IronMeg race report ramblings

First off.  I have typed, deleted, re-typed, edited, and everything else in-between of this blog.  I will never be able to adequately type out the day, but here is my attempt.  So.  Read on.

The amount of thoughts swirling around in my head over the reality that I am IronMeg is insane.  I could tell you about how the swim was longer feeling than I fathomed.  I could also tell you about how I didn't intend on having a 6 hour marathon.  But.  All of those things don't really matter in the span of the day.  There is one key point that matters; I finished; defying all thoughts within my head over the day.

Leading up to the day I had pondered quitting; I thought- what would happen if I got tired and decided to quit.  But when race week got here all those thoughts diminished and I knew I was going to finish.  I'm thankful for the confidence in myself, even though I simultaneously doubted everything, every second.

So.  Race day.  Geno and I started together and I was so thankful to have him there with me.  So, I swim. Check.  I got on my bike.  And.  10 miles into the bike my head started to throb-badly.  I've never experienced that.  So.  30 miles into the bike; it happened.  I started to panic-exactly what I tried so hard to fight against-I lost.  So from miles 30 to 95, not to be dramatic, but I actually want to make it as dramatic as possible.  I cried; I panicked; I freaked out.  No amount of words will ever be expressed of how those 5 hours really were.  From miles 70-95 I started to ponder how to quit.  I had it DOWN.  I knew the blog I was going to type; I was predetermining my future before getting there.  So.  I stopped.  I took off my helmet, and simply stood there; trying to regain myself to tell the volunteers that I was done.  When all of a sudden God Himself sent 4 athletes my way; 3 guys and a girl.  They asked me what I was doing, and I told them that this race isn't for me; that I was done.  And.  After a few minutes of talking it out, it clicked back that time didn't matter, and that I could finish this thing still.  So I begrudgingly got back on PoMegranate for 22 more miles, and actually enjoyed some of the bike course finally.  Jenna, Pink Jersey guy, and you other 2 dudes; I am now IronMeg because of you guys.  Thank you for saving my past 6 months of training.

The marathon was simply wonderful.  From my splits it looks like I hated it because of how slow I was going, but it really was an incredible experience.  The mental capacity I went through during those 26 miles is one in a million.  I ran with so many people it is simply beautiful.  I think everyone should experience the mental state of mind that happened; it is truly unbelievable the amount of force you have inside yourself to complete a hard thing, as a group.

There are so many ponderings about this day that keep reoccurring in my head.  The main one being mile 95.  That was my turning point.   That is where I had to decide why I was doing this.  And.  Honestly, my strength wasn't enough; anything I was offered wasn't enough.  I had to RELY; to JUMP into the emotion, the life, the experience of those around me.  Without them I wouldn't be an Ironman.  I would be a 'I made it to 95 because I was so tired from panicking and everyone would understand and tell me good job for trying but still not an Ironman'. 

I thought about a lot, yet nothing.  I sang a few songs.  I thought over the Jesus Calling devo I read that morning about my weakness being His.  I prayed for my friends in Augusta.   I talked, screamed, questioned, loved, despised so many attributes of God in those moments.  It was the most emotional and spiritual experience, yet not.  It was in the deepest panicking moments I oddly enough felt closest to the heart of the beast of IRONMAN.  The great miles isn't what makes someone an Ironman.  It's the miles and miles of every struggling pedal, yet persevering for the glorious ones that makes it all possible, and earning the title.

All 14 hours and 34 minutes all culminated to a life changing experience; not one moment; feeling empowered.  That I really can do anything I set my mind to with my village.  Hearing 'FIRST TIMER MEGAN ANDERSON. YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!' was/is a pretty cool moment.  That one moment the world was completely mine.  Thank you to Ann for staying around the extra hour and a half just to catch me and be the first one to tell me congrat's!  I can't wait to watch you ROCK IMCHATT in 2016. WHOOP WHOOP!

