Happy World Turtle Day.........Speedy Turtle is back.....

Hi all,

I know it has been awhile...actually 9 months.. Too many things going on through my mind and too many events that have happened in my life!! But I am back...

Over the last few weeks, I have been contemplating on how I would start again.. "Where's Waldo  aka Speedy Turtle???"  "Post-Race Traumatic Stress"...."I'm a Fraud, How can I call myself a triathlete?"

As you can see, I have had a lot of things going on in my head...This weekend, I participated in IM Chattanooga 70.3 and I had a lot of time to listen to that little voice in my head that has been haunting me over the last 9 months... What did I learn??

Here is what I learned... I am ok and I am enough!!! After finishing a full Ironman, I didn't know what to do with myself, so I started to compare myself to others, in my head and said I'm not good enough. During my marathon training, I cried on my runs cause I thought I was so slow.. well, I PR'd my marathon.. I am good enough.

During the training leading up to IM Chatt 70.3, I cried during my trainer rides cause I was terrified of the hills that I was going to be racing.. Those are hard hills and I succeeded and climbed each of the hills. I cried swimming, thinking I will never get faster.. Well, that was a dumb thought!! I actually had the best swim ever this past weekend..

So, what did I learn??? My coach sent this to me and I am so glad she did...

"It's very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn tat the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit!"
-George Sheehan

See, those voices were talking to me since 28 Sep 2015... I have had doubts about my ability and why I even tri'd to race in triathlons.. I started  Triathlons to get healthy and start setting an example for my son. I have found my closest friend in triathlon!! It has now become a lifestyle for me.

I AM a Triathlete!! I AM a Runner.. I AM Enough!!

So, all of you out there that  has had that little voice in your head telling you to quit.. Tell that voice to "GO FLY a KITE".. You are a Triathlete, runner,  swimmer, cyclist, and athlete!! YOU ARE ENOUGH!!

So, Speedy Turtle is Back!!

Happy World Turtle Day!!

Eling aka Speedy Turtle Triathlete

Building to Ironman Chattanooga...

The best friends ever!! Half way through my 112 mile bike ride Aug 2015

Wow, I guess I should have written sooner... A lot has been going on in my life, that it has been really hard to sit down and just write...The last time I wrote, the triathlon season was just beginning and I had just finished my two marathons...

Over the last few months, I have started training full time for Ironman Chattanooga... Yes, I am crazy, jumped on the crazy train and signed up in Sep to race my first Ironman... My husband got transferred to NAS Whiting Field to be the Executive Officer of the base in May, Donnie graduated from high school and we moved to Pace, FL (right outside of Pensacola).. Only I would do something like sign up for an IM when I knew I had to deal with moving and having my son leave.....

To be honest, the training has been my lifesaver, whenever I started to stress about training, moving or the thought of my son going to college, my training put things into perspective.. What a good feeling and to top it all off, I am now seeing the results of my training.. Yeah!!!!

This past weekend, I completed the hardest 70.3 race in Pell, City... The bike had over 3000 elevation and the run was the hottest, hilliest run ever.. Hardly, any shade and every half mile  on the run there was a climb up a hill.. no wonder Don didn't do this.. :) During this race, I thought, "Why am I killing myself.. I haven't improved at all, I am still walking the half marathon and the swim time was the same time I always had" Evil thoughts were running through my head and I was going to quit.. but I didn't. I kept seeing my teammates, who cheered me on and I kept moving forward!! I am so glad I did! Even though it was the hardest race, it was my best race..I had a 20 minute PR from Ironman 70.3 Muncie.. My consistent training, ignoring my evil twin and losing weight helped me with my PR.

Training has been hard, I still have my evil self telling me to wait until tomorrow, but I HAVE to ignore her..Seeing is believing...

This Speedy Turtle is now realizing that she will be able to finish Ironman Chattanooga and not hope to finish..

I need to always remember.. Perseverance, courage, commitment, consistency and Believing in Yourself is the secret...

I will try to keep everyone updated... I have some really heavy training weeks coming up and I will need to share...

Here is a gallery showing the results of the secret.. I am still amazed cause I still see myself as the person in 2010..

Keep on training!!
Eling aka Speedy Turtle....

2010 - my first Duathlon -  Los Locos

RRS 10K - Sep 2014

IM Muncie 70.3 - July 2014

Los Locos 2015

July 2015

Spring 2015

Yesterday, I went on a group bike ride and it was great. As I was riding and taking in the scenery, the group and my ability, I realized something.... being a part an athlete is not just about being able to do something, (swim, bike, run, etc...) it is a very mental game. Our group had a wide range of experience, yet we were all there enjoying the first ride of Spring and talking about getting ready for our next event. We all stayed together and rode our bikes.  Someone wrote on FB her thoughts "...Speedy Turtle is mindset not ability. It's all about being badass and taking everyone around you into badassery"  

Our Group of riders - Ironmen, newbies, half ironmen... 

This got me to thinking, what is triathlon all about and why am I doing this??? I am part of triathlon because no matter what group I have joined, everyone is encouraging and willing to be helpful and teach you what they  know or share their experience. This group of athletes support each other. My coach, a very experienced and ranked triathlete is the most inspirational person I know. If I am down, she is there to pick me up and get me back on track. My fellow Speedy Turtles do the same, other groups that I have joined on FB have been an inspiration too... We seem to want to help, inspire and have more people join the ranks of triathlon. 

