IMAZ 06, Let the party begin...

[Running Mommy]

Just got back from the open swim and race registration.
First off we were really late getting there- logistical nightmare this morning. Anyway, we only had 20 minutes to swim so I didn't go far. I wore my sleeveless and was fine. I must say though that I lost my breath when I first put my face in the water. That is not a fun feeling. Now I know how it feels to have asthma. I kind of freaked, but then reminded myself to stay calm and just SWIM. Once I got going I was fine. Gonna go down tomorrow morning- get an earlier start that's for sure! I haven't been in open water since last year so I have to get used to the sensation of not being able to see anything again. The water was a nice light moss algae color. But really was fine. I felt like I wasn't moving but when I stopped and looked back I had gone farther than I thought. Just maybe I *can* do this thing... sigh... All I know is I need your prayers BIG time between 7:00 am and 9:00 am pst. on Sunday.

Then we (had a girl from TNO w/me) went through registration. Seemed like my line was the longest. My bike guy was right in front of me so we chatted. It was a nice diversion. As I had to be weighed in front of god and everybody! And to make matters worse everyone was saying the scale weighed them a good 10 lbs heavier than they are. NICE! And yeah, it was about 8 lbs off. I couldn't help but think how useless a scale that doesn't weigh correctly is. They do it so they can judge dehydration if you bonk out... Well they are gonna think people are worse off than they really are if they were weighed wrong??!!
Anyhoo...got all my race stuff ready, got some swag, spent 200 clams at the race merchandise store... Oh yeah, I'm lovin this!
I put a couple of pics from the expo on my photo site. I'll put more on tomorrow.
ciao!
denise
http://s11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...denise69/?sc=1

[tprevost]

oooh, its getting more Exciting! heeheeheehee
T~

[Running Mommy]

I know Tracy, I can't wait to meet ya! I may still be down there when you roll into town. SO call me on my cell when you get in.
Also Sat morning I'll be there at 7:00 am for the kiddie run. Your guys can do it too if they want. It's gonna be cool. The kids get to run over the finish line and they get medals! I also plan to get in the water for a few minutes. Again, just to get really double- triple- quadruple used to the water!
Anyway, gotta go get ready to head back down there. We have a big pre race dinner planned tonight for my buddies from trinewbies online..

[Lise]

I am so excited for you! Swag! Clams spent! Posing with the M-dot! AAAAAHHHHHH! My favorite part of any race !

You look great, your bike is gorgeous, and the energy of the race will carry you through. You've trained, you've rested, you're healthy, you've got so much support--have a GREAT TIME!!!

Would you please post an estimation of when you think you'll be taking off--in T1--in T2--crossing the finish line. And then...AZ is what? Two hours behind Central time? I would hate to miss you because I goofed the time calculations, for which I am famous. Thanks.

Thinking of you much, and enjoying it vicariously! Have a blast with Tracy and Melisa, too--only wishing I could be there! Tell you what, if I deliver a baby while you're on the course, I'll insist that they name it Denise. Boy or girl. Only seems fair! L.

[btchance]

good luck, good luck, good luck. I know you'll do great. I'll be thinking of ya while I watch my friend do the Powerman duathlon the same day. Let us know how it went.

[Trekhawk]

Good luck for the weekend. We will be thinking of you.

[Nanci]

Just standing next to the freaking mdot would cause my heart to fail...Be sure to save many more clams for finisher merchandise!!! Geez, I don't even know what to say, except you have way more cajones than me...

Nanci

[Running Mommy]

Unless something wierd happens, and this is Ironman... Even the motto is 'Anything is possible"... Sooo... ya never know...
But I have been VERY consistant in training, so my times should be pretty even... Remember that Seinfeld where no matter what he did Jerry came out even? Even steven.. lol Well, thats me. I have one speed. Mine. Slow to some, fast to a very select few, normal to me..
Oh and our time zone. Well technically we are mountain time. But since we don't play the daylight savings time game, right now we are even w/California. So think of it as pacific time. Two hours ahead of central, three of the east coast...
Swim - goes off at 7:00 am. I should be exiting the water anywhere between 8:45 and 9:00. Yeah I'm slow. If I don't make it by 9:20 I'll get pulled and my day will be over.
Bike should be 7.5 hours to 7:75 hours. I hoping for 7.5 and judging from the course should be able to do it. So depending on when I start the bike, just add up 7.5 hours from there and it should be close. Of course, lets not forget possible mechanicals. I can change a tire fine, just not very fast...
Run. Here is the big ???. In training I managed a perfect run/walk combo that came out to 11:30-12:00 minute miles. I should be able to keep that up for at least the first half. My first half should be about 2 hours 40 minutes. Then add on a good few ticks on the last half as I KNOW I'll slow down. This is based on my marathon history. So first 13.1 should be 2:40, last 13.1 around 3 hours.
So if you add that all up- figure 2 hour swim + 7.5 hour bike + 5.75 hour swim with a couple of 10 minute transitions somewhere in the 15.5 to 16 houtr range. I would LOVE to be in the 15 hour range and that's what I'm shooting for. But realistically will prolly be closer to 16. Of course as long as I make it by 16:59:59 I'll still be an Ironman and that will be just fine for me!

