and we'll make it fine if the weather holds.
But if the weather holds,
then we'll have missed the point;
that's were I need to go."
--Indigo Girls, "The Wood Song."
On Wed, Oct 14, 2015 at 12:19 PM, Abby wrote:
If you will forgive me for getting all philosophical one more time...
Late on Monday, October 5th, the race directors confirmed that, for the first time in the 37-year history of Ironman, a race would indeed be rescheduled, and Ironman Maryland would run two weeks later on October 17th.
The day after the day after tomorrow.
And so two weeks have passed, like they always do, one 24-hour day at a time. Staying mentally focused and physically healthy has been an active process for me. I've been trying to sleep a lot (some success, some NOT). I've nearly overdosed on Vitamin C. Mentally, I've had some ups and downs. Up: getting to ride the 85-mile course of Levi's Gran Fondo and cheer for my boyfriend and his friend as they crushed the century on October 3rd. Down: waking up on October 4th and having a 2.5-hour run on the training plan when I was *supposed to be done.* :)
"The Wood Song" has popped into my head almost everyday.
This delay, this unexpected additional challenge, is exactly what Ironman is about for me.
I've trained a lot. I've done lots of amazing and fun long rides, some hard-to-believe-I-swam-that far sessions in the pool, and ENOUGH long runs. I've also raced a lot in the past several years. I've learned a lot about how to manage myself, what my physical limitations are, and what both "success" (standing on the podium!! qualifying for Worlds!!) and "failure" (panic attacks in the water, cramping on the run, flats on the bike) look like. Without a doubt, I have *super-secret* time goals for each portion of this race, known only by my coach and boyfriend.... if everything goes according to plan.
But that's the thing about Ironman. Kinda nothing is going to go exactly as we imagine. All we can hope is that we've prepared ourselves for the physical challenge, we've planned what we will do in a variety of scenarios, and we have the basic skill set and arsenal of tricks to manage whatever happens when the weather doesn't hold.
Speaking of weather: thankfully Joaquin didn't make landfall, and thankfully Dorchester County, Maryland, has extensive experience producing long distance triathlons. Also to note: for athletes who couldn't make it back for the rescheduled event, Ironman offered other options. Not everyone will be happy or satisfied, but it's hard to argue with Mother Nature.
Mother Nature is offering up a much chillier day than I would prefer for riding my bike really fast, but it should be an AWESOME DAY for a long run!
I'm SUPER grateful that my family was able to flex their plans, and they will all be in Cambridge to ring bells for me in their custom "Ironmom," "Irondad," "Ironsis," "Ironnephew," and "IronBIL" shirts. I am almost without words at how awesome it is that my cheering squad will now also include "IronBF." Thank you for making the trek, love!
Thank you for your constant support!!
Abby
______________________________If you will forgive me for getting all philosophical one more time...
Late on Monday, October 5th, the race directors confirmed that, for the first time in the 37-year history of Ironman, a race would indeed be rescheduled, and Ironman Maryland would run two weeks later on October 17th.
The day after the day after tomorrow.
And so two weeks have passed, like they always do, one 24-hour day at a time. Staying mentally focused and physically healthy has been an active process for me. I've been trying to sleep a lot (some success, some NOT). I've nearly overdosed on Vitamin C. Mentally, I've had some ups and downs. Up: getting to ride the 85-mile course of Levi's Gran Fondo and cheer for my boyfriend and his friend as they crushed the century on October 3rd. Down: waking up on October 4th and having a 2.5-hour run on the training plan when I was *supposed to be done.* :)
"The Wood Song" has popped into my head almost everyday.
This delay, this unexpected additional challenge, is exactly what Ironman is about for me.
I've trained a lot. I've done lots of amazing and fun long rides, some hard-to-believe-I-swam-that far sessions in the pool, and ENOUGH long runs. I've also raced a lot in the past several years. I've learned a lot about how to manage myself, what my physical limitations are, and what both "success" (standing on the podium!! qualifying for Worlds!!) and "failure" (panic attacks in the water, cramping on the run, flats on the bike) look like. Without a doubt, I have *super-secret* time goals for each portion of this race, known only by my coach and boyfriend.... if everything goes according to plan.
