Meri and the Leadman

I know, I know – I failed to blog last week.  I was in Chicago on a business trip and by the time I arrived home on Tuesday evening, it seemed pointless to start a blog.  I do want to say that while in Chicago, though, I did manage to take a couple of nice runs with my colleagues, Brian and Matt (yes, Matt of the blog).  Here are a couple of nice shots of our respective runs (Brian on Sat: 5.25 miles; Matt on Monday 3.4 miles).

Early morning run - 5.25 miles with Brian

Late afternoon run with Matt -- gorgeous water front.

The big news, of course, is that I have officially completed the Leadman 125.  To refresh everyone’s memory (1.5 mile swim, 69 mile ride and 8.1 mile run = 125 km). 

I went to bed last night exhausted from my nerves.  I was literally sound asleep by 8:15pm.  Interestingly enough, I slept fairly soundly until my alarm went off at 4:15am to let me know it was Game Time.  8 hours sleep before a big race?  I was super pleased. 

I had packed all my gear the night before and left myself a little note on my bag to remember my frozen/chilling water bottles.  The weather forecast was for some fairly substantial sun and heat – 90+ degrees by the time I was to finish.  I knew hydration was going to be key.

I met Josh, Aaron and Joe in transition a little passed 5:30am, and we all got set up.  I love the pre-race transition area.  You become instant friends with all of the people setting up around you.  Mostly because everyone wants to borrow someone else’s gear.  Evidently, I was the only one within 5 racks that thought to bring my bike pump, so my pump was quite the hit for a while. 

Before we knew it, they were calling for us to line up for the swim.  The swim is my most worrisome event.  You cannot imagine how happy I am that its first on the list!  Aaron, Josh and Joe (being under 39 and men) were in the FIRST wave of swimmers – leaving the dock at 7am, sharp.  And, I (an over 40 female) was in the last wave – starting at 7:15am.  This is both a curse and a blessing.  1. You’re not drowning at the hands of speedy men or women. 2. Your last in and last out, so you’re always at a deficit when racing – seeing people miles and miles ahead of you for the remainder of the race.  Its entirely mental – but I love it and hate it.

Joe, Mer, Josh and Aaron - pre-race wetsuit shot

As all of the men and younger women left the dock, my wave jumped in.  Usually people are respectful as you make your way into the water, but not the over-anxious jackass who jumped in behind me.  She literally jumped on my leg and my foot scraped the bottom of the rocky lake.  OUCH!  Gah!

However, as the horn blew – it was my day.  Everything was fine – my breathing, my stroke, my stride.  I felt great.  I was thrilled when the turn around seemed faster than I anticipated, as well.  I wasn’t getting tired at all.  In fact, I started passing swimmers from the previous heats – another benefit of being last – no one passes you.  (wink)  We all know that blowing up in the water is simply a reality for triathletes.  Sometimes the combination of going out too fast and the restriction of the wetsuit can make people panic.  Fortunately, I experienced no panic the entire swim.  I was a little dismayed at my time – 1:06 when I hit the deck, but my Garmin tells me I must have swung wide for nearly a quarter mile.  Total distance on my watch: 1.77 miles.  Ok, I’ll take the 1:06 with that in mind. 

As I was pulled from the water, the guy said, “don’t run the stairs!”  But, I heard him a millisecond too late, as I did a face plant right into the stairs out of the water.  So embarrassing and it hurt like a bitch!  But, the adrenalin from the humiliation kept me moving and I was in transition in no time. 

I quickly put on my bike gear and headed out on the bike route.  Most of the bikes were gone – another hazard of the last wave.  However, the bike is one of my best events, and I was looking forward to making up some time. 

We were told we had four 17.25 mile loops.  Let me tell you – they weren’t straight out and back.  Nope.  There were something like 17 turns and complete 180’s  along the single loop.  Additionally, they had us weave our way through the Papago Hills and several highway overpasses.  I’m not complaining – one of the benefits is that what goes up must come down – and the downhill was a nice respite each and every time.  I’ll refrain from mentioning the wind, as well – I don’t want to seem like a baby, after all.

As I completed the 1^st loop, I remembered hearing my name yelled as I breezed passed an intersection earlier in the ride.  So, I looked closely as I re-approached that same spot.  Sure enough – Christina (my amazing admin) and her friend Mark were screaming my name.  I passed them 8 times on the bike and I looked forward to each and every passing.  It was a HUGE boost for me every single time.  In fact, I needed to discard my water bottles at one point so I could grab a couple from the water stations and I was able to toss them to Christina without fear of never getting them back.  At $25 a bottle – I want those suckers back!  So, a HUGE HUGE thank you to Christina and Mark.

