I could introduce this post with an unbelievably long list of all the people I've meet and who've helped me along the way, but for now I'll spare you the details and save it for another day, but rest assured it's due and it's coming.
For now, I'd like to turn the keyboard over to just one of the thousands of people who were involved in Ironman Lake Placid on that rainy Sunday in July. How many times do we see someone or briefly interact with a stranger only to have them influence your day, or even your life. It happens all the time, but then we just continue on never to acknowledge or even see them again; never knowing their name; never taking the time or having the opportunity to properly thank them. But every once in a great while, we do it right – we share our names and someone remembers.When I met one of the volunteers in T2 that Sunday, I knew her being there influenced my day - as she did for so many others, as so many others did for me. But unlike the folks passing me Powergels and Gatorade, I had a chance to introduce myself, and luckily for me Karen remembered and now I get to say a proper "thank you" and shift the spotlight, so to speak. Since Lake Placid we've exchanged a few emails and I asked Karen to talk a bit about her own personal Ironman experience, her triathlon aspirations and goals, and how she found herself there on that day. I asked her about her volunteer experience – what she saw, and how she felt. What follows is her reply:
It did for a while. I did the 1995 Walt Disney Marathon – 3:56!!! I couldn’t walk for about a week. I decided I needed a little break – try a 10-year break! I took up some different hobbies – snowboarding, barefoot waterskiing, moto-cross. Many broken bones later, I thought it was time to get back to triathlon – with the exception of the occasional road rash; I have had pretty decent luck staying fairly injury free. After a year of “getting back into the swing of things” the “itch” returned. I signed up for a half Ironman in 2005 and completed the Florida 70.3 in 6:27. I thought I was such a bad ass! Then, I did the Florida Challenge later that year and had a complete melt down. I went from bad ass, to sorry ass status!
So what do I do? I sign up for Ironman Florida and hire a coach (Jennifer Hutchison). I heard that Florida is a good first Ironman to do. The course is flat and the weather is usually pretty good. Jennifer did a great job getting me ready for the race – both physically and mentally! I am so lucky to have found her!!! I would have been lost without Jennifer!
She is a registered dietitian and has completed 9 Ironman races! She takes a very personal approach to my training – not a canned, one size fits all approach! She gave me a very realistic perspective on what I was capable of. I continue to learn so much from Jennifer and am so excited to see how far I can go with the sport.
The ups and downs of Ironman Florida?
High and low points of my Ironman day? Let’s see…
High points – my ankle (bad injury a couple years ago) holding up throughout my training, my first 100 mile bike ride, surviving Jennifer’s crazy brick workout day – ride 20 miles, then run 4 miles – not too bad….now do that 3 more times!!!
Low point – waking up to howling winds and 50 degree weather race morning High point – the gun finally going off – I started my Ironman! Low point – coming into the shallow water on the swim – it felt like someone dumped a bucket of ice on me!
High point – I finished the swim!!!
Low point – I’m freezing my hinny off! I’m shaking so bad I can’t buckle my helmet or get my arm warmers on!
High point – Volunteer helps me with my helmet and arm warmers! Thank you! Tons of people cheering as I head out on the bike!
Low point – I’m freezing!!! Mile 5 – girl lying on the pavement with her head bleeding, crying and shaking. Oh God! Please keep me safe and let me get through this! Killer head wind for 50 mile - 15 mph average @ mile 50 - this is going to take forever! I have to pee! I can’t stop – I’ll never get started again! I have to pee again, and again, and again. I can’t stop drinking because I’m terrified of being dehydrated and having a melt down. I have to pee again, and again, and again! Could this road be any bumpier?!
High point – mile 60 – tail wind! Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Crowds cheering as I finish. I’m so happy to be off my bike - I’m so excited I get to start running! Mile 1 – there goes the male leader – he’s coming in to win the race! There goes some other pros! This is so AWESOME!!!
Low point – mile marker 2 – my back hurts, my right hamstring is in a cramp, whose bright idea was this anyway? I have to pee again, and again, and again.
High point – Jennifer riding up on her mountain bike giving me a pep talk. Just keeping going - one foot in front of the other - it’s ok if I need to stop and stretch for a little while. I’m feeling better; I’m in a groove, ok – just slow and steady – I will eventually get there! I’m done with the first of two laps! My friends and family are there cheering for me! They are SO awesome to be here for me!
