End of my First Ironman Journey

Many have asked since our return from Coeur d'Alene... what about the tattoo? Did we? Are we going to?

Those who asked were recalling my very first blog post in July of 2007 when I stated that I didn't think I was one that would ever get a tattoo until the moment my friend Paul mentioned, "How cool would it be to have an Ironman tattoo on your calf?"

I thought at that time that I wouldn't get one on my calf, but I might get one on my foot.

I was shocked that the thought had even crossed my mind. In order to get that tattoo, I would have to do an Ironman. Could I do an Ironman? Would I really get a tattoo?

Having completed my first Ironman, the question remained after the race... tattoo? I never thought I would do it. But, with a little support it has happened... I now have a m-dot tattoo on my foot.

With the tattoo my first Ironman experience has come to an end.

In light of the fact that the Bay Street Journal originated as my outlet to share my Ironman experience with my family and friends, as well as the fact that I am moving away from Bay Street, the time has come to end the Bay Street Journal.

Rest assured... there is life after Ironman. As I love having an outlet for my family and friends to keep up with my whereabouts, I am happy to announce that I will continue on a new blog, the Grove Street Journal, once I relocate to Mill Valley, California later this month. You will be able to access this new blog at www.grovestreetjournal.blogspot.com.

I thank those who have supported and cheered on my Ironman adventure. I look forward to sharing my life after Ironman with you from Marin County!

Battle Complete

I wanted to thank everyone who contributed to the Blazeman Foundation in honor of my Ironman experience. It took a bit longer than expected, but I am pleased to announce that I have met my fundraising goal. Thank you all.

Even though Ironman Coeur d'Alene has come and gone, I had told Jon Blais' father that I would not stop my fundraising efforts until I met my goal. I am pleased to be able to share with Mr. and Mrs. Blais that the goal has been met.

While this fundraising effort is complete, ALS research will be a cause I continue to support in my life. Jon Blais was such a motivation for me in my first Ironman experience -- one I am not soon to forget. I am planning on participating in a ALS century ride this fall and will do so in honor of Jon.

It was my friends and family that made my Ironman experience as wonderful as it was. Thank you all. I can't wait to do it again.

Vineman

When I signed up for Vineman this year I wondered if it would be too soon after Ironman to do a half.

The answer would be no, I believe, if you didn't have a job that eats away every day and night of the month of July, prohibiting you from working out.

I did exactly four workouts between Ironman and Vineman 70.3 - one 30 minute computrainer workout, one 3 mile run, one 5 mile run and a relatively normal 3 hour bike ride. One workout per week is not the best pre-race training, as I am sure my coach would agree.

I was relatively calm heading into this race, partly because this was my third year in a row, partly because I am coming off a much longer race, and partly because I just didn't have time to think about it.

I was fine for the swim and bike portions of the race. I actually felt GREAT on the bike and was able to meet my goal bike time. The run, ah the run (is this sounding familiar?)... I was running just fine until 6 and a half miles into the 13.1 mile run, when my body decided it was done for the day. Done, done, done. I was tired and not feeling so great. I kept thinking that I really should have found some time to get some long runs in, but that it just hadn't been possible with work.

The GGTC aid station was a great boost at mile 4 and at mile 9, as it's always fun to see your teammates and friends. Ashli, thank you for your support and for recognizing I was not in my usual mood to chat. You know me well...

When I crossed the finish line, I found Chris, Jake and Jake's parents cheering me on. I laughed and said I had realized during the run that you just can't fake a half marathon. This realization has motivated me to get moving in my marathon training after this crazy month is over!

All and all, it was a great day full of friends and loved ones. Dian has already asked if I will be doing it again next year...


(This photo is of my friend Sam volunteering at a prior race. It was featured on this year's race website and I laughed everytime I visited the webpage. Sam's famous!)

San Francisco Ferry Plaza Farmers' Market

One of the things I missed most training for Ironman was the local Farmers Market at the Ferry Building. We could never go, as every Saturday morning we had to set out for a long ride.

Chris and I have been making up for lost time and went both last and this weekend. This weekend we were in for a treat.

One of our favorite shows this past year was "The Next Iron Chef" on the Food Network. We watched it religiously.

As we were seeking out fresh fruit I spotted Chef Chris Cosentino, a local San Francisco chef and one of the contestants on "The Next Iron Chef".