Seeing this and seeing others inspire makes me realize, that Triathlon is for everyone:  slow, fast, good at one sport, or just good enough to finish all three sports during a race.. we are all there to encourage and cheer each other on..

So, I guess I would have to agree with the statement.... Being a Speedy Turtle is not about ability, but about  how you approach  the training, the race and the camaraderie... we do our best and encourage others to do the same... WE ARE BadASS and we will take everyone around us into badassery!!

Here is to Spring 2015 and the new triathlon season!!

My husband and I riding together!!!

Eling aka Speedy Turtle

Your new self...Just up ahead!!

Happy Birthday to me... Tonight is the eve of my birthday. I will be 45 and I have moved to the next age group for any triathlon race....

 I have been reflected all day on what has happened over the last year and wow what a year!...

It was a good year of training consistently, learning how to like myself and finally dropping weight.. At the beginning of last year, I had made a vow to start working on me... You know that is a really hard task. I spent time with counselors (mental and nutritional) and one of the things that had been blocking my weight loss was my mental health. I didn't like me. Over the past years, I avoided looking in the mirror  to see my whole body.. When I saw pictures of me, I didn't see how healthy I looked or that I had the scars of having a wonderful child, who is now going to college next year, or a wife to the best husband in the world who loves me no matter how I looked and called me his beautiful wife every day. No.. I would find all my flaws and focus on how I needed to improve my arms, my stomach, my butt and listen to the evil voices that I heard over the years... I was a hot crazy mess.... I have learned and I am still learning that I need to start liking myself. WOW... is that all, I can be who I want if  I "Like myself and believe in ME?!" That seems way too easy.. but it isn't.. So, over the year, that is what I have been doing.. focusing on improving me.

I started to look at the positives and listened to what my family was saying about me. I started to get rid of the negative thoughts that I have accumulated in myself over the last 45 years and put them in their place.. very hard to do.. and things started to change.. now.. this took almost 10 months before I started to see some change... but I am now seeing change.. I now look at myself and tell myself that I have accomplished a lot in my life.

• I have completed 5 half ironmans over the last 3 years
• I was able to successfully train and complete 2 marathons... this has been a goal for me since I was in my 20's.. So exciting.
• I have been successful in my career and I finally got a promotion.
• Finally, I have a wonderful family that have and always have supported me over the years and they love who I am. 

This is a process, but I will take it one step at a time..

Oh.. I need to add... since I started to believe in myself... I finally did it... I signed up to complete a full IM. I will be training over the next few months for IM Chattanooga... Yes, I watched my triathlon team this past fall and realized that with consistent training, a new mental health and the support from my family and friends that I can do it.... So this new year has many new challenges and I am happy to say I am looking forward to new year..

Here's to a new year!!

Speedy Turtle aka Eling

Ironman Muncie 70.3 Race Report

Ironman Muncie 70.3 is a race to remember. My husband and I love this race. Last year, the experience was awesome, how cool is it to see your son in the swim (he was a lifeguard) and my husband throughout the race... so, we decided to do this again.. We were really excited because the race was going to close highway 35!! 

About a week before the race, my husband calls and tells me that he couldn't go because of work. Something about an Admiral asking him by name to run a meeting on Friday!!! What could I say, he had to stay home. We tried to see if he could fly out, but by the time he would get in, he would miss check-in. My son was staying home because he is getting ready for a big swim meet and had to practice. So, I went by myself... I was sad, angry and mad at the situation, but I put on my big girl panties and went.. 

Travel day was uneventful, I left on Thursday and arrived in Anderson, IN that night. I downloaded the book Divergent and that kept me occupied during the drive.. 8 hours is a long drive. The good thing about going by myself, I was able to stop when I needed too... see my hubby and son, hate it when I have to stop and hit the ladies room. :) 

Friday, I got up and headed to the race site. This is where registration was going to be. Loved it. Last year, registration was at the Muncie convention center and this year it was at the race venue. I was able to have Bo Peep get a race check-up and tire replaced... yes, I rode over something sharp and when I loaded my car, my back tire was flat. I checked it, and when Bo Peep was ready, I took her on a 5 mile bike ride and then ran a mile. It felt great!!

I checked everything in and went to back to the hotel, had dinner, spoke to the family and then went to bed. What a restless night, usually, I sleep like a baby before a race and I let my husband toss and turn, now it was my turn to toss and turn. 

