Less than 2 Weeks Until I Face my Fears - Ironman

This isn't a race report, because I haven't yet done a full Ironman;  I'm comfortable with the 70.3 distance but the thought of doubling that has been tough to get my mind around. This year has been full of emotional ups and downs, mostly, I think, because of the training and time commitment required to compete in a full Ironman distance event. This instead is a report on the journey to get to the Ironman, because no matter what, unless I am pulled off the course by the paramedics, I will finish this race and be able to say I'm an Ironman.

What I've learnt so far from the training this year is that the big part of being an Ironman isn't just finishing the race, it's managing the training and your life leading up to the big event.  I grew up watching the Ironman World Championships every year on TV.  It was inspiring.  I thought I would like to do that some day.  Of course, other things happen, like kids and work,  and those fleeting thoughts of greatness are pushed aside, and then it becomes, " there is no way I will ever do that event, that's crazy!"

I can ride a bike now.  

When I started the journey last fall towards doing Ironman Mont Tremblant, I still said to myself, this is crazy.  I'll have finished my 2nd full year of triathlon this coming September and I'm tackling an Ironman.  Two years ago I was falling off my bike at every stop sign, who am I kidding, two weeks ago I fell off my bike at a stop light. Two years ago the longest run I had done was 12km.  The last three weeks I've run farther than I ever have and rode my bike longer and further than I ever thought was possible for me.  I've come a long way in these last 2 years.

This season started out really amazing.  I ran my fastest Half-Marathon at 1:24, I swam some decent 1500m races, and rocked The Around The Bay 30Km Road Race at 2:03 finishing top 10 for women. I was super excited to get into the triathlon season.  But then my back and hamstring started giving me grief.   If you know me, you will know that I will not miss a practice or cut out early unless there is a really good reason or I'm really really hurt.  One morning I stood on the treadmill, after forcing myself to literally roll off my bed and stand up straight,  pressed the green GO button, started to cry, looked at my coach and said,  "I CAN'T DO THIS."

Winning Overall Female Subaru Niagara Triathlon

My body has been adapting to the increase in volume, the changes in training, and really just the  change in my body make up altogether.  I was struggling to hold the speeds that I should have been able to, I was struggling to complete the long runs, I was actually afraid to start running because I knew the pain that was going to accompany the activity.  I  was only making it through by sheer will power and the support of my teammates. 

If you have read some of my previous blogs you will see a theme.  I feel that having a good coach and finding someone or many someones to train with and around is key to staying the course and

Team Tri-Hart at Subaru Niagara Triathlon

keeping motivation high.  My teammates at  Tri-Hart Triathlon inspire me everyday.  We motivate each other to keep going.  We are not all training for an Ironman.  There are athletes training for Try-a-Tris, Sprint, Olympic, Half Ironman Distance as well.  We find a way to work together to better ourselves and reach our personal goals.   Without this group I know for certain I would not be getting ready to do 226.3 kilometres in just Two weeks.  Nor would I have made it through the pain that plagued me for so long this season.

Me and my two youngest girls.
I turned 42 Last week.

Through regular treatments the pain has been manageable.  I've done well at all my events this season, from Ironman 70.3 Eagleman, to the local Sprint events at Milton and Niagara.  These events have brought in the fun and reassured me that despite the injury and slowing down on the training my fitness it still there and I am improving.  I wasn't sure I would make it.  Watching my teammates work their way towards their goals, struggling with life events and still managing to come to practice has inspired me to do the same.  My family has been supportive and we have found a schedule that works.  Sometimes there are setbacks along the way to reaching a goal; It is possible to work your way through or around the setback and persevere.  It makes getting to the end result all the sweeter.

For those of you reading my blog that are sitting on the fence as to whether or not to get out there to do a race of some kind, a 5k, a marathon, a mud race, a triathlon, stop wondering and start doing.  Start by choosing a race, sit down with your family and share your goal and your why, and ask for their help in reaching that goal.  Not sure where to pick a race or how to find one?  There are a few sites you can visit. Both Subaru and Multisport are a great hub for triathlon races.  Eventbrite  will have a variety of events from adventure racing to beer runs, relays,  to the Scotia Marathon.  Eventbrite also lets you create an event of your own, sell tickets, and get the word out, it's an amazing opportunity to create something to support your favourite local charity.  

Regardless of what happens in two weeks at the Ironman Mont Tremblant.  The journey has shown me that I can make it through the tired days, survive the long training, and still go to work and be a good mom. Don't put off something because of some excuse.  Face your fears, that's what I'm doing with this Ironman.  I'll let you know how it goes after I cross the finish line.  Hopefully it's as the first place finisher in my age category, but if it's not, and I struggle through the run, I know I will still have finished a gruelling race and enjoyed the ups and downs of an amazing journey along the way.