Beautiful British Columbia, the clean water of Okanagan Lake gently
lapping the shoreline, and…
2,000 triathletes running around insanely setting up bikes, testing the water temperature,
and otherwise milling around the town of Penticton…? Yes, that's truly the
scene. The beautiful community of the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, where
the amazingly warm and welcoming locals greet thousands of athletes and spectators
ever year so they can compete in North America's oldest Ironman event! I recently
completed my first Ironman with Team In Training at this event, Ironman Canada.
It was August 24th of this year, and I trained for about 8 months to
get there. I had wanted to do this for years, and dreamt of the day I could earn
the right to get that M-Dot (Ironman brand) tattoo to show off my accomplishment!
I was confident stepping to the starting line, but also very nervous. I had done
the training, put in the time and distance, but was really intimidated by the actual
day of the event. After so many months of preparation, it all came down to this
one day. Once the cannon went off to start the race, though, I settled down. After
jockeying for my own swim space, I settled into a nice rhythm and enjoyed the clean
lake water, being surrounded by 2,000 of my new best friends, and recognizing that
my Ironman day was finally here. I felt great. I made it through the swim
without incident, and got through the swim-bike transition just fine.
Once I was on the bike, I felt like the race had finally started. I had many ups
and downs during the day, and most on the bike. I never felt terrible, and had many
moments of feeling great. But, there were definitely times I thought "wow,
if this is what my legs have in them, it's going to be a long day," then
chuckled to myself, knowing that the feeling would pass. It always did, and I always
ended up feeling better within minutes. I saw my IronTeammates at mile 100, and
have rarely been so happy to see anyone in my life! It was a great boost to get
me over that final hill and onto the "downhill/flat" last 12 miles of
the course (never believe anyone who says "it's all downhill from here!").
I once again got through the transition area unscathed, this time the bike-run transition,
and headed out for my "run." I have "run" in quotes, because
most of it was more like a shuffle. My goal was to "run" the whole way,
which I did. At the start of the marathon, I only felt okay. Around mile three or
four, I actually started feeling pretty good! Around mile 10, I started feeling
less good, and by mile 12.5, I was feeling a lot less good. I got to mile 13.1 and
knew I'd need to dig deep to get through the last half marathon. I needed to
think about something besides my own struggle. So, I thought about other things…
like… the guy that kept trying to pass me on the right… "Is he trying
to run into me…? Or, is he just so tired he doesn't realize how annoying that
is…?" Things I wouldn't normally think twice about, but after 125 miles
that day, it was on my mind. ;-) My teammates caught me at mile 25.5, then again
at mile 26.1. My coach told me he was proud (which made me very happy, of course),
and said "OK, let's get you ready for that finisher's picture! Tilt
your hat up… straighten out your bib number… smile big… there you go!" He's
always a bit of a jokester, that coach, but it made a great difference to be a little
brushed up for the finish line photo! I didn't hear a thing when I crossed
the finish line. I know they announced my name as being an Ironman, I know there
was music blaring, but I didn't hear any of it. I only thought "Finally…!"
This was immediately followed by thinking "My quads are going to explode out
the front of my legs if I don't stop moving immediately!" That second
thought seems funny now, but I was pretty sore at the time.
After a quick change behind the space blankets my fabulous catchers held up to shield
me (as if I cared who saw my haggard, post-Ironman body right then), I ate, drank,
and actually started to feel human after about an hour and a half. Finally, walking
across the transition area, back to pick up my transition bags and bike, it finally
hit me: "I did it… I am an Ironman!" That was pretty cool. :) That
high didn't wear of for quite some time. Actually, I'm not sure it's
worn off yet!
That being said, I now realize why many Iron(wo)men don't get that M-Dot tattoo,
even if they've done several races. It's not about the race itself, though
that is a great accomplishment. Nor is it about just crossing the finish line, though
that is exhilarating. It's about both of those things, and everything that
leads up to that day. Ironman is a journey, and becomes a state of mind. When you're
training 20+ hours a week, you effectively have a part-time job that pays in sore
muscles and a somewhat deranged, often sleep-deprived state that only your fellow
endurance fanatics can understand. It's a tortured bliss that doesn't
let go until you finish your event, when you step back to reflect on that season.
While the M-Dot tattoo a great outward symbol of the accomplishment, it's difficult
to etch the experience of Ironman training and racing in one, concise symbol.
Mine was a fantastic experience, and one I hope I don't soon forget. I'm
already signed up for Ironman #2, and can't wait to start the training. For
the moment, though, I'm enjoying an extended "recovery" phase to
recharge my batteries before the next intense season.
Now… where can I get that pesky M-Dot tattoo I've wanted all these years…?
(J/K… no suggestions, please!) I wish you all the best in your athletic pursuits,
and please enjoy this awesome Santa Cruz sunshine.
Happy training (and racing)!
- Cilla
Now for the shameless plugs…. :) For those of you who have this life goal of "someday"
doing one of those "crazy" triathlons and, perhaps, of doing an iron-distance
triathlon, all I have to say is… DO IT. You won't regret it. Even better, do
it with one of the local tri organizations. Santa Cruz Triathlon Association (SCTA)
is a fabulous, community-oriented organization that gives back to Santa Cruz county
(and other areas) by bringing people together in active, fun triathlon training
programs and races. Of course, I am also an avid supporter of Team In Training (TNT)
and Ironteam. It's a fabulous organization, and does a great job of raising
money to cure cancer, much of which gets done in our backyard (Stanford, Cal Berkeley,
UCSF, etc.). Ironteam is a one-of-a-kind program within TNT, and you'll make
some of the best friends of your life in taking the Ironman journey with the Team.
Please come get outfitted at your local stores! Of course, we—The Running Revolution
Santa Cruz—can outfit you with everything from shoes to tri apparel and accessories
(race belts, hydration systems, Yankz!, etc.). Bike Station Aptos is a superior
bike shop, and the Sand Dollar Swim Shop will suit you up with all your swim needs.
I obviously love talking about endurance events—anything from Ironman, to other-distance
triathlons, to marathons, to ultras, to adventure races, etc. But, I also love hearing
your stories. Our whole staff loves it, too! Our store co-owner, Tim, has
done an Ironman and countless marathons. The other half of that co-ownership (and
Tim's wife), Heidi, is a marathon queen! We have decades of experience behind
us, and are psyched about helping you achieve your fitness goals, whatever they
may be.
Good luck! :)