Low point – starting lap number 2 – it’s dark. It’s REALLY dark! Am I going the right way? My feet hurt soooooo bad - I have to run through this stupid park again? Ugh …
High point – I’m out of the stupid park! There’s Jennifer! Boy, she looks silly in her shiny silver make shift skirt and big funny clappers and pom poms! I’m so glad to see her! Chicken broth!!! After about 10 bottles of Gatorade, 8 Carb Boom Gels, 3 Power Bars - This stuff is like LIQUID GOLD. One more mile!!! I’ve got to find some MOJO – I could finish in under 13 hours if I bust a move! Running up the ramp to the finish! I hear Jennifer screaming - GO WONDER WOMAN!!!
I did it! 12:59:36! I am an Ironman!!!!
I decide I’m going to do Lake Placid in 2008. I make all my travel arrangements. I’m so excited - I’m ready to go online @ 9am the day after the 2007 race. That’s weird? They have delayed the sign up time to 1pm. No big deal – I am online exactly @ 1pm. I can’t get in … What’s going on? I try and try for 5 minutes – which feels like an eternity. “Sold out?” “What do you mean sold out?!” Boo hoo – but, “no worries” - Ironman announces they are changing the Arizona race to November 2008 – I’m all over that!
So change of plans! Visit Lake Placid in July 2008, volunteer, ride the bike course (clean out my shorts after the first time down the terrifying decent – how in the world did you do that in the pouring down rain?! You Rock!) Then IM Arizona in November 2008, then Lake Placid in July 2009. I’ve got a plan!
My experience as a volunteer at Lake Placid?
I would recommend to everyone to volunteer if you are able to. I had a great day! It is so enlightening to meet so many people with so many different stories that have overcome so many different challenges in their life. I am so lucky to be part of that special day – all the athletes were truly amazing! I felt like I did a million squats the next day – I felt guilty for being sore and I didn’t even race!
I put down a couple different choices when I signed up to be a volunteer. I was actually surprised at the lack of instruction given to us prior to the race. I was grateful to have been a participant to at least know what to expect. The change tent was a bit of a whirl wind - especially T1. I felt so bad I could not help more people. It felt like everyone showed up all at once! Mud was every where, the lights keep shorting out and it was so hard to see, and I felt my heart sink every time someone would say to me “I’m so scared of the descent.” Having done the course the day before I was terrified for them!
T2 was much better – I felt like I was able to assist so many more people. Here I really was wishing that the people in charge would have given the volunteers a little more instruction – some people do NOT want help – they are very particular and don’t want their stuff touched – I think a couple volunteers were so eager to help but may have irritated some people. There were so many women coming in just chilled to the bone. I wish we had more dry towels, but almost everything was drenched and/or full of mud.
Several women came in that had missed the bike cutoff – but no tears. As there should not have been – anyone who actually finished the bike course that day is nothing short of AMAZING! It’s 5:30pm – we are done. I can’t believe people will be out on the course until midnight! I can’t wait to be part of this race next year!!!
Advice for volunteers: definitely talk to as many past participants as you can. Everyone is different – with different needs. This is such a big day for them! Try and make it better! Some people want you to get out of the way; some people need help getting all their crap together and want to get out of the change tent as quick as possible; others just want to take a few minutes to collect themselves. Just remember this is their day - be helpful, be kind, be amazed, do whatever you can to reassure the athletes that they will get through their day.
What it’s like to be an Ironman? You are an Ironman Mary Lou! And nothing….NOTHING will ever change that! How cool is that? Did you know how strong of a person you are? You certainly have conquered many obstacles in your life and hopefully will feel strong and confident when faced with your next challenge – whatever it may be.
My life balance? I have definitely had to work hard “work wise” in the past 20 years or so but realized somewhere along the way that I need to follow my heart and that working 80 hours a week wasn’t something I was going to look back on and smile about. I decreased my hours 2 years ago at work and decided being a VP at a big company wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. I love to compete and challenge myself each day. I believe it helps me keep a positive attitude when dealing with the little curve balls that life throws at me.
My goals? Ironman Arizona - goal number one: to finish. I hope I never lose sight of the fact that I am so fortunate to be able to compete in an Ironman event and it is a blessing to be able to actually finish one. Having said that, I would love to complete the race in under 12 hours.
Other goals? Enjoy every day like it was my last; meet as many people as possible; see as many different places as I can; live for the moment.
Interesting facts about Karen:
I love dogs
I was a gymnast for 10 years
I love red wine
I have broken my nose several times, broken my jaw, broken both ankles, broke ribs, broke tail bone, torn my rotator cuff, separated my shoulder - hopefully that’s it
I love meeting new people and visiting new places
I have an apple pie eating disorder
Oh, and I am an Ironman!
PS – I would have loved to run the marathon for you! But only if you rode your bike next to me and kept me company!”
(Guest Post from Karen, Ironman Lake Placid 2008 Women's Transition Tent Volunteer Extraordinaire!)
