Just an Average SKIRT

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.

This entry was posted on Sunday, June 29th, 2008 at 2:02 pm and is filed under Triathlon. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.