Kiz-ona

Ni Hao Y'all...

This blog is purposely being written many days after the race so I have had time to appreciate what I did instead of just beating myself up as I usually do. My friend Becca is always hard on herself (sorry for totally calling you out, chica!!!) even when she does really well. I told her that she has to appreciate even the smallest victories in order to achieve something really great. When I told Liz this, that little stool totally called me out saying that I don't celebrate any victories of my own. I thought that I had been getting better about beating myself up, but Liz so greatly helped remind me that I haven't. "What about Boise?" Ok, so the first thing I did after I finished Boise was complain that I sucked. SO, writing this entry, I'm not going to complain about how my race went in Kona because 1- it already happened and 2- I finished. Therefore, I achieved my main goal - finishing.

While my main goal for every race is to finish, especially an Ironman, I am never quite content with just finishing. My secret goal for Kona was to finish top 5 in my age group. ODOOOhhhh I said it out loud!! Ok, well maybe Felipe and Michelle knew that goal, but I kept it pretty quiet from everyone else. Did I achieve that goal? Hells to the no! I actually did a great job of achieving quite the opposite: bottom 5 in my age group! But, shit happens and I've finally come to understand all the talented athletes that competed in the race. I'm oddly ok with the results of the race and it just fuels me even more to qualify again next year.

The day before I left for Hawaii I raced in the Mission Bay Triathlon because it was the first race I did in San Diego and it's fun to race with so many teammates. Perhaps that wasn't the smartest thing to do as Mission Bay is like ass water and immediately after the race I didn't feel too hot. I blamed my sick feelings on nerves and just ignored it. The Nerf fight at Phyllis' wasn't even fun for me because I didn't feel well!! WTF! The next day I still thought the nauseous feeling was nerves, and I continued to go on my merry little way. When I got to Hawaii that night, I trucked along Ali'i Drive trying to find a grocery and when I got back, I went to bed instead of eating. I woke up that night blowing chunks until morning. Awesome!! I texted Phyllis and I agreed not to worry because it was on Tuesday. Tuesday I didn't move at all until Wednesday when my parents, Liz, and Elaine got in. Long story short, the shitty feeling didn't go away until Friday when I finally agreed to go to a doctor. The doc gave me some meds and I immediately felt like I could actually function.

Luckily my gal Kathy was in Kona and texting me and checking in to make sure I was ok. She is the one who convinced me to get to the start line because I honestly thought that if I started I would have to DNF. That badass did IMAZ with a 101 fever, double ear infection, etc. so I knew that if she could do it, I could. The only problem that I had was lack of energy because I couldn't eat much the week leading up to the race. Those who know me well know that I was not a happy camper that I missed my carbo loading day. Seriously, who does an Ironman for the actual race? I do them for the carb days!!! just kidding. kind of.

Anyways, I don't feel like getting into a legit race report because that would be too long. Here are my key thoughts on the race:

SWIM:
-lost all energy at turn around
-most people are 58' swimmers, so I totally felt the dishwasher mess
-horrible wetsuit hickeys
-8' slower than IMSG. oops.

BIKE:
-thought I was going to pass out from dizziness first 5 miles
-very grateful that aid stations were 5 miles apart
-wind blew donkey
-lonely ride!! where the hell was everyone else?

RUN:
-uhhh
-first 10 miles ran
-spectators were awesome
-no one was walking when I was. awesome feeling!
-last mile, well last 1/4mile on Ali'i Drive was amazing

Overall, I finished in 13'15. My other secret goal was to finish in 11'30, but that will be done another time! In a way, I am somewhat happy that I experienced such a difficult time racing because all of my other races have been fine. Yes I have felt like I wanted to give up, but I always knew that I was going to finish. I spent the week before the race freaking out and crying (in private, of course) because I really didn't think I would get to the start line. During the race, all I knew was that I was going to be out on the course until I either got pulled off or I passed out. Now I can say that I truly understand and respect the Ironman distance.

I've got some huge Mahalo's to give to people. (I don't know why, but I freaking love this word. While I was making myself laugh walking on the run, I would scream MAHALO to the volunteers or people who cheered for me. Weird, but I had to do something to entertain myself).

MAHALO to Phyllis and Shelly for trekking all the way to Kona to watch me race. Mahalo Phyllis for putting up with me and for training me. I'd still be wearing tye dye if it weren't for you!

MAHALO to Gizzy for never once complaining about missing work/sherpaing/jackassing all over and for always coming to support me. You came to Boise and Kona just to watch me race and that means a lot!! Passss the key. You da girl, the little charm on my shoe says it all!

MAHALO to E for being my racedaysherpa, for getting me ready for both of my Ironman races and for coming to both of them. I'd be clueless without you. Thank you for your constant entertainment and knowledge.

Last but not least, MAHALO to Mama Bird and Daddy for jackassing across the country only to have to take care of your sick and grumpy baby! Mama's painted toes, the face signs, and everything show your continual support for me. You guys never complained about doing anything that week, even with your sun poisoned lip! I LOVE YOU.

Sorry to go all Academy Award here, but those people truly deserve a thank you because they went above and beyond for me and I am forever grateful. I know that I am a real cockroach before races with my nerves, but I was a cockroach times twelve adding sickness to nerves.

Without the constant messages and phone calls from all my friends, I'm sure I would have bitched out and reallllly try to talk myself out of the race. I was sooo happy to get messages from such amazing people. From two girls that I raced against in St. George, to a volunteer from St. George, from my best friend Marybeth, to my Aunt Cathy who almost had to come race for me ( :) ), to Nicole and Adam in London and Christiane in Germany, Chardis in China, you guys all mean a lot!!!! MAHALO to everyone in SD - you guys rock the socks.

I'll leave you now with some pictures from Hawaii. i'd put one to show you how much I was hating life on the run, but I literally look like Shrek so I'm going to do a favor for my ego and not put it up.