I arrived at the Big Island on the Friday a week and a day before the race. I got there before Cher Coach Aaron and Jake and settled into the condo a day early which was perfect.. (Thank you Kay Howells for the accommodations the condo was wonderful!)I got in late so I went straight to bed and got up way early to swim the course. As soon as I got to the Pier it all came back to me and I was in my element. The atmosphere is exhilarating and I felt really calm and relaxed. As soon as I hopped in the water I recalled just how awesome swimming in Kona is. Its freakin beautiful!Not to mention my swimming felt really strong powerful and natural. Good sign.
Once I got settled, bought food unpacked grabbed some race day odds and ends the ret of my week was going super smooth. Workouts were feeling solid, mindset was calm and I was soaking up the amazing atmosphere. I started feeling more prepared once Cher and Aaron arrived my friends and stellar coaching team ( Braveheart Coaching Salt Lake) and I got to work out any last minute questions and concerns. Once Jake arrived it was just three days until go time and pre race nerves were starting to creep in. Luckily he showed up like this so my mind was immediately put at ease! Best Sherpa ever!
The day after Jake arrived we did the famous underwear run which was super fun! Unfortunately we missed out on the world record by 40 people , but maybe next year. It was awesome to be there with Jake and my friends. It was a fun way to keep my mind off of the race for a bit.
Now let's get to the actual race. I woke up race morning and was feeling super calm. Everything went as planned leading up to getting in the water. I had plenty of time in transition to get ready and once it was time to line up I was wanting to just get going. One reason I wasn't at all as nervous about the start is because this would be the first time the women were starting separate from the men and I knew that would make a huge difference in the level of anxiety during the swim.
The swim: the cannon went off and I got out fast, which I was super hyped about. All the women were swimming aggressive but smooth and I quickly found a group and started drafting. This was
nothing like last year because there was so much less fighting for a spot. I tried to just stay strong and powerful and not waste any time. Right before the turn around we began catching up to some of the men so it got a little more clustered but nothing I couldn't handle. Before I knew it we were
heading back to the pier. Coming into the finish of the swim it did feel a bit like we were fighting
against some sort of current and my pace slowed a bit, but I was pretty confident I would come out
with a great time. Which is why when I looked at my watch I was very disappointed to see a 1:08
swim the slowest Ironman swim I've had yet. However, I did not panic because coach Aaron's advice for the day was DO NOT GO FOR TIME GO FOR PLACE. I highlight this because it would be a
statement that helped me through many rough points during the day. I had no idea yet just how much that would a mantra to help me get through the race.
The Bike: I got in and out of transition without a hitch and hopped on my bike. I rolled out into the screaming crowds and was on my way when doh! I dropped a chain just like last year... Awesome. I quickly jumped off by bike and got the chain back on fast and was on my way when I heard my
awesome Sherpa crew cheering. After that is was through the whirly gig in town and then out to the
Queen K. The first 30 miles of the bike were pretty standard, everyone kind of negotiating spots and settling in. Then right before Waiakola village, Bam the head wind/ cross/ wind wind began and I was like " here we go" it going to be a hell of a day. Right after I came to this realization I saw Byron the owner of the Porcupine Pub and Grille ( my boss and awesome sponsor!) out in the heat
and wind cheering everyone on. I pointed at him and we both screamed, it was so awesome to see him out there and be representing Porcupine! Soon after this I got attacked by the nausea monster,
and continued pushing through the wind and the heat. I was having a real problem taking in nutrition but forced it anyway because I knew if I didn't I would be screwed. Once we reached the turn off to
head up to Hawi it was just a straight up head wind mixed with some sketchy crosswinds. By the time I reached Hawi I swore that was one of the most challenging 60 or so miles I'd ever ridden. I thought
about what Aaron had said about pushing the bike hard and promised myself I wouldn't let up on the way back so once we started descending I kept steady and pedaled hard. It felt kind of good at first to be at least moving at a fast pace but that was soon shattered by the unpredictable gusts of wind that would push me clear across the road with no warning. This happened several times but I still continued pushing and maintained in the aero bars.Then a head wind again accompanied by some major nausea until about mile 75. I rode with a dude for a while that had been knocked clear off his
bike who was all scraped up and bloody but still riding! At about mile 80 however things changed..no not the wind, but my legs began to feel more peppy and my nausea was subsiding . I just kept the
fueling going talking to myself " caffeine me, fuel me, water me" and kept repeating this over and over. Because of last year I was familiar with the last 30 miles of the bike and knew that I just needed to stay steady and strong especially mentally during the last miles which I did. I looked at my time
and was pretty disappointed with the time but once again the statement coach had told me was stamped on the brain so I rolled with it.