Race Morning, up at 4:30, I got dressed, had breakfast and headed out. I prepaid for parking across the street and it was the best thing ever! I was right across from transition. I walked into transition and the speaker was stating the water was 74 - wetsuit legal...Whoo hoo... but wait... I left it in the car...so I go back and get my wetsuit. I received a welcome wake up call from my husband.. That really made my day. I got back into transition and started to pump up my tires... and out popped the presta valve... OH NOOO!!!! raced the bike over to the mechanics and they fixed the valve and pumped up the tires.. everything was ready.. I went down to the water and did a warm-up swim (a first for me) and I was ready.. I was near the end.. we got into the water at 7:45.. and away I go.... "row row row your boat..." singing through my head. I felt great in the water. I remembered all of my training from Lesley and just enjoyed the swim.. Just keep swimming to each bouy.. on the way back, a guy hits me in the head and I punched him back with my left hand... I didn't think it was hard, but the next thing I know, he is hanging on the kayak... don't mess with this turtle when she is swimming... I may have hit him in a sensitive area but he got in my way.. what was I supposed to do... got out of the swim and looked at my watch... Whoo Hoo... PR on the swim my 4 minutes!!  Up the hill I run and the wetsuit strippers are there!! Yeah!! On to the bike.. put the helmet on, and headed out. Something didn't feel right with my helmet... It kept moving.. pulled over and checked my helmet and my strap was broken... I rigged it and adjusted the helmet to keep me protected in case I fell... off I go... 17 mph, I hit headwind.. what.... there wasn't supposed to be any wind!!! We had a headwind adjust my speed and increase my cadence... Thank you Billy for teaching me about high cadence.. I hit the turn around and I loved the tailwind... finished the first loop and started on the second loop.. Second loop done and off I go into transition... I maintained the same speed as I did last year, avg 17 mph. Off to the run.. the weather started to warm-up and the humidity increased.. I was determined to keep on running.. I was going really well, running and walking through the water stops.. but then it kept getting more humid.. add water... I got disappointed after the turn around point because I just wasn't going as fast as I wanted to.. The evil voice in my head started getting to me... I heard things as you are soo slow, just walk up that hill... you will never make it through a full... you are just way too slow... 

Evil voice..

That voice in my head was evil... I got to mile 12 and I heard my phone beeping... all of my friends and love ones were cheering me on and sending me texts... Two tall guys came up to me and said..."come on Thunder..we are almost done".. I finally listened to my training voice and ran up the last hill and to the finish line... I did it!!! I finished the race in 7:22, not a PR but I finished and that is what counts!! I got a call right as I finished the race and it was my husband!! He watched me crossed the finish line and wanted to be the first to congratulate me!!! What a special guy!!

Running up the last hill

In retrospect, I am glad I did this race, I know I can do this and I know I can and will train for a full ironman one day.. I have it in me I just have to believe in myself and not let the evil voices in.. So, I will continue on to the next race and who knows what will happen...

Happy Training!!

Eling aka Speedy Turtle

P.S. My hubby said that I probably would have PR's if I didn't send out my selfies... 

Being a Speedy Turtle!!

Over the last few months, a lot has been happening!! Speedy Turtle has grown to be an amazing group of people. When I first started this blog, I chose Speedy Turtle as a name because I will always try to improve and get speedy.. I am not very athletically inclined... I was a band geek growing up... That and I thought how ironic the  name Speedy Turtle was... :)

Me and Mr. Speedy Turtle, my biggest supporter

So what has Speedy Turtle become.. Well, Speedy Turtle has become a group of like minded people who want to have fun running, biking and swimming. We are a group of individuals that enjoy the sport of triathlon and we aren't out to get on the podium... though that is nice once in awhile.. (I have podium in the Athena (Big Girl) division).  We cheer each other on and motivate and inspire each other to do our best!

Our group at Dragonfly... just before the triathlon!! We all had a blast and supported each other!

Our group has started a group riding on a weekly basis and each week, a new person has joined us.. It is a lot of fun!! Our motto is "No One Gets Left Behind"  We ride with Newbies and Experienced riders  each week and end it with a one mile brick.  The best part of the ride is the happy smiles and coming back the next week to see everyone again.. I really do love this group and am very excited to see where it goes from here.. Everyone of us has a turtle in us. We  all strive to improve.. we all think we are slower than someone else and work hard to get better. We are all Speedy Turtles!!!

Until next time!!!

Happy Training!!

After the ride

Just before we take off!

With Turtilina, our Mascot!

On the ride! I still can't believe we didn't crash!

6 more weeks until Spring!!!

Today is groundhog day and I really wanted Punxsutawney Phil to not see his shadow and state that we would have 6 weeks of warm weather till spring and not 6 weeks of winter.. See, I have been hibernating these last few weeks.. After the Christmas, I started to reflect on concentrate on building myself up mentally.. I had a great season last year but during the holidays, I became really down on myself. I wasn't happy about how I looked, how I was training and what I was doing.. I had a lot of people supporting me but that ugly voice in my head just got the best of me.. So, I hibernated... I still continued to do my workouts... I do have a 70.3 in May to get ready for... This turtle just decided to go into her shell and work on herself..

What did I do??? Well, at the beginning of the year, I started to DIET... That is a four letter word now.. I was beating myself up because I couldn't have what I wanted when I was hungry because I wanted to save my calories. I looked at myself and felt fat.. Yes, that voice was working really hard... So, I decided to make a change... The first change I did was tell myself something nice that I liked! I learned to like my smile a lot..the next thing I did was start to change my mindset on my diet. For Christmas, my wonderful hubby, hired a sports nutritionist and we went to see her.. What a lifesaver!! She told me that butter is good and food is good. You do not need to diet, count calories and drink smoothies as a replacement meal.. She wanted me to eat real food and to have my plate at every meal, half veggies, a third protein and a third carb.. hmm... I could do that..She, also, told me to move the scale and not step on it.. I still do, only once a week now and not everyday... Low and behold, I started to like myself and feel a lot better about myself.. I know I still have that voice in my head, but I am going to try not to listen to her....