There are so many shout-out's that need to go out and I can't even begin to 'name drop'.  If you did ANY part of this process with me.  You were a part of that whole day; not just the finish line.  From Emma running watermelon classic with me, to Renee' riding her bike next to me randomly.  I needed everyone. I am thankful for Geno and Stephanie; my two Jackson buddies who I knew were on the course going through the same experience I was simultaneously.  I am proud of them for persevering and making a KICKBUTT race.  That is one thing I can't get over is how many people it really takes/took to get there.  I needed reliable people who would show up no matter what, and that is exactly what I was given during this season.  From my training partner Ellen to ride a zillion and one miles with me, and never doubted my ability, to my flawless FF staff/friends always listening.  It's been grand, and I will never be able to say how much love is in my heart for y'all.  I am sure I will do another one some day-but not this day.  Not next season.  That's too much to ask.

I can't go this whole blog without the 4 people who journeyed up to Chatt with me.  Dad, Dawn, Becca, and Renee'; you guys coined the 'journey' for journey to be IronMeg.  Never once did they complain about waking up; about listening to me non-stop ramble.  They did PERFECTLY, and I can't wait for my next one to bring them along.  From getting my bike, to going to the diner at 1 am; we truly had a blast.

So what's next? I am signed up to pace the Blues Marathon cuz why not, and then 2 buds from work, and myself are going to go run Houston Marathon.  HOW EXCITING!  And yes-that is it, and that's perfectly OK with me. :)

Some things I need to remember for next time:
-ADVIL ADVIL ADVIL
-2 pairs of shoes was the best idea ever.
-you can never have enough skin sake.  EVER.
-make sure you put aside 500 dollars for race week just cuz. TRUST. ME.

So.  There's that.  Journey to be Ironmeg.  Mission Accomplished.

#mytribe

The weekend of all weekends.

Ironman race weekend is finally here.



Thursday:
Drove.  The end.
We ate dinner at this 24 hour diner with AWESOME cake that I can't wait to devour Monday morning.



Friday:
Food, check-in, food, chill, food...did I mention food? ;)


Ironman village is so cool.  Getting to say 'yeah I am the racer....yes it's my first one' is the coolest experience EVA!



It feels surreal that it's here.  It feels like yesterday I was ready to throw up at Augusta over the thought of this weekend.  I honestly feel like a celebrity.  All the posts, messages, texts; it is truly overwhelming in the best way possible.  Knowing so many of you guys are following me, cheering for me, praying to the One who makes all of this happen; makes my excitement for Sunday unexplainable.  I have been dreaming of this day for a year now, and tomorrow it reaches the pinnalce for the entire day.  WOWZERS.


Getting to see Steph and Geno (other 2 Jacksonians doing IMCHATT) was so beneficial for my heart because we need each other.  We may not have started our journeys together, but we will most certainly fnish it!


So.  Tomorrow I will go on the journey of a lifetime.  Feel free to follow me on the Ironman Live Tracker. 


I am so thankful to have my dad, Dawn, Becca, and Renee' here with me to experience it all with me.  I couldn't have a better team to be on my side.  And then there is a team of about a ZILLION of you just as much on my side; you all who trained with me.  I will never be able to put into words my thankfulness for helping this crazy 23 year old accomplish something I never thought possible.


Also.  Side note.  Two years ago this is what was monumental in my life. My first 1/2.  It's short.  Go take a read.  Two years later.  An Ironman.  Well dang.  So.  Cool.


Next time you hear from me:  PoMegranate and I will be an Ironman together.

race week wins: featuring another addition to my 'I can't make this stuff up' type ride.

7 days.

^^^^^I have loved starting out my last few blogs with the countdown because as it gets closer I blog more.  Because there are too many feels that accompany the process that I want to remember it all.  I can go from 'happy go lucky' to 'tears in the store' in less than 10 seconds.  I am so thrilled yet so terrified. 

Anyways.  I love all these realizations that keep happening and another one occurred.

I blog every time that I am thankful for my 'village'.  But. I realized.   I have a plethora of 'tribes' within my 'village.'  You know..from my work friends to my college friends..and DUH everyone who trains with me.  Oh and all the zillions of you random people who encourage me.  There's just too many people to mention my thankfulness for.  I just love the thought of all 'my' tribes within the village.  I think it's a beautiful picture to think of all these different 'people groups' all being together for one common interest: and that day that is rapidly approaching!