So there you have it. Don't forget www.ironmanlive.com
Athlete # 794.

And a quick update. Went to dinner w/ the trinewbie folks, some of whom have become friends-locals. It was great. The energy was electric! All of us talking at once! And only a handful of us were actually RACING! ha ha
Saw lots of athletes out training. Wondered what the point of riding at 8:00 pm was?? DUDE, SETTLE DOWN! TAPER!@@@!!!!!!!
Saw some pro's, and just absorbed the energy.
Well, off to bed. Gotta be out the door early to get to the swim in the morning. I never realized how bad the west valley commute traffic really was until this morning! OY!!
Stay tuned for another update tomorrow. And thanks all for your well wishes. I've been bragging about the positive energy here all day! You girls ROCK!
nighty nite...
denise

[Nanci]

Listen to you!!!

What pros are going to be there???

Nanci

[crazycanuck]

Hey denise,

Good luck on sunday!!! I have no idea how to cheer an ironman participant on other than letting them know we're behind them no matter what.

I received the braclets today and am wearing them (ian was quite surprised that i was wearing jewelry). Way cool chickie!

Good luck and i'm looking forward to the stories/story..

cheryl

[Lise]

Thanks, Denise.

I wrote down all your times on a sticky, then converted it 2 hours in the wrong direction. Looked at it. Thought, that's not right! I swear, I have a broken part of my brain. Anyhoo...the good news is that you'll cross the finish line before I go into work--I start at midnight PST. I was worried that I might not be able to be near a computer at work. No worries, I'll be right here at home, glued to the screen!

I had to smile at Nanci (who just rode the distance from Chicago to Mpls on her bike) commending Denise (who's put in an amazing number of hours and miles training for an incredibly demanding event). You both have my admiration and respect. I can barely fathom doing the endeavors you've done/will soon do. But that's how it is with what we've come to love, right?

Looking forward to it all, vicariously!

Lise

[ladyfish]

Good luck, and you'll do awesome!! We're all wearing our bracelets and I hope we don't crash the server as we all watch your IM!

By the way, remember to put your face under water before you start the swim!! It will help your body get acclimated and you won't have that out of breath feeling!!!

You are amazing!! Enjoy it! I guess it is probably like what a Naval Academy Cadet said about the Academy "It's a great place to be from" (meaning it was tough to finish, but worth it). So I'm sure the same will be true of your IM. YOU GO GIRL!

[jobob]

How thrilling ! Have a fabulous time !

BTW, for anyone who is time-challenged like me, this is a really good website, you can set up your own Personal World Clock which shows the current time in 2 or more locales (say, oh, Tuscon & Chicago ...)

http://www.timeanddate.com/

[KSH]

WOW! This is so exciting!

Thanks for all your posts along the way and keeping us "right there beside you" throughout this entire process.

Even though I don't "know" you... I feel like I have a friend going off to compete!

*Wipes a tear* I am truly excited for you and in awe of what you will accomplish this weekend. You have made me think that *someday* I might be able to think about an Ironman. Who knows?

If I am not on a bike Sunday morning, I will certainly check in on your progress. Just keep your pace and don't blow yourself out on any of the 3 events. Don't let the excitement, or others around you, take your off your pace. Slow and steady!

*Hugs*

[aka_kim]

I remember how thrilling it was hearing the booming announcment "so-and-so YOU ARE AN IRONMAN" while spectating at Ironman Canada when my BF competed. I'll be another one checking IronmanLive tomorrow to cheer on your progress. Go Running Mommy, this will be an awesome achievement!