Now... I am slowly coming back and training consistently to have a great season this year!!

Happy Training!!

Eling aka Speedy Turtle...

Practice...Practice... Practice...Practice will make you better...

Where have I heard that before?? Duh... I have been hearing this phrase since the fifth grade.. I know you all ask.. " How can that be Eling?? You said you were never an athlete when you were younger".. You are correct, I wasn't a runner or cyclist when I was younger.. I was, however, a band geek and I played the flute since the fifth grade.. So, yes, I have heard this since the fifth grade.. I was told to practice to make the middle school band in the fifth grade, so I did. I was instructed by Mr. Higdon and Mr. Baker to practice  my scales, practice my music.. over and over again, repeat the scales, repeat the music.. the more I practiced, the better I got and the more music awards, I got. So, I practiced.... In high school, I practiced and practiced and listened to Mr. A. I wanted to do well in Marching Band, Symphonic Band and Orchestra.. I did.. We had a great band. So, I practiced marching and playing my flute and I got better. It all stopped in College... Instead, I studied and studied to succeed in College.. I succeeded, I graduated from college, but I stopped practicing my flute.. I stopped practicing, I stopped following my the phrase I had heard since fifth grade...

So, what does this have to do triathlons.  Well, it has everything to do with it. This past year, I have been telling myself to  keep on swimming, keep on running and keep on biking... I have been practicing and practicing and getting better. What I have learned is that practicing = being consistent. I am looking back at my early upbringing and I want to thank my music teachers for what they have given me because I now know that to get better, I need to be consistent. I need to practice. I need to tell those evil voices that talk to me early mornings ("the bed is really warm..don't get up to swim or run.. you will feel a lot better if you stay in bed") to go away because I need to practice..

I am becoming a stronger swimmer, a stronger runner and a stronger cyclist. I have been telling my coach that I am trying to stay consistent and she told me that I am not trying.. I am succeeding. I am getting myself healthy and stronger.. I do fall off the bandwagon a lot.. gosh, I did that in high school.. but I got back on and kept on moving forward and kept on practicing. I am getting better and better..

Happy Training,
Eling

me playing the flute in high school

Running 10 miles.....

Today was the second Memphis Runners Road Race Series 10 miler.. This race is at Shelby Forest and it is called the beast by the local runners. I was a little nervous but I was really excited to run this race today..

Two weeks ago, I had run the race the day after I had done my first metric century ride (64 miles). At that time, it was a beautiful morning in the 60's and I was running through this beautiful forest enjoying the beauty!! I had a great run at that time too.. I ran the 10 miles in 2 hours and 6 minutes.. Not bad for a Speedy Turtle, who normally would take FOREVER... to run 10 miles... I make the most of my races... At that race, I encountered the Beast of Shelby Forrest.. Yes, it is called the beast. You see, this race has some hills and more hills... and then at mile 9, there are switchbacks. These aren't just your normal switchbacks... These are killer uphill almost 90 degree incline switchbacks.. ( a little exaggeration but it is really steep).I actually really liked this run! I felt like a runner and I loved running again!!

So, here we are this morning... We, the hubby and I, got up early and got dressed.. We looked at the weather and the temperature was 39 degrees.. by the time we would run, it would be 40 degrees and not get warm the whole time.. Brr... I do not like to be COLD.. So, I bundled up (see picture). ... That is me at mile 3.5 having fun.. This time around the run may have been cold, but I had fun.. We got to the race a little late, so I was one of the last runners to cross the start line.. This was the first race that I started to pick off runners.. I would look ahead and tell myself, go catch that person.. you can catch that person.. and away I went.. It was so much fun.. My little legs and feet, just kept on moving.. I didn't have any music, so I could hear my cadence and my breathing and away I went. I caught up to the group of people, I have seen over the last few months in front of me and fell into a groove. I was having fun! I was becoming a runner!!  I walked the water stations and eventually took the gloves off and the ear muffs off..I got hot.. and there it was.. the switchbacks... I looked at them and said..."HERE we go!!" So I took one step at a time and conquered the Beast!! I walked sideways to stretch out the hips and it felt great!! I got closer to the finish line and saw the time 2 hours and 3 mins... remember, I started late.. so I knew I beat my time two weeks ago!! I crossed the line and felt this huge amount of accomplishment!! I  finished the race in  2 hours!! I may not be fast, but I am meeting my goals and getting better...  I am soo excited for the next triathlon season.. my off season has been busy training but this is my journey and I am enjoying it!!  There are no excuses and it is almost time for bed.. I have to get up early again tomorrow... I have a master swim class at 5:30 am..

Happy Training!!
Eling

There is no "Off Season"

Over the last couple of months, I have been training harder in the off season than when I was training for my Half Ironman and Olympic races... How is that?? Well, after my last race, I talked to my coach and I asked her to make me faster in my running... I want this next year to be the year I build a solid base... So, what do I end up doing?....I am running and running and running... I am swimming and swimming and swimming and I completed a Century Ride... Yes you read this correctly... One weekend I completed a metric century (64 miles) and then 100 miles.. Why, do you ask?? I wanted to be a good friend. I am a crazy person.. Anyway, I had a lot of fun on the 100 mile ride..

