Ironman Kentucky Training- Let’s Wrap This Up!

[KSH]

Ironman Kentucky Training- Let’s Wrap This Up!

Number: 1359

First off… Thank you for being apart of my journey the past 8 months! Every kind word, thought, advice and your encouragement will get me across the finish line in Kentucky !


Now, how about some lyrics from Frank Sinatra…“I Did It My Way”….

And now, the end is near;
And so I face the final curtain.
My friend, I’ll say it clear,
I’ll state my case, of which I’m certain.

I’ve lived a life that’s full.
I’ve traveled each and every highway;
And more, much more than this,
I did it my way.

Regrets, I’ve had a few;
But then again, too few to mention.
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption.

I planned each charted course;
Each careful step along the byway,
But more, much more than this,
I did it my way.

Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew.
But through it all, when there was doubt,
I ate it up and spit it out.
I faced it all and I stood tall;
And did it my way.



Eight months of training….

Fabulous and amazing support from my Ironsherpa!

1000’s of inspires, kind words and encouragement from friends and family!

Having a very kind friend help me with getting my bike ready for Kentucky !

Being the luckiest gal in the world for having such a huge support crew coming out to watch me race… thanks to… my Dad, Jonny, Evelyn, Ryan, Libby, Doug and Anna!

Swimming 80 miles in 40 hours, in the past 8 months!

Biking 2,500 miles in 155 hours outside, in the past 8 months!

Biking 1,040 miles in 65 hours on the bike trainer, in the past 8 months!

Walking/Running 460 miles in 87 hours, in the past 8 months!

Completing three, 12-mile runs!

Completing four, half marathons!

Finishing my first 25 K!

Ten bike rides of 70-95 miles.

Three bike rides of 100 miles.

Early mornings.

Late nights.

Two-a-days. Swim in the morning, ride at night. Run in the morning, ride at night.

Gaining weight.

Losing weight.

Wondering how much more food I could eat… and still be hungry!

Turning my legs into thighs of steel!

Feeling lucky for having good enough physical health and strength to get to train for something like this!

Days when I didn’t know if I could get up and do it again.

Laying down to sleep with quads too sore to lay on.

Saturdays spent waking up at 6:00 AM to ride for hours and hours.

Sundays spent waking up at 6:00 AM to run for hours and hours.

Hours spent on the bike trainer inside my apartment. Thank goodness for the invention of DVR!

Emotional highs.

Emotional lows.

Crying tears of joy.

Inner doubts combated by confidence.

Blisters.

Saddle sores- visits to the dermatologist… still riding even in pain.

Swollen left knee.

A constantly messy apartment.

Cheering my cousin across the finish line of his first Ironman!

Wondering if I could do what he did.

Living life having all my time planned out. Everything being centered around training!

Missing time with Jonny.

Missing time with friends.

Dreaming about crossing the finish line.

Envisioning achieving a goal I never thought possible.

Training with triathlon buddies!

Training by myself.

Making new friends to train with!

Watching the seasons go by… winter to summer. Being outside for most of it!

Riding in 100+ degree heat more times than I can count.

Learning how to eat every 15 minutes on a bike.

Learning how to carry 4 gels on me for a run… 2 can fit in my bra!

Mentally sucking it up.

Talking out loud to myself on the bike to “keep pedaling” because all I wanted to do was stop.

Running faster than I have in a long time! Actually seeing 9 minute miles!

Wishing it was over already!

Being sad knowing my journey was almost over!

Learning how to speed walk!

Finally embracing the joys of owning a Garmin! How did I live without one?

Knowing that this is my Ironman. This was my journey. Good, bad, tiring, exciting, painful, wonderful, hopeful, and willful…


In closing, I think Frankie said it best…

Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew.
But through it all, when there was doubt,
I ate it up and spit it out.
I faced it all and I stood tall;
And did it my way.


Pictures:
1) Me on my last 100 mile ride! I got a good group together who went and rode with me! From Left to Right: Myself, Ken, Bobby, Aimee, Jonathan, Kristie, and Jonny! Kristie and Jonny joined us for 40 miles.

2) All the cards I have gotten from my friends and family! I am so lucky!

3) Bike checked in at the bike shop on 8-23-08! My stallion (My Hearts Desire) is on her way to Kentucky! She will carry me most of my miles in Kentucky!