I am an Ironman (!) and this is a day I will remember forever. At such a young age as this, I decided to go for the dream. The journey included obstacles to overcome, the arduous amount of training week after week, lots of encouragement, and stepping stone events along the way to complete.
I encourage you to go for your dreams. Write it down. Tell others. Don’t wait. Surround yourself with a team of motivational people. Put the time in, eat well, journal, and meditate.
Long Report:
I had dreamed big and the day had arrived. I was feeling great. Exactly 8 weeks and 2 days had passed since the emergency appendectomy. I had done the long hard work to reach the start. Strava indicated I biked 2,700 miles, ran 400+ miles, and swam 80 miles in 2016 to develop a deep base and be ready for the race. I was going to do the best I could.
In preparation for the race day, I did the pre-swim, checked out the run route, setup my bags in tight bundles with my Coach Loree. I turned in my bike and T1 / T2 bags. Drinks were pre-mixed and ready to go. Gels were counted and consolodated for the bike and bags. Cheering signs were made.
I left the hotel at 5:00 AM and walked to transition with Tom and Loree.
As the swim start, I planted myself between the 1:40 and 1:50 signs. My 4,000 yard in the pool was 1:40 with flip turns. The swim was a little longer than 4,000 yards. The water was a nice 67 degrees and weather was cloudy. No sooner did I get about 500 yards into the swim, I found another gal I could draft behind staying on her feet the whole swim route. That worked wonders as less effort even though I was swimming faster. I felt great getting out of the water. Getting out of the water, I was pleasantly surprised that I had beat my estimated time.
Next was the bike. In T1, I quickly changed into bike shorts and took a GU. I was able to find my
bike easily as the bike was next to a post and on the outside of the transition area. Off I went biking. My earlier practice of water bottle handoff was rewarded. About every 15 miles, I approached an aid stations and was able to slow down and smoothly pick up a water bottle to refill my aero bottle. Then, I picked up a 2nd water bottle to drink some and pour on my head. I stretched on the bike occationally.
On the 2nd and 3rd lap the wind increased especially heading back into Tempe. I stopped at a port-a-potty on the 2nd loop. On the 3rd loop back to town, I stopped for about 10 minutes to rest. My L leg was getting tired and I was bracing my knees into the top tube.
Getting into T2 to start the run, I quickly changed into running shorts. My hip flexors were tight. My R flank seemed in spasm. I was running partly bent over. I was nauseated. One by one, Coach Loree helped me troubleshoot and resolve the issues. I switched from gels to pretzels, flat Coke, and later orange slices which resolved the nausea. As it got dark, I also had chicken broth. I worked to straighten out more. I stretched my back while moving forward. I knew if I kept a fast walk I would make the finish cut off, so with the back issue I kept moving forward in a fast walk. I was among a lot of company doing the same. Kristen, Jonathan, Tom, and Loree were my support every step of the way. I used mantras from thinking about what parts of my body felt good, counting up and counting down, and it is just one day.
And then the finish line approached! The crowds were cheering wildly and I was slapping people’s hands. As I crossed the finish line, I was ecstatic to see my family and my coach. At every turn they were magically my support angels from sunrise to finish.
I am an Ironman and this is a day I will remember forever!
I am blown away with the support from friends and family, the volunteers and fellow athletes at the race, and my awesome Coach Loree.
I hope through this year of training and races, I have inspired others to not wait to go after dreams. Going after your dreams will change you for the better and bring you closer to people that matter.
What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals – Henry David Thoreau
Arriving on a Wednesday worked out well as I picked up my bike the next day. We flew back on the Tuesday after the race. On the flight back, I 
asked the stewardess if there was
any way Kristen could sit with Tom and I in row 29. The flight was completely full, and thus the request was not going to happen. As she boarded, another person was sitting in her seat in row 25. Astonishing, this person was suppose to be sitting next to us and for unknown reason, sat in the wro
ng row. Because of this snafu, Kristen was able to sit next to us after all on the way home.
Good Karma continued into the post race and beyond.
Tina-Bell