#1 Survive the Swim! #2 Run because you can!
The Swim – The photos from the swim hardly capture the gravity of the
situation. 2500 athletes, 80% men, smashed onto 150 yards of beach. A few of us
got stuck in transition just before the race started so when we walked around
the crowds onto the beach I was blown away by the vastness of green caps, loud
music and cacophony of noise from the crowd! I had no idea what I was about to
attempt! The cold water instantly became the least of my problems! John and I
stood on the beach about 10 feet from the back wall when the gun went off.
Hundreds of bodies threw themselves into the water, paddling, stroking, kicking
and clawing for position. I stood frozen baffled and stunned by the site…what
to do. Like most of my decisions in life, I made it quickly while taking a deep
breath…I walked down to the water shoulder to shoulder with some other men,
walked into the water until I was waist deep and then I started to swim. Once
the cold water covered my body and face it was no longer an issue. The real
issue was swimming in the middle of the bell curve. Keith had warned me about
“the dreaded bell curve” but I had no clue…
Throughout the entire first lap (the swim was 2 laps which meant I had to be
intentional about getting out and then back in!) I was covered by body parts.
Men’s elbows, feet, forearms, shoulders, bellies, hands and more covered my
entire body! I was never alone and never found any clear water. My anxiety
about completing the swim shifted to high anxiety about surviving the swim. Not
getting kicked unconscious became my focus. I had my head up too much but it
allowed me to avoid some serious blows.
The 2
nd lap was just as bad and now I was pissed. I was pissed
that the race director designed a swim like this, I was pissed that people
can’t site for shit and I was pissed that I couldn’t escape! At one point I
floated on the shoulders of the men in front of me as the draft carried us
around the far buoy. All I focused on
was keeping my head down and keeping a strong pull throughout my stroke because
otherwise I would get so frustrated I would sit up and yell! Not very
productive but it helped me blow off some steam! Once I got kicked so hard in the face I
thought for sure I would have a bloody nose!
The biggest shock was that my first lap took less than an hour! I was
stunned! I expected to be in the water for at least 1:45 and 2 hours would have
been OK with me. When I ran out of my first lap and saw the clock I was shocked
and assumed that it was the time from when the pros started so I added 30
minutes to that time. That made more sense to me. When I finally emerged alive
I was so exhausted and grateful I didn’t care that it had taken me almost 1:50
(including the pros time) to get er done! I was done! I KNEW I could finish the
ride and run in the next 14 hours! Phew!
I ran out of the water and hugged a volunteer and she spun me around! I
really was happy to be alive! Then I wandered up the sand and there on the
corner of the fence was the very best cheering squad ever! I spread around some
high fives and headed for the wetsuit peelers! What a crack up those people
are! They are having a blast and they made me laugh too! My peeler pushed me
over and I lay flat out on the ground as he pulled off my suit. This was the
beginning of a very long T1 experience.
I trotted to get my ride bag in the pile, right where I left it, and headed
into the women’s changing tent. It was a mad house! Bodies everywhere. I was
stunned and tired so I sat down…bad idea. I sat and stared and people watched
and marveled at the chaos and commitment. All I could think was “slow down everyone,
what’s your hurry?” I was clearly out of
it a bit. When I turned my head to the right I was confronted by some big ole
boobies. A bit of a shock! The woman next to me had put on her tri top and
because she was wet it curled up into her armpits and she was too cold to pull
it down. So I spent a couple minutes trying to help her get dressed. Poor
thing, she was so wound up and worried about getting out of the tent. I was
not. Once she was organized and on her way I started to strip off my wet duds
and put on warm clothes. I think I might have looked over dressed but I was
very dry and warm when I wandered out of T1. I had on a dry bra, shirt, jacket,
gloves, arm warmers and cap! Happy and warm. I got to the Mount area and
started to roll out of transition. It felt good to be “free” and rolling along.
The cap kept me warm and cut out the sounds of the wind and my squeaky bike!
