a new day and I’m realizing over and over and over again, I cannot get enough sleep. I’m putting down 8 to 10 hours a night solid, I sleep like the dead. It takes me 2 seconds to get to sleep and about 2 hours to get up.

On the docket today - 9 mile run, a few clients then stroke and stride. Looking forward to the thrash!

The end of last week brought me a nasty cold and an unexpected set back. Saturday I had my monster brick, longest of the season, my breakthrough. It went on the calendar in January - May 31st, big brick, no clients, train all day. It was a key piece of my IM prep.

Woke up Friday with a sore throat. Remaining positive I chalked it up to swallowing nasty rez water the day before and figured it would be gone with a glass of OJ.  No go, I felt progressively worse throughout the day. Got into bed at 7pm thinking a good night’s rest would save all.

Nada, woke up 11 times over the course of 12 hours. Each time feeling worse than the prior wakening. Saturday morning came around and I soon realized that my brick was not going to happen. I had committed to helping out Skirt on Sunday at the Elephant Rock Ride so I knew I had to feel better and look alive. I spent the entire day on the couch Saturday, I felt terrible, just awful.

About 70% on Sunday and about 80% today and getting progressively better by the hour. So I’ve talked with Craig and as much as I wanted to get this workout in I’m going to have to let it go. I’ve rearranged my week to allow for a final rest day today (4 days of doing nothing, ahhhhhhhhh!) and then a solid 5 days ahead. Going for my 125 mile ride on Saturday - you better believe I’m getting every inch of that baby done.

Moral of the story….  On the days that you just don’t feel like getting out there, or your overwhelmed, or your too busy….make time and get motivated.  Get out there and do your training because there are going to be times where your body will not allow you to do anything.   The body is the boss and sometimes it takes charge.  Mine did this weekend, for a very good reason I’m sure and I know that I have enough hay in the barn to come out on top.