My friend Barb and I arrived in Penticton on Wednesday, August 20th. The weather had a hard time making up its mind on whether or not  it wanted to rain. I just kept hoping for dry weather on the bike and cool weather for the run. I came to this race with a few goals in mind. I wanted to complete the swim and first transition in 90 minutes. I wanted to finish the bike in 7 hours and average 26km/hr. However in training it looked more like 24 to 25 km/hr. In the run, I just wanted it to be that, to somehow keep running through the whole marathon and only walking through the aid stations and up the hills. This would be the hardest goal to achieve, since my best marathon time was 5 hours I figured my marathon would take between 6 and 6.5 hours. I wanted to finish the race in one minute under 15 hours, however, 1 minute under 17 would be perfectly acceptable and 14:10 would be a perfect race. Well these were my statistical goals, however, my social goals were to have fun!  I decorated my shirt to spur on supporters and to inspire other competitors. I planned to talk to everyone I met and thank the volunteers and supporters as often as possible. I planned just to have fun!

 

 

I was very fortunate to have my friend Mary, an ironman veteran, show me the ropes. We did all the pre-race activities together like registration, swim practice, driving the bike course and even booking the appointment for the tattoo! Her guidance and pep talks really made my pre race experience special. I did the warm up swim on Thursday, it went ok but I thought I might have to increase my swim time goal a wee little bit, but that was ok. During registration, I met some people that I stood in line with last year, it is a small world. The person who gave me my race kit name was June, the same as my mother. The first of many signs that my family's energy was around me. It was during registration that I started get this emotional high and excitement, I will let you know when I come down! Not Yet. Mary and I then drove the bike course, yikes,  it seemed very long but oh so beautiful.

 

On Friday, I took my bike for an hour spin. I tell you a smile came on my face that never left during the whole ride. All I could think of was what a wonderful bike tour it was going to be on Sunday.  It was going to be the best bike ride of my life and wow what beautiful scenery. WOW! Friday night was the athlete's dinner. I got to see the rest of Adam's Ironladies who were racing, Paula, Vicki and Jose. We were all first timers! The excitement was mounting. I got called up on stage during the biggest loser portion of the program. I was beat out by a guy who lost 107 pounds but hey he shared his prize with me. He got the scale I got the clothes! To my e-dieter friends... like I need another scale!

 

Saturday, time to double check the bags and the lists, pump up the tires and check my bike and transition bags at the race site. Unbelievable, I got the best spot for my bike, last row right on the outside. How kewl is that?  My transition bags were also in an area to find easily.  More positive energy coming my way. I forgot to tell you I got Lisa Bentley to sign my race shirt on the plane. I felt like a tri groupie.  My friends from Vancouver arrived in the afternoon, Lorita, Chris and his mom Lynn all the way from Scotland.  Congratulations Lorita and Chris, they are expecting their first child!

 

Well today is the day. It has taken 5 years to get to this point and what a day it is going to be. Barb and I headed to the race site about 5:30am. All I could think is wow, am I really going to do this?  I got emotional walking to the event as I thought about not having any family members alive to share this experience with me then I realized I had all my friends, colleagues and my adopted family in my corner and I was not alone. Thanks for being there for me and putting up with my incessant talk about training for Ironman Canada. Things went so quickly from there. Gettng body marked
then putting on my wetsuit and geesh it was almost ready to start. I met up with Mary and stuck to her like glue. She insisted that we start the swim near the front and in the middle, totally against my plan but what the heck. They played  O Canada and I proudly sang out loud with my hand on my heart! Fortunately, most people had ear plugs who were around me.

 

Then bang the gun went off and there was no delay , I started to swim. I swam for about 100 - 200 meters before anyone came close to me , I couldn't believe it. Plenty of time to get my stroke and breathing in line. Then waves came by where I got hit accidently a few times but never in the head. Sweet! I saw Mary several times during the swim, it was hard to wave!  I only gagged on one mouthful of water and other then that the swim was uneventful. I was making good time at the first corner, 33 minutes for 1800m and all is well. It was awesome looking up at the blue sky and mountains in the background. I thought to myself, I really like this swimming part.  On the last length, I steadily passed people and kept strong. I came out of the water in 1:19:43, right on schedule for a perfect swim. Kewl!