I cruised out along Higgens Point and soaked in the beauty and majesty of
the entire experience! People cheering as if they knew me against a gorgeous
back drop! During my reverie I notice that my water bottle that sits between my
aeros was sliding back and forth. The rain from the night before had soaked my
duct tape system and it felt off without me noticing. I was at risk of losing
my only hydration system so I pulled into the aid station at the top of Higgens
point and asked a bunch of X-country boys if they could find me some tape or
rope or something! Off they went in search of! They took it as a personal
challenge to help me and I just hung out and watched droves of people fly by me…ah
well…water was much more important. 5 minutes later this 6 foot
4 110 pound
runner came flying toward me with the biggest smile and a roll of duct tape. He
slammed it all over my bars ensuring my water bottle might never come off! Nice
work boys! Hugs all around and off I road! I found the first real climb of the day
to be fun and relaxing. I passed dozens of people and was only passed by a
couple young bucks that clearly had a tough swim. The next big continuous climb
seemed to go forever and I was cool with it. I just relaxed and soaked it in!
It was still cool and I was on mark with food and water! At the top of the climb
I stopped at the aid station to strip off some clothes as the sun had emerged
and was going to become an issue. I took everything off except my cap. For some
reason I liked having that on! I blew back down the hills into town and decided
to remove my cap! As soon as I did I heard a horrible squeak and felt bad for
the athlete who had to listen to that noise for 112 miles…that would be me! I
had NO idea the rain had rinsed off all my oil and I was a squeaky mess! UGH!
Pedaling was harder and nosier than it should have been!
Excellent learning…keep
bike oil in my bike bag in the event of rain…check. I can’t say how much harder
it made my ride but it sure didn’t help! Headed out on my 2
nd lap I
thought maybe the boys at the Higgens Point aid station would save me again so
I stopped and asked for bike oil. The best they could do was Vaseline. Really?
They tried really hard with no luck. There was no bike oil to be found so I
endured the next 40 miles squeaking past people. I would like to say it kept me
focused but I am not sure that is the truth. Somewhere between miles 65 and 85
I started to fade…I hardly remember the ride. I know it was harder and boring
and given the choice I would have taken a ride and a beer! Once I made it to
the top of the climb I felt confident I could cruise back to the transition
area. The run had yet to enter my mind.
As I was rolling down the big hill Tyler came flying by me with a big smile
and the words “red solo cup” on his lips! That was just what I needed to bring
me back to the race! I started to laugh and
then I noticed that my bike was
really squishy. Really? My first race flat ever. Nice! I wasn’t upset or
worried as the night before the race Anthony had given me a great education
about Susie and Chuck and who liked to be screwed into what and how. I had all
the equipment I needed and time was clearly not an issue. I started to change
the tire when B O B arrived on his angel scooter! He said, “step aside Ms. and
I will take care of this for you. I was stunned and thrilled. Then a motorcycle
arrived and we chatted while B O B changed my tire. What an amazing crew of
volunteers! Just amazing!
After the flat I jumped on my bike and headed up the last big hill in hopes
of finding Tyler but he was well ahead of me now. Ah well. T2 was another
relaxed, fun experience…way too long. I had the support of 2 grey headed ladies
who took care of my every whim. We laughed and giggled and I soaked in the
entire moment. The sunscreen ladies were very committed to their effort and I
ran out of T2 very foggy.
Then it hit me. Hamstrings were completely locked up, calves screaming and I
was so tired I thought if I stopped I could fall asleep on the spot. I started
to address the issue at hand..HOW THE HELL DOES ANYONE RUN A MARATHON, 26.2
MILES, AFTER ALL THAT? How??? OH MY! I wanted to quit. I wanted to turn around
and lay down in the grass and stop squeezing my brain! I was grasping at
something to cling to…how am I going to run 26.2 miles. I couldn’t find
anything except that if I kept one foot in front of the other I would see friends
and family soon enough and that would
keep me going…so I ran out of transition
focused on the next 10 blocks…but they weren’t there! WHERE ARE YOU??? Ha, I
had run past them in the middle of my brain squeeze just at the edge of
transition and I never saw or heard them. I ran the entire first lap fueled by
the thought that I would see them soon…and I ran one mile at a time.