Taper is hitting pretty hard.  I am not wiped by the end of the day; I have more energy than I ever remembered having.  I always want to jump off a bridge, yet want to just sit for hours.  Awkward.  I should be productive on my off days of work but instead I lay on the couch watching New Girl with Fage yogurt trying to not eat the whole house (mostly succeeded--dang cheerios).  I also have so many social plans it's overwhelming to me in the best way possible.  Having my friends want to see me and wish me well before I go off is the best thing for my heart at this point.

I can't believe it's almost over.  But.  I can't get there yet.  First I gotta enjoy the crazy build up to the day.

Also.  For your 'I really can't make this stuff up' profile of me:

Fun story of my last 'long ride'.  My car broke down on my way to ride the RM course.  So my friend whom I rode with, Karen, had to come rescue me and PoMegranate (bike) to be able to ride.  So yes.  We left my car, June, on the side of the road all morning while we rode, and then came back to him to deal with.  Proceed to call AAA where I explained I left my car to go ride my bike and will be back in 20 minutes..proceed the lady on the phone questioning if I was really the driver, and if I really was telling the truth (because who doesn't wake up at the crack of dawn to ride their bike??).  So, 355353 phone tries later.  June is now at the car doctor awaiting to be looked at tomorrow thanks to Karen driving us around Clinton.  Never a dull day..

True triathletes right there.

This is race week.  Bring. It.  On.

#whyitri #forgood

2 weeks.
Last long weekend is getting written in the books.  But. 

I have another mind-altering moment I need to share.  Why I am on this journey; why WE are on this journey.

Ya see...I have gotten to train with more people than I ever fathomed would happen.  So.  I have heard so many stories that my brain and heart are overwhelmed with happiness and in awe over the majesty of it all; why we tri.  And that's just it. 

Getting to learn people; live life; DO community: this is why I tri; getting to hear why my friends keep 'tring'.  I have gotten to cross journeys with so many people and we all have such different journeys and life experiences to share within each other; to continually change each other For Good.  My new 'song' is from the musical Wicked: For Good.  I couldn't help but share parts of the song that my heart resonates within for the whole triathlon community.

Because life isn't just a moment, but a series of them.

"I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most, to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return...

 You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend...
Because I knew you,
I have been changed For Good."

The city of Ottawa.  What a summer.

I thought this song would always relate to what I thought would be the happiest moment of my life: when I spent a summer in Canada.  That was single-handedly the best 2 months of my life, and every person I met there changed my life For Good.  So this song always made me slightly sad because I know I probably won't ever see them again, nor will ever experience that life moment again.  I thought I would never experience that level of happiness again.  But it's not just a moment; it's about the journey, and the endless series of moments.  I am getting to create new memories for this song. 
Because the best is truly yet to come, and I am realizing that every time my path crosses with a new human.

Cycling and running might make us all training partners, but the talking that happens in the midst of it makes us friends.
I have indeed been changed and am being changed For Good.

Wake me up when September ends.

Well.  The month of September has finally arrived; race month.  I have anxiously awaited this time of life and each day makes me a little more anxious/nervous/happy/sad over it all. (PS- I have read this part aloud to myself multiple times and can't read it without tears from how crazy this is...)
I have one 'long weekend' left and then I GET TO TAPER.  Oh that beautiful, terrifying, 5 letter word.

Just know.  This whole month.  My heart rate is going to stay sky rocket because I have too many feels towards this.  I am a 23 year old girl chasing this dream I don't even know if I am mentally prepared for, but you and I, WE, have worked too hard to fail now. And all I have to offer- is tired.  I want to sleep all the time.  I want to cry scared tears more than you will ever know unless you are part of the select few that has been here.  Seeing the one month mark come and go is something that shakes you to your core and takes the breath away from you.  Getting to talk 'race day' is something that makes my heart skip a beat.

I have no cute pictures to break up my paragraphs because quite honestly I just don't feel like finding 'that perfect moment' to share.  I've ran/rode/swam and have too many people contributing to it and as race day draws near, my thankfulness increases because my desire to train decreases. #thestruggle

I have been contemplating my training comparing to everyone else's, and I realized one key thing.  I am going into this IM without 'one vital day' to look back on and say, 'oh I did THAT day, so I can do this race.'  No race day simulation.  No crazy ride then run.  Just consistent, long, hard days (ok Fridays are just swims and ROCK). But one after another.  And that is exactly why I know I am physically ready.  One day isn't more important, but they are ALL important.  Every set in the pool, every ride, every terrible/awesome run...it all matters.  Every panic moment that I talk myself out of scares me, yet invigorates me.  Every moment with every person is going to be whirling through my thoughts when it gets hard; that is my finish line. 