But that's the thing about Ironman. Kinda nothing is going to go exactly as we imagine. All we can hope is that we've prepared ourselves for the physical challenge, we've planned what we will do in a variety of scenarios, and we have the basic skill set and arsenal of tricks to manage whatever happens when the weather doesn't hold.
Speaking of weather: thankfully Joaquin didn't make landfall, and thankfully Dorchester County, Maryland, has extensive experience producing long distance triathlons. Also to note: for athletes who couldn't make it back for the rescheduled event, Ironman offered other options. Not everyone will be happy or satisfied, but it's hard to argue with Mother Nature.
Mother Nature is offering up a much chillier day than I would prefer for riding my bike really fast, but it should be an AWESOME DAY for a long run!
I'm SUPER grateful that my family was able to flex their plans, and they will all be in Cambridge to ring bells for me in their custom "Ironmom," "Irondad," "Ironsis," "Ironnephew," and "IronBIL" shirts. I am almost without words at how awesome it is that my cheering squad will now also include "IronBF." Thank you for making the trek, love!
Thank you for your constant support!!
Abby
"Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom.
Mastering others is strength, mastering yourself is true power."
~Lao-Tzu
On Thu, Oct 1, 2015 at 10:25 AM, Abby wrote:
The plane that I was supposed to be on has departed SFO, and I'm unexpectedly at my desk at work today. As you may or may not have heard, the race directors announced yesterday that "Ironman Maryland will not take place this Saturday."
On account of heavy pre-event rainfall and the projected path of Hurricane Joaquin, emergency officials in Maryland determined that they could not guarantee their availability to properly monitor the race because they might be called to deal with hurricane-related circumstances. Further, the area may need to be evacuated, and bringing a bunch of athletes and spectators to the area would be counter to that directive, if given.
For the safety of the athletes, spectators, volunteers and support crew, it was wise (IMHO) for the race directors to make this decision.
The race has been tentatively rescheduled for Saturday, October 17, pending an evaluation of the area once the storm passes. I have already changed my plane ticket, and my dad was able to reschedule our accommodations. Cross fingers that Joaquin settles down or heads east.
Many people have reached out to see "how I am" considering this turn of events. My friend Naomi, who is also racing, put it aptly: "Bummed but dealing." After many months of training, it's a bit of a head fake to not race this weekend. But, Mother Nature will have her way, and there is not much gained in the wringing of hands or shedding of tears.
True statement: I don't want to do an Ironman in a hurricane. :) The thought of the swim/ride in gale force winds and rain is scary.
Another true statement: I don't want my friends and family to spectate in a hurricane!
So... What now??
I'm both hopeful and relatively confident that the race will indeed run on October 17. Though I had a really good taper going, I will pull back in the training plan (per coach's instructions) to "one more big weekend" and roll back into taper mode next week.
Staying healthy remains my #1 goal--no illness, no injury--so if you have any pull with the Up-Above, consider requesting GRACEFUL LANDINGS, both of the hurricane and its descent upon the East Coast, and of my feet upon the ground for
JUST TWO MORE WEEKS.
I will keep you posted.
Love,
Abby
From: Abby
Date: September 29, 2015 at 06:29:58 PDT
Subject: Ironman Maryland: Gratitude and Grace!
Dear friends and family,
It’s hard to believe that in just 4 short days I will be finally racing Ironman Maryland. It has been quite a journey since the last time I completed this distance. Many of you know that I suffered a stress fracture in my left femur, diagnosed just 10 days before Ironman Mont-Tremblant in 2013. Despite the injury, my heart wanted to finish that race badly, so I swam, biked, and walked (yes, the whole marathon) to the finish line. I was proud of myself for not giving up on something I had worked so hard for, even though it didn’t go exactly as I imagined. I ran (without pain) for the last 500 meters, and I heard Mike Reilly call me an Ironman.