I had 3 goals for the Ironman. 1. Finish the swim. 2. Run the entire
marathon. 3. Finish the race. During the run I used my own goal as my carrot…run
the entire marathon…just keep putting one foot in front of the other as fast as
I can. Sometime after 6 miles I realized my hammies had relaxed and although my
calves were sore as shit they were OK so far. Focus on good form, driving with
my knees, fast feet and getting it over with! The highlight of the run was
seeing Anthony, Sonja and Michelle CRUSH the run course. I still can’t wrap my
head around how fast they were running and how amazing they each looked as they
cruised past me going
the other way! I have a new found respect and admiration
for how hard they work and for their commitment to the sport. BOOYA!
Seeing John, Tyler and Keith on the course was the BOMB! We trained together
and we raced together and we were all connected in spirit even though Keith
dusted the rest of us! To my training partners, my most profound gratitude and
thanks for staying with me, encouraging me through a tough spring and smiling
with me every time we saw one another on the course. My heart skipped a beat
every time I saw one of you coming into view! I even got a little “action”
on
the course when John ran past me, gave me a big sweaty hug and kiss and a smile
to die for! He was so happy! I was not happy at that point…I was running angry.
I realized at some point in the last 10 miles that setting any expectations
beyond finishing was ridiculous and I got really mad at Keith for all the
stupid conversations we’d had about “sub-12” “11:15” etc! IDIOT! These stupid
conversations fueled me to the finish so I could punch him…and I did! Ha!
When I rolled over the top of the last hill I knew I had done it. I knew
that no matter how slow I could run to the finish. The downhill gave me searing
pain on my toes and calves but I could manage that as long as I only had 7
miles left…so I ran and ran and ran! When I reached the point in the course
where I got to go left toward the finish line I was stunned…all of a sudden it
was done! I ran up this little hill and turned left to see the Ironman Finish
line 6 blocks away…all downhill! Damn! The downhill
was still not my friend! Ah
well, pain was incidental at this point! Plus I got to see the crew one more
time! There was no one in front of me so for the next 6 blocks all I could hear
was
random strangers calling my name, whooping it up for me and smiling
uncontrollably at me…and I returned the smile! It was the very best 6 blocks of
my life! I laughed, smiled and wooted back! Once in the shoot I shared high
fives and fists with dozens of people! An experience everyone should feel one
in their lives! The fans and volunteers were the very best thing about the
entire race! I remember the flash as I crossed
under the finish line and then
Gary, volunteer extraordinaire, grabbed me and sheparded me through the finish
shoot maze! Are you going to vomit? NO, check. Passout? NO, check. Award medal.
Check. Blanket,
check. Water, check. Now are you going to vomit? STILL NO.
Check. Ironman official finishers photo. Not attractive but whatever! Gary
escorted me all the way to the mouth of the shoot and released me into the
holding pen where I had to decide between medical help, massage, bad pizza or chocolate
milk. Shit…nothing sounded good and then I heard them! THE CREW! THERE THEY
WERE CAMERAS AT THE READY! I was so
happy to see them! Margaret, Nicole,
Michele, Christine, Sonja, Nancy, Joe, and on and on! Then I saw Keith…walked
right up to him and smacked him. Now my race was complete! Randi was there too!
What a great way to celebrate! Time to
detox…massage, eat, not really, drink and wait for Tyler and John! Tyler’s
finish made me as proud as my own! He worked so hard the last 6 months and he
executed with such passion and commitment! To see his smiling exhausted face
sitting there when I came out of the massage tent made me SOOOOO HAPPY! Only one more person from the crew…my boy
Johnny. Bill, Tyler and I waited at the finishers shoot to see him come
through! It was awesome to see him cruise across the line in relaxed John
fashion! All smiles and joy! I am so proud of him for starting let alone
finishing. His experience can really teach all of us a lesson about expectations
and racing relaxed! I love him and our Ironman finishers picture together will
be a prized possession for years to come!
Goals achieved? Swim, YES. Ran the entire run. YES. 5 days later I can even
say it was fun. My finishing time, included 25 minutes of transition times, 1
flat, 2 long stops for bike maintenance and various stops for hugs and kisses…12
hours, 41 minutes and change. YAHOOOO!