As a Speedy Turtle, my friend needed someone to ride with her as she trained for IM Florida. I didn't want to have her go by herself, so I went along. We met on Saturday and we took off. My husband wished me good luck and we took off.. It was a beautiful day when we took off..My coached stated that I didn't have to do this and that I needed to listen to my body... well, that is what I did. After 50 miles, we got back to my house, got fluids, nutrition and a bathroom break. This time, we completed loops around my house. I took each loop one at a time. As I completed each loop, I asked myself, could I go on... I answered Yes and away I went.. three loops later, we made it to 100 miles... What an accomplishment.. I don't think I will do that again for awhile, but I am glad I did it. While we were riding, Elaine and I got to become better friends and I am thankful for the time we spent together..The next day, I went to my running group and I trained with more of my friends. My other friends sent me messages throughout the day asking how I was doing... I am so thankful for these friends..

The friendships that I have made since starting my Journey has been so special and I know I will continue to have these special people on my journey during the Off Season and in Season. We will support each other and encourage each other as we conquer or accomplish our many goals and fears..

Friendships are a gift from God and I have been given a great gift over the years!! Thank you to all of my friends for helping me on my journey!!

Happy Training,

Eling

Starting a new 30 day Challenge

Sorry it has been awhile. I have been busy working on my running and starting to really enjoy it! With October coming up, I had a fellow Speedy Turtle send out a 30 day Challenge to one of her friends on Facebook and I wanted to join in. Her Challenge was 30 Day Challenge of lunges. I thought I would up the ante and suggested let's do a 30 Day Challenge of planks too.. Low and behold, Eat Drink and Be Skinny was, also, holding a 30 Day Plank Challenge.. So, thanks to Melissa, I  will  be completing  two 30 day Challenges that I will be starting tomorrow.  The running has helped a lot  and I have finally broke through my weight plateau that I have had for the last year. I hope that doing these two challenges, I will break another plateau. If I don't, I know I will have a stronger core for the next Tri Season.

So here is a Big Thank you to Melissa for the Challenge and I am ready to take it!!

Happy Training,

Eling

P.S. Here are the links to the Challenges:

• Plank Challenge - http://eatdrinkandbeskinny.com/30-day-plank-challenge-starts-october-1st/
• Plank Tracker: http://eatdrinkandbeskinny.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/30-Day-Plank-Challenge-Calendar.pdf
• Lunge Challenge - http://beta.active.com/fitness/Articles/30-Day-Lunge-Challenge.htm?cmp=17-7-5277
• Lunge Tracker: http://eatdrinkandbeskinny.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/30-Day-Lunge-Challenge-Calendar.pdf

Guest Post from the Iron Turtle (aka Speedy Turtle's Hubby)

Hi all, 

Most of you know that on 25 Aug 2013, my hubby completed his first Ironman! I am so proud of him!! Here is his race report!

Ironman Louisville by Don Gaines
“You can do it…I will be there 100% of the way!”  I can still remember the day.  I was sitting at work and I was talking to my lovely wife (aka Speedy Turtle) and we were discussing the upcoming year’s schedule.  The conversation had somehow turned to doing a full IRONMAN.  I had said something to the effect of how I would like to do one some day and my lovely wife asked why I wasn’t going to do one next year.  Well…full time job, full time dad and working on my Master’s sort of took up my time.  Then she told me the magic line; that she would be there 100% of the way.  I sat there on the phone for a few seconds and then clarified what she meant by that.  That with work, studies and training that time together was going to be very limited.  Without a second’s delay, she said that she understood but that this was something that she knew I wanted to do and was willing to support me any way she could.  As I continued to waffle on the idea, she finally told me to sign up and quit being a wimp.  She practically dared me to sign up.  As much as I love her, there are times she can goad me into things I normally wouldn't do.  As soon as our conversation ended, I got online and looked at what was available.  Well, there was Coeur D’Alene, Louisville, Whistler, and Wisconsin.  CDA was just too soon for my taste and WAY too hilly.  Out.  Whistler…even Hillier…Out.  Wisconsin…while the bike looked like a good challenge the last part of the run was uphill…out.  So that left two options.  Louisville or volunteer this year to do it next year.  Well, volunteering was out.  Wife just DARED me to sign up and calling her back to say I needed to volunteer this year was like saying I am afraid but might find some courage at a later date.  So…that left Louisville.  Reading the write up is like reading a traveler’s brochure.  Beautiful scenery, rolling hills and a flat run at the end. Oh...and it could be a warm race.  So there I was forking over a WHOLE lot of money to sign up.  Once I got the E-mail saying I was signed up, I sent it to the Speedy turtle as a way of saying “Dare me will ya!?!”  I got a call back from her congratulating me on signing up.  Wait...what did I just do? 

                In November, I with my new coach, Lesley, decided that I would start up in May, which would get me about a 20 week plan.  So I guess I COULD have signed up for CDA.  I remember Lesley looking at me and asking why I chose Louisville.  When I explained my reasons I asked her why she was wondering.  “Because it is in Kentucky in the middle of Summer!  If you can do this race you can do any of them! It’s a hard Ironman!”  Oh…yea…I didn’t even think about that.  Just how hot could it get? A quick look on Google gave me the answer.  Average temp in Louisville at the end of August is between 86 to 95 with humidity in the mid 60%.  Yea…hot.  ¼ of the people who signed up for Louisville the year before didn’t finish the race.  Yea…hard. What did I get myself into on this “dare”?   Here is my coach who did IM Texas and did it so well that she qualified for Kona and she is telling that I signed up for a “hard” IM?!?”  You ever get that pit in your stomach that tells you that you may have made a mistake? 

