Kathleen's Adventures

I flew into Phoenix Friday morning with several other Houston area athletes doing the race. It was fun to already have IMAZ'ers all around. Robin and me on the plane Robin greeted me with a pink goody bag complete with pink flashing lights, a pink lei, and a bracelet that said "Believe" on it. She had a matching bracelet and said she'd be wearing it during the race, so I decided I would wear it as well. After some waiting at the airport in Phoenix, we met up with Laurie and headed to the race site for lunch and registration. Laurie, Angy, Sissy, Randy, Robin, Shellie, and Me entering the Ironman Village We met up with more of the group and explored Ironman Village together. This year I was able to buy Ironman merchandise before the race, whereas last year I was afraid I'd jinx myself if I bought anything that said Ironman on it before I deserved it. Shellie, Me, Trent, Robin, Laurie, and Fred I tried to get Robin to buy herself some stuff because all the good ...

The alarm was set for 4:45 but I was definitely awake long before that. I got out of bed when the alarm went off and started drinking my yummy slim fast and packing the rest of my bags. Elizabeth braided my hair and I felt like I was in first grade again because she always used to do my hair when I was little. Ok, maybe not first grade, because I still had a bowl cut in first grade and not enough hair to braid, so maybe like third grade or something. Anyway, you get the idea. I ceremoniously dawned my Team W shirt, grabbed my stuff, and headed out the door. Our hotel was awesome and had a shuttle to take athletes to the race so our lovely family members didn't have to leave with the rental cars quite as early. I met Robin, Josh, Randy, Shellie, and Laurie downstairs before we left. Robin, Laurie, and I hopped on the hotel shuttle and I was pleasantly surprised to learn the person sitting next to me was Michael Lovato - a pro. He wasn't racing, but was there working and Robin ta...

Sucked. Plain and simple! I must have told 50 people that AZ has the easiest ironman swim there is and that I only had problems for about 1/3 of the way last year and then I had water all to myself. Not this year. I did not find 2 feet of free water the entire time. I was kicked, punched, groped, hit, knocked upside the head, swam over, under...you name it, it happened. Over and over and over again. For 72 minutes to be exact. I did not let myself look at my watch until I knew I was well over half way through. It looked and it was 0:42, so I wasn't doing too bad, but I still did not have much of a gauge as to how I was really doing. I didn't look again until I made the last left turn for home and my watch said 1:10. I didn't know if I had 1 or 7 minutes left to get to the stairs, but I knew I would most likely be faster than last year. I reached the stairs and made my way out without much trouble. I saw 1:12 on my watch and was very pleased with that time. At least the beat...

As soon as I got on my bike I knew the weathermen had lied. They were so far off on their wind predictions it wasn't even funny. There was an instant wall of wind as soon as the bike course started, and I knew I was in for a long day. The bike course is three out-and-backs. The out rises 400 feet over ~18 miles and the down comes back down those 400 feet on the way back into town. This meant we would have the wind in our face while going uphill and the wind at our back while going downhill. I watched my average speed slowly drop on the first out from around 17mph to just above 13mph. I was not thrilled because there wasn't much way I could have a 7 hour bike split with that kind of speed, or lack thereof. Then I turned around. My only thought was "there is a God." I averaged 23mph on the way back into town. I was going 32mph at times without even pedaling. It was awesome. I learned that I really suck going into the wind and am really good with the wind at my back. ...

I'm going to try this one again and hopefully it doesn't get erased when I'm almost through writing it! The run started off pretty hot, but it was to be expected. I was surprised my legs were running so fast, around 9 minute/mile pace, but that quickly ended. The first mile was fine, but even by mile 2 I started walking more than I should have. I took iced sponges at each station and put one in the back of my visor and one in my top. I had infinit in my small handheld bottler and just supplemented that with water at the first few stations. I was covered in sunscreen, so I wasn't too worried about burning. Somewhere between mile 2 and 3 my spirits were getting very low and I was facing the prospect of walking the rest of the marathon and I just wasn't happy about that. I felt like I had nothing left and had no motivation to be out there any longer. I knew I would finish, but didn't think I'd so much enjoy any of that. Right about then Trent from Houston came...

Shellie and I were posing for a finish picture right when my family came up. Thank goodness they did because they got the pic below. In the professional one, my eyes are closed! Chad, Randy, Laurie, Josh, and Robin were all in the finishers area and it was great to see all of them. I talked to my family for a little while as well and they were just fabulous. Doug and Linda were beyond impressed and excited to go back to their small home town and tell people about what I had done over the weekend. Greg got a picture of Team W and it is a great pic. I'm glad we were able to get one of all of us together. They had just been so wonderful the entire weekend and I was so happy and blessed to have them there. After a while they headed off to the brewery they had found at lunch. Apparently the beer was so good they had to go back for more at dinner! Randy, Josh, and I went in search of food and sat down to some good pizza. Randy was amazed I could eat so soon as he was just eating aft...

I still don't see myself as "grown-up" or an "adult." I know I am technically no longer a child and at least give the appearance of being grown-up (maybe), but I still don't always think of myself that way. This morning I had to leave mom at the hospital and come back to Houston to work. I had a very hard time leaving, and was surprised how hard it was to leave her and dad. I know I was helpful and that they were glad I was there to help, so I think that might have made it harder. I'm not ready to take care of my parents and don't see this as any sort of sign of getting older on mom's part - it was just her trying to outdo Elizabeth's and my 8-10 broken bones. I truly feel for anyone who has to take care of a parent, child, or other loved one for any extended period of time. This is totally temporary, and mom will be back to good before I know it, but even then I wish I could be around to help more and feel very torn being back here in...

