If you would have told me one year ago that I'd be racing an Ironman in 2018, I would have told you, "No way, never, no thanks! Ironmans aren't for me. I'm more of a shorter distance racer. 70.3s are long enough for me. It's fun to watch-but no thanks." But guess what-after 4 beers post Honu and some peer pressure I am 1 week out of racing THE Ironman. I mean, if you're going to do one-might as well do the big one, right? As I say, 'Go big or go home'....and I'm going big.
It's funny how life happens. It's been a bit of a rollercoaster since June and I have a new favorite quote, 'The only certainty in life is uncertainty.' Racing and training have been going really well. I raced Age Group Nationals in Ohio this year and I was really happy with how I did. For the Olympic race I was 16th over all and 3rd in my age group and for the Sprint (turned into a duathlon) I was 13th over all and 2nd in my age group. I had hoped to be top 5-so I still have work to do but it was good to see where I placed with the mainland girls. Hawaii is a small state with a small pool of athletes, so it's necessary to go to the mainland if you want competition.
After Age Group Nationals was when the real training started. 3 hour rides are now short rides. It's funny how that happens. I'm actually going to miss the long 6 hour rides. It's nice to be out on your bike without your phone and just enjoying the ocean on one side and the mountains on the other. Although, I was thankful when I retuned home safely from each ride (cars, pot holes, road conditions, weather...), it was very peaceful to be out there. I didn't quite enjoy the long runs as much-but I did get used to them. I remember my first 2 hour run and I wasn't sure if I was going to make it, but I did. Then it turned into 2.5 hour runs (split into 2 sessions). I've never run a marathon, so I will be in for surprise, but I'm excited to pull it altogether.In Kona this year there will be a HUGE group of Oahu athletes. I am not only racing for my self but for Lectie Altman as well. She was and will always be someone who I admire and strive to be like. As an athlete she has raced this race many times and although I think we both would have been able to qualify for this race (Hawaii Resident spot and Non-resident spot at Honu), I feel like took her spot. Well, I didn't take it, she shared it with me so I have work to do and goals to achieve. While being at Honu, I checked in with her first to make sure I had her support. She encouraged me and I knew that I wanted to do this for her.
Training has also given me a purpose. When those days come where you just don't want to get out of bed-I had to because I had a goal and I needed to train. I'm an intense person and I always want to give my best-but that only works when you are in control of a situation and in life, you can't be in control of everything. I've done a lot of self work and I've learned a lot about myself, things I'm proud of and things I'm not so proud of. I like to think I've grown as a person-but I don't know if I have. There are things I know to be true-but I have to believe them. The mind is SUCH a powerful tool.
A couple of weeks ago I did test my speed and did the Ko'Olina Sprint Triathlon. I have some good friends that work for the Four Seasons, so I wanted to support them and also the winner wins a free night at the Four Seasons-and I was hoping to earn that (that's the only time I'll ever stay at a Four Seasons Resort!) I was really pleased with how the race went. It's not a typical race and as Boca says, 'It's a short race with a long race feel'. You swim in the lagoon and then run out to the next. So it isn't really a swim it is a swim, run, swim, run, turn around, swim, run, swim, run to transition. Then the bike is pretty normal-minus the speed bumps and then the run is out on the pathway for the first half and then back along the sand and grass for the second half. I was hoping to run fast and I think I did. My watch told me I had a 5k PR-including the sand and grass-so I was pretty happy about that. It felt good to have a good race. Also at that race a student from my class was there-so it was awesome having my two worlds collide. It was pretty cool seeing his face watching his 3rd grade teacher win a triathlon. As one of my friends said, 'He's probably wondering why his teacher doesn't have pants on!' Hehe-I raced in a bathing suit for this race. This was his dad's first triathlon and he is hooked now! Triathlons can be addicting, which can be good a bad. Just like anything--you need to find the balance. There are times when I struggle with this-but I am reminded often. :)
So, that's it for now. I'm excited to return back to write about my first Ironman. Thanks for your support :)