                Flash forward to the end of May and the start of training.  Up to then, the training was nothing really long.  A couple of hours on the bike, an hour run here and there and some swims.  As soon as Memphis In May Triathlon was done, I remember looking at my wife and saying, “here we go.”  I got a smile and a hug and her famous smile.  Without a word, she gave me her approval and understanding.  For the next 20 weeks, it was like a whirlwind.  Between work, school and my training I really don’t remember much of this last summer.  I know that EVERY weekend was spent on my bike or on the road.    After work was a run or Computraining at Biomeckanics with Billy.  In the morning was swimming.  All my runs were in the afternoon.  I figured that I would run at the time I would expect to be on the run during the race.  It didn’t matter how hot it was, the run was in the afternoon.  I kept the motto, train like you fight, fight like you train.  Through it all was my wife.  I always got a kiss as I went out the door to workout.  On my 20 mile run, she was my SAG, refilling my bottle and giving me something to snack on every 5 miles.  If I was late on my ride, I would get a phone call asking where I was.  She even came out looking for me  once when I didn’t respond to her call.  Of course I teased her for looking for me like that but I was happy that she was concerned.  When our son needed to go out of town for a swim meet, she took him so that I could stay home to train.  She did it all and never got upset. She even got my areo helmet painted as a present for my race.  For the last 20 weeks, she kept her word.  She supported me 100%.  Like I said earlier, the whole summer was a blur of work, school and working out.  Before I knew it, it was the middle of August. 

                We left on Thursday to head up to Louisville.  I was pretty good during the ride and tried to just enjoy the drive and got up to Louisville but missed checking in by 15 minutes.  Oh well.  We decided to get some dinner and go take a look at where the finish line was going to be. After dinner we went to “4^th street live” and saw where the finish line was going to be which was also where the halfway point was; 100 feet apart from each other.  I kept thinking “what sick bastard made the half-way point on the run so close to the finish line?!”

Friday my mom and Aunt came in to be part of my cheering crowd and did a group ride for the first 12 miles of the bike.  I also checked in for the race this day.  I am sure anyone who has done any triathlon will agree it isn’t real until they put your race bracelet on.  I will say that it got REAL at this point.  Saturday turned into a busy day.  First thing was a swim in the river.  Actually the water was great.  Not too hot and not too cold and I felt really good in the water.

Underpants Run

Underpants Run - the family!

Underpants Run - part of the crowd

  After the swim was the Louisville underpants run!  Yep, a 1.2 mile run in little more than your underwear.  I even had Speedy Turtle and the boy join me on the run!  It was a nice break and the run was for a good cause.  The afternoon was spent turning in my bike and run bag as well as turning the bike in.  After a nice dinner with the family I was off to bed. 

                Believe it or not, I actually got some sleep the night before a race. Probably first time ever.  I was fully expecting to do nothing but toss and turn and I actually got a pretty good night’s sleep.  



Up at 3:45am and got a PB&J sandwich, a banana and a protein drink.  At 4:30, Speedy turtle and I headed out to get to the transition area.  My mom, aunt and the boy were going to sleep in a little longer and be there in time to see me get out of the water.  The walk from the hotel to the transition area was a good way to wake up and relax a little.  Got to the transition area and took one more look at the bike and headed to the swim. 


 After a mile walk to the swim start (no kidding…a mile walk) I sat there with the speedy turtle until about a half hour before the start.  I then headed over to wait in line for the swim start.  After yet another mile of walking before I found the end of the line.  Before I knew it, I heard the cannon goes off.  Game time. Nothing will quiet a group of people more than knowing that it is now time to put up or shut up.  The walk back to the start line took over a half hour but it seemed like a pretty quick 30 minutes and I was in the water. 

                Unlike most IRONMAN events, the Louisville swim starts is a time trial instead of a mass start.  There is a really good reason for it.  The start of the swim is in a narrow protected channel.  That channel is a couple hundred feet wide and about ¾ of a mile long and then slowly opens up to the mile turn marker.  That ¾ mile swim was pretty much a combat swim.  At least this is what I envisioned from discussion from all my SEAL friends.  I had people all around me and trying to even get a little swimming room was difficult.  About the ¾ through the channel I finally got tired of the same guy climbing on top of me.  First time, I gave a gentle push.  Second time…a more forceful push.  Third time…a shove and when he popped up to look I gave him a punch in the nose.  Not a tap…not hand in the face…A PUNCH IN THE NOSE!  To my defense, I will say that I was tired and tired of getting clobbered in the water but not one of my better moments.  The mile swim had me at 38 minutes.  Not bad having to fight my way through most of it.  Once we made the turn we were fully into the Ohio River and everyone opened up into their own swim lane.  The next 1.4 miles was the same time as my first mile. So a 1:16 for the swim.

Right after the Swim!

 Not too bad and I was feeling good.  Saw Mom and my Aunt and gave them a hug and kiss and headed into the transition area. 