Running through T2 My legs felt pretty good and so did my brain! I had no clue where I was in the race, but I was ready to find out. I headed out of of T2 and it didn't take long before I saw coach AJ cheering and told me I was in 15th which I was pumped about. I had told Cher weeks earlier if I came off the bike in 15th or higher that I may have a chance at the podium. And here it was unfolding exactly that way. Cher was just up the way a bit she was cheering and yelled " go run them down", and that's exactly what I set out to do. Shortly after that I saw Jake and he was cheering screaming his heart out as usual. Man I love my Sherpas!!
The Run: I set out on Ali'i Drive which is definitely a part of the run that goes by fast. People
cheering, music, being sprayed with hoses while running next to the beach. It's pretty awesome. I was feeling really strong and tried to just maintain a steady pace passing as many chicas as I could along the way. By the time I headed up Palani to the Queen K I saw Jake and he told me I was about to crack the top ten. This info gave me a boost of energy ...I mean at least I was making some headway:) I headed out to the Queen k through the amazing cheering section (thanks guys!!) and shortly after I heard a woman " nice work girl, looking strong!" I turned my head and it was Chrissy Wellington!! At that moment in my delirious state I desperately yelled behind me " Chrissy is that you?" Her response was " yep it's me!" That was a reminder to me of just how special it was to be in Kona. As I made my way out to the energy lab that's when stuff got real. I started being attacked my
the nausea monster again and was in and out of feeling awful. After about mile 14 I switched to just coke and water because I just could not stomach anything else, but I only dropped my pace a bit . I knew if I even wanted to remain I the top ten I could not hit up the bathroom or stall at aid stations and I did just that. Once I reached the energy lab it started to Rain! I couldn't believe it. I have only
raced Kona Once before but I knew this was unheard of. So I relished in the moment and took it all in. It was kind of an eerie feeling being out there with the dim lighting and steam in the air . My game plan for the energy lab was to get in and roll out as solid and strong as I could. It was painful but I got through it just fine. As I exited the energy lab I was hurting but stoked because it was just six miles left and somewhat of a downhill. I kept my mantras going the whole way back to town, " you can do six miles of anything, you will have a rest after this, this might be the last time you are in this course,
make everyone proud, the pain is nothing you've had worse" , stuff like that. This worked well and before I knew it I was making the turn into Palani which is the most rewarding turn I have ever experienced in a race. I caught so second wind and blazed down the hill. I could not wait to see Jake, Aaron and Cher and as I approached the bottom of the hill there they were screaming their heads off!
I teared up but didn't let up. I charged hard and made the turn into Ali'i Drive, the best finish line ever!! And in a moment it was done.
As soon I was done in the athlete area, I couldn't wait to find everybody. To tell them how crazy the day was. I still had no idea what place I got.
Once I found Jake he was so excited with arms up in the air he screamed how proud he was over the
crowds of people waiting for their loved ones. He told me I might have gotten 5th, for a moment the podium seemed like it might have been in the cards for me. Unfortunately I placed 6th but I was super happy with that. When you know you gave it all you had and executed as best you could then it almost doesn't matter. I was truly happy. Once we found Aaron and Cher my day was complete. They were proud of what I'd done and that is something I really wanted to achieve. It meant so much that they were there.
This season has been so amazing because of the support of everyone in my life. Thank you to all of my sponsors Porcupine Pub and Grille, De Soto Sport, The Healing Willow, Braveheart Coaching Salt Lake, Canyon Bicycles, Wasatch Running Center, Elete Electrolytes
Thank you to my amazing friends mentors and coaches Aaron and Cher Jordin at Braveheart Coaching Salt Lake, to Kay Howells for the amazing accommodations, David Weiss for the use of the bike box, all of my training buddies, family, friends and Jake I love you!! Congratulations to everyone that raced out there, it was a crazy day!!
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