Short, sweet, to the point is this blog because I don't care to revise, or make it presentable. 
This is where I'm at. 
This is September 1st.

The best is yet to come. 遊

I didn't think I would blog 5 weeks out because 5 weeks seems like an awkward number.
It's not really a month but feels like it.  It's ALMOST a month but not quite.  It's one hand though!

But.  Something happened this weekend and I need to tell the WORLD!
I have been contemplating my tattoo for quite some time now and keep going back and forth if I want the 'MDOT' on my body.  To some it's just a corporation.  To some it's a mark of success.  When I see one I personally think success/determination like no one's business and not a logo, but I am indeed a crazy 23 year old and where will IM be when I am 40?  I have no idea.

So.  I have been googling like crazy and came across the Chinese symbol for journey and it hit me.
THAT'S IT. #journeytobeIronMeg
Why would I get a logo of a company/process I don't really love?  I have said every single day I am never doing this again.  I don't want this to be my 'end all be all', and my glory days I talk about. 

But tri's are something I love.  It's an on-going journey that embodies so much. It's a journey that involves so many things I feel overwhelmed trying to adequately give 'credit' to everything that happened during it all, when all you really to know is it's a journey.  One that isn't over September 27th.  One that embodies countless people, successes, failures, highs, lows, and all the in-betweens. The IM journey might be over, but the journey after is just starting.

Because.  The best is yet to come.

 

So.  That is it.  I can't wait to get it.  It's perfect.  Right outside ankle.

impulsive buys are the best. Especially when it's a pet.

6 weeks.

The days are long, but the weeks are flying.

I can't believe I am actually gonna do this thing. 
I CAN believe I am actually gonna do this thing.

Why?

Because I have FULL confidence in my training.  Which.  At this point is something that my heart and body needs.  I would have never 'trained' myself the way F is doing it, and I know I will get to that start line fully ready for the 144.6 much better than I ever dreamed.  I feel like I am learning what pushing yourself to the limit really means, but also seeing the need and requirement for recovery and sleep.  And.  He puts up with my 23 year old shenanigan moves-which is enough!

So I hear..relying on ALLLL my IM friends who tell me this almost daily!

I can't believe it's been over 2 weeks since I blogged.  I have no really great 'inspiring' moments.  Just: train, work, eat, sleep, repeat. 
Yes there's been really great days, and really terrible days.  Days where I just jump to Instagram a pic. of a pool or the trace to exclaim my happiness.  Days where all I can do is text my dear tri friends to talk me out of myself, tell me I'm doing great, but graciously tell me to KEEP GOING AND SUCK IT UP!
But overall I feel like I'm living the full Ironman training experience.  Tears of happiness, to tears of fear, to tears of being so overwhelmed there are no words.

One thing that I can't even go one blog without at least throwing out is my thankfulness for my village.  It seems to continually be expanding.  So many people are gonna be 'crossing' that finish line with me and I can hardly wait!  One group of people that don't really realize the impact they have made on my training are the people I 'coach' Monday morning's at 5am.  Our tri 201 group at FF.  Joel, Arash, and I all co-coach with Karen whom is the head coach.  These 3 people keep it real with me, and know how to encourage me since they have done one of these things.  So.  I appreciate them and love the pic of us stretching on the pool deck hehe!

 Oh. 

Let's back up to my last recovery week.  My roommate and I made an impulse buy. 

His name is Kennedy Swift.  Michelle calls him Kennedy; I call him KS.  He is a guinea pig.  He is what is getting me through tough work days, naps at home, and all the in-betweens.  I intentionally play with him.  He enjoys to hide in crevasses, so naps are an A+ for us.  When I taper I fully plan to design a bag I can run with him in for some fun runs..because why not?

 

The athlete guide came out last week.  So of course I read it 3 times that day.  And my favorite rule is number one of the run course, "Athletes may run, walk, or CRAWL." HAHAH

Good to know.