I would love to say that I was in and out in a matter of a few minutes but not so much.  I swear there was some space time continuum where I thought I was in the tent for a few minutes and found out that I was in there for 15 minutes.  I swear that I didn’t make any calls or take a nap or anything but the clock had me at 15 minutes.  Oh well.  T2 will be faster.

Off on the ride and I was feeling good and for the first 5 miles or so, I was doing great.  Then my right arm started to shift downward and I needed to stop to see what was going on.  After a little quick maintenance I discovered that the screw that held my arm rest to my areo bars was missing.  Not sure how it happened but it did.  I started thinking about what Lesley said, “no matter how well you prepare SOMETHING is going to happen and you are going to have to deal with it.”  Some quick thinking and I took one of the screws from my arm rest and used it to try and hold my arm rest to the bar.   The good thing…the screw I used appeared to be the same size.  The down side….it was long enough to hold the arm rest but short enough that it was going to work its way out eventually.  ‘Eventually’ turned out to be about every 20 miles or so.  Yes, it was frustrating to have to stop every hour but it was also a blessing in disguise.  Having to physically stop and fix my bike also gave me a chance to get a drink and also keep my heartrate down.  What could have been something that caused me to become frustrated and angry turned out to help keep my body in check.  There was a scare on the ride.  About mile 40 I was heading into town and saw a cop yelling to go left.  I thought he was trying to tell the driver in the car that he was next to go left but I guess that call was for me.  As I went right, the driver suddenly turned hard right and I was laying hard on my brakes to try and stop.  Luckily I was able to stop in time and avoid becoming road rash. Bless the spectators!  I got praise for my quick actions and the cop and driver got chastised for being on the road in the first place.  No kidding, they were more upset about the cop’s action than I was!  I was just glad that I didn’t become a hood ornament.  At mile 70 (which was almost the same spot as the near miss) I got to see my family cheering me on!  A great morale booster even though I only saw them for a few seconds.  Besides that, the ride was pretty nice but good Lord was it hilly!  DO NOT BELIEVE THE BROCHURE!! Picturesque rolling hills means steep climbs with breakneck descents around open fields.  Going up at 9 miles an hour and down at 40 turned into the norm for the race.  The only flat part of the bike was the first and last 12 miles.  On top of the “gentle rolling terrain” was the constant climb of the temperature.  The bike ride started in the low 70’s and was in the mid 90’s when I got off.  Yea…good times there.  On the way in I saw a number of people sitting on the side of the road trying to get the energy to ride back in.  It was obvious that they pushed too hard and their day was done.  Did I say how my mechanical issue was a blessing? It really was!

Transition 2.  Once again I entered into the space time continuum tent and changed out of my bike clothes and into my running gear. Honestly, had I known I was in the space time continuum, I would have looked for Dr. Who and gotten an autograph.  I have a lot of friends that are big fans and they would have thought the world of me for getting that for them.  One thing to note.   As I changed out, the guy next to me was there before me and would be there after I left.  The whole time he didn’t move or look up or anything.  All he did was sweat.  A lot. This wasn’t some misty “hey I just ran 5 minutes and now I’m sweaty” sweat.   It was like pouring out of him.  It was like waterfall sweat.  That kind of sweat you see in those commercials for some super-duper strength arm deodorant where they are playing some vague sport and sweat dripping off their nose.  The whole time the volunteers in there were trying to get him to drink something…ANYTHING!  Nope.  All he wanted to do was sweat. A lot.  I changed and left the man to continue to water the grass underneath him.  Out of the tent and a quick stretch and off on the run.  I even got a chance to give my sweetheart a quick kiss, a high five to the boy and a quick hug to my mom.  Surely I wasn’t in there for more than 5-10 minutes.  Surely faster than my T1 time.  Close.  21 minutes.  Damn space time continuum.

2.4 mile swim. Check.  112 mile bike ride. Check.  All that’s left is this pesky little run.  OK... a marathon.  Do you know the history of the marathon?    The legend states that Pheidippides was sent from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens to announce that the Persians had been defeated in August or September, 490 BC.  It is said that he ran the entire distance without stopping and burst into the assembly, exclaiming "We wοn!" before collapsing and dying.  I can relate. It’s August and I have been doing battle all day with the heat and the hills.   The start of the run was in the mid 90’s but I was feeling good.  I mean really GOOD.  I was smiling and thought, “Hey, I just might do this!”  I was that way until about mile 7 or so.  Before I knew it, my stomach felt like it got flipped upside down.  Running simply made my stomach worse and by mile 10 I was thinking that everything I took in today was going to find its way to the outside if I didn’t slow down.  Now, “slow down” is a relative term. I was running a 11-12ish mile pace or what many know as the Triathlon shuffle.  My shuffle was now restricted to a walk.  About 5 minutes or so my stomach would settle down and off I would go again.  5 minutes later…stomach ache and back to a walk.  And this was how I completed my first marathon; a slow shuffle to a walk back to a slow shuffle.  Yes…I had not done a marathon up to this point.  My thought was that if I did a marathon before an Ironman I would know how hard that is and I would not do an Ironman for a number of years.  This way, I would know how hard an Ironman is and just think that the marathon was hard because of the swim and bike.  Yea…crazy logic but it worked! Mile 12 was turning into a dark place.