I actually lived life like most of the rest of the world this weekend and it was great. I took Friday off because Kelly was coming in from San Diego and her family was having a crawfish boil in Beaumont. I slept until 10:30 and it was fabulous. When I finally got up and got on the road to Beaumont I first stopped at Shipley's donuts for breakfast. One kolache, one glazed donut, and one chocolate glazed donut. Heaven. I met Kelly and Noah for lunch in Beaumont and then actually went shopping! I didn't get anything, but the idea was nice. I had dinner with my family and aunt and uncle and then hung out in Kelly's kitchen eating ice cream and cooking brownies. It was like no time has passed at all and impossible to believe I have been away from home for 9 years now. Saturday I went to the crawfish boil across the street and got to see a lot of neighbors and old friends - good times. I took one last nap in "my bed" (my Beaumont bed) before hopping back on the road for...

Yes - you read that right. I got Ironman Ink on Sunday...just not the traditional way. When you get bike grease in an open wound, it turns into a tattoo . This one may be permanent too! I was being pretty stupid when I did this to myself. I stopped at a bike aid station and asked for sunscreen (dropped mine, of course, as soon as I got it out of my bento box). They said it was at the next tent so I "ran" while still straddling my bike and managed to ram the chain ring right into the back of my leg. I saw a little blood, but mostly grease, so I didn't think much of it. Not until I took a shower after the race did I realize how bad it was. So, 6 nice holes in the back of my leg. A lovely reminder of IMAZ that will be with me for a while. A better memory though, is this: I got the upgrade! My birthday IM bracelet was my silver "sport edition." My mom surprised me at breakfast the day after the race with this bracelet. This one is white gold and the diamond was...

I promise pics and a way too long race report are to come, but not until I feel like I'm back to being a part of the living. I only slept 2-3 hours Sunday night and that made for a pretty hellacious day back at work today. While you are waiting for my report, you can try to figure out what in the world I was doing here:

This is what I wrote and secretly put under everyone's doors tonight: The big day is almost here! Long it will be, but have no fear. You have put in miles and miles And will finish amidst numerous smiles. The hard work is over and done. Now is the time for nothing but fun. May your spirits be high throughout the day, And may nothing come along to stand in your way. Ironman is as much about the journey as the destination, And you will be rewarded for all of your determination. Hand-in-hand we will all jump in, Eagerly treading water as we wait to begin. At 7am the cannon will blast But be sure not to go out too fast. The cool water will run over your face, As you are now committed to the race. The Rural Bridge will seem so far away But keep those negative thoughts at bay. Once you turn around and head west To the Mill Ave. Bridge you go, trying your best. 2.4 miles will be over before you know it, And you will start to realize your thoughts of Iron are truly legit. On to the bike, f...

I was going to write more about this, but I think it speaks for itself. Believe. Robin gave me the bracelet at the airport yesterday morning and I'll be wearing it for the race tomorrow, and probably forever.

One more thing I forgot. In the blogging world we have something called "comment love." When someone leaves someone else a comment on their blog, they are giving them comment love. You don't have to be any sort of member or have an account to give me some comment love. So, if you've been reading my blog and have something nice to say, give me some comment love so I know you are reading. I keep hearing of people here and there reading it, but I really have no idea who all out there in cyber space is following my journey. Just click "comments" and it will let you comment away! Prayers and well wishes are much appreciated for tomorrow!

Here's most of the Houston Group!

Just a quick update from AZ - I arrived here yesterday morning after Natalie dropped me off at the airport (THANKS NATALIE!!!). Yesterday was VERY busy. I didn't sit down in my hotel room more than 30 seconds at a time until 9pm. The good news is I think all the pre-planning and list making I have done will make for a more stress-free day today and tomorrow. My family got here Thursday night and spent the day in Sedona yesterday. Apparently they have plans to go back soon for a real vacation there. My sister arrives in a few hours. The group is about to head out to do the Gatorade practice swim in the 64!!! degree water. I think it is going to be cold!! The weather forecasts are all finally agreeing on about 95 as the high tomorrow. That isn't great news. But the good news is they are also all beginning to agree on wind speed and direction. It looks like the top winds will be around 11am which is unusual, and they are all still forecast to be at or below 10mph from the...

1. Exhausted 2. Hungry Sorry for being so unlively. I know you all were looking for a lot more at this point but Ironman is tough work way before the race even. I left my apartment at 7 this morning (5am AZ time) and have literally just sat down in my hotel room for the first time today (it is now past 9pm). So much to do!! We flew in, waited forever at the rental car place, ate lunch, registered, drove the course, went to Target, then to the athlete's dinner and meeting. I spent WAY too much time on my feet too. Oh well. After a good night's sleep I'll have more to say. All is well, just very very tired!

Arizona - We're Here!!! Entering Ironman Village (Laurie, Angy, Sissy, Randy, Robin, Shellie, me) For some reason Bikesport thought it was funny accent my bike with blue warrior painters tape Posing by the lake (Shellie, Robin, Laurie, Randy, Me, Andy) Michelle and I back for round 2 Randy got a new tri bike at Target