Signing off as guest blogger

I wanted to sign off as guest blogger for now (thanks Sara!), but not before acknowledging a few things about the sport. Last night as I blogged Sara’s finish, I was a little too dazed to do so properly.

Triathlon is an intruiguing sport – to many who don’t compete, the idea of a spring seems difficult; and Ironman seems impossible. Crazy, even. “Wait, she’s swimming how far? Biking… 112 miles? And then a MARATHON??? All in the same day?”

Yes.

I clearly remember the first time Sara mentioned she was considering doing IMLP in 2008. Though I’m not a triathlete, somehow the idea didn’t seem far fetched. Maybe it was what I know about Sara’s own drive that made me feel that way, and before long I could see just how seamlessly her training fit into her life. The commitment a triathlete puts towards every aspect of their life is impressive to me. You have to train properly to avoid injury and to prepare, while at the same time balancing that with other aspects of your life that may not be tied to tris.

What you are all capable of is inspiring and incredible. I know the months that go towards training, and the intense dedication you all exhibit. When I think of Sara racing, I can still see the big smile on her face each time she came through town in 2008′s IMLP. That genuine commitment and love for the sport is even more clear when you see how many Ironman finishers sign on for other Ironman races. Ultimately, I’m trying to express what a humbling experience it is to be part of this sport, even as a supporter. You all make it look effortless, and fun.

Signing off here now. Again, congratulations to Sara and all the other Ironman competitors and finishers from IM Canada! I look forward to hearing and reading Sara’s account of race day!

 

DONE!!!

Congratulations, Sara, you are a TRIronman!!!

Final time for the finish 14:02:00 (I forgot to mention this last night when I initially posted). Awesome!!!!!

Many thanks again to her parents who were updating live as I was from a distance. Congratulations to Sara and all the other Ironman athletes today!

 

13.1 down, 13.1 to go!

Sara is in the homestretch now! About 20 minutes ago she passed the midway mark on the marathon run at 2:52:18. Go Sara go!!!

 

Bike Sum Up

The weather may be a bit tricky out there. When I checked the temperature in Penticton a few hours ago it was in the high 70s (the high was forecasted for 93). A few hours later, it read 82 degrees. Not ideal weather for IM!

At last post, the weather currently in Penticton was 84.

I hope all the athletes are staying well hydrated and strong!

Back to the bike – she’s now completed the bike portion and is already well on her way running! Her time for the 69.5mi of the remainder of the bike course was 4:37:03 at a pace of 15.05mph. Overall, the bike total is 7:03:11. Making great time!

I’ve also heard from her parents in Penticton who have managed to see her and sent this text: “Just saw Sara transition from bike to run – she is strong”

We’re still cheering over here in NYC!! Wearing my red jersey proudly! Go Sara go!!!
I’ll update everyone again midway thru the run!

 

Bike, part 1

The first bike split marks 42.5 miles along the route. Sara has finished this portion now, time 2:26:08, pacing 17.45mph.

The next update I’ll have for you all will be at 112 miles, at the end of the bike portion of her IM. 69.5 miles to go for the bike, she’s well on her way!

 

Done with the swim, onto the bike!

Sara’s done with the swim!!! She’s finished in 1:11:17.

Onto the bike. Will continue to keep you all posted! Go Sara!!!!

 

Updates

Tracking Sara (again bib #2534) on www.ironman.com for IMCA!

I’ll be posting information on Sara’s times for the swim, bike and run during her IM. The swim will list one time, and both the bike and run are split into 2 parts. There are also transition times from her swim-bike and bike-run that we’ll follow!

Sara’s parents are in Penticton today cheering her along, and we’ll be in touch hopefully as well. From what I understand, the course doesn’t round back through town several times like in IMLP, so we’ll see whether they are able to snap a photo of her along the way!

Another practical matter – what did Sara decide to wear? While the “Organ Donor 4 Life” shirt got much consideration, practicality won out for such a long race. Why? Well, best to wear a shirt/tank designed for the long haul. In other words: POCKETS. She needs plenty of pockets to keep her energized throughout the race. Also, as I attempted to point out in one of my blog comments, chafing could be a concern with a shirt not specifically designed for such activity (granted, this is a concern regardless!)

So in lieu of Sara wearing her shirt to further her cause, Andrew and I are doing so in place of this (as you can see above). Her parents may also be sporting the red threads and will be making the cause very visible during race day. In NYC, however, we’re mostly bound indoors due to the (now slightly downgraded) Tropical Storm!

Sara will be wearing a black tri shirt during the bike, and her red GGTC tri-shirt during the run.

Meanwhile, I’ll be back with more updates after the swim:

 

 

Guest Blogging for IMCA

Hello everyone! Mona here, serving as faithful guest blogger for Sara’s Ironman Canada! As fair warning, I’m going to do my best here to keep everyone posted; I’m hoping that Hurricane Irene does not interrupt my race-day stalking, or my updates to you all. I’m getting a head start now and writing a few things in advance .

Onto race day! Sara is starting the swim right now as this message is being posted. This year, she’s pursuing her goal of becoming a TRIronman at IM Canada. It’s her third Ironman now (hence the TRIronman pun) after IMLP in 2008 and IM MOO in 2009.

The swim start is at 7am pacific daylight time.
That’s all I’ve got for you for now.

Kidding! In all seriousness though, I’m hoping to keep you all updated by tracking our favorite Iron(wo)man, weather permitting. I can say one thing with regard to race times: while each athlete has some idea of what their times may be, they also recognize that each year is different, and each race is different. Courses are different, weather is different, and the athlete herself/himself is different from year to year. We’ll just have to track and see.

If you want to track Sara’s progress yourself, she is wearing bib # 2534. Track along with me at www.ironman.com

To all the athletes racing today, race and finish strong! We’ll be cheering you along from NYC!!!

 

‘Twas the night before Ironman

‘Twas the night before Ironman and all through Sunny Bay Estate, not a creature was stirring, not even 4 month old Jake.  Our special needs bags were packed with care, in hopes that the words “You Are An Ironman” would soon be there.

My alarm is set for 4 am.  I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.  If I could toss away my final worries tonight, I would throw away this headache and the fear of the heat and beating sun.

What I will carry on the course with me tomorrow are these great things:

• I have friends cheering me on from coast to coast
• My parents made the trek all the way from Albany, NY to see me race for the 3rd time.  Thanks for being my #1 Ironfans!
• I have over 25 friends participating with me tomorrow.  Just seeing them out there will be wonderful!
• My dad and I hung a special sign along the run course for all my friends racing.
• I get to have pancakes and bacon at my house when i finish.  Yup, already bought the ingredients!  And, real maple syrup of course!

Photos, race updates and more to come soon!

 

It’s a Small World After IM

I already knew it was a small community of athletes going into this IM race.  There are at least 30 people I know from the Bay Area (Golden Gate Tri Club, SF Tri and M2 ) racing and my DC crew is here too (Colin, Jim, Eric and Tom).  But, what are the chances that at the athlete dinner tonight, I find myself sitting across the table from the same man I sat across the table from at the IM Wisconsin 2009 athlete dinner?

I wasn’t sure until all my questions were answered:

Did you race IM Moo 2009? Check.

Have you done 10-12 IM races? Yes, this is 14.

Are you from Mexico? Yes, Mexico City.

 

Turns out my friend Tom recognized him too.  Out of 2,800 athletes, what are the chances?