 I wasn’t feeling well and I could hear the crowd but knew I still had another 14 miles to go.  Just when I thought I was going to just really hit rock bottom, lo and behold a familiar face.  THE BOY!!  And he was wearing shorts, my team “Droopy” shirt, sandals and Mickey Mouse hands!  For the next mile, we ran together and I watched him high five people with those silly hands.  Nothing made my spirits rise more than to spend that mile with my son and watch him enjoy the moment with the crowds asking for high fives from him.  As we turned for lap two, there was the speedy turtle waiting for me at the special needs tent.  There I changed into a new pair of shoes, socks and a new shirt.  As I did that, my lovely bride gave my bag to my son and asked him to take it to my mom.  She then took the hand-off from my son and off we went to start the next 13 miles.  About a mile into it, I was starting to feel great and told my wife that I was ready to take off alone again.  After a quick kiss and hug I was off again. 

 I got up with a few people here and there and ran with them but after about 2 more miles, the stomach started up again and I was back to the shuffle/walk routine.  I took my routine as still progress forward.  I looked at the watch a number of times and kept moving forward.  There were a number of people out there to keep my spirits up.  The priest that rang the church bells and quoted scripture on strength and courage.  The guy playing 70’s metal music.  The young girl holding a sign that said “Run like you F’ing stole it!”  Little things kept me moving.  At mile 20 a whole new issue came up.  Suddenly my feet felt like I was moving inside my skin.  Great…blisters.  By mile 22 my feet were starting to become painful and swollen.  By mile 23, my left foot felt like I was wearing a shoe two sizes too small and getting worse.  I really wasn’t sure if I could make the last 3 miles.  I stopped and stomped my foot on the ground as hard as I could.  I quickly felt the warm rush of fluid on the bottom of my foot and the pressure went away.  The new issue was that if I ran, my feet actually felt good but my stomach got upset.  If I walked my stomach was good but the feet hurt.  My solution was to run for as long as my stomach would let me and them walk until I couldn’t stand it on my feet.  This went on for a mile or so and then I needed to find something to focus on.  Okay…my disclaimer.  I was REAL tired and I REALLY needed to find something to focus on and…well…I’m a guy.  My focus was the very attractive lady who ran by me.  As she took off, I followed behind her and, let’s just say, I found my focus.  We made the left hand turn and the I could hear the crowd getting louder and louder. 

 As we made the right hand turn about 200-300 yards later, I could see ‘4^th St. Live’ and see the crowd.  Every ache, Every blister, my stomach, EVERYTHING suddenly felt fantastic!  My pace started up and I was ecstatic! I started to high five people.  I’m not talking one or two people.  I mean everyone who had their hand out I was greeting it.  I was on top of the world and I couldn’t believe it.  As I ran across the finish line and my hands were above my head, I realized I did it.  I was an Ironman!!  Through my wife’s dare, I completed one of the most grueling and most labor intensive events one could dream up.  15 hours, 6 minutes and 44 seconds to have bragging rights forever.

As soon as I crossed the finish line I was caught by a guy named James.  Great guy.  He kept telling me to keep moving but I had to sit down.  I needed to sit down and told him that if I didn’t sit down in the next 5 seconds I was going to pass out.  He took me to the first chair he found and I sat down, put my head between my legs and everything that was inside my stomach was now outside.  I sat there for a few minutes and felt hands on my back.  As I looked up, I saw my wife, Mom, Aunt and Son all looking at me.  I sat there for a few more minutes and started to feel better.  I then got the medal, the hat and shirt and met my family at the end of the chute.  The two block walk back to the room was somewhat daunting but it felt so good to be with everyone.  Once in the room, I took the shoes off and laid on the floor trying to recover a little.  As my wife sat there, she smiled and said that she was proud of me.  All the aches and pain are always worth a little support from my family.  Believe it or not, I talked to my coach about a ½ hour after getting to the room and she asked how I was.  Even though my stomach was torn up and I had huge blisters all over my feet I told her to add me to the list for Chattanooga for next year!  That run through the chute is unlike anything and I can’t wait to do it again.

Lessons learned –  Remember that no matter how well you plan, SOMETHING will happen.  Deal with it. Take all challenges as opportunities.  No bitching…the run hurts…guess what…it hurts everyone and complaining about it will get you nowhere. Remember that it is a race but it is an endurance race.  Going all out on the swim and bike will make for an early day. Thank those around you. Fight like you train and train like you fight. 

The #1 thing I learned.  You may race alone but you need a team to succeed.  Lesley was awesome and got me physically ready to get through the race.  She also helped me find the mental strength to get through it.  It was family that was amazing.  My mom and Aunt were fantastic and seeing them time and again was awesome.  My son was great to help me get through that half way point and seeing him through the race was great.  He was always yelling and cheering me on.  My wife was the bomb.  She was Sherpa extraordinaire!  Start to finish she was there.  During the race she was REALLY EVERYWHERE!  It was great to see her and have my morale boosted.  She took care of me after the race and I will always be grateful.  To those of you thinking of embarking on this adventure, I say “Do it!”  It’s not easy.  It’s not for the weak and it will tax you like nothing else.  But is anything worth trying supposed to be easy?