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Let's see, race morning...I was excited to race, as a lot of
my good friends had come to be with me in Kona, and one
friend who had never even watched a triathlon before! She
didn't know what she was really in for! (Ironman can be more
difficult to watch than to race!)
 Heather
and I picked a clear spot for our swim start, far to the
left. We were hoping to avoid the usual washing machine
effect, especially at the very beginning. This proved to be
a good idea, as it was clear sailing right from the gun. The
first half of the swim went by really fast, which was nice.
The second half seemed a little longer, but I decided to
find some feet to stick on, and not waste too much energy
coming back. I came out of the water in just over 56mins,
which was pretty good for me in Kona. The long transition
from swim to bike was actually rather fun, it just made the
race a little different from past years. As I ran through
the change tent, I could hear the announcers call the names
of several great females, so I was shocked to be in
transition at the same time. Definitely a nicer way to start
the race!
I was looking forward to putting on my pretty flowered
helmet - it matched my bathing suit perfectly :)
From the very start of the bike, I started passing people. I
felt good, and my Cheetah bike was very comfortable. As
well, the conditions were great. Some wind, but none of
those nasty cross winds that sometimes have blown me across
two lanes of highway. This was a relief.
I caught Lisa fairly early, and we passed and re-passed each
other several times. It was actually kind of funny. We
didn't seem competitive, but more, drew energy from one
another. It's nice to be able to race that way.
I always tend to feel better after the half way mark, and
it's always good to start flying back down some of the hills
you have to climb on your way to Hawi.
On the way back, I had moved into 3rd spot. As I was passing
one guy, a spectator yelled that I was 7minutes down on the
leaders. I thought that was pretty good. They guy I was
passing yelled out, "I guess that's not really what you
wanted to hear." So, I said, "it's better than
8minutes"....jerk...and kept going!
With less than 20km to go, Karin Thurig went charging by me,
so I finished the bike ride in 4th place, but feeling pretty
good.
The start of the run was awesome! SO many people were around
cheering, you couldn't help but smile. I thought it would
thin out, but the crowds were actually huge, all the way
along Alii Drive.
I started to hear a few split times, that I wasn't too far
behind Nina and Natascha. That was nice!
Shortly after the turn around on Alii drive, I was right
behind Natascha, so decided I better not stop again! As I
caught her, I told her that she was great. I have a lot of
respect for her. She smiled, and told me to enjoy the race.
I replied, saying, I was enjoying it, and having fun.
I went up Palani hill...boy, that hill sure seems long
sometimes. I can't believe how slowly you seem to run up it
either. The good part of it is, you ARE going so slowly, it
gives you a chance to really look at all the people lining
 the
hill and cheering everybody on. This was great - I started
scanning the crowds for my friends.
Finally, up the hill and out onto the highway. I always
like/dislike this stretch! It's a little quieter here, so
you can focus a little bit more, and get into a rhythm.
Usually the legs are finally going at a good pace too, and
feel like they are actually running. This stretch can feel
really long though, as all you see is more road ahead! At
last, I was within 30 seconds of Nina. Seems like it took a
long time to make up the 30 seconds needed to catch Nina.
She must have really picked up the pace and started feeling
good. We said a few things to each other, and then she put
in a big surge. I thought that was crazy! Who surges in an
Ironman? Wow...she must be feeling really good now, or else,
trying to make me think she was feeling much better!
 She
ended up surging about 3 times, and each time I just
maintained my same pace, and caught up. Finally she said,
"okay, I'm done my show, now you go on!" I thought that was
so funny. Was this a trick? I didn't really want to know! As
we turned around in the energy lab, I got a chance to see
where everyone else was. No body looked too far behind. This
is where I usually get a little panicked, as everyone looks
so close. I cheered on Nina, and she did the same, then
Natascha, then Lisa. I was looking for Heather, and couldn't
find her. I was a little worried. In the end, we figured out
that we must have missed seeing each other at the aid
station that was on both sides of the road. As I exited the
energy lab and back onto the highway,
 Scott
Tinley was there to cheer me on. He told me to slow down and
enjoy it. Enjoy it? Okay, but slow down? No way! I think I
was about 4minutes ahead...but we all know that no lead is
ever big enough - all it takes is one or two bad miles, and
you are caught. I felt I could safely slow down as I ran
down Palani hill. Okay...so this felt worse than running up
it! My toes were hurting, and the downhill wasn't so fun.
Then the last stretch of road to the hot corner seemed to
take forever as well. But, once there, then it was total
enjoyment. The crowds were just amazing. I wanted to savour
this, and enjoy every minute. Just before crossing the line,
my friend Mike Neil
 from
Victoria caught me. I was so happy to see him, and thinking
how great it would be to finish at the same time. Being the
gentleman he is...he slowed and waited for me to finally
cross the line. I sort of jumped onto the finish line...
broke down and cried a bit (the emotional sap that I am),
but then smiled and enjoyed! The day was done, and I had
gone out there and enjoyed the day, which is what my goal
had been. I had been dealing with a lot of emotional issues
leading up to the race, yet on race day, I felt like I was
so happy, I was floating. I looked around for my best
friends, as this was really THEIR win. I could never get
through any of the training, the racing, or even life
without such great friends and their support.
Unfortunately they were stuck waiting behind the finish line
area, and it seemed like forever before I got back to see
them. I wanted to stay at the line and see Nina, Natascha,
Heather and Lisa finish. I was especially happy for Heather
and Lisa. They both had great days too, and it made for an
awesome day for Canada!
In my awards speech, I didn't really get to thank all of my
supporters. I don't like to read from a piece of paper, or
memorize a speech, just speak from the heart. So, now I'd
like to thank some of the many many people who have helped
me along the way!
My sponsors: Timex - especially Christine Johnson, she has
been so caring and supportive, and a long time sponsor.
Duofold, for making my pretty bathing suits! Oakley - Big
Larry for always keeping me in style! (even when I tell him
I need every colour and style going!), Giro... for my very
pretty matching helmet of course! (and Toshi for delivering
it!), Jim Felt, for the training and racing bikes he's
supplied me with all year, and to Dane and Rudi for my
amazing Cheetah Cat bike! Zipp... for
the fastest wheels you can find! Frontrunners, my local
running shop for supplying all my running shoes, goggles and
triathlon needs. Xterra wetsuits, not only a great wetsuit,
but great guys who are totally encouraging and helpful
throughout the year! Computrainer...I've sure put in some
LONG rides on mine! Couldn't train without it! Colorado
Altitude Tents, and very importantly, Clif Bar...for all my
race and training nutrition. Also, Continental tires, Time
shoes and pedals, & Profile by Design.
My great friends, you all know who you are - I wouldn't have
even got to Kona this year or any other, without your love
and support. You are the BEST, and I am so lucky for that.
Murphy... my agent. I give him a hard time sometimes haaa.
But, he was so kind and supportive, it really helped more
than I could say.
Especially, thanks to the volunteers, and other competitors.
sorry this is so long winded!
Thanks for reading, (hopefully with a Chai in one hand and
treat in the other!)
Lori
PS: Kelly Purcell - it was amazing that you could be at this
years race! You are a beautiful, and inspiring girl, braver
and stronger than anyone I know. Thanks for being my friend!
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