 

Off to transition. I kept is short and sweet and then started my bike ride. Whoo whoo. I had been looking forward to this for weeks.I tried to get to my heart zone as quickly as possible and then just rode. Yes that same smile came back quickly from the warm up ride earlier that week. I kept up a good pace and made good time to Richter's pass. You know the climb wasn't so bad. I just kept going and acknowleged the supporters along the way. I seemed to be going the same pace during the climb as everyone else around me. Then up and over and truly enjoyed the downhill section. No brakes applied here, need to make up time.  It was beautiful going up and down the rolling hills and then on to the flat out and back.  I got to special needs and enjoyed my rice crispy squares lovingly prepared by Melissa and Megan.
Thanks girls! Then off to yellow lake. The numbness and pain in my left foot started at about the 120km mark, I tried to work it out but I can't remember having the pain anymore after the climb to yellow lake. Then the downhills, love them, how fast can I go.  I caught one cross wind that almost blew me off my bike, so I was a little more cautious after that.  Then rode into town and psyched myself up for the run. Finished the bike ahead of schedule in 6:47:05.

 

I got off the bike and started running to get my transition bag... yeah me running, whose body was this? Where did the tree stumps go? I did my quick transition with a pit stop and I was off on the run. Wow I was running and felt pretty darn good. On top of that the skies are overcast and it is started to rain. What luck! No darn heat! I even took dry socks with me out of my transition bag.  In the out and back portion I got to see my cheering section. It seemed like there was going to be this strong head wind for the first 20km but when I turned the corner again it was gone. Kewl! Ok made it running to the first aid station and infront of all the crowds. The plan was to walk through the aid stations and up the hills. Had to get my heart rate down to the 150s if I was going to last, time to put it in cruise. Just consider me the the tortoise or the energizer bunny, I just keeping going slow and steady. I just ran and stayed in the moment, thought of nothing but talked to the spectators, other racers and thanked all the volunteers. It was awesome. I felt good and my nutrition was spot on, no complaints. Mary passed me on the run like in every other race, yelling your going to be an ironman.  Couldn't wait to get to the half way turnaround point, it started to seem far away but I got there, I was almost home.  At the 10 mile mark to go I noticed that a blister was starting on my right foot, so I stopped and changed my socks.

I was in such a zone at no time did I even think of needing to walk, totally remarkable, it has never happen to me in a long course before. At the 5 miles to go mark things were getting a little sore, but oh well, just kept going. Then I came to the last out and back of the race. I was about a kilometre out when I hear 2 minutes until 14 hours.  14 hours wow, I really wasn't paying attention to the time, but holy smokes I am completing my dream race. I get to the finishing shoot, I high fived Barb, and nearly everyone else... why not make the moment last and then I cross the line. I am an Ironman. Whoo Whoo!

 

I felt great, hugged my catchers then walked to the finishing photo area. At that time I remembered that I forgot to get my hug from Nigel Gray. But no worries, Nigel found me and was waiting for me after the picture with a recovery drink in hand. Awww, thanks! I met my support crew outside the gates. They had balloons, two congrats and one get well soon.... hmmm did they know something I didn't.  We walked back to the hotel, still feeling good, got a quick shower and off to the bar for my strawberry margarita!  I was in the bar at 10pm watching finishers, heck I was suppose to finish at 10pm.

 

 

Wow I did it. I feel fantastic. I had the race of my life. I never had a negative thought enter my mind during the race... how great is that? To celebrate Barb, Lorita, Chris, Lynn and I have a lovely breakfast. Then Barb and Mary went with me to get my tattoo. Yep I did it and I don't think I will ever regret it.

 

As we left Penticton a song came on the radio " Sweet City Woman", that was my family's song one summer. When I was a child, we went camping and heard it over and over again. How fitting was it to hear again as we headed to the airport. I think they know.

 

 

I wasn't alone on this journey and I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who have supported me.

 

First my coach Adam Johnson, Endurance Lab who gave me the tools to exceed my expectations.
My dear friend Barb for being with me for every moment of this 5 year journey and being there at the finish line.
My adopted family, Barb, Eleanor, Cathie, Daniel, Michael, Melissa, Megan, Mary Grace and Daniel Joseph.
My support team of Lorita, Chris and Lynn, I know it was a long day but you being there meant the world to me.
My friend Mary for encouraging me and showing me the ropes.
My running friends Tara, Barb, Sue, Chris, Karen, Laurie, Micheline, Geoffrey and Ania, see we can accomplish anything we set our minds to!
My friends, colleagues and fellow e-dieters who have provided continuous support and encouragement.

 

As this journey ends and a new one is around the corner...I would like to say, whatever goal you set for yourself, whether it be to run a marathon, a 10km run or lose 25 pounds... you can do it.  I heard a great saying, "shoot for the moon and even if you fall short you will be among the stars".  Remember what  words I live by, "Nothing is Impossible"!

 

Will there be another ironman in my future... maybe, but what I would like know is what is the weather like in Boston in April...