I, in typical fashion, freaked out and pointed him out to Chris. Chris, in typical fashion (he talks to everyone!), struck up a conversation.

Chef Cosentino was very kind and said he was very pleased that Michael Symon had won. The are apparently close friends. That was nice to hear.

We are armed with fabulously fresh ingredients and are ready to cook! Two of our planned culinary adventures - homemade lavender ice cream and shitaki mushroom and corn fritters. Yummy.

Twins!!!

Congratulations to my brother, Don, and my sister-in-law, Kellie, on the birth of their twin daughters, Abigail and Olivia. The twins join big sister Emma, who left me a voicemail proclaiming "We're having babies! Two of them!"

I now have four nieces and a nephew. My poor nephew. He is so outnumbered.

Cuatro de Julio

One of my friends from GGTC had a wonderful 4th of July party - a Mexican themed "Cuatro de Julio" potluck.

It was a fabulous party! Actually, the whole day was fabulous - slept in, made breakfast, watched a movie, baked some Mexican Wedding Cakes (we were charged with a Mexican themed dessert) and then went to the party. It was so lovely to be so lazy!

I need to snap out of my laziness, however, as it has dawned on me that I have a race in less than two weeks! A half Ironman no less! When did a half become something I blow off?

The Cuatro de Julio event was perfect for many reasons -- the food, friends and lively conversation. I found it incredibly entertaining that at about 7:55 pm many started looking at their watches. Each time I noticed this I wondered if I had a cohort in crime to watch the Olympic track and swim trials? Sure enough, at exactly 8 pm, about ten of us left the festivities and congregated in front of the television to watch Michael Phelps break another world record. I love the Olympic trials!

My favorite moment of the night - four triathletes trying to convert 10,000 meters into miles. How long did it take us to figure out 10,000 meters was a 10K... talk about embarrassing!

Reflections on my Ironman Journey

"The sacrifices we made for Ironman are actually rewards in disguise." - Chris Skelton

Chris is absolutely right.

We made many sacrifices: time with family and friends, time for us, work, life... much of our lives were put on hold, particularly as race day approached and our training volumes increased.

Over the past year I learned that Ironman isn't about race day - it is about the journey that takes you there.

What a year it was. I fell in love while training for Ironman. I found myself in the hospital while training for Ironman. I grew closer to the most amazing people training for Ironman - Chris, Dian, Paul, Jake, Ryan, Ashli, Elisa, Rick, Kara, Rangsiwan, Jessica, Julia, Sam and all the rest of my GGTC teammates. I broke my elbow training for Ironman. Most of all, I learned much about me.

During my Ironman swim I thought back to about 15 months ago when I found myself sitting down to dinner in Santa Barbara with five people that I had only recently met, the night before doing my first century ride in over a year -- the Solvang Century. I wasn't even sure I could do a 100 miles at that point, as it had been a while.

Mark, D'Anza, J.P, Janet and Jim were all talking about the Ironman race they were training for, Ironman Coeur D'Alene. Mark was talking about training and testing and blood tests... I had no idea what he was talking about. I felt like the outcast at the table, but recall thinking to myself that these people were so amazing, as they were training for an Ironman! There was no way I could do an Ironman...

One year later, I found myself in Santa Barbara, the night before the Solvang Century, talking about the same things - training, blood tests, thresholds... concepts I was very familiar with. A century was no longer daunting and I was actually looking forward to it.

Ironman has indeed been a rewarding experience for me. I learned so much about myself while training - my perseverance, will, desire, dedication and my strength. These are lessons that will carry me through the rest of my life - in athletics, in my career, and in life generally.

I was inspired by many along the way - my coach, my family, my friends - but mostly by Jon "The Blazeman" Blais.

The day after the race I was already thinking about what Ironman I wanted to do next. I think I have decided on IM Canada. Probably not next year, as I have some living to do, but maybe in 2010.

I look forward to seeing who I am in 2010.

In the mean time, many have asked if I will continue to blog now that my first IM adventure has come to an end. While I may not update as frequently, my season is not yet over, so there will be updates. Jessica is right - there is life after Ironman!

Next up, Vineman 70.3 on July 20th, followed by my first sprint distance triathlon in years - the Malibu Triathlon in September. My final event for the year - the Nike Women's marathon in October. No rest for the weary, or those who clearly have problems not signing up for races...