Distracted from seeing Christina and Mark – in the middle of my second loop, I ran nearly face first into one of the street signs directing traffic to stay right.  =/  I was able to swerve out of the way at the last minute, but it still caught my right hand and tore it up a bit.  I was a bloody mess for a good 20 minutes after.  Totally my fault – and I was acutely aware of all street signs after that. I somehow stayed upright; so that alone, kept me smiling.

After my second loop, I saw the beautiful (and VERY pregnant) Jacqui at another intersection corner.  What a treat!  Jacqui and I trained together for our first triathlons – she holds a special place in my heart and I loved seeing her out there on the route. 

On my last bike loop I saw Anne and Loretta on the side of the road.  I was so relieved.  I hadn’t seen them the entire morning and I was sure they were out there and we were simply missing each other.  Fortunately, Anne said she was late and that it was within minutes of her arrival.  (whew, wiping brow)

As I began to slow my bike to hit transition, I saw Matt with his kids, Brooke and Cole.  They had come straight from a Scout Camping trip.  First words out of Matt’s mouth, “Come on Meri!”  I must have given him the look of death and it took everything in me not to tell him where to go in front of his kids.  I wanted to walk my bike; I was tired.  But NO… Matt was simply not going to allow it.  So, I hussled as best I could to appease my bike-coach!

As it turns out – he was right.  I was dawdling.  I saw my transition time – eeeek!  5 minutes!  Oh well.  It didn’t feeeeeel that long.

By now I had been moving non-stop for over 5 hours and I was tired.  I just wanted it over.  I moved out of transition and into the run like a pregnant yak.  Matt got photographic evidence, but I am NOT interested in posting those pics.  Its nice to see that I looked exactly like I felt.  Like ass!

About ¾ of a mile into the run, I got a horrible stitch.  I walked for a minute and attempted to get back after it.  The stitch continued, so I allowed myself to walk swiftly for a full tenth of a mile before running again.  I had looked at the weather forecast days before the Leadman and saw the heat – 90+ degrees and nary a cloud in the sky.  I froze my handheld water bottle and was determined to carry it the length of the run.  It turned out to be the GIFT of the Leadman.  I was able to continually douse myself with water and had it to sip if and when needed.  The water stations along the way allowed me to refill it, as well, so it was always cold and always refreshing.

However, the run SUCKED.  Shortly after my stitch went away, the route turned into trails and they were steep and narrow.  Everyone began walking.  I resolved to walk up and run anything that looked flat or down.  Then I had to make deals with myself to walk the length of one power pole and run the length of two.  They were about 2-3 tenths apart, so it kept me moving more than walking.  I was still passing people who had started the race in earlier waves – and honestly, that made me feel pretty good.  In the last mile, I struck up a conversation with a guy who had been walking-running with this me for the prior mile or so.  As we rounded Mill Avenue, I said, “We’re really going to do this!”  He smiled and agreed.  But as we got part way down Mill, he started to peter out.  I looked back, walked for a minute with him and said, “Come on.  Let’s push each other.”  And, we did.  We talked to pass the time and embraced at the finish.  I am fairly certain that were I not there to encourage him on – he would have simply walked the last 2/3s of a mile.  Poor guy.  I was happy to help him … ‘cause it pushed me, too. 

Paul and Me -- embracing after finishing together

And, as I rounded the final corner, I could see Dennis, Loretta and Anne.  I was thrilled.  And, then, as I began to move through the finisher’s chute, I could see so many more of my closest friends: Matt, Ron, Lora, Anne, Loretta, Dennis and Aaron – who greeted me inside the finisher’s area.  I could feel just how proud everyone was of me.  It was incredible.  I am so fortunate to have so many encouraging and enthusiastic friends – and they all support me.  Its simple amazing.  I appreciate all of them – Jacqui, Christina and Mark, too! 

So, here are a smattering of shots from the end – oh and a video Dennis took!

Nearly done - Video!

Aaron in the Finisher's Area with me

And Anne =)

Dennis

 

You all know Matt

And Ron

And Jacqui

Anne and Loretta - always being fun

Figured I'd throw this in for good measure.