My good friend Kris and I used to philosophize about how “triathlon is like life” because you never really know what is going to happen, and you just have to deal with it. Swim on, pedal on, keep putting one foot in front of the other—no matter what obstacles or hardships come your way—and the finish line will eventually come. I often joke that one of the reasons I am a good government employee is because I’m an endurance athlete—when most people would give up on a cause, I’m just getting started. An endurance athlete knows that success is measured in millimeters.
On Saturday October 3, I’m hoping to string together 2.26274e+8 millimeters, err, 140.6 miles of swimming, biking, and running through Cambridge, Maryland, at the 3rd running of Ironman Maryland. This time, I will be healthy at the starting line!
If you care to follow my progress, I will be racing bib #683, and there will be an Athlete Tracker and live finish line coverage on the Ironman web page. http://www.ironman.com/triathlon/events/americas/ ironman/maryland.aspx
The journey to the starting line of this race has been fairly typical Ironman training, as I can tell. I’ve been exhausted, elated, excited, panicked, and all in all, I had a good case of the “Ironman Crazies." I venture that anyone training for Ironman experiences the gamut of emotion and stress, and while getting sick at 6 weeks out and crashing (quite badly) at 5 weeks out challenged me mentally and physically, all this pales in comparison to what others have overcome on their journey to the starting line.
Thus I will begin my gratitudes!
To my coach, Rob Falk, for absolute unwavering faith in me as an athlete from the first moment we met. For a consistent attitude of, “Well, duh,” when I perform well at races. For applauding my success at taking rest days above all other accomplishments. Thank you for always replying to my panicky text messages. Thank you for putting Ironman 70.3 World Championships on the 2016 calendar already. (PS: Add Boulder 70.3. June 11.)
To my mother, for finally understanding—45 races later—that triathlon is indeed survivable. Thank you for reading the athlete guide from cover to cover.
To my father, for finding a sweet house for all of us to stay in for the race, and to my sister, her husband, and my nephew (and mom and dad!), for wearing hot pink shirts with my name on them and ringing cowbells all day. You have no idea what it feels like to have “people” there for you. Thank you for coming.
To Heather, who is my kindred spirit in song and in racing, thank you for volunteering!! Please be prepared to deliver hugs when I see you at the aid stations.
To Kyrsten, for being a badass, and reminding me that I am a badass whenever I need it—work, life, triathlon. Thank you to you and Lindsey (and Kyle) for forcing me to go to Lake Stevens roll downs. Thank you for knowing exactly what to say no matter what the situation. Because, America. GO KICK SOME KONA BUTT, YOU BADASS!! (And same to Dana, and to Lindsey at IMAZ!!)
To Kortney, for racing Ironman Arizona so I had a reason to go last year and decide not to race that race. :) Thank you for your friendship, your support, and for a ride to the airport. You are a champion in so many ways. :)
To Blythe and Norm, for cleaning me up after my crash! I am grateful for the opportunity to get to know you better, and let’s hear it for iodine and tequila! I am lucky I was so close to your house when it happened.
To my roommate, Jenn, for general tolerance. And for forgiving me for occasionally snitching milk for my coffee. I always apologized! :)
To my coworkers, for never questioning my damp hair and lack of make up. Thank you for putting up with me, especially these last few weeks! Highest volume of training in the most stressful work times ever? Because, Ironman.
And last but certainly not least, to my boyfriend. For... everything. For thinking 4:30AM alarm clocks are acceptable, and for the sunrise bike rides that followed. For never letting me go on a long ride alone. For singing Marine drills or Jefferson Starship when the climbs were just too long. For stopping to take selfies. For salt and vinegar potato chips. For gadgets and data. For recovery drinks and green drinks and drinks with vodka in them. For believing in me. For tolerating the Ironman crazies. Your support has been unfathomable. May your legs carry you quickly to the finish line of the Levi’s Gran Fondo so you can obsessively hit refresh on Ironman.com to watch me cross the finish line on the internet. ;)
I have two general platitudes to the Up-Above: grace to walk my chosen path no matter the adversity, and gratitude for assistance to the other side. Ironman is far from graceful, and in the ups and downs of my journey to the starting line, I’m sure I have faltered in my goal of grace in adversity. For this I ask your forgiveness.
I am grateful for your support.
Let’s do this.
Love,
Abby
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