Elizabeth Tennant, among other crazy things, YOU ARE AN IRONMAN! Even though it was AWFUL...I had a blast!
Plus my new drug to combat my weak thyroid helps too! I have been taking it
now for 6 weeks and only in the last few days I have I started to notice a
difference. So many people wanted to tell me how to handle my diagnosis with
food, supplements etc and to be honest, I was looking at 5 weeks of travel and
I was thrilled to find 1 pill that might help me feel better sooner! At least
the pill will get me headed in the right direction and then I will work with
Kindra F., my acupuncturist, to see if we can get me realigned with Chinese
remedies, more sleep and better nutrition. 
The last couple of months have been jammed with business travel and weekend
adventures. Riding mountain bikes with John, Heidi and Matt on the Kokopelli
trail for 4 days was an unexpectedly challenging adventure…I might pay more
attention to the profile maps etc next time. I wouldn’t have had any more time
to train and I would not have backed out so maybe the ridiculous elevation
gains and brutal rock gardens were best left as daily surprises! The countryside
we rode through was spectacular and it was the perfect time of year to enjoy
the fall colors, cool evenings and warm camp fires. Matt and Heidi are so much
fun to travel with and so easy to hang out with! Thankfully they’d done a trip
like this before so they knew the best food to prepare and how to pack it. And,
since I left for the trip from Newark it was a blessing Heidi could do most of
the food prep for us. We traveled with a company called Hermosa Tours out of
Fruita. Basically they haul our camping gear and food from campsite to
campsite, set up the kitchen and then hang out while we ride, fix our meals,
set up our tents etc and then we make our own breakfast, pack and hit the road
again. If I were to do it again I might take the “they cook for us” option so
that we have more time to relax and enjoy hanging out after riding for 8+
hours. The short days didn’t afford is much time between riding, cooking and
sleeping.
The 4 days were jammed with amazing views, wicked weather, brutal climbs, plenty
of hike-a-bike and tons of good food and laughter. I highly recommend the trip
to anyone who wants to see the world from Fruita to Moab and who can stand to
sit on a mountain bike saddle for 6+ hours a day! Always a challenge! 
I flew from Grand Junction to Seattle, not having showered for 4 days, and
settled into my final trade show of the season. I flew home for one day and
then turned around and drove back to Moab to do The Other Half marathon, which
takes place at the top of 128 starting at Dewey Bridge and ending at Sorrell
Ranch. No, I had not been training for that time or distance so it was up in
the air if I was going to run or not.
About 2 ½ months ago I managed to pull my left leg out of the hip socket and
although it popped back in it seemed to stretch and piss off all the connective
tissue around it. I’ve spent the last 2 months working with Dr. Sheridan and
doing 3/1 workouts, riding my mountain bike and chilling. Definitely NOT
preparing for a half! I spent most of October in a hotel and a crappy hotel gym
so I have mastered my power hotel workout, which some of the people I coach can
tell you is pretty hard. It is like a circuit session between a lousy piece of
hotel cardio equipment and my own weight bearing exercises. It is better than
nothing!
Moab was a great weekend. I missed John as he decided to stay home and try
to get some house projects done. We need to get some things done before the
snow comes…it is snowing tonight. Ah well. Nicole, Michele, Christine, Nancy,
Priscilla, Monica, and the boys all hung out and rode road bikes up to “big
nasty”, dirt biked and ran the half. The schwag was awesome as ever and we all
invested in new Black Diamond headlamps! They are inexpensive and put out
awesome light! We used them when we hiked out to watch the sun set over the
Delicate Arch in Arches National Park. I LOVE that park and that hike! It was
really really windy so we didn’t stay very long! Besides we needed to get to Milt’s
milk shakes before they closed at 9:00! Phew, we made it just in time!
The next couple of months will be focused on improving my swim form and
times, healing my hip and getting to know my new bike team members and coach!
Yeah Altitude Cycling! I am also taking a course that is consuming a great deal
of time and I am learning a great deal about how to do things in my life
differently. I am still coaching and am hoping to add a few new athletes this
year and build up our group workouts for next season.
