Life after an Ironman that didn't go as planned is very similar to life after an Ironman that did go as planned. I spent a couple days being physically sore and then started to feel better. My blisters are healing but I'm about to lose 3 more toe nails. Moana is still as cute as ever and wants to be a Princess for Halloween (shocking I know). Laundry still piles up around here and I still cook and eat good food. (I've indulged a little but not that much. Mostly because fruits and vegetables make me physically feel good while ice cream and cookies make me physically feel crappy. Doesn't seem worth it?)
I've had some interesting conversations this week. A couple good ones that made me feel better... including one with Coach where I started to tell him how my legs felt and he said he didn't care how my legs felt... How's your head? Good point. Probably more important right now is how's my head vs how are my legs...
A lot of people I just kind of know have asked me how it went last weekend. I'm always unsure of what to say to those people because really, they're just being polite in asking. They don't know the difference between 10:34 and 11:04 in Kona so I've tried hard to just fake a smile and respond with something like "It went well" and then change the subject.
I did have a really great conversation with one of the older ladies at the pool this morning (yes I was at the pool this morning). She was one who genuinely did want to know how the race went... she's watched Nalani and I train for years... so we talked for ~30' before actually getting in and swimming and I let her into my head and told her what I really thought. And then she told me what she really thought and it came across as so genuine that it was easy for me to hear. This woman is in her late 60's and swims very slowly. She told me that she has asked herself many times why she swims... she knows she's never going to compete or try to win anything... but yet she's one of the most regular patrons of the pool year round. She simply said she enjoys doing it and it makes her feel good.
It can be so cliche to talk about 'enjoying the journey' but she was just so right... and I genuinely have enjoyed this whole journey... and I will continue to enjoy it for years to come. Which means that even when your big race didn't turn out like you thought it might, life goes on and you show up at the pool a few days later and swim another workout.
But let's not get too sappy here, ok? I'm no where near giving up. In fact, I have a theory as to why my race didn't go so well last weekend (it involves horror-mones and tampons so I won't go into the details for fear of scaring either one of the men who read this blog) but there's a part of me that is dying to have another shot... sooner rather than later. And seems like 6 weeks later would be an excellent opportunity to test this horror-mone theory of mine so I've become like Desperately Seeking Susan trying to find someone (anyone???) who knows someone (anyone???) who can get me a back door entry into IMAZ. In the name of research, I mean. I'll be like a one woman show testing the theory about our ability to perform at different times of the month. I've emailed many people individually pleading to help but it seems that a back door entry into IMAZ is not especially easy to come by. But if I don't ask then for sure it won't happen so I thought I'd put it out there... If you are or know someone (anyone???) who can convince one of those WTC folks to assign me a race number for November 20, let me know, will ya? Mahalo.
14 comments:
Oh I wish I could help! Keeping all my fingers and toes crossed for you!!
I hope you find the entry! I unfortunately am not your connection - and the rest of my comment may scare your man readers away - but I hear you on the the "womanly" things and races! It's so weird because sometimes "it" can offer so much energy and sometimes "it" can suck it away. My last race sucked it away too. So, so, so unfortante especially when you are READY!
Did you by any chance email Preston? Or your TYR buddy Jen? Come on you have to no SOMEONE!!! Come visit :-) I'll take a couple of bikes out of the spare room so you can have a place to stay! hee hee
This resonates to me so much, both the part of explaining a race who people who would not understand, and the part about training for the love of it. I hope you get a number for IMAZ. That would be awesome!
Chris is Ana-Maria...
that is so funny- I had so much fun with the journey and racing as well, after Wales I was scouring the race list trying to find something to get in asap! hope someone can get you in the door.... :)
i like that older woman at the pool. she' right. and it's true that you seem to enjoy everything about training for IM. something i don't totally get, but am very envious of!
I love that you have come to this place, enjoying the journey and the training, and wanting into IMAZ is proof of that. You are so right, that the path needs to be fun, and as long as it is, then the results, good or bad, and easier to handle.
Good on ya girl!
I love her advice and think that you genuinely do love the training and everything that goes along w/ the IM. I am amazed you want to do it again in 6 weeks, I hope you find a way to get in and you get redemption!
I can't help you with an entry but I DO want to know @ your theory. You see... .I have dealt with that EVERY SINGLE race I had this summer. ALL of them. And, it was a good season!? So... maybe there's something and, I also think maybe some women are different than others that way? It definately can play a role in how we feel.
Funny, what Ange said. I know some people who swear they race better during that time and others who do not. I'm with the lady at the pool, for myself, I'll never place, I'm not good enough, but I do it all because I enjoy it. In fact, I'd enjoy it more if I didn't race. Man, I hate racing.
As for IMAZ, long shot, but maybe if you contact one of the sponsors, offer to pay your own way, but wear their logo, shirt, whatever, they might be able to get you in? Just a thought.
You are one lucky girl to race there in kona this year and your time will come again! Did you get into az? thinking of you!
I SO wish I had the magic connection to get you into IMAZ. IF I hear of anything I'll be sure to pass your way. Because I would LOVE to see ya again and cheer you on!! :D Hope you find a way in!!
I have a friend from AZ that says the community slots are your first bet. And then let him know and he could have a string or two to pull if that doesn't get you in.
I was in Kona, and we cheered for you!
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